History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 114

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316

USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 114
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 114

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).

A. D. Allen was born in Steuben county, New York, on the 1st day of October, 1848, and is a son of B. J. and Irene (Maydole) Allen, who were also natives of the same State. When the son was seven years old the family came to Dayton township, Bre- mer county, and settled on section 22. A.

D. remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and then began life for him- self. He first purchased and settled on a farm on section 16; but some time after -. ward also bought one on section 12, and has since lived on both places. Ile now owns 160 acres, all of which is under cul- tivation. Mr. Allen has held the office of township clerk five terms. On the 1st day of January, 1872, he was married to Miss Estella Yerton, a daughter of Jolin B., and Plæbe Jane (Sınith) Yerton; who came to Dayton township in 1863, and are now liv- ing in Crawford county, Iowa. Mr. Allen's father and mother are living in Sumner. Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Allen have one child- Lillian May.

W. P. Sterling was born in the town of Brooklyn, Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania, January 21, 1827, and is a son of James W. and Betsy (Tooksbury) Sterling. His father was born in Connecticut and his mother in Massachusetts. He received a common school education, and grew to manhood on a farm. During the year 1852, he came west, and after remaining in Will county, Illinois, three years, re- moved to Fayette county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Orin township. In 1863, he moved to Franklin township, and there bought a farm of wild prairie. In June, 1872, he purchased his present farm on section 34, of Dayton township, and three years later, settled there. The last farm bought was also wild prairie land, but since his settlement Mr. Sterling has cul- tivated and improved it. Ile now owns 240 acres in the county. He has held the office of justice of the peace four years, and was re-elected to that office in 1882. During the year 1850, he was united in

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

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marriage to Miss Caroline C. Robinson, who is a native of Wyoming county, Penn- sylvania. Four children have blessed this union, three of whom are now living- Elizabeth M., Catherine and John G.

John L. Worden was born in the town of Lloyd, Ulster county, New York, March 10, 1833, and is a son of John and Hannah (Dubois) Worden, who were also natives of New York State. He remained in the county of his birth until seventeen years old, and then went to Wyoming county, New York and settled in Castile. In 1861, he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on section 24, Dayton township, and at the present date owns 200 acres of land in this and Fayette counties. Mr. Worden has held the offices of asses- sor, justice of the peace and trustee. In the year 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Fuller, who was born in Wyoming county, New York. They have two children-Fuller D. and Hannah A.

C. W. Converse, a son of Winthrop and Laura (Wentworth) Converse was born in Portage county, Ohio, on the 8th day of November, 1836. Two years after his birth the family moved to Richland county, Ohio, and some time afterward, to Western Pennsylvania. In 1862 C. W. enlisted in the army, but four months later was honor- ably discharged, because of disability. During the year 1864 he came to Iowa, and immediately upon his arrival, again en- listed, and served until the close of the re- bellion. Upon returning to civil life, he went to Dubuque, and in the spring of 1866 returned to Pennsylvania. After a six months' visit, he came back to Iowa, and located in Leroy township, where he lived for five years. He then settled on

section 24, Dayton township, where he now resides. Mr. Converse was married in the spring of 1875, to Miss Mary A. Hazen. They are the parents of one child. Mr. Converse's father died in August, 1868, and his mother followed September 1, 1882.

E. M. Cass was born in Canada West, July 31, 1823. He is a son of Stephen and Jerusha (Abbey) Cass. His mother was born in New York State, and his father in Canada. He received a common school education, and, when of sufficient years, learned the carpenter's trade, which occu- pation he followed in Canada until twenty- one years old. He then came to the United States and worked at his trade, in the eastern section of the country, until 1856, when he removed to Lake county, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then moved to Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he lived for eleven years. During the latter years of his residence there he fol- lowed farming. In February, 1868, he came to Iowa, and located on a farm in Sumner township, Bremer county; but after remaining there one year, moved to section 15, Dayton township. In 1870 he opened a store on his farm, and there sold goods for seven years. He was post- master of Buck Creek Postoffice seven years. While living in Vernon county, Wisconsin, Mr. Cass was a member of the county board, besides holding several of the township offices, and at the time of his departure from that county, was chairman of the town board and clerk of the school board. In Dayton township, he has held the office of secretary of the school board ever since his residence there, and has, , also, been township trustee four terms. In politics he is a staunch republican. Dur-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

ing the year 1850 Mr. Cass was united in marriage to Miss Elvira Jane Packard, a native of Vermont. They have nine chil- dren-Stephen Arthur, Linda Amelia, Elvira Jane, Frank E., Frederick M., Charles E., William N., Earl M., and Martha A.

