This growing town was platted in the autumn of 1877, by the railroad company. The first hotel was built by A.P. Kennedy in 1877. The Maple River branch of he Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, was completed from Maple River Junction, the first train arriving in October, 1877. A branch of the C.,M. & St. P.R.R. from Sioux City to Mapleton is now graded, and will ere long be placed in running order

In September, 1877, J. Garrison built the first store in Mapleton. It was 10x12 feet in dimensions. The Messrs. Scott soon afterwards built the store they now occupy.

The first settlers in the village were: J. Garrison, W.F. Scott and brothers, W.F. McHenry and B. Whiting, who settled here in the autumn of 1877. The town was incorporated in 1878, with J.F. Scott as Mayor. The population is about 600.

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The Mapleton Bank was organized October 3d, 1878, with B. Whiting, President; N.H. Bliss, Cashier, and with abundance of capital. It is a flourishing and substantial institution. At present, B. Whiting is the President, C.I. Whiting, Cashier.

The schools of Mapleton are graded, and in excellent condition. A handsome structure was erected in 188-81, at a cost of $3,500. J.A. Wakefield is the Principal. About 100 pupils are enrolled.

An order of Odd Fellowship was organized Sept. 11th, 1879, with five charter members. J. Hutton was the first N.G. The Lodge now has twenty-five members.

A Masonic order was organized in July, 1880, with then charter members. The present membership is fifteen. J.D. Rice was the first Master of this Lodge.

The Presbyterian Church Society was organized July 31st, 1881, by Rev. A.K. Baird, assisted by Rev. J.C. Gilkerson, the present pastor, with a membership of seventeen. The church officers are one Elder and three Trustees.

The M.E. Church Society of Mapleton was organized by Rev. Thomas Cuthburt, during the year of 1880. The church edifice, a neat and durable brick building of the Gothic style, 32x50 feet in dimensions, was erected during the same year, at a cost of $2,300, and the following Trustees were appointed: W.E. Roberts, President; B. Whiting, Treasurer; George Adams, Secretary; A. W. Cobland, G.A. Smith, Trustees. The Society is small, but growing, was organized with a membership of six, and now numbers twenty. During the year, 1881, the Society built a parsonage at a cost of $800, the building being in every way highly creditable to the organization. There is, in this connection a Sabbath School, with an average attendance of eighty. W.E. Roberts is the Superintendent, Rev. H.P. Dudley is the present pastor.

The Baptist Church Society was organized in 1880, with ten members. A.I. Lanterman is the leader.

Mapleton's business and professional establishments are represented as follows: Four general stores, one newspaper—the Mapleton Press—one bank, four hotels, two livery stables, two hardware stores, three saloons, two blacksmiths, one boot and shoe store, one grocery, one millinery store, one harness shop, four physicians, two grain dealers, two lumber yards, one wagon factory, one furniture store, one farm machinery establishment, two meat markets, four dealers in live stock.

An article with the captivating caption, "Society in Mapleton," says: "Mapleton will compare favorably with older towns east or west as regards social privileges. Although a town of only eighteen months growth, we here find many advantages that would be prized by those seeking homes in the west.

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"Our people are mostly from the Eastern States, and are well informed, public spirited and up with the times. As yet we are without an organized church, but union services and Sunday school are regularly held in the public hall, and there is a prospect that either a Presbyterian or Congregational society will soon be formed. The Methodist Episcopal church contemplate building a house of worship the coming summer.

"The 'Blue Ribbon' movement has reached Mapelton, and upward of 200 have signed the pledge. It is to be hoped that efforts that have been made in this direction will not be in vain.

"A literary society has been sustained during the past winter with considerable interest. Lectures, readings, concerts and other entertainments have not been wanting to afford amusement for the winter evenings. The many demands for money incident to carrying on the enterprise of a new town are met with cheerfulness and a ready response by our citizens and no laudable undertaking has yet failed for the lack of means.

"A tax has been levied in Maple Township and partly collected for the purpose of erecting a substantial school building, that will be the pride of the city. A mayor, six alderman, and other efficient officers manage municipal affairs; quiet and good order universally prevail in our midst.

"People looking for homes in Western Iowa should visit Mapleton before deciding on a permanent location."

