USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 9
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Dickens lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 583, was organized about 1890, with about forty members.
The daughters of Rebekah was organized later, with about seventy members. There are also lodges of the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Neighbors.
T. J. Hurt leads the Dickens Cornet band. It is considered by the Dickens people to be a very fine musical organization.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
The Central Hotel was built early in the history of the village and is now owned and presided over by Mrs. E. Symington.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The people in and around Dickens are a moral and upright class of citizens, and faithful attendants at divine worship. Until the establishment of the town of Dickens the people of that vicinity were accustomed to attend services at the Barlow and Drake schoolhouses. Various revivals had been held at these places and quite a religious sentiment created, and from this nucleus has grown the Dickens organi- zation and church. The project of constructing a suitable place of worship was begin in 1887, and in a short time the present handsome and commodious edifice was built. Its dimensions are twenty-eight by forty-five feet, with a seat- ing capacity of 225 persons, costing $1,750 and free from any incumbrance. Among those who were instrumental in designing and prosecuting this good work to a successful finish were Rev. J. B. Morrow, J. D. Duncan, Noah Day, W. W. Scott, R. Somers and Gore Warren. They labored zealously and with a fidelity worthy of the noble cause of which they are true, tried and faithful members. The church is located on a prominent rise of ground in the north part of the town and has a commanding view of the surrounding country. It is neat and attractive, and is well lighted and seated. When services first began the membership numbered sixty persons, but after a successful revival, con- ducted by Rev. H. Hild, it increased, and now numbers about one hundred and sixty souls. Since its construction it has met with two accidents. It was blown from its foundation in 1888, and struck by lightning in 1889.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Congregational church was organized October 14, 1894. Its first pastor was J. C. George. Some of its first members were Mrs. Agnes George, Miss Myrtie Symington, Carrie Symington, W. C. Holding, Mrs. Carrie Moore, Philip Corke, Mrs. Ida M. Corke, Henry La Brant, Mrs. Margaret L. La Brant, Mrs. Lillian La Brant, Marie La Brant, Albert G. La Brant, Paul La Brant, W. W. Culver, Mrs. S. A. Culver, Maude Culver, Mrs. Betsy B. Janes, Fred Janes, Mrs. Rosa Janes, Lorin P'. Corke, Harlow A. Varney, Mrs. W. R. Rice, Mrs. Alexine Craft, Mrs. Della Cordray, Mrs. N. Baker, George Williams and Clara Hopson.
The church was erected in 1895, at a cost of $2,000. A parsonage has since been built, at a cost of $1,000. It has about fifty-three members and about forty in the Sunday school. They have a Ladies' Aid Society, Young People's Christian Endeavor and Junior Society. The pastors following Rev. George were A. J. Burton, three years; Charles G. Marshall, a little over a year; E. J. Grinnell, one year; C. W. Anthony, one year; C. G. Oxley, three years. J. T. Stecle, the present pastor, came to the church in July, 1907.
HERDLAND TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the four southern townships of the county, and dates its existence as far back as 1873, and was at one time embraced in the township of
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Douglas. Herdland has always been known as one of the early settled points in the county, having among its early settlers such men as John Kindelspyer, J. J. Duroe, George McClay, Samuel Mills. W. D. Brown, L. Gown, Henry Hughes, S. T. Collins. J. A. Mills, J. W. Ford and many others. These organizers and promoters of the township were sturdy pioneers and had implicit confidence in the ultimate growth and development of it. They had the satis- faction of seeing its sod houses vanish and handsome frame residences take their place. They have seen a thin and sparse settlement gradually grow and enlarge to great proportions. They saw its uncultivated lands transformed into fields of waving corn and wheat, oats and other grains. It was a source of great satisfaction to them to have been able in a measure to effect this great change. The land is good and almost all of it is tillable, and the majority of that which is not used for plow land is used for grazing and hay purposes. It is watered by the Little Sioux river, which in a serpent-like manner courses through the entire township. It has good schools, a good postoffice and is near Webb. the nearest and most convenient shipping point. It has all the natural resources and the necessary conveniences for great future possibilities. Among its farmers are some of the most prominent and influential citizens, whose interest in the county's prosperity and development has never flagged. It has supplied the county with a number of members of the board of supervisors, who have always proven themselves not only excellent business men, but shrewd and sagacious in working for the county's welfare.