William T. Lyon was born in the town of Hartford, Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania, September 12, 1830, and is a son of Isaac and Sally (Blodgett) Lyon, who were born in the State of Massachusetts. He remained in his native town engaged in farming, until twenty-four years old, and while there received an excellent common school education, completed by an attend- ance at a seminary. Since that time he has spent about eightcen years teaching. During the year 1854, he moved to Greene county, Wisconsin, and after engaging in mercantile pursuits for three years, went to Pike county, Illinois, and was em- ployed in teaching. On the 20th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Eighth Illinois, as a private, under Colonel Oglesby, in the three months service. At the expiration of this time, he returned home and shortly afterwards, in com- pany with Captain Lawton, raised Com- pany I, Thirty-third Illinois, and entered that company as first lieutenant, on the 18th of August, 1861, they were mis- tered into service. Mr. Lyon served in that capacity until August 15, 1863, when he was promoted to the captaincy of the company. He was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, December 6, 1865. Upon returning to civil life, he removed to Buchanan county, Iowa, and engaged in buying wheat, at Independence, where he suffered a severe loss from firc. In the

year 1869, he settled on section 24, Dayton township, Bremer county, where he owns ninety acres of land. Capt. Lyon has held the offices of justice of the peace and trustce. He was married in April, 1861, to Miss Louise J. Farner, born in Adams county, Illinois. They have had four chil- dren-Fred F., Frank M., Percy I., and Winnie O.

ORGANIC.

The first election was held at the house of William Peck, April, 1858. The judges of this election were Elijah Grinnell, Al- bert McCumber and John Williamson. The clerks were William M. Peck and John Zimmerman. The following namned were elected:

James H. Yerton and Lyman J. Curtiss, justices of the peace; W. M. Peck, Albert McCumber and J. J. Williamson, trustees; Lyman J. Curtiss, clerk; A. S. Peck, W. V. Curtis, constables; William Gibbs, James H. Yerton and W. V. Curtis, supervisors.

The following named comprise the offi- cers for 1883:

Trustees, Jake Ambrose, A. Frauhm and W. H. Triplett; clerk, Albert Glattley; assessor, Ambrose Allen; justices, C. H. Brooks, W. P. Sterling; constable, Leroy Triplett.

FIRST BIRTH.

Ida Frances, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Gibbs, born August, 1854, was the first white child born in the township. She was born at the house of the Widow Peck, on section 33. Ida Frances is now the wife of Romain Fuller, and resides, with her husband, on section 24, Dayton township.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

FIRST DEATH.

Simeon Peck died April 15, 1855, of congestive chills, aged 61 years, 6 months and 14 days. This was the first death in the township. He was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, in Franklin township. This was the first burial in that cemetery.

FIRST MARRIAGE.

The first couple united in marriage were V. B. Grinnell and Amanda Harwood, the ceremony being performed at the house of Lyman J. Curtiss, by Mr. Curtiss, who was a justice of the peace. They were married in November, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Grinnell now reside in Waverly.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school taught in the township was in a log building erected by John Book, for a residence, by Maggie Harwood, in the summer of 1858. The first build- ing erected for school purposes was on · section 28. It was built by L. J. Curtiss; it is now known as No. 4. The following named were the scholars. in attendance at Miss Harwood's school :- Elijah E. Grin- nell, Orin McCumber, Marquis McCumber, Jacob Williamson, Elijah Williamson, Falton Link, Mary Zimmerman, Elizabeth Cook, Jacob Ambrose, and Ellen Ambrose. Miss Harwood subsequently married Mr. Waite, and, with her husband, now re- sides in Waverly.

Another school was taught during the summer of 1857, at the residence of J. H. Yerton, by Maggie Dickey On account of sickness Miss Dickey did not complete the term-it was finished by Jane Crane. Among those who attended this school

were-Isabel Yerton, Olive Yerton, Eva- line Yerton, A. D. Allen, Miss H. A. Al- len, Francis White, Albert White, Ann Chadwick, Lulu Chadwick, Gilbert Chad- wick, John Chadwick and Jason Chad- wick.

The second school building was erected on section 20-it is now known as No. 2.

RELIGIOUS.

