FIRE CHIEFS OF COUNCIL BLUFFS

Twenty-three men have headed the Council Buffs Fire Department since the first volunteer Hook and Ladder Company was formed more than 100 years ago.
The following men have served as fire chiefs:

H.D. Harl, then called a captain - 1853.
Ralph Guanella, then called a foreman - 1865.
F.T.C. Johnson, first man called a fire chief - 1868.
Charles Sanderson and Phil Moomaw both served before 1882.
Patrick Lacy and John Templeton - both served in 1882.
John Templeton was fire chief when the paid department was formed in 1883.
C.D. Walters - 1884.
D.F. Eicher and Sanderson - both served in 1885.
John Templeton - 1886 - 1887.
C.D. Walters - 1888 - 1889.
F.R. Levin - 1890 - 1891.
Charles Nicholson -1892 - 1894.
John Templeton - 1895 - 1897.
John Bates - 1898.
John Templeton - 1899 - 1903.
Charles Nicholson - 1904 - 1905.
R.W. Jones - 1906 - 1907.
Charles Nicholson - 1908 - 1913.
F.G. Hitchcock - 1914 - 1920.
James Cotter - 1920 - 1928.
John Oliver - 1928 - 1931.
J.N. Cochran - 1931 - 1935.
William Grote - 1935 - 1938.
William Soreson - 1938 - 1940.
Waldo Merrill - 1940 - 1964.
Frank "Mike" Gilman - 1964 - 1966.
Norman Elgan - 1966 - 1982.
Delbert Burdick appointed 1982.
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