History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 123

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 123
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 123

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).

Joseph Bowen, one of the leading farm- ers of Lafayette township, was born in Wethersfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 5, 1832. He is a son of Peleg and Rachel (Bennett) Bowen, both natives of the Buckeye State. His father died in Butler county, in 1879; and his mother still lives in Shell Rock. In 1846, the family moved to Pennsylvania, where Joseph remained until 1855, when he came to Butler county, Iowa, and worked at his trade (carpenter's) until 1865. He then settled on section 22, Lafayette township, and now owns a fine farm of 195 acres. Mr. Bowen has held the office of town- ship trustee, several times. He was mar- ried in October, 1852, to Miss Merilla Bussey, a. native of Trumbull county,

Ohio. Of their four children, James H., Elmer S., and Sarah Alice are living. His wife died April 7, 1865. In October, 1865, hc was married to Sarah A. Miller, a native of Ohio. Four children have blessed this union -Nettie May, Minnie Florence, Edith L., and Lelland P., who died March 1, 1871.

Eri Terry, son of David and Elinor (Wells) Terry, was born in Otsego county, New York, March 3, 1827. The family soon after removed to Courtland county, and in 1840 to McHenry county, Illinois; herc Eri remained until 1855, when he came to Bremer county, and settled in Polk township the following fall, residing there until 1880, when he moved to section 2, Lafayette township, although he still retains the ownership of his first farm, and has 230 acres in the county. Mr. Tery held the office of justice, several years, was twice elected supervisor, beside several of the minor town offices. In 1850 he was married to Miss Cornelia Madole, a native of New York State, who bore him four children-Arthur Hugh, Elsie Adelle, Mina Estellc and David Orr. Mrs. Terry died November 27, 1871. Mr ._ Terry's father is still living, at a very advanced age, 83.

ORGANIC.

The first election held in this township, as organized, with its present boundaries, was at Stephenson and Dndgcon's Mill, December 25, 1858. The officers appointed to hold said election werc as follows :- Judges of election, Jas. Andrews, W. V. Lucas and Samuel Pratt; clerks, S. B. Ostrander and W. A. Pelton. The follow-

W. M. Colton

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

ing persons were made township officers: Justices of the peace, W. W. Norris and L. B. Ostrander; constables, N. A. Millet and Henry Eveland; trustees, Thomas Dudgcon, Samuel Lease, William Vande- ver; clerk, W. V. Lucas. The list of offi- cers from that time to the present, are as follows:

1860-James Skillen, justice of the pcacc; H. H. Cave and W. P. Stephenson, constables; Scoville Shattuck, John Wiles and Daniel Briggs, trustees; W. V. Lucas, clerk, and James Andrews, assessor.

1861-Robert J. Stephenson, township supervisor; Scoville Shattuck and L. B. Ostrander, justices; Wm. Vandever, Wm.Norris and Thomas Dudgeon, trustees; H. H. Cave, assessor; Samuel Pratt, clerk; Wm. Vandever and James Skillen, con- stables.

1862-Thomas Downing, supervisor; Gco. B. Miller, assessor; H. H. Cave, clerk, but failed to qualify, and Samuel Pratt was appointed in his stead; W. A. Miller and John F. Lees, constables; Samuel Wil- son, Daniel Walters and James Skillen, trustces.

1863-Philander Ingersoll, supervisor, Samuel Pratt, clerk; John Will, assessor; he afterwards resigned, and Samuel Pratt was appointed to fill the vacancy; Scoville Shattuck and A. H. Fleischer, justices; Thomas Dudgcon and John F. Lees, con- stables; Samuel K. Evcland, N. A. Miller and Farman Dudgeon, trustees; the two last resigned, and Henry Eveland and John F. Lces were appointed.

1864-Philander Ingersoll, supervisor; Jolın Cockman, clerk; James Skillen, as- sessor; Wm. Vandever, Joshua Stufflc- beam and Solomon Renn, trustees.

