USA > Iowa > Polk County > Centennial history of Polk County, Iowa > Part 4
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The first power press in printing a newspaper, was used
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
by T. H. Sypherd on the Citizen, in 1856. This press was of the Guernsey style, run by hand.
The first piano in Fort Des Moines was owned by Cap- tain F. R. West. It was made to discourse sweet music on the occasion of the marriage of B. F. Allen, in 1854, and Miss Thusa West, daughter of the Captain.
The first ice dealer in town was E. R. Clapp; and the second, George K. Cranston, who, with his brother Charles, came from Rhode Island. The building near the river, which they used as an ice house in 1856, is now used for the same purpose by Grefe & Sons.
OLD SETTLERS DEATH. (From the Iowa State Register.)
Died, in Franklin township, Polk county, September 23d, Sarah Ann Trullinger, wife of Eli Trullinger, aged 58 years. Mrs. Trullinger was born in Hamilton county, Ohio; re- moved to Indiana, and was married to Eli Trullinger in September, 1837. They came to Iowa in the year 1843, and have resided in Franklin township since 1845. Mrs. T. has been a member of the Christian Church about fifteen years, and has ever exemplified her profession by a consistent life. Her sickness was of a very short duration, and thus sud- denly, family and friends are bereft of her society and neigh- borly companionship.
ANOTHER DEATH.
Died-September 9, 1876, A. Fouts, who came to Camp township, Polk county, in the year 1849, and lived there a good and quiet citizen until the year 1870, when he moved to Richardson county, Nebraska, where he died in his 78th year. He leaves a wife and children and many warm friends to mourn his death.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
THE UNRECORDED DEAD.
Among the dead of early settlers, of whom no mention is made in the records, are Mrs. C. M. Burt, Wm. Rickey, Wm. Barnes, Geo. M. Swan, formerly an editor in Columbus, Ohio; Safford Savery, John Bender, Jacob Krysher, Thos. Baber, William Butler, Lambert Sternberg, Jas. McRoberts, Conrad Youngerman, Frank Butler, D. B. Spaulding, W. Wheelhouse, George and Jacob Hauser, Mrs. Richard Crys- tal; Jacob, George and William Van Dorn ; Judge John H. Gray, George and Jacob Marts, Adolphus and Josiah Hopkins, John Messersmith, George Currans, Father Crab- tree, Jeremiah Barlow, Benjamin Hunt, P. G. Miller, Sam- uel Hays, Dr. J. C. Bennett, Hiram Smith, Judge Burbridge, John Kellison, J. M. Montgomery, Lewis Barlow, Edward Martin, Mrs. Kunckols, Drs. F. C. and Henry Grimmel, Mrs. Jonathan Lyon.
The last list given was not designed to include the dead of the war, whose names are found elsewhere. In present- ing these names, we have nothing to assist us but our own memory.
Alexander Bowers came to Fort Des Moines from Ross county, Ohio, in 1848. He was Deputy U. S. Marshal du- ring the war. He was a gentleman of great probity and usefulness, leaving at his death an independent property to his widow and adopted daughter.
Frank Butler, an exemplary and excellent citizen, fell dead in the streets of Des Moines nearly two years ago, from disease of the heart.
John L. Smith, a good old pioneer, was killed near Stuart by falling from a carriage when the horses were running away. He lingered in great agony several hours after the accident.
G. M. Swan, an eccentric genius, well known in the county, died in Des Moines, December, 1868.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
John Mc Williams, a good, genial soul as ever lived, died in Detroit, Michigan.
Of early settlers, none were better known than Drs. Frank C. and Henry Grimmel. They were both learned in their profession, and enjoyed a merited popularity. Dr. Henry established on Walnut street, a drug store in a little brick building, which in 1857 fell into ruins.
John H. Gray, Judge of the District Court from 1858 until 1865, died October 8th, in the latter year. He was an unaffected Christian, a talented man, and a good Judge. He was a leading member of the M. E. Church; and was succeeded in office by Hon. C. C. Nourse, appointed by Gov. Stone.
ANCIENT DOCUMENTS.
To gratify the antiquarian in history, we take pleasure in subjoining exact copies of several old documents which have been received from the Old Settlers' Association, as follows:
TERRITORY OF IOWA, Į POLK COUNTY.
I hereby certify that at an election held on the 3d day of August, 1846, in the county aforesaid, Thomas Mitchell was duly elected Sheriff in and for Polk county aforesaid, for two years from the first Monday in August, 1846.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, with the Seal of the Board of Commissioners hereto affixed, at Fort Des Moines, this 8th day of August, 1846.
