THE PICTURESQUE HUTCHISON HOUSE

One of my bosses at my first “grown up” job was Donald Hutchison.  Don was in his late 70’s when I came to know him.  He was a well respected lawyer and a pillar of the community.  He was such a nice person and treated me almost like a granddaughter.  I always thought that if you looked up the word “distinguished” in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Don.  I came to learn that he was the grandson of Ambrose Call.  I was too young to appreciate the significance of that at the time, but now certainly regret the fact that I never questioned him about it in detail.  While looking through the book Picturesque Algona recently, I noticed that one of the homes prominently featured was that of Don’s parents.  It made me curious about finding out more about Don’s family and childhood home.

The House 

The stately mansion built by Archibald and Edith (Call) Hutchison once stood on the southwest corner of the intersection of State and Wooster Street, at 522 East State Street to be exact.  Although this area now contains commercial buildings, at the turn of the 20^th century, grand homes were beginning to line East State Street.

Edith, the daughter of Ambrose and Nancy Call, and Archie Hutchison, a prominent and well respected local businessman, had been married in a lavish ceremony at the home of Edith’s parents on August 31, 1893.  They had taken up residence in a home in the northwest part of town following their return from their honeymoon to the World’s Fair in Chicago.  By 1898, they had two small children and needed more room for their growing family.  Ambrose Call deeded the large lot (equal to a quarter of the whole block) to Edith, builder A. M. Coan was hired and construction began early that spring.  An article published in the Algona Courier on March 18, 1898, stated that Archie Hutchison “will build a $3,000 to $4,000 home on the corner opposite Mr. Ferguson’s.”

From its stone foundation, the house towered three stories high.  A large wrap-around porch with decorative railings and tall white columns graced the front of home. A large chandelier hung in the front entry and a winding staircase led to the second floor.  The house contained many windows, several of which were of stained glass, and a music room was located on the main floor.

The house was also wired for electric lights as a power plant was in process in Algona at that time.  The Hutchisons wanted to be ready for this new service when it arrived. 

The family moved into the home in December of 1898, before the structure was fully completed.  In June of 1899 the outside was painted and it was declared “a residence fit for a king” by the editor of the Algona Courier.  Many trees lined the street area and extensive landscaping was added beautifying the grounds.  The Hutchison children spent many happy hours playing in the large yard and the surrounding neighborhood.  

Childhood Memories

Dorothy, the oldest of the Hutchison children, recalled a favorite memory as part of a story she wrote about when the circus used to come to Algona which was published in the centennial edition of the Algona Upper Des Moines on June 29, 1954.  She reflected as follows:  
      "Smaller shows also came to Algona.   Who could forget the Gentry Brothers' Dog and Pony Show?  It came and went with less fanfare, of course, but the cunning little black and white dogs with their tricks, the tiny Shetland ponies that bounced around the ring, and the monkeys had a big place in our hearts.  We always welcomed that show with enthusiasm, partly because it was almost shown in our back yard.

     "At that time there were no houses between ours, now the Leaneagh house, and Colonel Spencer's house way up on McGregor Street.  What could be a better place for a show?  The ticket wagon was always on the spot where now stands the Zerfass house.  Donald and I spent many hours in with the ticket seller, who bore our presence with fortitude and patience, and wrote our names on the wall."

Archie and Edith Hutchison

Archie Hutchison 

Archie Hutchison was a native of Ireland, coming to America in 1880 at the age of 18.  He first settled at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where he lived and worked with an uncle.  After three years, he came to Kossuth County working as a farm laborer for several years.  He then purchased a grain elevator in Algona, which he sold shortly thereafter at a profit.  Archie felt that a good education was needed for him to succeed, so he enrolled at Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa.  Being older than the average college student, Archie was even more determined to receive a thorough education.  Following four years of college, he returned to Algona where he went into the real estate and loan business and later became city clerk.  He started to study the law on his own and later passed the bar on his second attempt.  Archie was admitted to practice in 1896. He practiced law for 40 years and both of his sons, Donald and Theodore, followed in his footsteps, become lawyers and joining his practice.

Prior to her marriage, Edith Call attended college at St. Mary's of Notre Dame, Northwestern University and the Art Institute in Chicago.  She taught school in Kossuth County and was teaching at Central School until her engagement.  Employed at a time when teachers were required to remain single, Edith resigned her position to prepare for her wedding.  In the article describing her wedding in the Upper Des Moines Republican on September 6, 1893, it was said that she "has won the love and admiration of all by her womanly traits, pleasant and kindly disposition and admirable character."

The couple was very active in their church and the community.  Archie served as the Algona justice of the peace for over 30 years.  A lifelong Methodist, he was active in building the stone church still serving that congregation today.  Archie was the organizer and largest stock holder of the Security State Bank (which many years later was sold and was known by several other names including First Interstate Bank and United Central Bank).  He also continued in the real estate business and, through shrewd investments, acquired over 1,000 acres of farm land.  At his passing in January of 1938, the Kossuth County Advance wrote, “Mr. Hutchison’s life vividly illustrates the opportunities that the new America offered the young men from the old country.  Coming here with little, he practiced what are now termed the ‘old-fashioned’ virtues of thrift, honesty, and hard work throughout his life, and demonstrated that upon such foundations a successful life is constructed.” A large crowd attended his funeral which was held at the house and burial followed at Riverview Cemetery.

March of progress

Edith deeded the house to her son, Theodore, in December of 1940 and moved

Site of the Hutchison House in 2015

to a smaller home adjoining the property to the south where she spent her later years.  The mansion was sold to Del and Arlouine Leaneagh in 1950 and Edith passed away at the age of 89 on March 2, 1953.  Following a fire which destroyed his downtown grocery store, William Hood purchased the property in March of 1955.  The beautiful old home was razed in May of 1955 to make way for the new Hood’s Super Valu building.  American Marine is now located at this site.

Don Hutchison

Although the march of progress brought the end to this charming old home, I find it fascinating to imagine the memories that were made behind its doors and what the area looked like during the early years of its existence.  It makes me smile to think of Don as a young boy growing up in this stately home and having the run of the neighborhood.  He was a kind and generous soul who I will never forget.

Until next time,

Jean (a/k/a Kossuth County History Buff) 

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