USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 38
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 38
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The township was then organized under the name of Lincoln Township. In the summer of 1861, the first term of school was taught in this township, by Miss Mary F. Galbreath, now Mrs. G. W. Emerson, for which she re- ceived the munificent sum of $8 per month- receiving a two-year old heifer as part pay- ment; in that school there were fourteen pupils on the list, of whom ten were regular attend- ants, only two of whom could read. In the year 1862 Lincoln Township contained thirty- two voters, of whom twenty-four were Repub- lieans and eight Democrats.
The war record of Lincoln Township is an excellent one. Out of an able-bodied popula- tion of abont thirty, seventeen enlisted in their country's service. Thirteen of these were in the Twenty-ninth Iowa.
In 1871 the township was reorganized and madeits present size, a Congressional township.
SPAULDING TOWNSHIP.
This township is the youngest, in point of organization, in Union County. It was for years attached to Donglas Township for elec- tion purposes, and was considered by a majority of the carly settlers to be next to worthless, there not being a stick of natural timber growing within its limits.
667
EARLY AND CIVIL HISTORY.
The first settlement made was by J. D. ' fatal objection. Spaulding to-day may almost Spaulding and E. J. Emmons, who, in the . be called the banner agricultural township in Union County. Containing. as it does, 22,782 acres, we may say what cannot be said of any other township: There is not one square aere of the whole that is not susceptible of casy tillage, which will yield quick and profitable returns.
year 1867, leaving their early homes in New York State, came West. At that time the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad was only completed to Chariton, where they left the cars, journeying by stage to Afton, and af- ter prospecting for some time throughout the numerous townships in Union and adjoining counties, finally decided to buy the northwest quarter of section 11, which they did, in partnership, and commenced improvements. Subsequently Emmons bought Spaulding's interest, who at once improved the south half of section 1.
The other early settlers in this township were George Carter and D. Hodges, on section 29, Bergen, on section 28, Henry Toy and William C. Wood, on section 15, J. R. Powers, on section 10, and J. V. Hoakinson and J. A. Johnson, on section 1. On the completion of the railroad through the county, in 1869, a fresh impetus was given to the settlement of the previously-shunned prairie townships, and township 73, range 31, received its full share of the attention of the new-comers, and in the year following a separate organization was effected, the name being given in honor of the enterprising pioneer in the settlement-J. D. Spanlding.
. At this time lands in this township were worth from $3 to $5 per acre; any quantity of which could be purchased at that figure. At the time J. D. Spaulding bought the north half of section 12 of a party near Afton, for $5 per acre, cash, the seller was so pleased at the sale, at figures above the supposed real value of the land, that he furnished the treats for all the county officers gratis. The land to-day is worth $25 per acre.
1
The first school in the township was taught by Mise Whipple, in Carter's house, on section 29, in 1870, she receiving $30 per month; attendance, eiglit scholars. While entirely destitute of natural growth of timber, which, in the estimation of the first settlers, was a
DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP.
Frank Bruning and Asa Ames came to Un- ion County at the same time, May, 1853. Bruningsettled on the southwest quarter of see- tion 34, and Ames on section 27. In September Samuel Riggs arrived at their shanty. They were not aware of any neighbors nearer than Missouri, except Indians. John Green had a band of Pottawatomics, about 100 braves, on Grand River, ten miles southeast of Afton.
Previous to Bruning and Aines' settling on Thu Matte they had made a selection on Grand River, and, starting from Missouri for their lands, they followed the divide between Platte and Grand Rivers. A very dark night com- ing on they got lost, and in their wanderings fell into Platte River. Coming out, they located as above stated.
Bruning at that time had never seen a map of Iowa, and did not know what county he was in, but was pleased with the country and satisfied to locate here.
On the 12th day of October, 1853, Mr. Riggs commenced work on a cabin of the "Tippecanoe" style, on section 30. HI. Pitman John Snow, Reuben and Malon Riggs came with Riggs and took claims. By February following many others had taken claims; among them were Henry Cline, Jonathan Coons and James Howarl.
Early in March, 1554, Reuben Riggs and Reuben Madden moved into the county, and Madden bought Ames' claim.
