USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 61
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
good. He believed in having good schools, the establishment of churches. Was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and liberally contributed to its sup- port. Filled the office of justice of the peace for his township. He was unflinch- ingly stubborn in maintaining what he thought was right. Was an anti-slavery man when it required courage to be such. Was a republican in politics. W. R. Loper, a native of Indiana, came to Des Moines County in 1837. Was eleven years old on his arrival. The following named persons were claim makers in the township: Gaeter S. Barns, Jacob Rexroat, James T. Kaster, Alexander W. Gordon, John Walker, Joseph Walker, Nemiah H. Jackson, Ignatius Howard, John Salladay, David Loper, John Burkhardt, Martin Walker. At a later date came John Penny, Miller Lynch, W. G. Miller, K. Long, Robert Getty, J. F. Foster, John Burkholder. During the darkest days for the democrats of Des Moines County, there was one township whose election returns cheered their hearts, and that was Benton. It has one town within its limits which is situated on section 1. The town was named Kings-town, after its founder one, WV. King. This village has not had much encouragement for growth until within the last three years, when there was constructed the M. N. & S. R. R., which runs near the town and makes it a shipping point. At the organization of the First Baptist Association of Iowa at the Long Creek Church, September 5 and 6, 1839, the Pisgah Church was represented by Elder H. Johnson and J. Todd. How long before this time it had existed as a voluntary association I have been unable to find out; but it can be presumed to have existed not long after the organization of the Long Creek Church. The Todds, Jacksons, Scremores, Barnes and other Baptists in this neighborhood came at an early day. The Pisgah Church building was constructed about the time the people comprising the con- gregation became incorporated under the law. It can be said, in every com- munity there are some men and women who are the salt of the earth, those who conceive what is best for the happiness and prosperity of the community. Among that class in Benton Township can be mentioned John Penny, who represented his county in the House of the Second General Assembly of the state, as well as lis son, John S. Penny, who represented Des Moines County in the House of the Twenty-first General Assembly. The township is divided into six school districts, Sub-District No. 1, Sub-District No. 2, Kingston Independent District No. 2, Sub-District No. 3, Rock Point District and Latty Independent District. Diamond Independent District lies partly in Franklin Township, section 17, and 18 and the north halfs of sections 19 and 20 being in Benton Township.
Assessed value of real and personal property in Benton Township:
Real estate
$1, 121,548.00
Personal property
1 15,902.00
Moneys and credits 151,215.00
Total
$1,388,665.00
FLINT RIVER TOWNSHIP
The Board of County Commissioners on the 17th day of January, 1841, caused to be entered of record this order: "Also ordered that township 70 north, Vol. I-33
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
range 3 west, be constituted and organized under the name of Flint River Township, and that an election be held on the first Monday of April next at the house of Jonathan Morgan."
This township received its name because Flint Creek ran from the north- west almost through the township. At an early day it was called a river, and had sufficient water to furnish the power for saw mills. It had several tributary streams within the township.
This township in early times contained more timber land than any other township in the county.
No township in the county furnished a better quality of limestone than this.
The bottom lands along Flint Creek are of the best quality. As the years came, a large number of German people settled on the lands bordering on Flint Creek. It seems to be characteristic of German people to make their homes on the border of rivers and creeks, whereby they are enabled to cultivate both the bottom and hilly lands.
When the pioneer came into the county this township was his paradise for hunting, for here could be found in abundance the deer and wild turkey.
Jonathan Morgan, at whose house the first township election was held, was one of the prominent men of the county at the time. William Leffler, a member of the Leffler family which took an active part in the county and territorial affairs, settled in this township in 1836. Was a government surveyor for sev- eral years.
David Leonard came in 1842 and settled west and near where is now located the Town of West Burlington. He was a horticulturist and to him the old settlers were largely indebted for their orchards. In the early days the Leon- ards, Comstocks, Averys and Nealleys were the horticulturists of the county.
The Bolicks, Amos and David, were among the first settlers in the town- ship, coming here in 1836.
L. D. Ballard settled on section 1 in 1836. Joseph Barton came in 1846. James O. Graham came with his parents to this township in 1837. The Delash- mutts came at an early date. Peter Hull, an Englishman, settled in the town- ship in 1835. John Jackson settled in 1834. Mr. Jackson was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. He died in 1864.
