CHRISTMAS EVE 1874

I want to share this article from The Algona Republican published December 30, 1874.  It describes two different events held on Christmas Eve that year sponsored by area churches.  The first gathering was hosted by members of the Universalist Society and the second was a joint venture between the Methodist and Congregational churches.

In those early days churches did not always have a permanent home and were used to being somewhat mobile.  According to the History of Kossuth County published in 1913, the Universalist Church was first organized here in 1873 by Rev. H. B. Butler and services were initially held in the Baptist church. 

The Methodists were holding services in the chapel of Algona College in 1874 as it would be some years before the beautiful church their congregation enjoys today would be erected.  Services of the Congregational Church at that time were being convened in the old town hall which they had purchased in 1868.  Neither facility would hold a crowd as large as the one expected for the Christmas Eve celebration and so they joined forces to use the “hall” at the new courthouse. 

Santa’s helpers were busy as the article discloses.

It is safe to say that the last anniversary of Christmas-eve was celebrated by our citizens with as much of solid, sensible mirth and enjoyment as any of its predecessors.  For several days our merchants were kept busy from early morning till late at night, displaying their Christmas wares, fanciful and substantial, for the inspection of the numerous agents of Santa Claus.  Truth to tell, the amount of money expended in holiday gifts in Algona, this season, exceeds the calculations of the most extravagant.  Where all the money comes from is more than a seven days’ wonder, and puzzles while it pleases the dealers.  The rapid disappearance of holiday goods from numerous show windows and cases was proof positive that many happy recipients of favors were to be added to the list of admirers of the “jolly old elf,” the children’s patron saint.  On Thursday there was a hurrying up and down in our streets.  People of all ages and conditions, carrying mysterious looking bundles, might have been seen at almost any hour in the day, directing their steps to Court House Hall or the Universalist Church, where their packages were deposited with as much of secrecy as the circumstances would admit, preparatory to their display upon the Christmas-trees.

AT THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

The late Fair given by the Universalist Society had so infringed upon the time and taxed the energies of a majority of the members as to influence a decision adverse to any unusual Christmas demonstration.  Nevertheless, the preparations for the evening were such as would have done credit to any society at any time.  Two fine evergreen trees had been procured and were arranged very tastefully, on each side the speaker’s platform, connected by garlands of evergreen.  These trees were heavily laden with a profusion of St. Nicholas’ favors, from the smallest toy for the little juvenile to the more valuable gift for the child of a larger growth.  Placed conspicuously over the desk and between the tops of the trees was a representation of the Child cradled in a manger.  Over it rose and set a beautiful star, whose evolutions continued during the evening.  The exercises of the evening opened with a prayer by Rev. Butler.  This was followed by singing and recitations by the children of the Sabbath School, after which the distribution of gifts began.  The house was well filled by the friends, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the occasion.

Congregational Church - former Town Hall

AT THE COURT HOUSE HALL

The Methodist and Congregational Sabbath Schools had arranged for a union celebration of the occasion at Court House Hall, and the result was probably the grandest success ever achieved in that line in this part of the dominions of Santa Claus.  Court House Hall was early in the evening crowded as never before, and before the exercises opened, both the main floor and gallery were densely packed.  We have no means of estimating the number of those present, but the wonder was expressed on all sides as to where so many people, of all ages, could have come from.  We were glad to see large numbers in from the country.  The windows were brilliantly illuminated, and the Hall gaily decorated, the latter being mostly the work of the ladies.  Two large oak trees had been provided to bear the gifts, and their wide spreading branches were heavily loaded.  But the trees proved quite insufficient for the purpose, and presents were deposited on tables in front of the speaker’s platform, and stowed away around the foot of the trees, and in every available place.  The gifts were in good proportion to the vast audience.  The Cornet Band was present and furnished several fine pieces of music while the audience was being seated. 

