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 97

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 97

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dren-D. W. and a daughter, P. J .; the latter died in 1841, at the age of eleven years, and one week later her mother, also, departed this life. The father after- ward married Caroline Ashley, who lived but three years after their marriage, when he again married; his third wife being Harriet Ashley, a sister of his second wife, who still survives. The father died in 1883.

Jobn Gentle was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 14, 1846. He was reared to the occupation of farming and at the age of twelve years, removed to Hancock county, Illinois, with his parents, William and Jerusha Gentle. William Gentle died in that county, June 6, 1868. His widow now lives at Bowen, Illinois. They had a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. John, the subject of this sketch, is the only one of the sons now living. One son, George W., was killed at the battle of Antietam. Two of the daughters, Mrs. Mary E. Wood and Mrs. Martha A. Matchin, reside in this State, the former in Poweshiek county, and the latter, in Van Buren county. John Gentle was married to Elizabeth E. How- ard, of of Hancock county, Illinois. They have three children-Carrie I., Willis G. and Ralph Waldo, all of whom were born in Franklin township. Mr. Gentle's farm consists of the east half of the north west quarter, and the west half of the north- east quarter of section 36, Franklin town- ship. Ile purchased the first described land of John Connor, October 18, 1875, and the last described, of John Herbert, in March, 1882. Of the first, sixty acres were broken at the same time of his pur- chase. The latter, was mostly broken but

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

not fenced. The farm is now all fenced and under good cultivation, with the ex- ception of eight acres of slongh. He built his residence and other buildings in 1875. Ile has upon his farm, the present year, (1884) seventy-five acres of corn, twenty acres of flax, eighteen acres of oats and twelve acres of wheat. Mr. Gen- tle is a thorough going and prosperous farmer.

George Felt owns and resides upon the southeast quarter of section 23, Franklin township, where he settled in 1875. He purchased his farm in 1872, of Edward Felt, of Galesburg, Illinois. He made the first improvement upon this land in 1873, breaking forty acres. He now has one hundred and fifty acres broken and the entire tract fenced. In 1878 he built his present residence and planted an orchard of one hundred apple trees. Mr. Felt was born in 1852, in Adams county, Illinois, where he was reared upon a farm. His father, Jeremiah Felt, a native of New Hampshire, was one of the pioneers of Adams county, where he still lives. Hle settled there in 1830. George Feltis the only one of his father's family living in Cass county. He was married to Clara *Smith, daughter of Joshua Smith, who can.e to this county in 1865, and now lives in Atlantic. Mr. and Mrs. Felt have two children-Garnet and Stan- ley. Politically, Mr. Felt is a Republican. He is one of Cass county's enterprising citizens.

ORGANIZATION.

Franklin township was a part of the townships of Grant and Turkey Grove until 1870, when the board of supervisors re-organized all of the townships of the

county, making their lines conform to the congressional boundaries. The first elec- tion was held at McClure's school house, on the 11th of October, 1870, and was for township officers. The election warrant, for Franklin was issued to James Morgan, as organizing officer. The officers chosen at this election were the following named: W. W. McClure, James Morgan and Jos- eph Turner, trustees; James Turner, clerk; R. L. Jameson and William Judd, justices; Thomas Whitmore, assessor; D. M. Lyons and William Wood, constables. H. G. Smith and Thomas Whitmore, acted as clerks at this, the first election. The offi- cers in 1884 are as follows: S. J. Roe, William Wood, and Jolin Borchers, trus- tees; William Christie, clerk; Joseph Turner and William Wood, justices of the peace; G. C. Hornby and W. W. McClure, constables, and W. W. Jameson, assessor.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school held in what is now Franklin township was taught by William Judd, at the log cabin of John Eller, on section 20, during the summer of 1857.

An early school was also taught by Hannah Lewis, at the residence of W. W. Jameson, during the summer of 1858.

District No. 1, consists of sections 1, 2, 11 and 12. The school house was built in 1873, and is 18x26 feet in size. Oll Coomes, the well known literateur and writer, was the first director, and Annie Huff, the first teacher. Mary Wood is the teacher at this writing.

