History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 88

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574

USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 88

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).

The Buchanan County bank was organized March 19, 1881, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. The officers are: Lewis C. Hovey, president: John W. Dickinson, vice-president ; James Dalton, cashier. The directors are: WV. M. Young, J. T. Graham, H. M. Cray- ton, G. W. Watkins, C. M. Newton, J. M. Hovey, L. S. Hovey and John W. Dickinson.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A Methodist society was organized in the township at the house of John Cameron, in 1853, with five members, viz : John Cameron, Rachel Cameron, Thomas T. and Elizabeth Cameron, and Lucinda Anderson. The first preacher was Rev. Mr. Ashcouch. After a few years, this church was transferred to Littleton, where they now have a house of worship and a membership of about thirty. The present preacher is Hiram Bailey. A Methodist society was organized at Jesup in 1860; for a time holding services in a hall and school-house. In 1869 they built a large and commodious house of worship, valued at four thousand dollars, and they now have also a good, comfortable parsonage, and a member- ship of about two hundred and a flourishing Sunday- school. The early members were: John Cameron and wife (who had at this time moved to Jesup), John Cooper, Fannie Cooper, R. L. Smith and wife, Bertha Smith, Charles Campbell and Nancy Campbell. Among the early preachers were J. Hankins and Revs. Moore and Thomas. The present pastor is U. Eberhart.

THE BAPTISTS.

The Baptists organized a society in Jesup about Sep- tember, 1866. At first they held their services in Fuller's hall, and afterwards in the public school house. John Fullerton was their first preacher. This society was made up in part, from a society in Barclay, which dis- banded, and many of the members united with the society at Jesup. They are the owners of a good house of worship (with an organ and bell), which was dedicated February 19, 1871, and is valued at four thousand dollars. Among their early members were Mr. Abbott and wife, Jacob Wolfe and wife, William Smith and wife, Mrs. E. Parker, and T. S. Stone and wife. The present member- ship is fifty, and the present preacher is F. Bower.

PRESBYTERIAN.

The first Presbyterian society was organized June 4, 1853, in the northeast part of the township, and called

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

Pleasant Grove church. James S. Fullerton was the preacher. The first members were Alexander Stevenson and wife, Robert Wroten and wife, Martin Depoy and wife, and Mrs. Susan Slaughter. This society was trans- ferred to Littleton in the fall of 1856, with a member- ship of twelve. Their first settled preacher, and the present one is Rev. J. D. Caldwell. They built a house of worship in 1865, at a cost of one thousand dollars.

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN.

A church was organized at Jesup, April 20, 1856. This was composed, in part, of members of the former church at Barclay. The first and present preacher is J. D. Caldwell, and the membership is about twenty-one. They own a house of worship at Jesup, which is worth probably two thousand dollars, and is provided with an organ.

SCHOOLS.

Most of the early schools in the county were supported by contributions of the people, and the Perry schools were no exception to the rule. In 1853 a log school- house was built on land belonging to John Cameron, in the northeast part of the township, and the first teacher was W. S. Clark, who had twenty-five scholars. The early teachers were W. S. Clark, Laura Curtis, Charlotte Cutter, Maggie P. Agnew and Miles Randalls. The first school-houses built were one at Littleton and one that was called "the white school-house." There were in the township eight schools, and the one at Jesup employs three teachers.

The first cemetery established was in 1851, on land owned by John Cameron, and the first person buried there was a daughter of a Mr. Spencer. In 1856 it was removed to Littleton appriopriate grounds having been donated by Charles Melrose, to which an addition is now being made. In 1870 another one was established in the south part of the township, about one mile east of Jesup. This is owned by a company. There are quite a number of graves here, and some fine tombstones,

A saw-mill was built at Littleton about 1854, by Moses Little and H. J. White. A grist-mill was built there by the estate of M. Little and H. J. White, in 1856.

A stage passes through Littleton tri-weekly, carrying the United States mail.

Moses Little was intimately connected with the inter- ests of the northern part of Perry township. He came to Iowa in 1854, being a native of New Hampshire. He made his first settlement, where S. F. Scarls now lives. His children were: Martha, who is now Mrs. B. C. Hale, living near the old homestead; Ebenezer, who still owns a part of the original farm; Captain E. C. Little, who was a brave officer in our late war, and who is now dead; Charles H. Little, who is married, and lives at the old home ; Electa, who is the wife of T. K. Hovey, living in Littleton ; and Moses, jr., married, and a merchant in Lowell, Massachusetts. Mr. Little died in 1856, and his widow still resides at the old home.

