History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 126

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 126
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 126

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).

Thomas Burgess, a native of New York State, was born April 9, 1831. When sixteen years old, he removed to the city of Buffalo, where he was "bound out" to learn the trade of a machinist. Upon reaching his majority, he removed to Illi- nois, and settled in Chicago, where he be- came master-machinist of the Galena Railroad. Subsequently, he came to Bre- mer county. During the year 1850, Mr. Burgess was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah J. Lay, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, but, when nine years old, re- moved to Buffalo, New York. They are thic parents of six children-Frank C., Anna, Thomas, Cora J., Carric J., and Freddy.

Charles Lay, the father of Mrs. Burgess, is a native of New York, born in 1812. There he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district schools. In 1836 le came west to Detroit, Michigan, where

he lived a short time, and then, after spend -. ing some time in various parts of the State, returned to Buffalo, New York, where he continued to reside until 1856, when he turned his steps westward. After spend- ing six years in Chicago, Illinois, he came to Polk township, where he has since re- sided, In 1833 Mr. Lay was married to Cynthia Hoag, a native of New York State. Five children were born to them-Mary Ann, Sarah Jane, Harriet, Angeline, and Maria. His wife departed this life, June 23, 1879.

Riley Pierce, one of the early settlers of Bremer county, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, September 4, 1835. He is a son of Luther and Clarissa (Wells) Pierce. His father is a native of Vermont, and his mother of New York. Three years after his birth, the family came west, and settled in DuPage county, Illi- nois, where Riley grew to manhood, receiv- ing a common school education, finished by an attendance of several terms at a seminary in Elgin. While making a short visit to Bremer county, in 1853, Mr. Pierce took a claim on section 19, Polk township, and in March, 1862, settled on his farm, where he still continues to re- side, and now owns 314 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation, and valued at $30 per acre. In September, 1862, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Vernilia Panton, a native of Michigan. Three children have blessed this union-William, Frank, and Vernon. They have, also, an adopted daughter-Ella. In politics Mr. Pierce is a greenbacker. He has held the office of assessor four terms. Mr. Pierce has an enviable local reputation for honesty and integrity, those who know him best,

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

speaking in strongest terms of his upright- ness and character.

C. O. Smith was born in New York March 6, 1824. He received a common school education in his native State, and there grew to manhood. When four years old his father died, and at eight years of age he began life for himself, working where he could until fourteen, when he began working for his board in the family of a Mr. Chauncey Wilmoth. He con- tinued with that gentlemen until twenty- one years of age, after which he spent three years in the State of Michigan, and upon returning to his native State, en- gaged in carpentering. In 1852 he was married to Miss Electa H. Clark, also a native of that State. Some years after his marriage, he turned his steps towards the setting sun, and in October, 1863, settled on section 11, Polk township, where he has since resided. Mr. Smith is a staunch republican, and takes quite an interest in the politics of his town. Two children- Brohelia Estella and Ora Clarence-have been born to this couple.

ORGANIC.

The first election in this township was held at the house of Lloyd Smith, in April, 1854. The following persons were ap- pointed to hold said election :- Judges, Allen Smith, Gideon G. Phelps, Alexes Jackson; clerks, Addison Phelps and J. S. Tylar. At this time the following persons were elected :-- Trustees, John S. Tylar, Allen Smith, Gideon G. Phelps; clerk, Addison Phelps; justices of the peace, Gideon G. Phelps and S. D. Jackson; con- stables, Lavinus Phelps and Spencer Jack- son.

The following is a list of persons elected in the township, at the dates named:

· 1862-Trustees, J. K. Head, Eri Terry, William H. Brooks; clerk, Adin Terry; assessor, O. C. Harrington; justices of the peace, Barnes Thompson, J. K. Head; con- stables, William H. Fish, Riley Pierce.

1863-Trustees, W. W. Gray, C. R. Hastings, J. K. Head; constables, A. B. Nutting, Wesley Allen; clerk, Adin Terry; township supervisor, Eri Terry.

