History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 68

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 68
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 68

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).

hundred counties that make up the great Hawkeye State. "Beautiful!" "Grand!" is . the oft-repeated exclamation of those who look upon the great fields of wheat, corn and oats that extend in every direction. There are no streams, but an occasional spring makes its appearance, and water, as a general thing, can be found in bountiful supply. There is no railroad within its borders, but the facilities for market are excellent. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad passes within a half- mile of its southwest corner, with a market point at Clarksville, three miles away. The Illinois Central Railroad runs close to its line on the east, with a station at Plain- field. There is no town or village within its borders.

Witlial, Fremont can be considered as among the best farming localities in Iowa.

588

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first steps toward settlement in Fre- mont were made in 1855, when McCarty Bement came here and located upon a farm, where he resided for many years. He now resides in Plainfield, Bremer county. The same year Shadrach Bon- well, Samuel Lienhart, and James Tro- baugh settled in the township.

The following year there were a num- ber of arrivals, among whom were Nelson Bement, a brother of the first settler; James G. Temple, Robert Renfrew, and J. J. Cross. All of this party are yet living in the township, except Lienhart, who now lives in Clarksville, and Nelson Bement, who is somewhere in Minnesota.

William Gilmore and John Saddler, who located on section 6, were also early set- tlers. No others now remembered came in for several years.

J. J. Cross, who has been mentioned, was one of the very first settlers in the township. He is a son of Asa and Abigail (Cleveland) Cross, and was born in Cat- araugus county, New York, July 1, 1829, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1853 he emigrated to Wisconsin, living at Madison one year, when he removed to Kane county, Illinois. In 1855 he came to Butler county, and in August of the same year entered his present farm. He then returned to Illinois, and in 1856, with his wife, located in Bremer county, living there one year before settling on the farm. Mr. Cross was married in 1855 to Miss Permelia Ballard. They have had five children, four of whom are living- Frederick W., Carrie L., Cora A., and George.

On the 27th day of September, 1855, S. Bonwell and family arrived in Fremont township, and soon afterward settled in their present home, on the northwest quar- ter of section 19. Mr. Bonwell relates numerous incidents of the hardships and pleasures of pioneer life; but one will suf- fice at this place. On the 6th day of Jan- uary, 1856, he, with his family, attended the funeral of Eliza J. Newhard, at Clarks- ville. The weather was cold, and the ground frozen so hard that the grave could hardly be dug; it was therefore almost dark before the services were over, and Mr. Bonwell prepared to start homeward. When he ar- rived at Mr. Leinhart's, a storm was raging furiously, and the folks tried to pursuade him to remain all night; but Mr. Bonwell thought it his duty to return and attend to his stock. It was only a half a mile to his home, but there being no road, he missed his house, and soon found that he was lost on the prairie. To remain all night would be death. He, therefore, turned his team about so as to drift with the wind, which was blowing from the northwest, and concluded that in this way he would reach the timber east of Clarksville, which he succeeded in doing just as the storm passed over. After driving a short distance further he found himself at the cabin of Daniel Kinsley, where he remained all night with his family, and in the morn- ing again set out for home. After leaving Mr. Leinhart's, the previous evening, and finding that he had lost his course, he called for aid, which was heard by the neighbors, and they replied by fir- ing guns, etc .; but the wind was blowing such a gale that their answers could not be heard. The next morning the neighbors

589

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

assembled, and not finding him at home, started in search, following his track over the entire circuit, and were glad to find, upon arriving at Mr. Kinsley's, that all were still alive, as they thought they certainly had perished, or, as one old fel- low of the party remarked: "They have, evidently, struck one of the sink-holes on the prairie and all went to h- together." Mr. Bonwell was born in Brown county, Ohio, October 19, 1825, but removed with his parents to Highland county, where, in 1848, he married Miss Amanda Welch, of Adams county, but a native of Indiana. In the fall of 1852 he emigrated to Illinois, where he resided eighteen months, then moving to Iowa. When the civil war broke out Mr. Bonwell was anxious to go and defend the stars and stripes, but his wife would not consent. In the fall of 1864, however, he was enrolled in Com- pany B Eighth Iowa, and served until the close of the conflict .. He has not accumu- lated a very large fortune, but is in good circumstances, owning 170 acres of well- improved land, clear of debt. In politics he was first a whig, but opposed to slavery. In 1860 he joined the republican ranks, re- maining with that party until abont 1876, when he joined the greenbackers. The children are-William H., Charles E. Olive J., now . Mrs. Charles Owen, and Albert. N.

