History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 135

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 135
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 135

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).

1243

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY. .

There are many fine and substantial brick and stone blocks to be seen upon the business thoroughfares, and a stroll through the city discloses many elegant and costly dwellings. There are a number of fine church edifices, and elegant buildings for educational purposes. An abundance of shade trees adorn the streets, which in summer add greatly to the beauty of the place. The location is exceedingly healthy; the inhabitants are possessed of intelli- gence, and the society is of the most re- fined and desirable character.

RECORDED PLATS.

The various town plats of Waverly were filed for record as follows:

Waverly proper by William P. Harmon, recorded in 1854.

Cretzmeyer's addition was recorded on the 14th of April, 1855; also May 2, 1856. Hess' addition, March 7, 1856. Gothard's addition, March 7, 1856.

Gothard's addition, July 3, 1857.

Harmon and Le Valley's addition, No- vember 4, 1857.

William Sturdevant's addition, Decem- ber 14, 1857.

Ira H. Sturdevant's addition, February 29, 1860 ..

J. J. Smith's addition, May 7, 1858.

EARLY DAYS.

The initiatory step toward the develop- ment of this locality was taken in 1852. The settlement of the county had been progressing slowly since 1845, but mostly in the region of what has since been or- ganized as Jefferson township. The site of Waverly was covered with heavy tim- ber. In 1852 Frederick Cretzmeyer made

his appearance and was the first settler upon the site. He was a native of Germany and brought his family, consisting of two girls, his wife being dead. He located a soldiers' warrant upon 160 acres of land, which has since been platted and become a part of the city. His land is described as part of section two, township 91, range 14, lying just east of the court house. He put up the first building, a little log hut which stood between the present site of the court house and Catholic church. He remained here until after Waverly began to be quite a place, when he and his fam- ily removed to Missouri where he has since died. Before leaving this place he was again married, but after reaching his Mis- souri home separated from his second wife.

About the same time or possibly a little later, Wendeline Cretzmeyer a brother of Frederick, came accompanied by his fam- ily and a sister of Mrs. Cretzmeyer. Ten acres were secured from Frederick, upon which the family erected a log shanty and settled. This land is yet in the possession of the boys and widow who yet live upon it, engaged in the manufacture of brick. The old shanty was torn down a few years ago to make room for the present comfort- able structures. The old gentleman lived there until his death.

Wendeline Cretzmeyer was born in the city of Baden, Germany, in 1803. His wife was Miss Catherine Ludwig, who was born in 1809. Three children, Stephen, Frank- lin and Henry, blessed their marriage. In 1847 they left their native country for America and, upon their arrival, located in Columbia county, New York. During the year of 1852 they came to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled in what is now the city

1244

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

of Waverly. Mr. Cretzmeyer landed in the county as a poor man, and, during the first years of his settlement here, worked as a day laborer. However, by industry and perseverance he was afterwards en- abled to open a business of his own. He died in 1867, leaving his wife and children to survive him. Franklin was born in Germany. In 1870 he was married to Miss Annie. Struble, who was born in 1848. Stephen is also a native of Germany, and was born November 14, 1839. His wife

was Miss Lizzie Gishbert. Henry was born in Columbia county, New York, Jan- uary 16, 1848, and was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret Mooney, who was born August 7, 1855, and was a native of Baltimore, Maryland. As has already been stated, the sons mentioned are still citizens of Waverly and are engaged in the manufacture of brick. The mother, Catherine Cretzmeyer, still lives with members of her family.

The real founder of the city was Wil- liam P. Harmon. Early in the spring of 1853, he took a trip from the point at which he had located, to Bremer county, and in passing over the ground which is now crowned by the city, was struck with the great advantages of the good solid rock bottom, good banks and ample fall in the river, and decided that the location was just the place to begin a town; the river running due north and south from the proper place to put a water power. He at once set the project on foot, by using all the influence he could bring to bear to have the county seat of Bremer county- which was then organized-located at this point, and at the same time, after securing the land, hired O. H. P. Roszell, county

judge of Buchanan county, to survey the same into lots. This survey, which made, the foundation of Waverly, began with Court street and extended westward to the river. Mr. Harmon then returned to Inde- pendence and made arrangements to have his brother-in-law, R. J. Ellsworth, move with him to the new town and help in the erection of a mill.

