History
[contributed by: Barb Z. 2008]

    The population of Sac City is now estimated to be 800. The place is one of the most flourishing in this section of Iowa.
    The present town officers are: Mayor, John Alexander; Recorder, Charles L. Early; Trustees, R. H. Lamoreux, Phil. Schaller. P. H.
Hankins, N. B. Flack, Jos. H. James.
    In 1856 Sac City was laid out on land belonging to Hon. Eugene Criss, and was selected as the seat of government for the county. It is situated on the Coon River, about five or six miles northeast of the center of the county. The business part of town lies on level ground, on the first rise from the bottom lands along the river, while the residences are principally on higher ground, overlooking the business streets.
    The town site is handsome and picturesque. In fact, it would be difficult to find in our prairie country a more beautiful location for a town. The Coon River, lined by a narrow strip of bottom land, half encircles the town. Native forest trees are scattered over the whole town site, so that even the later comers may have enough shade around their homes to take away the disagreeable bareness usually belonging to anew residence in a prairie, country. It would be difficult for even the most fastidious to find fault with the appearance of Sac City, taking its age and size into consideration.
    Sac City was incorporated in 1805, and Judge Criss, the founder of the town, was, quite appropriately, its first Mayor. The town is, in every respect, in a prosperous condition, growing rapidly and gaining every season in handsome and permanent buildings, and last, though not least, it is out of debt and has money in its treasury.
    Judge Criss built the first house in Sac City. It was a log house and was built in 1855 and is still standing.
    The Sac City Creamery was established in 1879, It was formerly situated  one and one half miles from town. The proprietor, G. M, Parker, has subsequently built a fine brick building 24x40 feet, with ice-house 20x32 feet, steam power engine and wash room 16x30 feet, erected in 1882. The creamery is to be supplied with all the modern improved machinery. The cost of construction was about $5,000. It is to be run on the cream gathering plan. The new creamery is to be known in the future as the Pearl Creamery, and will begin operations in April, 1882.
    The classification of business in Sac City is as follows: General stores, three; groceries, three; dry goods, one; boots and shoes, one; clothing, one; fancy goods, one; millinery, three; hardware, two; drugs, three; meat markets, two: blacksmiths, three; wagon- makers, two; banks, two; furniture, two; photograph gallery, one; restaurant, one; hotels, two; physicians, four; attorneys, four;
The Sac City Creamery was established in 1879. It was formerly situated one and one half miles from town. The proprietor, G. M. Parker, has subsequently built a fine brick building 24x40 feet, with ice-house 20x32 feet, steam power engine and washroom 16x30 feet, erected in 1882. The creamery is to be supplied with all the modern improved machinery. The cost of construction was about $5,000. It is to be run on the cream gathering plan. The new creamery is to be known in future as the Pearl Creamery, and will begin operations in April, 1882.
    The Court House is 84x56 feet, solidly and handsomely built in brick, with limestone foundations and is one of the best county buildings in the northwest. It cost $30,000. The first floor is fitted up for the county officers, with vaults for the county records, etc. The upper story has the court-room, jury rooms, etc. 'With the court-room fitted up for a session of court there are about 400 sittings, but in use as a hall for lectures or political speaking, there is sitting room for 600 people. The basement is only partly in. use. One room is fitted up with floor, stove, chairs, tables, etc., and is in use us a jail. A cage of boiler iron, containing two cells, fills about half the room and makes the jail a pretty secure one. harness, two; livery, two; shoemakers, two; tailor, one; lumber and coal, two; elevators, three; cigar factory, one; mattress factory, one; stock dealers, three; saloons, four; iron foundry, one.
    On Coon River, adjoining the town, and only a quarter of a mile from the Court House, are the City Mills, the property of Hon. Eugene Criss. The mills have three run of stone (including one for the manufacture of patent flour), and are run by water power. Judge Criss. in 1857, built a steam saw mill, and in 1802 dammed the Coon and used the water-power for his sawmill. The building of. railroads, and the consequent cheap transportation of pine lumber, made the sawmill no longer a necessity, and in 1872 the conversion of the Sac City Mill into a flouring mill was completed and in December of that year the first "grists" were ground. Since that time it has been the leading mill, and one of the most important institutions of Sac County, as well as a source of profit to its proprietor.
    Sac City has a very pleasantly situated cemetery, just at the north edge of town, and on the bank of the Coon River, but about ten feet above high water mark. It has quite a number of native oak trees, and some of the burial lots have had considerable care bestowed upon them.
    Sac City had two newspapers for about six weeks near the close of the year 1877. Kelly & Varham issued the first number of the Reporter at Sac City on the 22d of October of that, year, but removed it to Odebolt on the 6th of December.
    Sac City, has but one newspaper, and has been able to give it a fair living support. As a rule, it is the fault of the community if the local newspaper is a poor one. Give it a better patronage and it will be improved. It takes money to make any kind of business "go." The Sac Sun was first issued July 11th, 1871, as a seven- column folio, and was enlarged July 1st, 1878, to an eight column folio, its present size. It is, and always has been, Republican in politics. Always among the handsomest papers in the State, typographically the Sun has also been always carefully edited and with special attention to those mutters which are the life of a country newspaper. Mr. James N. Miller has been the editor and the publisher during its whole existence, and the Sun itself is the best evidence of his qualifications for that position.

