USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 28
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The first building erected on the site of Colesburg was built by Hiram Cole in 1846, in which he opened the second store in the place. But David Bierer was the first merchant in the place, opening a small general store in 1843, which is said to have been the first in the county.
The postoffice here was established in 1846 and named Colony. David More- land was the first postmaster and received his commission August 15, 1846. On the 3d day of April, 1849, the name was changed to Colesburg. The names of Moreland's successors in this office follow: Perry Perkins, April 3, 1849; Thomas Cole, January 20, 1852; J. B. Moreland, April 6. 1853; H. T. Wright, April 20, 1860; J. M. Potts, December 5, 1866; S. G. Knee, March 23, 1869; George F. Potts, December 1, 1884; James Chapman, May 25, 1889; George F. Potts, June 28, 1893; Joseph Chapman, June 1, 1897; Emma J. Chapman, December 7, 1905.
Jacob B. Moreland put up a building in Colony (now Colesburg) in 1851, and opened up a general line of merchandise. He became prominent in the business.
Richard Wilson located in Colesburg in 1851 and at once engaged in busi- ness as a tinsmith and hardware dealer.
P. C. Bolsinger was an energetic business man and made a success as a nerchant at Colesburg. He opened a general store in 1852 and in 1860 erected
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a large stone building to accommodate a large stoek of goods and his numerous patrons.
One of the earliest merchants was Hiram Cole, who began business in a log cabin that stood on or near the site of the Bolsinger stone business bnikling.
Col. Samuel G. Knee was born in Pennsylvania in 1834. He came to Dela- ware County in 1855 and worked at the carpenter trade until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted, in 1861, in the Twelfth Iowa Infantry. He was promoted second lieutenant in 1863 and before the expiration of the year was made captain. In 1865 he reached the rank of major and in 1866, lieutenant- colonel. After the war he engaged in the mercantile business at Colesburg and was postmaster there.
The mill still running in Colesburg was built in 1857 by Bolsinger & More- land. The mill had steam power and was operated by the builders until 1867, when James Caskey and James Cole purchased the property. Cole later sold his interests to Michael Stegner, who died in 1874 and Caskey became sole owner. It was known as a two-run mill and had a capacity of fifty barrels of flour a day. Nothing but feed and corn meal is now the product of this old industrial concern.
The Colesburg pottery, still in operation, was built by David Roberts in 1857. The building was destroyed two years later, but restored when E. Jones became the owner. It was afterwards purchased by the firm of Stegner & Stillinger, who sold to F. A. Grimes and R. C. Currie. The excellent potter's clay found in this vicinity furnishes material for the manufacture of various earthen vessels, principally flower pots, milk jars, jugs, etc., which are still made at this factory. Here alse is made a good quality of bnikling briek. Colesburg also has a creamery that has been in operation all of twenty-five years. Prior to this Dr. R. Stedman opened a cheese factory in 1873 and run it about four years.
COLESBURG INCORPORATED
Colesburg was incorporated as a town and the first election was held for municipal officers March 17, 1893. Joseph Grimes received the majority of votes cast for mayor; W. C. Kircheck, clerk; B. V. Burt, F. A. Grimes, George Walker, T. S. Davidson. F. C. Knee, A. W. Rea, council ; A. B. Landers, treasurer.
SCHOOLS
The first school in Delaware County was taught by Mrs. McCleland at Colesburg in 1840, in a little log cabin. The building burned down and was replaced by a hewed log structure, in which the pupils were taught by Maria Phillips. In 1853 a one-story brick school buikling was erected and is still standing. This soon became too small and a two-story briek building was put up, in which four teachers instruet the pupils. The school is graded. This building and the little one elose by would not accommodate the children of the community, so that in the fall of 1914 a new one was erected. It is a two-story brick structure, with basement, and has all modern improvements and con- veniences. Its cost was about eleven thousand dollars.
