History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 83

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 83
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 83

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).

George E. Meade is a son of J. H. and Sarah (Albright) Meade, and was born in Greenbush, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, November 23, 1853. He remained in his native county until 1870, when the family moved to Shell Rock, Iowa. Upon their

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

arrival the subject of this sketch worked on his father's farm until about 1875, when he commenced to learn the trade of black- smithing. In 1880 he was taken in part- nership with W. J. Reed, under the firm name of Reed & Meade. He is a single man.

W. J. Reed is a son of Hiram and Su- sannah (Campbell) Reed, and was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, May 12, 1850. Shortly after his birth the family removed to Winnebago county, Wiscon- sin, and there the son remained until 1865. On the first day of that year he enlisted in Company A, Fiftieth Wisconsin Infantry, and served until honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, in 1866. Upon re- ceiving his dismissal from the army he settled at Belvidere, Illinois, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1870 he came to Shell Rock, Iowa, and has since followed his trade. Mr. Reed was married to Miss E. J. Skelton, a native of Ohio, in 1870. They are the parents of three children -Herbert William, Carl Basil and Garfield. He was the first mar- shal of the village, a member of the school board for three years, and constable. Mr. Reed was away in 1877-8 to Washing -. ton for one and one-half years, when he returned to Shell Rock, and has been in business in this place ever since.

J. G. Rockwell was born in Madison county, Vermont, February 23, 1830, and is a son of Joesph and Mary (Chamber- lain) Rockwell. His father was a native of Canada, and his mother of Massachu- setts. In 1837 his parents moved to Water- town, New York, and here he spent his early life. When a young man he went to Canada and entered a college at Mont-

real, where, after some months of close study, he graduated in the civil engineer- ing department. After receiving his di- ploma he occupied a position as civil engi- neer on the Grand Trunk Railway for some time, and then spent two years in his native county. From there he went to Onondago county, New York, where he engaged in manufacturing until 1860. He then spent ten years in Courtland county, New York, and in 1870 came to Shell Rock, Iowa, where, for the first five years, he was engaged in farming. In 1872 he was elected county surveyor, which office he held with credit until January 1, 1882. Mr. Rockwell is now engaged in the in- surance business. He was married in 1860 to Miss Amanda Jane Wilder, who is a native of New York. They have one daughter-Belle, now the wife of C. J. Alderson.

Robert McDonald was born in Tyrone county, Ireland, July 7, .833. Here he received a good common school education. In 1850 he came to America, located in New York State, and engaged in milling business at Rochester. In 1854 he came west and located near Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois. In 1856 he moved to Camden Mills (now Milan), Rock Island county, Illinois, where he was engaged in milling business until 1861, when he bought the property known as Jack's Mills, near Oquawka, Henderson county, Illinois. Since 1861, R. McDonald has owned and operated six flouring mills in the States of Iowa and Illinois, his last purchase being the Rockland Mills, located at Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa, which he owned and operated from 1873 until 1879, when he sold to Haynes Brothers of

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

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Wisconsin, the present proprietors. R. McDonald was married June 6, 1857, to Mary E. Hartley, of Rock Island, Illinois.

J. H. Carson is a son of D. M. and M. J. (Robinson) Carson, and was born in An- gusta, Maine, May 14, 1840. Nine years after his birth his parents moved to Wis- consin, and settled in Sheboygan county. He was reared on a farm, and received an' excellent common school education; after which he taught school fifteen terms. Mr. Carson's father died in Sheboygan county, July, 1881; his mother still resides there. In 1876 he came to Shell Rock, and engaged in trade, and has since been one of the leading business men of the place. He was married, in November, 1867, to Miss Celesta C. Mansfield. They are the parents of two children-Lillian E., and Carlos M. He does a business of about $25,000 a year, which is steadily in- creasing.

Professor W. T. Hunt was born in But- ler township, Butler county, Iowa, Decem- ber 1, 1875, and is a son of H. D. and Sarah A. (Husband) Hunt, who were early settlers of this county. His education was

received in the district schools of his na- tive county, supplemented by four terms at the State Normal School, and two years at Cornell College. His first school was taught in Jackson township, before he was eighteen years of age. Since that time he has taught fourteen terms. In the fall of 1882 he was appointed principal of the West Shell Rock Schools, and in the win- ter of 1882-3 was engaged to teach a dis- trict school, in Shell Rock township, some five miles from the village.

