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 92
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Thomas Lloyd, born on January 1st, 1822, is a native of England. He was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits when a young man, and commenced work as a
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stone mason when quite young. He was married in 1845, to Margaret Merideth, a native of Wales. They have six chil- dren-Samuel T., Emily, Esther, Mary, Isabella and Martha. The children have all been teachers in the public schools, and Samuel is now an attorney in Kansas. Mr. Lloyd came to Cass county in 1868, and bought land on section 20. He has since purchased the land adjoining, and now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land all improved, and has erected one of the finest frame houses in the town- ship.
George W. Wakefield, the son of George W. W. and Mary (Clare) Wakefield, was born near Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, June 26, 1853, and in the following year, when he was but an infant, his parents moved into Cass county. He was reared here on these beautiful prairies and has grown up, so to speak, with this his adopted home. When he had attained a suitable age he commenced attendance upon the primitive schools of that transition period, in the rude log cabin that is seen by so many eminent men in the glamour that memory throws around their early days, as their only alma mater. Here George received the elements of his education, going to school during the short days of winter, and in the summer helping on the farm, for in pioneer days, all had to labor for the advancement of the family. Shortly before he had attained the full years of manhood, he felt inclined to start out on life's pilgrimage, alone, working for his own hand, and giving his father some fifty dollars for three months of his time, he purchased a team of his father for two hundred dollars, on credit, and
rented a part of his father's farm, and fed cattle in partnership with his father and brother. This he continued for three years, and having succeeded well at his first venture, he purchased a tract of land lying south of Anita, containing one hundred and twenty acres, which he had broken a year later. Here he built a good dwelling house, and a barn, set out a grove and made some other improve- ments. This place he still owns. During the hard times of 1876, and the failure of crops in this locality that ensued, he was obliged, by adverse circumstances, to sell off his personal property, and went to work, heroically, to make enough to pay off the indebtedness against his farm. After working out, by the month, for three years, and renting the place to the best possible advantage, he succeeded in clearing off the mortgage on the 1st of October, 1879. He now borrowed some money to buy some young cattle and some corn, and commenced to feed. Mr. Wakefield has transacted one of the largest businesses in the cattle and stock line in southwestern Iowa, and some of his deals were simply enormous. Great natural shrewdness, excellent business ability, coupled with industry, persever- ance and energy soon raised him to a position of easy competency and comfort. In 1881, finding that cattle had become so high that there was but little money in the handling of them, and great risk, he retired from the business. He then pur- chased some four hundred acres of land, in Edna township, which was then in a wild state, but, now he has about three hundred acres under cultivation, has erected a fine cottage surrounded with
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neat barns and other outbuildings, and the place looks thrifty and prosperous. George W. Wakefield and Lizzie Boggs were united in marriage on the 26th of June, 1882, at Red Oak, Montgomery county, Iowa. The lady is the youngest daughter of Henry Boggs, of that place. Of this union there is one child, a sunny, winsome lass, whom its happy parents call by the name of Maude. Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield are among the most prominent people in the township, if not the whole county.
In 1870 John M. Roberts bought eighty acres of land in Edna township, Cass county, and the next year he brought his family and settled on section 32, and partly improved his farm. He has since purchased three hundred and twenty acres of good land, all improved, and has fine cattle and other stock. He is a native of England, and was born on the 9th of October, 1841. When he was about eleven months of age his parents came to Amer- ica, and located in Pennsylvania, where they lived six years, when they came to Wis- consin and located in Lafayette county, where he remained some time when he went to Shelby connty, Illinois. He at- tended the Seminary at Shelbyville, and a commercial college until 1865, when he was engaged in farming in the summer and teaching in the winter. He was married in 1866, to Frances E. Shepard. Her father Henry W., was a native of Massachusetts. They have four children living: Jessie Lolo, now a student in the Normal School at Dexter; Lulu May, Frank H. and Ralph S.
