HISTORY: Churdan, Greene County, Iowa ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES PROJECT NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. Submitted by Deb December 2002 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Greene County, Iowa Please visit the Greene County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/greene/ ________________________________________________________ This is from the book "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa" by E. B. Stillman, 1907 CHURDAN. The completion of a north and south railway through Greene county, opened the way for the building of a new town between Jefferson and the Calhoun county line, and the village of Churdan was laid out in 1882, the year the track was laid. It was named after Joseph Churdan, who was one of the early settlers of the township. This name (Churdan), as a family cognomen, should be pronounced with the accent on the first syllable, Churdan but custom has reversed it, and the name now goes as Churdan. The location is in Highland township, twelve miles northwest of Des Moines. The village has a choice location and ever since the site was platted and stores built, it has had a good trade. The road was pushed through to Fonda by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company, on the narrow gauge road, and has Spirit Lake as its northern terminal under the "Milwaukee" management. March 1, 1882, J. H. Hunter brought the first stock of merchandise to Churdan, and commenced selling goods, with W. S. Livingston as a partner. Six months later W. B. Livingston, until recently postmaster of the village, was a third partner. A. J. Dudley put up the second building for personal occupancy as a hardware and agricultural implement store, and A. B. Capps followed with a store of general merchandise. Then a drug store by J. M. Fitz. In less than four years the village contained two general stores, a hardware store, J. C. Hill's agricultural implement store, two notion stores, Dr. F. D. Cass's drug store, J. R. English's furniture store, two millinery shops, three dressmaking establishments, restaurant, hotel, flour and feed mill, two grain firms, three coal firms, lumber yard, harness shop, shoe store, blacksmith shop, two wagon shops, livery stable, barber shop, and two physicians, Dr. F. D. Cass and Dr. Morgan. The first church building was erected by the Presbyterians, but for nearly two years was used by them jointly with the Methodists. It was built during the summer of 1885, and dedicated in August of that year. The trustees were James White, H. G. McBurney, and R. A.White for the Presbyterians and E. W. Bates, W. S. Livingston, F. D. Cass, A. S. Fouts and C. A. English for the Methodists. SCHOOLS. During the year 1885 a large and commodious schoolhouse was erected in the southern part of the village, with ample grounds. It is a frame two-story structure, with four rooms, and is well graded. The district has been favored with excellent teachers, among whom are W. E. Jenison, who was principal until he was elected county superintendent of schools. Roy Barton, who succeeded him, is now engaged in the higher grade of school work in Tulsa, Indian Territory. The early elected directors were C. E. Woodworth, William Hillis and J. M. Fitz. POSTMASTERS. "Uncle" Joseph Churdan, as he is familiarly called, was the first postmaster of the village that bears his name. He is still living, although he is way on the shady side of the four score years' limit of life's days. Frank D. Odell succeeded him as the appointee of the Cleveland adminstration. William Gatheny was next in line and Frank McCreery succeeded him. Then came W. B. Livingston, with a long term of service, to be followed by C. E. Wherry, who is now in charge of the postal interests and also editor of the Churdan Reporter. The Union Town Company of Des Moines bought the site of the town of Churdan. The entire purchase was one hundred and sixty acres, of which forty were at once laid out into town lots. An addition of seven blocks were laid out a year and a half later, known as Head's addition. INCORPORATION. Churdan was incorporated April 29, 1884, and E. M. Westbrook was the first mayor. The first council was J. C. Hill, E. M. Fowler, J. H. Hunter, E. Harding and F. M. Stotts. Since that date, municipal officers have been as follows: 1885.