(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town of Elkader Block(s) 4 Lot(s) Lot 5 of Sub Div 1 and 2

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1 Site Inventory Form State Inventory No New Supplemental State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.) (December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE 9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number Non-Extant (enter year) 1. historic name other names/site number Elkader Floral Shop 2. Location street & number 129 N. Main city or town Elkader vicinity, county Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter (If Urban) Subdivision Original Town of Elkader Block(s) 4 Lot(s) Lot 5 of Sub Div 1 and 2 3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section] 4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section] 5. Classification Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of: district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing site buildings 1 buildings structure sites sites object structures structures objects objects Total 1 Total Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter N/A if the property is not part of a multiple property examination). Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number Arch. & Hist. Resources of the Elkader Downtown Historic District MPD Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) 02E Specialty Store (drug store) 02E Specialty Store (floral shop) 02E09 Furniture Store 02E11 Grocery Store 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions) 09D01 Flat roof foundation 04C Limestone walls roof 04C Limestone 08 Asphalt other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED) 8. Statement of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark x representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria) Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events. Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons. Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics. Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.

2 129 N. Main Street Site Number Elkader District Number Criteria Considerations A Owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes. B Removed from its original location. C A birthplace or grave. D A cemetery E A reconstructed building, object, or structure. F A commemorative property. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates Construction date 02 ARCHITECTURE 1871 check if circa or estimated date Other dates 05 COMMERCE Significant Person (Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect/Builder Architect Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED) 9. Major Bibliographical References Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form 10. Geographic Data UTM References (OPTIONAL) Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing Builder See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments 11. Form Prepared By name/title Marlys Svendsen, Svendsen Tyler, Inc. organization of Elkader date 7/2011 street & number N3834 Deep Lake Road telephone 715/ city or town Sarona state WI zip code ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form) FOR ALL PROPERTIES 1. Map: showing the property s location in a town/city or township. 2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s). 3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site: Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries. Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file. FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL 1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status) 2. Barn: a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn. b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side. c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn s exterior dimensions in feet. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district. Comments: Evaluated by (name/title): Date:

3 Page 1 7. Description: This building is estimated by the Assessor to have been built in Historic photos as well as newspaper accounts identify the building as having been completed in November The building was in place prior to the first Sanborn Map for Elkader published in The design of the building is consistent with designs for other first and second generation masonry buildings in the downtown making an 1871 date more likely. Its 18-month construction story is well documented in the historic background section below. The at 129 North Main Street is a two-story vernacular Elkader Limestone Block originally constructed with two shop spaces and an upper hall. The front measures 41 feet with a depth of 60 feet and a pair of rear additions. Its 18-month construction story is well documented in the historic background section below. The coursed limestone block in the walls was quarried locally and the work completed by one of the skilled stone masons occupied with mills, commercial blocks, residences and farm buildings in from the mid-1840s through the 1870s. The front façade has a simple design with decoration limited to the corbelling of the cornice. The building front is six bays wide with the south retail space wider than the north space and a separate entrance to the upper hall space at the far north end. The storefront s have angular recessed entrances set between plate display windows that were likely originally installed in 1891 following a fire in the building. A row of tall transoms is located above the shop windows with a metal I-beam separating the lower and upper levels of the building. The six original double-hung windows were tall and narrow with dressed stone lintels and sills. The opening sizes have been retained but reduced size sash have been installed in some of the openings and in others the lower two-light sash have been retained with panels installed in the upper halves. 8. Significance: The Boller Building at 129 N. Main Street is an example of an Elkader Limestone Block vernacular commercial form developed and built in Elkader during the 1840s-1870s. Located along the west side of the 100 block of North Main street, the building is both individually eligible and a contributing resource in the Elkader Downtown Historic District. The district derives significance under both Criteria A and C. Under Criterion A, the district s commercial buildings are associated with the historic contexts developed for the downtown in the Architectural and Historical Resources of the Elkader Downtown Historic District Multiple Property Documentation form covering the years 1846 to Under Criterion C, the district s vernacular commercial forms such as that of the Boller Building are representative of commercial architectural development that took place in the years before and after the Civil War. Elkader Downtown Historic District Background: The town of Elkader was laid out in 1846 along the banks of the Turkey River approximately 16 miles upstream from the Turkey River s confluence with the Mississippi River. The town was surveyed and laid out in 1846 with the Original Town Plat filed in June 22, 1846by Timothy Davis, Chester Sage and John Thompson, friends and business partners, who began operating a sawmill on North Front (Main)