1865-G. W. Leap and John F. Lees, justices; Joshua - Stufflebeam, John Wile and Daniel Walters, trustees; John Cock- man, clerk; S. C. Krieger, assessor; Jacob M. Eveland and Thomas C. Stephenson, constables.

1866-Norman Reeves, supervisor; James Andrews, clerk; James M. Deyoe, assessor; Wm. Westervelt, justice; Nor- man Sherman, Edward Fairhurst and Daniel Hurlbut, trustees.

1867-James Andrews, clerk; Edward Fairhurst, assessor; James S. Conner, S. Grover and Joseph Bowen, trustees; Wm. Somberger and Norman Sherman, justices; P. H. Cave and Mason F. Spauld- ing, constables.

1868-James Andrews, clerk; S. Terry, assessor; James S. Connor, justice; George C. Stephenson, supervisor; Thomas Mono- gue and John Abraham, constables; James S. Conner, Sanford Vosseler, and G. D. Russell, trustees.

1869-Seth L. Foster, Calvin Kingsley, and Amos Hurlbut, trustees; Sanford Vos- seler, and James Andrews, justices; John Vosseler, and William A. Pelton, consta- bles; Otis Clark, clerk, and Stillman Terry, assessor.

1870-Otis Clark, supervisor; D. H. Chambers, S. G. Miller, and N. B. Marsh, trustecs; Norman Sherman, justice; C. D. Russell, and J. E. Lucas, constables; James Andrews, clerk, and James S. Conner, as- sessor.

1872-William H. Joncs, and Jonathan Freeman, justices; John Vosseler and H. H. Cave, trustees; John Cockman, clerk; William H. Jones, assessor; D. C. Jones, constable.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

1873 -- William C. Colton, and M. M. Watkins, justices; S. G. Miller, N. F. Bowen, and Noel Rew, trustees; John Cockman, clerk; Joseph Jewell, assessor; Calvin S. Colton, and J. S. Chambers, con- stables.

1874-Daniel Platt, and M. M. Watkins, justices; George R. Haner, assessor; Jon- athan Freeman, clerk; P. H. Caves, Calvin Kingsley, and G. C. Stephenson, trustees; James Andrews, and J. S. Chambers, con- stables.

1875-G. C. Stephenson, and D. B. Fox, justices; N. L. Shaw, assessor; John Cock- man, clerk; G. R. Haner, P. H. Cave, and Joseph Bowen, trustees; H. H. Cave, and Joseph Chambers, constables.

1876-G. C.Stephenson, and II. II. Cave, justices; G. R. Haner, assessor; Harvey Fuller, clerk; G. S. Miller, N. B. Marsh, and H. H. Cave, trustees; G. C. Chambers, and N. R. Haner, constables.

1877-Parker Lucas, justice; H. B. Mil- ler, assessor; John Cockman, clerk; G. R. Haner, Joseph Chambers, and Lawrence Rew, trustees.

1878-George C. Stephenson and Charles Schlaberg, justices; William B. Brown, assessor; John Cockman, clerk; Jonathan Freeman, James M. Deyoe and Marvin Hurlbert, trustees; Charles Pratt and John Mott, constables.

1879-M. M. VanDorn, justice; N. A. Reeves, assessor; John Cockman, clerk; trustee for three years, William Colton.

1880-Trustee for three years, A. H. Sheldon; John Cockman, clerk for three years; J. M. Deyoe, assessor; J. C. Steph- enson aud G. R. Haner, justices; John Mott and Charles L. Pratt, constables.

The present officers are as follows: Trustees: H. H. Cave, Solomon Renn and A. H. Shelden; clerk, John Cockman; as- sessor, H. B. Miller; justices, G. C. Stev- enson, George R. Haner; constables, Charles Chambers and John Barrick.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school taught on the west side of the river, was in a log house owned by William R. Lucas, on section 17, during the winter of 1856-7, by the widow Fisher. The first school taught on the east side of the river was in a frame building on land now owned by Joseph Bowen, on section 22, during the winter of 1857-8 by Mr. Brewer. This house was burned in 1864. There are now nine schoolhouses in the township, built at an average cost of $600 each.