The following is taken from editorial correspondence to the Carroll (Ia.) Herald: "Western Iowa is constantly furnishing examples of the sudden rise and rapid growth of new towns. The wild prairie of yesterday is frequently transformed into the busy and bustling center of trade to-day. One of the most notable of these instances is found in the history of Mapleton, from which place I write. The town was platted in the fall of 1877, and is consequently less than a year and a half old. The Maple River branch of the Northwestern road reached here about the middle of October, 1877. At that time there was no settlement worth mentioning. Now the town numbers five hundred inhabitants, and is growing steadily. The railroad, which leaves the main line sixty miles southeast, terminates at Mapleton. By virtue of this fact, the place enjoys exceptional advantages over other towns on the line. It is located near the beautiful Maple River in the far-famed Maple Valley, long noted as comprising within its limits the finest farming land in the west, but until recently not accessible by railroad. It will doubtless remain the terminal station for years to come, and its present prosperity cannot but increase in the future. Although Mapleton is young, it has none of the characteristics of a mushroom town. The buildings are extremely creditable and calculated for permanency. Many of the residences are handsome and attractive. The location of the town is excellent. It lies on high, but nearly level ground,

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sloping just enough to afford good drainage. The residence lots are all superior, and there is ample room for a large city. The land surrounding it is unexcelled for agricultural purposes, nearly every acre being tillable. The Maple River furnishes numerous water powers, there being three grist mills within five miles of the town."

WHITING

Although comparatively young, in respect to many other Western Iowa towns, Whiting has made rapid strides since it first settlement. A complete representation of its more enterprising business establishments will be found among the biographical data hereto appended.

James Butts, M.D., was born in Genesee county, N.Y., in 1822; remained at home until twenty-one years of age; then began the study of medicine. He moved to Wis. in 1856, and engaged in the practice of medicine; was also postmaster while in that State. He removed to Kans. in 1860, traveled extensively through the west, settled at Onawa in 1866, and has practiced medicine there ever since. He opened a drug store in 1873, and after four years, sold it. He has been twice married; the first time in 1844, and to Lucy L. Crawford, in 1880.

I. Cummings, dealer in groceries and provisions, was born in N.Y., in 1844; removed to Fremont county, Ia., in 1855; thence to Chicago, Ill., in 1871, where he remained five years, and located in Onawa, Ia., in 1877. In 1881, engaged in the present business, by buying out J.R. Thruston.

John Douglas, jeweler and music dealer, was born in Scotland in 1851; came to America in 1872, and settled in Neb.; moved to Onawa in 1876, and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1876, and has two children—Mary, and an infant daughter.

W. J. Eva, harness manufacturer, was born in Wis. in 1847; removed to Worthington, Nobles county, Minn., in 1872; thence to Onawa, Ia., in 1876, and engaged in his present business in 1878. He was married in 1875 to Lucy Manning, and has three children.

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B.D. & Chas. Holbrook, proprietors of the bank at Onawa, came from Pa. to this city in 1857, and engaged in the law, loan and real estate business, until 1865, when they opened the bank. H.E. Morrison is cashier of the bank.

A.G. Hurst, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Ind. in 1832; removed with parents in 1836 to Ill.; thence to Newton, Ia. In 1855 came to Ashton, near Onawa. He enlisted in March 1862, in Co. K., 17th Ia., and re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company. He was taken prisoner with the rest of the regiment and confined at Andersonville one hundred and eighty-five days; was discharged at Davenport, Ia., June 16th, 1865, and returned to Monona county, and engaged in farming and dealing in stock. He was married in 1859, to Julia Brink, and has ten children.

W.H. Kelsey was born in N.Y. in 1841. He enlisted in Co. B., 64th N.Y. Vol., in 1861, was discharged in 1862; re-enlisted in Co. B., 13th N.Y. Heavy Art. as a veteran, and was again discharged in 1865. He was one of five brothers, who enlisted; two were killed and the others disabled in the service. He came to Onawa in 1865. He was married in 1877.

D.B. Kenyon, miller and grain dealer, was born in N.Y. in 1845; removed to Wis. in 1856, and from there to Onawa in 1872, and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1869 to N.F. Freeland. They have one son and two daughters.