David Pierson came to the county and settled in Flint River Township in 1835. The McMaken family, J. J. and J. L., settled in the township in 1838 and 1839 respectively.
John Inghram settled in the township in 1837.
The men whose names we have mentioned were men of sterling characters ; men who took an active part in the establishment of schools, churches, and in all the activities whose tendencies are to make good citizenship. Themselves obedient to law, they made it their duty to see that the law was enforced.
The people of this township were not behind those of other townships in organizing school districts under the School Law of 1840. As time passed, and a change for the better took place, in the school laws, they were taken advantage of by the people of this township. The old sub-district system was abandoned and independent school districts established throughout the township, No. 1, Excelsior; No. 2, Flint River; No. 6, Prairie Grove; No. 5, Sherman ; No. 3, Hawkeye ; No. 4, Fairview.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
WEST BURLINGTON
The Village of West Burlington in this township was incorporated in 1884, and has a population of 1,260 people. It has almost all the advantages of the City of Burlington. It is connected with the later city by two electric railways. Has electric light service, water works, and has a good system of drainage. Possesses an excellent graded school. Its school building has all the modern conveniences. The school population is 359. Has one bank which is in a very prosperous condition. The West Burlington Savings Bank was organized in 1907 with a capital stock of $25,000. Its total deposits for the year preceding the 19th of April, 1915, at the close of business on that day were $246,966.56. The bank is under the management and control of the most worthy of men.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hon. George H. Higbee, E. E. Kirkendall, C. H. Wuellner, A. A. Bosch, P. B. Smith, George W. Scholes, F. J. Riling, J. B. Graham, C. H. Walsh.
OFFICERS
E. E. Kirkendall, president; V. A. Johnson, cashier. The affairs of the city are managed by a mayor and board of five trustees.
CITY OFFICERS
G. C. Scholes, mayor. Trustees, Emil Pierson, Edward Rehemschmidt, C. J. Ervall, P. F. Bloomberg, O. T. Giese; William Gieselman, city clerk; J. G. Feldman, city treasurer. The affairs of the West Burlington Independent School District are controlled by a board of directors composed of the following named persons : P. C. Bloom, president ; J. G. Feldman, C. W. Rhode, Albert G. Scholes, E. L. Swartz, V. A. Johnson, secretary ; Charles Rousch, treasurer.
West Burlington has one butcher shop; one drug store; one hardware store; one jewelry and confectionary store; one lumber yard; one knitting factory which gives employment to forty or fifty people ; has two hotels and three grocery stores. The machine shops of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad com- pany give employment to many of the people of the town.
Assessed value of real and personal property :
Real property
$1.586.312
Personal property 157,580
Moneys and credits 151.550
Total
$1,895,442
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
Township 71, N. R. I West 5 P. M.
The territory which at present comprises Jackson Township was once a part of Benton Township. On the 8th of April, 1850, Stephen Tallman and
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
sixty others petitioned the board of commissioners to set off all that part of the township within range I west 5 P. M., under the name of Jackson Township. Having considered the petition this entry was made of record: "Wherefore it is ordered, that township number 71 north, range i west, be and the same is hereby set off from the township heretofore known as Benton Township, and that said portion of territory set off shall from this date form a separate town- ship and district and known as Jackson Township."
B. W. CLARK, LEVI HAGAR, CHARLES MASON,
Commissioners.
This township lies almost entirely within the drainage district and embraces about seventeen sections of land. The overflow of the water from the Mississippi has prevented the settlement of this township except on what is called Sand Ridge. Since the establishment of the drainage system, this township has rapidly increased both in population and wealth. Among the early settlers in the town- ship were Samuel and Henry Smith, who owned large tracts of land. J. C. Wright, F. A. Bailey, William Fischthorn, W. A. Simmons and A. Kellogg were among the early settlers who made their homes in the township.
