USA > Iowa > Madison County > History and business directory of Madison County, Iowa > Part 14
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David Bishop, Henry McKinsie, Wm. Alcock, and John Wilkinson were its first settlers. They took "claims " in the township as early as 1847. Henry McKinsie settled on the farm now owned by W. W. McKnight. John Wilkinson's widow still resides on the claim which he had first chosen. Ephraim Bilderback put upon his farnı a black- smith shop, which was the first blacksmith shop in the county. Wm. Alcock still resides on the farm which he had first chosen.
John Rogers, Marious C. Debord, John Landers, Whitley Allen, John Hinkel, Joel Graves, Wm. Hogg, Josiah Struthers, Josiah Smith, Isaac Debusk; all came into the township as early as 1849 and '50 .- John Hinkle, John S. Holmes and Wm. Bowlsby settled here soon after.
The following persons are among its large and substantial farmers : W. W. McKnight, John Rogers, John Hinkle, Marius C. Debord, Geo. Close, Mitchel Robinson, J. S. Holmes, Geo. Hamner, J. R. Silliman, John Jones, John Landers, A. J. Campbell, Benj. F. Reed, Ed. Herrald, A. J. Adkinson, James Harris, B. Lake, John Dryden, Porter Ralston, B. F. Carter, Geo. A. Breeding, and others.
J. R. Silliman, John Rogers, Wm. Hogg, and A. J. Campbell are heavy dealers in stock, B. F. Bowlsby also deals to some extent in stock.
Wm. Alcock, James Short, John Rogers, Noah King, John Hinkle, and John Landers have good bearing apple orchards on their farmns.
203
HISTORY.
There are several church organizations in the township. The Metho- dists have three organizations, holding their meetings, one at the Lin- coln school-house, and one at Elm Grove, the other at the Harbert or Hinkle school-house. The Evangelical Christians have an organiza- tion, and they hold their meetings at the Lincoln and the Stevens school-houses. Religious services and Sabbath Schools are held in all of the school-houses.
SOUTH.
South township is bounded on the east by Warren county, on the west by Scott township, on the north by Crawford, and on the south by Ohio. For stock-raising and agricultural purposes this township is blessed with superior advantages. Clanton creek runs through it, near the centre, from the south west to the north east. Along this stream there is a fine large growth of oak and other valuable forest trees. The heaviest growth of timber in the county,, and scarcely surpassed in the State, is found along the banks of this stream. There are also numerous smaller streams, furnishing good stock water for almost every section of land. Stone abounds on Clanton creek, and good veins of coal are found on Brush creek.
The township is very well settled, and there is not very much unim- proved land remaining. Unimproved prairie ranges from five to ten dollars per acre; and improved farms from ten to thirty dollars per acre.
The first settlers here were the Clanton colony, of which we have made mention elsewhere. George Hartman, Jesse Young, N. S. Alcock, David Smith, the Casons, the Casebiers, and others came as early as 1851.
Among the extensive farmers are J. M. Johnston, Jeff. Rhyno, James Phipps, N. S. Alcock, J. M. Browne, Joel Clanton, Hogan Queen, and others.
There are a number of fine bearing orchards; among them we might mention those on the farms of J. M. Johnston, N. S. Alcock and Joel Clanton.
Hogan Queen has a beautiful farm-house, which would do honor to the nabobs of older and more pretentious localities. It is a large two story and a half stone mansion, located by the side of a very beautiful grove. He has also a very large and extensive barn close by. J. M. Browne and James Phipps have also large and magnificent residences.
In South township is located the village of St. Charles, of which we give a description below :
204
HISTORY.
ST. CHARLES.