C.G. Perkins, postmaster, and dealer in general merchandise, was born in Rockingham county, N.Y., in 1830; removed to Wis. in 1855, and engaged in farming. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. G. 19th Wis., and was discharged in 1865; then came to Onawa, and engaged in farming four years. He was then elected county recorder; resigned in 1872. He was a member of the 14th assembly in 1872-3; engaged in his present business in 1873. He was married in 1853 to R.S. Stearns, and has three children—C.W., Mary W. and Addie M.

P. Sawyer, proprietor of city blacksmith shop, was born in Oxford county, Me., in 1846. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. D., 28th Me. Vol.; was discharged in 1863, and went to Concord, Mass.; thence to Onawa in 1865. He was married in 1867, to M.T. Cunningham. They have four children—Edwin E., Altha M., Earl, and Margie.

John W. Somers, druggist, was born in N.C. in 1834; removed to Champaign county, Ill., in 1843 and was clerk of the courts for several years. He enlisted in 1862 in th 76th Ill. Vol. as a private; was promoted to commissary sergeant, then to first lieutenant, and regimental quarter-master; left the army in 1865, and returned to Ill. He engaged in the drug business in 1867 at Urbana, and in 1879 removed to Onawa, and again engaged in the drug business. He was married in 1858 to Sarah J. Fitzgerald. They have one son and one daughter.

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Richard Stebbins, M.D., and druggist, was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1824. He was educated for a physician; removed to Council Bluffs in 1857, and engaged in the practice of medicine; remained there six months; removed to Onawa, and continued the practice of his profession, and engaged in the drug business in 1864. He was married in 1859 to Mary J. Billings, and has a son and a daughter.

J.R. Thurston, proprietor of the Onawa House, was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., in 1833; removed to Cass county, Ia., in 1856; thence to Onawa in 1860, and engaged in farming, until 1877, when he engaged in the mercantile business, which he sold in 1881, and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1855, and has five children.

T.C. Walton, proprietor of the Walton House, was born in Somerset county, Me., in 1829; removed to Wis., in 1854, and remained two years and returned to Me. In 1864 he again removed to Wis., settling in St. Croix county, and engaged in the drug business. In 1869 he came to Onawa, Ia., and in 1871 built the hotel he now occupies. He has been twice married, and has four children—Lona, Ida, Geo. and William.

Maj. George E. Warner, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Sullivan county, N.H., in 1843. He went to Boston, Mass., at the age of twelve to earn the dry goods business. In 1862 he enlisted in the 6th Mass. battery, and at the end of six months, entered the 10th U.S. colored corps as first lieutenant; was promoted to Major, and discharged in that rank in 1867; came to Onawa, Ia., and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1868 to Mollie E. Morrison, of Onawa, and has one child, a daughter.

N.A. Whiting, dealer in general hardware, was born in N.Y., in 1823; lived on a farm until eighteen years of age; then learned carriage making, in which business he was engaged for fifteen years in O. and Ala. He came to Onawa, Ia., in 1857, and the following year engaged in his present business. He was married in 1853, and has three children—Eva, Charles, and Estella. Chas. is engaged in the banking business at Mapleton, Ia.

W.G. Woods, dealer in grain, enlisted in 1864 in Co. E, 48th Wis., and was discharged in 1865. He was married in 1873, to Matilda Barber, and has one son and one daughter—Arthur and Zellie.

MAPLETON

J.Q. Adams, proprietor of the Mapleton dray line, was born in Franklin county, Me.; in 1837; moved to Iowa in 1854. He moved to Onawa in 1858, and engaged in farming. He engaged in his present business in Mapleton, Jan. 25th, 1881.

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G.H. Butler, of the firm of G.H. Butler & Co., furniture dealers, was born in Ind.; moved to Ia., in 1856, and engaged in milling. He moved to Monona county, Ia., in 1865, and engaged in farming, and in 1878, engaged in his present business.

J.R. Cameron, dealer in general merchandise and grain, is a native of Ohio; came to Ia. in 1852, and engaged in the land business. He came to Monona couonty in 1878, and engaged in the grain and land business, and, in 1880, added the mercantile business. He was agent for the railroad company for three years.

