History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 132

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 132
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 132

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).

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

tors: United Brethren, German Lutheran, Seven-Day Advents, and Baptists.

A. F. AND A. M.

Lookout Lodge, No. 395, A. F. and A. M., was organized in 1879, Dr. J. N. Wil- son, Dr. Z. Z. Bryant and S. F. Cass taking an active part. The following are the charter members: J. N. Wilson, George F. Harwood, S. F. Cass, Nathan Bent, E. E. Fay, Z. Z. Bryant, A. J. Lowe, Martin Robish, Alex. Carman, E. Fay, David Littell and Nathan Reynolds. At the first meeting, the following officers were elected: J. N. Wilson, W. M .; George F. Harwood, S. W .; S. F. Cass, J. W .; Nathan Bent, Treasurer; E. E. Fay, Secretary; Z. Z. Bryant, S. D .; A. J. Lowe, J. D .; Charles Seeley, J. S .; C. M. Rced, Tyler. The present officers are: Z. Z. Bryant, W. M .; C. A. Seeley, S. W .; C. Kaimanska, J. W .; M. Robish, Secretary; J. F. Fasil, Treasurer; H. C. Alger, S. D .; A. J. Lowe, J. D .; L. C. Head, S. S .; A. Countryman, J. S .; John Reynolds, Tyler. They have a commodious hall in Cass' building, 20x40 feet, which is furnished in good shape. The lodge is in excellent condition, having a membership of forty- two. There has not been a death in the society since its organization.

A. O. U. W.

Snmner Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 88, was organized December 11, 1876, by W. H. Burford, with the following as charter members: R. M. Carrol, S. E. Conner, R. L. Fox, I. N. Kepler, C. M. Reed, S. E. McNaul, A. Baumgartner, S. F. Fisher, E. L. Fitch, A. C. Wilkins, C. G. Spears, W. T. Wade, J. N. Wilson, D. R. Littell, M. S.

Wright, J. D. Blair, A. P. Fowler, D. M. Meeker, C. C. Parsons, S. N. Orvis, A. Mc- Meekin, W. W. Quirey, M. Congdon. The first officers of this organization were: E. L. Fitch, P. M. W; W. W. Quirey, M. W; S. E. McNaul, G. F .; R. L. Fox, O; S. E. Cowner, Recorder; M. S. Wright, Finan- cier; W. L. Wade, Receiver; D. R. Lit- tell, Inside Watch; I. N. Kepler, Outside Watch. The present membership is twen- ty-four. There has been one death since the organization, that of William Wade. The present condition of the lodge is pros- perous.

OPERA HOUSE.

In the spring of 1882, Sumner, not hav- ing a suitable place for entertainments, Peter Forssman determined to erect an opera house and commenced at once to build. He completed the building in a short time. It is 80x34 feet, 28 feet high. The stage is 16x34 feet. It has a seating capacity of 600, and and cost nearly $2,- 500. It is a good building and would do credit to a much large town than Sum- ner.

Peter Forssman, proprietor of "Sumner Opera House," was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1843. He was the son of Mag- mus and Anna Forssman, who are both living in Sweden. He was reared in the mines, and had charge of one mine. for seven years, following this business until 1871, when he came to America and set- tled in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was engaged in a stone quarry and in brick making. In 1873, he came to Iowa and settled in Buchanan county, near Inde- pendence, engaged in fancy stock-raising on an extensive scale. This he followed

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

for several years, after which he spent one year in Independence, where he kept a saloon and billiard hall. In 1881, he came to Sumner and opened a billiard hall, where he continued until the fall of 1882, when he sold out. In the spring of 1882, realizing the necessity of a public hall for , entertainments, and receiving sufficient encouragement from the citizens, he pur- chased a lot and commenced the erection of a commodious building, to be used for such purchases. Mr. Forssman was mar- ried in 1872, to Miss Louisa Larson, a native of Sweden. They have three children, two girls and one boy-Ellen, Martha and Peter.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF SUMNER.