FIRST SCHOOL BUILDING IN COLESBURG Built about 1853.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
FARMERS SAVINGS BANK
This bank is the ontgrowth of a private banking concern, established by A. W. Rea, in a little frame building two doors north of the present building about the year 1891, and operated until 1907. Articles of incorporation were issued for the Farmers Savings Bank, January 12, 1907, to F. A. Grimes, John W. Bush, M. W. Lovett, F. W. Klaus, J. S. Merton, Robert A. Gull, George Flynn. W. H. P. Bristol. C. H. Jacobs, P. D. Peck, G. A. Dodge, James Knee, F. S. Vorwald and II. Broekmeyer. It was capitalized at $10,000, and the first officials were: President, F. A. Grimes; vice president, John V. Bush ; cashier, P. D. Peek ; assistant cashier, J. V. Bush. On December 3, 1910, F. A. Grimes was succeeded in the presidency by M. W. Lovett and A. W. Rea was made vice president. Mr. Rea died in April, 1914, and his office was filled by P. D. Peck. Mr. Peck had resigned the cashiership March 1, 1914. and William Ilammond, of Clayton County, was elected to the office. At the same time J. R. Grimes was elected assistant cashier.
The capital stoek of the Farmers Bank was increased to $18,000, May 25, 1912, and that same year the directors erected a two-story brick home, which was occupied in January, 1913. The present officials are: President. M. W. Lovett : vice president, P. D. Peck; cashier, William Hammond; assistant cashier, J. R. Grimes. Capital stock, $18,000; deposits, $138,000.
METIIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI
This church was organized in the schoolhouse near where Colesburg now stands, in the fall of 1842, by Rev. Barney White, assisted by Rev. Simeon ('lark. Thomas Cole was the first class-leader, and John Nagle and Missouri .Dickson, stewards. The first board of trustees was George Gilmore. Henry Klaus, William Bragg, Hezekiah Hubbard and Perry Perkins. In 1849 Rev. Jolin L. Kelly was pastor. The ehnreh building was ereeted in 1849 and dedi- cated in the fall of that year by Rev. George B. Bowman. Rev. George Larkin became pastor at this time.
Among the first members, in addition to those already mentioned, who joined the church in the '50s and '60s, were: William Admire, Dora A. Lang, Emily MeNamee, M. C. Nichols, R. T. Jewell, Esther Gilmore, Ellen Gilmore, L. A. Huffsmith, Laura Simpson, Cynthia M. Fosler, Melissa A. Mills, Mehitable Conrad, Emma A. Walker, Martha A. Annis, Orline Smith, Cynthia B. Smith, Eliza Walker, Mrs. J. Martin, Mrs. Steward, Miss Warnock, Isabella Rea, Maria Carrier, Charles Boardman.
The succeeding pastors to Reverend Larkin were the following: George L. Garrison, C. L. McNamee, Reverend Hillman, C. W. Copeland, W. G. Moore, N. II. Sparling, William Young, J. A. Ward, C. W. Burgess, S. Goodsell, C. F. MeLean, L. U. MeKre, E. Will, T. N. Cook, J. II. Thompson, James Hankins, E. L. McNamee, G. S. Roberts, T. W. Potter, J. F. Webster, C. F. Paine, B. D. Alden, G. W. Dunham, Herbert M. Chambers, C. W. Rogers, I. R. Sanford, F. C. Witzigman, I. C. Erb, Reverend MeBride, F. P. Cassady, R. F. Webster, George A. Harvey and Oliver J. Feller, the present pastor.
The membership is now fifty, and the attendance at Sabbath-school, sixty. Vel. 1-16
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This church was organized December 5, 1846, by Rev. James Hill. at the cabin home of James Cole. The members were J. A. Reed, John W. Potts, Mrs. Eliza Potts. David Malvin, Catherine Malvin. Samuel Malvin. Sarah Malvin and Mary Black. The first pastor was Rev. James Hill, who remained until 1847, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. B. Turner. A church was built on Main Street, in 1849, and in November of that year was dedicated. Reverend Turner retired From the pastorate in 1854 and was succeeded by Rev. M. Graves, whose successors were Reverends Parvin. Matthews and Amos Jones. At the present time the church is without a pastor.