M. E. Church Society-The M. E. Church of Sac City was the first church building erected in the town. It was built in 1873. and is a frame structure 30x50 feet. The building is located on the corner of Ninth and Main streets, and cost $3,000. The present pastor is Rev. Robert Smylie. The Society has a membership of sixty. There is a Sabbath School in connection, with an average attendance of fifty pupils. A. D. Peck is Superintendent, J. L. Comstock Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. C. L. Lane, Treasurer, and Miss Winnie Lane Secretary.

The Presbyterian Church Society.-The Presbyterian Society of Sac City was organized in 1875. The present officers are J. N. Miller, H. M. Conner, Elders; J. T. Bushnell was the first pastor, then came Rev. Baxter. A. S. Foster is the present incumbent. The church has a membership of thirty three. There is also a Sabbath School with an average attendance of fifty pupils. J. N". Miller is Superintendent. The church has an elegant brick church building, erected in 1875, and dedicated the following year. It is 3-1x50 feet on the ground, and contains about 300 sittings.

Sac City Lodge No. 323, I. O. O. F.- Instituted November 5th, 1878. The charter members were V. M. Crummett, H. W. Crandall, G. N. Pratt, W. H. Hobbs, J. H. Thomas, John Dobson. H. W. Mix, C. Wadell, D. Sargent, D. F. Gifford. M. Peyton. First officers: ' M. Peyton, N. G.; D. Sargent, Secretary; D. F. Gifford, V. G.; W. H. Hobbs, Treasurer. Present officers: D. F. Gifford, N. G.; Martin Glass, V. G.; J. Koder, Secretary; M. Peyton, Treasurer. This lodge has a membership of thirty and meets every Thursday evening in Masonic Hall. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition.

Occidental Lodge A.F.& A.M.- Instituted August 1865, charter granted June, 1856. Charter Members; D.C. Early, J. Williams, W.V. Lagorgue, G.H. Wright, J.W. Fiberghien, T.M. Cory, First Officers: D.C. Early. W.M.; J. Williams, S.W.; G.H. Wright, J.W.; W.V. Lagourgue, Treasurer,
F.M. Cory Secretary, Present Officers: P. Schaller, W.M,; C.E. Lane, S.W.; J.H. Thomas, J.W.; W.M. Allen, Treasurer: C.E. Read, Secretary, Present Membership, seventy two. The Lodge meets the Saturday night on or before full moon, on their hall.

Rose Croix Commandeny No. 38, K. T.-Was instituted Dec., 1881. The charter members were: D. C. Early, P. H. Hawkins, E. R. Duffle, W. H. Hobbs, M. Childs, B. W. Trout, R. T. Shearer, M. M. Gray, H. S. Briggs and Sidney Smith. First officers: D. C. Early, E. C.; E. R. Duffie, Glo.; R. T. Shearer, C. G. The present officers are: D. C. Early, E. C.; Phil. Schaller. Glo.; Levi Davis, C. G.; W. H. Hobbs, S. W.; M. Childs, J. W.; Sidney Smith, Secretary; C. L. Early, Treasurer. The present membership is thirty. This society meets the second Tuesday in each month. It is in a flourishing condition.

