History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 57

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 57
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 57

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).

cipal of the Jackson public schools, Jack- son county, Minnesota; Clara and Roscoe D.

Nelson H. Whipple is a son of Josiah and Eunice (Hazen) Whipple, and was born in Summit county, Ohio, December. 29, 1832. When Nelson was three years of age, the family moved to Portage county, and afterwards to Ashtabula county, Ohio. Here he remained until twenty-one years old, then moved to Illinois, where he spent one year. In the fall of 1855 he came to Iowa and settled in Grundy county near the Butler county line. The following July he went to Minnesota, and after liv- ing in LeSueur county two years, returned to Grundy county, where he spent three more years; he then moved to Beaver township, Butler county, and worked in the Vorris mill. In December of the year 1862, he settled on his present farm on section 29, and engaged in carpentering. Mr. Whipple was married October 21,. 1856 to Miss Zillyah Taylor, a native of Ohio. They have five children living- Flora Amelia, wife of C. I. Bolton; Rosella V., wife of William C. Murray; Nelson Adolph, Harry Earl and Jerry Burton.

S. S. Cortright is a son of Cornelius and Catherine ( Winter ) Cortright, and was born in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1826. Here he learned blacksmithing, and remained until nineteen years of age; after which he came west and located in Clinton, Rock county, Wisconsin, where he followed his trade. At the end of three years he moved to Boone county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for fifteen years. In May of the year 1863 he came to Butler county, Iowa, and located at New Hartford, where he followed his trade for two years, and

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

then settled on his farm on section 14. He now owns 240 acres of land on sections 14 and 23. Mr. Cortright was married in 1849 to Miss Eliza A. Covey, a native of New York. They have three children living-Edward J., Alta D., and George C.

Herman D. Burnett is a son of George B. and Electa (Daily) Burnett, and was born in Jefferson, Schoharie county, New York, December 13, 1838, where he re- mained until twenty-one years old; then came west and settled in Bureau county, Illinois, where he remained until the first year of our late rebellion. At that time he enlisted as a private in Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and served until honorably discharged at Springfield, Illi- nois, October 21, 1863. Upon again en- tering civil life he returned to Bureau county, and there remained until the fol- lowing spring, when he came to Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa. This place he made his home until his removal to Beaver township in the year of 1866. He now owns a good farm of 120 acres in that township. Mr. Burnett has been postmas- ter at Willoughby three years. In April of the year 1864 he was married to Miss Lucy Darrow, a native of Pennsylvania. They have five children --- Ella May, Ethel Amelia, Rosaltha, George Eugene and Royal Curtis.

L. W. Jamieson is a son of John and Ann (Remiley) Jamieson, and was born in Lewis county, New York, June 13, 1831. He was reared on a farm, and remained in his native county until the year 1856. At that time he came west -and located in LaSalle county, Illinois, where he lived until the spring of 1865. IIe then came to Iowa and located on the southeastern

quarter of section 15, Beaver township, Butler county. Here he now resides and owns 220 acres of land, 200 of which are under cultivation. Mr. Jamieson has held the office of town assessor, and at present is one of the town trustees. He has also been a member of the school board. In January, 1854, he was married to Miss Lucy Peebles, a native of Lewis county, New York. Five children have been born to them-Edward, who now lives in Da- kota; Clarence, Charles, Lillie and Coy.

G. W. Billsen is a son of J. N. and Hes- ter M. (Tobias) Billsen, and was born in Tompkins county, New York, in January, 1824. There he remained until he became of age, then moved westward, and settled in Cook county, Illinois, where he remained fourteen years, following the business of railroading. In 1859 he went south, and there lived until the third year of the late war. Having, with so many others, suf- fered a financial reverse, he decided to return to the North. In 1865 he removed to this State, and bought his present farm, on sections 20 and 21, of Beaver township. He now owns 120 acres of land: After making this purchase he engaged in rail- roading for several months in Missouri and Wisconsin, and in the fall of the suc- ceeding year, settled on his farm. Mr. Billsen belongs to the republican party, and has taken an active interest in the county politics. He filled the office of assessor four years, and is present trustee of the township. In 1848 he was united in wedlock to Miss Isabel Millen, who bore him one child-J. M .- and died in the city of Chicago, during the year of 1852. In January, of the year 1866, hc was married to Hattie A. Chapman.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

M. W. Ashton resides on section 15, where he located October 1, 1872. Mr. Ashton was born in Livingston county, New York, July 2, 1832. He was brought up. in the town of Mount Morris, in that county. His parents were Sidney and Eliza Ashton. He married Eliza A. Dem- mon, daughter of Calvin Demmon. Mrs. Aslıton was born in Tuscarora, Livingston county, New York, in August, 1833. They were married December 24, 1856; removed to Illinois in 1863, and to Indiana the same year; to their present location from the latter State. Mr. and Mrs. Ashton have two daughters-Minnie, now Mrs. John Knipe, and Cora. Mr. Ashton's farm contains 140 acres.