Mr. Riggs writes in Colby's Atlas: "When we were here in November we staked out a. road leaving the Mormon trace where Afton now stands. Soon after our return two sur-
66S
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
veyors, from Glen wood, came along surveying a State road from Glenwool to Charhon. At that time there was not even an Indian trail leading east and west; bat there were several running northwest and southeast. They intended to mark out the road so that it could be followed. A few days afterward four travelers undertook to follow the trace, going west past our campabout three o'clock, p. m .; it soon becune very foggy, and they lost their way and wandered around until two o'clock in the morning, when they got back to Platte, a mile below our camp. There one of the party, an old man seventy-two years old, gave ont and said he must rest be- fore he could travel further; he was as com- fortably cared for and bedded as saddle and blankets would allow, and then two of the party started to find our camp, while one ie- mained with the old man and horses. The two came in sight of our camp fire and com- meneed hallooing. We answered them that they had passed our camp the evening before. They at once started back for their horses and companions. On returning, they found that their hallooing had frightened their horses, who had broken loose and run off, and they were left to foot it back to our camp, hungry and very much fatigned. We at once commenced preparing breakfast. We had plenty of corn meal and coffee, but fried all our bacon.
"After breakfast, the proposition was made to get us and our two horses and one of their number to hunt their horses. The morning was still foggy ; on striking the trail we found they had started off at full speed; about ten o'clock the fog blew off and we came in sight of the runaways; they had crossed the ir trail several times, running in a circle; as soon as they discovered us, they were as wild as elks; they were between ns and our camp and rin in that direction, coming up to it; they became ; more taine and we caught them.
1
"The strangers now proposed to stay until the next morning and as ist us in raising our
cabin. We showed them our stock of provi- sions. It was found we had plenty of corn meal and coffee, and some dried fruit, but if they would stay we would send down to neigh- bor Briming's, only eight miles distant, and get some meat. We accordingly started a boy off to Bruning's, on horseback, while We went to putting up house logs. In due time the boy returned, bringing the word that neither Bruning nor Ames had either beef, pork or bacon, but they had just finished dressing two fine coons, and they, with pleas- ure, sent us the best one.
"I mention this incident more to show the fraternal spirit which governed the pioneers in their dealings than for any other purpose. The hardships and privations endured by the first settlers were, in a great measure, modified by an open-hearted liberality, not found in more densely populated communities.
"On the 13th of April, 1954, I moved my family into our log cabin. At that time there were about eight families in what is now Platte Township, but there was no township organization. In June, 1854, we carried a petition to Judge Nun, asking for a township organization, which he granted, and included the whole southwest fourth of the county in one township, which we called "Platte.' The first election was held at the house of HI. Prentice, on the first Monday in August, 1854, at which fourteen votes were cast, and the necessary township officers were elected.
"The next accession to our settlement was Wilham Moore, who settled on section 28; then came 'Unele Jimmy' Lytle, who located on section 17, and the Myers family, on the same seetion, about July, 1554. In August, 1854, a man settled on section 6, who, in the spring of 1855 sold to William H. Terpen- ning.
"In 1857 Piatte Township was reorganized, taking from her territory township 72, 30, now Highland; 71, 30, now Grant; and in 1860 Douglas Township was organized. The writer of this sketch carried the petition for
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EARLY AND CIVIL HISTORY.
organization to the then county judge, Hon. J. W. MeDill. who grante I the prayer of the petitioners, and as no name was indicated, the Judge conferred the responsibility of chris- tening the new township upon the writer, who unhesitatingly named it Douglas, in honor of Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois. At the first election but seven votes were cast, to wit: J. S. Lytle, Robert Davis, D. M. and Samuel Riggs, William II. Terpenning, Thomas and William Morrow ; and, for four years subsequently, the vote did not exceed fourteen at any election.
"The first years we were here, we had either to go to Compton's, near . Winterset, or to Haleyville, Page County, to get milling done, except that a small mill at Petersville would crack corn for ns, provided we had any to crack.
"Blacksmiths were scarce ; Frank Bruning had a few tools and, with a black ont ting for a shop, and a rude forge, improvised for the occasion, he sharpened our plows and shod our horses for us, as necessity compelled us to patronize him.
"The first school-house in this part of the county was erected in 1855, on Reuben Madden's land, and was built of logs. It was probably more highly appreciated than are the commodious and attractive school buildings of to day.