--Mayor, E. Harding; recorder, W. B. Livingston; assessor, T. P. Garrett. Council: J. H. Hunter, J. C. Hill, F. M. Stotts, L. C. North, A. J. Dudley, C. E. Wadsworth. 1886.--Mayor, E. Harding; recorder, W. J. Souder. Council: J. H. Hunter, E. W. Bates, G. W. Short, J. C. Hill, L. C. North, A. J. Dudley. 1887.--Mayor, E. Harding; recorder, Winfield Livingston; assessor, H. Willis. Council: A. B. Capps, A. White, William Robinson, J. H. Hunter, E. W. Bates, A. J. Dudley. 1888.--Mayor, E. Harding; recorder, H. R. Downie; Council: William Robinson, J. H. Hunter, W. W. Fitz, E. W. Bates, A. B. Capps, A. White. 1889.--Mayor, J. H. Hunter; recorder, H. R. Downie. Council: W. W. Fitz, William Robinson, A. B. Capps, E. W. Bates, W. P. Willoughby, A. White. 1890.--Mayor, E. M. Pentz; recordere, H. R. Downie. Council: W. B. Livingston, L. W. Odell, F. M. Stotts, W. P. Willoughby, L. C. North, W. W. Fitz. 1891.--Mayor, W. M. Tigner; recorder, Adrian Cross. Council: W. W. Fitz, W. P. Willoughby, F. M. Stotts, L. C. North, E. G. Price, F. J. Schwab. 1892.--Mayor, Henry Wilson; recorder, Adrian Cross; treasurer, F. D. Cass; assessor, J. H. Hillis. Council: F. J. Schwab, W. E. Stephens, C. J. Martin, S. A. Smyth, M. M. Wherry, W. M. Tigner. 1893.--Mayor, B. F. Brown; recorder, Adrian Cross; treasurer, C. J. Martin; assessor, C. F. McWhinney. Council: W. M. Tigner, W. T. Loyan, D. O. Evans, S.A. D. Smyth, W. E. Stephens, F. J. Schwab. 1894.--Mayor, E. M. Pentz; recorder, Adrian Cross; treasurer, W. P. Allen, assessor, T. P. Garrett. Council: R. H. Halloway, W. B. Livingston, D. C. Jarvis, W. M. Tigner, F. J. Schwab, W. E. Stephens. 1895.--Mayor, E. M. Pentz; recorder, Adrian Cross; treasurer, W. P. Allen. Council: Henry Wilson, H. R. Downie, W. B. Livingston, R. H. Halloway, D. C. Jarvis, W. E. Stephens. 1896.--Mayor, Henry Wilson; recorder, Adrian Cross; treasurer, T. J. Gose; assessor, C. F. McWhinney. Council: W. M. Tigner, D. C. Jarvis, R. H. Halloway, W. B. Livingston, E. M. Pentz, H. R. Downie. 1897.--Mayor, W. H. Dudley; recorder, Adrian Cross; treasurer, W. E. Stephens. Council: W. B. Livingston, Halsey Odell, F. J. Schwab, D. C. Jarvis, W. M. Tigner, H. R. Downie. 1898.--Mayor, W. H. Dudley; recorder, Adrian Cross; treasurer, W. E. Stephens; assessor, J. H. Hillis. Council: R. H. Halloway, M. M. Wherry, T. J. Gose, Halsey Odell, F. J Schwab, D. C. Jarvis. 1899.--Mayor, W. H. Dudley; recorder, Adrian Cross. Council: R. H. Halloway, Halsey Odell, A. J. Stotts, M. M. Wherry, W. H. Ingham, George S. West. 1900.--Mayor, W. H. Dudley; recorder, C. E. Wherry. Council: Halsey Odell, M. M. Wherry, R. H. Halloway, G. S. West, W. H. Ingham, A. J. Stotts. 1901.--Mayor, W. L. Cox; recorder, C. E. Wherry. Council: F. M. McCreery, O. A. Wahl, G. S. West, M. M. Wherry, G. M. Miller, S. A. D. Smyth. 1902.--Mayor, W. L. Bates; recorder, C. E. Wherry. Council: F. M. McCreery, G. M. Miller, O. A. Wahl, M. E. Blazer, V. N. Noel, J. K. Churdan. 1903.--Mayor, T. D. McCarney; recorder, C. E. Wherry; assessor, T. P. Garrett; treasurer, M. B. Westervelt. Council: F. M. McCreery, V. N. Noel, J. K. Churdan, M. E. Blazer, W. W. Fitz. 1904.--Mayor, T. D. McCarney; recorder, C. E. Wherry; assessor, T. P. Garrett; treasurer, M. B. Westervelt. Council: J. K. Churdan, M. E. Blazer, M. W. Fitz, F. M. Stotts, W. H. Dudley, W. C. Perkins. 