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 62

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 62

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).

That night arrived at Huntingdon. The next day commenced moving south

towards Lexington. Both brigades were at IIuntingdon. The Second Brigade moved out alone. December 31, 1862, at Red Mound or Parker's Cross Roads, ten miles south of Lexington, the Second Brigade, consisting of the three regiments named, a section of artillery, and a com- pany of cavalry, came in contact with For- rest's whole command, numbering be- tween six and seven thousand men, and eleven pieces of artillery. The Second Brigade had 1,545 men and two pieces. Our forces fought from nine in the morn- ing until three in the afternoon under great disadvantages of numbers, artillery and position. At three o'clock the First Brigade made its appearance, and Forrest fled precipitately, leaving in our hands some three hundred prisoners, four hun- dred horses, seven cannons and a large number of small arms. The loss of the Thirty-ninth was three killed, thirty-three wounded and eleven prisoners.

January 1, 1863, the regiment again took up the line of march for Jackson, ar- riving there the evening of the 2d. On the 6th it took cars with orders to report To Brigadier General Dodge at Corinth, according to the orders we received at Columbus. At 7 P. M., we arrived and were by General Dodge assigned to the Third Brigade (Colonel M. M. Banes), Second Division (Brigadier General Dodge's), Sixteenth Army Corps (Major General Hulburt). The Thirty-ninth re- mained at Corinth until the 2d of Novem- ber, 1863, doing usual garrison duty. The regiment made several marches guarding trains that took up two or three days at a time, and once moved to Lagrange, Ten- nessee, to ward off a threatened attack on

498

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

the railroad. The raid into Alabama to cover Colonel Streight's movements was made during this time. At Corinth it laid out a regular camp and erected excel- lent log barracks for officers and men, some eighty in number, admitted by all to be the best quarters in the division. On the 15th day of April, 1863, General Dodge's division moved out as before stated, to eover the raid of Colonel Streight into Georgia. The regiment marched by easy marches to Bear Creek, where our advance encountered the enemy, who dis- puted our passage. A pontoon was, how- ever, soon thrown over the creek and our forces moved on to Tuscumbia, skirmish- ing almost every mile, until they arrived at Town Creek, Alabama.

The enemy who were under General Roddy were re-inforced by General For- rest, and the united forces seriously en- deavored to prevent the crossing. The whole forenoon was occupied in artillery duels. The Union forces had four fine batteries, and the whole, together with the movements of the troops being within observation, gave us a lively and pleasant day. After noon there were built three bridges over the creek under their fire, when our whole force advanced and the enemy prudently retired. Colonel Streight had started in a south-westerly direction around them the night before, and our object having been accomplished, our men marched baek unmolested, General For- rest having turned in pursuit of Colonel Streight. The regiment arrived at Corinth on the 2d of May. -

May 6th, company H, which was on duty guarding a corral a few miles from Corinth, was surrounded by eight hundred rebel

cavalry, and the captain and most of his company made prisoners. November 2, 1863, the regiment, together with the en- tire command of Brigadier General Dodge, left Corinth en route for Pulaski, Giles county, Tennessee, a distance of one hun- dred and twenty-five miles. The march occupied ten days, including four days' delay at Iuka. Nothing worthy of men- tion occurred on the trip. The weather was fine, the daily marches short, and the regiment seemed delighted, as on some holiday excursion. It reached Pulaski, on the Nashville and Decatur railroad, on the 11th. On the 12th a portion of the force was sent south on the railroad, and a portion went north, General Dodge's headquarters being fixed at Pulaski. Our brigade went north, and the regiment was stationed on the railroad at Reynolds' Station, Giles county, seven miles north of Pulaski. Five companies were station- ed at regimental headquarters at Rey- nolds' Station above mentioned. Three companies were posted at two grist mills, grinding flour and meal for the command, and two companies were stationed at rail- road bridges, guarding them, All the companies erected comfortable log bar- racks, and the detached companies good stoekades. Jannary 21, 1864, regimental headquarters was moved to Culleoka, twenty miles farther north, with six com- panies. The companies detached at the mills were relieved, and two of them sta- tioned at railroads bridges, thus giving the regiment twenty-five miles of railroad and country to hold and maintain quiet. On the 26th of Jannary, 1864, the enemy made an attack on Athens, Alabama, and fearing another raid on the road, the reg-

