History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 124

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 124
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 124

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).

BREMER CENTRE CLASS UNITED BRETHEREN IN CHRIST.

This organization was effected during the summer of 1857 by Rev. B. Allen, with the following membership: M. T. Baker, Henry Lease, Jr., Mary Lease,

Harney Faller

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

John Hall, Sarah Hall and others. M. T. Baker was the first class-leader and stew- ard. Services were held at the house of D. R. Hatch and C. C. Sweet, in Bremer Centre. The following named persons have administered to the spiritual wants of this people for the time named: Rev. B. Allen, four months; James Murphy, two years; John Dollarhide, six months; J. S. Brown, six months; O. R. Robbins, one year; John Rowen, one year; John Buckmaster, one year; J. W. Young, six months; E. A. Howe, eighteen months; H. C. Baker, one year; E. A. Howe, again one year; E. P. Mead, two years; D. Bolster, one year; Simon George, one year; D. M. Harvey, one year; M. M. Taylor, one year; R. D. McCormack, one

year; George Harding, one year; W. H. Wagoner, three years; J. Baskerville, six months, and W. H. Wagoner, again one year, and he is the present pastor. During the autumn of 1857, under the labors of Rev. James Mur- phy, quite an interesting revival was experienced by this church, much interest was manifested and about sixty additions to the society were made. There is no regular house of worship. The present officers are-John F. Smith, class-leader; Henry Lease, Jr., class-steward. There is a membership at the present time, of twen- ty-four, and the church is in a fairly pros- perous condition. There was a Sunday School organized during the summer of 1858, with M. T. Baker as superintendent.

CHAPTER XXVI.

MAXFIELD TOWNSHIP.

This is a full Congressional township, having thirty-six sections of land, or about 23,040 acres. It is strictly an agricultural township, having within its boundaries no town or railroad. It is watered by Crane Creek, which flows from the north, through the centre, leaving on section 34. The soil is a very rich, dark loam.

The inhabitants are almost exclusively German, noted for thrift, and as being successful farmers. Houses and barns, of goodly proportions, farms well tilled, and granaries well filled, are noticeable fea- tures in this community.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlements made in this town- ship was in 1855. With few exceptions, the first settlers were from Cook county, Illinois, but of German birth or descent. The following named were. among the number arriving here between the years 1855 and 1860:

Christian Neverman, deceased; Christ Wente, Sr., deceased; Chr. Engelbecht, deceased; J. Griese, deceased; Christoph Kebe, T. Moltger, moved to Black Hawk county; Fr. Koelling, Chr. Kierk, de- ceased; W. Wente, John Kebe, moved to

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Black Hawk eounty; W. Blasberg, Henry Graening, John Moehling, moved to Fre- mont township; J. W. Matthias, W. Mat- thias, deceased; Fr. Oltrogge, A. Fegt- meyer, H. Fegtmeyer, H. Meier, H. Bur- ges, deceased, J. P. Burgess, deceased; John Huchnerberg, N. Leroy, Jr., H. Wil- kening, Fremont township; H. Heine, moved to Warren township; C. Pighs, H. Sehumaeher, Ph. Knief, moved to Fayette county; II. Risck, deceased; Fr. Hage- mann, John Oltrogge, deceased; Conrad Oltrogge, Philip Oltrogge, deeeased; Christian Buhr, Sr .; Christoph Rohlering, Fremont township; Henry Boedester, moved to Kansas; Conrad Bentrott, de- ceased; Henry Pook, H. H. Leegers, Henry Sehroeder, John Grupe, deceased; John Helle, deceased; H. Steege, deceased; Edward Huebner, H. Roever, Geo. Knief, Joaeh Wittenburg, John Graf, moved to Cedar Falls; Henry Bivauk, deceased; John Sehoof, Fred. Westendorf, Ernst Brandt, moved to Jefferson township; J. H. Leegers, F. Kelling. All these settled, from 1855 to 1860, in the township, and with a few exceptions, they came from Cook county, Illinois.

FIRST THINGS.

Caroline Wente, daughter of W. and Frederika (Clausing) Wente, was born on the 9th of June, 1855, and baptized in the presence of godfather Engel, Mary Bruns, Sophie Wente and Mary Nevermann, and lives on section 18.

The first marriage was that of Fred Hageman and Dorothea King, on the 11th day of April, 1857, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Graetsel.

The second marriage was that of John Bruns and Elenore Grupe, who were united by Rev. Ch. Kessler, June 10, 1859.

The first creamery was established in the spring of 1880, and was built by Little & Huebner. In 1881 Mr. Little bought the interest of his partner, and is now the ex- elusive owner of the factory. An average of 1,400 pounds of butter is made per week.

