Ford was prominent in Fort Dodge and Webster County affairs for many years. He was born here in 1864 and when six years old moved with his parents to a Jackson Township farm. He lived on the farm for 21 years and then moved back to Fort Dodge. During his years on the farm Ford taught school for 10 years during the winter months.

In 1893 Ford was appointed deputy county auditor under Auditor T. A. Cunningham and served in that capacity for six years, then was elected county auditor and served for another six years. Later he was interested in the R. B. Berryhill store at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Eighth Street which sold books, stationery and had a complete newsstand.

Ford was an outstanding bowler and a member of championship bowling teams of Fort Dodge with other well-known men of his time.

Mr. and Mrs. Ford were the parents of a son and four daughters. They were Howard, Mary, Charlotte, Helen and Alice.

THE ROBERTS HOME

Another of the landmark homes along Third Avenue South is the Roberts home, 919 3rd Ave. S., which housed publishers and editors of The Messenger for many years. Built by George E. Roberts in 1888, the house is a three-story frame structure with large porches that extend along the north, east and south sides.

Occupying an impressive location at the southwest corner of Third Avenue South and Tenth Street, the house has an expansive yard extending southward from the avenue for a considerable distance. Large trees also surround the home.

Beautiful oak and cherry woodwork mark the interior of the rooms on the first floor. A large open entrance hall with beamed oak ceiling is just inside the front entryway. It features oak woodwork and a large fireplace with a carved oak mantel. The open stairway to the second floor is flanked by large columns of Grecian design.

The adjoining library room also has a fireplace and is unique with its cherry woodwork and massive open bookcases. A large handcrafted wood archway over a huge window at the east separates the bookcases. Floors in the entrance hall, library, living room and dining room are of oak. There are four bedrooms and two baths on the second floor and attic space on the third floor. The house has a large basement area, including a cyclone cellar with an arched brick ceiling.

George E. Roberts was an outstanding early-day newspaperman and also served for a time as state printer for Iowa. He advanced from the publishing business here to the office of director of the United States Mint and later to high banking positions.

When Roberts left Fort Dodge in 1898 he was succeeded at The Messenger by his brother, Charles A. Roberts, who also purchased the home at 919 3rd Ave. S. Charles Roberts was head of The Messenger until his death Jan. 1, 1933.

Following the death of Mrs. Roberts in 1957, the Roberts home was inherited by Mrs. John C. Deardorf, the former Catherine Vincent. She presently occupies the stately home.

THE GRIFFITH HOME

One of the fine homes in the south part of Fort Dodge is the residence at 1234 6th Ave. S. whose history dates back to the 1870s. Familiarly known as the Griffith home, it was occupied by the Frank Griffith family for many years.

City assessor records show the original portion of the home at this location was built in 1871, but was remodeled, enlarged and modernized years later. Located on parts of two lots, the house has a 93-foot frontage on Sixth Avenue South and 106 feet on Thirteenth Street.

John F. Duncombe, pioneer attorney here, was the first owner of the property before a house was erected there. He sold the lots in 1861 to a William Kellner who, in turn, disposed of the property to William C. Young. The original house is believed to have been built by Young as he retained ownership of the property until 1883.

Frank W. Griffith, an architect who later was manager of the U. S. Gypsum plant here, purchased the home in 1914. Age of the house is shown by the fact that its construction includes solid walnut studdings, walnut floor joists and walnut sheathing. Foundation walls are of limestone.

The two-story house has a shingle exterior. The first floor has living room, L-shaped dining room, playroom, kitchen, screened-in porch and large entrance hall. On the second floor are three bedrooms, bath, screened-in porch and attic space.

Griffith came to Fort Dodge in 1901 to design the Blanden gypsum mill located about a mile east of the present Celotex plant. He also supervised construction of the plant of the American Independent Gypsum Company organized in 1906.

Griffith then went to Chicago with the United States Gypsum Company and in 1908 was transferred to Fort Dodge as manager of the local mill and office. Later he was transferred to Alabaster, Mich., and then returned to Fort Dodge in 1913 as manager of the U. S. G. plant. He remained as plant manager here until 1921 when he resigned to resume architectural work. His son, Stanford W. Griffith, later joined him in the business and is presently head of the Griffith Company architectural firm here. The elder Griffith continued work as an architect until his death in 1953.