J. H. Kublank is a son of John and Silbene (Hartung) Kublank, and was born in Cook county, Illinois, on the 5th day of August, 1856. He was reared on a farm, but during the last six years, in his native county, was engaged in cheese-making. In 1877 he came to Albion township, But- ler county, Iowa, and worked in Hall's Creamery until September of that year, Afterwards he was engaged in creameries in different parts of the county, until he purchased the Pleasant View Creamery, in 1880. Mr. Kublank was married in 1879, to Miss Mary Nagle, of Illinois. They have two children-Florence and Sarah.

CHAPTER XXXII.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

The township bearing this familiar name is in the southwestern corner of Butler county, lying contiguous to Madison town- ship on the north, Monroe on the east,

Grundy county on the south and Franklin county on the west. It embraces the ter- ritory of township 90, range 18, and con- tains an area of about 23,040 acres.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

The surface is a rolling prairie, and the soil a rich dark loam with a sandy mix- ture. Beaver creek passes through the township from west to east. The North Branch of the Beaver enters the township from Franklin county and makes junction with the creek in section 23. There is a good supply of timber, mostly in a grove in the eastern part of the township, which contains about 800 acres, and consists chiefly of oak, the heaviest of which has been cut. There is another grove on sec- tion 32, called Island Grove. There is an abundance of excellent water within easy access, and through the township there are a number of springs which bubble up clear, sparkling water. The largest one is in section 33, and is known by the name of "Big Spring." In an early day, emigrants on their way west would invariably in- quire for the "Big Spring," as it was a favorite camping ground.

The settlement of Washington township was very slow as the greater portion of the land fell into the hands of speculators, and settlers coming in as late as 1870, found a good share of it a wild unbroken prairie. Most of the improvements have been made since that time. It is now one of the best farming townships in the county, and is populated by an industrious and thrifty people, who are engaged quite extensively in stock raising in addition to their agricultural pursuits. It is strictly a rural township, there being no store, post office or railway station within its limits, although the line of the Illinois Central Railroad passes through the township from east to west, having been constructed in 1865.ª The farmers find good market points within easy access: Aplington for

the cast, and Ackley for the west, the lat- ter being but a few miles from the south- west corner. According to the last census the population of Washington township was 766. Assessed valuc of personal prop- erty, $25,941; of lands, $120,521.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement in this locality ap- pears to have been made in the spring of 1853, by two brothers,-Elery and Reu- ben Purcell,-who made a business of going just ahead of the line of settle- ment and selecting the most valuable claims; then when a good opportunity of- fered,-when those in quest of permanent homes reached them,-the claims would be sold at a good figure, and the adventur- ers would again move toward the setting sun to repeat the scheme. Reuben claimed the southwest quarter of section 24, and Elery took the west half of the northeast quarter of section 25. Elery put up a little log house and broke about eight acres, on which he raised a fair crop of corn. This was the first breaking in the township; the first sod turned, and the first article raised on Washington soil. Early in the spring of 1854 he sold his claim to Roby R. Par- riott, and again started on his endless westward march. Mr. Parriott, whose name is indissolubly connected with the settleinent and early days of this region, was a native of Virginia, and came here from Stephenson county, Illinois. He came here in the spring of 1854, and pur- chased the land as stated, and in June re- turned to Illinois. On the 4th of July he started back for his new home, accompa- nied by his family, coming overland with seven yoke of oxen, three horses, three

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

wagons and a top carriage, and were one month on the way. He found upon his arrival that the little log hut was too small for his family, which numbered thir- teen, and he therefore erected another log house, 16x24 feet, with a "lean-to" 12x24 feet. This was the first and only hotel ever kept in the township, and in 1855 it was made a stage station. Mr. Parriott made great improvements, and in 1868 he erected the frame house in which he lived until the time of his death in 1871.

REPRESENTATIVE SETTLERS.

Notwithstanding Washington township lands have been to a great extent in the hands of speculators who early saw its ad- vantages, yet rapid strides have been made in its development, which fact speaks well for the character of the citizens, who are a wide-awake, go-ahead class of people. All cannot be mentioned, but we present sketches of a few, from which may be de- termined the kind of people who have had something to do in making Washington what it is.