Darius Chapter No. 50, R. A. M.-Was instituted February 1st, 1871. The charter members were: Wm. McKay, W. H. Hobbs, E. I1. Duffle,E. R. Chase, S. S. Armstrong, J. Orr, and
Oliver Birt. First officers: E. R, Chase, H. P.; J. E. Armstrong, K.; E. R. Duffie, S. The present officers are: Levi Davis, H. P.; D. C. Early, K.; J. E. Armstrong, S.; R. H. Lamoreux, Treasurer; Sidney Smith Secretary. Present membership, seventy. The Lodge meets on the Monday evening on or before the full moon in each month.

Sac Collegium, V.A.S., No. 75- Instituted August 21st, 1881, First Officers: A.D. Peck, Rector; Geo. Schaller, Scribe. Present Officers: A.D. Peck, Rector; Frank C, Knight, Scribe, The membership is twenty one. Meet the first Friday in each month.

Sac City Public School.-Sac City became an independent school district in April, 1876. The first school house was built in 1855. The present teachers are: D. J. McDaid, Principal; Mrs. G. M. Parker, Miss Lizzie Baxter, Assistants. Present school board: A. D. Peck, President; D. C. Early, E. Criss, Phil. Schaller, W. H. Hobbs, Directors; C. E. Lane, Secretary; R. H. Lamoreux, Treasurer. The first officers were: B. W. "Trout, Levi Davis, H. Baxter. The public school building in Sac City is a fine brick edifice, with a stone foundation, built in 1871 at a cost of $14,000. It contains three rooms, the whole upper story being devoted to the high school department, while the intermediate and primary departments are accommodated on the first floor. The building is well built and handsomely furnished, and is well ventilated, comfortable and more than ordinarily well lighted. The schools are in the best order, well disciplined and progressing most satisfactorily in the various branches of study.

Early Residents Biographies
[contributed by Barb Z. 2008]
 

William Allen was born in Richmond, Va., in 1822; moved to McHenry county, Ill., in 1844, and engaged in blacksmithing. He went to California in 1849, and remained seventeen years. Three years of the time he was engaged in mining, and the remainder on a ranch. The steamboat landing in Tehama county, Cal.. on the Sacramento river, known as Allen's Landing, was named after Mr. A., for the reason of his owning the land and a large wood yard there. In 1868 he sold out and moved to Chicago, Ill., and engaged in business: removed to Fort Dodge, la., and was engaged in the mercantile business there for three years; then came to Sac City, and engaged in the same business, which he sold to George Parker in 1876. He owns considerable country and town property, and has retired from active business.

Thomas Alexander, farmer, was born in Coshocton county. O., in 1827; moved to Sac county, la., in 1861, and purchased land one mile north of Sac City. He has one of the finest farms in the county. He owns 314 acres of well improved land, a fine bearing orchard of about three acres, and fifty acres of good timber. E. F. Baxter, station agent and conductor, was born at Sidney- Plain, N. Y., in 1833; moved to Rockford, Ill., in 1851 and engaged in mercantile business. In 1801t he moved to Wheatland. Iowa.; thence to Marshalltown, in 1874, and in September, 1879. came to Sac City and took charge of the depot. He makes two trips a day as conductor, and during his absence the depot is in
charge of Frank L. Stayner, operator. Mr. Baxter is agent for the American express company.

Hon. Eugene Criss. farmer, stock raiser, and proprietor of the City Mills, was born in Preston county. West Virginia, in 1822; removed to Duvis county, Illinois, in 1840; thence to Sac county. Iowa, in 1854, locating on Coon river, where the present town of Sac City was shortly afterwards platted by Wagner Bros., Evans and himself. Mr. Criss built the first dwelling house in the town, which at that early day was considered a fine structure. The lumber for frames and the doors and windows was hauled from Dubuilue, with ox teams, and A. T.

