USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 28
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The scene during the stormn beggared de- scription. Wheat sheaves were hurled to the heavens; clouds of straw were blown hither and thither. Fortunately no one was killed or even badly harmed; but the loss was great to the Frazier Brothers, who had to rebuild their machine during the busy season of the year. Had the storm occurred three weeks earlier, tens of thousands of dollars' worth of grain would have been totally destroyed.
One of the most destructive storms of recent times swept over Cherokee County the latter part of the month of June, 1881, when a brick building standing on the plat of Old Cherokee, and which was built for the first school-house in the county, was blown down. It was owned by Henry Stalil, and when the walls collapsed every member of the house- hold was within, except Mr. Stalil, who was not at home. The family, consisting of wife and five children, was buried in the ruins.
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The mother and three children were only slightly injured; but Willie, a boy of about fifteen summers, and his little sister Edith, aged nine years, were killed, being crushed beneath the walls of the falling house.
PRE-HISTORIC RELICS.
While a party of Cherokee railroad men were sinking a gravel pit to the south of the hiver (Little Sioux), the remains of a human being were found a few feet below the sur- face. The skull was complete and the teeth well preserved, but the remainder of the body was closely allied with the " clods of the val- ley." Near the head was found an earthen vessel, circular in form and neatly made. On the ontside of it was a tastefully carved bor- der. When found it was entire, but upon mere touch fell to atoms. How long these relies of a by-gone race and age might have been thns entombed, none can do better than conjecture, but that either belonged to a savage race of men cannot be admitted. What the pre-Indian race was, whence it came or how destroyed, is and forever shall be an unsettled question; but that these plains were once the home of a civilized and prosperous people, there is abundant proof. All the present race, or even the North American Indian tribes, can say, is, " Who?" and " When ?"
THE LAST OF THE ELK.
On Friday, October 14, 1870, as the train on the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad was nearing Storm Lake, it overtook a herd of eighteen elk traveling along beside the track, some seventy-five yards distant. They trotted along with the slowly-moving mixed train, seemingly as unconcerned as though they were 1,000 miles beyond the confines of civil- ization. As the train approached the town, the elk slackened their speed and turned away
from the track, galloping off to the open prai- rie. It was thought by the passengers aboard to be the finest sight ever witnessed. Mr. Howell, of Willow Township, this county, described it and said that many pistol-shots were fired at the elk from the car windows and platforms.
The locomotive, an emblem of progress and civilization, and the elk, the last remnant of uncivilized life in Western Iowa!
CORN USED AS FUEL.
The following extract from the Cherokee Times of Jannary 27, 1873, is justly entitled to a place in the local history of the connty and may be read by another generation with no little astonishment:
"We are glad to see that many of onr citi- zens are laying in a good supply of corn, purchased at low rates, to be used for fuel. We have experimented with it during the past month and find that it is an admirable substitute for both wood and coal. There is both economy and real comfort in its present use. A ton of corn, thirty-three bushels, at 17 cents per bushel, is §5.60; we consider this equal to a cord of hard wood, which now costs, sawed and split, $8.50 per cord, thus making a saving of nearly $3 per cord. For kitchen purposes it is very much superior. It makes a hot fire, with a good blaze. Three tons of corn equal one of hard coal for heat, and is better adapted to small honses than coal-either hard or soft. Besides, there is a public benefit to be gained in retaining in our own county the large amount of money usually sent to Fort Dodge, for coal. We support our farmers by burning their corn!"
A WOMAN SHERIFF.
In March, 1872, the office of sheriff, in this county, was made vacant by the resigna- tion of N. Bell, and it then became the duty
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of the Board of County Supervisors to appoint some one to fill snch vacancy until the next regular election. As soon as this fact became known to the citizens there were a number of persons who applied for such office. Among the number was one of whom history should make mention, from the singular fact that it was a lady applicant-at least one who signed herself " A WOMAN " petitioned the super- visors as follows, thronghi the columns of the Cherokee Times:
" ED. TIMES :- Sir-Allow me to express my sentiments on the appointment of a sheriff for Cherokee Connty. Let the Board of Su- pervisors act with that dependence becoming men, and appoint a woman to the office now made vacant. And we pledge our sacred honor that saloons and gambling hells wil betake themselves to a more congenial lati- tude. We do not ask this as a favor, but demand it as a right, and should the board deny us, we will find means of retaliation be- fore long. Yours, etc. A WOMAN."
