THE PICTURESQUE DODGE HOUSE

One of the houses featured in “Picturesque Algona” was the residence of Captain Dana D. Dodge at 721 East McGregor.  This history of this house is somewhat baffling as information gathered does not seem to point to the fact that the house belonged to Captain Dodge in 1900 when “Picturesque Algona” was printed.

It appears the house was actually built by Maggie Wartman who purchased the property in 1894.  Mrs. Wartman took quite a circuitous route to get to Algona.  Born at Newberg, Ontario, Canada, she came to Newton County, Indiana with her husband in 1865.  By the fall of 1880, they had moved near Hardy in Humboldt County, Iowa.  From there they moved to LuVerne and opened a mercantile which they ran for several years.  For a short time they moved to Marshalltown after which they finally came to Algona, purchasing the property in question. 

The obituary of Mrs. Wartman printed in 1908 states that they built the “cozy residence now occupied by Capt. and Mrs. D. D. Dodge.”  However, this is where the history of the house gets a little foggy.   The obituary goes on to intimate that the Wartmans were living in the house at the time her husband died in 1904.  Real estate transfer records show that Mrs. Wartman deeded the house to Captain Dodge in the same year.  I have been unable to find any confirmation of death of a Mr. Wartmen during that year in Algona.  So, were the Dodges dwelling there in 1900 when “Picturesque Algona” was printed?  I guess there is no way to confirm that one way or the other, but they must have had some connection to it to have it identified as their home in the book.  Perhaps the Dodges were renting the residence and ended up buying it a few years later.

CAPTAIN AND MRS. D.D. DODGE

Capt. D.D. Dodge
Photo from Find-A-Grave

Dana and Lydia Dodge also took a meandering route to Algona.  Captain Dodge was born in Tunbridge, Vermont.  He was married to Lydia Curtis on May 26, 1855 in Illinois.  The new Mrs. Dodge was born in Rome, New York, where she grew up.  When she was 20 years old, she had moved with her parents to Aurora, Illinois.  She and the captain were married the next year.

After five years in Illinois, the young family moved to Janesville, Wisconsin.  When the war between the states erupted, Dana heard the call to serve so he left his wife and children and enlisted in Company D, Second Wisconsin Infantry as a second lieutenant.  Eventually he rose to the rank of captain, but he suffered a sunstroke at the first Battle of Bull Run and had to resign his commission in early 1862.  Returning to his family, they moved to Minneapolis where they resided until 1875 when they moved to Kossuth County, settling on a farm near Irvington.

Retiring from farm life in 1892, the couple moved to Algona.  They were already well known in the area.  Captain Dodge had been an active member of the G.A.R. and the Knights of Pythias for many years.  In his retirement he served as president of the fair board.  Lydia was a valued friend and neighbor who was a faithful servant to her church and the Women’s Relief Corps.

On the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, a large group of friends

Lydia Curtis Dodge
Photo from Find-A-Grave

gathered at the couple’s home.  The G.A.R. and the Women’s Relief Corps presented Capt. and Mrs. Dodge with elegant gold pins bearing the emblems of the two organizations.  The Knights of Pythias presented a gold headed cane to the captain and a gold handled umbrella to Mrs. Dodge.  Many other fine gifts were given by family and friends including a string of gold beads that had belonged to the grandmother of Mrs. Dodge, which she had not seen for fifty years.  Local attorney Timothy Harrington made the presentations and Capt. Dodge expressed their thanks, but was almost too overcome to do so.

The Dodges continued to live in the house until Dana passed away in 1913.  In his obituary published in the Kossuth County Advance on April 16, 1913, Captain Dodge was described as “a sturdy type of citizen whom everybody respected.  He was big in body and must have been a very handsome man in his prime.  He had a soldierly bearing which he maintained until the last.  His voice was heavy but kind.  He loved his close friends and was by them in turn beloved.  Nothing pleased the Knights of Pythias better in his later years then to have him present at a meeting of the lodge.  On these rare occasions he shook off his years and was again a boy with the boys.  When he was 83 or 84 years of age he would still meet with them to enjoy special events, and none stood more erect than he when the Chancellor Commander’s gavel rapped out an order to arise.  When the meeting was over he would stalk off through the dark to his home, scorning all offers of company unless someone happened to be going his way.  He was a fine, self reliant old man, a true Knight and a brave gentleman.”

