From Technical Paper No.4, Coal Resources of Iowa, by E. R. Landis & Orville J. VanEck, 1965, p. 50, Warren County – original reserves of about 431 million tons of coal are estimated in an area of about 89,010 acres in Warren County. An additional area of about 60,260 acres may contain coal beds 14 inches or more thick.
COAL MINING IN WARREN COUNTY:
From the 1886-1887 biennial report of the state mine inspectors – Warren County has 27 coal mines in operation; the principal ones were Lumsden & Brothers and the Summerset Coal Company. The last named was worked out and abandoned on March 7, 1887. The vein of coal there was three and one-half feet thick and of good quality. The shaft at Indianola had been shut down for several months, having no escape shaft. There were four mines on Middle River, three miles south of Summerset, all doing a local business.
The mines at Lacona and Milo were operated in the upper vein of coal, which was from 14 to 18 inches in thickness; were dependent on local sales for their business and on jack frosts for ventilation, which was generally sufficient, as they only run a few months in the winter season. The county did not produce much coal for the number of mines it had in operation. The county was handicapped for the want of an outlet for coal to western markets.
From the 1924 report of the state mine inspectors for the biennial period ending Dec 31, 1923 – For more than forty years coal has been mined in Warren County, but mostly by small operations to supply the local trade. Once in a while a shipping mine would open and run for a short time, but not until recent years [1924] was coal shipped from this county in any quantity. As far back as 1891 as many as 25 small mines were listed as supplying coal for local consumption. Later a shipping mine operated for a time near Summerset, as still later, the Spring Hill Coal Company opened a shipping mine at Spring Hill. Several local mines were operated on Scotch Ridge near Carlisle. At present [1924] the McCall Brothers opened up a splendid local mine near Hartford. About a year ago the Middle River Coal Company opened a shipping mine near Summerset, but they experienced so many faults that the mining became unprofitable and in March 1924 the mine was abandoned.
NAMES OF COAL MINES IN WARREN COUNTY
Small coal mines in Warren came and went quickly. The following names of coal mines in Warren County, Iowa were listed in biennial reports of the state mine inspectors covering the years 1882 - 1969
Lumsden Brothers Coal Mine – Summerset – 1882-1883
Watson Coal Company – Ford – 1882-1883
Milo Coal & Mining Company – Milo – 1882-1883
Lumsden & Brothers – Summerset – 1886-1887
Summerset Coal Company – Summerset – 1886-1887
Warren County Coal Company – Indianola – 1886-1887
D. K. Jones – Indianola – 1886-1887
George Longstaff – Summerset – 1886-1887
Lord & Overton – Summerset – 1886-1887
David Simmons – Summerset – 1886-1887
Gamble & Brothers (aka Custer Coal Mine) – Ford - 1886-1887
Harrison Miller – Lacona – 1886-1887
Shupe & Odell – Lacona – 1886-1887
Mumford & Mitchell – Lacona – 1886-1887
Randolph Miller – Lacona – 1886-1887
Snell & Freeman Coal Mine – Lacona - 1886-1887
Huston Fogle – Lacona – 1886-1887
N. D. Bales – Milo – 1886-1887 (2 ½ miles West of Milo)
H. H. Webster Coal Mine – Milo - 1886-1887 (4 miles South of Milo)
Boy Parker (aka Shaffer Drift Coal Mine) – Milo – 1886-1887
S. P. Bryant – Milo – 1886-1887
Samuel T. Burgess – Milo – 1886-1887 (4 miles N. E. of Milo)
Eugene Richmond – Milo – 1886-1887 (1 mile south of Milo)
Branch & Long – Milo – 1886-1887 (1 ½ miles west of Milo)
C. G. Hollingsworth – Milo – 1886-1887 (2 ½ miles west of Milo)
Andy Connors – Milo – 1886-1887 (3 miles west of Milo)
Cass & King – Ford – 1886-1887
Ford Coal Company – Ford – 1886-1887
Dufore & Welling – Ford – 1886-1887
J. P. Cotman – Norwalk – 1886-1887
Ephraim Conicklon – Sandyville – 1886-1887
D. K. Jones Coal Mine – 1888-1889 (2 ½ miles east of Summerset)
