Moville, Iowa Town History

The town of Moville got it's beginning by way of a stage coach station built by William Lumm and Mr. & Mrs. Huffman ran this stage coach stop, then in 1863 the McDermott Family took it over, They built a one stop store ( with dried fruit, flour and sugar and such ) , established the towns first post office ( located in their home ) and the first well water supply ( for horse and stage coach passengers ). At this time the McDermotts built a new house on this property which sat back further in the trees. This farm was purchased by Francis B. Allen in 1884 and the McDermott family moved to Sioux City.
Efforts were made by the Moville Civic leaders, as years passed, to acquire a few acres on which this first Post Office was located. The town wished to establish a historical reminder, but the project never materilized. Now most of the trees and the home was cleared away so there is no reminder of this historical spot.

For the lists of Firsts, including the township , since Moville is the major town for this township of Arlington.

First Home Built was that of a log cabin used for a goverment headquarter and afterwards was owned by E.P. Gordon, year not given.

First death was that of Mr. E.P. Gordon, year not given.

First Homesteaders were Davis S. Grosh and His wife in 1844 , this farm is location on the southeast half section 36, township 89, range 44, where they built the first frame house in the township.In today's terms, looking at a newer plot book I ( your host ) can place this once but
not forgot homestead 3 miles east southeast of the Town of Moville, it is was owned by Ronald Haddock ( 1998 ). It would be on the southeast corner of Hwy 20 and Jasper Ave.
Other settlers that followed within the next three years were: Isaac Long, Peter Van Norman, F.N. Thomas, Wm. McEllany, Lawerence Harding, A.T. Wright, O.H. Roberts, M.E. Twichell and E.H. Booth.

First Child born in Arlington Twp. was Minnie Harding Gutheridge Morton, year not stated.

The railway crews stopping in Moville was accommodated by the first motel owned by E.F Armitage. The Case family moved their Luton Hotel to Moville soon after the town was incorprated. Others Hotels included Mark Traver's Northesatern, S.E. Smith's Fargo House and Frank Livermore's Commercial Hotel.

In 1885 Ed. and Chas. Booth donated two acres of their farm land, a short distance northeast of town for the Cememtery. First Sexon to the annexed Cemetery, known as Arlington, was Charlie Ford.

Some of the Early Settlers that had businesses came from Smithland, Luton, Schaller, Correctionvile, Eastern Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York, Great Britian, Germany and the Scandinavian counteries. Among early residents were:

General Store Owners: Joe Varley and Son, W.H. Lee, J.M. Emmick, J.C. Quinn, S.I. Warner, George Mcmasters, Bart Boyd and A.R. Wright

Hardware: Andy Beem, D.C. Beuby and Joe Mohler

Livery Barn: John Rounds, Mannie Bockway, and Wm. Sickles

Harness Shop: John Harney

Furniture: Will Hall

Milliners: Mrs. Bessie Bruce and Mrs. Cora Quinn

Butchers: A.L. and Chris Beard

Lumberyard: A.R Redmon and M.A. Moore

Wagon Makers: Fred Hall and Mike Schieuer

Baker: Sing Lee Horton

Dray: ( a low riding carriage that could carry alot of weight ) Charlie Northway

Depot Agents: W.F. Smith, , W.L. Utleyard and Mike Scanlon

Farmer's Mutual Insurance: M.E. Twitchell

Lawyer: M.A. Baungardner

Marshall: Billy Welsh

Blacksmiths and Cabinet makers: Peter Sholley and Ed. Ray

Auctioneer: Charlie Hamren

Plasterer: Tim Coakley

Farmer's Bank: Robert McCarter and Son, Merrit

Grain elevator and hog dealer: W.L. Sanborn

Grain elevator and Moville Bank: W.W. McElrath

Bank Clerk: W.L. Barto

Jeweler: Franklin Dewey

Mayor: Henry Becker

Shoes and men' clothing: John Huston

Barbers: John Cook and Joe Vinnedge

Shoemaker: W.J. Gibson

Painter: Wm. De Laughter

Phyisicians: Dr. J.W. Hipple and Dr. W.H. Dewey

The Moville Mail newspaper was founded by O.M. and A.B. Tatcher a few weeks after the town was founded.

First School Teacher was the daughter of S.E. Smith, Laura Smith Le Viness Everts. Moville's first school classes were conducted in a store building on Elm Street.

First Baby boy born in Moville was Rollin Beard, the butcher's son.

First baby girl born in Moville was Charolette Case Younglove, the daughter of Luke Case the hotel owner.

First Lamplighter was Ernie Stephenson

The Grand Army of The Republic ( G.A.R. ) and The Woman's Relief Corps ( W.R.C ) was origanized in the area about this time, with in the time frame of when Moville was platted in 1877.

First Circuit Rider and Minister in this area was Peter Van Norman

J.R. Dunning, farmer, introduced silos and concrete fence posts

First Beekeeper was John Huston the merchant

First Concrete home was built by Dietrick Sheellhaase and is in possesion of a great - grandson, Lyle.

First Funeral , held in the Congrestional Church, was that of one of it's members, Francis B. Allan, in 1889.

There is twenty pages of First and Early events found in Moville's Centenniel Book from 1877 to 1946 then additional events indidcated by each year from 1946 up to the 1960's, I will be happy to make copies of it for the cost to do so at the library, .15 cents per page. please add .45 cents for postage. or $1.10 for up to thirty pages.