Lagrand , The First Village, was not recorded as a surveyed plat until July 5, 1854, but was probably first designed in 1850; for, as above stated, teh peioneer store was opened there in that year. It is located on Section 13, township 83, range 17.

Dunlap was Chicago & Supt., IBHowe, GeoKirby was his partner; IB was Supt. of the Iowa Div. of the RR.

April 27th ?6.
Geo. L. Dunlap.
Genl. Supt.

Dear Sir:
Are there any objections to establishing a flag station at Le Grand Quarry if the Quarry Co. will furnish station buildings, agent etc. free of expense to the railway co.? The business there is so great that it is expensive going to Le Grand Station to leave orders, bills, etc., etc. There are new orders in from private individuals along the line for over five hundred (500) cars of stones which we could fill at full rates if we were not furnishing a large amount (at low prices) to the Co. to repair the track in the wet cuts. Vogel's lime kilns at the quarry have more orders than they can fill, so you see the quarry station has a prospect of being a better freight station than many of the old first class stations along the line. If we can establish a flag station there, we can get the free use of all the land required for tracks, etc. I suppose the Le Grand people would favor a regular station and would do their business there rather than at Mr. Blair's Le Grand depot. Being about half way between Marshall and Orford it would divide the distance very well; but there will be time enough to examine that matter hereafter. All I ask now is: May we establish a flag station at the quarry, to be maintained so long as there is a good fair business done there? Respectfully yours, I.B. Howe


The letterhead is from when I.B. Howe was in the quarry business with G.F. Kirby, etc. it says:

G.F. KIRBY, President I.B. HOWE, Vice-President. H.J. HOWE, Sec’y and Treas.

Office of the Le Grand Quarry Co.
Marshalltown, Ia._________ 187
Printed on the top left reads:
“The stone from these quarries has been in use nearly twenty years, and so thoroughly tested that we can confidently recommend it to architects, builders and other dealers in stone and marble. With railway tracks to our quarries, stonesawing mill and marble shop, and with new and improved machinery, and experienced mechanics, we are prepared to fill all orders promptly and on reasonable terms for wallrock, foundation and dimension stone, window and door-caps and sills, water table, bases, columns, ashlar fronts, engine beds, floors of public buildings, etc. These are the only quarries furnishing the “IOWA MARBLE,” so celebrated for its beautiful, variegated colors, high polish and great durability, from which we manufacture monument, mantel, table bureau, sink, wash-stand, and counter-tops, etc. Sawed blocks and slabs furnished to other manufacturers, on short notice. All kinds of work executed to order in any desired style. For prices and further particulars, address: Geo. A Gregg, Supt. LeGrand Quarry Co. Quarry, Marshall Co., Iowa.”

Transcribed by Mark Howe from Personal & Buisness Correspondance from I.B. Howe