History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 55

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 55
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 55

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).

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Settlements began to be formed in this township in advance of most of the town- ships of Butler county. Its growth before the war was somewhat slow, but since that time the tide of immigration has been opened and its growth has been very rapid. There is an abundant evidence that the first settler in this township was Barnett Grandon, who eame here from Linn county in the fall of 1851, and planted his pioneer stakes around a farm on section 30, where his son, William Grandon, now lives. He remained here until 1859. Returning again in 1860, he remained until 1877, when he removed to Nebraska, where he lived until 1882. Again he returned to this old "stamping ground," and now lives with his son William.

The following spring, Clinton Thomas made his appearance, and commenced farming on section 29. Here he remained until 1870, when he moved to Kansas, and from there to Texas, where he now resides. He was a native of Illinois.

Adna Thomas, Sr., came in the fall of 1852, and also settled on section 29. Here he remained until he died, August 12, 1868.

During the following year, 1853, "Nick." Hartgraves pushed his way within the limits of Beaver, and went into camp on section 30. He afterwards moved to sec-

tion 29, but has since moved to the West Fork; he still lives in Butler county.

Rev. Nathan Olmstead came the follow- ing year. He was born in Wilton, Con- necticut, on the 16th day of September, 1809, and is a son of David and Rebecca (Jackson) Olmstead, who were also natives of that State. When Nathan was seven years old the family emigrated to Tomp- kins county, New York, where they remained about three years, and then moved to Tioga-now Chemung-county, where the son lived until twenty-four years old. . At that time he came West, and after spending one year in La Salle county, Illinois, moved to what is now De- Kalb county. In 1842 he joined the Pro- testant Methodist Church, and, soon after, beeame a minister of the gospel. He fol- lowed this calling, as a local preacher, while in that State, and was also ordained a deacon while living there. In 1853 he came to Butler county, Iowa, and settled on section 18, Beaver township, and in January, 1854, entered the land where he now lives. In 1858 he was ordained an elder. Mr. Olmstead was an active worker in the church in the early days of the town- ship. He preached the first sermon here the Sunday following his arrival, and soon afterward organized a church. He believes in republicanism, and has taken quite an active part in the politics of the township. In July, 1831, he was united in wedloek to Miss Julia Ann Knapp, also a native of Connecticut. Ten children have blessed this union, of whom eight are now living -Melissa,now the widow of Henry Thomas; Alonzo, living at Butler Center; Edward, living in Beaver township; Oscar now liv- ing in Waterloo; Orvis, now living in Ack-

453

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ley; Julia Ann, widow of Asa Lee, of Ack- ley; Theodore, who is living at home, and Lydia, wife of L. H. Boyd. In 1881 Mr. .and Mrs. Olmstead celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. Olmstead is a genial, whole- souled gentleman, and a man who is greatly beloved and respected by all who have the honor of his acquaintance. Always fear- less in doing right, and ready to tread under foot whatever borders on oppres- sion, he is one of those, whose influence for good is felt by all who come in contact with him.

Others crowded in rapidly, among whom were the following named: James Collar, George E. Fitch, S. Hazelton, Charles Knipe, Aaron Olmstead, Peter Rude, John' Hartgraves, Titus Ensign and Charles Ensign.

George E. Fitch, in 1857, took his slice of government domain from section 14.

S. Hazleton, in 1854, commenced his settlemeut on section 3, upon which lie still resides.

James Collar located on section 15. He was born in Steuben county, New York, January 17, 1825; and is a son of Calvin and Eunice (Boss) Collar. His father was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of Rhode Island. When James was eleven years of age, his parents moved to Wash- ington county, New York, and here the son grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving a common school education. In 1853 he was married in that county to Miss Diantha Morton, a native of Massa- chusetts. In 1856 the young couple came to Butler county, Iowa, and purchased a farm of 240 acres on section 15, and two years later, bought 120 acres more. He afterwards sold his entire farm, and in

1866 purchased land on sections 22 and 23, and settled on the last named section. He now owns 330 acres, all of which is under fine cultivation, and has been brought to this condition by his own labor. Mr. Col- lar is a model farmer, and everything about his premises is in the best of order. He believes enthusiastically in republican- ism. The office of county supervisor has been filled by him, and also the offices of township supervisor, town clerk and other minor township offices. Mrs. Collar is a member of the Baptist Church. One son has blessed this union-Calvin Morton- who is now living at home.

Charles Knipe selected section 10 as his future home, "way back" in 1855.

