USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 12
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 12
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
Tempest Lodge, No. 164, K. of P., was organ- ized in June, 1886. George Hale is P. C .; Ren. Stewart, C. C .; E. N. DeWitt, V. C .; O. C. House, K. of R. & S .; Wal. Stewart, Prel .; Henry Garside, M. at A .; John Kel- ly, M. of F .; Richard Metters, M. of E .: J. J. Truman, I. G .; Lou Stewart, O. G. The lodge has fifteen members, and meets every Thursday evening.
Lodge No. 72, A. H. T. A., has twenty-six members, and meets the first Saturday of cach month, at Tingley. George Swain is President ; J. S. Avenill, Vice-President ; J. S. Williams, Secretary ; Andrew Stephen- son, Financial Secretary; Jacob Frane, Treasurer.
The business firms of October, 1886, are : George Swain, J. Haver & Co., Jones & Wilcox and T. A. Fisher, general mer- chandise; J. M. Dunbar, clothing ; J. R. Stewart, jewelry ; Taylor & Swain and Garside & Son, hardware; R. W. Selby & Co. and T. P. Asbury, drugs ; House & Carney, farm implements ; E. N. De Witt and Peter Smith, livery; Charles Carmichael, meat market; E. M. Stevens, restaurant ; Mrs. Sadie Johnson, millinery ; D. B. Alley and McClaskey & Wines, barbers; John Wines, shoe shop ; John Rowell, harness ; A. A. Elder, furniture : Willis Karr, Pacific Hotel; Estell & Metters, contractors and builders; Levi Coon, blacksmith ; C. H. Ennis, lumber; George Hale, station agent; J. J. McCreight, grain buyer ; Levi How- land & Co., poultry buyers ; E. C. Edging- ton, sewing machines ; Mrs. E. C. Edging- ton, dressmaker.
REDDING.
Redding. in Clinton Township, istwelve miles from Mt. Ayr, on the Grant City :
Quincy Railroad. It was laid out in Isso, by a town company composed of railroad capitalists. J. W. Crouch built. the first house, which is now the Redding Hotel. Immediately after, and all about the same time, Wilson & Conine built a store, W. C. Wilson a dwelling, N. B. Allen a restaurant, Watson a store, Al. Silvers a store, George Dennis a blacksmith shop, and Oliver Wool- inan a wagon shop. The village obtained most of its growth the first year. By IS82 the population was 300, and the village was incorporated. The officers for 1886 are : Mayor, L. P. Milburn ; Council, W. E. Lawhead, Loren Gee, Thomas Demcy, F. M. Wisdom, Milton Sullivan and Joseph Allbec : Recorder, J. M. Baird ; Attorney, F. M. Wisdom; Marshal, J. M. Baird ; Treasurer, J. T. Bernard. In 1884 the vil- lage met with two serious reverses, in the shape of fires. The first, in April, de- stroyed five buildings at the northwest cor- ner of the square. July 5, following, the whole north side was swept away, includ- ing William Anthony's general store, P. B. France's general store, B. J. Conine's hotel, Samuel Warden's dwelling, C. S. Pugsley's general store, G. M. Smith's grocery and hardware store and D. W. Poor's grocery. The business portion of the village has been partially rebuilt, but the population is less than formerly. The State census of 1885 gave it 210 ; they claim 250 now.
The business firms of ISS6 are: P. B. France, J. M. Smith, D. M. Smith and lluggins, Saville, Lawhead & Co., general stores ; J. T. Bernard, lumber and furniture; E. Russell, drugs ; Dennis & Castillo, black- smiths; P. Moler, grocery ; George Hunts- inan, livery : D. Martin, Union Hotel ; Joseph Shaw, Redding Hotel; W. T. Smith, livery ; J. W. Crouch, postmaster ; Henry H. Rokes, harness; M. T. Falkner, station agent.
Two papers have been published at Red-
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HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
ding. The Reporter was started in 1885, by F. M. Wisdom, and run for a few months. The Independent was started in December, 1885, by Burrell & Noble. The latter with- drew after a time, and again, later, Clay- burg Brothers became proprietors. The paper suspended in the summer of 1886. It was independent in politics, and pub- lished on Thursdays, at a $1.50 per year.
The only lawyer who has lived and prac- ticed at Redding was George Spence, who was here two or three years. He went to Dakota in 188.4.
The first physician here was Thomas Kenworthy, who lived near the village site when the latter was selected. He soon moved to Oregon. H. C. Dukes was here a year or so ago and then went to Clarke County. Dr. McLean was here one year and then went to Missouri. The present physicians are A. E. King, Thomas II. Humphrey and W. E. Lawhead.
