USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 34
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J. A. G. Cattron was one of the foremost men in Oneida Township. He removed from Indiana in 1854 and with his family settled on section 2. He was prominently identified with township affairs and held several offices. Mr. Cattron was also a great church man and one of the founders of the Methodist Society in this vicinity. He was trustee and one of the incorporators of the Earlville Methodist Episcopal Church. A man of good judgment and in-
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dustrious habits, he accumulated several hundred acres of land and all in all, was a good citizen.
William Cattron came to the township with his brother JJohn in 1852. They first stopped.at Delhi and from there walked across the prairie and chose land on section 2, which they entered. They then returned to Laporte County, Indiana, from whence they brought their families to the new home in Oneida Township. Six months later, William sold his interest in the claim to his brother, and located in Elk Township. John Cattron built a log cabin on the prairie claim, hauling the lumber from Guttenburg.
The last Government land unclaimed by settlers was entered by E. B. Con- ger and James JJones, who came to the township in 1853. Mr. Conger's father was with the party. Among others who came this year were James Ball, William Hefner, I. R. Williams and Joel Seger.
James Ball, still living, as has been mentioned, came to this township in 1855. He entered a tract of land, part of which is within the limits of the Town of Delaware, and built a small frame residence. He prospered in his undertakings as farmer and live-stock dealer and is now taking the shady side of life gracefully and happily.
John Cruise and son by the same surname, settled in Oneida Township in 1853, when the country was wild and still meandered by bands of Indians, who temporarily camped in the groves elose by their eabin. The elder Cruise lived to be over eighty years of age. The younger man beeame prominent in the county government, serving as sheriff three successive terms, securing his first election to that office in 1861. He became a large land owner, was an extensive breeder and raiser of live stock, carried on dairying and was generally an active, wide-awake citizen and is now a resident of Manchester and at the age of seventy-seven operates his own automobile.
Jasper S. Hunt settled in this township in the early '50s and for many years resided on section 32. Mr. Hunt was one of the most active in organiz- ing the township in 1855.
John P. Fear and D. M. Smith became identified with Oneida Township in 1852, settling near the present Village of Delaware.
William Hockaday came to Delaware County from Dupage County, Illi- nois, and settled in Oneida Township, married a Miss Rogers and to them were born eight children, five boys and three girls. Mr. Hoekaday had an old team and a few dollars in his pocket when he came to Towa. Now he is one of Delaware County's many retired farmers. He served in the One Hundred and Forty-first Ilinois Infantry is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Jones Mill Grange and while his home is now in Manchester, lowa, where he spends his summers, for the past three seasons he has with his wife and a few Delaware County friends spent the winters in Southern California.
E. A. Seger was born in the State of New York and came to this county in 1854, with his father, Joel Seger. L. G. Seger, another son of Joel, eame at the same time.
William E. Wilson settled in the township in 1854. One Pierce also settled here in the same year and bought eighty aeres of land, for which he paid $700- a big price for the time.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Walter S. Sanderock, a native of England. emigrated to the United States in 1845, and to this county in 1855, locating in Oneida Township.
W. G. Strickland removed from Massachusetts to this county in 1856 and settled on section 11. this township. At the time of his locating here he had a wife and two children.
James F. and Electa B. Enos, with their son, James B. Enos, settled here in 1856 and entered land, upon which the family resided and prospered for many years.
In the spring of 1856 several families of the Congregational faith eame in, among whom were Rev. J. A. Kasson, Rev. II. N. Gates, Daniel B. Noble, L. O. Stevens and F. W. Dunham. They made a little settlement on and near see- tion 11. This was called Stafford Colony, which later became known as Al- moral (See Almoral).
Joseph Dunham, father of F. W., J. B., Buel and Abbie Dunham came from Franklin County. Vermont, and located at Almoral in Oneida Township in 1856.
F. W. Dunham was the first postmaster at Almoral, afterward became prin- cipal of the Earlville school and later of the Manchester schools. . His children, both of whom are now living, are Judge George W. Dunham, Manchester, and Mrs. Laura Barrett of Vermilion, South Dakota. Mr. Dunham died many years ago, but his widow, who several years after became Mrs. Sanborn, still resides at Manchester and is dearly loved by all who know her.
.J. B. Dunham, usually called "Bieknell," succeeded his brother, F. W., as postmaster at Almoral and continued to hold that office until his death a few years since. Hle was one of Oneida Township's best men. His widow now re- sides at Manchester and his two sons at Oneida.
