Guthrie County IA Archives History - Books .....1890 - 1900 1932
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Book Title: A Record

1890-1900

   THESE were years of new activities, the development of old ones. New towns in
the county Competitive markets and trading points sprang up nearby. Extensive
and broader lines of commercial activities were undertaken; highways into towns
improved, new ones established.

   Our social life began making an impress upon the outside world. Our
fraternities were developed, and members began taking prominent parts in the
grand fraternal bodies of the state.

   The annual conference of the M. E. church was held here in 1897, and its
entertainment was so cordial, hospitable and friendly by all our people that it
became the out-standing session of the Des Moines conference in that regard.

   Hon. J. H. Applegate, one of our practicing lawyers, was elected District
Judge in 1890, and began a long period of continuous service on the bench in the
Fifth Judicial District, in January, 1891. He was serving his eleventh term when
called by death March 13, 1932. This record brings honor and prestige to our
people, and much credit to the Judge.

   The musical talent of the town was above the average, and we became known as
a musical people. A man, by the name of J. W. Segrist, organized a male quartet,
that acquired a state reputation and was in great demand, singing at state
conventions, commencements and many other functions throughout the state. It was
composed of J. W. Segrist, H. W. Stoy, L. B. Young and H. H. Mercer. These
gentlemen contributed more to the notoriety and popularity of Guthrie Center in
the nineties than any other elements or influence. They were talented gentlemen,
always willing to contribute their voices to the entertainment of the people,
many a program having been made attractive and interesting by the appearance
thereon of the Guthrie Center Male Quartet.

   New brick M. E. church was built in 1891.

   In 1892 the "Wallace Shows" came to town and with it came the greatest
aggregation of "con" men and gamblers ever in town at any one time, before or
since. Here they found customers so numerous, gullible and anxious to get their
money in circulation, that it was difficult to take it upon any pretext, so they
just snatched it. That night a battle was fought at the depot; some 100 or 200
shots were fired, several wounded, one showman reported killed, and it may go
down in history as the battle of "The Wallace Suckers." The show has never
played a return date. It was some "circus day" and so full of thrills that
vibrations from it can be felt even now.

   Hon. Jno. W. Foster established the Citizens investment Bank in 1895. This
project, under his skillful and prudent management, grew and developed until Mr.
Foster merged it and acquired the First National Bank of Guthrie Center (a
million dollar concern), the First National Bank at Stuart, and the Monteith
Savings Bank, as well as other financial corporations, thus contributing to our
people financial advantages of great importance and value.

   City water works installed in 1896.

   New brick school building was built in 1897.

   W. S. Jacoby, a bad sporting character, developed by a life of dissipation in
the navy and army, drifted into Guthrie Center in the late seventies; was
attending prize fights, and was spending a legacy in the eighties; during the
nineties he was coaxed into a revival meeting, at the M. E. church, conducted by
Rev. Crozer; was converted, and became prominent in the religious activities of
the Moody Institute in Chicago. He served as assistant pastor of the great Moody
church, was superintendent of the Clark street mission for a number of years,
was associated with Dr. Torry in evangelistic work, went overseas a number of
times, and around the world with him, the record of his service and the good he
accomplished bringing honor to the town and glory to the power of God.

   The following gentlemen were commissioned postmasters of Guthrie Center
during this decade:

   William W. Hyzer, July 12, 1890.
   Edward L. Nesselroad, August 2, 1894.
   Charles Ashton, December 21, 1898.

   The following gentlemen should receive great credit for the life and growth
of the town for the decade of the nineties; they gave impetus to its progress
and had the burdens and responsibilities thereof upon their souls:

DR. O. FORDYCE.

   Dr. O. Fordyce was versatile and skilled in his profession. He was a genius
as a surgeon. The wonder of his friends was that he remained in a small town.
His great ability as a physician and surgeon was known throughout the state, and
larger fields were open to him; but he loved the place, his friends and
patients, and he stayed by them.