The Griffith home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Carney who reside there.

THE BUTLER HOUSE

This attractive white frame house at 924 5th Ave. N. dates its history back to 1880 and from 1901 until 1945 was known as the Paddy Butler home. During this 44-year period it was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. (Paddy) Butler and family.

Earlier the house was the First Presbyterian Church’s manse and was occupied by Dr. J. Milton Greene, the church pastor, from 1893 to 1899. During these years the residence was familiarly called the “Preacher Greene” house.

The two-story house has unique bow windows of a type used in early-day construction. Originally it had a parlor, two sitting rooms, bedroom, bath, kitchen and dining room on the first floor. The second floor had three large bedrooms and there also was an attic.

Albert E. Clark who acquired the lot at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue North and Tenth Street in 1880 built the house that year. He owned the property until 1884 when it was sold to Thomas Sargent, a well-known early-day resident. Sargent kept the home until 1893 when it was sold to the Presbyterian Church for its minister, Dr. Greene.

In 1901 the church sold the house to the Butlers and it remained in the family’s possession until 1945 when sold to Effie R. Davis. J. Aaron Davis purchased the property in 1958 and resided there until 1970 when he sold it to the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ackerman of Des Moines.

Butler, who owned the home for many years, was a farmer and livestock raiser in Webster and Humboldt counties. There were four daughters and two sons in the family—Mrs. F. E. Ludgate (Josephine) now deceased; Mrs. Mary Savage and Mrs. T. J. Tokheim (Ina) both of Fort Dodge; and Mrs. George Brennan (Esther) of Littleton, Colo.; John Butler, deceased, and Harry Butler of Fort Dodge.

Mrs. Tokheim, her husband and family resided in Lytton for many years and while there constructed a new home. She was so impressed with the bow windows in her parents’ home here that similar windows were installed in their Lytton home.

The Butler home was remodeled after its purchase by the Davis family and now includes two apartments which the Ackermans rent out.

THE J. B. BLACK HOME

A well-known Webster County farmer, who was also an early-day auto dealer in Fort Dodge, built the home at 1102 5th Ave. N. and occupied it with his family for many years.

He was J. B. Black who acquired the property at the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue North and Eleventh Street in 1893 and erected the home the same year. The home site was purchased from David Fessler, pioneer merchant and fur trader who resided at 1110 5th Ave. N.

Black owned a farm northeast of the city and lived there until the home in town was completed. After moving into town he continued to operate his farm with a hired man.

The large two-story frame house with full basement has been enlarged and remodeled since the Blacks resided there. It has changed ownership a number of times and has been owned by Hassan Habhab since 1947. The house now has two apartments that are rented out.

Black became interested in early-day autos and operated a garage here with a partner, Will Kirkpatrick, under the name of Black & Kirkpatrick. The firm began business in 1908 and continued operations until 1918. The garage originally was at 1104 Central Avenue, but later moved to other downtown locations. During 10 years in business Black & Kirkpatrick was dealer for the line of EMF and Everett automobiles—both of which long ago passed out of the motor car picture.

In addition to his farming and auto operations, Black in his early-days here was in the butcher shop business with the Wolverton Brothers at Central Avenue and Eighth Street. Mr. and Mrs. Black were parents of two sons and three daughters—Ben and Irving, Miss Edna Black, Miss Laura Black and Mrs. Lucy J. Carpenter.

Black owned farm property at the north end of Dolliver State Park and part of this land was sold to the state when the park was established in 1922. Irving Black also farmed some of the land near the park for a number of years. The elder Mr. Black spent the later years of his life at his farm home near Dolliver Park and died there in 1935 at age 79.

THE MESERVEY HOME

President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt was a guest in the Stillman T. Meservey home at 923 1st Ave. S. when he visited Fort Dodge in 1902—the residence that now is the Bruce Funeral Home.

The Meservey home was large and spacious with many elegantly furnished rooms on its three floors. There were seven fireplaces in the home which provided heat to the many rooms during the winter months. The first floor included living room, dining room, library finished in black walnut, kitchen and pantry, butler and maid’s quarters. There was also a large reception hall from which the solid oak open stairway led upstairs.

