Part 7

The house, now a two-family duplex, is presently owned by Rillmon E. Hoskin, 1037 N. 24th Place, and apartments are rented out. Both are substantially the same—living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and bath. Earlier owners of the house were Allen R. Loomis, who acquired it in 1937, and Mrs. Matina Constantine who purchased it in 1952.

Reynolds built another house here in the 1890s at the northwest corner of First Avenue North and Ninth Street. The Reynolds family occupied this home until 1910 when it was sold to the YWCA which continued to use it until 1913 when it was sold and moved to Fourth Avenue North and Ninth Street. The YWCA then built its present building at the site. (See story elsewhere in this book on the YWCA house).

Known as “one of the state’s capitalists,” Reynolds was born in Missouri in 1844 and came with his parents to Iowa in 1846. He was reared and educated in Delaware County and at age 18 enlisted in Company G of the 6th Iowa Cavalry in 1862 and served until 1865.

In 1872 Reynolds came to Fort Dodge and purchased a grocery store at 523 Central Avenue which he operated for a year. He then erected a building at 521 Central Avenue, moved the grocery there and continued business at that place until 1882. Reynolds next built the three-story building at the northeast corner of Central and Seventh. He used the west half of the ground floor for his grocery store—where the Commercial National Bank later was located. He operated this store until 1894 when he disposed of the business in order to devote his attention to management of property interests.

Space on the east side of the first floor of the building was rented out and offices occupied the second floor. The third floor was rented to the Masonic Orders and later to the labor unions. In later years the third floor was removed. The building now has apartments on the second floor and the Wicker Jewelry and Friesth Appliance Center on the first floor. Jerry Neeson now owns the building.

Reynolds was active in many affairs here, was a member of the Masonic Orders and served 14 years on the Fort Dodge school board. He was an uncle of Charles H. Reynolds, Webster County surveyor and later city engineer of Fort Dodge for 31 years.

THE GOLDSWORTHY HOME

This large brick residence has occupied the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue South and Thirteenth Street since 1891 and for many years was known as the Goldsworthy home because of an early owner and builder.

In later years it was owned by a noted artist, china painter and art instructor—Miss Edna Richardson—who taught painting to many Fort Dodge and area women. The house, located at 1302 5th Ave. S., is now owned by Mrs. Katherine Gilligan.

A large hall inside the front entrance leads to the oak staircase going to the upstairs. The first floor includes large living rooms, dining room, den, kitchen and half bath. There is a fireplace in one of the living rooms and another fireplace in an upstairs bedroom. There are three bedrooms and bath on the second floor. Upstairs ceilings are 9 feet high, those downstairs are 10 feet high.

Oak was used throughout the house in the floors and woodwork that shine elegantly despite their age. Old-fashioned inside window shutters are found in the two living rooms and dining room.

John Goldsworthy, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, purchased the corner lot and built the house in 1891. He also built a small shop at the rear of the lot where he continued his work for many years. In 1919 Goldsworthy sold the property to Clarence and Allie Hoyt Wakeman who, in turn, sold the brick residence to Miss Edna Richardson in 1920.

Miss Richardson was born in 1874 at Bath, N. Y., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Richardson. She came to Fort Dodge with her parents at an early age and after completing her schooling began art work, doing oil painting and china painting.

Her artistic ability became widely-known and she started art classes at her home and also taught art in other towns. She was especially known for her beautiful china painting and many persons in Fort Dodge and the area now have dishes painted by her or by some of her students. The room in the house now used as a den was the classroom where students did their china painting.

Miss Richardson resided in the large brick house until her death in 1945. The property then was bequeathed by Miss Richardson to Mrs. Gilligan (Katherine) who was her nurse prior to her death. Mrs. Gilligan and her husband, Thomas, have occupied the home since 1947.

THE LEARY HOME

A large house with huge columns reminiscent of elegant southern plantation homes has dominated the northeast corner of Third Avenue South and Seventh Street since shortly after the turn of the century.