WILLIAM McKAY,
Clerk of the Board of Commissioners.
TERRITORY OF IOWA, Į POLK COUNTY.
I, Thomas Mitchell, of said County, do solemnly swear, that I will support the Constitution of the United States,
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OF POLK COUNTY.
and that I will faithfully execute the office of Sheriff, in and for the County of Polk in said Territory.
THOMAS MITCHELL.
I, Perry L. Crossman do testify the oath aforesaid was taken and subscribed before me this seventh day of April, A. D. 1846.
P. L. CROSSMAN,
Clerk of the District Court in and for said County.
TERRITORY OF IOWA, ! POLK COUNTY,
Be it remembered that Perry L. Crossman, Clerk of the District Court, and ex-officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of the Connty of Polk in said Territory, do hereby certify that Thomas Mitchell of said County has been duly (on the first Monday in the month of April, A. D. 1846,) elected and qualified as Sheriff in and for said County, until the first Monday in the month of August next and until his successor is elected and qualified
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and af- fixed the temporary seal of said Court at Fort Des Moines in said County, this Seventh day of April, A. D. 1846.
P. L. CROSSMAN, Clerk.
TERRITORY OF IOWA, 1 POLK COUNTY.
To the Sheriff of said County :- The following is a statement of the proportion of jurors to which each precinct or place of voting is entitled to in said County. To-wit: The number of jurors apportioned to the precinct or place of voting at the house of Thomas Mitchell, on Camp Creek in said County, is thirty-six. The number of jurors, appor- tioned to the precinct or place of voting, at the house of John D. Parmalee, in the neighborhood of the Three Rivers, in said County, is fifty-six, and the number of jurors, appor- 7
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
tioned to the precinct or place of voting at Fort Des Moines in said County, is fifty-eight.
Done at Fort Des Moines, this fifteenth day of April, A. D. 1846.
WILLIAM MCKAY, Clerk of the Board of Commissioners.
In the matter of the joint purchase of the East half of the North-west fourth of 9, T. 78, R. 24, on which is laid out the Fagan addition to the town of Fort Des Moines, in Polk County, Iowa, the purchase money of which was eight hundred and twenty-five dollars, ($825)-the parties thereto, Robertson & Holland of the one part, and Peirce B. Fagan, of the other part, have this day settled up all matters and find that Robertson & Holland have paid four hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents, the one half of the purchase money; and the said Peirce B. Fagan, four hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents, the other half, to Mrs. Ayres for whom the same had been purchased.
FORT DES MOINES, January 18th, 1849.
ROBERTSON & HOLLAND. PEIRCE B. FAGAN.
FORT DES MOINES, March 16, 1847.
HENRY BURGE, EsQ.
Sir :- There will be elected at our next election-A State Officer, styled Superintendent of Public Instruction, a Dis- trict Officer, styled District Judge; and such County and Township Officers as are mentioned in the advertisement.
Each Township requires three sets of Poll Books. Two Poll Books make a set. When a person votes for, State, District, and County and Township Officers, his name should be written in all the Poll Books. But if he votes for only one or the other, that is, for State, or District, or County and Township Officers, his name should be written on only one set of the Poll Books.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
Three Poll Books must be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners, and three kept by one of the Judges or Clerks of election.
Take care to return one Poll Book, containing the votes for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
One containing the votes for Judge; and one containing the votes for County and Township Officers.
We hope the Democrats - will play the Whigs a strong game, and show that we have a clear majority in this county. It is said, that the Democratic candidate for Judge is the best lawyer in the State.
LEWIS WHITTEN.
THE TOWNSHIPS.
The reader will observe that the previous pages of this work are devoted more especially to a consideration of Fort Des Moines and its immediate surroundings. Here were the first settlements made, and to this point, therefore, the attention of the historian has been first directed.
The Townships of Des Moines, Lee, and Valley, have been considered together for historical purposes, while the other Townships, except those most recently created, which have no distinctive history of themselves, are arranged alphabetically.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATIONS.