S. F. Cass & Co .- General merchandise -S. F. Cass, Myron Congdon, M. S. Wright and C. F. Reimler.

Clark & Austin-General merchandise -A. II. Clark and C. A. Austin.

Copeland & Longmier-General hard- ware.

Martin Robish --- General hardware.

J. F. Fasel-Groceries, boots and shoes. Bryant & Robishi-Druggists. Frank A. Lee --- Druggist.

Peter Woodring-Furniture, sewing machines, organs, clocks, etc. J. C. Rand-Jeweler.

Eugene Ellsworth-Gunsmith. William Turner-Barber.

A. Baumgartner-Harness shop. Fred. Frank --- Meat-market.

A. H. Jarvis-Livery stable. J. H. Muffly-Grain buyer.

E. P. Emmons-Lumber yard.

J. C. Garner --- Lumber yard.

A. J. Curtis -- Depot agent.

William King-Hotel.

Mrs. Peter Woodring-Milliner.

Miss Priffer-Milliner.

S. F. Cass --- Banker.

Frank Shull --- Cashier of Bank.

Josiah Carpenter-Attorney at law.

Tower & Tibbits-Horses.

Chauney Carpenter-Capitalist.

G. P. Linn & Co .- Printing office.

Telephone exchange-A. J. Curtis. Peter Forssman-Manager opera house. Gardner, Murphy & Co .- Creamery.

Frank White-Insurance agent.

Josiah Carpenter -- Insurance agent. S. M. Goodall-artist.

A. H. Jarvis-Dray line. McMeekin & Co .- Blacksmiths.

S. Koerth -- Blacksmith.

J. N. Wilson and W. E. Whiting-Phy- sicians.

Z. Z. Bryant-Physician. Al. Wemple-Saloon. F. A. Nounan-Saloon.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIX.

WARREN TOWNSHIP.

This township comprises all of township 92, range 13, west of the fifth principal meridian, and is bounded on the north by Douglas, on the south by Washington and Jefferson, on the east by Fremont and on the west by Lafayette. The surface of the township is rolling prairie, except where it is crossed by small streams. There are three groves of timber, "Wumbo's" grove, located on sections 34, 27 and 26, and is about one and one-half miles long by one mile wide. The timber is principally burr oak, jack oak, and shell-bark hickory. Quarter-section Grove is located on section 15 and contains sixty acres of timber, the greater part of which is burr oak. "Sturtevant's" Grove is located in the southwestern part of the township, and is covered with the same kinds of timber as the others.

The territory now comprising this town- ship is a subdivision of what was once Washington township. It assumed its present boundaries and was organized as a township in 1859.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Among the early settlers were Israel Trumbo and family, who came here from Ohio in 1853 and located on section 34, where he lived until 1860, when he moved to Dakota, where he has since died.

William Ogden and family came here from Kentucky in 1853 and located on section 26, remaining until 1856, when he moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he has since died. Nelson M. Smith came in the same year and selected a farm on sec- tion 31. Claudius Albee arrived the same year and established a home on section 32.

Clarence Tyrrell, who is a son of Ed- ward and Elizabeth (Canada) Tyrrell, was born in McHenry county, Illinois, on the 20th day of January, 1850. In the year 1853, he, in company with his parents, came west and settled in Bremer county, where he has since resided. During the years of his youth he received a good com- mon school education. Mr. Tyrrell lived with his mother until the spring of 1882, when he bought 80 acres of land in sec- tion 18, and has since resided there. He has held the office of trustee of the town- ship. In the year of 1876, he was mar- ried to Miss Susan Garrity, who was born in the State of New York. They have two sons living-Guy E., born October 12, 1877; Jerry H., in the year 1882.