The Catholic people held mass here as early as 1855, and during the pastorate of Rev. Michael Lynch a church building was ereeted, in 1857. The present one was built in 1877, under the pastorate of Bernard Cole. This church is now attended by a priest from Elkport.
A Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1859 and a building erected the same year. Rev. P. H. Crides was the pastor. This society went ont of existence all of thirty years ago and the church building is now used for other purposes.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS
Colony Lodge, No. 50, 1. O. O. F., was organized August 17, 1853, with the following charter members: S. T. Dickson, Jacob B. Moreland. George W. Bush. John W. Strader, and Alonzo II. Mallory. The first officials were : J. B. Moreland, N. G .; John W. Strader, V. G .; George W. Bush, Sec. : Samuel T. Dickson, Treas. : John R. Jones, I. G .; A. II. Mallory, O. G.
Colesburg Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, No. 428, was organized October 20, 1899, with the following members: George and Ellen Knee, Robert and Belle Currie, Frank A. and Emma J. Grimes, A. M. and May Rea. E. W. and Cora Knee. M. L. Westcott. M. C. Smock, Joseph and Emma JJ. Chapman, Il. W. and Nancy Graves, G. T. and V. M. Barnhart, G. A. and E. V. Dodge. H. and Blanche Wilson, J. H. Knee, Mrs. R. Loekridge, J. R. Beddon, Mrs. Mont Bed- don, Isa Franks, Jane Blaker, John Currie, Della Currie, Ida Bolsinger. The lodge now has a membership of about one hundred.
MASONIC
Constellation Lodge, No. 67, A. F. & A. M., was organized August 22. 1855. The charter members were Israel Otis, J. A. Hooker, A. H. Eaton, P. C. Bol- singer, L. Shepard, D. G. Kindell, J. W. Clark, J. Wright and J. Me Williams. Israel Otis was installed W. M .: J. W. Hooker, S. W .; A. II. Eaton, JJ. W.
Minnehaha Lodge, No. 344, Order Eastern Star, was organized on the 19th day of October, 1903, by Mesdames Ida Bolsinger, Lou Bush, Belle Currie, Effie Jacobs, Ida Knee, Lucia Lockridge, Mollie Landis, Len Moreland, Mary Rea, May Rea, Mate Walker, Blanche Wilson, J. K. P. Bolsinger, J. A. Bush, R. C. Currie, C. H. Jacobs, C. F. Knee. W. E. Lockridge. A. L. Landis, A. W. Rea, A. M. Rea, W: S. Shaffer, George W. Walker, F. C. Wilson and Miss Belle Landis.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
S. G. Knee Post, No. 517. G. A. R., was organized August 25, 1896, by the following veterans of the Civil war: George F'. Potts, George II. Walker, W. S. Adams, Frank Thayer, James Knee. A. W. Rea, George T. Barnhart. James MeMahon. Angust Imseher, J. K. P. Bolsinger, Eli Wingston, George W. Me- Kinney. John S. Merton.
There are also organizations here of the Modern Brotherhood of America, Modern Woodmen of America and Gleaners.
CHAPTER XX
SOUTH FORK TOWNSHIP
On the 2d day of January, 1849. North Fork Township was divided and a new township created, which was named South Fork. It is eivil township 87 north, range 3 west, and is bounded on the north by North Fork Township, on the south by Jones County, on the west by Union Township, and on the east by Dubuque County.
For agricultural purposes none better lies out of doors. All of its timber is found on the western border, along the banks of the south fork of the Maquoketa, which affords ample water and drainage. Corn, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, grasses, etc., grow to luxuriance here and the raising of cattle for the market and dairying is a very profitable industry of the community.