FIRST THINGS. 1

The first religious service was held at the house of Mason Evcland, during the spring of 1853, by Rev. Andrew Goforth, a 7 Baptist minister.

The first marriage was that of Aricl Rima to Miss Harrict Freeman, at the resi- dence of H. Waters, on section 15, in 1855. These parties now live in California.

The first birth was a son to E. M. Wright, in 1852. This child died in about three months, and was the first death in the township. He was buried in the woods on section 15, but the remains were after- ward moved to section 22.

Another early death was that of Miss W. O. Edgington, January, 1855. She was buried in the Spring Lake Cemetery. This was the first interment on those grounds. This burial place was not laid out until some years later.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

RELIGIOUS.

Services of this character had been held from time to time, at the dwellings of dif- ferent early settlers, but in 1858,an organ- ization was effected, with Rev. Jas. Skillen as leader. Among the first members were Wm. R. Lucas and wife, Parker Lucas and- wife, Scoville Shattuck and wife, John Nile and wife, Wm. V. Lucas and wife, and John Gilmore and wife. The first meetings were held in the Spring Lake Schoolhouse. In 1862 the organization was discontinued.

SPRING LAKE POSTOFFICE.

This office was established in 1857, and Edward Fairhurst was appointed postmas- ter. It was located on section 17, at the residence of Mr. Fairhurst. He was suc- . ceeded by H. H. Cave; he, in turn, by Johu Cockman. It was discontinued May 3, 1873. Each of the postmasters kept the office at his residence.

CEMETERIES.

There are two cemetcries in this town- ship-one located on the southeast corner of section 17, in which Mrs. W. O. Edg- ington was the first to receive burial. The other is known as "Andrew's Cemetery," and is located on the southeast quarter of section 15, and was platted in 1865. The first interment was Emma, infant daughter of Joseph Brown, who died December 30, 1865, aged three months and fifteen days.

GENERAL MATTERS.

A saw-mill was built in this township in 1858, by Dr. Burbanks, Mr. Foster, Thomas

Downing and Alfred Godridge, on section 28, on land entered by Mason Eveland, and now owned by Calvin S. Colton. The machinery was taken away and the site abandoned, in 1867.

The Stephenson steam saw-mill . was built in 1857, by William and William P. Stephenson. It was a thirty horse-power, of Woodbury & Company's patent. It was first located on the west side of the Cedar river, on section 8, where it re- mained six months, and was then moved to the east side, on section 16. This oc- curred during the spring of 1858, which was an extremely wet season. The Cedar river was very high, and to move so large a mill was a great undertaking. But William Stephenson was equal to the oc- casion. The wood-work was removed without much difficulty, but the removal of the boiler seemed to be an impossibility. The river was so high that the water backed up in the slough on which the mill stood, and surrounded it, up to the top of the bed on which the boiler rested. He corked the boiler, made it air tight, rolled it from its bed into the water, and floated it down, about a milc and one-half, to a point opposite its present location, where it was pulled out. The settlers turned out to see Stephenson's boiler sink when com- mitted to the water, but their feelings can be better imagined than described, when it glided smoothly on the water, like so much wood. It was owned by the partics named for the greater part of the time, and in 1879, was torn down and moved to Wisconsin.

.. .

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXV.

LEROY TOWNSHIP.

This township lies near the northeast corner of the county, Sumner intervening on the east; on the north is Chickasaw county; on the west, Frederika township; on the south, Fremont and Dayton. It has an area of twenty-one and one-half sec- tions of land, or about 13,760 acres. It is watered by two small creeks, having their source in Chickasaw county, and making confluence near the south line of section 23, and passing out in one stream on the east half of section 34.

The soil is a dark, sandy loam, under- lain with clay. About eighteen inches from the surface is a "hard-pan," generally about four inches thick.

