USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 65
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MIDDLETOWN
James Cammins entered the land on which Middletown is located. Josiah I. . Smith was the first settler, who came from Ohio and settled on the land now occupied by this village. Mr. Smith has the credit of starting the town by laying off a portion of the land into town lots. Mr. T. L. Sargent was the surveyor. Other lots were surveyed and staked off by John D. Wright. At a meeting of settlers, John Sharp, a Pennsylvanian, proposed the name "Middletown," which was adopted. Mr. T. L. Sargent who owned a farm adjoining the village seems to have been the principal man of the community. He was the first store keeper, having erected a brick building in 1851. In 1848 Mr. Sargent had built a sawmill in the town. This mill was afterwards sold and moved away. Theodore Folensbe built the first house, which was a log cabin. He was the first postmaster of the town. Middletown has one bank which is in a prosperous condition.
It is well supplied with stores and other facilities for the satisfaction of the wants of the community. The United Presbyterians in 1857 built a church. This church organized was disbanded many years ago, when the church building was sold to the Methodist people. The First Presbyterian Church of Middle- town was organized December 29, 1851, by Rev. J. C. Sharon and Rev. F. B. Dunsmere, constituting a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Iowa for that purpose. The charter members of the church were Samuel B. Jaggar,
547
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
ruling elder, Mrs. Ann MeClelland, Mrs. Pamelia Jaggar, Miss Cordelia Terril, J. G. M. Robinson, Mrs. Hester Long, Miss Elizabeth Long, M. W. Robinson, Mrs. Martha Robinson, John Baird, John M. Clark, Mrs. Hannah Huntington and Mrs. Hannah Jaggar. Samuel B. Jaggar and Miss Terril were among those who organized the Congregational Church at Danville. This church has pros- pered since its organization. Its influence on the young people of the town and surrounding country has been of great value. Its first pastor was the Rev. Robert McGuigan, a Scotchman and a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. The pastors who have ministered to the church since the time of its first pastor are Rev. E. L. Belden, J. H. Cunningham, W. J. Bollman, T. L. Sexton, E. H. Goners, E. C. Haskell, David McEwan, W. H. Scofield, A. G. C. Brown, Joseph Markham, J. L. Sawyer, E. M. Snook, L. V. Nash. The church building first erected not being adequate, in the year 1895 a new building was erected at a cost of $5,800.
PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP
The Board of Commissioners on the 7th of January, 1841, caused to be entered of record the following: "Ordered that township 71 north, range 4 west, and township 72 north, range 4 west, be constructed and organized hereafter under the name of Pleasant Grove Township, and that an election be held for township officers on the first Monday of April, next, at the house of John Newland." From this order it will be seen that Pleasant Grove Township originally included the territory now within Washington Township. The terri- tory comprising the township contains thirty-six sections, which are well drained. Flint Creek, which has its source in section 18, flows in a southeasterly direction, passing from the township in the northeast quarter of section 36. This creek has several branches, one commencing in the southwest part of the township and running in a northeasterly direction, and forms a junction with the main creek in section 21. Another branch extends almost directly north from the main stem in section 21. Another branch has its source north of the Town of Pleasant Grove and connects with the main stem in section 23.
The land bordering on Flint Creek was heavily wooded, the timber con- sisting of the different kinds of oak and hickory, while on the bottoms, grew black and white walnut, hard maple, sycamore, cottonwood and linden trees. North and south of Flint Creek beyond the woodland lay the richest prairie land, that on the south being the prairie plateau between Flint Creek on the north and Skunk River on the south; that on the north between Flint Creek and the Iowa River. This township having the best of soil and timber, caused it to be settled as early as any of the townships of the county. Claims had been taken and settlements made several years before the organization of the township.
Among the first settlers was William D. Dodds, who came in 1835 and made a claim on land situate in section 23. Mr. Dodds was the father of a large family. One of his sons, W. H., volunteered and was a member of Company A, of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
Lewis A. Laughlin came in April, 1836, and purchased a claim, the south- west quarter of section 29, and the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter
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of the same section. He then returned to Illinois and farmed that season, and came to lowa with his family in February, 1837. Mr. Laughlin was a native of South Carolina, and came to Kentucky in an early day and from there to Illinois. Was an honest and upright man, and devoted to all things which tended to the betterment of the people and community in which he lived. Was a whig in politics until the disruption of that party, when he joined the repub- lican party, and was one of its charter members. Was a member of the Shinar Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It is with great pleasure we write of him and family. It was our good fortune to have known Mr. Laughlin from boyhood. He was the father of a family of five children, Wil- liam, John T., Mary Ann, James and Elizabeth. All of whom are living at the present time. John T. was a member of Company K, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry in the Civil war, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
William Manley came from Kentucky to Old Des Moines County, Michigan Territory, in 1834. Mr. Manley and wife Hepsiba were among the charter members of the Long Creek Baptist Church which was organized at the cabin of Noble Housley on the 20th of October, 1834. The church there organized, adopted for their guidance the articles of faith of the Brush Creek Baptist Church of Green County, Kentucky, which Mrs. Manley brought with her to the then Des Moines County.
