USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 16
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In April, 1869, Fred Schutze entered land on section 29.
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P. O. Swisher came in March, 1870, and entered land on sec- tion 20.
Gordon Shanklin was among the early settlers of Grove. He located on section 4, where he remained until 1882, then removing to Guthrie County.
ITEMS
Groveland postoffice was established in 1870 with Frederick Hodges as postmaster. He held the office until April, 1872, when Asa Wilson was appointed. Following him came Hugh Gray, M. Howell, and Mr. Walbridge.
In June, 1877, five acres in the southeast corner of section 9 were purchased from the heirs of H. N. Peck, for $45, for use as a ceme- tery. The first interment was the body of Mr. Aiken.
In 1873 the Groveland Sunday School was organized with J. B. Dunn, superintendent, and P. O. Swisher, assistant superintendent.
The first birth in Grove Township was a child to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Smith.
The first death in the township was that of a Mr. Taylor.
The first minister to hold services was Rev. J. B. McGinnis.
The first marriage was that of William Sproul and Elizabeth Stuart in 1864. They afterwards removed to Kansas.
Mr. Brainard broke the first ground in the township in 1857. He also sowed the first wheat and oats and planted the first corn.
The first house erected was by J. R. Pierce in 1856. He also set out the first orchard in the township.
CHAPTER XX EUREKA TOWNSHIP
Eureka Township embraces congressional township 76, range 33, and is one of the latest settled civil divisions of the county. The population in the year 1873 was but sixty-eight. The township has an abundance of good streams, chief among them being the Middle Nodaway River, Nine Mile Creek and the several affluents of each. The Middle Nodaway enters the township on the north line of the northwest quarter of section 6 and flowing at first southerly through sections 6, 7, 18 and 19, changes its course to a southeasterly one and crosses sections 29, 32 and 33, making its exit on the south line of the latter. Nine Mile Creek passes through sections 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22. 23, 27 and 34. There never has been very much natural timber within the boundaries of the county.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS
The first men to settle in what is now Eureka Township were Henry and Nicholas Henning. They came in 1860. They pur- chased the land on section 31 in 1857, but did not move on to it until the first stated year, although they improved and cultivated it. They were natives of Germany. These brothers started the first brick yard in the county in 1858. This was then in Washington Town- ship. The next year they followed the same line of business in Jack- son Township. For many years they were the only settlers in the township and in 1867-68-69, when others began to come in they came so rapidly that it is hard to learn the proper sequence of their arrival. Among the more prominent ones at the time were: Darwin M. Schenck, Marx Hell, Christian and David Eshelman, Fred H. Cears, Charles E. Schenck, Andrew J. Kingery, Albert Hadley, John J. Stinman, Ferdinand A. J. Warner, E. M. Smith, Lewis Daniels.
ORGANIZATION
In the summer of 1870 the township was set off from Jackson, of which it had formed a part. The name, it is said, was suggested
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by J. W. Stinman, on account of finding some indications of coal within its borders. The first officers were as follows: James Tippin, G. W. Snyder, Sr., and Orlando Howe, trustees; John J. Stinman, clerk; B. F. Jones, justice; John Snyder, constable; Fred H. Cears, assessor; Henry Henning, road supervisor.
ITEMS
The Henning brothers, as before stated, broke the first ground in the township. They planted the first corn in 1859 and sowed the first wheat in 1860. They set out the first orchard in 1869. Henry Hen- ning erected the first frame house in the township on section 31 in 1860.
A round log house was constructed on section 33 by Miniture Jones in the summer of 1856. This was the first house in the town- ship.
The first marriage of a resident of this township was that of Nicholas Henning to Eliza Little on February 15, 1868. The cere- mony was performed by Judge N. S. Taylor at Fontanelle.
The first to be married after the township had been organized were Fred H. Cears and Emma Trowbridge. Rev. F. A. Goodrich spoke the words of union on March 10, 1872.
The first deaths were those of two brothers, named Imus, about Christmas, 1859, who were frozen to death.
The first religious services were held at the old Jones schoolhouse by Reverends Peet and Thomas about 1859. The former was a Con- gregationalist and the latter was a Methodist.
Eureka Cemetery was surveyed in the fall of 1878 and originally contained about three acres of ground. It is located upon the north- west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 22. Nancy Daniels was the first to be interred, having been buried a few days previous to the survey.
