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 38
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There are three missionary societies con -
nected with this church-the " Ladies'," the " Girls'" and " Children's " societies. Gifts to the support of the missionary cause have amounted to $270 during the past year, and to $1,032 in the last four years.
Mrs. James Henderson is the President of the Ladies' society; Mrs. Thomas Caswell is Vice-President; Miss Maggie Robertson, Treasurer, and Mrs. James Payton, Secretary.
There is also a " Mite Society," whose ob- ject is looking after church improvement.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor meets each Sabbath evening, before regular church services. The officers are: C. Wilson, President; Miss Jennie Jones, Sec- retary; Miss A. Millard, Treasurer; Miss Jennie Ross, Corresponding Secretary.
The present pastor is very able and suc- cessful; he is not only highly prized within his own church but by the community at large. He represented the church as a dele. gate to the General Assembly at New York the past spring, May, 1889, and from that city sailed to the home of his childhood, Scotland, where he spent his summer vaca- tion, returning in August to his people. See personal sketch.
The First Baptist Church of Cherokee was formed April 2, 1870, by seven persons who believed in the Baptist faith and teach- ings. They were as follows: D. J. Gates and wife, James A. Brown, Francis A. Bowen, T. O. Wilburn, Cyrus D. Wilburn and J. C. Hnbbart. Until 1873 services were held in Odd Fellows' Hall, the old court-house, at school-houses and various other places. A small frame church was provided by the still small society, which has been their house of worship until now. That building was dedi- cated September 7, 1873. Plans are already being drawn for a new church to be erected on the site of the old church. The same is to cost $6,000.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE, COUNTY.
The following served as Pastors from the organization to the present time: Rev. A. W. Hilton, Rev. E. N. Jencks, Rev. W. H. Irwin, Rev. Edminster, Rev. George H. Brown, Rev. N. A. Reed, Rev. W. H. Breachi. The present membership is 140. A Sabbatlı- school is sustained, numbering over a hundred.
A Ladies' Missionary and Aid Society of about twenty-five members does noble work for this church. The Aid Society raised $50 in four months during 1888. The officers of these two societies are the same, except that Mrs. Moore is Treasurer for the Aid Society. The other officers are, at this date: Mrs. Wakefield, President; Mrs. Brockway, Vice President; Mrs. Nicholson, Secretary (and Treasurer of Missionary Society).
The Young People's Christian Endeavor of this church numbers twenty active and four- teen associate members. Their officers are: Mrs. Wakefield, President; Miss Ella Brown, Secretary; G. W. Kenyon, Corresponding Secretary.
The Young Ladies' Light Society have raised $200 for each of the last two years. Miss Ella Brown is President and Miss Della Corbett, Treasurer.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Cherokee. Iowa, was organized in the month of May, 1586. It now numbers fifty. The current expenses for the past year were $300. The following are the present officers: J. II. Burlingame, President; George W. Kenyon, Vice President; R. L. Robie, Corresponding Secretary; W. J. Coakes, Recording Secre- tary; F. E. Whitmore, Treasurer. The six Directors are: F. E. Whitmore, Thomas Cas- well, Ed Miller, Thomas Brown, Isaac Boddy, C. E. P. Hobart.
This institution is instrumental in further ing the Christian work in and about Chero-
kee, occupying a sphere that no other society can possibly fill in accomplishing good.
WOMAN'S RELIGIOUS WORK.
It is quite clear that few towns of the size of Cherokee, within the State, do more effectual Christian work, through the medium of the various church organizations, and especially by the efforts put forth by the Christian ladies of the city. Among the or- ganized working bodies made up entirely of women may be named the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union, which frequently is blamed for over-zeal by the husbands and brothers of members, yet it is true the in- fluence that women have had toward shaping prohibitory measures in Iowa was a great factor in bringing abont our present laws concerning the sale and use of intoxicating liquors. The Cherokee branch has ever done what it could to further the canse.
Again, each religious denomination main- tains its Home and Foreign Missionary socie- ties, from which good, practical results follow every year, as is seen by the large amount of funds raised, periodicals taken and work done.
TIIE "KID COTERIE."
