History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 128

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 128
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 128

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).

HOTELS.

The Plainfield House, a frame structure, was the first hotel. It was moved from the country by George Ketchum and re- built. He was the first landlord and re- mained in the business a number of years.

Afterward it was rented to different par- ties until 1877, when it was purchased by John Smith, who, having rebuilt and re- modelled it, sold it to Edward Temple, and in 1882 it was again transferred. It af- terward, was purchased by a company con- sisting of the following gentlemen: Elias J. Walker, John Roach, J. M. Roberts, G. M. Harker and E. J. Huff. Mr. E. J. Walker now has charge.

SHOEMAKER.

Mr. Henry Flint was the first to engage in this business. He came from Freeport, Illinois, and had a shop where Dr. Nichols now has his office. He afterward went to Oregon, where he still lives.

SAW-MILL.

The first saw-mill was built by Bement and Boorom, and was located a little northeast of where J. M. Boardman's store now stands. A good business was donc at this mill until the fall of 1869, when the boiler exploded, damaging the build- ing and machinery to such an extent that it was abandoned. The proprietors now live in Minnesota.

PHYSICIAN.

Dr. H. Nichols was the first practicing physician to locate here. He was from Illinois and came in 1869. He has since resided here, except onc ycar in Osage, Mitchell county.

HARDWARE.

E. F. Temple commenced business here in 1873, in the building now occupied by the postoffice. Hc remained until the spring of 1877, when he sold the stock

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

and the building to E. J. Walker, who re- mained in the business until the spring of 1882, when he sold his stock to his brother, who is now engaged in the same business.

DRUGS.

The first drug store was established in 1870 by Warren Connor, a young man from Clayton county; he remained in the business until 1873, when he went to Man- chester, Delaware county.

LEGAL.

A. A. Stewart was the first to enter upon the practice of the legal profession here; he removed to Cedar Rapids. In the win- ter of 1874-5, S. B. Patterson, from Mason City, opened a law office in the building now occupied for a justices office; it stood at that time where the meat mar- ket now stands. Mr. Patterson remained here until the spring of 1876, when he re- moved to Iowa City.

BLACKSMITH.

William Ryan, from Indiana, came to the village in the fall of 1876, and early the following spring erected a store build- ing and put in a stock of goods. He also built a blacksmith shop, and hired a man by the name of Peter Fisher to do the work, who was the first blacksmith, and the building was the first blacksmith shop in Plainfield.

PRESENT BUSINESS OF PLAINFIELD.

Plainfield House -- E. J. Walker, propri- etor. A hotel creditable to the place.

J. M. Boardman, the oldest merchant in the town, occupies a new building, 24x46

feet, erected to accommodate his rapidly increasing business. He carries a large stock of general merchandise.

Fulton Brothers commenced business January 22, 1880, with a stock of drugs, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc., of about $1,300. Their trade has increased until they now carry a stock of $2,500. They occupy a building, on Main street, 20x30 feet. This is a live and energetic firm.

Joseph W. Empson engaged in his pres- ent business in 1880, previous to which time he was engaged in the shoe trade. He carries a full line of groceries, confec- tioneries, tobacco and cigars, and in con- nection with his trade, carries on a barber shop.

D. Farnsworth built his shop, 22x40 feet, and commenced blacksmithing in 1872, since which time the business has increased until it reaches $2,000 per year.

The Plainfield creamery was established by a joint stock company. They use a building 30x84 feet, erected for the pur- pose. It was run as a cheese factory until January, 1880, when C. A. Kingsley pur- chased the property, and the creamery has since been in operation. The machinery is worked by a six-horse power steam engine.

Harness shop-U. C. Newcomb com- menced this business in the fall of 1878. He carries a full line of harness, saddlery, etc., and has a trade of about $1,500 per year. A. J. Newcomb has charge of the business.

Meat market-A. J. Newcomb opened a shop in September, 1881, and furnishes everything necessary in his line.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Railroads-The Cedar Falls and Minne- sota Railroad Company erected a depot, 36x54 feet, in the spring of 1868. The road was completed the following July. John D. Eddy was the first agent. In October the road was leased to the Illinois Central Company, and is now called by that name. In 1870 Mr. Eddy was relieved here and sent to Storm Lake. He returned in 1875, and again took charge of the office, which position he still holds. A telegraph station was established the year after the completion of the road.