"The settlements during the years 1855-'6 were quite rapid on Platte -- Joseph Roberts, B. R. Baker, James Wisherd, the Blisses, E. Orr, and others.
"The writer was the first justice of the peace in the west part of the county, being commissioned in 1854.
" The first saw. mill was a portable one, and was located on section 10, and was built by Terpenning & Company, in the summer of 1955. They completed their mill, sawed some, quarreled more, and spent more money at the law than they made at the saw.
"The first school-house in Donglas Town- ship was a frame, 18 x 26, bnilt of native Inmber, sawed on Sharp's Mill, in Ringgold County, and was located on section 30. The first teacher was Miss Mary Lambert. Re- ligious meetings were not of frequent oc- enrrence at our first settlement, but only occasionally an itinerant preacher would call the few neighbors together and preach to them. The first sermon was preached in this township by Isaac Sidwell, at the house of the writer, in 1355; the next was by Moses Case, in 1861, at the school-house.
" The first store in Douglas Township was started by Lemon & Cresswell, in Cromwell. November, 1868; they were soon followed by J. C. Williams, in January, 1860."
Good fortune and natural advantages to- gether have given to Douglas the largest city in Southwestern Jowa, except Council Bluff's. Creston has grown up on wild prairie in seventeen years.
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP.
The first breaking was done in this town- ship in 1831, by John Thompson and A. : Beals, who improved the west half of section 35, township 72, range 30, which is how owned by P. L. Harsh and Henry Vincent. The same fall Abraham Myers located on
"The first postoffice in the west part of the county was established in 1854, S. M. Riggs, postmaster. A mail route was established from Pisgah to Glenwood the same year, and the writer was the contractor for the mail ; the cast half of section 17, where he com- service on the route, which was carried weekly, . meneed to build a log house, but before the url supplied the offices at Aften, Platte, roof was on he was taken sick, and just six weeks after he located here he was called Scioly, White Cloud, Indian Creek and Glen- wood; the distance was one hundred miles, ; away to his long home, leaving his widow and not a bridge the entire distance, and very , and two sous strangers in a strange land to little road.
! buffet the trials and p.ivations of pioneer life.
670
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
After the first shock of the terrible bereave- ment was over, the widow and sons decided to remain on and improve the farm, which they accordingly did, and for many years they, in connection with their farming, pro- vided entertainment for travelers, many of whom found a welcome shelter beneath their roof.
In the fall of 1855 Dr. J. A. Day came to Union County, and in the spring following he built a house in the then thriving village of Highland, where for eight years he was post- master, and for a longer period kept the Highland House, where travelers were aeens- tomed to refresh the inner man. At the same time, while improving a farm, he was engaged in the practice of his profession, riding for a distance of twenty miles south and west. In 1856 Matthew A. and Joseph R. Day improved the northwest quarter of section 27
In the year 1857 Benjamin Wray, then a young man, with his wife and family, settled in Highland Township. With limited means, but with stout hands and willing heart, he commenced improving a farm on the north- east of section 29.
The same year James Lamb improved the northwest quarter of section 23. In 1858 John D. Wright improved the northeast quarter of section 23, and the same year other improvements were made in the township.
In the years 1854-'5-'6 the elections for Platte Township, which embraced the present townships of Platte, Grant, Highland and Douglas, were held at a log house of Middle Platte. March 2, 1537, Highland Township was organized, and the first election was held that year at the house of HI. Prentice.
In the winter of 1855 and 1856 Messrs. Wright and Clark, owners of land on section 25, conehuled to lay out a town and work for the removal of the county seat from Atton to . their town, which was somewhat nearer the center of the county, and was, as they claimed, & incel more sightly location.
Accordingly. Highland was platted, and interested parties at onee commenced doing the talking necessary to secure the re-location of the county seat, and the consequent pros- perity of the new aspirant for legislative honors. So strong indeed were the argu- ments and influences which were brought to bear for the attainment of that end, that a thriving village was soon built and the pros- peets for the successful accomplishment of the purpose were very flattering. The ques- tion of removal was submitted to a vote of the people on the first Monday in April, 1857, in which contest Afton was victorious, though by a majority of onty fifteen. From that time the fortunes of Highland began to wane and the town soon after became defnnet, and is now embraced in J. A. Day's farmn.