4 Page 2 Street in 1845 before the town was even platted. By 1849 they had a successful flour mill in operation. The new town was named for Abd el-kader, an Algerian freedom fighter and world figure who was admired by Davis. The principal building stimulating development in the 1840s and 1850s was the Elkader Mill. After 1860 when the voters selected Elkader as the permanent county seat, the downtown saw a variety of merchants set up shops, several hotels open, a number of newspapers begin publication, and small manufacturing concerns get underway in the city center. Elkader numbered 440 residents in The new county court house saw its first section completed in 1869 opposite the downtown. New limestone buildings were erected along both North and South Main Street with public halls frequently located on upper floors. During the 1870s and 1880s 2-story brick buildings began replacing frame business houses. A permanent railroad connection was completed by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul RR in 1886 but service remained poor as Elkader was located at the end of a spur rather than along a main line route. A more important transportation improvement during the 1880s was the completion of the Keystone Bridge across the Turkey River in Its completion prompted a period of economic vitality and community investment. The community was officially incorporated two years later in 1891 and a new waterworks system and city well were completed in Electricity was rejected by locals until the end of the decade in 1900, however. In the meantime, new churches were built in 1897 for the Congregationalists on the east side of the river and in for the Catholics on the west side of the river Coupled with a series of major fires during the 1890s, the downtown saw a period of rebuilding with a new hotel and bank at the entrance to the business district at the turn of the century. The new opera house was completed on North Main Street while other 2 and 3-story brick blocks appeared both north and south of Bridge Street. By 1900, Elkader s population stood at its peak of 1,321 an increase of 77 percent during the decade of the 1890s. Development continued in the downtown before and after World War I but at a much slower pace. Floods and fires damaged the Elkader Mill in 1902, 1906 and 1908, but it was nevertheless rebuilt by Schmidt Brothers & Co., retaining a key employer and anchor for Elkader s downtown. The business district began to extend to the west before and after the war with the principal changes seen along West Bridge Street. Here livery stables and wagon shops were replaced by automobile dealerships, implement companies and filling stations. Five stations eventually located along West Bridge with a sixth one block to the south along First Street SW. The national economic depression of the 1930s was coupled by the closing of the Elkader Mill in 1939 following a major fire. Natural disasters after World War I included major floods in 1922, 1947, and 1958 with a tornado destroying section of South Main Street in 1958 as well. Despite these natural and human made disasters, Elkader saw steady but modest population growth from 1,223 in 1920 to 1,526 in The impact of the automobile was seen in traffic patterns, parking patterns, and traffic signs and the introduction of electricity saw several generations of street lighting come and go. The popularity of the opera house waned and the first floor became the municipal fire station while two movie houses came and one stayed in the downtown drawing evening crowds for entertainment and shopping. As many as 130 people resided in downtown flats during this period. A good system of inter and intra-state highways connected Elkader and its downtown to other parts of the state and country in a way that railroads had never served the community. By 1960, downtown Elkader was well-established as one of several geographically dispersed retail centers serving.

