History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 59

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 59
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 59

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

consin, called "John;" he yet remains in the county. The Hicks family do not properly belong to Butler township's early settlement, as the lines are now drawn; but being closely indentified with the earliest settlement of this vicinity they are men- tioned in this connection.

R. T. Crowell also came in December, 1850, for the purpose of moving Hicks' family here. He went back to Wisconsin, but returned in the spring of 1852, and took a claim, afterward occupied by Alexander Glenn, where he remained many years. Becoming dissatisfied he disposed of his splendid farm, went to California, but soon returned, and is now in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

M. B. and W. S. Wamsley were also early settlers, just along what is now the line, and had much to do with the early times of this township. M. B. settled in Butler county April 20, 1851, section 1, Jackson township, a claim previously taken up by his brother, John Wamsley. As this place was without improvements Mr. Wamsley built at once a log cabin, 14 x 16, commenced breaking the land, and the first year raised corn, beans, potatoes, and other vegetables, enough for family use. His family consisted of himself, wife and two children. During this sea- son considerable sickness-mainly ague- was experienced. However, he was suc- cessful, and in about four years the log cabin gave way to a good, substantial building, which is still in good repair. Mr. Wamsley's health failed him about the year 1870; since then he has been un- able to do hard work. In 1878 he re- moved to the village of Clarksville. He still carries on his farm, also dealing in

live stock. Mr. Wamsley is one of the incorporators of the Butler county bank, and was president for ten years. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, October 9, 1826, His parents, John and Sarah (Swim) Wamsley, were both natives of said county. He is the oldest of four children, was brought up to farm life in his native state; was in 1848 married to Miss Milly Cooper, a native of Adams county, a daughter of Samuel and Nancy Cooper. He remained a resident of his native county until he came to Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Wamsley have had ten children, seven of whom are now living- Henry, Sabia J., now Mrs. Milton Mols- berry, Marion, Byron, Bascomb, Mary and Charley. Mr. Wamsley is a democrat, and has associated with that party since he reached his majority. He was the first justice of the peace in his township, and has since held other local offices. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, be- longing to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Clarksville and the Commandery at Cedar Falls.

W. S. Wamsley was born in Adams county, Ohio, September 19, 1828, his parents being John and Sarah (Swim) Wamsley. When but a small boy he re- moved with the family, to Iroquois county, Illinois, where the mother died, leaving four children-Malon B., Wil- liam S., John N., and Melissa J., now the wife of Colonel Harlon Baird, of Dakota county, Nebraska. The family then re- turned to Adams county, Ohio. The father subsequently married Mrs. Sarah Caroway nee Parks. Soon after the four children named, commenced the battle of life alone. William S. worked for a time

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

at farming for different parties. He sub- sequently entered the employ of Jesse Wykoff-owner of a steam saw mill- whom he served until he reached his twentieh year. Mr. Wamsley being ener- getic and ambitious, decided to engage in business for himself. He therefore, with his brother Malon B., purchased a one- half interest in the mill, which did not prove a success, and in 1850 William S., accompanied by his younger brother John N., boarded a steamboat at Cincinnati, and started out in search of a location on the western frontier. Arriving at Du- buque, they at once set out on foot, for the Turkey river, where the country, not meeting their expectations, they turned tlicir steps southward and soon arrived in Washington county, Iowa. Here they met Henry Moore, son of Aaron Moore- better known as Uncle Aaron-the carly settler of the Shell Rock valley, who wished some help in taking a drove of cattle into Bremer county. As he gave a very glowing description of the country, they concluded to assist him providing he would bear the expense. They found im- migration brisk, and during the month of May Mr. Wamsley helped a German erect a cabin a little north of the present site of Waverly-the first cabin in that vicinity. After wandering about a few days Uncle Aaron and W. S. Wamsley concluded to explore "Coon Prairie," of which the for- mer had heard trappers spcak. They started on horse-back, and, after a few hours ride, they reached their destination, and finding the country, without doubt, the finest they had ever seen, Mr. Wams- ley at once concluded to settle. As the land was not yet in market, he returned to

