THE WEDDING GIFT HOUSE

One of the lovely homes featured in “Picturesque Algona” is that of Dr. Frank and Mrs. Vallie Tribon located at 322 North Thorington Street.  Dr. Tribon purchased the lots in 1897 for the sum of $900 with the intention of building a fine residence as a gift to his bride to whom he was to be married the following year. 

The Young Couple

Frank Lewis Tribon came to Algona in March of 1893 and established his medical practice here.  He was born October 1, 1863 in Blackhawk County.  He later attended Upper Iowa University at Fayette and the University of Iowa where he graduated from medical school in 1892. 

Vallie Frost was the oldest of eight children and was born July 21, 1875.  Her father was a telegrapher and agent for railroads in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.  The family was of modest means, living above depots and salvaging coal and other household supplies from damaged rail cars.  They moved a lot due to her father’s occupation and schooling was obtained wherever they were located at the time.  Education was of great importance to Vallie, so much so that she went on to attend the University of Iowa which she paid for by working as a milliner.  It was there that she met Frank Tribon while he was a student in the homeopathic department of the college of medicine. 

Preparation begins

By 1898, North Thorington Street had become an “aristocratic” area of town with several very fine homes along its length. In keeping with the style of the area, Dr. Tribon hired an architect to draw the plans for a handsome structure containing large rooms with many wide windows.

Tribon House constructed in 1898

Construction was begun by Shadle & Herman in March of 1898.  The house was wired for electricity and featured sliding doors making it possible to close certain sections for privacy or to conserve heat.

Frank and Vallie were married on May 26, 1898 in an outdoor ceremony at the home of the bride’s parents in West Bend.  Following the service, refreshments were served on the lawn.  The happy couple departed the same evening for Algona.  Mrs. Tribon later recalled that she was immediately thrust into the trying phase of being the wife of a doctor.  They had just settled into their room at the Algona Hotel on their wedding night when her husband was called to deliver a child for his sister, Mrs. Mary Lampright.   

The house was not yet completed at the time of the Tribons’ wedding.  It was sided and roofed, but had many finishing details yet to be completed.  The young couple was forced to board elsewhere until the house was ready.  One can almost picture the bright summer day in August when this handsome doctor carried his young bride up the steps, across the front porch and over the threshold into their beautiful new home.

Settling in

The couple settled happily into married life.  The doctor had a busy practice which often took him away from home while he cared for his patients.  In those days doctors spent as much time out of their office as they did in it.  They made house calls both in town and in the country.  When he began his practice, Dr. Tribon would have used a horse and buggy to get around over dirt and mud roads to reach his patients.  Most babies were born at home and so he could easily be gone all day and well into the night while on an obstetrical call.  Antibiotics were not available, so often deaths occurred which today would be easily preventable.

Both Tribons became very involved in their community including their church.  The first Sunday after her marriage, Vallie joined the Methodist church and was an active member the rest of her life.  Over the years she served as superintendent of the Sunday school and taught young married couples a class on building strong Christian homes.

As their family grew, the house shared in their joys and sorrows.  Vallie loved to entertain and won awards for her home made angel food cake and bread.  The Tribons’ five children were born in the house, which included twin daughters, Ruth and Isabel.  Sadly, Isabel died when she was only a few days old.  Vallie also cared for her sister who passed away five days after delivering a baby in the Tribons’ house.

Entertaining

Frank and Vallie often entertained the members of the Halcyon Club which was founded in December of 1904.  The object of the club, in addition to being a social organization, was for the acquisition of knowledge on profound subjects.  The monthly meetings took place in members' homes and featured dinner, music, poetry and spirited debates.  For the February meeting in 1917, the Tribon house was decorated in bunting and the U.S. flag to celebrate Washington's birthday.  The patriotic colors also appeared on the table napkins and each guest received a miniature pasteboard U.S. flag.  Daughter Dorothy recited "Little Orphan Annie" and W.C. Dewel gave the history of the flag and Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner."

The topics and range of the debates varied widely.  At a meeting in 1912, Vallie was on the victorious side in the debate over the question: “Resolved, that the retaining of the Philippine Islands has been a detriment to the United States.”  Many papers on political topics were read and discussed at the meetings as well.  Clearly, this group enjoyed learning and expanding their horizons.

A particularly trying time for the family occurred during the flu epidemic of 1917-18.  The area doctors were on call night and day, frequently checking to see how patients were doing as whole families could be infected with influenza.  Dr. Tribon carried a heavy load during this period.  Vallie’s brother, Gernard Frost, succumbed to the flu during the epidemic. 

The house continued to play a central role in the life of the family.  Their front porch was just right for gatherings and several “sing-a-longs” were held out there to the enjoyment of their neighbors.  It was a happy day indeed when daughter Ruth was married to Lewis L. Bleakley on January 1, 1925.  Decorated in yellow chrysanthemums and ferns, the house welcomed 30 guests to the ceremony and four-course meal that followed.  The newly-married couple moved to Davenport, Iowa and then later to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Ruth developed a heart ailment a few years later and was brought back to the family home for treatment by her father.  She died there July 5, 1931 leaving a grieving husband and three small boys aged six and under to mourn her passing.

Life goes on

Over the years, Vallie organized spectacular church rummage sales and other money-making projects.  After being asked to conduct a private sale to dispose of household effects, a new business was begun.  Her sales were so well organized that they attracted huge gatherings.  Area merchants such as the Chrischilles store and Christenson’s had her conduct end of season sales.  Her fame grew and she was asked to conduct sales in places as far away as Chicago.  She chose to restrict most of the sales to the Algona area. 

Through their advancing years, the Tribons remained in their beloved home.  Just two days before their 50^th wedding anniversary, Dr. Tribon passed away at the age of 84.  Vallie did spend winters in Arizona and southern California after Frank’s death.  It was during a return trip on February 15, 1949, that she was badly injured in a collision due to icy pavements near Wichita, Kansas.  In the days just following the accident, she was given little hope of recovery.  Her severe injuries required many months with her legs suspended in traction.  She was later put in a full body cast so that she could be transferred to Phoenix. 

During this time, Vallie yearned more and more for her residence in Algona.  Finally in August of 1950, she was able to come home.  Due to the countless gifts and kindnesses of her friends and neighbors and with the help of her companion, Martha Rammer, she was able to live her last days in the home she loved so much.  She once described that time as “the happiest years of my whole life.”  Vallie Frost Tribon passed from this life on July 21, 1955, at the age of 80 where she had lived and loved for 57 years—in the house given to her as a wedding gift by her adoring groom.

2015

With a few changes, the house still stands in splendor at its original location on Thorington Street.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

For more information on this story, please see the post "Updated post on The Wedding Gift House" published in this blog on October 27, 2015.

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