USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 27
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
266
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
actual failure the trouble of getting it to market, and the price received, left nothing to show for the labor expended. This experience led the farmers to en- gage in diversified farming in which they have generally been very successful.
POPULATION-PRESENT OFFICERS
According to the census of 1915 Fredericksburg Township had a population of 644. Those who are serving as township officers in 1917 are : H. E. Wuttke, J. R. Whitcomb and E. A. Ellison, trustees ; D. B. Nourse, clerk ; S. P. Moore, justice of the peace : J. N. Coleman, constable ; F. W. Whitcomb. assessor.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Amount on hand January 1, 1916 $2,002.59
Received from County Treasurer 2,188.88
Disbursements 3,227.4I
$4.191.47
On hand January 1, 1917. 664.06
$4.191.47
1
CHAPTER XIII TOWNSHIP HISTORY-CONTINUED
CHICKASAW-DEERFIELD-WASHINGTON
CHICKASAW TOWNSHIP ESTABLISHED AT COUNTY ORGANIZATION, 1855-LARGELY TIMBER LAND-CHICKASAW TOWN PLATTED, 1854-FIRST SAW AND GRIST MILL IN COUNTY-FAILURE TO SECURE RAILROAD BLIGHTS TOWN PROSPECTS, BUT STILL REMAINS PLACE OF HISTORIC INTEREST-TOWNSHIP POPULATION, 1915-PRES- ENT OFFICERS-TRUSTEES' FINANCIAL STATEMENT-DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP OR- GANIZED, 1856-FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-EARLY SETTLERS-TRADITION OF INDIAN MASSACRE-POPULATION, 1915-TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1917-TRUSTEES' STATEMENT, 1916-WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP-TROUBLE ABOUT ORGANIZATION- QUESTION ABOUT LEGALITY OF VOTE, AND OTHER DISPUTES, MARK THE TOWN- SHIP'S EARLY HISTORY-FIRST SETTLERS-AGRICULTURAL ADVANTAGES-GENERAL FEATURES-POPULATION, 1915-TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1917-FINANCIAL STATE- MENT, 1916.
Chickasaw Township was one of the three townships established when the county organization was effected. The date of organization and establishing the boundaries of this township was at the first session of the County Court, March, 1855. As the boundaries of Chickasaw Township were established at that time the territory included all of town 95, range 14 and 13. At the February term of court, 1857, the township was divided, range 13 being organized as Dayton Town- ship, leaving Chickasaw Township to consist of range 14, west, of town 95, which now comprises the area of this township.
Chickasaw Township contains thirty-six sections of as fine fertile lands as can be found in the county. It is well watered by the west branch of the Wapsipini- con River, and by the Little Cedar, and their affluents, and is located in the central west part of Chickasaw County, the east line being on the border dividing Chicka- saw from Floyd County. In the early days the western part of this township was covered by a fine growth of timber: next to Bradford this was the best tim- bered portion of the county. This timber was mainly bordering along the streams. covering the low lands and the adjacent hills. The advantages afforded by this timbered section as a source from which material for the construction of houses, as well as the fertile lands surrounding, appealed to the early settlers as a most
267
268
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
desirable location ; as a result Chickasaw Township was among the earliest of the permanent settled portions of the county. A very considerable revenue was derived in the early days from this fine timber. Saw mills were located in this section, many of them being operated by water power afforded by the swift cur- rent of Cedar River, and the lumber manufactured was sufficient to supply other parts of the county in building material. But the insatiable greed of the saw mill, and the industrious wielding of the woodman's axe, made rapid depletion of the fine forest, and in time this finely timbered country was a land of stumps and small brush. These were soon cleared away and the ground put into a fine state of cultivation of various kinds of crops. Fine houses and farm buildings, and fine farms were developed in the section of country where the early settler located in the forest and built his log cabin.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
The historian usually finds it difficult to obtain reliable and undisputed testi- mony as to the first settlers in a community. Even when the time when the first settlement was made is not far in the past there is likely to be a variance in the statements of the "oldest inhabitants," upon whom one must usually depend for such information. From the best information obtainable the statement may be ventured that the first, or at least among the first settlers in Chickasaw Township were Jerome Watson, Abram Cagley, Russell Baldwin, James Fee, Joseph Fee. William Bartlett, Joel Bartlett, A. M. Krell. Samuel Monroe, James Jarad, the Hines, Huffmans and Bishops. The dates or order of coming of these cannot be stated with accuracy, though it is pretty well established that the first of these came about the year 1850, and that all of those named came within the two years following.