In July he went down' to Cedar Rapids and met Mr. Ellsworth, and together with Mr. Ellsworth's family,consisting of a wife and two boys-Gorham E., now deceased, and Henry Byron, who were aged respec- tively 10 and 15, they came to Indepen- dence, arriving there upon Thursday, July 28, 1853. In the evening, Mr. Harmon was married to Miss Alzina Reeves, and the following morning with his bride and the Ellsworth party, he took an early start for Bremer county, arriving in the evening of the same day. Here they found Fred- erick and Wendeline Cretzmeyer safely housed in their log huts just east of the court house, and on the other side of the river, Elder Goforth and Jacob Hess had also taken up farms. The two latter were about a mile west of the Cretzmeyer's. Where to stop that night was at first a puzzler, but finally it was arranged that all sleep at the cabin of Fred Cretzmeyer. The bed was taken down, and as there was only one room in the cabin, the bed- ding was laid upon the floor so as to ac- commodate as many as possible, and when time for retiring came, the entire settle- ment went to bed in this room, there being Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth and their two boys, Mr. [Cretzmeyer and his two girls, two teamsters and the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

In this manner they lived until the new comers had erected their log cabin which was complete and ready for occupancy early in August, 1853. The log cabin erected by Harmon and Ellsworth was somewhat better than the pioneers gener- ally had; it was about 18x18 feet, one story and a half, although Mr. Ellsworth says he never could get anyone to sleep in the "half." The logs werc plastered to- gether and the holes chinked with mud ; on the inside sheets were hung around the walls, to make it look more home-like. A door was not to be thought of and until October a blanket was hung up in lieu thercof. This hut stood directly in the center of Bremer Avenne, a few rods east of the river, a little ncarer the river than the Bremer County Bank. The forest was just as dense at that time as it was anywhere in the Big Woods, and about the house there was no more "clearing" than was · made in getting logs for the cabin. A crooked, winding trail alone afforded means of communication between the settlers. The women, however, insisted that a clearing be made about the house that they might see the sun now and then; so Harmon and Ellsworth pushed their way down to the bank of the river and from the bottom of the hill commenced cutting the trees on the side next the river. They treated a whole swath in this way until they came to the little clearing about the cabin. The upper trces were then felled, and falling, carried the whole swath to the ground like ten pins. After this the setting sun and the beautiful Cedar could be seen from the cabin.

These things accomplished, the saw mill was the next matter to receive atten-

tion. A dam was thrown across the river, logs, stone and other material being used in its construction, and on the east side of the river a building was erected, about 20x40 feet in sizc. The machinery was hauled from Rock Island, Illinois, by R. J. Ellsworth, and an old fashioned "sash" or "up and down" saw was placed in the mill. All this took time and much hard work, there being other workmen beside Harmon and Ellsworth engaged. About the 1st of March, 1854, everything being in readiness, it was announced that the saw mill would commence operation. Quite a crowd of interested settlers from various parts of the county had collected to see its inauguration, and the water was turned on. The mill had been built back from the river, and when the water came rushing in about the basement, the frost was taken from the ground, and but a few moments elapsed before it was discovered that water which went under above look- ing clear,came out below looking dirty and riley.

This produced the greatest excitement as it indicated that the water had cut into the foundation and would soon wash out the underpinning of the mill. The hole through which the water had found its way, was at first small, but soon washed out and became a whirlpool or a minaturc maelstrom. The settlers at once set to work with a will and hay, stones, logs and other material was thrown in to stop the hole, but all sucked through in an instant. Finally when hope had almost failed Mrs. R. J. Ellsworth, who was also at work with the rest, suggested that straw beds be thrown in. It was adopted and all the straw ticks in town were called for. They

1246

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

were forthcoming and in a few moments eleven beds were piled up by the mill. Then all prepared, a tick was thrown in and the bystanders threw rocks upon it. This served the purpose and saved the mill although it took about every bed in town. The damage was repaired and the mill be- gan operations with a capacity of sawing about 2500 feet of lumber per day. The first lumber was sold to Heman A. Miles. In a few years a lath machine and edger were added to the mill and circular saws put in and for many years it continued its busy hum. A few years ago it was torn down and the crib filled with stone, a few rods north of the bridge.

