USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
In 1890 two church societies were started in Bridgewater, the Church of Christ and the Methodist Episcopal. Both churches erected houses of worship that year, which are in use at the present time. The membership of each is close around 150.
There is a very good lodge spirit in the town and the different orders active are united in helping the destinies of their community. Perhaps the strongest organization is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Modern Woodmen and Knights of Pythias have char- ters here, but are not very active at the present time. The Commu- nity Club, just recently organized, is a very strong factor in building up the town and township. This club is the same as a commercial club. differing only from the fact that it is formed so as to include the farmers in the adjacent territory as well as the citizens of the town. Their purpose is to accomplish everything which will benefit the country in which they live.
Bridgewater is perhaps the chief live stock center of the county. A fact that testifies to this is that nearly all of the grain grown in the townships around is kept there and fed to the stock, which in turn is shipped to the markets. The shipping from this point is very heavy. The stock raised here comprises a large amount of prize and fancy animals. There are a number of dealers in this class of stock in the adjacent territory.
140
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
BRIDGEWATER BANKS
The Union Bank was organized on January 6, 1890, by J. G. Hendry and G. G. Rechtenbach, as a private bank. Rechtenbach died soon afterwards and Mr. Hendry became the sole owner, which position he continues in 1915. The deposits of this bank run to the amount of $200,000 and are protected by the interests of Mr. Hendry. The building in which the bank is housed was constructed in the year of its organization, costing $2,600. H. E. Hendry is the present cashier of the institution.
The Bridgewater Savings Bank was organized in August, 1905, by Messrs. Harlan, Turner and Castle, from outside points. The first capital stock was $10,000, the same being the amount at present. The deposits amount to $95,000 and $1,000 surplus is carried. The handsome bank building was built in 1914 at a cost of $5,000. The fixtures are worth $2,000 extra. E. Sulgrove is president of the institution; E. H. Sullivan is vice president; P. P. Sullivan, cashier; and F. R. Michael, assistant cashier.
Both of these banks are on solid basis and are well patronized by the people of the vicinity. They testify to the financial strength of the community.
ยท
CHAPTER XIV
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
Jefferson Township comprises all of congressional township 77 north, range 31 west. The surface of the township is of rolling char- acter and the soil is rich and loamy. It is mostly prairie, with a little timber located along the stream channels. At one time excellent timber lined the banks of Turkey Creek. The township is watered by Middle River, Turkey and many other creeks and their tribu- taries. Middle River enters from the west, on section 7, and flowing in a generally southeasterly course, intersects sections 7, 8, 17, 20, 21, 22, 27 and 35. In the northwest part of the latter it makes a confluence with Turkey Creek. This latter stream, rising in Walnut Township, flows into Jefferson on the west line of section 30, and in an easterly course crosses sections 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and in 35 enters the main stream as above mentioned.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
The first man to make a settlement within Jefferson Township was William Alcorn, who came in the spring of 1850 and took up a claim on section 27, near the upper crossing of the Middle River. It was not possible for him to enter land at that time, so he built a cabin and became what is known as a squatter. Here he lived until he sold out his holdings to John Febus, when he took up another claim on section 33. In the fall of 1854, growing dissatisfied with his surroundings, he removed to Winterset, Madison County. He was a native of Illinois, but came here from Dubuque, Iowa.
With Alcorn came John Gilson, who made a settlement in 1850, but afterwards moved to Harrison Township and then left the county.
Daniel Vancil came from Illinois in the spring of 1850 and settled on section 35. He constructed a small log cabin on his land. He did not enter any land in this locality, but made himself an unsavory reputation as a claim jumper. In the fall of 1852 he returned to
141
142
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
Illinois and, about a year afterward, was hung by a mob of citizens for a series of crimes.
George M. Holaday eame to the township in the spring of 1853 and settled on section 26. Here he built a double log cabin, which was said to have been the best house in the county at the time.
John Febus came to the township from Indiana in the spring of 1853 and bought the land of William Alcorn on section 27 for $300. He remained here until the fall of 1855 and then moved to Winterset and later to Nebraska, where he died.
Jacob Bruce came to the township in the fall of 1853 and settled upon section 33 in the following spring. In the late '60s Jacob Bruce had one of the largest and best orchards in Adair County; in faet, it was almost the only producing orchard in the county, except one belonging to L. C. Elliot in Harrison Township and one belong- ing to David Coffin in Washington Township, both much smaller than Bruce's.
