History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 79

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 79
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 79

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).

At present the township, being organ- ized as a district township, is divided into seven sub-districts, and educational facili- ties here are good and efficient. The sub- districts are numbered from one to seven, and embrace territory as follows:

District No. 1 embraces sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, and 14, and has a school house on the eastern part of section 11, which was crected at a cost of $600.

District No. 2 is comprised of sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, and 16, having a $600 school house on the northwestern part of section 10.

District No. 3 embraces section 5, and a portion of sections 6, 7, and 8, and has a school house, on the latter section, which cost $600.

District No. 4 comprises sections 29, 30, 31, and 32, and parts of sections 19, and 20, having a school house on section 30, which cost $750.

District No. 5 is composed of sections 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, and 34. Its school house is located on section 28, and cost $600.

District No. 6 contains sections 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, and 36, having a school house on

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

section 36, which cost, when erected, about $600. 1

District No. 7 embraces portions of sec- tions 7, 8, 19, and 20, and all of 17, and 18.

Their school house was erected, on the southwestern part of section 17, in 1880, at a cost of $600.

CHAPTER XXXI.

SHELL ROCK TOWNSHIP.

This township derives its name from the | you go southward from the stream, the Shell Rock river, and comprises township land becomes rolling and the soil changes to a rich dark loam. 92, range 15. Its contiguous surroundings are, Bremer county, on the east; Jefferson township, on the west; Butler township, EARLY SETTLEMENT. on the north; and Beaver township, on the south. The township is a continuous gar- den, and the farmers here are quite pros- perous ..

The Shell Rock river enters on section 2, and, crossing sections 11, 12 and 13, leaves to enter Bremer county. Along the banks is to be found a heavy growth of timber; the balance of the township is made up of a rolling prairie, and is better adapted to raising the cereals than for stock.

There are two railroads crossing the township, the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, and the Dubuque & Dakota; the former on the west side of the river, the latter on the east.

The land in the northeastern part is of a sandy nature, and somewhat broken, as it lies on both sides of the river; but as

The first settlement made in this town- ship was made in 1851, by two brothers, Harrison and Volney Carpenter, who had been here the year previous. They were hunters, and had come from Linn county. A little log cabin was erected which was used as a sort of hunters rendezvous, until Volney, who was a married man, brought on his wife. D. C. Finch was also in some manner associated with their settlement. Most of their time was spent in hunting and trapping, as this region abounded with game of all kinds, and the fur trade was good. Their claim was made on section 1. Volney's land included the old town plat of Shell Rock. In 1852, he sold it to Alexander Glenn, who is still a resident of Butler county. Volney then took up a tract of land northwest of Shell Rock, which has lately been occupied by Heman

Wm. Aclare.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Hunt. He only remained here a short time, and his whereabouts at present. are unknown. Shortly after the arrival of Mr. Glenn, in 1852, Daniel Myers put in his appearance and purchased Harrison Carpenter's place on section 1. Myers remained here a number of years. Harri- son then removed to the West Fork-still in the same township-and took another claim, which, in 1854, he sold to A. Smith.

In the spring of 1853, George W. Adair came looking for a home. He stopped at Mr. Glenn's, and the latter gentleman sold him forty acres on the east side of the river on section 11, where the town of Shell Rock now is, which was all heavy timber, except that taken up by the bed of the river.

George W. Adair was born in Lexington, Virginia, October 31st, 1813. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to Ohio and in that State his early life was passed. When he was seventeen years of age, the family moved to La Grange county, Indi- ana. Here he continued his education in the common schools, and helped his father work their farm. At the age of twenty- six, he moved to Iowa and settled near Muscatine. At that place he was mar- ried, January 17th, 1841, to Miss Eliz- abeth Smith, who was a native of Ohio. In 1853, as before stated, they came to Shell Rock, being the first settlers on the town plat, and moved into their log cabin on the first day of June. Soon after their settlement here, Mr. Adair began the erec- tion of a saw mill, and in the fall of 1854, laid out the village of Shell Rock, he hav- ing entered the land upon which it now stands. He was of the democratic party, and although not caring for office, he al-

ways took an active part in his country's politics. Mr. Adair, in company with others, built both grist mills of the town and his great aim in life was the building up of a village of which he was the foun- der and pioneer settler. He died while on a visit to Kansas, on the 4th day of September, 1879. His wife still survives him and is the oldest living settler of the village. Nine children were born to them -Mary Jane, now the wife of Ephraim Town; John, now living in Winnipeg; Lucy A., now the wife of R. D. Bowen, of Kansas; George, living at Shell Rock; Walter, living in Clarinda, Iowa; Eliza- beth, now the wife of Allen Allburn, of Sioux City; Sadie, Blanche and Nettie.