499

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

iment was ordered to immediately throw up strong earthworks or stockades. Work was immediately commenced, and the citizens, white and black, in the town and vicinity were ordered to assist. About one hundred and fifty helping, a very strong stockade was soon erected. On March 12, the regiment with the brigade, took up the line of march for Athens, Alabama, where it arrived on the 15th, where it went into camp, after a very pleasant march.

General Sherman now began his prepa- rations for the Atlanta campaign, and the march to the sea, and the Thirty-ninth, as a component part of the heroic Sixteenth Corps, took part in .all its engagements. What need is there here to write the his- tory of that campaign, so well known to all; simply to say that wherever found, the Thirty-ninth always added laurels to their regiment and credit to the State, and were mustered out at the close of the war, at Washington, June 5, 1865.

FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. COMPANY B.

James C. Gleason.

FIRST CAVALRY. COMPANY B. Japheth Ball. SECOND CAVALRY. COMPANY B.

David G. Wooster. Henry K. Macomber. COMPANY D. Alexander Umpherson. FOURTH CAVALRY. COMPANY F. Harrison M. Catlin.

COMPANY I.

Francis M. Ammon.

FIFTH CAVALRY. COMPANY D.

Henry Tice.

Henry Adams.

NINTH CAVALRY. COMPANY M. Walter B. Temple.

FIRST BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILLERY. Solomon Longshore. FIRST NEBRASKA CAVALRY. COMPANY F. Lewis H. Frost, Second Corporal. James M. Garret, Third Corporal.

ROLL OF HONOR.

The following embraces a list of the brave patriots from Cass county, who laid down their lives in defense of the Union. Words were feeble in the expression of the gratitude to these gallant, but unfor- tunate comrades; weak in the expression of honor with which their names are held in remembrance by those whom they died to benefit. May their names be handed down from generation to generation ; may their children, and children's children, speak of them and recount their deeds with reverence, inspired by the remembrance and admiration of their noble sacrifice. May their sufferings, their death, and rude burial upon the hot and dusty battle fields of the South, all tend to strengthen the land they died for, and make patriotism's watchword, "Tis sweet and honorable to die for one's country."

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo ; No more on life's parade shall meet The brave but fallen few. On fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread,

And glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead.

500

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

No rumor of the foes' advance Now sweeps upon the wind; No troubled thoughts at midnight haunt, Of loved ones left behind ; No vision of the morrow's strife, The warrior's dream alarm ; Nor neighing hords nor screaming fife, At dawn shall call to arms.

Their shivered swords are red with rust, Their plumed heads are bowed; Their haughty banner trailed in dust, Ia now their martial shroud ; And plenteous funeral tears have washed The red stains from each brow, And the proud forms by battle gashed, Are free from anguish now.

Now, 'neath their parent turf they rest, Far from the gory field, Borne to a Spartan mother's breast On many a bloody shield; The sunshine of their native sky Smiles sadly on them here,

And hundred eyes and hearts watch by The soldier's sepulchre.

Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead, Dear as the blood ye gave ! No impious footsteps here shall tread The herbage of your grave, Nor shall your glory be forgot While fame her record keeps, Or honor points the hallowed spot Where valor proudly sleeps.

Yon faithful herald's blazoned stone With mournful pride shall tell,

When many a vanquished age has flown, The story how ye fell ! Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's flight Nor time's remorseleas doom, Shall mar one ray of glory'a light That gilda your deathless tomb.