The second floor had a balcony area at the head of the stairs, five bedrooms and two bathrooms. On the third floor is a complete apartment.

Meservey, one of the city’s most prominent early-day residents, was born in Clinton, Ill., in 1848 and came to Fort Dodge with his parents in 1856. After completing his education in the public schools and high school here he graduated from Clinton Liberal Institute with a degree in pharmacy. He returned to Fort Dodge and for some time was associated with the Cheney and Meservey drug firm. That was the start of his meteoric rise as a merchant, industrialist, banker, financier and politician.

In 1886 Meservey bought the property at the southwest corner of First Avenue South and Tenth Street and in 1890 erected the large brick residence. It was the showplace of the town and the meeting place for many social and civic events. During this era the Meserveys entertained President Roosevelt.

Meservey was one of the founders of the gypsum industry here in 1872 and for many years was associated with the U. S. Gypsum Company as secretary. He was also associated with civic and commercial enterprises, including the city’s street railway system. Interested in politics he was elected to the City Council for several terms and served as mayor of Fort Dodge for three terms. He also was elected to the Iowa Legislature.

In 1905 Meservey moved to Chicago where he was active with the U. S. Gypsum Company. In 1908 he sold the home here to Thomas D. Healy and the Healy family resided there for many years. In 1936 it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Byron Wilder who moved their funeral parlor there and it since has been used as a funeral home. Mack B. Bruce acquired an interest in the business in 1938 and it operated as Wilder & Bruce until the Bruces purchased the Wilder interest in 1945. Since then it has been Bruces Funeral Home.

THE LARRABEE HOME

The son of an early-day governor of Iowa—Charles Larrabee Sr. and his family—occupied this residence at 1222 6th Ave. S. for many years.

Charles Larrabee was one of the seven children of Gov. William Larrabee, Iowa’s chief executive from 1886 through 1889. Gov. Larrabee was born in Ledyard, Conn., in 1832 and came to Iowa in 1853, settling at Clermont in Fayette County. His home—Montauk—is now a historical museum there.

Interested in farming he began purchasing land in the northeastern part of Iowa and soon became one of the largest land owners in the state. In 1867 Larrabee was elected to the Iowa Senate and served for 18 years. He was elected governor in 1885 and served four years.

Two of Gov. Larrabee’s children became residents of Fort Dodge—Charles and Frederic. Charles was a land owner, banker and capitalist. Frederic was also a land owner and a purebred livestock raiser specializing in Brown Swiss cattle which won many awards. He also was a state senator from this district.

The Larrabee home here was erected in 1910. The two-story frame house has a large open front porch with heavy supporting pillars. Much of the interior woodwork is solid walnut. The house was owned by the Larrabees until 1944. Since then it has changed hands several times and presently is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heller Sr. Heller is in the mechanical department at the Hormel plant here and Mrs. Heller is a licensed realtor.

The house now has two apartments. The Hellers and their family occupy the apartment in the main part of the home and the other is rented out.

The Hellers have seven children. They are: twins, Dr. Joseph Heller Jr., a pediatrician in Dubuque and Michael, director of marketing for Emerson Electric in Honeoye Falls, N. Y.; Thomas, manager of controls for United Air Lines in San Francisco, Calif.; Robert, a computer programmer and analyst with Lockheed Aircraft in Sunnyvale, Calif.; and David, student at St. Edmond High School; daughters, Diane, married to Richard McCarville of Fort Dodge; and, Elizabeth, student at Iowa Central.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Larrabee Sr. were parents of two sons and a daughter. They are: Charles Jr., a retired Pan American Airlines official in Coral Gables, Fla.; Frederic, a law professor in Nashville, Tenn.; and Mrs. Lawrence Heileman, the former Anne Larrabee, in Bridgeport, Conn. The elder Larrabees are now deceased.

THE BRENNAN HOME

John J. Brennan, store owner and city commissioner in later years, built this large two-story brick residence in 1899 and resided there for 24 years. Located at 560 3rd Ave. N., it occupies the northwest corner of Third Avenue North and Seventh Street.

Brennan and Charles Furlong operated the Furlong & Brennan store here from the late 1890’s until 1920 when it was closed. The store which featured groceries and general merchandise, was located at the northeast corner of the City Square.

