History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history, Part 108

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 108

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office again in 1881. On the 5th of June, 1883, he resigned his position as sheriff to fill an appointment as postmaster. He is a man of sterling good qualities and very popular throughout the entire county.

OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Among the other prominent and influ- ential business men and citizens of the city of Atlantic are the following named, taken at random as the best representa- tion of the class of people who go to make up the population of this enterprising city:

Henry Lowry, a prominent citizen of Atlantic, is now retired from the duties of an active business life. He is a native of Ireland, born in County Down, in August, 1822. He removed to Belfast, where he was employed by his brother as clerk and book-keeper. In June, 1848, he joined the organization known as the "Protestant Repeal Association," which advocated a home rule doctrine for Ire- land. That organization was suppressed and its leaders, John Mitchell, Smith )'Brien and T. Francis Meagher were transported. Subsequently Mitchell and Meagher made their escape, the former as is well known, was a southern sympath- izer during the war of the Rebellion, and Meagher was a gallant soldier in the Union Army. Mr. Lowry came to the United States in 1849, landing in New York. He at once went to Philadelphia, thence to Pittsburg, and then to St. Louis, thus traveling about in search of em- ployment. From St. Louis' he went to Alton, Illinois, and it being abso- lutely necessary that he should do some- thing on account of the depleted con-

888 . HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

dition of his purse, he engaged in working at carpentering. He had not learned the trade, but his father having been a mechanic, he had acquired a familiarity with the use of tools, and was soon able to learn the business. He was naturally of a mechanical turn of mind, and in an incredibly short time was master of the trade, became a contractor and builder, and succeeded in business to a remarkable degree. He continued in this business until he came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1867. The first land he owned was in Green county, Illinois, for which he paid five dollars per acre. He made a practice of investing the money earned in real estate, and from the advance in such property, made considerable money. He exchanged his lands in Illinois, for lands in Iowa, in 1865, owning at one time about two thousand acres. In 1871 he came to Cass county, and since that time has lived in Atlantic. He now owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, in Pymosa township, and a beautiful home in the city of Atlantic. Mr. Lowry was married in June, 1876, to Mrs. Sarah E. (Sheldon) Taylor, who was born in the town of Greene, Monroe county, New York, in 1835. She removed to Boone county, Illinois, with her parents in 1838. Mr. Lowry as a business man, has been quite successful. He came from the hardy race of the North of Ireland, and inherits the strong common sense, posi- tive opinions, and the strict integrity of that people.

Terry Cavenaugh, who is now retired from active business life, came to Cass county in 1861, locating at Grove City. He bought a farm near that village, which

he improved, and on which he lived about seven years, then sold out and engaged in drawing goods for the merchants of Lewis and Grove City, from DesMoines, Nevada and other more eastern points in the State. He also hauled goods from the same points for the first merchants of Atlantic. He subsequently engaged in farming near Grove City, and in 1874, commenced merchandising in Atlantic, following that business for several years. He is now living a retired life, although he has land interests in Dakota, and spends considerable of his time in that territory. He was born in the north of Ireland, and came to the United States in June, 1840. He lived in Franklin county, New York, for several years, then went to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and thence to this county. His wife was Mary McKabe, also a native of Ireland They were married in the State of New York, and have three children-Henry, Terry and Barney. His oldest son, John, served in the late war, and was taken prisoner, and died at Andersonville. He first en- listed in the Second Infantry, and served until sometime in 1862, when he was dis- charged and enlisted in the Seventh Wis- consin Cavalry.

James Pugli was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 4th day of October, 1834. While James was still a small boy, his parents removed to Hardin county, where he grew to manhood, and received his education in one of the old style log cabins. He is a son of Eli and Mary Pugh, who emigrated from Vir- ginia in an early day, being among the pioneers of Highland county, Ohio. When they moved into Hardin county,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

they settled in a dense forest, and cleared up a farm, where Mr. Pugh died in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife is now over ninety-two years of age, and is still living in Hardin county, Ohio. They lived together as man and wife for sixty-eight years, and are the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living. Outside of the death of Mr. Pugh, there has been no death in the family for over forty-six years. Mr. Pugh, Sr., was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church"'and a class leader over fifty-seven years. James Pugh, in 1857, left his native State and went to Indiana. In 1862 he enlisted in com- pany G, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private, but soon afterward was promoted to duty sergeant, and the 9th day of August, 1863, was again promoted to first lieutenant, and trans- ferred to company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth regiment. The following October he was placed upon the staff of General O. B. Wilcox. He wasin a num- ber of engagements, and was wounded in one of the running fights, in East Tenn- essee. In February, 1864, he was dis- charged on account of his wounds, and went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he engaged in carpentering. He was mar- ried on the 14th day of May, 1863, to Hattie A. Pugh, of Wolcott, Indiana, a daughter of Henry Pugh. They have three children-Charley, Franklin and Jessie F. In 1869, he came to Atlantic, where he secured the reputation of being one of the best carpenters in the city. In 1876, he established the Northwestern Journal, which he published for one year. In 1880, he was elected justice of the

