History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 120

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 120
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 120

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In 1867 the present parsonage was built, which action left the society much embar- rassed. In September, 1872, the pledges had shrunk to such an extent that there was still a debt of $400, with about $60 in

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LHISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

pledges, which was considered reliable. The church at this time was in need of repairs, that would require about $250, which was at once undertaken. A new subscription was taken to cover the ex- pense of repairs and indebtedness. So sinall a margin was obtained, however, that care had to be taken to collect, and the last dollar of indebtedness for the original building was paid October 20, 1879.

Prior to 1869 the society experienced several gracious revivals, notably in 1857, by Rev. A. W. Odell. In 1861-63, under Rev. Wm. Smith; 1864, 1866, under Rev. F. X. Miller; 1868, under Rev. J. W. Clinton. The Rev. Samuel W. Heald was pastor of the church from January 6, 1870 to 1871; Rev. Thomas Moore from 1871 to 1873; Rev. R. Norton, 1873 to 1876; Thomas Moore, 1876 to 1877; Rev. W. S. Skinner, 1877 to 1880; Rev. H. H. Green has been pastor since 1880.

MILL.

The foundation for the Janesville flour- ing mill was laid in the fall of 1857-the projectors designing to erect a building of stone, but concluding the quality of stone was not such as they desired, work was temporarily suspended, and the mill was not built until 1859, and not in running order until 1860. Ransom Moorehouse was proprietor. The building was 36x50, two and one-half stories above the basement, and had three run of stone. An addition was made 20x50 in 1866. The mill is now owned by J. I. Case, of Racine, and is rented by Laur and Duke. It has five run of bnrrs.

SOCIETIES.

Equity Lodge No. 131, A. F. & A. M., of Janesville, was organized June 2, 1858. The charter members were James Keeler, Asbury Leverick, S. T. Hotchkiss. The first officers were as follows: Jas. Keeler, W. M .; A. Leverick, S. W., and S. T. Hotchkiss, J. W. The present officers are, B. F. Brown, W. M .; Clark Chase, S. W., and E. W. Fish, J. W .; Howard Sewell, treasurer; D. K. Smalling, secretary; J. H. Rowen, S. D .; Wm. H. Young, J. D. The lodge is in good working order, with about thirty members in good standing.

JANESVILLE IN 1883.

Janesville is the oldest town in the county, and is very pleasantly located- having at this time, six stores, two black- smith shops, two wagon shops, three doc- tors, one saw and grist mill, a tin shop, stock dealers, grain buyers, meat market, two livery stables, three churches, two hotels, and a good graded school.

RETROSPECT.

As one looks upon the well tilled acres and comfortable homes in this township, it is difficult to realize the change wrought during the last thirty years. The credit and honor for work and sacrifice, produc- ing this desirable transformation, certainly belongs to early settlers-men and women, who are as truly heroes and hero- ines, as he who marches, unfalteringly, through the storm of battle, and stands, unflinchingly before the cannon's month. Many things which in an early day served a good purpose, would now be considered a curiosity. The plow, the harrow, and

Samuel Jennings.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

various utensils of agriculture, have un- dergone great changes. Marvellous im- provements have been made in every de- partment. The necessities of the case brought into play the inventive genius of these hardy pioneers, and many a rudely- constructed "pestle and mortar" has per- formed the work of the more complicated machinery of the grist mill. In conse- quence of the scarcity of teams, the beasts of the forest and prairie were utilized. In one instance, Isaac Barrick, son of the founder of Janesville, became the pos- sessor of two buffaloes, two deer and two elk, and soon demonstrated that buffalo made good work teams, and the elk a speedy animal, outstripping the best horse, when harnessed to a buggy. This young man, athletic, strong, square built and fearless, had under his subjection not only buffalo, deer and elk, but bears, wild cats, coons, beaver, and the various beasts of the forest, and it was not an unusual thing to sce him spinning along the trail, in his buggy, driving an elk of speed and

bottom, or in the field, behind the plow, making the buffalo useful in turning the sod. At one time he made sale to an eastern man, of his buffalo, deer and elk for $600, which in those days was a con- siderable amount of money. This same young man, some time afterward, went to the City of New York, with an uncle, and in "taking in the sights," visited P. T. Barnum's great show. A familiar call from a certain part of the building, at- tracted his attention, and, upon investiga- tion, proved to be the voice of recogni- tion from one of these elk. There the pair stood, and their joy in mecting their former master was expressed in the strong- est language and action, known to the brute creation. Now, in place of trail and ford, they have roads and bridges; in place of buffalo and rudely-constructed breaker, the blooded horse and sulky plow, and this community is one of thrift, enterprise and intelligence, occupying a portion of land second to none in the county.

