USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 39
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 39
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An abundance of timber is found along the course of Grand River and Twelve-Mile, con- sisting largely on the uplands of white and borr oak and hickory, and on the bottoms of cottonwool, elm, walnut, hackberry, ash and sycamore.
Searcely less valuable to the permanent settler are the fine quarries of limestone, which crop out in many places, furnishing an abundant supply of stone for building; anl other purposes, and which are already being largely utilized by those living adjacent.
Its settlement antedates that of any other township, except Jones, and is only a few months subsequent, the first settlement in Jones being in February, 1550, and Benjamin Lamb locating here and building a cabin in September of the same year, moving into the same in February, 1951. This was the first white family in the township. His cabin, though small, was comfortable, and, with
hardy frontier hospitality, he never refused fool and shelter to man or beast, dividing even the last car of corn with the weary traveler. For twenty-five years he dwelt an honored citizen in the home of his choice, surrounded by family and friends, departing this life in the early part of 1876, mournelas a neighbor beloved.
The next permanent accessions were Henry Lamb and I. P. Lamb, who came in August or September, 1851, and Amos C. Cooper, who, after a roving life of several years, con- cluded to settle in Iowa, and, well pleased with the sheltered lands along Grand River, he, in September, 1852, located on premises still owned by him, on section 14, where he built a log eibin and commenced improve- ments. In 1853 still further progress was made in settlement, and there were added to the neighborhood J. C. Armitage, C. P. Scott, A Poe W. W. Young and Kensel Kent. At this time the nearest house west was seventy- five miles, and Pisgah was the nearest settle- ment in the county.
Previous to this time the Hopeville settle- ment, in Clarke County, was started, and was considered a valuable addition to the neigh- borhood. Hickory Point, Missouri, was the nearest settlement south-thirty-five miles distant. Supplies were hauled from Keokuk or St. Joseph, and to get a bushel of wheat reduced to flour required a journey of 200 miles-100 to the mill, on the Des Moines River, and 100 in return.
The first tract of selloul land sold in the county was the south half of section 26, in this township by I. P. Lamb, school fund com- missioner, to Benjamin Lamb, at $1.25 per acre, one-third cash, balance on ten years' time.
The first breaking in the township was by Benjamin Lomb. on southwest southwest of section 26, in 1951, and on this a crop of sod corn was raised the same year, and it has ever since produced first-class crops.
In the year 1:51 came J. V. Katzenberger,
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
the Grippe. Andrew Cooper, Swanker, Thur- . some of whom swam Grand River to be on low, C. R. Hall and Levi Wright, giving the i hand in time to save their claims.
little settlement a fresh impetus; and, al- though numbers and finances were still lim- ited, the faith of the pioneers was strong in their final prosperity and success.
In this year was erected the first school- house in the township, a log structure on section 14, long known as "Cooper's old school- house," and the first school in it was taught in the fall of 1851 by one Parker Grafton, of Ohio, whose salary was paid by the subserip- tions of the patrons of the school. The same fall a school was taught by Kensel Kent, one-half the time in a cabin owned by Benja- min Lamb, situated near the present Lamb residence: the other half in Kent's house, some twelve or thirteen scholars being in attendance, among them Oliver J. Scott, O. Lamb and T. J. Lamb. The Board of Direct- ors were E. Bellows, C. G. Scott and Kensel Kent, and the teacher's salary was paid by subscription.
During this year the first adult death in the settlement occurred. Mrs. Isaac P. Lamb, who, with her infant babe, was buried in one grave on a high timbered knoll on sections 26 and 27, the land being dedicated for cemetery purposes by Benjamin Lamb and C. P. Scott. The nearest physician, in cases of sickness, was Dr. Thompson, of De- eatur City, twenty-two miles away. Only a few months intervened between the death of Mrz. Lamb and that of Henry Lamb, which occurred in September or October of the same year (1854), and soon afterward C. G. : Scott, Win. Lawience, the two Andersons, father and son, Wallace and John Wright were taken from our inidt by the same cause.