Herdland had long been anxious for a railroad. This it is now blessed with. In fact two cross the township. The Minneapolis and St. Louis runs south along its western border and cuts into its southern corner. The Gowrie and Northwestern cuts across the township, entering at its northwest corner and leaving the township at about the center of its east line and midway north and south.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
This was the fifth township created by the county legislature, and originally embraced several other townships. Its physical features are not unlike those of Douglas and Gillett's Grove, with the exception that the Sioux river does not touch its boundaries, nor is it supplied with native timber. Its soil is deep and rich, its prairie land yields richly, and its native grass is of a heavy growth and nutritious. Among its early settlers are such names as Josiah E. and John F. Chase, J. S. Brownell. Henry A. Bell. W. H. Arms, P. W. Madden, Isaac Fenn, Jonathan Green. A. Seibel, M. Rote, E. J. L. Merchant, C. D. Killam, the Davises, and a number of others. This township appears to have been settled up much more rapidly than others, as the names given in the list of inhabitants are in the main persons who have lived in the township for a great many years. The earlier life of the pioneers of this township was similar to that of those of adjoining ones. " At first it was the sod house they were com- pelled to live in until they accumulated enough money to purchase lumber and build a frame dwelling, and when this was accomplished, then along came a pest in the form of grasshoppers, destroying their crops and almost all their
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
hopes of future success. But in time they recovered from this disaster, and are now a contented, happy and prosperous class of farmers. In time a post- office was established at the residence of Nathan Chase and later at the residence of J. S. Brownell on section 12, and he was made postmaster, which office he held a great many years, finally resigning, and Adolph Seibel was appointed. The postoffice was then moved to the residence of the latter, only a short distance from the former, being in fact on the same section. The name of this postoffice was designated "Annieville." The township was named in honor of the lamented president. A majority of the farmers were homesteaders, and have lived in the township a sufficient length of time to grow good groves and build substan- tial and comfortable homes. They have a number of schoolhouses, located in different parts of the township and within convenient distances from most of the homes. More than the ordinary amount of interest is manifested by the citizens in the education of the young, and the result is that they have good teachers and well conducted schools, which is but a reflex of the intelligence of its inhabitants. In point of wealth it stands in the middle class, but in point of industry and sterling worth of its farmers it stands among the first.
GARFIELD TOWNSHIP.
This township is one of the youngest in the county, having been set off as a separate body in January, 1889. Previous to this it constituted a part of Herdland. Its numerical strength is therefore limited. It embraces that portion of territory lying in the extreme southeast portion of the county and consists of thirty-six sections of very superior land. The land is somewhat rolling and produces very bountifully in certain localities. It has two bodies of water, known as Mud and Pickerel lakes, besides it is quite near the Little Sioux river. A majority of its inhabitants are of quite recent arrival, who are firm in the belief that Garfield, like its great namesake, is destined to development into a tower of strength and form an important factor in the composition and future legisla- tion of the county. Being situated near Sioux Rapids and Marathon, it is thus in some respects fortunately located and cannot fail to increase its numbers. It is fairly supplied with trees, possessing quite a number of groves and one or two good sized bodies of timber. Besides the lakes, there are several small streams which give an abundant supply of water. As a whole, the location and natural advantages of Garfield are very superior and offer sufficient inducements to those seeking a home to in short time increase and multiply its present number of citizens. Gillett's Grove and Logan, which join it on the north, are both splendid townships and present good opportunities, either for speculation or permanent homes. The land is good and the prices for which it is selling are within the reach of those with limited means. They rank with other town- ships in every respect, except numbers, and there is no potent reason why their future is not as bright as any of the townships in the county. The people of Garfield are a progressive and upright class and are making excellent efforts to populate it with good citizens and stirring farmers. The first election of this township was held November, 1889, and while the vote was small, it was due to its recent civil organization.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
LOGAN TOWNSHIP.