CHAPTER XXI PRUSSIA TOWNSHIP
TOPOGRAPHY
Prussia Township is watered by the east branch of the Nodaway River which enters from the north on section 41 and running thence in a southerly direction through sections 9, 16, 15, 22, 27, 26, 35 and 36, leaving the township from the latter section. A small creek known as Rutt's Branch also waters the western tier of sections in the township. There never has been much timber in the township.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
The pioneer settler of Prussia Township was James Hornback, who settled upon section 16. His house at that time consisted chiefly of a "dug-out," although there was a small shanty above. He came here from Madison County.
The next to come to this township was Peter Hoffman, who located upon section 10 in 1868. He was a native of Germany,
J. N. Bittner located a claim in the fall of 1868 on section 2, com- ing from Lee County, Ill.
John G. Martin emigrated from Lee County, Ill., in the fall of 1868 and settled on a farm in the township on section 10.
William and Fred Kiefer were also among the early settlers of the township, coming in September, 1868, from Lee County, Ill.
ORGANIZATION
Prussia Township was organized in 1870. A petition of the prominent citizens of the township was accepted and acted upon at the June meeting of the board of supervisors. Although it was the will of the petitioners to call the township Clark, the board gave the name of Prussia. The first election was held in the fall of 1870, when
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the following officers were chosen: Charles Clark, clerk; Peter Hoff- man, justice of the peace; John Vance, Charles Milner, Lee Tolen, trustees ; Mr. Sager, constable; Peter Hoffman, road supervisor; Lee Tolen, assessor. There were only nine votes cast at this election, seven of the republican and two democratic. Charles Clark disposed of his property and left the township before the expiration of his office term and Jerome Vance was appointed by the trustees to fill the vacancy.
ITEMS
The first death was that of Mrs. J. G. Martin in December, 1868. She was buried on her own premises.
The first child born was a son to Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Martin.
The first marriage was that of Albert Kalkofen and Elizabeth Zornes. Peter Hoffman, justice of the peace, officiated.
The first organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church occurred in 1879 at the schoolhouse in district No. 5. Reverend Wilburn was the first pastor.
The first house which was erected in the township was destroyed by a prairie fire in 1873. At the time of its destruction it was occu- pied by George Coon and family, who barely escaped with their lives.
Peter Hoffman built the second house in the township.
A cemetery on Section 15 was laid out June 15, 1878, and con- tained one acre. The first person to be buried there was Margaret Emmons, wife of J. Emmons, who died October 1, 1878. The Ger- man cemetery on section 10 contained one acre and the first interment was that of Mrs. Fred Kiefer.
CHAPTER XXII WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
Washington Township embraces all of congressional township 74, range 33. The township is well watered by the Nodaway River and its branches, along which at one time considerable timber was found. The soil is very rich and productive.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Washington Township was the first in Adair County to be settled. During the early days the pioneers were obliged to go to Marysville, Mo., to do their milling, a distance of over one hundred miles. Dur- ing the dry season, when the water was low, they had to go still farther, to Rochester, Mo.
The first man to come to the township, with the intention of mak- ing therein a home for himself, was Thomas Johnson, who settled upon section 4 in the spring of 1849. He erected a small log cabin and broke some ground, upon which he raised a small crop of wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, etc., during the first year of his settlement. He emigrated from Lawrence County, Ind., in 1841, to Page County, Ia., where he remained until he came to this township. In 1861 he removed to Oregon.
James R. Campbell was another prominent early settler of this township. He entered land on section 3 in the spring of 1850.
In June, 1854, a man named Bowers came to the township and settled upon the farm afterward known as the Shelby Garner place. Shortly afterwards he opened a blacksmith shop at this place, which was the first business of the kind in the county.
In July, 1854, James and John Standley settled in the subdivision of the county now known as Washington, on section 3, but John afterwards moved to Adams County. These brothers were natives of North Carolina. Their father was a minister of the Disciples denomination.
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
At the same time as the Stanleys, Ambrose Jenkins made a set- tlement in the township.
Monroe Winn came in 1854 and settled on section 31. He was a native of Hancock County, Ind.
During the summer of 1854 Thomas Thompson, David, Samuel and Henry McClure entered land in the township. Samuel moved to Jackson Township, while the other two subsequently moved from the county.
