USA > Iowa > Jackson County > Annals of Jackson county, Iowa, Vol 1-6 > Part 57
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IOWA'S PART IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
lustrat d Guthele was mer
bisten He
(Taken from The Dos Moines Reglater and Leader of May 9th. 1909,)
The receipt by Adjutant General Logan from the war department of the muster rolls of seven companies of Iowa Mexican war soldiers calls attention to the fact that these companies, K of the Fifteenth United States infantry and the Mormon battalion were not the only ones supplied by Iowa for the Mexican war, but that three other companies were regularly enlisted into the service of the United States.
These were: A company of infantry under Capt. J. M. Morgan of Burlington, succeeded on the expiraton of is term of one year by a company of cavalry under the same officers, and a Clayton county company of cavalry under Capt. John Parker.
These three companies passed their terms of service at Fort Atkinson, in the northern part of lowa territory, guarding the settlers against the Winnebago Indians, having taken the place of regulars ordered to join their regiments in Mexico.
The muster rolls of the three companies were procured last year from the war department at a cost of $25 for the use of the soldiers' roster board, and with the seven just received, have been placed in the hands of Harvey Reid of Maquoketa as a basis for the volume in the roster series on the ear- ly military history of Iowa.
"Notwithstanding the ungenerous action of the general government in demanding from the state so heavy a charge for supplying these rolls. it is believed that no more valuable contribution to our state archives has ever been made, " said Mr. Reid, "for the reason that the state records were almost absolutely bare of any evidence that Iowa ever enlisted a man for the Mexican war.
"The only scrap of rerord found is an item (still in manuscript), from ¥ the executive journals, that Governor Brigg , in July 1847, commissioned the officers of Capt. J. M. Morgan's company of dragoons.
"I believe that I speak from positive knowledce when I say that three years ago not a person in Iowa, nor in the world, however well versed in early Iowa territorial and state history, could have told that this common- wealth furnished ten full companies for the Mexican war. and organized fifteen other companies that were not accepted. Dr. William Salter of Burlington and Edwin L. Sabin would have come the nearest to it.
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"Fewer newspaper files seem to have been preserved complete for the years 1846, 1847 and 1848, than for any other years of our early history. The Burlington Hawkeye, placed by Dr. Salter in the public library in that city, is, I believe, the only Que that exists without a break.
"The difficulty of reproduciog Iowa's history in the Mexican war is il- lustrated by the case of her first martyr, the gallant young captain, Edwin Guthrie, mentioned in a recent article in The Register and Leader. lle was mortally wounded in a skirmish at the pass of La Hoya while on a march with his company and other detachments from Vera Cruz to Pueblo. He was shot three weeks after landing in Mexico, before he had ever seen his regiment. It had assembled at Newport Barracks, Kentucky, while his company was sent direct from Fort Madison to Vera Cruz. The skirmish at La Hoya was too insignificant an affair to receive mention in histories of the United States, or in the autobiographies of General Scott and Gen- eral Grant. The history of the Mexican war by Gen. C. M. Wilcox does not mention it. It is described in an understandable way in the two-vol- ume history of the Mexican war by R. S. Ripley, published in 1849, but from that account no one would suspect that the Fifteenth United States infantry, or any part of it, had any share in the affair, and so far from Cap- tain Guthrie's martyrdom being mentioned, the account merely says 'the Americans had only a few soldiers slightly wounded.'
"Thus, if we had only printed histories to rely upon, a holy sacrifice by Iowa upon her country's altar, would go unrecorded."
A compilation of Iowa's part in the Mexican war, and of the vigorous, almost unique, old territorial militia organization that lent ald to the first war enistments, is an untrodden field. From scraps and fragments, dia- mond dust of the past, old memories, old newspapers, old documents, come facts of interest to Iowa history, and cast a genial glow of appreciation and love upon Iowa pioneers. And documents of the highest historical value, that have lain in darkness for nearly seventy years will find appropriate places in the pages of the Roster volume of the Early History of Iowa."