   At a state meeting of some medical association, some learned expert from the
east gave a lecture on a very peculiar and rare surgical operation having had
extensive experience and he supposed opportunity. As Doc followed with some
suggestions of improvement in the method of the described operation, the expert
was skeptical and surprised, declaring that he had successfully handled three of
the operations. Doc said that was why he did not recognize the improvement
suggested-his limited experience. The expert with considerable heat and sarcasm
asked how many of said operations Doc had successfully handled. The answer was,
"six or seven." This was too much for the expert, and he left the hall in disgust.

   Doc was progressive, interested in every good project, willing to serve,
answering calls day and night. His practice developed into such proportions that
he established a hospital that attracted patients from all portions of the
state. His tragic death in 1910, in an automobile accident, while in the line of
duty, was a calamity to our people. Born in Iowa, in 1860, and died in 1910.

EDWARD E. DOSH.

   Edward E. Dosh, druggist, came to Guthrie Center from Stuart. He came of
Pennsylvania Dutch stock- the plodding kind, that never lets go and never slips
backward. He was in close touch with the life of the town. He was a wise
counsellor, a leader, willing to venture if there was a prospect of benefiting
the town. The church and young people were ever upon his heart; his business
grew into large proportions, and his influence became strong and always useful.
His ambition was a righteous and clean citizenship, and a spiritualized,
evangelical church. He was benevolent and liberal. He was a hard working, public
spirited gentleman. Born in Pennsylvania, July, 1854, died at Guthrie Center,
December 12, 1910.

J. D. BROWN.

   J. D. Brown came here in 1880 as principal of our schools; formed a
partnership with his brother, Jim, in the real estate investment and law
business; prospered; served the town in various ways-on boards, committees; and
boosted every project that was for the good of the town; was a home-builder,
lived in the sunshine parlor of life, was not a basement boarder. His good
nature lightened the loads of his fellows and made him a friend, remembered, and
an attractive force in social welfare. Was born in 1852, and died at Guthrie
Center, 1917.

[photo - FRANK M. HOPKINS]

FRANK M. HOPKINS.

   Frank M. Hopkins, the banker, had a grasp upon municipal affairs paramount to
all others. He was councilman, mayor, president of the school board, clerk of
the district court, state senator, "The Quiet Wiseacre." His knowledge and
memory of events and persons was proverbial. He was useful because easy of
approach, and willing to serve. In private life he was clean, good natured,
prompt and true. In his official service, efficient and able. Born in Mahaska
county, Iowa, March 8, 1954, and died at Guthrie Center, May 2, 1924.

EDGAR C. LANE.

   Edgar C. Lane, banker, a man of wide acquaintance in the state, came from
Waterloo, Iowa, and organized the Guthrie State Bank in 1887. He was strictly a
banker, keen, accurate, and honest; reliable as to values, and able to
anticipate results by reason of his ability and close touch with current events;
an extensive reader; a student. His financial connections were of great benefit
to the growth of the town in this decade, and his strong, active personality
made him a useful citizen. Was born December 12, 1950, died March 18, 1916.

   Up to this time Guthrie Center had made contributions to many states and
places, even unto foreign lands. The interests of our people became widely
scattered; their investments and aid to the foreign projects and social life
were large, thereby developing relations metropolitan. The town, however, made a
steady and substantial growth.

   The municipality passed into the new century, a vigorous matron, with the
bloom of health upon her cheeks, and a maternal, homelike expression about her
stalwart form.

1860-1870 
William M. Tracy. 
Eder B. Newton. 
Thomas Seely. 
Charles Huxley. 
William Warrington.

1880
Charles Ashton. 
Henry K. Dewey. 
James H. Rogers. 
Henry J. Hess. 
David P. Williams.

1870
Dr. John Bower. 
James A. Lyons. 
John E. Motz. 
Giles C. Miller. 
Daniel L. Motz.

1890 
Dr. Oscar Fordyce. 
Edward E. Dosh. 
Frank M. Hopkins. 
Joseph D. Brown. 
Edgar C. Lane.

Twenty Men-All Hail!
   Your souls, your times, your places, your opportunities God gave or assigned
to you; your services, your personalities, your acts and your characters, are
yours and ours. To God be thanks and praise forevermore.

[photo - JOHN E. MOTZ]


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

A RECORD
History
Biography
Memory

Pioneer Times and Peoples

GUTHRIE CENTER I0WA

By ELBERT WRIGHT WEEKS
1932


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