Cherokee has the honor of having one society or order not enjoyed by any other town in America, so far as heard from. It is indeed novel in character as well as in name, and has for its prime object the true, undefiled principles of charity and benevo lence. It is, strictly speaking, non-sectarian and very independent! It is what is styled the "Kid Coterie." It originated in the in- telligent brain of Mrs. W. B. Chick, of this city, and was formed in November, 1885, by ten young women and girls, and now num- bers seventeen. They allow no more to join, and prohibit boys and men from belonging. The object is to do fancy work, etc., whichi
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
they sell, the proceeds going to the needy poor of the city. They hold fairs, festivals and sociables. Their first fair was held in 1886, at which they netted $75. In all, they have raised over $500. All but $100 has been, from time to time, given out to the poor, old and young, of the place. They meet each Saturday, promptly at 2, and work until 5 o'clock, rain or shine! One peculiar- ity of the society is that they must first have a unanimous vote on all questions. If one " black ball" be cast, the question must drop! Perhaps a more systematic corps of workers was never enlisted in a good work, and har- mony reigns universally and supreme at all times. They do as much good as any three church benevolent societies in Cherokee, practically speaking. They are the pride of the town, and never allow older heads to meddle with their business.
The charter members of this society were: Nettie Kennedy, Ona Smith, Hattie Pull, Jennie Jones, Myrtle Chick, Alice Ingersoll, Jennie Ross, Geneva Skavelen, Althea Mil- lard, Mary Hornibrook.
Owing to the fact that they elect officers every three months-another peculiarity- no officers' names will here be given. Suffice it to say they know their business, and attend strictly to it!
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF 1889.
Attorneys, E. C. Herrick, M. Wakefield, Alva Hobert, J. D. F. Smith, J. A. Metcalfe, A. R. Molyneaux, Boddy & Bloom; physi- cians, Dr. Royal L. Cleaves, Dr. M. S. But- ler, Dr. J. A. Sherman, Dr. J. H. Burlingame, Dr. G. P. Perley, Dr. Edward Hornibrook, Dr. M. F. Pritchard; dentistry. W. H. Palmer, F. P. Webber; banks, First National of Chero. kee, Cherokee State Bank, T. S. Steele & Sons; Building and Loan Association (stock com- pany); real estate dealers, Corbett & Whit-
more; Insurance Company, Citizens' Mutual Life Association; Opera House (stock com- pany); newspapers, Cherokee Times (Rep.), Cherokean Democrat; railroad office, Onawa & Sioux Falls Division of Illinois Central; hotels, Washington House, Raymond House, Bennett Hotel, Western Exchange, Mer- chants'; dry goods (exclusive), Allison Bros .; general dealers, George A. Johnson, Knox & Nicholson, HI. D. Nye, George E. Beebe; millinery and fancy goods, Allison & Co., Mrs. E. J. Meeker, Walrath & Hobart, J. M. Starr; groceries, A. B. Ross, Henry Asman, John Umhofer, George Wilkie, Derby & Le- land, Aug. Twick, Harper Bros., William Kelley, A. D. Wakefield; hardware, Millard Bros., Robert Gick, James Brockway; drugs, Schuster & Bechmann, Z. A. Wellman, W. G. Sylvester; agricultural implements, Jolin P. Rankin, W. J. Hall, J. N. Snidecor, Ste- vens & Polkinghorn; furniture, E. Morrison .& Co., D. W. Adron; clothing. W. Jones, E. S. Block, Wertheim & Co .; boots and shoes (exclusive), David Bates, Ed Wilkie, Henry Knife; wagon shops, Isaac Boddy, John Rei- gel, Frank Jones; feed store, Eli Eshleman; ice dealers, Jackson & Funk, W. W. Roberts; inusic dealers, Cyrus Crooks, E. W. Nelson; news stands, Daniel Moore, also the drug stores; builders and contractors, J. M. Star- buck, Joseph Russell, Charles Stoddard, - Sandusky; laundries, T. H. Symms, Stephen Goff; hair work, Mrs. Miller; nursery, R. A. Lewis ("Green Hill"); mills, Cherokee Flour- ing Mills (roller system); billiard halls, WiH- iam Foy, H. J. McMannns; marble works, C. B. Holden; auctioneers, Abe Steiner, J. J. Condon; jewelry, A. H. Smith, W. F. New- comb; stock dealers, H. E. Kennedy, John Waters; grain dealers, James Robertson, Hobart & Snyder, James Archer, Robert Hall, Mrs. J. A. Sherman; lumber dealers, J. P. Dickey & Co., H. L. Stout, James
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Archer, James Robertson; coal dealers, Jack- son & Funk, F. A. Frisbee, J. P. Dickey & Co., M. A. Caley; meat markets, Bain & Butts, Joseph Lockyer, - Myers; livery barns, F. D. Yaw, Will Miller, A. R. Cutler, John Gates. George De Witt; blacksmith shops, Ed Elfrink, John Reigel, E. E. Lent, Thomas Brown; harness shops, George Moore, M. C. Moore, William Zwick, M. Ward; bar- ber shops, R. H. Gross, Theo. Gerlach, Joseph
Brown, John Ball; restaurants, C. A. Knapp, "St. Elmo," W. G. Boughton; bakeries, "St. Elmo," C. E. White; paint store, W. H. El- ford; photographic studios, J. C. Wilson. H. D. Chatterton & Son; tailor shops, William Jones, A. Blomburg; brick works, J. M. Starbuck; stone manufactory, Thomas Faus; Creamery, - --; Express Company, American Company; postmaster, William Snell.