J. B. Taylor came in 1855. George M. Earl, William Everton and Benja- min F. Kahl came in 1857. Of course there are many others who located in the township this year and the immediate years succeeding, but even if their names were at hand, want of space will not permit mention of them here. How- ever, in the second volume detailed sketches of most of the prominent pioneers will be found.
VILLAGE OF EARLVILLE
The original Town of Earlville, first known as Nottingham, was laid out on sections 35 and 36, in October, 1857, for the Iowa Land Company, by its presi- dent, R. B. Mason. The plat was filed for record in the county recorder's office on the 22d day of the month mentioned. The village was named Nottingham, in honor of one of the leading officials of the railroad company, then first operating within its circumscribed limits.
The first person to locate on the land here was a man named Downer, who came in 1857, and remained but a short time. He disposed of his interests to George M. Earl who, accompanied by Henry Bentley, arrived in the locality that year. Bentley did not stay long and before leaving sold his share in the land to Earl, whose name is now dignified as the appellation for the second largest and important town in Delaware County.
Joel Seger located in the new town in 1853 and was the first carpenter in the community. Hle built the first schoolhouse in the place, a small frame structure.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
There is no record or account of anyone following Seger onto the future townsite until 1857, when the Dubuque & Sioux City (now linois Central) reached this place. That year the townsite was laid out on the Earl land and settlements therein were quite numerous. On December 10, 1857. the first train arrived in the growing trade center and both the postal authorities and railroad company changed the name to Earlville. The old name of Nottingham chung to the place and in 1861. Judge Bailey of the County Court. enforced the name on the place by a judicial order. However, this was changed to Earlville at the time of the incorporation of the village as a town later on.
The first mercantile establishment here was opened by Benjamin Thorpe. Sr .. in the spring of 1857. He kept a general line of goods then in demand hy his patrons, and soon after he had established a good trade. F. Bates began in the same line of business in a building, the upper story of which was used as a hall, which was the first one in the town. This hall was used for many purposes, including religions services of the seets then recently organized.
Earlville soon became a leading trading point and grain market. the rail- road facilitating transportation to a degree scarcely looked for by the settlers. and in 1858 Benjamin Thorpe built a warehouse for the storage of grain, which came in from the fertile farms many miles around. Within a short time two more grain depositories were built. But so much grain began seeking the mar- kets in the east, that they became inadequate for the purpose and an elevator was built in 1861. by J. S. Harris and Joseph Deiley. This was one of the three elevators on the line of the railroad at that period. In 1864. the elevator passed into the hands of Josiah Tilson and later Hersey & Company became proprietors. The latter tiri built another elevator in 1875. with a capacity of 15,000 bushels, being erected on the foundations of an elevator built by Hersey & Company, destroyed by a cyclone in 1869. the year it was put up.
By the year 1877. Earlville was well on the road towards reaching its ambition to become one of Delaware's important marts and had dry-goods and general mercantile establishments, groceries, shoe stores, harness shops, hard- ware stores, wagon and carriage factories, blacksmith shops, furniture stores. jewelers, druggists, physicians; milliners, tailors, coopers, butebers, a livery stable, established by l. B. Taylor, first in the town and still in operation by a son : and other lines of business, including a newspaper, an indispensable luxury in a community of intelligent people.
EARLVILLE IS INCORPORATED
. A petition, signed by many citizens of Earlville, was tiled in the Circuit Court. May 10. 1882. praying that the village be incorporated as a town. The matter coming before the court. Judge John C. Lacey granted the prayer of the petition and appointed George Staehle. Sr .. F. Werkmeister, W. II. Merton, Samuel F. Parker and L. G. Hersey a committee to call au election, to ascertain the wishes of the electorate. An election was thereupon called to be held Mon- day. Inne 12. 1852. at the drug store of A. S. Harris & Son, and its results showed that the proposition was carried by a majority of 59, out of a total vote of 101. On the Sth day of August. 1882, an election was held for town officers. and the following persons were chosen: Mayor. Samuel F. Parker: clerk. C.
MAIN STREET, LOOKING SOUTH, EARLVILLE
GARRETT'S FALLS, EARLVILLE
ـات.
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Starr Barre: trustees, Charles Schubert, Charles B. Bush, George G. Williams, L. G. llersey, George Staehle and Alex Riddell.
The council held its first meeting on the evening of August 21st, in the office of the Graphie. Members of the council were all present, but the mayor elect was absent. On motion of Staehle, Mr. Hersey was made mayor, pro tem, and presided.
On motion of Staehle it was moved that a tax of 3 mills on the dollar of assessed valuation of taxable property be levied; also that 5 mills be levied on all farm lands of ten aeres and over within the corporation, for the ensuing year, for road purposes.