Feed-mill .- One was built in 1876 by Foster Flowers, a wind-mill power.

John Roach, handling grain and seeds, commenced trade in 1877.

Blacksmith .- H. B. Annis commenced business March 15, 1882. He manufact- ures wagons and does a general business.

Lumber .- J. C. Garner, dealer in lum- ber and agricultural implements, pumps, coal, &c., carries a stock of $8,000. C. P. Collins, superintendent.

Justice of the peace, J. M. Roberts, does an insurance business, makes collections, &c. He has held the office since 1876.

P. N. Walker succeeded E. J. Walker . in the hardware trade, February, 1882. He carries a stock of about $2,500.

J. M. Boardman, a leading merchant of Plainfield, was born in Napoli, Catarau- gus county, New York, in 1840. His youth was passed on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty, he began teaching school. At the opening of our late war, he was - continuing his studies at the academy, in Randolph, Cataraugus county; however, on the 17th of August, 1861, le forsook a student's quiet life, for a soldier's more daring career. Enlisting in Company B,

Sixty-fourth New York Infantry, he served until the 7th of December, 1862, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. Upon receiving his dismissal, Mr. Boardman returned to his home, but after remaining there six months and four- teen days, again enlisted, this time in Com- pany B, One Hundred and Forty-seventh New York Infantry. He was taken pris- oner at the battle of the Wilderness, on the 5th of May, 1863, and was sent, with others, to Andersonville, where he arrived June 4th. He remained in that prison un- til fall, and was then transferred to Flor- ence prison, South Carolina, where he stayed until the close of the war, being one of the last to leave. He was sent through the Union lines to Wilinington, and then by sea to Annapolis, Maryland, where he received his dismissal, June 13, 1865. He then returned to his home, and after spending some time visiting the oil region of Pennsylvania, came, in the spring of 1867, to Iowa, and settled in Fremont township, Butler county, engaging in farm- ing and teaching. Mr. Boardman contin- ued to live there until May, 1872, when hc came to Plainfield, Bremer county, and en- gaged in company with his brother-in-law, S. E. Preston, in the mercantile trade. They remained in partnership until the spring of 1873, when Mr. Boardman bought out Mr. Preston's interest, thus be- coming sole proprietor. On the 17th of October, 1868, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Emma Rhodes, who was born at St. Louis, Missouri, March 28, 1845, her parents being temporarily located there. When she was three years old, her parents returned to their native place, Sullivan county, New York, and at the age of six-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

teen,the daughter attended Randolph acad- emy, and before her marriage, had taught several terms of school. She and her hus- band are members of the Methodist Epis- - copal church. Mr. Boardman is a republi- can, and while a resident of Butler county, held several local offices. At the pres- ent time he holds the office of school treas- urer. He is an upright, honest, indus- trious business man, and is held in high esteem by his large circle of friends and acquaintances.

P. N. Walker, a hardware merchant of Plainfield, was born in the town of Avon, Kane county, Illinois, in 1850. Six years after his birth, the family emigrated to Iowa, and located in Jacksonville, Chick- asaw county, where his father engaged in the hotel business. P. N. remained at home until twenty-one years old, then went to Murray county, Minnesota, and took a homestead, which he lived on until 1874. At that time he returned to Iowa, settling in Plainfield, Bremer county, en- gaging in the rag and iron trade, until February, 1882, when he purchased the hardware store owned by his brother, Elias C., and since then has followed that business. In 1875, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Eva Ingalls, a native of Wisconsin, but who resided in the State of Minnesota at the time of her marriage. They have two children-Guy and Pearl. Mr. Walker is an advocate of republi- canism.

Albert D. Fulton, of the firm of Fulton Brothers, is a native of McHenry county, Illinois, born December 15, 1855. When he was twelve years old, his parents emi- grated to Shell Rock, Iowa, and there the son obtained his education. At the age of

eighteen he became clerk in the drug house of A. S. Clark, of Shell Rock, and after- wards spent several years clerking for the firm of J. S. Hummer, George Farrer & Dr. Thorpe. During the year 1878, he made a trip to Kansas, and upon his return to · this State, settled in Plainfield, and engaged in the drug trade with his brother. They opened their busines on the 22d day of January, 1880, and two days succeeding, he was married to' Miss Susie Delanah, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island.

