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 76
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
is a son of D. P. and Priscilla (Harrison) Peerman. D. P. Peerman was a shoe- maker by occupation, and died in Virginia. Mrs. Peerman also died in that State. The subject of this sketch spent his early life, and obtained his education in his na- tive State. He prepared himself for the ministry of the Protestant Methodist church and was ordained November 5, 1857. He began his ministerial labors in Virginia and continued preaching there until after the war, occupying one pulpit during the whole time. He came to Cass county, Iowa in 1867, and settled in Brighton township, near Atlantic, on rail- road land. Here he improved a farm which he subsequently sold; and bought more land, which he also improved and sold. He then went to Shelby county and bought a farm on which he located. Dur- ing his residence there he preached in that county, also at Marne. Heremained there two years, then by request of the church at Marne, came here and remained one year in charge. He then built up a circuit in Pottawattamie county, of which he has charge, although a resident of Marne still. He was married in Marys- ville, Virginia, November 18, 1841, to Mary Jane Terrell, a native of that State, daughter of William and Mary (Blankin- shift) Terrell, who died in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Peerman have had six children, four of whom are living-Mary P., born in 1844; James A., born in 1850; Thomas F., born in 1854, and Lelia V., born in 1861. Mr. Peerman is a man of much ability, an earnest christian and a success- ful worker in the vineyard of the Master.
E. C. Thompson, manager of the drug store in Marne owned by Dr. Emmert,
was born in Bureau county, Illinois, Jan- uary 14, 1855, and is a son of John and Jane ( Swaney ) Thompson. He was reared and educated in his native county, subsequently taught school and in 1879, turning his footsteps toward the setting sun, came to this county and stopped first at Lewis. He then came to Marne where he taught school for a time, and then engaged in his present business. He was married December 29, 1881, to Ella Spangler, a native of Illinois. She re- ceived her education in Bureau county, of that State, and was also a teacher. She was a daughter of Jacob and Jane (Clark) Spangler. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one child-Jay V. They are members of the Presbyterian church and own a resi- dence in the northern part of the village, where they now reside.
Paul Weise was born in Germany, on the 1st of October, 1833, and is a son of Hans and Catherine (Snow) Weise, both of whom died in Germany. Paul Weise emigrated to America in 1852, and settled in Scott county, Iowa. He was engaged in farming in Scott and Clinton counties until 1870, when he came to Cass county and settled upon his present farm. It is located on section 33, of Brighton town- ship, and contains one hundred and sixty acres, the improvements upon which have all been made by Mr. Weise. He is at present engaged in general farming. October 7, 1862, he enlisted in company A, of the Sixth Iowa cavalry, and served until October 17, 1865. He was mustered into the service at Davenport and out at Sioux City. During his long term of service he saw much of the hardships of a soldier's life, and participated in many
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
engagements and skirmishes. He spent five months at Fort Randall, suffering from seurvy. He returned from the army to Clinton county, where he was married November 13, 1868, to Mary Shields, daughter of Hans Shields, and a native of Germany. She came to America in 1866. They have six children-Nan- nie, Dora and Emma, twins, Catherine, William and Ella. Mr. Weise is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Rev. W. M. Van Vleet was born in Knox county, Illinois, April 2, 1858. He removed to Page county, Iowa, in 1858, and is of Holland descent, on his father's side, and Scotch-Irish, on his mother's. His father was born in the State of Ohio in 1825, and removed to Knox county, Illinois, in 1837. He joined the Metho- dist Protestant church in 1840. He began preaching at the age of twenty- five and after moving from Illinois was one of the pioneers of Republican Meth- odism in western Iowa and eastern Ne- braska. He continued in the ministry until recent years, and is now on the superannnated list, and living on a farm in Shelby county, Iowa. His mother was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1832, her maiden name being Axtell. She removed to Knox county, Illinois, in 1842, where she was married to Mr. Van Vleet in 1850. She died March 17, 1871, and was buried in Mills county, Iowa. W. M. Van Vleet's early life was spent in the western part of Iowa, his school advantages being very limited, but with his mother's instrue- tions he learned to read, spell and write, at an early age. After his mother's death he was left as the architect of his
own fortune. He attended the public schools of Glenwood, Iowa, for a time and began life as a teacher, at the age of seventeen, in Montgomery county. He made teaching his occupation for four years, and applied himself to a diligent study of various branches, but especially mathematies, logic and theology. He received license to preach from the Ne- braska conference of the Methodist Prot- estant church, in 1879, and was appointed to Seward circuit. While pastor of this work he was also principal of the Utica schools, in Seward county. On March 31, 1880, he was married to M. C. Wen- rich, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, a graduate of the public schools of that place. At the close of the conference year, Mr. Van Vleet was transferred to Iowa, and appointed to Osceola station, for one year and was principal of Spring Hill schools, in 1882, his wife teaching the primary department during that time. He was pastor of a church at Prairie City, Iowa, one year, and has just entered upon the second year as pastor of the Marne station. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Vleet. The oldest, William Perry, was twenty-three months old when he died and was buried at Prairie City. Albert Carlton was born February 19, 1883, and is yet spared to them.