Albert S. Bright came to Cass county in 1871, and in 1873 he purchased land in
the southwest quarter of section 6, where he remained until 1882, when he sold that land and now resides on the northeast quarter of section 6. He was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, on the 2d of August, 1853. His father, Silas Bright, was a native of Pennsylvania, and mar- ried Sarah Rhodes, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Bright settled in Indiana when quite yourg, being among the early settlers, and made Indiana his home until his death, which occurred in 1865. Albert farmed until 1871, when he came to Cass county, and bought eighty acres of land, and buying a few acres at a time until he owned four hundred acres of good land, which he improved. In 1882 he sold his place, and bought his present location. He married on the 14th of October, 1874, to Laura J. McCue, a daughter of John and Esther McCue. They have three children-Frankie, Charlie and Annie. Mr. Bright is a member of Centennial Lodge, No. 395, A. F. and A. M. He has been prominent in the affairs of his town- ship, and has been treasurer for several terms.
John Leslie was born in county Done- gal, Ireland, seven miles from London- derry, in 1833. When he was seven years of age he came to this country with two elder sisters and located in Philadel- phia, was educated in the public schools. In 1856 he came west to Cass county, where his brother, Joseph Leslie, then lived. In 1862 he enlisted as a volunteer in company I, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and was soon afterwards discharged for disability. He then went to the moun- tains and was engaged in mining two years, and returned home to Cass county,
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Iowa, and bought a farm in Edna town- ship, where he still resides. In 1869 and 1870 he was a member of the board of supervisors of the county, and in 1874 and 1875 was assessor of Edna township, and afterwards school treasurer. In 1878 he was married to Mary E. Cudney, a native of New York State.
George L. Edwards settled on his present farm in the spring of 1871, where he has improved the land, has set out an orchard and has one of the finest groves in the township. He was born in Pike county, Illinois, on the 4th of March, 1846, and is the son of Amos and Nancy (Hash) Edwards. When George was about six years of age, his mother died and his father and himself moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where he lived until 1859, when he came to Iowa and settled in Edna township, and after mak- ing his home with his brother-in-law for a short time, went to Union county, where he engaged in farming. In 1863, he was engaged with the Western Stage com- pany and was so employed nearly a year. In 1863, he enlisted in company D, Second Iowa Cavalry, and served in the army until September, 1865, when he was discharged with his regiment and returned to Edna township, where he remained a short time, when he went to Knox county, Missouri, and remained in that place until coming to his present location. Mr. Edwards was married in August, 1867, to Minerva Lockett, a native of Illinois. They have been blessed with five chil- dren-Walter L., John A., George Lewis, Ethel A. and Roscoe.
Timothy Saunders, one of the promi- nent and substantial men of Cass county,
came to Edna township in 1871, and pur- chased five hundred and twenty acres of land with his brother-in-law, T. T. Lewis. He lived on section 21 until 1875, when he removed to section 22, where he now resides. He was born in Ireland, in 1838, and in 1858 immigrated with his parents to America, locating in Lafayette county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. When he was twenty-five years of age, he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, and was so engaged until 1871, when he. came to Cass county, where he has since resided. Mr. Saunders was married in 1864 to Catherine Shey, a native of Vir- ginia. They are the parents of seven children-Catherine, Mary, John, Bessie, Joseph, Maggie and Nellie.
Hugh Kimpson came to Cass county in 1872 and located in Noble township, .where he purchased wild land on section 35. In 1881, he disposed of this land, and in 1884 purchased his present farm on section 31, Edna township. He was 'born in Ireland on the 25th of December, $1834, and when four years of age came to America with his parents, who located in .Warwick county, Indiana, where they remained . about five years. In 1843, the family came to Iowa and located in Wapello county, where they were among the early settlers and his father purchased land and farmed until 1851, when he went to California. In 1853, he started for home, but died before reach- ing his destination. Hugh made bis home with his mother until 1853, when he was married to Margaret Priest, also a native of Ireland. They have been blessed with four children-William, Belle, John and Hills. Mr. Kimpson
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enlisted in 1862, in company E, Seven- teenth Iowa Infantry. IIe participated in the battles of Corinth, Iuka and sev- eral others. He served ten months and then re-enlisted in company C, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, serving until 1866. After his returo from the army, he located in Decatur county, Iowa, for two years, when he went to Kansas. After a short sojourn there, he returned to Montgomery county, and a year later came to Cass county.