Mahundry Hollingsworth came to this vicinity in 1854 and set- tled upon section 27, where he built a cabin home. In 1856 he moved to Winterset. He was a native of Indiana.
In 1854 Samuel Minert came to section 27. He was a native of Indiana and became a tenant on the farm of M. Hollingsworth. He remained here about a year and then moved to Harrison Township, some time afterwards leaving the county.
Among the arrivals of 1854 was David H. Shields, a native of Georgia. He came here in the spring of the year and in the fall purchased 240 acres of land on sections 27 and 34 from John Febus. In April, 1855, he sold this land to George B. Wilson and then moved to Harrison Township and bought the claim of John Gilson. Shortly, however, he left the county.
George B. Wilson, a native of Ohio, moved to Adair County on June 16, 1855, having previously bought 240 acres of land from David Shields. He filled the position of postmaster at Holaday's for over twenty years. He became well known as a stock raiser.
Dr. William Tingle came from Indiana in the spring of 1855 and entered land in section 36, on which he built a cabin. He afterward sold out to Shreeves & Hollingsworth and moved to Winterset, where he kept a hotel. He afterwards went to Audubon County, Ia.
Patrick Hugh (Hall), a native of Ireland, came here in the spring of 1856 from Keokuk, Ia. He rented a farm, where he stayed until he had raised a crop, and then removed to Walnut Township, and later from the county.
143
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
A man commonly known as "Old Glunt" came from Indiana in 1856, rented the Holaday farm, and put in a crop. However, before harvest time had come, he sold the crop to John Easton and returned to the Hoosier State.
Stover Rinard made his appearance in this township in April, 1856, and located upon section 8. He was a native of Randolph County, Ind.
In the summer of 1856 Jeremiah Rinard settled on section 5 with his family. He built a cabin on the south half of the northeast quarter of the section, where he lived for many years. He was a native of Indiana.
George Welker came to Jefferson Township from Indiana in the summer of 1856 and settled upon section 36 and put up a log cabin. He lived here but a short time, when he moved to Madison County, and then back to Harrison Township, Adair County. Before leaving he sold his claim to John R. Short, who had just come to this place from Indiana, of which state he was a native. Short settled down upon the farm, but after the Civil war he sold out to Barnet Isley and went to Dallas County. He was not liked here for many reasons.
Stroud A. Petts made a settlement on section 3 in the summer of 1856. He came from Lee County, Ia., and building a cabin here, stayed until the summer of 1859, when he died at Greenbush, Warren County, where he had gone for medical treatment. His widow afterward married a Mr. Rich, who was killed two years later by the caving in of a well.
Sino Sherer came here in the summer of 1856 from Lee County. He was a brother-in-law of Stroud A. Petts. He settled on section 7 and built a cabin. In 1865 he sold out to B. F. McMullen and moved to Andrews County, Mo. He was at one time road supervisor in Adair County.
Simon Barrows, a single man, came here in the fall of 1856 from Davenport, Ia. He was a native of Massachusetts and came to superintend a large tract of land. He took possession of a cabin which had been built on section 33. He taught the first school in this township in the winter of 1856-7 and was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools in 1861, but resigned before the expiration of his term of office. He then removed to Des Moines and shortly afterward was elected superintendent of common schools of Polk County. Later he moved to Adams County and became a preacher.
144
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
John Loucks settled upon section 27 during the month of Decem- ber, 1856. He was a native of Indianapolis, Ind.
John Shreeves came from Winterset in 1857. He later engaged in the lumber business at Greenfield.
John Easton located on section 22 and there farmed and raised stock with success; his first location, however, had been on section 26 in 1857. In the spring of 1838 he built a small log cabin on section 22, in which he lived until 1864, when he constructed a larger and better residence.
William H. Easton, son of the above, entered 440 acres of land in Jefferson Township in May, 1855. He also bought seventy acres of timber land from G. M. Holaday on section 4, Grove Township. In October he moved his family to his land and spent the winter in a log cabin. He later built another log cabin and there lived until 1882, when he erected a better dwelling. During his life here he held every township office and helped to make the first assessment while in the assessor's office. He was the second representative from Adair County, being elected in the fall of 1873.