It was at the house of Benjamin Lamb that . Previous to this date, the township was his son, I. P. Lamb, first school fund com- , very sparsely settled, and near neighbors missioner of the county (who was appointed , were several miles away. R. C. Carter, I. and in the fall of 1553 and qualified April 20, J. P. Long, J. C. Wick, the Shillings, 1. Bonnifield, Kelaw and Lee were the first set- there in the township and were all here at the date of organization. 1854) had his office, and it was here that the first school land sale in the county occurred, there being over 100 men present,
The township was organized by Judge Nor- man Nun, March 17, 1854, the official record being. verbatim: " March 17, 1854, town- ship 71 north, range 28 west, by the name of Pleasant Township, was duly organized by me this day.
his
Sigued, "NORMANN NUN, mark.
"County Judge of Union County, Iowa."
The question of naming the township was discussed when the petition was presented, and by direction of the judge, A. C. Cooper, one of the petitioners, being present, decided the matter by christening it Pleasant. During the years 1855 or 1856 settlements rapidly increased, and many new comers cast in their lots here, amongst whom were Francis Corn- wall and T. C. Roberts, who settled on sec- tions 20 and Si, and were prominently identified with the interests of the township.
During the first years of settlement, the lands along the streams, near timber, were alone considered valuable, a whole township of bleak prairie land being hardly worth a shilling an aere in the estimation of settlers. A hewed log house was a first-class residence, and a bedstead or a rocking-chair was almost unknown. So late as 1856 there was but one horse-team in the township, oxen being generally depended on for all work.
SAND CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The organization of this township dates back to October 8, 1860, when the organizing election was held at the house of R. C. Car- ter, nine votes being cast on this occasion.
< 3. 4.4.2.9.7.5.5
675
EARLY AND CIVIL HISTORY.
The first settlers generally located along the north part of the township near Twelve- Mile Creek and the timber lands convenient thereto, the south part being altogether desti- tute of timber.
Rev. John Clough, J. L. Syp, Clark, Ander- son, Oliver, Holmes, Kenny, Berry, Mayhew and Wilson were among the number who sue- ceeded the first named settlers in sticking their stakes and locating among us, and since the year 1864 the settlement has been more rapid and permanent.
Geographically Sand Creek is desirably situated, the north line being less than five miles from the county seat, market and rail- road depot of Afton. The streams of Twelve- Mile, Sand Creek, from which the township took its name, and Squaw Creek, besides many small tributaries, drain the township thoroughly and prevent any pools of water from stagnating and bringing malarial dis- cases.
Its great advance in population and wealth is largely due to the fact that the soil is of a very superior quality. The citizens are en- tirely agriculturists; there are no professional men, merchants, manufacturers nor mechan- ies, no noisy politicians nor unscrupulous speenlators, but many far-seeing calculators, who are laying by for the rainy days to come. Europe, Africa and America are represented in its citizenship, living side by side pleasantly and peaceably, each one attending to his own business and not to that of his neighbors.
GRANT TOWNSHIP,
Grant Township is situated on the line be- tween Union and Ringgold, and on the second tier from the west line of the county. In the Congressional subdivision it is numbered 71- 30, and contains 23,048 acres of land. The early settlers in this, as in all other localities, seem to have been governed by a like im- pulse -- to secure homes near some stream, pro- tected by a grove or belt of timber. As a consequence, the prairie townships, though
possessing superior advantages for agrieult- ural and grazing purposes, were shunned by the early settlers, and were unoccupied for many years after the timbered lands were settled. While the country was sparsely oc- cupied, it became necessary to unite several Congressional townships or parts of townships for election, school and civil purposes, and under such an arrangement, what is now Grant Township was united with Highland. At a meeting of the County Board of Super- visor:, September 9, 1870, it appearing that there was a sufficient number of persons resident in township 71-30, to justify their separate organization, it was ordered that they be so organized, and that the election be held at the house of R. J. McKee, on section 16. This election was held on the second Tuesday of October, 1870, when twenty-six votes were polled, and the necessary officers were chosen to properly transact the business of the town- ship, which, in honor of the then President of the United States, was named "Grant."