Theodore Marks was eleeted first clerk of South Fork Township and, strange to say, his old minute book is still intact and a part of the township records. The following extract from that historically valuable old book may be of some interest :
"June 4, 1849. This day the trustees met pursuant to notice of May 28. Present, the whole band and proceeded to business. Samuel Whitaker and Barnabas Dighton were appointed supervisors and duly qualified. The town- ship was then divided into road districts. Samuel P. Whitaker, supervisor of No. I: Charles Ruff, No. 2; Barnabas Dighton, No. 3.
"THEODORE MARKS, "Town Clerk."
From this primitive record the reader learns that the following named per- sons, among others, were residents of the township in the '50s. Of course, a number came before: James Barnes, Peter Heinan, Jacob Lanier, Ira G. Green, Simeon Eller, Leroy Jackson, Allen A. Wilson, George Rutherford, Daniel Liv- ingston. Archibald Tate, William Morgan, Ebenezer Culver, William Carpenter, A. A. Wilson, James L. Getten, Jacob Diffenderfer, Sylvester Meade, James ITardesty, Thomas Mathers, Christian Myers. George Connery, James Hardy, James P. Farmer. Joseph Porter, W. P. Cunningham, Thomas Boy, John Mc- Quig, G. R. Browder, John M. Holmes, Franklin Lewis, Edmund Davis, Isaac Smith, Lewis Matthew, Peter II. Warner, William Holt, I. C. MeVey, Jerome T. Davis. A. Nash, G. J. Bentley, William Ireland, John Livingston, H. P. Fleteher, Joseph Cool, T. II. Bowen, Thomas Cearns, Ashford Smith, E. Bald- win. William A. Roberts, J. Cadwell, James Harper, Andrew A. Lowe, William Spence, M. Byington, R. M. Brooks, A. Kirkwood and W. H. Finley.
The first settlers in this township were James and IIugh Livingston and HIngh Rose, who were of a party of emigrants from the Selkirk Colony in Northern Canada. They settled at "Scotch Grove," in Jones County, in 1837, and were here joined by Ilugh Livingston. The three named adventurers came
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
that year to Delaware County and located a short distance below the present town site of Hopkinton The Livingstons entered land, improved farms and became men of influence in the church and the community generally. They settled on seetions 19 and 30 and made the second elaim in the county. In the winter of 1846-7, TIngh Livingston, accompanied by a nephew, went to Cascade with his team, and reaching the forks of the road the young men separated. However, when Hugh's team reached home he was not in the wagon. The family at once became alarmed and instituting a search, found him by the road side quite dead; he had frozen to death.
The next to take up a habitation in South Fork were the Nicholsons. Thomas, his wife and sons, William and Montgomery Nicholson, who came in the spring of 1838 and located near the Maqnoketa River, on land which is now a part of Hopkinton. Here they built a cabin and broke a small piece of prairie. In the month of March the elder Nicholson was laid low with a mortal malady and died.
Leroy Jackson was the third settler in this community. He was a man who had spent his boyhood days on the Kentucky frontier and left that state in 1833. He had served in the Black Hawk war and in the year above mentioned settled in Dubuque, from whence he frequently traversed the prairies of this section of country on hunting expeditions, being an experienced trapper and hunter. While on one of these ventures, in the spring of 1840, he came to the Nicholson eabin. There he learned of Nicholson's death and also of the loneli- ness and dissatisfaction of the widow. The latter, being willing to dispose of her possessions and leave the country, Jackson bought her claim, thirty-five acres of which were partially improved; and chattels, consisting of 160 bushels of wheat, 400 bushels of corn, two yoke of oxen, three cows, three young cattle,. two barrels of strained honey, taken from bee trees which were then plentiful in the timber: a few hogs, a quantity of hay and other articles. The consid- eration was $800, which Jackson practically paid in full. The same fall he moved on to his purchase and eventually became one of the leading men in Delaware County. Leroy Jackson, after buying the Nicholson claim and chat- tels, returned to Dubuque and in the fall brought his family, household goods and farming utensils to the new home in the wilderness. Henry A. Carter was also a member of the party, having been persuaded by Jackson to join him in the settlement. That winter (1840-1) Jackson built a hewed log cabin for Carter, who took possession of it in March, 1841. Soon after his family was established a daughter, Sarah B., was born, the first birth in the community. In 1844, Mrs. Carter passed away, and this was the second death. The second birth was that of a son to Leroy Jackson, and the newcomer was named Henry C. Jackson. In 1844, both these pioneers, JJackson and Carter, erected sawmills: the first named on Plum Creek and the latter on the Maquoketa. Six years later they laid out the Town of Hopkinton.
