USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 38
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 38
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LIME SPRINGS STATION
is, next to Cresco, the most important one in the county, both as in regard to population and amount of business transacted. It is . located on the southeast quarter of section twenty-nine, in the township of Forest City, on the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and about ten miles northwest from Cresco.
Laid out with fine broad streets, whose sides are fringed with stately trees and smiling cottages, or busy marts of trade and commerce, the town presents a charming appearance, and well deserves the encomiums lavished upon it by its citizens. The place has grown with a growth that in rapidity has scarcely a parallel. On the location of the depot of the railroad not even a single house was erected, but in the course of a few short months a flourishing town had sprung into existence, and what had been the pasture of the flocks and herds, echocd to the noise of artisan and mechanic, and the hurrying of tradesmens' feet.
In the spring of 1868 the town was born, as has been said, on the decision of the railroad company to place a depot at this point, and was known as Lime Springs Station, although the gov- ernment called it Glen Roy postoffice to distinguish it from the older town, for many years.
Among the first merchants to settle, were: Peter Velie, jr. general merchandise; S. L. Carry, the same; John T. Cameron, produce; W. F. Daniels, groceries; J. E. Foster, furniture and undertaking; C. C. Hewitt, hardware; Joseph Knowlton, hard- ware and stoves; H. P. Marsh, lumber; M. M. and A. E. Marsh
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
drugs and medicines; Ohlguist Bros., boots and shoes, and Alonzo M. Pettit, groceries and confectioneries.
The first wagon makers to locate and open up places of business were Henry D. Brown and William P. Reynolds, but which of these is the predecessor, is uncertain.
Lorin J. Johnson was the first to make and sell harness in the town, and the date of his settlement is identical with the birth of the village.
D. M. Fuller was the first architect and builder, and Drs. John W. Reed and Joseph N. Medbery the pioneer physicians.
Among the first places of business opened in the town Miller & Son's extensive livery stable and dray and 'bus line must not be forgotten.
The postoffice was established in March, 1868, and James Green- leaf commissioned as postmaster, but from some cause he held the office but about one month, when he resigned it, and Alonzo M. Pettit was appointed in his place, and still enjoys the emoluments of the office.
The Presbyterian church, a large frame structure with oval window frames, was erected in the year 1870, and is now under the able ministration of Rev. P. S. Helms, who is loved and revered by all in the community, both in and out of his church. The interior of the building is well finished, with frescoed ceiling, and is well carpeted, possesses a fine organ and services are well attended. In the spire, which adorns the front of the building, hangs a silvery toned bell that calls the devoutly inclined to worship.
The Baptist denomination also possess a neat and tasty church edifice, wherein Elder C. E. Brown holds forth occasionally, and Elder Benedict, on the alternate Sundays, holds regular services, and administers the rites of the church when the occasion de- mands. This edifice was erected about the same time as the other church.
The school building is a fine large brick building, and contains three rooms, and stands in a large open play ground. The tutor- ship is vested in T. Dexter, principal, and Misses Libbie Smith and Hattie Johnson. There is also a fourth department, located at the old town under the supervision of Miss Ida Cheseboro.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The schools have an average attendance of fifty scholars, and present a remarkably high grade of study. The standard of the schools owes much to the efficiency and ability of Mr. Dexter, who has direct oversight of all the departments. His method of imparting instruction is novel, and is calculated to impress the knowledge desired upon the mind of the pupil to a surprising degree.
The incorporation of the town of Lime Springs Station, dates .. from May. 1876. At the first election held in that month, W. P. Daniels was elected mayor; Peter Velie, jr., recorder, and H. P. Marsh, Ole Tistleson, G. Somsen, C. E. Hamlin, and J. F. Thomp- son as members of the council.
Mr. Daniels did not see fit to qualify and assume the office, to which he was elected, and J. F. Thompson acted as mayor, pro tem., until May 29th, when a special election was held for the purpose of electing a mayor to fill the vacancy, and J. E. Foster was elected and immediately assumed the duties of the office.
At the first meeting of the council, held after he had assumed the chair, S. A. Miller was appointed marshal; Peter Velie, jr., treasurer, and H. C. Hewitt, collector.
At a meeting held May 30, 1876, it was resolved to build a jail or calaboose for the use of the city, on lot 11, block 1, and in accordance with the resolution work was begun, and the building erected in the succeeding month.