Ohio, leaving his brother in the employ of Uncle Aaron. On the twentieth day of February, 1851, he was, married to Miss Ann Eliza Richards, daughter of Sampson and Elsie (Kirker) Richards. In March Mr. Wamsley and bride, accompanied by his half brother, Martin VanBuren Wamsley, better known in Butler county as "Van" Wamsley, started with a team for the western frontier. . At Muscatine they met Malon B. Wamsley and family, who had come to that place by steamboat. From thencc they journeyed on together, arriving at Uncle Aaron's about April twentieth, and on the twenty-sixth of said month W. S. Wamsley located on the northeast quarter of section 12, Jackson township, where he still resides. W. S. and Malon B. Wamsley were poor men, having but onc team of horses and a wagon which they had brought from Ohio. They each purchased a cow, a pig and a few chickens; these, with a few household goods, comprised their personal property. They each also purchased eighty acres of land at $1.25 per acre, and this took the balance of their cash. The summer of 1851 proved to be a very wet season and it was often very difficult to get to market. In June WV. S. Wamsley started for Muscatine; when he arrived at Marion it was raining. Purchasing a few goods he started back. He found the streams so swollen that he was compelled to fasten the box onto the running gear to keep it from floating away while crossing. During the summer in order to cross the Cedar River, lie often had to take the wagon apart, transfer it across on canoes, and swim the horses to the opposite shore. In the winter of 1851-2

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

he made a wooden mortar, and in this crushed their corn for bread-stuff. This, with a few potatoes and a small amount of meat, constituted their provisions. After the first year, however, they fared better, as they raised wheat, and this they conld get ground at Cedar Falls, but had to do the bolting by hand. Mr. Wamsley has given his attention almost exclusively to farming, and has met with marked suc- cess. He now owns over four hundred acres of well improved land. He is one of the founders of the Butler county bank, and for many years served as one of its directors. In politics he is a democrat and has held local offices. Mr. and Mrs. Wamsley have had nine children, six of whom are now living-Didama J., now Mrs. 'A. J. Ilgenfritz, Alvira, now Mrs. John Neal, Isolina, now Mrs. Fowle; Wylie C., Amy and Ida.

Jeremiah Perrin made his appearance in August, 1851, driving his stakes about one-half mile north of his present hand- some residence, which is sitnated one mile east from Clarksville, on section 17, where he still lives. He made a good selection, and by hard work and strict economy has risen from a poor man to one of the fore- most farmers and capitalists in this section.

Morrison A. Taylor, the same date, set- tled about one-half mile east from Mr. Per- rin, and began substantial improvements, but died the 30th day of December, 1856.

Jeremiah Perrin is an Englishman born in North Hamptonshire, November 28, 1820. In January, 1845, with his wife, he emigrated to the United States, and settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. In 1848 he removed to Beaver county, that State. In 1851 he started for the western

frontier, traveling by steamboat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers to Mus- catine, Iowa. He came west prepared to buy, but his health failing, he rented a farm near Muscatine, where he remained that season. In Angust he made the acquaintance of Morrison Taylor and E. Ensley, who came from Indiana the previ- ous spring, and were proposing to go west with an ox-team, Mr. Perrin had a good wagon and team of horses, and pro- posed, if they wonld bear one-third of the expenses, to drive throngh. To this they agreed, and the trio started. In a short time Mr. Taylor and Perrin were located on section 17, and Ensley on section 16, Butler township. Perrin and Taylor soon returned to Muscatine and brought their families to their new homes, settling down on the 16th day of September, 1851. Mr. Ensley bronght his family in about six weeks. Here they all erected cabins, and made preparations for the coming winter. Mr. Perrin has since followed farming quite successfully, accumulating a large amount of land, and considerable other property. In 1882 he erected the Perrin block, the finest and most costly building in Clarksville. He has been twice married, first in 1844 to Miss Elizabeth Woods. She died in 1865. They had three children, two of whom are now living-Elizabeth, now Mrs. Henry Bran- lon, and Mary A., now Mrs. W. H. Moore. In June, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Hillman, of Rockford, Illi- nois. They have two sons-Oscar C., and Mark J. Mr. Perrin was formerly a democrat, and voted for Douglas in 1860, but since the rebellion has been identified with the republican party. He has not

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

entered much into politics. He is, how- ever, always ready to assist in putting the right man in office. He is one of the fore- most farmers and capitalists of this sec- tion.

Mr. Taylor settled about one-half mile east from Mr. Perrin; but on the 30th day of December, 1856, he was called to the better home above.

Mr. Ensley sold out his old place years ago, and liis present whereabouts are unknown.

Seth Hilton was also intimately connec- ted with this settlement, but now belongs to Jackson township.