This lies on the eastern line or tier of townships in the county and embraces thirty-six sections or twenty-three thousand and forty acres of excellent land, the majority of it being tillable. It is not only productive, but constitutes one of the best townships for grazing and stock purposes in the county. In the main it is level, well watered and produces excellent and nutritious grasses. Besides Elk creek, its branches and numerous other streams, which afford a plentiful supply of water, it has numerous small groves which provide good shade and fire wood. This township was organized in 1882, having previously been a part of the township of Herdland. Its creation as an independent and separate civil organization has left it without the great or lengthy history which is attached to a number of its sister townships. It has not had any great rush of immigration or any particular boom, but its farmers are substantial, energetic and in the main successful. Some of the land within its borders is owned by non-residents, who appreciate its value and ultimate worth. With moral and upright citizens, a pushing and progressive class of farmers, excellent and well- taught schools, a good and efficient local government, productive lands, and possessing every natural advantage necessary for comfort and convenience, there is nothing to deteriorate it, but on the contrary, every opportunity to make one of the very best and leading of the townships in the county. During the first period after being set off it received but a limited accession, but in the last few years it has gradually grown.
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP.
Among the townships that have come into prominence, none has done so more rapidly than Waterford, and none has maintained its record more sub- stantially or creditably. By an act of the board of supervisors, passed in 1884, all that part of Clay county embraced in 97, range 38 west, was set off and con- stituted as Waterford township. for civil, school and election purposes. It is true, at that time it only had the minimum number of voters and freeholders, but these were anxious for separate township. At first there were no spurts of immigration, but of late years there has been a gradual increase, and Water- ford has asserted her importance and force in many of the affairs of the county in a very potent manner. There is a general unanimity of feeling and sentiment existing among the people in that section, as is powerfully attested at the county elections. A large proportion of its citizens are Germans, and in the main they are successful and enterprising farmers. They may not be as aggressive as in other townships, but the general results of their labor shows to a much better advantage than their more progressive neighbors. The soil in the town- ship is most excellent, and the average yield of grain ranks most favorably with that in other parts of the county. It is well watered. The Ocheyedan river, a most beautiful stream with a gravel bed, clear and crystal-like, courses its way through the western portion, while a number of small streamlets and lakes in different parts of the township furnish all the necessary water and drainage needed. The township, in addition to its producing qualities, is largely adapted to stock raising. There are several very extensive stock farms in this section,
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
which are not only well farmed, but are proving very profitable to their owners. It is well located, being within easy approach of stations and railroad, and produces quite extensively. The trade of the people of this township is greatly sought after. Its farmers are frugal and industrious and are accumulating con- siderable of a competency for their labors. The moral character of its inhabi- tants is noteworthy, their enterprise and industry commendable and worthy of emulation. The small number of the earlier settlers infused and engendered a feeling of friendship, which time has not broken, and the consequences are that there is almost perfect accord prevailing among its people, which constitutes in the township an efficient and strong force in all public and personal matters. The grain, stock and dairying products from Waterford township form a con- siderable portion of shipments from this county. With all the necessary elements in its favor, there is every reason to conclude that Waterford's future is cer- tainly bright and promising. Economical, businesslike in methods, sturdy rugged and industrious as its citizens are, there is nothing to prevent them from accumu- lating wealth, developing its soil, and making Waterford a record that will eclipse any of its neighbors in point of numbers, financial worth, and value of property.
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
This township is the remainder of the county, which was declared and designated by Judge C. C. Smeltzer as the civil township of Clay. All of the other townships, fifteen in number, were set off from the original Clay township, which leaves the present Clay township in No. 95, range 38. This is one of the creditable townships of the county and its citizens' prosperity will compare favorably with that of those of any other township in the county. It is made up of an industrious, frugal and enterprising class of men and women, and the farms show a high state of cultivation. The homes are comfortable and many are supplied with modern conveniences. It had two churches, the Maple Grove Methodist Church and the Bethel Church, the latter under the auspices of the Cherokee Association of the Congregational Church. The Bethel church was recently torn down and the material used for an addition to the Congregational church at Peterson.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY.