Elisha Tobey is a native of the Bay State, born near New Bedford, April 22, 1821. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. When sixteen years of age he engaged to learn the painter's trade, serving four years, when he started on a whaling voyage. He sailed around the world and returned to his home after an absence of thirty-one months, after which he resumed his trade. In 1854 he came to Iowa and purchased land in Jones county, four miles from Monticello. In the fall of 1855 he returned to Massachu- setts; worked at his trade in North Bridge- water one year, and then went to New

Bedford, where he lived one year. In 1857 he returned to Iowa and lived in Monticello township four years, when he went to Alamakee county, where he had traded for land. He lived there two years, and then went to Bowen's Prairie, where he lived one year. He then bought a farm in Delaware county, where he lived until 1871, when he came to Butler county and bought 320 acres of land on section 11, Washington township. In 1879 he rebuilt the house in which he now lives. In 1880 he built a barn 32x60 feet, with a stone basement, and a shed 20x98. He was married in 1845 to Miss Jane F. Knight. She had two children-Elisha and Mary. Mrs. Tobey was born in Hull, Massachusetts, February 22, 1812, and died April 7, 1852. He married for his second wife, Miss Love D. Butler, in the fall of 1852, by whom he had eight children- George H., Tristram P., Abby J., Charles S., William E., Franklin J., Zenas W. and Ella T. One child died when quite young. Mrs. Tobey was born at Martha's Vineyard, June 10, 1825, and died February 22, 1868. His third wife was Lydia S. Whitcomb, a native of New Hampshire.

Mrs. Rachel Quinn, an early settler of Washington township, came from Warren county, Illinois, in 1856. She was a daugh- ter of William Nash; was born in Penn- sylvania, February 19, 1807. She was married, May, 1827, to John Quinn, who was born in Virginia, May 22, 1800. They settled in Warren county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until May, 1850, when he started for California, overland. When near his destination he was stricken with cholera and died; he was buried on the plains. He left a wife and ten chil-

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dren to mourn his death. In 1856 Mrs. Quinn took her family and started west to seek a home. She bought land in Washington township, Butler county, where she lived until 1858, when she came to Aplington, where she built the first ho- tel in the village. She kept that until 1866, when she sold out, and went onto a farm, on section 23, where she lived with her sons, James and John, until her death, December 26, 1878. Her son James was born in Warren county, Illinois, March 24, 1842, where his early days were spent in school. He came to Iowa and made his home with his mother; enlisted July 12, 1862, in the Thirty-second Iowa, Com- pany E; went south, and joined Smith's command at Columbus, Kentucky; was in Banks' Red river expedition; was taken prisoner at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, re- maining in the hands of the enemy thir- teen months and eighteen days. At the close of the war he returned home. He was married November, 19, 1879, to Miss Cora Fabes, of Massachusetts. They have one child-Edna May. In April, 1882, he opened a livery stable, which he now runs.

Thomas Clark settled in Washington township in 1868. He was born in Allegany county, New York, September 23, 1826, and was raised on a farm. In 1847 he moved to Wisconsin, and settled in Dane county, and there engaged to learn the carpenter's trade. He bought land there which he improved, besides working at his trade. In 1863 he took up the wagon-maker's trade. He sold out there just previous to his . coming to Washington, where he bought land on section 12, southwest quar- ter. During the spring and summer of

1869 he worked at wagon-making in Ack- ley. Since then he has divided his timc between farming and carpentering. He was married in 1846 to Miss Ann Neal. They have four children-Martha, Henry, John, and Mary.

James Keenair, a native of County Laugh, Ireland, was born in June, 1819, and was there raised on a farm. In 1840 he emi- grated to the United States, landing at New York. He lived in Livingston and Genesee counties, except one month in Jefferson county, until 1848, when he went to Allegany county. . While in New York he was engaged in farming. In 1868 he came to Iowa, and settled in But- ler county. He bought wild land in Wash- ington township, section 31. He has im- proved the land, and in 1875 built the house in which he now lives. He married Miss Julia Ward in 1839. They were blessed with two children-George and John. Mrs. Keenan died in Jefferson county, New York, in 1845. He married for his second wife Miss Mary Welch. They have been blessed with eight chil- dren - James, Mary, Peter, William, Thomas, Michael, Stephen, and Patrick. John was born in New York in 1845, and died in Texas in 1873. William was born in Wisconsin in 1859, and died in Frank- lin county, Iowa, in 1872. 1