Geo. W. Poisall came in 1853, making his home on the hill east of the old school house. In 1854 he sold it to Dan Mather, and moved a peg further north, laid out "Poisall's Addition to Clarksville." He is now living in the city of Clarksville.

Thomas and Jeremiah Clark came the same year, and took claims about one mile north of Clarksville.

The following named persons entered land in the order named: Alfred Elam settled here in 1851 on Barnard's place, about four miles southeast of the town. Hiram Beard, an old soldier of the Mexican War, took up the claim afterward known as the Mix estate. John Armstrong came in 1851, and took his claim two and a half miles southeast, on section 29. C. N. Burton on section 8, where he died years ago. In 1850 John Heery entered the land adjoining the town plat on the south; he did not move his family until 1853. These are all the earliest settlers we can enumerate, and all who have survived the hardships of life to the present day, are independent. After this time settlers

came in rapid succession, among whom were O. A. Strong, John H. Morton, John Palmer, David Blakley, A. VanDorn, J. J. Eichar, T. T. Rawson, M. M. Trum- bull, Wm. Brandon, R. Hardy, Abner Farlow, J. M. Vincent and Dan Mather. These came during the spring, summer and fall of 1854.

A. VanDorn was elected county judge in 1855, and died in the fall of 1858, leav- ,ing a large family.

T. T. Rawson brought to the county a small stock of goods, sold them out, moved to Hampton, Franklin county; returned and went into the land agency business; eloped with another man's wife,and ruined the happiness of two families.

M. M. Trumbull was a good attorney, a perfect gentleman, and a fine scholar. He was elected to a seat in the lower branch of the legislature, in 1858, which he filled with honor to himself and his constituents.

William Brandon was a genuine back- woodsman. He began life as such in Vir- ginia, from whence his father came to Indiana at an early day, and "Uncle Billy" was reared on rifle, ax, deer and "bar's" meat. His first residence in Iowa was near Rockford, Floyd county; lie after- wards moved to Cedar Rapids, and from there to this vicinity.

R. Hardy erected a hewed log cabin on the corner now occupied by the Central House. He kept hotel one winter, but "starved out" and went to Missouri.

J. M. Vincent, an older man among the pioneers, was known as "Squire" for many years. During the summer of 1860 his residence was destroyed by fire; he being in limited circumstances, the citizens con- tributed liberally and phoenix-like, a new

J. Perrin.

Mors Q. Perim.

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and better edifice soon arose over the ruins. He died a number of years ago in extreme old age.

On the 5th day of July, 1852, George W. Poisal, wife and four children, Thomas Clark and family, Jerry Clark and family and Mrs.Cynthia Clark and family arrived. They made the journey with teams, and were twenty-eight days in coming from Howard and Carroll counties, Indiana. Mr. Poisal and Thomas Clark at once en- tered one-half of section 18, Butler town- ship, erected a log cabin and commenced pioneer life. As they brought but a small amount of provisions with them, they were soon obliged to purchase. For this pur- pose, in the month of August, Mr. Poisal took his team and started out. He drove one hundred miles, five miles beyond Ma- rion, and there purchased a load of corn at twenty-five cents per bushel. While on his homeward way he busied himself shelling corn, which task he completed be- fore he reached Cedar Falls, where he had the corn ground. He purchased flour at Cedar Rapids. They had also raised a crop of potatoes, which, with fish and veni- son, carried them through the winter. In 1853 Mr. Poisal sold his 160 acres to Dan- iel Mather and purchased the northeast quarter of section 18. In 1855 he laid out a portion of this into village lots as an ad- dition to the village of Clarksville, where he resides. Farming has been his princi- pal business, and although he has not ac- cumulated a large fortune, he has always been able to supply his family with home comforts. Mr. Poisal-or Uncle George, as he is familiarly called-was born in Virginia on the 10th day of March, 1814. His parents, Jacob and Nancy (Smith)

Poisal, were also natives of that State. He was reared on a farm, and in 1833 married Miss Mary Ann Burket. She died in 1842, leaving eight children, two of whom are now living-Lucinda, now Mrs. George Moore, and Hiram. In Sep- tember, 1845, Mr. Poisal married Miss Elizabeth Clark, a sister of Thomas Clark, and by this union has had three children, two of whom are now living-Mary and Maria. Uncle George has always been highly esteemed by his fellow men. He was elected the first judge of Butler county, but did not qualify, for the reason he would be obliged to go to Indepen- pence to do so. He is a democrat, and has often held local offices. His religious connection is with the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Poisal is a Mason, be- ing a charter member of the Blue Lodges at Cedar Falls and Clarksville. He is a member of the Chapter at Clarksville and the Commandery at Cedar Falls. He has filled all the offices in the Blue Lodge ex- cept master, and for the past four years has been treasurer both of the chapter and Blue Lodge.