R. J. Ellsworth was born in Cumber- land county, Maine, March 22, 1809. His youth was passed on a farm and he re- ceived his education in the pioneer schools of his native State. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, re- maining with him five years, and during the time, receiving as wages, his clothes, which were estimated at $25 per year. December 2, 1832, he was joined in the holy bands of matrimony with Miss Eliza- beth M. Harmon, a native of St. Stephens, New Brunswick, and born February 14, 1814. Five children were born to them, one of whom is now living. In 1852 Mr. Ellsworth turned his face westward, mak- ing his way to Linn county, Iowa, and lo- cating for a short time in the town of Ce- dar Rapids. During the month of July, 1853, he removed to Bremer county, Iowa, settling in Waverly as one of its pioneers.

Their first dwelling consisted of a cabin 16x20 feet and made out of rough logs. There they lived until Christmas eve and then moved into a building standing on

the site where the new Bremer county bank now is. The following September they removed to their present place of resi- dence. A few years ago Mr. Ellsworth built a large and commodious brick dwell- ing in which himself and wife expect to spend the remaining years of their life. In politics he was formerly a whig, but for many years has allied himself with the republican party. He was Waverly's first justice of the peace. The family are members of the M. E. Church.

In a few weeks after the arrival of the mill party, Samuel Henderson and family moved to the spot, and he ,commenced work on the mill, which was in course of erection. Cutting a space in the forest, he put up a little log cabin upon the same lot that is now occupied by the Independent office, and from his door he could just barely see-through the timber-the cabin of his neighbors, which stood in the middle of the street near the bridge. He was fol- lowed shortly afterward by James Null, who came with his family and erected a little log house near where Mooney's blacksmith shop now stands, on Water street. This was torn down many years ago .. Henderson remained for a few years, when he removed to Missouri.

William B. Hamilton came from Inde- pendence early in 1853, and after making arrangements for erecting a building and starting a store, returned. About the last of August, Porter W. Earle made his ap- pearance. He had been, and was at the time, peddling goods for Green & Brother, of Cedar Rapids, and chanced to stop at the river -- just where Knott's livery stable stands-to water his horses. Ellsworth saw him from the opposite side, and hav-

1247

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

ing known him, called "come over." Earle crossed the river, and going to Ellsworth's cabin received a hearty wel- come.

The next morning he unloaded his goods, and, having decided to start a store, com- menced the erection of a building, and began selling goods. While he was en- gaged in building he piled his goods beside the Harmon and Ellsworth house, and it is a good illustration of the brotherly feel- ing existing among the settlers, that any- one who wished went and helped them- selves. If a plug of tobacco or pound of · sugar was taken while Earle was up by the Cretzmeyer's getting out timber, the money was paid when they met. Earle put up a log cabin 18x24 feet, upon the lot now occupied by J. P. Olds ' stone store, the latter being put up by Earle a few years later. He remained until about 1855, when he returned to Cedar Rapids. This was the first store started in Waverly.

In a few months W. B. Hamilton re- turned, and purchased the lot now occupied by the offices of the Independent and Re- publican, 8x4 rods, for $25. He had brought lumber with him from Independence, and erected the first frame building in the town, in which he kept store and lived. He had a fair stock of goods, and commenced sell- ing early in the winter. He held the office of treasurer and recorder, and is noticcd at length in that connection. He remained until about 1861.

During the fall of 1853, Ellsworth and Harmon erected another house which stood where the elegant Bremer County Bank block now stands. It was a frame building of fair size. They moved into it on Christmas eve, 1853, and remained there

until the following Junc, when it was turned over to John J. Smith, who opened it as a hotel. Mr. Ellsworth then moved to the little building which they had erected just back of the Bremer house, on the same lot where his present fine brick house now stands. This building is still standing in a dilapidated condition, and is undoubtedly the oldest in the city.

The house into which J. J. Smith moved, remained with many additions until about 1881, when it was torn down. He at once commenced the erection of the Bremer House, which, when half finished, was occupied by the carpenter, James G. Burnett, who used it partially as a hotel.