1864-Trustees, William Farr, B. C. French, A. Dustin; clerk, Moses Little- field; assessor, Robert Taylor; justices, Barnes Thompson, Riley Pierce; consta- bles, G. W. Nafus, M. L. Jackman.

1865-Trustees, James Gibson, B. C. French; clerk, M. S. Littlefield; assessor, J. E. Callender; justices, Orrin West, J. P. Newell; constables, Wesley Allen, Obi- jah Lovejoy. At this election, J. K. Head was elected township supervisor.

1866-Trustees, Calvin Githel, Charles Lay, Joseph Shelden; clerk, J. J. Merrill; assessor, Barnes Thompson; justices, John Chapman, Charles Folks; constables, John Sanders, J. Y. Spalding.

1867-Trustees, W. A. Ladd, M. Currier, C. R. Hastings; clerk, J. J. Merrill; asses- sor, O. C. Harrington; justice, C. A. Brown; constables, Charles Morris, John Sanders. At this election Adin Terry was elected township supervisor.

1868-Trustees, J. P. Sanford, John Colony, Nelson Bement; clerk, J. J. Mer- rill; assessor, B. Thompson; justices, C. A. Brown, Charles Folks; constables, Jolin Sanders, W. H. Williams.

1869-Trustees, S. F. Spalding, David Beebe, Riley Pierce; clerk, M. S. Little-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

field; assessor, John K. Head; constables, John Sanders, A. W. Emily.

1870-Trustees, Orrin West, Walter M. Davis, John K. Head; clerk, M. S. Little- field; assessor, Barnes Thompson; justices, Warren Jones, David Brainard; consta- bles, A. W. Emily, Foster Flowers.

1871-Trustecs, Simon George, Orrin West, Joseph Harding; clerk, Henry Brainard; assessor, Riley Pierce; consta- bels, William Williams, John Sanders.

1872-Trustees, Adin Terry, W. B. Nat- ton, C. R. Hastings; clerk, M. S. Little- field; assessor, A. Larkin; justices, A. H. Fleisher, Charles Folks.

1873-Trustees, A. Larkin, C. R. Hast- ings, William Farr; clerk, Charles Folks; assessor, Allen Showalter; Justice, Joseph Harding; constables, Alfred Fuller, Os- man Dana.

1874-Trustees, A. Larkin, William Farr, David Beebe; clerk, [at this elcc- tion M. S. Littlefield, W. M. Davis and Charles Runyan were candidates for clerk. The vote between Littlefield and Davis being a tie, they received notices to meet at the town clerk's office and draw lots for the office. Mr. Littlefield not appear- ing, Mr. Davis was declared elected]; as- sessor, Barnes Thompson; justices, Joseph Hardin, Charles Folke; constable, A. Ful- ler.

1875-Trustees, A. Larkin, William Farr, David Beebe; clerk, William M. Davis; assessor, Barnes Thompson; jus- tices, Charles Folks, James Harding; con- stables, A. Fuller, George Orchard.

1876-Trustees, William Farr, E. A. Granger, W. B. Natton; clerk, J. M. Rob- erts; assessor, C. P. Trescott; justices, J.

M. Roberts, Joseph Harding; constables, W. H. Haviland, George Orchard.

1878-Trustees, A. B. Natton, E. A. Granger, A. Larkin; clerk, W. M. Davis; assessor, C. P. Trescott; justices, J. M. Roberts, Joseph Harding; constables, W. H. Haviland, George Orchard.

1877-Trustees, William Farr, E. A. Granger, W. B. Natton; clerk, Walter M. Davis; assessor, C. P. Trescott.

1878- Trustees, Adin Terry, C. P. Trescott, E. A. Granger; clerk, W. M. Davis; assessor, Riley Pierce; justices, J. M. Roberts, George Orchard; constables, A. O. Nutting, Charles Shields.

1879 - Trustees, Adin Terry, Allen Showalter; clerk, J. M. Roberts.