Joseph Saunders was born in 1844, in Ireland, and when ten years of age his parents emigrated to America, settling in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and he was there reared to manhood. He received his education in the district school, near where he lived on a farm, and there worked with his father until 1879, when he came to Cass county and bought land on section 21, Edna township, where he is chiefly engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. Saunders was united in mar- riage in 1881, with Helen Steward, who died nearly a year after her marriage. He was married soon after to Helen Phalen, a native of Canada, her parents now resid- ing in Kansas.
Among the prominent and more intelli- gent men of Cass county, we will not fail to give space, to the history of William Lindsey, who is a member of the board of trustees of Edna township. In 1872 he came to his present location on section 33, and purchased good land, and is now known among the best farmers in the county. Mr. Lindsey is a native of Ful- ton county, Illinois, born on the 2d of August, 1841, and is the son of Stephen and Alietha (Martin) Lindsey. His father
was a native of IIamilton county, Ohio, where he was among the pioneers ; and his mother was born in North Carolina. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and in 1858, he moved with his family to McDonough county, Illinois, where he married, in 1873, Eliza Cooper, a native of New York State. They have been blessed with one child-Mamie. In 1876, his house was struck by a tornado, which blew it into pieces. The family, except himself were in the cellar, where he started to go, but was canght, and when they discovered him, his limb was broken, and he was otherwise injured. His house has been replaced by a good and comfortable dwelling, which is much admired by those who see it.
William M. Langue, is a native of Ten- nesssee, born on the 27th of November, 1821. When three years of age his parents moved to Illinois, and soon after settled in Cass county, where he was reared and educated. He moved to Mason county in June, 1843, and was married in 1844, to Matilda Skipton, a native of Ohio. He purchased a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a time. In 1848 he learned the trade of a plaster mason, and was engaged in that capacity until 1871, when be came to Cass county, Iowa, and settled in Union township. He bought land on section 10, and built a nice house, where be remained until 1877, when he removed to Edna township, and purchased a farm on section 20, and built a fine house, and has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Langue have eight children: James J., John H., Samuel S., Lucinda J., Emma L., William O., Harriet and Susan. He
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was elected township trustee in 1878, and has been chairman several terms.
James M. Newcomb came to Cass county in 1864, and located in Edna township, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of land, and intends to make stock- raising a specialty. He is a native of Waldo county, Maine, and was born on July 12, 1845. When he was about eleven years of age, his parents removed to Iowa, and located in Adams county, where his family were among the early settlers. In 1863 he went to Minnesota, and located in Rice county, where he re- mained until the fall of 1864, when he came to Cass county. He was married, in January, 1866, to Mary J., daughter of J. A. Keith, and a native of Richland county, Ohio. In 1866 he bought eighty acres of land, and lived in a small log cabin, which had previously been erected, and lived there until purchasing his land upon which he now resides. In 1875 he bought a ditching machine with a capstan, but after a short experience, he concluded to do away with the capstan, which he did successfully, and has ever since been running his ditchers, with twelve yoke of cattle to each machine. For three years he ran three or four teams. In the spring 1884, he sold out to C. S. Grinsted, who had worked in the ditching business for him the summer of 1880, and who is now running six or seven teams with cattle. Mr. Newcomb now turns his attention to stock raising, having some thirty or forty colts and mules, some cattle, sheep and hogs. In the summer of 1880 he bought some cattle and land in Washington coun- ty, Kansas, and now owns considerable of both in that region. In the year 1884 he
broke about three hundred acres there. He is fitting up the place as a stock ranche and farm for his boys. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb are the parents of seven chil- dren - Charles W., Mary A., Dexter S., Achsah M., Emma and Laura. Little Jimmy left them, aged one year and nine months.
RENO.
This village was platted in 1876, by Edward Porter. It is located on the northwest quarter of the northwest quar- ter of section 21, and the northeast quar- ter of the northeast quarter of section 20, and was surveyed by Samuel Harlan. In 1882 Mr. Porter made an addition to Reno, surveyed by T. J. Townsend, which was filed for record April 14, 1884.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE.
J. J. Stein was the first merchant at Reno. He commenced business in 1876, and still operates quite a large stock of general merchandise.
Breen Brothers are also extensively en- gaged in the mercantile business, handling the usual assortment of goods that go to make up what is known as a general mer- chandise store.