J. W. Seaver is a son of J. W. and Mary E. (Long) Seaver, and was born in Genesee county, New York, March 15, 1834. When six years of age his parents came west and settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin. Here J. W. grew to manhood and lived until the spring of 1868, when he came to Butler county, Iowa, and settled in Albion township. Here he lived until 1872; then moved to Beaver township and set- tled on section 18, where he now owns 140 acres of land. In 1855 he married Miss Mary E. Rogers, a native of Washington county, New York. They have two chil- dren-Albert VanNess and Arthur E.

John E. Boyd was born in Logan county, Ohio, July 28, 1835, and is a son of James and Margaret (Sullivan) Boyd, who were natives of Virginia. He was reared on a farm and received a common school educa- tion. On the 1st day of May, 1864, he enlisted in the one hundred days' service, and served until honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, after serving one hundred

and fifty days. Upon receiving his dis- missal he returned to his home in Logan county, where he remained until the montli of October; then came West, and settled on a farm in Grundy county, Iowa. There he lived one year, then moved to Black Hawk county, where he resided about seven years. In the spring of 1872 he came to Beaver township, Butler county, and settled on section 3, where he now resides, owning a finc farm of 200 acres. Mr. Boyd has been a member of the board of trustees for four years. In 1865 he was united in wedlock to Miss Caroline Wheeler, also a native of Ohio. They have seven children-Walter H., Deborah M., Emma May Belle and Rosana May Belle, (twins), Abbie E., Cora Matilda, and Nettie Florence.

Aug. Critzman was born in Germany, February 12, 1848, and is a son of Aug. and Rosalia (Bufleb) Critzman, both natives of that country. In 1857 his father died, and two years after this sad event he and his remaining parent came to America. They settled in Rockford, Illinois, and there engaged in farming for thirteen years. At the expiration of that time Aug. came to Butler county, Iowa, and settled on section 8 of Beaver township, where he now owns a fine farm of 120 acres. « His mother died in 1867. Mr. Critzman is present justice of the peace, and has held that office for the past ten years. In 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Lake. They are the parents of four children-Oliver, Flora, Maud and Mabel.

Chauncey Chapman was born in Monroe county, New York, November 6, 1809. He remained in his native county until

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

1842, and then came West, and settled on a farm in McHenry county, Illinois. In 1872 he moved to Iowa, and, in the spring of the following year, settled on section 20, of Beaver township, Butler county, where he now owns 160 acres of land. Mr. Chapman was married in 1835 to Miss Mercy French, a native of New York. Seven children have been born to them, of whom four are now living-Hattie A., wife of G. W. Billsen; Chauncey S., Justus H., and Emma, wife of. E. R. Dodd.

W. M. Hunter, the present county re- corder, was born in Warren county, Indi- ana, March 11, 1853, and is a son of James and Caroline (Mears) Hunter. His mother was born in Indiana, and his father in county Antrim, Ireland. Two years after William's birth, the family came to But- ler county, Iowa, and settled in Ripley township, where his parents still reside. William grew up on his father's farm, at- tending school during the winters, until

seventeen years old. He then attended . the Iowa City Academy seven months, and afterwards Lennox College, at Hopkinton, Iowa, fall and winter, for three years. He taught his first term of school at Pine Creek, Buchanan county, Iowa, at a salary of $28.00 per month; also, a term near Zwingle, Dubuque county. This was dur- ing the years he attended college. Mr. Hunter has taught twenty-five terms to the present time, filling the position in the towns of Butler Center, Aplington, Shell Rock and New Hartford. In the spring of 1881 he became principal of the New Hartford school, filling that position with great credit. In 1882 he was the republi- can nominee for recorder, and was elected. April 22, 1878, he was married to Miss Alice Conn, who was born in Canada. They have one child living-Willie G. Mr. Hunter is popular wherever known, and there doubtless is a bright future be- fore him.