St. Charles is a small village situated on the Winterset and Indianola road, about twelve miles south east of Winterset. It is located on a high prairie, near the timber of Clanton creek. It contains about seventy houses, and about three hundred inhabitants. The town was laid out as early as 1851, by George Hartman and Jesse Young, who at that time owned the land on which the town site is located. In a short time after the village was laid out it grew into a flourishing place But during the war no improvements of importance were made. (For the little village of St. Charles was largely represented in the war, Capt. J. M. Browne having raised a full company in that villageand vicinity.) During the last two years it has taken another start, and it is now growing quite rapidly. The village is surrounded by one of the best farming countries in the world. The soil, stone, timber and water privileges surrounding it, will compare favorably with the most favored localities in the state. And its central location between Winterset and Indianola, in the midst of a well settled farming community, make it a good point for business.
The village contains at the present time two hotels-one kept by William Barton, and the other by M. E. Clanton ; two dry goods firms -Smith & McClure, and Browne & Thompson; three resident physi- cians-Drs. A. B. Smith, L. J. Forney, and Wm. M. Anderson ; and also one grocery story ; all of which are doing a good business. It has also one saddle and harness shop, one blacksmith shop, two cabinet shops, one wagon shop and one boot and shoe shop.
It has three church buildings and one school-house, which speaks well for the village. The religious denominations are the Methodists, United Presbyterians and Disciples.
It has also a large three-story flouring mill, known as the "'Madison Mills." This mill is owned by Messrs. McClure, Ergenbright & Co., and it is doing a very extensive and constantly increasing business.
GRAND RIVER
Is the south-west township of the county. It is bounded on the west by Adair county, on the south by Union county, on the east by Walnut township, and on the north by Webster township. The surface of the country is mostly rolling and rough, but there is a great deal of choice prairie land in this section of country. There is a large body of heavy timber on Grand River, which is the principal stream. The timber grows principally along the valleys of the streams, which are narrow and deep, and can hardly be seen from the high prairies. Persons traveling along the divides, would very naturally conclude that there was but very little timber.
20
HISTORY.
James Nelson was the first white man who settled here. He came in 1852, and took a claim on what is now known as the John Bray place. Ransom Moon was the next settler. He came in February, 1852, and took a claim in the timber, on "Moon Branch," where he built him a pole cabin, 12 by 14 feet square. In the spring he moved to his " prairie home," near the center of the township, where he now resides, surrounded by all the comforts of a good farm home, with groves, orchards, &c. Alvin Greer came in March following, and took a claim on a beautiful point of land between Grand River and Barker Branch; but failing to get money in time to enter it, some heartless wretch entered it and drove him off. He afterwards settled in the edge of Adair county, but during the war he went in defence of his country, and was killed. In May, 1853, Samuel Barker, and his sons, O. W. Barker, J. C. Barker and Elihue Barker, and his brother, J. C. Barker, together with A. J. Hasty, settled in what is now known as the Barker settlement. Samuel Barker was a Baptist minister, and a man of some means and of great energy of character. He entered 2,000 acres of land in that township, and done more, perhaps, toward settling the township than any other man in it. He has been deceased a num- ber of years, but hisaged and respected widow still resides on the old homestead. Elihue Barker served with great distinction as a soldier, during the war. He is now a resident of Arkansas, and is, at the pres- ent time a State Senator, representing the fifth senatorial district of that State. O. W. Barker still resides on the claim which he entered. His farm, which is one of the largest and best in the township, has sev- eral miles of good Osage Orange Hedge fencing on it, and he is sur- rounded with all the comforts common to a substantial Iowa farmer .- A. J. Hasty and J. C. Barker still live on their "claims," which they have greatly improved. Mr. Hasty is one of the substantial men of the township. He, together with O. W. Barker, are the principal stock dealers of this neighborhood; and they are said to be the owners of some of the best blooded cattle in western Iowa. John H. Bray, James Pierson and Hiram Pierce settled in the township as early as 1853, Phillip Osburn, J. J. Greer, E. Pindle, Wm. Kivitt, Mr. Doty, John Granfield, and others also settled here within a year or two afterwards.