The County was originally divided-February 2d, 1847- into four Townships, viz: Des Moines, Madison, Camp, and Skunk. Allen, Four Mile, and Saylor, were organized January 4th, 1848. Jackson Township was organized June 16th, 1859; but it was vacated, and restored to Madison Township, July 12th, same year. A portion of Saylor was attached to Des Moines Township, October 3d, 1849. Bea- ver was organized from parts of Skunk and Camp Town- ships, January 9th, 1850; Delaware, October 9th, 1850; Jef-
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CENTENNIAL FISTORY
ferson, January 2d, 1851; E khart,- 1851. Wash- ington and Franklin were organized March 6th, 1856; Lee, September 28th, 1857; Douglas, September 6th, 1858. A portion of Camp was added to Four Mile, September 21st, 1858; and the same date a part of Four Mile was attached to Lee Bloomfield was organized September 20th, 1858. Walnut Township was organized from portionsof Jefferson and Des Moines, January 7th, 1860. It was reorganized, with certain changes, March 26th, 1860; and October 1st, 1860, a portion of this Township was added to Jefferson, leaving the boundaries of both Townships as they now exist. Valley Township was organized March 26th, 1860; and Grant, from a portion of Lee, September 7th, 1870. Saylor re rganized, Crocker and Lincoln were constituted of parts of Madison, Loe, and the original Saylor Town- ship, D : ember 20th, 1870. Skunk, one of the original Townships, was absorted by Washington, Elkhart, and Franklin.
We had intended to present here the boundaries of the different Townships, as they now exist, but this would re- quire more space than we have to spare.
ALLEN TOWNSHIP.
This Township is he ated in the south western part of the County, and is a paw of Township 78, Range 23. The surface is mostly pr arie, andlundul; ny. The greater part of the land is u de: noprov sent. ral is found here in large quantities 'I're Townsho, which Was divided in 1853, by the boundary war which separates Polk County from Warren, va- art-euled in '844, by G. B. Clark, on the north, . Polk County ville. As a consideration for building a bridge over Noith River, on the The of the old trail, which wasafterwa is cony ed mon thes was called the Fort Des M wos ann Kanxville State Kto 1, Mi Clark was permitted by Captain zMen, for whom the Township
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OF POLK COUNTY.
was named, to make the claim on which he settled. Elias Compton, Mr. Kunckols, and Joseph Williams, in 1845 took up their residence on Keokuk Prairie. James Davis con- structed his cabin, and split the first rails in that part of the country.
The village of Avon was laid out by Charles Keeney, August 1st, 1856, and for a time it had quite a rapid growth, situated, as it was, on the line of the State Road, to which we have referred. In 1859, it had an accession of twenty houses, alot appeared to be on the full tide of prosperity. A large hotel, several stores, and a church building, belong- ing to the United Brethren, were among the improvements of that year. Of the early villagers, we mention Stephen Shelton, Dr. Myrick, and Dr. J. W. Bishop. Jonathan Keeney kopt store, and Eliza Kenworthy, afterwards Mrs. Gal.dis, taug t the first school in town. The nearness of Avon to Des Moines, and its remoteness from the station on the I. & W. R. R., together with other causes, have pre- vented it from growing with much rapidity in these later times. Still, as the only village in Allen Township, sup- ported by a fertile country, abounding in many resources, it has strong attractions.
It will be remembered that the south half of the original Township, belonging Low ) Warren, . for a time the property of Polk County; and as such, its early history is identified with ours. Besides the settlers already mentio, ed it is proper to Jote the name of Jrhu Bender, a hospitable farmer, one of whose daughters was wedded to Jonn D MeGlothlen, another to Levi Krysher, Esq , and still another to Daniel Hiskey, a merchant of Monroe, Jasper county. Rev. James Fleming and his sons, Asa, a school teacher William and Elijah, lived in this part of the County. Thomas Gooch, Benjamin, Isaac, Solomon, and Danish Per. kins, Daniel Moore, and Matthew Spurlock, Esq., settled here in 1847.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
Near Avon station, William Buzick laid out the town of Circleville, in 1848, but it is now known only in tradition. In 1846, Jeremiah Church, a peripatetic city builder, impro- vised the village of Dudley, on the Des Moines, one mile below the mouth of North river. At first it grew rapidly, and bade fair to give an honorable immortality, to its foun- der, but during the great freshet of 1851, when it rained, according to the testimony of Mr. Church, forty days and forty nights, the village with all its present and prospective importance went down the river on a voyage to the Gulf. Mr. Church greatly disgusted, retired two miles to the inte- rior, and started the town of Carlisle, which is to-day one of the flourishing villages of Warren County.
There were three villages started by Mr. Church, viz .: Jericho, Dudley, and Carlisle, the last of which proved to be a success. The others went down to their graves, " un- wept, unhonored, and unsung."
The death of Mrs. Kunckols in 1846, was the first event of the kind in the Township. The Kunckols family had been living on the claim afterward owned by Mr. McGloth- len. Their cabin was constructed of poles; and the earth itself constituted the greater part of the floor. Here, with these cheerless surroundings, the wife and mother died, leaving several children to realize the bitterness of their bereavement.
The marriage of Jackson Shoemaker to Miss Compton, was the first incident of this nature in this part of the coun- ty.