The second creamery was established in the spring of 1881 by Huebner & Leehase. Two thousand pounds of butter is made each week.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school house in the township was built, in eonneetion with the church building, in the spring of 1857, [See his- tory of the St. John's Congregation, Ger- man Lutheran Church.] and school was taught by the Rev. Graetsel. In 1865 a school house was ereeted on the southwest quarter of section 17, for the purpose of holding an English and German school combined. In 1866 this building was moved to the church lot, on seetion 19. At present there are six public, and three private school buildings, and one church which is used, during the winter, for school purposes.

POSTOFFICE.

A postoffice was established in the town- ship in April, 1873, under the name of Maxfield postoffice. H. Baumteath was the first postmaster. He resigned, in the spring of 1875, and Rev. P. Bredow took charge of the office. He was succeeded, in 1877, by the present postmistress, Mrs. Emily Bredow.

1133

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

CEMETERIES.

There are four cemeteries in the town- ship. The first is located on the grounds of the St. John's Congregation, German Evangelical Lutheran Church, on section 19.

The second is located on the church grounds of the Evangelical United Ger- man, St. Paul's Congregation.

The third is located on the church grounds of the Evangelical Lutheran, Emanuel's Congregation, on section 26.

The fourth is located on the church grounds of the Evangelical Lutheran, St. Matthew's Congregation.

ST. JOHN'S CONGREGATION GERMAN EVAN- GELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHI. By Rev. P. Bredow.

The first religious mecting for the early settlers, was held in a private building, section 18, owned by John Mochling, and was conducted by Rev. N. Volkert, who was called from Schaumburg, Cook county, Illinois, for a special service. He was the pastor of the early settlers when they lived in Cook county. He preached on Sunday April 24, 1856, baptized ten children and celebrated the Lord's Supper. Fifty persons were admitted: Christoph Kebe and wife, H. Graening and wife, H. Moeller and wife, F. Noettger and wife, Christ Wente and wife, Christ Neverman and wife, Char. Riech, Char. Engelbreths and wife, W. Wente and wife, Joh. Kehe, John' Griese and wife, F. Kolling, H. Meier and wife, W. Blasberg and wife, C. Brans, wife and son, J. Mochling and wife, A. Burgess, J. Wolfrath, W.Matthias, F. Bruns and wife, W. Matthias, Henry Rietk, A. Tegtmeyer and wife, H. Tegt-

meyer and wife, Joh. Huehnerberg and wife, Fr. Ottrogge and wife, N. Burgess, H. Wilkening and wife.

Before Christmas, 1856, they called Rev. Gractsel for their own minister. The meetings were held in different private buildings up to spring of 1857, when they built a house, 16x24 and 14 feet high, on southeast side of section 19, where Mr. Charles Bruns, one of the members, made a donation of five acres of land for church property. The upper part of the building was used for church meetings and school, and the lower for parsonage. The house was torn down in the spring of 1879.

Rev. Graetsel, a member of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, after finding the work and trouble of a minister in starting a new congregation, too hard, resigned in 1858, promising the congregation to send a successor, but failed to do it. The congregation therefore wrote to the president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, of Iowa, Rev. E. Gross- man, that time in Clayton county, Iowa, in order to get a minister from this Synod. He sent there in fall, 1859, Rev. P. Klein- lein, whom they called for their own minister. One half year before Mr. Kleinlein came, Rev. G. Grossman, Pro- fessors Rev. Sigmund and Gottfried Fritschee, served. In the year 1860, the parsonage was enlarged by a brick build- ing 16x18, and a new church was built, a frame building 30x50, 14 feet high, with a little steeple on the roof, where meetings are held at present.

The congregation grew larger and larger every year, by those coming in from Cook county, Illinois, and from the old country. The highest number of members

1134

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

was in 1869, being about 125 families. In the fall of 1865, Rev. P. Kleinlein re- signed, in regard to family circumstances, and Rev. Schieferderke, from Altenburg, Perry county, Missouri, was called and ar- rived here in April, 1866, the vacancy in the meantime was filled by Rev. Flachen- erker, a missionary who came from the In- dian Territory. Rev. Schieferderke, who was sixty years of age, could not stand the cold and icy prairie winds and therefore moved, in the winter of 1867, to La Salle county, Illinois. The congregation united in the calling of the Rev. L. Schorr, of McGregor, Iowa, who arrived at the begin- ning of the year 1868. He was an excel- lent pastor and a gifted orator, but suffered much from his liver and lungs, his disease finally ending with consumption and death, December 25, 1870. . The congregation called Rev. A. Preller; professor of the college at Galena, Illinois. He, after stay- ing ten months, went back to the college, and Rev. P. Bredow, from Dubuque, Iowa, was called, who arrived January 1, 1872, and is at present pastor of the congregation. In the summer of 1872, the congregation built a new parsonage, 24x36, and 18 feet high; also, in 1878, a house for their teacher, 16x26, 14 feet high, with an addi- tion of 12x14 for a kitchen. In the sum- mer of 1881, a new school house was built, 24x36, and 12 feet high, and the old school house was sold and moved away. A new organ for the church was bought in 1877, at a cost of $380, and a new bell weighing 800 pounds, in place of the old one.