Michael Ramsey came and settled on the southeast quarter of section 20 in 1837. Mr. Ramsey was a native of the State of Maryland. Was an enter- prising citizen and did his full share in helping to build up the things which pertained to the public good. Was the father of four sons and two daughters. Ilis sons, George and Upton, were members of the First Iowa Cavalry during the Civil war. Mr. Ramsey was a whig until the disruption of that party, when he became a republican.
James Mathis and his brother, Jose, came about the time of William Manley, it may be the next year.
Charles Wright and his brother, John Dunham, came before 1840. John Richey and William Beams came before 1840.
Dunham Wright, as he was called, was a surveyor.
Edwin Carter was a Virginian by birth and came to Des Moines County in 1848. Was postmaster for twenty-five years of what was called South Fiint Postoffice.
Ervin Doolittle came to the county at an carly date, I think in the early '50s. Ile was a native of the State of New York. Ile lived on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 32. Was a remarkable man in many respects. He established a wool carding factory. The power for running the same was by means of a yoke of oxen tramping on a large wheel elevated at an angle of about twenty degrees. He was the father of a large family of children. Two of his sons. Jones and Columbus, volunteered in the Union Service, Company E, Fifteenth Infantry Volunteers. Jones died June 10, 1862, while in the army.
James Martin was one of the early settlers. He had one son in the Union Ariny, Samuel, a member of Company K, Twenty-fifth Infantry Volunteers.
Thomas HI. Antrobus, a native of Kentucky, when a young man, moved with his parents to Decatur County, Indiana, where he was married to Elizabeth E. Donnell. He came to Iowa in 1847, and settled on lands in section 32. He was
549
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
the father of eleven children, Bolivar, Merril, Augustine M., Lafayette, John C., Thomas, James H., Isabella, Janett, Alice and Elizabeth. Bolivar, Merril, Lafay- ette and John C. enlisted in the Union Army of the Civil war. Lafayette Antrobus was taken prisoner near Woodville, Alabama, and was taken to Belle Isle, where he was kept for a time, then taken to Andersonville Prison, where he died on the 26th day of September, 1864, and was buried in the National Cemetery, Andersonville, the number of his grave is 8974.
Andrew Snyder came to lowa Territory in 1844. Mr. Snyder came from Virginia to Des Moines County. Ile settled on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 26. Was the father of nine children, Rachel, James, Eliza- beth, Caroline, Sarah E., William, Lou, Theodore B., and Wilber. Was a member of the M. E. Church, and a republican in politics.
Thomas Sater, in the early '50s settled on the east half of section 31. Came from Ohio. His son, William H., now owns the land.
The persons named above lived south of Flint Creek.
North of Flint Creek, one of the earliest settlers was William Miller, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Miller came to Des Moines County, Michigan Terri- tory, in 1834, and was the first settler in the township. He took up a claim situate in sections 4 and 5. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Was married twice, his first wife died in 1874. Mr. Miller had five children by his first wife, Hezekiah, Marion, Sarah J., William L., and Mary L., who was the first white child born in the township. One son, John, died while in the army. He was a member of Shinar Congregation of the C. P. Church and a democrat in politics.
D. L. Portlock was a Hoosier by birth. Came to Pleasant Grove Township in 1842, came to Burlington in 1836, where he followed his trade, that of car- penter. He married Miss Elizabeth Flenor, in 1850. Was a member of the Christian Church, and a democrat.
Mr. A. J. Smith, a native of Virginia, removed with his parents to Clarke County, Indiana, in 1817. Came to Des Moines County in 1843, and settled in Pleasant Grove Township. Mr. Smith became the owner of a large tract of land in the township. Mr. Smith was the father of a large family. His son Fred N., represented Des Moines County in the Senate of the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second Legislatures. He took an active part in all matters which tended to the advancement of the community, county and state, in which he lived. He has the utmost faith in the democratic party.
We cannot refrain from mentioning Justus Clark, who was one of the prominent men of the township and represented the county in the House of the Fourth, Seventh and Eighth Legislatures. Mr. Clark afterwards became asso- ciated with the land department of the B. M. R. R. Co., and took an active part in looking after the interests of that company in these matters.
Among those who came at an early date, before the '40s, were the Flenors, the Hankses, the Wassons and Priests. They were all good citizens and good democrats. There were the two Zions, Jacob and John, a son of the latter was a soldier in the Civil war.