A few years before her death, on the occasion of her 75^th birthday, twenty-five of Lydia’s closest friends came to the house to surprise her.  The house rang with merriment as the guests reminisced and shared their memories of years past.  A special poem written especially for Lydia by Caroline Ingham was presented to her.  It was published in the Upper Des Moines-Republican on March 17, 1909, and reads as follows:

Backward, turn backward, O Time in your flight,

Make me a child again, just for tonight.”

Why turn backward to the things that are lost?

What if the golden hair is tinged with the frost?

What if the eyes that once sparkled are dim?

The true life undaunted is all radiant within.

The hope that outlasts the storm’s rigor of years;

The love that knows nothing of failure and fears;

The joy that soars up as the bird on the wing

And finds its true home where the glorified sing.

O the peace that comes gently to those who obey;

Who walk in the spirit with God all the way;

Who let go the earth-chords without murmur or sigh,

When the vision grows brighter and the heavens draw nigh.

Thus may life’s sunny landscape fade softly away,

And blend its sweet colors with the bright dawning day,

And may the loved pictures of youth come once more,

To greet you—all glorified—on the evergreen shore.

Lydia Curtis Dodge sold the residence in May of 1915.  She moved in with her daughter, Helen Paxson, where she died in December of that same year.

A HOUSE FULL OF MEMORIES

Northwest corner of the house.
Door in addition aligns where
bay window was located.

The front of the house in 2016

There have been several structural changes to the house through the years including an addition on the back of the house, removing the bay window.  The photo in "Picturesque Algona" shows the back of the house taken from a northwesterly direction.  I found it surprising that the photo in the book was not the front of the house.  However, when researching these stories, I try to remember that the streets and neighborhoods did not look like they do today and perhaps what we see as the back of the house was actually the front of the house for the Dodges. Due to garages built in the area today, I was unable to get a photo from the exact direction from which the old one was taken, but I hope you can make the comparison.


The house went on to be owned by many others, including the current owner, Nancy Yeoman.  The Yeoman family has a long history in the house, covering three generations.  George and Jennie Yeoman purchased the house in 1919 and lived there until 1945.  For two years it was owned by another party until it once again returned to the family when it was purchased by Mary Helen Yeoman, the wife of George and Jennie’s son, Bernard.  In May of 1971, the next generation, Richard and Nancy Yeoman, became the owners. 

Almost one hundred years of memories have been made by the Yeoman family in this house.  It has also hosted many gatherings by other owners with music by the Algona Harp Orchestra and guests such as Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Smith, Mr. and Mrs. David King, and Captain and Mrs. W.H. Ingham.  Oh, the stories this house could tell!

Until next time,

Jean, a/k/a the Kossuth County History Buff

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THE END OF THE ALGONA HOTEL

A short time ago I happened upon some photos of the Algona Hotel as it was being torn down.  I vividly recall the iconic landmark on the west end of State Street.  It was a sad day indeed when it was torn down.  

THE HOTEL DURDALL

Originally known as the Hotel Durdall, it was built in 1899 by O.B. Durdall at a cost of $28,000.  The distinctive turret set at the top front of the three story building made it immediately recognizable and is seen in many photos taken of State Street during its life.  It was a real coup for a community the size of Algona to have such a grand facility and it was prominently featured in the book "Picturesque Algona" published in 1900. 

The main entrance to the hotel was on the north and there was a long lobby to the south.  The hotel counter was in a half circle.  There was also a newsstand, cigar stand, barber shop, baggage room and cloak room.  An entrance on the east was used mostly for entrance to the dining room.  The rotunda parlor on the second floor off the mezzanine was perfect for small private parties.  Many shops and businesses lined the outside of the building.  Over the years they included a Gambles store, taverns, restaurant, clothiers, specialty stores, and many others. 

GRAND OPENING

Four hundred people attended its grand opening on January 16, 1900.  According to an article published in the Emmetsburg Reporter it was a brilliant affair in every respect.  The article continued,

“On entering the hotel the hall widens into a large and spacious lobby, which is furnished in elegant shape.  A large and elegant dining room, with kitchen, closets, washrooms, cloakrooms, and office occupy the first floor.  These all have the latest modern improvements, and are lighted by electricity and gas.  But what strikes the person most forcibly is the guest chambers of which there are 50.  They are all large and spacious, with plenty of light so they present a bright and homelike appearance.  The carpets are rich and the furniture is strictly first-class.  In fact the hotel and the furnishings are elegant throughout and Algona can truly boast of having the best equipped and most modern hotel in northwestern Iowa.