Rev. J. D. Caldwell, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, studied at Greenville academy, entered Jefferson college in 1851, and graduated in the class of 1853. In

the fall of 1853 he became a member of Western Theological seminary at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and graduated therefrom, on the seventh day of May, 1856. The next day after his graduation he was married, and then immediately started for Iowa, and settled in Little- ton in 1856. He lives on a farm of eighty acres, preaches at the Presbyterian church there, at Jesup, Fair- bank and Hazleton, and also practices medicine. His children are as follows: Otis O. W., Luella H., Hattie J., Sallie D., Alice M., Edith May, John D., and Jesse Boggs.

When the early settlers came, deer were plenty, and occasionally an elk ; bears have been seen there, but none were ever caught, as we could learn; also wild turkeys were seen, but seldom.

There were also otter, beaver, fish, mink and musk- rat ; of the above named, the mink and muskrat alone remain. Then the otter and beaver were plenty along the Wapsie and its tributaries.

The fish were scarce, but some have been caught. James Shrack who lives in the north part of the town- ship, seems to have been about the only hunter that had sufficient knowledge and sagacity to catch the beaver, otter and fish. At one time, when out hunting, he saw a panther, but the "varmint" was too nimble, and escaped without a scratch, Wild cats and wolves, then as now, were plenty. Bodies of deer, with their horns firmly fas- tened together, have been found here.

NEWSPAPERS.

A newspaper was started at Jesup, in the spring of 1869, by Cole & Shinner, called the Jesup Recorder. It continued thus for about one year; then Cole purchased the interest of Shinner, and continued its publication for a year; and then moved it to Earlville.

In about 1874 W. H. Hutton started another one, called the Jesup Vindicator, which, in the spring of 1879, he moved to Independence, having changed its name to the Buchanan County Messenger, where it died.

October 10, 1879, A. H. Farwell established the Buchanan County Journal, which he has ever since pub- lished; and it has, under him, become a live, wide- awake paper, every way worthy of its large patronage.

Gamaliel Walker was born in Genesee county, New York, in 1817. Moved to Ohio with his father, Samuel Walker, when he was one year old. Lived in Erie coun- ty, Ohio, until he was nineteen years of age, when he moved to Knox county, Illinois. Remained there only about six months when he came to Iowa, locating in Lynn county in the year 1838. Worked on the Missis- sippi river two winters, making Muscateen his home. Settled in Buchanan county in 1875, on the Wapsie, when he bought the farm where he still resides. At first he owned one hundred and sixty acres but has bought since so that he has owned six hundred acres, but has given farms to his children so that now he owns one hundred and forty acres. Mr. Walker got the first deed of land ever given in Perry township. They lived one year with only two families within five miles of them. No house between him and Independence. Those were early and

AUSSENIFFON

Seoses Dittles

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,HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

rough times, and yet, as they look back upon those early days spent in their log cabin, they cannot help but re- member them with some degree of pleasure. Mr. Walk- er was married May 8, 1843, to Miss Sarah Vinton. They have four children living: Clarke, age thirty-four, married and living in Buena Vista county, Iowa; Char- lutte, age thirty-one, married James Sankey, and is living in this county; Simon, age twenty-six, married and lives joining his father; Laura A., age sixteen, single and lives at home with her parents. As will be seen by this sketch Mr. and Mrs. Walker were among the very first settlers of this county. They have braved the storms of life and finally anchored upon a fine farm of their own hon- est earnings. They have reared a good family and have a fine home in which to spend their last days. Mr. Walker only knows of one person living who was a resi- dent of this county when he came, and that is Mrs. Morse.

James A. Brison was born in Scotland in 1811. He moved with his father, Alexander Brison, to Canada in 1817. Mr. J. A. Brison came to America in 1868, lo- cating in Buchanan county, Iowa. In 1869 he pur- chased the farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Perry township, where he still resides. Was married in 1839 to Miss Agnes Dickman, of Scotch parentage. Have eleven children-seven sons and four daughters, two of whom are married. We find Mr. Brison a very fine gentleman, having a nice farm and home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brison are members of the Presbyterian church.

