History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 63

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 63
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 63

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day of December, 1874, Miss Frances Maxon became his wife. They have one son-Roy.

A. Seitz established a grocery business in June, 1882, and now is having a good trade in his line. Mr. Seitz was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1843. His parents, Isaac and Elizabeth (Flora) Scitz, were also natives of said state In about 1846 the family migrated to Illinois and settled in Lee county, where the parents died, leaving six children, three of whom are now living-Mary, now Mrs. John Cortright, and Isaac and Abraham, twin :; the latter, who is the subject of this sketch, resided in Lee county until 1865, then came to Iowa, and has since been a resident of Butler county. In 1866 he married Miss Sarah Patterson, daughter of William Patterson. He followed farm- ing in Jackson township until he engaged in his present business. The children are -William H., Fredrick O., Forest I., and Frank.

POST OFFICE.

This office was established in 1853, with A. G. Clark as postmaster, who kept it in a little log house just south of the public square. It was then on a mail route from Ceder Falls to Clear Lake and was carried by a man on horseback. In 1855 A. J. Lewellen was commissioned postmaster, but only served for a few months, when - J. R. Fletcher was appointed. Next came A. J. Tompkins, then C. W. Wheelock. Afterward Webster Bartlett was appointed and held until August, 1872, when the present postmaster, Mrs. C. M. Mitchell, was commissioned. It is a fourth class office, and the stamps now cancelled an- nually amount to about $1200.

539

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in this vicinity was taught in a log cabin by Miss Malinda Searles, during the spring of 1855. She was afterward married to Valentine Bogle. The next school was taught by Jane Clark. The log building was used for school pur- poses four or five years, then one was built of "cement," or "concrete," which is still standing, one block north of the D. & D .- depot.

On Saturday, the 16th day of May, 1874, an election was held in the school house of sub-district No. 3, at which time the question of organizing independent school districts was submitted. The result was favorable to such formation. When Clarks- ville was the county seat a large brick court house was erected, 60x40 feet, two stories high. This building was purchased by the Clarksville independent school dis- trict, for $2,800, for school purposes. Here was held the first Normal institute in the county, on the 17th day of August, 1874, which proved to be an interesting and instructive session. There were over eighty teachers in attendance. Superin- tendent Stewart had control, and was ably assisted by a competent corps of instructors, among whom were Professor Stewart, J. E. Davis, Mr. Dodge, Dr. Logan, and Pro- fessor McCready. This school has not yet been thoroughly graded or systematized, and no regular course of study adopted and adhered to; otherwise it is in good condition. It is now under the manage- men't of N. H. Hineline, principal; M. L. Fowle, assistant; Miss Mary Heery, inter- mediate department; Miss Clara Lusted, primary. In the higher department there is an attendance of eighty; in the interme-

diate, of about forty-nine, and in the pri- mary about fifty-six, making a total attend- ance of about one hundred and eighty-five.

SOCIETIES.

Clarksville Lodge, No. 351, I. O. O. F., was organized August 4, 1876, with the following charter members: J. P. Reed, Thomas Hunt, Charles Fitch, Dan Mc- Donald, Albert Burtch, Peter Poisal and John. Palmer. The first officers were: Charles Fitch, N. G .; Thomas Hunt, V. G .; J. P. Reed, P. S .; Albert Burtch, sec- retary; John Palmer, treasurer; Peter Poisal, warden, and Dan McDonald, con- ductor.

The present membership is thirty, with the following named officers: Heury Poi- sal, N. G .; B. L. Poisal, V. G .; J. B. Fel- ters, secretary; Alex. Shannon, treasurer; Ceylon Brown, warden; Marion Wamsley, O. S. G .; V. L. Rogers, I. S. G .; Peter Poisal, conductor; W. H. Bittinger, R. S. to N. G .; Thomas' Hunt, L. S. to N. G .; Moulton Hartness, R. S. to V. G .; Jona- than Harvey, L. S. to V. G .; J. R. Skinner, L. S. S .; J. B. Hickman, R. S. S. The lodge is in good working order and finan- cial condition.

