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 74

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 74

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Robert H. Wood came to Cass county in 1874 and settled on the south west quar- ter of section 34, which was then wild land. He improved this farm, and in 1881 sold it, and removed to Marne. One year later he bought his present farm in the southwest quarter of section 26. This is a fine farm and well adapted to stock raising in which Mr. Wood is engaged. He was born in Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of Samuel and E. (Bell) Wood, who are now living in this county. Robert H. Wood went to Warren county, Illinois, when eleven years old, and lived there on a farm until 1874, when he came to Cass county. He was married here, July 21, 1874, to Mollie Matthews, a native of Monmouth Illinois, and danghter of Rev. Robert Matthews, a Presbyterian minister. They have two children: Alma E., aged eight years, and Archie C., aged three years. Mr. and

Mrs. Wood are members of the Presby- terian church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

John A. Welsh was born in Mt. Ver- non, Knox county, Ohio, September 17, 1850. His parents were Thomas H. Welsh, a native of Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth (Sweet Hamill) Welsh, a native of Canada. The former died when John was about four years of age, in Mt. Ver- non, Ohio. The latter is now living with her sons. They remained in Ohio till 1858, when the family removed to Bureau county, Illinois. They lived there until the spring of 1874, at which time he came to Cass county and bought the north- east quarter of section 26, Brighton town- ship, then wild land. This farm is watered by a living stream, Spring Branch, and is now all under cultivation. Mr. Welsh was educated at the Buda high school in Bureau county. He tanght school some, during the time that he was obtaining his education. He was afterwards engaged in clerking in Buda, and later, in survey- ing, on the Buda and Rushville branch, of the C. B. and Q. Railroad. He continned the latter occupation one year, then worked npon the farm of E. S. Hamill, one year. After this he was em- ployed as book-keeper in the dry goods house of B. F. Waite, in Buda, then in a bank of deposit and collection, where he remained about four years. He then came to Cass county. Mr. Welsh was married November 21, 1872, to Mary F. Bruner, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of I. J. and C. D. Bruner. They have two children-Charles E. and Ada B. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are members of

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

the Baptist church. Mr. Welsh is a Re- publican in politics. He is president of the township school board and director, in his district.

John W. Burruss came to Cass county in March, 1868. In May, 1869, he bought the west half of the southwest quarter of section 25. Here he erected a small shanty and commenced improving the land. He has continued to reside here and now has a fine farm, all under culti- vation, with good buildings, a grove and orchard. His present residence was erected in 1874. He was born in Camp- bell county, Virginia, January 26, 1831, and is a son of Thomas and Katurah (Weber) Burruss, both natives of Vir- ginia, where they died. John W. Bur- russ lived in his native town until thirty- eight years of age. IIe was married October 19, 1859, to Mary A. Clay, a native of Virginia, and a distant relative to Henry Clay. They have one child- Katurab. She was educated in the city of Atlantic, and bas been a teacherin this county. Mr. Burruss is engaged in stock raising, and is a prosperous farmer.

Egerton Dunham came to Cass county in 1876, and bought the north half of the northwest quarter of section 3, and the west half of the northeast quarter of the same section, where he now lives. At the time of his purchase, the land was par- tially improved, but there was no dwel- ling on the place. He has built a good house, planted a grove and otherwise im- proved the place, and now has a desirable farm. He was born in Ontario, Canada, April 20, 1845, and is a son of E. F. and Aun (Chamberlain) Dunham. He lived in Canada until 1865, then went to Wis-

consin and spent two winters in lumber- ing, near Green Bay, after which he came to Iowa, and resided in Boone and Linn counties until he came here. He was married in Linn county, February 23, 1871, to Mrs. Cordelia Swinburne, a daughter of Obed Blakeslee. They have four chil- dren-Charles F., Rufus M., Grace E. and Elsie B. Mrs. Dunham has three chil- dren by her former marriage-Carrie M. (Swinburne) Sankey, wife of James San- key; Cornelia S. Swinburne and John B. Swinburne. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William Fudge was born in Washing- ton county, Virginia, on the 21st of May, 1817. He is the son of Conrad and Eva Fudge, the former a native of Eastern Virginia, the latter of Pennsylvania. At the age of thirty-one years, William left his home, and removed to Coles county, Illinois, where he remained five years, at the end of which time he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, and there remained about sixteen years. In the spring of 1871 he came to Cass county, and pur- chased a farm of S. S. Green, of Brighton township. His farm contains two hun- dred acres of land, situated on section 31, and seventy acres in Washington town- ship. His place, at the the time of the purchase, was slightly improved, and since that time he has cultivated and im- proved the land, built a fine residence, and has every farming convenience. Mr. Fudge has been married three times. His first wife's name was Elizabeth Thomp- son; she was a native of Virginia. They had nine children, seven of whom are . now living-Emeline, wife of Gideon