The Methodist church at this place was built in the spring of 1884, at an expenditure of about $1,200. The society is an old one, and formerly worshiped in the school- house south of Redding. Services are held in this church nearly every Sunday, by one denomination or another. Rev. Withers preaches here for the Methodists, and Rev. Golding for the Missionary Baptists. D. W. Poor conducts the Sunday-school, the usual attendance of which is seventy-five.
Thomas Huston Post, No. 51, G. A. R., was organized in March, 1883, with Will- iam Anthony as Commander; A. Amick, as Adjutant ; L. W. Parsons, Officer of the Day and S. Oliver, Quartermaster. The
W. Athey, Quartermaster-Sergeant. The membership is now thirty. Meetings are held on Friday evening on or before each full moon.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Cold Water Army are the only other organizations that are active. A lodge of Good Templars was here, but is now defunct.
GOSHEN.
Goshen is situated a mile and three-quar- ters west of the west fork of the Grand, and two miles and three-quarters east of Platte River. It is twelve miles from Mt. Ayr, and is on the Humeston & Shenan- doah Railroad. The population is about 150. The name of " Goshen " was selected by Henry Stahl, who settled in Ringgold Coun- ty in 1856, and was from Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana. The first postmaster was Michael Stahl, who served until 1881, keep- ing the office in his dwelling. In that year the railroad came through the northern part of the county, and a station was estab- lished in the southeast corner of Grant Township. To this station the name pre- viously in use for the country postoffice was now given. There are now two gen- cral stores, one hardware store, one lumber yard, postoffice, two blacksmith shops, one hotel and the Methodist church. J. T. Todd built the first general store, and was postmaster until 1883. B. F. Talley suc- ceeded him in this position, and held it until relieved by the Democratic administra- tion, in the spring of 1886. The hard- ware store was formerly kept by Hartman Brothers. The firm name is now Hartman
officers for 1886 are: M. A. Waugh, ; & Bailey. D. D. Pratt and Pratt have the Commander ; D. W. Poor, Senior Vice- , two general stores; L. L. Bauman the lum- Commander; I. T. Owens, Junior Vice- , ber yard ; Miller Brothers buy grain, and Commander ; Rev. William Golding ; G. W. Morrison is proprietor of the hotel. preacher was J. E. Evans. First trustees : and John Bently. Chaplain ; A. Amick, Adjutant; David | The church was built in 1882. The first Hillhouse, Officer of the Day ; J. T. Meda- ris, Quartermaster ; F. M. Oliver, Officer : 1. A. Tulley, D. E. Bement, A. M. Bentley of the Guard ; J. P. Parker, Surgeon ; J.
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VILLAGES.
WIRT.
When the Humeston & Shenandoah Rail- road came through the county Dr. John Davis and Abner Goodell desired a station. The railroad company at first refused, but yielded when Dr. Davis gave the company the right of way for about two miles. They agreed togive a switch for this. In March, ISS2, Dr. Davis, at Dayton, Ohio, sold his interests to the company, and Mr. Goodell soon after did the same, on condition that the embryo village be given as full facilities as other stations. Goodell and Davis had platted twenty-eight acres north of the track. In 1884 a few lots were surveyed south of the track. Mr. Goodell acts as agent for the town company.
Before the survey of the village, even, Cochran & Le Fever built a store and be- gan the sale of general mercandise. They were in business from July, ISSI, to Janu- ary, ISS2, and then failed. Hughey & Son bought the store. The second mercantile establishment was opened by David New- ton & Son, from Hopeville.
The nearest postoffice was Union Hill, three miles northeast. William Cone was postmaster. The office was moved to Wirt, and the name of the latter adopted, and F. E. Newman appointed postmaster. The present incumbent, Mrs. Wisteria House, succeeded him, in January, 1885.
A fine two-story frame school-house was finished in January, 1886, at a cost of about $2,000. School is taught for nine months, and two teachers are employed. These arc, for 1886-'7, F. R. Porter and Louie Camp- bell. The enrollment of the school is about sixty. The present School Board is com- posed of W. H. Waller, President ; J. M. Hughey and James Baker. James Baker is Secretary, and Abner Goodell, Treasurer.
to the Newes. The last proprietor was John Thrall, who ceased publication in 1884.
The first physician here was named Lloyd. He remained a year or so and then went to Dakota. He was succeeded by J. P. Max- well, who is yet in practice. Rev. F. S. Lock is both a minister and a physician.