It is said that the first houses built in the township were those of Jerome Wat- son, and James and Joseph Fee, and that these houses were built in 1850. Other settlements were made and houses built in 1851 and 1852. In the fall of 1852 John Campbell and James L. Frazee came to the township and settled on section 5. These came from Indiana, settling first in Clinton, Iowa, and then removing to this county. Some time during the summer of 1853, a Mr. Webber and a Mr. Motry came to the township and located on a tract of land near where the Town of Ionia is now situated. In the year 1854 William Tucker moved his family from Wisconsin and settled in this township. During that year several additions were made to the population of Chickasaw Township by removals from Bradford Township. Among these were William Starkey, H. B. Short, W. W. Hammond, .N. F. Lighthall, John W. Johnson and G. W. Rowley.
THE FIRST TOWN ESTABLISHED
The steady movement of people seeking homes continued during the early '50s and the population of the township rapidly increased. The Town of Chicka- saw, located on the Cedar River, was surveyed and platted in 1854. William Tucker opened a store in this place and a postoffice was located here. Previous to this the people were served at Bradford with whatever mail came to this town- ship. A Mr. Brink was the first postmaster, and the condition on which the
269
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
office was granted, and the postmaster appointed, was that the people of the village should arrange for carrying their mail from Cedar Falls for the proceeds of the office, leaving the postmaster to serve without salary. In no case was the Govern- ment to be liable for any expense on account of the postoffice or the carrying of mail. Mr. Tucker says he served as mail carrier part of the time, and that he made seven trips, in the winter of 1854, to Cedar Falls and return, a distance of forty miles, requiring four days to make the round trip. He made this trip through snow and all kinds of weather, at his own expense, and three times out of seven he says that he found no mail had come through from Dubuque.
The splendid water power afforded by the Cedar River was an inducement for the establishment of mills and manufacturing enterprises, and gave promise of making a prosperous town of Chickasaw. In 1854 work on the erection of a saw mill and grist mill was commenced, to be operated by water and steam power. The contractors for building this mill were A. Albertson, Russell Baldwin and Morris Waite. The mill was completed in 1855 and was operated for some time by Mr. Garlinhouse. New houses were built, stores, blacksmith shops, and other enterprises were established, and Chickasaw was a thrifty town with a prospect of becoming a commercial center. But these prospects were blasted when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad surveyed its line about one mile north of the town, leaving Chickasaw off the railroad map. This was a death blow to the town, and it began the gradual decay which is the experience of many other towns of brilliant promise. One store and a few houses remain ; also the mill, which has been converted into a flouring mill, with modern equipment, and is doing a good business. A substantial concrete dam has recently been built across Cedar River, affording ample water power in addition to steam power with which the mill is provided. This dam also affords excellent opportunities for fishing, and the adjacent grove is a favorite place for pienie parties. So, while Chickasaw has lost its prestige as a thrifty town, it still retains its place of attractive scenery second to none in Chickasaw County. The traditions and sentiments centering around old Chickasaw make it a place of abiding historic interest.
The census of 1915 gives Chickasaw Township a population of 903. The pres- ent township officers are: F. W. Tucker, Nelson Huffman and N. L. Fritcher, trustees : C. E. Hughes, clerk : A. T. Brookins, justice of the peace ; E. H. Huff- man, assessor. Following is the financial statement for 1916:
Amount on hand January 1, 1916
Received from County Treasurer
$2.306.40
$2.306.40
Disbursements
2,972.59
Overdrawn January 1, 1917
666.19
$2.306.40
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP
The section of Chickasaw County now known as Deerfield Township, was formerly a part of Brink Township, which was one of the five election townships established by the County Court at its first session, in 1855. The territory in- cluded in Brink Township was located in the northwest corner of the county and comprised about one-fourth of the county. At the March term of court. 1856,
270
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
the west half of Brink Township was organized under the name of Deerfield Township; the east half was organized about a year later under the name of Washington Township, and Brink was eliminated as a township name.