Assessed value of real and personal property :
Real property
$332,984
Personal property 43,204
Moneys and credits 300
Total
$376,488
TAMA AND CONCORDIA TOWNSHIPS
The Board of Supervisors of the county under date of June 10, 1910, took action on the petition of Saint Vaughn and others who asked that Burlington Township be divided. It caused to be entered of record an order as follows: "Therefore be it resolved by the Board of Supervisors that the territory hereto- fore known as Burlington Township be and the same is hereby divided into two parts, one of which shall include the City of Burlington according to the cor- porate limits thereof to be known as Burlington Township, and the other shall include all the balance of said territory formerly belonging to said Burlington Township to be hereafter known as Tama Township." In connection with the above order on same page appears the following: "Whereas on the 30th day of June, 1910, the Board of Supervisors of Des Moines County divided what was heretofore known as Burlington Township in said county into two townships, one comprising the City of Burlington and the other all the territory in said former Burlington Township lying outside of said city, naming the same Tama Township, and whereas it is now deemed advisable to again divide that portion known as Tama Township into two townships, etc. Therefore be it resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Des Moines County, lowa, that the said Tama Township be and the same is hereby divided into two townships, one to be known as Tama Township to comprise all that was formerly known as Burlington
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Township lying north of Burlington, and the other be known as Concordia Township and to comprise all that portion of what was formedly Burlington Township and lying south of the City of Burlington."
Signed July 5, 1910.
We will have to call on the board to find in what township the City of Burlington is located. To possess a township home it will have to go back to Flint Hills Township in which it was situated in 1834.
Assessed value of real and personal property :
TAMA TOWNSHIP
Real property
$560,400
Personal property
54,368
Moneys and credits
23,700
Total
$638,468
CONCORDIA TOWNSIIIP
Real property
$473,416
Personal property
37,500
Moneys and credits
41,150
Total
$552,066
1
CHAPTER XXXVIII
YELLOW SPRINGS AND HURON TOWNSHIPS
On April 3, 1838, the Board of County Commissioners for Des Moines County caused to be entered the following record, "Ordered townships 71 and 72 north, range 2 west, including fractional parts of sections 71 and 72 north, range i west, be and are constituted Round Prairie Precinct, and that the elec- tion be held for said precinct at the house of David E. Blair, and David E. Blair, John Salladay and Ezekiel Blanchard are appointed judges of election for said precinct." It will be seen from this order, all of the present townships of Benton, Jackson, Huron and a part of Yellow Springs east of the extensions of the west boundary line of Benton Township composed one township under the above name. On January 7, 1841, the same board caused to be entered of record the following order, "Ordered that township 72 north, range 3 west, and township 72 north, range 2 west, including the fractional township 72 north, range I west, be constituted under the name of Yellow Springs Township. and that an election be had at the house of L. C. Hutchinson in the Village of Yellow Springs on the first Monday of April next." It is also further ordered, that the order heretofore made and entered by this board establishing and organ- izing townships are hereby repealed and suspended by the foregoing established and organized township, described, named, and bounded as aforesaid."
JONATHAN MORGAN, GEORGE W. HIGHT, LEVI SCOTT.
Commissioners.
By this order, Yellow Springs Township included what is now known as Huron Township. In April, 1848, the township was divided by the first section line east of the range line separating ranges 2 and 3, all east of said section line to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River constituting Huron Township. Yellow Springs Township received its name from a spring situated in the southeast quarter of section 36, township 72 north, range 3 west. By the terms of the treaty made with the Sac and Fox Indians in 1832 granting the lands known as the Black Hawk Purchase, a reservation was created, of which we have written. A part of this reservation extended into Yellow Springs Township. The right of the Indians to occupy this reservation did not expire till the year 1836. For this reason, a part of Yellow Springs Township was not open to preemption until 1836. That part of the reservation in Yellow Springs Township, was in the shape of the letter V, the southeastern boundary line entering the township near the northwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 6, township 72 north, range 3 west, and extending in a southeastern
518
.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