The Evangelical church of this place was organized some ten years ago, and met in various school-houses. In 1883 they built a good white frame house of worship at Wirt, at a cost of $1,600. Rev. Worth preaches every Sunday. Frank Newman is superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Banner Lodge, No. 437, A. F. & A. M., was organized at Grand River, in 1882, and moved to Wirt in July, 1886. The present officers are : H. B. Brothers, Worshipful Master : J. P. Maxwell, Senior Warden ; J. W. Johnson, Junior Warden ; Henry Wal- ler, Secretary ; Henry Stanley, Treasurer. The lodge meets on Friday evening on or before each full moon.
A lodge of the Anti-Horse Thief Associ- ation meets monthly, alternately at Wirt and at the Ozier school-house.
Following are the business firms of 1886 : Hughey & Son, general store and creamery: A. M. Bruce is manager of the creamery ; M. Buck & Son, hardware; Mrs. Wisteria House, postmistress ; F. E. Newman, gro- cery and notions; Oliver Scott, general store; W. H. Waller, grocery and meat- market : A. J. IIess, Ohio House; F. F. Hlouke, blacksmith ; W. L. Embree, lui- ber; C. F. Cone, blacksmith ; A. J. Hess, livery; C. A. Jackson, station agent ; Will- iam House, barber.
BEACONSHIELD.
This is a station on the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad, and was laid out as a village by a town company in ISSI. It has one store and postoffice, blacksmith shop,
The Wasp was a paper published by a man named Noah, for about six months. He sold to John Abrams, who changed the name | grocery and United Brethren church.
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IHISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
DEL.PHOS.
This little village is on the Grant City Branch. between Mt. Ayr and Redding, five miles from the latter and eight from the former. It was platted in 1880, by the rail- road company, and Frank Jordan was the first to locate here, putting up a residence and blacksmith shop. M. Rush was the first merchant. There are now three stores, kept by J. W. Bowman, M. Rush and M. Evans. I. M. Long has an elevator, M. Ilarrington a blacksmithy, T. Bolt a wagon shop, and D. Schlappie a hotel. Frank Leaton is postmaster, and [W. HI. Palmer is station agent. The Baptists have a church here, erected in 1883, at a cost of $Soo. Services are held every two weeks, by Rev. Wilham Golding, of Red- ding.
RINGGOLD CITY
was laid out in 1855 by Sanford Harrow, who started a general store and did a very extensive business for a number of years. The credit system, however, caused his final failure. A postoffice was established here in 1858, which has been maintained since. There was a store here until four or five years ago, but now there is nothing in the way of business-only three or four farm houses. The site is on section 28, Lott's Creek Township.
CALEDONIA.
This village was also laid out in 1855, by Peter Walters, and a postoffice established soon after. Walters was postmaster until his death, some years later. There have usually been two stores here. . They are now owned by Andrew Foster and G. S. Moore. There is also a harness shop and blacksmith shop. Caledonia is on section 11, Lott's Creek Township. Some of the first settlers of Ringgold County located in this vicinity.
LESAN.
This is a station on the Grant City Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, five miles east of Mt. Ayr. There is no side track here, and no village. There is a combined residence, store and post- office. Arthur Lesan sells merchandise here on commission for George A. Slentz, of Mt. Ayr.
OTIIER PLACES.
Kew is a station and postoffice on the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad. Wil- son Dunlap has the store and postoffice. There are two or three residences. Eugene is a postoffice northeast of Kew, and con- tains two residences. James Milligan has the store and postoffice. Blackmore, Clip- per, Ingart, Maloy, Mortimer, Riley and Thomas are postoffices, some in farm houses, and some at solitary stores.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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TAMES BIRNEY HIARSHI was born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 8, 1845. He was named for James G. Bir- ney, of Michigan, candidate of the Abolition- ists for President, in 1840, and again in 1844. IIe retained the initial letter "G" in his name until after his tenth year, when he dis- continued its use as a part of his name. His mother's uncle, Francis J. Le Moyne, of Pennsylvania, was the candidate for Vice- President on the ticket with Mr. Birney, which fact doubtless had something to do with the selection of the name.
While James was yet a prattling child his father, Daniel Harsh, died. Soon after his father's death his widowed mother moved to Burean County, Illinois. The family con- sisted of the mother, five boys and two girls. The country was new and the schools poor, but the subject of this sketch managed to acquire a fair education. He, in common with other boys in the neighborhood, worked on the farm in summer and attended the dis- trict school in winter. At the age of sixteen he taught a term of school, and thereafter made teaching his principal business during the fall and winter months, and was employed at farin work in the spring and summer.
