Clinton, Iowa

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• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2003
• Print ISBN: 9780738523491
• eBook ISBN: 9781439613887
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Since settlers first touched upon its shores in 1835, the city of Clinton, Iowa has evolved from a humble trading post on the Mississippi River into a vibrant city of thriving commerce, majestic homes, and riverfront splendor. Once the largest lumber milling center in the world, Clinton has long possessed a rich cultural heritage and a pioneering spirit. This book documents and explores the history of this proud community through a unique collection of historical photographs.

Seven

PEOPLE

Clinton’s mayor, LaMetta Wynn, is the only black female mayor in the state of Iowa. A registered nurse, Mayor Wynn is a widow and the mother of 10 children: nine daughters and one son. She has received many honors for her civic work and was inducted into the Iowa African American Hall of Fame in 2001. (Photograph courtesy of Mayor Wynn.)

Leo Rosenberger is pictured here driving his 1912–1913 Ford. He was born in 1891 and worked at the Clinton Herald as the Mechanical Superintendent for 53½ years. (Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

The Clinton Turn Verein (Turner Club) was formed in 1877 for the purpose of promoting physical education and fitness. The first Turner Hall was built on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 4th Street. Pictured from left to right are: Otto Bark; Lena Petersen; John Edens, Instructor; Emma Edens Johannsen; and Emery Thompson.(Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

Lt. John Burke, a native Clintonian, graduated from Lyons High School as valedictorian in 1935. While serving as a pilot in World War II, he lived through many missions including D-Day; however, his plane was shot down on September 17, 1944 over Holland. During the summer of 2003, a memorial was established in Endhaven, Holland for Lt. Burke and the rest of the air crew. (Photograph courtesy of William Burke.)

Everett Streit was beloved by the citizens of Clinton. He was employed with the Clinton Herald for 64 years, serving as editor for 35 of those years. “Ev” served on many city boards, commissions, and in leadership positions that made Clinton a better place for all of us. (Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

Elizabeth Fairfax (locally known as Aunt Liz) was born a slave and served as a scout and a nurse during the Civil War. After the war, she adopted Clinton as her home. By her industry and economy, she bought a little homestead and raised two children. Toward the end of her life, Clinton businessmen set up a donation fund and sent Aunt Liz to take part in the Grand Army of the Republic’s national encampment in Boston, where she was known as “Mammy” to her old regiment. (Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

Frederick Wayman (Duke) Slater enrolled in Clinton High School in 1913. As a budding athlete, he was anxious to try out for football in spite of his father’s disapproval. The family was unable to afford the $10 needed to buy both the required shoes and helmet. He chose the shoes and became so accustomed to going without a helmet that he never wore one during his high school or college careers. (Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

After playing every game during his University of Iowa football career, Duke Slater went on to play professional football for nine years. The great athlete went on to earn a law degree in 1929 and served as a judge in the Illinois Circuit Court from 1960 until his death in Chicago in 1966. (Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

The Fat Men’s Amusement Company baseball team was a traveling team that visited towns throughout the Midwest. They came to Clinton many times, playing baseball with local clubs and entertaining at celebrations and participating in parades. Both photos date from c. 1910. (Photographs from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

Frank Ellis, a local attorney at the turn of the 20th century, and his wife had one child, Jane, born in 1900. The playhouse they built for Jane in their yard at 318 6th Avenue S. equaled many homes of the era. It was large enough that it has been used as a home for many families throughout the years. During 1917, it was used as a servicemen’s canteen. The little house was moved to 208 25th Avenue N. and remains there today. (Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

The old blacksmith shop, shown here in 1888, was erected in the 1860s around the time Lillian Russell was a child in Clinton. The building occupied the site of what is now 411 S. 2nd Street. Pictured from left to right are the following: Mose Harding, John Stewart, Chris Christiansen, unidentified, Frank Wythe, unidentified, George Bryant, unidentified, and Frank Mangold, head blacksmith. The last two men are unidentified. (Photograph from the Clinton County Historical Society Archives.)

Ruby Bell Rickoff, known to the American public as Madame Coretta, was born in Clinton in 1899. At four years old, she was 25 inches tall and weighed 15 pounds. Her family reluctantly consented to let her go into show business at the age of five, and she entertained for four seasons with the Ringling Brothers Circus. While with the Mazeppa Carnival at age 13, Ruby Bell was buggy riding with her manager when the horse bolted, and she fell to her death. At the time of her death, she was 30 inches tall and weighed 19 pounds. (Photograph from the Clin...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• INTRODUCTION
• One - IN THE BEGINNING
• Two - THE LUMBER INDUSTRY
• Three - STEAMBOATS, RAILROADS, AND BRIDGES
• Four - BYGONE VIEWS
• Five - STREET SCENES
• Six - HAPPENINGS
• Seven - PEOPLE
• Eight - THEN AND NOW