Benton, M. D., was born in Johnson county, Indiana, in 1847; moved to Dallas county, Iowa, in 1852. He attended the Adel High School several years; entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk in 1807 and graduated in 1869. He then engaged in practice at Adel, where he remained until July, 1871, then came to Sac City. Office at his residence, on the south side of public square this was for several years a tavern and stopping place for freighters and travelers. He began the erection of the City Saw Mills in 1866, which were not completed until eight years after, and during that time cut a race twenty eight feet deep and two hundred feet in length, which gave a fall of nine feet. In 1872 he
built the flouring mill, which is a three story building and fitted with the best of machinery. He owns one thousand acres of land adjoining town, and feeds about six car-loads of cattle every winter. He owns an elevator and deals in grain in partnership with Mr. Hanger, who has charge of the business. Mr. Criss was county judge for several years and representative in the State legislature.

Childs Brothers, dealers in dry goods, groceries, hats, caps and furnishing goods, came from Fort Dodge, la., where they had been engaged in business for ten years, and established their present business in Nov., 1879, in Bank block. They carry a large and complete stock. J. L. Criss, merchant, was born in Wis., in 1840; came with parents to Sac City, la., in 1856. He engaged in business at Grant City, remained one year, then moved to this city. He has a fine store, and carries a full stock of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, etc. He employs three clerks and does an extensive business. He has a branch store at Early, Iowa., which is managed by F. Rodda.

Levi Davis, cashier of the Sac county bank, was born at Newcastle, Ind., in 1841; moved with parents to Solpn, la., in September, 1855. He received a diploma from the State Normal School, of Iowa City, and in August of the same year moved to Sac City, where he taught school two years. He went to Marshalltown in 1865 and was principal of the schools there for a year, then was elected county superintendent of schools, which office he held two years in Marshall county. He came back to Sac City and taught in the city schools for two years; was elected clerk of the courts in 1870 and county recorder in 1872. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1870, at a session of the Sioux Rapids district court, Judge H. Ford presiding. He went to California in 1874 and was for one year principal of the schools at Martinez; returned to Sac county and became cashier of the Sac County Bank, of which he is one of the stockholders. R. H. Derby, carpenter, contractor and cabinet maker, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., in 1853, where he remained until 1873, then moved with his father to Sac City, Iowa, where they engaged in mercantile business. They sold business and together engaged in present business.

Hon. Ed. R. Duffie is a native of Copenhagen, Lewis county, New York, where he resided until he had come to years of manhood, and where he began the study of law. In 1866 Mr. Duffie was sent as agent for a citizen of New York to the State of Texas. His mission was to establish the validity of the grant of certain lands from the Republic of Texas to the aforesaid citizen of New York. Mr. Duffie left Texas and went to St. Louis, where he sought employment through an educational agency, and was offered and accepted the principal ship of the public school at Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa. He came to Sac County in I860, and engaged in teaching. In the spring of 1867 he was admitted to the bar. In the spring of 1868 he formed a partnership with

Hon. D. C. Early, and henceforth devoted himself to the practice of his profession. In 1869 he was elected County Treasurer of Sac County, and in the fall of 1872 was elected Representative in the General Assembly. Mr. Duffie, in 1875, accepted the Republican nomination for District Judge, and was elected in the fall. Was married in 1867, at Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa. Hon. D. Carr Early, president of the Sac County Bank, was born in Ohio, in 1830; removed to Sac City, la., in 1856, where at that time there was but one "building besides a log school house. He pre-empted land on which he lived a short time to secure it. He was elected deputy treasurer and recorder in 1857, and was re- elected the three subsequent elections. He was afterwards elected county judge, holding the office one term, the office then being dispensed with. He established a real estate business when first coming to the county, and did a general banking business several years previous to connection with present bank. He still does a land, loan and insurance business in connection with banking. The bank was incorporated in 1876.

S. M. Elwood, of the firm of Davis & Elwood, attorneys at law, was born in Greensburg, Pa., in Sept., 1850; moved with parents to Grinnell., where he attended the Iowa College. He graduated from the Iowa City law school in the class of '73. He moved to Sac City in the autumn of 1875, and engaged in practice with Capt. Stanfield, now of Odebolt. He formed his present partnership in 1877. He attends strictly to trial business, and is considered one  of the most successful attorneys in the county. Mr. Davis attends to the land, loan and insurance business of the firm.