Butler Lodge, No. 94, A., F. and A. M., was organized at Clarksville, June 3, 1857. The first officers were :. A. J. Lewellen, W. M .; Thomas Clark, S. W .; Robert T. Crowell, J. W .; J. F. Newhard, treasurer; John Palmer, secretary; G. W. Poisal, S. D .; J. R. Taylor, J. D .; A. Brown, stew- ard; A. G. Clark, Tyler.

The present officers are: E. J. Davis, W. M .; H. F. L. Burton, S. W .; Hiram Newman, J. W .; G. W. Poisal, treasurer; David Moulton, secretary; Frank Hesse, S.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

D .; J. J. Eichar, J. D .; John S. McCreary, tyler; J. E. Neal, S. steward; William Tennison, J. steward ; B. F. Sherburn, chaplain. The number of members at present is fifty. This is the oldest A., F. and A. M. socicty in the town and county. The present hall was erected in 1882.

A chapter of the Eastern Star was or- ganized in Clarksville on the 27th of De- cember (St. John's day), 1873, by James L. Enos, Deputy Grand Patron of the State of Iowa. The following were the officers elected: John Palmer, W. P .; Mrs. Sue R. Caswell, W. M .; Mrs. E. C. Newman, A. M .; Mrs. Margaret S. Butler, treasurer; Mrs. M. E. Burton, secretary; Mrs. N. E. Glenn, conductress; Mrs. A. B. Jones, as- sociate conductress; Mrs. L. E. Roberts, warder; Mr. E. A: Glenn, sentinel; Miss Anna A. Ilgenfritz, Adah; Mrs. M. J. Bur- ress, Ruth; Mrs. True J. Neal, Esther; Mrs. Esther Baker, Martha; Mrs. Charlotte T. Baker, Electa. No regular meetings are now held.

Temple Chapter, No. 74, the only Chap- ter in Butler county, was organized at . Clarksville in July, 1874. The first officers and charter members were: Jerome Bur- bank, H. P .; Malon B. Wamsley, K .; John M. Baker, scribe; Hiram Newman, treasurer; Charles G. Schellenger, secre- tary; James Butler, N. H. Larkin, Lewis Slimmer, Henry Ilgenfritz, J. R. Jones, Levi Baker, J. Gilbert. M. T. Caswell, G. W. Poisal, J. M. Caldwell, C. H. Forney, H. L. Baker, S. McRoberts, Jr., J. M. Moore, G. P. Babcock, David Moulton, J. A. Carter, J. W. Davis. Present officers: Hiram Newman, H. P .; Malon B. Wams- ley, K .; Henry Ilgenfritz, scribe; G. W.

Poisal, treasurer; E. J. Davis, secretary. The present membership is twenty-nine.

Clarksville Lodge, K. of H., No. 46, was organized October 14, 1879, with the fol- lowing officers: J. O. Stewart, president; J. F. King, vice-president; E. T. DePuy, recording secretary; S. L. Vale, financial secretary; H. M. Rhoads, treasurer; W. R. Cave, chaplain, and a membership of twenty-six. This number increased until, at one time, it reached over thirty. It now has a membership of twenty five. Its meetings are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The present officers are, J. J. Eichar, president; H. H. Bettinger, vice-president; W. J. Foster, recording secretary; S. L. Vale, financial secretary; J. F. King, treasurer.

' WILLOW GRANGE.

