USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement., Volume 1 > Part 27
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 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
Dr. John Scoby, the pioneer physician of Shell Rock, in a reminiscent article covering the early days of his practice in But- ler county, gives several vivid descriptions of prairie scenery, which are directly applicable and which probably referred in part at least to Jefferson township. He says in part: "The undulat- ing plains were dressed in Nature's gay attire of living green. There were but few, if any, laid out or worked roads or bridges in this county. I traveled as best I could, avoiding the sloughs which were very miry. Log cabins were occasionally to be seen, generally near to the groves or timber land, where a few acres were plowed and a few domestic animals to be seen. But the most of those rich alluvial prairies were then performing their diurnal and revolutionary movements without a human inhab- itant.
"For seven years my profession called me over these wild prairies, frequently in midnight darkness. Often the dwellings were miles apart, with naught but a dim trail to follow. Some- times I was sloughed down and the wolves howling not far distant and the rattlesnakes hissing. During these seven years the march of improvement in this county was slow. The wild prairie every season produced a vast amount of grass which was interspersed with several species of gay roses, pinks and violets which crowded their footholds among the roots of the high grass and waved their shining flowered plumes on the zephyr's breeze to the passer-by, filling the air with sweet perfume and arresting the monotony of loneliness."
It was some years after the beginning of the settlement of the township before the value of the open prairie lands was realized and before settlement began to be made in the northern and cen- tral sections of the township. The first settler in the township was H. C. Dawson, who in the fall of 1854 located on section 33. About the same time James D. Taylor settled on section 31. Daw- son later moved to Marshalltown; Taylor lived on his farm until
Digitized by Google
322
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
the outbreak of the war, when, being strongly opposed to the war and suspicious of the ultimate redemption of the paper currency of the period, he sold his property, converted his possessions so far as possible into gold, and moved to Illinois. Nothing further is known of him.
In October, 1854, William Hays settled on section 36. He was accompanied by his wife and four children, Nathan Olmstead and family, Marshall Kelley and family, James Hair and family, Myron Hair and Gilbert Knights. This party, with the excep- tion of Knights, who joined them at Cedar Falls, all came from Illinois, principally from La Salle county. All of them located in Butler county.
In 1855 William Mason, A. J. Case, Robert Armstrong, Samuel Williams and a Mr. Whitehead all settled in the township. Wil- liam Mason located on section 28, where he remained six years, finally removing to Charles City. A. J. Case settled on section 30 near the river and Whitehead near the location of the pro- jected town of New Albion, on the township line between Albion and Jefferson. New Albion was located on sections 33 and 34 of Jefferson, and 3 and 4 of Albion. The town plat was located chiefly in the latter township and will be mentioned at length in connection with the history of Albion.
The year 1856 saw a large increase in the number of settlers. It is probable that the list of these is incomplete. However, all names are given of whom mention has been found in connection with the settlement at this time. Joe Santee, afterward a resi- dent of Ripley township, settled in Jefferson in 1856. He assisted in building the first schoolhouse in Butler Center. O. S. Levis, H. H. Marsh, Hugh Mullarky, H. H. Margretz and a Mr. Pen- nock were included in the settlers of this year, but as they were later residents of the village of Butler Center, they will be noted in connection with the sketch of that community.
John Braden located in the spring of 1856 on a farm near Butler Center. He was one of the soldier martyrs of Butler county in the Civil war. His body was brought back and buried in the grove west of the house on the farm where he had lived.
P. E. Dunson, one of the best known of the early settlers, came to the county February 7, 1856, and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 29.
Among the settlers of a later date other than those in Butler Center were James Hall, D. A. McGregor, Frederick Toll, John
Digitized by Google
1
------
323
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Coster, Thomas Thompson, N. C. Thompson and Noble C. Thomp- son; the last three named natives of Ireland, all settled in the township at various dates from 1855 to 1863. Others were Albert Cook, Henry Trotter and James Trotter, his son; S. M. Baldwin, M. B. Speedy and William Van Vlack.