A. W. Lee resides on section 25, where .. he located in 1861. .. He was born in Ver- mont on the 4th of December, 1836: In In 1859 he emigrated to: Rock county, Wisconsin, remaining there until he re- moved to Iowa. In the spring of 1859 he married Miss C. Works, daughter of James Works, a native of Vermont. Mr. and

Mrs. Lee own 740 acres of land, and their improvements are among the best in the county. The children are James A., Frank C., Eddie D., and Mattie I.

John Robinson is a native of England, born in Cumberland county in 1817. His parents were Thomas and Elizabetlı (Bow- man) Robinson. In 1830 the family emi- grated to Canada, and in 1834 came to the United States, settling in the Empire State, where Mr. Robinson followed his trade, carpet-weaving, and in 1844 mar- ried Miss Emma Ann Darrall. In 1856 he emigrated to Illinois, living two years in Lake county. He then came to Iowa, first settling in Bremer county. In 1861 he came to Butler and settled at his pres- ent home. The children are John H., William W., Emma Jane, deceased, and George F. William W. is a Methodist Episcopal minister, but is at present teach- ing. Mr. Robinson is one of the leading farmers of his township, having a well- improved farm containing 160 acres, val- ued at $25 per acre. In politics he was an old-time whig, but is at present a repub- lican. He received his education in the common schools of England, Canada, and New York State.

William Cronin, one of the leading dairymen of this county, is living on sec- tion 33, Fremont township, where he owns a farm containing 210 acres, and is en- gaged in the manufacture of creamery butter. .. Mr. Cronin is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1840, his parents being John and Mary Cronin. In 1847 the father died, and in 1848 the mother, with her ten children, emigrated to Canada, and in 1849 came to the United States, settling at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wil-

590

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

liam tilled the soil in Wisconsin until 1862, and then emigrated to Iowa, living eighteen months at Cedar Falls. Since that time he has been a resident of Butler county. He was married in 1863, in Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary Twohig. They have had fourteen children, twelve of whom are now living-Lizzie, John, Bridget, James, Ellen and Hannah (twins), Agnes, May, Katie, Alice, Willie, and Lydia. In politics he is a democrat, and in religion a Roman Catholic.

Samuel Barker is one of the prominent farmers. He resides on section 15, set- tling there in 1864, and now owns 320 acres of land. Mr. Barker was born in Maine, December 25, 1822. His parents were both natives of England. In 1849, at Shellburne, New Hampshire, he mar- ried Miss Betsy Elliott, also a native of Mainc. In 1851 they emigrated to Bata- via, Illinois, thence in 1856 to Delaware county, Iowa, and from there to Butler county. ' The children living are - Adelia, Emma, S. W., and Ettie. " In politics he is a republican, and in religion a Baptist.

William A. Ladd was born in Schenec- tady county, New York, June 26, 1834. In 1846 he emigrated, with his parents, to McHenry county, Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and, December 7, 1856, married Miss Eleanor Fox. They are the parents of one child-Ada L. In 1864 they came to Iowa, and, after living a short time in Bremer county, came to Butler and settled in their present home, on section 12, Fremont township.

W. C. Smith was born October 4, 1831, in Harrison county, Ohio. His parents, Jacob and Catherine (Randolph) Smith, were of German descent, but their fore-

fathers were among. the early settlers of the United States, and participated in the wars of the Revolution and the second war with England, or the War of 1812. In 1846 the family emigrated to Grant county, Wisconsin, where, in 1853, W. C. Smith married Miss Mary A. Munson. In 1865 he came to Butler county and settled on section 24, Fremont township. Of the ten children born unto Mr, and Mrs. Smith, eight are now living-Walter, Dora, Harland, Eva, Ella, Edward, Parker and Mirt.

John N. Wamsley was born on the 21st day of September, 1830. He came to Iowa, as already stated, with his brother, W. S. Wamsley, and lived with Aaron Moore until 1853; then emigrated to Neb- raska; nine years subsequently, to Mis- souri, and three years afterwards returned to Butler county. Mr. Wamsley was mar- ried in 1853 to Miss Wilhelmina Richards, and they now have six children-Frank L., Etta, now . Mrs. Albert Thomas; Curzette, Effa, now Mrs. Robert Walch; Lillie, and Rosa May. Mr. .. Wamsley enlisted in Company I, Sixth Nebraska, 'and served fourteen months.

