Lincoln Township

Lincoln Township

were C. H. Walter and wife, Henry Dankers and wife, and Henry Roselius, Sr., and wife. The first minister of this church was the Rev. Mr, Messalsky, of Nebraska. He was succeeded in 1867 by Rev. C. A. Nolte. August 13, 1870, Rev. F. W. Scholz took charge of the church. Professor Scholz also taught a private German school in Corning. The membership was reduced in 1879 to about twenty-five, a large proportion of the congregation having withdrawn to organize the church in Union Township, on the Vonderschmidt farm, west of Craig.

The first attempt to start a town in this part of the county was inaugurated by Henry Hemme, another Hanoverian, who settled in the country in 1844. This settlement, which was known as Hemme's Landing, was about two miles west of the site of the present town of Corning. Its site is now within the limits of the State of Nebraska, and the Missouri River flows within three-fourths of a mile of Corning, and considerably to the eastward of the spot where the old town once stood. At^ne time Hemme's Landing was one of the most important trading points between St. Joseph and Council Bluffs. The first merchant who sold goods at the landing was David Greer, who commenced business there in 1845. He was shortly after succeeded by Henry Hemme, who in 1847, gave place to Vernile Thompson. In 1848, Robert Hawke bought out Thompson.

Hawke & Dillon for many succeeding years carried on an extensive business at this point. They finally moved to Nebraska City, having sold out to Roland & Co., who in 1861, moved their goods to Rock Port, in Atchison County. In 1849, Thomas & Lowell had opened a store a short distance below, on the river bank. In 1851, John F. Lowell succeeded to the business. He afterwards sold to J. F. Taylor, and others. In 1862, E. W. Holly, of St. Joseph, bought out the concern. Audrian Hoblitzell succeeded him in 1864, and, a short time after, Conrad Grab became by purchase the owner of the store. By this time the encroachments of the river threatening the entire destruction of the place, most of the inhabitants left, taking with them their buildings, some of which now stand in the town of Corning. Grab, however, strong in the faith, hung on till almost the last moment, and finally, in the fall of 1868, moved eastward to a more enduring location.

Corning

This town, the most northern of Holt County, and less than one mile south of the line of Atchison County, was laid out in the fall of 1868. Its original site occupied the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 30, township 63, range 40. Martin's Addition, adjoining on the north, was laid out in the spring of 1869, by Horace Martin, of Crawford County, Ohio, a gentleman of distinguished scientific attainments, and long and honored member and colaborator of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D. C., and observer in the employ of the United States Signal Service. Mr. Martin was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Corning, having settled there in the month of October, 1868. The site of the town, which is in the bottom, about two miles westward of the bluff, is 893 feet above the level of the sea. It is 51 miles from St. Joseph, and 77 miles from Council Bluffs. During the period of the flood of 1881, Corning suffered severely from the overflow.

The first to sell goods in the town was Conrad Grab, who, as before stated, had been driven from the banks of the Missouri by the encroachments of that stream. This was in 1868. Shortly after Sanders Bros, opened a stock of goods in the place. The first blacksmith who established himself in the town was William Bertram. Ferris & Drake, in the same year, started the first lumber yard. Dr. J. Noel, a practicing physician, was the first of his profession to locate there. He also settled in 1868.

The German Reform Church, of Corning, a small frame building, was erected in 1878, at a cost of $900. Rev. T. Miller organized the church with a large membership. This included, with others, Peter Christen and wife, Fred Scheele and wife, Mrs. Roselius, William Bertram and wife, and William Ahlers and wife.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, on First street, stands on ground donated by Horace Martin for the purpose of a church, and the building, a frame, 28x42 feet, was erected in the fail of 1879, at a cost of $1,000. The congregation was first organized by the Rev. E. Edwards, with the following members: William E. Hurst and wife, E. Hodson and wife, Miss Laura Hodson, E. Longwell and wife, and Homer Martin and wife. Rev. M. F. Sharp was the pastor in 1881, but of late years the congregation has not been holding services regularly.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church is the most active religious organization in Corning. Its home of worship was built in 1883 and is modern in all of its appointments. The membership numbers more than 300, representing more than 100 heads of families. This church also maintains a parochial school

The Christian denomination has a splendid frame structure fitted with everything necessary for religious uses. The pulpit is filled by supply pastors from other congregations.

The first postmaster of Corning was Conrad Grab, the pioneer merchant. He was appointed in 1868. In 1869, he was succeeded by R. W. Frame. H. F. Ferris, druggist, became postmaster in 1870. He was succeeded in 1875, by J. R. Dodds, editor and publisher of the Corning Herald, and, for many years railroad agent in the place, and an enterprising and public spirited citizen. . Dr. J. Noel succeeded Dodds, a short time after. In the same year (1875), H. F. Ferris was re-appointed. He continued to fill the position up to the period of his resignation, in 1879, when he was succeeded by Frank Campbell. A short time after, during the same year, C. Casler, was appointed. Joseph Hogrefe became postmaster in 1880, and was succeeded in 1881, by Milton Earl, a brother of the county judge. F. W. Walter was appointed in 1886, A. O. Bankers in 1889, Len Walters in 1893 and Fred Dege in 1897. He died in Denver, while still in office and his son, Charles Dege, was named to fill out his term. Asa L. Schooler, the present postmaster, was appointed in 1914.