The city officers, at the present writing (March, 1883), are:
W. F. Daniels, mayor; Charles Gorst, recorder; L. J. Johnson, F. M. Clark, Ole Tistlason, W. H. Farrar, Joseph Knowlton, and Thomas Gates, councilmen. But at the election, held this month, however, W. F. Daniels was re-elected mayor, Charles Gorst, recorder, and A. S. Lambert, and J. F. Thompson, as councilmen. in the place of Messrs. Knowlton and Gates, who retire to the shades of private life.
Lime Springs Station has a population, according to the census of 1880, of 468, and the old town. Lime Springs, 225.
The only manufacturing interest in the village is the Lime Springs Manufacturing Company's Works. Here are made all kinds of buggies, wagons, and agricultural implements, and is doing an extensive and remunerative business. A. A. Sage is the
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
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head of the concern, and it is owing to his energy and persever- ance that the company is on its present footing. The large brick structure on the eastern limits of the town is well filled with work in the process of being manufactured.
Among the societies established in the town, the
LIME SPRINGS LODGE, NO. 122, A. O. U. W.,
is the most popular, possessing a large membership. It was organized in the year 1876, and is in a very flourishing financial condition. Meetings are held the first and third Fridays of every month, and are well attended. The officers are:
J. D. Brown, M. W .; J. T. Smith, financier, and W. H. Farrar, recorder.
MASONIC.
Howard lodge, No. 214, is an old established organization, and possesses a fine lodge room. About forty brothers, in good stand- ing, are reported as the present membership. G. M. Van Leuvan is the worshipful master, and A. D. Prescott the senior warden at present.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
"TOWNSHIP HISTORY; LOCATION AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS OF SAR- ATOGA, PARIS, AFTON, JAMESTOWN, HOWARD CENTRE, ALBION, NEW OREGON; EARLY CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, MILLS, AND SET- TLERS THEREIN.
SARATOGA.
The history of this township is given by H. D. Noble, so fully, that we can do no better than quot it almost entire. He says: "Saratoga township consists of congressional town 99, range 13, and belonged before its organization to Jamestown.
"The first settler that pitched his tent therein was Jared Sigler, who settled on Crane creek, in July, 1854. In the winter follow- ing, Chas. Salmon, claimed the southwest quarter of section twenty, and laid out the village plat of Saratoga. The town first organ- ized in the summer of 1858, and the first election was held in October, of that year. Thomas J. Gibbons, was elected justice of the peace, and John R. Buckbee, town clerk. The whole number of votes cast at that election was but fourteen.
"In the summer of 1858, Rev. Coleman organized the first Con- gregational church.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
"During that same year the first school was also opened and was. taught by Miss Emma Seeley.
"This town is situated on one of the finest portions of Crane- creek. Running as the stream does, through the whole length of. the township, makes Saratoga as well watered as any section of country need be. The timber being confined to the banks of the. creek.
"The prairie is low and grassy for the most part, still many fine,. warm and dry farms are mingled with the beautiful grass lands in. right proportion for successful farming, in all its departments."
PARIS TOWNSHIP.
Is located on township 98, range 12, and the north half of town- ship 97, range 12, and contains 54 sections. The first settlers, of which there seems to be any record or rememberance, were Thomas Griffin and Patrick Richards, who located in the year 1855.
They were followed, in 1856, by J. I. Sturgis and others, in the early spring and for many years thereafter the place was known. as "Sturgis Point." The town was organized from New Oregon, in 1858, and at the first election, P. Smith was elected justice of the peace, and P. Griffin, town clerk. Twenty-two votes were polled in all.
During the winter of 1857-8 a school was opened for the rising generation, and I. C. Chamberlain wielded the- Birch and
"Full many a whisper, circling round,
Conveyed the dismal tidings, when he frowned."
In 1857, a post office was established at Sturgis' Point, with J. I. Sturgis as presiding genius.
This township is beautifully divided between grove and prairie, and well watered, as, indeed is all the county, by never failing. springs. Running diagonally through the southwest corner of the town is Crane creek, and abundant grass lands seem to point that the hand of Providence intended this land for grazing, for nowhere can finer beef be made than on the bottom lands and high prai- ries of this section.
AFTON TOWNSHIP.
Consists of town 98, range 14, and north half of town 97, range 14, and was settled by A. Pooler, in the fall of 1854, set off from. Howard, to which it was heretofore attached, in 1858, and organ -- +
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
ized in 1858 as a seperate township. A. M. Cowan, and R. Wooten were elected justices of the peace. Forty-eight votes were polled at this election.