W. B. Ingersoll was born in Syracuse, New York, December 18, 1818, and is a son of Hiram and Sarah (Smith) Inger- soll. He remained in his native town un- til nine years of age, when the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he re-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

mained until October, 1853, when he came to Bremer county, and, shortly after his arrival, settled on section 7, Warren town- ship, where he has since resided. He now owns 242 acres of land in Bremer county. In 1842 he was married to Miss Eliza Tyrrell, who is a native of Troy, New York. Nine children have been born to them-William, Nicholas, Albert, Ann, Charles, Lee, Sarah, Ann and Eunice L. Mr. Ingersoll's father died in Bremer county in the year 1870. His mother is still living.

James M. Sturdevant, the third son of Ira H. and Acenath (Lilly) Sturdevant, was born on the 5th day of May, 1820. Five years later the family moved to Chautauqua county, where they lived until 1834, when they removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania. Here James grew to man- hood, and his life up to this period, was passed upon his father's farm. He re- ceived but a limited education, because of his parents constantly living on the frontier where schools were few and of short dura- tion. In 1844, he came west to McHenry county, Illinois, where he remained for the succeeding ten years. In 1854, he moved to Waverly, Bremer county, where he passed the winter; and the following spring located at Trumbo's Grove, where he entered 160 acres of land on section 26, and also bouglit 40 acres of Isarel Trumbo. At the present date Mr. Sturdevant owns 46 acres; having disposed of the rest of his landed property. He has held the office of township trustee several terms. In December, 1841, he was married to Miss Phila E. Hart, who is a native of Chautauqua county, New York. Ten children have been born to them, seven of

whom are now living-Henry Alonzo, who lives at Otter Tail, Minnesota; Martha M., wife of William Webber, of Waverly; Laura E., wife of Edward Keller, of Otter Tail county, Minnesota; Addie E., wife of Royal Pierce, of Otter Tail county, Min- nesota; James M., who is now engaged in railroading in Minnesota; Mary E. and Flora A. Harvey B. died at Keokuk hospital from diseases contracted while in the army; Horace E. died in November, 1852, and Charles J. died in 1854.

Henry Heine was born in Hanover, Ger- many, August 12, 1826. He came to America in 1848, and after residing in New Orleans for five months, went to Cook county, Illinois, where he engaged in farm- ing for about six years. In 1854 he moved to Iowa, and settled in Bremer county, entering 160 acres of land on section 12, Jefferson township, where he lived until November, 1867, when he disposed of his place and bought 720 acres of land on sec- tions 15, 21 and 22, Warren township. At the present date, he and his sons own 600 acres, and on their place is a fine grove of trees, known as the "quarter section grove." Mr. Heine has held several of the town offices at different times. He was married in 1852, to Miss Mary Stegge, who was born in Germany. Eight chil- dren have been born to them, seven of whom are now living-Henry, Hermann, William, John, Mary, Flora, Hulda and Emma. The last two were twins; Emma died December 25, 1879,

Nelson Prue was born in Lower Can- ada, near Montreal, July 15, 1820. He is the third son of Nicholas and Mary (Dizotel) Prue. At the age of sixteen, he went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

he engaged in farming twelve years, and then went to Rhode Island and spent seven years. In 1855, he came to Bremer county, and settled on section 19, Warren township, where he now owns ninety-two acres of land. When Mr. Prue first came to this county, he purchased 120 acres of land, and brought with him $600 worth of furniture. This furniture, with his com- fortable dwelling, was completely de- stroyed by fire June 1, 1857. This mis- fortune to the new settler left him almost destitute, and he was compelled to dispose of a part of his land, in order to raise means for the erection of another house. In 1848, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Brickhell, who was born in England, and is a daughter of Rev. Samuel Brickhell, a Methodist divine. One son was born to them-Charles, now living in Kansas. This wife died in September, 1872, and Mr. Prue was again married January 5, 1874, to Miss Anna Royer, who is a native of France. They have been blessed with four children-Esther May, Jennie Dora, Ann Elizabeth and Wesley Xavier.