In November, 1854, Washington received another citizen, named Shelby Garner. He was born in Wayne County, Ind.
Samuel Thompson, a native of Montgomery County, Ind., came to Adair County in the fall of 1854 and located upon section 16 in Washington Township. In the fall of 1865 he removed to Jackson Township.
Elijah B. Sullivan, a native of Indiana, was another of the first comers. In December, 1854, he entered land on Section 16 and erected a log cabin and in January, 1855 he moved his family to the township. With him came his brothers, Titus H. and J. B.
Peter Steckel and family made a settlement in the spring of 1855. Boyd D., their son, was elected as the first prosecuting attorney of the county, although not a qualified lawyer. He afterward enlisted in the army during the Civil war and gave up his life on the field of honor.
J. J. Leeper, Robert Snodgrass and James Bradley came in June, 1855. The two latter gentlemen afterward moved to Oregon.
John Ammon made a settlement during the year 1855. He was a member of the first grand jury of the county. " He afterward moved to Missouri, where he died.
Titus Sullivan was another of the early settlers of Washington. He entered land in the summer of 1855. He then changed his resi- dence to Summerset Township, where he passed his entire life.
In the year 1855 John Ireland settled in the township and was sheriff of the county at one time. He left the township and while on his journey to Washington Territory died.
William and Francis Corr made a settlement before the fall of 1855. Francis held the office of county judge and treasurer at one time.
Hugh McCall entered land on section 25 in 1855.
Joseph Dunlap settled on the northwest quarter of section 24 in 1855, entering the land. He was born in the State of New Hamp- shire.
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
Another settler of the township was D. M. Strong, a native of New York State. He became a successful farmer in Adair County.
S. J. Casteel came to this county in 1865; B. W. Witt in 1875; Thomas Kembery in 1861; J. G. Hendry in 1869; Henry Griffin in 1864; Royal Guile in 1865; S. C. Bloom in 1865; James Moar in 1872; Benjamin Briggs in 1870.
ORGANIZATION
Washington Township is one of the oldest townships of the County of Adair, having been organized in 1854, the same year that the county itself was organized. At that time the county was about equally divided into two townships-Washington and Harrison. Washington was gradually diminished by the setting off of other townships, until it is now a congressional subdivision, technically known as township 74 north, range 33 west.
PIONEER NOTES
A mill was erected at an early date by Thomas Johnson, which was the first in the township. Their principal business at that time was grinding corn, although there was a bolt for wheat, which was operated by hand.
The first marriage in the township was that of Manoah S. Sulli- van and Sarah A. Standley on November 7, 1855.
The first religious services were held at the residence of Thomas Johnson on section 4 in 1858.
The first birth was that of a daughter to Thomas and Rosa John- son. She was born in May, 1850, and was named Margaret.
The first death in the township was a child of Thomas and Rosa Johnson.
The first postoffice in Washington was kept by Thomas Johnson at his house on section 4. He received his commission in 1855. It was known by the name of Adair postoffice.
The second birth in the township was that of Ann, the daughter of John Gilman, in the year 1851.
BIOGRAPHICAL
James H. Hulbert was one of the early settlers in Washington Township, where he improved a large farm and raised stock exten-
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sively for a number of years. He had a store at his place, called Avondale, and bought corn in large quantities for feeding purposes. He later moved to Fontanelle, about twenty-five years' ago, and engaged in business, dealing in lumber, grain, stock and real estate. He moved to Galesburg, Ill., where he remained for two or three years, returning to Fontanelle, where he built several fine residences which he sold and a costly one for his own use. He bought a quantity of land in Washington State and lots in Vancouver. To his Wash- ington estate he bought in Michigan and shipped two carloads of recorded Holstein cows and established a milk ranch. He was for six years a member of the board of supervisors of Adair County and carried on a larger business in various lines than any other man in the county for many years. He died at Fontanelle in 1912.
Jay S. Hulbert was connected with his brother, J. H., in stock feeding operations in Washington Township and conducted a large farm there for twenty years or more. He was treasurer of Adair County for two terms, afterwards president of the First National Bank of Fontanelle for some years. He moved to the State of Idaho, where he is now engaged in farming.