The postal records of this office were destroyed by fire May 15, 1890. It became a money order office in 1883 and has always done a good business. In 1875 it had a star route to Maryville, by way of Mound City and Graham, but this arrangement was continued for only about eighteen months.

Tarkio Valley Branch

In the fall of 1880, the Tarkio Valley Branch of the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R. (now C. B. & Q. R. R.) was built from Corning, in a northeasterly direction, into Atchison County. This road extends a little more than a mile and a half through Holt County.

Mills And Elevators

The Corning Steam Flouring Mill was built in 1871-72 by W. B. Wilson, at a cost of $6,664. George Collor purchased this mill in the spring of 1872, and subsequently effected improvements in the way of added machinery in value to the amount of $3,000. The mill operated three runs of burrs and was fitted up with all the modern improvements proper to a first-class mill.

The Morning Eagle was started by Charles Tiller and Major Lyman. The Eagle suspended in February, 1882. The plant was moved to Fairfax, where the Independent was established February 11, 1882, by R. S. Graves, who afterwards was associated with the daily press in St. Joseph. He is now managing editor of a newspaper in Oklahoma City.

The Corning Chronicle was established by C. H. Smirl, November 2, 1895. It ceased publication in January, 1898. The plant was moved to Gilman City, Harrison County, Mo.

The Corning Mirror was established June 2, 1904, by Charles N. Dobyns, an experienced newspaper man who had previously been located at Craig. His plant was destroyed by fire in February, 1905, but he demonstrated that he could come back, and the same week published his paper as usual. Mr. Dobyns is a veteran newspaper man, who has spent the major portion of his life in the newspaper business in Holt County.

Corning was the scene of a disastrous fire June 26, 1914, when buildings and stocks to the value of $12,000 were burned. The hardware and machinery store of A. O. Dankers represented the heaviest loss, the damage being estimated at $8,000. R. E. Schultz's carpenter shop was also destroyed as was the building and equipment of the Fairfax Telephone Company.

A fire that practically wiped out the business portion of the town occurred May 15, 1890. It originated in the Anderson meat market and finally consumed the business houses of the Dankers Brothers, in which was located the postoffice; F. W. Walter, Swan & Son, S. J. Schultz, Eugene Buckminister, John W. Smith, William Reynolds, Peter Christen and the railroad depot.

Secret Orders

The Modern Woodmen of America organized a lodge in Corning in 1898. This society has a good membership and owns the hall in which its meetings are held.

The Improved Order of Red Men had an organization in Corning for several years and the war whoop was often heard when candidates were being initiated. The tribe has since dispersed.

The first school building in Corning was built in the summer of 1870. It was a rather modest building but it served the purpose at the time of its erection. In April, 1893, a special school district was organized after which a brick school building suitable to the ne.eds of that day was erected. It had a seating capacity of 125 and was well equipped, counting among its possessions a library of 500 volumes.

This building was destroyed by fire February 10, 1916. The same day the members of the school board, Professor Crosswhite, principal of schools and the county superintendent, made arrangements for opening the schools the following Monday morning in the church and opera house. On March 10, one month later, bonds for $10,000 for the erection of a new and modern school house, were voted. The attitude of the taxpayers on this proposition was clearly shown by the fact that but fifteen votes were cast against the bond issue.

The People's Bank of Corning was organized Nov. 12, 1891, being the first institution of the kind in the town. It began business January 1, 1892. In October, 1907, it moved into a new brick building on the principal business street, which had been erected especially for its use. It has a capital and surplus of about $25,000.

The officers of the Peoples Bank of Corning since its organization follow : H. A. Dankers, president, has served from the time of organization until the present. John A. Buck has held the office of vice-president since the bank began business. A. J. Ritter served as cashier until 1903, when he was succeeded by I. S. Dankers, who gave way in 1905 to R. F. Buck. The following year Bernhardt Christian, the present cashier, took charge.

The Bank of Corning was organized June 25, 1907, and opened for business July 12, the same year, with a paid up capital of $15,000. November 1, following, it moved into quarters prepared for its use in the Walters Block. The officers who have served this bank are: F. W. Walter, president, from date of organization to 1909, when he was succeeded by A. J. Roselius who stayed one year. J. A. Buck, the present head of the bank, was elected in 1910. The office of vice-president has been filled by J. A. Buck, 1907 to 1910; F. W. Walter, 1910 to 1916, when A. J. Roselius was elected. R. F. Buck has been cashier since the bank was founded and J. D. Ahrens has filled the position of assistant cashier since the time of organization.