History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 89

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 89
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 89

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took a place adjoining, on section 16. When the survey was made, the section line passed directly between their houses. Wesley sold his place, and now lives in Kansas. Henry also went to Kansas, but has since removed to California, where he yet lives, engaged in fruit culture. Jere- miah, the third son, removed to Minne- sota, where he still remains, upon land given him by his brother Henry. Luther also lives in Minnesota. Jerry was pecu- liar in dress and actions, spending most of his time praying in fence corners. He never shook hands, his manner of saluta- tion being a groan.

T. Fisher and P. Miller, who are men- tioned as coming with this party, did not remain longer than the ensuing fall.

The year 1847 witnessed the addition of a number of pioneers to the little settle- ment in Bremer county. So far, nearly, if not all, had settled in and about the "Big Woods," of Jefferson township. The set- tlers had already commenced tilling the soil and were raising various products. Game of every description abounded, and much time was spent by the pioneers in hunting.

The arrivals of 1857 who can be re- called were, Charles Frady, Ezra G. Allen, Joseph and James Fee, each of whom made a claim.

Charles Frady was a son-in-law of George Tibbetts, and is supposed to have come from the same place. In a few years he moved to other parts. A son of his remained in the county a number of years but finally removed to Nebraska.

Ezra G. Allen settled upon the farm now owned by S. F. Shepard, on section 25, township 91, range 14, now Jackson town-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

ship. Within half a dozen years he re- moved to Horton, and, in 1856, went to Kansas, where he has since died.

Joseph and James Fee were brothers, and were known as "Joe and Jim." Where they were from is not known. They settled near the Tibbetts family, and after remaining a short time, removed to Chickasaw county.

In the spring of 1849 John Clark came from Delaware county, Ohio, and made a claim on section 8, township 91, range 13, now a portion of Washington township. After selecting this claim he returned to Ohio, making the entire trip upon horse- back. In the fall of 1849 he returned to Bremer county with his family, bringing the same horse which he had rode in the spring. Mr. Clark cut out the first wagon road from the north side of the Big Woods to Janesville. He was really a frontiersman-no one living north of him in this section of the State, nor west of him this side of Sioux City. Quasketon, forty miles distant, was the nearest grist mill, and Cedar Falls, then called Sturgis Rapids, was the nearest post office. At this time there was not a tradesman nor a professional man within the limits now constituting Bremer county. John Clark was born in Pennsylvania in February, 1796. At an early day, in company with his parents, he went to Delaware county, Ohio. He was brought up on a farm, and · received a common-school education. He lived in Delaware county until 1849, when, in company with his wife and eight chil- dren, he came to Bremer county. There were but eleven families in the county when they arrived. The first spring, Mr. Clark and the boys tapped 400 maple trees

and made 1,100 pounds of sugar, which they sold for six cents a pound. When they first came to the county they brought a little flour, which was soon borrowed by the neighbors, and Mr. Clark was obliged to go to Cedar Rapids for more. The family parched corn and ground it in a coffee mill, living upon this until his re- turn, usually being about a week on the trip. Mr. Clark was one of the first jus- tices elected in the county. He died at his home in December, 1855. His wife is still living at the advanced age of seventy- eight. Seven of the eight children are yet living. Mr. Clark was a man of grand impulses, upright and honest in all of his dealings, and when death removed him from among the pioneers, they lost one of their best and most respected mem- bers.

· David Clark, son of John and Jane Clark, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, November 3, 1831. He came with his parents to Bremer county, in the fall of 1849. Mr. Clark received a liberal educa- tion and in the winter of 1853-54, taught school in Polk township, completing an unfinished term. This was the first school taught in Polk township. On coming to this county, he made a claim, but did not live upon it, remaining at home with his parents until 1858, when he located at Waverly, engaging in the boot and shoe trade, and operating a tannery at the same time. In this line of trade he continued about one year. From 1859 to 1869, he was in the real estate business, and sub- sequently, for about five years in the hard- ware trade. On account of failing health, he has not been very actively engaged for some years, spending much of his time

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

in Nebraska. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Lyman, a na- tive of Pennsylvania. They have five children, two girls and three boys --- Mary, the oldest, living at home; John L., now at Eagle Grove, in the drug business; Er- nest C., Grace and Arthur B. Mr. Clark has been assessor of the town, a member of the school board, deputy collector of internal revenue of this district, and has held various other offices of honor and trust. He has taken an active part in every enterprise looking to the advance- ment of the city of Waverly, and has sac- rificed great personal interests for its benefit.