It now contains about six hundred souls; and its inhabitants are, as a class, moral and religious. The Methodists, Missionary Baptists, and Christian denominations have each live and flourishing organizations here. Meetings are held in each of the five school- houses. An unusual interest is taken in the Sabbath School cause, and Sabbath Schools are held in all the school-houses, under the
206
HISTORY.
charge of industrious and efficient superintendants and officers. They are evidently proud of their school facilities, and are doing all they can to " train up their children in the way they should go, that when they are old they will not depart from it."
It has most excellent water facilities and it is admirably adapted for the raising of stock.
The prairie land is held from two to twelve dollars per acre; the tim- ber from five to forty dollars; and improved farms range from ten to forty dollars per acre. There are two saw mills; one owned by A. J. Hasty, and the other by Daniel Shepherd, and both are doing a good business.
There is an abundance of wild fruits, such as crab apples, plums, berries, &c., and there are several large bearing apple orchards. In an early day the settlers found plenty of wild game in the timber, such as deer, elk, turkeys, and smaller game. It is also related that they used to find wild hogs in the timber. The hogs were long legged, and wild and fleet as deer. They had been left by a colony of Mormons, who had wintered at Mt. Piscah, in Union county, in 1847 or'48.
It contains excellent water facilities, and it would at the present time be a grand location for a grist mill.
Other matters of interest might be spoken of concerning this township, but it is, to a great extent, the same as the general history of the county, which we speak of more fully elsewhere in the book ; suffice it to say, that it is in all respects, a very desirable township for those seeking new homes.
MONROE
Is bounded on the north by 'Lincoln township, on the south by Union county, on the east by Walnut township and on the west by Grand River. Clanton Creek passes through near the center, from west to east; and there is a large body of heavy timber on this stream, especially at Big Grove. There are, on Clanton, large quarries of good limestone. The surface of the country is quite rolling and it is in many places quite rough ; it is more so than any other township in the county, and there is considerable of what is termed waste land in the township; yet there are many elegant locations for fine farms, as beau- tiful as any heart could wish for. There are many small rivulets and valuable springs in the township, and abundance of good range for stock; which makes it very desirable for those engaged in stock rais- ing. And the farmers are paying a great deal of attention to the raising of fine stock ; and we are pleased to state that business proves very renumerative to their pockets. There have been considerable
.
207
HISTORY.
emigration here of late, and it is at the present time improving very rapidly.
An Irishman named Malone, and James Britton and Isaac Nichol, are among its earliest settlers. They settled here as early as 1852. William Boling, John Bancroft, Lewis and George Linton, Phillip and John Moore, William Claim, William Berry and John Berry settled in the township in 1853, and 18 >4. Frank Bosworth, Samuel Hamilton, N. Clark, and H. Harris settled here soon afterwards.
The Methodist and Missionary Baptists have church organizations here and meetings are held regularly.
WALNUT
Is bounded on the north by Scott township, on the south by Clark county, on the east by Ohio township, and on the west by Monroe. The north branch of Clanton enters it in section 7, and passes from west to east, through sections 17, 16, and to the centre of 15, where it forms a junction with South Branch, which enters the township in sec- tion 19. After the two branches come together, they pass on down through sections 10, 11 and 1. This stream furnishes sufficient water for milling purposes during the greater portion of the year.
Plenty of timber and inexhaustible supplies of limestone exist along the bluffs of the streams. A good saw mill was erected on this stream 1853, by Aaron Hiatt and B. F. Browne. It is now owned by Benjamin Reed. The surface of the country is generally quite rolling, and in some places quite rough, with fine first and second bottoms along Clanton creek. The soil is a rich dark loam, yielding luxuriantly every kind of grain and vegetable common to the latitude. Wheat, corn and oats are the main productions. There are some fine springs, and good wells are found by digging from fifteen to twenty-five feet. Thus with springs, wells and streams, it is abundantly supplied with water.