Councilman Riddell nominated John Cruikshank for marshal and Council- man Williams nominated J. B. Taylor. Ou a ballot being taken, Cruikshank received the appointment, at a salary of $25 from September 1 to the next annual election.
The mayor was authorized to appoint a committee of three on ordinanees and for that purpose named Riddell, Staehle and Bush.
A committee, consisting of Bush and Williams, was named to take the meas- urement of the railroad tracks within the corporate limits. The place selected for the next meeting was the Hersey Building; and this is the manner in which Earlville started ont on its career as an ineorporated town.
The following named citizens have served Earlville as chief executive and clerk : 1882-83, Parker, mayor; Barre, recorder; 1884-85, George Staehle, Jr., mayor ; Barre, recorder ; 1886, G. H. Bush, mayor; Barre, recorder ; 1887, George Staehle, mayor; S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1888, J. H. Trewin, mayor; S. K. Virtue. recorder; 1889, H. G. Millen, mayor; S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1890, E. II. Russel, mayor; S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1891, W. I. Millen, mayor; S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1892, S. W. Klaus, mayor; S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1893, S. W. Klaus, mayor: S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1894, James Currie, mayor; S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1895, James Currie, mayor; S. K. Virtue, recorder; 1896, James Currie, mayor : S. K. Virtue and E. South, recorder; 1897, J. B. Taylor, mayor ; E. Sonth, reeorder : 1898, J. B. Taylor, mayor; E. South, recorder; 1899, J. B. Taylor. mayor; E. South, recorder; 1900, J. B. Taylor, mayor; E. South, re- corder; 1901, J. B. Taylor, mayor; E. South, recorder; 1902, J. C. Nieman, mayor ; R. V. Lucas, recorder; 1903, J. C. Nieman, mayor ; R. V. Lueas, recorder ; 1904, 1l. A. Tobie, mayor R. V. Lucas, recorder; 1905, 1I. A. Tobie, mayor ; R. V. Lucas, recorder; 1906, S. S. Douglass, mayor; C. B. Rogers, recorder; 1907. S. S. Douglass, mayor; C. B. Rogers, recorder; 1908, John Werkmeister, mayor ; William Hunt, recorder ; 1909, John Werkmeister, mayor; William Hunt, recorder; 1910, John Werkmeister, mayor; William Hunt, recorder; 1911, John Werkmeister, mayor; William Hunt, recorder; 1912, J. M. Dunn, mayor; Wil- liam Hunt, recorder; 1914, II. A. Tobie, mayor; William Hunt, recorder.
EARLVILLE HAS A DISASTROUS FIRE
On the evening of May 10, 1887, the town was threatened with destruction. Fire was noticed in a frame building, occupied by a saloon, but it had gotten under such headway before its discovery, that before means could be taken to subdue its ravages the flames had spread and consumed three bloeks of busi-
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ness houses, including residences and churches. The Congregational Church and parsonage were in ruins; the Voit residence. a handsome briek structure eost- ing $5,000. met the same fate : also, T. O. Eaton's meat market. F. Werkmeister's furniture establishment and residence. George Staehle's hardware store and Inmber yard. Alex Riddell & Company's general merchandise store. Bush & Klaus, general merchandise, E. Healey, farm implements, the Garfield Hotel, a new brick building : Farmers Hotel, also a new briek buikling; Shmbert & Hess, wagon shops, John Young's carriage factory, and others. The loss was placed at over two hundred thousand dollars, on which was some insurance.
WATERWORKS SYSTEM
The heavy losses by fire sustained by Earlville citizens awakened them to the imperative necessity of installing a system of waterworks, as security in a measure at least, against a repetition of the calamity. To this end the matter was presented to the electorate of the town in the spring of 1900 and the ques- tion of bonding Earlville to the extent of $5,000 for the construction and main- tenance of a system of waterworks was carried by a generous majority. It was not until 1903. however, that construction of the improvement began. In that year an S-inch well. 175 feet in depth, was drilled in the rock, when a bounteons supply of pure, clear water was obtained. A reservoir. 36 feet in diameter and 15 feet in depth, was built, giving a capacity of 112,000 gallons of the liquid, on Reeder's hill, one-half mile southwest of town. The elevation of the reservoir is so intense as to afford a pressure of forty pounds, more than sufficient to throw a stream over the tallest structure in the community. Six-inch cast iron mains were laid and with a building in which pumps were installed, Earlville completed its waterworks at an expenditure of about eight thousand dollars.
ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT
In the year 1912 the authorities of the corporation installed a small dynamo at the pumping station to utilize the excess power there and furnish lights for the streets. This arrangement was so satisfactory. it created a demand for more lights, both for public and private use. To meet the exactments of the citizens in this relation meant the' construction of a larger plant and the matter was submitted at the polls December 9, 1913. While the question of issuing $10.000 in bonds for the purpose was answered in the affirmative by the electorate the project was defeated for the time being through a technicality which necessitated the resubmission of the proposition at another election, held September 14, 1914. But not waiting for the election. being well assured of its confirmatory results, all the necessary equipment for a first class lighting plant, including dynamos, one 35-horse-power engine and one 25-horse-power, both of the Bes- semer type, was set up in the waterworks power house, a two-story briek strne- ture. and now the Town of Earlville owns two splendid utilities-waterworks and an electric lighting system.
CITY HALL
Earlville has a very good city hall. a two-story briek building. erected in 1888. In the front of the ground floor is the equipment of the fire department,
PUBLIC SCHOOL, EARLVILLE
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SCHOOL BUILDING AT EAREVILLE ERECTED IN J-59
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IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
used by a volunteer company. To the rear are cells or iron cages, for the safe keeping of law-breakers. The upper story is devoted to the council chamber and mayor's office.
STATE BANK OF EARLVILLE
The banking facilities of Earlville are excellent, all needs of the citizens in that respect being amply provided for by the State Bank, which began exist- ence as a private financial concern in 1882. The firm of Conger Brothers were the first proprietors, having George W. Dunham, now Judge Dunham of Man- chester. as cashier. The bank in course of time was the property of A. H. Conger. On September 1. 1887, II. Millen & Son took charge and later added W. 1. Millen. another son of the senior member of the firm. H. G. Millen and W. 1. Millen then conducted operations as Millen Brothers.
The bank was organized as the Savings Bank of Earlville in 1895, the incor- porators being J. C. and W. T. Wood, Ed Bisgrove, Thomas Cousins, C. M. and D. M. Laxson, II. G. and W. I. Millen and George Staehle. Sr. The eapital was $20,000. C. M. Laxson. president : J. C. Wood, vice president ; D. F. Laxson, cashier. In 1887 the deposits were $10,000.
The bank was reorganized in 1902 and chartered as the State Bank, with a capital of $25,000. President. C. M. Laxson; viee president, W. T. Wood ; cashier. H. G. Millen : assistant cashier. W. 1. Millen. The latter resigned and was succeeded by Emor Millen, who remained until 1904, when his place was taken by D. F. Laxson. Present officials, C. M. Laxson, president; Edward Bisgrove, vice president : D. F. Laxson, cashier. Capital. $25,000 ; surplus and undivided profits. $27,000; deposits, $225,000.
POSTOFFICE
On the 12th of February, 1858, the postoffice was established at Earlville and S. D. Moody commissioned postmaster. The names of his sueeessors follow : C. B. Stowe, commissioned November 9. 1858; JJ. S. Harris, December 5, 1860; J. G. Verplank, March 29, 1861; Cummings Sanborn, January 28, 1864; R. L. Jones, September 17, 1867 ; R. II. Van Wagenen, January 4, 1886: J. G. Cousins, December 18, 1890; William H. Flynn, October 25, 1894; JJ. C. Cousins, August 22, 1898; R. V. Lueas, October 11, 1902; Philip M. Cloud. December 22, 1905.
SCHOOLS
Earlville has always been recognized as one of the foremost towns in the county in all matters pertaining to education. As early as 1853 a sehool was ereeted on what afterwards became the townsite. Joel Seger, a carpenter set- tling here in that year, was the builder. The little eabin school had for its first teacher Benjamin Thorpe, Jr., and the building was utilized for various pur- poses until 1859, when a two-story frame structure took its place, C. C. Gilman being the contractor. This old school stood for many years and instruetors presiding within its walls had for pupils lads and lassies who became the bone and sinew of the county.
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Earlville was made an independent school district in 1865. II. N. Gates under the new dispensation was appointed principal and Mary Ellis, assistant. Later, additions were made to the buikling, to meet the growing demand for more room. The attendance at this time is large and the erection of the new building, a two-story brick, a year or two ago, was a necessity and its cost was cheerfully met by the parents and taxpayers of the community.