Frank L. Wamsley, son of the above, was born in Nebraska, in September, 1858. He always resided with his parents, and October 24, 1882, married Miss Isabella Harvey, danghter of Jonathan Harvey.

Charles N. Thomas is found among the pioneers of 1854, as in that year, with his parents, Hugh and Hannalı (Williams) Thomas, he came to Butler county and settled in Dayton township, Hugh Thomas was born in the state of Pennsyl- vania in 1809; removed with his parents to Ohio, where he married Miss Hannalı

Arthur WLEc

Hong Str. W. Le.

595

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Williams. In 1848 he removed to Indi- ana, from whence he came to Iowa, and settled on section 24, Dayton township, where he still resides. His wife died in 1866. Charles N. is the third of the four- teen children. He was born in the State of Ohio, on the 9th day of September, 1835. Since coming to Iowa he has spent most of his time working at his trade --- carpenter. In 1860 he married Miss Susan Lenhart, daughter of E. Lenhart. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G of the 32d Iowa, and served with the same until the regiment was mustered out of service. In 1869 he settled in his present home, on section 29, Fremont township. The chil- dren are-Amanda J., now Mrs. A. F. Buchholtz, who was married September 9, 1880, now residing in Calhoun county, Iowa; Asenath, Samuel L., Jolın E., Al- bert D. and Hugh N.

Alexander Forney, son of C. H. and Re- becca Forney, was born in Wabash county, Indiana, on the 3d day of December, 1847, and came with the family to Butler county. In 1863 he enlisted in Company L, of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and served until the regiment was mustered out of service. In September, 1867, he married Miss Ellen Blake, daughter of James Blake. They have two children-Emma and Florence. Mr. Forney now resides on section 16, Fremont township, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres.

Edward Bennett is a native of England, born July 6, 1831. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States, living one year in Dubuque, Iowa. He then went to Wiscon- sin, and resided in Marquette county until 1867, when he returned to Iowa, living in Bremer county until 1876, when he came

to Butler county, and settled on section 28, Fremont township, where he owns 160 acres of land. In February, 1864, Mr. Bennett enlisted in Company C, of the Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infan- try, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Bennett has been twice married-in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Ellison, also a native of England. She died in 1857, leaving one child-Elizabeth, now the wife of Albert Shadbolt. In November, 1867, he married Miss Janette Hume, a native of Scotland. They have ten children-James, Sarah A., Edward, Martha V., Maggie, William C., Robert Hume, Cora, Ruth, and Eva.

Wallace E. Balsley was born in Onon- daga county, New York, October 26, 1833. In 1853 he moved to Fon du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he resided twelve years, then came to Iowa, living in Chickasaw county until 1871, since which time he has been a resident of Butler county. In 1853 he married Miss Anna Vermilyea. They have seven children-Francis, Alice, Han- nah, Cynthia, Melvin, Charles, and Carle- ton. Mr. Balsley owns 156 acres of land; is a republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

The township is settled in part by Ger- mans, and is the largest foreign settlement in the county. They are very thrifty and go-ahead farmers, and nearly all are in good circumstances. They are just the kind to develop a country. These Ger- mans have a Lutheran church in the town- ship, and besides the English they have a German school to educate their children in their own language.

It was not until after the close of the civil war that this township took such

596

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

rapid strides in advance. In 1867 its fer- tile prairies began to catch the eye of those looking for permanent homes. From that time to the present its increase and development have been very rapid. About all the land is now in the possession of residents, who are rapidly placing it under cultivation. Every foot of land is tillable, and the population is now far in advance of the average of country towns. Fre- mont now has more land under cultivation than any town in the county. The prin- cipal productions are wheat, corn and oats.

FIRST THINGS.

The first birth in the township was a son, Harvey Dilman, to Mr. and Mrs. S. Bonwell, born the 6th day of December, 1855, and died in February, 1869.

The first marriage ceremony performed in Fremont occurred December 25, 1859, the contracting parties being Joseph Brownell and Lucy Ballard. They are now living in Manchester, Iowa. The hy- meneal knot was tied by Elder David Terry.

The same reverend also preached the first sermon in Fremont. He was a fol- lower of the Baptist faith.