Educational interests were not neglected during the exciting times of the county-seat warfare. The first school in the township was taught by William Brinkerhoff, in the summer of 1856; twenty-five scholars were in attendance, and in the following winter the number increased to thirty-five. In the sum- mer of 1857, a new school-house was built at a cost of $1,500, which was by far the finest building in the county. From seven to nine months' school were taught each year in it until 1874, when it was sold and ceased to be used for educational purposes.
The citizens of Highland held their first Fourth of July celebration in 1856. On th s occasion Jonathan lekis read the Declaration of Independence, and the orator of the day was a young law student, James G. Day. since a member of the Supreme Bench of Iowa.
Religious services ore hell in the township by the Presbyterians, Methodists and also by the Congregationalists, who have a beautifi.l house of wor hip oa section 32, the site being donated to them by the late Mrs. Troyer.
Geographically Highland is favorably situated, being midway between Afton and Creston, insuring a good market for farm pro-
+ 4.4
EARLY AND CIVIL, HISTORY.
Juce at either point. The south half of the township is very fine farming land and i, generally well improved. The northern por- tion is somewhat broken and the land is much of it undesirable for tillage.
The county poor farm is located on sec- tion 12.
UNION TOWNSHIP
is one of the center townships in the conuty, containing the county seat, Afton, and is the second in the county in wealth and popu- lation.
The general surface features of Union are not specially noteworthy. A large propor- tion of its land is rolling and broken, the creeks of Twelve-Mile, Three-Mile, One-Mile, Star Branch and Indian Creek running diag- onally across the township. Notwithstanding this fact, the greater proportion of its land is owned by residents, many of whom settled here at an early day from enoice, selecting farms here rather than the smooth prairie more remote from the timber lands.
The first houses built within the limits of Union Township were two log-cabins on sec- tion 14, by John Edgecomb and Samuel Starr, in 1852. Edgecomb was a man of consider- able prominence in the early days of the connty. In the autumn of 1853 James Thompson settled here; also James Husband, who came to Petersville, and after staying a winter there, he, in 1854, located on section 36, where he entered land and built a log cabin, 18 x 20, one-story high, into which he moved his family as soon as completed. About the same time Joe Peck and family settled on section 8.
At this time the town of Petersville, on Grand River, was flourishing, and for a time was the seat of justice in the county. The assembly convened at Iowa City in 1553, having appointed a commission consisting of A. J. Hanscomb, of Pottawatomie, Colonel Mills, of Cass, and Lewis F. Perry, of Clarke counties, "to locate the county seat of Union
County as near the geographical center as a snitable site can be found." The question as to where the commission would locate was anx- iously discussed, and, in anticipation of their action, the town of Afton was laid ont in 1854 by E. A. Temple, of Chariton. The commis- sion appointed in 1853 never met, and at the next biennial session of the Legislature an- other was appointed, consisting of George A. Hawley, of Decatur, S. S. Walker, of Lucas, and Adrian Miller, of Adair, who, on the 15th day of February, 1855, met and located the county seat of Union County at Afton, which at that time contained no buildings whatever.
In addition to those already named among the settlers in 1551 were N. Thompson and Oliver Mills. About this time came, also, John D. Wright, a man of fair education, good business qualifications, and was consid- cred a valuable accession. By profession a surveyor and civil engineer, he had abundant opportunity to employ his time in surveying. Hle was appointed postmaster of the Pisgali postoffice, and removed the same to his house on section 26, where it remained for some months. In 1854 also eame James Mc Young, John Iekis, John McClanahan, who, with their families, settled in the township. David Fife, of St. Charles, Madison County, built the first house in Afton, in April, 1855, a log structure, 20 x 20, one-story, with two windows, clapboard roof and batten doors, situated in the southwest part of town, on lot 519. When the roof was half on tie moved his family tad a small stock of groceries into this house of a single room, and commenced retailing goods.
The next house was built by Elbert I.I. Smith, on the north half of the northeast quarter of section 21, adjoining the town plat.
Next William Collings built a plank cabin, 10 x 12. This also was a one-room, ouc- story building, but over the door was a shingle with the word "Entertainment," painted in prominent letters.