In 1850 the arrivals were numerous, among whom were, John T. Barrick, He- man A. Miles, William Payne, William Thorp, Samuel Armstrong, J. H. Martin, Jacob Hess, Charles N. Martin, J. H. Mc- Roberts, William Hinton, and Frederick Cretzmeyer.

John T. Barrick made himself at home on section 35, township 91, range 14, where he subsequently erected a saw mill, and platted the town of Janesville, naming it in honor of his wife, Jane. Here he re- mained until late in the sixties, when he removed to Kansas, where he still lives. His son, Isaac T. Barrick, still lives near Janesville. Mr. Barrick was a genial and pleasant old gentleman, and made many warm friends among the old settlers.

Heman A. Miles, who was for many years identified with the progress of the county, located in Lafayette township. A letter from him, in connection with the chapter upon reminiscences, gives particu- lars of his early settlement.

William Payne came with Mr. Barrick, and also settled, with his family, near Janesville. He came from Indiana, and after making improvements, remained six or seven years, then moved to Dallas county, this State, where he still lives. He was an ardent Methodist, and was a man of good principles and many friends.

William Thorp, another pioneer of this year, settled with his family upon the place now occupied by Charles Thies in Jeffer- son township. In about four or five years he sold out and removed to Franklin county, this State. He was well-known among the early settlers; was a good kind of a man, but very passoniate, and when excited would commit acts that in his more sober moments he would sincerely regret. One little incident is recalled in which he figured conspicuously. On a certain occa- sion when his daughter --- having just been married-came home, a party consisting of Matthew Farrington, the Messinger boys, Loren Gilbert, and some others made arrangements to serenade "the folks." Accordingly, a number of musical instru .. ments, such as tin pans, shot horse-fiddles, etc. were obtained, and the party repaired to the scene of action. The performance began, and the din was almost unbearable. Thorp got angry, then mad, then wild, until, taking down his rifle, he swore the annihilation of the whole posse. Just as he was about to open the door preparatory to beginning his bloody work, the thought chanced to strike him that possibly the serenaders might object, and it might result in their "cleaning him out." The thought was enough, his courage failed, and putting up the rifle, decided to sit down quietly and listen to the balance of

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

the "concert." When the entertainment was through the orchestra departed. Dur- ing the cermonies M. Farrington mounted a stump, and in a spirited speech dwelt particularly upon the text that "anger rested only in the breast of fools."

Samuel Armstrong settled upon a farm on the south side of the Big Woods, in Jefferson township. He had a family and is remembered as a good neighbor and a conscientious man. He only remained upon his first farm a few years, then moved further up the river, and finally, in 1854, removed to Minnesota.

J. H. Martin and his brother came with their father, Rev. Charles N. Martin, and their good mother, Elizabeth. The old gen- tleman was a minister of the gospel, a man of much integrity and well esteemed by all who knew him. He settled upon the southwest quarter of section 13, of town- ship 91, range 14, now Washington town- ship. His wife, Elizabeth, was a great doctress, and rode all over this region heal- ing the sick. The old folks went to Fay- ette county, where they have since died. John H. Martin located on section 26, on the road between Janesville and Waverly, in Jackson township. He was the first school fund commissioner of Bremer county.

Jacob Hess came with the Martins. He made his home on section 2, township 91, range 14, now a portion of the city of Waverly. His first log cabin was built near the site of the present stone house of G. R. Dean. He remained here for a number of years, but in 1864 went to Ore- gon.

J. H. McRoberts erected a log cabin upon the claim he made, on section 1,

township 91, range 14, now a part of Washington township. A few years after his settlement, he was drowned in the Spring Branch. In company with Mace Eveland he had gone hunting, became fa- tigned and finally gave out all together. Mr. Eveland left him while he went for a conveyance to take him home. While he was gone it appeared that McRoberts had crawled to the edge of the brook for a drink, and, while in the act of drinking, fell forward on his face into the water. The water was only about six inches deep, but nevertheless, when Mr. Eveland -returned, he found him cold in death.