The township was originally about one- half covered with timber; but much of this has now been cut away. The surface is gently undulating, though there is some waste land, too wet for cultivation, not being sufficiently drained. The inhabitants are of a mixed class, mostly Germans and Irish.

EARLY SETTLELMENT.

The first settlement was made in June, 1854, by Patrick O'Day, locating on sec- tion 2, where he yet lives; W. A. Moulton, Emmor Flood and Nelson Long, on sec- tion 13.

Patrick O'Day was born February 15, 1824, in the Parish of Parteen, county

Clare, Ireland. He is the son of P. O'Day and Kate Frost, natives of the county Clare. In 1849, he emigrated with his family to America, landing in New York July 4, and without waiting any time started for the west, remaining in Chicago about three months, then went south and worked for Captain J. B. Eads upon a wrecking boat on the Mississippi river, making his home at St. Louis and New Orleans. He was married in Chicago in August, 1850, to Miss Mary Foley, daughter of Hugh F. and Bridget Foley, a native of county Clare, Ireland, by whom he has had ten children-Robert, Hattie Kate, Mary, William and Anne. About two years after marriage, Mr. O'Day came with his family to Bremer county, and settled on the land in Leroy township, where he has since resided. At the time of his coming to the township he found only one family. Mr. O'Day is one of the leading farmers of his township, has at the present time 613 acres of prairie, and 120 of timber. The year after Mr. O'Day came to America he was followed by his father, mother and three brothers, who came to Illinois, where his mother died, when they all came to Bremer county, his father dying April 16, 1876. Mr. O'Day has held several local offices; has always worked with the democratic party, but is

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

1125

now.a greenbacker. Himself and family are members of the Catholie Church.

W. A. Moulton remained here until 1865 when he removed to Missouri. The place is now owned by W. B. Barnes, who oc- cupies it. Emmor Flood still remains on the old homestead, and Nelson Long also remains on section 13. In September, 1854, J. N. Fowle, Nathaniel J. Perry, D. C. Thompson and Stephen Parkhurst ar- rived. Fowle located on section 1, where he remained about one year, when he left for parts unknown, having platted a town on another man's land, and sold lots to different parties. This place was ealled Leroy.

Perry made his selection on the same section, where he remained a number of years, when he went to Missouri. Mr. Pelton now occupies the land. Thompson located on the same section, but left years ago.

Stephen Parkhurst settled on section 12, remained a number of years, went to Os- caloosa, where he has since died.

Later in the fall, Abram Watenpaugh, from Illinois, with his family, located on seetion 25, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1858. Cyrus Od- ivene settled on the same'section, re- mained . a number of years, and removed to Kansas.

Robert Brodie, who came in 1854, was born in the Parish of Peeble, Peebleshire, Scotland, May 25,.1827. He is a son of Charles B. and Christina (Lockie) Brodie, natives of Scotland. His mother died, in her native land, in 1828, and the following year the family emigrated to Canada, and settled near New Market, in Upper Canada. When about seven years of age he left Can-

ada to reside with an elder sister, then married, and living at Buffalo, New York, where he grew up, received a common school education, and learned the trade of stone-cutting, after which he traveled through Virginia and the Middle States, working at his trade. Mr. Brodie was married, April 27, 1850, to Miss Isabella J. Napier, born November 4, 1828, in Scotland. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are living-Marga- ret, born October 19, 1871; Isabella J., born August 30, 1853, and died January 23, 1856; Charles J., born August 24, 1862. October 6, 1855, he came to Bremer county, and located on the farm where he now re- sides. In the spring of the following year he returned to New York, to bring out his family. Coming right back, he began breaking his land and building his house. At that time there were only about ten buildings in the township. He has 800 acres of land. Mrs. Brodie is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Brodie is a republican.

Mr. Stein arrived in this township in 1854, from Illinois, and settled on section 24, where he remained a few years, and then went to Kansas.

John Bingham came in the spring of 1855, from Waukegan, Illinois, and made seleetion in section 24, afterward moved to Sumner, and is now dead.