Harvey Reid of Maquoketa, who has been commissioned to write of Iowa's earliest patriots on the Mexican war field, is a member of the Iowa State Historical society, American Historical association and Grand Army of the Republic. He was elected assistant to the Iowa Soldiers. Roster board on Mexican war and territorial militia records in 1907. He is presi- dent of the Boardman Library Institute, Maquoketa, since 1902.
He was born in Argyle, Washington county, New York, March 30, 1842 His parents removed to Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1844.
He was educated in the common schools and spent a short time in Wis- consin university, interrupted by enlistment in the Twenty-second Wiscon- sin infantry in August, 1862. He served in the army of the Cumberland including the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea. He was taken prisoner in the skirmish at Brentwood, Tenn., March, 1863, and was contined at Libby prison.
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After the war he was put in charge of the office of a pork packing com- pany at Sabula, Iowa, remaining until 1885. He was county treasurer of Jackson county, Iowa, until 1890, and has been in the mercantile business at Maquoketa since 1890. He has been adjutant of the Jackson County Vet- erans' association continuously since 1888, and a member of the school boards sixteen years. He was a candidate of the minority party in his county for representative in 1907.
He is author of the following books :
Sketch of Enoch Long, an Illinois pioneer; Chicago Historical society 1884.
In the Shadow of the Gallows; a true story of an lowa pioneer. (Gen- eral Chandler, Capaidan patriot war. ) Newspaper serial, 1902. (Reviewed by John Snure for The Register and Leader and syndicate correpsondence. )
Souvenir Fiftieth Anniversary Helion Lodge A. F. & A. M., Maquoke- ta, 1902
What Made Maquoketa ; the Pioneer Colonies of the City and Vicinity ; a Sociological Study. Jackson Sentinel souvenir edition fiftieth anniversary 1904.
Outline-Geological History of Jackson County, Iowa. County Normal Institute. 1903.
Life of Colonel Thomas Cox, Pioneer Lawmaker. (Accepted by State Historical Society 1907 for Iowa biographical serie3 ) In press awaiting funds.
Early Military History of Iowa ; in preparation for Iowa state soldiers' roster board. This book will include the territorial militia and its part in the Missouri boundary dispute, the Iowa Mexican war regiment disbanded, lowa in the Mexican war with official rosters of ten companies, the Spirit Lake massacre.
He also has written over 100 biographical sketches of Civil war veterans deceased in adjutants' memorial reports of County veteran associations; Civil war historical sketches in National Tribune and local papers; "The Battle of Pin Hook as Seen by a Civil War Veteran, " local paper 1906. A realistic description and mlitary critique of sham battle by Fifty-third regiment Iowa national guard ; contributions to local geological investiga- tions mostly in local newspapers.
ly rep made for The Manu ceived a vate of 1. At the com'u park arvi y the meeting
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Pioneer and Old Settlers' Society Hold Annual Meeting and Picnic, Saturday, July 10th
Although the call for the Old Settlers' meeting for last Saturday gave but short notice of time and place, the attendance was better than last year. The day was all that could be expected for the season, and the people began pouring into the town from the country and neighboring towns early in the morning. The great industrial parade was completed at 11 o'clock a. m., and the Old Settlers' program was put on at the stand in front of the American Savings Bank immediately thereafter
A selection by the band was followed by a ladies' quartette, accompan- led on the piano by Mrs J. C. Nitzsche. The President of the Day, Hon. G. L. Mitchell, opened the meeting with a pleasing address, in which he eulogized the committees who had charge of the arrangements, and had many good and pleasing things to say for the Pioneers and Old Settlers. After his address he called upon Rev. Foster for an invocation. Master Lisle Utts of Davenport, was called upon for a Japanese song which he sang very nicely and won many plaudits. Rev. W. D. Lewis was then introduced as the principal speaker of the occasion, and won the close attention and ap- proval of the audience from the first. He praised the boosters of the town, and said he had no use for knockers. He eulogized the pioneers of the coun- try, and seemed peculiarly endowed to say just the right thing at the right place.