Breen and Dyer established their busi- ness at Reno in June, 1882, and in Novem- ber following Mr. Breen bought the inter- est of Mr. Dyer, and the business is now conducted by the firm of Breen Brothers.
The elder brother was born in JoDaviess county, Illinois, on the 8th of June, 1858, and there remained until 1879, when he came to Cass county, and was here en- gaged in the cattle trade until 1882, when his business was established. Robert F. was also born in Jo Daviess county, on
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G
the 4th of September, 1859. He is a grad- uate of the Davenport college, and for several years was engaged in a drug store at Shullsburg, Wisconsin, and in 1881 he came to Cass county, Iowa, and became a member of the present firm. He was elected township clerk in 1882, and is giv- ing great satisfaction, as being one who understands his duty.
BLACKSMITIIS.
John Dyer, Sr., opened the first black- smith shop at Reno in 1876, and later sold the same to James Newcomb, who rented it to William Smith, who carried on the business about three years. The business is now conducted by John Dyer, Jr.
Joseph McCaslin commenced blaek- smithing at this place in the spring of 1883, and is still here.
WAGON SHOP.
The first business of this character established at Reno was by Jacob Wal- ters, in 1876. He has conducted the busi- ness continuously since that time, and does custom work and general repairing.
Jacob Walters was born in Pennsyl- vania, on the 12th of December, 1821, and was there reared to manhood. IIe was married in 1842 to Susanna Weister, a native of Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania. The following year he com- menced to learn the wagon-maker's trade with his brother-in-law, and in 1848 he moved to Clarion county and bought a farm, where he lived until 1868, when he sold his place and moved to Missouri. There he worked on a farm and at his trade until 1876, when he came to Reno, Cass county, and was there engaged in working at his trade. Mr. and Mrs. Wal-
ters have seven children-John, Philip, Albert, Edward, William, Alfretta and Hayes.
MILL.
The Reno flouring mill was built by A. J. Stewart in 1837. It is a frame structure 16x32, with sixteen foot posts, furnished with two run of stones, one for grinding wheat and one for corn, and has bolts for making flour. At present the mill is ope- rated by John Archer.
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
A terrible tragedy occurred at the little village of Reno, on the night of Septem- ber 9th. Jacob Steen, the late postmas- ter, shot his wife and then himself, both being dead when found. Mr. Steen and wife were at their little store across the street from their home until 9 P. M. They walked home, and apparently happily. Nothing unusual was noticed in Mr. Steen's manner. He sat and talked awhile with Dr. Snelson before going to hed. The Steen family had lived on the site of Reno, several years. They had two chil- dren, both dying in infancy. Mrs. Steen's maiden name was Sain. She was a daugh- ter of Christopher C. Sain, of East Rush- ville, Ohio. Her parents are still living- very old. The news of the double death was telegraphed them by Albert S. Bright. Mr. Steen's father lives in Reno, and his two sisters, Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Har- vey Reed, live in the country, and all have the heartfelt sympathy of the people of the county in this terrible affliction. The deceased husband was a prominent citizen of Edna township. He held the office of secretary of the school board for eight years; was a leader in Sunday school work and was a member of the Masonic frater-
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nity. He made a good postmaster and had very few enemies of any kind. He was undoubtedly suffering from tempor- ary insanity when he committed the great tragedy. He was of a nervous, active temperament, and his mind was certainly for the time unbalanced. Wall Roberts, a son-in-law of Mr. Steen, was in partner- ship with him in the store.
EDNA POST OFFICE.
This office was established in 1853, with W. S. Townsend, postmaster, and was on the route from Afton to Iranistan, the mail being carried on horseback. When Townsend went away, John Irwin was appointed postmaster, who kept the office at his residence on section 21. He was afterwards succeeded by Samuel Whisler and he by Cyrus Newlon. It was re- moved from here to Seven-Mile, or New- ton's Grove and later discontinued.
CEMETERY.
Edna cemetery is located on the north- west of the northwest of section 21. As first laid out it contained one acre, dona- ted by Edward Porter.
HISTORICAL.
The grove now known as Edna, was originally known as Round Grove. It obtained its present name from Edward Porter, who called it after Mrs. Town- send.
