Author Wallace Stegner – born in Lake Mills, teacher of other writers – called them “stickers”… individuals “motivated by affections, by such a love for place and its life that they want to preserve it and remain in it.” Every community worth its salt has stickers. Mine does; surely yours does, too.
I thought of Stegner’s definition while learning about Avery Brush, 1845 -1923, a leading citizen of Mitchell County and its county seat, Osage. Brush was a long-time employee, eventually president, of Osage National Bank. Shortly after becoming president, in February 1891, he wrote to Alcena Phelan, who owned land in my township, Otranto Township, where the Cedar River enters the state.
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“Dear Madam, Yours 4thwith in regard to your Otranto farm. It has been robbed for many years by selling grain off from it and nothing has been put back in the likes of fertilizer or manures. And, of course, this won't do… (putting) stock on would be advantageous to the farm. Better far for the land than grain raising.”
In cursive writing flowing from a fountain pen, fading a bit before being re-dipped in ink:
“You asking nicely and I will give you the best opinion possible considering distance farm is from here and my acquaintance with it – the opinion given would be my decision were I owner of it. For the reason first stated I should sell the farm this spring or offer it for sale.”
Banker Brush is thorough and thoughtful, offering options:
“In case you don't want to do this, I should seed all the plowed land to timothy. This will rest and recuperate the land. You may not get as much money from acres of hay and timothy seed as you have heretofor seed from grain, but the land will be greatly benefitted by the change and rest.”
He closes with a request:
“I think the farm will sell at a good fair price this spring. Are you willing to offer it for sale and invite bids for it in such parcels as purchaser may need?” Yours truly, Avery Brush, President”
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According to his obituary, Avery Brush “was honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of success he achieved, but also owing to his straight-forward business methods. Avery was born near Danbury, Connecticut; his early training was that of a farm-bred boy.”
“He came (to Iowa) in 1869, on the first train that ran over the Illinois Central railroad. He entered the employ of the Osage National Bank as assistant cashier in 1870, advanced to the position of cashier, and in 1891 was elected president.” In 1891, when St. Ansgar Bank was formed, Brush was named bank president there, too. The bank became “St. Ansgar State Bank” in 1922, one year before Brush’s death. He was also vice-president of the Stacyville Bank.
Again, quoting Brush’s obituary, “His aid and influence have always been on the side of righteousness, truth, reform, and progress. The worth of his character is widely acknowledged and he has ever enjoyed the confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen. His career has been that of a substantial businessman, who devoted his attention to his business and community. His name will always stand high among founders and pioneers of Mitchell County.”
A quick google search revealed additional references to Avery Brush. His Osage home was a Georgian-style, two-story on Main & 10th Street. Hamlin Garland took note of Brush in “A Son of the Middle Border”: “On Sundays the (Garlands) dressed for church as for a solemn social function, fully alive to the dignity of Banker Brush…”
And in the “Greene Recorder,” 1904: “Of seventeen cattle in a pasture on the farm of Avery Brush, the Osage banker, all were killed with one bolt of lightning.” (Quite some bolt!) About this last item, it appears Banker Brush practiced what he preached, “Putting stock on is advantageous… better far for the land than grain raising.”
Banker Avery Brush, classic sticker, inclined toward the long view. Well-played, Mr. Brush.
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I am pleased to be part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. My colleagues:
So good! Thank you. Avery Brush is a distant ancestor of mine; I'll have to look up the exact relationship. My father would have been 12 when Mr. Brush died. No doubt he knew him. My grandfather Will Tupper was on the board of a bank in Osage--I'll have to look up which bank and when. Happy research day coming up!