5 Page 3 Virtually every storefront was filled with start-up businesses or multi-generational family stores as Elkader s downtown achieved a stable and healthy status for local and countywide residents. Historic Background for Boller Building at 129 N. Main Street: A second generation of more substantial business blocks began to appear in downtown Elkader during the 1870s joining a handful of existing stone and brick commercial blocks already in place along North and South Front Street (Main Street). The at 129 North Main Street was originally constructed with two shop spaces and an upper hall. Its construction story is well documented. On March 16, 1870 a local newspaper reported Another Landmark Removed one of the first buildings erected in this place and used for many years by Thompson, Sage and Davis for a store and warehouse, is being torn down to give place to a large store for Valentine Boller. When completed it will be a fine addition to Front Street. A few months later the June 22, 1870 issue of the Elkader Journal reported that Boller is making the dirt fly for a large building opposite the mill and has obstructed the sidewalk with his building material. The Journal offices immediately to the south made the sidewalk observation a firsthand experience. When completed, another observer noted, the building will be not only an ornament to the town, but one of the best business blocks in northern Iowa. On July 12, 1871, the local paper reported that Boller s new stone stores are progressing. The contractor, Mr. Cole is to have the masonry completed by the first of August. A few months later on October 18, 1871, the paper advised readers that One of Valt. Boller s new stores will be ready for use the latter part of next week. A week later on October 25, the paper reported that Boller would be renting the completed hall space to the Board of Supervisors for use as a court room, which the local paper noted will be a decided improvement on the old place. In November 1871 when the building was completed, Boller leased the upper shop space to A.F. Tipton & Co. for operation of a drug store. In January 1872, the Board of Supervisors leased the upper level hall space at a rate of $500 per year for use as a court room. During the balance of the decade the hall continued this use as well as serving as a social hall for concerts and dances. A March 28, 1877 newspaper account described an event that was typical The general Sociable at the Court Room last Thursday is reported to have been an exceedingly enjoyable occasion. Members of the Little German Band and others gave a rich musical treat which was keenly appreciated by all. The supper, the joint product of the Elkader ladies, had to be seen and eaten to be appreciated, and it was seen and partaken of by a very large number. In January 1878 when the second half of the Court House was completed, the court room use was discontinued. In a fitting celebration, the Boller Building s hall that had served as the county court room was used for a celebratory New Year s ball to commemorate the completion of the second courthouse. A comprehensive list of social events appears at the end of this form. By the 1880s the building was sold by Boller and new occupants included the Elkader Drug Company with Bayless & Hagensick owners. In December 1890 a fire destroyed the business but the prime location and the lack of structural damage saw the business rebuild. It was renamed Drug Store and was under Hagensick s proprietorship. The hall over the drug store was occupied by the Knights of

6 Page 4 Pythias and Odd Fellows at the time and fully rebuilt. By 1895 D. Wolf and Son s furniture store occupied the other half of the first floor. H.H. Hagensick added a new soda fountain in the drug store the same year. In 1899 Hagensick secured a gasoline gas machine and installed a complete lighting plant. In 1902 Hagensick s interest in technology saw him put a gasoline engine in place to turn the crank of the soda fountain s ice cream machine. In 1926 the furniture store was replaced by Quality Grocery, M.E. Hirsch, Proprietor. Three years later in 1929, Hirsch sold his business to L.J. Peters who changed the name of the business to Peters R Store. In 1932 at the age of 62, H.H. Hagensick died but the drug store bearing his name continued. Hagensick had been active in Elkader s history having served as mayor when the town incorporated in 1891 and as the president of the Elkader State Bank when it formed in In 1939 Hangensick s Drug Store relocated to the Molumby Block on South Main Street and the following year Avron Oleson opened Oleson s Ben Franklin in half of the Boller Building. Five years later the grocery store in the other half was removed in order to allow Oleson to expand his franchise five-and-dime to expand into both retail spaces. In April 1998 the former Ben Franklin Store was taken over by Elkader Floral under the ownership of Janis Fordes. The business continues in this location in Major Sources: 1984 History of. Genealogical Society, Elkader, Iowa: Griffith Press, Anderson, David C. Reconnaissance Survey of Elkader, Iowa. Historic Preservation Commission and Main Street Elkader, March 1, Andreas, A.T. Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa. Chicago: Andreas Atlas Co., Appraisal Records for Elkader Downtown Properties, Assessor s Office, Bird s Eye View Map, Elkader, Iowa, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Doniat and Zastrow. Elkader Historical Society/Carter House Museum research file for 129 North Main Street; files focusing on downtown Elkader buildings, businesses, civic leaders and related information. Compiled by Marge Costigan and other museum volunteers. Research files contain hundreds of historic photos, newspaper articles, publication transcriptions, property ownership records, and information from interviews. Digital copies of some research files were loaned to Marlys Svendsen, October 2010 and others were made available in March 2011 for duplication. Census of State of Iowa for the years 1856, 1867, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, and 1925 as printed by various State Printers.