1905.--Mayor, T. D. McCarney; recorder, C. E. Wherry; assessor, T. P. Garrett; treasurer, M. B. Westervelt. Council: J. K. Churdan, M. E. Blazer, W. W. Fitz, A. M. Stotts, W. H. Dudley, W. C. Perkins. 1906.--Mayor, T. D. McCarney; recorder, Guy U. Noel. Council: W. H. Dudley, F. M. Stotts, W. C. Perkins, J. K. Churdan, O. A. Wahl, M. M. Wherry. 1907.--Mayor, T. D. McCarney; recorder, Guy U. Noel; assessor, T. P. Garrett; treasurer, M. B. Westervelt. Council: W. C. Perkins, O. A. Wahl, E. N. English, R. H. Halloway, O. A. Bishop, M. M. Reading. BANKS. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK of CHURDAN was organized May 1, 1903, and bought out the business of the Citizens Bank, which was established in 1889 by C. J. Martin and others. The stockholders of the bank at the present time are: C. J. Martin, M. F. Coons, M. E. Blazer, R. T. West, C. P. Lightner, Henry Haag, Joseph Carroll, P. M. Fitzpatrick, W. G. Stephenson, O. C. Lohr, A. P. Fuhrmeister, Joseph Toyne, W. H. Dudley and J. P. Wherry. The following are the officers: C. J. Martin, president; Joseph Carroll, vice-president; M. F. Coons, cashier; the above officers and C. P. Lightner, P. M. Fitzpatrick, Henry Haag and R. T. West are the directors. The capital of the bank is $25,000, fully paid up. The bank also has surplus and undivided profits of $12,000. The business of the bank has more than doubled since organization, and carries deposits from $140,000 to $150, 000. The bank owns its own building fitted up with safety boxes for rent. It was the first bank in the county to organize as a national bank. FARMERS AND MERCHANTS' BANK, CHURDAN.--This bank was purchased by the present owners in the spring of 1903. The officers and owners are: M. M. Head, president; M. B. Westervelt, cashier; Mahlon Head, Roscoe C. Head. The firm name is Head, Westervelt & Co., and the institution has a paid up capital of $10,000. It is doing an increasing business. The deposits which were $20,000 in 1903, are $85,000 in 1907. THE CEMENT BLOCK AND TILE FACTORY was established in February, 1906, by Melgaard & Munzenmaier. They erected a building 40x80 in size, of cement blocks, and their business has prospered from the beginning. They employ eight men in all departments and their output last year amounted to $10,000 and will be increased the present year to $15,000. The blocks and large tile they manufacture are taken as fast as made. A growing industry. CHURDAN BRICK AND TILE WORKS.--This extensive manufacturing plant is owned and operated by W. D. Simons & Sons. It was moved from Jamaica to Churdan in 1904. The business is chiefly carried on in a brick veneered 3-story building, 104x40 feet, and two 1-story buildings, 80x30 and 48x26. The establishment is valued at $20,000, and the output is fully $10,000 per year. Ten men are employed by the concern, which has a promising future both in the quality of its products and the demand for the same. NEWSPAPERS. A history of the Churdan newspaper ventures is given in the general chapter on county journalism. The newspapers published in the village have been the Clarion, the Bell and the Reporter, still doing business. Its editor, Mr. C. E. Wherry, is also postmaster CHURCHES. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized October 22, 1882, by Revs. H. N. Payne and S. W. Stophlet, and was incorporated two years later. The following year, 1885, the first church edifice was built, and was occupied until December 31, 1900, when it was destroyed by fire. The following year a new edifice was erected, and dedicated with impressive services. A commodious manse was built the same year at a cost of $1,200. The new church is a modern structure, and the value of the property owned by the society is $4,000. The charter members were as follows: H. G. McBurney and wife, James White and wife, Misses Belle and Agnes White, R. A. White and wife (both deceased), Thos. Elston and wife, Robert Irving and wife (Mr. Irving, deceased), Miss. Diana Irving, Mrs. A. J. Dudley. H. G. McBurney and Alexander Porter, were the first ruling elders, elected in 1884. Since that date the following have served as elders: R. A. White, Dr. Joseph Fitch, W. C. Perkins, Frank Lornce, F. B. Quinlan, Geo. S. Knapp, W. C. Stream, David B. Cort. Present elders: W. C. Perkins, W. C. Stream. The first trustees were: R. A. White, T. N. Elston and Jame White. Present trustees: J. A. Plummer, Charles Dudley, T. J. Wright, Sr., and George McCrum. The pastors have been: Revs. Stophlet, Payne, T. S. Bailey, E. A. Lowe, W. A. Smith, C. A. Berger, W. A. McMinn, James Stickel, J. C. Mayne, J. M. Smith, A. L. Berry, J. C. Gilkerson, William Gardner, O. Bostrom, Frank Hoyt, Avery E. Wingert, A. V. Gray, who resigned the spring of 1907. Miss. Jennie Allen was for many years organist, a place now filled by Mary B. Perkins. Mrs. Emeline Fuhrmeister was the largest contributor to the new church. Total number of members received since organization, 350. Present membership, 100. A flourishing Sunday School is connected with the church. Attendance, seventy. Also a C. E. Missionary Society. The church is free from debt. FIRST M. E. CHURCH.--Organization effected in 1883, and church built in 1889. It is 40x28 in size and cost $1,800. It is being remodeled at a cost of $1,500, an improvement which provides for a needed addition, 20x28, stained glass windows and circular pews. The first officials were: Trustees, E. N. Bates, J. C. Hill, W. Gathany, H. J. Richards, W. Stephenson; stewards, J. W. Blake, U. F. Bates, R. H. Holloway; Sunday School superintendent, J. W. Blake. The present officials are: Trustees, Harvey Streams, F. M. Coons, Otto Wahl, Miller Blake, G. Fackler, R. H. Holloway, Nels Melgaard; stewards, F. Coons, R. H. Holloway, Mrs. Noble Bates, Mrs. Nels Melgaard; Sunday School superintendent, R. H. Holloway; junior league superintendent and president of King's Heralds, Mrs. Chas. Zimmerli. The pastors have succeeded each other as follows: L. W. Archer, 1883; C. D. Faust, 1893; R. J. Tennant, 1898-99; Rev. A. T. Cox, 1899-01; Rev. E. O. Douglass, 1901-03; Rev. A. Armstrong, 1903-04; Rev. V. West, 1904-05; Rev. Geo. Reader, 1905-06; Rev. Chas. Zimmerlie, 1907, and present pastor of the church. The membership at this time is 140, and the church maintains a good Sunday School. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH was organized April 19, 1889, with twenty charter members, after a series of meetings held for six by Reverend Lovelace. A hall had been rented in which to conduct the services, the pastor relying on the generosity of the congregation to meet the expenses. The first officers were: Clerk, F. J. Schwab; trustees, W. B. Livingston, S. N. Jarvis, M. M. Reading, W. E. Jenison. Reverend Lovelace remained as pastor until the summer of 1890, and was succeeded by Rev. Geo. H. Starring, who, the following year, superintended the building of the present church edifice, at a cost of $2,800. The pastors, in succession, have been: Revs. J. H. Gallagher, L. R. Thomas, D. C. Townsend, A. J. McColl, L. C. Moorehouse, F. J. Pierce, A. C. Culver, C. W. Heady. The last named began his work in this field in 1905 and the following year successfully carried out a plan for building a parsonage that cost $1,500. The church is out of debt and has a membership of eighty-five. It maintains a good Sunday School. CHURDAN LODGE No. 357, K. of P.