"The Star Spangled Banner" was sung by the quartette, after which the audience joined in singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee. "
James A. Buchner, president of the Pioneer and Old Settlers' society. was next called upon, and in his inimitable way talked of old settlers and old times, and urged that all who were eligible to join the society, and do so now. The meeting was dismissed by Rev. Boomershine, and immediate- ly repaired to the First Ward park where elaborate preparations had been made for a picnic dinner in which nearly two hundred old settleis tock part. The Maquoketa Concert band rendered several pieces at the park, and re- ceived a vote of thanks from the Old Settlers.
At the conclusion of the banquet a business meeting was held in the park and presided over by President Buchner, who stated that the object of the meeting was to elect officers of the Association for the coming year, and
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announced that nominations for the office of president was in order. Fred Myatt nominated J. H. Buchner to succeed himself. The motion was vari- ously seconded, and on being put by Mayor Myatt, carried unanimously. The president was called upon for a speech and responded with a story which convulsed the audience with laughter. Dr. A. B. Boxen, in a neat little speech, nominated J. N. Nims for the office of vice-president of the Association, and Mr. Nims received the unanimous vote of the society.
Fred DeGrush told an amusing story, and wound up by saying that away back in 1853 a red-headed, freckle-faced boy had gone to school to him and that he had kept tab on that boy all the years since. That recent- ly he had been elected to the legislature, and that he, DeGrush, took all the credit for it, and he wanted to nominate him for secretary and treasur- er. The nomination was seconded by several and Secretary Ellis was re- elected to the office of secretary and treasurer for the fourteenth time.
On request of the secretary, the president appointed a committee of three to examine the Secretary's books.
No further business appearing the society adjourned Sine Die.
J. W. ELLIS, Secretary.
Old Settlers and Pioneers Who Were Present.
NAME
BORN
WHERE CAME TO IOWA
Alice Gordon-Robinson
Dec 28, 1860
Jackson Co., Iowa
1860
Kim Robinson
.Feb. 4, 1857 Carroll Co , Ill
1878
James W. Ellis
Nov. 25, 1848 Danville, Ind 1852
Fredrick Andrew Oberfell . Apr. 9, 1838
. Columbiana Co., Ohio .1844
E. R. Stoddard May 3, 1870.
Jackson Co., Iowa 1870
Fred Fischer. Jan 15, 1857
Germany 1876
Carl Herkmier
July 25, 1832
Germany
1854
Clarence Small.
Aug. 8, 1845
New York City
1865
W. C. Morden
Feb. 28, 1841
Jackson Co, Iowa 1841
T. J. Houston.
Dec. 2, 1839
. Ohio 1848
Z M. Holcomb
July 15, 1852. ..
Ohio
1863
Ryan King
Feb. 21, 1833.
Pennsylvania. 1846
G. K. Miller
Mar. 24, 1832.
Pennsylvania
1856
N. J. Rhodes
Apr. 26, 1838.
Pennsylvania 1852
Joseph Brady
Aug. 14, 1838 ..
Pennsylvania 1854
Wm. Keeley
Mar. 29, 1850.
Indiana 1852
Iowa 1858
Mark Stanley
Dec. 25, 1848.
. Oswego, N. Y
.1872
Asa Reel
O:t. 15. 1876. Iowa.
1876
E. D. Hansen
Apr. 26, 1850.
Denmark 1875
Mrs. E. D. Hansen
June 17, 1859. Maquoketa. Iowa
1859
Henry Harrison Oct. 9, 1851 Maquoketa, Iowa 1851
James Hamilton. June 26, 1841. Pennsylvania 1855
David II. Anderson
Virginia 1859
Oscar Edwards
Feb. 26, 1857.