The teaching of the youths was at first done by the ministers of the congregation, up to the year 1862, when Mr. G. Jaukel became teacher. He was followed by Mr.

John Hopke, and he by Mr. Koehler. They did not have any extra teacher until the fall of 1871, when A. Brumbach was called and took charge of the school Octo- ber 1, 1871, remaining until the spring of 1875, when he went to the Theological Seminary at Mendota, Illinois, to prepare himself for the holy ministry. His suc- cessor was A. Brandenburg, a regular edu- cated German teacher, who is in his posi- tion at present. The number of children of the school ranged from sixty to eighty, during the term of eleven months per year. The present number of church members, after establishing several other Lutheran churches in the neighborhood, is about eighty families®

The present officers of the congregation are: President, Christ. Wente; secretary, William Ottrogge; treasurer, H. C. Wente; trustees, E. Brandt, H. Bruns, W. Milins; deacons, J. Bruns, J. Schoof, H. Selgers, H. Meier.

The United Evangelical, St. Paul's Church, on section 18, was organized Jan- uary 22, 1862, by Fred. Bruns, HI. Pook, H. Steege and others. The church and parsonage combined was built in the sum- mer of 1863, and dedicated October 25, 1863, by Rev. S. Hartman, of Chicago. The first minister was Rev. G. Geckler. His successors were, Revs. Weidbrecht, Israel, Rausch, Hafenbrack, Hagemann and Severinger, the present pastor of the church. The church now has fifty-six members. Its present officers are: Presi- dent, C. Clausing; Secretary, H. Pook; Treasurer, H. Schumache; deacons, H. Bauman, H. Haase; trustees, H. Moehling, George M. Eyer, J. Homrighaus.

1135

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

St. Matthew Congregation, Evangelieal Lutheran Church, was organized by Rev. P. Bredow, in 1878. The first members were Henry Buhr, W. Buhr, W. Stroff- man, Jolın Tieds, Henry Tieds and others. The church, 20x30 feet, and the parsonage, 16x22 feet, were built in the summer of 1878. The first and present minister is Rev. L. Loberk. The church now has a membership of 40, and is connected with the Evangelieal Lutheran Synod of Iowa, and other States.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Rev. Paul Bredow, a native of Guelzon, Russia, was born in 1839. He attended the higher sehools in his native place and afterwards graduated from the Lutheran College, at Nenendettels, Bavaria. In 1861 he came to the United States, and, upon his arrival here, located in Portage City, Wiseonsin, where he began preach- ing the Gospel. Shortly after, he removed to Germantown, Wisconsin, engaging in missionary work. In October, 1862, he located in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he served seven eongregations, which were within a circle of one hundred and fifty miles, and spread over five counties. At the end of one and a half years, he received, and ae- cepted, a call from St. John's Congregation, at Dubuque, Iowa. There he continued for eight years and then accepted a call from the St. John's Congregation, in Max-

field township, Bremer eounty, where he has since remained. During his residence here, Mr. Bredow has organized six con- gregations, five in this eounty and one in Black Hawk county. He is a tireless worker in the eause of Christ, and is greatly beloved by all his people. In May, 1864, he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Emily Grassmann, a native of Hesse, Germany, and the eldest daughter of the president . of the Evangelieal Lutheran Synod, of Iowa and other States. Nine ehildren have blessed this union, seven of whom are now living-Herman, Julius, Agnes, Sophia, Gustof, Otto and Clara.

H. C. Wente was born December 6, 1848, in Cook county, Illinois. When he was but six years old, the family removed to Bremer county, Iowa, settling on seetion 18, Maxfield township. The son received a good education in the German language, and also obtained a common sehool educa- tion in the English tongue. He was mar- ried in 1872 to Miss Sophia Schroeder, who was born in Germany, but during her ehildhood, came with her parents to the United States, and wlien eight years old, settled with them in Maxfield township. They have one child-Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Wente are members of, and earnest workers in, the St. John's Evangelieal Lu- theran Church. In politics he is a repub- lican, and has several of the local offices.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVII

POLK TOWNSHIP.