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Carltonleurhelt
HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
379
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
ARLTON CORBETT, the second white man to tread the virgin soil of what is now Cherokee County, is for many rea- sons entitled to the first biographical place in this recorded history of the county of Cuero- kee. The mere fact of his being the next person to Robert Perry, the first one of his race to look upon this fair and fertile domain, would naturally entitle him to such a place of preference and honor. But, not on account of this alone is he thus deserving; it was Mr. Corbett who served as one of the two advance agents prospecting in the interests of the Mil- ford Emigration Society, whose numbers made up the first actual settlers of the county. That little band of New Englanders could not possibly have chosen a man possessed of bet- ter judgment, combined with deepest integ- rity, thian Carlton Corbett, Esq. To say these words of compliment of the average man might be considered but a species of flattery, but all will unhesitatingly accord to our wor- thy and highly esteemed subject this much of meritorious praise. Sound judgment and good business ability are not unfrequently found conpled togetlier, but to find these with corresponding traits of moral principle and gennine integrity is indeed of rare occur- rence. Some young men start out on the
journey of life with good characters and in- tend to walk the way of the upright through all their years, but it is exceptional to form the intimate acquaintance of one who has passed his fifty-eighth milestone, and has not diverged somewhat from the one correct path. Indeed, it requires unusual native endow- ments in one's character to walk thus, beset as men are with passions of greed, with strong desires to rise to the highest point in the least time and with the smallest amount of work. Selfishness is many a time the downfall of otherwise brilliant inen. To be diligent in one's business life and yet not forget the rights of friends and neighbors requires 110 little real moral courage, especially in this fast age of steam and electricity, when men must needs act promptly and witlı determina- tion if they hope to succeed. It requires a different type of manhood to do battle in life in our generation from that demanded in the days of our forefathers. Now a great con- monwealth is formed in a decade, and cities spring into existence within a year. We come now to speak of him who has lived ear- nestly, and has labored as a citizen of Chiero- kee County for thirty-three years, almost a tliird of a century. Coming with little else than the priceless gift of a robust young
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
manhood, he at once commenced carving on life's tablet. Year after year has gone by, one success of his life has been added to yet another, one friend has been gained atter another in both social and business relations, until no man will say that Carlton Corbett has allowed his integrity to be warped or turned from right for personal gains during these three decades and more. Not that opportunity has not been at his hand many times by which he might have built for him- self while he destroyed for his fellow-man. To say that one has spent this period of time in Northwestern Iowa, where all sorts of speculations liave been carried on regardless of personal rights or legal principles, without wronging any man, is at once placing a high estimate on personal character. To acquaint the reader with Mr. Corbett's earlier life in New England we innst trace his career from childhood's hour, through the school-room on down to the year 1856, when he sought ont a home, not as did his Puritan ancestry, on the wild New England shore, bnt upon the prairie wilds of Western Iowa, since which time his life has been prominently identified with the history of Cherokee County. Carlton Corbett was born Angust 12, 1831, at Mil- ford, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He is a son of John and Alnira (Parkhurst) Corbett, of remote English ancestry, the Corbett's having come across from England and settled in the Bay State at a very early date. His grandfather, John Corbett, fought against the inother country in the contest for independence, and was taken prisoner. He also enlisted in the War of 1812. In his youthful days Mr. Corbett enjoyed the pleas- ures and virtue of a good home. The family consisted of the parents and six children, two danghters and four sons, Carlton being the oldest son and second child. Ile attended the common schools and early learned the