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NAME
BORN
WHERE
CAME TO IOWA
Mary Goodnow-Anderson
Aug. 15, 1846.
Maquoketa, Iowa
1846
Jared Prindle. .July 9, 1824. . . . New York. 1874
Fred Gurius.
Mar. 29, 1840
Germany,
.1857
James Fairbrother Feb. 14, 1847
Jackson Co., Iowa
1847
F. W. Myatt.
July 24, 1867
Jakson Co., Iowa.
1862
Lucy Foster
Apr. 13, 1865.
lowa.
1865
J. N. Nims
July 23, 1846.
Jackson Co., Iowa.
1846
Mrs. J. N. Nims.
July 26, 1862.
.Jackson Co., Iowa
1862
Ed Kulmer.
Oct. 10, 1865
Lee Co., Ill.
1873
W. E. Tubbs
Oct. 1, 1872.
Clinton Co., Iowa
1872
Harvey Reed.
Mar. 30, 1842.
Washington Co., Iowa .1863
N. M. Trumbo.
Nov. 14, 1842
Virginia. 1856
Asa Struble
June 2, 1844.
Ohio.
1852
J. R. Wyrick
Nov. 1, 1836
Wythe, Virginia.
1865
W. E. Potter
May 23, 1850
Jackson Co .. Iowa
1850
W. P. Dunlap.
July 7, 1833.
Rockingham Co., Va.
1858
A. S. Butterworth
Aug. 21, 1858.
Jackson Co., Iowa.
1858
Gideon Ellis.
July 17, 1842
Jefferson Co., N. Y.
1856
James Van Emburg ..
.Sept. 15, 1864,
Alexander Co., Miss
1864
S. H. Bowman
July 8, 1849 ..
Virginia
1851
Robert Ward
.Jan. 1, 1841
England
1852
C. E. Duffin.
Aug. 29, 1849
New York.
.1873
F. J. DeGrush
June 23, 1834.
Little Falls, N. Y ..
1853
Albert Bentley
Oct. 16, 1848
Iowa
1848
David Rhea.
Fec. 18, 1832.
Queen Co., Tenn.
1854
G W Bowman
Mar 3, 1825.
. Rockingham Co., Va
1847
J C Smith
Oct. 10, 1837
Marshall Co, Pa
1852
James Ralston
. March 27, 1844.
. Canada
1870
Mrs. Jerry Prindle ..
June 20, 1840.
Michigan
1855
George Cooper
March 11, 1842
Mrs. Margaret Banghart.
April 20, 1854.
Dubuque Co., Iowa
1854
G. L. Mitchell
June 15, 1858
Jackson Co., lowa
1858
C. F. Barnett.
April 19, 1835
N. Y.
1865
J. A. Buchner.
.Oct. 12. 1856.
Jackson Co., Iowa ..
1856
B. B. Hunter
. May 20, 1876
Jackson Co., Iowa.
1876
B F. Bowman.
May 5, 1847.
Va
1851
Mrs. Eliza Davenport
March 14, 184
N. Y.
1868
Robert Davenport
Sept. 6, 1863
Illinois.
1868
Florence Maskery
.. April 24. 1857.
Jackson Co , Iowa
1857
Martha Van Emburg
Feb. 1, 1814 .
Canada
1856
A. G. Bertelsen
.Jan. 27, 1832 .
. Germany.
1853
Murray Eaton
April 13, 1849 ... Jackson Co., Iowa
1819
Geo. W. Johnson.
April 25, 1838 .... Pa
1838
C. O. Webster
Feb. 19, 1868. . ... Iowa
1868
New York.
1862
H. H. Hutchins
Feb. 29, 1839
Jackson Co., Iowa.