The farmers in this vicinity did not miss tlie excitement so prevalent in many States years ago in reference to thic organization generally known as "Patrons . of. Hus- bandry." The plan proposed seemed feasi- ble. A great saving to the producers in cutting off unnecessary expense was prom- ised ; the profits of the so-called "middle- men" were to be placed in the pockets of the farmers, and with considerable enthu- siasm Willow Grange was organized in February, 1871. On Friday, December 26, 1873, the following officers were elected: J. R. Jones, master; T. G. Copeland, over- seer; D. N. Pope, lecturer; H. Atkinson, steward; M. Thorp, assistant steward; W. Woodward, chaplain; W. W. Dunham, treasurer; L. L. Downs, gate-keeper; Miss Carrie Nelson, Ceres; Miss F. Tennison, Pomona; Miss Ada Leet, Flora; Mrs. John Boyd, stewardess. In April, 1874, bids

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

541

were opened by a committee of this or- ganization for the erection of a "grange warehouse," which were as follows: J. H. & J. A. Leighter, $2,640; Harvey & New- ell, $2,098.50; J. A. Shannon, $2,000. The contract was let to the lowest bidder, J. A, Shannon, and the house was at once erected. Matters run smoothly for a time, and prospective gains made things satis- factory. It was not a success, however. The warehouse was sold to Butler & King, and afterwards burned. The organiza- tion is now extinct.

DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION.

A society of this character was organ- ized in Clarksville on Saturday, November 15, 1875, with Van E. Butler, president, and Miss Alice E. Ilgenfritz, secretary and treasurer. They decided to make a gen- eral debut in the drama entitled "Rough Diamond," which they did in due time with credit to themselves. Their success was such that "Ticket-of-Leave Man" and other pieces followed, until quite a local rep- utation was established. After a few years the organization became extinct, much to the regret of the pleasure-loving public.

LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

The first organization of this character was merged into the present association, November 23, 1877, at which time a meet- ing was held at the residence of E. A. Glenn, and the following officers chosen: President, J. R. Jones; vice-president, Mrs. C. M. Mitchell; secretary, J. P. Reed, financial secretary, Mrs. E. A. Glenn; treasurer, Hettie Laus.

At a meeting held December 14, 1877, the following resolution was offered by

Mr. McDonald, and adopted by the associ- ation:

Resolved, That the Library Association of Clarksville respectfully solicit donations of books, to become the permanent property of said Association.

The following are the by-laws, rules and regulations in force:

BY-LAWS.

I. This soeiety shall be known as the "Library Association of Clarksville."

II. The regular time for each meeting of the society shall be Tuesday evening, once in two weeks, at 7 o'clock, sharp.

III. The object of this society shall be the procuring of a public library, and all money received into the society, shall be appropriated for that purpose.

IV. The admission fee to a membership in this society shall be two dollars for each indi- vidual.

V. The officers of this society shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, financial secretary and treasurer.

VI. No person shall hold an office longer than three months, unless such person shall be re- elected by the society.

VII. One hour each evening shall be devoted to literary · exercises, consisting of readings, essays, declamations, etc. The remainder of the time occupied in social amusement.

VIII. The president shall have the power to assign the literary exercises to whomsoever he may choose, and the nature of these exercises shall be left to his discretion.

IX. The sum of ten cents shall be charged as an admission fee for each evening, in addition to the regular membership fee.

RULES AND REGULATIONS.

I. The library shall be open every Saturday afternoon, from two to five o'clock, for the pur- pose of drawing and returning books.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

1I. Books shall in no case be kept more than two weeks, except by application to the librarian, who can extend the time two weeks longer; and any person retaining a book in violation of the above rules shall pay five cents for each day he shall reta n the same.

1II. All damage for books shall be paid for as assessed by the librarian.

1V. Any person losing a book, or destroying one wholly or in part, shall replace the same.

V. No member shall loan a book belonging to the association.

VI. No person shall be allowed to have more than one book from the library at a time.

VII. All books shall be returned to the library the last week of December, each year.

VIII. Any person neglecting to pay any fine or assessment imposed by these regulations, or to return books at the proper time, shall forfeit the privileges of the library during such refusal or neglect.

IX. The books shall be properly covered by the librarian, and numbered, and a copy of these rules pasted in each book.

X. The librarian shall keep a book in which shall be registered the name and number of each book taken from the library, by whom taken, and datc, and price thereof; and when books are returned, shall credit them to the persons return- .ing them, and report from time to time to the association the condition of the library.