Joseph Milton Hovey was born in Grafton county, New Hampshire, July 3, 1826. When he was four years old the family moved to Bradford, Orange county, Ver- mont. His parents were poor, and as a consequence his advantages for an education were very limited. At fifteen he was sent out to shift for himself. He drifted to Plymouth county, Massachusetts, where he engaged in learning to make boots and shoes, faithfully devoting his spare money to the purchase of books and his leisure hours to the acquirement of an education of which he felt the most urgent need. In 1846 he went to southern Illinois and became a school teacher, always being him- self the most earnest student. After three years he re- turned to New England and soon took up his abode again in Massachusetts-this time as bookkeeper and partner in the business of manufacturing shoes. From too close application, his health became impaired and for two or three years he devoted himself solely to an effort to regain it, and in 1865, mainly in pursuit of that object, he emigrated to Buchanan county, Iowa, and was among the early settlers of the town of Jesup. He has almost constantly occupied positions of trust, and was in 1871 elected to the legislature, serving acceptably. In 1850 he was married to Alma E. Hibbard, of Orange county, Vermont. They have one son-Carroll M., aged ten years. They are members of the Baptist church, and are living now in the house erected by themselves at Jesup in 1867, happy in their domestic and social rela- tions, and in the enjoyment of the confidence of their acquaintance.

J. A. Wroten was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1823. Moved with his father, Robert Wroten, to Indiana in 1835. He, with his father's family, came to Iowa in 1850, locating in Fairbank township. Mr. J. C. Wroten was married in 1860 to Miss Celia J. Diehl, of Pennsyl- vania. Have four children: Frank O., aged nineteen ; Jesse E., aged seventeen; Martin A., aged fourteen; Mary A., aged twelve; all living at home and constitute a nice family. Bought the farm of eighty acres where he now resides, in Perry township, in 1865. Mr. Wroten has been engaged at the carpenter trade for the past fif- teen years. He has a nice farm and home.

John William Flummerfelt was born May 4, 1838, in Marion county, Ohio. Moved with his father, Charles Flummerfelt, to Delaware county, Indiana. Came to Iowa, Franklin county, in 1855. Remained there until 1858 when he came to Buchanan county. Bought the farm of two hundred acres where he now resides, in 1869. Mr. Flummerfelt was married September 19, 1862, to Miss Mary Ann Smith, a resident of Buchanan county. They have two children: Laura J., aged fifteen ; and Luella Nett, aged twelve. Mr. Flummerfelt makes stock quite an item in connection with his farming. He is one of the prominent men of Buchanan county. Has a fine farm and nice home.

Murat Sayles was born in Oswego county, New York, in the year 1834, and lived with his father, Sumner Sayles, on his farm and attended school until he was twenty-one years of age. At the age of thirteen he moved with his father to Cook county, Illinois, where his father still resides, very comfortably situated as to this world's goods. When Mr. Murat Sayles was twenty-one years of age he commenced doing for himself by work- ing for a neighbor on the farm one season; then came west to Fayette county, Iowa, where he spent about one year at such work as the extremely new country afforded -broke up prairie, worked at the carpenter's trade, in a saw-mill, etc. After showing himself a live young man by doing what his hands found to do, and later by mak- ing profitable investments, Mr. Sayles, after leaving Iowa the second time in 1871, returned the third time, and purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of eighty acres, for which he paid two thousand dollars. This property he has improved wonderfully, built a new house and barn, and made a fine home. Mr. Sayles was mar- ried in the year 1857 to Miss Lydia M. Andrews, of Cook county, Illinois. They have five children living : Eva A., aged twenty, married George M. Comfort in 1877; Ella M., twenty; Charity E., fourteen; Mabel M., eleven; Ernest R., six. All except the oldest daughter are living and constitute a very happy family. While Mr. and Mrs. Sayles have grandchildren, they do not appear to be peo- ple past the middle of life. They are both social and cheerful. They have fought the battles of life together, and have always come off victors. They are both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Sayles is a leading man in the church and in his community. He is a strong temperance man, and a good, square Republi- can.

Mrs. Delia Bright was born in Hardy county, Virginia,

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

in 1823. At the age of six years she moved with her father, Isaac Neff, to Piqua county, Ohio, where they re- mained about two years, when they removed to Marion county, where they remained about nine years. In 1840 they moved to Delaware county, Indiana. In 1851 they came to Iowa, locating in this county. They bought one hundred and sixty acres in 1850, and bought an addition where they now reside, so that they have a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres. They built a fine brick residence in 1860, and built the barn in 1872. Mrs. Bright was married to Mr. Henry Bright in 1850, who died in 1865. They have four children living: David S., aged twenty-nine; Lucinda J., twenty-four; William Moses, twenty-two; Emelia P., twenty. All are married and living on farms in this county. We find Mrs. Bright very pleasantly situated on a fine, big farm, and in a nice residence, with her children all settled around her.