HOTELS.
When IJans Simonsen came to the town site of Marne, he put up a small board shanty back of where his barn now stands. Here he boarded the carpenters while his hotel was being built. In 1878 he com- menced business in his new hotel, and conducted the same until 1881, when
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he rented it to Joe Caulkins, who ran it till September 1, 1884, when Mr. Simon- sen again resumed proprietorship. The main building is 22x34 feet in dimensions, and three stories in height, with an "L" 24x23 feet in size, and two stories high. It also has a basement, which is used as a harness shop. There is also a kitchen 22x20 feet in size. There is also another building in connection with the hotel, 14x26 feet. The basement of the main building is used as a dancing hall. The house is well furnished, and can furnish good accommodations to travelers. Mr. Simonsen has an ice-house in connection with the hotel.
SOCIETIES.
Lodge Ancient Order of United Work- men, No. 218, was organized August 26, 1880, with the following charter mem- bers : Isaac Armstrong, Henry Gordon, Merritt Hewitt, S. H. Sankey, J. H. Gar- land, John Findlay, John McEachim, H. J. Eusden, William Lansing, Henry Buch, Edwin Wheeler, S. W. Woods, Robert Woods, H. Simonsen, Edward Coats, F. A. Vogt, A. R. Campbell, O. Remien, W. Trailor, W. Altig and George Lansing.
The first officers were : R. Woods, P. M. W; E. Wheeler, M. W .; John Findlay, F .; M. Hewitt, O .; H. J. Eusden, recorder; O. Remien, financier; William Lansing, Rec .; A. R. Campbell, guide; H. Gordon, I. G .; E. Coats, O. W.
The present officers are: Henry Gordon, P. M. W .; E. Wheeler, M. W .; George Lansing, F .; Cornelius Warner, O .; O. Remien, Rec .; M. Hewitt, F .; F. A. Vogt, guide ; H.Simonsen, I. W .; H. J. Eusden, R; L. Struthers, O. W .; William Trailor, trustee.
Since its organization the lodge has not gained largely in membership, but has maintained a fair condition.
A Post, Grand Army of the Republic was organized at a meeting held Febru- ary 2, 1884, by Henry Fry, mustering offi- cer from Atlantic.
Twenty-five members formed the organ- ization, whose names are : W. W. Cop- ley, A. R. Campbell, Daniel Fleming, A. B. Gray, Meritt Hewitt, Frank Herbert, Louis Kellogg, Adolph Koch, John Lam- phere, William Lansing, George Lansing, W. H. McCain, S. A. Miller, M. B. Nuss- baum, James Olds, J. C. Stnart, Luther Struthers, Monroe Seymour, O. A. Still- ings, G. R. Stephenson, R. A. Swearinger, Joseph Toulouse, T. M. Van Kirk, J. C. Willson and Paul Weise.
The first officers elected were: J. C. Stu- art, P. C .; Merritt Hewitt, S. V. C .; W., H. McCain, J. V. C .; M. V. Nuss- baum, adjutant; T. M. Van Kirk, quarter- master; John Lamphere, surgeon; W. W. Copley, chaplain ; S. A. Miller, O. D .; Paul Wiese, O. G .; Frank Herbert, sur- geon-major; J. A. Wilson, Q. M. S.
The officers remain the same, with the exception of the officer of the day, which is now filled by O. A. Stillings.
Since the organization of the Post, one new member has been added to the roll, Samuel Dody, while none have severed their connection with it ; so that there are now twenty-six members. They have also five applications for membership, the petitioners being as follows: Henry War- ren, E. A. Noon, J. S. Huhn, John Duave and Ernest Gasnick ..
