USA > Iowa > Madison County > History and business directory of Madison County, Iowa > Part 12
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PENN TOWNSHIP.
, Penn township is bounded on the north by Dallas county, on the south by Jackson township, on the east by Madison township, and on the west by Adair county, and it is the north-west corner township of the county. This township embraces the most beautiful portion of the " Quaker Divide " and it is said to be one of the most charming town- ships of land to be found anywhere in the State of Iowa. The soil is a dark loam, entirely free from stone, and exceedingly fertile; ready
175
ADVERTISEMENTS.
COE SON,
BLACKSMITHS, DE SOTO, IOWA,
Are prepared at all times to do any work in their line, in a good and neat manner, and at reasonable prices.
GIVE THEM A CALL-
C. HARRAH. M. M. HARRAH.
HARRAH & HARRAH,
PROPRIETORS OF THE
De Soto Livery & Daily Stage Line From De Soto to Adel. Good Horses, Buggies and Carriages furnished at reasonable rates.
HILL & SWISHER, REAL ESTATE AGENTS,
GUTHRIE STATION, GUTHRIE CO., IOWA, Attend promptly to the buying and selling of Real Estate on commission.
We advise all persons owning or purchasing Real Estate in Madison County, to go to
W. C. NEWLON, AT WINTERSET, and have the tilles to your REAL ESTATE
Examined. , He having spent several years of hard labor in writing up an Abstract of all Titles to Real Estate in this county, is thoroughly posted in these matters, and will furnish you an Abstract of your Titles on short notice.
176
HISTORY.
and admirably formed by nature for the use of the plow and the hus- bandman. The township is almost entirely destitute of timber, and there is scarcely an acre of rough or waste land in the whole township. The prairies are high, and have a gently waving or undulating surface, and its general appearance is as grand as any garden spot. Upon be- holding this lovely country, the heart very naturally borrows from Bryant the following rhapsody :
- "My heart swells while the dilated sight Takes in the encircling vastness. Lo! they stretch In airy undulations far away, As if the ocean in its gentlest swell, Stood still, with all his rounded billows fixed And motionless forever.
Man hath no part in this glorious work ; The band that built the firmament hath heaved And smoothed these verdant swells, and sown their slopes With herbage, planted them with island groves, And hedged them round with forests. Fitting floor For his magnificent temple of the sky- With flowers whose glory and whose multitude, Rival the constellations."
This township has been improved within the past two years, faster than any other portion of the county. In 1867 it contained only a popu- lation of 225, it now contains a population of 454.
C. P. Wright and James Jeffries were the first settlers in the town- ship; they came in '56, David Stanton, Thomas Wilson, and J. E. Darby settled in the township in '57.
Among the large and extensive farmers in the township at the pre- sent time, are the following individuals, viz: Wheeler and Conger, (they have one section of land under cultivation), Rankin and Bell, David Stanton, Daniel Francis, Thomas Wilson, Christopher Wilson, D. C. Holmes, A. H. Armstrong, Abihu Wilson, and others.
Wheeler and Conger deal very extensively in live stock. Stanton and Francis deal quite extensively in lands and real estate.
Allen Barnett has lately commenced a very fine nursery in this town- ship. He designs to make it a permanent and reliable nursery.
Messrs. Wheeler, Conger, Ford, Rankin, and one or two others have one little field enclosed with one fence, which contains over five thou- sand acres of land.
The inhabitants of this township are mostly Friends or Quakers. They are industrious, honest and frugal ; generous, kind-hearted and
177
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
.........
RAILROAD
Open to Council Bluffs and Omaha !
GREAT PASSENGER ROUTE, WITH UNEQUALLED FACILITIES.
Only Route from Des Moines to Chicago Without Change of Cars.
Silver Palace Sleeping Cars Attached to all Night Trains. Four Passenger Trains Leave Des Moines Daily,
GOING EAST & WEST,
Connecting at Chicago with all Roads Running East, North, and South. Connecting at Omaha with the Union Pacific Railroad.