The first death was that of the mother of Robert Renfrew.

THE TOWNSHIP NAME.

There are several different theories as to how and by whom the town of Fremont was named. But the most plausible of all, is that given by a local writer to the Clarksville Star, in 1875. The item reads: "'Fremont, free speech and free press,' was what one would hear in the days of 1856, when Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner, and

others were rolling the great stone that was to eventually crush out African slavery in the American States. So it was given to this territory of thirty-six square miles." The name was suggested by William R. Phillips in honor of General J. C. Fremont, who was at that time a candidate for the presidency. The name was at once ap- proved by S. Bonwell and the other inhabi- tants.

ORGANIC.

On February 6, 1855, Judge Palmer divided the county into sub-divisions, and Fremont was merged into Butler township, - which at that time embraced 126 square miles. During Judge Converse's adminis- tration, Fremont was created and ordered organized. The first election was held on the 11th of October, 1859, at the house of William R. Phillips, which was then in process of erection. When the day came, the voters met, but Phillips had nothing done to his house except the cellar, which he had just finished. The ballot box was accordingly let down in the hole, the voters dropped in their little slips, and the elec- tion was held here "with no roof o'er head save the blue canopy of Heaven." How- ever, the day was a pleasant one, and everything passed off nicely. The records have been misplaced, and the officers who were elected have been forgotten, except that J. J. Cross was chosen township clerk. There were sixteen ballots cast, and fortu? ately we are able to give the voters' names, as follows: James G. Temple, John Boorom, James Trobaugh, William Pringle, M. Bennett, Robert Slaight, John H. Vosler, D. W. Tunsley, S. Bonwell, S. Lenhart, Henry Lenhart, John Lenhart, G.

597

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

W. Ellis, Nelson Bement, S. J. Boorom and J. J. Cross.

The people of Fremont township have been fortunate in enlisting the service of honest as well as capable and efficient officers to administer or oversee public affairs. Nothing unusual has transpired to disturb the tranquillity of such matters; there has been no waste of public money nor unnecessary extravagance.

The officers of the township, in the year 1879, were as follows: Township trustees, J. J. Cross, David McSparron and Thomas Edisou; town clerk, C. E. Allen; assessor, Charles Fitch; Justices of the peace, W. B. Gillmore and D. Bucholz.

The officers in 1880, were as follows: Township trustees, W. N. Quinn, F. Stuelke and J. J. Cross; town clerk, Myron Tem- ple; assessor, L. Temple.

In 1881, the following were serving: Trustees, F. Stuelke, J. J. Cross and W. N. Quinn; town clerk, C. A. Fulks; assessor, L. B. Temple.

The officers in 1882, were as follows: Trustees; J. J. Cross, W. N. Quinn and Thomas Filkins; clerk, C. A. Fulks; asses- sor, L. B. Temple.

In the fall of 1882, the following officers were elected to serve in 1883: W. N. Quinn, Jacob Klenskey and W. Bucholz,

township trustees; George Sumner, clerk; William Cronin, assessor. They are the present incumbents.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in Fremont township was taught by Miss Lucy Ballard, at the residence of James G. Temple. Miss Bal- lard afterward became Mrs. Joseph Brown- ell, their marriage being the first in the township.

The first school house was built on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 11.

There are now the full complement of school districts in the township, which is nine, and educational facilities are second to none of the townships in the county. The school finances are in good condition, and educational matters have been man- aged with a view to making schools effi- cient. There is one German school in the town, for the purpose of teaching the chil- dren that language.

The township was first organized as a district township, and was continued as such until 1873, when, by a vote of the people, they were all made independent districts, and organized as such during the following spring.

598

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXV.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

This sub-division of Bulter county com- prises the territory of township 92, range 16, containing a full congressional town- ship of 23,040 acres. It is surrounded by the townships of Dayton, Butler, Jeffer- son and West Point, respectively on the north, east, south and west. The surface is generally level or gently undulating. The soil is a dark loam with clay subsoil, except the river bottom, which has a sandy subsoil. It is strictly an agricultural town- ship, having no town, postoffice or store within its limits. The population consists of an enterprising industrious class, mostly Americans, engaged chiefly in agriculture, but handle and fatten stock to a consider- able extent. The township is mostly prai- rie and has but one stream of water, the Shell Rock river, which passes through the northeast corner, entering at section 2 and pursuing a meandering course to- ward the southwest, makes its exit on sec- tion 24. Along the banks of this river is found the only timber in the township, consisting of walnut, oak, hickory, ash and other varieties. There are two railroads -- the Dubuque & Dakota and the Burling- ton, Cedar Rapids & Northern-the for- mer passing through the northeast corner, the latter traversing the entire township from east to west. A small portion of the