CHAPTER XX.

BENNEZETTE TOWNSHIP.

This township occupies the northeast corner of Butler county. It is bounded upon the north by Floyd county; on the west by Franklin county; on the east by Coldwater township, and on the south by Pittsford. It embraces township 93, north,

of range 18, west. The area is 23,040 acres, or 36 square miles.

The land is rolling, consisting mostly of prairie. The soil is a rich, dark loam. There are only two small groves of timber, so whatever timber needed is brought

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

. from Coldwater or Franklin county. The main water courses are two small creeks- Hamlin's and Coldwater. These supply a sufficient amount of water for practical purposes. During dry seasons the creeks become very low. Years ago the land was marshy, but now, in ordinary seasons, one can scarcely find a piece of land unfit for cultivation. It is better adopted for stock than almost any township in Butler county, from the fact of it being good grass land.

Most of the trade is carried on with Greene, Dumont and Bristow. The nearest railroad point is in Franklin county for the west side; Greene for the east side, and Dumont and Bristow for the south.

Artificial groves surround nearly all res- idences, and the various pieces of timber planted and cultivated by the farmers, will soon give the vast prairie the appearance of a timbered country.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

In early days the township of Bennezette was in the Dubuque Government Land District, as was almost the entire'county. The first settler was William A. Keister, who arrived here in 1854, and took his claim in the northeast of the southeast quarter of section 1. Here he erected a dwelling, but after a short time sold the place to William Kingery, and purchased the northeast quarter of the same section where he yet resides. Mr. Keister was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in June, 1830. When quite young his parents moved to Warren county, Indiana. In[February, 1852, he there married Mary J. Miller, a native of Ohio, born in 1833. The following year after marriage he removed to this county and township as

stated. In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty- third Iowa Infantry, and served with it until the close of the war, participating in fourteen engagements. He was honorably discharged at Montgomery, Alabama, July 22, 1865. Returning to his home he resumed farming, and in 1867 erected his present residence. Mr. and Mrs. Keister have eight children living-Annie, Louis A., Jolın A., Milton W., Alfred B., Iona., Ora E. and C. O. Mr. Keister at present holds the office of justice of the peace.

In 1855 John J. Chase came to Benne- zette township from Waverly, and drove his stakes on section 4. He remained but a short time.

In 1856 William Kingery, a native of Indiana, purchased the farm of Mr. Keister. He remained there until 1865, when he removed to his present home on section 13 in Coldwater township. At the same time, came Hamblin, a native of Ohio. He took up a claim in the southeast quarter of section 30. In 1863 he removed to Butler Center. His whereabouts at present are unknown.

Another early settler was William Mufley, a native of the Empire State, wlio claimed the northwest quarter of section 1. He is now living at Osage.

Milton Wilson, a pioneer of 1857, is a native of New York, born in Niagara county, in 1826. His younger days were spent on a farm. On the 17th of April, 1850, he married Adaline Freer, a native of Niagara county, New York. He subsequently moved to Lockport and engaged in the boot and shoe trade. In the fall of 1852 he removed to the town of Cambria, and- returned to farm life. In 1856 he sold out, and in the spring of 1857 started west.

Milton Wilson.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Arriving at Buffalo the family took passage in a boat for Milwaukee, from which point they came overland to Butler county, and located a elaim on seetion 15, Bennezette township. Mr. Wilson at once ereeted a shanty in which the family lived until a more comfortable house was built. For some time they were without a stove, Mrs. Wilson doing her cooking by an open fire. Ten children have blessed the union of

. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson-George W., E. Frank and R. L., who were born in New York; Mary H., Cora A., Ida L., Donglas, Addie J., John C. S. and Ed. M., born in Iowa. Mr. Wilson has been prominently identified with the interests of both town and county. He was one of the first . eounty supervisors eleeted in 1859, serving a term of one year; was again re-elected in 1860; eleeted again in 1878, serving for three years. He has held town offiees, and is at present town elerk, an office he has filled . several years. In politics Mr. Wilson is a demoerat. He east his first vote for President, for Lewis Cass, of Michigan. He sold his first wheat at Cedar Rapids, 110 miles distant, at sixty cents per bushel. That was the nearest market at the time.

Among those who eame in 1857, were Ira A. and Cyrus D. Chamberlin, Oliver Evans, William P. Woodworth, Samuel Overturf, Orin C. Smith, John A. Smith, George O'Brien, Philip, John and Michael MeKinney, John and Philip Kelley, John P. Mills, and James H. Morris.