Daniel Chittenden was born in Colum- bia, New York, on the 3d day of October, 1814, and is a son of Benjamin and Fanny (Loper) Chittenden. His father was born in New York, and his mother on Long Island. In 1816 his parents moved to Wayne county, New York, and remained until 1831, when they settled in Cat- araugus county. Here Daniel grew to manhood, and remained at home until about 28 years of age, when he came west and located in St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he remained thirteen years. In 1855 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and first located near the big woods in Washington

township. Here he lived on a rented farm for two and one-half years and then settled on his present farm in section 21, Warren township. He had traded for this land while in Michigan, and previous to moving on it had had fifteen acres of the eighty broken. Mr. Chittenden was married on the 8th day of June, 1837, to Miss Phæbe Ray, who is a native of Ontario county, New York. Ten children have been born to them, six of whom are now living- Fernando, a resident of Warren township; Benjamin, also a resident of this township; Eliza. now the wife of B. F. Banks, of Rockford, Illinois; Mark Eugene, Daniel Arthur and Tina.

James Cruthers was born in county Down, Ireland, in 1828. When about fif- teen years of age he went to Scotland, where he spent three years, and while there was engaged in farming. He then came to America and passed the next five years in Buffalo. In 1856 he came to Bre- mer county and settled in Warren town- ship. Here he bought 45 acres of land on section 32, and at the present date owns about 100 acres. Mr. Cruthers was mar- ried in 1856 to Miss Eliza McCortney, who is also a native of Ireland. Of nine chil- dren born to them, six are now living- Belle, now the wife of Isaac Lemmon; George, Elizabeth, Margaret, Effie and Edwin.

Homer H. Case, one of the pioneers of Bremer county, was born in Genesee county, New York, June 7, 1820, and is the third son of Nathan G. and Harriet (Scoville) Case. In 1824 his mother died and in 1829 the family moved to Rutland county, Vermont, and in 1830 to Chautau- qua county, New York. Here his father

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

died in 1866. In the spring of 1856 Ho- mer came west and passed the summer in Illinois, and in the fall, came on to Bre- mer county and remained through the win- ter in Horton. During this time, he pur- chased his present farm on section 8, War- ren township. In the spring of 1857, he moved his family to the township, and rented a house in which they lived during the summer, while building on his farm. Mr. Case has always taken a great interest in the politcs of his county. He has held the office of township trustee' and secre- tary of the school board, and has also been justice of the peace for the past seventeen years. In politics he is a staunch Repub- lican, casting his first presidential vote for Henry Clay. He was married in Chau- tauqua county in 1850 to Miss Ellen Phin- ney, who is a native of Vermont. Five children have blessed this union, of whom Harriet, Daniel, Julien and Hudson are now living. Stella died in January, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Case are members of the Baptist church in Waverly.

Moses H. Robinson, who was born in Canada East, on the 17th day of May, 1834, is a son of William and Catherine (Moore) Robinson. His father and mother were of Scotch descent. Moses remained in the town of his birth until 1851, at which time he left for Clinton county, New York, where he remained for two years, when he came west, and located in DeKalb county, Illinois, where he engaged in brick-making, and here spent the following six years. Upon leaving Illinois he moved still farther west, taking up his residence in Buchanan county, Iowa, and followed his old occu- pation in the town of Independence. He then enlisted in Company E, Fifth Iowa

Infantry, and served in this company until mustered out at Chattanooga. Here, also, he was mustered into Company G, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, and served until honorably discharged, at Clinton, Iowa, at the close of the rebellion, August, 1865. During the year 1857 he visited Bremer county, and entered 80 acres of land on section 6, Warren township,and while in the war,had 40 acres of it improved. Upon returning to civil life he settled on his farm, where he still resides. He was married at Inde- pendence, Iowa, in 1861, to- Miss Sarah J. Wright, who is a native of New York. Seven children have been born to them, six of whom are now living-Ella A:, Mary E., William E., Ida E., Clara Bertha, and Pearl Edna. Satie J. died in 1878.

