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Oxford Mills

The name "Oxford" can be traced in its origin to the fact that in pioneer days travelers were forced to cross the Wapsipinicon River by means of a ford. This ford, having an exceptionally good rock bottom, was very near to the present bridge.

Due to the fact that in days long passed the crossing was often made in wagons driven by oxen, we unquestionably find the source of the towns name. The word "Mills" undoubtedly comes from the fact that at one time there existed a flour mill in this town its site being the present location of a power plant. (1)

This ford could only be used when low water prevailed. In order to make crossing safe and sure, a ferry was established about the same time as the flour mill was erected. The ferry was a horizontal cable affair with dual pulleys; this combination utilizing the swift current of the stream.

provided the moving power for the ferry. This ferry was located in almost the exact spot as the present bridge. The author has been most fortunate in interviewing the person who actually ran this ferry, Mr. Harrison W. Smith. The year 1860-1861 saw this ferry run a flourishing business.

(1) The author has extensively investigated the source of this name. His research leaves little doubt as to the actual origin of the name. In every inquiry the author

has found this information substantiated in every detail.

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The rates charged may be of interest to the reader. For a team and wagon and driver the usual price was twenty-five cents; fifteen cents was charged for a horse and buggy; ten cents for a man on horseback, and five cents for a

person traveling on foot. The flour mills drew many customers; those who wished to cross the river as prospective customers were ferried across without charge, as Mr. Smith was hired by Mr. Courtright, the owner o£ the mill, to perform this service. Mr. Smith had previously worked in the saw mill but when Mr. Sam Robison failed to attend properly to his duties in ferrying a transfer was made and Mr. Smith took over the duties of the ferry Ordinary travelers, or those whose crossing had no connection with the mill, were charged the rates mentioned above.

The flour mills, built by Courtright and Lathrop in

1857, were preceded by the erection of a dam and a saw mill.

This saw mill was used to saw the hard oak wood which later was to be used in constructing the mill proper. The soft wood used came from Davenport. The mill itself was located in the

northwest part of the town on the south bank of the river.

This manufacturing enterprise was the greatest and most famous of all the Oxford Township's industries. The pioneers

early realized the obvious advantages of the water power

afforded by the Wapsipinicon River, and at once took advantage

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of them by building a dam and erecting the mill. The mill in its finished state represented one of the best of its

kind in. the state. Originally it used the now antedated stone buhrs. Mr. Courtright/one of the two original owners, made his home in the house now occupied by Mr.A.Hains

At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Courtright enlisted in the Union army. The mill changed ownership many times, (1)

although the enterprise was quite profitable. Mr. Courtright often remarked that he made a profit of ten dollars on many a day. That amount considering price of that decade certainly

proved the financial success of the mill. The mill was busy; it ground most any thing) including wheat, rye, buckwheat,

barley, oats, and corn. In l875 S.F. McDonald secured control of the mill; he enlarged and improved it by installing a modern and efficient roller process of grinding, by adding

an iron roof, and by constructing a levee a half mile in length.

In 1895 J.H. Zinn secured possession of the mill. A year later he died, without having taken any active part

in operating the mill. Ownership passed to his son R.A. Zinn)

a competent and experienced miller. Mainly through his efforts

------------------------------------------

(1) Ownership of the mill was as follows

1857- Courtright and Lathrop

l868-Robert McDonald

l870-Samuel Blair

l875-S.F. McDonald

l894-E.A. Taylor

l895-J.R. Zinn

l896-R.A. Zinn

1900-Zinn Light Plant

1909-0xf. Jct. Co.

1927-Iowa Elect. Co.

follow!:

l895-J.R. Zinn l896-R.A. Zinn 1900-Zinn Light Plant 1909-0xf. Jct. Co. 1927-Iowa Elect. Co.

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a new and better mill was constructed. The new mill measured thirty-six feet by seventy-two feet; it was three stories

high with basement and attic.

"The first floor was devoted to the receiving of wheat and other grains destined to be ground into flour, meal, or feed; to the disbursing of the manufactured product to

wholesale and local dealers, farmers and others. Here we found the platform scales, flour bins, receiving hoppers, flour packers and feed bins. Also one twenty inch stone, one Double Ring Roll on rye, one twenty inch Attrition mill on feed, one three-roll mill on corn meal, one cob crusher, one corn sheller, and all the elevator boots.

"The second floor contained four double stands of case

rolls, one double stand of Allis rolls, one Beal wheat steamer, one cleaning machine on rye, one wheat scourer, one rolling screen on wheat, one corn cleaner and stock hoppers for feed and corn meal, flour packer bins and workshop. The mill office was also located on this floor on the east side near the front. All the machinery on this floor was driven by the main shaft in the basement, the power being transmitted by belts through the first floor. Twenty feet of both the

second and third floors was reserved for storage of grain.

"On the third floor was found one No. four Hoggenmocher Plansifter, one New Era four break scalper, one Smith purifier, one Reliance Purifier, two Grey centrifugals, two

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Cyclone dust collectors, one wheat scourer, one milling separator, one oat separator, one Smith purifier on corn meal, three ring reels on rye, one Smith centrifugal on buckwheat, one sieve scalper on buckwheat, and the wheat stock hoppers. The speed shaft for driving this machinery was on the second floor.