Dillon Hunt, a native of Indiana, made a settlement in 1858 on section 7, buying a farm of Stover Rinard. He shortly afterward sold the farm to Mr. Still and returned to his native state. Still resold the place to the first owner, Rinard.
Samuel S. Beale, supposed to have been a native of Indiana, came to the township in 1858 and rented a farm owned by William Hol- lingsworth on section 35, where he resided for a year and a half, when he moved to Andrews County, Mo.
James Hornback came from Winterset in the spring of 1859 and rented the Hollingsworth and Holaday farms, where he remained about a year, when he returned to Madison County. He was an Indiana man.
Jonathan Shreves, a native of Clay County, Illinois, came to Adair County in 1860 and settled in Jefferson Township.
Benjamin F. McMullen came to section 7 in 1864. William F. Edgerly came in 1875; William A. Perkins in 1877; William Wilson in 1880; Leander Jones in 1878; Charles R. Crabb in 1870; Alonzo H. Rinard in 1875.
EARLY DAY ITEMS
The first ground broken in the township was on the farm of William Alcorn by Thomas Wilkinson in the fall of 1852. William Alcorn planted the first corn in the spring of 1852, which was planted
145
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
in the sod. Jacob Bruce started the first orchard with 200 apple trees. G. M. Holaday sowed the first wheat in 1854. The first oats were sown by G. M. Holaday and John Febus in the spring of 1854, the former on section 35 and the latter on section 27. Jacob cradled the first oats raised in the township in the summer of 1854 for Hola- day and Febus.
The first birth in Jefferson Township was that of Jefferson Hol- aday, the son of George M. and Lydia Holaday, in the fall of 1854. The child died in the autumn of 1855 and was buried in a pasture field.
The first death in the township was that of the seven or eight- year-old son of William Alcorn. He was bitten by a rattlesnake in the summer of 1853 and died a few hours afterwards. He was buried in the same pasture which later held Jefferson Holaday.
The first marriage was that of William Stinson and Elizabeth F. Crow. The ceremony took place upon May 7, 1854, and was per- formed by the county judge, G. M. Holaday, at the residence of William Alcorn. This was also the first marriage in the county, as shown by the official records.
The first religious services held in the township were held in June, 1854, at the log cabin of John Febus on section 27. These were held by John Creager and Samuel Johnson, residents of Madison County. They were of the denomination then known as the New Light Chris- tians.
The first election was held at the house of G. M. Holaday on section 35 in 1855.
The first log house was built in the spring of 1852 by Daniel Vancil on section 35. The second, finished about the same time, was put up by William Alcorn on section 27. The first frame house in the township was erected by George B. Wilson in 1857 on section 27.
In 1865 J. B. McGinnis donated two acres of land on his farm in section 34 for the purpose of a cemetery and the same was sur- veyed by George B. Wilson. Wesley Taylor, who was at that time recorder, entered the plat upon the county records. The first burial within this beautiful city of the dead was Eli Bruce, a son of Jacob Bruce, who died about the time of the laying out of the grounds.
MILLS
In 1858 John Easton purchased the machinery for a sawmill in Winterset and set it up on the farm of his son, William H., on section Vol. I -10
146
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
23. This was the first in the township. He operated the mill until the breaking out of the Civil war and then sold to Jerry Barker and William McCollom. This mill was run by steam power and did custom work.
In the spring of 1866 Marshall McCollom started a steam saw- mill near J. B. Bruce's place on section 24, which ran about one season, when it was moved away. Some person drove a spike into a log and when it was driven toward the saw the latter was completely ruined.
The Middle River grist mill, located on section 7, was built in the winter of 1874 by Isaiah Hollingsworth, costing over four thou- sand dollars. In September, 1876, Andrew J. Thompson bought out Mr. Hollingsworth.
A mill known as the Chamberlain Mill was completed in Jan- uary, 1879, and was what was then known as the "new process mill." The dam was constructed during the years 1876 and 1877.