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

Ely, of Jasper county; Louisa Jane, wife of E. A. McBride, of Jasper county: James K., a resident of that county; Martin S., now living in Shelby county; Joseph, of Pottawattamie county; Wil- liam, also living in Pottawattamie county; and Sarah E., wife of Alexander Wal- lace, of this township. Those deceased are - John C. and Barbara E. Mr. Fudge's second wife was Mrs. Mary Ann Dawson, her children's names being- Jacob O. and Adam. By her second marriage she had six children, three of whom are now living-Mary A., wife of Andrew Sarsfield; Lydia E., wife of Charles S. Wheeler, of this county; and Robert S., at home. Mr. Fudge was married to his present wife in Jasper county, her name formerly being Sarah Ann Matheny, of Ohio. They have had five children-David E., Luetta F. and Ora E. Those who have died are-Wil- bur R. and Clara E.

George Hansen is a native of Germany, born in Schleswick-Holstein November 2, 1839. He is a son of Detlef and Sophia C. (Nachtigall) Hansen, both of whom died in Germany. On the 26th day of June, 1868, George, having left his native land, arrived in Davenport, this State, where he remained working on a farm three years. He then came to Cass county, and settled seven miles south of Lewis, where he owned eighty acres of land, which he improved to some extent, and sold. Then he purchased eighty acres on section 24, which is now all under cultivation. He is engaged in farming and stock raising, especially in breeding and fattening hogs. He was married, December 11, 1874, to Celia Nickels, who

was born in Germany. They have two children-Gustav C., born September 20, 1875, and Emma M., born April 26, 1877. Mr. Hansen is a good citizen, and the present school director of district No. 6.

Thornton W. Williamson was born in Taylor county, Virginia, August 19, 1829. He is a son of John W. and Nancy (Haw- kins) Williamson, natives of Fauquier county, of the same State. They died in Taylor county, where Thornton W. lived until he was twenty-four years of age. He worked on the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age. The next year he worked on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, as brakesman. He then went to Cedar county, Iowa, where he re- sided four years, being engaged in the lime trade. He then removed to Barton county, Missouri, and two years later to Page county, Iowa, where he resided six months; thence to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he lived for six months. Then he went to Polk City, Polk county, Iowa, and engaged in farming for three years, then to Rising Sun, in the same county, and was engaged in the same business, and that of masonry. Here he resided seven years. He then moved to Cass county, and settled in Pleasant township, where he owned a farm, and remained five years, after which he removed to his present farm in Brighton township. Here he owns nearly two hundred acres of land, all improved. He makes a specialty of stock raising and feeding. Mr. William- son was married in Barton county, Mis- souri, August 17, 1859, to Sarah J. Millard, a native of Bennington county, Vermont, and daughter of Jesse and Hester A. Mil- lard, who are now living in Missouri.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have five chil- dren-James F., John W., Celestia A., Alva and Matilda A. Mrs. Williamson's parents removed from Vermont to Wis- consin, and afterwards to Barton county, Missouri, their present residence. Mr. Williamson never spent a dime at the bar for liquor, or a nickel for tobacco in his life.

Mathew Shepperd is a native of Ontario, Canada, born May 10, 1845. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Atkinson) Shep- perd, who now reside in Audubon county. Mathew Shepperd was married in 1873, to Elizabeth Keyes, also a native of On- tario, Canada. In 1875 he settled in Audubon county, three miles west of Oak- field. Here he owned a large farm, and resided until April, 1883. Ile then came to Cass county and purchased sixty-two acres on section 36, Brighton township, where he is now living. IIe is engaged in farming, also in veterinary surgery. Mr. Shepperd is a member of the M. E. church.