peace, and in 1883 was elected mayor of the city of Atlantic, giving a very satis- factory administration, which was above criticism. He was general superintend- ent of the poultry department of the Cass county fair, in 1884, and has always exhibited an active interest in the fairs. He is a Master Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of Republic. Mr. Pugh has been an ardent supporter of the temperance cause for the past twenty- five years, and has never been intoxicated in his life.

Harley Soper, one of the old residents of Cass county, is a native of Canada, having been born near Brookville, on the 29th of September, 1813, and is the son of Timothy and Dorcas (Williams) Soper. He was reared upon a farm, and on account of the crude state of society at that early day, received but a limited education. He grew to manhood in the place of his nativity, and upon the 13th of April, 1835, he was united in marriage with Parmelia Bullis, and by this union, there have been seven children, three sons and four daughters-Cora A., Maria D., Adeline P., Leonard H. W., Arretta D., Holmes A. and Loren D. In 1855 the family moved from Canada, and came to the United States, settling near Gales- burg, Knox county, Illinois, where he re- mained until 1859, when he came to Cass county. This was then a wild and sparsely settled country, and Mr. Soper selected a farm in Atlantic township, and soon put up a cabin thereon, to shelter his family, and installed them in it. This farm he sold in 1879, and then removed to At- lantic, where he at present resides, and is

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

ranked among the self-made, moneyed men of the community.

M. B. Hubbell was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 18th day of May, 1827, and is the son of Abijah and Lu- cretia (Morrill) Hubbell, the former a native of New York, the latter of Boston, Massachusetts, When his parents were young people, they moved west to Ohio,. and located in Meigs county, where they became acquainted and were married. They were among the earliest settlers of that section, locating in the heavy timber, where they had to hew out a home, as it were, from the depths of the forest. In 1836, the family moved to Elkhart county, Indiana, where they resided until 1854, when they came to Iowa, locating in Dela- ware county, where the old people both died, the mother in February, 1861, and the father in the year following. Mr. Hubbell, the elder, was a member of the Adventist denomination, in his latter days, although a Campbellite preacher in his earlier days. He filled the pulpit for over forty years, and being a man of great memory and oratorical powers, was widely known throughout the section of the country where he labored. M. B. Hubbell was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the log school house that reared its rugged walls within three miles of his fathers cabin, going along a path marked by "blazing" the trees in the forest. Here he grew to man- hood, and in 1848, was united in marriage with Nancy McCrory, by whom he had nine children-Mervin A., Emily J., wife of G. W. Bales, of Dexter, Dallas county; Alice, wife of William Sherk, of Cass county; Ella, wife of Samuel Petty, 4

Grant township; Mittie, widow of A. L Barnhart, who was killed while building the packing house' in Atlantic; James M., Colonel E., both in Atlantic; Mar- gery and Ira O. In 1854, he left Indiana, and moved to Delaware county, journey- ing the entire distance by team. He opened up a new farm in the place of his location, and has the credit of raising the largest crop of wheat ever raised in that county, fifty-five bushels to the acre. In 1865 he removed to Audubon county, and in 1877, to Cass county, where he has since resided. Mr. Hubbell is a practical farmer, in every respect, but does but little at it now. He is one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of Atlantic, where he makes his home.

Caleb J. Vredenburg was born in Som- erstown, Putnam county, New York, March 1, 1815. His father was quite a prominent preacher in the Methodist Epis- copal church and died in Danville, Illi- nois. His mother was formerly Sarah Kniffin, and is also buried at Danville. When Caleb was young the family remov- ed to Fort Harrison, and in 1820, to Shaw- neetown, afterwards living in various parts of the country. In 1834 Caleb com- menced life on his own account in Attica, Indiana. In 1845, he came to Iowa in company with John Ash, and assisted in building the State Capitol. In 1846, he returned to Illinois, and handled stock and engaged in various enterprises until 1872, when he came here and settled in Atlantic. In 1872 he was married to Cler- antha Hall. They have two children- Annie and Frank C.

