Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-12-23

| by Peterson and the ChriStensons.
Randall has never been incorporated
| and is governed by the Ellsworth
township officers.
CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP.
| Clear Lake township occupies
township Sc. range 25. So far as
topography is concerned, the south
half of Clear Lake township presents
the finest stretch of country to be
| found in Hamilton county. Its sur.
| face is gently rolling great deal
of the land is naturally well drain
ed. The first settler in Clear Lake
township was probably w. H. Fraz-
| Ter, who came to Hamilton county in
1856.
Stanhope was laid out by the
Western Town Lot Company in Oc-
tober, 1888. 1t was incorporated in
December, 1897. The first mayor was
H. E. Fardal. The first town coun-
Gil consisted of A. F. Swanson, j. S.
Williams, liver Johnson, G. E. Ha-
maker. William Taylor and l.. j.
Stark. At the first election, thirty
votes were cast and the above ofic-
ers were unanimously elected.
MARION TOWNSHIP. D..
Marion township occupies town
ship Sc, range 26. BY reason of it's
location near Des Moines river, per-
haps accounts for it's being settled
earlier than many townships. Among
its prominent pioneers are Geo. w.
Hook, who came in 1853, w. w.
Mckinney, who came in 1857, and
A. G. Barquest, who came in 1858.
The people of Marion are largely of
Swedish descent. Stratford is it's
principal town. 1t was founded in
October, 1880. In order that
proper idea may be given of the pi-
oneer merchants, the attention of
the reader is invited to descriptive
article written for the Freeman in
1881:
STRATFORD.
A correct idea of the growth of
this place may be obtained from the
fact that on last Christmas day not
a square foot of lumber could be
found on the town site; now no less
than ten business houses are open
and doing steady, lively business.
In addition to these there are two
first-class hotels, one open and in
good running order-the other al
most completed. The "Stratford
House" is first-class, having all the
accomplishments for the comfort and
convenience of the travelling public.
Mr.. Dawson, the proprietor, and his
amiable lady are peculiarly fitted by
nature and education for their voca-
ton.
Arson Dec, the old true and tried,
has at last landed his hotel building
in its final resting place, and will
soon spread his viands on sumptuous
tables, for many old and new pal
irons. If industry and perseverance
are signs of success, Mr.. Dec will at
tain to large measure of it.
j. w. Near, the lively old Hook |
Pointer, has opened a mammoth |
stock of drugs in his large building
on Shakespeare avenue, where he will |
be found freshly powdered and per-
fumed ready to do any work in his |
line.
Stratford has corps of physicians
second to none in the state DR.. |
Chamberlain has resided here sever
al years-acquired a good practice |
and is too well known to need fur
Their notice from me.
DR.. Morrison is a young man of
scholarly attachments and during
the short time that he has been
here. has won an enviable reputa-
ton in the treatment of disease.
DR.. W. n. Green is also young
man Of splendid ability and rare Gull
ture; he has succeeded in winning
for himself a large practice and is
in every sense of the word worthy of
the high reputation he has earned.
DR.. J. J. Lewis, the well known
physician of Bridgeport, will soon oc-
cupy his new building at this place.
The good people of the Methodist
Episcopal church here are taking
steps for the erection of a large
church building to cost upward of
sl,ooO; they are well under way
with the enterprise.
The Observation-Disclosures church,
llne building, stands on the town
site