Fred. W. Humerick, died of typhoid fever, at Rolla, Missouri, December 11, 1861.

David Wilson, died of consumption, December 4, 1862.

William R. Collett, died November 3, 1862, at St. Louis, Missouri, of pneumonia.

Japheth Ball, died at Little Rock, Ar- kansas, July 20, 1864, of chronic diarrhea.

Captain J. C. Brown, killed in action, at Milliken's Bend, June 7, 1863.

Lieutenant G. B. Kirkpatrick, died No- vember 16, 1864.

Jasper Berry, died at Rolla, Missouri.

George Rose, killed at battle of Pea Ridge, Missouri, March 10, 1862. David Wilson, died 1862.

Patrick Archer, killed at siege of Vicks- burg.

Ebenezer Cummings, died June 4, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee, of typhoid fever.

David Duckett, died July 25, 1863, at . Milliken's Bend, of diarrhea.

Isaiah Duckett, died July 15, 1863, at Milliken's Bend, of diarrhea.

George W. Hardy, died October 19, 1862, at the Arcadia hospital, of measles.

Lyman J. Jardine, died June 27, 1865, at Columbus, Texas, of chronic diarrhoea. Joshua M. Kear, died July 6, 1863, at Milliken's Bend, of typhoid fever.

M. L. Littlefield, died August 4, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee, of wounds re- ceived in battle.

John A. Mahew, died of dysentery, at Milliken's Bend, July 20, 1863.

Daniel W. Porter, died at St. Louis, Missouri, of typhoid fever, April 15, 1863.

Hudson Reynolds, died July 31, 1863, of typhoid fever, at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana.

William R. Terry, died July 6, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee, of wounds.

Samuel Wilson, died July 13, 1863, at Milliken's Bend, of intermittent fever.

501

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

ROSTER OF VETERANS.

Besides those who have been mentioned as having enlisted from Cass county dur- ing the great civil war, there are now res- ident within the county, many who wore the army blue, who, at that time resided in other localities and enlisted there, but came to Cass, since, and are now citizens of the county. Endeavor has been made to include all of these brave patriots but it has been impossible. The following list, however, is partially complete, and their names are enrolled that when a few short years have rolled by, that they may not be entirely forgotten:

H. M. Brown, 176th Ohio inf'y.

G. Jillich, 166th and 197thi Ohio inf'y. F. W. Montgomery 11th Illinois cavl'y. J. Green, 9th Iowa infantry. Watson Trego, 102d Illinois infantry. Enos Sayers, 26th Ohio infantry.

A. J. Gillespie, Ist Iowa cavalry. S. J. Roe, 39th Illinois infantry. Edwin Perry, 2d Iowa cavalry. L. L. Dunham, 6th Iowa infantry. Jacob Trego, 101st Illinois infantry. C. W. Mountain, 8th Iowa infantry. D. P. Roberts, 28th Iowa infantry. G. A. Hebing, 23d Iowa infantry.

W. L. Wuisler, 23d Iowa infantry. J. W. Graham, 31st Iowa infantry. W. B. Edwards, 3d Illinois cavalry. John McKnight.

Capt. J. O. H. Spinney, 9th Illinois cav. W. F. McKee, 3d Maryland infantry. Henry Moore, 9th Iowa infantry. P. W. Pigsley, 33d Illinois infantry. Hugh Kimpson, 17th Iowa infantry. G. L. Edwards, 2d Iowa. John Leslie, 23d Iowa infantry.

John Archer, 44th Iowa infantry. C. W. Dutcher, 9th Kansas. M. M. White, 60th Ohio infantry. R. A. Shearer, 11th Pennsylvania inf'y. L. S. Olsen, 64th Illinois infantry. IIenry Chapin, 42d Ohio infantry. William Smither, 4th Iowa cavalry. E. D. Allen, 35th Iowa infantry.