N. B. Flack, recorder of Sac county, was born in N. Y. in 1841. He enlisted Sept. 2d, 1862, at Lisbon, in the 142nd N. Y. Vol.; was at the battle of Fort Fisher, and was subsequently wounded in the leg. He was discharged June 16th, 1865, and returned to N. Y. In Oct., 1866, he moved to Scott City, Mo., and engaged in milling; remained four years, then returned to N. Y. He then came to Sac county, la., and purchased land which he improved and still owns. In May, 1870, he came to Sac City and was employed by Platt & Criss as book-keeper. He was elected recorder in the fall of 1874, to fill a vacancy, and for the full term at the next election on the republican ticket. He has been re-elected each term since.

John M. Fox, hardware dealer, was born in France in 1836; came to America in 1850. He learned the tinners' trade in N. Y. city, and n 1862 moved to Waterloo, la.; thence to Winona, Minn., where he worked at his trade two years, and after visiting N. Y.. located at Waverly, Iowa., remaining there eight years. He came to Sac City  in 1874 and engaged in his present business. He carries a large  and complete stock of hardware and tinware. He is assisted in this business by his sons, John and George.

E. F. Gifford, barber, was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1854; :came to Iowa. in 1871, and located at Independence. He removed to Carroll, and in July, 1872. came to Sac City and engaged in present business. He owns the building, of which he occupies one half of the lower floor for a barber shop, renting the other half for confectionery store. The upper story is fitted for photograph gallery. Mr. Gifford employs a first class barber and runs two chairs.

D. F. Gifford, druggist, was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1832. In Oct., 1854, he moved to Buchanan county, Iowa., and engaged in contracting and building, then furniture, then drug business. He moved to Sac county in 1S07, remaining one and one half years, then moved to Carroll. Carroll county, where he engaged in the Furniture and drug business, building the first business house in the town. In 1874 he sold out and returned to Sac City, engaging  in carpentry until entering the drug business in July, 1879. His store is on upper Main street. He carries a full stock of drugs, paints, oils, stationery and toilet goods. He is agent for the Chicago Singer sewing machine. H. C. Graff, of the firm of Graff Bros. & Whipple, came to Sac city in 1880 from Emerson, Mills county, la., where he was engaged in the hardware business three years. In partnership with D. W. Graff and A. A. Whipple, he purchased the stock and business of Terwilleger Bros., and engaged in his present business. The business is conducted by H. C. Graff. They carry a full stock  of hardware, tin and shelfware, stoves, etc., making specialties of builders' hardware and barb wire. They are special agents for the Glidden barbed wire, and also for Charter Oak stoves. They employ two tinners.

Charles D. Goldsmith, attorney at law, was born in Middletown, Orange county, N. Y., in 1842; moved to Webster City, la., in 1869, and there finished the study of law, with Jacob Skinner, find was admitted to practice the same year. In 1873 he moved to Newell, Buena Vista county, where he practiced seven years. He moved to Sac City in 1880. and opened an office in the Commercial Bank building. and attends strictly to trial business. P. H. Hankins and J. Y. Campfield, of the firm of P. H. Hankins & Co., dealers in lumber, coal, lime and agricultural implements, established business in 1879. Their office and yards are on the west side of the railroad track, near the depot. They are agents for the Grand Detour goods, McCormick and Champion reapers and other leading manufactures.

A. H. Hendrickson, proprietor of the Hendrickson House, was born in Oswego county, N. Y., in Jan., 1836; moved to McHenry county, Ill., in 1856, was engaged in the hotel business two years, then in the stock business until 1868; then moved to Sac City, engaged in mercantile business for two years; then engaged in the hotel business for a time, after which he farmed for two years. In Feb., 1875, he purchased the hotel which he now owns. He enlarged the building in 1881 making it the largest hotel in the city.

Hon. W. H. Hobbs, banker and insurance and real estate agent, was born in New York City in 1837; moved with parents to New Orleans; thence in 1852 to La Fayette county, Wis., where he was employed by Judge Criss, as clerk. He moved to Sac City, la., in 1855, and pre-empted 160 acres of land and engaged in farming. In 1858 he was elected clerk of the courts, which office he held two terms. He was elected auditor in 1866, which office he held until 1871; then was elected county treasurer and held office for three terms. He engaged in real estate business in 1873, with D. C. Early, and in 1875, in partnership with Early & Davis, established the Sac County bank. He takes charge of the land and insurance business of the firm. He has a very fine residence in the city and owns a half section of farm land three miles north of town, and other city and country property.