1880 - Trustees, Adin Terry, Orrin West, A. Larkin; clerk, W. M. Davis; assessor, A. W. Emily; justices, J. M. Roberts, George Orchard; constables, A. O. Nutting, E. S. Newcomb.

1881-Trustees, Orrin West, A. Larkin, John Cunningham; clerk, W. M. Davis; assessor, A. W. Emily; justices, J. M. Roberts, George Orchard; constables, A. O. Nutting, E. S. Newcomb.

1882-Trustees, John Cunningham, C. . R. Hastings and Orrin West; clerk, W. M. Davis; assessor, A. W. Emily; constables, A. O. Nutting, O. S. Newcomb; justices, George Orchard, J. M. Roberts.

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

The first postoffice established was Polk, in 1854, with S. D. Jackson as post- master. It was moved, in 1855, to the west side of the river, and Obed Gaines succeeded Mr. Jackson.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Horton postoffice was established in 1857, Lyman Nutting being the first post- master.

The first church organization in the township was Methodist, and was formed in 1854 ..

The first frame school house in the township was at Horton, in 1859.

The first church building was that of the Free-Will Baptist, in 1869.

The first school in this township was held in a log cabin built gratuitously for the purpose by the people. The doors and windows being furnished by the district, for which a tax was assessed. The building was completed and a summer school taught in 1854, by Mrs. Louisa

· Nutting. There was an attendance of about fifteen scholars. Mrs. Nutting is a daughter of J. H. Eldridge, who came from Illinois with her husband in 1854. She now lives at Sioux Falls, Dakota. This building was used for various pur- poses-educational, social, religious and political-until 1860, when a new build- ing was erected. The old building was used after this for a residence, and subse- quently burned.

A saw mill was built at Horton in the winter of 1855-56, was in running order in March. It had a fifteen horse power engine. The proprietors were C. A. Brown, C. A. Lease & Lyman Nutting. They did a good business until 1876, when it was removed to Bradford, Chickasaw county, where it now remains.

Woodcock and Hopkins erected a saw mill in 1855, on the Cedar river, on sec- tion 6. They run it three or four years, but not proving a financial success, it was abandoned.

A steam saw mill was built by Silas Farr in 1855. He run it as a saw mill for three or four years, then remodeled it for a grist mill and distillery. It was finally sold and removed.

The first marriage united the destinies of Mr. Elliott and Miss Ellen Buckmaster, the ceremony being performed by Judge Farris. This occurred in 1853. Elliott left his wife in about one year. She re- mained with her mother for some time, went finally to Kansas with another man, whom she had married in Waterloo.

The first death was that of Thomas Hawkins, at the house of Ezra Allen, du- ring the spring of 1853; he was buried on section 22.

The first birth was that of Mary E. Smith, daughter to Allen and Elizabeth Smith, on the 19th day of September, 1852. She is now the wife of Barney Thompson, and lives on section 21.

The second birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Smith; this happy event trans- pired in November, 1853; he is yet living near the old place, on section 16.

There are two cemeteries in this town- ship, "Horton Cemetery," located near the town of Horton, and "Mitzger's Burying Ground," located on section 8.

The first interment in the former was the remains of Mr. Curtiss, in 1857.

Lloyd Smith is the oldest living settler in the township, and his brother Allen the next.

ROBBERY.

During the years of 1853, and 1854, some hard characters had settled in and about the towns of Chickasaw and Bradford. These men had been members of a secret

