Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa, containing a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Part 50

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 768

USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa, containing a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties > Part 50
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa, containing a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties > Part 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

482

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Mattie I., George R., Franklin E., Jennie- I., Benjamin R. and Rosetta M. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Associate Presbyterian church.

S. WHITTAKER, the present post- master of Corydon, was born in Mid- dlesex County, Massachusetts, April 29, 1835, his father, Samuel A. Whittaker, being a native of England. His father moved with his family to Hillsdale County, Michigan, where he resided till his death in 1882. Our subject went with his father to Hillsdale County, and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade which he fol- lowed for seventeen years. Mr. Whittaker came to Corydon, Wayne County, Iowa, in June, 1858, where he has since resided

and for many years has conducted a book store at this place. Since 1872, however, he has given considerable attention to the in- surance business, and was quite influential in organizing the Wayne County Insurance Company, of which he has been secretary and treasurer since its organization, April 6, 1872. In 1859 Mr. Whittaker returned to Michigan for his bride, Miss Rosette Benson, she being a native of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker have one daugh- ter, Belle, born at Corydon, July 23, 1.860, now engaged in teaching music. Mr. Whit- taker had considerable experience in teach- ing school during his earlier life. He taught the Corydon school during the win- ter terms of 1858-'59 and 1859-'60. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and a prohibition. ist of the most pronounced type.

GENERALY

HISTORY

INTRODUCTORY.

485

INTRODUCTORY

ITHIN one brief gen- eration a dense and unbroken wilder- ness has been trans- formed into a culti- vated region of thriftand prosperity, by the untiring zeal and energy of an enterprising people. The trails of hunters and trappers have given place to railroads and thorough- fares for vehicles of every de- scription ; the cabin and garden patches of the pioneers have been succeeded by comfortable houses and broad fields of waving grain, with school-houses, churches, mills, postoffices and other institutions of convenience for each community. Add to these numer- ous thriving villages, with extensive busi- ness and manufacturing interests, and the result is a work of which all concerned may well be proud.

The record of this marvelous change is history, and the most important that can be written. For forty years the people of Wayne County have been making a history that for absorbing interest, grand practical results, and lessons that may be perused with profit by citizens of other regions, will compare favorably with the narrative of

the history of any county in the great Northwest ; and, considering the extent of territory involved, it is as worthy of the pen of a Bancroft as even the story of our glorious Republic.

While our venerable ancestors may have said and believed

" No pent up Utica contracts our powers, For the whole boundless continent is ours,"

they were nevertheless for a long time con- tent to occupy and possess a very small corner of it; and the great West was not opened to industry and civilization until a variety of causes had combined to form, as it were, a great heart, whose animating principle was improvement, whose impul- ses annually sent forward armies of noble men and women, and whose pulse is now felt throughout the length and breadth of the best country the sun ever shown upon -from the pineries of Maine to the vine- yards of California, and from the sugar- canes of Louisiana to the wheat fields of Minnesota. Long may his heart beat and push forward its arteries and veins of com- merce.

Not more from choice than from en- forced necessity did the old pioneers bid farewell to the play-ground of their child- hood and the graves of their fathers. One generation after another had worn them-

486

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

selves out in the service of their avaricious landlords. From the first flashes of day- light in the morning until the last glimmer of the setting sun, they had toiled unceas- ingly on, from father to son, carrying home each day upon their aching shoulders the precious proceeds of their daily labor. Money and pride and power were handed down in the line of succession from the rich father to his son, while unceasing work and continuous poverty and everlasting obscurity were the heritage of the work- ing man and his children.

Their society was graded and degraded. It was not manners, nor industry, nor edu- cation, nor qualities of the head and heart that established the grade. It was money and jewels, and silk and satin, and broad- cloth and imperious pride that triumphed over honest poverty and trampled the poor man and his children under the iron heel. The children of the rich and poor were not permitted to mingle with and to love each other. Courtship was more the work of parents than of the sons and daughters. The golden calf was the key to matrimony. To perpetuate a self-constituted aristoc- racy, without power of brain, or the rich blood of royalty, purse was united to purse, and cousin with cousin, in bonds of matri- mony, until the virus boiling in their blood was transmitted by the law of inheritance from one generation to another, and until nerves powerless and manhood dwarfed were on exhibition everywhere, and every- where abhorred. For the sons and daugh- ters of the poor man to remain there was to forever follow as our fathers had fol- lowed, and never to lead ; to submit, but never to rule; to obey, but never to com- mand.