The editor, Robert Buchannan, remarked in way of comment: " We think ' A WOMAN' is a little too exacting, for the perpetuation of her claims, as her sex has not only been recognized bnt the Bell(e) of the town has been sheriff for the past two years." It will be observed N. Bell was the resigning sheriff's name.
A TOUGH CASE!
There was a good story told in connection with the "Cherokee House " of early days, which we will give a place in local history. One day the table was supplied with fresh meat from Sioux City. A stranger being present, with a keen appetite entered the din- ing room and attempted to satisfy his hunger. After working for a considerable time with knife and fork, fingers and teeth, his strength became almost exhausted and he called for a
hammer and nails; these being furnished him, he deliberately nailed the tough beef- steak to the wall behind his chair. Calling the waiter in he informed her that the said piece of meat belonged to him and that he desired it to remain there until his return, as he had not time then to eat it. The landlord soon came to the scene of action and " went for " his over particular guest, who, deeming discretion the better part of valor, disappeared through an open window, leaving the en- raged landlord in full possession of the field!
In October, 1872, a man, aged forty years and a resident of O'Brien County, named Philo Stevens, was buried alive while dig- ging a well for James Henderson. The curbing gave away and covered the unfortn- nate with eighteen feet of earth. He left a wife and a large family of children.
THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE.
Everyone who lived in Iowa from 1876 to 1879 knows more than the historian of to-day can possibly write concerning the fearful and wonderful destroying plague of the grass- hoppers, which in armies of multiplied mill- ions devastated Northwestern and Central Iowa. But it may be of interest to note briefly something concerning their work in Cherokee Connty.
It was abont 1876 that they made their first appearance. That year they did much damage to growing crops, and then deposited their eggs which hatched out the spring follow- ing in numbers beyond man's enumeration or even conception. It is but the truth-though hard to believe or understand-that they ex- isted in such great numbers that trains of railway cars were actually stopped. They accumulated on the road-bed and filled the entire space between the ties and track, so that when pressed down by moving trains, they were crushed to a jelly-like mass and
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had the same effect upon the iron track as oil or soft soap would have produced-cansing the drive- wheel of the locomotive to slip and revolve without making any progress. This occurred at varions times and in different places within this, as well as other counties, traversed by the Illinois Central road.
Their appearance in the sky had the effect of darkening the very heavens at noonday, with a brightly shining sun. One peculiar- ity of these ungovernable pests seemed to be their tendency not to fly unless the winds blew, and then always moving with the wind. It is held by many that they originated in the James River district of South Dakota and would never fly toward the north, but ever took a southern course.
They first came July 27, 1876, and de- stroyed large amounts of grain, both in the field and shock. They deposited eggs, re- mained hereabouts until Angust 15 when they took advantage of a northwest wind and departed, with many a hearty "farewell!" upon the part of the badly injured home- steaders.
In the spring of 1877 the eggs hatched out and again more came from Dakota and some came from Kansas. It was this year in which the largest damage was done. Fields which they passed through and settled on for a day were cut bare and looked as though a
thousand sheep had been kept thereon for many weeks-grain, corn, grass and all sorts of green vegetation were devoured. Many ingenious devices were invented for the capt- ure and destruction of them. One plan was to stretch a wire or rope from one side of a tract of grain to the other and have two men draw the line through the field, which in some instances would put them to flight. But the most successful plan employed was to construct a huge tin or sheet-iron scraper, similar to a road scraper, only twenty feet or more long. To this were attached horses which drew it over the fields; within this farmer's " dust-pan " shaped contrivance was placed kerosene oil. When thrown into the oil the grasshopper at first enjoyed a bath and then curled up his wire-like limbs and died in greese! Many farmers went through their fields in this manner and then unloaded their " thing " full of grasshoppers at the side of the field, where they were burned-dead or alive! One fariner, still a resident, declares he killed seven barrelsful in one afternoon.