The general features of this township are not unlike those of others of the county. It is for the most part gently undulating, well watered, yet thoroughly drained, with no high hills and very little flat land, which so often fosters malarial diseases. The soil is a deep, rich, sandy loam, exceedingly fertile, and nearly the whole township is prairie land, small patches of brush and timber on sections 12, 13, 25, 34 and 36, in all less than 300 acres, being the only exception. When rightly appreciated, the rich, rolling prairies present very superior advantages, which, of late years, the people have begun to appre- ciate, and all over this township, which, for so many years, was avoided, may now be seen beautiful groves, thrifty orchards, cozy farm- houses, and the happy faces of intelligent, well-to-do farmers, who have here pitched their tents, and whose industry and integrity are a sufficient guarantee that homes of con- fort and affluence will be the guerdon of their toil.
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676
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Considerable attention has been devoted, of late years, to the improving of the stocks of cattle and hogs, and, at this time, some as fine animals as can be found in herds of ecle- brated breeders may be seen in the pastures of Grant's enterprising citizens. The first settler within the limits of the township was Asa Amnes, who, in the spring of 1854, left. the settlement on Platte, and built a shanty on section 34. Samuel Ruby next settled on the southwest quarter of section 36, but sold, the same fall, to John Shockey. During the summer of 1854 John Thompson settled on the west half northwest quarter of section 2. In 1856 a place was improved by John Cain, and A. J. Snyder settled.
In 1863 there was less than 500 acres broken, all told, in the township; the deer and the coyote roamed over the prairie un- molested; the latter often making night hideous with their howls.
PLATTE TOWNSHIP
is situated in the southwest corner of Union County, and is known as 71 north, 31 west and embraces six miles square of beautiful, diversified prairie and timber lands. It is watered by the West, Middle and East branches of the Platte River, which enter its territory at different points along its northern and western border, and form a junction near the southwest corner. West and Middle Platte have groves of oak, hickory, black walnut, elm, and other timber along their whole course through this township, and East Platte is also timbered to some extent with the same species; the quantity of native tim- ber in the township being estimated at 2,500 aeres.
This part of the county consists principally of plateans of beautiful rolling prairie, with: occasionally a tract of bottom land adjacent to the streams, the divides being usually nearly level. Although the surface is rolling, it can- not be said that there is anything approaching to a hill in the extent of the township.
The prairie soil, being from one to four feet deep, produces good crops of corn, oats, rye, wheat and other serial and root crops, which, with all kinds of vegetables and fruit, thrive exceedingly, it having the quality of standing dronth and wet equally well.
As far as known, there is no stone in the township, and but very little sand or gravel; some farms cannot boast even a pebble stone within their entire bounds. In a few places in the clay lands on Middle Platte brick have been made. The striking features of Platte Township are the richness of its soil, the gentle roll of its undulating surface, sufficient drainage, and heavy growth of vegetable matter
Water is obtained by digging from eight to thirty-five feet in depth, is of very good quality, generally soft.
On the 24th of May, 1853, the first settle- ment in this township was made by F. H. bruning, who located near the center of sec- tion 34, built a log cabin, started a black- smith's shop, repaired the Indian's guns, and employed himself in hunting, etc., Asa Ames locating at the same time about one mile north of him, and the first white child born in the township was in his family.
In the fall of the same year Jonathan Coons and James Howard located on section 33; the summer of 1854 brought I. Snow, Reuben Riggs, and others of his family, also Reuben Madden, who built the first school- house in 1$55.
About this time and in the spring of 1856, the inhabitants began to increase and multi- ply, especially along the Middle Platte. We may here name I. Walker, S. Glasco, G. Seeley, the Blisses, Wishard and Pinkley, who came about that time, making their home in this township.
The neighbors of the carly settlers were Pottawatomie Indians, who used to bespeak the good offices of Franz Bruning to repair their guns, which he would do on condition of their refraining to hunt in his grove, the
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EARLY AND CIVIL HISTORY.
677
consequence being that game literally swarmed around his cabin, the red men keep- ing good faith in all their promises and deal- ings, and making many presents of bee trees containing honey.
The land was surveyed by the Government in 1852, and during the years from 1833 to 1856 about nine-tenths of the entire territory was entered by speculators or non-residents with Mexican land warrants, and in the latter years the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road land grant took up the balanee.
After this, there being no land to enter, the tide of emigration passed westward for many years, until 1874, the abundant erops in the county and the ravages of the grasshop- pers further west indneed a heavy settle- ment, and the speeulators found a ready market for their lands'at good figures, most of which has been improved by the purchasers.