Stephen F. Searls was born in Lake county, Ohio, in 1827. At the age of twenty-one, in the year 1848, he moved to McHenry county, Illinois, where he remained till the year 1856, engaged principally in buying and driving his fat cattle to Chicago. He came to the State of lowa in the spring of 1856, locating in Perry town- ship, and purchased the farm of eighty acres, where he still resides, in Littleton. He built his barn in 1858, and built his house in 1865. He bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 1875. It corners on the centre of the township. The farm where Mr. Searls re- sides is indeed a fine place. He has an excellent house, surrounded with every natural ornament to make a home desirable. His farm in the country is well supplied with good buildings, cattle-sheds, wind pump, and every con- venience of a farm. Mr. Searls has made the handling of stock his principal business for the past thirty-one years. He has sold within the past week sixty-five head of cattle, and has fifty-five left, besides ninety-four head of hogs. As will be seen by this sketch, Mr. Searls was one of the first settlers of the county. He swam the Wapsie many a time before iron bridges were inaugu- rated. Mr. Searls is a man of great energy, has accu- mulated quite a handsome property, and is one of the drive-wheels .of the business community. Mr. Searls was married in 1853 to Miss Maria Kane, of Illinois. They have two children: George W., aged twenty-six, single, makes his home with his father, who is also en- gaged in the stock business; Edward P., aged nineteen, single and at home. We must add that it is a pleasure to meet such people as Mr. and Mrs. Searls.

Orsamus Wilder was born in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1805. At the age of twenty-four he moved to Niagara county, New York, where he remained about five years, when he moved to Lorain county, Ohio, remaining there about twenty-five years, when he came to Iowa, in 1864, locating in Perry township, on the farm of eighty acres where he still resides. He was married in 1835 to Miss Elmira Wright, who died in about one year after their marriage. He was married a second time in 1838, to Miss Betsy Francisco, of Ohio. They have one child- Elmira, aged thirty-one, married in 1877 to Mr. William Baker, living in Michigan. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilder

are members of the Congregational church, and are highly esteemed.

W. R. Davenport was born in the State of New York in 1827. Came to Iowa in 1865. Purchased the farm of eighty acres where his family now resides. He is a railroad engineer by trade, at which most of his time is employed. Built a fine house the same year he came to Iowa, and built a barn about six years later. Has planted shade and fruit trees, and put his farm under a good state of cultivation, so that now he has one of the good farms of the township. Mr. Davenport was married in 1852 to Mrs. Phoebe Ann Austin, of New York. Have three children-Emma T., twenty-seven, married Peter Rubert in 1878, living in Perry township; Charles E., twenty-one ; William Orville, nineteen ; both single. Charles is a fire- man on the railroad. William O. is living at home and taking care of the farm. Mrs. Davenport, by her first marriage with Mr. Austin, has two children-Lonzo Austin, thirty-one, living at home; Daniel, twenty-nine, married and living in Burlington, a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad.

William H. Vincent was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1821. At the age of thirteen he moved with his father, W. H. Vincent, to Delaware county, Indiana, where he entered eight hundred acres of land and lived upon it un- til his death, which took place in April, 1875. Mr. Wil liam Vincent came to lowa in 1856, locating in this county, Washington township, where he purchased a farm and remained eight years. Bought the farm of one hun- dred acres where he now resides, in Perry township, in 1864. Built a cabin by joining two log structures, one twelve by fourteen, the other sixteen by eighteen. Roofed with split three-foot clapboards. In 1867 he built his present residence, and in 1871 he built a barn. Has set out shade and fruit trees, and placed his farm under a pertect state of cultivation, so that now he has one of Bu- chanan's good farms. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent, as will be seen by this sketch, were among the first settlers of this county. In those days the country was wild, inhabited by the wild red man and the wild animals of the plains. Neighbors were scarce and luxuries of life few. Mr. Vincent was married January 23, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth J. Booth, born in Virginia in 1822. Have six children living, four daughters and two sons-H. W., thirty-five, married Mrs. Mary Deacon, in 1865, living three-quarters of a mile east of his father ; J. O., thirty, married Miss Maggie Wellman, in 1877, living one quarter of a mile east of his father ; Nannie A., twenty six; Rinda, twenty- two; Mattie, eighteen; Lizzie, fifteen; all living at home, and constitute a bright, happy family circle. We find Mr. and Mrs. Vincent very comfortably situated in their own home, surrounded by relatives and friends. They are among the substantial citizens of the township, mor- ally, politically, and financially. Mr. Vincent is a good, square Republican.