Rev. C. B. Jones, of the United Brethren Church, was one of the pioneer preachers; and among the worshipers of his congregation, were William McMahan and family, who settled here in 1846.
The Avon Cemetery was handsomely laid out in 1856, displaying fine taste on the part of those who had the super- vision of it.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
John D. McGlothlen, member of the Board of Commis- sioners in 1848, came to the County, July, 1846. The farm on which he settled had been owned by G. B. Clark, a pioneer who received a permit from the Government in 1844, to make a claim on Keokuk Prairie. The settlers cotem- porary with Mr. McGlothlen, in Allen Township, were G. B. Scott, Elias and William Compton. G. B. Clark and James Davis preceded Mr. M. Avon Station is included within the limits of Mr. McGlothlen's farm.
The first school teacher in Allen Township was Thomas McClelland, who employed, for school purposes, an old log building belonging to Mr. McGlothlen. This was in 1849. The first school house was a frame building, one half mile east of what is now Avon Station, erected in 1854. A Methodist society was organized in 1847, meeting at differ- ent houses in the neighborhood. Revs. Ezra Rathburn and James Fleming were among the earliest Methodist preach- ers. The Baptists organized in 1848, with Revs. Keeney and J. A. Nash as occasional preachers, the latter, however, not until 1851.
Keokuk, the Chief, had two residences, a short distance north of what is now Avon Station, one of which, in the timber, was his winter, and the other, on the prairie, was his summer residence. The tepes, or wigwams, of his en- campment, were visible in 1846.
Lewis Powell built, in 1849, a log house on the site of the village plat laid out by William Buzick, and named Circleville.
Jeremiah Church, after building half a hundred towns in different parts of the country, died two years ago, at the res- idence of his son-in-law, Dr. Hull, at Carlisle, Warren county. He was about eighty years of age at the time of his death.
Since writing the above, we have acquired some addi- tional information in regard to this Township. We subjoin
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
the following names of settlers who came to this region be- tween 1846 and 1850, and who have not hitherto been men- tioned: Jacob Krysher, and his sons George and Levi; John Watts, John Watson, J. T. Wright, James P. Deaton, Jacob Bender, Thomas Baber, Wm. Butler, Robert Gaddis, William Lowry, Jonathan Keeney, and James McRoberts. Mr. McRoberts had been one of Capt. Allen's soldiers, be- fore making his claim on Keokuk Prairie Robert Gaddis was the first teacher in the school house erected near Avon Station. George Krysher built a steam saw-mill in Avon. A. S. Rice and Austin Warnock came here in 1852. J. P. Hendrix and Nelson Ball were early settlers near Des Moines, probably in this Township.
John D. McGlothlen paid four hundred dollars for his claim. His farm consists of 873 acres, and is in a fine state of improvement. Keokuk Prairie, once the abode of the red man, is ornamented from one end to the other by orchards, fields, well stored barns, and splendid residences.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP.
(Township 79, Range 22.) Camp Creek is in the eastern part, and Mud Creek in the western. The surface is rolling, and extensive improvements are visible in every part.
This township has a very interesting history. One of the first, as well as one of the most prominent, settlers of the county was Thomas Mitchell, who came from Fairfield, Iowa, in 1844, and settled at Apple Grove. His house, composed of green logs in the ancient style of double cab- ins, and ornamented with a puncheon floor, was built in the.grove near Camp Creek, north of the Iowa City road. Wild apples were so plentiful in the vicinity, as to suggest a name for this primitive residence. Mr. Mitchell was permitted by the government to make his claim as a com- pensation for the erection of a bridge over Camp Creek, on the road to Keokuk. The supplies for the garrison were
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OF POLK COUNTY.
brought from that place, and this improvement, therefore, was a prime necessity. For the benefit of travelers, many of whom were seeking homes in the West, the cabin of Mr. Mitchell was converted into a public house. The property was ultimately sold to Mr. Keith, and subsequently it went into the hands of Lambert Sternberg.
In 1846, L. M. Burke settled here, as also did Jos. Slaugh- ter, the latter about a mile from Skunk, or Chicaqua river. Northward, on Clear river, Joseph Kintz became a settler. These families, along with the residents at Tool's Point, were for a long time the only neighbors of Mr. Mitchell. Rev. Mr. Pardoe, an itinerant minister, preached at Apple Grove the first sermon in the county, to a small company of bearers. In 1857, Mr. Mitchell laid out the village of Mitchelltown, on the road leading from Newton to Des Moines. At one time it had twelve houses, two hotels, and a high school building; but the hard times, combined with other causes, retarded its development, and it died a prema- ture death.