John Ray is found among the very ear- liest pioneers. He settled in Butler town- ship in September, 1852, and with his wife and three children resided with Robert T. Crowell the first winter. Their provisions consisted principally of corn bread and buffalo meat. He has since been a resi- dent of the county, farming being his principal occupation. Mr. Ray was born in Saratoga county, New York, May 1, 1821. August 2, 1845, he married Miss Emma J. Phelps. In 1848 they migrated to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and two years later to Greene county, residing

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

there until their removal to Iowa. Of his ten children six are now living-Sarah J., Andrew, William E., George W., Mary A. and Ora G. In politics Mr. Ray is a repub- lican, in religion a liberal.

Daniel Mather, upon his arrival in this county in October, 1854, settled in Clarks- ville, where he purchased land on section 18, from G. W. Poisal; upon this he platted a portion of the town, which is now the south part of Clarksville. He secured the contract for the carpenter work of the court house, the consideration being $1,500. Changes in the plan were afterward adop- ted, and the contract price changed to $2,750. Mr. Mather was born in Oswego county, New York, September 12, 1796; was brought up on a farm, also learned the carpenter trade, which he followed in his native State until 1825. During this time in 1820 he married Miss Roxa Underwood. In 1825 he moved to Warren county, Penn- sylvania, where he remained nineteen years, then removed to Boone county, Illi- nois. In October, 1854 he came to Clarks- ville, Iowa. His wife died in 1856, leav- ing four children-Maria, now Mrs. Charles Nelson; Charles, of Dayton town- ship, Stephen, who resides in Tennessee, and Milo, now in Kansas. Mr. Mather was afterwards married to Mrs. Sally V. Francis; she had one child from her first marriage-Mary, now the wife of Captain C. A. Roszell.

J. J. Eichar, mayor of Clarksville, Iowa, as before stated, was a pioneer of 1854. He is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born October 28, 1829. His parents, Henry and Catherine (Seichtg) Eichar, were both natives of said State. He received an academic education, and

subsequently read law for two years. In the fall of 1852 he came to Anamosa, Jones county, Iowa, and engaged as book-keeper for the firm of J. H. Fisher & Son, general merchandise and flouring mills. He held . this position until May, 1854, when with G. Dollison he came to Clarksville and engaged in the mercantile business under the name of Eichar & Dollison. The goods had to be drawn in wagons from Dubuque and Muscatine, and the roads many seasons of the year were almost impassable; it sometimes took two weeks to make the trip from Dubuque to Clarks- ville. Often they were obliged to leave goods by the way, the teams being unable to get through. This firm closed out in 1860. Mr. Eichar then dealt in real estate, also followed farming until 1870. He has acted as justice of the peace, land agent, insurance; has been city mayor for several years, and held other local offices. Mr. Eichar, in January, 1855, married Miss H. E. Vincent, daughter of J. M. Vincent; she died in October, 1876. They had seven children, five now living-May, now Mrs. John Wilhelm; Kate, now Mrs. W. C. Wamsley; Stella, now Mrs. J. Belden; Ada and Frank.

Considerable of the early settlement, and many of the first occurences are identi- cal with those of the city of Clarksville, an account of which appears elsewhere. Sketches of a few representative men of this township are appended, from which may be gathered the character of the settlement.