J. W. Booth was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1828. Came to Iowa in 1869, locating in Perry township. Bought a farm of one hundred and thirteen acres, where he still resides. Set out shade and fruit trees, and put his farm under a good state of cultivation, so that now he has

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one of the best farms of the county. He makes farming his special business. Was married in October, 1857, to Miss Catharine Phillips, of Ohio birth. Have seven children-J. F., twenty-two; Mary A., twenty; Hannah M., eighteen ; James O., sixteen; Hattie E., eleven ; Luella, nine; Thomas H., five; all living at home, and constitute a most agreeable family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Booth are members of the Methodist church. They are among Buchanan's good citizens; they have the respect of the community and the good-will ot their neighbors.

Philan P. Hayes was born in Steuben county, New York, 1815. Lived with his father, Cephas Hayes (who died in this county in 1867, at the advanced age of seventy-nine), on the farm till he was twenty-one years old, when he bought a farm of one hundred acres, and farmed till the year 1855. He then came to lowa, locating in Buchanan county, and purchased a farm of four hundred acres, where he still resides. Mr. Hayes was one of the very first settlers of this county. When he came, there was scarcely a house or fence in sight, but Indians could be seen on every hand. In a word, this was a wild country, and only tamed by the stout-hearted men of Mr. Hayes' ability. He built a house, the year he came, nineteen by twenty, and hauled his timber in wagons from Dubuque. In the year 1876 he built a fine residence, large and commodious, and one of the finest homes in Buchanan county. Built a very fine barn in 1867 ; and set out fruit and shade trees when he first came, so that now he raises plenty of fruit, and possesses all the advantages of a fine establishment. Mr. Hayes raises quite an amount of stock, besides carrying on farming quite extensively. Mr. Hayes was married July 9, 1836, to Miss Sarah Shaw, of New York. Have two children-Guy C., thirty-four, married and lives in Hampton, this State; Fay S., twenty-eight, single, and lives at home. We find Mr. and Mrs Hayes very pleasant people and well off in worldly possessions.

L. C. Koile was born in Indiana in 1843. Lived with his father, S. T. Koile, on the farm till he was twenty-one years of age, when he enlisted in company A, One Hun- dred and Sixtieth Indiana infantry. It being just at the close of the war, he only remained about four months in the service. Came to Iowa in 1865, locating in Buchanan county. Moved on the farm where he now resides in 1870 ; has one hundred acres. Mr. Koile was married in 1864 to Miss Emeline Vincent, who died in 1868, leav- ing one daughter, Mary, fourteen, living with her father. Married the second time in 1870, to Miss Harriet A. Oakley, of this county. Have four children-Rosa, nine; Carlton, eight; Ralph, seven; Olive, five: all living at home and constituting a fine family. Mrs. Koile has a son, A. Eugene, twelve, who also makes his home with them. We find Mr. and Mrs. Koile very pleasantly situ- ated on a nice farm, and helping to make up the good neighborhood north of the Wapsie.

Mrs. Missourie G. Updyke was born in 1842, April 9th; lived with her father, Samuel Geer, in the Province of Quebec, until she was twenty-one years of age, when she went to Michigan with her uncle, William Allen, in 1863; married Mr. R. S. Updyke November 11, 1866; came to

lowa May 6, 1869, locating on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where Mrs. Updyke still resides. Mr. R. S. Updyke died March 8, 1879. Have had five chil- dren, three of whom are dead. Vice-President Arthur's father was Mis. Updyke's father's school-teacher in his boyhood, and Mr. Arthur is a cousin of some of Mrs. Updyke's relatives. She has photographs of some of his sisters. Mrs. Updyke is a very pleasant lady indeed, and carries the features of a once beautiful lady; but lite's troubles and disappointments have made their marks of care and silvered her raven locks.

David Brott was born in the State of New York, 1822. At the age of twenty he moved to Michigan, where he spent about thirty one years on the farm. In the year 1872 he moved to lowa, locating in Jesup, where he pur- chased a fine property and set up a wagon-shop, which he has run ever since; keeps two men in his employ con- tinually. Mr. Brott was married in 1844 to Miss Jane Hoffman, of Michigan. Have only one child living- Julia A .- aged thirty-three, married to Mr. C. Smith, and lives in Jesup. We find Mr. Brott one of Jessup's staunch men. Is a good mechanic and takes an interest in the welfare of his city.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 88

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 574

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574