Kossuth County Courthouse built in 1872-73

The following programme of exercises was carried out previous to the distribution of presents:

        Prayer by Rev. C. Taylor.

        Singing by children.

        Address by Milton Starr.

        Song—“Ring Christmas Bells.”

        Three-minute speech by Rev. Underwood.

        Song—“Glory be to God on high.”

        Rev. Webster declined to extend the exercises by further remarks, and the task of distributing gifts was proceeded with.  It had been announced that Santa Claus would be present and take a conspicuous part in the proceedings, but other duties appear to have claimed his attention.  The Committee showed themselves equal to the emergency, and before a very late hour the tokens of love had been placed where they would do the most good.  The utmost good feeling was preserved throughout the evening, and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the occasion.

        At the conclusion of the exercises the members of the Band were treated to an oyster supper at Hollar’s Restaurant.

As I finished reading this article I couldn’t help but close my eyes and picture the hustle and bustle of downtown Algona during the Christmas holidays in 1874.  In my imagination I see sleighs or wagons with their horses tied to hitching posts while owners shop or gather around a warm stove for a cup of coffee and gossip with their neighbors; stores of various sizes and construction with holiday gifts and displays in their windows to entice window shoppers to come inside; and the crowd gathered inside of the new courthouse near two oak trees covered in gifts while children sing carols.  And it warms my heart to know, even back then, they had numerous “agents of Santa Claus” who, because of their generosity, made sure that area families had a blessed and joyous Christmas.    

And that is my wish for you, dear readers.  May your every wish come true!

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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COME INTO OUR KITCHENS

While filing some items in the genealogy room at the Algona Public Library recently, I found a cookbook that was out of place.  It had been donated to the gen society ten years ago by a person who purchased it at a used bookstore in San Diego.  At the time of our receipt it was in pretty rough shape.  Since it was falling apart, we placed each page in a page protector and put the book in a three ring binder to preserve it. 

The cookbook is entitled Come Into Our Kitchens.  There is no other information to indicate the date of publication, who compiled the collection or what organization profited from its sales.  I recall at the time we received it we did a little research trying to identify its source, but to no avail.  Rather than put it on the shelf next to the other cookbooks in our collection, I decided to give it another go.  Who knows?  At the very least I might be able to find some good recipes for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner.

The publication contains advertising from many local Algona merchants which helps to date the period it was published.  There is an ad for the Call Theatre which led me to deduce that it was published prior to 1937 when that structure burned to the ground.  Other advertisers included Kent Motors, Pratt Electric, and The Hub Clothiers, among many others.  One of the most vexing aspects of the advertisements is that addresses are not given for most of the businesses.  That seems to be a recurring theme in advertising prior to 1970 or so.  Evidently no one back then considered the feelings of future local historians or family history researchers and their need for specific information.  Sigh . . .

The cookbook itself is thin – 50 pages or so – and specializes in sweets.  It begins with doughnuts, coffee cakes and breads, proceeds on to cakes and icings, has a section on cookies and bars and another on candies.  It then moves on to desserts and pies and ends with various salad recipes.  Thumbing through the book was nostalgic.  There is something about a well-loved cookbook with pages discolored and splattered, corners worn, and notes in the margins that is comforting. 

Roll and waffle recipes

Titles of recipes can be fascinating.  Today’s cakes might be called “Death By Chocolate” or “Ooey Gooey Butter” cake, but they had interesting names then too.  Here are some of the cakes from Come Into Our Kitchens:  Feather Weight Cake from Mrs. H.M. Harris, Light as Ducks Down Cake from Fern (Mrs. W.A.) Foster, and Yellow Feather Cake presented by Mrs. Homer Tuttle.  Angel food and sponge cake recipes were quite popular with recipes submitted by Marie (Mrs. William) Hawcott, Ruby (Mrs. Francis) Hawcott and Ella Mae (Mrs. Alvin) Weber.  I have always admired those talented bakers who could make an angel food cake from scratch, beating all those egg whites that are required.  And these fine ladies likely beat them by hand. 