District No. 2, embracing all of sections 3 and 10, and the east quarter of sec- tions 4 and 9, is one of the smallest in the township. In this sub-district, a school

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

was taught in the summer of 1860, by Hattie Turner. In the following year a small school house was erected, in which Gertie Disbrow was the first teacher. This building was used until the summer of 1876, when it was sold to Mrs. Sarah Robinson, for a granary, and a new edifice put up. The new building is 22x30 feet in dimension, and cost about $611, to erect. The pioneer teacher in this building was Frank Caruthers. Anna Dalzell, is the teacher the pres- ent year, (1884). William Wood was the first director of the district.

District No. 3 contains the west three quarters of sections 4, and 9, and the east quarter of sections 5 and 8. The first school house was built in 1870, on sec- tion 9, with Miss Annie Griffith as the first teacher. The pioneer school was held prior to this, in a log cabin on the same section, and to Miss Clara Brooks belongs the honor of having been the first to "teach the young idea how to shoot," in the district. In the year 1880, a new educational building was erected at a cost of about $1,500, and Miss Samantha Nord- man was the first preceptress.

District No. 4 has a good school house, erected in 1867, at a cost of $700. It is a frame structure, 22x32 feet in size. W. W. Jameson, was the first sub-director. The district consists of the west three quarter of sections 5 and 8, and all of sec- tions 6 and 7.

District No. 5 embraces all of sections 17, 18, 19 and 20. In the summer of 1860 a school house was erected on the northern line of section 19, which was 16x20 feet in size. This was undoubtedly the first school house in the township. Miss Mary

Cary, was the first teacher. Some ten years ago, say 1874, a new school edifice was built, and the old one was sold to John Eller, who uses it for a granary yet. David Lyons was the pioneer teacher in the new building. and Miss Eliza Hender- son the present one, in 1884. George Magee was the first director in this sub- district. The new building is 22x32 feet in ground area, and was erected at a cost of $625.

The present school board of the district township of Franklin, is composed of the following gentlemen : Oll Coomes, presi- dent ; William Christie, secretary ; Oll Coomes, director from district number 1; J. R. Turner, number 2; William Chris- tie, Jr., number 3; W. G. Edwards, num- ber 4 ; August Seaman, number 5 ; H. C. Odell, number 6 ; S. Sampson, Jr., num- ber 7 ; G. Sandhorst, number 8 ; D. Bal- lentine, number 9, and G. S. Abbott, number 10.

CEMETERY.

What is known as the Jameson ceme- tery, is located on section 7, and was laid out in 1860, W. W. Jameson donating the land. The first interment here was on the 20th of May, 1855, and was the mor- tal remains of Evaline Jameso", the >. daughter of Robert Jameson, who had died the day previous. The second was a child of Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Morris, about the first of July, 1855. The third was the body of a Mr. Whitford, an emi- grant from Indiana to Nebraska, who died July 17, 1856, while passing through the county, and was buried here July 18, 1856. He is buried in the Jameson cem- etery. 'The fourth was that of Adelaide McGeehon, daughter of R. D. and Mary

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

J. McGeehon, who died aged seventeen months, was buried November 12, 1857. It may be noted that there was two inches of snow on the ground that day.

Judd Cemetery is located upon sections 18 and 19. This was never regularly laid out, but was used for burial purposes in an early day, simply for the want of a suitable spot dedicated to the uses this was put to. The first burial was that of an infant child of William and Malinda Judd, in the spring of 1855. The babe was never named, as he died when but a small child. There were only a few graves here, as the burying of bodies here was abandoned, on the opening of the Jame- son cemetery.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first birth in the township was that of a danghter of Mr. and Mrs Jesse Eller, born during the summer of 1854.

The first death was that of Evaline Jameson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jameson, who died on the 19th of May, 1855, and was buried in what is now the cemetery, although it was not laid out until later.

The first ground in the township was broken by Jesse Eller, in 1855, and the first wheat was raised by him the same year.

The first blacksmith in the township was Frank Nordman, who erected a forge during the autumn of 1856, on his farm on section 17.

THE TOWN OF WIOTA.

In the midst of a beautiful rolling prairie, rises the flourishing and growing town of Wiota. Ffteen years ago, this was a clear expanse of prairie, except here and there a lonely farm, but the virgin soil

whereon the town now stands was then unbroken. In 1868, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad, passed this point but a station was not located here until 1872. The town was started in that year; the land upon which it was laid out being the property for the most part, of Franklin H. Whitney. It was not platted or filed for record, for some time, the date upon the records being November 13, 1877, and the owners being set forth as Hoyt Sherman, assignee of B. F. Allen, in bankruptcy, and F. H. Whitney. On the 20th of August, 1878, Mr. Whitney filed for record an addition to the town which is known by his name.