Many were the devices made, some of which were patented and the inventors thought their patents worth more than farm lands in Cherokee, Iowa! The following year they troubled crops badly, but left before all was destroyed, and they have never appeared in destructive quantities since about 1878.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
CHAPTER XVII.
AFTON TOWNSHIP.
FTON TOWNSHIP, which was formed by the Board of Supervisors, at their regular session, held September 6, 1869, and comprises all of congressional townships 92-39, is bounded on the east by Buena Vista County; on the north by Spring Township, Cherokee County; on the south by Pitcher Township, and on the west by Cherokee Township.
The general surface of this township does not materially differ from that found in the topography of Cedar and Liberty, which makes it a magnificent farming district. It had, in 1885, a total population of 813, with only abont 200 of foreign birth.
The famous Maple River takes its source in this township, flowing to the sonthward.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first to effect a settlement in what is now known as Afton Township were Daniel R. Wheeler and his two grown daughters, all of whom took up homesteads on section 32, in 1868. Mr. Wheeler's daughters' names were Miranda and Mary. The father and two daughters took their claims and built a
dwelling (such as it was), which stood on the corners of the several pieces.
Miranda is now the wife of William Dav- enport, and Mary, the wife of Luther Phipps.
It would be almost impossible to give all of the first actual settlers of Afton Township, for the reason that so many came in and took ad- vantage of the Homestead Act at about the same time, but suffice to say that the follow- ing comprised the first settlement, all of whom came prior to 1870, with perhaps an occa- sional exception: E. D. Colman, section 7, still a resident; John Terwiliger, section 6, moved to Spirit Lake; William Crouch, sec- tion 18, still here; John Maine, section 8, still here; Thomas IIaskins, section 10, moved to Dakota; Josiah Armstrong and Asa Arm- strong, both of seetion 22, now residents of Des Moines; George W. Baldwin, section 4, still here; M. Smith, section 10, still here; A. Gifford, section 20, removed; S. Place, section 20, lives at Cherokee; William and Solomon Clover, section 14, still residents; William Whipple, section 22, still here; John Colman, section 20, removed; James Rich- ardson, section 8, lives at Dell Rapids; John D. Blake, section 4, now deceased; W. D. La-
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throp, section 8, still here; George Funk, section 8, still here; J. A. Sanborn, section 4, still a resident; James L. Longacre, sec- tion 24, still here; Samuel Sntton, section 22, still here; George Sutton, section 24, still here; Samuel Sexton, section 24, still here; Daniel Steinhoff, section 4, still here; George W. Benson, section 4, still here; Jacob Rice, section 18, removed. Abraham Ward came in 1872 and took school lands, on section 16, and from that time on the settlement was made very rapidly; perhaps no township in the whole county made greater progress, owing to the quality of the land and the good loca- tion it had.
FIRST EVENTS.
It is not quite positive, but quite likely that the first birth in Afton Township was that of a child born to Mr. and Mrs. Newman, in 1869.
The first death within the township was that of the father of Daniel Steinhoff, which occurred in 1869.
The first school was tanght by Miss Mary Wheeler, at her claim building, in 1869. The next school was taught in 1870, by Miss Ann Rice, who circulated a subscription paper and by it obtained means to carry on the pioneer school, which was held in a rude building rented by the few settlers who had children of school age.
RELIGIOUS.
The citizens of Afton Township are of the best and trnest type of American citizenship. They not only believe in fostering good pub- lic schools, but also in bringing up their families in the fear of the Lord-making them faithful Christians. Religions meet- ings were hield at a very early day, and at present the township supports a Methodist Episcopal society, which owns a fine frame church edifice, on the northwest quarter of
section 16, built in 1887, valued at $2,000. The same was built by the membership, some donating material, while others liauled sand, lime, stone, etc., applying it on subscription. It seats 250 persons. Prior to the building of this edifice the class, which was organized by eleven persons in 1873, met at the school- house for worship. The present membership is abont forty persons. This charge has been in different circuits, but now is within the Aurelia Circnit. Among those who have served as pastors over this people may be mentioned: Rev. Williams, Rev. Bachelor, Rev. Truworthy, Rev. Cooley, Rev. Drake, Rev. William Blodgett, Rev. William Mont- gomery, Rev. Varnum and Rev. Anniable.
