Oscar Fitzgalen Avery was born in Herkimer County, New York, in 1822 and came to Iowa in 1856 with his bride, Jennie Harvey, and an assortment of relatives from the East. They first went to Pocahontas County where they stayed only eight months. They located then just over the line in Humboldt County on a farm that remained in the family until the death of the last surviving member. Avery Township in which this farm was located was eventually named for O. F. Avery. During this time the Averys had two children, Eugene and Mary, who would later be known as Minnie. Mr. Avery was the first to open a farm in Avery Township. He was the largest land owner and was probably then its wealthiest man. He was then extensively engaged in business, including lumber, livestock, and farming. He was a member of Humboldt County’s board of supervisors. [1]

 

The family moved to Humboldt in 1878. Mr. Avery purchased lots 3 and 4 in section 12, land once owned by Stephen and William Taft. Here in 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Avery planned and built a new home, the Avery house. It was a three story dwelling with a full basement. It was beautifully appointed with oak, fir, and pine woodwork, some of which had fine wood carving. There were several stained glass windows in the home and a beautifully open stairway.The architecture was Victorian , as was the period in which it was built. This was evidenced by a large ornate porch which embraced a round tower on the northwest corner of the house. It was surrounded by open land. In 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Avery, their daughter Minnie, and Mrs. Avery’s parents moved into the house. [2]

 

Mrs. Jenny Avery died before the turn of the century. After her mother’s death, Minnie became her father’s closest and most trusted associate in business. She was generous to many and, like her father, her integrity and business faithfulness were never questioned by anyone. Mr. Avery died in this house December 12, 1900. [3]

 

As a young woman, Minnie was a most gracious hostess. In January, 1915, Minnie was married to Bion S. Lane, from whom she was divorced not long after, with the restoration of her maiden name. [4]

 

Frances Mess, Clarence Messer’s daughter, recalls: “There was much talk about an impending marriage between Minnie and her old beau, so one cold winter evening, Minnie had a big party at her home. There was great excitement, the guests thinking they were invited to a wedding. The party went its pleasant way, but nothing of import happened and the disappointed guests left. However, a few special friends remained to witness the wedding which was held in the library.” [5]

Frances Messer continues, “Minnie Avery, independent, was most generous to those she liked. Working together on the new Carnegie Library Board, my father and Miss Avery developed a friendship which was shared by our family. We had many picnics, auto rides in her car in a day when autos were a new luxury, and pleasant days at her summer cottage on Lake Nakomis” [6]

 

“Nellie Pinney, music teacher and friend of Miss Avery, had her piano recitals at the gracious Avery house. Seated at the grand piano in the parlor, aspiring musicians attired in white Sunday dresses and patent leather slippers played their best, if not too frightened, before a friendly crowd of parents and friends seated in the living room.” [7]

 

“As I grew older, I began to realize that our little recital was only one of many gatherings held in that house of hospitality. Miss Avery invited high school alumni to have their annual banquets there. Organizations, political groups, and social groups were welcomed and dinners for personal friends were part of social life.” [8]

 

It was one of the few pleasures of Minnie Avery’s life to do things impulsively and on a liberal scale for those she liked. Here was a strong, dominant character, impatient of opposition, eager to lead. She was very fond of music and at one time did some credible sketching of still life in oil. Her ancestry in the Avery family gave her admission to the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a charter member and a past Regent of Mary Brewster Chapter. She was a charter member of the local Orders of Eastern Star and was the oldest Past Matron. She belonged to the Daughters of Rebecca. John Brown Park fundraisers always had her active support. She served on the Carnegie Library Board when it was founded. [9] [10]

 

Minne Avery’s obituary suggests she became, of necessity, so engrossed in her father’s work that she had to neglect much that might otherwise have broadened and softened her life. Minnie Avery’s greatest mistake and the one that undoubtedly brought her to an untimely death, was the taking over of her brother’s estate when he died. She could not bear to see the home farm going out of the family and not go to the best of use, so she made a liberal settlement with Eugene’s widow and took over the entire burden.

 

Minnie built a small house on the farm and lived in it during the spring, summer, and fall while she was managing the property. Her trials and struggles were many, for there were those who tried to take advantage of her because she was a woman and some she trusted only to find she had been mistaken. She helped build good roads in the area. Then came deprecation of property values in the mid 1920s, bank reverses, and reduction of farm incomes, against which she bravely struggled, trying to restore, improve, and preserve the integrity of the land. [10]

 

Her health was poor and she finally yielded to an infection in her leg that she was not able to overcome. Minnie Avery died at Mercy Hospital in Ft. Dodge on Feb. 26, 1928. She was nearly 62 years of age. The funeral was held in the Avery house, perhaps a sign of things to come. [11] [12]

 

Part of Minnie Avery’s will said to leave the house to the county of Humboldt for a hospital. In six months if the county was not willing to accept it, the house would be given to the city for the same purpose. One and a half years later, when all parties had exhausted time and energy toward the fulfillment of Minnie Avery’s last will and testament, the house was sold to Alexander Hood Duncan, a mortician who planned to use the house as a funeral home. [13]

Pat Baker

[1] “The Avery House 1891-1991” by Elaine Mason, Humboldt Printing Co, 1991 p1…

[2] Ibid

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

[5] Ibid

[6] Ibid p.2

[7] Ibid

[8] Ibid

[9] Ibid p.3

[10] Ibid

[11] “The Avery House, 1891-1991” by Elaine Mason, Humboldt Printing Co, 1991, p3

[12] Ibid