Its first settlers were Samuel Peters, A. J. Stark and Geo. W. Teague, who came in 1849. John Marshall, James A. Emerson, Abijah Marsh, A. L. Bryant and Wm. J. Guthrie settled here as early as 1850. Samuel Peters, John Marshall, James A. Emerson and William J. Guthrie still reside in the township. Abijah Marsh moved to Des Moines some years ago, and was elected City Marshal ; and while serving in that capacity, in a fit of passion, he killed a man named King, fled to Texas, and was arrested in that state by a Polk county sheriff; but while the officer was on the way with him to Des Moines, he jumped off the boat and was drowned in the Mississippi river.
There are no very extensive farmers in this township. From 100 to 140 acres being about the extent of the farms owned by any ore man. A great deal of attention has been given to the raising of tame fruit.
208
HISTORY.
Hardy varieties of the apple, cherry and plum flourish exceedingly well. The gooseberry, strawberry and grape are becoming very plentiful. Aaron Hiatt is the most extensive fruit raiser in the township. He has exhibited at our county fairs for a number of years past the most choice and luscious varieties of fruit. Others have good apple orchards, among them are Jacob Brown, John Marichel, J. A. Emerson, B. F. Browne, David Hollowell, Isaac Rager, Daniel Baker, N. Foster, A. Simmons and the Painters.
There are six sub-districts and one independent school district. Seven schools were in flourishing operation during the past winter, at an average cost of nearly forty dollars per month. There are two church buildings; one Methodist, known as the Ebenezer church; and the other the Christian church at Peru. Both buildings are good, substan- tial frame edifices. The Methodists have also church organizations at Pleasant Grove and at Harmony school-house. Sabbath schools are held in the churches and in several of the school-houses.
There are two post offices, one called Ohio, of which Samuel Walker is post master ; the other is at Peru, H. C. Wright, post master. B. F. Browne had been the post master of Peru for twelve years.
HOG's BACK .- There is situated on Clanton creek, about a mile and a half east of Peru, a peculiar shaped hill or high piece of ground, which is known as Hog's Back, and is quite a curiosity ; in shape and form not widely different from "Devil's Back Bone," spoken of elsewhere in this book. It is a steep bluff, about one hundred and twenty-five feet high, and about three quarters of a mile in length. On the top of the ridge, for a distance of about half a mile, there is barely room suffi- cient for a wagon track. Clanton creek courses along on one side of the ridge, and a small stream on the other, forming a junction near the end of the ridge. This high ridge is composed mostly of limestone rock, and a peculiar greasy, reddish clay. The clay is supposed to be what is known in many places as "paint clay," but no experiment has ever been made with it. It exists in great quantities, and may prove to be of great utility and value.
Peru .- This is the name of a small village situated in Walnut town- ship, in section three. The town was laid out in '53, by Aaron Hiatt, who was proprietor of the land on which it was located. The town now contains one store, one blacksmith shop, one cabinet and wagon shop, one shingle manufactory, one steam saw mill, one church, fifteen or twenty private residences, and about seventy inhabitants. A large stone school-house is in process of erection at the present time in the village.
209
HISTORY.
OHIO
Is bounded on the east by Warren county, on the west by Walnut township, on the south by Clark county, and on the north by South township. The prairies are high, beautiful and rolling, and the soil is of great fertility, produeing in great abundance all kinds of grain. South River, quite a large stream, flows through the southern portion of it and there are heavy growths of good timber along this stream. A good article of stone coal has been found in several places. There are numerous small streams and quite a number of excellent springs exist on the prairies in different localities. These springs are never, dry, and they never freeze up in the winter time. It is, therefore, peculiarly adapted to stoek raising.
Andrew Hart and M. S. Douglas were its first settlers. They came in 1854. They were both rebels, and when the war broke out they sold out and moved south. Noah Bishop, and John Cregor, Henry Cregor, Solomon Delong, A. G. Martin, William Farson, and J. D. Hartman also settled here at an early day.