One of the most prosperous of the early settlers was Conrad Beck, commonly called "Coon Beck." He commenced by entering the northeast quarter of sec-
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
tion 15, and kept adding to it until he became one of the largest land owners in the township.
We cannot omit the name of F. A. Tiedemann, a native of Bremen, Ger- many, who came to the county in 1852, and located near the Village of Pleasant Grove. Mr. Tiedemann was not only a prosperous farmer, but a man of public spirit. He served his township as justice of the peace for several years and was elected member of the board of supervisors of the county, and filled the office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. Was the father of a large family of children. His daughter, Theresa, is now county superintendent of schools, which office she is eminently qualified to fill, and dis- charges the duties of the office to the satisfaction of the people.
In addition to the names of those already given we call to mind the following named persons, who came to Pleasant Grove Township during the territorial times: Benn Carr, Mason Tucker, Samuel Tucker, George Tucker, Bernard Carter, Robert Grimes, William Sargent, Zebedee Sargent, Samuel McKinney, Gid Mckinney, Adam Smith, George Mains, J. D. Jones, John Shepherd, Henry Shep- herd, Thomas Hayes, Thomas Brown, Strawtha Eads, Peter Husted, Thomas Husted, Abram Smith, Joseph Smith, Esquire Houston, Thomas Allen, George Geise, D. L. Davis, Thompson Fleenor, Hiram Fleenor, Perry Fleenor, Isaac Fleenor, Warren Portlock, Abner Hackelman, Elloah Zion, Jolin Gannaway, Ben Wasson, Hiram Wasson, A. J. Wasson, Gardner Hale, Barnett Hale, James Linder, James Bridges, Samuel Bridges, A. J. Hanks, David Brown, George Brown, Joshua Wilkenson, Thomas Ratliff, Captain English, John Riggs and Silas Riggs.
The great majority of those named were democrats to the core, and made it their business to regularly go to the elections and vote the straight democratic ticket. I never knew the whigs to carry the township on a county or state ticket. Sometimes they would elect a justice of the peace.
Soon after the law of 1840 went into operation, the board of school in- spectors divided the township into three school districts, known as School Dis- tricts Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, and notice was given as required by law, for the organization by the voters of said districts into corporate bodies. The result was, that Pleasant Grove Township had a regular organized system of common schools before Burlington, as the records will show. There was a log cabin schoolhouse in School District No. 3, before 1847, and had been for several years.
We do not know who taught the first school in this cabin, but school was taught in it prior to 1847 by one Mary Ann Soles. This log schoolhouse stood on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 29. Afterwards a hewn log schoolhouse was built near the center of section 29, on the west side of the road. This school some years afterwards became known as "Brush College," deriving its name from the fact, it was almost surrounded by hazel brush.
When this district was first organized, it contained nine sections, and the schoolhouse was located as near the center of the district as could be done.
The first school taught in the hewn log schoolhouse was by a man named Robert Mickey, the same Robert Mickey who sat on the jury which found Stephen and William Hodges guilty of the murder of Miller and Lisey. Mr. Mickey was a kind hearted man; but a terror to the unregenerated boys who played bull pen and crack the whip.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Among the other teachers, who followed Mickey, was a Miss Mary Johnson, John Husted, and A. J. Dillon, who taught school five days in the week in the winter time, practiced law before justices of the peace on Saturdays and slept on Sundays.
A man by the name of Turner, a son of Rev. Asa Turner, taught at Brush College. Mr. Turner was a graduate of Yale.
Among other teachers of the early days was John Ballard, a graduate of the Iowa Wesleyan University. Some time after Mr. Ballard, J. M. Mansfield taught one term.
The above are the names of some of the teachers who taught this school more than fifty years ago. We are unable to give the names of teachers in the other school districts, for the reason no records have been kept by any of the districts. The names we have given are from memory of the teachers of the school which we attended when a boy. Each school at these early times contained from thirty-five to forty pupils. Subsequently it became necessary to increase the number of districts to give relief to the overcrowded condition of the schools. This was done by carving out of the districts two additional dis- tricts running north from the southern boundary of the township through its center. These districts were numbered 5 and 6.
At these times, the pupils attended school almost for the full period between five and twenty-one for the boys, and five and eighteen for the girls.
It was but a short time when there were but three months school in the year.
Soon after the school system had been established, summer schools were taught by some farmer's daughter or a roving pedagogue, who was too lazy to work on a farm.