William Bennum Coal Mine – 1888-1889 (2 ½ miles East of Summerset)
D. W. Simmons Coal Mine – 1888-1889 (3 miles Southeast of Summerset)
Lumsden & Brothers Coal Mine – Summerset - 1888-1889
Penlam Warford Coal Mine – 1888-1889 (2 ½ miles East of Summerset)
Reuben Runnells – Summerset – 1888-1889
J. P. Cotman – Norwalk – 1888-1889
Harrison Miller & Brothers – Lacona – 1888-1889
Oxenrider & Mitchell – Lacona – 1888-1889
Isaac Snell – Lacona – 1888-1889
Huston Fogle – Lacona – 1888-1889
N. D. Boles – Milo – 1888-1889
H. Webster – Milo – 1888-1889
S. P. Bryant – Milo – 1888-1889
Samuel J. Burges – Milo – 1888-1889
Eugene Richmond – Milo – 1888-1889
Branch & Long – Milo – 1888-1889
Andy Connors – Milo – 1888-1889
Lumsden & Brothers – Summerset – 1890-1891
D. K. Jones – Summerset – 1890-1891 (2 ½ miles E. of Summerset)
William Bennum – Summerset – 1890-1891 (2 ½ miles E. of Summerset)
D. N. Simmons – Summerset – 1890-1891 (3 miles E. of Summerset)
Lumsden & Son – Summerset – 1890-1891
Edward Lord – Summerset – 1890-1891
Joseph Mitchell - Milo – 1890-1891
L. Heinan – Milo – 1890-1891
Nathan Bales – Milo – 1890-1891
M. Sneider – Milo – 1890-1891
E. Richmond – Milo – 1890-1891
S. C. Bryant – Milo – 1890-1891
J. W. Brown – Milo – 1890-1891
Andy Conners – Milo – 1890-1891
James Gilbert – Milo – 1890-1891
R. Miller – Lacona – 1890-1891
H. Miller – Lacona – 1890-1891
H. Fogle – Lacona – 1890-1891
William Johnson – Lacona – 1890-1891
L. Hickman – Lacona – 1890-1891
George Myers – Lacona – 1890-1891
S. W. Bennum – Summerset – 1892-1893
D. K. Jones – Summerset – 1892-1893
Caldwell & Cassidy – Summerset – 1892-1893
Dixon & Price – Ford – 1892-1893
N. Bales – Milo – 1892-1893
J. W. Brown – Milo – 1892-1893
Joseph Mitchell – Milo – 1892-1893
Lumsden & Sons – Carlisle – 1892-1893
Ford Coal Company – Ford – 1894-1895
Caldwell & Wishman – Summerset – 1894-1895
D. K. Jones – Summerset – 1894-1895
William Lumsden & Son – Summerset – 1894-1895
W. S. Bennum – Summerset – 1894-1895
D. S. Sayers – Summerset – 1894-1895
John Lannigen – Summerset – 1894-1895
Frank Murphy – Indianola 1894-1895
Grant Weston – Indianola – 1894-1895
Johnson & Son – Ackworth – 1894-1895
Jamison Brothers – Ackworth – 1894-1895
John Brown – Milo – 1894-1895
Sid Bryant – Milo – 1894-1895
Wishman & Cumming – Somerset – 1900-1901 (3 miles north of Summerset)
Huff & Baber – Summerset – 1900-1901 (3 miles northeast of Summerset)
Shackley & Bennum – Summerset – 1900-1901 (2 miles east of Summerset)
Welch Brothers – Summerset – 1900-1901 (2 ½ miles east of Summerset)
Summerset Coal Company – Summerset – 1900-1901
King & Turnipseed – Summerset – 1900-1901
N. D. Bales – Milo – 1900-1901
S. C. Bryant – Milo – 1900-1901
J. A. Williams – Milo – 1900-1901
Ed. Rowley – Liberty Center – 1900-1901
D. Utterson Coal Company – Carlisle – 1902-1903
Shackley & Bennum Coal Company – Somerset – 1902-1903
Welch Coal Company – Somerset – 1902-1903
Somerset Coal Company – Somerset – 1902-1903
Casady & Turnipseed Coal Company – Somerset - 1902-1903
Bales Coal Company – Milo – 1902-1903
Bryant Coal Company – Milo -1902-1903
Williams Coal Company – Milo – 1902 -1903
Rowley Coal Company – Liberty Center – 1902-1903
Barber & Perkins Coal Company – Carlisle – 1902-1903
Diamond Coal Company – Lacona – 1904-1905
Bryant Coal Company – Milo – 1904-1905
Somerset Coal Company – Somerset – 1904-1905
Utterson & Milligan – Carlisle – 1904-1905
Bales Coal Company – Milo – 1904-1905
From Coal Mining Companies and operators of the United States, 1905 – Warren County, Iowa:
D. Utterson Coal Company – Carlisle - 1905
Shackley & Bennum Coal Company – Summerset - 1905
Welch Coal Company – Summerset - 1905
Summerset Coal Company – Summerset - 1905
Casady & Turnipseed Coal Company – Summerset - 1905
Bales Coal Company – Milo - 1905
Bryant Coal Company – Milo - 1905
Williams Coal Company – Milo - 1905
Rowley Coal Company – Liberty Center - 1905
Barber & Perkins Coal Company – Carlisle - 1905
H. L. Carpenter Coal Company – Lacona – 1909-1910