XI. The librarian is empowered to issue an- nual, semi-annual and quarterly tickets, entitling the holders to use of books for time specified; said holders to be subject to all the rules and regulations above specified governing life mem- bers.

This institution is self-sustaining, and has a membership of about twenty-five. There are now in the library about four hundred volumes, to which additions are constantly being made. The present offi- cers are: President, E. Fowle; treasurer, J. J. Eichar; secretary, J. O. Stewart.

CLARKSVILLE CORNET BAND.

This organization was effected in the spring of 1874, with Ed. Drake for in- structor. Under his efficient leadership rapid progress was made. It is now on a good substantial footing, out of debt and in good condition, and is made up as fol- lows: W. D. Madigan, leader; Homer Sampson, tuba; V. E. Butler, alto; B. Green, tenor; Will Morton, solo alto; L. Schellenger, second alto; Fred Madigan, B flat; S. Byres, bass drum; B. Wamsley, tenor.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CLARKSVILLE.

The first services of this denomination were held at the house of David Blakely- who was the first pastor-on the 16th of September, 1854. The first members were, Samuel McCrary and wife, Mrs. Emily A. Strong and David Blakely and wife. Samuel Mccrary, elder, was the first officer. Soon afterward the follow- ing named became members and active workers for the good cause: Wil- liam Pringle and wife, John M. Moulton and wife, James Ford, Matilda Hilton, W. H. Van Dyke, John Stevenson, Samuel McRoberts. The first pastor, as stated, was Rev. David Blakely, who continued preaching until 1857. During the years 1858 and 1859 Rev. John Smalley led the services. He was succeeded by Richard Merrill, now deceased, who remained from 1859 to 1864. Then came Rev. George Graham, who is the present pastor.

Services were held in the schoolhouse until 1867, when the present church edi- fice was erected, at a cost of $2,500, the size of which is 28x44 feet, with a capacity for seating an audience of 160. The principal revivals were held in 1871 and

545

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

1879, there being eleven members added at the former and fourteen at the latter. The present membership is fifty; total membership since organization has been abont 100. The present officers of the so- ciety are as follows: Elders, Samuel Mc- Crery, Christopher Betts and William R. Cave; trustees, Samnel McCrery, William R. Cave, L. M. Downs, Willis Copeland and Henry Ilgenfritz.

A Sunday school was organized in con- nection with the church, in December, 1867, bnt has not been in constant work- ing order, there having been intervals when nothing was done. The first super- intendent was E. C. Moulton. The pre- sent membership is one hundred; aver- age attendance about sixty.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A class of this denomination was organ- ized in what is now the city of Clarks- ville, at the house of Thomas Clark, when the first sermon in the town was preached by Rev. Ingham, in 1853, with the follow- ing membership: Thomas Clark and wife, George Poisal and wife, Jeremiah Clark and wife, and Jane Clark. The first offi- cers were: Jeremiah Clark, Thomas Clark and George Poisal, stewards. Services were held every Sabbath, and preaching cvery two weeks. The society prospered, and the membership continued to increase, Feeling the need of a suitable place of worship this society concluded to build, and in 1864 erected a honse of worship 26x48 feet at a cost of $2,000. The differ- ent pastors in charge of this church from the date of its organization are as follows: Revs. Ingham, Gongh, Burleigh, Holbrook, Swearingen, Henderson, Thompson, Lar-

kin Waterbury Smith, Moore, Gould, Sherman, Murphy, Webster, Smedley, Lit- tler, W. W. Smith, Wolf, Shumaker, and McKee, the present minister. The pres- ent membership is forty-two, with the fol- lowing officers: Charles Skillinger, James Stewart and George Poisal, trustees; Wil- liam Lusted and George Lusted, stewards; William Lusted, recording steward. The church is free from debt and in a prosper- ing condition. In connection with this society a Sunday school was organized soon after the formation of the church, which has continued in existence up to the present time and bids fair to remain a power in the church. The following are its present officers: William Lnsted, super- intendent; Rev. McKee, assistant superin- tendent; Mr. Skillenger, secretary; Miss Mary Lusted, treasurer; Edna Pray, organ- ist. There is an attendance of about sixty.