CHURCHES
METHODIST EPISCOPAL
In the month of Angust, 1854, a Methodist Episcopal elass was formed at this place, by George Clifford, of the lowa Conference, the meeting taking place at the home of Samnel Sandercock, who then lived at Plum Creek, on the farm now occupied by James Hunt. That pioneer class of Godly men and women was indeed a small one, but in this regard it made up in enthusiasm and sin- cerity of purpose all that was lacking in number. They were: Samuel Sander- cock and wife, Walter Sandercock and wife, Thomas Rogers and wife and M. A. Dieley, Preaching was held on occasions by the year 1855, in the schoolhouse at the east end of town, and it was Reverend Hyde, who first eame and ministered to this small flock of worshipers.
When the railroad began operations in and through Earlville, in 1857, a box car was set aside on the switch and utilized for church purposes, or preach- ing at least, and here a small body of men and women gathered for some time. Prior to this, however, in 1856, the conference was divided and Earlville was attached to the Delhi circuit ; at this period Rev. A. M. Smith was pastor. He was succeeded in 1859 by Rev. Samuel Lamont, and he in turn stepped aside for Rev. J. F. Hestwood, who came in 1860. Rev. E. W. Jeffries was here from 1861 to 1862 and in 1865 Earlville became an independent charge, with Reverend Julius as pastor. He remained until 1866 and was followed by Rev. T. Thompson.
For several years and up to 1867, services were held in Bates' ITall, the schoolhouse (then new), Thorpe's Hall and in the basement of the Congrega- tional Church. In 1866 lots were purchased and on September 11, 1867, the clinreh was incorporated, by Josiah Dieley, J. B. Taylor, T. R. Long, J. A. G. Cattron and F. W. Sandercock, trustees. That year the church was built on the lots previously secured. It is a frame structure, still standing, but not in its original form. A parsonage was purchased about this time and in 1868 Rev. J. L. Garrison was called to the charge. His successors in the pulpit were T. Thompson, 1870-71; J. N. Platt, 1871-73; J. B. Allbrook, 1873-74: J. E. Cowgill, 1874-75; S. Knickerbocker, 1875-76; S. Ketcham, 1876-79; William Cobb. 1879-82; J. K. Schiffer. 1882-84; L. M. Pratt, 1884-86; L. L. Lockwood, 1886-88.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The first publie improvement toward the formation of a Congregational Church in Earlville. then ealled Nottingham, was made May 9, 1858, when service was held, with preaching by Rev. H. N. Gates, then pastor of the Con- gregational Church at Almoral, in a railroad ear.
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A Sunday school was organized at this service by Horace Pitkin, who served as the first superintendent. Services were held here for some time and after- ward removed to a hall over the store of Mr. Bates. In this hall, on February 6. 1859, a church was organized with the following charter members: Mrs. Stowe, Mrs. J. S. Harris, Mrs. Dawes, Mr. Bates, James G. Verplank and Rev. and Mrs. Il. N. Gates. Reverend Gates remained as pastor until September, 1861. Meetings were continued in the hall for about a year, when they were removed to the upper room of the new schoolhouse and afterwards to the room over Mr. Thorpe's store.
The first house of worship was completed in December, 1867, and dedicated early in the new year. A parsonage was built beside the church in 1882. On the night of May 11-12, 1887, both church and parsonage were burned, together with nearly all the business part of the town. In this fire all the records of the church were destroyed.
After the loss of the church the Methodist Episcopal people kindly offered to share the use of their church. The offer was thankfully accepted, the pastors of the two churehes alternating in preaching to the united congregations. In the meantime the Sunday school met in the Odd Fellows Hall, which was kindly offered to the church for services.
The second church edifice was erected during the summer after the fire and was dedicated December 4, 1887, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. J. W. Ferner, of Postville. A new building was purchased for the parsonage, at a cost of $2,800.
This sketch would be incomplete if it dealt only with beginnings. Follow- ing the foundation layers came the builders-the names and services of the Herseys, the Sanborns, Nicholsons, Morriseys and all the host, who in season and out. in labors abundant have toiled for the establishment of the church, leaving an organization of 180 members, a good building well equipped for the work, and a commodious parsonage. The attendance at Sunday school is 120 and in the adult Bible class, eighty-six.
The following named have served as pastors of this congregation: Revs. Il. N. Gates. A. M. Loring, Boardman, Charles Gibbs, J. L. Atkinson, Jordan, Hudson. J. Brooks, J. M. Bowers, J. R. Barnes, Thomas Kent, L. W. Winslow, D. M. Ogilvie, D. L. Hilliard, D. W. Blakely, R. F. Paxton, J. C. Stoddard, A. B. Keeler, W. A. Aleorn, T. B. Couchman and A. Winfield Wiggins, the latter having had charge since October, 1913.
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