The present (1889) church officers are: Abraham Ward, Miss Lucy Morrison and Miss Effa Cannon, Stewards; W. D. Lathrop, John Sanborn, Abraham Ward, Henry Louks and E. Fogleman, Trustees.
A good Sunday-school is kept up the year around, the average of attendance being about fifty; number of teachers employed, tive. E. Fogleman is the present Superintendent.
Besides this church, Afton has a Baptist society in the northern part of the township, inade up from those of that faith living in Afton and Spring townships. They have 110 building in Afton Township. For the history of this society, see Spring Township history.
SCHOOLS, ETC.
Being strong believers in progressive edu- cational advantages, the good citizens of Afton Township have ever been ready and willing to maintain the best of public schools.
The first full term was taught by Miss Ann Rice, in 1870-a subscription school; but soon school-houses were erected here and there, as the increasing settlement demanded, until to-day there are nine school-houses within the limits of the township. Six male
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
and eleven female teachers are employed. There are now 246 pupils enrolled.
The school buildings are of excellent style and quality, and sixty-two shade trees were reported upon the school grounds of the township in 1888.
Miss Mary Wheeler, now wife of Luther Phipps, taught part of a term in 1869, hence should be called the first teacher.
The population of Afton Township in 1875 was 483; in 1880 it was 690, and in 1885 reached 831. In 1885 there were 155 fami- lies; 622 native and 169 foreign born in the township.
AMHERST TOWNSHIP.
HIS snb-division of Cherokee County is situated on the western border of the county, with Plymouth County bounding it on the west, Marcus Township on the north, Sheridan on the east, and Tilden on the sontlı.
It was created by act of Board of Super- visors, September 5, 1570, and comprises congressional township 92-42.
No finer township of land can be found in Iowa than Amherst. The general topography is gently rolling; the soil in common with all the townships of this county is the richest of the rich and produces immense crops of wheat. oats, barley, rye, flax and corn. The landscape of this portion of the county is in- deed charming to the eye of one who loves the rnral scenes and desires to feast on the lavish gifts of Dame Nature. Notwithstand- ing this territory has not been settled but about two decades, vet the magnificent groves and hedges planted by the early homestead- ers give the township the appearance of an old settled farming community. The scenes which impress the stranger at first and remain with him as the most striking, are the well- tilled farm lands, the Inxuriant pastures, the spacious farm houses and barns, together with
the many windmills, which tower above and over all. It is indeed an honor to be a resident of this county, and especially of this portion of it.
The first man to invade the wild solitude of Amherst Township was a homesteader named Matthias Smith, who came in the antumn of 1869-a year ahead of the final completion of the Dubaque & Sioux City Railroad. This pioneer homesteaded eighty acres on the southeast quarter of section 22.
The next actual settler was Wireman Miller, who came from Cedar County, Iowa, in the spring of 1870, locating his eighty-acre homestead on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 28, where he still remains. He is among the most highly respected men of his township and county, having been very active in aiding to develop his township, to provide it with good schools. good roads and good churches.
During the season of 1870 came the fol- lowing-all taking advantage of the Home- stead Act, which allowed them each eighty acres within railroad limits. Other lands could be purchased at that time for about $5 per acre.
M. E. Hinkley arrived in the spring of that year. 1870, having taken lands on the northeast quarter of section 22 the previons summer; he still resides there. being engaged in general farming and nursery business.
P. C. Stone came about the same time, set- tling on the east half of the northwest quar- ter of seetion 14. Ile afterward removed to Ohio, where he died a few years ago.
W. R. Bartlett came the same season, locat- ing on the west half of section 28.
Two men named Hyatt also settled as homesteaders, on the northwest quarter of section 14.
J. P. Adam Dorr and his brother, John Dorr, came that year, both settling on section
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
32, the former on the north half of the nortli- east quarter, and the latter on the west half of the northwest quarter of the section.
Jacob Parkins settled on the northwest quarter of section 10. He now lives in Ne- braska.