CHAPTER XXIII.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

This territory lics in the southern tier of townships of Bremer county, with Max- field on the east, Warren on the north, and Washington and Jackson on the west. It

consists of about 15,360 acres, and is watered by a creek called Quarter-section Run, which flows from the north through the eastern and southern portion, and Dry

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Run, flowing through the western part, and making confluence with Quarter-section Run within the limits of the township.

At the time of early settlement this township was about one-half covered with timber; but it has been reduced to about one-quarter. Unlike many other town- ships, the supply of wood here, although abundant years ago, is being rapidly re- duced, from the fact that when cut off the land is put immediately under cultivation. There is very little, if any, waste land. Different classes of people are represented, but the population is mainly American. The soil of timber lands is a light clay, mixed with a vegetable mould, except up- on the bottoms, and has a clay sub-soil. On the prairies the soil is a rich, dark, sandy loam, very productive, and desirable for agricultural purposes.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

To Charles McCaffree belongs the honor of being the first settler in Jefferson town- ship. He was without a family, and came from Lee county, Iowa, in the spring of 1845. Locating on section 34, he went to work, and broke about fifty acres. He made this his home until 1858, when he sold out, and, after a time, went to Missouri, where he lived until the outbreak of the rebellion. Being a strong Union man, he was compelled to leave that locality, he therefore returned to Jackson township,? where he died in 1871.

The next settler was an Irishman, by the name of Jerry O'Conner. He came from Lee county, and settled near Mc- Caffree, on section 33, near where Henry D. Gould now lives.

During the fall of the same year Jacob Beelah, Isaac Samples, his son-in-law, and Isaac McCaffree located in the township. Jacob Beelah, a native of Ohio, settled on section 35, where was built the first log cabin in the county, on the premises now owned by J. E. Berlin. Mr. Beelah re- moved to Floyd county. Isaac McCaffree now lives in Missouri, and Andrew Sam- ple removed in 1851, to Bradford, Chicka- saw county, and there improved the water power, where he remained about four years, failed in business and removed to Missouri.

In 1846 John H. Messinger, with his family, and his two brothers and their families, Wesley and Henry Tibbits, were added to the settlement. Mr. Messinger selected a farm ou section 35. Wesley Tibbits located on section 15, his brother Henry selecting a place on section 16. The Tibbits brothers removed to Kansas, where Wesley still remains. Henry, at last accounts, was living in southern Cali- fornia.

E. J. Messinger came about the same time and located on section 25, where he remained until 1870, when he went to Wa- terloo,engaged in milling and where he still resides. When Mr. Messinger first came to this township quite a number of In- dians made this their hunting ground. The Winnebago tribe having a village near by of about 500. They were generally peaceable and friendly, however, and left the township in 1849. Womanokaker, or Woman-taker, was war chief of this tribe, and lived on section 23, near the creek, where is now the residence of H. C. Krech. There were also some other In- dians in this vicinity, representatives of

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

other tribes and they were, as before stated, generally friendly, but occasionally they would secure horses belonging to the settlers and demand meal or flour for their redemption.

Robert P. Messinger still lives on the old homestead, and is the earliest male settler now living within the county limits. About the same time came T. Fisher and P. Miller from Marion county, Indiana. They did not remain long, and but little is known concerning them.

During the year 1847, Joseph and James Fee settled near the Tibbits, where they remained a short time and then went to Chickasaw county.

These are all the earliest settlers that can be remembered. Among those who came in soon after were: Moses Mishler with a numerous family, consisting of a wife and nine children-Jonas, Michael, John, Moses, David, Washington, Susanna, Catherine and Fannie. Mr. Mishler died in 1863. The widow, now seventy- three years old, lives on the old homestead.

With the Mishlers came Dan and Jacob Winklepeck, and about the same time or a little later, P. McGeehee and Johnson Eveland arrived.

William Tharp settled on section 34, in 1849. Afterward he moved to Franklin county, then to Kansas, and finally to Arkansas. Tharp settled on the farm where John Stears now resides, he having located about 600 acres of land in that vicinity, which in 1853 was purchased by John Stears and his brother Henry, in company with a brother-in-law, Richard Holton. John Stears still resides on a portion of that tract; his brother, Henry, who was postmaster in this township for a

number of years, now resides in Black Hawk county.