Seeing the Chocolate Pin Wheel Cookies recipe from Mrs. Antone Johnson reminded me of the delicious ones my husband’s grandmother, Josie (Mrs. Aloysius) Eischeid used to make.  How we looked forward to that treat whenever we stopped by for a visit!  Other cookies such as Carmel Cookies (Mrs. Burton Thorpe) and Butterscotch Pecan Squares (Mrs. Ben Sorensen) sound delicious.  However, a few did not sound appetizing at all – Date Rocks (Mrs. Fred Frost) and just plain Rocks (Mrs. W. C. Steele) for example.  I don’t think I would enjoy eating cookies that are described as “rocks.”

There were several recipes in the candy section that I found intriguing.  I had never heard of Sea Foam candy before, but both Mrs. D. J. Mitchell and Miss Annie Ingersoll submitted recipes.  My favorite candy in the section has to be the one entitled “Patience” which again was contributed by Mrs. Mitchell.  After reading the directions, I certainly agree that one would have to have extreme patience to prepare it.

When it comes to pies, these women knew what they were doing.  I can almost picture them in their kitchens rolling out the crusts.  Lemon Chiffon (Mrs. Anna Gill), Washington Nut Pie (Mrs. Lillian Norton), Silver Cream Pie (Mrs. Walter Klamp), and Angel Food Pie (Mrs. Earl Moore) are just a few of the many varieties mentioned. 

While paging through the book, I started to study some of the names of those who contributed recipes for publication.  I began to notice that the majority of the surnames represented families who had been faithful Methodists through the years.  After spending some time on Find-a-Grave, I was soon able to confirm through obituaries that funerals for all but a very few of the women I was able to track were held from the Methodist Church.  The book itself belonged to Elizabeth Carlisle who I have been unable to find.  Her ownership could perhaps be another clue.

So as you can see, this post is part history and part mystery.  To any loyal readers who happen to be members of the United Methodist Church in Algona, does this cookbook look familiar to you?  Would it have been compiled as a fundraiser for the church or perhaps one of the women’s groups?  We would love to be able to date when it was published and confirm its origin. 

When Thanksgiving rolls around each year, I can’t help but think of some of the bountiful meals I have shared with friends and family throughout my life.  In that spirit, does anyone have memories to share of the culinary talent of any of the contributors that I have mentioned in this post or whose names appear on the accompanying photos?  If so, I would love to read your comments.

While counting my blessings this year, I want you to know that I am thankful for each of you that enjoy these posts and love local history as much as I do. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jean

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A SOLDIER'S GOODBYE

Chris and Freda Kain stood at the train station.  His leave was coming to an end and it was time to return to duty.  The two found it especially hard to part this time.  Exactly one week before—on September 10, 1918—they had been married quietly in the Catholic parsonage with their friends, Frank and Segrid Kohlhaas, as their witnesses.  The wedding was the culmination of a long courtship. 

* * * * *

Chris Kain was born in 1881, the ninth child of Patrick and Anna (Wall) Kain.  He grew up on their farm in Plum Creek Township and graduated from Algona High School.  He began his higher education at Collegeville, Minnesota, but in 1899 transferred to Highland Park College in Des Moines from which he graduated with a pharmacy degree.  He had already been working at Sheetz Pharmacy in Algona when he passed his exam and became a registered pharmacist in late 1902.

By 1905 Chris was seeing an unknown young woman in the Minneapolis area.  How long their romance lasted or how serious it became could not be determined.  Did it end in heartbreak?  It is likely we will never know, but an article published on February 13, 1908 in The Algona Advance may give us a clue.  A humorous expose entitled “List of Eligibles – A Survey of Those Who Have No Wives, But Who Would Have Them if the Ladies Proposed,” gives a list of local eligible bachelors and their availability.  It states, “Chris Kain was once on the string, but the string broke.  He is open for sealed bids at the earliest possible date.”