Ira A. and Cyrus D. Chamberlin were natives of Vermont. They both took up elaims on seetion 34; Ira securing his pres- ent farm, on the northeast quarter; and

Cyrus, the southeast, where he remained until his death, in 1866.

Ira A. Chamberlin was born in Windsor county, Vermont, on the 22d of February, 1831. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1852 he moved to Illinois, remaining one year in Cook county. He then moved to Mich- igan, where he spent four years in Ottawa - eounty. In 1857 hs eame to Iowa and settled in Bennezette township, Butler county, where he took a elaim on section 34. In 1861-2 he built his present frame house, and married, in 1867, Mrs. Hannah, widow of Cyrus Chamberlin. They have had two children-Agnes B. and Martilla J. Agnes died in 1875, in her fourth year.

Cyrus D. Chamberlin, brother of Ira A. Chamberlin, was born.in Windsor county, Vermont, May 25, 1827; died of eomsumnp- tion, in Bennezette township, Butler county, Iowa, in 1866. In 1854 he left his native State, locating in Michigan. In 1857 he moved to Bennezette township, and took a elaim on seetion 34. In 1859, going to California, he engaged in mining until 1862, when he returned to Bennezette township. In 1864 he married Miss Han- nah Hall. Mr. Chamberlin was a respected eitizen, making friends wherever he went. Sorrow at his death was felt by all.

Oliver Evans was born in Columbia county, New York, September 15, 1825; when but four years of age his father died. His mother soon after married again. In 1840 the family moved to Caynga eounty. In 1853 Oliver left his native State and settled on a farm in Ogle eounty, Illinois. In 1856 he spent a month in Iowa prospect- ing. The following spring he attended the land sale at Osage. On the 1st day

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

of June, 1857, he arrived in Butler county and made a claim on section 17, township No. 93, north range 18 west, his present home, where he has lived a life of single blessedness. In politics he is a republican; cast his first vote for President, for General Taylor.

William P. Woodworth and Samuel Overturf were natives of Pennsylvania, moving here in 1857. Mr. Woodworth planted his stakes around the southwest quarter of section 35, where he remained until 1872, when he moved out of the county, but subsequently again became a citizen of Butler county by locating in Pittsford township. Mr. Overturf selected the northwest quarter of section 35, but remained here only two years. His present residence is also in Pittsford. These two pioneers named the township "Bennezette," in honor of their native town in Pennsylvania.

Orin C. Smith was an Ohio man; he came here from Michigan, and entered a farm on section 27. When the war broke out he enlisted; and upon his return, settled in the townships just south of this, remain- ing there until 1882. His present residence is in Wright county. His brother, John A. Smith, was also a pioneer of 1857, settling on section 34. He removed to Pittsford township in 1867, and is now living in Minnesota.

George O'Brien, who came here with his parents in 1857, from Illinois, settling on section 21, was of Irish extraction. In 1876 he removed to Coldwater where he died. His sister, and a brother, John, now live in Coldwater.

The three Mckinney brothers, Philip, John and Michael were natives of Ireland,

and came from New York State to Illinois. In 1857 they came to Butler county, and took claims on sections 17, 28 and 30, in Bennezette township, where they stayed long enough to prove their claims, then departed; but returned in a few years and sold the land.

John and Patrick Kelley, also natives of Ireland, came from Illinois in 1857. John took the northeast quarter of section 28, and Patrick the northeast quarter of section 23. They soon returned to Illinois, but have never sold this property. John is living in Aurora, Illinois. Philip is dead.

John P. Mills, a native of New York State, came here in 1857. He claimed the northeast quarter of section 8, and re- mained until 1858, when he left for parts unknown.

James H. Morris was another of the pio- neers of 1857, coming from Illinois and settling on section 33. After remaining a few years he removed to West Point township, and has since died.

Among others who settled in the town- ship during this year were Augustus Clu- key, Peter Galipo, Warren Caswell and Mr. Ward.

Charles Miller, a native of Pennsylva- nia, settled on his present homestead on section 35 in 1859.

In 1863 Benjamin Boyd came to the township and settled on the southeast quar- ter of section 9, where he still resides.

About the same time James Mitchell came and settled on section 34. After re- maining here a number of years he re- moved to his present home in Rock county, Minnesota.