Mr. Holton, who was a speculator, never lived on his land, but disposed of it some years after. He now resides in Michigan.

John M. Bennett came the year follow- ing, and selected a home on section 33. He-now lives in Waterloo, and the place is owned by John Schunemann.

Israel Trumbo, from Ohio, this scason, settled on section 16. He was the first county surveyor, and moved to Dakota where he died.

James Bevard, from Illinois, also came in 1850, and located on section 15, where he remained until his death, in 1862.

Eli Roberts occupied a portion of this same section, where he remained a few ycars, and leftthe county. E. H. Bartells now owns the land.

John Hurst, in 1850, settled on section 14, and remained about two years.

This year and the year following, came Matthew Farrington, Wm. Smith, Judge J. Farris, John W. Dean, Walter Farring- ton, James Michael, Julian Webster, Jo- seph Farris, Austin Farris, John Oaks, Elijah Smith, Calvin Tuttle, H. Robinson, J. T. Thomas, Humphrey Hogan, L. Ta- tum, Sam. Armstrong, Levi Bevard, Jacob Bevard, S. Cooper, William Staagee, Fred Bruntz, and others. Still later came John and Henry Stears, Alexander J. Flemming and family, Devillo Holmes, David Phil- lips, and others. The settlement of this township was identical with the early set- tlement of the county, and a more ex- tended history may be found in that con- nection. Many of these men were quite prominent in the affairs of the county and

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

State, and are spoken of more at length in chapters on those subjects.

SETTLERS' PROTECTION SOCIETY.

At an early day there was an organiza- - tion for the protection of land claims of the settlers. This was designed to operate against speculators, "land sharks" - and claim jumpers, and in favor of actual set- tlers; consequently strangers could not ascertain anything concerning desirable lands, unless holding proper credentials. This society had its desired effect, and through its influence actual settlers were protected. It remained in existence until the organization of the county, and the appointment of a school commissioner, when it was discontinued.

FIRST THINGS.

The first matrimonial alliance was formed by the union of Isaac McCaffree with Rebecca Beelah, in December, 1845. There being no one in the township quali- fied to perform the ceremony, they made a trip to Independence, where the twain were made one flesh, returned to Jefferson township, and dwelt in peace and happi- ness a number of years, then removing to the State of Missouri.

The first birth in the township was a daughter to Isaac and Rebecca McCaffree, born in 1846. The child died when two years old, and was the first death in Jef- ferson. It was buried on section 35.

The first religious service was held at the house of John H. Messinger, in the winter of 1845-46, by Rev. Mr. Collins, a Methodist Episcopal minister, from Marion, Linn county. He held services twice during that winter.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school was held at the house of Aaron Dow, on section 25, in the winter of 1850, and was taught by Richard Miles, a young man who had a claim in that vicinity. There was an attendance of six scholars. Mr. Miles was formerly from Connecticut. He remained here a number of years and then went to St. Paul, Minnesota.

There are now six school districts in the township, all having good buildings, well furnished. Educational facilities compare favorably with other localities. School property is valued at $3,000.

ORGANIC.

The first township election was held at the house of James Bevard, on section 15, in April, 1855. Those appointed to hold said election were as follows: Judges, William Westervelt, J. H. Messinger, and J. S. Jenkins; clerks, John Pattee, and M. Farrington. There were 64 votes cast at this election. The following persons were elected:

Humphrey Hogan and William P. Har- ris, justices; H. B. Boyd and W. Hogan, constables; William Kern and E. J. Mes- singer, trustees; G. A. Michael, township clerk.

The present officers are: Trustees, R. P. Messinger, H. D.Gould, Christian Bodeker; clerk, John Wilder; assessor, Matthew Far- rington; justices, J. B. George, Fred Bar- lets; constables, John Calease, Fred Heide- mann.

POSTOFFICE.

The first postoffice established in the township was in 1849. It was also the

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

first in Bremer county. John H. Messin- ger was the first postmaster. It was called Neutral postoffice, from the fact of its lo- cation on neutral land. In 1851 Mr. Far- rington consented to attend to the business, and the office was moved to his house, on section 35. Mr. Messinger was succeeded by Henry Stears, who removed the office to his residence on section 34, where it re- mained until it was removed to the resi- dence of Robert Shannon, in Black Hawk -county. Thomas Fitch was the next post- master, and remained in charge nntil it was discontinued.