Without money, or prestige, or influen- tial friends, the old pioneers drifted along one by one, from State to State, until in lowa-the garden of the Union-they have found inviting homes for cach, and room

for all. To secure and adorn these homes more than ordinary ambition was required, greater than ordinary endurance demanded, and unflinching determination was, by the force of necessity, written over every brow. It was not pomp, or parade, or glittering show that the pioneers were after. They sought for homes which they could call their own, homes for themselves and homes for their children. How well they have succeeded after a struggle of many years against the adverse tides let the records, and tax-gatherers testify ; let the broad cul- tivated fields and fruit-bearing orchards, the flocks and the herds, the palatial resi- dences, the places of business, the spacious halls, the clattering car-wheels and ponder- ous engines all testify.

There was a time when pioneers waded through deep snows, across bridgeless rivers, and through bottomless sloughs, a score of miles to mill or market, and when more time was required to reach and re- turn from market than is now required to cross the continent, or traverse the Atlan- tic. These were the times when our palaces were constructed of logs and covered with " shakes" riven from the forest trees. These were the times when our children were stowed away for the night in the low, dark attics, among the horns of the elk and the deer, and where through the chinks in the " shakes " they could count the twinkling stars. These were the times when our chairs and our bedsteads were hewn from the forest trees, and tables and bureaus constructed from the boxes in which their goods were brought. These were the times when the workingman labored six and sometimes seven days in the week, and all the hours there were in a day from sun- rise to sunset.

Whether all succeeded in what they un- dertook is not a question to be asked now. The proof that as a body they did succeed is all around us. Many individuals were

487

INTRODUCTORY.

perhaps disappointed. Fortunes and mis- fortunes belong to the human race. Not every man can have a school-house on the corner of his farm ; not every man can have a bridge over the stream that flows by his dwelling ; not every man can have a railroad depot on the border of his plan- tation, or a city in its center ; and while these things are desirable in some respects, their advantages are oftentimes outweighed by the almost perpetual presence of the foreign beggar, the dreaded tramp, the fear of fire and conflagration, and the insecurity from the presence of the midnight burglar, and the bold, bad men and women who lurk in ambush and infest the villages. The good things of this carth are not all to be found in any one place ; but if more is to be found in one than another, that place is in our rural retreats, our quiet homes out- side of the clamor and turmoil of city life.

In viewing the blessings which surround us, then, we should reverence those who have made them possible, and ever fondly cherish in memory the sturdy old pioneer and his log-cabin.

Let us turn our eyes and thoughts back to the log-cabin days of a quarter of a cent- ury ago, and contrast those homes with comfortable dwellings of to-day. Before us stands the old log cabin. Let us enter. Instinctively the head is uncovered in token of reverence to this relic of ancestral be- . ginnings, early strugglesand final triumphs. To the left is the deep, wide fire-place, in whose commodious space a group of chil- dren may sit by the fire, and up through the chimney may count the stars, while ghostly stories of witches and giants, and still more thrilling stories of Indians and wild beasts, are whisperingly told and shud- deringly heard. On the great crane hang the old tea-kettle and the great iron pot. The huge shovel and tongs stand sentinel in either corner, while the great andirons patiently wait for the huge back-log. Over

the fire-place hangs the trusty rifle. To the right of the fire-place stands the spin- ning wheel, while in the further end of the room is seen the old-fashioned loom. Strings of drying apples and poles of dry- ing pumpkins are overhead. Opposite the door in which you enter stands a huge deal table ; by its side the dresser, whose pewter plates and " shining delf " catch and reflect the fire-place flames as shields of armies do the sunshine. From the corner of its shelves coyly peep out the relics of former china. In a curtained corner and hid from casual sight we find the mother's bed, and under it the trundle-bed, while near them a lad der indicates the loft where the older chil- dren sleep. To the left of the fire-place and in the corner opposite the spinning wheel is the mother's work-stand. Upon it lies the Bible, evidently much used, its family record telling of parents and friends a long way off, and telling, too, of children

" Scattered like roses in bloom,

Some at the bridal, some at the tomb."

Her spectacles, as if but just used, are in- serted between the leaves of her Bible, and tell of her purpose to return to its com- forts when cares permit and duty is done. A stool, a bench, well notched and whit- tled and carved, and a few chairs complete the furniture of the room, and all stand on a coarse but well scoured floor.