The town is laid out upon the north- west quarter of section 9, and the plat covers about sixty acres.

The first building erected on the pres- ent site of the town wasa dwelling house, just east of where the hotel now stands.

'The second building was moved here from Atlantic, by Frank Whitney in the winter of 1772-3, and was used by Robert T. Young as a place to store grain. The building is now owned by D. P. Lewis.

The first store in the village was kept by T. L. Pollard. A stock of groceries were bought and shipped to this point by R. T. Young and F. H. Whitney, in the spring of 1873. Mr. Young intending to engage in that branch of the mercantile trade, but finding that his other business had already attained proportions as ne- cessitated his full attention, the goods were sold to T. L. Pollard who opened a small store as above stated. Mr. Pollard followed this business for some time, when he accidently fell down the stairs of his dwelling house and was killed.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS.

The first business man to establish him- self at this point was Robert T. Young, who, in December, 1872, commenced to buy grain here. He continued in this business until February, 1884, when he discontinued it, although he still owns one of the elevators.

Robert T. Young, of Wiota, was the the first man to engage in business in this village. In December, 1872, he com- menced buying grain at this point. At that time the only building on the pres- ent village plat was a dwelling house just east of the present hotel. The second building was moved here by Frank Whit- ney during the same winter, from Atlan- tic, in which Mr. Young stored his grain. He continued in the grain business until February, 1884, and still ownes one of the elevators here. He established a lumber and coal trade in 1873 in which he is still engaged. He also bought and shipped the first live stock. Mr. Young is a native of Cortland county New York, where he was born in 1838. He removed when a child with his parents to Pennsylvania, and afterwards to West Virginia, thence to Illinois, where his parents still reside. He was married to Lamira Soul, a native of Vermont, and has always been actively engaged in business.

A second store was opened iu 1874, by Harvey Yeaman.

The third man to open a general mer- chandise store was V. M. Labman, who established that business in 'August, 1875, in the building now occupied by A. Ostran- der. He ran this about three years, when he changed his business to that of bank-

ing, and is the present banker of the town.

Ambrose Ostrander engaged in the general merchandise trade, in Wiota in February, 1878, and still is one of the leading merchants in this line in the town.

Ambrose Ostrander, general merchant, engaged in business in February, 1878. His place of business is located south of the railroad, and his residence on the north. He was born in Columbia county, New York, in 1841. He was reared in his native county, and received bis educa- tion at the Spencertown academy. At the age of twenty he engaged in teaching, which occupation he followed a portion of the time, for a number of years, thus securing means for completing his educa- tion. He studied with the view of enter- ing the ministry of the M. E. church, but did not carry out his purpose until recent- ly. He went to Michigan in 1870 and taught there one year, thence to LaPlata, Macon county, Missouri, where he en- gaged in the same business. He contin- ued there two and one-half years, when, on account of failing health, he was com- pelled to abandon teaching. He then en- gaged in mercantile trade. In 1875 he removed to Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, where he continued the same busi- ness, thence to Atlantic in 1878. He came to this town in 1879. Mr. Ostrander is at present, a local minister of the M. E. church. His wife was formerly Lizzie Knight, a daughter of D. B. Knight of Jefferson county, Iowa.

Horton and Sons, are, also, engaged in the general merchandise line in the town of Wiota, having purchased the interest of E. O. Whitmore, on the 1st of April,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

1884. They keep quite a complete stock of about $8,000, and are doing a fair busi- ness.

The first hardware store in the town was established by Spurrier and Clure, in the year 1876, but Mr. Clure retiring, Mr. Spurrier has continued it alone since, and is the only exclusive dealer in that line of business in the town. He carries a fine large stock of heavy and shelf hardware, cutlery, stoves, etc., and has earned for himself the name of a fair and liberal dealer, and a public spirited gentleman.

W. E. Spurrier, hardware dealer, came to Wiota in 1876, and that same season erected his present store. Ile is the first and only exclusive hardware dealer in the village. He was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1849, and he was engaged in the hardware business several years before coming to Wiota, and served an appren- ticeship at the trade of tinner. His wife was Augusta Barnes, a native of Indiana. They havetwo children-Harriet Augusta, and an infant daughter. He does a cash business of about $15,000, annually.