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

organization to protect their claims. Dur- ing the'spring of 1855, Thomas Harris came from Winnebago county, Illinois, and set- tled on a farm in the northern part of Polk township, about six miles from Brad- ford, which was his trading point. At that, time the old gentleman was somewhat addicted to strong drink, and it was known that he had some money left after paying for his place. Early in the winter of 1855, he hitched his ox team to a sled, and went to Bradford to purchase supplies for his family. Quite a number of these men were there, drinking and carousing, and they pursuaded Mr. Harris to drink, from time to time, until the day was well spent, and darkness near at hand, by which time he was considerably under the influence of numerous potations. When he started for home, and had proceeded one or two miles, four or five of the gang overtook him and demanded his money, at the same time striking at him with a club, which broke one of the old gentleman's fingers, as he attempted to ward it off. As he was badly frightened, he threw down his purse, which contained but a few shillings, and "took to his heels" across the prairie, running about four miles to his home, where, sum- moning his wife to his assistance, they barricaded the doors and windows, loaded with plenty of ammunition the old, rusty gun, and made general preparations for battle. But no enemy came. His ox team strayed into the barn-yard of Mr. Jackson, where it was heard during the night, and one of his boys got up and drove it home to Mr. Harris. The light of morning re- vealed coffee, sugar, flour, rice, etc., scat- tered in profusion around the barn-yard. A short time afterward, one of the gang

proposed to settle the matter; but Mr. Harris refused, and said if the necessary proof could be had, he would prosecute them to the extent of the law. The out- come was, a number of the gang left the country. The men committing this out- rage were commonly known as the "Jones gang." The old gentleman was so thor- oughly frightened he did not dare to go to Bradford for years afterward without company.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

. Polk township shared in the general ex- citement which spread so generally over this section of the State, in reference to the so-called "disadvantage" under which the farmers were placed. The plan pro -. posed seemed feasible; a great saving was promised, by enabling the farmers to pocket the earnings of the "middle mnen," and consequently realize better prices for their products. Amid considerable enthu- siasm "White Oak Grange" No. 143, was organized January 29, 1872, by David High, deputy from the State Grange, with the following named persons as charter members :- Adin Terry, Malvina Terry, Marvin Potter, J. P. Sanborn, Ann San- born, Albert Austin, Huldah Austin, Edith Nutting, David Beebe, J. H. T. Beebe, Benjamin Beebe, Warren Potter, C. O. Smith, G. D. Thomas, A. H. Gates, Annie Gates, R. Cronk, Albert Nutting, A. P. Collins, M. S. Littlefield, O. C. Harrington, Joseph Smith, J. J. Ede, George Siebert, Charles Hastings and N. Hastings.

The first meeting was held at Horton, and the following officers were elected :-- Marvin Potter, Master; Adin Terry, Over- seer; A. P. Collins, Lecturer; M. S. Little-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

field, Steward; C. O. Smith, Chaplain, Da- vid Beebe, Treasurer; O. C. Harrington, Secretary; Charles Hastings, Assistant Steward; Warren Potter, Gatekeeper; Mrs. . Ann Sanborn, Assistant Steward; Mrs. An- nie Gates, Pomona; Mrs. H. Austin, Flora; and Edith Nutting, Ceres. A. H. Gates, N. Hastings and G. D. Thomas, finance committee; M. Potter, J. Smith, A. Austin, J. P. Sanborn, Mrs. M. Potter, Mrs. A. Terry, Mrs. A. Austin, Mrs. O. C. Har- rington, relief committee.

At this meeting there was paid into the treasury, $67. At a regular meeting held December 31, 1873, the following named persons were elected: M. Potter, Master; A. Terry, Overseer; A. P. Collins, Lecturer; -Charles Hastings, Steward; D. Beebe, Treasurer; O. C. Harrington, Secretary; W. Potter, Gatekeeper; M. E. Terry, Eva Littlefield, Rosa Sawyer, Mrs. Harrington, Lady Assistant Stewards.į

Many pleasant meetings were held, and the prospect seemed for a time, flattering.

The farmers were congratulating them- selves on having perfected an organiza- tion, which would meet their wants and save them money.

This Grange was successfully managed for years, and proved quite a saving in , many instances to many of its patrons. A warehouse was built and operated for some time, but was finally sold to E. P. Day.

The organization numbered, at one time, over one hundred persons, but it has ceased to exist.

THE IOWA DETECTIVE FORCE.