1858
Mrs. Ida Eckles
Oct. 19, 1858
Scotland
1855
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NAME
BORN
WHERE CAME TO IOWA
Chas. Schaffer
.July, 1848
Pa
1869
Clara Schaffer
1864
Iowa
1864
Chas Patterson June 8, 1860
Jackson Co., Iowa.
1860
C. L. Nims 1845
Jackson Co., Iowa .. :1845
Mrs. Margaret Bradley 1845.
Pennsylvania 1871
A. J. Phillips Jan , 1832
Michigan 1837
Mrs. Mary McDonald Oct. 25, 1839
Indiana 1848
Florence McDaniel.
Oct. 1. 1862
Iowa
1862
Mrs. Rose Duke. Mar. 23, 1858. . Iowa
1858
Mrs. Fannie Smith
Apr. 7, 1854
New York 1858
Perry Strayer
1846
Pennsylvania 1874
O W. Joiner June 7, 1839
New York. 1869
Mrs. O. W. Joiner 1852
Geo. H. Reitmeyer
June 28, 1849.
New York 1877
Mark Current.
Aug. 8, 1837
Canada
1849
Mrs. Mark Current
Mar. 19, 1838
Illinois 1843
Mrs. Mary Grant 1822
Canada 1839
L. M. McCreery 1835
New York 1859
Thomas Rannals Jan., 1853
Ohio 1857
Anna Rannals
Dec. 17, 1866
Iowa
1866
R. L Goodenow
Dec, 27, 1820.
New York. 1845
C. L Ripple Nov. 16, 1839
. Pennsylvania
1855
John Anderson Mar. 3 1849
Iowa 1849
A. B. Bowen
. Apr. 12, 1842.
Connecticut 1866
John S. Thompson
Mar. 22, 1830.
. Pennsylvania 1854
Isaac W. Thompson Sept 12, 1860.
Iowa. 1860
Chas. Ellis Nov 21, 1873.
Iowa 1873
England. 1855
Illinois.
1860
Mrs Ben Whitmore. Mar. 25, 1864
Iowa 1864
Silas Barkley June 11. 1853
Indiana 1856
Mrs. Mary Barkley Apr. 19, 1853.
Indiana 1855
G. W, Downing Aug. 31, 1839
Pennsylvania 1853
Mark Gleason Aug. 2, 1845
Ireland 1854
C. L. Woods. .Sept. 8. 1852
Iowa 1852
Frank Gibson
July 31, 1870.
Iowa.
1870
Caroline Brady Dec. 12 1847.
Pennsylvania
1854
Old Settlers' Obituary List
Elizabeth Teters, born in Ohio, April 9, 1828, died in Maquoketa, Aug. 25. 1908. Old Settler.
Jacob Teters, born in Morgan county, Ohio, March 12, 1846, died Aug. 31, 1908. Old Settler.
Alice M. Lowe-Beers, born in Jo Davies county, Ill., May 10, 1856, died Sept 4, 1908.
E. L. Cooley, born in Licking Co , Ohio, Sept 24, 1840, died Oct. 11, 1908.
Mrs. Sarah T. McCarron Nov. 27, 1827
Mrs M J. McCreery
May 10, 1839
Iowa. 1852
idD) ni mod Bryte'E des
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Polina Clary, born in Vermont, Dec. 23, 1825 died Oct. 27, 1908.
Mrs. Sarah Ripple, born in Fayette Co., Pa , March 6, 1848, died Oct. 9, 1908.
Elizabeth Miller Collins, born in Middle Alton, III., Feb. 27, 1838, died Oct .. 17, 1908 A Pioneer.
Mrs. Rosina Rapp, born in Germany Jan. 21, 1824 died November 1908.
Harris P. Morse, bon in Monroe, Michigan, Oct. 1, 1837, died in Ma- quoketa Dec. 1, 1908.
Rachael Hawkins-Turno, born in Indiana Jan. 14, 1839, died in Maquo- keta Nov. 24, 1908.
Mrs. Martha Summers, born in Kentucky in 1832, died in Maquoketa Dec. 6, 1908. A Pioneer.