D. Herrold and S. F. Lusher, of the firm of D. Herrold & Co., deal in groceries, queens ware, provisions, etc. Their place of business is on the corner of Main street and public square. The business was established in 1875 by Mr. Lusher and the present firm has existed since Nov., 1881.
They do an extensive business and intend extending their premises the coming season.

M. H. Herrold, merchant, was born in Athens county, O., in 1844; moved with parents to La Porte county, Ind., in 1851. He followed farming until 1864, then came to Sac City, la., and engaged in present business. He carries a well selected stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, furnishing goods and notions. He intends in the near future to build a brick block, feeling the need of more room for his rapidly increasing business.

Louis Hunefield, proprietor of blacksmith and plow works, was born in the province of Lippe Detmold, Germany, in 1829; came to the U. S. in 1849, and located at St. Louis, Mo., where he worked at his trade one and one-half years, then moved to Dodge county, Wis., where he worked at his trade nearly twenty-two- years. He came to Sac county in 1872, and engaged in farming for a year and a half; then sold part of his farm, retaining eighty acres, and moved to Sac City. He was in the employ of Mr. Fishman for about eight years, then purchased the business. He employs three men and does a large business.

Joseph H. James, harness dealer, was born in Iowa county, Wis., in 1856, learned his trade at Mineral Point, and in Feb., 1877, moved to Webster City, la. In June, 1879, he came to Sac City and purchased the business and stock of Lewis Vanderworker; has since purchased building and lot. He employs three men and carries a full stock of harness, saddles, robes, blankets, whips, etc. In the spring of 1880 he established a branch shop at Newell, Buena Vista county, which is the only one at that place.

Jones F. Baxter, proprietors of the City livery, feed and sale barn, established business in 1878. They own and occupy the barn on the corner of Fifth and River Sts. Have stalls for forty- five horses', keep twenty horses and twelve buggies and carriages for livery purposes. This is the only livery barn in the city.

John Kessler, wagon maker, came to Sac City, la., from Kenosha, Wis., in 1872, and established his present business. He occupies a shop on the south side of the public square; manufactures wagons and buggies and does a general repair business. F. H. Knights, of the firm of George Knights & Co., dealers in boots, shoes, hats, caps, gloves mittens and rubber goods, came to Sac City in Sept., 1881, from Dubuque, la., where he had been engaged in the jewelry business for three years, and established his present business in partnership with his father, George Knights. They have the county agency for the Crown sewing machine. . R. H. Lamoreux, postmaster and druggist, was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1839; moved to Wausau, Wis., and engaged in the lumber business. He moved to Sac City, la., in 1868 and engaged in the grocery business, which he conducted nine mouths, then purchased a farm and for four years engaged in farming. In the winter of 1872 he engaged in clerking in the drug store of Eli Camp, and also took charge of the post office under J. E. Armstrong. He purchased the drug business and stock in the spring of 1875 and the following spring was commissioned postmaster. His drug store, which is elegantly fitted, contains a full line of drugs, stationery, books, paints, oils, toilet and fancy articles, etc. He is assisted by F. B. Knight, deputy postmaster, and is also a registered pharmacist.

Chas. E. Lane, clerk of the courts, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1874 moved with parents to St. Catherines, Canada West, in 1846; thence to Dyersville, Dubuque county, la., in 1856. He moved to Sac county in 1873; bought land and engaged in farming in Eden township until the autumn of 1878, at which time he was elected to his present office, on the republican ticket. He was re-elected in 1880.

A.B. Mason, attorney at law, was born in Tania county, Iowa in 1857. He attended the Toledo High School for several years afterwards the Iowa College of Law, of Des Moines. from  which he graduated in 1880. He came to Sac City the same year he opened a law office in Sac county bank block, on second floor. and does a land, loan and insurance business.

H. T. Martin, county superintendent of schools, was born, Putnam county, Ind., in 1839; moved with parents to Boone county, la., in 1853. He returned to Ind. in 1855, and attended the Cloverdale Seminary for two years; spent the following winter in Mo., and in 1858 returned to Boone county, la. He engaged in teaching school, and for twelve years taught in that county. He then entered the employ of the railroad company and was agent at Ontario, Story county, for eight years, and for four year at Odebolt, Sac county, where, in partnership with Mr. Bennett. the present editor, he established the Odebolt Observer. He was also engaged in the restaurant business ten months. In the fall of 1881 he was elected county superintendent, on the independent ticket.