In the fall of 1853, Heman Hunt came and commenced working in the saw-mill which Adair built. Mr. Walters came the next year, and at about the same time came Messrs. Hawker, Compton, Dewy and Smith. In the fall of 1853, came Charles and Henry Sweitzer. In 1854 the other settlers came in rapid succession, among whom were, Hiram Ross, Messrs. Cram, Eastman and Hitchcock. The New- comb brothers came in fall of 1855.

In the western part of the town the set- tlement began in 1853-4, and was close to the West Fork. Harrison Carpenter was about the first to stop here, as already stated. Others who were among the pio- neers in this locality were, Michael Hol- lenbeck, D. White, R. L. Town, G. Shan- non and T. Marslin.

D. White died some time since, leaving a nice property to his wife and children.

Shannon was unfortunate. At the time of his settlement quite a Mormon sensa- tion was stirred up, and a Mormon preacher

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

coming through, stopped with him. Shan- non proposed to build a Mormon Taber- nacle, in this vicinity; but before he had time to mature his plans and accomplish anything, his wife became too Mormonis- tic, and eloped with the preacher to Salt Lake.

Mr. Marslin went to Fort Randall dur- ing the war, and has not been heard of since.

REPRESENTATIVE SETTLERS.

It would be desirable, if possible, to here notice every settler in this township; but such a course adopted in each town- ship throughout the county would enlarge this work to such an extent as to make it cumbersome and unwieldy, without add- ing to its value. We therefore herewith append a sufficient number of sketches concerning prominent citizens to fully represent the character of this settlement.

Frederick Frowe was born in England, February 11, 1827, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Wood) Frowe, who are na- tives of England. When he was six years of age his parents came to the United States and settled in New York State, where they remained until 1849, and then came west and settled in Rockford, Illi- nois. Here Frederick engaged in farming for five years. In 1854 he came to Butler county, Iowa, and settled on section .29, Shell Rock township, where he now owns 200 acres of land. He was married in 1850 to Mary Ann Gunsalus. Seven chil- dren have been born to them. five of whom are now living-Ada Isabel, wife of Wil- liam Mason, of this county; Antoinette, wife of James Mason; Effie, wife of Theo- dore Graham, of Grundy Center; Minnie,

wife of John Walker, of Shell Rock, and Marchia. Mr. Frowe's mother died in 1872, and his father followed her- two years later. Mrs. Frowe was born on the Illinois river on a raft. Mr. Frowe built his fine house in 1871.

H. L. Sweitzer is a son of Levis and Susan (Leverich} Sweitzer, and was born in Indiana in November, 1832. Four years afterward his parents moved to Iowa and settled on a farm in Cedar county, where they still reside. The son remained at home until 1854, when he came to Shell Rock, and soon after his arrival purchased a farm near Clarksville. This homestead he sold in 1865, and he now owns 220 acres 'of land in Butler county. Mr. Sweitzer has held several of the town offices at different times, and is a member of the village board at the present date. He was married in January, 1860, to Cyn- thia Bussey. Their children are: Dellis, Willie and Mary.

Asa Stannard was born in Monroe county, New York, February 10, 1827, and is a son of John and Phoebe (Norris) Stannard. His father was born in Vermont, and his mother, in New York. He remained in his native county until.twenty-six years of age, with the exception of a few years passed in Gates county attending the Starkey Seminary; then went to Orange county and engaged in farming two years. In the spring of 1855, he came to Butler county, Iowa, and entered 160 acres of land on section 17, Shell Rock township. Here he lived for nine years, and then settled on section 16, where he now owns 80 acres. Mr. Stannard has held the offices of town- ship assessor and trustee. He was mar- ried in 1853, to Miss Cynthia Cook, who

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

is a native of Oswego county, New York. Eight children have been born to them, of whom seven are now living-Carlon Asa, Miriam C., Calisto E., Melissa F., Ida Arvilla, Phares Cook and Lydia P.

J. D. Landphere was born in Wyoming county, New York, November 6, 1836, and is a son of Ezra and Mary Ann (Wood) Landphere, who were both natives of that State. He remained in the county of his birth until six years of age, and then moved with his parents to Elkhart county, Ind- iana. Here they lived three years, and then moved to Kane county, Illinois, and afterwards to Will county. In 1856, they came to Butler county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Beaver township. Mr. Land- phere's mother died July 5, 1852. His father is still living in Denver, Colorado. He was married November 5th of the year 1857, to Hester A. Leslie, who was born in the State of Ohio, Licking county. They are the parents of one son- Clande L. Claude Leslie lives at home.