POSTOFFICE
The postoffice known as Holaday's was established in 1853 as Wahtawa and William Alcorn was commissioned the first postmas- ter. This was originated during the great overland travel to Cali- fornia and was established mainly for the accommodation of the emi- grants to the Pacific. It was located at the house of the postmaster on section 27 and was named after a local Indian chief. G. M. Hola- day was the postmaster during the years 1855 and 1856 and was suc- ceeded in 1857 by William H. Easton, who in turn gave way to John A. Easton. In the spring of 1864 George B. Wilson took charge of the office. The name of the office was changed on the accession to office of G. M. Holaday. During a short time the office was kept at the house of Thomas Breen and Mary A. Breen acted as deputy postmaster.
ORGANIZATION
Jefferson Township was organized in 1855 and the first election held at the house of G. M. Holaday on section 35. The first officers chosen were as follows: Jacob Bruce, William McDonald and Robert Wilson, trustees; William Hollingsworth, clerk; and Jacob Bruce, road supervisor.
CHAPTER XV RICHLAND TOWNSHIP
Within the boundaries of Richland Township are found two streams of water, namely: the east branch of the Nodaway River and Shanghai Creek. The former river flows through the northwest corner, entering on section 5, flowing through sections 6, 7 and 18, passing into Washington Township from the latter section. Shanghai Creek traverses the township from north to south through sections 1, 12. 14, 23, 22 and 27, leaving the township on section 34. There are also several small branches of these two streams. The land is mostly open and rolling prairie, the only timber of natural growth being on the banks of the Nodaway River.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
The first man to seek a home within the territory now embraced in Richland Township was John Gilman, who settled on section 5 in 1853 and erected for himself a cabin. Harvey Fortner settled at the same time as Gilman.
The second settler of Richland was Joshua E. Chapman, who came in 1854 and entered land on section 5.
In the spring of 1855 Thomas Ewing came. He was accom- panied by James Ewing.
Milton Chapman made a settlement in December, 1855. In com- pany with his wife and five children he came all the way from Monroe County, with an ox team, traveling about sixteen miles a day. When they arrived at Twelve Mile Creek in Union County, it was some twenty-five miles across the open prairie without a house to be seen anywhere in all that distance. As the nights were bright with moon- light they left Twelve Mile Creek about 10 o'clock P. M. and tray- eled all night, reaching their destination about 3 o'clock in the after- noon of December 7th. Two days later there came a terrible snow storm and it was impossible for another person to cross the prairie
147
148
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
that winter. As Mr. Chapman and family were not heard of again that winter, it was supposed that they had been lost in the snow storm and frozen to death on the prairie, and, in fact, was so reported in an Ottumwa paper.
HISTORIC ITEMS
John Gilman built the first cabin in the township. He also broke the first ground and sowed the first grain.
The first schoolhouse was constructed in 1858 and cost $400.
The first birth in the township was that of a son to James and Margaret Ewing on April 13, 1857, and named Winfield S.
The first death in the township was that of a child of some emi- grants passing through. The second death was that of Mary A. Ewing on August 19, 1860.
The first religious services were of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. They were held in the house of T. M. Ewing in the summer of 1855.
A cemetery was laid out in 1869 and was known as the Richland Cemetery. The cemetery in connection with the Union Church on section 15 was laid out March 3, 1871. The first interment was a child of A. H. Fisk. Hiram Fisk was the first adult buried there.
In the summer of 1870 Fisk postoffice was established. George H. Walford was the postmaster.
ORGANIZATION
Richland Township was officially organized in 1860. At the fall election of that year the following officers were elected: James S. Ewing, justice of the peace; Benjamin Minert, supervisor.
LODGES AND CHURCHES
In 1872 an organization known as the Grange Lodge was effected at the MeClure schoolhouse. It attained a membership of about thirty and flourished about ten years. The first officers of the society were: T. M. Ewing, master; D. J. Ely, secretary. The last secretary of the lodge was Alexander Evans.
The Congregational Church of the Township was organized in 1881. The church building was erected in the summer of this year at a cost of $1,800. There was a cemetery laid out in connection with the church.
REV. JOSIAH W. PEET
One of the first Congregational ministers in Adair County, under whom was erected the first church building in the county in Fontanelle.
149
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
Richland Union Church was organized in 1878 and during the summer a church was constructed. The first officers of the organiza- tion were: A. H. Fisk, president; H. H. Dant, secretary; Andrew Clayton, treasurer; T. M. Ewing, J. D. McClure, trustees.