Mrs. J. E. Goodenow, was born in New York March 9, 1818 died in Maquoketa Dec. 19, 1908. A Pioneer.
Salina Conery, born in Clinton county, Dec. 10, 1861, died in Maquoke- ta Dec. 25, 1908.
William Dennison, born in Leesberg, Pa., June 26, 1833, came to Iowa in 1852, died in Maquoketa Jan. 19, 1909.
John Larkey, born in Jackson county, lowa, Aug. 17, 1859, died in Jack- son county, Jan 17, 1909.
John Parmer, born in Carroll county, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1831, died Jan. 14, 1909. An Old Settler.
John S. Billups was born in Bellevue, Sept. 14, 1837; died in Maquoketa, Feb 9, 1909; was a pioneer of Jackson county, and a veteran of the Civil war.
A. B. Correll was born in Wayne county, Ohio, July 25, 1840; died in Ma- quoketa, Feb. 20, 1909. An Old Settler.
Benjamin H. Wilcox was born in Canada, Dec. 25, 1836; died Mar. 7, 1909. Came to Jackson county, 1840 Pioneer.
Jerusha Kettle Reynolds was born in New York, Mar. 27, 1829; died Mar. 12, 1909. Came to Iowa in 1848.
John H. Morris was born in Circleville, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1834; died Mar. 22, 1909; came to Iowa in 1850. Pioneer.
Mrs. A. B. Correll was born in New York, Mar. 10, 1840; died in Maquoke- ta, Mar. 29, 1909; came to Iowa in 1850 Pioneer.
John M. Fitzgerald was born in Pennsylvania, Mar. 6, 1831; came to Jack- son Co. in 1853; died May 21, 1909; was an old and honored member of this so- ciety and had served as its president.
Martin Lockwood was born in New York in 1836; came to Iowa in 1853; died in Maquoketa, June 1, 1909.
Mrs. Margaret Metheney was born in Ohio in 1826; came to Iowa in 1849, where she lived until 1907, when she went to Draper, S. D., and died there on May 28, 1909. Pioneer.
Mrs. Amanda Summers- Little, a pioneer of Jackson county, died in Ma- quoketa, June 14, 1909; born in Clinton county, Feb. 12, 1843.
Fred O. Davis was born in Jackson county, Mar. 13, 1872; died in Maquo- keta, June 26, 1909.
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HISTORY OF
Financial Report of Old Settlers Picnic Held July 10, 1909.
The following report of the Secretary of the Pioneer and Old Settlers Society, would indicate that the word picnic as applied to the Old Settlers annual gatherings is a misnomer. Facts and figures show that there is very little food brought to those gatherings, and if the Secretary and committees did not furnish the food there would be no dinner to serve. Mr. Ellis says that formerly the members of the Society brought in bountiful supplies of victuals, and all the Secretary had to provide was sugar and coffee, but of late years it has been hard to get enough out of the membership dues to pay the expense for food stuff and hired help and it is evident that the members will have to bring in something to eat, or do away with the dinner part of the program.
July 10 to groceries and dishes at Sanborn's . $ 2 95
printing badges at Sentinel office
1 75
Hamley, meat.
2 50
Tracy, butter
84
Lang, meat
2 25
Gibson, meat
1 40
Th
Haight, bread and pie plates
1 10
by a Mrs. Brady, Committee for kitchen help.
4 25
Yo LI Servatius, ribbon
Fisher, ribbon.
Lamey, ribbon. 1 43
Comstock, ribbon 1 08
Morden, beans 1 00
Lang, pork 60
cleaning dishes, boiler and knives. 2 00
drink
Thay
Total expense. $29 80
Receipts from registration 26 25
$ 3 55
Dray hauling chairs from Harrison's. 10
We the committee appointed to audit the accounts of Secretary J. W. Ellis, have examined same and find them correct as above set forth.