The most extensive farmers are, J. D. Hartman, Noah Bishop, William Anderson, and David Bradshaw.
Meetings and sabbath schools are held in the various school-houses. There are some good bearing orchards; among them is one planted out in 1860, by A. G. Martin, which is now in good bearing condition.
For quiet rural home places, it 'offers very superior attractions.
14
210
HISTORY.
Written expressly for Davies' History and Directory.]
GOD BE PRAISED!
BY JAMES ELLIS.
A few short years, what change has come O'er thee, thou glorious Madison ! Thy sons have toiled, and fought, and won A victory on these wilds alone : Yet not alone ! His mighty hand Led on this brave and struggling band ; HE gave them nerve, and strength, and heart ; And nobly have they done their part. With thankful hearts, our voice is raised In one loud anthem-GOD be praised !
Our Pioneers! As they advance Sweet Nature wakes from out her trance; And Plenty, with an open hand, Scatters abundance through the land. The primeval soil its richness yields; And corn in blossom decks the fields ; Fruits, ripe and luscious, meet the eye, Foretelling riches by-and-bye. For all these gifts our voice is raised In one loud anthem-Gon be praised !
And when the sun-burnt Autumn nears, Tanning with brown the wheaten ears, Each thankful heart bows low its head, To HIM above for mercies shed ; The farmer smiles with honest pride, Clasping his darling by his side ; While children, ruddy, round them play ; And Nature beams on all, that day. For all His love, our voice is raised In one loud anthem-Gon be praised !
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211
GOD BE PRAISED.
Then, come-poor wanderers from afar- And join Progression's onward car : We proffer thee a home and wealth, With Nature's gifts-full, robust health. Thy fading cheek shall sink no more- Here joys in plenty are in store ; Here worth is honored and esteemed- The rich, the poor are equal deemed. For this true right, our voice is raised In one loud anthem-Gon be praised !
Here Freedom reigns: in whose glad face A thousand promises we trace, Of worldly blessings-Freedom's Gifts- When from the earth, the Slave-King lifts His tyrant hand, and bids appear The GOD with visage mild and clear- Whose birth, these prairies wild will tell, To Indians rude in mead and dell. For thee, sweet Liberty ! our voice is raised In one loud anthem-GOD be praised !
Sweet Madison ! we view with pride Thy many virtues spreading wide. Long may thy Star of Progress shine, And blessings wait on thee and thine ; May every breeze that floats around, Come laden with some joyous sound ; That Heaven with choicest gifts may bless, And grant thee health and happiness. For all thy sons, our voice is raised In one loud anthem-GOD be praised !
CENSUS RETURNS OF MADISON COUNTY,
From its First Settlement to the Present Time.
Population in 1849 701
Population in 1857
7071
Population in 1850 1174
Population in 1860
7337
Population in 1851 .1492
Population in 1853.
7934
Population in 1852.
1832
Population in 1865
8214
Population in 1854
3122
Population in 1867
9764
Population in 1856.
5508
Population in 1869.
11817
COUNTY STATISTICS, 1869.
No. of dwelling-houses. 2,117
Acres in flax
1
Families. 2,158
Acres in sorghum
520
White males.
6.148
White females.
5,666
Acres of trees planted for
timber.
134
Total white population
11,814
No. of colored males
2
Colored females 1
Total population
11,817
Entitled to vote.
2,587
No. grapes bearing
11,785
Foreigners not naturalized ..
17
No. not bearing
20,796
Militia.
2,055
Horses 6,194
Blind
5
Cattle.
12,453
Deaf and dumb
2
Hogs.
.19,987
Insane. 2
Sheep
30,171
Acres enclosed.
89,939
Mules and asses
548
Acres in cultivation
69,419
Milch cows
3,816
Acres in spring wheat
15,223
Work oxen
270
Acres in winter wheat.