In the order defining the boundaries of Deerfield Township, and establishing this township as one of the political divisions of the county, the court appointed William F. Wright as the organizing officer, and authorized him to call an elec- tion for the necessary township officers. This election was held April 7, 1856, at the house of C. D. French, under the supervision of an election board composed of Heman Culver, Jacob A. Cummins and M. P. Choate, as judges ; and William F. Wright and J. G. Farnum, clerks. The total number of votes cast was twenty- four, and it appears that these votes were so cast and counted as to give each member of the election board an office. Following are the names of the first of- ficers elected in Deerfield Township:
Trustees-M. P. Choate, M. D. Harris and C. D. French.
Justices of the peace-Heman Culver and T. W. Ashley.
Clerk-J. G. Farnum.
Constables-D. Jared and Willard Bennett.
Road Supervisor-Chauncey Boyes.
Assessor-Jacob A. Cummins.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
Among the first settlers in Deerfield Township, as at present organized, was Almon Harris, who came from Massachusetts and located here in 1854. Others who came about the same time were John Spurr, Myrick Spurr and Edwin Hale. This little colony located on sections 3 and 4 and immediately engaged in the work of putting the land in shape for cultivation, and establishing a home for their families. A. B. Harris came in 1855. and in that same year the Deerfield colony was increased by the Larribee. Pelton, Mahoney and Doyle fainilies. The families of William Doyle and Mrs. Martha Harris came in the early spring of 1855 and settled in the northern part of the township. M. P. Choate came about the same time and settled in the southern part of the township. Still another who joined this colony among the carly arrivals was Abner Gallup. He located on a tract of land in section 8 but did not remain long. Dissatisfied with sur- roundings and prospects here, he galloped away to some place where prospects were more enticing. In the latter part of 1854 William Morris, a native of Eng- land, arrived and located on a tract of land in section 8, where he established a home and developed a farm, and where he continued to reside. It is claimed that Mr. Morris was the second to make a permanent settlement in the township.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
The surface of the land in Deerfield Township is generally undulating, or gently rolling, being in no part hilly. The bottom land, about one-half mile in width, bordering on the streams is nearly level. The west branch of the Wapsipin- icon enters the township near the northwest corner and runs its entire length in a southerly direction. The middle Wapsipinicon runs a few miles through the northeast corner of the township, in a southeasterly direction. The larger portion
271
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
of the township is prairie. Originally tracts of timber were found along the streams in the northern part : this was generally a small growth of oak, valuable for fencing but of little value for lumber and building purposes. All this timber land has been cleared and converted into fine, productive farms.
The soil is generally of a rich sandy loam, from one to three feet in depth, underlaid with a clay subsoil. In the north center of 96, extending into 97, was found a tract of several hundred acres of limestone land, furnishing inexhaustible quarries for lime and building purposes.
TRADITION OF AN INDIAN MASSACRE
This gruesome story' written by I. A. Sawin, in 1859, relating the tradition of an Indian massacre in this township, before the coming of the white settlers, will be of interest :
"The southwest quarter of section 3 abounds with the remains of human skeletons, and on the surrounding prairie, for the distance of two miles, they are occasionally found. When the first settlers came upon the ground, in 1854, the stench arising from this slaughter ground was yet quite strong. I have not yet been able to obtain a very clear or authentic account of the massacre, by which several hundred human beings must have lost their lives. But the following, ob- tained at second hand two years ago from a Winnebago Indian, is submitted in the hope that inquiry may be stimulated, and more information procured :
"About twelve years ago, or say in 1847, a party of Sioux warriors left their old men, women and children, to the number of three hundred or more here and proceeded to Prairie du Chien. A party of Winnebago warriors found the camp in this unprotected condition and murdered every soul. They then took the road to the Mississippi, and meeting the returning Sioux warriors, settled the affair by paying them fifty ponies as an indemnity. The skeletons, many of which were those of infants, corroborate the main facts of this account : but the time does not agree with the statements of the first settlers, or the well known condi- tion of the skeletons in 1856, many of which were entire at that time. I think the date of the massacre must be later than that given in the above account."
According to the census of 1915 Deerfield Township had a population of 995. The present township officers are: Joe Boehmer, Nick Kolbet and Joe Kobliska .. trustees ; John Mishak, clerk : Garrett Huffman, assessor.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Following is the financial report made for Deerfield Township in 1916: Amount on hand January 1, 1916. $ 22.36
Received from County Treasurer. 2,821.56
Received from other sources. 312.55
$3,156.47
Disbursements
3,155.97
Balance on hand January 1, 1917
50
$3.156.47
272
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
The territory comprised in Washington Township is described as within the congressional township 96, and the south half of 97 north, range 13 west. It is of the same size and shape as Deerfield and lies immediately east of that township.
