USA > Iowa > Madison County > History and business directory of Madison County, Iowa > Part 13
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Andrew Hubbard set out the first orchard in 1859. His trees yielded him eighty bushels of apples last Summer. L. N. Smith, George W. Roberts and Thomas England, also have very nice orchards, all bearing fruit. To illustrate the rapid growth of trees, in this soil, we will mention that L. N. Smith set out a cottonwood tree in '59, which was only three inches in circumference near the ground, but the same tree will now girt four feet and ten inches.
The most extensive farmers in the township are Captain Johnson, Geo. W. Roberts and Emerson Hazen.
It contains three schools, all in good flourishing condition.
JACKSON.
Is bounded on the north by Penn, on the south by Webster, on the east by Douglas, and on the west by Adair county. North River passes through it from west to east. There is on this stream an abundance of good timber and stone; it also has timber sufficient for its own use, and also Penn, which depends mainly upon Jackson for its timber. The general surface of the country is somewhat rolling, just enough so to make a delightful farming country. With plenty of tim- ber and stone convenient, with the richest soil, with grand, rolling prairies, with abundance of good pure water for man and beast, with a good moral and energetic class of inhabitants, the citizens of this township very justly take a great pride in their homes, and feel that they have as good a country as the heart could desire to live in.
191
ADVERTISEMENTS.
HUNTER BROTHERS, DEXTER, IOWA,
DEALERS IN DRUGS, MEDICINES, CHEMICALS, AND PERFUMERY
TOILET AND FANCY ARTICLES, Choice Family Groceries, Stationery, and Wall Paper.
Medicines warranted genuine and of the best quality. Customers will find our stock Complete, comprising many articles it is impossible here to enumerate, and all sold at moderate prices.
LUMBER,
GETCHELL & TICHENOR, DEALERS IN Lumber, Shingles, Lath, Doors, Sash and Blinds, ALSO Shuttler Wagons and all Descriptions of Agricultural Implements. CHARLES G. BOSS, Agent, DEXTER, Dallas County, Iowa.
VAN ORMAN & BRO., PROPRIETORS,
LIVERY, FEED & SALE STABLE,
DEXTER, IOWA.
~ They are prepared to furnish on short notice good horses, buggies, and carriages. Will pay the highest market price for corn, oats and hay. Feed and stabling furnished for horses or transient customers.
J. G. HANNA, PHOTOGRAPH AND AMBROTYPE GALLERY.
Satisfaction Guaranteed in all Cases. DEXTER, DALLAS Co., IOWA.
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HISTORY.
There are many large farms here, among them are those owned by William Early, O. B. Bissell, Noah Sulgrove, the Ralston Brothers, Joseph Davis, J. A. Davis, A. J. Speers, Thomas Early, Hindman Brothers, Dr. D. Hutchinson, John and Thomas Grahanı, the Rose Brothers and Samuel Bunn. Some of these large farms con- tain a section or very near a section of land each. The Ralston Broth- ers, William Early and the Graham Brothers have planted out five hundred acres of corn, each, this present season, (1869.)
Alfred Rice and a man named Phelon, were the first settlers in the Township. They came as early as 1850. Willis Rose, Samuel Bunn and O. B. Bissell settled here soon after. Rose and Bunn bought out the claims of Rice and Phelon.
William Early and Noah Sulgrove deal very extensively in live stock.
O. B. Bissell has a large orchard, of over three hundred trees, in good bearing condition. John Early has also a good orchard.
Rev. John E. Darby lived here many years and taught the first school. There are now five excellent school-houses, and religious worship and sabbath schools are held regularly in the several school- houses.
DOUGLAS,
Is bounded on the north by Madison, on the south by Lincoln, on the east by Union, and on the west by Jackson. Douglas like Union, is divided up into very desirable proportions of prairie and timber. North River and Cedar Creek pass through it, flowing from west to east. Numerous springs and streams also exist in various portions of it. Nature seems to have lavished her choicest favors on this part of the county. It contains, almost all over its entire surface, beautiful and desirable locations for farms. Many of the first settlers in the county chose their claims here, and it is to-day the most thoroughly settled township in the county; but few quarter sections but what are more or less improved. It contains at this time a population of 919.