While yet in his teens and as soon as his age entitled him to do so, he enlisted as pri- vate in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer
Infantry. He was mustered out as Orderly Sergeant with his company in September, 1865, and immediately resumed teaching school. He had made teaching his business principally to allow himself the opportunity of pursuing certain studies. It was his habit to devote all of his leisure time during a term of teaching to the close study of some of the higher branches of an English education. So successful had he thus been in acquiring knowledge contained in books that his serv- ices were sought by the trustees and school directors of the best schools in the towns and villages. Desiring to further improve his mind he entered Lombard University, at Galesburg, Illinois. This institution was, and is, one of the most desirable places for higher education to be found in the West. Having finished the studies he desired to pursue at the university, he sought and obtained em- ployment in a commercial school of that city. The school had but a limited patronage, but where known was recognized as one of the best of its class. Mr. Harsh at this time con- ceived the idea of making a business of this kind of school work for a few years to enable him to support himself while engaged in the study of law.
Acting on this idea, he founded what was then, and is still, known as "The Western Business College." The small school before named was merged in the new institution, a
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
competeut force of instrnetors employed and a system of advertising inaugurated that brought students from all parts of the coun- try. To give an idea of the importance of the school and the character of the work it is only necessary to state that during the school year 1867-'S there were upon the rolls the names of 1,332 students, and the graduates readily found positions in the stores and banks not only of Galesburg but wherever the school was known. During the time Mr. Harsh was president of the Western Busi- ness College he prepared and published: "Harsh's Bookkeeper's Mannal " and " Harsh's Business Arithmetic," works which are still in nse. Incidentally it may be men- tioned that more than a score of his former students are citizens of Union and adjoining connties.
In the early part of 1869, Mr. Harsh re- signed his position in the college to accept a position in the office of E. C. & C. L. David- son, private bankers and land brokers, at a salary of $2,000 per annum. At the time Creston was laid out he became acquainted with the future prospects of the embryo city and determined to locate at this point. Ac- cordingly, he arranged his affairs and set his face toward Union County, Iowa. He arrived at Afton in the last days of the year 1870, only to find that the fire which had burned the railroad depot the night before had consumed all his household goods and his private and law libraries, as well as his wearing apparel, except that contained in two trunks. A telegram was handed him offering him his former situation at increased salary. Before him was the bleak, frozen prairie and strangers; behind him the warm, snug, cozy suite of offices at Galesburg, with an assured income. A few hours were spent in consulta- tion with his plucky wife (his family at this time consisted of his wife and one child, hay- ing been married something over a year) and the decision was reached that "they had come to Union County to stay." Ile imine-
diately opened a land office in Creston under the style and firm name of J. B. Harsh & Co. At that time it was the generally-ac- eepted opinion that the land around Creston was of interior quality. Mr. Harsh had pre- viously satisfied himself that the soil was of excellent quality and unsurpassed as grass and farming land. Ile at once set about changing public opinion. He advertised ex- tensively and conducted a voluminous cor- respondence. Ilis wide personal acquaintance in Illinois and the reputation he had ac- quired through his school throughout the Northwest enabled him to reach the ears and get the attention of many persons contem- plating moving West. He attracted hun dreds to this locality and settled them upon the farms they now occupy. As a result there are but few tracts of land within a radins of twenty miles of Creston that have not at one time or another passed through his hands. Nor did he confine his operations to farm lands. He has been instrumental in laying out and selling eleven additions to- Creston, and thus became as well acquainted with the inhabitants of the tewn as with the citizens of the surrounding country. " He has helped many a man to a home " is a saying of him, heard many times by the writer hereof.
He was admitted to the bar of Union County soon after becoming a resident, and enjoyed for many years a large and lucrative law practice. It was his intention, when he came to Iowa, to make this his exclusive business, but eirenmstances decreed other- wisc. In 1874 be opened, in connection with Mr. M. T. Perrin, a private bank under the firm name of Harsh & Perrin, bankers and land brokers. After two or three years he bought his partner's interest, and the busi- ness was continued under the firm name of J. B. Harsh & Co. In December, 1832, the private bank was merged into The Creston National Bank, with Mr. Harsh at its head, At this date, August, 1856, J. B. Harsh is
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
known in business and social circles as fol- lows: President of the Creston National Bank; president of the Creston Loan & Trust Co .; president of the Creston Library Asso- ciation; president of the Association of Veterans of Southwestern Iowa and North- western Missouri; editor of the Creston daily and weckly Gazette; and treasurer of the Union County Coal and Gas Mining Company. Many of the above institutions were founded by him, notably the Creston Gazette, which was started as a weekly news- paper, in 1873.