The Brennan house originally had a large entrance hall, sitting room, parlor, living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen and half bath on the first floor; five bedrooms and bath on the second floor. The Brennan family lived in the home until 1923 when they built a new brick house at Sixth Avenue North and Tenth Street. The house at 560 3rd Ave. N. has changed hands a number of times and is now owned by D. R. Gumm of Fort Dodge. The house has six apartments that are rented out by the Gumms. A large open porch extends along the south and east sides of the house.

Brennan was born in Kingston-on-Hudson, N. Y., and came to the Fort Dodge area with his parents in 1881. The family settled in Elkhorn Township where they farmed and raised cattle. In 1886 Brennan’s father, also named John, purchased six lots north of the Pleasant Valley.

After the Furlong & Brennan store was closed, Brennan was associated with M. J. (Joe) Haire and John Laufersweiler in the Oleson Land Company here. In 1924 Brennan was appointed to the City Council of Fort Dodge as commissioner of parks and streets following the death of Commissioner H. R. Beresford. He held the council office until 1931.

Brennan died in 1945 at age 84 and Mrs. Brennan died in 1947 at age 82. The Brennans were parents of three daughters, Mrs. Edmund Condon of Fort Dodge, Mrs. Norma Kelly of Davenport and Mrs. Eleanor Lawler, now deceased.

THE ROBERT HEALY HOME

The house at 1126 5th Ave. N. was the home of the Robert Healy family for many years. Healy and his brothers, Michael F. and Thomas D., were widely-known attorneys here.

The home, which has been remodeled and modernized in past years, is now owned and occupied by J. A. Leary.

Robert Healy was born in Lansing, Iowa, in 1872 and came to Fort Dodge with his parents when eight years old. After his schooling here he attended Notre Dame University and then completed law studies at the University of Michigan. Two Healy sisters—Kate and Lizzie—also attended Michigan University. While at the university Robert Healy met Iva Bruce, a student from Birmingham, Mich., and they were married in 1900.

After graduating from law school in 1898 Robert Healy practiced law in Rockwell City for two years. Upon the retirement of A. N. Botsford, he then became associated with his brothers Thomas and Michael and B. B. Burnquist in the practice of law in Fort Dodge.

Later Robert Healy practiced law alone here for a time and then he and Maurice Breen were partners for a number of years until Healy’s death in 1929 at age 57.

The home at 1126 5th Ave. N. was built in 1900 and purchased by the Healys in 1902. It was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Healy and their children, Louise, Iva and Bruce until 1917 when they moved to a residence a block east. Later another of the Healy brothers—William—resided there.

Peter Russell, well-known to several generations of Fort Dodgers, was employed by the Healys for many years while they lived in the 1126 5th Ave. N. house. He worked as a groomsman in charge of the family’s driving horses and a pony and also did yard work. He continued with the family until resigning to take over as parlor car porter with the Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern electric line.

Mrs. Robert Healy, now 97, lives in Chicago with her daughter, Louise. Another daughter, Iva, now Sister Jean Gabriel, taught in Rock Island, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo., and is now with Cathedral High School in Chicago. The son, Bruce, resided in Chicago for many years until his recent death.

THE KIRCHNER HOME

This early-day Fort Dodge home—built in 1866—is unique in that it is still occupied by one of the members of the family of the builder.

The home was constructed by Jacob Kirchner, one of the first of a number of industrially minded pioneer businessmen to locate in this growing little town over a century ago. Located at the southwest corner of First Avenue South and Thirteenth Street, the house carries the address of 106 S. 13th St.

Elmer Kirchner, son of this pioneer factory and flour mill operator, and his wife, Wilma, reside in this historic home which they have occupied since 1936. Two other sons of the elder Kirchner are also Fort Dodge residents. They are Jacob Kirchner Jr. and John Kirchner—practicing attorneys. Elmer is a retired farm manager and real estate broker. Prior to the time the Elmer Kirchners moved into the house, it was occupied by Jacob Kirchner Jr. and his mother for many years.

The elder Kirchner built the home after purchasing Block 18 in the area between Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets and First and Second Avenues South. Of two-story frame construction, the house is painted white and has green shutters. In the years since it was constructed, the house has been remodeled and modernized.