14
Dogs.
1,891
Acres in corn.
33,573
Hives of bees.
1,242
Acres in oats.
5,927
Bushels of spring wheat ... 133,434
Acres in buckwheat.
66
Bushels of winter wheat ...
101
Acres in barley
3
Bushels of corn.
1,018,369
Acres in rye. 99
Bushels of oats.
101,887
Acers in Potatoes. 649
Bushels of buckwheat
326
Acres in onions
5
Bushels of barley
217
Acres in tame grass
2,595
Bushels of rye
897
Acres of hops ..
11
Rods.of hedging.
56,039
No. fruit trees bearing
14,757
No. not bearing
46,293
213
CENSUS RETURNS.
Bushels of potatoes 76,918
Bushels of clover seed 2
Bushels of onions. 367
Tons of wild hay.
13,397
Bushels of grass seed
57
Value farm produce, 1868 .... 613,260
Bushels of apples. 6,267
Value of stock sold.
329,225
Pounds of grapes. 19.352
Pounds of honey 11,940
Pounds of Butter
242,879
Value of Manufactures .. 58,996
Pounds of cheese.
5,252
Bushels of coal.
85
Value of other minerals. ..... 679
CENSUS RETURNS BY TOWNSHIPS.
CENTER.
No. of dwelling-houses. 288
No. grapes vines not bearing 2379
No. of families. 326 No. of horses of all ages ..... 268
No. white males. 807
No. white females. 751
No. hogs of all ages. 690
No. colored males. 1
No. of milch cows 155
No. colored females 1
No. of dogs. 67
No. of bee hives. 26
No. bushels of apples 16
No. pounds of grapes 365
No. pounds of honey 200
No. of pounds butter made .. 500
PENN.
No. of dwelling-houses. 89
No. of families 92
No. white males 239
No. white females. 215 No. acres planted for timber 57
Total population 454 No. rods of hedging planted 3,812 No. entitled to vote. 110 No. fruit trees in bearing ... 222
No. militia. 112
No. acres of land enclosed .. 4326
No. acres of land under cul- tivation. 4,239
No. acres of spring wheat ... 8229
No. acres of corn ..
1,185
No. acres of oats. 296
No. acres of potatoes 28
No. acres of sorghum. 18
No. of fruit trees not in bearing 1,070
No. grape vines in bearing 150
No. of grape vines not in bearing 797
No. of horses of all ages .....
314
No. entitled to vote. 400
No. of Militia. 330
No. of fruit trees in bearing 1,842
No. fruit trees not in bearing 2,956
No. of grape vines bearing .. 4,575
Value of agricultural im- plements, 143,714
Pounds of wool in 1868.
110,224
Pounds of hops.
26
Gallons of sorghum
45,498
Tons of tame hay 2871
No. of cattle of all ages. 222
Total population. 1,560
214
CENSUS RETURNS.
No. of cattle of all ages. 334
No. of hogs of all ages. 540
No. of sheep of all ages. 657
No. of mules and asses.
37
No. milch cows.
134
No. of work oxen
16
No. of dogs
74
No. hives of bees.
13
No. bushels of spring wheat 8,048
No. bushels of corn
41,860
No. bushels of oats.
7,488
No. bushels of buckwheat ...
4
No. bushels of Irish potatoes 4,180
No bushels of onions.
12
No. bushels of apples. 75
No. pounds of grapes.
1,112
No. gallons of syrup from sorghum. 2,427
No. pounds of honey
143
No. pounds of butter
8,760
No. pounds of wool shorn in 1868. 3,122
No. tons hay from tame grass 18
No. tons of hay from wild grass. 800
Value of farm produce dur- ing 1868. 49,815
Value of stock sold during 1868 9,942
Value of implements and
machinery
8,560
MADISON.
No. of dwelling-houses. 134
No. of families. 143
No. of white males. 405
No. of white females 383
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