It is the house at 225 S. 7th St., built in 1901 by Dennis E. Leary, a prominent Fort Dodge grocer for many years. Ownership of the property has changed several times and the house is now owned by Robert Walters who acquired it in 1956.

The house has now been converted into five apartments—two on the first floor, two on the second floor and one in the attic area. Walters resides in one of the downstairs apartments—others are rented out.

Originally house had a large hall, living room, parlor, dining room, kitchen and pantry on the first floor. The second floor had four bedrooms, bath, den and large hall. All floors were of hard wood and walls had much beautiful fresco work. Leary purchased property in 1893 at Third Avenue South and Seventh Street which had a small house on the lot. This remained until 1901 when it was moved to Second Avenue South and Third Street to make way for the large Leary home.

Leary, a native of Boston, Mass., came to Waverly, Iowa, with his parents and remained there until 1893 when he moved to Fort Dodge. On arrival here he purchased property at the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Seventh Street and established a grocery store there. He operated this store until 1903 when fire destroyed the building.

Leary then purchased a building across the street on the north side of Central Avenue and opened another grocery store which he continued to operate until 1910 when he sold the business to Tom Welch. Ownership of the building continued in Leary’s name.

Leary was married in 1892 to Ellen Foley and they were parents of two sons—John A. Leary and Dennis E. Leary, both of whom reside in Fort Dodge. The elder Leary died in 1910 at age 48. Mrs. Leary died in 1950 at age 91.

The Learys had a large barn at the rear of their home where they kept horses, a surrey with fringe on the top and the wagon used for delivering groceries to customers in the city. One of the owners of the Leary home after it was sold was Dr. W. E. Alton who had a private hospital and office there. His hobby was boat building and he built a number of boats.

THE MERRITT HOME

The large two-story brick home at 1119 6th Ave. N.—with huge columns supporting a canopy extending across the front of the house—was built in 1914 by a Fort Dodge real estate dealer and insurance representative.

Known for several years as the Merritt home because it was owned by W. N. Merritt, it later was known as the Faville home, the Thompson home and the Barrett home. Since 1961 it has been owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Anver Habhab and family.

The house has four rooms on the first floor—living room, den, dining room and kitchen; the second floor has four bedrooms and bath and the attic also has one bedroom. The Merritt family resided in the home from the time it was built in 1914 until early in 1918 when it was sold to Fredrick F. Faville, a Fort Dodge attorney who came to the city from Storm Lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Faville, son Stanton, and daughter, Marion, lived in the home until 1921 when it was sold to Mrs. Martha Thompson, widow of S. H. Thompson who owned and operated the Fort Dodge Cooperage Works here. Faville, a law partner of Robert Healy, was prominent in legal circles and in 1920 was elected to the Iowa Supreme Court. The Favilles then moved to Des Moines where their son Stanton, was a well-known attorney in later years.

The cooperage firm operated by Thompson was located in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue North and Fifth Street and manufactured wooden buttertubs, tanks, cisterns and casks as well as barrels for stucco, apples and oatmeal. Following Thompson’s death the company was operated by members of his family including the late M. T. Thompson.

The Thompson family retained ownership of the house at 1119 6th Ave. N. for some time after Mrs. Thompson’s death. In 1940 it was sold to S. L. Barrett, who for many years was sales manager and later president of the Fort Dodge Laboratories. The Barretts owned the property until it was purchased in 1961 by Anver and Betty Habhab.

The exterior front of the home was remodeled by the Habhabs in 1968 and the large canopy with four columns extending from ground level to the roof line was added. It covers an open patio area. Habhab operates Anver’s Lounge in downtown Fort Dodge and the Rose-A-Rio Restaurant and Lounge in the Crossroads.

THE CARTER HOME

A Fort Dodge industrialist who operated a culvert manufacturing company and an iron and steel mill here more than a half century ago, built this large home at 510 S. 12th St. in 1915.