Pierce Maher, now a resident of Atlan- tic, may be classed among the early set-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

tlers of the county, he having settled in Brighton township in 1858. He was born in the county of Tipperary, Ireland, in 1830, and grew to manhood there. At the age of twenty-one he came to America, to take advantage of the excellent oppor- tunities offered to young men in this country. He arrived in New York City with but one dollar and a half in his pocket, but he had an abundant capital in his res- olution and willingness to work. He lo- cated in Montgomery county, Pennsylva- nia, where he went to work by the day. At the end of seven years spent in that locality, he determined to remove further west, and accordingly, October, 1858, found him in Brighton township, this county, where he began to work by the month. After working for others for some time, lie found his accumulations amounted to enough to enable him to in- vest for himself, and he bought forty acres of land. To this he soon added eighty more, and then one hundred and sixty, and now he has three hundred and twenty acres of good land in Brighton and Wash- ington townships, all under cultivation and worth fifty dollars an acre. He car- ried on stock raising and feeding quite extensively, and has had as many as eight hundred hogs on his place at one time. Mr. Maher is at present retired from active pursuits, and is enjoying the fruits of a life of industry. He resides in this city, and has a fine brick residence, which was built at a cost of five thousand dollars. When the war broke out, his sympathies were with the Union, and in the fall of 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Iowa. The regiment rendezvoused at Des Moines, and from there went to St. Louis.

He was on guard duty there until ordered to Fort Patton. There he remained some eight months, and was then sent to Iron Mountain, Missouri. At the end of five months spent at the latter place, he was discharged for disability. In 1860 he went with the rush to Pike's Peak, where he spent the summer in the mines. Mr. Maher was married while in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, to Bridget McHngo. They had one child-Mary E., who died at the age of eight years. Besides his res- idence and outside interests, Mr. Maher bas a residence property on Sixth street, valued at one thousand dollars. He is one of those who have built themselves up in the county.

Lorenzo Anderson who has an exten- sive real estate and general collection agency business in Atlantic, is a native of Germany, born April 1, 1837. He left his native country in 1869, and came to Atlantic, June 9, 1870, and built the At- lantic House, of which he was proprietor eight years. He then built an office on the corner of Seventh and Chestnut streets, for the better accommodation of a rapidly increasing real estate business. From that beginning he has now a large trade, and has been instrumental in bringing to this county from his native country many industrious and thrifty people. He was married in 1873, to Dora Schell, a native of Germany. They have three children- Emil, Laura and Alma.

Simon E. Smith, secretary of the board of directors of the independent school dis- trict of Atlantic, was born in Yates county, New York, November 8, 1818. When about thirteen years of age, his parents moved to Steuben county, New York,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

where he was educated in the district schools. He was married in that county In 1842, to Lucy A. Aldrich, a daughter of Rufus and Mary (Smith) Aldrich, her father being a native of Long Island, and her mother of Massachusetts, who moved to Broom county, New York, at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of six living children-Alice A., Clara, Belle J., Hattie E., Minnie L. and Georgiana M. In 1844, Mr. Smith went to Park county, Indiana, where he re- mained three years, after which he re- moved to Montezuma, on the Wabash river, and later, came to Illinois. After a residence in Coles and Whiteside coun- ties, he went to Galva, Henry county, where he engaged in the harness business for several years, while his wife operated a dress-making and millinery establish- ment. In 1864, he came to Cass county, settling at Grove City, where he engaged in farming with his brother, purchasing two hundred acres of land, and residing here about ten years, when he came to At- lantic, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and two daughters are members of the Baptist church. In early life, Mr. Smith was a Whig and cast a vote for William H. Harrison, but since the organization of the Republican party, has affiliated with the same. He always manifested an active interest in education, and has held the office of secretary for nine years, and has also been township clerk and held other local offices. Mr. Smith is one of the upright men of Atlan- tic, honest in all his dealings, and whose word can be relied upon in every instance. He has been identified with the county for twenty years, and has seen the wild

prairies, where the former rude log cabin stood, transformed into beautiful farms, with magnificent residences and buildings.

Rev. Julius Deckmann was born in Brooklyn City, New York, October 13, 1859, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Brust) Deckmann, who were natives of Germany. He was educated at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and having decided to enter the ministry, took a course of in- struction at the Concordia Theological college, at Springfield, Illinois, from which institution he graduated in 1879, thus pre- paring himself for his chosen profession at an early age. In the fall of 1882 he came to Atlantic, and actively engaged in his ministerial duties. He is now the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and fills also three appointments outside the city. He is a young man of consider- able ability, a finent speaker, and other- wise well qualified for the responsible position to which he has been called. He was married October 22, 1882, to Mary Wilkening.

