History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 127

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 127
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 127

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).

The third pastor was Charles Pierce, a native of New York, and a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio; a good man and a polished speaker. He is now an old man, but much of the fire of his younger days still remains. He is now living and preaching in Marble Rock, Floyd county, Iowa.

F. P. Newell, the fourth pastor, was born in Boston, Massachusetts; educated at Whitestown Seminary, New York; he is an able man and preacher. Is now living in Smith county, Kansas.

Rufus Hayden, the fifth pastor of the church, is a native of Massachusetts, and an excellent preacher, always commanding a full house, and eminently successful in revival work; under his labors a fine church edifice and parsonage were erected. He is now living and preaching in Sac county, Iowa.

J. W. Drew, the sixth pastor, is a native of Canada; a man of dignified and com- manding presence, and a fair preacher; is now pastor of a church at Oelwein, Fayette county, Iowa.

S. S. Summerlin, the seventh pastor, is a native of Ohio; has had some success as a preacher; is now living and preaching in Mitchell county, Iowa.

A. Palmer, the eighth pastor, was born in Madison county, New York, over forty years ago; came west when a young man. He was married. tor Chloe Larrabee, a highly respected young lady of Delaware county, Iowa. Some eighteen or twenty years ago, was converted to christianity, and commenced preaching a few years after his marriage, in the same county. He was fluent and sympathetic as a speaker, his discourses being characterized by great spirituality and power. The church was greatly prospered under his ministrations. Being a good mechanic he kept everything about the church and parsonage in good repair. It could be said of him in truth, he was one of nature's noblemen-an hon- est christian and a faithful pastor. His death was caused by his falling from a platform while assisting to calcimine the church, in November, 1879, surviving his injuries only ten hours from the time of the accident. A general gloom settled

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

over the whole community, as he was loved and respected by all who knew him.

Rev. D. N. Thompson, a licentiate and member of the church, a young man who is highly respected in the community, is now occasionally supplying the church, with preaching.

TOWN OF PLAINFIELD.

Plainfield, a town on the Iowa division of the Illinois Central Railroad, is located on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 29, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 30, in town- ship 93, range 14, west. . The town was platted October 16, 1866, by H. S. Hoover, county surveyor, upon the request of Charles Folks, E. J. Dean, Riley Pierce, and George Ketchum, on land owned by George Ketchum.

Charles Folks was born on the 15th day of March, 1821, in Columbiana county, Ohio. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Wisconsin, and located in Grant county. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, his loyal heart was stirred to its depths, and he was among the first to take up arms in defense of his country. He enlisted in Company H, Seventh Wiscon- sin Infantry, when he was made First Sergeant. In the course of time, he be- came First Lieutenant, and, just before his company was discharged, was promoted to the Captaincy. At the battle of Gettys- burg he was severely wounded, but recov- ered sufficiently to re-enlist with his regi- ment. After three and one-half years of service, however, he was obliged to be discharged because of that wound. In 1865 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and laid out the original town site of Plainfield.

During his residence there he was engaged in the mercantile trade. He built the first business house in the place, and was the first postmaster. He held the office of justice of the peace, several years. Mr. Folks was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and always took a deep interest in its progress. He was married in 1840, to Miss Rebecca Laughman, who was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to Ohio, with her parents, when nine years of age. Mr. Folks died April 9th, 1879, leaving a widow and five children-Wil- liam, Emma, Amanda, Charles, and Elmer.

Quite a number of the old settlers were from Plainfield, Illinois, and consequently the place was named in remembrance of the country from whence they came. Pre- vious to the platting of the town site, Mr. Folks had built a frame building, 16x32, for a dwelling and storeroom, and put therein a stock of goods. This was the first store in the town, and the building was the first erected on what is now the town of Plainfield. The postoffice was kept in this building a number of years. Mr. Folks sold out to another party, who moved the building across the street, where he remained in business a short time, when the building was purchased by a third party, who moved it to Main street. It is now used for a storeroom. In 1867 an ad- dition was made to the town adjoining the old plat on the west, by George Ketchum. Upon this addition, the business portion of Plainfield is now located.

In 1867 another addition was made on the south, by E. J. Dean, and called Deanville. On this plat the railroad company built their depot. In 1869 another plat was

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

made on the west of Deanville, known as Pike's addition.

PLAINFIELD POSTOFFICE.