        The opening was a brilliant one.  The Algona Harp orchestra discoursed sweet music throughout the entire evening.  The dining hall was tastily decorated with cut flowers, ferns and other foliage.  The refreshments were served in five courses, and were dainty and delicious.  The program was musical and literary, and was supplied by both foreign and home talent.  Its rendition was one of the most pleasant features of the evening.  After the rendition of the program a couple of hours were devoted to dancing.”

Fourteen of the actual 52 guest rooms were fitted with the latest conveniences.  All of the rooms had lace curtains and patent shades.  The hotel itself contained over 200 electric bulbs which kept it well lighted and there was steam heat in every room. 

An independent taxi service provided transportation to and from the railroad depot across town.  Gourmet foods served at the hotel were brought in by train as well.

The hotel was a popular place for many types of gatherings.  Many women’s luncheons occurred there over the years along with fraternal organization meetings, funeral dinners, and wedding receptions.  It was also a great location for dances and musical presentations.

THE END OF AN ERA

Never a financial success, the building had numerous owners over the years.  It eventually became part of the Boss Hotel chain and was re-named the Algona Hotel.  A group of local businessmen, Craig Smith, Charles McVay, M.H. Honsbruch and Richard Post, formed a corporation which purchased the hotel in 1961.  In 1970 it was sold to the Security Building Corporation which owned the Security State Bank located on the northeast corner of the same intersection.  Although the building of a new bank on the hotel corner was contemplated, it was eventually decided that it would be used as a parking lot.

The location as it looks today.

The building was razed in January of 1971 bringing down perhaps the most recognizable building in Algona.

Until next time,

Jean

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LUCIA WALLACE

Lucia Wallace School - February 2016

When you hear the name “Lucia Wallace,” what (or who) do you think of?  For me that name instantly calls to mind a school building owned by the Algona Community Schools located at 729 East Kennedy Street.  Built several years before I was born, it has always been the definition of Lucia Wallace to me.  I recently drove by the school and started wondering who the real Lucia Wallace was.  I knew there must be more to the story of the woman who had a school named after her.  Perhaps you have wondered too. 

WHO WAS LUCIA WALLACE?

Born just two years after the end of the Civil War on a farm near Algona, Lucia was the daughter of John and Nancy (Reed) Wallace.  One of five daughters, she also had a brother, Donald.  Her father was a veteran of the war, having served in Company A of the 1^st Wisconsin Cavalry.  Lucia was educated locally and was a member of the second graduating class of Algona High School in 1885.  The young lady then went on to higher education.  Although she attended classes at both the University of Minnesota and Columbia University, Lucia never received a college degree.

That did not stop her from achieving her goal of becoming a teacher.  She began teaching in 1890 in Bancroft and after several years transferred to Parker, South Dakota.  Lucia came back to Algona in 1907 and began teaching at Bryant where she would remain teaching primary grades until her retirement 32 years later.

At the time of her return she found a room at the home of the Bert Palmers where she would remain for some years.  Eventually the teacher purchased a stucco house right on the edge of the Bryant property.  Lucia belonged to many local organizations and was very active in the community.  Her home would become one of her greatest joys as she frequently entertained and welcomed friends and acquaintances there. 

One of the founders of the Candlelight Bridge Club, she often hosted the meetings at her home, serving dinner to the members.  Sometimes the club members would start with dinner at one of the downtown restaurants such as the Algona Hotel and then retire to one of their homes for a lively game of bridge.

Lucia was also active in P.E.O., Bel Canto, and the Congregational Church.  An enthusiastic supporter of organizations she belonged to, she often headed or helped with various fundraising activities.  In November of 1922 the Women’s Library Aid Society held a large white elephant sale which was followed by a dinner and program.  As part of the performance, Dr. Rist and Lucia sang several vocal selections including the Star Spangled Banner. 

She was a well–loved teacher and even spent time with young people outside of school hours.  In the summer of 1920 Miss Lucia Wallace was a guest at several different camps—one for the Allwoo Campfire Girls and one for the Iwaloga Campfire Girls.  Years later those now grown women stayed in touch with her and would often visit at her home.  In fact, she was still in contact with many of her students long after she had retired.