Carlos P. Collins, a lumber dealer of Plainfield, is a native of Vermont, and was born in 1851. When he was fourteen years old the family emigrated to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they remained two years, and then moved to Bremer county and settled on section 18, Douglas township, where his father still lives, his mother dying in the fall of 1880. After learning what he could in the district school at his home, Carlos spent two terms at the Bradford Academy, and thus ob- tained an excellent business education. In 1871, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Susan Dyer, who was born in Wisconsin. Three children-Willie, Ettie and Roy- gather around their hearth. Mr. Collins is a republican, and lias held several of the local offices.

E. S. Newcomb is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in 1844. He received a com- mon school education in the State of his birth, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. When twenty years of age he came west, and settled in Earlville, Delaware county, Iowa, where he learned tlie har- ness-maker's trade. After following it for two years in that place, he moved to Man-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

chester, and worked at it until 1872, then went to Traer, Tama county, and engaged in the same business for six years. At the end of that time he came to Plainfield, where he lias since resided, and at present is engaged in harness-making, and also owns the meat-market of the town. Mr. Newcomb is a republican, and now holds the office of constable. In 1865 he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Jennie Trentor, who was born in the State of Virginia. Five children- Willie E., Lulu May, Nettie E., Clarence and Lloyd E .- have been born to them. 1

One of Plainfield's leading merchants is Joseph W. Empson, who was born in Or- leans county, New York, September 9, 1847. He remained at home until the second year of our late rebellion, when he enlisted August 26, in Company C, 21st New York Cavalry, and served until hon- orably discharged, June 14, 1865. While on battalion drill at Washington, he acci- dentally received a severe wound in the knee, from which he has never recovered, and since leaving the army has drawn a pension. Upon receiving his dismissal from the service he returned to New York, and there lived until October, 1867, when he came to Bremer county, and settled in Polk township. In 1874 he embarked in the boot and shoe trade, continuing to fol- low that business until 1880, when he be- came engaged in mercantile pursuits; he is now a notary public also. Mr. Empson was married in 1873 to Miss Lucretia J. Jackson, born in Illinois, but when a child came to Bremer county with her parents, and settled in Polk township. One child -now deceased-has been born to them.

Mr. Empson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

H. B. Annis, a blacksmith of Plainfield, was born in Michigan in 1859. While hc was a child, his parents moved to Will county, Illinois, where they remained three years, and then came to Iowa, lo- cating in Bremer county. However, after living in this State one year, they returned to Illinois, and the son continued living at home until 1882, when he again came to Bremer county, this time settling in Plainfield, and in the same year opened his present business. While a resident of Illinois, H. B. attended the Lockport High School, graduating from it in 1873. Mr. Annis was married Novem- ber 23, 1881, to Miss B. A. Beltorf, who is a native of Lockport, Illinois. One child has blessed their union-Eva.

D. Farnsworth, an old settler of Plain- field, was born in New York State in 1842. When ten years of age, his parents came west, and settled in Delaware county, Iowa, and lived until 1862, then came to Bremer county, and settled in Plainfield. Soon after his arrival, he opened a black- smith shop-which trade he had learned of his father-and has since followed that business. Mr. Farnsworth was married to Miss Elizabeth Lynes, a native of New York State, on the 21st day of April, 1866. Four children have blessed this union- Charles W., Cora E., Addic M., and Allie.

Henry Eckert, a shoc-maker of Polk township, was born in 1830, in Pennsyl- vania, and there he received a liberal ed- ucation and grew to manhood. When seventeen years of age, he learned the shoe-maker's trade, at Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In 1855,

1176 HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

he moved to Strawberry Point, Clayton county, Iowa, and engaged in the shoe and harness making business; and, in the fall of 1880, came to Bremer county, and settled in Plainfield. Immediately upon lis arrival, he opened a shoe making es- tablishment, and still continues in that

business. In 1853, he was married to Miss Elizabetlı Ames, who died in the spring of 1856. Mr. Eckert was married to Miss Emily Logan, a native of Michi- gan, in 1857, and she has borne him thir- teen children, seven of whom are now living.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