481

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

William Hesetroad also came about this time and took a homestead on the south- east quarter of section 10, where he lived one year, when he sold his claim to Alex- ander Campbell, a native of New York, and bought his present farm in Coldwater township. Mr. Campbell lived here about two years, when he sold the farm to Francis Maxwell, the present owner.

John Maxwell, a brother of Francis, came at the same time and purchased the southeast quarter of section 10, where lie still lives.

In 1862 B. H. Barnett, in company with his parents, located their present home on the southwest quarter of section 2.

In 1864 John Calvert came from New York and settled on the northeast of sec- tion 16, where he remained about three years; then sold out and moved to his present home in Butler township, where he now resides.

From this time the addition to the set- tlement was more rapid. J. E. Downing, Richard Parish, John Newborn, John H. Lockwood, A. J. Lockwood, Alfred Tabor, Oliver McGee, Michael Wade, W. J. Adams and others crowded in.

Further on in this chapter will be found a number of "settlers of a later day" treated at length.

FIRST OCCURRENCES.

The earliest birth known was that of Louisa, daughter of William A. and Mary Kuster, born December 29, 1855. In No- vember, 1874, she was married to Harvey Williams, and now resides in Fairbault City, Minnesota.

Another early birth was that of Mary H., daughter to Milton and Adeline Wil-

son, born May 30, 1858. She was married October 26, 1878, to Philip VanBuskirk, and now resides on section 12 in Benne- zette.

The first marriage in the township was that of John Bartlett to Miss Adelia Muff- ley, in 1859, at the residence of the bride's parents. Elder Moss, of Coldwater town- ship, officiated.

The first deaths occurred in the fall of 1857, when Allen and Sarah L., son and daughter of William Kingery, were called from earth. Their remains were interred in the German burying ground in Coldwater township. Elder Moss officiated at the funeral.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services within the limits of Bennezette were held in 1858, by Elder Moss, in the house of William King- ery, on section 1. The Elder was of the German Baptist or Dunkard persuasion, and lived in Coldwater. The neighborhood generally turned out, and meetings were occasionally held, but no society was orga- nized.

A number of Methodists were also among the early settlers, and in 1861 meet- ings were held at the school house, on sec- tion 1, Moses Davis, an itinerant reverend, preaching. Elder Inman, of the Free-Will Baptist; Rev. S. D. Stone, of the. United Brethren, and Elders Sheldon and - Henry, Disciples, also preached occasionally; but no organizations were effected.

Baptist meetings were also held in Ben- nezette quite frequently. Elder Button was one of the preachers. The school house of District No. 3 was used, and for two ycars services were held quite reg-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ularly; but no organization was formed, and the citizens who are now of that faith worship in the church, just over the line, in Franklin county.

A Sabbath school was organized in the school house in District No. 1, in 1868, with William Keister as superintendent. It was a Union school, and had quite a good attendance. It did not thrive but a short time.

Another Sunday school was organized in 1878, at the school house in District No. 3, with Mı. Wissler as superintendent. This is still continued at the church in Franklin county.

In 1878 a Methodist class was organized in Bennezette by Elder Sproul, at the school house in District No. 6. John Tin- dall was class leader, and there were eight members. Preaching is held every two weeks, at-present by Elder Camp, from Hansel. This is known as the Bennezette class.

EDUCATIONAL.

This township, for educational purposes, is divided into nine districts, and the school- ing facilities are fully up to the average townships of Butler county.

The first school house was built in 1861, in the northeastern part of section 1. It was a frame building and the town was taxed to pay for it. Here the first school in-the township was held the winter fol- lowing, with Miss Mary A. Briggs as teacher, her wages being $14 per month, she to "board herself." There were ten scholars in attendance. In 1873 the pres- ent house was erected on section 11. The old house is now in use as Mr. Skillen's granary. This district is known as No. 1.

In 1864, District No. 2 was set off, and during the following year a school house was erected on section 9, in which Dan McDonald, now postmaster at Grand Forks, Dakota, taught the first school, with six pupils in attendance. In 1882 the old school house was sold at auction, leaving this district without a building.

One of the first schools in District No. 2 was taught by Eliza J. Logan, in the win- ter of 1864, being a four months' term. The teacher is now Mrs. John Jamieson, of Belmond, Iowa.

District No. 3 was set off in 1872, and during the same year a school structure was erected in the southeastern part of section 6, which is still in use. Miss Arvilla Niece first taught in this district.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 57

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