direction to the southeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 33, same township and range, thence running in a northeastern direction passing out of the township in section 6 north, range 2 west. There has been so much dispute as to the boundaries of this reservation I do not vouch for the correctness of the above statement. I give it as set forth by Mr. Merrill in his history of Yellow Springs and Huron Townships; but that it did extend into Yellow Springs Township there is no doubt. The Indians were here at the first settle- ment of the township, and the lands within the boundaries of this V shaped tract were not occupied by any of the first settlers until the expiration of the Indian's right of occupancy. But as there were no land surveys at the time, it is impossible to locate definitely that part of the reservation in Yellow Springs Township. The great majority of the first settlers of this township were preeminently men of character, men who left their impress on the times in which they lived, so much so, that this township can boast, that no other is its superior in all these things which exalt a people. The greater portion of the township consists of rich prairie land. Hawkeye Creek has its source in the township and runs in a northeasterly direction through it. A branch of Flint Creek has its source in the southwestern portion of the township, and runs in a southwesterly direction, emptying into the main creek. Being well drained, and having sufficient timber lands and rich plateaus of the best of rich prairie lands, this section lured the first comers into the county for its occupancy. An Indian trail from Flint Hills, passed through Tamatown prairie in Benton Township where Chief Tama had a village of wickiups, thence north near the Yellow Springs and Kossuth Springs, then in a northeasterly direction near the mouth of the Iowa River, where was located the principal village of the Sac and Fox Indians. The first white people who settled in the territory embraced within Yellow Springs Township were Thomas and David E. Blair, both natives of Pennsylvania. Before coming to Michigan Territory they lived in Illinois. In the fall of 1834, they determined to seek a location in the Black Hawk Pur- chase near the Mississippi River and then came and took up a claim, a portion of which was in section 31, township 72 north, range 3 west. This was west of the Indian reservation, and without doubt the first claim to lands made in Yellow Springs Township. Having made their claim, by marking the boundaries, and trusting their rights to be properly guarded by a settler in Franklin Town- ship named Spence, who had a cabin near where the Hard-Shell Baptist stone church now stands, they went to their homes in Illinois, expecting to return in the early spring to commence work in the improvement of their land. But when they returned, to their astonishment, they found their claim had been jumped by others. The Blairs always believed Mr. Spence, whom they had entrusted to guard their rights, was privy to what was done, from the fact, the Spences sold to HIezekia Archer, who built his house on this land and there lived till the time of his death. But the Blairs were not the kind to be discouraged. Thomas determined to explore the county further west, and went as far as where is now located the City of Mount Pleasant, where he found a solitary log cabin. David crossed the Indian reservation and came to Round Prairie, and soon after Thomas followed him. At Yellow Springs. Jacob Westfall and Allen Elliott had made claims and built a cabin. They had arrived in the winter of 1834. Their cabin was the first white habitation erected in Yellow Springs
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Township. In this cabin was born a short time after its erection Jacob West- fall, Jr., the first white child born in the township. The Blairs settled in Round Prairie, Thomas on sections 20 and 29, and David on section 30. Thomas represented Des Moines County in the first Wisconsin Legislature and in the first Iowa Territorial Legislature. David represented the county in the Iowa Territorial Legislature for the years 1841 and 1842; was also a member of the first Iowa State Legislature. Their father, William Blair, soon followed his sons to Iowa Territory and died in 1840 at the age of eighty-two years. William Blair was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. David Blair died in 1874 aged eighty-two years. Thomas died in 1875 aged eighty-six years. The Blairs were men of strong personality, were Presbyterians and faithful attendants and contributed to that church. In this connection, it is necessary to speak of Morris W. Blair, son of David E. Blair, who came with his father when he settled in the township. Almost his whole life was spent here among his neighbors and friends. His was a jovial disposition. He saw the bright side of everything. Was a great reader, and generally informed on all subjects. He seemed to know everybody, and had a good greeting for all he met. Was fond of the society of ladies, but never was married. Was devoted to all good works. A few years ago he passed to his reward loved and esteemed by all who knew him. Among the first settlers of the township was the Carter family. They took possession of almost all of Round Prairie, and claimed it as their own by right of occupancy, whether or not they had marked out their domain. It is said they were a rough, intemperate set of men. How many there were of them is not known. One called Little Job claimed where is now located the Town of Kossuth, Josh had a claim further north. Big Joe had his claim west of Little Job's. Tom Carter, a