Karl F. Haugen

“ Oleson was a native of Norway and came to Fort Dodge as a young man and started in the drug business. In 1894 he erected the three-story brick building at Central Avenue and Eighth Street which was long the home of his drug firm—the Oleson Drug Company. The first floor and basement were occupied by the drug firm which for many years had both retail and wholesale operations. The second and third floors had apartments and some offices. ”

“ Donald Vincent was prominent in business and industrial affairs, being one of the organizers of the Vincent Clay Products Company and for years was an officer of the Fort 37 Dodge Grocery Company. He was also identified with banking interests here, serving as president of The State Bank for many years. Jahn is in the furniture refinishing and upholstering work. He and his wife are also antique collectors and have remodeled the interior of their home for displays of their collections. They also own the adjoining corner house which they are remodeling into a future gift and antique shop. ”

“ An early-day lumber dealer—Owen Conway—who came to the United States in 1845 from his native Ireland and to Fort Dodge in 1865 built the house at 400 S. 8th St. in 1882.
Conway, who was in the hardware and lumber business here, resided in the home with his family for many years. The house remained in possession of members of the Conway family until 1946 when it was sold to John J. Williams. It was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Howick who remodeled the first floor into a spacious apartment for themselves. Mrs. Howick continues to reside in the home following the death of her husband. ”

“ Wood also were artists and their paintings gained for them a wide reputation.
The Olson house which has rooms on first and second floors, dates back to 1897 when it was built on a lot across the street from its present location. The original site was at the east end of Johnson Place. When this block-long street was cut through from Twelfth to Thirteenth Streets in 1911 in order to provide building lots in a previously inaccessible area, the Olson house was moved to the southeast corner of Third Avenue North and Thirteenth Street—its present location. ”

“ Fort Dodge mayor John F. Ford, who served from 1911 to 1919, resided in this Fifth Avenue North home for many years with his wife and five children. Ford won election as mayor when the city’s form of government was changed from the ward system to the present commission system.
The first City Council under the commission form included Mayor Ford, Commissioner Frank W. Collins and Commissioner C. H. (Cad) Smith. At that time Collins was in charge of the department of accounts, finances, public properties and parks. Smith headed the department of public safety, streets and public improvements. ”