Union City, though now passed ont of exist- ence, demands a passing notice; it was laid out by E. Orr, in 1855, and, after a "one- horse" existence of about fifteen years, it died a natural death, its glory and greatness, and also its postoffice, being transferred to Kent and Lenox. The " eity " is now planted with corn, and only exists on some of the older maps.
The Hopkins branch of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad, which runs through the western part of the township, passes through Kent, a thriving little town of about 100 inhabitants, which is mentioned cleewhere in this volume.
Artificial groves of timber have been planted on alnost every farm. These, with large orchards, and long lines of willow and osage helges, have so marked out the lines and roads, that we no longer look for prairie, but fields.
Wire fences have taken the place of worm and board fences, white frame houses are found instead of log, and many good barns and cattle sheds. The corn is better cribbed
than formerly, but, as a general thing, most mien work too much land to do it well.
There are nine school-houses in the town- ship, maintained at an expense of about $3,000 annually. The voting population is about 200. For such a rich soil, water and timber privileges, there is no place in the Western country where land is so cheap.
The value of all farming land is its produe- tions. After sixteen years' experience in cropping, we set the yield of eorn at 40 to 50 bushels; oats, 20 to 70; wheat, 10 to 20; po- tatoeé, 100 to 200. Of grass, no country can excel us in yield: from one and a half to three tons of timothy and clover is the ordi- nary yield. Some farmers put up fifty to 200 tons of hay. The raising of fine horses is now receiving more attention. We have good roads and bridges, and are within two hours' drive of Kent, Creston, Lenox and Clearfield. The foregoing statistics were furnished by J. JI. Lemon.
The Territory now embraced in Union County was in the legal and actual posses- sion of the Indians until 1850. Theoretically it was a part of Des Moines County previous to that date. From 1847 to 1851 it was partly in the provisional county of Pottawatomie. In the latter year it was designated as a coun- ty, with its present. limits, and attached as a civil township to the county of Clarke in 1852. Previons to this year it was attached to Wapello, which had been organized in 1544.
The etymology of the name of the county is obvious. The county was established im- inediately after an intense popular agitation in regard to the institution of slavery, which agitation at one time seemed to threaten a dissolution of the Union; and at a period when it was widely supposed that the whole subject of slavery, so far as the Nation was concerned, had been finally disposed of by the compromise measures of 1850, and the union of the States thereby effectnally preserved.
For statutory setion in regard to the for-
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
mation of Union County see Aets Third General Assembly, Chapter IN .; First Gen- eral Assembly, Chapter LXXXIV; Sixth General Assembly, Chapter C; Fourth Gen- eral Assembly, Chapters VIII and XI; Fifth General Assembly, Chapter XLIII.
With the commencement of the year 1859 Union County was little else than a boundless prairie wilderness. The boundaries had been established by the General Assembly and the lands surveyed ; but the total population was less than 100 persons. The settlement of Pisgah and that in Lamb's neighborhood was the sum total, and, although some twelve miles apart, they considered themselves near neighbors. In the carly part of 1852 there were added to the population of the Pisgah settlement John Van Horn, who settled on Four-Mile Creek; Henry Peters, who settled at and platted the town of Petersville; James A. Turgay, altrimenti prosecuting attorney ; Samuel Starr and John Edgecomb. The Lamb neighborhood was increased by the accession of A. C. Cooper and family.
At this time Union was attached to Clarke County, for civil and judicial purposes, and in July, 1852, a warrant was issued for an elec- tion to be held at Petersville, Angust 1, to elect one justice of the peace and one constable. The election was duly held, and W. M. Lock was chosen justice of the peace, and Ambrose P. Nun, constable; both officers, however, re- signing within one year subsequent to their election.
About this time occurred the first religions meeting held in the county. Rev. David Sweim, a zealons cirenit-rider of the Method- ist Episcopal church, eminent for piety, zeal and devotion to the work, held a meeting at the house of Norman Nun and preached to a little congregation of hearers. He was the pioneer preacher of the county, his cirenit ex- tending from Chariton west, to make which four weeks' time was taken, the minister preaching every day-generally in the cabins of settlers-and traveling in the primitive
manner usual among the itinerant ministry of that day, on horse-back, with his wardrobe, Bible and hymn-book carried in his saddle- bags, no cabin being too humble for him to visit in discharging the duties of his calling ; and by his zeal and devotion he greatly en- deared himself to the people of his sparsely- settled parish.
