When the Frigidaire plant closed its operation in Webster City in 2011, it was feared this was the demise of the county seat of Hamilton County.

But the early years of prosperity were not built on an operation like Frigidaire.

The earliest advertisers in the Daily Freeman Journal in 1857 were land agents, mercantile stores and the printing company, the forerunner of the Daily Freeman Journal.

The Cheney House was an early hotel, following a trend where early settlers needed a place to stay while finalizing their land purchases and building on their property. Wagon making and dry good stores were few, but there were not many businesses at the time. A limited line of products included wines, liquors, cigars, oyster, fresh fish and fruit were available from the Webster City Saloon.

According to the 1875 Andreas Historical Atlas of Iowa, the few businesses throughout the county were extremely localized within townships. These business people maintained the bare essentials needed for pioneering Iowa, primarily supporting early farming functions, and product that had to be shipped in..

The businesses that were established in those years were scattered drastically. Finding a craftsman or business close in those days had to be within walking distance or by horse and wagon.

The list in 1875 included carpenters, such as Hans Netzell, who lived in the Hooks Point and Marion Township area; George Paul who was a druggist, physician and surgeon; and H.S. Nickeson who was a plasterer.

Within Fremont township, lumber work was done by Richards and Mabbott and John Miller as a carpenter.

Boone Township had three business people working in the area. They were a liver and stable business owned by J.W. Cook; O.C. Donaldson was a merchant, and G.D. Sutton was a nurseryman.

In Hamilton Township, L.G. Perry and Brothers were the proprietors of Tunnel Mill.

In Webster Township, three businesses were in operation: J.D. Stitzer was a machinist; William Evans was a miller; and H.S. Robinson also ran a turbine mill.

Homer had one business F.H. Bartels ran a general merchandise store. And in Lakin’s Grove there was another general merchandise store run by S.G. Johnson.

Iowa was being settled predominantly by grain farmers, cattlemen and individuals raising animals. With that focus, the earliest industries were heavily in support of those individuals establishing agricultural operations.

Webster City was already the largest community in the county. In 1875 the following businesses were in place.

Agricultural implement operations by Nelson Cox, E. O. Stevens, and R.W. Shook. Hyatt and L was an attorney; B.F. Miller ran the Hamilton County bank; D.M. Hartman was a cobbler in the community; G.D. Potter was a brick mason and G.W. Burden ran the Wilson House hotel; A.J. Allen operated a leather goods business, including harnesses, saddles and trunks.

Two grain dealers were operating in Webster City: B.F. Miller and Ira W. Packard, who also owned the elevator.

Within the city limits there was also a hardware and cutlery business owned by Lewis Crary. D. A. Comerer was a jeweler, and W.C. and S. Wilson served as land agents.

William H. Ely operated a livery and stable in Webster City, and E.N. Lee and Brothers had a lumber store, B.F. Derr ran a general merchandise store and John Hill operated the Webster City Mills.

The Hamilton Freeman in 1875 was owned by T.E. McCracken as publisher. In addition, the Webster City Argus was published by Edwards and Bundy.

J.R. Compton was a homeopathic physician and M.R. Dalbey was a painter. Isaiah Doan ran a real estate and tax collection agency, while G.H. Soule was a real estate dealer.

The Singer company had an agent in Webster City who serviced and sold their sewing machines. This was done by A.A. Cook. A Haswell was a tanner and currier, and P.C. Babcock was a wagon manufacturer.

Some of the earliest businesses included DeZeyk’s Brewery, which was located at the south end of Willson Avenue. It was built in October 1858 on the south side of Pleasant Street. It was torn down in the late 1960’s and a home was built.

A second brewer, Ramharter’s Brewery, was opened in 1870, near the location of The Cat Hut.

A flour mill company was also operated by Frank G. Stearns and sons at Third Street. “The Cream Roller Mills” was a flour mill.

The challenges of early living within Hamilton County were not of an industrial age, but the age of farming, handling agricultural products and construction of the homes and farmsteads that supported the area. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that industry of other types became a part of Webster City’s identity.