The first attempt at the organization of Washington Township was at the March term of the County Court, 1856, when application was made for the organ- ization of a township by citizens resident within that territory. At the June term of the court the record says: "It appearing to this court that the Township of Washington failed to effect a legal organization in accordance with the order of this court, made at the March term thereof, A. D. 1856, therefore, the said Township of Washington is attached to Deerfield for township purposes."
Just how "the said Township of Washington," which by the decree of court had no existence, could be attached to anything is not clear to the average mind. Moreover, it does not appear in the record in this case just why, or in what way, Washington Township failed to effect a legal organization. Capt. J. H. Powers, who was conversant with the conditions then existing in the county, says in his book: "The real offense was that the vote of this township, if allowed, would have removed the county seat from Bradford to New Hampton."
Whether this was the real reason or not, it is a fact, as shown in the county seat controversy related in another chapter, that the vote of Washington Town- ship was the cause of much trouble and litigation a few years later.
As stated in the earlier part of this chapter, the territory from which Wash- ington Township was created was originally organized as Brink Township, com- prising about one-fourth of the county, and located in the northwest corner of the county. At the March term of court, 1856, Brink Township was equally divided by a line running north and south. The west half was organized as Deerfield Township, and the purpose was to organize the east half at the same time as Washington Township. This purpose was defeated at that time, as has been stated.
THE FIRST SETTLER
It is generally believed that Samuel W. Byers was the first settler in Wash- ington Township, though there is some disagreement among the ancient oracles as to this. There is no authority as to the date of the first settlement, but it is pretty well established that there was little if any permanent settlement in the township prior to 1855. The preference of the early immigrants seems to have been for locations in the southern part of the county, which had become pretty well populated before the drift had turned towards Washington and other town- ships in the northern section of the county. In 1855 and 1856, quite a number of people found locations in Washington Township, and that part of the county began to show a rapid increase in population. At the time of organization of the township the census report showed Washington to have about two hundred people.
AGRICULTURAL ADVANTAGES
The general surface conditions of the land in Washington Township may be described as gently undulating, or rolling, prairie land. The depth of rich, black
ZION CHURCH, ALTA VISTA
EVANGELICAL CHURCH, ALTA VISTA
Vol. 1- 18
275
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
loam, with clay subsoil, makes this one of the best agricultural townships in the county. Its advantages for stock raising are second to none, and the farmers of the township are largely engaged in this enterprise. The township has the advantages that pertain to other parts of the county in being well supplied with running streams. The east fork of the Wapsipinicon, having its source in the northern part, flows in a southeasterly course through the township. The Little Wapsie also enters the township at the northwest corner of section 7 and flows in a southeasterly direction through sections 7, 18, 20, 29, 32 and 33. These streams abound in fish, and the professional angler, as well as the common variety of fisherman, are usually well rewarded for efforts to entice the finny tribe. In early days these streams were inhabited by larger game, such as otter, mink and muskrats, and the old citizen with long memory is wont to relate wonderful stories of success in trapping this game.
The timber in this township was not so plentiful as in some other parts of the county in the early days. What there was lay along the streams and was com- posed mostly of small varieties of oak, and some hickory. This furnished material for fencing, but not much of it was suitable for lumber and building purposes. The country abounds in massive bowlders, such as are found in other parts of the county, relics of the glacial period. There is no building stone within the boundaries of Washington Township, but some of the smaller specimens of these bowlders have been utilized for foundations and other purposes in building.
In general it may be said that Washington Township ranks high in farm productions and the raising of fine stock. The farms, farm buildings, and the elegant homes, with all the modern conveniences, give evidence of industry, enterprise and wealth, the wealth that could only be acquired by intelligent labor.
The census of 1915 gives Washington Township a population of 1,020. The present officers are : Chris Gebel, John Hegel and John Brus, trustees ; William K. Schletter, clerk; Tony Streit, assessor. The trustees' financial report for 1916 shows the following :
FINANCIAL REPORT, 1916
Amount on hand January 1, 1916.
Received from County Treasurer $3,206.72
Received from other sources 50.00
$3,256.72
Disbursements
4,852.78
Overdrawn January 1, 1916.