In the year 1853, January 12, John Edge- comb, of Petersville, received a warrant as organizing sheriff'ot Union County, by virtue of which an election was held at Pisgah, re- sulting in the choice of Norman Nun for county judge; Joseph W. Ray for clerk, and Henry Peters, sheriff. At the election there were ten votes cast; and, upon the qualifying of the officers eleet, Union County became an independent organization.
It is claimed that there were two candidates for judge, Norman Nun and W. M. Lock, who, in a private cauens, out of courtesy agreed to vote for each other, but when the time came Nun failed to live. up to his part of the agreement, voting for and electing him- self, the vote being Nun six, Lock four. The judge elect was, by trade, a blacksmith; was profane and illiterate, yet possessed with the idea that by virtue of the position the word of a judge was law.
It is told by certain parties who were ap- pointed appraisers on an estate, that they called upon Judge Nun to be sworn, which ceremony he refused to perform, saving it was unnecessary. '. But," remonstrated one of the parties, "we wish to proceed legally, and cannot do so until we are sworn." The hon- orable judge thereupon waxed wroth, and, in language more expressive than polite, in- formed the appraisers that, " By G-d, the word of the judge is law; go about your busi- ness, and obey the order of this Court," which they finally did without having been sworn.
The first official act of Judge Nun was to receive the resignation of 1. P. Nun, consta- ble, June 22, 1853, and also to receive that of J. S. Canfield, August 6, 1853.
EARLY AND CIVIL HISTORY.
The first marriage license issued by Judge Nun was dated August 13, 1853, and rends : "On this day appeared Thomas Nun to me for license of the marriage of himself to Sarah Starr. I am acquainted with the parties and know them to be of competent age and quali- fication.
his
"Signed, NORMAN K NUN, mark. " Judye."
In August, 1853, John Edgecomb, having a claim against Samuel Starr, brought suit before Judge Nun, who issued the papers, which were served by Henry Peters, sheriff, Angust 15; and the trial was set for Angust 20. It is said by parties who were present, that M. L. MePherson, of Winterset, ap- peared for defendant Starr, and entered a de- murrer, alleging as cause that the Court had no jurisdiction, being only competent to trans- aet county and probate business.
This remark aronsed the righteous indigna- tion of Judge Nun, who, flourishing his cane to give emphasis to his words, informed the attorney that, by G-d, this Court has juris- diction, and will try the case. Having no other defense, Starr and his legal adviser with- drew, and judgment was rendered for $40.19, with interest and costs.
An execution was at once issued, and placed in the hands of Sheriff Peters, who, ou going to Starr's house to make the levy, was met with some threats, and he, being a timid inan, repaired at once to Petersville, where he sum- moned a posse and returned to make the levy. Starr, in the meantime, determined, if he conld not defeat his adversary in one way, that he would do it in another-set his dogs on a two-year-old colt (the only piece of personal property he had subject to levy), and so crippled it as to render it worthless. The records show that the sheriff levied on the colt, and also on Starr's claim to the north half of the southwest quarter of section 14, and east half of the southeast quarter of see- tion 15, township 72, range 20; but whether
the execution was ever satisfied does not appear.
The next record of Judge Nun was the or- ganization of Pleasant Township, March 17, 1854.
Numerous other aets of Judge Nun are re- corded, but nothing of special interest. It is related by an old settler that at one time sub- sequent to that already referred to, appraisers were to be sworn, and the judge, having probably concluded that their acts would be more binding if they were sworn, called upon John D. Wright, who was present, to read the oath to the parties, which he did, they holding up their hands and the judge re- ceiving their affirmation. It may be proper to state that Judge Nun could neither read nor write his name, being entirely in- nocent of the first principles of an English education.
In the fall of 1853 Judge A. A. Bradford came to Petersville to hold court, but there being no business he stopped over night with John Edgecomb, and then proceeded on his eirenit, which embraced a large portion of the southwest part of the State.
In September, 1854, was held the first term of District Court in the county, at the house of Benjamin McGaha, he receiving a county warrant for $2 for the use of same.
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