The first to embark in the boot and shoe business was Thomas B. Scott, in Febru- ary, 1883. He took in as a partner, James Horrigan, who was a practical shoemaker, and who was working at the bench at the time. The building they occupy is 20x30 feet, and is well stocked with a full as- sortment of both coarse and fine shoes, and other foot gear. Mr. Horrigan at- tends to the custom work.

Thomas B. Scott was born in Linn county, Iowa, on the 11th of March, 1841, his parents being James and Mary Scott. He learned the miller's trade there, and was likewise engaged about three years,

when he began farming. In 1873 he left Linn county and moved to Nebraska, where he remained about eleven months, when he came to Cass county and located on a farm about six miles southeast of Wiota, and there remained until 1883, when he began his present business. Mr. Scott has a fine stock, and is making his mark in the world by his good manage- ment and upright business interests. He was married in February, 1868, to Martha J. Elrod, a native of Indiana. They have had two children-Edith, and a son, Roy, who died in Angust, 1876. Mr. Scott's residence is at Wiota, but besides this he has a residence on his farm, where his wife died in May, 1880.

Martin Rorah, one of the present repre- sentatives of the grocery business, en- gaged in this line of trade on coming to Wiota, in 1879. He handles staple and fancy groceries, flour and feed, candies, tobaccos, etc., and has a fine trade.

Martin Rorah was born in Butler coun- ty, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1828, and is the son of Jacob and Margaret (Hohu) Rorah. Martin was reared and educated in his native county, and when grown to man- hood he followed the occupation of farm- ing. In 1868, he went to Henry county, Illinois, where he still followed the life of a farmer until September, 1879, when he came to Wiota, Cass county, Iowa, and has since been engaged in business. He was united in marriage in 1849, in Pennsyl- vania, to Louisa Bork, a native of that State. They have been blessed with nine children, seven of whom are now living- Maggie, now married and lives in Cass county; Frank, living at home; John, Charles, Elmer and Ida. William J.,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

died in 1852, aged two and one-half years, and Mary Jane died in 1863, at the age of twelve years. Mr. Rorah owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land, southeast of Wiota, in Franklin township, but his residence and business are in town, while he owns other town property. He is a man of substantial character, and is highly esteemed as a business man and companion.

Among the other business men in the general grocery line in this thriving town is James M. Foster, who commenced busi- ness in April, 1883.

The lumber business was initiated by T. L. Pollard. Robert T. Young one of the dealers, and the most prominent ones, of the present, established this line of trade in 1873, in connection with the' handling of coal. He has continued ever since, and has a large and increasing trade.

W. F. Lahmann is also engaged in the coal and lumber business which he started about 1880.

Dr. J. I. Pogue came to Wiota in the fall of 1877, and engaged in the practice of medicine, and in 1878 esteblished his present drug businese.

The pioneer blacksmith of Wiota was T. M. Woodson, who set up a shop here in the spring of 1873. This line of busi- ness is ably represented by Joseph Turner, one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the county, and one of the representative men of the district.

Joseph Turner, the present mayor of Wiota, came to Cass county at an early day, and has ever since been generally known to its citizens as a man of sterling worth and strictest integrity. He was |

born in Derbyshire, England, October 15, 1827, and is the son of Robert and Hannah Turner. When Joseph had reached his thirteenth year, his parents concluded to make their future home in the New World, and accordingly took passage for the United States. Arriving on America's shores, they selected for their home a point in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. Here the father estab- lished himself in his business of black- smithing, and here Joseph, who was an apt student, spent his time in acquiring that skill, dexterity and thorough knowl- edge at his trade, which his father, a trained artisan, was so well capable of im- parting. Though his progress at his trade was all that could be desired, Joseph de- termined to avail himself of the opportu- nity offered to all in this country, of securing to himself a portion of the public domain, and accordingly in 1855, he came to this county and entered a quarter section of land in Pymosa town- ship. On returning to his eastern home, the impression made upon his mind by the supposed future prospects of the county in which he had taken up his claim, so deepened, that he determined to make it his permanent home. And the spring of 1858, found him located on his land, making improvements and tilling the soil. In 1860 he went to Colorado, but after a stay of one and a half years, returned. In 1862, he exchanged his farm for one on section 3, Franklin township, of which he still retains the ownership. In January, 1860, Mr. Turner's parents followed his footsteps to this county, and settled in this township, on section 3, where they continued peacefully to reside

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

till death called them away. In 1878 he took up his residence in Wiota, and opened an establishment for general blacksmith- ing; and numerous are the people in the vicinity who can testify to his skill at this, his chosen calling. Mr. Turner was married September 22, 1864, to Mary C. Chandler, a native of Ohio. They have five children living-Joseph R., Philip, Millward, Jane and George. They have been bereaved by death in the loss of two sons-Samuel and Frank. Mr. Turner has been successful in a business way, and his residence is one of the finest in Wiota. He is one of the solid and substantial men of the town, and is held in high esteem. His fellow-citizens have shown their confidence in him by choosing him for the responsible position of mayor, for which he is well fitted by integrity and experience.