Lucia loved to travel.  In 1912 she took a boat trip down the Mississippi from St. Paul to St. Louis and then to New Orleans.  From there she traveled to Bay Minette, Alabama, to visit her parents.  When she retired in May of 1932, she rented out her home for a year to E.C. and Frances McMahon who were newlyweds.  She spent that entire year traveling.  First she went to visit a sister who lived in Wisconsin.  She then traveled to spend the winter with a sister in Florida.  En route she took in the Chicago World’s Fair which she found to be “interesting and educational.”  Many local fraternal organizations featured Lucia as a speaker telling of her travels.

During the second World War, Lucia found new purpose as the county chairman of the Committee of School Stamp and Bond Sales – sometimes known as the “Schools at War” program.  The committee worked with the local schools to raise funds to purchase stamps and bonds to support the war effort.  This united two of her loves—raising funds for a good cause and allowing her to interact with students once again.

Lucia Wallace pictured in her home (Photo from Ancestry.com)

After many years, Lucia sold her beloved house to the Algona Community School District so that the Bryant property could be enlarged.  The school district allowed her to continue living in the house rent free until her death.

Dedication program

Perhaps the greatest accolade she received during her lifetime, though, was the naming of a school building in her honor.  Built at a cost of $266,300, it was the first public elementary building to be constructed in Algona since 1898.  Classes began in September of 1952, but the formal dedication did not occur until December 9^th of that year.  Lucia was of course the honored guest and she spoke briefly of her teaching career and the honor bestowed upon her.  She did mention to her friends as they were leaving that night that she was very tired.  Just a few days later, right before Christmas, she suffered a stroke which would take her life on January 8, 1953, at the age of 85.

CHRISCHILLES TRIBUTE

In a stirring tribute following her death which was published in the January 13, 1953 edition of the Kossuth County Advance, T.H. Chrischilles wrote the following:

        “Lucia Wallace possessed to a remarkable degree a quality which, for lack of a better phrase, we may call the “Zest for Living.”  Her interests, up until almost the very hour she passed away, were as varied as to include membership in the Bel Canto, League of Women Voters, and interests in everything musical and cultural in the community.  Hers was a lively, stimulating world, and no subject, political to religious, civic to cultural, escaped her attention.

        When her eyes failed she maintained her mental sprightliness by listening to worthwhile programs on the radio and by constant communication with neighbors and friends.  Her home was a convenient meeting place for friends and intimates, whose views and opinions kept her constantly in touch with affairs local, national, and international.  She was spoken of most often by those close to her (which included a wide circle of intimates) as “Auntie Lou,” and she had that faculty of drawing to her fireside friends of various views, opinions, and creeds, thus continually broadening her outlook on life and maintaining fresh and stimulating impressions.

        Her long and devoted service in the Algona public school system is a debt this community can never repay, nor can her contribution to the cultural growth of Algona be estimated.

        She taxed mental and physical powers to the utmost, especially during the last year, but her “Zest for Living” never lagged, and her continued attendance on school functions—be they concerts, class plays, or hot lunches—was astounding, considering the endurance handicaps they involved.  One of her last public appearances was on the occasion of a garage opening, which she insisted on attending despite the fact that it taxed her frail strength.

        It almost seems, as we look back, that she lived this past year by some superhuman effort in order to participate personally in her greatest triumph—the opening of Algona’s newest and most beautiful grade school named in her honor.  The Lucia Wallace School.

        But hers was a world of the spirit and the mind much more than the material.  Kind and sympathetic, cheerful and always optimistic, stimulating and refreshing to visit with, a gracious hostess, a loyal friend, and a truly remarkable woman, Lucia Wallace left her imprint on this community which even the passing of the years will fail to obliterate.  She is truly an Immortal.”

I will no longer think of “just” a building when I hear the name Lucia Wallace.  I hope you won’t either.

Until next time,

KC History Buff

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A.M. AND G.M. JOHNSON WAGON, PLOW AND SHOEING SHOP

One of the early businesses in Algona was the A.M and G. M. Johnson Wagon, Plow and Shoeing Shop, an implement store.  Located just west of the courthouse square, the company did a thriving business.  It was run by a Civil War veteran, Augustus M. Johnson, and his son, George M. Johnson.

THE JOHNSONS COME TO KOSSUTH COUNTY

Augustus M. Johnson was born in Meredith, New York, in 1820.  He was married to Elizabeth M. Fish on February 6, 1844.  Twelve years later the young family moved to Jackson County, Iowa.  In 1859 Augustus caught gold fever.  He left for California, traveling across country by team.  Luck was not in his favor and after two and a half years, he returned home by way of Panama, crossing the Isthmus on the newly built railroad.  His stay at home was short, however, as that same year, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 31^st Iowa Infantry.  He was 42 years old.