Christopher Kain

For a time after that, Chris was somewhat footloose.  News articles place him working in Guthrie Center, Westgate and Sumner until March of 1915 when he returned to Algona and became employed at the Rexall drug store. 

* * * * *

Born in Bancroft in 1884, Freda Sjogren was the daughter of Peter and Caroline (Fehrm) Sjogren.  The family moved to Algona when she was a child and after completing her schooling, Freda began working at the Chrischilles Store as a cashier.  She also served as an organist at the Swedish Lutheran Church.

At the time Chris returned to Algona in 1915, Freda was working as a cashier at the Quinby & Krause store in downtown Algona.  Did she frequent the lunch counter at the drug store?  Did he shop at Quinby & Krause?  Whether his good looks caught her attention or her charming smile caught his, the two soon became an item.

* * * * *

When the United States entered the war in 1917, Chris was 36 years old—too old to be drafted.  Nevertheless he knew that medical personnel were sorely needed in the ranks.  He was at the time working in the Kraft-Misbach Store.  He and four other male employees of the firm heard the patriot’s call to serve.  In early December Chris went to Camp Dodge with a group of other local men to enlist.  Soon he was back home having sprained an ankle.  Determined, he returned to Camp Dodge when the ankle was healed and re-entered the service on December 24, 1917.

He was originally assigned to the ordnance division and in the spring of 1918 he was stationed at Camp Hancock which was near Augusta, Georgia.  That camp which had been established in July of 1917 was referred to as a “great city of tents.”  Because of the warm weather, it was decided that buildings to house the soldiers were not required.  The camp was a major ordnance training ground preparing its soldiers for the frontlines. The noise of gun and cannon fire filled the air throughout the day. 

Eventually, Chris did request a transfer to the medical corps which was granted.  The base hospital was housed in a succession of wooden buildings, but the field hospital—where many of the patients were housed—was a series of tents.

* * * * *

By September of 1918 when Chris came home on leave, the momentum of the war appeared to have shifted to the Allies who had pushed back the offensive of the Germans in the second battle of Marne in July and launched their own counteroffensive.  If this progress continued, there was strong hope that the war would soon end. 

Was this hope voiced between Freda and Chris as they said their farewells at the train station?  Did they speak of the plans they had for the life they would share when the war ended?  Or did they simply gaze at one another whispering endearments knowing that these memories had to last until Chris came home to stay?  All too soon it was time to board.  The two embraced each other one last time.  As Chris climbed on to the train, he turned and waved.  Freda raised her hand in reply.  She watched the train pull out of the station continuing to wave until it could no longer be seen and then she turned, her eyes filled with tears, and went home.

Private Christopher Kain

* * * * *

Since the spring of 1918, the H1N1 influenza (otherwise known as the Spanish flu) had been spreading worldwide.  While most types of influenza were dangerous for those under the age of 5 or 65 and older, this specific strain was particularly deadly for those between the ages of 20 and 40.  Overcrowded hospitals, poor hygiene and global troop movement caused the rapid expansion of the disease.  No vaccines or antibiotics existed at the time so treatment consisted of isolation, quarantine, use of disinfectants and limitation of public gatherings.  Many large cities closed theaters, schools and churches.  Funerals were limited to 15 minutes.

Some who died of the illness passed within hours of their first symptoms.  For others it was a slow, agonizing passage from pneumonia as their lungs filled with fluid, causing them to cough up blood and struggle for air until they suffocated.

On September 30, 1918, only two soldiers were in the Camp Hancock infirmary.  By the end of the next day, 716 reported with flu-like symptoms.  In just four more days—by October 5^th—3,000 cases were reported and 52 soldiers had died.  Chris entered the hospital that same day.