In 1858,the Methodists organized a church and under the minis- tration of Rev. W. Patterson made quite a mark in the history of those early days.
Tradition hath it, that, in the cold winter, of 1856, two men of this town W. Glass and Van Amburg, not being able to resist the benumbing effects of hypoborean winter were frozen to death.
HOWARD TOWNSHIP
was first settled by W. S. Pettitone, in August, 1854. It was first organized as a township with Afton, and then occupied congress- ional town 98, range 13, north half 97, range 13, town 98, range 14, and north half of town 97, range 14.
The date of this organization was 1856, but in the spring of 1858 it was divided into two precincts, the eastern one being called Howard, the western, Afton. Under the new organization, F. E. Day- ton and W. S. Pettibone were elected justices of the peace, and Jas. Hall, town clerk. Eight votes were all that was polled at this election.
The post office village at Busti, is the only approach to a town in the township, and it was here that a settlement was started by a colony from Erie, Pa., but it never grew beyond a tidy collection of houses, and still languishes, and awaits the great future.
JAMESTOWN TOWNSHIP.
While hunting through the musty records of the past for the' history of this town, the following article, from the able pen of Mrs. E. V. Bennett, was found in the files of the Cresco Times, and as it covers all the ground, we have taken the liberty to quote freely from it, feeling that no efforts of ours could more fully cover the ground. In speaking, first of the topography, the article says:
"The main body of our woodlands is on sections 7, 8, 17, and 18, and constitutes what the earliest settlers at Wentworth, Mitchell county, named Round Grove, from its appearance at that distance. This timber consists of jack oak, burr oak, poplar and basswood, with a small portion of elm, maple and butternut.
"A brook zig-zags along the western line of sections 7 and 18, in the latter of which it unites with Spring creek (which in section 19 has another small tributary). Thus linking the springs and
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
narrow water courses of the northwest portion of the township, this stream crosses our west line in section 30, and a little further on is merged into the Wapsipinicon.
"That wealth of timber in Round. Grove explains the fact that emmigration first centred there, and commenced at that point our historical outline. -
"The brook called by settlers, the Little .Wapsie, rises near the centre, and runs south about midway through the township. This slender stream has no timbered margin within our limits, yet it also attracted settlement, and was bordered with pre-emptions.
"Township 99, north, and range 14, west of the 5th principal meridian, was first sttled by whites in 1854. That year Messrs VanHoughton, Niles, Shaw and son broke a few acres of ground and started their log cabins in Round Grove. Before that date the surveyors foot alone had threaded its section lines; though the wild beasts of the wood and prairie had long before laid claim to these solitudes, and without filing their intentions had preempted the entire wilderness.
"The Teeple brothers came from Canada in the spring of 1855. and located on section 6, which the four brothers George, Ed- ward, Stephen and Albert, pre-empted."
Tliese settlers seem to have been immediately followed by Ed. Irish and Samuel Hallett, who, however did not stay long, but sold out to actual settlers.
Willis Spencer was the next, with his three sons-in-law, David Patterson, 'Thos. De Moss and Lucius Fassett, who all came in June of the same year, a colony of eighteen persons. In quick order followed Wm. and Dennis Rice, James E. Bennett and others. A party (who came with Bennett) erected a steam saw mill, which they had brought with them, and commenced operations in February, 1856 furnishing lumber for a number of pre-emption houses. This mill, however, was a losing investment, and it was finally sold at auction, and taken to the Upper Iowa. The first case tried in the Howard county court, Rice & Bradford vs. Cutting, grew out of this mill property.
The company who constituted the mill party, were Jas. A. Cut- ting D. P. Bradford, Jno. Moffitt, and Lyman Southard, who all locatad claims within the present boundaries of the town. These parties date their incoming from the fall and winter of 1855, and before the new year had dawned Milo S. Torsey, Chas. D. Cutting,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Hazen Ricker and John Fiefield had joined this little squad of hardy pioneers. We must not forget to mention Asel Wilmot and Luther Titeum who are beleived to have located also this year. The year 1856 saw a large emmigration, most of those who settled being from New York, and the New England states. The most conspicuous names being Darius and Smith W. Seeley, the first named being afterwards county judge. It is said that in the spring 1858 the actual settlers on pre-empted land-pre-emptors as they were called-numbered sixty-three. Again we quote from Mrs. E. V. Bennett's article:
"A meeting was called January 1, 1856, to name the township, after some discussion it was named for the two persons who were then supposed to be the equal owners of the steam mill; (Bennett and Cutting).