A word or two in relation to the efforts of Carter and Jackson in building up a new country and from whence they came. Leroy Jackson was born in Kentucky in 1804 and lived there until he was twenty-two years of age. The year 1828 found him in lowa. His chief employment was as an Indian trader. It is said he built the first brick house in Dubuque and kept the first hotel there. When he first came to Delaware County on a hunting trip, he found
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
about four hundred Indians here. The year of his permanent settlement already has been stated. Mr. Jackson took an active part in organizing the county and was its first sheriff. He then for a number of years kept a hotel at Hopkinton : raised a large family of children and accumulated several hundred acres of land.
11. A. Carter was born in Massachusetts in 1806. When twenty-eight years of age he moved to St. Louis and two years later to Dubuque, where he met Leroy Jackson. With his old friend he laid out the Town of Hopkinton and in 1>50 moved to Cedar Rapids. Three years later Mr. Carter was back in Hop- kinton, employing his time as a merchant. He built the first mill in Hopkin- ton : also built the first bridge across the Maquoketa at that place. He became an extensive hop grower and is credited with shipping the first bale of the product from lowa. Further, and greatly to his renown, Mr. Carter was the originator (having first proposed it), of Lenox College. No more energetic, forceful and valuable men have identified themselves with the early history of Delaware County.
Dunean MeCullom settled in the southeast part of the county near the Liv- ingstons in 1840.
Theodore Marks came here and entered a tract of land about three miles northeast of Leroy Jackson's in 1841. He was first elerk of the township after its organization in 1849.
S. M. Slausen was a settler in South Fork Township as early as 1851. He occupied his time in farming for five years and then moved to Hopkinton.
Elliott M. Chapman, a native of New Hampshire, settled in South Fork Township in 1853. Ile owned a fine tract of land. was active in the affairs of his township and for several years served as trustee.
James Ilarper was one of the prominent men of South Fork Township. lle was a native of Pennsylvania and settled in South Fork Township in 1854. on land which he had purchased.
Norman Luke left his native State of New York in 1857 and located in South Fork Township, where he engaged in farming. In 1877 he went into the livery business at Hopkinton. Luke quarry near the town is well known in that section.
HOPKINTON LAID OUT
The Town of Hopkinton was laid out on the southeast quarter of section 13 in 1851 and the plat recorded December 29, 1851. The owners of the land were Ilenry A. Carter and Leroy Jackson.
SOME EARLY CITIZENS
William HI. Martin settled on Plum Creek in JJuly, 1843, with his family and engaged in farming. Ilis father, William Martin, died here in 1876 and that same year William HI. became a resident of Hopkinton and was elected mayor in 1877.
William B. Morgan was born in New York State in 1830 and when fifteen years of age removed with his parents to this eounty and settled near Hopkin- ton. Hle learned carpentering and worked at his trade until 1861, when he enlisted in the Civil war. He returned to Hopkinton and in 1863 entered the mereantile business. He was the first deputy sheriff appointed and to complete the first jury panel he was compelled to summon every voter in the county.
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IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Isaac Smith moved on to a farm six miles west of Hopkinton in 1846. In 1855 he moved into the village when there were only two houses in existence there. He paid his attention to farming and also worked at carpentry. Mr. Smith was a member of Company F, Thirty-seventh lowa, the famous "Gray , Beards," and served the county faithfully and well for four years as sheriff.