brother of Little Job and Big Joe, occupied a claim west of Big Joe's claim. Suffice it to say the Carters did not last long. Their society was not appreciated by their neighbors. They sold their claims and moved away to more congenial places. Benjamin W. Clark with his family located a claim (afterwards) the northwest quarter and east half of southeast quarter of section 36. Mr. Clark's father-in-law, Isham Edwards, who was a minister of the Christian Church, came with him, and located on land near his son. A. M. Edwards came about the time Clark came. He had three sons, Josiah, Talbott and John, who located near their father. They soon moved away further west. Josiah Edwards married Pamelia Westfall in the spring of 1835, which was the first wedding in the township. The coming of Jacob Westfall was in 1834. Following him in the spring of 1836 came his father, Reuben Westfall, with all his relatives; the Andersons, Kings, Proctors, Swanks, Rouses, Holts, Gobeus and Bains, almost enough to claim a township of land. John and Levi Anderson settled south and west next to David E. Blair. The Andersons went west in the early '50s, presumably to Kansas, for we find Jeremiah G. Anderson was with John Brown fighting for "Free Soil, Free Speech, and Free Men" in Kansas. Followed him in all his adventures, was with him in the Harpers Ferry fight, in which he was killed. The Rankins were among the first settlers of the township. Judge David Rankin, a native of Pennsylvania, in religious belief was a Presbyterian. He came with his family of sons and daughters in the year 1836 and entered the southwest quarter of section 28. No man stood higher in the community than Mr. Rankin. His children were of the same stuff as that
OLD AMITY SCHOOLHOUSE. HURON TOWNSHIP
As it appeared in 1914. It was erected about 1840 and attended by many prominent men and women of Des Moines County
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
of the father. William entered land in section 22 near his father's. D. C., a son, entered the northeast quarter and west half of the northwest quarter of section 33; David H. entered the quarter section next and west of that of his father. Among the first settlers was Hon. James Bruce, who when a young man came to Wisconsin Territory in 1837 and settled in the now Yellow Springs Township. He entered the northeast quarter of section 19, just north of the quarter entered by his mother, Mrs. Anne (Job) Bruce, who was a sister of Mrs. T. and D. E. Blair. He built a log cabin on the land he claimed and after- wards entered. Having prepared a house, he proceeded at once to find some one to keep it. This he did, when in 1839 he married Mary HI. Rankin. Mr. Bruce was a tanner by trade, and for a time had a tannery on his place and sold leather to his neighbors. He represented Des Moines County in the House of the Tenth General Assembly of the state. Was a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His son, Lawrence, was a mem- ber of Company K, Fourteenth Iowa Regiment Volunteers and died of wounds at Jefferson Barracks September 14, 1864.
DR. SAMUEL FULLENWEIDER
Dr. Samuel Fullenweider was a native of Kentucky. When thirty-three years of age he came to Yellow Springs Township and settled at Yellow Springs Vil- lage, where he opened a store in the year 1837. He not only sold dry goods, groceries, drugs and medicines, but engaged in the practice of medicine. Few people lived in this section at the time, and those who did, were young and healthy, so he had ample time to look after his store. His stay in the mercantile business was but short. He purchased from the Carters some of their claims and became quite an extensive land owner. The writer was personally acquainted with the doctor. He then lived at the Town of Kossuth and was engaged in the practice of his profession. Was a strong man mentally as well as physic- ally. His energies were devoted to the betterment of the community in which he lived. He took great interest in the establishment of schools and churches. Had four sons and one daughter. Two of his sons, Houston and Samuel, were soldiers in Company K, Fourteenth Infantry Volunteers in the Civil war. His daughter Kate married Judge J. W. McDill, who became a United States Sen- ator from Iowa. Dr. Fullenweider represented Des Moines County in the Senate of the First Legislative Assembly of the state. John Bandy was among the first settlers of the township. He entered the southeast quarter of section 31. Was the father of a large family, all of whom were like their father, having all the qualities which make good citizens. Of the Waddle families, William, James and John, William came in 1837, James and John in 1838. In 1839 they were followed by the father, John Waddle. The Swank families, Joshua and Wesley. Joshua came in 1835 and was the first settler in the now Huron Township. Among the lands he entered and on which he made his home is southwest quarter of section 11, township 72 north, range. 2 west. At his place at an early time was established a postoffice, of which he was the first postmaster. This office was called "Hawkeye Postoffice." Wesley Swank, brother of Joshua, came to Burlington in 1835. While in Burlington he met and fell in love with Miss Henrietta Hilleary whom he married. Their wedding trip was north of
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