John Debaugh – Lacona – 1909-1910
Harrison Miller – Lacona – 1909-1910
Andy Hiner – Milo – 1909-1910
Ferrell & Meyers Coal Company – Carlisle – 1909-1910
Overton Coal Company – Summerset – 1909-1910
Bales Coal Company – Milo – 1909-1910
Murray Coal Company – Lacona – 1909-1910
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1910-1912
Gideon & Cassidy – Carlisle – 1910-1912
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1912-1913
C. F. Priest Coal Company – Hartford – 1912-1913
Timber Vein Coal Company – Indianola – 1912-1913
D. L. Uterson Coal Company – Sommerset – 1912-1913
Carpenter & Miller Coal Company – Lacona – 1914-1915
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1914-1915
L. A. Miller Coal Company – Lacona – 1914-1915
E. E. Bishop Coal Company – Lacona – 1914-1915
Spring Hill Coal Company – Spring Hill – 1914-1915
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1916-1917
E. E. Bishop Coal Company – Lacona – 1916-1917
Spring Hill Coal Company – Spring Hill – 1916-1917
E. Harris Coal Company – Ford – 1916-1917
Des Moines Ice & Fuel Company – Spring Hill – 1920-1921
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1920-1921
Des Moines Ice & Fuel Company – Spring Hill – 1922-1923
Hartford Coal Company – Runnells – 1922-1923
Middle River Coal Company – Indianola – 1922-1923
Indian Valley Gloss Coal Company – Hartford – 1924-1925
Des Moines Ice & Fuel Company – Spring Hill – 1924-1925
Great Western Coal Company – Orilla – 1924-1925
King Brothers Coal Company – Carlisle – 1924-1925
Heinen Brothers Coal Company – Lacona – 1924-1925
Prairie Creek Coal Company – Beech – 1924-1925
Harris & Grills Coal Company – Ford – 1924-1925
T. R. King Coal Company – Swan – 1924-1925
Carpenter Coal Company – Lacona – 1928-1929
Great Western Coal Company, No.1 – Orilla – 1928-1929
Indian Valley Gloss Coal Company, No.1 – Hartford – 1928-1929
Miller Coal Company – Lacona – 1928-1929
Oak Hill Coal Company – Carlisle – 1928-1929
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1928-1929
Scotch Ridge Coal Company – Carlisle – 1928-1929
Frank Bezell Coal Company – Lacona – 1928-1929
Bales & Son Coal Company – Milo – 1931-1932
Boyer Coal Company – Lacona – 1931-1932
Brown Coal Company – Lacona – 1931-1932
Carpenter Coal Company – Lacona – 1931-1932
Drake Coal Company – Lacona – 1931-1932
Great Western Coal Company – 1931-1932
Happy Hallow Coal Company – Carlisle – 1931-1932
Harris Coal Company – Swan – 1931-1932
Indian Valley Gloss Coal Company (changed to Hartford Coal Company) – Hartford – 1931-1932
Jones Coal Company – Lacona – 1931-1932
McNeeley & Riding Coal Company – Swan – 1931-1932
Norwalk-Burnwell Coal Company – Norwalk – 1931-1932
Oak Hill Coal Company – Carlisle – 1931-1932
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1931-1932
Scotch Ridge Coal Company – Carlisle – 1931-1932
Seuferer Coal Company – Lacona – 1931-1932
Spring Hill Coal Company – Spring Hill – 1931-1932
Willis & Son Coal Company – Lacona – 1931-1932
Anc hor Coal Company – Hartford – 1932-1933
Banner Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1932-1933
Blue Flame Coal Company – Norwalk – 1932-1933
Carpenter Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
J. W. Crawford Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
W. H. Crawford Coal Company – Hartford – 1932-1933
Diamond Block Coal Company – Indianola – 1932-1933
Drake Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
Freeman Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
Garbison Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
Great Western Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1932-1933
Happy Hollow Coal Company – Carlisle – 1932-1933
Harris Coal Company – Swan – 1932-1933
Hamilton Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
Heinen Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
Helsing Farm & Mining Company – office in Des Moines – 1932-1933
Jones Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