He was Charles L. Carter, who with a number of other Fort Dodgers organized and operated the Fort Dodge Culvert Company in the vicinity of Sixth Avenue North and Seventh Street. In addition to the south Twelfth Street home he also erected the three-story building at 1018-1020 Central Avenue known in recent years as the Dunsmoor or Dee Building. This building is now owned by Dodger Homes, a partnership of Fort Dodge men including Leo Bevien, William Gibb, Gene Marchi and Richard Koberg.

Carter purchased the building lot for his home in 1914 and the following year erected the home which has a stucco exterior. Originally the house had a large living room that extended across the front interior, a sun room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor. On the second floor were three bedrooms, two sleeping porches, sewing room and bath.

Carter’s Central Avenue building had living quarters on the second and third floors known as the Carter Apartments. The first floor had a large room occupied by various business firms through the years and another room leased out to a motion picture theater. The theater operated under the name of the Majestic, Pokadot and finally the Dodge. The building apartments are now known as the Dee Apartments.

The Fort Dodge Culvert Company had its original plant at 529 N. 7th St., only a short distance from the Fort Dodge Baseball Park where the city’s Central Association League teams played their games. Carter was secretary-treasurer of the culvert firm.

From culvert manufacturing the company expanded into the steel and iron business and operated under the name of Fort Dodge Culvert and Iron Mills Company. The office was at 14 S. 6th St., plant and steel mill at 624 N. 7th St. Carter was president of the firm; C. E. Kitchen, vice president; and R. M. Stevens, secretary-treasurer. In 1923 the company again changed its name to Fort Dodge Culvert and Steel Company with Carter as president; J. W. Amond, vice president; W. L. Tang, secretary-treasurer; and W. G. Warner, sales manager. The business continued in operation until about 1927.

A. R. Williams, Fort Dodge realtor, purchased the Carter residence in 1938 and the Williams family resided there for many years. The house is now owned by Williams’ widow, Irene M. Williams and apartments are rented out.

THE GADD HOME

One of the early residences constructed in Snell Place after it was platted was this large and comfortable home. Located at 710 Elizabeth Ave., it was built in 1920 by C. W. Gadd, a well-known Fort Dodge banker.

The two-story red brick house with red tile roof and white wood trim faces the northeast in an attractive setting surrounded by an expanse of green lawn, shrubbery and flower beds. At the rear of the house is a screened-in patio.

Gadd purchased the building lot in 1919 and the following year erected the residence which was occupied by his family until 1928. The home was then sold to J. B. Butler and the Gadds moved into an apartment. A short time later the house was purchased by Charles F. Isaacson, Fort Dodge merchant—one of the organizers of the Gates Store here. The Isaacson family owned the property until 1970 when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Dale C. DeFoe who presently reside there with their family. DeFoe is owner of DeFoe Motors.

The home has spacious rooms including a living room that extends across the front of the house, solarium, dining room, kitchen and half bath on the first floor; four bedrooms, two full baths, playroom and den on the second floor.

Gadd was a native of Rolfe and lived there until 21 years of age. He then moved to Buffalo Center where he began his banking career with the First National Bank of that community. He resided there for 30 years before coming to Fort Dodge in 1920 and operating a real estate business dealing principally in farm land.

In 1929 Gadd became associated with the bank now known as The State Bank and was active in its management until his death in 1949 at age 78. He was executive vice president of the bank until 1944 when he was elected chairman of the board.

Gadd was active in civic affairs, including the Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Married in 1900 he and Mrs. Gadd were parents of five children—Robert Gadd and Mrs. Lyle (Louise) Sells, both of Fort Dodge; Clem Gadd, now deceased; Mrs. Kenneth (Eunice) Edwards of Silver Springs, Fla., and Richard Gadd of Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Gadd died here in 1936.

In addition to his banking interests, Gadd was also identified with the gypsum industry and served for a time as treasurer of the Cardiff Gypsum Company.

