History of Waupaca County - by J. Wakefield 1890 Transcribed and submitted to the Waupaca County Website by Paula Vaughan January 2002 VILLAGE OF IOLA The Village of Iola is located in Section 35. It has 5 general stores, 1 hardware store, 1 drug store, 1 tailor shop, 1 meat market, 1 livery stable, 1 saw mill, 1 shingle mill, 1 grist mill, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 wagon shop, 1 hotel and 1 barber shop. In the Spring of 1883 the Iola Messenger, a weekly newspaper, was started by J. M. Hatch, present Clerk of the Court. It was discontinued after two years. __________________________ From Wisconsin County Histories, Waupaca County Edited by John M. Ware 1917 Transcribed and submitted to the Waupaca County Website by Paula Vaughan January 2002 IOLA VILLAGE IOLA'S BANKS The water power at Iola is first class and, as was the case with all the other 'settlements in Waupaca County, was the means of bringing permanent growth to the place. The flour and sawmills, so long in possession of the Wipf family; another planing mill and customs sawmill owned and operated by the Dahle Brothers, who also are proprietors of the Iola Electric Light and Power Company; several large potato warehouses and the plant of the Iola Creamery Association; a pickling station; a number of substantial farm produce and mercantile establishments, with well stocked stores; two banks; a newspaper and modern school; three churches and as many secret and benevolent societies form perhaps the most noteworthy institutions which work for the rounded development of the village. THE SETTLEMENT FOUNDED VILLAGE PLATTED AND POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED THE WIPF MILLS The flour mill was built in 1862. In 1874 Henry Wipf disposed of his interest in the mills to his sons, J. and C. Wipf, who conducted them until the time of their deaths. Conrad died in 1889, and his sons, Henry C. and Frederick C., succeeded him in the business, which they are still conducting under the old firm name, J. & C. Wipf. The Wipf Mills therefore embody the entire history of Iola. IOLA IN 1856 CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES Both the United Lutherans and the Synod Lutherans have organizations which have existed for a number of years. The village also supports a number of lodges, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America being the strongest. The Odd Fellows' Lodge was organized in 1878, erected a new hall in 1891 and has a membership of over fifty. THE SCHOOL AND NEWSPAPER The Iola Herald was established in November, 1891, by F. H. Johnston, and Charles E. McCullough succeeded him in 1893. In the following year it was leased by the Post Publishing Company of Waupaca, with B. I. Bierce as local manager. Mr. Bierce purchased the paper in 1895, and after two years he sold a half interest to a Mr. Benedict, the firm thus becoming Bierce & Benedict. In the spring of 1897 Mr. Bierce's interest was disposed of to C. E. Worby, the firm then being Benedict & Worby. Mr. Worby later absorbed his partner's interest and soon sold the business to Hugh E. Jones. After a short time Mr. Jones disposed of the paper to a German Lutheran clergyman, who, being a non-resident, employed Mr. Worby as local manager. In a real estate deal the plant and paper were, in the early part of 1902, traded to the late Fire Chief Foley, of Milwaukee, who sold almost immediately to the Herald Publishing Company, which had been incorporated by H. J. Severson, Edward Chapin and Frank Black. Within the coming year the plant was managed successively by Messrs. Worby and Bierce, the latter resigning in the summer of 1903, and J. E. Ziller, of Eau Claire, succeeding him. After three years Mr. Bierce again assumed the editorial management, but resigned in July, 1910, and within the succeeding three years was followed by William Gannett, William F. Daley and William Moeschler. Mr. Moeschler died in April, 1913; in the following month Mr. Bierce returned and continued in charge until July, 1916, and he was succeeded in November of that year by L. A. Drown. IOLA'S BANKS _______________________________
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