7 Page 5, Iowa, Memories & Heritage from the Photo Albums of. Elkader, Iowa: The Register, Downtown Building Survey (73 surveyed buildings) records including survey questionnaires, draft Iowa Site Inventory Forms and digital photographs. Main Street Elkader, Downtown Elkader Business Questionnaires completed by property/business owners, Downtown Elkader Individual Property Site Maps compiled by Eli Garms, GIS, Engineer s Office, Elkader, November Elkader Building Survey (62 surveyed buildings). Main Street Elkader, Elkader Historic Photograph Collection (digital). Elkader Public Library, Elkader. Digital files loaned to Marlys Svendsen, December Elkader, Iowa , the Past, the Present the Future. 125 th Anniversary Edition, The Register, Elkader, Iowa, July 21, Elkader Telephone Directories, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1932, 1933, 1960 and Gottfried, Herbert and Jan Jennings. American Vernacular Design, New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, Insurance Maps for Elkader. (New York: The Sanborn Company), 1895, 1902, 1913, 1930, and Keystone Bridge Centennial Edition. The Register, Elkader, Iowa, July 26, Olson, Edward W. Look What you Started Mr. Davis Elkader, Iowa: History, Facts and Folklore about Elkader, Iowa U.S.A., ca Plat Book of, Iowa, Minneapolis: Warner & Foote, Plat of Elkader, June 22, Recorder s Office,, Court House, Elkader, Iowa,. Powell, Harry. The Elkader Story. unpublished first draft, December 1980; copy available at Elkader Public Library. Price, Realto E., editor. History of, Iowa from the Earliest historical Times Down to the Present, Volumes I and II. Chicago: Robert O. Law Company, Property Transfer Records for Blocks 3 10 and Fractional Blocks 3-6 in Town of Elkader, Auditor s Office and Recorder s Office, Court House, Elkader, Iowa.

8 Page 6 Shank, Wesley I. Iowa s Historic Architects: A Biographical Dictionary. Iowa, Iowa: University of Iowa Press, Standard Atlas of, Iowa. Chicago: George A. Ogle & Co., United States Census, , provided by State Library of Iowa and the of Elkader. Additional Information: Full Legal Description: Original Town of Elkader, Lot 5 of Sub Div 1 and 2, Block 4

9 Page 7 Photographs: 129 North Main Street, looking west and southwest (Elkader Downtown Survey Photograph, 9/16/2010 and 10/29/2011, Marlys Svendsen, photographer)

10 Page 8 Photographs: Historic views, west side of North Main Street, looking northwest with Boller Building into the right of the brick building and with the old Turner Hall in background - top; Decoration Day Parade in bottom (Elkader Historical Society/Carter House Museum Collection)

11 Page 9 Newspaper Advertisements: November 22, Tipton and Co. have moved into the fine store building of Boller s, opposite the Mill, and are now ready to wait on customers with the best stock of drugs and medicines that was ever brought to Elkader. Call and examine goods and prices. See new advertisement next week. November 28, 1871 January 24, 1872