J. R. Kirk
2
1
Melicent Kerk
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Meetings are held in the A. O. U. W. hall, on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
The Post is in a prosperous condition; and a commendable degree of interest in its welfare is manifested by the members.
POSTOFFICE.
The Marne postoffice was established in 1876, and the first one who held the posi- tion of postmaster was Julius Langfelt. He held the office till 1877, when John Pipher was appointed, and served for two years. In June, 1879, J. L. Harvey took charge, and he has held the office since that time. The office was first at its pres- ent location, in Harvey's store, but when Mr. Pipher was postmaster he removed to the south part of town. When Mr. Har- vey took the position he changed the loca- tion to his store again. The office was made a money order office July 1, 1878, and now issues about $15,000 in money orders per year. The first money order was made out on that day for Jo- seph Shaw to Henry Dart's Sons', Rock Island, Illinois, and was for fifty dollars. The first one was paid July 22, 1878, to W. P. Allen. It was issued to N. R. Watkins, at Sedan, Kansas.
EDUCATIONAL.
Up to the spring of 1876, there had been no school held on the site of Marne, but at that time a subscription school was started, whose sessions were held in the upper floor of a building near Remien's store, with Miss Hall as teacher. This school was continued until the public school building was erected.
A German school was started in the fall of 1879, by J. P. Roth in Simonsen's Hall, whence it was subsequently removed to the upper floor of Simonsen's implement building. Mr. Roth was a well educated man, and kept a good school. He remain- ed in charge until his death. On Mr. Roth's decease, he was succeeded by Rob- ert Heinemann. He, in turn, was follow- ed by F. Buetmiller.
RELIGIOUS.
The Protestant Methodist church of Marne was built in 1879. The first pastor who presided over the spiritual welfare of the church was Rev. William Rems- burg, who remained one year; he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Wesley Sparks, who was thie pastor for one year; the next was the Rev. G. E. Ranze, who served two years. Rev. William Van Vleet, the present pas- tor, succeeded him. The membership of the congregation is not large, but its affairs are in good condition.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIII.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Previous to 1870, the township of Wash- ington, as a distinct sub-division of Cass county did not exist; but when in that year, the country was re-districted to make the congressional and civil townships co- incide, the territory thus taken off of Brighton, Cass and Pymosa was formed into a separate township and the name of Washington given thereto. The territory thus set off comprises all of township 76, north, range 37 west. The order for elec- tion to organize and elect officers was given June 11, 1870, and the election was accordingly held in October, at Watson's school house, John A. Spoor being the organizing officer. At this election offi- cers were chosen as follows: clerk, E. D. Hawes; assessor, M. W. Watson; road su- pervisor, Eli Watson; trustees, William Worth, B. D. Shepherd and M. Kirkpat- rick. The new township started with a population of four hundred and sixty- eight souls, and the land being good for agricultural purposes, this number was quite rapidly increased; so that, in 1875, a population of five hundred and ninety- nine was living within its borders. The census of 1880 gave Washington six hun- dred and eighty-one people, making a gain of nearly fifty per cent. in the ten years since organization. But this result is not surprising when the excellent advantages of this township are taken into considera
tion. Water courses for the drainage and irrigation of the land are so plentiful that hardly is there a section without its run- ning stream, large or small, to supply it with that prime necessity of any agricul- tural region-water, and also to carry off the surplus in times of heavy rains. In- dian creek, commencing in Audubon coun- ty, first tonches the township at the line be- tween sections 5 and 6, flowing with an al- most southerly course, leaves the township from the southwest quarter of section 32. Spring creek, having its source so near the north line of the township that Brighton can have bnt little credit for the part her rivulets take iu forming the stream, flows southward till it passes into Cass from the southwest quarter of sec- tion 33. Then the waters of the Nishna- botna, largest of all, first enter Washing- ton on their downward course, at the east line of section 12, and flowing southwest- wardly, pass into the township below from the southwest quarter of section 35. Good roads intersect each other fre- quently, most of them at right angles, and many of them following the section lines. There is no postoffice nor market place in the township, but the reason for this is very plain, as good towns are within a few miles from any side of its boundaries. The Atlantic Southern railroad passes through the southeast portion of the
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
township. Shady groves, both natural and artificial, good improvements, the best of lands and well-kept farms, with the beauties and advantages already men- tioned, go to make Washington one of ยท the brightest of all Cass connty's series of townships.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The title of earliest settler, so far as Washington township is concerned, must be given to George Reeves, as when he came to the territory now embraced within her limits, no living thing was there to dispute his title, save the wild animals and game that had undisturbed possession since the retirement of the aborigines in their course toward the set- ting sun.
