Algona High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Algona, IA)

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A The Senior Magazine -e 4 eWv fH-b-' Algona Pioneers of '54 D. A. llguuucn W. Il. INGHAM 'Y ai .X X i r Mus. As.x t'.x1.1, Mus. Il. 1':hIZAllE'l'Il IIACKMAN 1929 V www--me-bu Page Five

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..Ql5-f-- - Q- The Senior Magazine We fe- --4? Algona Pioneers of '54 Asx Cui, Axlmcosn CAM Dedication 0 THOSE who in the early 50's boldly staked their fortunes on the fair promise of these wooded hills and rolling prairiesg who saw them not only as they were, but as they were to beg who visioned ehurehes, schools, and who worked and builded for themeto these men and women through whose SlI'llQ'Q'Ill'S, trials, and saeri- fiees, we now owe the opportunities and privileges of this community - to these sturdy, undaunted pioneers we, the Class of 1929, gratefully dedi- eate this IIlEig'HZlllP. ...,..e?w-.---Mi--ei-eW-e- 1929 -m.i--Ae ii ee Page Four 4

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- The Senior Magazine - History of the Pioneers N THE summer and fall of 1854, several adventurous spirits came for to see and admire and finally to stay in one of the most beautiful spots in northern Iowa. They settled in Algona or in its immediate vicinity. These were the pioneers whose pictures you see on the preceding pages. All did their share in making possible our Algona of today, and of this number D. A. Haggard is still with us. Mr. Haggard, at the age of 90, is well and hearty and can tell many a stirring tale of early adventure and hardship. The very first of these pioneers to land in Algona were Asa Call and his brother Ambrose. On July 9, 1854, these men paused awhile in their quest for an ideal location for a town and admired the beautiful view which lay before them. Here was a plain located on the top of a hill, surrounded on three sides by a wooded valley. I believe, Ambrose, that this is the place we have been looking for, said Asa Call as he tested the soil. And indeed, it was the first fulfillment of their dreams. 011 the following day, with the aid of W. T. Smith, who was at that time in their employ, they staked out their claims. Judge Asa Call soon returned to Iowa City, where his wife resided, for several weeks, and Ambrose Call was left to hold the fort alo11e-the only white man in the county. On August 27, 1854, the first women and children arrived. Among those who came in this tiny caravan were Malachi Clark, his wife Rachael, son Thomas and daughter Elizabeth. The family first homesteaded on the Parson-Bowan place but later moved to what is now known as the Mann-Goffrey farms. Elizabeth Clark was married to Christian Hackman in 1859 and the couple lived on the outskirts of the settlement where the brave young bride kept house alone during the Indian trouble in the north. During the raid of the Sioux a big redskin grabbed Mrs. Hackman and pulled her head down. She expected to have her head cut off or at least suffer a blow from the tomahawk. Instead the Indian merely wanted a bright colored comb which she wore. On November 4, 1854, two men rode up to the Call cabin where the Judge and his wife resided inquiring about the settlement. It was W. H. Ingham and Mr. Stine. The former was merely seeking a good hunting ground, but being taken with the beauty and worth of the country, he decided to remain and make his permanent home here. David A. Haggard came to Algona to settle immediately after the Civil War. In 1854 he had been a member of a group of surveyors sent out from Dubuque. He had lived on his farm near Algona until 1881 when he moved to the town itself. He served as sheriff until 1886. Another distinguished citizen of Algona first took up his residence here in the year 1855. On the 20th day of May, August Zahlton came up from the Humboldt cave where he had been living with Mr. Hackman and bought a claim in the Call Grove. A young man of about 20 summers arrived from Boston 011 July 4th, just looking the country over to see what he could find.' ' He remained in the community until his death in 1928. Algona has never had a more constructive 11or a, more desirable citizen than Uncle Lew Smith. ' ' May 9th is also a memorable date for it was then that the D. W. King family drove into the settlement and bought a claim in the Call Grove territory. In the fall of '55 John Ellison Blackford, who was later to become one of the most successful and prominent citizens in the state, arrived with his family. At the first town election Mr. Blackford was made justice of the peace. His later political prominence was not confined to this community only, for he was sent later to the state legislature. All buildings erected during the years 1854-1855 had to be constructed of logs since there were no saw mills. Judge Call was anxious to remove this handicap. Accordingly he decided to install a combined grist and saw mill. Because of the difliculty in transportation, the machinery for the mill did not arrive until the next summer and the mill was 11ot ready to operate until 1856. Thi mill later burned and was never rebuilt. When one considers the apparent hopelessness of the situation confronting the pioneers one 's admiration for their perseverance and courage is greatly increased. Not much imagination is needed to conjure up the difficulties they were forced to face. Here was a group of settlers absolutely dependent upon themselves for food, shelter and defense against hostile Indian . It is little wonder that the band was like one big family. The brotherliness as well as the bravery of the group is well illustrated by the heroic defense against the Indians, especially at the Maxwell cabin. I11 the early part of July, 1855, a party of Sioux Indians invaded the settlements. Ambrose A. Call, the unoflicial defender of the colony, was informed of their presence in rather a startling way. A big Indian walked into his cabin, disturbed his Sunday nap, and was persuaded to -all 1929 lt- .. Paaa Six