Irvin Baum, its first settler, settled on the place where he now resides, May 14th, 1846. William and Jacob Combs came the same year. Clayton Pitzer settled on the farm where Matthew McGee now resides in '47; Robert Evans, George Fry, Jacob Fry and Jackson Howard settled in the township in '47. R. P. Bruce and Jonathan Myers settled on the farm where they now reside, as early as '49. Eli Sulgrove, Noah Sulgrove, Emanuel Sulgrove and Sherwood Howerton also settled here at an early day.
Among the large farmers are the following persous, viz:
193
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Des Moines Valley Railroad.
The Most Direct Route to all Points in ILLINOIS, INDIANA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK & NEW ENGLAND.
Connections at Keokuk with the Toledo, Wabash and Western R. R.
For all points East, Southeast, and South ; and with the TOLEDO, PEORIA AND WARSAW, AND THE Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads,
For all points North and East. Connect with same traine, and arrive at same time as competing lines. The careful and prompt Transmission of
LIVE STOCK AND FREIGHT
Is Made a Specialty_
Our facilities are excelled by none, and our arrangements with the leading Eastern lines are such as to enable us at all times to name rates advantageons to shippers.
No Transfer of Freight Between Keokuk and New York or Boston, Eastward or Westward.
Through Bills of Lading given by Contracting Agents to all points mentioned :
CHICAGO, DETROIT, CLEVELAND, TOLEDO, DUNKIRK, BUFFALO, NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, PITTSBURG, CINCINNATI, and ST. LOUIS.
MILO SMITH, General Superintendent.
JOHN GIVEN, Gen'l Freight and Ticket Ag't, Keokuk. E. J. KILBOURN, Ag't D. V. R. R., 254 Broadway, N. Y. G. B. BROWN, General Western Agent.
13
194
HISTORY.
Thomas McDonald, James Black, R. P. Bruce, James Foshier, M. M. McGee, I. S. Ford, Jonathan Myers, J. C. Wilson, Robt. Evans, Eb. Hays, Andrew Bennett, John, Norris, John Cooper, I. W. Moody, Joshua Bennett, Robert Duff, Jacob Reichart, and others. James Foshier has six hundred acres fenced in for his farm.
Albert Getchel has a magnificent and thrifty orchard of over six hun- dred large bearing trees. This orchard is the best in the county, and is worth a fortune to any man. George Scevers, Jonathan Myers, Jacob Sickles, William Baird and M. M. McGee have also nice orchards.
A good steam saw-mill was erected in 1855 by Jonathan Myers and Martin Ruby. The mill is now owned by Samuel Kirkland, and is doing a thriving business. There are various · church organizations and religious services and Sabbath Schools are held in the various school-houses.
Early Reminiscences.
Irvin Baum had the misfortune to lose his house by fire in a few days after it had been finished. It was a log-house, 18x20 and it was the largest house in the county at that time. In a few days afterwards, his neighbors, without giving him any notice, came and put him up an- other good substantial house.
In '47 William Combs had his fence destroyed by fire, while he was absent in Missouri on business. His neighbors gathered together on Sunday, and put up a new fence for him, and thus saved his crop from being destroyed by stock. Many instances might be given of the kind- heartedness and whole-souled feeling existing among the early settlers.
The early settlers made regular appointments to meet as often as once a week for social times, and they would roast a deer or two when they came together, and they would have a feast and good time generally.
During the severe wintor of '55, the deep snow had so frozen and crusted on the top that it became impracticable for horses to travel on it ; and the severe weather had continued so long, that some of the set- tlers were becoming short of food; under these circumstances Jacob Combs, William Combs, Irvin Baum and Lewis Baum, determined on going to the mill to procure meal, and to do this they were obliged to beat the snow with wooden mauls, all the way to Compton's mill on Middle River; and in this way their horses were enabled to travel and they to obtain their meal. This is only one of the many hardships which the early settlers had to undergo.