George M. Parker, merchant, was born in Hartford, Ill., in 1847; moved with parents to Manchester. la., in 1851; thence to Delhi, where he received his education. He traveled for wholesale houses of Chicago and Dubuque for six years. In 1872 he engaged in business at Earlville, la., and two years later came to Sac City and established his present business. The store is in the Bank block. In 1881 he commenced the erection of a creamery, which is fitted with a ten horse power engine, and will have a capacity of from 2,500 to 3,000 lbs. per day. This is the only creamery in the county; it will employ from fifteen to twenty teams, and from twenty to thirty men. Mr. P. has for two years previous conducted the business on a smaller scale  in 1846. He graduated from the Syracuse High School in 1872 and the same year moved to Cedar Rapids, la. He came to Sac county in the spring of 1873 purchased land and engaged in farming until the autumn of 1877, when he was elected auditor and was re-elected in 1879 and 1881.

Asa Platt, stock dealer and farmer, was born in Middlesex county, Conn., in 1830; moved with parents to Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1839: thence in 1848 to Erie county, Penn., and engaged in the .lumber business. In 1856 he moved to Sac City, la., which had just been laid out and contained only two log cabins. He preempted land near town, one hundred acres of which he laid out in town lots, and nearly all of which he has since sold. He engaged in mercantile business in 1864, which he continued for twelve years. In 1874 he erected a fine brick and stone residence in the county, at a cost of ten thousand dollars. He carries on his farm and  is extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock.

J. O. Platt, of the firm of Schaller & Platt, proprietors of meat market, was born at Saybrook. Conn., in Dec., 1836; removed with parents to Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1839. In 1850 he moved ;to Erie county, Pa., was employed for a time in a meat market, and afterwards engaged in business for himself; sold out in 1866 and moved to Sac county, la. He engaged in farming until 1874 when he moved to Sac City and- opened a meat market which he run three years then sold. He next engaged in the stock business for several years, and in Aug., 1881, bought an interest in his present business. Mr. P. has been a member of the board of supervisors.

A. S. Platt, senior member of the firm of Platt & Platt, dealers in clothing and furnishing goods, was born in Windsor county, Vt., in 1839; moved to Dubuque, la., in 1870 and was in the employ of the I. C. R. R. four years. He moved to Osage, Wis., and was for about six years a member of the firm of Simons & Platt, grocers. He came to Sac City, la., in Dec., 1880, and purchased Business and stock of J. M. Woodard and engaged in his present Business. In 1881 he took into partnership his nephew C. A. Platt. C. E. Read, furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in March, Canada, Dec. 20th, 1826; moved to Toledo,. in April, 1856; was ,engaged in the drug business four years; then moved to Huron Bounty, Mich., where he was engaged in same business for three years. In Aug., 1865, he came to Sac City and engaged in contacting and building. He entered his present business in 1873; employs first class cabinet-maker, and carries a fine stock of everything in his line.

E. M. Reynolds is business manager for C. Hatfield, furniture dealer and undertaker. This business was established in 1879, and contains a complete stock of furniture and undertakers' goods, and is the agency for the White, Wilson and Victor sewing machines, also for the Mason & Hamlin organs.

Philip Schaller, county treasurer, was born in Woerth, province of Alsace, Germany, in 1838; came to America and landed at N.Y. City in Apr., 1854, and in Dec. of the same year located at Dubuque, la,, and engaged in wagon making. He enlisted in 1862 at National, Iowa., in the 27th Iowa. Inft.., was sent to Minn, among the Indians, and thence south; was with Gen.'s. Sherman, Smith, Steele and Thomas in some of the principal battles; was mustered out at the close of the war, and returned to Clayton county, la. He purchased land in Sac county in I868, returned to Clayton county and remained until 1870, then engaged in farming in Sac county, on 640 acres of land. He was agent for the Iowa Railroad Land company while living on the farm, and was afterwards transferred to Storm Lake, and held the agency for Buena Vista county until he was elected treasurer of Sac county in 1877, to which office he has been re-elected each successive term since. He is now land agent for this county, having been appointed in Jan.. 1878. He has been a member of the board of supervisors of this county for five years. He organized a Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. in 1874, and was elected as its President, which office he still holds. The insurance company has about
$800,000, issued in policies and on property.