GENERAL ITEMS
The first house on the road between Butler Center and Shell Rock was erected in 1856 on section 14 by Henry Trotter. In 1857 the only settlers between Butler Center and Shell Rock were N. A. Thompson and Henry Trotter.
The first marriage celebrated in the township was that of Noble A. Thompson to Christina McGregor. The ceremony was performed by Justice M. Bailey, and the couple settled on sec- tion 13.
The first township officers in Jefferson were: Hugh Mullarky and Albert Cook, trustees; H. A. Shaw, clerk; H. H. Margretz, justice of the peace.
In the biographical volume of this work will be found the sketches of a number of these men and others who were identified with the history of Jefferson township in later days.
EDUCATIONAL
For school purposes Jefferson township was at an early date organized on the district township basis, divided into seven sub- districts. No. 1, known as the South Butler Center school, is sit- uated in the southeastern corner of section 18. No. 2, the Wilson school, is in the southwest quarter of section 22. The Hall school, No. 3, is on land belonging to Charles Hall on the east side of section 26.
School No. 4 stands on the township line near the southeast quarter of section 31. The school population has in recent years been so small that this school has been closed and the few pupils in the district have been accommodated in the schools of Albion and Monroe townships. It is the only school in the township south of the river.
School No. 5, the McGregor school, is located in section 11; No. 6, in section 9; and No. 7, the North Butler Center school, in section 6. The school affairs of the township are in the hands of
Digitized by Google
324
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
a board consisting of a body of progressive citizens, and the schools rank with the best in the county.
POPULATION
1860, 241; 1863, 262; 1865, 339; 1867, 454; 1869, 516; 1870, - 613; 1873, 629; 1875, 677; 1880, 774; 1890, 642; 1900, 657; 1910, 642.
BUTLER CENTER
A person driving across country at the present time from Alli- son to Parkersburg will note some five or six miles south of Allison a number of rather abrupt turns in the road, and the fact that there are an unusually large number of farm homes rather close together along the road. A little closer observation would reveal the presence of several squares grown up to weeds and rank grass, in the midst of which perhaps might be seen a few rotting tim- bers and a stone or two that might once have formed part of a foundation of a house. Not far away you might discern a little cemetery. These facts would probably suggest to even the casual passer-by that this was once the site of a village. This is all that remains today to mark the site of Butler Center, at one time the county seat of Butler county and one of its most progressive and promising communities.
Reference has been made elsewhere to the fact that there was considerable dissatisfaction, after the county began to be settled in the central and western portions, with the location of the county seat so far to the east of the topographical center of the county. In another chapter the various phases of the county seat struggle are traced in detail. Mention is made there of the attempt to secure the location of the county seat at Georgetown, a town platted in the exact topographical center of the county at the junction of Jefferson, Ripley, West Point and Jackson town- ships. Although the attempt reached the point of being submitted to the voters of the county, the result struck a death blow to the hopes of the Georgetown supporters. Clarksville was reindorsed as the location of the county seat by a substantial majority.
Previous to the initiative of the Georgetown project, Andrew Mullarky and Colonel Thomas platted a town located in the north half of section 18, of Jefferson township, just two miles south of the proposed location of Georgetown. This plat was made in
Digitized by Google
325
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
the year 1855. It was recorded on the minute book of the county court, June 20, 1856.
In an election called for the purpose, on April 4, 1859, to determine the question of the relocation of the county seat at Butler Center instead of Clarksville, the former village secured a majority of twenty one. Before the actual transfer of the county seat could be effected, however, the people of Clarksville secured an injunction preventing the removal of the county seat until certain irregularities in the election might be passed upon by the district court. In July following this court adjudged the election void and on April 4, 1860, another election on the same question resulted in a victory for Butler Center by a majority of eighty votes. Butler Center was thereupon declared to be the official county seat of Butler county, and all the county offices and officers as soon as practicable were moved to the new town and took up quarters in a frame building, which, with the two acres of land surrounding it, was donated to the county for this purpose by Mr. Mullarky.
As noted elsewhere, the county judge failed to make the removal of his office and the records pertaining thereto as soon as was deemed fitting by the board of supervisors. He was there- upon ordered to make the move at the earliest possible date. His compliance with this order completed the removal of the county seat from Clarksville to Butler Center.