The first discourse delivered in Dayton township was on the occasion of the death of Simeon Peck, in the fall of 1855. No regular services were held from that time until the completion of the school house, already spoken of as being erected by L. J. Curtiss. When completed it was first occupied for religious services by Elder Reardon, a Baptist divine. During the first meeting held, he baptized several persons in Buck creek, among whom were John McCray and wife, Mrs. N. Porter, Mrs. Alfred Robinson, Mrs. Fred Hamil- ton. This was in the spring of 1862. During the next year J. H. Yerton and wife, B. J. Allen and wife, and Nettie Parker were also baptized.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church is located on section 27, on land donated by Louis Buhr. It was built in 1876. Among the first members of the society were Fred Pohler and wife, Louis Buhr and wife, Henry Thies and wife, William Buhr and wife, G. Wolf and wife. Rev. William Adicks was the first pastor in charge, and yet continues to minister to the spiritual wants of the congregation, which now has a membership of one hun- dred and sixty. The church building is 36x70, and cost $800. A day school, with an attendance of fifty scholars, is taught

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

by the minister. A Sunday School is held during the summer.

A Presbyterian society was organized at the Union School House, District No. 3, on section 25, in 1877. The first members were Jacob Glattley and wife, Henry Wis- ner and wife, W. T. Lyon and wife. Rev. John Sayers was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Jennings. Services are held every two weeks. During the sum- mer, Sunday School is held. The first super- intendent of the school was W. T. Lyon. It has an average attendance of twenty.

MERCANTILE.

In 1866, Robert R. Davis opened a small store at his residence on section 15, the place now owned by C. H. Moeliling. He remained in business about two years. E. M. Cass then started a small store which he ran four years. Louis Mohlis, in 1874, commenced business about a quarter of a mile east of the river, on section 32. He also opened a shoe shop at the same time, and still continues both branches of the business. In 1877, W. W. Bezold opened a store on section 32, on the east side of the river. He ran it until Novem- ber, 1880, when he sold to Orrin Mc- Cumber, who yet continues the business.

GRIST MILL.

A grist mill was erected on the east side of the Wapsie, on section 32, in 1876, by Cornelius Miller, who operated it about .three years, when he sold to Jacob Minkler, who is still the owner.

Around this mill a small collection of houses was built, and the embryo village was nicknamed by the people "Smoke-

town," on account of the miller's family being inveterate smokers.

BLACKSMITHING.

In 1878 August Meier started black- smithing, near Mohlis' store, on section 32, and still continues the business.

POSTOFFICES.

A postoffice was established in the town- ship, under the name of Bremer, in 1858. For some time previous, efforts had been made to have an office, but without avail. J. H. Yerton finally came to the conclusion that he would make a personal application. He accordingly wrote the department, stat- ing the distance those in his neighborhood were from an office, and how many would be accommodated by one being established here. Having some influence with "the powers that be," he soon received an ap- pointment and a commission was duly for- warded him as the first postmaster of Bre- mer postoffice. The mail was first carried by Mr. Yerton from the mill postoffice in Fayette county, but the office was finally placed on the route between Independence and Chickasaw. Mr. Yerton continued as postmaster about three years, and was suc- ceeded by B. J. Allen. The name of the office was changed to Buck Creek, and it was removed to the residence of Mr. Allen, on section 25. George Parker succeeded Mr. Allen, and removed the office to his . residence, on section 15. E. M. Cass was the next appointee. He also resided on section 15, the office being kept at his res- idence. William Adicks succeeded Mr. Cass, and removed the office to his resi- dence, on section 28. Mr. Adicks was succeeded by C. Brooks, the present incum-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

bent, who resides and keeps the office on sec- tion 26. The mail is now received from Sumner three times a week.

Dayton postoffice was established in 1861, with Burrell Rood as postmaster.

Mr. Rood kept the office at his residence on section 9. Dr. S. S. Marvin, residing on section 4, was Mr. Rood's successor. The office was kept at his residence until 1870, when it was discontinued.

CHAPTER XIX.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

This territory lies in the extreme south- | at once built a log house, the first resi- east corner of Bremer county, and is a . full Congressional township, comprising about 23,040 acres. There are within its limits, two streams of water. The Wapsi- pinicon river enters on section five and flowing toward the south passes through sections 8, 17, 20, 29, 28 and makes final exit on 33. Buck creek enters from the north on section, 3 and, passing through sections 10, 15, 22, 23, 26 and 35, leaves on 36.