During the years 1864-5 there was a regularly organized band of horse-thieves taking in, on one of their routes, this part

of Iowa, and many horses had been stolen by them. The citizens of Polk township, always awake to every matter of public interest, concluded that they would pro- tect themselves, and formed an organiza- tion with the above name. No horse- thieves were caught and, hung by them, but the efficiency of the society was dem- onstrated by the fact that no horses were stolen in this vicinity after they were in working order. The thieves apparently had a wholesome dread of such institu- tions, and gave the township a wide berth, preferring not to risk themselves under such watchful eyes, or take the chances of the possible results. This organization was effected on the 5th day of May, 1866, when the following temporary officers were elected: A. Terry, president; Mason Spalding, vice-president; J. K. Head, secretary; A. Showalter, treasurer; Wil- liam Farr, captain; R. Cronk, first-lieuten- ant; O. Nutting, second lieutenant; John Spalding, third lieutenant; Benjamin Beebe, fourth lieutenant; A. Nutting, C. Lease, W. S. Grover, Joseph Smith and David Beebe; detective committee. To these, on the 12th of May, a standing com- mittee was added as follows: C. A. Brown, O. C. Harrington, Marvin Potter, J. P. Austin and William Farr.

In a short time the organization was made permanent by the election by ballot, of the following named officers:

J. J. Merrill, captain; James Wilson, first lieutenant; C. R. Hastings, second lieutenant; G. M. Lease, third lieutenant; W. S. Grover, fourth lieutenant; C. A. Lease, Joseph Smith, R. Cronk, John Crane and O. Nutting, detective committee; J. F. Spalding, R. C. French and O. Nut-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

ting, committee on claims. The place of meeting was at Hastings' School House, and the society was soon in good working order, with fifty-five members. The society continued in existence until 1873, when it disbanded. The following were the last officers: A. H. Fleisher, presi- dent; Eri Terry, vice-president; J. H. Eld- ridge, secretary; J. P. Sanborn, assistant secretary; A. Showalter, treasurer; A. Terry, captain; A. Gates, first lieutenant; C. R. Hastings, second lieutenant; M. Spalding, third lieutenant; J. E. Callin- der, fourth lieutenant.

VILLAGE OF HORTON.

In the midst of a gently undulating plain, skirted near by with timber, and surrounded with an intelligent class of farmers, lies the little village of Horton. Although a small place, and the various branches of trade not numerously represen- ted, yet a considerable business is done. It is located on parts of sections 26 and 27, and was platted by C. A. Lease, in 1856.

The first house built after the place was laid out was by Carlton Brown.

The first store was opened by Anson Nutting, and about the same time a black- sınith shop was built by C. A. Lease, who employed a man by name of Brower to run it.

The first preaching in the place was by Elder David Terry, a regular Baptist, in 1857, in a hall over what is now Eldridge's store. This reverend gentleman also per- formed the first marriage ceremony in the village, which united the destinies of W. W. Gray and Miss Lucinda Nutting, in the summer of 1857.

The first death was an infant, daughter of Chauncey Lease, and the first birth was a son to the same parties.

There is now one blacksmith shop, one blacksmith and wagon shop, two stores, a Free-Will Baptist Church building, and a brick school house, within its limits.

The blacksmith and wagon shop is owned by Potter & Crooks. They have a rapidly increasing trade, and are pushed to the utmost to meet the demand. They have an annual trade of about $6,000.

Warren Potter, of this firm, was born in 1836, and is a native of New York State. While there he received a common school education and learned the wagon- maker's trade. In August, 1862, he en- listed in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second New York Volunteers, and, while at Chapin's farm, in front of Rich- mond, received a gun-shot wound, from which he has never recovered, and there- fore draws a pension. He was honorably discharged from service in the month of May, 1865, and returned to his home in New York. The year following, he came to Horton, Bremer county, and opened his wagon-making establishment, in which trade he has since continued. Mr. Potter was married, in 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Maxam, a native of New York. Three children-Carrie, Hattie and Frankie- have been born to them.

The blacksmith shop is conducted by C. M. Hastings, a good and accommodating mechanic.