Aaron Olmstead had the year previous- 1854-taken a farm on section 20. He is a son of Isaac L. and Elinor (Owens) Olmstead,and was born in Chemung county, town of Catherine, New York, on the 25th day of June, 1826. When Aaron was ten years of age his parents came west and located in LaSalle county, Illinois, where they remained a short time, and then settled in DeKalb county. Here the son grew to manhood on his father's farm, and afterwards followed the occupation of farming while in that State. In 1854 he came to Iowa and entered a farm of 160 acres on section 20, Beaver township, where he now resides. Mr. Olmstead has held the office of trustee of the township, and has always taken a great interest in school matters. He is a republican, and is a member of the United Brethren Church. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Miss Hulda M. Bagley, who is a native of Pennsylvania. Nine children have been born to them, of whom six are living-

454

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Silas E., who lives near his father's place; Francis L., living at home; Edna H., wife of John Quimby, of Grundy county; Eliza, wife of Lorenzo Farnsworth; Margaret M. and Hattie M.

Peter Rude, in 1854, placed his sign manual upon papers for a farm on section 25.

Charles Ensign. one of the first settlers, came to this township in the fall of 1854, remaining but a short time, then removed to Waverly, Bremer county, where he opened the first school there during the winter following. He came back in 1856, and became a permanent resident. Titus Ensign, his uncle, had arrived here previously.

Charles Ensign is a son of Elias and Clara M. (Benjamin) Ensign, and was born in Colchester, Delaware county, New York, March 29, 1819. His father and grand- father were natives of New Hartford, Con- necticut. The latter was a resident of that town eighty-three years, and died there at the advanced age of eighty-nine. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Charles' father died in Walton, Delaware county, New York, in 1832. His mother was born in Columbia county, New York, and died in Castile, Wyoming county, in the same State, May 20, 1851. Mr. En- sign's early life was passed in the county of his birth, where he received a common school education, supplemented by three terms at a select school. When he was seventeen years old the family moved to Castile, Wyoming county, New York, where Charles lived for eighteen years. In March, 1854, he started west, and crossed the Mississippi river on the 29th day of that month. His first summer in the west was spent at Rockville, Delaware

county, Iowa. In November he came to Waverly, Bremer county, and that winter taught the first school of the town. Here he remained until the spring of 1856, and then settled in New Hartford, Butler county, and during the winter of that year taught the first school in that village In 1855 Mr. Ensign voted for the temperance law. In his younger days he belonged to the whig party, but changed to a republi- can upon the formation of that party. He has taken an active interest in political matters in his township, and also quite an interest in the politics of the country. The office of township clerk has been filled by him for nineteen years out of the last twenty-four. Besides his business as a farmer, which occupation he has followed until the last year, he has been a notary public for the past twenty-two years. In 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Swain, who is a native of Olean, New York. Four children have been born to them, of whom three are now living- Emily A., wife of William Strong, of Grundy county; Laura, who is now a teacher in the Cedar Falls Normal School, and is a graduate of the college in Iowa City. She graduated in the class of 1876, and in June of 1877 took the Diadactive degree, and one year later the Master of Arts degree. To her belongs the honor of being the first lady ever selected from that college to read the Master of Arts oration, Clarissa, the youngest daughter, is a stu- dent at the Cedar Falls Normal School.

Among other early settlers were-Bald- win Lewis, Alonzo Converse, Patrick Flinn, Daniel Martin, David Twohig, Michael Rude, H. T. Morris, William Rosebrough, L. B. Corwin, - Peter Gunnison, Cassell

455

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Churchhill, C. S. Root, J. B. Hare, Ash Cornwall, Lorin Cornwall, H. H. Weaver, Samuel Petters, Nelson Dowd, Geo. Dan- iels, Robert Stanley and James Williams.

EDUCATIONAL ITEMS.

The school facilities in Beaver are very good, and are equal in efficiency to those of any of the townships of Butler county.

The first school in the township was taught during the summer of 1855, in a log building, which was Baldwin Lewis' residence, on section 28. The teacher was Miss America Taylor, who died in Grundy county, a short time after her school closed. The land where the school house stood is now owned by C. S. Root.

The second school was taught by Charles Ensign, in New Hartford, in the winter of 1856-7.

The third school was taught in the sum- mer of 1857, at New Hartford, by Mrs. Sarah Dean.

The fourth school in the township was taught at the residence of James Collar, in the southeast corner of section 15, by Mrs. James Collar, during the winter of 1857-8. There were seven pupils in at- tendance.

The first school house was erected in New Hartford, and was used for both school and church purposes. This was in 1859.

There are now eleven school houses in the township, all frame, and cost about $600 each. The school at New Hartford is noticed at length in the history of that place.

ITEMS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST.

