Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-05
SPENCER LETTER.

SPENCER LETTER.
May 81, 1901.
Friend Carr: We arrived here yes
terday morning. Came via the Ill.
Central to Storm Lake, thence by the
NJ. q St. L. to this place.
This county CLAY was organized by
an act of the legislature in 1851, but no
election was held in the county until
1858, at which only nine votes were cast,
eight of the voters being elected to fill
the county offices, which, for the lack
of a public building were kept at the
respective homes of the officers
The population increased slowly, as
the census of 1850 showed total popul
alton of only So. According to the last
census Its population was 13,4o1.
Spencer, its present county seat, was
plated as village in 1871, but was not
incorporated until 1880. In 1890 it had
population of 1873, and now has over
BOO. It is located near the center of
the county on the Little Sioux river,
and is one of the prettiest, most enter
prising, thrifty and prosperous cities in
Northwestern Iowa, being the leading
trading point for a large tract of as
fertile land as there is in the state. Its
railroad facilities are excellent, viz; the
Iowa & Oak; Spencer & Des Moines,
and Spencer and Spirit Lake divisions
of the G. NJ. & st. r, Ry; and the MINI.
& st. Louis Ry, The new court house
now in the course of construction here
will cost, when completed and furnish
ed, about $4,000. Its post Office out
ranks that OF the Dairy City, it having
been recently raised to second class
Office.
am told that during the past three
years the value of land in this county
has advanced an average of 500 per
acre.
There are quite number of former
residents of Delaware county and vi
cinity residing here.
James Ashburn who came here from
Earlville, has acquired a compel
ency by dairying and is now retired
farmer.
The Weeche Bros. Louis, William
and Bird, also from Earlville are en-
gagged in the lumber, coal and stock
business, at Webb, thriving village in
this county about twenty miles south
east Of this city.
NJ. E. Griffin, who came here from
Manchester, where he was clerk in the
Office of his brother, the late Ray b.
Griffin, is engaged in banking here and
is said to be the owner of more land
than any other man in the county.
Charles Doherty was born and lived
until his early manhood on farm on
the divide between Mssonville and
Winthrop. He afterwards worked for
the late p. j. Roche in his blacksmith
shop in Manchester, located here doz-
en- or more years ago and engaged in
blacksmithing, and has established q
very lucrative business.
E. M. Culbertson, formerly of Straw
berry Point, is in the butter and egg
business here.
9. !. Ginger, q son of j. A. Ginger
who lived for many years In North
Manchester, is the owner and resides on
large stock farm seven miles north
east of this place
81. G. Glover, well known to the older
residents of Manchester, resides here, as
also does his son Harry who is travel
ing auditor for the Flote Lumber Co.
DR.. G. w. Greayes is practicing his
profession here and has been ever since
ashort time after his removal from
Manchester.
John VIM, well known to bis former
neighbors at Nugents Grove has an ex-
tensive dairy farm near here.
George Osgerby, who came here from
Manchester number of years ago re-
Gently removed to Emmetsburg.
A. Z. Chesley is engaged in the drug
trade here, but devotes most of his
time attending to business for the
Lamb Lumber Co. of which he is trav-
cling auditor.
There are three papers published here;
the Reporter News and Herald, the
latter by Earl and Writ Bronson. All
Of these papers are literally supported,
receiving generous advertising patron
age, from the many wide awake and
trade seeking business men of this city,
and having large subscription lists
made up of subscrib srs in this and ad.
joining counties.
As q rule every one who leaves Della
ware county, the paradise of Iowa, re-
turns, because one can nowhere else be
suited after having lived there, SO you
may look for us home about the middle
of next week.
Yours Ect.
CIIAs.