Gould Nichols was born in Connecticut, and there grew to manhood, and was mar- ried to Philena Barnum. Five sons were born to this couple, of whom Levi was the second, and was born in Connecticut April 1, 1819. While Levi was quite young, the family moved to New York, and, several years after their settlement there, his mother died in Clyde county, in 1829, at thirty-seven years of age. The family still continued to reside there, and Levi made that his home for fifteen years, and then came west to McHenry county, Illi- nois, where he was married December 10, 1846, to Clarisa A. Couse, who was born in Otsego county, New York, August 25, 1828. They remained in Illinois until 1856, and during their residence there, two sons and one daughter were born to them. Frank L., their first child, was born August 14, 1848; Esther G., was born on the 15th day of April, 1851, and their third child, Henry Gould, was born November

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

6, 1854. In 1856, the family moved west- ward, and settled in Dodge county, Minne- sota, where Edward K. was born, on the 28th day of February, 1857. In 1864, the family came to Iowa, and settled on sec- tion 31, Warren township, where they have since resided. Frank L. was married November 20, 1873, to Helen M. Case, who was born at Monroe, Greene county, Wisconsin, November 15, 1851. They are now residents of Warren township. Esther G. was married to Isaac Hazlett, on the 3d day of December, 1875, and they now live in Nashua, Iowa. Henry Gould mar- ried Sarah A. Caulfield, who was born at at Belvidere, Illinois, June 15, 1854; she is a daughter of James G. Caulfield, who was born October 11, 1818. At the begin- ning of our late rebellion, he enlisted in Company C, Fourty-fourth Illinois Volun- teers, and was killed in the battle of Mis- sion Ridge, November 25, 1863. Mr. Caulfield's wife died while Sarah was a child. Henry and his family are residents of this township. The fourth child, Ed- ward K., now lives at Nashua, Iowa.

John Hanner, a son of Alexander and Jane (Morrison) Hanner, was born in Canada, in April, 1835. He remained in his native country until 1854, when the family emigrated to the United States and located in' Stephenson county, Illinois. Here John remained until 1866, when he came to Iowa, and settled on a farm on sec- tion 9, Warren township. He now owns 240 acres of fine land, all under cultivation. Mr. Hanner has held the office of trustee and school director. On the 1st day of March, 1860, he was married to Miss Mar- garet Jewell, who is a native of Illinois. They have seven children-Joseph R. A.,

John William, Martha Jane, Lillie May, Charles B, Robert Edward and Ellen.

Jasper Wylam was born in England, on the 11th day of May, 1830. When he was seven years of age, his parents came to America, and settled in West Virginia, where they lived six years, and then moved to Illinois and settled in Jo Daviess county, where Jasper grew to manhood and en- gaged in farming and mining. He was married in 1854, to Miss Barbara March, who was born in England, but when seven years of age, with her parents, came to America and settled in Shellsburg, Wis- consin. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Wylam moved to Grant county, Wisconsin, and engaged in merchandising. He continued in business until 1862, when he left his home for Montana, where he pursued mining for the three following years, and then went back to his home, remaining there until September, 1868, when he came to Bremer county, and settled in Warren township, on a farm which he had bought the July previous. He died here on the 2d day of January, 1877. Eight children were born to them, all of whom are living-Sarah J., now the wife of W. J. Nicholson, Amelia F., Dorothea E., Ellen B., George T., William J., Edward J. and Francis E.

Edward Bullock was born in Cornwall, England, in July, 1832. In 1846, in com- pany with his parents, he came to America and settled in Lafayette county, Wiscon- sin. Here his father engaged in mining and Edward remained at home, until he reached the age of nineteen, when he went to California, where he remained for seven years and then returned to Lafay- ette county. He again made this his home

EDWARD TYRRELL.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

until November, 1868, when he came to Bremer county, and settled in Warren township, in section 5, where he now owns a fine farm of 200 acres. He was mar- ried in 1859 to Miss Eliza J. Gribble, who is a native of England. They have seven children living-Eliza, Ella, William, Ed- ward A., Minnie, Grace and Edith.