Amos Ressler is a son of Jacob and Es- ther (Roads) Ressler, and was born in Strasburg, Lancaster county, Pennsylva- nia, November 5, 1828. He grew to man- hood in his native county, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In March, of the year 1856, he came west, and settled in Butler county, Iowa, and immediately be- gan working on the steam mill at Butler Center. At this place he continued labor- ing for some time, and then rented a farm in Jefferson township, and took up the oc- cupation of a "tiller of the soil." In 1862 he purchased forty acres of land in Shell Rock township, and now owns a fine farm of 160 acres. On it are good buildings, all of which he has erected since his residence

there. Mr. Ressler has held a number of school offices at different times. His father died in 1880, on the old homestead, in Penn- sylvania, where he had lived fifty-six years. His mother, also, died there in March, of the year 1838, at the age of forty-one years. Mr. Ressler was married in July, of the year 1854, to Miss Albertina Margretz, who was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1836. She is a danghter of Herman Henry and Sarah (Stumpff) Mar- gretz. Hermother is a native of Pennsyl- vania, and her father, of Germany. The latter was killed on the battlefield, near Jackson, Tennessee, on December 17, 1863. Her mother still lives in Ripley township, Butler county. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ressler, of whom eight are now living-Adeline M., now the wife of J. W. Metzger, of Shell Rock; Amanda L., now the wife of Franklin Rice; Emma C., Mary J., Carrie A., Ellen S., Fred A., and Lottie E.

John Drum was born in County West- meath, Ireland, in the year of our Lord, 1822. He came to America in 1849, and lived in the city of Detroit, Michigan, dnr- ing the first winter after his arrival. He then moved to Genoa, Illinois, where he remained eight years. At the expiration of this time, he came to Iowa, and settled in Butler county, on section 25, of Shell Rock township, where he now resides, and owns 120 acres of land. Mr. Drum has held the office of school director and school treasurer. He was married, in 1857, to Miss Bridget Leary, who is, also, a native of Ireland. They are the parents of three children-Mary, Margaret, and Rose.

Martin Gleason was born in Ireland, in November, 1829. In 1848 he came to Ainer-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ica, and first located in Orange county, New York, where he remained until the spring of 1855. He then came west and settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where he lived three years, and in the spring of 1858, moved to Butler county, with an ox team. He traded his property in Dubuque county for 120 acres of land on section 34 of Shell Rock township. During the sum- mer of 1858, he built a small log house on his place, in which the family lived for fourteen years, and it was then supplanted by his present fine residence. Mr. Glea- son now owns a fine farm of 400 acres. He was married in 1855 to Miss Anna Barry, who is a native of Ireland. Eight children have been born to them of whom only one-William Lewis-is now living.

G. C. Hawley is a son of L. P. Hawley, and was born in Wayne county, Ohio, Jan- uary 11, 1836. He remained in his native county until 1855 and then spent two years in Michigan. His mother died in 1844 and his father in 1852. In March of the year 1857, he came to Bntler county, Iowa, and began working by the month. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Bissell's Engineer Regiment, afterwards consolida- ted with the First Missouri Engineer Corps, and served until honorably dis- charged at the close of the rebellion. Upon again entering civil life, he returned to Butler county and located on section 4, of Shell Rock township, where he now owns 100 acres of land. He was married in 1866 to Miss Eliza Adams, who is a native of Linn county, Iowa. In 1872 Mr. Hawley went to Montana, where he remained two years, working at his trade.

O. J. Wheeler was born in Chatauqua county, New York, in July of the year

1845, and is a son of Miles and Fanny (Pitcher) Wheeler, who were also born in New York State. When the son was twelve years old, the family moved west, ' and lived for one year in Janesville, Bre- mer county, Iowa, but at the end of that ‘ time, they moved to section 2, of Shell Rock township, and settled on a farm en- tered by the father, October 18, 1851. Mr. Wheeler's mother died in 1874, and his father followed one year later. He was married in April of the year 1877, to Ida Sewell, and they live on the old home- stead.