Charles H. Locke was born March 26, 1848, in Rhode Island. He remained in his native State until 1867, when he went to Illinois and spent a year in Jersey and Christian counties, then went back to Rhode Island. He soon after returned to Illinois and remained there until 1870, when he came with his father, E. J. Locke, to Cass county, Iowa. IIe settled on sec- tion 31, of Brighton township, his present residence. Ile owns a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres, highly im- proved and well adapted to stock raising; in which Mr. Locke is largely engaged. He was married in Christian county, Illi- nois, in February, 1874, to Henrietta Gar-

wood, a native of Illinois, and daughter of William and Catherine Garwood. They have one child, Bertha Edith.

J. C. Stewart, resides upon section 21, of Brighton township, where he owns a farm. He became a citizen of Cass county in the spring of 1880, at which time he removed from Shelby county to Marne. Mr. Stewart was born May 26, 1843, in Steuben county, New York. He is a son of John A. and Deborah (Tompkins) Stew- art. IIe lived upon a farm in his native State until ten years of age, when his par- ents removed to Illinois. He resided with them until 1861. He then enlisted, at the age of eighteen, in company D, of the Fifty-first Illinois Infantry; was mustered into service at Chicago, and served in the Mississippi department. He was after- wards transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the bat- tles at Island No. 10, Stone River and Chiekamanga, where he was taken pris- oner by the rebels, and sent to Libby prison at Richmond. From there he was taken to Danville, remaining there, and tt Andersonville, five months, then sent to Charleston, thence to Florence, South Carolina, where he was confined five months. He was paroled in March, 1865, at Wilmington, North Carolina. The date of his capture was September, 1863. Soon after being paroled he was discharged and mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, where he attended the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. IIe returned home and subsequently went to Hardin county, Iowa, and bought a farm, which he sold, and moved to Marshall county. Here he again bought a farm which he sold, and went to Lee county, Illinois, where he

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

was married, November 20, 1871, to Lu- cretia Long, a native of Pennsylvania. After his marriage he went back to HIar- din county and remained two years, then removed to a farm four miles north of Marne, but in Shelby county. He lived here, as before stated, until he came to Cass county. Mr. Stewart has been suc- cessful in his financial undertakings, and is in possession of a competency. He at present owns quite a large amount of real estate. His residence is upon a farm one half mile north of Marne. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have three sons-Herbert, Frank and John. He belongs to the G. A. R.

Henry Hansen came to Cass county in 1871, and bought eighty acres in section 13, of Brighton township. He now owns two hundred acres lying in a body, and all under cultivation. He has good build- ings with an orchard and grove. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Hansen was born in the western part of Denmark, September 17 1839. His father, Henry Hansen, was also a native of Denmark. He died athis. son's residence in Cass county, in 1883. His mother, Mary G. Hansen, still lives with her son, Henry. She is in the enjoy- ment of good health and remarkably active for one of her years, thinking noth- ing of walking to Atlantic. When Henry was twenty years of age, he went to South America, and lived three years in Brazil, and two years in Buenos Ayres. He was employed in working at the blacksmith trade, which he learned in Brazil. On bis return to the United States, he went to St. Louis and remained six months, after which he went to the Rocky mountains, and engaged in mining nine years. , He

then came to Cass county. He returned to Denmark on a visit in 1870, remaining in that country four months. He then came here and purchased his present farm. Ilis brother and wife accompanied him on his return from Denmark. He was married June 20, 1876, to a native of Denmark. They have two children- Mary G. and Henry.

Benjamin F. Taylor was born in Noble county, Ohio, November 19, 1850. He is a son of John and Louisa (Steward) Tay- lor, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter, of Ohio. Louisa (Steward) Taylor's mother was a native of France. Her father (an American) was a sailor, and became acquanted with his wife at Marseilles, France. When the subject of this sketch was thirteen years of age, his parents removed to Mahaska county, Iowa, where his father died in 1881. His moth- er is still living in that county. Mr. Tay- lor came to Cass county in 1872, but pur- chased the land comprising his present farm, several years prior to that time. He was married in Wiota, Cass county, Sept- ember 15, 1875, to Ida Herbert, a native of this State, and daughter of H. C. Her- bert, of Cass county. Mr. and Mrs. Tay- lor have four children-Corwin, Henry C., Nora C., and Arthur Clayton. Mr. Tay- lor's farm is located in the west half of the southeast quarter of section 12, Brigh- ton township. At the time of his settle- ment bere, it was wholly unimproved, but is now in a high state of cultivation. He makes a business of stock raising, and a specialty of hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the M. E. church.