THE MONK-ANDERSON HOME

This house at 910 5th Ave. N. dates back to 1884 when it was built by Dr. Casper D. Koch, an early-day musician in Fort Dodge. Later it was the home for many years of a prominent educator—Prof. John F. Monk—and a widely-known social worker and YWCA executive—Miss Lynn S. Anderson.

The two-story frame house is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Gurnett who acquired it in 1959. There presently are four apartments in the house—two on each floor. One of the downstairs apartments is occupied by the Gurnetts.

Windows in the house are typical of the era when the house was built and are long and narrow. Three windows in the front living room extend from the floor to the ceiling.

Dr. Koch acquired the building lot and erected the home in 1884. Evidence of the years he spent in the house came to light some years ago when sheet music with Dr. Koch’s name was found in the attic of the home.

The house was purchased in 1901 by S. J. Robertson, a Fort Dodge businessman, who resided there until 1910 when he sold the property to Mrs. J. F. (Helen) Monk and her sisters, Lynn S. Anderson and Florence A. Anderson. Prof. and Mrs. Monk and the Anderson sisters occupied the home at various times during later years. Monk was a professor at Tobin College here and owned the college in partnership with C. V. Findlay. The college was located at the northwest corner of First Avenue North and Seventh Street and at one time had between 400 and 500 students in its various departments.

Monk was married in 1892 to Helen M. Anderson and they were parents of four children—Florence, Melville, Dorothy and John. The father was prominent in Fort Dodge affairs—was president of the Chautauqua Assembly, director of the Commercial Club and president of the official board of the First Methodist Church.

Miss Lynn Anderson became sole owner of the 910 5th Ave. N. house in 1936 and retained possession until 1951. A native of Clarence, Iowa, she came to Fort Dodge in 1904 after completing her education and teaching for a time. She helped organize the YWCA here and was its first physical director and secretary. Leaving the YWCA she worked for the Webster County Welfare Department and then was probation officer here for many years. She taught a Sunday School class at the First Presbyterian Church for 20 years, was a member of the Fort Dodge Business & Professional Women’s Club and the Story Tellers Club. She received the Kiwanis Club’s “Golden Ruler” award some years prior to her death in 1972 at age of 100 years.

THE FINDLAY HOME

A Fort Dodge mayor—C. V. Findlay—who served as the city’s chief executive for 10 years, owned and occupied this house for many years. The two-story frame house at 1707 8th Ave. S., was built in 1895 by Charles Hayler and sold in 1901 to James Findlay.

The home remained in possession of members of the Findlay family until sold to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Pieper in 1953. In 1973 it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Reel who presently reside there with their two children. Reel is a sheet metal worker with Northwest Furnace Company.

The house has undergone some remodeling but has substantially the same room arrangement now as in past years. The first floor has living room, dining room, family room, kitchen and bath. The second floor has four bedrooms, (one used as a children’s playroom) and bath.

C. V. Findlay acquired the home in 1910 and lived there with his wife and family for many years. Born in Illinois in 1866, he came to Iowa and Clay County with his parents in 1871. Six years later the Findlays moved to Webster County and settled in Otho Township. He attended schools in the area and then graduated from Highland Park College in Des Moines. Returning to Fort Dodge Findlay was elected Webster County superintendent of schools and served in that capacity for a number of years.

Findlay then purchased Tobin College in partnership with J. F. Monk and the two operated this widely-known educational institution for many years. The three-story frame college building was located at the northwest corner of First Avenue North and Seventh Street. It burned down in 1929.

In 1899 Findlay was married and the couple were parents of two sons—James Franklin Findlay and Maurice Findlay. Mrs. Findlay was an early secretary of the YWCA.

Findlay was elected to the city council while the city was operating under the ward system of government and served during 1910 and 1911. Still interested in civic affairs Findlay later was elected mayor of Fort Dodge in 1923 under the commission form of government established in 1911. He was reelected to four additional terms, serving a total of 10 years in the mayor’s office. His tenure of office was the longest of any of the city’s mayors until Albert Habhab was elected mayor in 1959 and served continuously through 1973—a total of 14 years.