Sylvester Rice is a son of James and Olive (Hall) Rice, and was born in Liv- ingston county, New York, December 25, 1829. He remained in his native county until he was thirty years old. He was reared on a farm and followed that occu- pation while in the State of New York. His education was received in the common schools and in the State Normal school, of New York, from the latter of which he was the recipient of a first grade certifi- cate. In 1860 he came to Waverly, and the following spring settled in Shell Rock. Mr. Rice belongs to the republican party, and has taken a great interest in the county and town politics; having held nearly all of the town offices. Mr. Rice has been a member of the Baptist Church since he was twenty-two years of age, and has taken all active part in the building up of that church, in Shell Rock. He was married in 1864, to Miss Carrie M. Dean, who was born in Michigan, Lenawee county. He has been trustee, assessor, treasurer, etc. His fine house was built in 1860.

Joseph Walker was born in England, January 5, 1835, and is a son of Joseplı

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

and Ann (Hall) Walker, who were both natives of England. He came to America in 1850 and made his home for some time in Rock county, Wisconsin, working at va- rious occupations. In 1863 he came to Butler county and settled on section 34 of Shell Rock township, where he now re- sides and owns a farm of 120 acres. Mr. Walker was married in 1856 to Lecha Molloy, who is a native of Ireland. They have six children-Edwin, John, Alonzo, Anna, Kate and Arthur.

James Whitehead was born in Oneida county, New York, September 14, 1843, and is a son of Jeremiah and Harriet (Kel- logg) Whitehead. His father was a native of Kent, England, born March 9, 1809, and . came to America in 1835; and his mother was born in Herkimer county, New York, May 7, 1818. In 1850 the family moved to Oswego county, New York, and in 1855 to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In October, 1861, his father enlisted in Company I, First Wisconsin Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Daniels, and served nearly two years. He was taken prisoner at Jones- borough, Arkansas, and was paroled and lionorably discharged in 1863. He then returned to Wisconsin, and came to Shell Rock in 1864, where he died August 17, 1881. Mr. Whitehead's mother is still liv- ing and resides in Shell Rock, ncar where he now lives. Upon his arrival herc he bought a farm of 80 acres, and now owns 160 acres. He was married, November 6, 1869, to Miss S. A. Ernst, a native of Syca- more, DeKalb county, Illinois. They arc the parents of five children-Carrie, Ber- tie, Hattie, Freddic and Florence. Mrs. James Whitehead dicd January 3, 1883,

at the age of thirty-two years, five months and twenty-eight days.

J. W. Allen is a son of Isaac and Saralı (Blaisdell) Allen, and was born in Chatau- qua county, New York, on the 10th day of August, 1846. Seven years after his birth his parents came west and located in Keu- dall county, Illinois, where they remained a short time, and then moved to Greene county, Wisconsin. In 1865 they came to Iowa and settled in Shell Rock township, Butler county. His mother died in Wis- consin, and his father is now living in Dakota. Mr. Allen now resides on section 17, where he owns 160 acres of land. He has held the office of assessor several times. In 1873, he was united in wedlock to Miss Ellen N. Varier, who is a native of Ohio. Three children have blessed this union- Dora, Ina and Addie.

Henry Nettleton is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McCauley) Nettleton, and was born near Prescott, Canada West, on the 1st day of January, 1836. In 1854, the family came to the United States and set- tled in Ogle county, Illinois. Herc Henry remained until 1865, and then came to Iowa and settled on section 36, Shell Rock township, Butler county, and now owns 480 acres of land. Mr. Nettleton has been a member of the school board and a trustce of the town. He was married in 1860, to Miss Sarah C. Dillworth, who is a native of Canada. They are blessed with six children-Nora E., Laura J., Carrie A., Viola M., Irene B., and Ollie B. Mr. Nettle- ton's mother died when he was a child, and his father died in Shell Rock town- ship in 1878. Mrs. Nettleton's father, Wm. Dillworth, died in Cook county, Illinois.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Her mother, Jane Dillworth, is living in Winona county, Iowa.

Phineas Weed is a son of Joshua and Abigail Wecd, and was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 7th, 1824. Here he lived until his father died - which event occurred about five years after Phin- cas' birth-and then he moved with an uncle to Cincinnati. In that city he re- ceived his education, and when old enough, learned the printing business. In 1840 he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he followed his trade for some time and then returned to his native county, and there remained until the year 1865. During the ycars of the rebellion, Mr. Weed was en- gaged in furnishing horses for use of the government. At the close of the war he came to Butler county, Iowa, and settled in Shell Rock, and became largely engaged in shecp raising. In 1867 he returned to Ohio and spent two years in the city of Worcester, and then came back to Shell Rock and settled on the farm where he now resides. While the woolen mill of this place was in operation, Mr. Weed owned a half interest in it. He was mar- ried in 1864 to Miss Philomel S. Scobey, who is a daughter of Dr. John Scobey. Six children have been born to them, four of whom are now living-Florence, now the wife of Charles D. Henry, who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Waterloo, Iowa; Jennie, now the wife of J. D. Powers, a hardware mer- chant of Spencer, Iowa; Wallace P. and Jessie S.