W. J. Pierson is the proprietor of one of the stores, and carries a general stock. He commenced business in the spring of 1881, has a stock of about $4,000, and his sales amount to about $20,000 per annum,

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

with a steady increasing trade. He was born in the town of Walton, Delaware county, New York, on the 10th of March, 1852. After becoming proficient in the branches taught in the district schools, near his home, he attended the Delaware Library Institute, where he obtained an excellent education. Upon leaving school, Mr. Pierson followed the profession of teaching for several years-taught three terms in the State of New York, and six in Iowa. In 1875 he went to Floyd county, Iowa, was traveling salesman for a nursery firm. After remaining in their employ- ment five years, he went to Tripoli, Bremer county, and engaged in the agricultural implement business one summer, then came to Horton, Polk township, and opened his present business. He was mar- ried to Miss Ida Fish, a native of Floyd county, Iowa, in 1880.

W. Eldridge, dealer in general merchan- dise does a good business.

The shoemaking trade is represented by Mr. Brainard.

HORTON POSTOFFICE.

This office was started, as stated, in 1857. The general character of the citi- zens of this section is largely indicated by the fact that more mail, more newspapers, are received at this office than any other in the vicinity. Stamps are annually cancelled amounting to a large sum. The present postmaster is Albert Austin. W. J. Pierson, as deputy, has full control.

Albert Austin, postmaster at Horton, was born in 1828, in Cayuga county, New York, and there he passed his youth and obtained his education. In the fall of 1857, he came to Bremer county, Iowa,

and settled on section 22, Polk township, where he has since lived, with the excep- tion of six years spent in the town of Waverly. Mr. Austin is an advocate of republicanism, and during his residence in the county has held several of the local offices. In March, 1881, he was appointed postmaster of the Horton postoffice, and fills that position at the present date. On the 8th day of October, 1850, he was mar- ried to Miss Huldah E. Spalding, who also was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1831. Two children-Charles A. and Hattie A .- bless their union. Their son is engaged in the mercantile trade at Sumner.

RELIGIOUS.

The First Free-Will Baptist Church in Horton was organized at the house of C. A. Lease, in the village of Horton, by the Rev. A. K. Moulton, on the 28th day of March, 1858, with twenty members, com- prising the following named persons: Lyman Nutting; Lydia Nutting, James Lynes, Sarah Lynes, O. C. Harrington, El- len Harrington, C. A. Brown, Ama Brown, C. A. Lease, Jenett A. Lease, G. M. Lease, Jenett Lease, Worlin Gray, Lucinda Gray, Edgar Nutting, Edmund Nutting, Mary A. George, Jane Adams, John P. Leape, Mrs. J. P. Leape. C. A. Brown and Worlin Gray were appointed the first deacons of the church, and O. C. Harrington first clerk. The present membership is about thirty- five. The officers are: M. S. Littlefield and F. H. Bunth, deacons, and O. C. Harring- ton, clerk.

The first pastor of the church, Rev. A. K. Moulton, was recognized as one of the most intellectual men in the county. He

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

was the first school superintendent elected in the county; he also ranked among the first as a pulpit orator. He came to Bre- mer county from Massachusetts, in 1854, and located on a large tract of land in Sumner township, where he continued to reside until he left the county, in 1859. Before coming west he had been pastor of churches in some of the largest towns in the New England States, among them Lowell, Massachusetts; Portland and Lew- iston, Maine; Manchester and Dover, New Hampshire. He was also associate editor of the Morning Star, for a number of years, the denominational organ of the Free-Will Baptists. He was born in Lower Canada about 1810, and was killed June, 1873, in Cleveland, Ohio, while returning home with his wife and child, from a fes- tival, by stepping from a railroad bridge. He had been residing in Cleveland some ycars, engaged in missionary work. The second pastor of the church was Rev. N. R. George, a young man from Ohio, of more than ordinary ability. He attended school onc term with President Garfield. He is now residing in Nebraska.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 126

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