Rev. Edward Gaule was born at Kil- kenny, Ireland, in the year 1847. He was educated, principally, at St. John's college, in Waterford. He came to the United States in 1869, and was ordained in Mil- waukee, at St. Francis' seminary. His first charge, after his ordination, was at Otter Creek, Jackson county, Iowa, where he remained about three months, after which he was stationed at the cathedral in Du- buque, for a short time, then went to Elk- port, Clayton county, Iowa, where he re- mained for six months; thence to Fort Madison in the same State. He remained at the latter place orie and a half years, and came from there to Atlantic. In 1881,

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

893

he returned to Europe, visiting his native land, also England, France and Italy, stop- ping for some days at London, Paris, Bor- deaux, Lourdes, Florence and Rome.

SOCIETIES.

Pymosa Lodge, No. 271, A. F. and A. M. was organized under a dispensation granted by John Scott, the then Grand Master of the State of Iowa, on the even- ing of November 22, 1869. Seventeen brethren assembled, and proceeded to or- ganize the lodge. The following officers were chosen and appointed: Wm. Wad- dell, W. M .; C. B. Osborn, S. W .; C. J. Wynkoop, J. W .; D. H. Stafford, Treasu- rer; A. S. Churchill, Secretary; H. E. Gris- wold, S. D .; J. H. Needles, J. D .; S. M. Childs, S. S .; Chas. S. Nealley, J. S .; J. W. Winslow, Tyler. The Worshipful Masters of the lodge have been William Waddell, 1869 and 70; C. B. Osborn, 1870-71 and 72; D. F. Hawks, 1872-3; C. B. Osborn, 1873-4; C. F. Loofbourow, 1874-5-6 and 7 ; C. B. Osborn, 1877-8-9 and 80; R. G. Phelps, 1880-81 and 82; Lafayette Young, 1882-3 and 4. The to- tal membership, since the organization has been not far from two hundred, and there are now (1884) one hundred and seventeen members in good standing. Death has invaded their ranks several times, and made as many vacant places in the lodge. The brothers who having fin- ished their work on earth, and have been called to another sphere, were William T. Walker, William Reynolds, Jr., R. S. Beatty, J. W. Montgomery and I. M. Verveer.

This lodge is in a highly prosperous condition and does most excellent work. They own the finest lodge rooms in this

section of the State, if not in Iowa. The Telegraph, in January, 1883, has the fol- lowing description of it:

"The Masonic Hall is in the new Whit- ney block and occupies the entire third story of that building.

"The main lodge room is 30 feet wide and 24 feet and 4 inches long. The three stations are placed in their proper posi- tions, and are grand and imposing, hav- ing pilasters with moulded bases, fluted dies, paneled shafts, and foliated caps, with a classic entablature with dental cor- nice. The ceiling has a large cove over the entablature and panellcd above, and in the center is a square dome 16x20 feet, in the center of which is a skylight 8x12 feet, and in the center of that a round ventilator three feet in diameter. The skylight is made of galvanized iron, filled with fluted glass and is a grand feature in the hall. On either side of the hall are six large windows with transoms of ground glass, except for the transom lights, which are emblemetically stained glass of rich design. The finish for the doors and windows is of massive moulded architraves with panel keystones. The walls are wainscoted as high as the win- dow sills, and are grained oak and highly polished. The walls and ceiling are handsomely frescoed at a cost of $1,500. The ceiling and dome are sky blue stud- ded with gold stars. There is a roadway on two sides of the hall five feet wide, commencing at the reception room and extending to the rear corner of the hall. On the south side of the building is placed the banquet hall, 14x46 feet. This room is lighted on two sides, and is entered from the roadway. Adjacent to the ban-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

quet hall and connecting with it is the kitchen, 10 feet 6 inches by 14 feet. The ante-room situated at the west of the hall is 15 feet 4 inches by 16 feet 6 inches, and is connected with the hall by wide double doors. Adjacent to this, and also connecting with the hall by double doors is the preparation room, 9 feet 5 inches by 13 feet 6 inches. Off this room is a dark room and an examination room, which connects with the main stair hall, and which is 6 feet 6 inches wide. On the other side of the stair hall is the large re- ception room, 23 feet 6 ir ches by 21 feet 6 inches. Adjacent to this room and communicating with it is a committee room 8 feet 3 inches by 13 feet 9 inches, and also the armory, 14 by 32 feet 6 inches. The height of the hall and other rooms is 17 feet 6 inches and it is 26 feet to the top of the dome.

