The History of Dana, Iowa

From Railroad Beginnings to Resilient Community

Early Life and Settlement (Pre-1879)

Samuel Dana, the namesake of Dana, Iowa, remains a figure shrouded in partial obscurity. Some of that can be attributed due to a loss of local records in the 1993 floods, while the general decline of the city and loss of its residents certainly contributed to that loss of history. Fragmented sources suggest he was a pioneer settler who recognized the strategic potential of the area’s railroad infrastructure. Born in the early 19th century, Dana likely migrated westward during the post-Civil War expansion era, drawn by opportunities in agriculture and rail commerce. His decision to establish a trading center five miles north of Grand Junction, Iowa, aligned with the Chicago & North Western Railway’s expansion, which became critical to the town’s early economy.

Founding of Dana, Iowa (1879–1907)

In 1879, Samuel Dana formally founded the town, naming it after himself. The settlement emerged as a railroad shipping hub, facilitating grain and livestock transport. By 1880, the first structures appeared, including a house built by Mr. Garrett; and a general store established by E.E. Hutchings in 1881. Dana’s vision capitalized on Greene County’s agricultural productivity, positioning the town as a vital link between rural producers and broader markets.

In 1891, The Dana Cheese Factory opened, producing 600 pounds of cheese daily. A fire destroyed the facility in 1900, but it was subsequently rebuilt before closing permanently in 1906 due to health concerns.

Dana was officially incorporated as an Iowa municipality in 1907, solidifying its governance structure.

Courtesy of the IAGenWeb Project, here is a historical account of life in Dana in 1907:

This village, an important component part of Junction township, was named after Samuel Dana, a pioneer settler on the site of the town, who was a godfather in the project of establishing a trading center in the early days, five miles north of Grand Junction. The wisdom of the venture has never been questioned, as Dana has been accredited with being one of the best shipping stations on the railway passing through it. It has modestly lived under the rules of township government until the present summer, 1907, when it was incorporated. The first house was built by Mr. Garrett in 1880. E. E. Hutchings built a small store room with dwelling attached, in 1881, establishing the first mercantile enterprise. A year later he sold out to W. C. Barth, who succeeded in building up a phenomenally large business, a man who probably more than any other contributed to the growth and reputation of Dana as a trading center. After conducting business for nine years, he sold out to McKee & Sons, and a year later they disposed of the stock to Reuben Snyder. Frank Thompson took possession of the building in 1903 and sold to Jones & Brown in 1905.

Jensen & Brown were early day druggists, and sold out to Willis & Thompson, who were succeeded by A. E. Willis, who is carrying on the business at the present time.

Dennis Phelan embarked in general merchandising when the village was young, selling out to T. E. Ellis, who sold to Meredith & Sons, and they transferred their interests to E. A. Coburn & Son. Other general merchants in times past have been Mike Higgins, Dan Maloney and Messrs. Heston and Grant.

Dana has the usual complement of business men and artizans engaged in elevators, meat markets, blacksmith and shoe shops, etc.

The village has suffered from three severe fires, but has apparently recovered from the effects of their destructive work.

Dana has a good graded school, taking pupils as far as the tenth grade. Professor Knowles is principal.

The Bank of Dana was established November 2, 1897, by Brenton Brothers of Dallas Center, J. A. Rowles, cashier. A bank building was erected the following year, but it burned in the fire that swept a part of the town in the early fall of 1890. It was rebuilt the same year. The bank has always enjoyed a good business.

Rowles & Brown embarked in the grain, lumber and coal business in 1893. Three years later Mr. Brown bought out his partner and is now carrying on the traffic alone.

James Jamieson is the hardware merchant and deals in agricultural implements and grain.

Commercially, the town gained a splendid business impetus under the lead of W. C. Barth, and has kept a good grip on the same ever since.