J. & W. C. Shull, of the firm of Shull Bros., dealers in lumber, lime, coal, hair, cement, etc., office on Main street, established business in 1880. They were formerly of Montgomery county, N. Y. J. Shull graduated from the Fairfield Seminary and entered the employ of Walter Shoemaker, lumber dealer, Chicago, Ill.; came to Sac City in 1880. W. C. Shull, previous to coming to this city, was engaged in the drug business at Little Falls, N. Y.; afterwards with D. R. Dyche & Co., druggists, Chicago; came to Sac City in May, 1881, and formed present partnership.

George A. Smith, watchmaker and jeweler, was born in Belvidere, Ill., in 1851; moved to Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa., in 1855. He attended the high school, at Ypsilanti,- Mich., from
1868 to 1872; returned to Bremer county and learned his trade. He moved to Sac City in Dec., 1874, and established his present business in the Commercial Bank block. He keeps a fine line of clocks, watches, jewelry, silverware and opticians' goods, and in connection carries a fine stock of stationery, books and newspapers.

Rev. Robert Smylie, pastor of the M. E. church, was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1849. He graduated from Victoria College, Coburg, in 1868; entered the ministry the following year and filled various pulpits in Ontario. He was ordained at Dunville, in 1873; in Oct., 1880, he came to Sac City, la., and took present charge.

George Stanley, proprietor of the Stanley House, came to Sac City in May, 1881, from Bloomington, Wis., where he had been engaged in the mercantile business for eleven years. He purchased his present hotel property, and after thoroughly renovating and refitting it, engaged in present business. He keeps a first- class house and runs a 'bus to and from trains.

B. W. Trout, deputy recorder, was born in LeRoy, Bradford county, Pa., in March, 1843. He enlisted in the 106th Pa. Vol., and was in several of the most important engagements of the war. He was wounded at Gettysburg and also at Petersburg, June, 1864, where he was captured and confined in Libby Prison a few days; started for Macon, Ga., and escaped, was recaptured and taken to Lynchburg, Va., thence to Raleigh, N. C. He was paroled in March, 1865, and discharged the following April. He came to Sac City, la., in May, 1867, and engaged in farming one season; taught school the following winter, and continued teaching until 1871, when he was appointed deputy treasurer, which office he held until 1878, excepting during the year 1874. He then filled a vacancy as recorder, and was appointed deputy upon Mr. Flack's being elected recorder. Mrs. B. W. Trout, milliner, established business in Dec., 1880. She carries a full and elegant line of millinery and ladies' furnishing goods, and employs a first class milliner trimmer.

Henry L. Willson, sheriff, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1841; moved with parents in 1851, to Dundas county, Canada West. In 1869 he moved to Clinton, Clinton county, Iowa., and engaged in contracting and building; thence to Sac county in the autumn of 1875 and followed same business. He was elected to his present office in the autumn of 1881 and moved to Sac City in Jan., 1882.

Henry L. Willson, sheriff, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1841; moved with parents in 1851, to Dundas county, Canada West. In 1869 he moved to Clinton, Clinton county, la., and engaged in contracting and building; thence to Sac county in the autumn of 1875 and followed same business. He was elected to his present office in the autumn of 1881 and moved to Sac City in Jan., 1882.

Christopher Waddell, collection agent and auctioneer, was born in Oxford, Eng. He was for several years in the Royal Mail West India service, also East India service. In 1851 he came to America and located at York, Dane county, Wis.; was engaged in farming, also livery business. In 1872 came to Sac City and engaged in the livery business. He was elected sheriff in 1876 and re-elected in 1877 and 1879 on the Democratic ticket, the county being republican by a majority of nine hundred. This speaks well for Mr. W.'s popularity.

John L. Woodward, junior member and business manager of the firm of Condron & Woodward, dealers in grain and machinery, was born in Champaign county, 0. He served during the war of the rebellion a short time, doing garrison duty, after which he bought land in Dallas county. la. He engaged in the grain business at Dallas Centre, which he continued for two years and in 1871 located at Sac City, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1880 established business as above. During 1881 the firm shipped one hundred cars of grain.

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