The first marriage ceremony performed in the township was in 1857, the con-

tracting parties being William Dodd and Miss Dowd. They were made one at the residence of William Dowd, the bride's father, on section 15, upon land now owned by Oliver W. Townsend. .

The first death in the township was the wife of Joseph Casto, who had come to this vicinity in 1856.

In 1856 and 1857 there was but little advancement in · matters here on account of financial stringency. During this time trading was mostly done -at Cedar Falls. The land office was at Dubuque, and not a few exciting races were made for that office in 1857.

S. B. Ensign was appointed as the first postmaster. Afterward, through some means, another office was established at Taylor's Hill, about a mile southwest, and for some time mail was brought from Cedar Falls by private conveyance.

The first religious services were held at the house of Adna Thomas, on section 29, in May, 1853, by Rev. Nathan Olmstead. 'An organization was effected of the Pro- testant Methodist Church at this time, tlie members being Jacob Brown, Mrs. Adna Thomas and Alonzo Olmstead, with Rev. Nathan Olmstead as pastor. Services were held at the residence of Mr. Thomas. When a church of the same denomination was organized at New Hartford this little band became a part of the same.

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

The first saw mill erected within the limits of Beaver, was put up in 1855 by Mr. Marslin. The mill occupied a site on sec- tion 9, and for a number of years continued piling up sawdust, but was finally torn down.

456

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

The second saw mill erected within the limits of Beaver was put up by Titus and S. B. Ensign. The mill was on section 28. It has since been removed.

A steam saw mill was erected at an early day on section 30, by Alonzo Norris. The . machinery, after a few years of active ser- vice, was sold and removed to Kansas, and the building rotted down.

Another steam saw mill was erected on section 29, some years ago, by James Wil- liams, which led a roving life. It was first sold to Alonzo Converse, who removed it to section 28, opposite the village. It was next traded to John Shaw, who sold it to parties who removed it to Webster City, and it has since been moved to Ten- nessec.

CEMETERIES.

The first ground in the township which was used for burial purposes, was located on section 24. The first interment was the wife of Michael Rude, whose death occurred in the fall of 1854.

Oak Hill Cemetery is located on section 28. The first burial here was in Decem- * ber, 1876, when the remains of John Peckham were placed in their last resting place.

Another cemetery is located on section 29, but who was first to receive burial here we are unable to state.

ORGANIC.

According to the first division of Butler county into townships, Beaver embraced just onc-fourth of the county, or in other words the territory now comprising the townships of Shell Rock, Jefferson, Albion and its present limits. This was in Feb-

ruary, 1855, and the county court ap- pointed Lyman Norton as judge of the first election, held in April of that year. In March, 1856, the county was again divided, by Judge Converse, and the upper half of what had constituted Beaver was organized as Shell Rock. Beaver then embraced the territory of Albion in addi- tion to its present area. About this time one of the trustees elected did not qualify, and there was some difficulty about the funds belonging to Beaver proper, Albion claiming a part of them. Mr. Converse went to Clarksville, which was then the county seat, "and drew the funds. Mr. Hammond having been appointed trustee in lieu of the unqualified trustee, a proper distribution was then made of the money.

On the 5th of October, 1857, Beaver was made to include only its present lim- its. The first election was held at the village of Willoughby.

The officers for the various years since organization have been as follows:

1857-Trustees, Charles Ensign, Jamcs B. Hare and Lewis Hammond; clerk, Alonzo Converse.

1858-Trustees, C. S. Root, Hannibal Hammond and Aaron Olmstead ; clerk, James Collar.

1859-Trustees, Milo Hard, Thomas B. Hall and James Collar; assessor, C. S. Root; clerk, Charles Ensign; justices, George E. Fitch and Joseph Collins. T. W. Hall resigned as trustee, and James Williams was appointed in his stead.

1860-Justices, Joseph Collins and Loren Cornwell; constables, Lewis Ham- mond and Samuel Fetters; trustees, Janics Williams, Milo Hard and Aaron Olm- . stead ; clerk, Charles Ensign ; assessor,

459

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Judd Bradley. April 2, 1861, Arthur Boyrie was appointed justice of the peace, Joseph Collins having resigned April 9, 1860. J. P. Wood was appointed to the office of constable in the stead of Lewis Hammond, he having moved from the township.

1861-Justices, J. A. Guthric and Laren Cornwell; township supervisor, Milo Hard; clerk, Charles Ensign; trustees, C. S. Root, R. L. Olinstead and Aaron Olmstead; con- stables, Samuel Fetters and J. P. Wood; assessor, J. F. Root.