--Organized December 14, 1892, with the following list of charter members: H. A. Richardson, G. W. Evans, A. A. Churdan, H. R. Downie, E. F. Short, F. J. Rickhoff, W. A. Livingston, W. P. Allen, W. B. Livingston, C. O. Wherry, W. H. Dudley, R. W. English, Giles Evans, Harry Smith, H. R. Richards, N. F. Bates, G. H. Smyth, John Anderson, H. M. Cronk. The first officers were: C. C., Wash. Evans; V. C., A. A. Churdan; prelate, E. F. Short; K. of R. S., Harry Smith; M. of F., H. R. Downie; M. of W., F. S. Rickhoff; M. of E., George P. McBurney; M. of A., C. F. McWhinney; I. G., Henry Stephenson; O. G., C. E. Wherry. Present offices: C. C., G. C. White; V. C., Wm. Lang; prelate, Abe Corl; M. of W., V. M. Anderson; K. of R. S., C. A. English; M. of F., Ed. Jarvis; M. of E., H. M. Cronk; M. of A., F. H. Hill; I. G., S. D. Newcomb; O. G., W. E. Newcomb. The lodge has in course of construction a hall that will cost $1,500. ARIEL LODGE No. 354, I. O. O. F., was organized January 14, 1889, with charter members as follows: C. R. Minturn, E. N. Daly, F. H. Lyle, Chris. Bobsin, John Strait. The first officers were: N. G., F. H. Lyle; V. G., John Strait; secretary, E. N. Daly; treasurer, C. R. Minturn. The present officers are: N. G., C. A. English; V. G., R. I. Simons; R. S., Floyd E. Hunter; P. S., E. N. English, treasurer, F. M. Coons. Since 1900 the lodge has owned its own lots and building, having a value of $6,500. The membership at present is sixty-one. CHURDAN CAMP No. 3838, M. W. A., was organized May 2, 1896, with the following charter members: S. C. Anderson, J. Bishop, W. A. Clopton, F. M. Coon, W. H. Day, J. W. Fackler, W. E. Fitz, L. L. Grigs, J. C. Hampton, J. Hauserman, C. F. McWhinney, H. R. Richards, Thomas Roberts, W. M. Tigner, James Towers. Its first officers were as follows: V. C., Thos. Roberts; W. A., W. H. Day; clerk, A. Bishop; watchman, C. F. McWhinney; sentry, James Towers; escort, H. R. Richards; banker, S. C. Anderson; camp physician, Dr. W. M. Tigner. Present officers: V. C., A. P. Fuhrmeister; W. A., J. A. Leonard; clerk, F. J. Schwab; watchman, C. A. Conant; sentry, J. H. Smyth; escort, H. M. Bronk; banker, H. R. Richards; camp physician, Dr. F. E. Bressler; managers, D. E. Whitney, C. A. Conant, Colonel Preicht. Number of members at present, thirty-eight. Cash on hand, $166. BETHSHAN LODGE No. 380, A. F. & A. M., was organized April 3, 1901. The first officers were: W. M., C. J. Martin; S. W., V. N. Noel; J. W., W. L. Cox; treasurer, J. D. Blair; secretary, T. D. McCarney; P. D., O. C. Lohr; J. D., John McCarney; P. D., O. C. Lohr; J. D., John McWhinney; first Steward, Frank McCreery; second steward, George M. Vader. At the present time the lodge has thirty-eight members. It has no hall, and owns lodge furnishings to the value of $100. THE VENTURE THAT FAILED. In the early 80's Mr. M. M. Kirkman, comptroller of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, bought a large tract of land lying north of the corporate limits of Churdan, with the purpose in view of making it a model farm for the maintaining and breeding of Jersey cattle. He erected a fine residence, built large up-to-date barns, shipped in a herd of thoroughbred Jersey cows and sent a man named W. W. Bennett to superintend operations. The project seemed hopeful from the day of the advent of the sleek herd. The country was fast filling up with farmers who wanted good stock -- the dairy business being full of promise, and all eyes were turned toward this experimental stock farm. For a few years everything seemed to go well with the venture, and then it was rumored that, at the end of the year the balance was on the wrong side of the ledger, and not long after, the business was closed out, Mr. Kirkman, doubtless becoming satisfied that his undertaking was carried out at too long range. The projector was a man of ample means; he evidently, after full investigation, voted the scheme a nonpaying speculation.