Word of his illness was received by his wife late Thursday, October 10^th. Freda, along with his sister, Mary, who was a nurse, left the next day for his bedside.  Upon reaching Augusta, they were informed that they were too late—Private Christopher Kain had died Saturday, October 12^th, of pneumonia resulting from influenza.

* * * * *

His body arrived in Algona on Thursday, October 17^th, and was immediately interred in Calvary Cemetery.  Open air services were performed graveside by Father Coffey of St. Cecelia’s parish.  He was buried next to his parents and two brothers, Patrick, Jr., and James.

The Kain family burial plot at Calvary Cemetery

For Freda, a widow after 32 days of marriage, the grief must have been almost unbearable as she stood by his grave that day.  She was now saying a permanent goodbye to the husband she had watched board a train exactly one month earlier.  She closed her eyes and pictured him so handsome in his uniform smiling and waving to her as the train pulled away from the station.  She would remember him that way always.

* * * * *

Epilogue:  Freda Kain did go on to marry again.  Three years later she married Sever Christensen who was a rural mail clerk in Algona and a veteran of World War I.  They were married a little over 15 years when Sever died suddenly while they were on vacation in California.  They had no children.  Freda died in August of 1962 after a long illness.  She is buried next to Sever in Riverview Cemetery.

My thanks to Barbara Darling, a relative of Chris Kain, for sharing photos and family history with me.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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THE HOUSE ON BLACKFORD HILL

This summer we featured John and Mary (Call) Blackford in the Riverview Cemetery walk that is held each year during the Founders’ Day celebration.  The Blackfords were among the very earliest settlers of Algona.   As a part of that research project I was lucky enough to make contact with several of the Blackford descendants. They were so generous with the information they shared and even allowed us to scan and preserve dozens of photos from their collection to be preserved as part of our local history – a history in which the Blackfords played such a big part.

John and Mary (Call) Blackford Family

Even before they arrived in Kossuth County, a claim had been procured for the Blackfords to the west along the river, just outside the “city limits” of Algona at the time.  Their cabin was perched on what became known as “Blackford Hill” and it would later be replaced by the house that they would call home for the rest of their lives.  I was thrilled to find several photos of the Blackford home in the collection that was shared with us and the family has kindly given me permission to share some of the photos on my blog.

WHO WERE THE BLACKFORDS?

John Ellison Blackford and Mary Minerva Call Blackford were both born in Ohio.  When just a boy, John’s family moved to Indiana where he grew up.  His schooling was limited due to the frontier conditions, but he did attend the district school for two terms.  There he developed a love of reading and learning.

Mary was the fifth of eight children born to Asa and Mary Call.  Her father died when she was five years old, leaving her mother to raise the children on her own.  Left destitute, the family struggled to survive.  Due to her hard work and faith, their mother managed to keep them together. 

John and Mary were married September 28, 1845 in St. Joseph County, Indiana.  Their first two sons were born there.  In 1854, Mary’s two brothers, Asa and Ambrose Call, established a town located on the east fork of the Des Moines River in north central Iowa.  Soon after, the Blackfords received a letter from Mary’s brothers urging them to come and help settle the new town. 

John came from a long line of pioneers from whom he inherited a spirit of adventure.  He and Mary decided to answer the call of the frontier.  They began to prepare for trip during the summer of 1855.  They must have spent hours deciding what to take with them.  They started with a yoke of oxen and a canvas-covered wagon.  It had a good box, but no spring seat, which must have been uncomfortable for Mary who was expecting a child at the time.  The wagon carried a heavy load which included a cast iron stove, a large clothes chest made of cherry wood, and a solid wood bedstead made of beech and hard maple, along with clothing, bedding, dishes and food for the trip.  There also had to be room for them and their two boys, Edwin, age 9, and Ernest, age 3. 