Tickets for Sale to all Principal Points East and West.
FARE AS LOW AS BY ANY OTHER ROUTE.
SHIPPERS OF LIVE STOCK
Will take notice that a Stock Express Train is run through from Des Moines to Chicago without change of cars. Time, twenty-seven hours.
MERCHANTS
Will have the advantage of all fast freight lines out of Chicago, through from or to the East. Bills of Lading and contracte given over Eastern Roads to principal points.
C. D. SPRAGUE, Agent.
ED. R. CLAPP, Stock Agent, Des Moines. A. M. SMITH, Gen'l Passenger Ag't, Chicago. A. KIMBALL, Ass't Sup't, Davenport.
12
178
HISTORY.
religious ; intelligent and temperate ; and, as a class, are amongst the best people in the world to live with.
The township has six good school-houses, all in a flourishing condition.
There is some good stone in the township, out of which some fine stone houses have been built. North Branch and the south fork of North Branch pass through the township.
Pilot Grove is a beautiful body of natural forest trees, of about six or seven acres in extent, and it is the only timber in the township worthy of mention. It is said to have derived its name from the fact that it is situated on high ground, and can be seen for miles around ; and the California and other emigrants passing through the county at an early day, and the early settlers of the surrounding country would "pilot " their course by it. It is on the farm of David Stanton, who has built his residence in the midst of the grove.
The man who has a farm in Penn township is cheerfully and inde- pendently fixed for life.
MADISON.
Is bounded on the north by Dallas county, on the south by Douglas, on the east by Jefferson, and on the west by Penn. North Branch passes through the south part of the township, along which stream there is a large growth of heavy timber. The north-half is a high and gently rolling prairie, as beautiful and pleasing to the eye as any garden spot. It is on the divide between North Branch and Coon River, and is widely known as "Quaker Divide, " taking this name from the fact that most of the people residing on the divide are Quakers or Friends.
Derrick Bennett, now a citizen of Winterset, made the first perma- nent improvement north of North Branch. In 1852 he settled on and improved the farm now owned by William Barnett; and to him (Bennett) belongs the honor of making the first "breaking" on that divide. Soon afterward William Fee came and settled on the farm on which he now resides. In 1853 and 1854 John Brown, J. W. Burnett (now of Winterset) White Burnett, John Wilson, together with his sons Abihu, Christopher, and Henry, all settled on the same divide. In 1854, Benjamin Powell and his sons, Wil- liam Coe, and Michael and Jacob Gabbert, settled in the eastern part, north of North Branch.
James Brewer settled on the south side of North Branch, as early as 1849, and he was, perhaps, the first settler in Madison township. In 1852, Henry Groseclose, Henry Rice and a man named
179
ADVERTISEMENTS.
L. J. BARTON.
S. MITCHELL.
L. J. BARTON & CO.,
Agents and Dealers in all kinds of
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, HEDGE PLANTS, AND
SEEDS!
AGENTS FOR THE TWO LEADING
INS. COMPANIES OF IOWA, THE Davenport National AND HOME, OF WASHINGTON.
ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE DEEDS AND MORTGAGES,
Buy and Sell Exchange, DRAFTS ISSUED ON
CHICAGO, DAVENPORT AND DES MOINES.
REFERENCE :- Davenport National Bank.
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HISTORY.
Hannahs, took claims along North Branch, on the south side. In 1852 John Todd came and improved a farm at a place now known as Worthington. Mr. Todd remained at this place nine years and improved a large farm, and he done much toward improving and settling up that part of the township. In 1853 he set out a large orchard, which were the first fruit trees ever planted north of North River, in Madison county. Following soon after Mr. Todd, George T. Nichols, Leroy Anderson, and others, settled in the same neighbor- hood.
Jacob Bennett settled where he now resides, in 1851 and 1852, and bought out the claims of James Brewer, Absolom Bedell, and all the claim-holders on the south side of North Branch, and he has been for many years one of the largest farmers in the township.