The attic contained the bran duster, receiving separator, elevator line, shaft and heads, the feed separating sieve and one Cyclone dust collector.

"The water wheels Were located directly under the mill in the basement, and consisted of one New Sampson forty inch wheel with forty-five horse power, under seven foot head, two standard Leffel wheels, thirty-two and forty inch, the forty inch wheel having an upright shaft to the attic, and one

Victor thirty-five inch wheel which drove directly on the roller line.

These water wheels combined represented a seventy horse power engine, and enabled the Oxford Mill to produce each day three hundred bushels of feed, twenty barrels of granulated

corn meal, eighty-five barrels of flour and twenty barrels of rye flour, an output which surpassed all other mills in eastern Iowa.

As the mill was fitted to grind only spring wheat for flour their brands were among the finest on the market. Mr. Zinn not only supplied the local market but filled all, car

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load orders promptly and satisfactorily, shipping his highest grades as far east as New York and London, and his second and

third grades as far south as Atlanta. The Chicago market took almost the entire output of rye flour.

An elevator twenty-eight feet by forty feet, two stories high, adjoining the mill and separated from it by a driveway,

afforded ample storage room for flour and grain. The second floor was devoted wholly to the storage of grain, which could be conducted into the mill by means of elevators and

conducting spouts. The flour was stored on the lower floor.

The Oxford Mill patent flour was known as 'Imperial' and 'Best Patent'; the bakers grades were 'Pride' and 'White star', the graham, whole wheat and buckwheat were known as Oxford Mills Graham, Whole Wheat or Buckwheat. (l)

The mill continued to operate for several years with varying degrees of financial success; its operation continued long after other flour mills had either suspended business or ceased to operate entirely. The mill employed besides

the owner a miller and, in rushing business, one helper. The passing of the mill marked a serious loss to Oxford Mills. The town keenly felt this loss although in severity this particular misfortune was exceeded by the loss due to the junction of the railroad to its north.

(1) This description of the mill is taken, with minor changes

and additions from Frank Kenney-The Oxford Mirror Special

Historical Edition March 24, 1904.

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In 1900 Mr. Zinn established the Zinn Electric Light and Power Company. The station itself occupied the east portion of the down floor of the mill. A small addition on the east supplied the room necessary to house the dynamo.

Power could be secured from two sources; water power from the mill itself and steam power from an engine installed for that purpose. The electrical equipment was of General

Electric manufacture. This plant supplied the first power for Oxford Mills, Oxford Junction and Wyoming. In connection with this light and power plant Mr. Zinn installed a telephone

system; the exchange being located in Oxford Junction.

In 1909 the Zinn brothers sold their interest in the electric light plant to the Oxford Junction Light Power and Mill Company. with this transfer the lines were extended to include Olin.

In 1927, the Iowa Electric Company, having secured ownership of the 'plant, erected a'.new power plant. This new brick building occupies the same space formerly covered by the old mill. This plant's equipment is of the very latest'

design. One turbine of Westinghouse manufacture generates three hundred and twenty five volts, provided water is sufficiently high to allow the turbine to work at capacity.

The dam itself is almost identical to the original structure, except that the Electric Company strengthened the north half by sinking a concret reinforcement. This company at one time

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wished to raise the dam one foot but a vigorous protest from the farmers caused them to at least temporarily abandon the idea. The plant in emergency could supply Oxford Mills, Oxford" Junction, Lost Nation and Wyoming with electricity.

At low water the plant operates only a small part of the day power being furnished the high line from Cedar Rapids for this particular territory. In periods of high water this plant feeds the high line. The plant employees two men working in two shifts from twelve noon until twelve midnight and from twelve midnight to twelve noon.

The Wapsipinicon River has long been noted for its good Fishing, for in the past many report catching fish weighing from twenty to one hundred pounds. The dam, however, as it is operated by the light company has caused considerable damage

to this sport and it is doubtful if good fishing, such as was once the good fortune of the community to enjoy, will ever return.

About the year 1910 a small cement block manufacture was begun, and for a short period of three or four years

this factory made cement blocks and post discontinuing operation just preceding the World War. Its location was

near the northeast part of the town.

Oxford Mills has had two churches. A Methodist church was erected in 1875 eighteen years after the towns beginning. The earliest pastor and the one influential in the building

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of this church was the Reverend Beardsley. The building still remains, services having been regularly conducted until 1932) when the Pastor, Reverend accept) resigned his position to accept a similar one in Wyoming. Sunday school is still a regular Sunday ooc~enoe. Itinerant services are held from time to time.

About the year 1909 the Adventist denomination purchased the old school house and consecrated it as their church. This building was called in its former days the Sabbath School building. Meetings were held regularly until 19l2)when;due primarily to lack of attendance) services were discontinued.