The Missionary Baptist Church of Richland Township was organ- ized in 1871 with Reverend Johnson as pastor. Services were held at first in the Union Church.
BIOGRAPHICAL
Thomas Ewing was another early settler of note who came in the days of the ox team, 1854, with his brother James, and settled in Richland Township. He served for several terms as county super- visor and was much interested in grange, alliance and temperance work. He was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and was dis- charged for disabilities incurred in the campaign culminating in the battle of Shiloh. He died at Fontanelle in 1908.
Rev. Joseph Mather was the first Congregational minister in the county. He came to Fontanelle and organized a church about 1858. He died at Fontanelle in 1862.
Rev. J. W. Peet, a graduate of Middleburg College, Vermont, came to the county in 1864. He preached from Lincoln to Richland Township, riding the circuit and preaching in Lincoln, Grand River, Greenfield, Fontanelle and Richland. He was instrumental in build- ing churches at Fontanelle, the first in the county built in 1870, in Grand River and in Richland. He was county superintendent of schools for one term. After several years of service here he moved first to Prescott, Adams County, afterward to Monticello, Jones County, where he died in 1892.
George R. Peet early developed a large farm near Nevin in Adair County; later purchased and conducted a lumber yard in Prescott, Adams County. Upon the location of the Creston and Northern Railroad he purchased the first lot sold in Orient and opened the lumber business which he carried on in connection with his Prescott business and farm operations. He afterwards traded his Adair prop- erty for a hardware business in Monticello, Jones County. He later moved to Alden, Hardin County, where he died in 1893.
Henry and Hyram Fisk early settled in section 16, Richland Township, and near one corner of that section laid out the first cem- etery in the township. Hyram died in Adair County and Henry moved West, serving several years as sheriff in Oregon, where he now resides, enjoying the title of Judge.
150
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
John Coolbaugh settled on a farm which he named Penn Avenue, from his native state. His brother, William, was a promiment banker at Burlington and Chicago and owner of a large amount of Adair County land. John Coolbaugh looked after the estate, together with his own business. He gave the Penn Avenue Cemetery to the county and largely contributed to the building of the Penn Avenue Church. John Coolbaugh died at the home of his son, Prof. Melville Cool- baugh, in South Dakota and was buried in Penn Avenue Cemetery.
Homer Brooks, whose ancestry traces directly to Jonathan Brooks who landed from the Mayflower on Plymouth Rock, and whose wife, Mary Kellogg, was a lineal descendant of Governor William Brad- ford, also of the Pilgrim band and the second governor of the colony, settled on land which he had owned some years in Richland Township and developed a new farm in 1879. Mr. Brooks' grandfather was a soldier in the patriot army through the Revolutionary war, after- ward settling on the frontier in Ohio, from which state Homer Brooks and family came to Adair County. Mr. Brooks lived on his farm until 1890, when he moved to Greenfield, there dying in 1905. Mr. Brooks was active in grange and alliance work, was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was at one time candidate from Adair County for the Senate, and always a man of strong convictions, ripe judgment, and unblemished integrity.
Another prominent early settler of Richland Township was T. C. Heacock, of Quaker ancestry, from Ohio, who with his wife, Rachel Mather, also of Quaker extraction, settled early in Adair County. Mr. Heacock was for many years prominent in political life; strong in grange, alliance and farmers' institute work; vice president and director of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company; and always a progressive man in every effort to better the condition of society. He moved some years since to Harper County, Kan., and there has followed the same lines of activity as he did in Adair County.
An early settler on the south side of Richland was George W. Grant, who came to Iowa from Maine about 1857. He had quite a local reputation as a poet and created some good verses. He died several years ago.
L. J. Gray settled in Richland Township in 1868 and farmed for two or three years, but having lost an arm in the Civil war, he was unable to conduct the business with the vigor necessary to the greatest success. He removed to Fontanelle in 1873 and entered the contest as republican candidate for county treasurer and the same year was elected. During his term, there being no bank in Adair County, he
151
HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
was obliged to keep the county funds in a bank at Des Moines. The failure of B. F. Allen's bank in that city in 1874 left the county treasurer out about five thousand dollars, which was an entire loss to the county. Mr. Gray served two terms as treasurer and was after- wards engaged in the real estate business in Greenfield with W. B. Martin and later moved to Chicago, where he died some years ago.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.