THE STUDEBAKER HOME

Dr. John F. Studebaker, who established his medical practice here in 1908, built this large two-story house at 2018 8th Ave. N. in 1914. Dr. Studebaker and family occupied the home until he retired in 1942 and moved to California.

The house was then sold to Richard Hess, U. S. Gypsum plant manager here; then to Mr. and Mrs. Roy V. Murray in 1947. In 1948 the property was sold to Robert M. Kelley, Fort Dodge insurance man, and Mrs. Kelley who occupied it with their family until 1974 when it was purchased by R. Thomas Price, Fort Dodge attorney and Mrs. Price. The Prices now reside there.

Originally the house included living room, parlor or music room, dining room, library used by Dr. Studebaker for his medical books, large kitchen and bath on the first floor; four bedrooms, sleeping porch and bath on the second floor. The house has been remodeled and modernized at various times, the Kelleys adding a family room on the north side 15 years ago and a bedroom and bath on the second floor.

Grounds around the house were extensively landscaped with trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetable garden, small fruit orchard, grape arbor and raspberry bushes. An octagonal summer house and a tennis court were also on the grounds.

Dr. Studebaker was born in Pearl City, Ill., in 1874 and later moved to Summerfield, Kan. He graduated from MacPherson College and then attended the University of Illinois School of Medicine and took postgraduate work at Harvard School of Medicine. He had his first office in the newly completed First National Bank building here and engaged in general medical practice until 1916 when he began specializing in surgery.

He was a World War I veteran serving in the Army Medical Corps. After his discharge from service Dr. Studebaker returned to Fort Dodge and in 1922 joined with Dr. E. F. Beeh and Dr. A. A. Schultz in building the Physicians Clinic, a two-story structure at First Avenue North and Tenth Street, where they had offices for many years. Four additional floors—devoted to apartments—were added in 1928 and given the name Biltwell Apartments.

Dr. and Mrs. Studebaker had two children. Their son Dr. Leland F. Studebaker practiced medicine in California. He died in 1971 at age 63. The daughter, Miss Rowena Studebaker resides in Fort Dodge.

THE TRAUERMAN HOME

One of Fort Dodge’s most unique residences is this Spanish-type home at 725 N. 21st St.—built in 1925 by furniture store owner Joe K. Trauerman. The attractive home is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lunn and family. Lunn is a Fort Dodge attorney.

The house is similar to those seen in the southwestern United States where Spanish architecture is much in vogue. Exterior of the house is of stucco, painted a pleasing yellow with black trim. Front of the house is distinguished by three arches supported by two black columns. Behind and set back of a small patio area are large French-type doors opening out from the west side of the living room.

A traditional Spanish-type wall extends from the southwest corner of the house to the south lot line, providing privacy for the back yard.

An entry hall just inside the front door leads to the large living room with high beamed ceiling and a Spanish style fireplace. Other rooms include a dining area, kitchen, two large bedrooms and bath and another bedroom over the garage. Just off this bedroom is a veranda over a portion of the garage. The backyard has a large screened-in porch and patio.

Trauerman came to Fort Dodge from Sioux Falls, S. D., in 1921, purchased the C. H. Pill Furniture Store and changed the name to the Home Furniture. He remained in active operation of the store until 1940 when he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, but retained an interest in the business. The Trauerman home changed ownership several times after that until purchased by the Lunns in 1970.

Harold W. Burch joined Trauerman as an officer of the Home Furniture in 1933, coming here from Clinton. In 1950 Trauerman sold his remaining interest in the business to Burch and the late Kitty Munn. Earlier (in 1947) the Home purchased the McQuilkin Furniture Store, transferred its operations to the McQuilkin building and remained there until 1960. The store then moved to a new building at 611 Central Ave. In 1972 the business was sold to the Kelly Furniture Company. In 1974 the Elliott Home Furniture took over the 611 Central Avenue location.