The family began their journey of over 500 miles from northern Indiana in early September with a can of pine tar for the wheels swinging beneath the wagon and a long, single-barreled shotgun their lone protection.  They camped along the way and ate meals cooked over an open fire.  When they neared the Mississippi River, John traded the oxen for a team of horses and ever afterward said that he had made a very poor trade.  He had hoped to make better progress with the horses, but they did no better than the sturdy oxen.

After crossing the Mississippi near Lyons, Iowa, they began to travel by compass to the West and North, as dependable trails were scarce.  In some places John would have to go ahead to select a route along a ridge, to avoid sloughs, and when he had found it, he would place his hat on the barrel of his gun and hold it up so that Mary could see his location over the tall prairie grass and drive the wagon to him.  Their objective point was Clear Lake where they would get directions as to the best route to take to the Call settlement. 

SETTLING IN ALGONA

Although the Call settlement was almost directly west of Clear Lake, they were advised to go around the south end of the lake and across the flat country to avoid wetlands.  Near the current location of the town of Livermore, they began to follow the Des Moines River to the north, crossing the river just south of what we know as Irvington.  They finally arrived in Algona on October 10, 1855.  Although a cabin had been built for them on their claim in anticipation of their arrival, another family was living there while they were working on their own cabin.  An addition was hastily added to Asa Call’s cabin and the family moved in where they remained through the winter.  Their daughter, Ella Algona, was born there on January 18, 1856, the first white child born in Algona.   

That spring after a particularly severe winter, the family moved to their own log cabin.  Ambrose Call set up a saw mill that summer and John was put in charge as sawyer.  As new settlers came, he was kept busy providing lumber for construction.  In 1857 during the Indian scare following the Spirit Lake Massacre, he worked round the clock at the mill sawing planks for use on the fort built in Algona for protection of the settlers.  During this time he sent his family to stay with Asa and Sarah while he stayed at the mill, catching what little sleep he could.

He used to tell the story of an incident which occurred during this time.  At a meeting of area citizens, they had agreed upon the firing of two shots in rapid succession after dark as an early warning signal of the approach of Indians.  Two men who were close neighbors of the family had been away and knew nothing of the signal that had been decided upon.  While crossing the river, their guns got wet and so when they got home they fired them to clean and reload them.  John, hearing the signal, grasped his gun and told Mary to run with the children into the darkness of the brush surrounding the cabin and to remain there until he returned.

The youngest son, Ernest, refused to leave the house until his shoes were put on and laced.  Fearing an outcry which would alert the Indians, Mary held her nerves in check while kneeling on the floor, in the light of the fireplace, laboriously picking out the knots in the hard leather shoestrings and then putting on and lacing the little shoes.  Once that was done, she hurried out into the shelter of the brush until John arrived home and called to them to come out, that all was safe.

A BIGGER HOUSE

Their family continued to grow.  James Clarus was born in 1858, Mary Kate in 1862 and baby George in 1869.  To accommodate their growing family, a larger two-story home was built on the site where the log cabin had stood. 

Blackford Hill

The house was a large dwelling that stood majestically on Blackford Hill along with a barn, stable, and windmill.  Many large trees provided shade during the hot Iowa summers.  I was unable to determine the date the house was originally built, but we know that none of the pioneers remained in their log cabins for long, so I would estimate the house was constructed sometime between 1857 and 1860.

The center main section faced south with a wing on each side, all two stories in height.  A one-story addition was attached to the west wing of the structure.   We do not know if the house started smaller with additions added at later dates or if it always had the same floor plan, but the house shown in the pictures would have accommodated not only a large family, but many social gatherings as well. 

On the south side of the house were several porches separated by a sunroom with large pane glass windows.  During the long cold winters, it is likely that the sunroom provided much light and perhaps some warmth to the dreary days.  It appears that Mary was quite the gardener.  There is a picture of her standing in front of the house during the summer.  Much of the residence is covered with an ivy or a vine of some sort that grew clear up to the peak of the roof and many potted plants line the edge of the porches, soaking up the sunshine. 