SUMNER TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the extreme north- eastern corner of Bremer county and con- sists of thirty-two sections of land, or about 20,480 acres. The soil is a rich dark sandy loam. The surface is gently un- dulating, and in some sections nearly level. It is well drained by natural depressions and water courses, and there is very little if any waste land. There are two streams passing through the township: Buck creek and the Little Wapsipinicon river. The former having source near the northern - boundary line on section 4, and flowing south through sections 8, 17, 20, the north- east corner of 29, 28, and leaving on 33. The latter has its source in Chickasaw county and in two streams, enters this township, making confluence on section 2, passing thence through the southwest cor- ner of section 1, it flows through sections 12, 13 and passes out toward the east. on the northeast corner of 24, entering again . from the east on section 25, it flows to-

ward the northwest and curves again southward on the north west quarter, pass- ing thence through section 26, it makesits final exit on 35. There is one railroad passing diagonally through the southern portion of the township, called the Du- buque and Dakota, entering on section 32 and leaving on 24. Sumner is the only town in the township. This is an excel- lent agricultural township and consists mostly of prairie, although there is a con- siderable supply of timber along the Wapsipinicon river. The land is occu- pied mainly by actual settlers, there be- ing but very little land unimproved.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement made in this town- ship was by E. P. Bemis, J. N. Bemis and Allen Rowe, in June, 1854. The Messrs. Bemis settled on section 12, and Rowe on section 24. J. N. Bemis erected the first house. He is now a resident of Fayette

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

1177

county. E. P. Bemis now lives in Kan- sas. Allen Rowe also removed to that State. In the fall of the same year came Chas. Rowe and A. L. Stevenson.

Chas. Rowe, son of Anthony and Martha Rowe, was born in Windsor, Windsor county, Vermont, September 24, 1824. His parents are both dead, his father dying in Illinois, and his mother in the town of Sumner, in 1877. Mr. Rowe lived in Vermont, until 1844, when he went to Illinois, where he remained ten years. In 1854, he came to Sumner and settled on section 24, on the farm, where he now lives. He first built a log house, but in 1855, put up a small frame house, to which, he has since built an addition. He was justice of the peace for two years, has been constable for a number of years, and one of the trustees of the town for five years. Mr. Rowe has been connected with the school interests of the town for a good many years; was one of the first school board, and assisted in building the first school house in the town, also en- gaged the first teacher. He was married in 1848, to Miss Jane A. Riley, a native of Henrietta county, New York. Her father, William, and mother, Euphe mia Riley, came to Sumner in 1856, and both died there, the former in 1867, and the latter in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have ten children-Mary J., George H., Eddie W., Alphonso, Susan E., Esther, Augusta, Frank, Martha Ellen and Euphemia A. Frank Rowe was born January 28, 1856. This was probably the first birth in the township.

A. L. Stevenson was born in Plattsburg, Christian county, New York, January 5, 1830. He was the son of David and Han-

nah Stevenson, who were also natives of New York. When he was four years old his parents moved to Huron county, Ohio, where A. L. grew to manhood. He re- ceived a liberal common school education, ' and at the age of eighteen went into the mercantile business, in company with his father, in Clarksfield, Ohio, remaining with him until 1852, when he went to Cal- ifornia, going overland with an ox team, making the trip in about five months. On arriving there he engaged as elerk in a mill for about six months, and then formed a partnership with James Bullock, in the wood business, they having a wood ranche on the Sacramento river, where they en- gaged in selling wood to steamboats. He remained in California until the fall of 1853, and on his way home met with an accident, which made him a cripple for life. Returning to Huron county, Ohio, he engaged in the grocery business, con- tinuing there about one year, when he started for Iowa, making the trip by team, being four weeks on the way. This was his wedding trip, as he was married just before starting, to Miss Cynthia Jane Car- penter, a native of Duchess county, New York. They settled in October of that year in Sumner, on a farm, on the soutli- west quarter of section 6. Mr. Stevenson has improved four farms in this township. At two or three different times he has been a member of the county board of su- pervisors, the last time serving from 1875 to 1878. He has also been town clerk, trustee, assessor, justice of the peace, and in fact, has held every office in the gift of the people of the township. He has built about 130 bridges in Bremer county, in the past twelve years, some of them

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

while a member of the county board, and the remainder under contract. He has been engaged in farming ever since he came to the county, even while he was in the bridge building business. Mr. Steven- son was one of the men that carried the returns from the first election to Wa- verly. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have had cight children, five living-Alta Belle, who has taught school in this district twelve terms, and in others six months; Charles Lincoln, Susan May, Erwin and Elwin, twins.