1862-Milo Hard, township supervisor; James Williams, assessor; Robert L. Olm- stead, Aaron Olmstead, and C. S. Root, trustees; J. P. Wood and Samuel Fetters, constables; Charles Ensign and Laren Cornwell, each received an equal number of votes for township clerk, on October 12, 1861, and they determined by lot in the presence of R. L. and Aaron Olmstead, trustees, which should be town clerk, and the lot fell to Laren Cornwell.

1863-James Williams, James Collar and Aaron Olmstead, trustees; L. L. Smith and Laren Cornwell, justices; Samuel Fetters and John Davis, constables; L. Cornwell, town clerk; C. S. Root, assessor. January 23, 1843, C. S. Root was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Williams, trustee. E. O. Groat was appointed assessor; the assessor-elect failing to qualify. J. P. Wood was ap- pointed constable, that officer not qualify- ing.

1864-William Roscbraugh, town super- visor; Baldwin D. Lewis, assessor; Charles Ensign, clerk; James Collar, Arthur Boyrie and James B. Hare, trustees; E. D. Allbright, justice; James Hall and

Philander Wood, constables. On the 23d of March, 1864, the trustees appointed O. W. McIntosh trustee to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Arthur Boyrie; also Thomas Wilson in place of Laren Cornwell, who failed to qualify; and Eugene Bourquin instead of L. L. Smith, who resigned. Early in October of the same year, the trustees appointed George E. Fitch township supervisor in place of Mr. Rosebraugh who had resigned.

1865-James Collar, supervisor; H. Smith, J. B. Hare and E. S. Maxwell, trustees; Charles Ensign, clerk; L. L. Smith and A. Vincent, justices; R. D. Smith and J.P.Wood, constables; C. S. Root, assessor.

1866-James B. Hare, E. S. Maxwell, and William Rosebraugh, trustees; Charles Ensign, clerk; Alonzo Converse, supervi- . sor; C. S. Root, assessor; William W. Gib- son, justice; Benjamin D. Smith and J. C. Jerome, constables.

1867-Alonzo Converse, supervisor; C. S. Root, assessor; E. S. Maxwell, C. E. Harmon, L. L. Smith, trustees; J. A. Smith and Amos Nettleton, justices; J. C. Jerome and B. D. Smith, constables.

1868-Amos Nettleton, supervisor, W. W. Olmstead, clerk; E. S. Maxwell, J. B. Hare and B. Haskin, trustees; Daniel Pick- ett, assessor; F. G. Foster and J. C. Wood, constables.

1869-Alonzo Converse, supervisor; William Burdick and George E. Fitch, justices; George E. Fitch, James Collar, and E. Bourquin, trustees; C. S. Root, asscs- sor; Charles Ensign, clerk; J. P. Wood and C. E. Bristol, constables; J. A. Smith, collector.

1870-Alonzo Converse, supervisor; Charles Ensign, clerk; C. S. Root, assessor;

460 HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

James Collar, J. F. Root and Robert Stan- ley, trustees; Charles Ensign, justice; E. H. Smith and E. C. Bristol, constables.

1871-J. E. Fitch and J. F. Root, justi- ces; E. C. Bristol and John P. Campbell, constables; Charles Ensign, clerk; James Collar, O. W. McIntosh and J. F. Root, trustees; G. E. Fitch, assessor.

1872-Samuel Fetters, J. B. Hare and E. S. Maxwell, trustees; L. W. Jamison, assessor; Charles Ensign. clerk; J. S. Mc- Elwain, justice; J. E. Maxwell and E. C. Bristol, constables.

On March 23, 1873, L. L. Smith was ap- pointed justice in the place of J. S. McEl- wain, who resigned.

1873-L. L. Smith and O. W. McIntosh, justices; John M. Diltz and Robert Stan- ley, constables; Charles Ensign, clerk; C. S. Root, assessor; Robert Packard, G. W. Bilson and O. W. McIntosh, trustees. .

1874-Charles Ensign, clerk; Robert Packard, C. S. Root and E. S. Maxwell, trustees; G. W. Bilson, collector; James E. Campbell and B. Haskins, constables.

1875-L. L. Smith and August Critzman, justices; James E. Campbell and John Fetters, constables; C. S. Root, James Col- lar and Robert Packard, trustees; Charles Ensign, clerk; G. W. Bilson, assessor.

1876-J. S. McElwain, C. S. Root and L. W. Jamison, trustees; Melvin J. Pierce, clerk; G. W. Bilson, assessor; W. W. Warner, constable, to fill vacancy.

1877-J. S. McElwain and August Critz- man, justices; J. A. Wood and Thomas Houck, constables; Henry Knipe, assessor; Charles Ensign, clerk; C. S. Root, L. W. Jamison and Patrick Grady, trustees.