The soil is a dark, sandy loam. The surface is rolling and timber is found in limited quantities along the river. The land is nearly all occupied, and in the township are many desirable farms, well , improved and under a good state of culti- vation.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler in the township was Melton Harrington, who selected a home on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 3, in the spring of 1854. He

dence in the township. Ichabod Rich- mond and family arrived in the township May 21, 1854, and located on the north half of the northwest quarter of section 15. Noah Porter came about the same time and established a home on the north- east quarter of section 16. A man by the name of Kerr arrived about this time, and moved into the Harrington house. He died soon afterward. This was the second death in the township. In July, H. Buck- holt and H. Kniffken were numbered among the settlers of the township. Buck- holt located on the southwest quarter of section 26 and erected a log house. Kniff- ken built a house on the north half of the northeast quarter of section 33.

. John McRae was also one of the settlers of 1854. He was born November 14, 1826, in Canada East. There he passed his youth, and obtained a common school education. In 1845 he moved to Kane county, Illinois, where he engaged in farm- ing, and three years later, located in Chi-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

cago. He located upon the south side of the river, and there broke 130 acres of wild prairie land, which now lies in the center of the great city. In 1850 he re- turned to Canada, and was married April 18, to Miss Phæbe Robinson, a native of Canada East. During that year he re- turned, with his young wife, to Kane county, and thence, after one year's so- journ, to DeKalb county, where he pur- chascd a farm. October 7, 1854, he left that State for Iowa, arriving in Franklin township, Bremer county, on the 17th day of the same month, and settling on section 10, where he now has a very comfortable home. Four children-George, Albert (deceased), Frank Almas and Fred Ellis- have been born to them. Mr. McRae is an enthusiastic republican, and has held several of the local offices; he also built the first school house in the county. Du- ring his first winter here, deer were so plenty that they kept the family in meat the entire season. However, the second winter there was a very deep snow, which had a crust so solid and thick that it would bear up men and dogs when on their hunting expeditions; either because of the depth of the snow or on account of the country's becoming more settled, deer have scarcely been seen since that time.

Another early settler of Franklin town- ship, was N. C. Peck. He was born in Albany, New York, in 1831. His parents · were natives of the State of Connecticut. His father was born in 1791, and during his life, followed the trade of black-smith- ing. He died in 1856. Mr. Peck's mother was born in 1793, and died in 1859. Four years after his birth, the family removed to the State of Connecticut and there the

son continued to reside until he had reached his majority. During the year 1852, he was married to Miss Clarisa Bol- ter, a native of New York City, born in 1832. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Iowa Infantry, and served one year. He formed one in Gen. Sherman's great army in its famous "March to the Sea," and was in the battle of Fayetts- ville, North Carolina. Mr. Peck is a re- publican and has held several of the local offices. He came to Bremer county, in June, 1855, and is the present postmaster of Grove Hill, Franklin township.

S. K. Davis came from Michigan in 1854, and lived with I. Richmond, the first win- ter. He entered a claim on section 14, in the spring of 1855, and then went back to Michigan. He returned again in the fall of 1855, and built a log house on his land; here he remained about a year and then removed to Fairbanks. The land is now owned by Jacob Minkler.

During the fall of 1854, also came James D. Sankey, who settled on section 35. At the same time W. H. Taylor, selected a place on section 4, and built a log house; this place was afterward known as the Meir property.

William F. Peck, an early settler, built a log house on section 15, in January, 1855.

Albert Dexter and W. W. Beal came in 1855, with their father, and settled on sec- tions 30 and 31, where W. W. Beal still remains, and where his father died.

Section 26 was occupied this season by Mr. Bellows, from Illinois; he built a sod house which was considered very remark- able, as timber was plenty in this county at that time, yet a sod house he must have, it being as he thought, cheaper, warmer,

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

and more comfortable. It was the only house ever built in the township of such material. Notwithstanding thesc extra- ordinary comforts, he remained but one winter, and then returned to the good old "Sucker" State.

This same season, Frank Everett came from Michigan and located on section 4, remained a number of years, and then moved to Fairbank, Buchanan county, where he now lives.

Clarence Bacon, from the same State, settled on the same sections; he likewise moved away in a few years and went to New York.

