History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 51

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 51
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 51

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).

J. J. Eichar was elected marshal.

On motion of Joseph Miller, the Old Settlers hold their first re-union at Clarksville on the fourth Thursday in May next, and that it be a basket pic-nic.

A committee of nine was appointed to assist in the revision of the History of Butler County, now being gotten up by S. J. Clarke.

Committee-J. J. Eichar, J. Perrin, J. W. Davis, Milton. Wilson, J. H. Carter, Charles En- sign, James Griffith, W. R. Jamison, J. M. Cald- well. CYRUS DOTY, Secretary.

NOTE .- We urge on all of the Old Settlers in the county to send their names to the secretary, or J. J, Eichar, with 25 cents as membership fee, and let us have an organization second to none.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVIII.

ALBION TOWNSHIP.

This is one of the best townships of Butler county, lying in the southern tier. It is on Beaver river, which passes through it from west to east. Albion is a full Congressional township of about 23,040 acres, and embraces the territory techni- cally known as township 90, range 16.

The land slopes from each way toward the center, and has a rolling tendency. The soil is a rich dark loam underlain with a sub-soil of clay. It is a prairie township, with but little timber; what there is being along the river. There is plenty of brick-clay but no stone. The soil is well adapted to raising the cereals, and the farmers, as a rule, are in prosper- ons condition. The facilities for stock raising in this vicinity are unexcelled, as · the land along the Beaver is somewhat marshy, and furnishes excellent grazing land.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Albion township commenced its evolu- tions toward settlement and civilization in 1853, about the same time the other town- ships in Butler county. The first to come here with the determination to secure a permanent home, was Walter Clayton, who, in the spring of 1853, laid claim to the southeastern quarter of section 30. He came from Wisconsin, driving through

with an ox team. His first work was to erect a little log cabin, where he remained in almost entire solitude, having left his wife in Wisconsin. He lived here for about six months, when Tom Mullarky jumped his claim and Clayton moved over the line into Monroe township, where he died some years ago. Clayton was a good hearted man, but very rough and quick tempered. He procured a divorce from his first wife, and married a woman in Butler county with whom he had been living. To the children of his first wife he was very abusive, and would take them often by the hair of the head and jerk and kick them in a most brutal manner. His ferocious quick temper finally was the cause of his death, producing heart disease. For a number of years he was prosperous, and made considerable money, keeping tavern in his little shanty, where the stages stopped. Often as many as twenty were accommodated in the one room, where, on account of the low ceiling, the guests were obliged to kneel while dressing. The next settlers in Albion were the . Turners, Abel and his father, although Abel was the only one to make this his permanent home. A short sketch of the life of Abel Turner is appended:

Abel Turner was one of the earliest set- tlers of Butler county, locating on section

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

fourteen of Albion township, in the fall of 1853. He was born in England, Mareh 7, 1818. He lived in England till fourteen. years of age, when he came to this eoun- try with his father and stepmother, his own mother having died in England, and the family settled in Ohio. Mr. Turner's father also eame here and lived with his son. He was killed by the ears while on his way to Ohio, the place of his former residenee. Abel Turner was married to Harriet Waters, who is a native of Penn- sylvania, and seven ehildren have blessed the union, to-wit: Arthur B., who was born December 23, 1858; Smith W., born May 2, 1860; P. Aeorn, born August 19, 1861; Stella, born June 6, 1863; Delia D., born July 12, 1875; Fanny, born May 6, 1872, and Elsie, born April 15, 1876.

During the remainder of 1853 there were no more arrivals. The year 1854 witnessed quite a number of settlements. The third settler, Wilmont Wilbur, arrived in the spring of this year. He came from Canada and settled upon the old Clayton plaee, on seetion thirty. He brought his family and remained here for about six months, when he pulled up stakes and left for St. Louis, where he has sinee been in- terested in several patent rights. His wife, while on her way to St. Louis to meet him, heard in some way that her husband had been murdered, whereupon she be- came crazy and so unmanageable that she finally sueeeeded in jumping from the ear window and was killed.

The next settlement was made in June, 1854, when George Younker, W. F. Younker, Jacob Kemmerer and others came and took elaims.