A. S. Funston was a settler of 1854, from Illinois. He made a selection on section 13, where he remained many years, but finally removed to Washington Terri- tory.

Patriek Griffin came from Illinois, in 1854, and took a claim on seetion 11, where he still remains. He spent the

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

first winter in a hay-stack, digging out a hole sufficiently large for himself and fam- ily.

E. Watenpaugh settled, in 1855, on section 24, where he yet lives.

Joseph Reddington, from Indiana, set- tled on section 25, where he remained a few years, and then went to Benton county.

During the summer of 1854, Isaac Gard and family came from Illinois, and set- tled on section 36. Here he remained until fall, then removed to section 25, hav- ing sold his original claim to Robert Brodie. He remained on section 25 about two or three years, when he, with William Willey, who had settled also on section 25, were arrested and sent to the peniten- tiary, having been connected with a famous band of horse thieves, which gave much trouble in an early day through this part of Iowa. When arrested, these par- ties were taken to Independence, and, after the preliminary examination, they both broke jail, but did not succeed in making escape, but were captured in Win- nesheik county, and again placed in jail. Mr. Gard died in the penitentiary, and Mr. Willey was released before his time expired, and died very soon afterward.

James Wilson came from Ohio with a family, with teams, in the spring of 1854, and located on section 19, where he re_ mained until 1865, and then removed to Missouri. The place is now owned by Jo- seph Dilley.

Joseph Carter came at that time, from the same State, and located on the same section. He removed to Missouri in 1865.

Peter H. Wilson arrived from Lowell, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1854, with his family, and located on section 19, where he continued until 1864, when he moved to Waverly, remained one year, and then went to New Hampshire, where he died.

C. C. Sweet was a settler on section 18, in the fall of 1865. He was from Ohio, and remained on this place until about 1867, when he became insane, and was re- moved to the asylum at Mt. Pleasant, and thence to Independence, where he yet re- mains.

Section 1 received a settler in the sum- mer of 1854, in the person of H. C. Moore, who remained thereon about ten years, when he went to Waverly, stayed a few years, and then removed to Oskaloosa, where he now resides.

Adam Brodie came from Illinois, and settled on section 30, in 1854; he remained until 1865, when he went to Waverly, where he has a blacksmith shop.

The settlement of this township was slow, and it was many years before the land was fully occupied.

At the date of its first settlement, the nearest postoffice was Auburn, Fayette county. The people used to take turns go- ing for the mails. In many instances the trip was made on foot, requiring two days.

E. Watenpaugh was born in Cataraugus county, New York, February 22d, 1835. . He is a son of Isaac and Zoa (Thrall) ·Watenpaugh. When five years of age he came with his parents to Illinois and set- tled in Kane county, where his parents en- tered land and turned their attention to farming. In 1856 he left home and came to Bremer county, where his brother had

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

'preceeded him about two years. For the next two years his time was fully occupied in breaking his land and getting his house in order. September 23, 1859, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Watenpaugh, widow of A. A. Watenpaugh, by whom he has had four children-Fields A., Clara E., now the wife of John Dawson, Jr., Della M., and Zoa M. Mr. Watenpaugh has 297 aeres of land in Leroy township. His present handsome residenee, he built in 1866. He enlisted October 1st, 1864, in Company B, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and served until July of the following year, when he was mustered out at Louis- ville, Kentucky. Mr. Watenpaugh served as township trustee, assessor and justice of the peace for four years. In polities Mr. Watenpugh is a stauneh republiean. Robie J., now the wife of Matthew Tay- lor, is the daughter of Mrs. Watenpaugh, by her first husband.

Nelson Long, son of Philip and Mary (Flood) Long, was born September 19th, 1828, in Hampshire county, Virginia. His education was obtained in his native county, where he lived nntil 1850, when he came to Iowa and located in Washing- ton county, where he remained until the fall of 1854. In February of the fol- lowing year, he entered 120 aeres of land on seetion 18, Leroy township, where he now lives, but at the present date, owns 92} aeres. Mr. Long was married to Mrs. Anna Husband, in 1871, and they have one child-Herbert.