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
JONES TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated on the east line of Union County, and central from north to south, being 72 north, range 28 west, and is the oldest settled township in the county. It was here that the Mormons made their tem- porary sojourn, from 1816 to 1832, and their "Big Field," as it was called, which com- prised parts of sections 7, 8, 16, 17 and 18. containing about 1,400 acres of land, was situated within its limits. It was inclosed on the north and cast siles with a good fence of rails and poles, while the west and south portions were protected by Grand River, which was its boundary.
Before the last of the Mormons left, other settlers began to put in an appearance, and as any improvement was better than none at all. these new comers bought up the Mormon claims, and proceeded to make further prepa- ration for permanent settlement.
The first settlers to arrive, other than the Mormons, were Norman Nun and Joseph B. Nun, who emigrated in 1848, from Putman County, Indiana, to Madison County, Iowa, where they remained for two years, and came to Union County in 1850. They bought Mor- mon claims on section 8 (Mt. Pisgah), and planted a crop at once. The same month James Il. Stark came from Mahaska County with a team of horses, and bought a claim on this section.
one child, and, following the example of the | Jones Township we may name E. Dye, Jacob
On the 23d of May, 1850, William M. Lock (" Uncle Billy ") arrived at Pisgah with his family, consisting of himself, wife and few who had preceded him, he also bought a 1 shanty on section. 8. and occupied it at once, where, in August following, was born the first 1 child in the county, Charles Lock, who died, however, before attaining the years of man- hool.
Edgecomb settled in this neighborhood. Henry Peters settled on the land now owned by L. G. Williamson, and started a town called Petersville. Here, in the fall of 1:52, - the first election in the county was held, and ten votes were polled. W. M. Lock was elected justice of the peace, and Ambrose Nun, constable; but both parties failing to qualify, the election proved a nullity. In 1851 Pisgah postoffice was established, W. M. Lock being the first postmaster. In the year 1853 John Edgecomb received the ap- pointment of organizing sheriff of the county, and under his warrant an election was held at Pisgah -- the offices to be filled being county judge, clerk and sheriff.
Notwithstanding the insignificant number of voters, there were two parties and two can- didates for judge-Norman Nun and W. M. Lock; Nun being successful, receiving six votes to Lock's fonr.
The issue was "To organize " or "Not to organize, " and Nun, being opposed to organ- ization, affirmed that if elected he would not qualify, thus saving the expense of paying the county officers; but after the election the seductive charms of office were too much for his pledges, and accordingly, on taking the oath, he wasregularly installed as county judge.
He held court in his house at Petersville, which for the time being was the county seat, and contained the only store, mill or black- smith's shop in the county. At this election Henry Peters was elected sheriff and Joseph W. Ray, clerk .. Of the other carly settlers of Evans, John Doner, II. A. and R. A. Botle- man, MeDonald, Stithem, Campbell, J. and HI. Weber, W. H. H. Rogers, James and Ashford Read, the Bishops, I. K. White, Stephen White, J. S. Power, J. and J. S. Lefavre, S. C. Messenger, W. C. Chaney, HI Jones, Jacob Elliott, Cunningham, H. Stark,
During the year 1851 there does not seem to have been any accessions; but in 1952 : D. C. Lowe, J. Buskirk, Jackson and A. B. John Van Horn, Luke Shay, Henry Peters, ! Brown. There are probably others, also. James A. Forgey, Samnel Starr and Jolin , whose names have been overlooked.
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EARLY AND CIVIL HISTORY.
673
The general features of the township, as re- gards surface, etc., are somewhat varied, Through the center of the township, on the divide between Grand River and Four-Mile . Creek, is a stretch of fine rolling prairie nearly all of which is in enltivation, and dotted with farm-houses, groves and orchards. Along Grand River bottoms are some of the best farms in the county, while the blufi's are rough and generally unimproved. On the east side of the township there is also much broken and brushy land, more desirable for grazing than for tillage. The township is exceedingly well watered.
Quarries are located near the southwes, corner of the township, which furnish an abundance of stone. Timber is plentiful, wood being used for fuel by the majority of the inhabitants.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP,
which is situated on the southeast corner of Union, adjoining Clarke and Ringgold coun- ties, is, perhaps, in some respects, more highly favored than any of her sister townships.
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