William H. Sanders was born in Dele- ware county, Indiana, Febuary 11, 1833.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

He is a son of John and Susan Sanders, both of whom died in March, 1853, with- in six days of each other. John Sanders was a Virginian by birth, and his wife a native of Ireland. The subject of this sketch lived on a farm in his native State till 1853. He then engaged in mercantile business which he continued three years, then returned to the farm and remained until he came to Cass county and settled on his present farm in 1872. It is located in section 35, of Brighton township. He has good improvements, including build- ings, orchard, etc., and his land all under cultivation. Mr. Sanders enlisted in February, 1865, in company G, of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infan- try, and served till September of the same year, when he was honorably discharged. He was mustered into service at Indian- apolis, and out at Louisville, Kentucky. IIe was married in March, 1853, to Eliza- beth Smith. They had five children- David S., now in Leadville, Colorado; Charles, George W., Nancy, wife of Robert Long, now living in Kansas; and John R. Mrs. Sanders died in 1863, and Mr. Sanders was again married in 1864, to Nancy M. Sage. By this union there were five children, four of whom'are liv- ing-Edna E., Otto, Selva and Edith M. James W. is deceased.

Charles W. Curtis owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 34 and 35, of Brighton township. His residence is on section 34. He purchased the quarter upon which he lives, in 1869, of his father, L. W. Curtis who had bought it several years previously. Mr. Curtis came here March first, 1880, and built his residence during the following

summer. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, March 15, 1841. His father was a practicing physician for many years. He died March 25, 1879. Charles W. Curtis was married January 6, 1876, to Emeline Stout, a native of Fulton county, Illinois. They have four children- Lydia L., Margaret M., Hattie H., and Ernest C. Mr. Curtis is a Republican politically.

Obed Blakeslee is the owner of a fine farm of four hundred and thirty-five acres, which (with the exception of forty acres lying in section 10), is located in section 3, of Brighton township. It is all under cultivation except one hundred and twenty acres, and is a beautiful and highly desirable farm. He has good im- provements, including buildings, orchard and groves. Mr. Blakeslee was born in Linn county, Iowa, April 15, 1845, and is a son of Obed and Sarah E. (Morse) Blakeslee, natives of New IIaven, Con- necticut. Obed Blakeslee, Sr., died in October, 1845. Ilis widow, Sarah Blake- slee was again married April 15, 1847, to Hugh Martin who died in 1871. She is still living at her home in this coun- ty. An adopted son lives with her. The subject of this sketch has always fol- lowed farming. He also deals in stock. Mr. Blakeslee was married in Linn coun- ty. in the winter of 1873, to Melissa Williams, a daughter of W. R. Williams. They have four children living-Orrin" H., Edith L., Edna M., and Inez. Mr. Blakeslee is a highly successful farmer.

James P. Crosswait (deceased) was one of the earliest settlers of Cass county, coming here in 1856. He was a retired farmer of Fulton county, Illinois, from

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

whence he came to this county, and set- tled at Lewis, engaging in the business of loaning money. Mr. Crosswait was born in Kentucky, November 30, 1803. He was a farmer by occupation, and in his early life went to Tennessee and remained four or five years. During the time he made the acquaintance of Mary R. Mack to whom he was married. She was born November 5, 1803. From Tennessee Mr. Crosswait removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he remained one year upon a farm. He then moved to Fulton county of the same State, where on his arrival he found the sum total of his worldly goods to consist of two dollars and fifty cents, and a team and wagon. Three years from that time, he was able to enter a half section of land, after which his financial affairs continued to prosper, and at his death, which occurred at Atlantic in December, 1879, he left a large proper- ty. Mr. Crosswait was a man of integrity strictly honest in all his dealings, and al- ways prompt in meeting every obligation. In his youth he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he remained connected till his death, leading a consis- tent christian life. His widow is still liv- ing and now resides at Atlantic.