Charles Brodie was born in Scotland, March 17, 1818. When he was thirteen years old, the family left their home, and erossing the Atlantie, settled in Upper Can-

ada. Charles remained with his parents

but one year, then went to Buffalo, New York, and learned the trade of masonry. He spent a number of years in that eity, and afterward was engaged in building railroads. During the year 1854, he in company with Mr. Napier, began building the first bridge aeross the Mississippi river at St, Paul, Minnesota. He did much of the mnason work on the Lake Shore rail- road, and also was engaged in bridge building, in the State of Indiana. For some time he had charge of the stone work on the new Illinois State penitentiary. During the year 1869, he came to Bremer county, and settled on seetion 31, Leroy township, where he now owns 320 aeres of land, all of which is under eultivation. Mr. Brodie was married in 1838, to Miss Giselda Napier, whose place of birth was Nova Scotia. They have three children living-Ray, Zella and Franees E.

FIRST THINGS.

The first marriage in the township was J. N. Fowle to Miss Nannie Page; the ceremony was performed by Judge J. Farris.

The first birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Isaae Gard, in January, 1855, on sec- tion 36.

The second person born in the township was Hattie O'Day, daughter of P. O'Day, April, 1855.

The first death was that of Mrs. Isaae Gard, in January, 1855; her remains were buried on seetion 25.

The first school taught in the township was in distriet No. 1, by Mrs. Perkins, of Waverly. The school was elosed sud- denly, after teaching about two weeks- number of seholars in attendance, eight.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

The first postoffice was Leroy.

The first saw-mill was built by N. J. Fowlc and others, and was in operation in the spring of 1855. Another saw-mill was in running order soon afterward, at Pinhook, and was erected by Thomas and William Riley.

The first school-house was built during the summer of 1856, on the southeast cor- ner of section 13.

The second death was Norman B. Rog- ers, in July, 1855.

The first store was opened at Leroy; the two next at Pinhook; the last by Sweet and Hatch.

The first blacksmith shop was opened by Adam Brodie, on land now owned by Mr. Cameron.

EDUCATIONAL.

There are now four school houses in this township, located on sections 12, 24, 36 and 15, the latter being controlled by Frederika township. The school houses are all good framc buildings well fur- nished. Its educational facilities compare favorably with other localities.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice is located at Leroy. Daniel Hatch was the first postmaster; he was succeeded by A. S. Funston, E. Fay, Henry Dunn, John Bingham, W. B. Barnes, Joel Clingensmith, and the pres- cnt incumbent, Mrs. Charles Countryman.

RELIGIOUS.

Services were held at the school house on southeast corner of section 13, by the Methodists,at an carly day. Rev. Moulton, a Baptist minister, came to the township in

1855. The United Brethern held some services about the same time.

St. Mary's Catholic Church was estab- lished in 1869, and the congregation erec- ted a building on section 13, at a cost of about $1,000. Services are held once a month, the pricst coming from Fairbank. The membership is one hundred and fifty, with an average attendance of eighty. The house has a seating capacity for one hundred and twenty-five.

St. John German Lutheran Church was organized in 1875. The first pastor was Theodore Hanshke, who is still in charge. This society crected a building, in 1879, on section 30, at a cost of $1,500. Services arc regularly held every Sabbath, and there is a membership of fifty families. In con- nection with this organization a day school is taught by the pastor, having an attend- ance of twenty-five scholars. Henry Ked- ing and August Kirkchmann are trustees, and Henry Stager, treasurer.

VILLAGE OF BREMER CENTRE.

This place was located on land belong- ing to W. A. Moulton, who caused the vil- lage to be platted about 1857. Some bus- iness was transacted here about that time. A store was opened by Mr. Pratt, who only remained a short time. Another store was established by Hatch & Sweet, who re- mained in business abouttwo years. There was also a blacksmith shop. The place is now entirely deserted

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 123

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