lands are unoccupied by actual settlers, be- ing held by speculators. Although there are no small streams the land is well drained by natural depressions and there is very little waste land. In consideration of the character of the soil and these ad- vantages, this township has possibilities second to none in the county. The trad- ing points are Clarksville, on the east, and Allison, on the southwest, where ready markets are found.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler to occupy land in this township was J. B. Hicks, a native of Wisconsin, who made a claim on section 12 during the spring of 1850. Here he remained until 1867 when he went to Kan- sas, where he remained a few years and again returned to the old place. He did not seem satisfied and started for Mexico, but delayed on the way, on the Solomon river, in Kansas, where he still remains. Meanwhile, his father and brother, Joe, arrived, and took up their abode on the same place, where the old gentleman died and was buried. His remains have since been removed to Linwood cemetery. When he first came he opened a black- smith shop, and forged the first iron in

599

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

the Shell Rock valley. John still lives in the township. -

The next settlers were two brothers, M. B. and W. S. Wamsley, from Ohio. They came in April, 1851, and settled on claims previously made on section 1. They had little property, other than the teams which brought them here. M. B. had his family. with him. His brother, W. S., secured land on section 12, and then returned to his native state for a wife. He was there married and the return trip constituted the wedding tour. With his family he still remains upon the place and has a well improved, valuable farm. M. B. Wams- ley was president of the Butler County Bank for ten years, and now resides in Clarksville.

In 1852 Seth Hilton and John Baugh- man, from Illinois, came and selected homes on section 13, near what is now the town of Clarksville, where they remained- until 1882, when they sold out and re- moved to Kansas. Hilton, when he ar- rived, built a log house upon the present site of Clarksville. They had but little property but accumulated a competence and left in good circumstances.

The next year John Stevenson, John Boyd and E. D. Marquand arrived from Ohio. Stevenson settled on section 36 and remained until his death. John Boyd, his son-in-law, now lives upon the place. Marquand selected a home on section 25, which place he has since occupied. He has a good farm well stocked.

Section 21 received a settler in 1857, by the name of John Klinetob, who came from Illinois. He died there in 1869. Eli Bebce came the same year with his family, making the journey from Ohio

with a yoke of cattle, and settled on sec- tion 2. He is now in Clarksville. The place is now owned by James Martin. About this time came John H. VanDyke. Henry Newman came also from Ohio and established himself on section 13, near the line, the boundary between sections 24 and 13 being marked by the driveway through his barn. He sold out to S. McCreary in 1871, and removed to Linn county, Orc- gon.

M. V. Wamsley was an early settler, having made a claim on section 12 in 1851. He enlisted in the army, was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Ar- kansas, taken to Texas as a prisoner, where he died.

Elisha Doty secured land in this town- ship in 1855, and moved here during the winter of 1861; remained until 1864, when he removed to Tama county. The land is yet owned by the family. Geo. Allen, A. E. Ensley and Richard Keller came about this time from Indiana, and selected homes on section 12. Allen built the first dam across the Shell Rock river in the county, on the section where he settled, and had the first mill. IIe now lives near Davenport.

Then came Geo. Harkness and John Bonwell and located on section 1, where Bonwell died, in 1875 or 1876. In 1863 Harkness removed to the Pacific coast.

Cyrus Doty came in the fall of 1860. From this time until 1864, settlement was very slow; then, and for a number of years, the township filled up rapidly. Among those who came in were, J. W. Butts and family, A. Sampson and family, R. Sampson aud family, Dan Waite and family and A. N. Leet, all from Wisconsin.

600

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ORGANIC.

This township was organized in March, 1858. The following is the record con- taining a list of township officers for years named:

1858-John Klinetob, John H. Van- Dyke and John Stevenson, trustees; John Boyd, clerk; Josiah Stevenson and Henry Newman, constables; Samuel Lister, super- visor. of roads; John Klinetob, assessor; E. D. Marquand and John Klinetob, jus- tices of the peace.

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 68

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