O. H. Whitcomb, 52d Illinois infantry. J. R. Johnson, 2d New Jersey. Michael Tabasinski 104th Illinois inf'y. Abraham Briggs, 102d Ohio infantry. Jonathan Gates 13th U. S. regulars. J. II. Vinson, 53d Illinois infantry. R. K. Okell, 4th Iowa cavalry.

J. W. Callaway, 112th New York inf'y. G. II. Hosfelt, 12th Illinois.

L. Stone, 15th Massachusetts.

Capt. C. W. Huff, 19th Iowa infantry. William Porter, 70th Indiana infantry. Elias Willis, 151st Illinois infantry. Hiram Blake, 12th Illinois.

William Kreamer, 26th Illinois inf'y. Leander Prall, 7th and 33d Indiana. S. H. Tucker, 40th Indiana. Gottlieb Holdorff, 105th Illinois.

C. A. Hully, 30th Iowa.

George Youngblood, 22d Michigan.

L. Monntain, 6th Pennsylvania artillery. S. R. S. Horton, 147th New York inf'y.

J. Pringey, 14th West Virginia inf'y. Lewis Pray, 35tl Iowa.

C. E. Myers, 106th New York.

J. E. Stocking, 138th Ohio.

H. C. Saunders, 106th Pennsylvania.

A. Koob, 5th Iowa. John G. Gibson, 31st Iowa. Adolph Hewitt, 23d Illinois. Merritt Hewitt, 28th Iowa. M. Hotchkin 24th and 114th New York. James Dunn, 28th Michigan.

502

IIISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

CHAPTER X'IX.

CASS TOWNSHIP.

The township of Cass, at present com- | line of the northwest quarter of the latter. prises all of congressional township 75 There are several fine water-powers along this stream, some of which have been im- proved. Indian creek another important affinent, enters the township on the north line of section 5, and pursues a winding course, south, until it joins the parent stream, in the northeast quarter of section 17. Spring creek, entering on the north line of section 4, traverses sections 4, 9 and part of 16, in the northwest quarter of which it empties into the Nishnabotna river. Numerous other small streams, without names, or at least having only local ones, wander about throughout the whole township but with a general ten- dency of waters toward the larger streams. north, range 37 west, although it at one time consisted of a much larger territory It is in the western tier of townships of the county, the second from the north line and is bounded on the north by Brighton, on the east by Bear Grove, on the south by Pleasant, and on the west by Potta- wattamie county. It contains about 23,000 acres of arable land, and some of the most productive farms in the county. "The Nishnabotna river meanders, with tortuous course through the township in a general southwesterly course, and with its numer- ous affluents, thoroughly drains the land, and affords excellent facilities for stock- raising, as there is hardly a section that has not running water upon it. This fine stream enters Cass township on the north line of section 2, and flowing about half a mile south, makes a confluence with the water of Turkey creek, which flow from the northeast corner of section 1, in a southwest direction to this point. Pro- ceeding on in its course, after the acces- sion of the waters of its tributary, the river crosses section 10, and winding off to the east makes a loop into section 15, and runs northwest through sections 16 and 17, where it once more assumes its southerly course and crosses sections 19, 30 and 31, making its exit on the west

The Atlantic Southern railroad crosses the township in a diagonal line, nearly, entering on the north line of section 2, and crosses that and sections 10, 15, 16, 21, 20, 29 and 32. There is but one sta- tion on this road in the township, and that the important one of Lewis, on section 10, at the town of that name.

Along the banks of the principal streams are numerous and fine groves and in fact it is generally conceded that Cass town- ship has more acres of timber than any other sub division of the county, a fact which explains the reason of the settle- ment of this locality before the rest of county, as the pioneers usually sought the

503

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

vicinity of the timber. In an early day there was, of course, a greater abundance of timber, but the ax of the woodman has somewhat diminished the supply, although enough remains for all the uses for which it is used at the present day.