Kirchner was born in Germany and at the age of 2 came with his parents to the United States. They settled first in Bern Township, N. Y. and after several years moved to Iowa and settled in the Peterson area. When gold was found in Colorado Kirchner joined the rush there, found some gold and returned home.

Before moving to Fort Dodge in 1866 Kirchner bought and sold thousands of acres of land in Clay County. On arrival here he built a saw mill, sash and door factory at First Avenue South and Twelfth Street. Later he rebuilt the sash factory into a large modern flour mill that produced the finest white flour, whole wheat, meals and various milling staples. He operated the mill for more than 30 years. The mill finally was closed, was idle for six years and in 1912 burned to the ground.

Kirchner was active in Fort Dodge affairs, was one of the founders of the Commercial National Bank and served on the City Council in 1874, 1875, 1879 and 1880. His brother Christian was also elected to the council from another ward. The elder Jacob Kirchner died in 1909; Mrs. Kirchner died in 1962.

THE ABEL HOME

A former Webster County treasurer and brick and tile company officer built the original section of this spacious residence at 1333 2nd Ave. S. in 1891. He was John H. Abel, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1867 at age 13 and lived on a farm in Colfax Township for several years.

In 1888 Abel moved into Fort Dodge and three years later purchased two lots at the southwest corner of Second Avenue South and Fourteenth Street where he built his home. In 1904 he enlarged the house.

W. H. Koeper purchased the home in 1934, enlarged and remodeled it into a funeral home which he operated until selling the business to L. O. Guenther in 1947. Guenther merged the business with Bruces in 1972 and the house later was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Halligan of 1415 2nd Ave. S. They, in turn, did some further remodeling and now have two apartments in the house which are rented out.

Abel was engaged in various activities here before being appointed deputy county treasurer in 1892 under C. W. Newton. He served in this capacity until 1896 when he was elected to the treasurer’s post for two terms.

After leaving the county treasurer’s office, Abel became interested in the brick and tile business here and was president of the Fort Dodge Brick & Tile Company from 1900 until 1922. This clay plant was in the northwest part of the city near the east end of the Hawkeye Avenue bridge over the Des Moines River. The brick plant was sold in 1922 but continued operations for a time and then was closed. Abel retired from active work after the clay plant was sold.

Abel was interested in other businesses in Fort Dodge including the Fort Dodge Serum Company, Plymouth Gypsum Company and the Fort Dodge Foundry. He was also a director of the Fort Dodge National Bank (now the First National Bank) in its early years.

Active in church work he was treasurer of the Iowa District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod from 1893 to 1912. He died in 1946 at age 91. Mr. and Mrs. Abel were parents of two daughters and a son—Miss Mathilda Abel, now deceased, Mrs. W. H. (Amanda) Koeper and A. C. Abel, who was assistant Fort Dodge postmaster for many years.

THE AMOND HOME

This large frame house was built in 1902 by John W. Amond, widely-known Fort Dodge coal dealer and farm land owner. Located at 1024 6th Ave. N., it has a large open porch that extends across the south side and a portion of the east side—one of few such large porches on homes here. Ionic columns support the roof over the porch.

The first floor includes parlor, living room, dining room, kitchen and butler’s pantry, hallway and vestibule. A large open stairway with a landing area or nook leads to the second floor where there are five bedrooms and bath.

All of the first floor rooms have parquet oak floors, oak woodwork and the stairway nook is paneled in oak. Ionic columns and an archway mark the entrance to the large dining room with its plate rail and built-in china closet. The living room has its original fireplace with tile hearth and red oak mantel with large mirror.

The original chandeliers in the downstairs rooms are combination gas and electric and there is a large art window on the east side with stained and leaded glass. A large two-story carriage house is at the rear of the lot.

Amond was born in Alsace-Lorraine (part of France) in 1861 and came to the United States with his parents who settled in Illinois. Later the family moved to Iowa and acquired farm land near Barnum. Amond purchased large tracts of Webster County land which he farmed for many years. In addition he owned a coal mine southeast of the city and was in the coal business here for many years with offices on Central Avenue and south Eighth Street.