The census of Clay in 1860 showed the population to be only fifty- two. Two years later it nearly doubled itself, there being one hundred persons. In 1865 the enumerators reported one hundred and seventy-five. In 1867 it had increased to three hundred and sixty-nine, more than doubling itself. During the next two years the immigration was not so rapid, as the population only numbered four hundred and fifty, but during the fall of 1869 and the spring of 1870 there was a great influx, and the number of persons ran up to one thou- sand five hundred and twenty-three. New life and energy was infused in those who had lived here so long, and had seen the years roll by with only a small increase annually. The next two years the county more than doubled itself and it was reported that there were three thousand five hundred and eighty-five souls in the county. In 1875 the number was three thousand five hundred and sixty-nine. The census enumerators of 1880 reported the number to be four
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
thousand two hundred and forty-eight, and in 1885, six thousand four hundred and thirty-eight. In 1890 the population was nine thousand three hundred and nine ; in 1895. eleven thousand two hundred and seventy-seven; in 1900, thirteen thousand four hundred and one; in 1905, twelve thousand seven hundred and eleven. The next enumeration will occur in 1910, when, if the same proportion of increase is maintained, the total population of the county will probably reach fifteen thousand.
The population of Clay county in 1905 by townships, towns and villages was as follows:
Clay township 763
Meadow township. 595
Douglas township
533
Peterson township.
485
Freeman township
765
Peterson (town ) 482
Garfield township
472
Riverton township. 478
Webb (town ) .
166
Sioux township 471
Gillett Grove township
609
Spencer, ist ward I,OII
Herdland township.
515
Spencer, 2d ward
935
Lake township.
415
Spencer, 3d ward.
I,IQI
Lincoln township.
615
Summit township.
663
Logan township.
358
Waterford township
39I
Lone Tree township.
398
Everly (town )
cot-
Total
12,71I
FIRST DAYS IN CLAY COUNTY.
BY THE FIRST SETTLER.
J. A. and William Kirchner, who were the first settlers in Clay county, came and located on the hills just across the Little Sioux river, a little south of where the present town of Peterson now is located. They came from Albany, New York, to what is now East Dubuque by train and footed it from there to Cedar Falls. Here they purchased a light democrat wagon, a span of little ponies, and carried tents with them. The first stop they made after leaving Cedar Falls was at a place a little north of the present site of the town of Sioux Rapids. While there they learned of the beautiful groves on the Sioux river. a little farther on, so they determined to push on to this place.
In the first place they had started for Spirit Lake, but they found this beautiful grove and plenty of good water for their horses near by, so they made up their minds to settle in the grove. So they put up stakes for their claims and then went back to New Hartford and stopped at Ambrose S. Mead's.
"The place on which we first landed, upon the hill," said J. A. Kirchner, "is now owned by Fred Eirhardt. There was nothing here at that time, and I saw that there was a spring down across the river and I pointed it out and said I wanted to live down there by the spring.
"We then went to Cedar Falls and bought wagons, teams, a plow and some other farm implements and came back again. We reached here the latter part of May, 1856, and began breaking up some of the land in June.
AN OLD PIONEER OF SPENCER
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR. L NOX TILD & FOUNDA IONS
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
"John J. Bicknell came with us the second time, but did not stay. I went back to Albany, New York, and got my father and mother and brothers and sisters and they came back with me. While I was gone I left my younger brother and A. S. Mead to look after the new place. I brought my father and mother (Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kirchner ). my brothers, John, Phil and Will. My oldest sister, Barbara, married Michael Springer in New York, but they afterward located in Fort Dodge. Mary married Henry Brockschink and located in Webster City. Lottie married Dr. M. S. Butler, of Cherokee. Lanie married Walter French and located in Sioux City. Julia married Hiram Hulburt, of Peterson ; both are now deceased. Another sister, Dorothy, married a Mr. Schmidt and never came to Peterson.