occupation of farming. In 1852, seized with the gold fever, he made a trip to California, where he engaged in inining, in which he was quite successful. After abont four years he returned to New England; soon after the Milford Emigration Society was formed, and Mr. Corbett and Lemuel Parkhurst, Esq., were chosen to go in advance and spy ont the land, in which they hoped to obtain suitable liomes for a colony of fifty-two members, and per- haps found a town which might be deemed worthy the name of a city at some future day. (Much relating to their settlement and the active part taken by Mr. Corbett may be seen elsewhere in this vohne.) Messrs. Corbett and Parkhurst visited various points in Western Iowa, including the present site of Sioux City, where they intended to settle, but found the place had already been claimed. Leaving Mr. Parkhurst at a point on the Mis- sonri River, Mr. Corbett and a man named Martin came over to the Little Sionx River, tlien followed the Little Sionx up to the territory at the present time called Cherokee County. Within a few months the first sec- tion of the colony were on the ground and at work. This was during the summer of 1856, in which season they pre-empted lands, built rnde cabins, and made ready for the winter. It was Mr. Corbett who first located the lands and aided in the organization of the county in 1857. In August of that year he was elected the first prosecuting attorney, and had to go to Sioux City, a distance of sixty miles, to qualify. In 1860 he was elected to the office of treasurer and recorder, then a com- bined office, which he held six years; he then served two years as treasurer alone. In 1870 he was elected recorder, holding that office one term. After leaving off the duties of connty official, he turned his attention to farming and real-estate business. In 1873 he formed a partnership with Frank E. Whit-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
more, and they engaged in the sale of railroad lands, town lots, etc. The co-partnership still exists, and has come to be very prosper- ous and well known throughout the whole northwestern country. Both members of the firm are excellent business men, whose word is always counted equal to their bond. They have done a large business in land and loans for many years. It is said, "Corbett knows every acre of land in Cherokee County." To undertake to crowd the many accomplish- ments of this pioneer's life within the limited space allotted a biographical sketch would be folly. The history of his career for over thirty years must be largely gleaned from the county history. He has been an active worker all these years; he has built and re-built; he has sold thousands and thousands of acres of land, now finely developed farms; he has farmed hundreds of acres himself; he has held many county and city offices; he assisted in the organization of the National Bank at Cherokee; he has freely given to all public enterprises. Again, he has improved the commercial interests of the town by erecting Corbett's Block, a brick business house on East Main street; this enterprise was carried ont in 1885, and he is at present building a beautiful residence in the Addition, which is modeled after the Queen Anne style of archi- tecture. Mr. Corbett served as city coun- cilman in 1876 and 1877, and has held the office of city treasurer continuously since 1877, a period of thirteen years. being the present incumbent of the office. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the First National Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Corbett had the novelty and romance of being the first couple united in marriage within the county of Cherokee. This ceremony was solemnized November 20, 1859. Mrs. Corbett's maiden name was Rossabella Cummings, and she was born in New Hampshire. Three children
have been born of this union, one of whom survives-Idella F. Elmer E., the first born, died April 5, 1883, aged twenty-one years and six months, and May E., the youngest, died in the fall of 1880, November 7, aged twelve years, five months. Politically Mr. Corbett is a firm believer in genuine Republican prin- ciples, always doing his share in political mat- ters. It should here be stated in justice to onr subject that in manner he is modest and reserved, and that he gives praise to others when it is often due himself. In writing this review of his life-work, nothing but mat- ters of fact and record could be obtained from him; but be it said as a high compliment to himself that every one in Cherokee County is his friend, hence no trouble was had in get- ting at personal traits of character and inci- dents worthy of a work of this kind. Among the many incidents connected with pioneer hardship, it is related of Mr. Corbett that during the Indian scare of 1862-'63, when it became his duty as treasurer of the county to be at the county seat for the purpose of collecting taxes then coming due. that his estimable wife insisted upon remaining at the garrison with him instead of seeking refuge elsewhere as all other women did. They held the fort, collected the taxes, kept the funds for the county, and have lived to see the county crowned one of the banner counties of the Hawkeye State.