Mr. and Mrs. Amond were parents of six children, three of whom died during their early years. Others were Mrs. Edna Hogan, well-known artist and widow of Jack Hogan, Fort Dodge; Mrs. Bernard Steinle and Jack Amond, both of whom are deceased. Jack Amond was in the coal business with his father and also managed the family farms until his death. He and his wife, Eva, moved into the Sixth Avenue North home in 1929. The property is now owned by Mrs. Peter (Eva) Paterson.

The Amond Coal Company ceased operations here in 1945 after having been in continuous business since 1895. Amond died in 1925 at age 64. Mrs. Amond died in 1949.

THE KELLEHER HOME

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis M. Kelleher built this home at 701 Crest Avenue in Snell Place in 1921 and resided there with their family for 26 years. Kelleher, a prominent Fort Dodge attorney, practiced law here for more than 60 years and was widely known for his legal activities.

The house, of brick and frame construction, is spacious and has rooms on first and second floors as well as in the basement. The first floor includes living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, conservatory, three bedrooms and bath. There are fireplaces in the living room and family room. On the second floor are three bedrooms and bath and large walk-in linen closet. The basement has a drive-in garage and five rooms including a large recreation room. There is also a screened-in front porch.

The house has changed ownership only twice since it was built. In 1947 the Kellehers sold the residence to the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Dodge and it was the home of ministers of the church until 1960. On May 25, 1960, it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice E. Stark who presently occupy it with their family. Stark is a well-known tax attorney.

Kelleher died in 1964 at age 92 after a distinguished legal career here since 1902. After graduation from the University of Iowa law school in 1893 he began law practice in Des Moines and then went to Pomeroy where he remained until moving to Fort Dodge.

He was associated with a number of Fort Dodge attorneys including the Healy brothers, William S. Kenyon, Maurice O’Connor, Richard F. Mitchell and his son John Kelleher. During World War I Kelleher was appointed to the War Trade Board in Washington, D. C., by President Woodrow Wilson. Later he was named solicitor for the Bureau of Internal Revenue and special assistant to the United States Attorney General in trial of cases throughout the country.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelleher were parents of five children—Leo of Fort Dodge; John of Waukegan, Ill.; Edward and Mrs. John Staff of Milwaukee, Wis.; and Mrs. James Hart of Highland Park, Ill. Mrs. Kelleher is now a resident of the Marian Home in Fort Dodge.

THE DONALD VINCENT HOME

This Second Avenue South residence was identified for years by the huge landmark oak tree in the front yard. Reported to be more than 100 years old, the tree still stands in the yard at 1010 2nd Ave. S.

The house was built in 1909 and occupied by the Donald Vincents and their daughters, Catherine and Nancy, until 1932 when they moved into the historic “Vincent House” at 824 3rd Ave. S. Presently the house is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Jahn Jr., who purchased the property in 1951.

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent acquired the building lot in 1908 and the following year erected the spacious two-story brick home. The first floor has living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and lavatory; the second floor has four bedrooms and bath. The finished attic has one room.

The front yard tree—known as the “Hawkeye Oak”—was once recognized as the finest example of its species (burr oak) in Iowa. It was graceful and majestic in earlier years with spreading branches that extended well over the sidewalk and street. At one time it received a plaque from the Garden Club of Iowa for its outstanding appearance and age.

The tree now has lost many of its stately limbs and today little attention is paid to it. Removal of the lower limbs started some years ago when a house mover cut off one branch. In an attempt to give it symmetry other branches were then cut off.

After Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and family moved from the home it was rented from 1932 until 1945 by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Loth. Mrs. Winston O. Larrabee, widow of Charles Larrabee Sr., purchased the property in 1945 and resided there until selling it to Mr. and Mrs. Jahn in 1951.

Donald Vincent was prominent in business and industrial affairs, being one of the organizers of the Vincent Clay Products Company and for years was an officer of the Fort Dodge Grocery Company. He was also identified with banking interests here, serving as president of The State Bank for many years. Jahn is in the furniture refinishing and upholstering work. He and his wife are also antique collectors and have remodeled the interior of their home for displays of their collections. They also own the adjoining corner house which they are remodeling into a future gift and antique shop.