J.R. Chapman, dealer in lumber, coal and builders' supplies, is a native of N.Y.; moved to Ohio when young, and to Scott county, Ia., in 1860. He came to Mapleton, in 1877, and engaged in his present business.

J. Garrison, hardware dealer, was born in Ill.; moved to Iowa in 1873, and located in Calhoun county, and engaged in farming. He moved to Dunlap, and engaged in the mercantile business; thence to Mapelton, in the autumn of 1877, and built the first store in the place, and entered the mercantile business.

Porter Hamilton, of the firm of Hamilton Bros., dealers in farm machinery and lumber, was born in Ill.; moved to Cedar Rapids, Ia., in 1872; thence to Mapleton in the autumn of 1877, and engaged in his present business. During 1881, his sales of farm machinery amounted to $25,000.

Samuel Holliday, proprietor of the City billiard hall, was born in Muscatine county, Ia., in 1842, and engaged in farming, until entering his present business in 1880.

T. Martin, proprietor of blacksmith and wagon shop, is a native of Ill.; moved to Ia. in 1880, and engaged in his present business.

M. Morgan, of the firm of Butler & Morgan, grocers, was born in Scott county, Ia., in 1846. He enlisted in May, 1864, in the 44th Ia. regiment, and was discharged in the autumn of the same year. He re-enlisted in Jan., 1865, in the 20th, Ia., Co. G.; was transferred to the 29th Ia. regiment, and in Sept. 1865, returned to Iowa, and engaged in farming. He located at Mapleton in 1879, and entered his present business in Jan., 1881.

J.D. Rice, attorney at law; is a native of N.Y.; moved to Marshall, Ia., in 1874; thence to Mapleton in 1878, and engaged in the practice of the law. He is a member of the school board.

W.E. Roberts, agent for the C. & N.W.R.R.., is a native of England; came to America when quite young, with parents, and settled in Wis.; moved to Tama county, Ia., in 1868. He afterwards moved to Battle Creek, as agent for the railroad company; thence to Mapleton in Nov., 1880.

W.F. Scott, of the firm of Scott Bros., dealers in general merchandise, is a native of W. Va.; moved to Clinton county, Ia., in

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1864, and to Denison in 1871, and engaged in the mercantile business. He came to Mapleton in 1877, erected a large store bulding, and engaged in his present business. He was appointed postmaster in Dec., 1881, and is also express agent.

B.B. Snyder, proprietor of the Stowell House, is a native of Pa.; came to Logan, Ia., in 1876, and engaged in the hotel business. He erected one of the first hotels in Mapleton, and opened his present house in 1881, which is in charge of his son,James S. Snyder.

WHITING

Cassady & Whiting, dealers in general merchandise, located in Whiting in June, 1880. Mr. Cassady is a native of O.; moved to Ia. in 1867, and settled near this place. W.C. Whiting is a native of Monona county, and has always resided in it.

Koon & Dimmick, dealers in general hardware, established business in Dec., 1881. Mr. Koon came to Mills county, Ia., in 1868, from Ill.; thence to Monona county in 1873. Mr. Dimmick is a native of Pa.; moved to Ashton, Ia., in 1856; thence to Whiting in 1881.

D. Rust, M.D., of the firm of Rust & Morley, druggists, was born in Ill.; moved to Fremont county, Ia., in 1876. He established his present business in Whiting in 1879, and in 1880 L.A. Morley became a partner. They do a general drug business, and deal in paints, oils, etc.

Lyman Whittier, the pioneer merchant of Whiting, was born in Essex county, Mass.; came to Ia. in 1870, and located at Missouri Valley and engaged in the mercantile business; removed to Whiting in 1873, and built the first store and started his present business. He enlisted in Oct., 1862, in the 1st battery of Mass. heavy artillery, and served until June 1865. Mr. W. traveled extensively through Europe during the year 1879. He was appointed postmaster of Whiting in 1873, and has held the office ever since.

A.G. Wright, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Ohio; moved to Ia. in 1865, and settled in Monona county in 1867. In 1875 he moved to Whiting and engaged in the hotel and livery business which he still continues, and in 1876 engaged in the mercantile business.

Cherokee County

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