The first school taught was in a building built especially for that purpose in 1853, by Jacob Bennett; and it was taught by Samuel Kirkland. The township now has five schools, all in good flourishing condition. The Friends have also a very neat and substantial meeting-house.
The lively little railroad town of Earlham is also located in this township, of which we speak more fully elsewhere.
The farmers located here, especially the Friends on "Quaker Divide," have paid much attention to the raising of fine stock.
Among the more substantial farmers, we would mention the names of Conger & Wheeler, George. T. Nichols, Wm. Fee, Wm. Barnett, Martin Compton, David Mills, Seth and Milton Wilson, and others.
Considering the natural advantages of Madison township, her abundant supply of timber, water, stone, coal and the magnificent prairies, and the excellent class of people who reside there, she will rank as one of the best townships in the county.
EARLHAM.
Earlham is a village recently located on the C., R. I. & P. R. R., and is the only railroad town in Madison county at the present time. It is situated on the s. hf. of the s. w. qr. of sec. 6-77-28. Its distance from Winterset is about 13 miles. The land on which it is laid out was originally entered by Seth Wilson, Sr., and conveyed by him afterward to Mr. David Hocket. Last Autumn, B. F. Allen, Esq., of Des Moines, purchased the land of David Hocket, for $20 per acre. When Mr. Allen bought the land, it was understood that he intended to make a town of it, and several parties immediately began to arrange for building. Before the town was surveyed two or three houses occu- pied the site of the future village. Martin Cook, who had built a
181
ADVERTISEMENTS.
WEBSTER STORE! DAVIS & ZEARING, DEALERS IN
DRY GOODS,
Groceries, Boots and Shoes, HATS AND CAPS, DRESS GOODS, And all articles usually kept in a first-class Country Store. Call and See Them.
WEBSTER, Madison Co., lowa.
THE NEW STORE AT EARLHAM, Madison Co., Iowa.
W. F. DILLON, Formerly of Winterset, Iowa,
Has just opened out at EARLHAM a first-class
DRY GOODS STORE !
He has on hand a Large and Complete Stock of
Staple & Fancy Dry Goods,
And all articles usually found in a First-Class Dry Goods Store.
The public are cordially requested to call at the
NEW STORE
AND
Examine Goods and Prices.
182
HISTORY.
store-house a half mile west of the place, removed it to Earlham at once; and Dr. M. R. Lyons commenced building a dwelling and a drug store. When the town came to be laid out, Martin's store was found to occupy a part of two lots and a street; and Dr. L.'s building stood squarely in the centre of a street 100 feet wide. Of course these gentlemen had some moving to do. As soon as the survey was com- pleted by the railroad engineer, lots were offered for sale at prices ranging from $25 to $125. Martin Cook bought the first lot in the new town, and many others followed in rapid succession. Before the village had existed 15 days one half at least of the lots were owned by men who intended to improve them as soon as the weather and other circumstances would permit. A side railroad track had been put down late in the fall, and a section house and water tank erected by the Railroad Company.
Sometime during the winter, Messrs. Getchel & Tichenor of Des Moines, established a lumber yard at Earlham; and later Messrs. Thompson & Maddern, of Davenport, opened a competing yard. These establishments furnished material for building, and, notwith- standing the season and weather were the worst possible for such operations, business houses and dwellings began to go up with at rapidity and steadiness, that demonstrated at once the determination of the new settlers to build up the town. The result is that scarcely five months since the first stake was planted in the frozen earth, Earl- ham contains at least thirty-five buildings, many of which are first class for a country village.
The name for the town was chosen by Mr. Milton Wilson, and was taken from the Earlham of Indiana, noted for its Quaker College. It was this circumstance, we suppose, that suggested to the minds of the first settlers the idea of making it a college town. However suggested, it was their first idea, and was immediately acted on. A stock com- pany was organized for the purpose about two months ago, and the plan is steadily and surely maturing. Something like $5000 worth of the stock has been taken, and since the best men in the county are inte- rested in the enterprise, there is no doubt of its ultimate success. It has been resolved that at least $10,000 worth of stock shall be taken before any step toward building shall be taken. This amount will be subscribed for by July 1st, 1869. The citizens have also subscribed about $1200 for the purpose of erecting a Union Chapel for Divine service.