McNeely-Jennings Coal Company – Swan – 1932-1933
Klein Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
McNeer Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1932-1933
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1932-1933
Scotch Ridge Coal Company – Carlisle – 1932-1933
Seuferer Coal Company – Lacona – 1932-1933
Spring Hill Coal Company – Spring Hill – 1932-1933
Banner Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1934-1935
Blue Flame Coal Company – Norwalk – 1934-1935
Carpenter Coal Company – Lacona – 1934-1935
Ditmer Coal Company – Milo – 1934-1935
Great Western Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1934-1935
Hardman Coal Company – Lacona – 1934-1935
Harris Coal Company – Swan – 1934-1935
Hamilton Coal Company – Lacona – 1934-1935
Helsing Farm & Mining Company – office in Des Moines – 1934-1935
Hillside Coal Company – Indianola – 1934-1935
Indian Hollow Coal Company – Carlisle – 1934-1935
Jones Coal Company – Lacona – 1934-1935
Kern Coal Company – Norwalk – 1934-1935
Miller & Walker Coal Company – office in Commerce – 1934-1935
North River Coal Company – Carlisle – 1934-1935
Norwalk Coal Company – Carlisle – 1934-1935
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1934-1935
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1934-1935
Scotch Ridge Coal Company – Carlisle – 1934-1935
Spring Hill Coal Company – Spring Hill – 1934-1935
Wadle & Sons Coal Company – Lacona – 1934-1935
White Oak Coal Company – Indianola – 1934-1935
Banner Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1936-1937
Great Western Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1936-1937
Heinen Coal Company – Lacona – 1936-1937
Indian Hollow Coal Company – Carlisle – 1936-1937
Jones Coal Company – Lacona – 1936-1937
Lloyd Lancaster Coal Company – Lacona – 1936-1937
McCarty-Lossee Coal Company – Swan – 1936-1937
North River Coal Company – Carlisle – 1936-1937
Norwalk Coal Company – Carlisle – 1936-1937
Oakdale Coal Company – Carlisle – 1936-1937
Pike Coal Company – Carlisle – 1936-1937
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1936-1937
Spring Hill Coal Company – Spring Hill – 1936-1937
Valley Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1936-1937
Wadle & Sons Coal Company – Lacona – 1936-1937
Banner Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1938-1939
Bowlin Coal Company – Indianola – 1938-1939
Callahan Brothers Coal Company – Indianola – 1938-1939
Hardman Coal Company – Lacona – 1938-1939
Heinen Coal Company – Lacona – 1938-1939
Indian Valley Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1938-1939
Jones Coal Company – Lacona – 1938-1939
Lancaster Coal Company – Lacona – 1938-1939
Norwalk Coal Company – Norwalk – 1938-1939
Orillia Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1938-1939
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1938-1939
Spring Hill Coal Company – Spring Hill – 1938-1939
W. M. P. Coal Company – office in Melcher – 1938-1939
Gross Coal Company – Lacona – 1940-1941
Heinen Coal Company – Milo – 1940-1941
Koke-Koal-Ko – Carlisle – 1940-1941
Norwalk Coal Company – Norwalk – 1940-1941
Orillia Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1940-1941
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1940-1941
Robbins Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1940-1941
Stalter & Sons Coal Company – office in Lucas – 1940-1941
Gross Coal Company – Lacona – 1942-1943
Koke-Koal-Ko – Carlisle – 1942-1943
Ridge Block Coal Company – Carlisle – 1942-1943
Robbins Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1942-1943
Stalter & Sons Coal Company – office in Lucas – 1942-1943
Ridge Block Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1946-1947
S & R Coal Company – Carlisle – 1946-1947
S & R Coal Company – Carlisle – 1948-1949
Scotch Ridge Coal Company – office in Des Moines – 1948-1949
S & R Coal Company – Carlisle – 1950-1951
S & R Coal Company – Carlisle – 1954-1955
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