The soil is a dark, sandy loam in general but in some sections it is composed of“ light clay and vegetable mould. There are many desirable farms. The surface is gently rolling, back from the river bot- toms, drainage good, and the land fully occupied by an industrious class of people.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The earliest settiements were made in this township by the Mormons, in the winter of 1846 and 1847, as already de- tailed in the chapter on early settlement in the general history, in the beginning of this volume. These were not perma- nent settlers, nor could they be viewed in that light, as they did not come with the intention of settling, bnt simply stayed here awhile to recuperate, while on their way to Deseret, or Salt Lake City, Utah. Their location was in the vicinity of In- diantown, west of the Nishnabotna river. Among the most prominent of these were A. G. Pettengill and his brother, James, Jacob and Joseph Ferran, Marsh, Bun- nell, Weeks and Warner. Some of these people remained here until as late as 1852, when the last of them left for their destination, in the city of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, Deseret. With the arrival of the so-called Gentiles, then really began the settlement of the township and of the county.

The first man to take np land within the present township of Cass with the the intention of making a permanent settle-

ment was V. M. Conrad. He came to this locality in the spring of 1850, from Dubuque, where he had been engaged in mining, bringing with him his family and household goods. He took up a claim on section 9, where he erected a log cabin 15x32 feet in size, in which he installed his furniture and family. He found no people here but the remnants of the Mor- mons, who yet lingered in this county. In the fall of the same year running out of provisions, it was determined in family council, to go back to Dubuque to spend the winter, so putting the house and stoek in charge of a man by the name of Weeks, a Mormon, they left, with the intention of returning when spring had opened. In the early part of 1851, the heavy rains, and melting snows so swelled the numerous rivers and streams between him and his farm, that he found it utterly impossible to make the journey, so waited until the spring of 1852, when he once more ventured, and succeeded in reaching this vicinity, where he is still liv- ing, one the few surviving memorials of the early days of Cass county. A detailed biograpical sketch of Mr. Conrad, is given in the chapter entitled, National, State and County Representation, under the sub-head of recorder, he being the first to occupy that office.

William S. Townsend was the next to make a settlement, locating in a cabin, which he built on the banks of the Nich- nabotna river, between the sites of the towns of Lewis and Indiantown. This was in the fall of 1850. In 1852, he re- moved from here, to what is now Edna township, being the first settler in that section of the county. Ile was a native of Kentucky. He remained in the south

504

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

part of the county until 1855, when he re- moved to Pottawattamie county, and later to Nebraska.

The next settlers were Jeremiah Brad- haw, Jesse Hyatt, Lewis Hyatt, James Sprague, John Stont, and V. M. Bradshaw and their families. These Argonauts left Mahaska county in the early part of May, 1851, and arrived at Cold Spring postoffice on the 15th of the same month. They did not stop here, but went on westto Kanesville, now Coun- cil Bluffs. On their arrival at that place, they held a council, and concluded that they had seen no place that suited them for a permanent location, as well as the country about what is now Oakfield, in Audubon county. Thither they retraced their steps, but on coming to the Nishna- botna just west of the chosen land they found that stream was swollen by the spring rains, and filled the whole bottom, from bluff to bluff. The men, by hard struggles managed to cross the turbid tor- rent, and blaze the timber and stake out their claims upon the prairie, but they could devise no means to get their famil- ies, their wagons or tools across, so that they might improve their claims, so they turned their teams southward into Cass county, arriving at Indiantown in Septem- ber, 1851. On their arrival they found no settlers in the county except W. S. Townsend, J. D. Campbell, and the Mor- mons, Mr. Conrad having gone back to Dubuque in the interim. They decided to remain in this vicinity, so they all pur- chased claims of the Mormons, who were about to leave.