Any one at all familiar with the surroundings of Earlham can have no doubt of its future prosperity. Railroads, churches, schools, &c., are great developers of towns; but their ultimate success and prosperity
183
ADVERTISEMENTS.
ICE CREAM SALOON AND
GROCERY STORE !
A. Crawford will keep constantly on hand at his Store on the northeast corner of the Public Square, a full stock of
GROCERIES, CONFECTIONERIES & PROVISIONS.
He now has an ICE CREAM SALOON in full operation, and the best Ice Cream can be had at all hours of the day and evening. Private families and parties supplied on short notice. ANDREW CRAWFORD. WINTERSET, MADISON CO., IOWA.
MADISON HOUSE,
ST. CHARLES, MADISON CO, IOWA.
WM. BARTON, Proprietor.
Travelers, and the public generally, will find this a very pleasant place to stop at.
BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS AND OTHERS WANTING
SHINGLES,
Will find them at BURGESS & McKINZIE'S Factory, four miles east of WINTERSET, on Middle River.
FRED WAGNER'S TONSORIAL ROOM,
First door west of the St. Nicholas Hotel,
WINTERSET, IOWA. Hair cutting, Shaving and Shampooing in the latest, neatest and best style.
184
HISTORY.
depend almost solely on the country surrounding them. All towns look to the farming community, more or less, for support. In this respect Earlham is peculiarly fortunate in its location. For productive powers, variety of soil, ease of cultivation; amount of land in pro- portion to the whole susceptible of cultivation; for the purity of the water and healthfulness of the air; for its beauty and for its every natural advantage, the country around Earlham can well bear com- parison with any other section of Iowa, or with any country in the world. A large proportion of the land within six or eight miles of town is under cultivation. The assessed value of the township, as per assessment just completed for 1869, is, exclusive of the village, within a fraction of $300,000.
One mile south of town is a quarry of peculiar stone, which is now being opened by its recent purchaser, Mr. J. E. Parkins, formerly of Winterset. He bought it of Milton Wilson, two months since, for $2000. Competent judges in Chicago and New York have pronounced this stone inferior to none known in the West, for building purposes. When first taken from its bed it is extremely soft, and almost as easily worked as chalk. Exposure to the air, however, renders it as hard as granite. Mr. P. has a force of twenty-five or thirty men quarrying the rock and dressing it on the ground, ready for shipment. We understand that he has secured the contract for building the Railroad depot at Earlham of this stone. He has erected a patent lime kiln near the quarry, and will be able to turn off a car load of lime daily, when he gets the thing in running order.
Mr. Seth Wilson, from Madison county, has a fine large hotel, nearly ready for thereception of guests. In so good a house, and under the care of such a gentlemanly landlord, a traveler can spend a day or two very agrecably in Earlham.
The Railroad Company have appointed Martin Cook, Esq., their agent at this place, and the selection is certainly a happy one, for "Mart " is a good and capable fellow.
Dr. M. R. Lyon has a drug store in operation here, and is at present the only practicing physician in Earlham.
Joseph Cook has erected an agricultural warehouse, and does a commission business generally.
Messrs. Cammack & Hill are about to erect a large building for the same business. They are competent and experienced gentlemen, and are favored with the full confidence of business men and the commu- nity generally.
Barnett & Hawkins are already occupying their large store-room, (60 feet deep,) and have filled it with a splendid assortment of general merchandise
185
ADVERTISEMENTS.
EUREKA ! EUREKA !! STONE QUARRY & LIME KILN,
EARLHAM, Madison County, Iowa. ALL KINDS OF
DIMENSION STONE
Furnished to Order.