In the fall of 1850, William Hinton and family came. Mr. Hinton made claim to a part of section 1, township 91, range 14, Washington township. After a num- ber of years sojourn in Bremer county, the old folks moved to Kansas. Lorenzo and Shadrach, two of the sons, are yet resi- dents of the county.

During the spring of 1850 quite a party arrived and were made welcome as valua- ble acquisitions to the settlement. The party consisted of Israel Trumbo and fam- ily, William Baskins, Joe Kerr and Aaron Dow; the latter bringing the family of Mr. Trumbo. All here secured homes. Israel Trumbo had a family of nine or ten chil- dren. He had previously visited the county, and made a claim on section 16, Jefferson township, where he remained until about 1861, when with his family, he removed to Dakota, where he and his wife have since died. He was a man of fair education, of good motives, genial and popular. He was one of the first justices of the peace in Bremer county, and was the first surveyor.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

William Baskins was his nephew, and was a single man at the time of his arrival. He is still a resident of the county.

Joseph Kerr was a relative of the part- ies whom he accompanied. Being a young and single man, lie soon began to look for a partner. He was soon afterward mar- ried to Martha Clark, and settled upon a place near the city of Waverly. He re- mained in the county until his death, which occurred in 1882. His wife is also dead, and the children scattered.

Aaron Dow, who came with the family of Israel Trumbo, like the rest, was a native of Ohio. Shortly after his arrival in Bre- mer county, he claimed a piece of land on section 5, in what now constitutes Wash- ington township, erecting his log cabin in what lias since been known as Sturdevant's Grove. He was an odd fellow, both in manner of speech and dress, but was hon- est and reliable in every respect. He was a nephew of Lorenzo Dow, and partook somewhat of the peculiarities of that good, though eccentric minister of the pospel. Aaron remained there until 1851, when he went south.

After this, the settlement became rapid. The details, as to the early settlement, will be found in connection with the histories of the various townships.

Among the early settlers of the county, who are still citizens, are the follow- ing: O. C. Harrington, C. R. Hastings, Abner Scott and brother, M. R. Flood, T. Clarey, P. Burgess, Watenpaugh, Adam Brodie and brother, M. F. Gillett, James Leaman, S. F. Cass, A. L. Stephenson, O. S. Hatch, J. B. Yerton, A. Macomber, George Watts, Isaac Barrick, Allen Sewell, Frank Coddington, S. F. Shepard, Joel

Loveland, George Daniels, Matthew Far- rington, John Foutch, John Stears, P. Bre- dow, Winne, Stumme, Fred Bruntz, N. C. Peck, R. V. Dibble, John McRae, Patrick O'Dea, Fred Hildebrand, G. N. Bowers, J. N. Johnson, Andrew Carstensen, Hiram Lester, Asa Martin, John Chapin, James Sturdevant, H. H. Case, W. B. Ingersoll, Moses Robinson, Mason Eveland, William Pelton, James Andrews, Stannard, R. J. Ellsworth, W. P. Harris, Moses Lehman, James Wood, and D. A. Long. These old settlers are mentioned merely as an index of what will be finished in the township histories.

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

The first white child born within the limits of what now comprises Bremer county was on the 15th day of January, 1848-Zachary T., a son of E. J. and Cath- erine Messinger. It is said that the In- dians would sometimes get the boy and carry him off, and it was with difficulty that Mr. and Mrs. Messinger could keep them from claiming him as their own.

The first marriage in the county is de- scribed by a local writer as follows: "The first marriage among the young white set- tlers of the settlement was Isaac McCaf- free to Rebecca Beelah, in 1847. The twain started for Linn county to have the ceremony performed. On their way they encamped at Spring Creek, in Black Hawk county, and were snow bound five days and nights. So it will be seen that it was under difficulties that they got to their destination. But, nothing daunted, they wended their way after the storm, and the ceremony was performed, though some days later than they had anticipated."

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Charles McCaffree and Cynthia Messin- ger, who were the contracting parties in the second marriage, went to Indepen- dence, Buchanan county, to have the cere- mony performed.

The first death in the county was that of Mrs. Fee, who was the mother of Joseph and James Fee, and her remains were car- ried to Linn county for burial.

The first burial and second death was an infant son of Isaac McCaffree. The child was buried upon the land which now con- stitutes a part of M. Farrington's farm in · Jefferson township.

The first person naturalized in the county was William Gould, who on the 29th of June, 1854, renounced all allegiance to Great Britain, before Judge T. S. Wilson, now of Dubuque.