The first mail route was a special from Cedar Falls to this point, mail being trans- ferred on horseback or on foot once cach week. Elijah Smith was mail carrier, and always announced his near approach by vigorously blowing a large horn, which he carried with him. This procceding not only gave the postmaster an abundant op- portunity to prepare himself, but added a certain dignity and importance to the occa- sion.

An office was established in Jefferson City, in 1856 or 1857, called "Brecken- ridge". Alexander J. Flemming was first postmaster. About 1863, its name was changed to "Denver", the present name. Guy Farnsworth is the present postmaster.

CEMETERY.

There is but one cemetery in this town- ship, located on section 25. It was never regularly laid out. It consists of about one-half acre of land, and was deeded to the township by E. J. Messinger. The first burial here was that of a stranger found by Andrew Daley, in a dying condi-

tion, on the road from Independence to Janesville, in Black Hawk county.

JEFFERSON CITY.

This village was laid out in 1855, by Jeremiah Farris, the surveying and plat- ting being done by M. Farrington. Dur- ing the year 1856, a blacksmith shop was opened by John B. Ackerson. Powell & Farris commenced a general merchandis- ing business; Sabin Cooper opened a cabi- net shop; J. Schucker engaged in wagon making; and David Briggs began shoe- making.

Notwithstanding it is surrounded by a rich farming country, Jefferson City has not increased in population since the first year, and the business transacted yearly is not as great as in 1856.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

We here append sketches of a number of the old settlers and representative men of Jefferson township.

Hon. M. Farrington, a pioneer of Jeffer- son township, was born on the 18th day of September, 1822, in Poughkeepsie, New York, and his early life was passed on a farm. He received an academic educa- tion, and when eighteen years old began teaching school, which profession he fol- lowed for a number of years. In 1850 Mr. Farrington moved to Delaware county, Iowa, and one year later came to Bremer county, and settled on section 35, Jefferson township, where he has since resided. He was formerly a William Lloyd Garrison Abolitionist, and would not accept any office offered him until after the Emanci- pation Proclamation. It is said of Mr. Farrington that at the first convention

៛

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

called to nominate candidates for local offices in Bremer county, he received the nomination for county surveyor, but upon hearing of the honor conferred upon him, he made a speech, respectfully declining, at the same time stating that he would never take an oath to support the Consti- tion of the United States so long as that Constitution allowed slavery. During the years 1871-2, he held the office of county supervisor. On the 19th [day of March, 1851, he was united in wedlock to Miss Ann L. Willis, who was born in Hanover, Grafton county, New Hampshire, April 13, 1827. They are blessed with three chil- dren living-Delia J., Edgar L. and Ianthe A. Mr. Farrington is president of the Iowa State League, and is also serving his third term as president of the Liberal League of Northern Iowa. He was also elected the first president of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and has been annually re-elected to that office until their last meeting, when he was made sec- retary. When the Emancipation Procla- mation was issued, Mr. Farrington felt that he was released from his vow not to vote while slavery was recognized. He tlen allied himself with the republican party, with which he co-operated until the organization of the National Greenback party, since which time he has advocated the principles enunciated by that party. He is an effective speaker, and has held joint discussions with some of the ablest men of the State, upon political and reli- gious subjects.

H. B. Boyd was born in Kentucky in 1823. When he was fifteen years old, the family moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood and acquired a

limited education. In 1849 Mr. Boyd came to Bremer county, Iowa, and subse- quently married Percilla Jenkins, a native of Illinois. She bore him one child -- George W., who at present is a resident of Waverly-and died during the year 1852. Two years after her death, Mr. Boyd was married to. Lucinda Carberry, who was born in the State of Indiana. They have had three children-Margaret, wife of George F. Leland; Martlia Alice; and Mary (deceased.) Mr. Boyd is a green- backer, and has held the office of consta- ble for seven years.

William Baskins, another early settler, was born in Richland county, Ohio, Dec- ember 26, 1826. He obtained his educa- tion in the district schools of that county, and passed his youth on his father's farm. In 1850 he packed his worldly goods and turned his face to the setting sun. Upon reaching Iowa, he determined to make this State his home and finally settled on a piece of land in Jefferson township, Bremer county. ' Three years later he was married to Miss Mary Clark, a native of Delaware county, Ohio. They have had two children-Francis, who is a resident of this county; and Sherman, who is now living in Oregon. His wife dying, Mr. Baskins married Mrs. Mary Coats, who was born in Indiana. They have had three children-John, Margaret and Charles. Mr. Baskins belongs to the democratic party, and has held several offices of trust, among which should be chronicled that he was one of the first marshals in Bremer county. His step children are William H. and Silas Coates.