James Hardy was born in the State of Virginia in 1816. When thirty years of age he came from the State of Illinois to this county and located in North Fork Township in 1846. He removed to Hopkinton in 1860. Mr. Hardy was one of Delaware County's best citizens. He served on the first grand jury impaneled in the county and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church almost a lifetime. He held several township offiees.
The Littlefields came to South Fork Township in an early day and P. M. Littlefield was born here in 1853. Hugh Livingston was also a son of a pioneer. Ile was born in the township in 1844 and became a druggist at Hopkinton.
F. W. Doolittle was born at Delhi, the son of Frederick B. Doolittle, July 8, 1855, and became a member of the banking firm of Doolittle & Son at Ilopkinton.
One of the first blacksmiths in Hopkinton was L. C. Tapping, who came from Pennsylvania in 1856. ITis blacksmith shop was kept running until about 1873, when he built the Central House and became its proprietor.
Among the early residents of Hopkinton was Peter IL. Warner, who located in the village in April, 1856. He served a clerkship in a general store until his arrival in Hopkinton, when he went into business for himself. He was postmaster at the village eight years and held other positions in the township of trust and responsibility. Mr. Warner established the first drug, dental, photographie and jewelry business at Hopkinton, and ealled the first meeting held in the interests of the Davenport & Northwestern Railway Company.
Gorham K. Nash was born in the State of Maine. He came to Delaware County in the spring of 1856 and about two years thereafter located at Hop- kinton. Ilis father, Amaziah Nash, located in Hopkinton in 1859 and engaged in the wagon making business until his death in 1866. Gorham K. is now a respected resident of Hopkinton. Ile served in Company K, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry.
Alexander Kirkwood first saw the light of day in bonny Scotland, immi- grated to the United States in 1829 and lived for some years in New York and Philadelphia, where he was engaged in piano making. Ile arrived in Delaware County in 1856 and located in Hopkinton, where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. Mr. Kirkwood served his adopted country in the Civil war.
William Flude was a prominent figure in the educational field of music. He was a native of England and came to the United States in 1857. loeating in Hopkinton as professor of music in the Bowen Collegiate Institute, now known as Lenox College.
Robert G. Crawford was a pioneer merchant of Hopkinton. He was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Delaware County in 1859 with his father. who bore the same name, and located at Ilopkinton, where he engaged in the hard- ware business.
There was quite an influx of people seeking homes in this beautiful new country in 1856. About this time appeared Rev. W. L. Roberts, a clergyman
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of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, located here, preached the Gospel to the scattered settlers and was a strong force in persuading a number of his religious faith to become residents of Hopkinton and the nearby farms.
J. 11. Campbell was one of the early merchants. There were also Barker & Campbell, general merchandise; A. Kirkwood, undertaker and furniture. Other early merchants were C. E. Merriam & Company, Jo Bernard, P. O. Joseph; Williamson & MeBride, drugs; Il. Livingston, drugs; J. G. Wallaee, hardware: restaurant, Charles AAbbott; millinery, Misses M. & N. Dawson; harness, C. F. Shimeal .. P. II. Warner was a notary public here in the '60s, so was M. Harmon; C. E. Reeve had a meat market. James MeArthur flour store. G. H. Crawford. W. P. Gerry and JJ. HI. Williamson early blaeksmiths; John Dunlap, wagon maker ; livery stables, N. Loop and Lough & King; lumber, P. D. Smith.
The firm of Campbell & Williamson built an elevator in 1873 In 1863 the elevator at Sand Springs was moved to Hopkinton by JJohn Stevenson.
Dr. W. H. Finley was one of the first physicians to take up the practice in Delaware County, coming to Hopkinton in 1859 and opening an office.
The Davenport & St. Paul Railroad, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. was completed and running trains through Hopkinton in 1872. The first station master was A. F. Stickney. The advent of railroad transportation fa- cilities gave Hopkinton a spur to advance and the town took on new life and added importance. About a year ago a beautiful new depot was erected, to replace the old one.
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