UNION
Is bounded on the East by Crawford, and on the West by Douglas; on the North by Jefferson, and on the South by Scott.
195
ADVERTISEMENTS.
VAN ORMAN & BRO., DEALERS IN
LUMBER 9 LATH, SHINGLES, DOORS, SASH, &C. OFFICE EAST OF THE POST OFFCE, IOWA. DEXTER.
FRANK BATTE, MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN
SADDLES, HARNESS, BRIDLES,
COLLARS, WHIPS, &c., DALLAS CO., IOWA. DEXTER,
All kinds of Work in my line promptly made to order, and repairing neatly and well done on short notice.
J. A. CARROTHERS. JERRY CARROTHERS CARROTHERS & BROTHER, DEALERS IN
HARDWARE STOVES,
CUTLERY, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, &C., DEXTER, DALLAS CO., IOWA. Tin and Sheet Iron Ware promptly made to order.
W. WILSHIRE. JOHN M. MEYERS
WILSHIRE & MEYERS, DEALERS IN FAMILY GROCERIES
PROVISIONS, FRUITS, OILS, &c. Dallas Co., Iowa. DEXTER.
196
HISTORY.
Nature has lavished on it her richest favors. For equitable and proportionable distribution of nice rolling prairies, pleasant groves, heavy timber, rich soil, and stone and water privileges, perhaps it can- not be surpassed by any Congressional township in the State. Many of the first settlers of Madison County picked out their claims here as their choice for their homes. They availed themselves of the magni- ficent sites for homesteads along the beautiful groves, skirting the several streams. And many of the first settlers of the county are still living, evidently well contented that their lot had been cast in so favorable a location.
It is now well settled, with a moral, thriving and energetic class of people, and it contains at the present time about seven hundred and twenty souls. Among the first settlers of Union township are, the Guye colony, P. M. Boyles, John Beedle, Amos Cass, John Evans, a Mr. Wilhite, and a Mr. Wallace; all of whom came as early as 1846. All of the above settlers, with the exception of the two latter, are still liv- ing where they first staked their claims. In 1847, Leonard Bowman, David Cracraft, Alfred Q. Rice, and Henry Rice settled in the town- ship. And Bassil Pursell, James Brown, George Magnus, John B. Sturman, and Charles Farris, made homes for themselves and families here as early as 1847. After this, settlers came in so thick and fast, that we cannot keep track of them.
There are many large and extensive farmers in this neighborhood. Thomas Garlinger, the most extensive farmer in the county, has in this township twelve hundred acres of land, a large portion of which is under improvement.
In 1854, John Cracraft put up a large steam grist mill on the place now owned by Thomas Garlinger. His mill obtained a good reputa- tion, and he done a very extensive business; but by bad management, he broke up in the course of a few years, and his machinery was sold to satisfy the claims of his creditors. The engine and boiler of this mill, are now used to run the Madison Woolen Factory. There are six good substantial school-houses, and Religious meetings and Sabbath Schools are held in all of them. Eli Cox resides here, in a large brick resi- dence, the largest dwelling house in the county.
Considering its natural and acquired advantages together with the good class of inhabitants that reside here, it is a most desirable place to live in.
CRAWFORD
Is bounded on the north by Lee, on the south by South, on the east by Warren county, and on the west by Union.
North River, Cedar Creek and Midde River all flow directly through it from west to east. On all of these streams there
197
HISTORY.
are large growths of timber. There is an abundance of lime-stone and some coal is also found. And it is the best watered in the county ; numerous springs and small streams providing the very best of stock water for every locality. The surface of the country is very rough and rolling; much more so than any other township in the county. Yet there is not any great quantity of land but what is sus- ceptible of cultivation; and there are many choice locations here and there, for fine farms. A large portion of the township is but little settled.