The first religious services were held at the residence of W. S. Townsend, in 1854, by Rev. James Rand, a Methodist Episcopal minister.
An early birth of Edna township was Edna A., daughter of William F., and Elvina (Mathews) Brenton, who was born Angnst 10, 1855. She is now the wife of Thomas A. Black and resides on a portion
of the old homestead. She is the only person born at that early day in the county still living at her birth-place.
The first death in the township was an infant child of W. S. Townsend.
The second death which occurred in the township was that of Mary Miller, dangh- ter of Branch Miller, June, 1854. She was a young lady eighteen or nineteen years of age. Benjamin Archer con- structed a coffin from sideboards taken from his wagon. She was interred on the present site of Edna cemetery.
The first marriage in Edna was that of John Dyer and Mary E. Porter, daughter of Edward and Clarissa (Powell) Porter, at the home of the bride's parents. Judge Dickerson performed the ceremony. These parties are both dead.
EDUCATIONAL.
The pioneer school of Edna township was held at the log cabin of William S. Townsend, in the winter of 1854-5. It was a subscription affair and to Nancy A. Brenton belongs the credit of being the first teacher. Another term was taught by R. M. Donaho at the same place, dur- ing the summer of 1855.
An early school house in the township was built at Edna Grove in 1860. Rich and Stinson, of Fontanelle, were the con- tractors, and the building cost $312.50. Mrs. Frances Starling taught the first school in this house.
School district No. 1, comprising sec- tions 1, 2, 11 and 12, has a school house on the southwest corner of section 1. The first teacher in this building was Eliza McDermott. Prior to this, how- ever, the first term of school in the dis-
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trict was taught by Mary Lloyd, in 1878, at the house of Benjamin Auxier.
The first school house erected in dis- trica No. 2, was during the year 1871, on the southeast corner of section 10, The pioneer teacher in this building was Alice Porter. The school house was afterward removed to a point nearer the center of the district on the south west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 10. The present building was erected in 1882, on the northwest corner of section 10. Louisa Kirkham taught the first term of school in this house. The district is now composed of sections 3, 4, 9 and 10.
School district No. 3, embraces sections 5, 6, 7 and 8. The present school house, the first in the district, was erected in 1883. The first school was taught there- in in the fall of that year by Martha Lloyd.
The first school taught in district No. 4, was by Gertrude Disbrow, in a log cabin owned by John Irwin, at an early day. In 1861 or 2 a frame building was erected on the southeast quarter of section 20. Mary A. Whisler and Sophia Mills were early teachers in this building, which was destroyed by fire, January 1, 1873. In 1875 the present house was erected on the northeast corner of section 19, Emily Lloyd teaching the first term of school in . this house. The district is composed of sections 17, 18, 19 and 20.
The Center school district of Edna is known as No. 5, and includes sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. The first school taught in this district was at the log cabin of Wil- liam S. Townsend, on the northwest cor-
ner of section 21. It was a subscription school, taught by Nancy A. Brenton, dur- ing the winter of 1854-5 and was the first school in the township. In the summer of 1855, R. M. Donaho taught at the same place. In 1873 quite a large frame house was built in the district. Sophronia Whisler was the first teacher in this building.
Sections 13, 14, 23 and 24 comprise the territory now known as district No. 6. The first school house in this district was erected in 1861, on the southeast quar ter of the southwest quarter of sec- ion 14. In the summer of 1862 the first term of school was taught in this house by W. F. Brenton. There were twenty-two scholars in attendance. The house was a frame structure and still in use.
The first school house erected in dis- trict No. 7, was in 1877, located on the northeast quarter of section 35, the pre- sent site of the school. The pioneer teacher in this house was Lillian Brooks. At present the district is comprised of sections 25, 26, 35 and 36.
District No. 8 embraces sections 27, 28, 33 and 34, and has a school house on the southeast corner of section 28, which was erected in 1876. S. T. Lloyd was the first teacher in the building. The first school held in the district, however, was at the log cabin of James M. Newcomb, on the northeast quarter of section 28, during the winter of 1874-5. Mary Lloyd taught the school, and is, therefore, the pioneer teacher of the district. The fol- lowing year a temporary frame structure was built, which was used till the present building was erected. Kittie Bolger was
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