The home was located on the north side of McGregor Street somewhat west of the drive now leading to Blackford Park which is on the south side of the street.  There was no entrance to the homestead from the south—in fact their drive began where West Nebraska Street ends and wandered back to their building site.  As a visitor, you would approach the house from the east, and after tying up your horse to the hitching post, climb up the steps placed in the side of the hill and then walk toward the house.  When greeted by John or Mary after a knock at their door, you would likely have been welcomed with the warm hospitality for which they were known. 

The sitting room is featured in one photo with John and Mary seated with a guest between them and George at the piano.  The room is tastefully decorated for the time with floral wallpaper, luxurious lace curtains and art work hung from the picture rail.  Mary has a large book on her lap which may be a photo album or perhaps a Bible.  From the wistful expressions on the women’s faces, I imagine George is playing a hymn or other ballad that brings them comfort or reminds them of days gone by.

Aunt Mary, as she was known to the community, was an excellent cook and housekeeper, so it is likely that she was always prepared for guests.  One can almost smell the aroma of fresh baked bread or cake coming from the kitchen.  Mary had a large garden and a flock of chickens as did most homemakers at the time and her jellies, preserves and pickles won many awards at the local fair.  Besides being a wonderful mother to her children, she helped to raise Asa’s youngest children after his wife died.  She also assisted Ambrose’s wife, Nancy, to learn the ways of homemaking after her marriage, since Nancy’s mother had died young and was not there to guide her.  Since Ambrose and Nancy’s home was nearby, whenever they needed help, they would hang a red blanket out the window and Mary would soon be at their side.

John was elected the first justice of the peace and from that point on became very involved in politics.  He served two terms as representative from this district in the Iowa Legislature.  He often commented that “My district at this time comprised seven counties and in making my canvass I frequently traveled 40 miles to see a single voter.”  He served one term as County Treasurer.  He was one of the members of the Iowa delegation to the national Republican convention that nominated Lincoln for president the first time, although he was not able to attend in person.  John was a charter member of the Grange and served as Worthy Master of the Iowa State Grange for about 10 years.  He also ran a store in Algona called “The Grange.”  It is easy to imagine that these positions did require the couple to entertain constituents or groups in their home often. 

The location of the home was a wonderland for their children.  They spent many hours running through the woods, sledding down the snow covered hills, fishing in the nearby river and playing with the other children in town.  In later years the Blackford children often spoke of the wonderful memories they had growing up in that house. 

The Blackford family relaxing

Both John and Mary were able to remain in their home until their deaths, despite failing health.  Mary died on March 30, 1905 at the age of 77 as the result of a stroke.  John passed from this life on August 20, 1911.

FAMILY LEAVES THE COMMUNITY

After the death of their father, the Blackford children who had remained in Algona gradually left the area.  Mary Kate had died of cancer in 1910 and one by one, the others moved to other locations.  In August of 1915 the Presbyterian Church held a special gathering bidding George, Ernest and Ella goodbye.  An article in the August 11, 1915, edition of the Upper Des Moines newspaper describes the message given by Ben Reed at the event. “He spoke of the social and political leadership of the father of the family in the early days and the sterling character of the mother, who sympathized with all pioneer enterprises, and expressed his regret that the Blackford family was at last to leave the community with which in had been uninterruptedly connected since 1855.”

The property on which the family home was located was sold to George Platt who resided there for a few years before selling it to Dr. J.O.F. Price, a local veterinarian, in 1920.  Dr. Price eventually razed the Blackford house and built a new home for his family.  Thus, the Blackford era in Algona came to an end – well, except for Blackford Park which still lives on, but that is a topic for another day. 

I want to thank Blackford family members, Donna and Larry and Dennis and Janice, for their desire to see the Blackford name live on in Algona and their generosity in sharing photographs and documents of great historical value to our community.  Rest assured, they will be lovingly cared for.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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