Hiram Hurst, the first white settler in Madison county, settled here in 1846, on Middle River, and on what is now known as the old Cason farm. In 1849 Thomas Cason and J. J. Cason settled here. J. B. McGinnis, William Weekly, Thomas Stewart, Jacob Kinkannan, Jackson Nelson and George Salisbury all settled here as early as 1850 and 1851. In 1852, widow Shreves, and her sons, John, Jonah and Jonathan Shreves, settled here.
The following individuals are among the large and substantial farmers of the township: Aaron Howell, Oliver Crawford, Joseph McGinnis, John Holton, George Blosser, John Potter, Ephraim Potter, Elvis Stout and Jonah Shreves.
Aaron Howell has a farm of over nine hundred acres under cultiva- tion. He is a living example of the rich reward that Iowa soil repays the faithful husbandman. He came there fourteen years ago, with but a few hundred dollars in his pocket, but by economy, perseverance and diligence, he "dug gold out of the ground with his plowshare." until he has now become one of the richest farmers in Madison county. He has a magnificent bearing apple orchard of about one thousand trees, and he is one of the extensive stock dealers of Crawford town- ship.
J. M. Huglin is the proprietor of an excellent grist mill and saw mill on Middle River; and he is doing a very popular and extensive milling business. There is also another good saw mill, (steam) which is owned by Messrs. Carson & McDowell.
There are several religious organizations and religious services and Sabbath schools are held in the various school-houses.
ANECDOTE .- There is a large black walnut tree in Middle River Valley, on the farm of John Holton, which is worthy of note. It is about six feet in diameter, and it looms up gracefully and beautifully about one hundred feet high. Its lower branches are about nine feet from the ground, and spread out about forty feet in every direction, the ends touching, or very nearly touching the ground. At an early day, camp meetings were held under its ample folds, and other public
198
HISTORY.
meetings and gatherings have often been held there. A little incident once occurred here, which is too good to be lost, and we therefore pub- lish it. In 1858, B. F. Roberts and H. J. B. Cummings, were two prominent speakers in the Republican ranks of Madison county, and they had gathered together the people of the surrounding neighbor- hood under the pleasant shade of this black walnut, for the purpose of addressing them upon the great political issues of the day. Among the audience were three or four ladies. Cummings was proceeding with his speech, and all went smoothly on for awhile, until some wag in the crowd climbed up into the tree, above the speakers head, and he beckoned to the others to follow. They did so, one at a time, slowly and quietly, until every man present was hidden in the foliage of the tree above the speaker's head ! and in this plight he was left to finish his political harangue to the ladies, who were the only fellow citizens he could observe. The Colonel was afterwards heard to remark that "the hardest thing he ever did in his life was to finish that speech !"
WEBSTER
Is bounded on the West by Adair county, on the East by Lincoln township; on the North by Jefferson, and on the South by Grand River. Middle River enters near the north-west corner, and passes almost diagonally across it. The surface of the country is somewhat rough and broken, especially south of the river ; and, comparatively speaking, the land does not lay so well as in other townships of the county. There is an abundant growth of timber, and an inex- haustible supply of stone on Middle River. It is admirably adapted to the growth of stock. There are many points and projections of prairie which would make beautiful forty and eighty acre farms. A good German settlement would make a very paradise out of it.
The earliest settler, is John H. Baugh. He came here as early as 1850. Theodore Wight, L. D. Skidmore, Dexter Howard, James Har- man, Patrick Large and John Vancil, also settled here in 1852, soon afterwards, came Otho Davis, J. R. Drake, and A. M. Hart. Most of the above named early settlers are still residents of the township, and argue well for the permanent character of the inhabitants.
Among the large substantial farmers of Webster, are the following persons: Theodore Wight, Otho Davis, John H. Baugh, John Ettien, John Schnellbacher, John W. Hunter, H. C. Smith, I. Harris, and others.