"The first birth was that of Marcus DeMoss, April 12, 1856. The first death and burial was that of Mrs. D. Patterson, in June, 1857.
The first marriage was, is believed, that of Miss Martha Cassety to Ralph Watson, in December, 1858, Elder Griffin, a Baptist minister officiating. The first and only singing school was taught in the winter of 1867-8 by Dr. Stockwell."
The first election held in the township was during th presiden- tial election of 56; but the following spring, April 7, an election was held for township and county officers, with the following re- sult:
W. E. Thayer and D. Patterson, constables; H. Ricker, Asel Fasset and Smith W. Seeley, town trustees; and Willis Spencer and Darius Seeley, justices of the peace.
Among the first things mentioned, must not be forgotten the first school. This was opened and taught by Miss Jane Chandler, in a barn, on section 27, during the year 1857. This school was not at the public expense. The first public schools, were two, opened during the summer of 1858, one taught by Miss Mary St. John, the other by Miss Cassety. "The first school house" says Mrs. Bennett, "was built of logs, in Round Grove, in 1857."
In regard to early church matters the same article has some very interesting matter from which we glean. It seems that Seeley and St. John walking home from Rices, where they had been attend- ing a Sabbath school, talked of the matter of establishing a Sun-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
day school nearer home, circumstances favoring them a class was formed which developed into a Congregational society of thirteen members, organized by Rev. W. Coleman. Meetings were held alternately in the houses of Deacons Seeley and St. John, and afterwards contiuously in the school house a number of souls of being added in the interim.
The Methodists, while many of the early settlers were of that faith formed no class until 1869, when Elder Mapes, organized a society of fifteen members. In 1874, the Methodists dedicated a church in Riceville, a commodious and attractive gothic struc- ture.
The Baptist interest is quite an entensive one, and is embodied in a Riceville church beyond the boundaries of the county.
The hotel was opened in 1870 by James Hendricks on the north- west quarter of section thirty.
The first post office was established in 1856 at the steam mill, with D. P. Bradford to handle the letters. This post office after being moved to the house of Erastus Leache, where it was burned and never re-established, but removed to that part of Riceville that lies within the boundaries of Mitchell county.
HOWARD CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
In 1877, Laban Hassett, one of the older settlers and for many years county surveyor, wrote a history of this town, which was published in the Cresco Times from which we freely quote, by permission. The account recites, in the first place, that H. K. Averill, deputy U. S. surveyor, says in regard to to the section in question.
"This township, lying as it does, at the head of one of the main branches of the Turkey river, is remarkably smooth and even. It is possessed with a preponderance of first-rate soil, and is tolerably well watered by creeks and marshes. There are but few springs in the township. No minerals are found, within its boundaries.
"Settlement was first made in the eastern part of the precinct, in 1855 by Royal O. Thayer, who arrived in April of that year."
Immediately following him we find the names of Alfred Eldridge and Willard E. Thayer, as pioneers of this section. In 1855, came also Ira Eldridge, who at once proceeded to erect a store, having brought with him a stock of goods. It was with great
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
difficulty that he obtained lumber for the purpose of building his store.
A small part of it he got from Harlows mill at New Oregon, and the balance he brought from the Mississppi river, except the studs and rafters which later were hewn out of poles cut in the grove.
The roof was made of lap shingles, split from oak timber. Early in September, he opened his stock of goods. He also pre- empted the northeast quarter of section 36.
Michael Creamer and Patrick Mullen were also among the pioneers of that year, and Mr. Hassett reports that in the following year, viz:
In 1856, that there were added to the population, of the town- ship about forty pre-emptors; among whose names we find those of Wm. Conery, John F. Thayer, Wm. A. and Calvin F. Webster, Henry A. Cook, Laban Hassett, Lawence Long and others.
In the spring of 1856, John F. Thayer, commenced the erection of a hotel, where Howard Centre now stands, which was so far completed on July 4th, that it was used for a dinning room and . dance hall, although the sesond story was not yet up.
"The 4th of July," says Mr. Hassett, "was celebrated in a grove south of the creek, where seats were very conveniently arranged for the attendants.