THE ELECTRIC HOME

Residents of the city who have lived here for about 50 years will probably recall that this home was popularly known in the mid-1920s as the “electric house.” Built by A. S. Jackman, a Fort Dodge electrical contractor, the home located at 1117 N. 19th St. is presently owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Merlin B. Hays and family.

The home was one of the first built in the Elmhurst Acres area just west of Dodger Stadium. It is located on a lot with a 120-foot frontage on Nineteenth Street and extending 265 feet eastward to the stadium parking lot.

Jackman, who owned the Jackman Electric Company at 924 Central Avenue, built the two-story brick home in 1923 and incorporated the most modern electrical installations at that time. When completed Jackman, in cooperation with the Fort Dodge Gas & Electric Company, arranged to have open house and invited Fort Dodge and area residents to visit it. The newest and latest electrical appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, toasters and the like were on display along with beautiful electrical fixtures in the various rooms.

The basic arrangement of the home has not changed much through the years but owners did considerable remodeling to fit their needs. The first floor includes spacious living and dining rooms, family or TV room, kitchen and bedroom with half bath. The second floor has three bedrooms and bath. There is also a large floored attic and a full basement. The house originally had a tile roof but this has been replaced with new type roofing. All spouting on the house is of copper. The home is set back a considerable distance from Nineteenth Street and there is a circular driveway leading to the house.

Mr. and Mrs. Hays purchased the home in 1959 from John and Ann Doud who acquired it in 1955. Other earlier owners were Arthur Westerman, Richard Paul and Robert Lentz.

Hays, present owner of the attractive home, is a virologist with the Fort Dodge Laboratories. He and his wife are parents of four children—three boys and a girl.

THE MINKEL HOUSE

This Fort Dodge home—known for many years as “the Minkel house”—dates its history back nearly 100 years as it was built in 1876, according to county records. Located at 1008 6th Ave. N., the home has been remodeled at various times during these many years and is presently owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Moses. They purchased the property in 1961 and added a combination living room and bedroom with bath on the east side.

The house now has a living room, dining room, three bedrooms and two baths on the first floor and two bedrooms upstairs. Two wood-burning fireplaces—one in the living room, the other in the east bedroom—have now been converted to gas.

The house acquired the Minkel name because it was owned and occupied by L. H. Minkel, Fort Dodge school superintendent and his family, for many years. Minkel came to Fort Dodge to take over the school position and continued as superintendent until 1923. The Minkel family resided in the Sixth Avenue home during this period and for many succeeding years when Minkel was in the insurance business here. The Minkel heirs sold the home to Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. DeFoe, who in turn, sold it to the Moses family.

Mr. and Mrs. Minkel were parents of five children—Lewis Minkel, now retired and living in Laguna Hills, Calif.; Eleanor, now deceased who was married to Roger Files of Fort Dodge; Dr. Roger Minkel, now deceased; Elizabeth (Betty) Myser of Ketchikan, Alaska; and Willard Minkel of La Mesa, Calif.

Minkel purchased the home when he came to the city early in 1911. John F. Duncombe, pioneer Fort Dodge attorney and industrialist, acquired the lot on which the house is located in 1864. In 1872 he sold the lot to Julia A. Ingersoll and it was during her ownership that the home was built.

Stories about the house relate that it once was occupied by a Dutch seaman who built a cupola in the style of a ship’s pilot house on the porch above the front entryway. It was removed many years ago.

Mr. Moses, the present owner of the house, is an Illinois Central Railroad conductor. He and his wife are parents of three daughters, all of whom are married and living elsewhere.

THE CONWAY HOME

An early-day lumber dealer—Owen Conway—who came to the United States in 1845 from his native Ireland and to Fort Dodge in 1865 built the house at 400 S. 8th St. in 1882.

Conway, who was in the hardware and lumber business here, resided in the home with his family for many years. The house remained in possession of members of the Conway family until 1946 when it was sold to John J. Williams. It was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Howick who remodeled the first floor into a spacious apartment for themselves. Mrs. Howick continues to reside in the home following the death of her husband.

A large porch extends across the front of the house which faces the east. Square columns standing atop railing posts support the porch roof and are joined together with ornate wood trim. Windows of the house have distinctive outdoor arched tops and there are pointed dormers with windows on the four sides of the roof.