CHEESE FACTORY

One of the county-wide known enterprises of Dana is its famous “Co-operative Cheese Factory,” although its incorporated title is much longer than that. Its history is interesting. The first meeting of the “Dana Mutual Co-operative Creamery Company” was held January 17, 1898, and articles of incorporation drawn by S. R. Kershner, E. W. Jones and R. G. Martin. The first directors were: Thomas Calvert, E. W. Jones, Reuben Snyder, W. Jewett and Walter Paterson; J. A. Rowles, secretary. At the first annual meeting a new board of directors was elected, including most of the old ones, and the following oflicers chosen: President, Thomas Calvert; E. W. Jones, vice-president, and W. J. Elling, secretary and treasurer. The factory was destroyed by fire in 1904, and was rebuilt in six weeks by the following building committee: E. W. Jones, W. J. Elling. The concern ran profitably until the 26th of December, 1906, when it was closed on account of prevailing sickness, and by order of the board of health $745 worth of cheese was ordered burned. It remained closed, however, for only three weeks. The annual output of cheese is valued at over $30,000, and finds ready sale in the best markets of the country. The management has been first class and the plant has, and is, contributing greatly to the business interests of the town in which it is so happily located.

CHURCHES

PRESBYTERIAN – This church was organized at Oxley school house, August 16, 1885, by Rev. George N. Luccock, and Elder H. A. Parmenter of Grand Junction. The persons present having letters of dismission from the church at Grand Junction with a view to being a part of the new organization were Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Martin, J. A. Addy, Robert Paterson, Wilmot Camp, U. B. Kinsey, L. B. Kinsey, Mesdames Nettie C. Howard, Nora C. Porterfield. Ann McHugh, Summermaker, Carrie Addy, Martha Garret, Misses Annis Garret, Rena Marten, James Garrett, William Camp. The first elders were Robert Paterson, Thomas B. Marten, Jacob A. Addy. Trustees: R. G. Martin, D. L. Howard, L. B. Kinsey, George Reese, Thomas B. Martin. The erection of a church building was commenced at once and was dedicated the 6th of December of the same year. It is a plain, commodious structure, costing $1,650. The dedicatory services were impressive, conducted by Rev. F. L. Kenyon, president of Fort Dodge Collegiate Institute. Rev. G. N. Luccock, who assisted in the organization, was pastor for two years, and his ork was very successful. Since that date, 1887, the pastors have been: William M. Evans, S. B. McClelland, A. G, Martyn, W. H. Illsley, James Vallier, Paul B. Naylor, H. O. Bethel, J. J. Ehrstein and M. J. Millard, who is now at work in the parish.

For twenty years Grand Junction and Dana were under one pastorate, but for the past two years Paton and Dana are linked together under like conditions. The oflicers at present are: Elders, R. G. Martin, F. M. Ferguson, L. B. Kinsey. Trustees, J. B. Patrick, E. J. Ferguson, C. J. Speers, F. M. Martin, J. H. Hughes. The usual church organizations are well maintained, including a missionary and aid society founded by the efforts of the wife of the first pastor. A good membership attaches to the church, but it has lost heavily by reason of removals and deaths.

M. E. CHURCH of Dana was organized during the winter of 1893-94 by Rev. W. R. Martin of the Boone district of Des Moines conference. Services were held during the first year in J. J. Mathews’ hall. The present church, a roomy frame structure, was built in the summer of 1895 at a cost of $2,200. The same fall witnessed the dedication of the new edifice, and the occasion was one of unusual interest and significance by reason of the presence and sermon of Bishop Ninde, who conducted the services. Rev. W. R. Martin continued as pastor for three years. Since his departure, 1897, the church has been served as follows: Revs. Enoch Hill, A. W. Harned, George W. Wood, James A. King, A. M. Elliott, D. J. McKay, J. E. Nichol. The first trustees were: Reuben Snyder, Amos Legg, E. E. Pemble, S. W. Dana, J. A. Rowles, George Brothers. The present trustees are: Amos Legg, J. A. Rowles, J . W. Hillman, L. D. Ferguson, H. E. Jones, William Grivey. During the summer of 1905, a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,100. The church supports a good Sabbath school and also the usual auxiliaries relating to missionary work and that of the young people. It is joined with Mt. Horeb as an out field.

LODGES AND CAMPS

DANA LODGE No. 216, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 26, 1889, with the following charter members and oflicers: N. G., H. Infield; V. G., S. S. Rutter; P. V. G., E. A. Coburn; J. O. Youngman, E. T. Oxley, John C. Greif, Benjamin Bolin, Henry Newans, Franklin Blood, William C. Johnson, Samuel F. Miller, E. P. Youngman. The first officers were: N. G., E. T. Oxley; V. G., E. A. Coburn; R. S. & I. S., S. S. Rutter; treasurer, H. Infield. Total number of members in good standing at last report, ninety. Number of past grands, thirty. On the 20th of March, 1906, the lodge bought a building and remodeled the same, so now they own and occupy an elegant and commodious hall and a good salesroom on the ground floor which is rented to E. A. Coburn & Son. The value of buildings and furniture owned by the order is $3,240.