George Reeves came in 1851, and set- tled on section 35. He built a cabin, but otherwise made very few improvements. George did not have one of the best of reputations, and was not to be relied on. He died in the county, while driving along in his wagon, in 1856. His was the first burial in the township. When he came here, his last location had been Warren county, this State.
Johnson Brandom came in the winter of 1851-2, and settled on section 27. He died in the county, and shortly afterward the family removed to California.
Thomas Coon came in October, 1852, and settled on section 26, on land now owned by Thomas Bell. In the summer of 1853 he removed to his present loca- tion, on section 13. He was born in Fair- field county, Ohio, September 20, 1814, He is the son of George and Mary (North) Coon. Both of his parents were natives of Tennessee; they died several years ago,
in Wisconsin. When seventeen years of age, Thomas went to Indiana with bis parents, and resided in that State till com- ing out here. He was married there in February, 1849, to Jane Porter, a widow, whose maiden name was Burns. They had two children-Elizabeth and George. Elizabeth married Henry Bagley (de- ceased) and now resides in Atlantic. George lives with his now aged parents, and provides for their wants. Mr. Coon is a strong Democrat. He says he was "born a Democrat, and will die a Demo- crat." Mrs. Coon will be seventy-five years of age in March, 1885; she is active, does her own work, and can see to thread a needle without glasses. Mr. Coon re- members many little incidents of early days. He tells of one occasion when 3,000 Mormons passed his place on their way to Salt Lake, Utah.
Wade Hampton Holt came from the southern States in 1853, and took up his residence with George Reeves. He re- mained here after Reeves' death, but in 1857 returned to the Sunny Sonth. He afterward joined the Confederate service, and was killed in battle.
James M. Watson came in the fall of of 1855, and bought a claim of George Reeves. This land is now owned by James Walker. Mr. Watson was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1817. When he was nine years of age, his parents removed to Indiana, where they remained about eight years. They then went to Henry county, Iowa. After a residence of three years there, he went to Missouri, where he was married to Sarah Viney, in 1840. He then returned to Henry county, Iowa, and spent his time there and in Madison
1
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
county until he came to this county. On coming here, he commenced to deal in Cass county lands, which business he car- ried on quite extensively. He had resided here two years when the accident occurred which caused his untimely end. He was chasing a wolf, one afternoon in January, 1856, and when near Spring creek, his horse threw him, fracturing his skull. This occurred about three o'clock in the afternoon, and when found, at 11 o'clock P. M., he was dead, whether having per- ished with cold or been killed by the fall, it was never known. His family still live in the county. He was a brother of W. M. Watson, who lives on section 31.
John A. Spoor was born at Alburgh, Vermont, February 19, 1835. His father, Allen Spoor, died in that State in 1842. At the age of twelve years, John went to Massachusetts and joined an older brother, Nelson G. Spoor, in Middlesex county, where he remained for seven years. Nel- son G. Spoor, about 1850, went to St. Louis, and soon after to Council Bluffs. In 1853 he, in company with Stephen G. Carey and Wm. Dickerson, became owner of the town site of Iranistan, including the mill property. IIe (Nelson G.) then wrote for his brother John A., the subject of this sketch. to come here, which he did, arriving in Iranistan August 24, 1854. He went to work in the mill, and con- tinued there until nearly spring, then he hired out to work upon the farm now owned by Wilson Smith. The first land he purchased was eighty acres on section 18, Cass township, which is now owned by Mrs. A. Davis. He also bought, the same fall, 1854, forty acres on section 19. In the spring of 1855, he bought one hundred
and sixty acres on section 31, Washington township, which he commenced improving the same year. In October, 1855, he re- turned to Massachusetts, and there, on the 21st day of that month, was married to Louisa M. Haynes, who was born in Middlesex county, March 23, 1835. They came immediately to Cass county, and spent the following winter at Indiantown. March 17, 1856, they settled on Mr. Spoor's land on section 31. He has since that time sold his north eighty acres, and purchased land south of the township line on section 6, Cass township. The farm contains two hundred and forty acres. He owns, also, ten acres of timber land on section 29, Washington township. He has valuable improvements and a highly desirable farm. Mrs. Spoor died, Decem- ber 19, 1883. They had two daughters- Jennie and Jessie, who, since the death of their mother, have been their father's housekeepers. Jennie was born April 28, 1860, and March 5, 1882, was married to Fremont J. Henderson, who was born in New York, July 20, 1858. He came here from Wisconsin. Jessie, the other daugh- ter, was born August 16, 1863. Mr. Spoor has held the office of justice of the peace and road supervisor. In the spring of 1877, he rented his farm to G. I. Chizum, and removed to Council Bluffs. The Octo- ber "following, he returned to Iranistan, and worked in the mill during the winter. In the spring of 1878 he returned to his farm.