1878 -- C. S. Root, L. W. Jamison and - John E. Boyd, trustees ; Charles Ensign, clerk; Henry Knipe, assessor.

1879-L. W. Jamison, John E. Boyd and R. Packard, trustees; Charles Ensign, clerk; L. W. Jamison, assessor; J. S. Mc- Elwain and August Critzman, justices; J. A. Wood and David Diltz, constables.

1880-C. S. Root, trustee, for three years; George F. Root, clerk; G. W. Bil- son, assessor.

1881-August Critzman and L. L. Smith, justices; C. R. Harmon, assessor; Charles Ensign, clerk; G. W. Bilson, trustee, for three years, and John E. Boyd, two years. 1882-L. W. Jamison, trustee, for three years.

1883-L. L. Smith and August Critz- man, justices; William H. Dwight and J. M. Knipe, constables; J. E. Boyd, trustee, for three years; Charles Ensign, clerk; C. R. Harmon, assessor.

VILLAGE OF WILLOUGHBY.

This village was laid out in the spring of :855. Its plat occupied the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 9. It was named by the proprietors- Cameron and McClure. The first house was built by this firm in the spring of 1855, and was occupied as a dwelling by G. W. Daniels. This building stood upon the grounds until 1862, when it was torn down.

A store was opened in the fall of 1855 by Cornwell Brothers, who carried a gen- eral line of goods. They remained until 1864, when they sold the stock to Mr. Hewart-as near as the name can be re- membered-of Clear Lake, and he moved it to that place. A part of the store build-

461

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ing was sold to O. W. McIntosh, who used it for a hotel, and the remainder was sold to B. Haskins, who occupied it as a resi- dence for a time. It was afterward burned.

A blacksmith shop was started by Corn- well Brothers in the spring of 1856. After running it three years they sold to other parties.

The first school was taught by Miss Hannah Ensign during the winter of 1857-8, at the residence of Mr. King. The first school-house was erected in 1861, and is still standing.

A church organization of the Protestant Methodist faith was effected in the fall of 1870, and was disbanded two years later.

A hotel was built by the Cornwell brothers during the summer of 1856. They ran it until 1860, and it has since passed through the hands of J. B. Gordon, Robert Olmstead, O. W. McIntosh and H. D. Burnett. The latter gentleman ran it until 1872, when it was closed. A part of it is still upon his farm, and is used for a residence.

The postoffice of Willoughby was estab- lished in 1855, and was then on the Cedar Falls and Algona Mail Route. The first postmaster was G. W. Daniels. . He was succeeded in turn by A. Cornwell, B. Has- kins, O. D. Olmstead, R Stanley, George Burnett, David Diltz, Samuel Fetters and the present postmaster, H. D. Burnett. The office is now kept at his house, and is on the route from this place to Butler Center, mail being carried twice . each week .*

There are now two houses standing on ·

the town plat aside from the school-house; and Willoughby as a village has ceased to exist.

NEW HARTFORD.

This is the only village of note in Beaver township. It was so named by Titus Ensign after the city of New Hartford, Connecticut, the former residence of some of the pioneer settlers here. The village is very pleasantly located on the northeast quarter of section 33, Beaver township, on the stream bearing the same name as the township, and on the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central Railway, one of the great thoroughfares of the northwest. The sur- rounding country is an excellent farming locality, and as the farmers are generally well-to-do, New Hartford has a good share of patronage, is a center for trade, and its future seems bright.

THE BEGINNING.

In the spring of 1854 a Mr. Chapman, of Cedar Falls, pre-empted the land where the village now stands, and in August of that year erected a little log house on or near the spot now occupied by the dwell- ing of Daniel Pickett.

In August, 1854, Titus and S. B. Ensign arrived here from Castile, Wyoming county, New York, and made arrange- ments to build a mill, after which they returned. Before returning, however, they bought the east half of the section upon which the village is located, and receiving authority from Mr. Chapman to enter it, which annulled his pre-emption claim. In January, 1855, the Messr's. Ensign returned to New Hartford, and pursuant to previous arrangements, erected a mill on the Beaver just north of where the creamery now stands, and the same year built a log house about twenty rods east of the present school building. Dur-

462

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ing the fall, either in October or Novem- ber, the village of New Hartford was platted by Titus Ensign, the surveyor being Mr. Holmes, who at that time filled the office of county surveyor. The origi- nal plat consisted of eight blocks and one public square; each block divided into eight lots, four by eight rods. In the spring of 1856 Judd Bradley made an addition to the village of three blocks on the north side. The streets running east and west were called Main, Water and Saratoga, commencing on the south side.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 55

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