1,596.06
3.256.72
-
STATE BANK
MAIN STREET, WEST, NEW HAMPTON
KEEP TỔ RIGHT
BUSINESS BLOCK, NEW HAMPTON
CHAPTER XIV
CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
NEW HAMPTON THE GEOGRAPHICAL CENTER-FIRST SETTLERS-TOWN INCORPORATED -FIRST OFFICIALS-PUBLIC UTILITIES-PUBLIC LIBRARY-THE CEMETERIES- CITY OF NASHUA-FIRST SETTLERS-THE CHURCHES-PUBLIC LIBRARY-LAW- LER'S EARLY MISFORTUNES-SERIES OF FIRE VISITATIONS-BUSINESS ENTER- PRISES-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-FREDERICKSBURG-A NOTED MUSICAL ORGAN- IZATION-THE PIONEER SCHOOLMASTER-LIST OF EARLY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS- THE CHURCHES.
NEW HAMPTON
New Hampton is not the oldest town in the county, but it enjoys the distinction of being the most fortunate in its location. The pioneers and promoters of the village in the early day were evidently possessed of a vision that when the county seat of Chickasaw County was permanently established it would be in the geo- graphical center of the county. They found this place to be in the western part of New Hampton Township, and there they located their claim and planned a town. It was some time before this primitive village with its few settlers attracted much attention, and it was after much trial and legal contest before the vision of the county seat at New Hampton was realized. But it came after divers contests, which are fully related in another chapter, and now New Hampton is firmly estab- lished as the official as well as the geographical center of Chickasaw County. and has for many years been enjoying a substantial, prosperous growth.
The land upon which New Hampton was platted was entered as Government land in 1856. A few log cabins were built on this land in that year and the fol- lowing year. James Jared had a store in a log house located near the center of what is now the city of New Hampton, in 1856, and some time in 1857 Jared sold his store to Osgood Gowin. About a year later Gowin sold the store to Harrison Gurley, who carried on business there for several years. having erected a frame building in the meantime as his business increased. Harrison Gurley not only has the distinction of being the first permanent merchant in New Hamp- ton, but was also the first postmaster, receiving his commission from Aaron V. Brown, postmaster-general of James Buchanan's administration.
Prior to the improvements of the prospective village, above noted, Don .1.
279
-
280
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
Jackson located in a log cabin about a mile and a half from the present town. This was in May, 1855, at which time Jackson relates that there was no building on the present townsite. It was some time later in that year that New Hampton dates its beginning. And it is further stated by those who have a memory dating that far in the past, that Chickasaw Center was the name first given to the pros- pective town, and that it was changed to New Hampton at the suggestion of Osgood Gowin, who gave it the name in compliment to his native town in New England. According to the best tradition. David Edwards built the first house, which was a mere board shack, on the site of the present town.
The first place of public entertainment built in New Hampton was a log house in 1856. It was adjoining the log store and was kept by Harvey S. Hill, and later by Daniel Shook. The town was not regularly laid off until 1857. What had been done in that line prior to that time had been merely staking off claims to a few blocks on which buildings had been erected. September 12, 1857, a plat of the town was entered on record, showing Gideon Gardner, Homer Hamlin, David Edwards, H. Gurley and E. T. Runion as the original proprietors. Gard- ner and Hamlin each owned an undivided half of the west half of northwest quarter of section 7, and the balance was owned by Gurley. Edwards and Runion. F. T. Runion was a blacksmith by trade and the first to establish a shop in that line in New Hampton.
THE TOWN INCORPORATED
While New Hampton increased in population and business on account of the permanent settlement of the county seat question, and there was every indication that the town would continue to be a place of importance, the real impetus given the town dates from the coming of the railroad in 1868. The McGregor & Sioux City Railroad was completed through the county that year, and New Hampton was on the railroad map. From that time the town had a steady growth. Soon the population of the town had increased to such an extent that the question of incorporation was agitated. A meeting of citizens to take steps to incorporate was held in the courthouse at New Hampton April 28, 1873. and after a full discussion of the matter, a commission composed of A. E. Bigelow. Harrison Gurley, W. W. Langdon, Zelotes Bailey and D. B. Sneden was appointed to take the necessary legal action for a vote of the people on the question of incorpora- tion. In the election there were 100 votes cast, 70 for and 30 against incorporating.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.