LINWOOD CEMETERY.

This abode for the dead properly belongs to Jackson township. It is under control and direction of the authorities of Clarks- ville, and is pleasantly situated on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter, and on the north half of the northeast quarter of the south- east quarter of the northwest quarter of section 13, Jackson township. A free lot is one and one-half rods in length by three quarters of one rod in width-all others are fractional. The central road, and cir- cular drives with branches, running west- ward, from oval to circular driveway, are two rods wide, all other driveways are one rod wide. All the walks are one and one -. half rods wide. At each corner of every block a stone is placed permanently in the

546

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ground, as also at each corner of the plat. At the corner of each lot a stake is driven into the ground. The blocks are numbered and lettered in black ink. The lots are numbered in red ink. The spaces dotted in red ink are designed for ornamental trees and shubbery. The above described lands were surveyed and platted in accord- ance with ordinance number 16, passed on the 22d day of February, 1878, by the com- mon council of Clarksville, and are there- fore dedicated for cemetery purposes, and for burial of the dead.

The first person buried in these grounds was Daniel, a son of Dr. A. F. Tichnor, April 3, 1878, which occurred before the grounds were regurlarly platted. The cemetery contains an area of forty-three acres, and was purchased from Lewis Slim- mer, for $1,000.

BUSINESS OF CLARKSVILLE.

The following is a statement of the present business of Clarksville:

Byres, D. S .- Practicing physician; es- tablished 1879.

Bulkins-Creamery.

Burkholder, Albert-Wagon, black- smith and repair shop.

Bailey-Wagon and repair shop.

Burton & Poisall-Dry goods, boots, shoes and general stock; present firm es- tablished August, 1882, in Perrin block; stock, $5500; store-room, 22x60, basement and two floors.

Butler County Bank-Lewis Slimmer & Co .; capital, 50,000.

Camp, M. C .- Physician; practicing since 1871.

Cohn, J .-. Millinery.

Cox, M. W .- Livery and feed stable; established two years; has six horses with necessary accoutrements; annual business, $1,383.

Dickinson, H. W .- Physician.

Eichar, J. J .- City mayor and justice of the peace.

Erkenbreck, W. M .- Dentist; estab- lished permanently June, 1882; has fol- lowed his profession, here and elsewhere, sixteen years.

Fowle, E .- Jeweler, watches, clocks, repairing, etc .; established 1878; stock, $500.

Fisher, George-Photograph gallery.

Gilbert, J .- Drugs and groceries; estab- lished many years.

Gilbert, Don-Saw mill.

Hull, L. O .- Publisher and proprietor of the "Clarksville Star."

Hunt & Davis-Boots, shoes, clothing; present firm established in 1880; stock, $5,500; room, 22x50; annual sales about $15,000.

Harrison, D. C .- Drugs, paints, oils, fancy articles, etc .; established in 1878; stock, about $3,000; room, 25x45, with rear room 24x25.

Hornish, H .- Barber.

Hesse, Frank-Hardware, stoves, tin- ware, etc .; established January 1, 1880; stock, about $2,500.

Ilgenfritz, Henry-Furniture; estab- lished many years; stock, about $2,000; room, 24x70.

Ilgenfritz Bros .- Lumber, etc .; stock, about $3,000; annual sales, one million feet.

King & Heery-Elevator, grain, coal.

Kennedy, George-Harness-maker; es- tablished nineteen years. -

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Kephart, T. E .- 'Manufacture wagons, carriages; has repair, paint shops, etc .; established 1874; a business of about $5,000 annually.

Ladd, Mrs. W. D .- Teacher music, piano and organ.

McMillen, J. N .- Harness shop; estab- lished one year.

Morrison, Miss-Dressmaking;

estab- lished in 1878.

Moyer's Mill-established business 1873; three run burrs; capacity, fifty barrels per day.