Lawyer W. Howard was born in Broome county, New York, December_31st, 1834, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Rog- ers) Howard, both natives of that State.

When he was fourteen years of age, the family moved west and settled in Jeffer- son county, Wisconsin, on a farm. Here the son grew to manhood, and two years after reaching his majority, was married to Miss Harriet Hoskins, who is a native of the State of Ohio. In 1865 they came to Butler county, and settled on section 14 of Shell Rock township, where they now own a farm of eighty acres. Mr. Howard is at present a member of the board of trustees and has served in that capacity several years. He has also held other school and town offices.' His father died during the year of 1874. His mother is still living and resides in Wisconsin. Seven children have been born to the sub- ject of this sketch, of whom four are now living-Frank Elmer, Fred Lincoln, Sam- uel Whiting and Nancy Irena. Mrs. How- ard died December 11th, 1882, at the age of fifty-four years and seven months. While not a member of any church she was a kind, loving woman, a good wife and a loving mother.

G. G. Blake was born in Ireland, July 9, 1835. He is a son of Robert and Maria (McWilliams) Blake. His mother was a native of England, and his father of Irc- land. Five years after his birth, the fam- ily came to the United States, and first settled in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where they remained eight years, and then moved to McHenry county, Illinois. Here his mother died, in 1862, and his father, in 1875. During the first year of our rebel- lion Mr. Blake enlisted in Company E, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, as a non-com- missioned officer, and served until honor- ably discharged, at Springfield, Illinois, at the close of the war. Soon after returning

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

to civil life he came to Iowa, and bought his present farm, of 240 acres, in Shell Rock township, Butler county, and in the spring of 1866 settled on it. He has held the office of school treasurer for the past ten years. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Mary Little, who is a native of Scotland. They have six children-Jeannette, now the wife of H. O. Smith, of Boone county, Nebraska; Clara, Minnie, Abbie, Robert and Julia. Mr. Blake went to Minnesota, in 1853, and settled on the present site of the city of St. Peter.

John Bowen is a son of Peleg and Rachel (Burnett) Bowen, and was born in Elk Creek township, Erie county, Pennsyl- vania, March 30, 1826. The family re- mained in that county but a short time after John's birth, when they moved to Middlebury, Summit county, Ohio. Here he grew to manhood, and when sufficiently old, learned the trade of boiler making, in Nilestown, Trumbull county, Ohio. He was chief engineer one year in the rolling mills at Nilestown. In 1853 he came to Iowa, and located in Farmers' Creek township, Jackson county, where he entered fifty-six acres of land, which. he lived on and im- proved, nine years. He then spent two years in Linn county, and, in 1866, came to Butler county, first locating in Butler township. The next year, however, he settled on section 3, Shell Rock township, where he has since resided. In 1849 he was united in wedlock to Miss Mary , A. Carns, who is a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Six children have been born to them, five of whom are now living -Samuel D., Emma J., Harriet A., Otto A., and S. J. Mr. Bowen's father died in

April, of the year 1879. His mother is still living.

Joseph R. Gibson was born near Pres- cott, Canada, on the 1st day of October, 1841, and is a son of Joseph G. and Char- lotte (Wood) Gibson. His father was born in Edinburg, Scotland, and his mother in Canada. In 1852 the family came to the United States, and settled on a farm in Ogle county, Illinois. Here the son lived until the opening of the war, when he enlisted, October 8, 1861, in Company E, Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry. He served as a non-commissioned officer until honorably discharged, March 21, 1866, at Springfield, Illinois. In 1863 he re-en- listed as a veteran, and served until dis- charged, as stated above. Upon receiving his dismissal, he went home, and in July of the same year came to Butler county, Iowa, and settled in Beaver township. Here he remained until 1869, and then lived near Butler Center one year, after which he settled on section 33, of Shell Rock township, where he now owns 80 acres of land. Mr. Gibson has held the office of road supervisor. He was married December 25, 1866, to Miss H. R. Bass, who is a native of Illinois. They have three children-Charles Henry and Pearly Jane, twins; and James W. Mr. Gibson's mother died in the spring of 1859. His father still lives, in Ashton, Lee county, Illinois.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 79

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