“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

— Abraham Lincoln

When I was a postmaster, not too many years ago (just seems like a hundred), political mailings were the least favorite. They even ranked below Publisher’s Clearinghouse, tax forms and free samples. These ads arrived by the thousands, no one really wanted them and they took WAY too much time to sort and deliver. Today you rarely see more than a few … but broadcast television sure makes up for their disappearance. I’ve discovered Iowa is a particular target of political advertising; apparently our “first in the nation” caucuses are as important as the election itself. I cannot believe it’s always been this way.

Lewis Estes came to Webster City in 1858; he was a member of the Northern Border Brigade, a volunteer unit created following the Spirit Lake killings of the previous year. He quickly became a part of the business community here, opening a drug store named Estes & Sage. He also served two terms as postmaster during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. The post office was, conveniently, located in his drug store. In 1864 Lewis married Frances Hillock and started a family, which would include a son, Frederick, and a daughter, Hattie. A few years later, in 1868, Webster City held its first local elections with Lewis Estes winning the mayoral office. In perusing the local newspapers of the day, I find no ads by, or for, any individual candidate.

After serving as Webster City’s mayor, Estes focused on his many business interests. It’s said that only Jacob Funk raised more buildings in town than Lewis Estes. He owned a drug store, was a director of a bank, built up a large business in cattle which expanded well into South Dakota. It was said, at one time, he was the richest man in Hamilton County. Lewis and his wife were both known for their generosity; several articles mention the benevolence of the couple, both in the community and through their church.

In 1872, Estes opened a shipping company that ran from Webster City to Iowa Falls. It was a great success and was located in his drug store on the corner of Bank and Seneca streets. Two years later, local papers noted that Estes was “building a splendid residence” whose likeness was later published in plot map books. Life was good for the Estes family; short notes on trips and visits, local and distant, are in the social sections of many Webster City newspapers through the years.

In 1889, Frances passed at the end of the year. It was the end of a 35-year marriage, one filled with the two working hard together to make this city successful. A year and a half later, Lewis wed Ella Bell Miracle, the widow of Judge David Miracle. The two continued business, their blended family, travel and enjoying life in Webster City. Lewis Estes began to suffer an illness in the early 1900s, reining in the lifestyle of the household. By 1907 Lewis required surgery, performed in Des Moines, which brought about a further decline in his business participation.

Lewis Estes died in April of 1909, leaving his estate to his family. Estes is yet another example of the people who helped make Webster City what we are today.