WINDOW CAPS, SILLS & WATER TABLES
Kept Constantly on Hand, ALSO, Common Building Stone,
For sale either at the Quarry or Delivered on the Cars at Earlham.
FRESH LIME
ALWAYS ON HAND.
All Orders will Receive Prompt Attention. JOSEPH E, PARKINS, Proprietor,
Postoffice Address,
EARLHAM, MADISON CO., IOWA.
186
HISTORY.
A. & T. E. Barnett have a number one grocery establishment. They are live, energetic young men, and they are doing a good business.
But we cannot specify even a tenth of the different firms and enter- prises in this flourishing young city. The depot will be commenced immediately and rapidly pushed to a completion. According to the most reliable authority, Earlham is to be the permanent division station of the railroad, an honor that De Soto now enjoys temporarily. There is good reason also to believe that the B. W. & D. M. R. R. will inter- sect the C., R. I. &. P. R. R. at this point.
The high road to prosperity is broadly open to this infant town, and without doubt Earlham is destined to be one of the best towns between Des Moines and Council Bluffs. It certainly possesses sufficient advan- tages to raise it to that distinction; and we have no doubt that its enterprising inhabitants will use them well to that end.
JEFFERSON.
Is bounded on the north by Dallas county, on the south by Union, on the east by Lee, and on the west by Madison. North Branch passes through this township from west to east. There is abundance of good timber along this stream. Badger Creek also passes through the north part, but there is no timber on its banks. There are large quarries of good lime-stone on North Branch; and good coal is also found in considerable quantities along its banks. The surface of the country along the streams is quite broken and rough; but in other portions the prairies are high, grand and rolling, and there are dotted over them here and there many beautiful farms. The north part comprises a portion of that beautiful prairie lying between North Branch and Coon River, known as "Quaker Divide. "
William Payton, St. Baur, and J. M. Brown were the first settlers. They came in 1853. D. H. Rose, George Gotshall, and Thos. Nich- olson, settled here in 1854; and S. W. Nicholson, Wm. Schoen, and George Fisher came the season following.
The following residents own large and extensive farms: Adam and Simon Shambaugh, Jackson Smith, Wm. McDonald, Daniel Hazen, M. A. Knight, J. H. Hartenbower, Jacob Peyton, Anthony Myers, William and C. H. McClery, Robert Shields, Emerson Hazen, William H. Brewster, A. M. Peters and others.
Mr. Payton has a fine mansion, a good orchard, and other valuable
187
ADVERTISEMENTS.
PRAIRIE DRUG STORE, DEXTER, IOWA, J. G. STANLEY, Proprietor, DEALER IN DRUGS, PATENT MEDICINES, CHEMICALS, FANCY SOAPS, NOTIONS,
And such articles as are kept in a first-class Drug Store. Especial attention given to euch articles as PAINTS, OILS, AND WINDOW GLASS. Such articles will be supplied in large and small quantities to suit purchasers. The very best article of Fine Chewing and Smoking Tobaccos and Cigars. ( Opposite the Blacksmith Shop.
Ho! For The Peru Store !! H. C. WRIGHT Is selling at the very lowest prices at his store in PERU, IOWA,
Dry Goods, Groceries, Flour, Meal, Salt, Hardware,
QUEENSWARE, TIN WARE, POWDER, SHOT, KEROSENE, And all kinds of Merchandise usually kept in Country Stores. He will buy Butter, Eggs. and all articles of COUNTRY PRODUCE.
M. HAYKEN, ARTIST IN
FRESCO PAINTING!
Decoration, Scenery and Banner Painting, GRAINING, HOUSE AND SIGN PAINTING. Office on Fifth Street, next to the M. E. Church,
DES MOINES, IOWA.
Churches, Halls and Private Residences, Frescoed at liberal charges, to entire satisfaction. Orders from abroad promptly filled. Refers to the Capitol of Iowa, Bush's Drug Store, Centenary M. E. Church, in Des Moines as specimens of his work.