"The whole suite of apartments above enumerated are finished in rich style, and are unsurpassed by rooms for similar pur- poses in Iowa. The Masonic fraternity have already ordered carpets costing over $500, and the whole furniture and fixtures for the rooms will cost $2,000, or more."

Ophir Chapter, No. 84, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under a dispensa- tion, March 29, 1877, with the following list of charter members: William Wad- dell, D. F. Hawks, M. Kuhn, C. S. New- lon, M. Wingate, N. Richards, W. T. Walker, Alfred Green, D. H. Stafford and J. W. Scott. The first officers were Wil- liam Waddell, H. P .; D. F. Hawks, K .; M. Kuhn, S .; D. H. Stafford, T .; J. W. Scott, Secretary; J. W. Brown, C. H .; C. S. Newlon, P. S .; M. Wingate, R. A. C .; N. Richards, M. 3d V .; W. T. Walker,

M. 2d V .; Alfred Green, M. Ist V. The following gentlemen have held the posi- tion of Most Eminent High Priest of this chapter since the organization: Wil- liam Waddell, two terms; C. B. Osborn, 1880-81; D. F. Hawks, 1881-2; C. S. New- lon, 1882-3, and Lafayette Young, 1883-4. The chapter started with but a few mem- bers but has prospered greatly and now numbers about seventy-five members, the first business men in the city of Atlantic. The officers for the present year, (1884) are as follows: C. S. Newlon, H. P .; J. M. Emmert, K .; Alfred Green, S .; W. M. Nichols, T .; L. Anderson, Secretary; G. E. Pennell, C. H .; H. L. Frost, P. S .; J. P. Jones, R. A. C .; L. Young, G. M. 3d V .; H. S. Newlon, G. M. 2d V .; and Wil- liam Waddell, G. M. 1st V.

Kedron Commandry, K. T., was insti- tuted, under dispensation, May 24, 1884, with the following charter members: William Waddell, Lafayette Young, George E. Pennell, Austin D. Hall, Moses Wingate, Cyrus S. Newlon, D. F. Hawks, J. M. Emmert and A. A. Hubbard.

Atlantic Lodge, No. 175, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized at Atlantic, July 30, 1869, by District Deputy Grand Master, W. L. Biggs, of Council Bluffs, under dispensation, with the following charter members: S. E. Huse, H. T. Jones, A. C. Tharp, John Bennett, William Reynolds, Jr. and J. K. Powers. Quite a number of members of the order from Lewis and Council Bluffs were .present to assist in the inauguration of the new lodge and the installation of the officers. These latter were: S. E. Huse, N. G .; John Bennett, V. G .; H. T. Jones, S .; William Reynolds, Jr., T .; A. C.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

Tharp, P. S. Since that time the follow- ing have held the position of presiding officers of the lodge, in the order named: J. Bennett, H. T. Jones, J. K. Powers, F. W. Miller, W. B. Temple, J. H. Barn- well, H. E. Bacon, R. F. Bain, T. P. Bruington, G. W. Chambers, H. T. Decker, C. H. Radley, E. C. Mills, Fred H. Mc- Intosh, E. H. Buel, G. S. Treehouse, J. J. Harding, F. W. Scheel, Henry Moeller, W. H. Archer, John W. Foley, M. J. Stearns, L. G. Hesser, F. J. Murphy, A. D. Pine and W. F. Needham. This the oldest organization in the city, has had a most successful career, and now has a membership of over one hundred and twenty, and among whom are the first men of the city. The lodge owns the building wherein their hall is located,and which is valued at $10,000. It started with but a few charter members, and in a poor way, but by careful and economical management, it has become one of the strongest in this section of the State. John Bennett, W. Reynolds, Jr., both charter members, F. W. Miller, W. D. Frantz, Robert L. Jameson, Levi Smith, D. F. Gaylord and J. J. Harding, have died since the organization of this, and been admitted to the Higher Lodge. The charter was granted to this lodge, October 21, 1869. The officers for the present term are as follows: J. W. Allmann, N. G .; W. M. Lynch, V. G .; W. H. Archer, R. S .; Robert Shields, P. S .; Enos Sayers, T .; B. E. Harkins, R. S. N. G .; A. D. Pine, L. S. N. G .; H. C. Hansen, W .; Edgar Johnson, C .; W. B. Martin, R. S. S .; C. Mendlekow, L. S. S .; M. B. Hay- wood, O. G .; A. B. Landet, I. G .; W. R. Wilds, R. S. V. G .; J. J. Harkness, L. S.

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Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918