Mr. Bradshaw commenced keeping a store between the villages of Indiantown

and Iranistan in 1852; this was the pio- neer mercantile establishment of the county. In 1853, he removed into the latter village. Mr. Bradshaw purchased this stock in Sidney, Fremont county, where he continued to buy what was needed to replenish it. On moving to Iranistan, he went down to Savannah, Mis- souri, and bought a large stock of dry goods and groceries, and bringing them here, put them in his store. He had kept dry goods, cutlery and a little bit of ev- erything, except groceries, previous to this, but for the latter necessaries, the settlers had to go to Council Bluffs. He operated this store until his entering the army, when he sold it. Mr. Bradshaw was a great hunter in his time, and has killed as many as seven deer in one day, when they were more plenty than now. Five wapiti or elk, have bit the dust in one day, before his rifle. He was a great hand for pets and had at one time seven elk, two deer, two badgers and two sandhill cranes, two pair of the elk he had trained to work, in place of horses. A sketch of Mr. Bradshaw is given in connection with the history of the office of the county judge, he being the first to fill that impor- tant office.

Among the early settlers of the town- ship was Amos F. Vaughn who located west of the site of Lewis, in 1852, on sec- tion 9. He endeavored to play a sharp game in the county, when the commis- sioners had made the selection for the county seat, by going to Council Bluffs, and entering that identical piece of land, hoping to make something out of it as a speculation. But he had his labor for his pains, as he was compelled to relinquish

505

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

all title to the property, and was glad to get his money back again.

W. W. Haworth, came to Cass town- ship in 1854, reaching Indiantown on the 10th of June, and purchased the claim of Baxter Vinnage, on section 17, where he remained several years. He is still a resi- dent of the township.

William W. Haworth, born on the 24th of January, 1831, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois, and is the son of William and Ruth (Wright) Haworth. He was married on the 13th day of July, 1851, to Miss Sytha Cox, who was born in Indiana, in October, 1828, and died in July, 1873, leaving five children to mourn his loss. Their names are -- Mahala, wife of James Jones, of Kansas; Amanda, wife of Ed- ward Jolinson, of this township; Anselm, at home; Simon and Alice, at home; Pa- melia, deceased; Samantha D., deceased. Mr. Haworth's second marriage occurred on the 7th of October, 1879, to Miss Mar- tha Baughman, of West Newton, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. After his first marriage, Mr. Ilaworth resided in Vermilion county, for about two years, and was there engaged in farming, and in 1854, he came to Cass county, Iowa, where he is classed among the pioncers. He reached Indiantown on the 10th of June of that year, and spent some time in look- ing for a location. At last he bought a claim on section 17, Cass township with ten acres already broke. He built a rude log cabin and there remained until 1863, and then built a frame house on the same grounds, and remained there until his wife's death in 1873. He then moved on section 20, where he has improved his farm and has a fine residence. His land

is well supplied with water, and, includ- ing his large tract of timber, he owns 815 acres, and gives attention to the raising of cattle and other fine stock. Mr. Ilaworth has served his second term as school direc- tor, and is very satisfactory to all. And at present, in 1884, acting as justice of the peace.

Daniel Stanley came to this vicinity during the year 1854, and located on sec- tion 9. He is another of the old pioneers who have still been spared to the world and his family.

Daniel Stanley, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, was born on the 12th of November, 1824, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Stanley. He remained at home until twenty years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He at first started to learn the carpenter trade, but in the course of a few years he became a mill wright, and has been a follower of that occupation a greater part of his life. He went at first to Ohio, and was there working in different places until 1848, when he came to Mahaska county, Iowa, and there remained one winter, when he was gone to several different places two or three years, when he returned to Ma- haska and was there married in 1853, to Miss Lois Parsons, who was born in Ohio, in 1831. Mr. Stanley came to Cass county in 1854, and rented a farm, which he af- terwards purchased, and has since im- proved. He lived in a shanty until lie could erect a dwelling, but before many years had elapsed he had improved his land, built his house and began raising stock. In 1860 he crossed the plains and went to Central City, Colorado, and in the winter of 1861, came back, and returned

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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