Pennsylvania was also represented this season, among the settlers. J. Brechner and George Haun, coming from that State, settled on section 19. Brechner re- mained on his original claim about fifteen years, and then moved to another quarter of the same section, where he yet remains. Haun, who was a brother-in-law of Brech- · ner, lived with him for some time, build- ing a blacksmith shop near by, where he may yet be found. J. M. Ellis came from Illinois and made a home on section 22, where he remained until 1881, when he moved to Waverly. His father-in-law, F. Fortner, came with him and occupied some land on the same section where he subsequently died. A. Fortner, a son, came in October and lived with his father. He followed farming a number of years, and in 1865, removed to Waverly, where he is now keeping the "Bremer House." Another son, C. Fortner, came in the spring, and also left the farm in 1865, and is now a resident of Sumner in the same county.

Bernhardt Berry and Nicholas Berger came together this season and located on section 7, where the former died. The latter moved to Independence about 1876.

Thomas Day was from Ohio, and during this year settled on section 11, where he lived several years; moved to Illinois, and thence to his native State, where he died in 1882. The next year-1856-Joseph Mckinley arrived from Indiana and made his home on section 34, where he remained about ten years, and then moved to the western part of the State. Joseph McCray from Virginia, settled on section 34. He remained until about 1870, when he moved to Southern Iowa, and died there soon after.

Section 31 this year received a settler, Horace Butler, from Illinois. Mr. Butler remained only about two years, and then tried his chances, elsewhere. He returned, however, after a few years and settled near his old home, but in Black Hawk county, where he now lives. Rufus West, also from the "Sucker State," located on this same section and remained about seven years, when he moved to Missouri. During this year, Hugh Patterson and his son John, came from Ohio and bought the Davis place on section 14. Hugh, after a number of years, removed to Fairbanks.

Two brothers, William and A. S. Bent- ley, the same season located on section 26 where A. S. still remains. William , starved out during the season of 1857 and left, but soon returned again and remained until about 1879, when he went to Oel: wein, Fayette county. In 1856 or 1857 Francis Harwood, from Illinois, occupied a portion of section 3, where he died, after the war. Mr. Harwood kept "Grove Hill"

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

postoffice at this point and was the first postmaster. Among others who came on this and the year following, were: A. J. Torrence, Henry Jones, William Cope- land, James Neal, Robert Hutchinson, James Cavern, Robert Cavern, Andrew Gardner, Joseph and John Wright, Wil- liam Coleman, George Bond, David Free- land, John Conwav, Edward McGowan, Edward McHue, John Richards, and his sons Joseph, Jerry and John, John Link, B. F. Nute, and Henry Jones and family. The biographies of a few other settlers and representative men, who came at a later date, are here annexed.

W. W. Beal, one of the pioneers of Franklin township, was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont, November 29, 1829. After receiving a common school education, he attended the Vermont Lite- rary Seminary, and then taught two terms of school. However, finding that profes- sion not suited to his taste, he gave up teaching and turned his attention to car- pentering and millwrighting. In 1855 he left Vermont for Waukesha county, Wis- - consin, and in August, of the same year, came, with two of his brothers, to Bremer county, Iowa, where he settled on his pre- sent farm, and immediately began improv- ing it. February 23, 1862, he was married to Miss Fannie Hill, a native of Albany, New York, born June 8, 1842.' They hav e had eight children, three of whom are now living-Bell A., John H. and Willard W. Mr. Beal is a republican and has held several offices of trust. He took an active interest in the organization of the Bremer County Fire Insurance Com- pany, and was elected one of its first di- rectors.

Marvin E. Perry, a native of New York, was born in 1832. His father, Ozias Perry, was born in Plymouth, Vermont, in 1802. When twenty-one years of age, he' was married to Miss Eliza Merchant, a native of New York, born in 1806. At an early day they settled in Winnebago county, Illinois, and there the wife and mother died, April 7, 1875. Her husband still survives her, and continues to reside on the old homestead, in Winnebago county. Seven children were born to them,five of whom are now living. Their fifth child, Marvin E., as stated, was born in New York. When a child, he removed with his parents to Illinois, and there ob- tained a common school education, and grew to manhood. In 1857 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, settling on his farm in Franklin township, where he now re- sides. April 8, 1860, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah Johnson, a native of Clinton county, Pennsylvania, born in 1841. When she was thirteen years old she came, with her parents, to Iowa. Three children-Arthur M., Alice E., and John S. -have been born to them, and they have, also, one adopted child-Minnie M. Mr. Perry has identified himself with the re- publican party, holding the office of justice of the peace, and constable. Both him- self and wife are members of the Baptist Church, of Lester, Black Hawk county.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 114

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1316

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316