William M. Watson was born in Tip- pecanoe county, Indiana, on the site of General Harrison's famous battle-field, February 4. 1837. His father, Dr. Paschal Watson, turned the first furrow on "Pretty
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Prairie," near the battle-field. His brother, Jesse Watson. of Atlantic township, was the first child born in that vicinity. The date of his birth was 1828. In 1838, Dr. Paschal Watson and his wife Eleanor (Jenkins) Watson, removed with their family to Henry county, in this State. There Dr. Watson operated the first ferry on Skunk river, at that point. In 1841, they moved to Davis county, Missouri, where in the spring of 1850, Dr. Watson died. His widow died in August, 1868, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Abigail Bell, in this township. Of the nine children who came with them to Iowa, five are now living-Jacob, in Kan- sas; Mrs. Abigail Bell, widow of E. B. Bell; Eli, living in Lewis, where he set- tled in 1855; Jesse, a resident of Atlantic township, and William M., the subject of this sketch, who, with his mother's family returned from Missouri to Madison county, Iowa. In 1856, he accompanied by his mother, his sister Abigail and her hus- band, E. B. Bell, came to Cass county,. and settled in Washington township. His brother, James M. Watson, settled here in 1854, and January 31, 1856, was thrown from his horse and killed, while engaged in hunting wolves. The widow of James Watson now lives in Audubon county, with her son, Henry M. She has two other sons, Paschal and John, who are both residents of this county. William M. Watson bought his present farm, on section 31, Washington township, in Feb- ruary, 1866. It then contained eighty- seven acres, which he has since increased to one hundred and ten acres. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have four children living- Kittie E., Edward E., James C., and John
M. Mr, Watson is a public spirited citi- zen, always taking an interest in whatever concerns the public welfare, and never since he became of legal age has he failed to cast his vote at any election where he was entitled to that privilege. Since his residence here he has been peculiarly un- fortunate, having met with a continued series of accidents. June 18, 1856, he was severely cutin the right knee joint by an accidental blow of an axe, in the hands of Judge William Dickerson. In conse- quence of this injury he was confined to his bed till February, 1857. In October. of that year, he was attacked with typhoid fever, and for one hundred and ninety-six days was unable to leave his bed. Since taking up his residence on the farm, he has had two houses destroyed by fire, the first one in 1872, and the second one, which was built on the same foundation, in 1876. In March, 1873, he lost ninety- six hogs by cholera, and has lost five. horses in one season.
In the spring of 1856, William Marshall settled on section 35, on land now owned by James Walker. He remained one year, when he removed to Missouri. About two years after his removal to that State he died. He was a native of Vir- ginia.
James Black came in 1856, and located on section 5. He soon took up a claim on section 10, and built a cabin,
James Blake was born in Ireland, in 1831, and when fourteen years of age, he came with his parents to America, and located in Philadelphia, where he remain- ed but a short time, when he went to Delaware. He there remained but a few months, when he returned to Chester
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
county, Pennsylvania, and was there rear. ed to inanhood. In 1856 he came west with a sister and two brothers, to search for a location, upon which to build them a house and buy a farm. They came directly to Cass county, and made a set- tlement in what is now Washington town- ship, where they built a small log house, in which they lived some time. In the fall of the same year, James bought a piece of land on section 10, where he erected a small cabin. He went to Colo- rado in 1861, and there mined for two years, when he went to Montana, and was there engaged in mining until 1866, when he returned to Cass county, and settled on the farm he had previously purchased. He has since added to his farm one hun- dred and sixty acres, making in all, three hundred and twenty acres, which he has nicely improved, and has planted some fine trees, of both shade and fruit. Mr. Blake was married in 1867, to Mary Gan- non, also a native of Ireland. They have one child living-Mary.
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