During the administration of President Buchanan a postoffice was established called Polk, and S. W. Jackson was ap- pointed postmaster. In his first quarterly report to the department we find he had received for postage forty-five cents, and there was postage unpaid on books, pamph- lets, etc., twenty-seven cents, which indi- cates the amount of business transacted at that early day. Mr. Jackson remained in charge of this office until he sold his farm in the spring of 1858. He was succeeded by the purchaser, Amos Head, who re- ceived his commission August 13, 1858. Mr. Head remained in charge of the office until August 13, 1861, when he was suc- ceeded by W. N. Gaines, and the office was moved to his residence on section 18, and the name changed to "Syracuse." Mr. Gaines discharged the duties of the office until 1863, when his brother, Obed, received the appointment, and the office again removed to his house on the same section. Mr. Anson Leonard received the appointment in June, 1865, but the busi- ness was done by Mr. Gaines until Mr. Hutchins took charge. The next post- master was H. Hutchins, who assumed the duties of the office in 1866. Mr. Hutchins was relieved in October, 1866, and Charles Folks received the appointment, when the office was moved to Plainfield. In Febru- ary, 1868, the name of the office was again changed, and has since been called Plain- field.

Mr. Folks was succeeded by Mr. M. A. Gordon, who remained in charge until

September, 1877, when Elias C. Walker was appointed. This was made a money order office, July 1, 1878, and the first or- der was issued to Conrad Ditmore, for $10.00, dated July 1, 1878, in favor of S. P. Farley & Son, Dubuque, Iowa, and dur- ing the first quarter there were issued 142 money orders, amounting to $2,313.20. During this quarter, also, there was re- ceived for postage stamps and stamped envelopes, $239.86, and stamps cancelled to the amount of $187.74. The present postmasteris J. M. Boardman, who received his commission about January 1, 1883.

Amos Head, one of the early post- masters of the Plainfield postoffice, was born in Pembroke, New Hampshire, in 1810. While in his native town, he re- ceived an academic education, and also learned the printer's trade. During the year 1841, he removed to Charleston, South Carolina, engaging in the book and stationery business, and, while there, he originated the express business, which has since grown to be one of the leading en- terprises of the world. Upon leaving Charleston, Mr. Head spent six years in the State of Massachusetts, and, in 1858, came to Bremer connty, Iowa, settling in Polk township. He belonged to the Dem- ocratic party, and was one of the early postmasters of Polk Precinct postoffice, now Plainfield. In 1842, he was married, choosing for a helpmeet Miss Laura L. Whitney, a native of Massachusetts. Three children-Elizabeth, John K. and George W .- blessed this union. June 29, 1869, Mr. Head died, as he had lived, re- spected and beloved by all, who were honored with his acquaintance. His wife still survives him.

₼

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Elias C. Walker was born in St. Charles, Illinois, in 1847. Four years after his · birth, the family moved to Hainesville, where they resided five years, and then came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Chick- asaw county. October 4, 1863, when only sixteen years old, Elias enlisted in Com- pany B, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and served until honorably discharged in July, 1865. He received a bayonet wound, while upon duty, at Savannah, Georgia, but was fortunate enough to recover from its effects. Upon quitting "Uncle Sam's" service, he returned to Chickasaw county, and during his residence there, learned the tinner's trade. In October, 1875, he came to Plainfield, Bremer county, and opened a hardware store, in which business he continued until January, 1882, when he sold the stock to his brother, and purchased an interest in the Plainfield hotel. In the fall of 1877, Mr. Walker received the ap- pointment of postmaster of the Plainfield post office. He has also held other local offices. During the year 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah L. Bolton, born in the State of New York, but when ten years of age, moved with her parents to Fredericksburg, Chickasaw county, and still later, to Jacksonville, same county. Four children have been born to them, of whom Addie and George are now living; Cora May and Floyd L. being deceased. Mr. Walker is a strictly honest and reliable business man, besides being the possessor of those pleasing qual- ities that win him hosts of friends, wher- ever he may be.

SOCIETIES.

Lodge No. 354, I. O. O. F., was or- ganized in August, 1876, with the follow-

ing charter members: Henry Robinson, Elias C. Walker, H. Nichols, N. H. Lar- kin and E. F. Temple. The first officers were -- H. Robinson, N. G .; Elias C. Walker, V. G .;. H. Nichols, secretary; William Denning, treasurer. The lodge seemed to be in a flourishing condition until January, 1882, when it surrendered its charter for want of a suitable room in which to hold meetings. The last officers were-E. Wuthy, N. G; James ('ooper, V. G .; J. M. Roberts, secretary; H. Nich- ols, treasurer.

A lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was organized September 17, 1881, by Francis J. Norton, State Deputy. The first meeting was held in Sullivan's hall, and the following persons installed for the first quarter: George F. Harwood, W. C. T .; Miss Edna M. Nich- ols, W. V. T .; Irving Moody, W. S .; El- mer Folks, W. F. S .; Henry Eckert, W. T .; Albert Taylor, W. I. G .; F. H. Nich- ols, W. O. G .; Albert Farr, W. M .; Mrs. William Hograbe, W. D. M .; H. Nichols, W. C .; B. A. Folks, L. D. At the close of the second quarter, the mem- bership numbered 64. Francis J. Norton, the State deputy, has held office in the or- der for fifteen consecutive years, and has been representative to the grand lodge of Iowa eight years in succession. He is now chairman of the State committee. The lodge was named Frances Willard, in honor of the great lady apostle of pro- hibition. Public sentiment in Plainfield is very strongly in favor of temperance.

WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

At a meeting held in the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in Plainfield, November 19,

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

1879, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized. After an address by Mrs. M. F. Goode, a constitution was adopted, and the following officers were duly elected :-- Mrs. D. Battin, president; Mrs. William Lynes, vice-president; Mrs. Olive Logan, vice-president; Mrs. V. M. Hall, treasurer; Miss N. Williams, secre- tary.

Their first preamble declares their object to be "to plan and carry forward measures which will result in the suppression of intemperance in our midst."

An executive committee was appointed, and twenty-eight members were enrolled. This union has been the banner one in the county since its organization. It took the law into its own hands, and wiped out two saloons, the trial lasting for several days, and creating great sensation. The meetings are held on Thursday, at 3 o'clock P. M., every two weeks. The present offi- cers are: Mrs. S. Harwood, president; Mrs. Dr. Nichols, vice-president; Mrs. S. W. Put- ney, secretary; Mrs. M. Walker, treasurer. This society did most effectual work during the amendment campaign.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Plainfield circuit was formed in the fall of 1870. Rev. W. Ward Smith was pastor, and Rev. Dr. William Brush, pre- siding elder. In 1869 and 1870, Plainfield formed a part of the Horton and Prairie Valley charge, having but few members -- ten in all-under the pastorate of Rev. H. Warner, of whom it may be said: "He planted the church of Plainfield."

On the 24th day of January, 1969, the first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Plainfield, was organized in the

Plainfield school. house, by Rev. H. War- ner, at the request of Rev. S. A. Lee, pre_ siding elder of Cedar Falls district, Upper Iowa conference. J. M. Boardman was appointed class leader. The. following persons composed the membership: J. M. Boardman, Emma R. Boardman, Sabron Temple, Lucinda B. Temple, Ada T. Temple, Harriet Ketchum, Nancy War- ner, Fanny Hovey, Sarah A. Pike, and Almira M. Robinson. This class met every Sabbath for religions worship. At the first quarterly conference following the organization of the class, a board of trustees were elected, consisting of J. M. Board- man, George Eck, C. P. Trescott, W. B. Notton, Charles Folks, and John Cunning- ham.

During the summer of 1874, the society and friends of the congregation erected a house of worship, at an expense of $3,500, and on November 29, 1874, it was dedica- ted by Rev. Dr. A. B. Kendig and Rev. Dr. R. W. Keeler, presiding elder of Charles City District, Upper Iowa Con- ference, at 11 a. m.

Soon after, a Ladies' Aid Society was organized as follows: Rev. Mrs. William, Gibson, president; Amanda Folks, vice- president; Emma Jackman, secretary; Mrs. Emma R. Boardman, treasurer. This society took upon itself $200 of the church indebtedness, and employed Revs. A. B. Kendig, S. W. Ingham, J. T. Crippen and R. W. Keeler, D. D., to deliver a series of lectures to raise the amount.

The Methodist Episcopal Sunday School was first organized December 6, 1874, with the following officers: B. M. Lilla- bridge, superintendent; Emma R. Board- man, assistant superintendent; Jamcs

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Dunlap, secretary and treasurer; Orrin West, chorister. The Sabbath School met at 10 a. m., and had twenty-two mem- bers. It has grown in interest and in- creased in numbers, until it now numbers, with officers, teachers, scholars aud con- tributing members, 110 in all. The pres- ent officers are: Mrs. Hattie Eddy, super- intendent; J. M. Boardman, assistant superintendent; Prof. C. W. Van Dorn, secretary; Orrin West, treasurer. The school is well officered and wisely con- ducted.