"The principal speakers were James G. Upton and M. V. Bur- dick. Mr. B. delivering the oration. Allusion was made to the fact, that the camp fires of the Indians had been but recently ex- tinguished, and yet, about 200 persons were in attendance to cele- brate the nations birthday. New Oregon and Vernon Springs. furnishing a large portion of the assemblage."
The town of Howard Centre (which now boasted of a hotel and store,) was laid out and platted, and put upon record. The acknowledgement of the plat bears date December 1, 1856, and is signed by Calvin F. Webster, Jno. F. Thayer, and wife, Thomas R. Perry and wife, W. E. Thayer and wife, and Royal O. Thayer and wife.
A hack was run to Decorah for the accomodation of individ- uals, and to bring supplies.
The fall of 1856, having been very dry, the infant settlement suffered much damage from prairie fires, and winter setting in with
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
the greatest int. . ity, and is remembered to this day by those who experienced it, as the coldest they ever knew, many of the poor settlers suffered much. Many of them had not time to finish their houses, and were poorly protected from the wintery blasts. Several persons were frozen to death in the awful "blizzard" of the 13th of December, among them Wm. Niles of this town.
Thayers hotel was burned on the 5th of February, 1857, when the air was so filled with snow flakes, that his neighbors half a mile distant did not see the flames.
Mr. Hassett relates that, "a school was in session in the hall, taught by W. B. Stone, and the fire caught from the stove pipe. Mr. Thayer was absent in the grove, after timber to build a barn, and when he reached home took in the situation; he commenced hum- ming a tune in a manner peculiar to John F., and said: "Well I may as well draw this stick up there; I shall need a shanty to live in;" and accordingly left the timber by the burning coals. He had the hotel rebuilt, larger than before, and in readyness for occupation by .the 4th of July next."
The first post office was established in March, 1857, and Henry A. Cook was the first postmaster. He soon resigned, and was suc- ceeded by A. M. Pettitt.
"The order for the organization of Howard Centre township, isssued to John F. Thayer, by Judge Upton and attested by E. Gillett, was dated March 13th, 1857." The first election was held at the house of J. F. Thayer, on the 6th of April, 1857, at which twenty three votes were polled.
Frank S. Trew, was elected Justice of the peace; Ira Eldridge, Chas. H. Wood and Calvin F. Webster, township trustees; T. R. Perry, township clerk; R. O. Thayer and O. A. Bunker, consta- bles. The judges of this election were C. H. Wood, J. Webster and Jno. F. Thayer; and the clerks, T. R. Perry and William A. Webster.
At the organization of the township school board,""May 7th, 1857. O. G. Talmage, was chosen president, Thos. R."Perry, secre- tary, and C. H. Wood, treasurer. The meeting was adjourned for four weeks to take into consideration the erection of a "school house.
The first tax levied in the township was voted on the first day of June, 1857, for the purpose of building a school house.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
During the spring of 1857, a Sunday school was established at Howard Centre, through the agency of the American Sunday school Uuion. L. Hassest was the Superintendent, with Mrs. T. R. Perry as assistant. Rev. John W. Windsor, preached at Howrad Centre, once in two weeks during a large part of 1857-8, and Rev. C. E. Brown, in 1858.9.
Howard Centre was made the county seat of Howard county, by Judge Upton, and the records were removed there in October, 1857 and remained there, until the locating of the seat of county government on the hill, between New Oregon and Vernon Springs, in 1858.
The Northern Light, a six-column folio sheet, published by Geo. W. Haislet was started in the fall of 1858, and continued to be issued for about a year. From its advertisements, it may be learned, that R. O. Thayer kept a livery, and J. W. Walters solici- ted patronage as a carpenter and builder.
The first marriage ceremony solominzed in the township was by S. L. Hassett, justice of the peace, who on the 11th of May, 1859, united in wedlock, B. F. Benson and Melissa Halsted,
The first child born in the Tp. was C. F. Bunker, advent on Ociober 1, 1856, added a prospective voter to the county. The first girl was Irene E. Eldridge, born on Sunday, May 17, 1857. The first death was that of Mr. Wm. Niles, frozen to death, Decem -. ber 13, 1856, as related before.
The Howard Centre cemetery was laid out in June, 1863, the first person interred therein being Mrs. Harriet, N. Talmage, who, in an unfortunate state of mind, had drowned herself in the Turkey river near her house. This happened on the night of .Nov. 1, 1862.
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