When the spring of 1854 opened, noth- ing marked the site of Waverly except the blue smoke curling heavenward from the few cabins among the timber. No roads were cut except a zig-zag trail through the settlement and paths from clearing to clearing. During the year 1854, however, there were many arrivals, and Main street or what is known as Bremer avenuc was partially cleared.

Court was to be held this year and prep- arations were made for it. The red cedar stake which had been driven to mark the county seat location, was in a lot just north of the court house, west of where the school house now stands. On this lot, early in the spring of 1854, a little board building was thrown together in which to hold court. It was about 20x30 fect, one story high, and boards were thrown upon. the ground for a floor. The jury was sent to a neighboring house or were corraled in the brush.

Among those who are remembered as coming this year, arc the following named:

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

John C. Hazlett, Dr. Fisher, Jeremiah Farris, William Sturdevant, Anson A. Case, Samuel, Hamilton and Horatio Ged. dis, Nelson and Samuel Flynn, Hayward Howell, Nelson L. Turner, James W. Wood, Charles Ensign, Philip and Elijah Smith, the Hinton family, Demus Buck- ingham, David Millburn, William Reeves, P. B. Foster, Henry Harmon, Dr. Bur- bank, Heman A. Miles, and others who came only to remain a short time. This years advancement made Waverly appear something like a village, the forest began to melt away before the woodman's axe, and all classes of trade were represented.

John C Hazlett, an early arrival of this year was a native of Ohio, but came here from Comanche, Iowa. He brought his family with him, and hewing down the trees erected a dwelling and store building over the stumps npon the lot now occupied by Dr. J. C. Pomeroy's drug store. He put in a small stock of general merchan- dise and commenced trade. He was a good business man, but unfortunate. A . few years after the close of the war he re- moved to Shell Rock and from there went to Nashua where he was living when last heard from.

Dr. Fisher, who is mentioned as coming this year, was the first doctor to locate at Waverly. He is noticed at length in the medical chapter.

Jeremiah Farris, moved into town this year from his farm in Jefferson township, for the purpose of filling the office of County Judge to which he had been elected. He left this place in 1857, and went to Kansas where he died.

William Sturdevant, settled upon the west side of the river and lived in the old

tumble down building still standing on Water street. He owned 80 acres of land extending from the river nearly to the de- pot on the south side of Bremer avenue. This tract has since been recorded as an addition to Waverly. When the war broke ont Mr. Sturdevant enlisted and died on the Mississippi river.

Anson A. Case came this year and erected a frame story and a half house on the west side of the river, which is yet standing. He was the first county . coro- ner and a brother of Louis Case.

The Geddis brothers came here fromn Indiana, although originally from Ohio. Samuel, the oldest, was a carpenter by trade, and brought a family. Hc put up the house in which Mayor Kinne lives and also the one in which Jack Hoffman lives. He was a good workman . and a" jolly fellow, but would now and then drink too much, and, when under its in- fluence, would show the Indian blood which courses through his veins by yelling, jumping and being as noisy as possible. He remained here many years and finally went to Mason City and from there to Cedar Falls, where he still re- mains. Horatio Geddis, or, as he was usually called, "Rash," had a wife and one child. He erected the building in which Mr. Kothe now lives, and opened a shop for the sale of liquor. One day, accompanied by his brother, he left his family to go a short distance for hay, but they never came back. Mrs. Geddis still lives in the city. Hamilton Geddis erected the building which is now used as an office by J. C. Garner, opposite the Centennial house.

Frank C. De.

1251

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Nelson and Samuel Flinn were brothers, coming from Illinois, the former married, and the latter an unmarried man. At once they commenced the erection of a house upon the site now occupied by the mag- nificent dwelling of Thomas Lashbrook. While their building was in course of erec- tion, they placed a pole in the crotch of a tree, and spreading a carpet over it, made a kind of tent in which they camped until their dwelling was completed. The brothers engaged in the manufacture of shingles, and remained for a number of years. Finally they removed to the east- ern part of the county, and from thence to Denver.

Hayward Howell was here only for a short time, but long enough to get in debt to many persons. He then "slid out" to avoid paying them. He went from here to Missouri, and has never since been heard from.