This is a full Congresional township, | kind, and nearly everything planted, makes containing an area of thirty-six sections active, vigorous growth. The surface is neither level or rolling, but gently undula- ting, just cnough to secure adequate drainage, consequently there is but little waste land in the township. of land. It is the northwestern township in Bremer county, township 93, range 14 west, and bounded on the north by Chick- asaw county, on the west by Butler, on the south by Lafayette township, and on Along the Cedar river, mostly on the east side, is found an abundant supply of timber, consisting of hickory elm, rock elm, water clm, sugar maple, hackberry, jack oak, shellbark hickory, and black walnut, although the latter is now scarce. The woodman's axe has seemed to make, at times, sad havoc with this bountiful natural supply, but other trees spring up, rapidly assume goodly proportions, as if in defiance at man's attempt toward exter- mination. This strip of forest extends back from the river from one to two miles. Polk township is, therefore, well supplicd with timber. The population is mixcd, Americans predominating, and they are generally an enterprising, thrifty people. the east by Douglas. The Cedar river traverses this township, running through the western portion. Entering on section 5, it pursues a meandering course south- ward through sections 6, 7, 8, 18, 17, 20, 29, and leaving on section 33. One rail- road, a branch of the Illinois Central, passes through this territory, from north to south, nearly parallel with, and running on the west side of the stream. There are also two small creeks running diagonally through the township, from northcast to southwest, making confluence with the Cedar river on section 33. The soil is generally a sandy loam, and along the inain ridge, passing through the township, is underlain with limestone. On the bot- tom lands, the sub-soil is generally mixed EARLY SETTLEMENT. with clay. While the soil generally pre- The first settlement made in this town- ship was in 1851, by Allen Smith, Lloyd Smith, Stephen D. Jackson, Ezra Allen and their families, on the cast side of the river-Allen Smith, on scction 21, Stephen Jackson, on section 9, Ezra Allen, where the village of Horton now stands. sents an appearance of sandiness, upon closer observation it appears there is no more in most places than is necessary to render the land suitable for cultivation. It takes a good, bright, well-polished plow to scour. It is of the quick productive

1137

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Lloyd Smith was born in Virginia, in 1814. When he was quite young, the family left their old home for Illinois, and soon afterwards removed to Indiana, where he received a limited education in the log school house of that day, and grew to manhood. In 1842, he was married to Miss Sarah Allen, a native of North Carolina. In 1850, he came to the "Hawk- eye" State, and remained in Dubuque county with his father and brother, who had preceeded him, until the spring of the following year, when he eame to Polk township and settled on seetion 16, where he now has a comfortable house. Nine 1 children blessed this union, of whom Elizabeth Susan, Joseph L., Lneinda, James William, Milton, Jefferson, Rhoda Emeline and Mathew Allen, are living. In polities, Mr. Smith is a demoerat.

One of the pioneers of Bremer county, was Alexis Jackson, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, February 4, 1824. Ten years later the family removed to MeHenry county, Illinois, where Allen received a good common school education, and reached manhood's estate. February 3, 1848, he was united in wedloek with Miss Mary Hammer, a native of the State of Indiana, born April 12, 1828. In 1851, they came to Bremer county, Iowa, and in November of that year, settled on seetion 9, Polk township, where they lived, honored citizens, until their deaths. Mr. Jaekson died December 27, 1878, and his wife followed him, May 12, 1882. They were the parents of three children- Lueretia J., Elmira E. and Sylvester S. The daughters were born in McHenry county, Illinois, and the son, in Polk township, March 15, 1859, where he has

always resided. He obtained a good edu- eation,having attended the sehools of Plain- field, Bradford and Nashua. September 15, 1881, he was married to Miss Genevra M. Jordan, who was born in Ohio, in 1862.

Allen Smith remains on his original elaim.

S. D. Jackson sold out and moved to Missouri about twenty years ago. After- ward he returned to this State, and died in Greene county.

Ezra Allen moved to Kansas in June, 1856.

Gideon Phelps seleeted a home here on seetion 15, in 1853. His brother, Addison Phelps, eame here a short time previous and seeured a place on seetion 23, where he remained about two years and then re- moved to Minnesota, where he now lives.

Mr. Hosetuttles was a settler of 1852, and located about a mile from what is now Horton.

Seetion 14 received a settler in 1853, by the name of John Tyler. He remained about twenty years, and went to Minnesota where he died.