David Bartlett, son of W. R. Bartlett, spoken of above, came with the remainder of his father's family and homesteaded eighty acres. He is now in the drug business in the village of Marcus.
Another homesteader of 1870 was Ed. Smith, on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 28.
Gentlemen named Ray and Christie located the same year; the former remained two years and the latter about four years.
But little settlement was made in the town- ship until after the great, ever-to-be.remem- bered grasshopper raids of 1875 to 1879; a few settlers, however, came each year.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first term of school was taught by D. J. Bartlett, in the fall of 1871, in what was styled the accommodation school building-a rough concern, erected for temporary use. It stood on section 27.
The first school-houses (proper) were the one in District No. 2 and the one in Dis- trict No. 8. These were built in 1873.
The first death occurring in Amherst Town- ship was that of an infant child of William Fosket, in 1874.
The first birth was a child of pioneers John Dorr and wife, about 1872.
The first marriage was that of David Bart- lett to Miss Belle Anderson.
The first religious services were held at the home of M. E. Hinkley-a Methodist- in 1870.
The first house erected in the township was the one built by Matthias Smith, the
first man to locate in the township. This was in 1869; it was a frame structure situated on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 22, and is now used for a granary.
EDUCATIONAL.
Much of the prosperity and good citizen- ship of the township comes from the fact that special attention has been given to public school matters. There are now (1889) nine frame school-houses within the limits of Am- herst Township. These buildings are all well built, finely painted and preserved. Two male and nine female teachers are employed to instruct a total enrollment of 186 pupils. The average cost per pupil at present is $3.62 There are planted on school-house grounds within this township 204 shade trees. As compared with other townships of this county the reader is referred to the " Educational " chapter. (See index.)
RELIGIOUS.
A spirit of moral and religious life here tends to make it a desirable location in which to live. These people prove that one may be both "diligent in business and fervent in spirit."
The first religious denomination to organ- ize themselves as standard-bearers of the Cross in Amherst Township was the Method- ist Episcopal, who held services from the earliest settlement in 1870. They built a fine church edifice on section 28 in 1884, at a cost of 82,500. The same was provided with stained glass, and would do credit to a town or city. This church organization be- longs to what is known as the Marcus charge.
The German Baptist Brethren (Dunkards) society was organized in Amherst Township in December, 1837, by the following mem- bership: Rev. Henry B. Lehman and wife and their daughter Anna; D. B. Lehman,
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wife and daughter Ella; David Postle and wife, Callie Arnold and Mattie Christin. The membership now consists of fourteen per- sons.
The German Lutherans also have a society and hold regular services in the township. They are at present erecting a commodious chapel on section 29.
POPULATION.
In 1875 Amherst Township had but 130 people; in 1880 it had a population of 341, and in 1885 had grown to 683. At least 150 should be added to the above to show the present population.
According to the State census, taken in 1885. this township had 139 families, 460 native born and 223 foreign born people.
FATAL WIND STORM OF 1881.
On June 17, 1881, a terrific wind storm swept through this portion of Cherokee County, which destroyed much of the grow- ing crops and blew down light buildings, in- cluding the farm-house of Milton C. Stevens, located on section 36-92-42. Mrs. Stevens was killed, while her husband and eight-year- old son had their legs broken.
After this disaster and affliction Mr. Stevens sold his farm to Joseph Taplin, and moved from this county.
CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
EDAR is situated in the northern tier of townships, with O'Brien County on UIO the north : Spring Township, Cherokee County, on the east ; Cherokee on the south, and Liberty on the west. It constitutes the ter- ritory embraced in congressional township 93-40, and was constituted, by an act of the county Board of Supervisors, September 6, 1869.
The topography of Cedar Township is principally rolling prairie-land. Mill Creek
follows a southeastern course through the southwestern part of the township. The Cherokee & Dakota Railway (branch from Illinois Central) crosses the township from south to north, having Larrabee for a station.
The population in 1885 was 457 Ameri- can and 117 foreign born.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Owing to the fact that the first settlement in Cedar Township was effected by homestead- ers, coming and selling out before proving up their claims, it would be difficult to do other than give the name and location of those who came into the township prior to 1870. The first homesteader, however, came four or five years previous to that date.
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