William Christie, Jr., was elected in the fall of 1880, and has since served as township clerk of Franklin township. IIe was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 13th of September, 1847, and is the son of William and Jeannette (Alex- ander) Christie, both natives of Scotland. When five years of age, William moved to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he was reared and educated. After attend- ing the common schools he went to Beloit college to finish his education. He then be- gan teaching, and was thus engaged about two years, when he attended a two years course at the Oshkosh Normal school. In 1876 he came to Cass county, and first taught a number of terms at Marne, and there remained until coming to Wiota, where he entered the grain business. Car- rying out that business about four years,

he then began investing money, and has since been engaged in that occupation. Mr. Christie was married in April, 1881, to Miss Margaret Wood, a native of Illi- nois. They have one child-Ralph Waldo. Mr. C. was elected to the position of supervisor of Cass county, in the fall of 1883, and has also held the position of sec- retary of the school board.

The harness business is represented by J. G. Irwin. This was the first harness shop established in Wiota, the date of its establishment being January, 1878.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice at Wiota was established in 1873, and Oliver Coomes was commis- sioned as the first postmaster. He held it but a short time, and has been snc- ·ceeded in turn by T. L. Pollard, Thomas Whitmore, J. C. Whitmore, John Irving, and the present incumbent, Ichabod A. Boyd. Mr. Boyd came to Franklin town- ship in 1873, and settled on a farm on section 16, where he lived until he came to Wiota. He was appointed postmaster on the 12th of July, 1884.

SOCIETY.

Wiota lodge, No. 346, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, was organized April 20, 1876, by J. P. James, P. G., of Anita Lodge, No. 262, with the following char- ter members: Oliver Coomes, P. G .; James Kempley, W. W. McClure, Theo- dore Jones, Joseph Turner, Hamilton Hemphill, George Ragan, James Morgan, Albert Beason, Nathaniel Bruyn. At the organization the following officers were installed: James Kempley, N. G .; Ham- ilton Hemphill, V. G .; Joseph Turner, Secretary; Theodore Jones, P. S .; Na- thaniel Bruyn, Treasurer. The present

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

officers of this order are: D. D. Hunt, N. G .; James Horign, V. G .; James Mc- Dermott, Jr., Secretary; Frank Nordman, P. S .; E. M. Brooks, Treasurer. The pres- ent membership of this lodge- numbers about fifty.

CORNET BAND.

The Wiota cornet band was organized in June, 1883, with E. V. Burke, of At- lantic, as musical director. The organiza- tion at that time was composed of the following members: T. L. Malone, James Horign, F. M. Lahman, Joseph Turner, Edward Brimm, William McClure, George Whitmore, Frank Odell, W. S. Foster and D. D. Hunt. The band is now conducted under the leadership of A. G. Irwin, with F. M. Lahman treasurer, and J. M. Horign secretary. It is a band superior to that usually found in places of this size, and is, indeed, a credit to the town. At present the band is made up of the following

members: J. M. Horign, solo B-flat; Joseph Turner, first B-flat; F. M. Lah- man, second B-flat; Fred Holcomb, first alto; Russell Ballentine, second alto; Henry Blood, first tenor; Charles Woods, second tenor; William McClure, baritone; F. M. Odell, tuba; William Roe, snare drum; Robert Roe, base drum and cym- bals.

MUNICIPAL.

Wiota was incorporated as a town in the spring of 1884, with the following officers: Joseph Turner, mayor; T. L. Ma- lone, recorder; G. C. Hornby, marshal; T. B. Scott, street commissioner; William Christie Jr., D. D. Hunt, I. A. Boyd, Wil- liam Chambers, John Irwin, E. O. Whit- more, town council. The officers at pres- ent remain the same, with the exception that V. M. Lahman and Orren Horton serve in the place of William Chambers and E. O. Whitmore as councilmen.

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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