George Younker, the first named, has been a resident of the county sinee his first advent. He was born in Pennsylva- nia in 1836. His father was Jonathan Younker, who died in Pennsylvania. Mr.' Younker has been twiee married. His first wife was Mary Williams, daughter of James Williams, an early settler of Beaver township. She died in May, 1872. His present wife, Emma, a daughter of Henry B. Wemple, was born in February, 1855. Mr. Younker has one daughter (Carrie) by his first marriage; he has two daughters by his present wife-Mabel and Lizzie.

Mr .: Wemple, father-in-law of Mr. Younker, settled on seetion 28, in this township, in 1854. He was born in the town of Sehuyler, Herkimer county, New York, in 1805, living there until he was twenty-six years of age, when he went to Rome, New York, remaining there five years; thence to Onondaga county, remain- ing there ten years, removing to the State of Wisconsin about 1848. He was one of the earliest settlers of this township, set- tling on seetion 28, in the year 1854. His wife, whose maiden name was Kate Auyer, was born in the same town as her hus- band. Mr. and Mrs. Wemple have had fifteen children, eleven of whom, three sons and eight daughters, are living- Peter, Philip, Charles, Elizabeth, Susan, Luey, Frances, Mary, Margery, Lielia and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Wemple were mar- ried January 1, 1827, and have lived to- gether (January, 1883) fifty-six years.

William F. Younker, brother of George, came to Albion in June, 1854, loeating upon one hundred and sixty aeres of gov- ernment land, which he has sinee inereased to two hundred and forty aeres. He was

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

born in Pennsylvania in 1826. His wife is a native of Wyoming county, in the same State.

Jacob Kemmerer lives on section 33, where he settled in 1854. He was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, on De- cember 6, 1813. He married Caroline Younker, April 7, 1842, a native of North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, born in 1822. Mr. Kemmerer's chief occupation through life has been farming; though he worked for several years as a millwright and builder. Mr. and Mrs. Kemmerer have two children-Edward, who lives at Oskaloosa, and William who remains at home. They are members of the M. E. Church. At about the same time a num- ber of others arrived and settled in this township, among whom were Richard Daniels, P. P. Parker, Samuel Cramer, Augustus Coon and Michael Niece.

Richard Daniels, the first named, is still living upon a fine farm in section 34 of Albion, and is among the prominent early settlers of Butler county. Mr. Daniels is a native of Montgomery county, New York, where he was born in 1819. His parents were John and Abigail Daniels. His father lost his life by accident; his mother came to this county, where she spent her life. Mr. Daniels was married to Cather- ine Codner, born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1819. In 1841 Mr. Daniels removed from Herkimer county, New York to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he lived till he came here. He first took up government land. He has 300 acres in his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels have had twelve children, eight of whom are living, to-wit: Samuel, Lemuel, Lida, Frank, Richard, Eugene, Wesley and William E.

Alfred, their fifth child, enlisted in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and died of disease at Benton Barracks, Missouri, in 1864; another son, John, died in his 14th year. They also lost two children in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniels are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Daniels has held the position of class leader and exhorter; was licensed to preach in 1860, and ordained as local deacon in 1864. He has always been prominently identified with church work, and its interests have been forwarded by his labors.

The next is Pascal P. Parker, who also came to this township in 1854, and still holds forth upon the place of his choice in pioneer times. It was through him that the first postoffice in this section was established, and in its infancy the name of Parkersburgh was bestowed upon the grow- ing town.

Pisoil P. Parker was born in Malone, Franklin county, New York, in 1826. He was brought up at Moore's Junction, Clin- ton county, in his native State. His pa- rents were Jonas and Deborah Parker. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the important battle of Plattsburg. He held a commis- sion as Captain during the latter part of that war.

Mr. Parker went to Chicago in 1845, but returned to his native State, and again came west in 1853. He came to Butler county August 16th, 1854. He purchased a farm in section 31, of the government, where he still resides. Mr. Parker has been prominently identified with the in- terests of this township. He organized the township, an account of which will be found elsewhere. He was also the first

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

postmaster. Mr. Parker has been twice married; his first wife was Marian P. Mc- Ewen; his present wife being a sister of the first, her christian name is Martha. He had one son by his first wife-Peolah P. His children by his present wife are Philo P., living at Cedar Falls-Marion C., Alvah C., Illion C., and Essie B. Hav- ing altogether four sons and two daugh- ters. His farm contains 220 acres, inclu- ding 40 acres of timber land.