Let us for a moment watch the city visit- ors to this humble cabin. The city bride, innocent but thoughtless, and ignorant of labor and care, asks her city-bred husband, "Pray, what savages set this up?" -Hon- estly confessing his ignorance, he replies, "I do not know." But see the pair upon whom age sits "frosty, but kindly." First, as they enter, they give a rapid glance about the cabin home, and then a mutual glance of eye to eye. Why do tears start and fill their eyes? Why do lips quiver? There are many who know why; but who that

488

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

has not learned in the school of experience the full meaning of all these symbols . of trials and privations, of loneliness and dan- ger, can comprehend the story that they tell to the pioneer? Within this chinked and mud-daubed cabin we read the first pages of our history, and as we retire through its low door-way, and note the

heavy battened door, its wooden hinges and its welcoming latch-string, is it strange that the scenes without should seem to be but a dream? But the cabin and the pal- ace, standing side by side in vivid contrast, tell their own story of this people's prog- ress. They are a history and a prophecy in one.

EARLY HISTORY.

489

HARLY HISTORY.

AYNE is the fifth coun- ty west of the Mis- sissippi River in the southern tier of counties. It com- prises twelve full and four fractional

congressional townships. The fractional townships border the State line, which cuts off two tiers of sections and a little more from the south side, leaving the area of the county about 525 square miles, or 336,000 acres.

DESCRIPTIVE.

The natural drainage of the county is complete. It is divided into two systems by a well-defined watershed, whose general course is nearly due east, a little south of the center, through the entire county, al- though it turns southward very soon after passing into Appanoose County. Between this watershed and the north line of the county the South Fork of Chariton River, a tributary of the Missouri, wends its way eastward, drawing numerous affluents from either side. The south part of the county is drained by numerous affluents of Grand River, which find their sources in the watershed and flow southward. Along

this watershed is the most important tract of prairie in the county. Coming down through the northwest corner of Decatur County, it passes entirely across the county and into Appanoose, on the east, occupy- ing a belt of territory from six to ten miles wide. The route of a portion of the Mor- mon emigrants in their exodus from Illinois in 1846 lay along this divide, which was consequently known for many years as the Mormon trail. Other prairies extend from this tract southward, separated from each other by the timber tracts generally found in the valleys of the streams. North of the South Fork of the Chariton the surface is principally composed of irregular prairie tracts interspersed with groves of timber.

The general surface of the county is roll- ing. The beds of the streams are, many of theni, a hundred feet and some of them much more below the ordinary surface level, for they have cut their channels down in the very deep deposit of drift that characterizes this region. The valleys are narrow, but their sides being composed of drift are not abrupt or steep, and nearly all the surface is susceptible of easy culti- vation.

The soil is a deep rich loam derived from the drift, with a liberal mixture of vege- table mold, very productive, and adapted

490

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

to the growth of corn, wheat, oats, rye, etc., in abundance. The native grasses grew luxuriantly when the country was first settled. Tame grasses, such as timothy, clover and blue grass, were found to thrive equally well, and are now very extensively cultivated. With such abundance of grasses farmers early turned their atten- tion to stock-raising, which they found very profitable, and which is now carried on very extensively. Abundance of excellent pasturage, hay and water make it one of the foremost counties in the State for this purpose.

Coal has been mined for a few years at different places in the eastern part of the county. At Seymour are two mines that are being extensively and profitably worked. This industry has added much to the population and prosperity of that place.

Good building stone is not abundant, al- though there are some exposures of good limestone, chiefly in Wright and South Fork townships. Materials suitable for making good brick are abundant.

The timber of the county is of sufficient quantity for ordinary purposes. It is found in groves or belts along the valleys, but since fires have been kept out the young groves are encroaching upon the prairies. The area of timber land is apt to be underesti- mated by the stranger who passes through the county, for the reason that the valleys where it is usually found are generally so deep that it is mostly hidden from the range of vision upon the general surface level.

ORIGIN OF NAMES.

Chariton River derives its name from a French trader, who at an early day had a trading post near its mouth, in Chariton County, Missouri. Medicine Creek, threc branches of which head in this county, re- ceived its name from an incident that once occurred at Gregory's Ford, in Grundy County, Missouri. A doctor in crossing

the stream at that point on horseback, when its waters were somewhat swollen, became submerged, pill-bags and all. His medicines were dissolved and commingled with the waters of the stream, and there- after the people called it Medicine Creek. Caleb Creek took its name from Caleb Ly- ten, who settled on it in 1843. Steele's Creek was named in honor of Samuel G. Steele, who commenced his settlement on the creek in 1842. Dick Creek was so named by a party of hunters who encamped on its banks, in memory of one of their oxen that died here.