S. H. Kingsley was born in Courtland county, New York, on the 24th day of July, 1824. He is a son of A. C. and Cloe B. (Leonard) Kingsley, who were both natives of the State of Connecticut. The family remained in Courtland county until 1835, when they moved to Manchester, New York, where they lived for five years, and then located in Monroe county, where S. H. lived until twenty-three years of age, when he was married to Miss Elinor J. Demarest, a native of New York City. After their marriage the young couple came west to Wisconsin, and located in Walworth county, where they lived until 1850. During that year they returned to the east, where they remained for five years, and then again moved west, and set- tled in Sycamore, DeKalb county, Illinois, where they lived for eight years. In 1863 they came to Bremer county, and lived in the town of Waverly for one year, and then settled on their farm of 160 acres, on sec- tion 8, Warren township, which farm Mr. Kingsley had purchased three years pre- vious to his settlement in this county. He now owns 170 acres of land, and is also engaged in the creamery business at Tri- poli, where he turns out some of the finest butter made in this section of the country. Mr. Kingsley held the office of assessor for three years-from 1868 until 1871. They have eight children now living-Albert F.,

who is now in the Pension Department, at Washington, D. C .; Charles A., who resides at Plainfield; Henry M., of Strawberry Point; Hiram A., who is in the Department of the Interior; Erwin, now attending Orchard City Business College, at Burling- ton, Iowa; William S., now teaching school; Bertie S., on the farm, and Eldora, now at home.

W. A. Rice, born in Seneca county, New York, May 2, 1821, is a son of David and Hannah (Stearns) Rice, who were both natives of Massachusetts. W. A. was reared on a farm, and during his minority received a good education in the common schools of that section of the State. He lived in the county of his birth, and Mon- roe county until 25 years of age. In the year 1848, he came west and settled in Wisconsin, first locating near Janesville, and afterwards near Madison. Here he remained until March, 1857, when he came to Iowa and settled on a farm of 120 acres in section 16, Butler township, Butler county. He lived in Butler county until 1871, when he removed to LaFayette township, where he followed farming until the year of 1880. Having been appointed overseer of the county poor farm, in Feb- ruary, of this year, he entered upon his duties there. Mr. Rice was married in the year 1846, to Miss Miriam Garrison, who was born in Orleans county, New York. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom are now living-William, Lottie, Charles Herbert, Medora, Lenora.

William Nicholson, eldest son of James and Sarah (Ball) Nicholson, was born in Nottingham, England, May 31, 1818. While in his native country, he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and for

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

years followed that occupation. In 1848, he came to America and located in the city of Rochester, where he remained eighteen months, and then removed to Livingston county where he took up his residence and worked at his trade six years, when he moved west to Belvidere, Illinois, where he remained until he came to Bremer county, in the fall of 1867. He settled on section 18, Warren township, where he now owns a farm of 120 acres. In politics, Mr. Nicholson is a republican. He was married in 1848 to Miss Hannah Briggs, who is also a native of Nottingham, England. They have been blessed with six children, five of whom are now living -- Sarah, now the wife of Charles Banks; William J., Mary Jane, Stephen, Fred- erick D.

W. J. Nicholson, a son of William and Anna (Briggs) Nicholson, was born in Rochester, New York, January 9, 1849. The family remained in that State until 1856 when they came west to Boone county, Illinois, and located in Belvidere, the son receiving his education in the pub- lic schools of that town. In 1867, with his parents, he came west and settled in Warren township. He was married in 1876 to Miss Sarah Jane Wylam, born in Grant county, Wisconsin. During the first year of their marriage, the young couple settled on their farm of forty acres, on section 17. They have one child- Maud.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 132

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