Mr. Johnson took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta.  He spent time in the hospitals in St. Louis and Quincy, Illinois.  On February 26, 1864, he was honorably discharged at Quincy on account of disabilities and returned to his family in Iowa.

In May of 1865 the family moved to Kossuth County.  They purchased the homestead of Abram Knight in Section 5 of Sherman Township.  Knight had come to the county in 1858 and built a log cabin where he lived until his death in 1861.  Although the property had been for sale since that time, no one had purchased it.  The Johnson family purchased the property for $4 per acre and immediately moved into the house.  Shortly thereafter Augustus built a sod blacksmith shop on the property and began business pounding iron for himself and his neighbors.  

COMING TO ALGONA

In 1879, he and his son, George M. Johnson, opened a blacksmith shop in Algona and by 1882 put up the shop which was used for wagon making and the sale of farm implements.  They became well known for the Johnson wagon which was manufactured by them.  In the photo below, you can see many implements on display in front of their building.

The shop located just west of courthouse square

They carried a wide-range of farm implements and advertised their merchandise in the local newspapers.  The company also had a large display at the county fair, one year featuring a various models of buggies sold by their firm.

Augustus was a very devout, lifelong Methodist.  He was a trustee of the United Methodist Church in Algona, serving on the board when the beautiful stone church was built in 1898.  He finally retired that year as well with George fully capable of running the business.  By that time George’s son had also joined the operation.  It was decided that he would remain in Algona while George built a new implement house in Kanawha and would operate the second location.  He and his wife moved to the new community in May of 1899 and were just settling in.

GEORGE’S ACCIDENT

The warehouse was soon ready and on Saturday, May 27^th, George was hauling equipment from Britt.  He was on his second load of heavy machinery when he stopped to water his team.  George was attempting to get back on the wagon when the team started suddenly and with a jump.  He was thrown to the ground.  Both the front and back wheel of the fully loaded wagon passed over his chest, breaking ribs and causing massive internal damage. 

The injured man was taken to a nearby farmhouse and his wife and a local doctor were summoned.  Due to the extent of his injuries, there was nothing that could be done to save him.  He lingered until the following Tuesday evening when he at last succumbed to his wounds.  He had been fully conscious throughout the ordeal.

His body was brought back to Algona by train the next day.  Services were held at his former residence and burial was in the Irvington cemetery, near where his family first settled in Sherman township.  At the time of his death, George was 54 year of age and left behind a wife and five children to mourn his passing. 

Augustus and Elizabeth Johnson were devastated by the accidental death of George.  At the age of 79, Augustus no longer had the stamina to run the family business.  George’s son Charles attempted to operate the business, but was unable to maintain control.  It passed to several owners before the entity was finally acquired by Pettibone & McDonald.

The site as it looks in 2016

The elderly Johnsons continued to reside in Algona until April of 1907.  They then moved back to the farm to live with their son Edward.  Elizabeth’s health failed first and she died on Valentine’s day in 1908.  Augustus continued to live with Edward following Elizabeth’s death.  A few years later he suffered a stroke leaving him paralyzed and unconscious.  He died a week later on June 6^th, 1913.  The Johnsons were both buried in the Irvington cemetery near their son George.

A LITTLE SOMETHING MORE . . .

While this might seem to be the end of the story, I do have an additional tale to add.  Two years ago, the Kossuth County Genealogical Society was contacted by representative of the television series, “Who Do You Think You Are?” requesting research on several members of the Johnson family.  The show traces the genealogy of a celebrity guest and then tells the story of one or more of his or her ancestors.  Only two members of the society were allowed to even know about this request and had to sign confidentiality documents.  The celebrity’s name was not revealed to them.  The research was completed and sent off to Los Angeles and the waiting began.

Finally on April 2, 2015, an episode aired featuring singer Josh Groban.  It turns out that A.M. Johnson was his third great grandfather and George his second.  Unfortunately very little of the local research was used in the actual episode as the producers chose to follow the ancestors of George’s wife, Mary Ann Zimmerman.  Nevertheless the information did not go to waste.  Josh Groban was presented with all data gathered about his family.  So, don’t be surprised if one day you see Mr. Groban walking in the footsteps of his ancestors in downtown Algona.

Until next time,

The KC History Buff

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