The first sermon preached in the county was by Rev. Mr. Collins, a Methodist Episcopal Divine, in the winter of 1850, at the house of E. J. Messinger in Jefferson township. The second minister to visit the county was a Rev. Mr. Vail, of the same faith.

The first frame house in Bremer county was erected in 1852, for a Methodist par- sonage, on the farm of William Payne, near Janesville, lately owned by Judge M. Rowen.

The first marriage license issued in the county was by Judge Jeremiah Farris, and united Jonas Mishler and Sarah Michael. It bore the date of August 20, 1853. They were married the same day by the judge. The parties still live in Jefferson township.

The first deed upon record was dated October 4, 1853, and was given by John T. Barrick and wife, Jane, to Frank Coding-

ton, James M. and E. E. Moss. . The ac- knowledgement was taken by John M. Bennett, justice of the peace.

The total amount of the first tax, levied in 1853, was $653.52. The following year it amounted to $1,194.75.

The first store opened in the county was by John H. Winter and Asbury Leverich, at Janesville.

The first probate proceeding of record in the county, related to the appointment of Simeon F. Shepard as administrator of the estate of James McRoberts, and bore the date of November 19, 1852. The Honorable O. H. P. Roszell, county judge of Buchanan county, required Mr. Shepard to give a bond in the sum of $2,000.

The first house in the county was erec- ted by Jacob Beelah, in the fall of 1845, in Jefferson township.

Janesville was the first town laid out in the county, and the plat thereof was the first filed for record. The survey was made in the spring of 1853, and the plat recorded July 22, 1854.

The first school in the county was taught by Richard Miles, a brother of Herman A. Miles, in the winter of 1852-3, in a lit- tle log hut in Jefferson township, belong- ing to John Clark.

The first post office in the county "Neu- tral," is thus spoken of by a local writer: "The first post office in the county was established in 1850, J. H. Messinger, post- master, the route being from Cedar Falls to Neutral. It is said that when the office was established, the way it received its name was as follows: The decision was to give the office a significant name, and as all the county was on what was known as "Neutral land," hence the name

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Neutral. After a while Mr. Messinger be- came tired of the duties of the office (with- out pay), and, at his request, M. Farring took charge, and the name was changed.

Political partyism was becoming very strong, neutral positions therein were held in just contempt. Documents from Wash- ington came plainly addressed to "Neu- trille," and he favored the change and used the new name. After a while, reasonably enough, by mistaking a for e, it gradually assumed the present name "Nautrille," by which name it has since been known. The office was discontinued in 1879.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.

For years prior to any thought of the existence of a Bremer county, all this terri- tory of Iowa constituted a portion of the Winnebago Indian Reservation, and the territory particularly comprising Bremer, was occupied by various tribes, as stated elsewhere. The settlement began in 1845, and in 1847 the county was surveyed into congressional townships. Somewhat later it was sectionized, and in about 1851 the land came into market. Just prior to this the Indian reservation was purchased by the United States Government, and the In- dians, who were yet inhabiting the county, numbering about three hundred, with the three chiefs who were left-Big Wave (or Way), Winneshiek, and Wananokaker (or Womanokaker)-were removed to Crow River, Minnesota, one hundred and fifty miles north of St. Paul. In the meantime -some time in 1850-the territory of Bre- mer was attached to Fayette for judicial purposes; but as there was hardly any in- tercourse between the two counties, and no road was broken connecting this settle-

ment with Fayette, these relations were soon dissolved, and in the winter of 1850-1 Bremer was attached to Buchanan county for civil and judicial purposes. Preparations were made for a township organization, and the entire county was made a civil township. On the 29th day of April, 1851, the first election in the county was held at the house of John H. Messinger, in Jefferson township. The judges of this election were John Miles, George Tibbetts, and Elias J. Messinger; and the clerks were Heman A. Miles and Aaron Dow. The township officers elected were as follows: Israel Trumbo and Chas. N. Martin, justices of the peace; Heman A. Miles and John H. Martin, constables; George Tibbetts, John Clark, and John H. Messinger, trustees; Elias J. Messinger, treasurer; Aaron Dow, town clerk.