An early county historian says: "Attracted by the probable permanency of the county seat, and the flattering prospects for the future, lawyers, doctors, editors, dentists, representatives of the different professions, exponents of various religious creeds, and other necessary elements of civilization, came together and formed a settlement and it seemed for a time that Butler Cen- ter was certainly destined to become the 'future great' of Butler county, but now (1883) how changed. The deserted streets, empty houses, vacant lots, dilapidated fences, signs of dissolution and decay, present themselves on every hand, speaking of things that were, suggesting things that 'might have been.'" Today, as suggested above, few even of these signs of its departed greatness remain.
For more than twenty years, from 1860 to 1881, Butler Center remained the seat of justice of Butler county.
The first store in Butler Center was built by O. S. Levis, who on the 4th of July, 1856, opened his doors to the public, presenting
Digitized by Google
1
326
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
for their approval a stock of general merchandise. Mr. Levis managed his business alone for a few years and then took in a partner, Dan Mason, to whom he afterward sold.
In 1857 Thomas Bird arrived, built a store and opened up a stock of general merchandise.
The first hotel in Butler Center was built by H. H. Margretz in 1856. Mr. Margretz conducted this hotel until the date of his enlistment in the army. He was killed in battle, and the building in which his hotel had been conducted was later torn down.
The second hotel was built by George A. Richmond and was first used as a residence. Mr. Richmond was the first lawyer in the town of Butler Center. He arrived in 1857 and purchased a half interest in the town site. He was for a number of years an influential citizen of the town and county. He later removed to Dubuque.
The third hotel was built by F. Digman, who first settled in the town in 1857. He purchased a building from Joe Santee and opened a shoe shop. To this he afterwards made additions and put in a general assortment of dry goods and groceries. The hotel which he built later, a substantial, two-story frame struc- ture, was conducted for the accommodation of the general pub- lic until the county seat was moved to Allison, when the build- ing was moved with it. It still stands on Main street in Allison and was until the erection of the present fine hostelry used as a hotel, under the name of the Digman House. Mr. Digman died in Butler Center in 1879 and thereafter the hotel was conducted both in Butler Center and later in Allison by his worthy wife.
The first practicing physician in Butler Center was Doctor Shaw, who arrived in 1857.
Joe Santee and Enoch George were carpenters and builders who were located in the town.
The first dentist was H. H. Marsh, who arrived in 1856, his residence being the third built in the place. Mr. Marsh later removed to Cedar Falls.
The first house was built by Joe Santee, the second by a Mr. Pennock.
Hugh Mullarky, who has been mentioned in connection with the township history as one of the pioneer settlers, located in Butler Center in January, 1855. The Mullarkys were the first owners of the town site.
. Digitized by
327
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Thomas Thompson came to Butler Center in 1857, opening a shoemaker's shop. One of his daughters became Mrs. Henry Trotter, and another Mrs. James Trotter. Noble A. Thompson, mentioned elsewhere, was a son of Thomas Thompson.
Orson Rice was the first lawyer to locate in Butler Center. He is mentioned at some length in connection with the history of the bar.
Julius Hale, later county treasurer, also located in Butler Center early in its history.
After the establishment of the county seat at Butler Center there was naturally a large increase in the population, a num- ber of county officers and professional men settling there. Most of these were identified with other sections of the county and receive detailed mention in connection with these localities.
In its palmy days Butler Center had several saloons. Before the removal of the county seat, however, the township and the town abolished the saloon and none has been opened there since that time.
The first blacksmith in the town was one William Wright.
The Butler Center steam sawmill was erected by Charles Stewart in 1856. Andrew Mullarky was the proprietor. The mill was managed for a number of years by Mr. Stewart, who later sold it to some parties who moved the machinery to Cerro Gordo county. The building was later used by Sam Williams for a stable and eventually sold for taxes, I. W. Camp being the pur- chaser.