"I located on section 33, Peterson township, and took one-half of the sec- tion. The center of the town is about the center of this section. I just squatted on the land, then railroad land, and afterward got title to it. The railroad com- pany got it before we knew it, because we were so far away from any road and it took news so long to reach us. In the first place I bought the land of the county and paid for one quarter section, and they only gave me a quit-claim deed to it. My brother wanted part of the land, and so he paid me for it and we used the timber to build a log house with.
"It was a good many years after we located before anyone else came near us to locate on the land. But in the summer of 1856 Henry Waterman settled in O'Brien county, and the Gilletts at what is now Gillett's Grove. A Mr. Frink settled near Linn Grove, also Will Weaver and Mr. Bell and Esley Wilcox settled near the present site of the town of Sioux Rapids. Then we all tried to get as many as possible to come and settle near us, or in adjoining counties. : "In the year 1857 Charles Smeltzer and his brother E. Smeltzer started to organize the county.
"I was appointed the first postmaster in Clay county, and soon after that a postoffice was established at Spencer. I had the postoffice in my house and I made my own boxes for the mail. The mail was carried through on foot, from Sioux City to Mankato, Minnesota. The postage in those days was five cents. We got mail every week, once a week from the south and the next week from the north. We usually received about three or four papers and half a dozen letters. I was the postmaster here in Peterson for over fifteen years. I was appointed by Buchanan.
"The first religious services were held in the schoolhouse. In 1883 the Methodists and the Congregational societies both built small churches.
PETERSON MILLS.
"I built a saw mill on the river in 1869. This was the first mill erected in Clay county. I afterward converted this into a grist mill and ran this for a good many years. About eight or nine years ago I sold this mill to my son-in- law. The dam built by me for my mill was also the first dam built in Clay county. C. D. Marcellus built the next mill, at Spencer. When I first owned the mill I hired A. W. Miller to run it, and after a while I ran it myself.
"The first blacksmith shop in Peterson was conducted by Wilson Brown.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
He came from Hardin county to Peterson about 1869 or 1870. 'Joe' Tatroe afterwards ran a shop here, and then Morgan Schull and James Hagerty.
"The first hotel was built by Oscar Rice, located on the corner of Front and Fourth streets. It is still standing on these lots. The next hotel was erected on Main street and is now occupied by Gaskin's agricultural implement house. The next hotel was built on Main street and is now the Commercial house. It was erected on Elm street, but was afterward moved to the corner of Main and Second streets, where it now stands.
"The Park hotel was built in two parts, the first part by 'Long' William Evans and the other part by Hilton Voigt. These two parts were afterward joined. but it is not occupied as a hotel at the present time.
"The Peterson waterworks were built ten or twelve years ago. They are of natural pressure. They are erected on a hill at the north end of Main street. The reservoir is twenty feet in diameter and about twenty feet deep. Peterson is now planning to put up another reservoir and we are also laying a main up Third street. The pressure from this height furnishes sufficient fire protection for the city. The water is of a very high quality, clear and cool. The water system has cost the town about $2.500, not including the new contracts let in 1908. The well is just north of the depot and they pump this with a gasoline engine. The well is about 100 feet deep and has a six-inch pipe to the bottom.
"The city is lighted with large gasoline street lamps.
"The only buildings belonging to the town are the pump house and the scale office.
"The Good Templar's hall is the only public hall in the town, it is erected on North Main street.
"The Chicago and Northwestern is the only railroad in the town of Peterson. This was built in 1883. The first agent was George L. Hawn, who came and opened the station. He turned it over to E. Turner in a few months, who it still acting as agent for the company."
THE OLD COURTHOUSE.
"After the courthouse was abandoned by the county here, I purchased it and used it for a barn for twenty-five years or more, until a year or two ago, when it was used for a cement block factory. In the spring of 1908 I cut it in two, added some to it. and made two dwelling houses out of it. Soon after the county abandoned it as a courthouse it was used for a dwelling house, and several Pastors lived in it.
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