LYDIA REBEKAH LODGE, No. 275, I. O. O. F., was organized by S. S. Rutter, of Jefferson, March 18, 1904, with twenty-five charter members. The first officers were: N. G., Mary J. Coburn; V. G., Florinda Jones; recording secretary, G. A. Coburn; financial secretary, Callie Coburn; treasurer, Jennie Kershner. Trustees: S. R. Kershner, Ida Jasinsky, Nannie Patrick. The present oflicers are: N. G., Mrs. John Patrick; V. G., Louise Cullins; recording secretary, Myrtle Martin; financial secretary, Mary Coburn; treasurer, Mary Krissenger; trustees, S. R. Kershner, Isabelle Bennett, Olive Coburn. Membership at present, seventy-seven.

DANA CAMP M. W. OF A., No. 2983, was instituted May 24, 1895, by Smith Parmenter, as deputy organizer, with sixteen charter members: A. M. Rogers, Reuben Snyder, E. M. True, Charles Wendt, E. H. Andrews, E. T. Oxley, F. G. Brothers, J. H. Canfield, J. H. Cox, Eli Fisher, J. C. Greif, Charles Hagood, William Jewett, George Legg, William Morehead and J. F. McRae. The first oflicers were: V. C., R. Snyder; W. A., E. T. Oxley; banker, William Jewett; clerk and physician, A. M. Rogers; escort, William Morehead; watchman, Charles Hagood; sentinel, J. H. Cox; managers, Oxley, Snyder and Jewell. The present oflicers are: V. C., D. E. Brown; W. A., F. M. Martin; banker, W. A. Paterson; escort, R. Schnepp; clerk, H. E. Jones; physician, S. C. Kirby; W., A. W. Shockley; S. P., C. Ferguson. The camp has a present membership of twenty-two. It has never lost a member, except by withdrawal to other camps.

ROYAL NEIGHBORS – This camp was organized February 17, 1903, and is oficered as follows: Oracle, Mrs. J. H. Hughes; recorder, Mrs. Philip Krissinger; financial secretary, Mrs F. M. Martin. Sessions are held in Woodmen hall.

The Dana School

There are very few records remaining about The Dana School. The Iowa Department of Education has historical enrollment statistics, but these statistics do not go back prior to the late 1940’s. You can find the information they have regarding The Dana School here.

Bank of Dana – Robbery

According to a report by the Omaha District of the United States Secret Service, filed on December 19, 1922, the Bank of Dana was robbed on December 16th.

Economic and Social Challenges

Dana’s growth faced setbacks typical of rural Midwestern cities:

Fires: Three major fires in the late 19th and early 20th centuries destroyed businesses. Reconstruction was generally rapid, but that still created roadblocks for the continued growth of the city.

Agricultural Shifts: The decline of small-scale farming and the Great Depression reduced the population from 195 in 1930 to 71 by 1990.

Railroad Usage Shift: The decline of the railroad for passenger use was another factor that contributed to Dana’s decline. As more people drove cars and fewer rode passenger trains, the number of people coming through Dana by rail continued to drop. This led to the creation of a vicious cycle of decline; businesses closed because there weren’t enough customers, and customers stopped going out of their way to come to Dana by motor vehicle because businesses were closing.

1993 Floods: The catastrophic Midwest floods of 1993 destroyed the space used as Dana’s City Hall and most of the city’s archival materials. This was devastating, because the city’s history was already being lost to time. Losing records to unprecedented flooding made the situation even worse.

Unresolved Historical Questions

Samuel Dana vs. Samuel Dana Marckres

A potential genealogical confusion arises with Samuel Dana Marckres, a railroad engineer killed in a 1902 train wreck near Collins, Iowa. Photographed by L.M. Stoops Studio in Perry, Iowa, Marckres shares a similar name but no confirmed familial tie to the town’s founder. Local records emphasize the settler Samuel Dana’s role, but further research is needed to clarify this ambiguity.

Railroad Impact

Though Dana’s success hinged on the Chicago & North Western Railway, few artifacts or documents detail Samuel Dana’s direct involvement with rail operations. Guides by historian Dana L. Grefe suggest the line’s importance, but gaps remain in understanding Dana’s personal contributions.