Samuel Cramer was another of the pio- . neers of 1854, and still resides upon his original place, in section 29, which he bought of the government.

Mr. Cramer was born in Canada, and came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1853, where he lived but one year, coming to Butler county the following year. Mr. Cramer has been twice married; his first wife was Margaret Nichols, born in Can- ada; she died here, September 17, 1865. His present wife was Mrs. Deborah (Wil- son) Stringer. Mr. Cramer has several children by his first marriage. Mrs. Cra- mer has a son and a daughter by her former marriage. Another son, Frank Stringer, a stock dealer, was killed by the cars, while en route to Chicago with stock, December 14, 1882.

August Coon came from Wisconsin to Albion in 1854, driving an ox team, and bringing his family with him, and finally dropped anchor on the southeast quarter of section 33. He broke some land and erected a little cabin. In the spring of 1855 Mrs. Coon died, and in a short time he sold his place to W. S. Waters, and went back to New York, his native State.

Michael Niece, a Dutchman, came here from Wisconsin at about the same time as

Coon, planting his pioneer stakes around the southwest quarter of section 34. At this time Mike was a single man; he built a little log hut, and afterwards married Miss Ingall. Ten years later he removed to Shell Rock, where he still lives.

In July, 1854, Orlin Royce made his advent from Illinois, bringing a large fam- ily, settling on section 35. Here he remained for a time, and then, after occupying another farm for a timc, he removed to Dakota Territory, where he still lives. Royce was rather an interest- ing personage-a great castle-builder, vis- ionary, and a poor financial manager, yet not exactly a spendthrift. Since leaving here he has been entirely broken down once, but is now picking up and doing very well.

Jacob Hall came to Albion at the same time as Richard Daniels, and settled on section 21. He was from Wisconsin, and came across the wild waste lying between that State and this, driving an ox team, bringing his family and camping on the way, as, in fact, did all the hardy pioneers. He remained upon his farm for twelve or fifteen years, when he moved to Grundy county.

In November, of '54, Charles W. Mc- Ewen arrived, and took a farm on section 31, but lived with P. P. Parker. He after- ward returned to New York; his native State, and has since gone to Oregon.

Joseph Codner, in June, 1854, marched into Albion, and stationed himself over a parcel of Uncle Sam's domain, in section 27. He brought his family from Wiscon- sin by ox-team, camping on the way. They lived in their wagon while their cabin was in process of erection. Codner remained

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

there until his decease. His wife is also dead. The balance of the family still live on the place. Mr. Codner was a good- hearted, genial man, and very well liked by his neiglibors. He was a horse jockey, and made many a dollar in his sharp trades. The ministers often talked to Joe about trying to reform his ways, but Joe's answer always was, "Well, I tell you, I can't be a christian and trade horses."

Isaac Waters resides on section 33. His father, William S. Waters, purchased the cast 80 acres of this farm of Mr. Coon, and the west 80 of Charles Mack. William S. Waters was a native of England. He came to this country, with his family, in 1829, settling at Coal Castle, Pennsylva- nia, and engaging in coal mining. He removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1848, coming here and settling in 1854. He died January, 1874; his wife died in 1875. Isaac Waters was born in Cornwall, England, in 1827. He worked for many years as a machinist. His father came here from Ozaukee county, Wiscon- sin, where he had removed from Rock county.

Mrs. Jane (Fairfield) Coryell, widow of G. J. H. Coryell, resides on section 30, where she settled, with her husband, in 1856. Mr. Coryell was born in Canada in 1828, marrying Janc Fairfield, also a na- tive of Canada. They moved here directly from Canada in September, 1856, living here till his death, in June, 1882. The father of Mr. Coryell settled here in 1855. Mrs. Coryell has six children living-Eliz- abeth G. A., now Mrs. J. Jackson, Fred., Frank N., Abram I., William H. and Lada L. Mrs. Coryell's farm contains 313 acres.

George L. Russell dates his coming to Butler county July, 1856. His father, Thomas Russell, was born near New Ha- ven, Connecticut, and was a descendant of one of the early New England settlers. The family descended from the Rev. John Russell, who came over from England more than two centuries ago. His son, Rev. Samuel Russell, a generation later, was a prominent New England clergyman.