12 Page 10 Elkader Register Newspaper Stories: concerts, balls and sociables at the Court Room in the Boller Building 1877 February 14: THE CONCERT OF THE SEASON: The event of the season will transpire at the Court Room on Tuesday evening, Feb. 27th. The concert will be given under the auspices of the newly organized orchestra of this place which Prof. Nuss is director. The entertainment will embrace a number of attractive features, including full orchestra pieces arranged expressively for this concert by Prof. Philip Knect, of Freeport, Ill. Piano solos and duets performed by Miss May Lawrence and Prof. Nuss. Violin, flute and coronet solos by Rolf Stroud and Knect. Miss Ora Carter and Miss Ella Chase have consented to add to the attractions of the evening, and will select from their varied and beautiful repertoires, several of their ever popular ballads. The admission fee is a small one 35 cents children 10 cents and those who pay it will receive their money s worth. Children accompanied by parents or friends will be admitted free of charge March 28: THE SOCIABLE: The general Sociable at the Court Room last Thursday is reported to have been an exceedingly enjoyable occasion. Members of the Little German Band and others gave a rich musical treat which was keenly appreciated by all. The supper, the joint product of the Elkader ladies, had to be seen and eaten to be appreciated, and it was seen and partaken of by a very large number. Though gotten up mainly for social meeting and enjoyment of the personal friends of MR. Cressy, of every religious condition and color, and not as a giving party, the financial results were a pleasant feature, the profit of the supper alone being about $70, which of course, went for frosting with the beautiful cake made on purpose for the parsonage August 22: A fine programme will be made out for the sociable to be held Saturday night in the Court Room for Mr. Cressy s benefit. A number of the prominent members of the Institute have promised to assist in the literary exercises, and the ladies will serve ice cream and cake. A general invitation is extended to everybody. A small admission fee of ten cents will be taken at the door November 14: GRAND BALL The Elkader Cornet band will give a grand ball on Thursday evening Thanksgiving Day November 29, 1877, at Boller s Hall. The proceeds to be used in purchasing uniforms and a band wagon. Tickets $ December 12: Don t forget the Phantom Party at the Court Room next Monday evening. Everybody is invited. Ladies are requested to furnish their own sheets and pillow cases. Gentlemen will find ladies in the dressing room to assist them in draping, and sheets and pillow cases will be furnished for them. Masks can be had for five cents each in the dressing room. Those wishing further information will please enquire of Miss Jo Chase or Miss Amelia Murdock December 26: GRAND NEW YEAR S BALL A grand ball will be given on New Year s evening, under the auspices of the new court house committee. The new court room will be used. The best of music will be furnished, and a brilliant occasion is anticipated. Tickets $ January 3: On New Year s evening occurred the grand ball given in honor of the completion of the court house. Boller Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity there was dancing and card playing.