Oxford Mills has from its very beginning boasted a public school. The school began in 1857 or 1858 and waslocated on property now owned by George Leslie. The building originally. Called the Sabbath School soon became in adequate to fulfill the educational needs of the town. As a result it was decided that a new school house must be constructed to meet the growing needs of the community in education. Enrollment was at the time about sixty-five annually. Considering that no high school course was offered this enrollment was quite large. The new building still

stands and is used today for the town's educational program Being built about the year 1880, its teaching has long been

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a decided asset to this little town. Each year this grade school, which is fully accredited up to and including the eighth grade, sends on an average of from eight to ten pupils to continue their education in the Oxford Junction

High School. Enrollment now borders thirty-five. Mr. Hunter (23 in 1935) has given this school and the town many years of successful teaching; his work has been both a credit and an asset to himself and to his community. The account of the school.

contained in this brief history is in a large measure a direct result of his research for the author. Oxford Mills has been served by a railroad since 1871. The Davenport and st. Paul Railroad (now a part of the Chicago Milwaukee and st. Paul System) had cars running into Wyoming

on December 22, 1871. One year later this road was crossed by the Milwaukee (then called the Sabula Ackley and Dakota) forming the junction and the beginnings of Oxford Junction.

Oxford Mills has never been incorporated, although before the advent of Oxford Junction this town appeared quite prosperous and well on its way towards incorporation.

It contained at one time a Post Office (established in 1862 with George W. Lathrop as first Postmaster) but lost this institution in 1918. In 1859 L.D. Carlton and W.P. Langan

established a blacksmith shop. Dr. Coon, the earliest physician in the township, together with Dr. Battin and Morris Hall settled in Oxford Mills before 1875. The town

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still views the building which was once its hotel; it is now occupied as a residence by Mr. Topinka. Oxford Mills at one

time also possessed two drug stores, a general merchandise store, a saloon, a stock yard, a depot and water tank. This Tank belonging to the railroad company was kept filled by the tried power of one horse. The bridge which was built in 1865 at a cost of four thousand six-hundred seventy-four

Dollars by A.A~ Reilly, still stands.

The first plat was filled May 186l. Milo Lathrop's addition was platted in July 1876; later in May 1883 S.F. McDonald's addition was platted. still later Francis Lathrop's addition was platted lots sold and residences

built.

At the outbreak of the Civil War Captain Wolfe organized the "Home Guard". This little group increased from time to time by people coming every Saturday to drill.

These people came for many miles to the north and established the nucleus for a small company. Most of these troops enlisted at Camp MCCellan, Davenport, in the fourteenth Iowa Infantry. Three men from Oxford Mills were members of this company;

Captain Wolfe, Captain Courtright, and Private Smith. These soldiers were then ordered to Iowa City where they were officially assigned to the army of the United States. While in Iowa City they received orders to proceed to Fort Randall,

in the Dakota Territory. This company was to relieve the experienced regulars stationed there, these regulars being needed in the east. The plan was for the company to travel

on foot to Council Bluffs, where a river steamer was to

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transport them directly to Fort Randall. Unfortunately when the company arrived on the bank of the Missouri

they found the river was solidly frozen. With this situation

existing the Company continued on foot to Camp Randall.

Two years later the men were transferred to the seventh

Iowa Cavalry. When this transfer was made, there was

also a change in command. Apparently Captain Wolfe, although he was an excellent drill master, had habits of swearing

and berating his troops; this condition was aggravated by the appearance of his wife in camp. The men seeing the

Captain emerge from his quarters with a scowl on his face

would say, "The Captain's has had another spat with his wife. Accordingly a new Captain was elected. ( Captain Courtright) The new Captain was genial and cooperative in spirit and his men loved him dearly. Captain Wolfe/after having been removed from his command, became angry and refused to reenlist. After the war ended this troop remained at this camp for

another year, their mission being a scouting expedition. After these four years of service they returned to Siuex

City, where they received their discharges. Mr. Smith, to whom the author is highly indebted for much of this

History, still lives; he is a grand old man and it is a pleasure to converse with him. ( Died Sept. 29 1934 age 93 footnote added later.)

Since 1871 Oxford Mills has steadily declined, due basically to the rise of Oxford Junction. With the coming of the junction, which Oxford Mills failed to secure, although a concentrated effort was put forth in its

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behalf, it lost all but a shadow of its former importance. The business portion of a town, which generally serves as

a good indication of its prosperity, has one general merchandise store.

The inhabitants, mostly English, number approximately one hundred and fifty. It has no civic government and its

people come to Oxford Junction to vote. The people of Oxford Mills are quite proud and point with pride to the day when Oxford Mills was an enterprising town and to their

seniority rights in respect to age. The future apparently has not a rosy outlook, but the, people are quite satisfied and accept their fate in good spirit and with a will to improve their little village. The author in his associations

with its people has found them to be of genial cooperative nature, thankful for favors and always ready to assist any one in distress. The author has received no end of pleasure from his interviews with its residents. Several people now living in Oxford Mills served in the World War, among them we find the names of; O.A. Hunter, D.J. Meade, Earl Coker, Lacey Coker, Emile (Abe) Hansen, and Alva Hains.