Ten years later, June 2d, 1867, the same energetic propri- etor started the village of Mitchellville, on the line of the Rock Island Railroad. The improvements here have been rapid and permanent; and Mitchellville, with its thousand inhabitants, and its popular institution of learning, is a credit to the county, as well as to the enterprising gentle- man who founded it.
Among the early settlers of Mitchellville were E. J. Val- entine, merchant; A. J. Grismer, hotel; Mayor Cram, Geo. D. Moore, and Jones Brothers, who erected a brick block.
South of Mitchellville, three-quarters of a mile, is the station of Nobleton, on the K. & D. M. R. R. Here some improvements have been made, and a grain trade is carried on quite extensively.
In 1856, P. H. Humphreys bought the farm of Mr. Mitch- ell about a mile west of the old stand, on the stage road. 8
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
Here the former gentleman kept the Stage Station, and the Postoffice, the latter of which was employed as a distribu- ting office in a circumscribed way. The old Apple Grove P. O. was extinguished by the new Mitchellville, and to this place Mr. Humphreys retired, establishing there a pop- . ular hotel.
MITCHELL SEMINARY.
This is the name of a thriving young academic institu- tion, located in the incorporated town of Mitchellville. It was named in honor of Hon. Thomas Mitchell, whose lib- eral donation of lots and lands formed the inception of the enterprise. It is controlled by a Board of Trustees, ap- pointed by the Iowa Universalist Convention, but the school is non-sectarian in its . management. The corner stone of the very fine edifice was laid on the 4th day of July, 1872, and the building was completed, and the school opened, in September, 1873. The building is of the com- posite order of architecture, and presents a very imposing appearance. It is situated on a slight elevation between the Rock Island and Keokuk & Des Moines Railroads, which at this point are about three quarters of a mile apart. The building is three stories high, with mansard tower, and it cost the moderate sum of $21,500. The present value of the school property is about $40,000. It has been, for the past two years, entirely self-sustaining, without income from endowment.
The following constitute the present Board of Trustees: Hon. Thomas Mitchell, President ; Rev. J. R. Sage, Secre- tary; Hon. B. F. Gue, Des Moines, Treasurer; Edwin Con- ger, Dexter ; R. A. Sankey, Newton ; Hon. M. L. Ed- wards and Edwin Van Cise, Mt. Pleasant; F. J. Upton, Cedar Rapids; and Rev. B. F. Snook, Webster City. The school is under the charge of Rev. J. R. Sage as Principal,
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OF POLK COUNTY.
and Mrs. E. C. Sage, Preceptress, assisted by an efficient corps of teachers.
The institution is an ornament to the town and county in which it is located, and deserving of the liberal patronage of our citizens.
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP
Contains all of Township 78, Range 24, Township 78, Range 25, south of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, ex- cept the south limits of the city. In 1847, Owen Edgarton erected his cabin on the Indianola road; at an early day, 1849, James Smith, the celebrated nurseryman, left Dela- ware Township, and settled in Bloomfield. Among old res- idents, it is proper to name Messrs. Chiles, H. C. Hargis Smith Means, who lived in Hargis' barn one winter, Phil- lips, Blye, George Bentley, Elijah Jones, and Miss Fore- man, who taught the first school. Mr. Bentley was the first Magistrate. Rev. V. P. Fink, of the M. E. Church, now of this city, preached here in early times.
This Township occupies an important place in the County, and abounds in natural resources. Its proximity to the city, together with its other advantages, make it a very de- sirable place of residence. Coal is abundant, and measures have been instituted, some of which have already been very successful, to bring up from the bosom of the earth its vast mineral treasures.
The village of Sevastopol, about one mile from the Court House, was laid out by James Sherman, May 6th, 1862. It is situated in the midst of an extensive coal mining region; and it has steadily improved until at this time it contains a population of about three hundred, with all the adjuncts of a flourishing village. The Soap and Candle Factory of R. F. Young, controlling a large business, is located here; and the brewery of Mr. Munzenmeier, which occupies a position of prominence in this department of business, is situated within the limits of the same town.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
One of the first weddings in the Township was that of Rev. Diltz and Miss Hargis. This happy event was fol- lowed in a year or two by the death of the bride. A little child, Perry Davis, died in 1854. The Blye school house was one of the first erected in the Township. In the same neighborhood the Methodists erected a frame church build- ing, called Bloomfield Chapel, to accommodate a class which had been organized some time before.
In 1854, McCormick's reapers, and newly modeled thresh" ing machines, began to be introduced here, as well as in other parts of the County, taking the place of the ancient order of things.
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