Fortunately the poll book is yet in exist- ence, and is in the possession of Elias J. Messinger, of Waterloo. The following is a full list of the voters at this election: Israel Trumbo, William Payne, John H. Messinger, Joseph Kerr, Peter Hohyner. Wesley Tibbetts,Jacob Beelah, John Clark, William Hinton, John Miles, Samuel Bee- lah, Jacob Hess, William Thorp, Ezra G. Allen, Samuel Armstrong, John H. Martin, William Baskins, George Tibbetts, James H. McRoberts, John T. Barrick, Heman A. Miles, Elias J. Messinger, Henry Tibbetts, Charles N. Martin, and Aaron Dow.

This made a total of twenty-five voters, and of the entire number, only one is still a resident of the county-Wil- liam Baskins, who resides just east of Waverly. Five of them are sleeping the last, long sieep in Breemer county soil, and . the rest have been scattered. The five

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

buried here are, Charles McCaffree, John Clark, J. H. McRoberts, J. H. Messinger, and Joseph Kerr.

At this time O. H. P. Roszell was county judge of Buchanan county.

In April, 1853, the second election was held. This election was held at the house of Israel Trumbo, on section 16. Among the officers chosen was John Clark, justice of the peace. The clerks of the election were Matthew and Walter Farrington. The latter carried the returns to Indepen- dence, the county seat of Buchanan county. There were sixty-eight votes cast, an in- crease of twenty-seven over the former election.

It was now believed there were a suffic- ient number of inhabitants in the county to organize. Accordingly, in May, 1853, James W. Wood, John T. Barrick and O. H. P. Roszell, commissioners for that purpose, located the county seat at Wav- erly.

In July, 1853, a convention was held at the red cedar stake, which marked the lo- cation of the county seat, just north of where the court house in Waverly now stands, and candidates for the various of- fices were nominated. The convention was called regardless of party lines, and nearly all of the voters were present. When a party was proposed for any office, an opponent would also be named, and the mass would then separate, the friends of the two candidates ranging themselves upon opposite sides, and the "heaviest file" won the nomination. At this time the office of county surveyor was the most lucrative of any county office, and, after reviewing the field it was found that there was only one citizen of the county fully

competent to discharge the duties. This was Matthew Farrington. But he was a "William Lloyd Garrison abolitionist," and declared he would not take the office. He mounted a wagon, and addressing the con- vention, stated that, as "the constitution of the United States upheld slavery, he could not take an oath to support it, and would accept no office conditional upon taking such an oath." Heman A. Miles and others who were prominent factors of the convention, assured him that it was not necessary for him to take such an oath, and he finally consented to accept the nom- ination. But before the day of the elec- tion he learned that the oath must be taken, and upon that day he again mounted the wagon and stated that he should not ac- cept upon such a condition. He illumi- nated his house in honor of the occasion and invited all his abolition friends, within four or five miles, to take supper with him, at his home in Jefferson town- ship.

In August, 1853, the organization of the county was made permanent by the elec- tion of county officers. At this election, which was held at the house of Fred Cretz- meyer; there were only eighty votes polled, and the following officers were elected: County judge, Jeremiah Farris; sheriff, Austin Farris; treasurer and recorder, John Hunter; clerk of courts, Heman A. Miles; school fund commissioner, John H. Martin; surveyor, Israel Trumbo. This brought Bremer county into official exist- ence. At this time the property in the county listed for taxation amounted only to $43,437, which is a marked contrast to the $3,168,229 of property assessed in 1882.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

The first court house in Bremer county was a little frame building that stood just north of the present fine court building. It was erected in 1854, and has long years since rotted to the ground. During the summer and fall of 1857, the present court house was erected in the eastern part of Waverly, upon a beautiful elevation over- looking the city, at a cost of about $23,000. It is constructed of brick, is forty-three by sixty-three, and is two stories in height above a stone basement. It is surmounted by a handsome dome, which adds much to its outward appearance. In the basement is contained the sheriff's apartments, and necessary cells for the confinement of prisoners. The court room in the second story is forty-one feet in width by fifty- one in depth.

On the first day of January, 1858, the erection of this building was celebrated within its walls by a "Bremer County Ball," at which about 150 persons of both sexes attended. The basement was appropri- ated to the purpose of a supper, the hall and offices on the first floor to the reception and seating of guests, the court room to dancing, and the offices connected there- with to dressing-rooms. For some years after its erection the court house was the scene of many gatherings, social, religious,

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 89

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