Charles Ensign was a native of Ohio, and a splendid good fellow. He taught the first school in the city, and soon re- moved to New Hartford, Butler county, where he still lives.

The Hinton family came here in 1854, were very wealthy, owning 600 acres of land adjoining the city plat. The family consisted of the mother and a number of children. The mother and several of tlie children removed to Kansas a number of years ago, where she died. Two of her sons now live in Waverly.

Dennis Buckingham, a native of Ohio, also came here in 1854. He erected a building upon the lot now occupied by Mooney's blacksmith shop, and started the first blacksmithing business in the city. It is said that after he got started he knew

almost nothing about the trade. He was a queer genius, and was of that disposition which inclined to believe all that was told him. To illustrate this, the anecdote is related that upon one occasion soon after lie arrived here, he was obliged to sleep one night between heavy copperplate flannel blankets. He perspired a great deal, and as a consequence, in the morning he found that he had changed color, his neck, face and hands were tinted with a blueish hue. He sought several of his friends to find what ailed him. He was told that "mortification had set in," and that something should at once be done. Accordingly he poulticed his arms, neck and jaws, and for several days tramped around all bound up. All he needed was a good wash as it was merely the color from the blankets that ailed him. He left here years ago for Indiana.

Nick Cavanaugh came this year and is yet here.

David Millburn, a native of New Bruns- wick, came here with his family in the winter of 1854. He was a carpenter and a cabinet maker, and at once commenced work at his trade.

P. B. Foster came here from Illinois with his family, and erected a building upon the site now occupied by Beebe &. Loomer's store building. For a time he was in company with Thomas Downing, in the mercantile trade.

Henry Harmon was a brother of William P. Harmon, the founder of the city, and a native of Maine. For the first few years after his arrival in Bremer County he was engaged in the saw mill, but afterward re- moved to the country and engaged in

1252

HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

farming. A few years ago he removed to Dakota.

Heman A. Miles moved into town this year. He is noted elsewhere in this volume.

In June, 1854, Dr. Oscar Burbank, ac- companied by David Millburn, drove to Waverly from Cedar Rapids, in a buggy, for the purpose of examining matters with a view to locating. He made up his mind to locate, and after stopping one night with R. J. Ellsworth, returned to Cedar Rapids. In September he again arrived, this time with his wife and baby (the lat- ter now being Mrs. Frank A. Lee), and permanently settled. Their first few weeks were spent in boarding with the family of R. J. Ellsworth, and as the house was very small, many disadvantages were undergone. Several of the hands engaged in the mill were stopping with Mr. Ellsworth, and there were only two rooms in the house-one on the first floor and the other overhead. The little girl was boosted up through the trap door and the older folks got into their room by the aid of a chair. Sometimes the light would be blown out and again, when the moon was full, a blanket was stretched in front of the bed. Dr. Burbank is still a citizen of the city.

· Hallmann and Lenkuhl also came in 1854. They erected a building east of the present residence of Lonis Case, and opened a store of general merchandise. It was . known as the "dutch store." These parties are both dead. Mr. Hallman's family, con- sisting of a wife and four children, are still residents of the city.

Daniel Lehman also came during this year. He was a plasterer by trade, and

after working a number of years, removed to Jackson township.

Alexander Buckmaster opened a cabinet shop here about this time. The machinery was propelled by water power. The build- ing was one and one-half stories high, and 16x30 feet.

INCORPORATION.

Waverly was incorporated as a town in 1859. In 1868 it was incorporated as a city of the second class. Under both town and city government business has gener- ally been transacted in a satisfactory man- ner to the people.

ITEMS CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.

The first death in Waverly occurred in the winter of 1853-4, a sister of Mrs. Wen- deline Cretzmeyer. She was buried upon the bluffs south of town.

The next death was that of Mrs. Scarf, in 1854. She was buried on the west side of the river.

The first birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. James Null. He was christened William Waverly-the first name in honor of Wil- liam P. Harmon, and the latter in honor of the place. This occurred early in 1854. When last heard from, William Waverly Null was in Missouri.

The first marriage in Waverly was that of Norman A. Reeves to Miss Rhoda Willis.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 135

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