NAMING THE TOWNSHIPS.

Dr. Daniel Payton, when county judge, divided Wayne County into fourteen townships. Judge Taylor afterward cut off Warren from Jackson, and organized Howard and Clinton townships, making sixteen in all. Howard and Clinton were made from the old township of Medicine. Washington, Benton, Clay, Clinton, Jack- son, Jefferson and Monroe townships were named after the statesmen whose names they bear. Corydon was named by Judge Anderson in honor of his former home, Corydon, Indiana. Richman was so named in honor of M. H. Richman, an old settler still living in the township. He tells of having to cross Chariton River in the morn- ings to obtain a brand from Samuel Guni- son to kindle his fire, in pioneer times. Walnut is so called from the creek which traverses it, and Grand River and South Fork are named for similar reasons. Howard was christened by Judge Tay- lor, in recognition of Hon. Tilghman A. Howard, of Indiana. Warren was named in remembrance of General Warren, of Revolutionary fame. Wright is so called to honor the pioneer yet living, Green wood Wright. Union is a favorite name, of obvious significance, found frequently throughout the United States.

49I

EARLY HISTORY.

The first settlers in what is now Wayne County were D. S. Duncan and H. P. Sul- livan, who settled in Grand River Town- ship in April, 1840. Next was H. B. Dun- can, who, after a tedious journey of two months from Kentucky, on the 13th of November, 1841, located near the present village of Lineville, in Grand River Town- ship. At this point he erected a cabin, twelve by fourteen feet, himself and family sleeping in the wagons until his cabin was' made ready for occupancy. Mr. Duncan supposed that he had settled in the State of Missouri, and had the honor of being one of the county commissioners of Put- nam County, and also probate judge and representative in the Missouri Legislature for that county. Before his death, which took place several years ago, he filled sev- eral important positions in Wayne County.

Among other early settlers were Hen- derson Walker, Benjamin Barker, Hiram Mason, K. M. Hart, Isaac W. McCarty, Joseph Sullivan, George Garman, John Bay and the Nidays, Moses Baker, Joseph Raines and Seth Anderson.

George Garman settled near the present village of Peoria in the timber on Chariton River, and Benjamin Barker in the north- east part of the county, at the place now called Barker's Mills. Joseph Raines and Seth Anderson pitched their tents on Lo- cust Creek near the village of Genoa, and Isaac W. McCarty on McCarty's Creek, near the present town of Corydon.

Among the first settlers in the different townships were the following : In Monroe Township, James T. Raines, Jesse Barr and Ira B. Ryan; in Howard Township, Isaac Wilson, Joseph and Nathan Brown, and Thomas, Joel, and Kendall Rogers; in Clinton Township, A. A. Brown, Sr., Z. Alephin, William Gwinn, S. L. Vest and D. L. Slaven, who all settled prior to 1856; in Grand River Township, H. B. Duncan,

as already described ; in Walnut Township, David Sharp, Solomon Sharp, and Jacob Chilcote; in Jackson Township, John W. Syferd, Thomas H. Richardson, and James Campbell; in Warren Township, George Wright, Hartley Bracewell, John K. Ran- kin, Nathan Wyatt and G. W. Wilkie; in Jefferson Township, William E. Swanson, and Mrs. Edgerman and family, who settled prior to 1851 ; in South Fork Township, A. Sager, I. R. Esteb, John Hannaman, and Josiah Fisher; in Corydon Town- ship, Dr. Isaac W. McCarty, J. W. Lan- caster, John E. Hayes, Henderson Boggs and George Garman; in Benton Town- ship, James Peck, J. Zimmerman J. H. Crawford, John R. Allen, James Smith, David Sollenbarger, Thomas Brooks, George Thomas, David Holder, George Cox, Frederick Poplin, Eli Fletcher, John Niday and sons, John R. and David, and W. H. Teagarden; in Clay Township, James Gwinn, J. H. Surbaugh, Levi and Nicholas Caldwell, and Jacob, Henry and Benjamin McVey; in Wright Township, T. S. Hancock, Hiram Mason, Ellis Wright and Greenwood Wright; in Union Town- ship the first settler was Henry McDaniel, in the spring of 1849, and among the early settlers were Morgan Parr, Isaac Venos- dal, Daniel May, and Jacob Morritt ; in Washington Township, A. Nelson, J. M. Ryan, James B. Hogue, K. M. Hart, and James and Daniel Hammack ; in Richman Township, Samuel Gwinn, M. H. Richman and James Fox.