The school was organized as a mission- ary society, auxiliary to the missionary society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by the present pastor, Rev. Francis J. Norton, September 15, 1881. During the conference year it has contributed $38 to the cause of missions, besides paying one year in advance for Sunday School liter- ture, books, papers, cards, and all Sunday School requisites, and has money in the treasury to defray expenses for another year. The Sunday School gives public concerts once a quarter; thirteen teachers are employed, and teacher's meetings are held on Wednesday evening of each week. Mrs. S. M. Harwood occupied the office of superintendent for one year and a half, and was the most efficient officer the school has ever had. The plan of the work for · the present year has been carefully ar- ranged, and the Sunday School is destined to grand results.

In 1877 the appointment at Horton was dropped, and the appointment at Kingsley school house, in Warren township, with Plainfield, constituted the Plainfield charge. The following great revivals have

taken place under the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Gibson:

In 1872, scores were converted, and the reinforcement to Methodism in Plainfield was the occasion of much joy.

In 1881 another most glorious revival took place under the pastoral labors of Rev. Francis J. Norton; there were sixty- five accessions to the church during the year.

The following pastors have served this charge: Rev. H. Warner, 1869 and 1870; Rev. W. Ward Smith, 1870 to 1872; Rev. Wm. Gibson, 1872 to 1875; Rev. J. Bald- win, 1875 to 1876; Rev. S. T. McKim, 1876 to 1877; Rev. A. M. Shimer, 1877 to 1878; Rev. J. N. Blodgett, 1878 to 1879; Rev. Daniel Battin, 1879 to 1880.

The present pastor, Rev. Francis J. Norton, was appointed to this charge, Oc- tober 6, 1880, and was re-appointed Sep- tember 26, 1881, and again September 25, 1882. He is, therefore, now serving his third year, and is greatly beloved by his church, and is very popular among all the people. He was born in the city of Utica, Oneida county, New York, December 16, 1857. His parents removed to Iowa, in 1858, and settled at Koszta, in Iowa county, where they have resided for nearly a quar- ter of a century. His father, Arowit R. Norton, died August 18, 1874. He was an early pioneer of Iowa county, and was foremost in the progressive movements of the country. Mr. Norton's mother, Mrs. Olive D. Norton, lives at the old home with her son. She is a lady beloved by all, and sincerely endeared to her children. She is one of those noble and true women who have done much for society and the general good. Mr. Norton's parents have

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

1167

been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Mr. Norton, after leaving the district school, took the high school course, after which he took the nor- mal course, and then engaged in teaching for five years. He was converted at the Koszta Methodist camp meeting, August 27, 1869, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at once began to prepare for the ministry. He was licensed to preach by Rev. Banner Mark, presiding elder of Newton District, Iowa Conference. He entered the itinerant ministry after serving Montour charge, under the elder, Rev. F. C. Wolfe, for five months, at the Twenty-fourth Session of the Upper Iowa Conference, held in Davenport, Iowa, Sep- tember 24, 1879, and received his appoint- ment, as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Northwood, county seat of North county, Iowa, which he served with perfect . acceptability for one year. He was successful in liquidating the church debt of $1,350, and at the urgent calls of duty, he was appointed to Plainfield charge, where he not only provided for a heavy debt, but built a new church in Warren township, which he dedicated Oc- tober 22, 1882.

Mr. Norton identifies himself with every worthy and commendable enterprise, and pushes his work as if the universe were depending. He was a leader in the tem- perance campaign of 1881 and '82; he was a delegate to the State Prohibition Conven- tion, which met in DesMoines in 1882; he was also a delegate to the Republican State Convention, where he voted for Governor Buren R. Sherman. In 1882, he represen- ted the Third Congressional District of Iowa in the National Prohibitory Home

Protection Convention, held in Chicago, August 23. The home, the church, the school, and the government, are to him the safe-guards of a higher civilization. Dur- ing the summer of 1880, his health, being broken, he, in company with his most esteemed friend, Mr. N. W. Egleston, now of Chamberlain, Dakota Territory, took a tour through the south and east, attending the General Conference of his church in Cincinnati, and spending some time in Washington, District Columbia. Mr. Norton is a natural orator, commands uni- versal respect, is greatly beloved by the people, and has a future of great useful- ness before him. The present member- ship of his church is one hundred and four. He has a committee on missions, Sunday Schools, temperance and education, each composed of three members. The weekly prayer meeting is held on Thursday even- ings of each week. The present board of trustees are, J. M. Boardman, Mrs. Hattie Eddy, Mrs. M. Walker, Mrs. M. Denning, Mrs. E. P. Day and Mr. Orrin West.