13 Page 11 Elkader Register Newspaper Story December 25, 1890 Fire in Boller Building THE FIRE - The Store of the Elkader Drug Company Gutted About 6 o clock Thursday morning of last week the family of F.G. Leibrock was aroused by finding their rooms filled with smoke. Mr. Leibrock at once proceeded to investigate, and found that the store of the Elkader Drug Co., two doors below his place, was on fire. Mr. Leibrock immediately sounded the alarm and the citizens assembled to do what they could to save the store. Owing to the dense smoke it was almost impossible to locate the fire in the building, but the opinion prevailed that the floor was burning. Acting upon this theory streams of water were poured into the building from the front and rear. After a fight of over three hours the flames were extinguished but not until the contents of the store were ruined beyond value, and a part of the floor had fallen in. The wreck of the inside of the store was nearly complete. Messrs. Bayless & Hagensick, who compose the Elkader Drug Co., estimate their loss on stock at fully $4,000, on which they had $2,000 insurance in the North British Mercantile. The loss of the building is estimated at $1,000 fully covered by insurance in the Aetna. The store adjoining, occupied by Hodges and Brown, hardware merchants, was on fire several times by the flames creeping through on the joists of the floor. Their damage by the fire will amount to about $500, which is covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed to be either from the stove, or else someone had dropped a cigar stub where it caught and smoldered until discovered. It is evident that it had been burning some hours as the adjoining buildings were filled with smoke, which had worked through the stone side walls. Both F.G. Leibrock s on the north and R.E. Price s room son the south side were filled with smoke. It looked at one time as if the fire would get beyond control. But by the good work of the citizens, with the aid of the water-works, the damage was confined to the places mentioned. H.G. McGaheran of the drug store, lost a fine suit of clothes which he had hanging in the store. H.D. Brown, being overcome by the smoke and work, was taken very sick after the fire, and was taken under the doctor s care for a few days. The fire demonstrated one fact, that the water works are to be appreciated, and should be kept in proper shape. It is also evident that more hose is needed in order that the alley next to Front Street may be reached. We understand that as soon as Bayless & Hagensick can make their arrangements they intend to repair and refit this store in an elegant shape. M.H. Haverland, of Marshalltown, the adjuster for the North British Mercantile Ins. Co., has been in town the past day or two, and as we go to press is adjusting the loss on the stock of the Elkader Drug Co.

14 Page 12 Elkader Register Newspaper Stories: April 10, 1896 Advertisement December 13, 1895: This firm whose advertisement appears on the last page of this issue, is a new one, yet not wholly unacquainted with the people of. It is composed of Daniel Wolf and George H. Wolf, formerly of Dubuque. On the 15th of last January they came to Elkader and opened a new furniture store and undertaking establishment. Mr. Daniel Wolf is a veteran in the furniture business, having been employed in its manufacture for over thirty years, and so is conversant with all the details pertaining to the making of good goods. His son, George H., has for the past twelve years been connected with one of the largest furniture stores in Dubuque, where he also learned the art of upholstering and finishing. The experience of these gentlemen helps them to know the needs of their patrons and to select the most suitable and very best goods to fill those needs. Their store is opposite the Elkader mill and is well stocked with a choice selection of the latest designs in every department. George H. Wolf is a graduate of two of the best schools of embalming in the United States and was for a long time in the employ of one of the most noted funeral directors and embalmers in the city of Dubuque, where he made himself thoroughly acquainted with all the details pertaining to that branch of their business. Their coming here added one more to the list of Elkader s substantial business houses and the success they have had since coming is another mark of the sure and steady progress of our town. December 13, 1895: H.H. Hagensick, proprietor of the Boller block and the Drug Store opposite the First National Bank, carries one of the most complete stocks of Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Books, Fancy Goods, etc, to be found in any drug store in Iowa. Words of praise for Mr. Hagensick s business abilities, through the Register is like carrying coals to Newcastle, but we venture to repeat what everyone in central already knows, which is, that no more thorough pharmacist lives in the state, his high reputation as such being state wide. And as a business man, but few excel him. Mr. Hagensick came to Elkader in 1870 as a boy clerk in F.D. Bayless Drug Store and during his seven years as a clerk, rendered such faithful and intelligent service that in 1877, he became a partner, and thus was founded the drug firm of Bayless and Hagensick that lived and prospered in our midst for 18 years and until last spring when it was dissolved. As Mayor of Elkader for three terms, and elected by an unanimous vote each time, and as President of the State Bank, a position that he has held since its organization he has in all been the modes, reliable, honest, capable, thorough business man and his friends are legion. The Drug store under the personal management of Mr. Hagensick enjoys a fine trade.