The town is located in the north-west corner. It contains a large saw mill, owned by Otho Davis, and a good country store is carried on by Davis & Zearing. Abel Graham is the resident physician.
199
HISTORY.
Besides the saw mill above mentioned, there is another saw mill in the township, owned by a German firm, named Schaeffland & Co. Both mills are doing a good business.
Among the good orchards in the township we will mention the one owned by Otho Davis. His orchard, sometimes, produces as much as three hundred bushels of apples in one season.
Religious worship and Sabbath Schools are held in all the school- houses.
Good water and stone abound; and there are some fine stone farm houses in the township.
LINCOLN
Is bounded on the north by Douglas, on the south by Monroe, on the east by Scott, and on the west by Webster. Middle River courses through the township from west to east, a little north of the center. There are large bodies of heavy timber and inexhaustible supplies of limestone. Coal is also found cropping out of the bluffs along the banks of Middle River. The surface of the country, in the central por- tion in the vicinity of Middle River is quite broken and rough ; but in the southern and northern portions, the prairies are beautiful and just rolling enough to make the most desirable farms. There are numerous small streams and springs providing abundance of live fresh stock water for every section of land. The greater portion of the town- ship is now occupied and under improvement; though there are occasionally fine locations scattered here and there which are not yet occupied that would make elegant farms. The north portion is all fenced in with beautiful and valuable farms.
Daniel Vancil, C. D. Wright and Absalom Thornburgh, were the first settlers, they came as early as 1847, and took "claims" in the timber, along Middle River. Elijah Perkins and James Bertholf also settled here as early as 1849. (Elijah Perkins traveled all the way from the hills of New Hampshire, with an ox team, when railroads were in their infancy, and before the "iron horse" had turned its course to the Westward.) Alexander Bertholf and his sons, Alexander, Zachariah, George and James, Joshua Gentry and Rev. John Heaton came here as early as 1850. Wm. Harman, Mr. Skidmore and John Macumber also settled here soon after.
In 1852, James Bertholf and a Mr. Hogg, each, erected saw mills on Middle River, which were amongst the earliest mills in the county. They would also grind corn at these mills, and they were designated as " corn crackers."
There are many large and substantial farmers among whom are the following: John Macumber, Alexander Bertholf Josiah Mckibben,
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HISTORY.
Elijah Perkins, Benjamin Hartsock, Alexander Lorimore, B. F. Lori- more, Jacob Linard, William Cameron, Dr. William L. Leonard, John Hooton, Nathan Newlon, Jacob Linard, Geo. A. Beerbower, D. G. Martin, Samuel Gordon, Samuel Duncan, Isaac Hogle, Isaac Ruby, Rev. John Reed, John Huffman, James W. Evans, and others.
John Macumber and Wm. Hartsock deal quite extensively in stock. A. W. and B. F. Lorimore are very extensive wool growers. They have now over 5,000 head of sheep.
C. Fink, Elijah Perkins, Rev. John Hooten, Wm. Cameron, Isaac Ruby, D. G. Martin, Harrison Evans, Rev. John Reed, John Brown, Alex. Lorimore, have good bearing apple orchards on their farms.
There are many fine residences here; among which we will mention those of Jacob Linard, John Macumber, and White & Co., and the Factory Farm; the three latter of which are built of stone. The one on the Factory Farm was built by Hon. B. F. Roberts, and is three stories in height. Many other substantial improvements might be spoken of had we the space to spare.
The Methodists have a church organization, and religious worship and Sabbath Schools are held in the various school houses.
The famous Woolen Factory of Messrs. J. T. White & Co., is located here, a description of which we herewith furnish :
Madison Woolen Mills.
The " Madison Woolen Mills " were built in 1865 by J. T. White and N. W. Munger. They are situated one and a half miles west of Win- terset, on the Council Bluffs road.
The buildings are of stone, 40 x 50 feet, three stories high, with a wing 20 x 55, containing engine, boiler and dye-room. In addition to this there is a three-story stone dwelling, a two-story ware-room, 20 x 40 and some half a dozen dwellings for operatives, all together making quite a little village.