The home originally had a living room, parlor, dining room, master bedroom and bath and kitchen on the first floor; six bedrooms and bath on the second floor. The second floor has been converted into a large apartment with three baths and there is also an apartment on the third floor. Rooms downstairs are large with high ceilings, floors are of oak and doors have double board casings.

Conway’s first business venture in the city was a hardware store and in 1869 he established a lumber business at First Avenue South and Fifth Street that continued until 1939. Conway’s sons James and John, were in business with him for many years. After the business was incorporated in 1914 as the Conway Lumber Company the firm included Owen, John, James and Ed Conway, the latter a son of John Conway.

James, Dave and Eustace Conway, sons of the pioneer, operated a general merchandise store at 612 1st Ave. S. and Dave, Eustace and Owen P. Conway also had a general store and lumber yard in Moorland. Two other sons, were in business in Clare—F. D. Conway, lumber and grain, and C. P. Conway, general store. The elder Owen Conway died in 1916.

Two grandchildren of the founder of the Conway firms reside in Fort Dodge. They are Miss Delores and Owen Conway. There are also two great grandsons living here—Ray and Robert Conway.

THE THIEDE HOME

Franz Thiede, who owned and operated a brick plant here for many years, built this large brick residence in 1890. The 14-room house at 520 N. 2nd St. has changed little since it was built and today is owned by a son, Frank Thiede and the estate of the late Elma Thiede.

The house occupies the back portion of a lot that has a frontage of 160 feet on Second Street and extends back 230 feet. The first floor of the large, sturdy residence has a hall, parlor, living room, dining room, sunroom, kitchen, bedroom and bath. On the second floor are six bedrooms.

Rooms on the first floor have 10½ foot ceilings and woodwork throughout the house was cut from native lumber. The hall and parlor have walnut woodwork as does the stairway to the second floor. Other rooms have oak woodwork and oak floors. Doors and woodwork in the house shine with the original varnish applied in 1890.

Thiede was born in Germany and studied masonry and architectural work there. He came to the U. S. in 1858 and at the age of 21 arrived in Fort Dodge and began masonry work. In 1883 he and Charles Heileman organized a brick manufacturing company and built a plant near the east end of the Hawkeye Avenue bridge over the Des Moines River.

The plant operated under the name of Thiede & Heileman until Heileman’s death in 1895. In the spring of 1896 the company was reorganized under the name of Thiede & Company. Later the name was changed to the Fort Dodge Brick & Tile Company and continued under this name until the plant was sold in 1922.

The company manufactured a high grade paving, building and sidewalk brick and blocks as well as drain tile. One of the firm’s specialties was a fine quality white pressed brick used in many homes and business buildings here. Much of the brick used in paving streets in the city in the early days came from the Thiede plant.

Thiede erected several downtown buildings, also houses, and had a part in the building of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. After a long and successful business career in the city, he died in 1925 at age 88.

THE OLSON HOME

A house patterned after a “cozy cottage in Norway” is the Olson home at 1301 3rd Ave. N.—the home of Mr. and Mrs. Evan Olson, their son Bjorn, and daughter, Mrs. Doris Olson Wood, for many years.

The Olsons were women’s apparel designers and tailors and their expert work was widely known. Olson and Mrs. Wood also were artists and their paintings gained for them a wide reputation.

The Olson house which has rooms on first and second floors, dates back to 1897 when it was built on a lot across the street from its present location. The original site was at the east end of Johnson Place. When this block-long street was cut through from Twelfth to Thirteenth Streets in 1911 in order to provide building lots in a previously inaccessible area, the Olson house was moved to the southeast corner of Third Avenue North and Thirteenth Street—its present location.

The house remained in possession of Mrs. Wood for many years after the death of her parents and she continued her tailoring and art work there. After her death the property was sold in 1969 to Mrs. Helen L. Moreland who presently resides there.

Olson turned out many fine oil paintings during spare time from his tailoring work. Mrs. Wood’s art work was mostly in water colors. Both spent many hours in wooded areas around the city sketching and then completing the paintings at home. Mrs. Wood also made a trip to Norway where she did extensive sketching and painting. As a result many of her water colors were scenes from Norway. She also turned out paintings of farms and rural area scenes.