OBERT PERRY, deceased, was among the first men to brave the hardships and privations of pioneer life in Chiero- kee County, Iowa. He was born in the North of Ireland in August. 1832, and was a son of Robert and Mary (Banks) Perry; his youth was passed in his native land, and in England. Desirons of seeing the New World, and dis-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
covering what fortune it held for him, he emigrated to the United States at the age of twenty-three years, and settled in Massachu- setts. He was married in Connecticut to Miss Catherine McDermott, a native of the County of Donegal, Ireland; she was born in February, 1838, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Barr) McDermott. At the age of fifteen years she emigrated to America and settled at St. John's, New Brunswick, where she remained two years, removing at the end of that time to Massachusetts; there she lived until her marriage to Mr. Perry. Having seen only a small portion of this country, Mr. and Mrs. Perry resolved to push farther to the west, so in 1856 they removed to Cherokee County, Iowa, arriving at the Sioux River in June of that year. It was indeed a wild outlook, and hearts less stout would have been discouraged; there were few white people in the county, and Indians were nu- merous. Mr. Perry took a homestead of eighty acres in section 28 and built a log house, which he made his home for several years; later he removed some distance west in the same township, locating in section 29, where he improved one of the best farms in the neighborhood; he resided there until 1882, when he went to Cherokee, making his home there until his death, which occurred in August, 1888. Robert and Catherine Perry had born to them nine children, six of whom are living: Caroline Pearson, of Pilot Township; Sarah Messer, of Wakefield, Ne- braska; Agnes Matilda, at home; Robert Banks, of Pilot Township; John and Frank, at home. The two older children were born in Massachusetts, and the others in Cherokee Connty. Jennie died at the age of five years and five days. Politically Mr. Perry was a strong adherent to the principles of the Democratic party. He served as sheriff of the county with much credit to himself, and
to the best interests of the public. He was a man frank in manner, strictly honest, and had many friends. Mrs. Catherine Perry is one of the few women now living in the county who have witnessed the wonderful improve- inent and growth of the county and towns, the erection of numerous comfortable homes with which the surrounding country is thickly dotted, the building of railroads, and number- less other changes for the better. Mrs. Perry is a worthy and consistent member of the Roman Catholic Church, in which faith she was reared. She has brought up her children in a way that reflects credit upon her teach- ing and example.
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EORGE W. BANISTER, a well-known pioneer of Cherokee County, settled there June 17, 1856. He was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, September 12, 1834, and is a son of Nathan and Lucretia (Lilley) Banister; the father was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and descended fromn Scotch ancestors; the mother was a native of Ver- mont. They were married in the State of New York, and resided in Genesee County until about the year 1830, when they removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio. George W. was ten years of age when his parents moved to McHenry County, Illinois; there they re- mained until 1852, when they went to Di- buque, Iowa, and thence they removed to Hardin County, Iowa. Nathan Banister died in 1859. while making a visit to Cherokee County; his wife had died ten years before, in 1849. Mr. Banister was reared to the oc- cupation of a farmer, and received his educa- tion in the common schools. On coming to the county in 1856 he pre-empted 160 acres of land where he now resides, owning in all 480 acres, a very desirable farmn. In those
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
early days Cherokee County people did their trading in Sioux City, and their milling at Fort Dodge or Panora, Iowa, making the trip with o"-teams. The only men now re- siding in the county who came in 1856 are: G. W. Lebourveau, C. Corbett, S. Parkhurst, J. A. Brown and Albert Phipps. It is nearly impossible for one who has never experienced pioneer life to realize how many and how great were the privations and hardships en- dured by these early settlers. At the call for men to defend this nation's flag, Mr. Banis- ter enlisted October 1, 1862, in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, Company E. His regiment saw active service on the Western frontier, and was engaged in battle against host .. e In- dians at Whitestone Hills, Kildeer Mountains, and the Bad Lands of Dakota. He was lion- orably discharged in October, 1865, and returned to his home. Mr. Banister has figured prominently in the politics of his county; he was elected judge in 1867, and served two years; he filled the office of Sheriff very acceptably for two terms, and has also been coroner of the county. The people of his own township have shown the confidence they repose in him by electing him to fill many of the township offices. He has always been a Republican, and has taken an active interest in the success of his party. Mr. Banister was married in Hardin County, Iowa, October 7, 1856, to Miss Margaret Allison, a daughter of George and Frances (Warner) Allison, who was born and reared in Woodford County, Illinois. Her parents were natives of Ohio and Virginia, respect- ively. Mr. and Mrs. Banister have had born to them six children: Engene A., who works the home farm; Triphena E., wife of W. M. Little; Nettie, a successful teacher, who was educated at Ames, Iowa; George Dwight, Charles Allison and Wellington. With the exception of three years Mr. Banister has re-
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