Neal Bros'. Feed Mill-Sell flour and feed wholesale and retail; capacity, one car load a day.

Poisall, H. S .- Established four years; manufactures boots, shoes, etc.

Riefe, Henry C .- Clothing, dry goods, boots, shoes, etc. ; established January 1, 1883; stock, about $3,500.

Roszell & Shafer-Grist mill. 1

Rhoads, H. M .-- Drugs, school books, medicines, etc .; room, 20x50; stock, about $2,250.

Roszell, C. A. L .- Attorney at law.

Ravenscroft, Benton-Proprietor of the Tremont house.

Shadbolt, A. B .- Shoemaker.

Seitz, A .- Groceries, glassware, etc .; stock, about $700.

Shaw, J. W .- Groceries, confectionery, fruit and flour; established three years.

Smith, John M .- Livery and feed sta- ble; keeps good stock; annual business about $1,500.

Smith, A. E .- Dry goods and groceries, boots and shoes, etc .; established 1881; stock, about $2,000.

Schellenger, C. G .- Groceries, provis- ions, glassware, queensware, boots, shoes, agricultural implements, farming machin- ery, etc .; been established about fifteen years; stock, about $5,000.

Salinger, L .- Groceries, boots, shoes, flour, etc .; stock, about $3,000.

Townsend, S. M,-Hardware and agri- cultural implements; stock, about $12,000.

Tichnor, A. F .- Physician; many years practice here.

Vale, S. L .- Grocery and restaurant; established many years; stock, $1,000.

Virden, Lou and Edith-Millinery and fancy goods; established 1882.

Wamsley, A. M .- Meat market; estab- lished September 20, 1882.

The foregoing is not a sufficiently full list to form a perfect directory, but it fairly represents the business of this prom- ising place, Clarksville now has a popu- lation of about eight hundred and fifty, with good prospects for the future.

548

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXII. .

COLDWATER TOWNSHIP.

Coldwater is one of the northern tier of ! of clay. The township has a greater townships. It is bounded by Floyd county on the north, Dayton township on the east, West Point on the south and Bennezette on the west. It embraces Congressional township 93, range 17. The greater part of the land is under a high state of culti- vation, yielding abundant and profitable crops to the industrious tillers of the soil.

The Shell Rock river runs across the northeastern corner. It is often spoken of as the most bountiful and beautiful region found in Iowa. The valley of the Shell Rock is a continuous garden. The river itself is the gem of the Iowa waters. It flows over a bed of limestone with a steady, even flow which has continued for ages. Its waters are as clear as a moun- tain brook,and much of the way is outlined by grand ledges of rock and overhanging trees, giving it a poetic charm rarely met with on the prairies. Coldwater creek flows through the township from east to west; south of this is a smaller stream called Dry creek, and north of it one bear- ing the name of Crab Apple. These ereeks are small and are usually dry.

The soil is variable, yet as a rule a rich loam. Along the streams a marked tend- .ency to sandiness is visible, while farther back comes a strip of limestone, and then the wheat lands, underlaid with a subsoil

amount of timber land than Bennezette. The principal groves are Lower, in sec- tions 13 and 14, and Hall's, in section 8, the former being the larger of the two. There is a range of hills in the western part. The highest point is called Mouut Nebo. It overlooks the entire surround- ing country, giving a general view as far as the eye can reach.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The earliest steps leading to the found- ing and subsequent development of this thriving township were made in the fall of 1851, when Mr. Lacon, or Laken, and "Commodore" Bennett, brothers-in-law, wended their way with teams from their former comfortable homes in the eastern States, and settled in the then unbroken territory of Butler county. Bennett was a single man. Lacon was accompanied by his wife. They located on the banks of Coldwater creek, on section 13, where they erected log cabins. Here they remained for about one year, when, as the country did not settle as rapidly as they had antici- pated, they sold their claims to John Hard- man and J. II. Miller and removed to parts unknown. Those farms are now occupied by William Kingery and Levi Eiken- berry.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 63

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