The first piece of land entered in Butler county, consisted of 160 acres, located on sections 18 and 19, Butler township. This was entered on the 22d day of November, 1850, by John Heery. Mr. Heery at that

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

time resided at Milton, Wisconsin, and was informed in regard to the land along the Shell Roek river by James Newell, who had been trapping along said stream. When Mr. Heery listened to the descrip- tion as detailed by Mr. Newell, he at once eoneluded to there procure for himself a home. He therefore on Monday morning, November, 11, 1850, bid his family an affectionate good-by, assuring his wife that he would return one week from the Saturday following. He started on foot for the frontier; upon reaching the Shell Rock he soon found the identical piece of land deseribed by Newell; then he went to Dubuque where he entered the same and returned home, arriving at Milton on Saturday evening. It was a very dark night, and he was obliged to borrow a lantern to light his way, but he reached his home before 12 o'clock. In the spring of 1852, Mr. Heery brought his family to their new home. John Heery is a native of Ireland, born in 1813. In 1845 he married Miss Catherine Leonard. In 1848 he emigrated to the United States. He first settled at Newburg, New York; subsequently he emigrated to Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Heery have reared a family of six children, five of whom are now living-Thomas, John, Peter, Albert and Mary. Mr. Heery is a demoerat in polities, and in religion a Roman Catholic.

Captain John R. Jones is of Welsh deseent, his father, Jolın R., and mother, Mary Jones, both being natives of Wales, the former born in 1807 and the latter in 1811. They were married in Liverpool, England, in 1830, and shortly afterward emigrated to the United States, locating in Detroit, Michigan, from which place

they removed to Ohio in 1832, and from ethere to Wilmington, Illinois, in 1838. The father died in 1877, and mother in 1879. There were five children, four sons -John R., William G., George W., Rob- ert A .- and one daughter-Margaret.

John R. Jones was born at Detroit, Michigan, October 8, 1831. He removed with his parents to Wilmington, Illinois, where he received a common sehool eduea- tion. When eighteen years of age he learned the wagon-maker's trade, follow- ing it until 1852, when he drove an ox- team across the plains to Oregon. The following year he went overland to Shasta county, in northern California, where he remained mining and ranehing until Feb- ruary, 1856, and then returned by water and rail to Wilmington, Illinois. On May 1, 1856, at Kankakee City, Illinois, he inarried Miss Angeline Butterfield, the daughter of Egbert and Nancy Butterfield, of Wilmington. On the 26th day of May, 1856, he moved to Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa. In company with George G. Hawker he engaged in wagon, plow making, and blacksmithing. In the summer of 1862 he raised a company for the Thirty-second Regiment, Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, was elected Captain, August 26, 1862, and mustered into the United States service by Captain George S. Pieree, at Camp Franklin, Dubuque, Iowa, October 6, 1862. In November, 1862, he was ordered to St. Louis, from there, in December, to New Madrid, Missouri; from there to Fort Pillow, Tennessee. In February, 1863, he was ordered to Columbus, Ken- tueky, remaining there until January, 1864, when orders eame to move on to Vieks- burg, Mississippi, and join General Sher-

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man in his march to Meridian, returning to Vicksburg in March. In the same month he was ordered on the Red River Expedition with General Banks, and took part in the capture of Fort DeRusse, on the 14th of March, 1864. On April 9, 1864, he was engaged in the battle at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, where his com- pany lost thirty-one out of fifty-three men. In June, 1864, they returned to Vicksburg. On the 30th of June, Mr. Jones was elected Colonel of his regiment, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Colonel John Scott. This was a compliment rarely ever paid, except for most gallant service, as it was a promotion of a Junior Captain over a Senior Captain, Major, and Lieuten- ant-Colonel. But before his commission could arrive, his regiment had become so reduced in numbers that they were not entitled to a Colonel. In July the regi- ment was ordered to St. Louis, where they joined General Rosecrans, going with him on his seven hundred-mile-march after Price. They returned to St. Louis in November, and in the same month joined General Thomas at Eastport, Mississippi, from which place they went to Nashville, Tennessee, and on the 16th and 17th of December, 1864, engaged in the battle there, in which rebel General Hood was defeated. In January, 1865, they were ordered to join General Canby at New Orleans, going with him to Blakely, Ala- bama, and on the 9th of April engaged in battle at that place." From there they marched to Montgomery, where they remained until August, 1865. In same month were ordered to Clinton, Iowa, where he was mustered out on the 24th of August, 1865, arriving at his home, at

Shell Rock, Iowa, on the 26th day of August. On April 7, 1866, he moved to his farm, one and a half miles east of Clarksville, where, in 1873, he built a large and beautiful residence, making his home one of the most pleasant and comfortable in the county. In the fall of 1868 he was elected from Butler township as one of the sixteen supervisors of the county. In 1871 he was elected sheriff, and was re-elected in 1873, 1875, and 1877-the only sheriff that has ever held the office for eight years or more than two terms. As a poli- tician he has espoused the republican cause from its beginning.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 59

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