J. J. Corlett, a pioneer of Polk township, was born on the Isle of Man, in 1830. In 1847 he erossed the Atlantie, to America, and after spending some time in Milwau- kee, removed to Kenosha county, Wiseon- sin, and thenee to MeHenry county, Illinois. In 1851 he removed to Fayette county, Iowa, and two years later took the elaim where he now resides. Mr. Corlett was married to Miss Ellen Crane, in 1853. Six children have blessed their union, three of whom are now living-Alvaro, Enos and Millie. His wife died in 1871, and two years later he was married to

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Miss Margaret Jackson. They have one child-Jane.

Joseph Smith, who is one of Polk town- ship's old settlers, was born in Virginia in 1819. When Joseph was a child the fam- ily moved, first to Illinois, then to Ohio, and afterwards to Indiana, where they lived for a number of years. In 1843 he came to Iowa, and settled in Dubuque county, where he engaged in farming for ten years. At the expiration of that time he came to Bremer county, and settled in Polk township, where he has since lived, and now owns a fine farm of 320 acres, valued at $30 an acre. Mr. Smith was married in 1840 to Miss Rhoda Garner, who was born in Tennessee. Twelve chil- dren have been born to them, eleven of whom are now living-Mary A., Sarah, Amanda, Melinda, Gilbert, Eliza J., de- ceased; Charles, Alfred, George W., Car- oline, Robert A. and James H.

J. L. Smith, also an early settler, was born in Indiana, April 11, 1847. Three years after his birth, the family moved to Dubuque county, Iowa, and one year later, to Polk township, Bremer county, where the son obtained his education, and still resides. In 1868 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Catharine D. Cook, who was born in Pennsylvania. Four children -- Mollie, Lloyd F., Henry Allen and Sarah, have blessed their union. Mr. Smith is a democrat, and takes a deep interest in the politics of his county and town.

George Bowser came from the "Sucker" State, with his family, in 1854, and made a claim on section 22, where he remained fifteen years, then moved to Missouri, where he died.

The same year, and from the same State, came George Richey. He located on sec- tion 15, where he remained a few years, then moved about from place to place, and finally went to Kansas.

The same season, also, and from the same State, came Charles Woodcock, with his family, and settled on section 6. He remained here until his death, which oc- curred in the spring of 1882. A part of the old homestead is now occupied by his son. At the same time, and settling 011 the same section, came his brother-in-law, Mr. Hopkins. He afterward removed to Missouri. The claim is now occupied by Mr. Burgess.

William and Obed Gaines arrived in 1854, and located on section 7. Obed is now in Minnesota. William is yet a resi- dent of Bremer county.

Louis Wheeler, from Illinois, put in an appearance this same season, with his fam- ily, and established a home on section 18. He sold out and returned about twenty years ago. The place is now owned by Wesley Allen.

Section 27 received a settler the same year, in the person of Mr. Buckmaster, who died in a few years. A. Mr. Orth, of Ohio, jumped his claim, and it was transferred to other parties.

After this time settlers came in rapidly, and the township secured a class of citi- zens that will compare favorably with other early settlements of the county. Among the arrivals soon after the fore- going, were Nutting, Lane, Eldridge, Tape, Lease Brothers, and Cagley. Quite a number of sketches of representative men are appended. It is impossible to men- tion all, but a sufficient number are given

0.6 Harington

1141

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

to indicate the character of the settle- ment.

Robert Farnsworth, a native of Penn- sylvania, was born in 1822. He grew to manhood in the State of his nativity, where he received but a limited education. When seventeen months old, his father died, and, one month later, his mother also died. After the death of his parents, Robert lived with his grandfather until he was eight years old, at which time the grandfather also died. Robert was then "bound out" to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. At sixteen years of age, he turned his attention to farming, and afterwards was engaged in the iron works, in his native place. In 1855, he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and located in section 7, Washington township. There he re- mained until 1875, when he sold that farm and removed to Polk township, where he now owns 155 acres of well cultivated land. In 1846, he was married to Miss Mary Wolverton, a native of Pennsyl- vania. Seven children blessed this union -Teressa J., Harriet L., Martha P., Ella, Isaac W., Robert F. and Joseph Monroe. Mr. Farnsworth's wife died May 12, 1868, and, in 1877, he was married to Miss Sarah Hurlbut, a native of New York.

John K. Head, an early settler of Polk township, was born in New Hampshire in 1823. When he was quite young the fam- ily moved to Vermont, where they settled on a farm, and the son spent his time until seventeen years of age, attending school and helping his parents with the farm work. At that age he learned the carpen- ters' trade, and followed that occupation until 1850, when he spent two years in California, then returned to Vermont, and

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 124

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