Mr. Thomas Russell was born in 1799; he married Cynthia Wooster, who survives her husband. Mrs. Russell was born in Pennsylvania. Her parents also belonged to one of the old Connecticut families. Mr. Thomas Russell removed with his family to the State of New York, thence to Illinois, afterward coming to Iowa, as stated above. He purchased the farm where the family still reside; of Franklin Tewksbury. Mr. Russell died in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Russell had six children-Ellen, Caroline, Nelson, Shel- den, George L. and Susan. The homestead farm contains 80 acres.

Sylvanus H. Taylor, a settler of 1857, is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, where he was born, August, 1823. He resided at the place of his birth until fifteen years of age, when he removed to Canada, and thence to DeKalb county, Illinois; coming from the latter place to Butler county. He has lived in the same place ever since he came to this county- his location is on section 31. He pur- chased his farm of a non-resident, no im- provements having been made. He has 146 acres, 40 acres lying within the corporation of Parkersburgh. His wife was Achsah Needham. Her father, B. C. Needham, Sr., was an early settler of Pittsford town-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ship, and spent the last years of his life in Parkersburg. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have four children-Estella L., Willis B., Etta P. and Luella L.

The settlements already treated of are all in the southern portion of the township. In the meantime the north- ern part of Albion had received its initiatory settlers, and was taking rapid strides in advance.

The first settler in the northern part of Albion was Jacob Brown, who came from Illinois in 1854 with his family, and took a claim of about 1,080 acres lying in Beaver and Albion townships. He remained about. one year and then sold to Elder Bicknell, a Baptist preacher. He then removed to section 4, to what is called the "Horseneck," and purchased a farm. He remained on this ten or twelve years, when he removed to Franklin county. He is now in Kansas. Brown was a Methodist preacher, and was considered a good man.

The next settler was Moses J. Conn, who .came from Canada in 1855 with his family and erected a cabin in the town- ship of New Albion, remaining here for about nine years, when he moved to Monroe township. He still lives in Butler county.

Henry Owen came to Butler county with his father, Jesse Owen, in 1854. He was born in Broome county, New York, in 1835. He married Catherine Blass, whose father, John Blass, settled in Linn county about 1852. He removed to Waterloo and settled in Beaver township, Butler county, in 1859, where he resided till his death. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have four sons and

one daughter-Charles M., Chauncey D., William H., Andrew J. and Lany B. They lost a son and daughter, twins- John J. and Julia-who died when seven years of age. Mr. Owen has one hundred and twenty acres of land, eighty acres of which were entered by his father. The remainder he bought of Henry Jenkins, who entered it as government land. Jesse Owen, father of Henry, now lives in Park- ersburg. He settled on section eight, in the summer of 1854. He was born in On- tario county, New York, in 1806. When thirteen years old his parents removed to Broome county. He was married in the State of New York in 1834, removed to Michigan and thence to Indiana, coming to Butler county in 1854. His wife, Lany Kark, was born in the State of New York in 1808. Their children are Henry; John D , who married Lielia S. Wemple; Chaun- cey F., who married Amanda Brown; Avo- line E., married Edward P. Bigelow, who was drowned in the Beaver river, at Parkersburg. She has since mar- ried Wm. Hubbard. They lost their sec- ond child-Israel.

L. D. Owen was a brother of Jesse Owen and came to Albion at the same time, settling on section eight, where he remained for eighteen or twenty years, when he removed to Parkersburg, where he has since died. His wife also has passed away.

Nathaniel Chesley was another pioneer in the northern part of the township. He came from the State of New York and settled with his large family upon a farm in section three. He remained here for about twelve years, when he removed to O'Brien county, where he died. His great

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failing was remembrances of the good old times in York State. On one occasion he went to Daniel Downey's for potatoes, and Mr. D. was just digging some of the finest he had ever raised. The yield was enor- mous. Chesley stood by for a few mo- ments, and then stated that it reminded him of a crop he had once raised in York State. "The field," he said, "was on the side of a hill, and when the potatoes were dug they would roll down and lodge against the fence, which soon filled full, and many bushels rolled over the fence and were lost."

John Barker, a farmer from Illinois, was also one of the pioneers of 1855. He settled on section three and remained ten years. His pathway was not all strewn with roses, as he got into some trouble about running away with property (cattle) in his trust, and was finally convicted and served one term in the Wisconsin Peni- tentiary.

Marshall Kelley, in 1855, came from one of the eastern States, and took up his abode upon a farm on section 2. Here he remained, respected by all his neighbors until 1861, when the war broke out and he enlisted, dying in the service. He was a good man, honest and industrious.