POSTOFFICE
Butler Center postoffice was established in 1856, mail being received by carrier from Cedar Falls, once each week. The first postmaster was H. H. Margretz. He was followed in order by Hugh Mullarky, W. A. Lathrop, J. H. Playter and H. N. Walker, who continued in office until Butler Center ceased to have a post- office. Mr. Walker purchased the stock of goods owned by H. C. Playter in 1871 and was appointed postmaster in the same year. He continued to conduct his store for some years after the county seat was moved to Allison. Later his family moved to Dubuque, where they still live.
Digitized by Google
328
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Religious services by ministers of different denominations were held in Butler Center from the beginning. Among these Rev. Richard Merrill, who is mentioned elsewhere, was an active and earnest worker. Mr. Merrill served for some time as county superintendent of schools during the period while Butler Center was the county seat. He is more nearly identified, however, with the history of Pittsford township.
About 1864 the first organized Sabbath school was established in Butler Center. The first superintendent was George M. Craig. This Sabbath school continued for several years after the town had begun to decay.
The first church organized was that of the Presbyterian denomination and was formed in 1873 by the Rev. William Smith. The first members of this church were James Barlow and wife, James Hunter and wife, W. C. Thompson and wife, Mrs. D. J. Merrill, Miss Emma Thompkins, James Robbins and wife, Dun- can McGregor and wife and Duncan Stewart and wife. In 1875 Rev. John Gourley succeeded to the pastorate. The society never had a church building, meetings being held in the court room. At the period of its largest membership the number of members was about twenty-five.
The Methodist society held meetings in Butler Center at inter- vals for a number of years before they secured a regular appoint- ment. Later a regular resident pastor was assigned to Butler Center and additional services were also held at Hopley school- house. The records of the Methodist society in Butler Center are not obtainable at the present time but among the resident pastors may be mentioned Reverends Faucett, Cooley, Robinson and Rowan. Presiding Elder Ingham also is mentioned among the Butler Center pastors of the Methodist church.
EDUCATIONAL
The first school in Butler Center was taught by Alzina Waters in the Levis building. Later Martha Niece taught in the house built by Enoch George, who boarded round among his patrons. After Butler Center became the county seat a two-story frame school building was erected with two rooms. The average enrollment in this school during the period of the town's pros-
Digitized by Google
329
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
perity was about sixty. This schoolhouse was one of the last buildings to be demolished in Butler Center. It was finally torn down and removed from its site a few years ago.
GENERAL ITEMS
The first sermon was delivered in Butler Center by Nathan Olmstead in the sawmill in 1856.
The first birth was a son to Martin Bailey.
The first death was a daughter of Charles Stewart, who died and was buried in the cemetery a mile east of town in the sum- mer of 1857. This was the first interment in the Butler Center cemetery.
COSTER
For a number of years mail was regularly received at Coster, where Isaac Hall conducted a store in connection with his resi- dence. Mr. Hall was postmaster. This office was abolished on the establishment of the rural mail routes. Coster at the present time has a creamery and general store conducted by O. F. Cour- bat. There are also two church buildings in the vicinity, one belonging to the Methodist denomination and the other to the German Evangelical. The latter is situated a little over a mile north.
Vol. 1-21
..
Digitized by
Digitized by
CHAPTER XXV
MADISON TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE OF KESLEY
Madison is one of the four townships forming the western tier of Butler county. It is bordered by Franklin county on the west and by Pittsford, Ripley and Washington townships on the north, east and south, respectively. The West Fork passes through the extreme northeastern portion of the township. Mayne's creek flows through its central portion from west to east.
The soil in the valleys of these streams and for some distance on either side has a tendency to be sandy. The surface of the rest of the township is a rolling plain, with a rich, dark, loamy soil, which is especially adapted to the raising of the cereal crops that make this section of Iowa one of the richest agricultural regions of the world.
The only extensive timbered tract in the township is what is known as Bear grove, which has been referred to in an earlier chapter. This grove covered originally a tract of land about two miles in length from east to west and a mile in width from north to south. It is situated chiefly in sections 26 and 27 and portions of 34 and 35 north of the creek, which drains the southern por- tion of the township.