ORGANIZATION, ETC.

The territory embraced in Wayne County once formed a part of Des Moines County. It was erected into a separate county January 13, 1846, and was attached to Appanoose for judicial, revenue and election purposes. November 8, 1850, Dr. Isaac W. McCarty was appointed organiz- ing sheriff by Judge William McKay, and

492

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

February 13, 1851, Wayne County was duly organized.

The first record made in this county after its organization is the account of the pro- ceedings of the county commissioners, who were Talbot Rockhold, W. B. Hart and Joseph Dwyer. They met January 27, 1851, and their doings are recorded in the following language, the spelling, capitaliza- tion, etc., being preserved as accurately as possible :

"Acts of Commissioners Cort First Sesstion Jenuary 27 1851 Met at the house of James Foxes, commenced buisness

"Act the I alowd I W Mccarty For Or- ganising the County as organnising Sherrif . . $20.00

"Act the 2 alowd the Clerk of Appanoose County bord For Sirvas rendered by him $6.55

"A' the 3 alowd For Statinery bord and Recorder 6.70

"A' the 4 alowd orders ishued to Judges and Clerks of Election Precints 3 in Num- ber lawfull pay for their Sirvases in Elec- tion held on the 28 of December 1850 .... $37.35

"Act the 5 devid the County into 4 Elec- toral Precinct and Apointed the Judg of 3 of them to wit

"No I South Fork Precint North East quarter for Judges Thos Fitsjerral Hase and Joseph Dwire Election held at Joseph Dwires

"No 2 Washington Precint North West quarter for Judges William Hoge James Hammack and William Lanman held at James Foxes

"No 3 Jefferson Precinct South West quar- ter for Judges Henry P. Sulivan Harvy B Duncan and Joseph Hase held at Dickson S. Dunkins

"NO 4 Monrow Precinct South East quar- ter For Judges John A Smith William R Wright and Even Carkendoll Held at the house of James T Ranes

"Act the 6 devided the County in three Commissioners Districts No I Richland District No 2 Cambria District No 3 Mad- ison District; Seccond day of said Sesion

"Act the 7 ordered an Election on the 13 of Febuary For the Clerke of District Sherif Correner County Survayor Judg of Probate and Schoole Fund Commissioner.

"Act the 8 ordered Compensation for Sir- vis Renderd by T. B. Clifford providing Stationary $2.00

"Act the 9 ordered pay or rent for Cort house For Jamex Fox $2.00

"Act the 10 For this Tirms Sirvas To Wit

"Commissioner Rockhold 2 days $4.00

"Commissioner Hart 2 days $4.00

"Clerk of Cord Thos B Clifford 2 days $4.00

"Act the II ajurned untill the last Mun- day in Febuary 1851."

At the election provided for at the above session, three of the four precincts partici- pated. At the February session of the com- missioners it was ordered that the fourth district be organized on the first Monday in April. Little business of importance or interest was transacted in February. The county officers elected that month held only until August following, when the reg- ular general election occurred.

At the April session a settlement was made with the collector, by which it ap- pears that $35.75. of State taxes, $55.82 of county taxes, $20.00 of poll tax and $13.90 of school tax was collected. The delinquent tax was $22.58, and the collector's commis- sion amounted to $4.95. The following statement appears on the record : " Setled up the County buisness at large and finde on this Day the Eight of Aprile $66.37 in debt."

At this time Thomas B. Clifford acted in the complex position of clerk, treasurer, recorder and collector. He opens the township returns on the 14th of April and finds for Washington Township, Kellogg

493

EARLY HISTORY.

M. Hart and John Galloway elected as justices ; Daniel Hammack and Andrew Morgan, constables; John McGaughey, clerk ; William McCutchcon, treasurer ; James Sutton, Daniel Hammack and Kel- logg M. Hart, trustees. For Madison Township, Seth Anderson was elected jus- tice of the peace ; Madison Kirk, constable ; James T. Ranes, clerk; James Bowers, treasurer, and Jesse Barr, supervisor.

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Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) pbl Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 768

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 768