The machinery for this establishment was manufactured expressly for Messrs. White & Munger at Lawrence and Worcester, Mass., and Staffordville, Conn., and comprises two pickers, one duster, two setts 40-inch manufacturing cards, two double acting roll cards, two 240 spin- dle jacks, one fifty spindle twister, one three yard wide fancy Cromp- ton loom, one yard wide fancy Crompton, two yard wide Stafford, three two and a half yard wide Day & Lovejoy.
The finishing machinery consists of upright fulling mill, scourer, teazling-gig, shearing-machine, press, cloth winder, dye works, etc.
This machinery combines all the latest improvements, and is of the same style of that used in the best New England factories. The rooms are heated by steam pipes connecting with the boiler.
201
HISTORY.
This establishment furnishes employment to twenty-five operatives, and turns out about 30,000 yards of goods annually, which, together with yarn and rolls consumes some 60,000 pounds of wool.
These goods were awarded the " first premium " at the District Fair at Des Moines last fall, and are deservedly popular wherever they are known and worn. For durability, warmth, and beauty of finish, they are unsurpassed in the State.
Messrs. White & Munger have recently sold a half interest in this establishment, to Robert Herron of Vermont, and William Sutton of Pennsylvania, both life long manufacturers, who will bring to the management of the establishment a large and varied experience, and untiring energy. The interests of wool growers, and of all who wear woolen goods are certainly safe in the hands of these gentlemen.
There is a great natural curiosity in Lincoln, of which we give the following description :
" Devil's Back Bone."
About five miles west of Winterset on Middle River, is a peculiar formation of nature bearing the euphoneous title of "Devil's Back Bone " or " Hogback." This back bone of his Satanic Majesty bears quite a local notoriety. If the ridge were surrounded by a large body of water it would simply be termed a promontory. Asit is, it is merely a high, rough, rocky ridge, so narrow that at the top there is only room for a wagon road. Middle river, running from east to west, strikes this high ridge, which is over two hundred feet above the water level, and then bears in a circuitous route away, and some two or three miles fur- ther down its course bends around until it passes on the other side of the same steep, high ridge. From water to water, directly through the ridge, is less than one hundred feet. An early settler in that neighbor- hood, named John Harman, together with his sons, tunnelled the ridge through solid rock occupying three years time to do the work. They thus obtained a water fall of twenty feet, making it the most desirable site for a mill in the western country. A large room has been made in the rock around the mill end of the race, making as delightful a bathing place as can be found anywhere. A large grist mill and saw mill has lately been erected at this point by Messrs Wilkin & Co. This back bone is quite a curiosity and worth going a long distance to see.
SCOTT
Is bounded on the North by Union, on the south by Walnut, on the east by South, and on the West by Lincoln, Middle River and Jones' creek are principal streams. Middle River passes through the north
202
HISTORY.
part of the township, from west to east, and Jones' creek flows through the southern part. The divide, lying between Middle River and Clin- ton, is widely known as " Hoosier Prairie, " and it derived its new name from the fact that many of its early settlers came from the " hoosier " State. A greater portion of it is what is termed a flat or level prairie; and it is said to be the most level or least rolling prairie in the county ; in the breaks, near the streams, however, the surface of the county is very rough and broken. There are many beautiful farms on "Hoosier Prairie " and in other portions of Scott township. A great- er portion is " taken up," or in process of cultivation ; and the entire township has more of the appearance of an old settled county, than any other township in the county. Inexhaustible quarries, of the very best lime stone, are found all along the bluffs of Middle River ; and coal is also found in various places; many springs and small streams exist here and there throughout the township, making it a very desi- rable locality for the raising of stock. A large spring comes out of the bluff from beneath the residence of John Dryden, which furnishes water power sufficient to run a saw mill; and on the farm of the widow Wilkinson, there are no less than seven springs.
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