Patrick Kenefick came to Washington in 1868 from Wisconsin. He was born in Ireland, in 1820. When but eight years of age he came to America with his par- ents, who settled in the Province of Que- bec, Canada. He made his home there until 1855, when he went to Wisconsin and bought 120 acres of improved land, in Fon du Lac county, where he lived until

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

1868, when he came to Washington and settled on section 19. In 1869 he built the house in which he now lives. He has a farm of 320 acres. He was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah Coyle, who has borne him thirteen children, six are now living -Jolin, William, Margaret, Michael, James and Thomas. Thomas died when eight years and eight months old. Mary died when eight years and six months old.

Henry Austin is a native of England, born Oct. 27, 1844. When but two years and a half old, his parents emigrated to America' and settled in Michigan, where they lived five years, then moved to Wis- consin and settled in Grant county. His younger days were spent in school and on a farm. In 1868 he came to Iowa, and bought wild land in Butler county, section 21, township of Washington. He returned to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1869, he came back with a team and broke ninety acres of land. In 1870 he settled on the land. In 1872 he built the frame house in which he now lives. In 1882 he built a a barn 40x88 feet, with a stone basement. He was married in 1871 to Miss Sarah M., daughter of G. B. Smith. The fruits of their union are three children-Walter G., Alice E. and Clarence W. Mr. Austin not only manages his farm but deals largely in cattle and hogs.

His brother, William Austin was born in England, February 6, 1847. He was but six weeks old when his parents started for.America. He made his home with his parents in Michigan and Wisconsin until 1870, when he came to Washington. In 1873 he bought wild land on sections 21 and 22. In 1876 hc built the house in which he now lives, on section 22. He

was married September 7, 1876, to Miss Charlotte, daughter of G. B. Smith. Mr. Austin has 320 acres of land.

Daniel Beninga was born in Germany April 17, 1825; went to school there; when fifteen years of age he engaged on the canal shipping. In 1846 he joined the army; after serving fifteen months he got a leave of absence for six months; he then joined again and served seven months, when he was relieved again for seven months. He was then called upon again, and served five months, when he was dis- charged from the service, and resumed work on the canal. In 1857 he came to America; landed at New York; went to Freeport, Illinois, and engaged on a farm near that place, for two years; he then went to Springfield and worked at farm- ing. He married, in 1863, Miss Etje Bag- ger, daughter of one of the early set- tlers of Freeport, Illinois. They have seven children-Kate, Jolın, Jacob, Mary, Henry, Daniel, Ubbe. In 1869 he came to Iowa, and bought land in Washington township, that formerly belonged to the Ohio Stock Breeding Association, on sec- tion 2. In 1875 he built the house in which he now lives; he has also built a nice barn.

Hugh G. Scallon, secretary of the school board, was born in Province of Quebec, Canada, August 16, 1840, where he was raised to agricultural pursuits. In 1855 he came to the United States with his pa- rents, who settled in Waushara county, Wisconsin. He made his home there un- til 1869, when he came to Washington township, and settled on section 20, on land that he had bought the year before. He has improved the land, and in 1879, he

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

built a barn 48x80, with stone basement. In 1869 he built a frame house, to whichi he made an addition in 1876. He married, February 15, 1876, Miss Elizabeth Kene- fick. They have four children-Hubert W., Mary M., Mary J., and John J.

Jurian Winne is a native of New York, born in Albany county, September 16, 1843. In 1853 his parents moved to Illinois, and settled in Boone county. His younger days were spent in school and on his father's farm. He made his home in Illinois until 1869, when he came to Butler county, Iowa, and spent the winter in Aplington. He bought land in Washington township, on section 10, built a house, and moved there, in 1870. This part of the township, at that time, was very little settled. In the fall of 1875 he went to Chicago, where he was foreman in the Cottage Grove Avenue Railway stables. He lived there until 1882, when he returned to Washington township, and built a house on his father's homestead, on section 3, where he now lives, and has a farm of 240 acres of land. On Septem- ber 23d, 1866, he married Miss Alice J. Tripp, a native of Boone county, Illinois, born March 6, 1847. They have two chil- dren-Frank J., and Ira T.