Rev. A. K. Moulton purchased land and settled in 1855.

The next year Albert Rowe, son of Anthony and Martha Rowe, arrived. He was born in Windsor, Windsor county, Vermont, July 31, 1831. He remained in his native town until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Will county, Illi- nois, near Joliet, where he lived five years, engaged in painting. In 1852, during the gold excitement, he packed up his worldly effects, and, with an ox team, started over- land for the "golden land," with the hope of making an independent fortune. He made the entire trip in six months, and after arriving there engaged in mining, and worked faithfully. for four years. Although his brightest hopes were not realized, yet he met with fair success. In 1856 he returned, by water, via New York, and during that winter came to Bremer county, and settled on a farm in Sumner township, where he still lives. He has been identified with the school interests ever since he came to this place. He was one of the school directors for some time, and for a number of years was chairman of the school board. He has also been

constable for about six years. He was married, in 1851, to Miss Mary A. Wilkins, a native of Vermont. She died in Sep- tember, 1880, at the age of forty-six. They had two children-Isabella and Eugene.

In 1857 came George Wheaton and D. R. Hatch.

George W. Wheaton, son of Henry and Sarah Wheaton, was born in Oneida county, New York, March 15, 1817. When he was about ten years of age his parents moved to Detroit, Michigan, in which place he learned the book-binding trade, following that branch of business, in different places, upward of forty years. In the spring of 1857 he came to Sumner township, and settled on the farm where he now lives. He was appointed postmaster in 1862, and held the office for about eight years. He was justice of the peace for a number of years; assessor, and has held many other offices. He was married, in 1844, to Miss Julia Fitzpatrick, a native of Canada. They have had five children, two of whom are living-Andrew, who died when a child; Charles, died in the army, in 1862, at the age of sixteen; George Alfred, and Samuel Albert, (twins), Sam- uel A. died at the age of five; Philip Mil- ton, who was among the first born in the town, and who married, in 1880, Miss Edith Belle Marsh.

D. R. Hatch, son of Benjamin and Nao- mi Hatch, natives of Vermont, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, Feb- ruary 24, 1829. He grew to manhood on a farm in New York, receiving a common school education. In 1849 he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, and en- gaged in farming for two years, and then for five years was in the book business.

B.M. Reeves.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

In 1856 he came to Iowa, stopping at Fort Dodge to buy land, but not being satisfied with the outlook, concluded to come to Sumner, when he bought the farm where he now lives. He opened a small store in Leroy township, which was the first in that place, and kept it for one year. At one time he was a member of the board of county supervisors; has held all the offices in the gift of the people, in the township where he resides; has taken an active part in the developement of the township, has been identified with the educational inter- ests of the township from its earliest day, up to the present time, He is a mem- ber of the present school board. Mr. Hatch's parents are both dead, his father dying in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1843, at the age of fifty-three, and his mother in Sumner, in 1872, at the age of seventy-eight. He was married April 15, 1858, to Miss Mary Davis, a native of New Hampshire. This was the first marriage eeremony performed in Sumner, Rev. A. K. Moulton officiating. Mrs. Hateh tauglit seliool in Leroy township, in 1857, and taught one of the first schools in this township. They have three children --- David, May and Anson.

The settlement of Henry Lease, Jr., and George H. French, dates from this same year.

Henry Lease, Jr., son of Henry and Lydia (Cadwallader) Lease, was born in Hampshire eounty, Virginia, on the 5th day of March, 1827. He acquired his education in his native county and lived there until twenty-three years of age. At that time he came west and located in Washington county, Iowa, where he remained seven years and then

moved to Bremer county, locating on sec- tion 17, on land entered for him by his brother. At the present time he owns 230 acres under a good state of eultivation. Mr. Lease is the present town clerk, and has held that office for twelve years; and has also held the office of assessor, several years. In politics he is a republican. He was married in the year 1848 to Miss Mary Baker, who was also born in the State of Virginia. They have eleven children living-Lydia M., wife of S. P. Madden of Cherokee county; John W., who lives in Cherokee county; Henry B., also living in Cherokee eounty; Mary W. V., wife of W. J. Beightol, living at West Union; Nimrod M., living in Cher- okee county; Wesley H., Hiram M., Myria E., Martha A., Robert E. and J. Amos. Mr. and Mrs. Lease are men- bers of the United Bretheren in Christ.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 128

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