SRHS
Steamboat Rock Historical Society
A NEW CENTURY
LUMBER AND GRAIN BUSINESS
In 1901, Dan Turner, sold his elevator to Henry Potgeter for $1600 and took a note for the full amount.
In 1903 Henry bought one of the first one-cylinder gas engines from the Lennox company at Marshalltown for power for the elevator when the old mare died. The ignition was a “hot tube”, a blow torch keeping a tube red hot connected to the cylinder head.
In 1912 electric power began being generated at the dam, and Henry subscribed immediately. It solved engine starting problems, especially in cold weather.
In 1918 the Potgeter family tore down both elevators and used the combined material to build one larger building.
In those early days of the grain business there were three kinds of corn, yellow, white and mixed. Oats were of two kinds white and black. Each kind of the two grains had to be kept separate. Lots of wheat and barley were raised too. It was hauled into town in wagons of 50 to 75 bushels per load.
In 1919 Henry,s son George, came back from the army, and in 1920 he sold his business to George, who continued the business. In time George added other businesses, and modernized as times changed. He added the elevator at Wellsburg. In 1927, a 50 horsepower hammer mill was installed, one of the first in central Iowa. The lumber yard that his father had purchased in 1916 was located uptown on Market Street. In 1939 George had it moved down near the elevator.