F. W. MYATT. O. J. EDWARDS.
1 50
1 15
J
help on obituary list. 1 00
labor of team for day, Lovelee. 3 00
.
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Hler 38 Here also t
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.
(From the Sabula Gazette of July 22. 1876. )
Fellow Citizens: Your committee to whom was assigned the duty of writing the history of Fairfield township beg leave to present the following :
EARLY HISTORY.
What is known as Fairfield township is congressional township 84 north, range 4 east of the fifth principal meridian. It was let by contract to Col. Thomas Cox, and subdivided into sections by John McDonald, surveyor, lu the year 1837. Under the territorial government of lowa the east half of it was attached to Van Buren township and the west half to Maquoketa town- ship for political purposes. The first Justice of the Peace under this gov- ernment, within its limits was Ephriam Nevil, and the first constable was Enoch Nevil.
It was elected into a Civil Township in 1846 by seven legal voters. The first officers were as follows: Justices of the Peace, Wm. Reed and B. F. Hull; constables, H. M. Reed and J. N. Jones; clerk, Walter Henry; trus- tees, J. B. Rowley, John Scarborough and S. A. Richardson.
ITS NAME.
The name Fairfield was nominated by Benjamin F. Hull, and agreed to by all present. Fair, and adjective, means beautiful, handsome, pleasing to the eye, favorable, open to access. Field means open space for action or opertaion. Fairfield-the best place for man to settle for ease and comfort, with all the conveniencs about him to enable him to become healthy. wealthy and wise.
EARLY SETTLEMENT, INCIDENTS.
John Cox was the first settler. His log cabin was put up by Hugh Neiper and Alex Frazill. (Who came near being poisoned to death from drinking coffee in which it is supposed a spider had been boiled. However, they reached Bellevue after three days weary travel and were restored to health by Dr. Moss. )
In the same year Leonard Hilyard, Joseph and Morris Hilyard and Eph- riam Nevil moved with their families, into the northwest corner of the township.
Here death laid its icy fingers on Elizabeth Hilyard, the mother in Israel of the new settlement, and the first grave in the township was opened for her.
llere the first connubial celebration took place, between Wm. Watkins and the Widow Maxwell, whose husband was killed in the Bellevue war.
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Here also the first child was born in the township, Maggie Cox, who is now 38 years old.
Here also the first sermon was preached, by Bishop Morris, brother of the first deceased. The second sermon was preached by Rev. John Mackin- tyre. When the settlers gathered for worship the men brought their guns along to protect themselves and families from Indians and wild beasts, and set them down outside the door. The preacher thought he would reprove them for their impiety, and took for his text, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Just as he had announced his text a black bear came from the woods and went to the river named after himself. ( Maquoquitois
Black Bear) to slake his thirst. The dogs gave the alarm, the men snatched their guns and made pursuit, and poor Bruin, for his audacity in disturbing public worship, forfeited his peit, his flesh going to satisfy the hunger of those who had lost their spiritual rations through his appearance.
Here also the first religious service was performed at a funeral conduct- ed by J. B. Rowley at the burial of Betsey Hilyard, wife of Morris Hilyard.
Here also the first school was taught, by J. B. Rowley. in 1843.
The next settlement was made by John Holroyd, who is now the oldest settler living in the township,. He left Liverpool the first day of Apri, 1840, (the day of the Bellevue fight) and settled in the southeast corner of the township. After enduring the privations and hardships of pioneer lite, he suffered the loss of seven children and a nephew by a steamboat explos- on when his family were coming to him from England.
Here the first land was entered in the township, Mr. Holroyd and Henry Neurre each taking up an eighty September 8. 1845.
Here a class was formed for religious services in 1851; and in 1853 the Summer Hill school house was built, and a grave yard laid out, the first. person buried in which was a son of James Elwood.
The third settlement was made by Wm. Reed, at the mouth of Rock Creek in 1842.
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