Kesley is the only village within the limits of the township. Until 1900, when the line of the Northwestern Railroad was con- structed through the eastern portion of the township, it had been entirely without railroad facilities. Kesley forms the market point for the southeastern portion of the township. Dumont on the north, Ackley on the southwest, and Austinville also consti- tute commercial outlets for the products of the township.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
The settlement of Madison township began in 1854. The first entry of land was made by Adam H. Sarber on October 2, 1854,
331
Digitized by Google
332
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
consisting of claims in sections 1 and 2. On October 27th James M. Caldwell and Thomas Nash entered a claim on section 26. These were the only entries of land made in 1854.
In this same year occurred the earliest settlements in Madison township, which was made, according to the best information obtainable, by Nicholas Hartgraves, a native of North Carolina, who came to Iowa from Indiana in 1844. His settlement in But- ler county dates from 1852, when he located at Beaver grove. Two years later he pushed his way farther westward and settled on section 17, of what is now Madison township. In the follow- ing year his brother, Noah Hartgraves, arrived in Madison and located a claim on section 18. These claims were not entered in the government land office until some time later.
Several other pioneer settlers located in the township in 1855. Among them were Ephraim Hizenton and his son William, from Illinois. They located on sections 14 and 15. The son died in 1858 of hydrophobia. The father did not prove up on his claim. He lived on his son's place for a few years and then moved out of the township after his son's death.
William Mason and Fred Moffatt, natives of England, settled in the township in the same year. Abijah Stacy, a native of Indiana, located here in the spring of 1855. He died in the fol- lowing November, his death being the first recorded in the town- ship.
In 1856 James Wilkerson, an Englishman, settled upon a farm in section 16. He remained here for about two years and then moved to Hancock county.
Jacob Yost first settled in Madison township in 1857, his claim being located on section 16. He lived here for a few years and then moved across the line into Ripley township, with the history of which township he and his family were prominently identified.
Peter Coyle, for a number of years a member of the board of supervisors from Madison township and its chairman for the most of the period of his service, settled in the township in 1858, coming from Illinois. He was accompanied by Thomas Gal- lagher and wife. Mrs. Gallagher was a daughter of Mr. Coyle. They made the journey from Illinois with ox teams, taking about two weeks for the trip. Peter Coyle lived on a farm in section 10 until 1875, when he moved to Ackley. His repeated election as supervisor from the township and the honor conferred upon him by his choice as chairman of the board indicate better than
Digitized by Google
----- --.
333
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
any mere words of praise could do the character and ability of the man. His son, Edward Coyle, succeeded him in the manage- ment of the home place.
Elisha Scott is also mentioned as a settler of the township at an early date. Detailed information regarding the date or loca- tion of his settlement is lacking.
The distance of Madison township in early days from market prevented its rapid settlement. In the years immediately pre- ceding the Civil war, and during its progress, few additions were made to the list of settlers. After the war the township filled up rapidly.
Among the settlers subsequent to the Civil war were Amos E. Hartson, Samuel B. Gordon, Solomon Harvey and Walcott Wat- son. The Watsons are among the most prominent citizens of the township and are still identified with its progress and develop- ment.
Kesley Green, for a number of years the largest land owner in . the township, settled here in 1865. The village of Kesley was platted on his land and is named for him.
Thomas Faint, a native of England, settled in Bear grove in the early '70s. Mr. Faint's family of four daughters and three sons were all raised in the township. The daughters have all been prominent in educational work in this and other parts of the state, Mary A. Faint having served two terms as county superin- tendent of schools.
The settlement of the township was finally completed very largely by people of the German nationality, who came in the late "70s and early '80s and took up by purchase unoccupied land in the western and southern part. Among these may be men- tioned Charles Borneman, John Rewerts, Arend and J. S. Essman, Paul J. Gerdes. The Ludermann, Baumgartner, Rademacher and Stock families also are numbered in this list.
W. S. Austin, of the family of Austins, prominently connected with the early history of Washington township, purchased land in section 10, Madison township, in recent years, where he now conducts the Oak Glen Stock Farm.
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.