Asa Overacker came from Indiana in 1855 with his family, and settled on sec- tion 8. He is now in Kansas. He was a prominent man in town affairs, and held various offices of trust.

E. W. Babcock was a native of Vermont, and came at about the same time, settling on section 4. He was a scheming money- maker, now living in Dakota.

Widow Ann Jaquis came from Clinton county, New York soon after the last

named pioneer, and with a large family settled on section 12. She is now in Kan- sas, but some members of the family still reside in the township.

Solomon Lashbrook came from the same place in New York State, and also took a claim on section 12.

There were others who came in 1855-6, and who have since gone, but are still remembered. Among them are Mr. Roberts, William Waters, Peter Riley, Lorenzo Perry and Adam Leffler.

Henry B. Wemple and Philip, his son, came to this township and settled in 1855 on section 28. They came from Wiscon- sin, Rock county; here they remained about twenty years, when they removed to a place adjoining, belonging to George Younker. Henry B. still lives in the township, but Philip moved to Parkers- burg.

Edward Dawson came with his family from Ohio, in 1855, and settled on section nine, where he remained two years, and then removed to Waverly. His son now occupies the place.

The following year, Alonzo Perry came and selected a home on section five. He was a Vermonter. He afterward removed from this place to section seven, where he died.

Elijah Brown, who was also a pioneer of '55, settled on section eight, where he re- mained four or five years, and then re- moved to Black Hawk county.

Section fourteen also received a settler in 1856 by name of Peter Melindy. He purchased in this vicinity 1,080 acres, re- mained about one year, and then went to Cedar Falls. He has since been United States Marshal, President of the State

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Board of Agriculture, and held other posi- tions of trust.

John Warren settled on section fourteen in 1857, remaining three years, until his death.

One of the prominent early settlers of Albion township was Daniel Downey, who settled here in 1856. Mr. Downey was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1823, where he was educated in the art of farm- ing. He came to the United States in 1847; lived in Vermont about two years; came to Illinois in 1848, and located in the town of Aurora, Kane county, where he learned the trade of a miller, at which he worked for about six years. He then set- tled on a farmi in Kendall county, in that State, where he resided until he came to Iowa. Mr. Downey bought his first land of Edward Dawson, in section nine, in Albion township. He eventually became one of the most prominent farmers in the township. He increased his first purchase of land to 580 acres, which he still owns. His sons now conduct the farm. Mrs. Downey's maiden name was Catherine Burns. She was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, about 1832, and came to the United States with her brother in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Downey have seven chil- dren-James H., Hattie (wife of Charles Yonker), Daniel, Stephen, Kate, Mary and Cora. They have lost two sons-John and Michael J. The Jatter, their oldest son, was a lawyer by profession and of fine attainments. He was located at Parkers- burg for several years, and from there he removed to Dakota, where he died Decem- ber 18, 1882. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Downey, with his family, now live in Parkersburg.

Elihu Jaquis has been a resident of Albion township since June, 1856. He first settled on section 12 in this town- ship, on land he had entered two years previously. He now lives on section 3. He bought the first "forty" of his present farm of Samuel Leslie, and the remaining forty of David Davis. Mr. Jaquis was born in Clinton county, New York, in 1840, where he lived till nine years of age, when he removed to Illinois with his parents, Benjamin and Fanny Jaquis. His father went to California in 1852, where he lost his life by drowning. The parents of Mr. Jaquis had six children, five of whom are living-Elizabeth, who lives in Nebraska, Elihu, Ann, in Colorado, Mary, in Idaho, and Sarah, in Nebraska. Elihu married Mary Ann Stuart, born in Maine in 1843. Her parents were Charles and Margaret Stuart. They removed from Maine to Canada, and from thence to this county in 1855. Her father died in Web- ster City, February, 1881, where her step- mother still lives. Her own mother, Jane (Perry) Stuart, died in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Jaquis have six children-Charles A., Benjamin H., Libbie M., William H., George L. and Hattie M. They lost two children-a son and daughter. Mr. Jaquis has eighty acres, and made all of his own improvements.

OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Emerson truly says that "biography is the only true history," and in this connec- tion we present sketches of a few of the representative citizens of the township who settled a little later than those already named, but who also deserve attention :

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 51

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