In publie matters Mr. Harsh has ever beeu prominent and public-spirited. His voice and influence have always been on the side of law and order. He held the office of justice of the peace during the pioneer days of Creston, and did much to organize society and lift it above the lawlessness and Sabbath- breaking so common in new communities. During his first term as mayor of Creston the present fire department was organized, and the Babcock fire extinguisher pur- chased. The high license, which was in vogne before the present prohibitory law, was also a measure of his creation during that time. Though an ardent prohibitionist in principle he became convinced that high license for that time and people was the best thing obtainable, and the liquor and billiard license was fixed at $1,000 per annum. Sneceeding city administrations increased the sum until $1,600 was reached, which is be- lieved to have been the highest in the world. When, however, the hour came to act on prohibition as a State measure, Mr. Harsh voted and worked for it, as he afterward gave of his influence, money and voice to enforce it. In 1882 he was again called to the may- oralty against his expressed inclinations and wishes. On the occasion of his last election he received a greater majority than did his opponent, though his competitor was a popular-justly so-and distinguished citi- zen. It was conceded that the year was
signalized by work of unprecedented mag- nitade. The finances of the city were put on a firm basis, and the debt funded at a lower rate of interest. Provision was made for effectual quarantine against contagious diseases; water mains and hydrants so placed and provided with water as to protect the city from fire; a safe, healthy place for petty criminals seenred; the city surveyed and grade established, most of the streets in bus- iness portion placed at grade; new laws en- acted. arranged and indexed, and a system of municipal bookkeeping provided. Ile was a member of the School Board of Creston for a number of years, and lent valuable aid in forming the present course of study. He resigned as a member of the Board of Edu- cation so soon as he felt that the schools were on a firm and enduring basis.
Mr. Harsh was married July 1, 1869, to Miss Anna E. Slater, daughter of Dr. S. D. Slater, of Galesburg, Illinois. They have living, a son, Samuel D., and a daughter, Grace S .; a younger daughter, Clara, dicd at the age of four years. Mr. Ilarsh is a mem- ber of the Masonic order and of the Grand Army of the Republic. In polities he is a Republican. In religion he is a Universal- ist, he and his estimable wife both being members of the First Universalist Church of Galesburg, Illinois, with which they have never severed their connection for the reason that there has been no church of that denomination in their present place of resi- dence. Mr. Harsh has a pleasant home at the corner of Pine and Fremont streets in Creston.
OIIN J. THOMPSON, a prominent farin- er and stock-raiser of Jones Township, resides on section 31, where he owns 400 acres of well-cultivated land. Ile was born in Parke County, Indiana, October 22, 1836. IIis father, Nathaniel Thompson, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, Lncy (Jones)
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Thompson, of Virginia. She died when he was but a year old. He was brought up on the farm, aud when he attained the age of sixteen years, he accompanied his father and stepmother to Wapello County, Iowa, where they remained one year, when they settled in Union County. His father died in 1864. Mr. Thompson was married in 1860, in Afton, to Miss Melissa J., daughter of Benjamin and Melinda Shepard, natives of Ohio. Mr. Thompson and his wife are members of the Evangelical church; he is a Democrat, and has held most of the school and township offices, and has also been a di- rector of the Agricultural Society. IIc is es- teemed as a social gentleman, an enterprising and successful farmer and a valuable citizen. His seven children, six of whom are living, -- Lizzie, deceased; Malinda A., George N., Emma M., Estella M., Hattie L. and Morris C.
FILLIAM N. KELLEY, dry-goods merchant, Creston, Iowa, settled here
S in 1874, and engaged in the merean- tile trade with Mr. Becker, now of the Sum- mit House, as partner, the firm being Kelley & Becker. In 1879 Mr. Kelley purchased Mr. Becker's interest and condueted the busi- ness alone, successfully, two years. In 1SS1 Mr. Hopkins became a partner, and the firm name was Kelley & Hopkins. At the expira- tion of about two years this partnersbip was dissolved, and Mr. Kelley again resumed business alone. IIe was compelled to start on a small scale, but his experience had been of great value to him. IIe is active and energetic, and possesses a thorough knowl- edge of the business in which he is engaged. Ile believes in liberal, judicions advertising; his store is a model for neatness, order and system. His location is on North Maple Street, Nos. 122 and 124. le first opened his business on Pine Street, and still owns the building he ocenpied there. He built that portion of the brick block on Maple Street
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