The Sullivan families, Elijah, John, Titus and Jahn were early settlers of note. Elijah and Jahn settled in the timber of Washing- ton Township; Titus and John near Fontanelle. Titus and John were Mexican war soldiers. All raised children and the families have been prominent in the early history of the county. John and family moved to Nebraska in the '70s. Jahn is still living at Bridgewater.
CHAPTER XXIII GRAND RIVER TOWNSHIP
TOPOGRAPHY
The land in this township is of the finest quality, the surface roll- ing, and in the vicinity of the river, quite abrupt. It is one of the best watered townships in the county, as three considerable streams traverse it, together with many tributaries. Grand River, the largest and most important, enters this township on the north and west lines of section 6, in two branches which unite in the northeast corner of that section. Flowing thence in a general southeasterly course it crosses sections 5, 8, 17, 16, 22, 27 and 35. Nine Mile Creek, or the south branch of Grand River, enters in the southwest quarter of section 31, and flowing nearly east, traverses sections 31, 32, 33, 34 and makes a confluence with the parent stream in the southwest quar- ter of section 35. Bush Branch, having its headwaters in Harrison Township, enters on the north of section 3, and waters sections 3, 2, 11 and 13, on the latter of which it makes its exit.
SETTLEMENT
Most probably the first man to make a settlement in the township was James Bush, who located upon section 13 in June, 1854. He was a native of Delaware County, Ohio.
In 1854 William Schweers, a native of Germany, located in the township with his family. He died in 1880.
George Grimma was the third to make a settlement, coming from Keokuk County, Ia., to this township and locating upon section 27 in October, 1855. He resided here until his death on September 18, 1879.
John Augustine, in the spring of 1855, settled upon section 29. This was about May Ist, and after erecting a log cabin, he set about to open a farm.
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
Nelson Phinney located upon section 25 in 1855, where he remained some years, then removed to Winterset.
William Shoemaker came here in 1855 and located upon section 25. He afterwards went to Union Township.
In 1856 Christian Augustine came to Grand River Township and settled on section 29, where he took up a claim. He had come to the county in 1855. He was a native of Germany.
George W. Hawkins, who served in the First Iowa Cavalry in the War of the Rebellion settled on section 1 of Grand River Town- ship in 1869. John W. Perry and George C. Sackett settled on sec- tion 2 in 1870. About the only settlers in the present township of Grand River at that time were James Bush, Joel Savage and pos- sibly some of the Bunce brothers, three or four of whom came about the same time.
ORGANIZATION
Grand River Township, which then embraced all of what is now Union and Grand River, was organized in 1855 and the first election was held at the house of William Schweers on section 34. It is said that there were only thirteen votes polled at this time. John Augus- tine was elected township clerk and Alvin Greer, justice of the peace. Robert Wilson, Alvin Greer and Nelson Phinney were the first trustees.
CHAPTER XXIV UNION TOWNSHIP
TOPOGRAPHY
The surface of Union Township is quite rolling and is well drained by numerous streams. The principal one of these waterways is the Grand River in the northeast part of the township, on sections 1, 2 and 12. The west branch having its headwaters in sections 9, 8 and 17 flows east and southeast through sections 9, 16, 15, 14, 13 and 24, on the way to join the parent stream. Three Mile Creek, rising on the township line near the west line of section 7, flows in a southerly course, and makes its exit from Union Township and Adair County on the southeast quarter of section 32. Numerous other streams run through all parts of the township. The soil is rich and is of sandy loam.
SETTLEMENT
The pioneer comer to this township was Charles Wilson, who came here in the spring of 1853, being among the early settlers of the county. He was a native of England, and came to this country when he was eighteen years of age. In Adair County he located on section 12 and pitched a tent in which he and his family lived for four months, when he erected a log cabin. He became well known in the township and held several positions of trust.
The next to locate in this township was Christian Gerkin, a native of Germany, having been born in that country in 1816. He located on section 2.
William Schweers settled on section 34, this township, in 1854. He was a native of Hanover, Germany. He died in the year 1882.
Robert Wilson was the next to locate here, taking up a claim on Section 12, in 1854.
L. R. McWhinney, in 1867, settled in the township and developed a large farm. He was a prominent member of the board of super- Vol. I-12
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visors and was much interested in progressive development. He was afterward compelled to leave the farm and then moved to Creston, where for a time he owned an elevator. He also built an elevator at Spaulding. He died a few years ago.