15 Page 13 Elkader Register Newspaper Story: June 16, 1932 Hagensick Obituary Death Claims Elkader s Oldest Active Businessman. Henry H. Hagensick Died Here Monday Following Illness of A Few Day s Duration The death of Henry H. Hagensick marks the passing of Elkader s oldest active business man a man, who in a greater or lesser degree figured in the development of the community in the 62 years of his active life here. Henry Herman Hagensick died at his home here Monday, June 13th, at 6:10 p.m., from uremic poisoning, after an illness of only a few days, though he had been ailing for the past week. Mr. Hagensick was born, May 12, 1854, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of J.M. and Margaret (Frosch) Hagensick. He came to Garnavillo in this county the same year with his parents and later they settled in Ceres where the deceased received his education and where he was baptized and confirmed. In the year 1875 he was united in marriage with Jane Dresser at Postville and to this union two sons, Frank and Ray, were born. Mrs. Hagensick preceded her husband in death several years ago. Surviving are the two sons, both in Elkader, together with two full brothers, W.M. Hagensick in O Neil, Nebr., Christ Hagensick, Lincoln, Nebr., three half brothers, Fred Hagensick, Lincoln, Nebr., A.E. Hagensick, Iowa Falls, Iowa, J.L. Hagensick, near Center; one half sister, Mrs. Bertha Gray, Elkader; one step-sister, Mrs. Kate Schroeder, Elkader; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild Henry H. Hagensick was long a prominent citizen of Elkader, in the drug business, in baking circles and other official capacities. When the town was incorporated he had the honor of becoming the first Mayor, which post he held until declining further renomination. For a period of fifteen years he served successfully as township clerk and for a number of years was the treasurer of the Boardman township schools. He spent his boyhood in this county, receiving a good common-school education. He was only seven years old when death deprived him of a mother s care and ten years later he started out to make his own way in the world. He found employment with the late Joe Eiboeck, who was editor of the Journal here in Elkader. He worked in this printing office for a period of three months at the end of which time he was forced to give up the business as he found his health was unable to stand the close confinement incident to that trade. He next was clerk with the firm F.D. Bayless and Co., with whom he remained until Being industrious and thrifty he managed regularly to lay aside a portion of his earnings, which he carefully saved and was thereby enabled to purchase a half interest in the store in The firm then became known as Bayless and Hagensick. In October, 1892, when the Elkader State Bank was organized Mr. Hagensick was made president and he continued in that capacity until 1925 when he became chairman of the board of directors, serving until the consolidation of the two local banks last year.

16 Page 14 Mr. Hagensick s interests were not centered in the drug business alone. He owned and operated the Bayless hotel here for many years and was interested also in farm land. Because of his quiet and retiring disposition and lack of desire for publicity the results of his labors here will be felt more after his passing than they were during his life-time. An appreciation of the esteem in which Mr. Hagensick was held by those closely associated with him is best expressed in the words of the late D.D. Murphy: Henry H. Hagensick has long been a prominent citizen of Elkader a soul of honor. My feeling for Mr. Hagensick through the many years of close, intimate contact has always been of great admiration and affection. Never during my years of association with him have I heard him suggest an attitude that fell short of his reputation as a man of integrity, honor and fair dealing. His memory will be long cherished. His motto Work, Save and Think; keep your life clean and upright, so live that you will have no fear from publicity. He always practiced careful saving, and frugal spending was his success. August, 1874, he started out to make his own way in the world. He entered as a clerk in the drug business with F.D. Bayless and Co., of Elkader and in that business he continued 62 years. He was a man engrossed in business, yet public spirited. He was modest and reticent by nature, yet possessed a decision of character and a ripe judgment which gave his ready word weight among the councils of our alert citizens. Affectionate and generous to a large degree, he is an exemplary citizen and has taken an active part in all movements calculated to benefit the general public and fellow townsmen by investing his earnings in Elkader. When the town was incorporated he had the honor of becoming the first Mayor, which post he held until declining further nomination. He was president of the Elkader State Bank since its organization in 1892 up to 1925 when he became chairman of its board of directors. He served as township clerk and treasurer of Boardman township for many years.

17 Page 15 Elkader Register Newspaper Story Opening of Oleson s Ben Franklin, January 31, 1940 and undated photo (Elkader Historical Society/Carter House Museum Collection)