DR. ABEL GRAHAM, PHYSICIAN & SURGEON, Will give his entire attention to the practice of Medicine in Madison and Adair Counties.
WEBSTER, Madison Co., Iowa,
188
HISTORY.
improvements on his farm. John M. Mitchell and St. Baur have also excellent orchards on their farms; and most of the farmers have young and thrifty orchards planted out.
Adam and Simon Shambaugh are extensive wool growers, and they have at the present time over five thousand head of sheep.
A good saw mill is located on North Branch, owned by John Wig- gins, which is doing a good business.
Religious worship and Sabbath Schools are held in the various school-houses of the township.
LEE
Is the northeast township of the county. It is bounded on the north by Dallas county, on the south by Crawford township, on the east by Warren county, and on the west by Jefferson township. There is but little timber, but it is a magnificent township of high rolling prairie. A large portion of this prairie is as beautiful as any that " ever laid out of doors." Badger Creek passes from west to east nearly through the center, and is its principal stream.
A man named Heaton, who resides in Pennsylvania, owns a section of land near the center of the township. The whole section lays high and dry, but gently rolling, in almost every direction, making it as grand as a garden spot. In 1858, Mr. Heaton laid off and staked this land into lots, with the intention of making a town there. It was his intention to build a large seminary there, to cost not less than $100,000. Many of the lots were contracted for at prices ranging from fifty to three hundred dollars each, and great expectations for a thriving town were raised. In the Summer of '58, Mr. Heaton, and quite a large number of citizens met on the ground, and speeches were made by B. F. Roberts and others, setting forth the great importance of a Seminary of learning at this point, etc. By the terms of sale, two-fifths of all money received for sale of lots was to be given towards the building of the seminary, and the remaining three-fifths was to draw six per cent interest, which was also applied for the benefit of the institution. Heaton, before leaving, executed a bond, in the sum of $50,000, which is registered in the Madison county records, for the faithful application of all moneys accruing according to the terms of the contract. From some cause, which we are unable to give, the praiseworthy enterprise was abandoned, and there is nothing at this day to show for the town of Heaton, but the stakes that were driven in the ground to mark out the lots.
The township of Lee is well adapted to agriculture and stock rais- ing, the soil being inexhaustibly fertile, and well watered with small
-
189
ADVERTISEMENTS
OUR STORE! A. E. DUTTON, DEXTER, IOWA, DEALER IN
DRY GOODS, HATS AND CAPS, BOOTS AND SHOES, GROCERIES, Queensware, Hardware and Notions, And all articles usually kept in a first-class Store. COME AND SEE OUR STOCK! You will be sure to buy because our goods are cheap and of the best quality. Especial invitation extended to all to call and see
"OUR STORE," 2d Street, North of the Depot.
JAMES KIRKLAND, MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN
BOOTS & SHOES
Dexter, Dallas County Iowa. A Good Stock of EASTERN WORK Constantly on Hand. ANew Work and Repairing Promptly Finished to Order.
DEXTER HOUSE,
DEXTER, IOWA, J. J. YOUNG, Landlord.
190
HISTORY.
streams and springs. Its contiguousness to the Capital of the State, will warrant it an enviable place for homes.
In 1858 Lee was divided, and the west half is what now comprises Jefferson township. The township took its name from Harvey Lee, an early settler in the sounty. Mr. James Rothill settled on section thirty-one in 1852 and was its first settler. Soon after, James Lane, an Irishman, settled on section one, who soon afterwards sold his claim to Allen Majors. In '53 Andrew Hubbardand Esquire Flinn settled on sections four and eight. In '54, Geo W. Roberts and James Malone settled in the township. Soon after, Malone sold out to Thos. Cavenor, and Mr. Cavenor sold in '64 to N. W. Johnson. Mr. Johnson is an old Connecticut sea captain, and is the most extensive farmer here. His farm consists of a section and a half of land, and he is a very extensive dealer in live stock ; he generally buys all the surplus corn that his neighbors have to sell. And he is said to bear a good name, which "is better than rubies or precious stones."
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