Thomas K. Wilson, another early resident of Union Township, served in the War of the Rebellion and afterwards in the Indian Wars, winning commendation for bravery and gallantry. He mar- ried a daughter of L. R. McWhinney and retiring from the farm which he still retained, moved to Creston and engaged in the insur- ance business. He was a director in the Adair County Mutual Insur- anee Association at the time of his death.
Jerry W. Wilson was another settler of the township, a man of unquestioned integrity, prominent in every good work and a veteran of the Civil war. He acquired a large amount of land when it was cheap and became very wealthy. He served the county as super- visor for several years and one term in the General Assembly, refus- ing a second term. He was a large shareholder in the national bank at Macksburg, Madison County, and was president of the board of directors. He was largely instrumental in getting the railroad from Creston to Maeksburg. He was killed by a lightning bolt while going to his home.
O. W. C. Brown, a Campbellite preacher, was an early resident of Union Township, living here until his death.
Another prominent farmer of this township was A. S. Lynn. He helped to raise an endowment of $50,000 for Palmer College, at Le Grand, near Marshalltown, Ia. He was the most important factor in the building of the Creston and Macksburg Railroad. His daughter, Victoria, is a noted elocutionist and has been in the employ of a Lyceum for the past few years.
ITEMS
The first birth in Union Township was that of O. H. Greer, son of Alvin Greer, in 1854.
The first death was that of R. A. Wilson, who departed this life in December, 1855.
The first school was taught by William Kivet in 1857 in a school house built the same year on section 12.
The first marriage in the township was that of George Harmon and Anna Schweers.
In 1875 a cemetery of about six acres was set aside on section 16. The first interment was that of the two children of George Schweers.
CHAPTER XXV WALNUT TOWNSHIP
TOPOGRAPHY
There are two main streams of water in this township, Turkey Creek and Middle River. Middle River enters at the northern line of section 3, takes a winding course in an easterly direction, passing out of the township at the northern line of section 2. It enters the township again at the extreme northwest corner of section 1, flows in a southeasterly direction, making its final exit into Jefferson Town- ship on section 12. Turkey Creek has for its source sections 15 and 16, passing through sections 14, 23 and 25 into Jefferson Township. The soil is dark and sandy loam. The surface is rolling and what timber there is may be found along Middle River.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Charles Smith. one of the pioneer settlers of Walnut Township, emigrated with his family from Marion County, Ind., to section 4 in October, 1855. He was a native of North Carolina.
Lewis Underwood came to the township with his family in April, 1854, from Henry County, Ia. He was a native of South Carolina, but had lived for some years in Randolph County, Ind. He settled upon section 12, where he built a cabin. He died here in 1867.
A. G. Weeks, a Mormon preacher, a native of Polk County, Ind., settled upon section 3 during the year 1855. He remained here until 1863, when he disposed of his property to R. H. Marshall.
James Thompson came to the township in 1855. He was a native of North Carolina.
Isaac Arledge arrived shortly after the settlement of A. G. Weeks during the year 1856.
In 1863 R. H. Marshall emigrated to Walnut Township, buy- ing forty acres of land on section 3 of A. G. Weeks.
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
Abram Rutt, who came in 1866 and entered land on section 16, was another of the early settlers.
Another early settlement was made in this township in 1868 by Moses Stockwell. He was a Kentuckian. He settled on section 4.
SCRAPS
A cemetery was laid out in 1860 on section 2. The first inter- ment was that of the body of Mary Thompson, March 16, 1860.
The first marriage was that of Joseph Betts and Cornelia Thomp- son, by Squire Root, in August, 1856.
The first death was that of Mary Thompson, March 15, 1860.
The first log cabin was built by Lewis Underwood during the winter of 1854. In 1855 James Thompson erected the second cabin. The first frame building was a schoolhouse. Moses Stockwell erected the second frame house.
In the spring of 1855 James Thompson planted the first corn. Charles Smith sowed the first wheat in the spring of 1856.
CASEY
A very small strip of the Town of Casey overlaps into Adair County from Guthrie. The major part of the town is on the latter side. Capt. Joseph Rutt came to Casey about 1872 and for a time managed the large farm belonging to his brother, Abram Rutt, after- ward buying and developing a farm for himself. He served on the county board of supervisors for two terms. He died in Casey some years later. One of his sons is the manager of the Abram Rutt National Bank of Casey.
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