The Ladies' Aid Society is a valuable aid to the social and financial interests of the church. The present officers are, Mrs. Ada Folks, president; Mrs. H. White, vice-president; Mrs. M. Denning, treasurer; Mrs. M. L. Jackman, secretary. The choir, under the leadership of Mr. Oliver Powers, with Mrs. Libbie Burgess organist, is among the fine attractions, and forms a most helpful part of the church service.

A former pastor, Rev. J. Baldwin, de- parted this life in great peace, in 1877.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in Plainfield was taught by H. M. Swan, a local Methodist preacher,

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

in the store room of Charles Folks. Mr. Swan had taught a term of school, the pre- vious winter, in a house belonging to George Ketchum, about one mile north of this place. Before the close of his school in Plainfield, the district commenced build- ing a school house, which was so far com- pleted, that upon the last day of school an exhibition was held in it. Mr. Swan now lives a short distance east from Clarksville, in Butler county. He was at one time can- didate for county superintendent of schools.

Plainfield originally was included in the territory of a sub-district, and the district school house was erected during the winter of 1868, at a cost of $600.

The independent district of Plainfield was set off in 1872; but the old building was used until 1881, when a school building was erected at a cost of $3,400, which would be a credit to a much larger town than Plainfield. It is constructed for a graded school of four departments. Up to the present time there has been occa- sion to use but three. The first term of school in this building was during the winter of 1881-2. Mr. George Harwood was the first principal, with Mrs. Harwood in charge of the intermediate department, and Miss E. Nichols, of the primary. There were enrolled upward of 120 scholars. At the present time, C. W. VanDorn is prin- cipal, and Mrs. I. W. Moody has charge of the primary department.

The old school building was sold to J. C. Garner, and is used for an office and store room, for agricultural impliments.

DRIVE-WELL EXCITEMENT.

Good water is a necessity in any coun- try, and the supply here has been secured

by means of drive-wells. In 1880, there was considerable excitement in many States in reference to these wells, and -means of securing water, particularly in Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa. There were parties who unjustly claimed the "patent right" of these wells, or methods of securing them, and they were collecting a royalty of $10 on each well. If parties refused to pay, an action was at once in- stituted against them in the courts. This seemed to have the desired effect, and many persons paid the amount asked, fearing the expense and uncertainty of litigation. The citizens of Plainfield, however, with a determination not to be thus swindled, pursued another course. Notices had been received by the post- master and justice of the peace, stating the day the agent would be on hand to collect, and advising all parties to meet him promptly, and settle the matter by paying $10, and, unless they complied with this request, an action would be im- mediately commenced in the courts,against them. This plan had worked very well heretofore, and was expected to be suc- cessful here, but the citizens, justly in- censed by the action of this set of swind- lers, concluded to give the agent a warm reception. To perfect a plan of opera- tion, a meeting was called, the situation discussed and a committee appointed to confer with the gentlemen. The nature of this conference appears hereafter.

Upon the day selected as the one when money would liberally pour in, and ten dollar bills flow like. a river, into the insatiable craws of these swindling rascals, this representative approached the town with coufidence. Arriving at the

John Stears.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

depot he thought there was a funeral in town, that usually busy place at train time seemed deserted, and contemplating upon the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death-from dust we came, to dust we must return-and many other thoughts, suggested by the mourn- ful desolate appearance of things, he wended his way toward the business part of the village. At the postoffice he was informed that a committee had been ap- pointed to confer with him in reference to the drive-well business. This information, together with a glimpse he had caught of a rope with a noose at one end dangling from something suggestive of the gallows, and a large crowd congregated near by, led him to the conclusion, that his supposition when at the depot was premature, that the funeral was one in contemplation, and in which he miglit be personally interested. In consideration of all these things, he had very urgent business elsewhere, did not care to remain in Plainfield, his thoughts reverted to the days when the good advice of his mother was given; his sins appeared before him in glowing light, especially his connection with the drive-well business. But every other consideration was swal- lowed up in this one desire to leave the town, and lcave he did, the first opportun- ity. Since which time the citizens of this place have never been troubled by any agents for this worst of all swindles.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 127

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