Patrick Parker was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, March 13, 1839. He was raised to agricultural pursuits. In 1857 he came to the United States, and settled in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming until 1862, when he went to Eau Claire, and engaged in the lumber business until 1870, when he came to Iowa, and settled in Butler county, buy- ing land on section 16, in Washington township. He has improved the land, and built the frame house in which he now

lives. He married, July 3, 1869, Miss Carrie Ulrich. They have five children- Flora A., James L., Leo. E., Julia B., and Mary E.

Julius J. Burnham was born in Addison county, Vermont, April 1, 1845. When young he attended the district school, and advanced his education by two terms at the academy at Mankton Ridge and one term at Barre Academy. When seven- teen years of age he commenced teaching. In 1870 he came to Iowa and settled in Aplington, and there bought an interest of his brother in a furniture and hardware store. They also run a dairy, keeping from forty to sixty cows, and started a cheese factory in Aplington. In 1871 he traded the cows for land on section 26, Washington township, and in the spring of that year moved there, and the first two winters was engaged in teaching. He was married in June, 1872, to Miss Mary Smith. They have been blessed with two children-Freddie and Ena Mabel. Fred- die was born January 2, 1876, and died in March, 1878. They have an adopted son named Forrest. Mr. Burnham was town clerk six years and secretary of the school board seven years. He was elected mem- ber of the board of supervisors in 1879,

Samuel Croot is an Englishman, born in Devonshire, June 10, 1835, He received his education in the Sabbath school. In 1857 he came to the United States, land- ing in New York, and went to Columbia county, where he engaged in farming for three years. He then went to New York city and engaged in a pickle factory seven years, when he returned to England. He returned to the United States, after a visit of eighteen months, and settled in New -

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Jersey, where he engaged in farming until 1871, when he came to Iowa and bought land on section 10, Washington township. He has since improved the land and rebuilt the house in which he now lives. In 1861 he married Miss Sarah J. Fallen. They have but one child -- Sarah. They have three adopted children- Thomas, Charlie and Christopher.

E. Wiechman, a member of the present board of trustees, settled in Washington in 1875. He is a native of Germany, born September, 1848. When but eight years of age his parents emigrated to the United States, and settled in Ogle county, Illinois, where he lived until he moved to this town- ship, where he bought land in section 35. He has improved the land, and built the house in which he now lives. He was married in 1871 to Miss Cornelia Hayenga. They had three children-Cornelius, Kate and Annie.

P. DeVries is a native of Holland, born November 2, 1823. He attended school from six until he was fourteen years of age. In 1843 he joined the Ger- man army, and served four months. In 1868 he came to America, and settled in Illinois, where he lived until 1872, when he came to Iowa and settled in Butler county, Washington township. He bought a farm on section 33, where he now lives. He was married in 1857, and has five chil- dren.

Frank Parker, a member of the board of trustees, was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, March 12, 1848. In 1860 his parents came to the United States, and settled in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1872, when he came to Iowa and settled in Butler county, and bought

land in Washington township, section 16, where he now lives. He was married in 1875 to Miss Ellen Kencfick. They have five children-Mary, Martha, Leonard, Ed- 'mund A. and John C.

Captain M. D. Eustis, of Company K., Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, enlisted September 25, 1861. He was mustered into the service as fourth ser- geant; was promoted to orderly sergeant, June 20, 1862; was promoted to captain, April 30, 1864. He served five years, was honorably dismissed, and mustered out November 6, 1866. He participated in several engagements, the most notable of which were, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege and battle of Corinth, Iuka and Nashville. He was born in Kenebeck county, Maine, March 26, 1840. In 1854 his parents moved to Illinois, and settled in Boone county, where he made his home until the time of his enlistment. When discharged from the service he returned to Illinois. He married, May 5, 1869, Miss Sarah Mc- Key, a native of Boone county. In' 1873 he came to Butler county, Iowa, and bought land on section 3, Washington township, where he now lives. His father died in 1869. His mother lives here with her son. She is now in her eighth-eighth year.

Lafayette Levally was born in Oswego county, New York, October 19, 1836. When sixteen years of age his parents moved to Wisconsin, and settled in Wal- worth county. He enlisted there August 29, 1862, in the Thirteenth Wisconsin In- fantry, Company C. He served with the regiment until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged June 13, 1865, and returned to Wisconsin. He made his homc there until 1875, when he came to

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 83

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