One of the pioneer settlers of Jefferson township is John Stears, who was born in

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Yorkshire, England, in 1819. When he was sixteen years old the family emi- grated to America, and, upon their arrival, settled in White Pigeon, Michigan, where he obtained his education and reached manhood's estate. In 1850 he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Seobie, who is also a native of England. Three years later, with his family, he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled in Jefferson township, where he has sinee resided. Mr. Stears has held several of the local offices, and has been trustee of the Methodist Episco- pal church, to which he and his wife have belonged for the past fifteen years. They are the parents of four children-Elinor, Charlotte E., Antoinette and Elizabeth.

John J. Foutch is also an old settler of Jefferson township. He was born in Ful- ton county, Illinois, December 28, 1833. His youth was passed in his native county, and his school attendance consisted of about sixty days only. Sinee his marriage, however, by diligent application, he has acquired a fair business education. In 1849, he, in company with Judge Farris, made a tour of the west, their object being to find a good location for settlement, and in the spring of 1850 he claimed the land where he now resides. The following year he was married to Charlotte Jane, a daughter of Judge Farris. They have six children-Rosanna, Hugh, Debby, Wil- liam J., Hiram, and Nancy C. In 1857 Mr. Foutch went to Kansas with the re- nowned John Brown, and while there took an active part in the political fight, then waging in that State. In 1861 he returned to Bremer county. Mr. and Mrs. Foutch were the third couple married from this county, and had to go to Independence to

secure the license. In those days it was necessary to have both a license and- whisky, upon such occasions. The groom experienced some difficulty in obtaining the former, but none in getting the latter; however, his troubles did not end upon finding the beverage, as he could get no bottle to carry it in. Finally, he succeeded in putting together the pieces of one, which he bound together with twine, and thus carried the fire water and was happy. The distance from their home to Independenee was thirty miles, but they made the round trip, on horseback, in twenty-four hours. While at home, John's father always kept (as was the custom in those days) a bottle on the side-board, and the son carly acquired a strong appetite for the bever- age. However, after marriage, seeing the wrong he was committing, a reformation took place, and he has since been one of the strongest advocates of temperance. About that time he also experienced re- ligion, and is an active worker in the cause of Christ.

E. H. Bartels was born in Germany, July 27, 1814. He was reared on a farm, and received a good common school education in the German Language. In 1843, lie came to America, and after spending a few months in the cities of Baltimore, Pittsburg and Cineinnati, came to tlie territory of Iowa and began trading with the Indians, not far from the present city of Burlington. Eighteen months later he went to Chicago, Illinois, and engaged in earpentering and farming. During the year 1853, he moved to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on seetion 15, Jefferson township, where, by economy and strict attention to business, he has accumulated

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

a fine farm of 260 aeres, valued at $45 per aere. August 9, 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Nirge, who was born in Hessen, December 26, 1822. They are the parents of nine children- Frederick W., Ernst F., John H., Sophia M. J., William, Mary S., John F., Herman and August. The family are members of the Evangelieal Lutheran Church. Mr. Bartels is a republican, and has held the offiee of town trustee.

Henry D. Gould, one of the early set- tlers of Jefferson township, and one of Jefferson's most trusted and enterprising eitizens, was born in Morristown, New Jersey, January 13, 1829. He was the son of Z. S: and H. L. (Day) Gould. His father died in 1868; but his mother is still living on the old homestead, in New Jersey, where she has lived for over sixty years, at the advanced age of eighty years. Henry D. is the third of a family of seven children, all of whom are living, excepting one sister. When sixteen years of age, he left the parental roof, going to Brooklyn, Long Island, where he learned the eonfeetioner's trade, following the same, as a journeyman, for something over nine years. Having a thorough knowledge of the business, he determined to embark in this branch for himself; but this proved to be a disastrous move, as in it he lost nearly all of the hard earnings of his early life. Nothing daunted by his mis- fortune, he resolved to seek his fortune in the West, and in Mareh, 1856, landed in Jefferson township, Bremer county, where he bought land on seetion 33, on which he has resided ever sinee. In 1852, he was married to Miss Eliza J. Miller, a native of Brooklyn, born July 18, 1830. The

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 120

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