Eli M. Crosswait, son of James P. and Mary R. (Mack) Crosswait, was born in Fulton county, Illinois, January 9, 1838, and lived there until eighteen years of age. He received a liberal education, at- tending school in Illinois and the graded school at Lewis, after coming to this county, after which he returned to Illi- nois and attended a private seminary at Indianola, Warren county. He then en- gaged in teaching in that county, which

he continued eight years; then engaged in book-keeping and clerking, five years. He was married April 4, 1862, to Mary Shawver. After marriage he taught school two years, then he engaged in farming in Warren county, Illinois, till 1870. In that year he moved to Mills county, Iowa, where he owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and lived eleven years. He then removed to Marne, Cass county, and remained two years, then bought his present farm in section 6, Brighton township. It includes the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of that section, and at the time of his purchase, was slight- ly improved. The farm is watered by a creek, and a fine spring situated near the barn. A grove and orchard surround his dwelling which is pleasantly located. Mr. and Mrs. Crosswait have eight children- Oscar P., Frank E., William H., Ernest B., Eugene M., James S., Robert L. and Alma G. They are members of the M. E. church.

EDUCATIONAL.

District No. 1-The school house in this district is situated on the southwest quarter of section 1. It is 20x24 feet in dimensions, and cost $800; it is neatly painted, and provided with blinds. The first teacher was Ambrose Pellett; and the first sub-director, J. K. Herbert. The present teacher is Frank Skinner, and L. W. Wheatley in the sub director. When the school was located at its present site, in 1870, J. G. Kuhn, who owned the land, gave a lease to the lot for 99 years; when the lot was enlarged, G. B. Olney owned the land contiguous, and sold an acre to the board for $25, one-half down.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

District No. 2 .- The first school in this district was taught by A. T. Powell. The building at present used is the largest one in ¿tlie township outside of Marne, and was erected at an expense of over $700. It has a cupola by way of an ornamenta- tion. and is supplied with patent seats, mapa, globes, etc. The first director was H. W. Crow, and the school is generally known as the "Crow school." E. Dun- ham is 'the present sub-director. The school is located on the northwest corner of section 9.

District No. 3 .- This district is com- posed of sections 5, 6, 7 and 8. The school building is located at the center of the bottom line of the northwest quarter of section 5.

District No. 4. - Sections 17, 18, 19 and 20 compose this district. The building is located on the northwest corner of sec- tion 20.

District No. 5 .- The territory compris- ing this district is made up of sections 15, 16, 21 and 22; the house is situated in the northwest corner of section 21, in the ex- act center of the township and is called the "Center school." The building is 28x30 feet in dimensions, and is comfortably sup- plied with necessaries. The name of the first teacher was Harris, and that of the first sub-director, Ambrose Pellett. The present director is Samuel Brown.

District No. 6 .- The building in this district was erected in 1876, at a cost of seven hundred dollars. The first director was George W. Crouch. The school house is located near the northwest corner of section 24. It is in good condition and well supplied with conveniences. There are thirty-five pupils enrolled. The pres-

ent teacher is Miss Laura Lynch, while. George Ilanson holds the office of sub- director. The district is comprised of four sections.

District No. 7 .- The school house of this district is located on the southeast corner of section 25. It was erected in 1870, and is 20x24 feet in size. The first teacher was T. V. Knisely, and the first sub-director was S. W. Elliott. The build- ing is still in good condition, and is fur- nisbed with patent desks and seats, while maps and other conveniences are to be found in the school. The present teacher is Miss Lottie Mott, and the sub-director is John A. Welsh. The building was erected by Thomas Meredith, at a cost of seven hundred dollars. The average at- tendance is twenty pupils.

District No. 8 .- The first school in this district was taught in a frame house on the west side of the northeast quarter of section 29, in the summer of 1864, Miss Harriet Howard being the teacher. At first there were two scholars, who at- tended for two weeks; then one of them dropped off, and the third week William H. Altig was the only scholar. In the winter following, Miss Laura Woodward was the teacher; during this winter the school house burned down, and a temporary structure was erected in its place. A permanent school house was erected in the fall of 1873, and commenced with T. R. Wallace as teacher. The pres- ent teacher is Jennie Wright, and the sub- director is John Wright. The school building is in good condition, and a nice grove is in the lot.

District No. 9 .- The first school house in this district was erected in 1873, in the

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

southeast corner of section 30. The first sub-director was William M. Trailor. In 1883 the building was removed to the center of section 31. It is 20x26 feet in size, and in good condition. The present teacher is Cora Stuart, of Washington township, and the sub-director is William Fudge.

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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