As a general rule, discipline was enforced by the use of the rod. It was the instrument of the law, and when applied, brought obedience in accord with law, not only to those chastised, but as a terror to others. In those times there were some boys who thought they would not be considered as amounting to much, unless they had received one or two whippings during a term of school. A practice was in vogue at these schools, known as turning out the teacher during the Christmas time. This was for the purpose of making him treat. The teacher expected it, and always made preparations to treat the pupils. He would usually make it convenient to be absent from the school room at noon hour. Then the larger boys and girls would bar the door and fasten down all windows and await his coming. On his return, he would attempt to get in, but could not, when suddenly, the door would open, and the larger of the boys would attempt to seize him. When this was done, he would seek safety in flight, the boys after him, while the younger set with the girls would watch the chase. When the teacher thought his pursuers were about exhausted, he would permit himself to be taken, and in triumph brought back to the school room. He usually had hid under the floor or in some other hiding place a sack of apples, candy and nuts, which he produced. Having called to order the pupils, these were distributed equally among them.
Then came the spelling contest. Two boys, or generally a boy and a girl, would throw up the master's rod as a choosing stick, in order to gain the right of having the first choice in selecting the best speller in the school. Those using the stick, measured its length with their hands, the one whose hand came
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
to the top of the stick had the first choice. When sides had been selected, then began the contest of "spelling down" as it was called. The side spelled down was the vanquished, the other the victor. These spelling contests created an ambition to spell correctly, and the result was, that the old fashioned schools furnished the best of spellers.
The curriculum of these early schools consisted of spelling, reading, writing, geography, English grammar and arithmetic. The thought of these old school teachers was to create an enthusiasm among the pupils to excel in study and work.
SHINAR CONGREGATION OF THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
"And the whole east was of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there." Genesis XI, 1-2.
So it was, the persons composing the members of this church in Pleasant Grove Township came from the east, crossed the Mississippi, and found a place in which to dwell, and called it Shinar, and there organized a church or congregation, for the worship of the Most High, and gave the congregation the name of "Shinar."
George Gallaher came to Wisconsin Territory and located in Pleasant Grove Township near where is now located the Village of Pleasant Grove. On the 30th day of June, 1839, at his house, assembled a number of devout people to hear preaching from the word of God, by the Rev. John Crawford. After preaching, an opportunity was given for membership in the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church. The following named persons then and there organized themselves into a church of that denomination : Joseph T. Hall, Mary L. Hall, John W. Talley, Christiana Talley, George A. Talley, George Gallaher, Levina Gallaher, George Smith and Mary A. Woods. The organization was not fully completed until the 10th of August, 1839, when the congregation met at the place of its organization. The Rev. Crawford presided at this meeting, when . the following named persons were elected elders of the church: George Gallaher, George Smith, and Joseph T. Hall. "Shinar" was then proposed as the name of the congregation, and the same was adopted.
This church, organized at this early date, has had a remarkable history, such a history as is seldom equalled for the amount of good accomplished. To measure its usefulness, what it has done to make better men and women, we must take into account the time and place of its organization. In a farming community, it was founded by farmers. It came in touch with few persons compared with churches in a growing city. Its work is to be judged by its opportunities. This church, for the advancement of the Kingdom of God organ- ized, and annually, for many years, held camp meetings at Pleasant Grove Vil- lage. These camp meetings were a necessity for the times. There were then but few church buildings. Preaching was generally held in the log school- houses. The only place where large concourses of people could assemble for the purpose of worship was at a camp ground, where the fathers of families could bring their wives and children, and amidst the groves, "God's first tem- ples," worship. The camp meeting was about the only place where the pioneers
SIIINAR CONGREGATION OF THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PLEASANT GROVE
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
and their families could become acquainted. The camp meeting at Pleasant Grove was not only the building up of the church under whose auspices it was started, but led to the building up of other churches. It was a source from which spiritual blessing came, and refreshed all churches in the surround- ing neighborhood.
Up to the present, there have been taken into the membership of this church, located in a rural community, over seven hundred members. It is the only church, which I have been able to find, which has a complete record of its doings since its organization.
The following is a list of the names of its pastors since its organization : John Crawford, B. B. Bonham, J. M. Cameron, Reverend Bell, Rev. W. F. Baird, Reverend Wanning, Reverend Lynn, Rev. G. W. Blackwell, Reverend Laramer, Rev. Samuel Rishard, Rev. Levi Henshaw, Rev. Anson Skinner, Rev. H. W. Bryant, Rev. J. W. Russell, Rev. A. T. Fuller, Rev. E. H. Albright, Rev. F. M. Johnson, Rev. C. Steward, Rev. H. B. Rose, Rev. Collins, Rev. R. L. Layman. Rev. B. F. Guinn is its pastor at the present time. The church has always retained its denominational title "Cumberland Presbyterian."
For several years prior to 1856, the good people of this township who ad- hered to the faith and tenets of the Christian Church had organized and held church services at different places among the brethren.
On the 25th of July, the church became incorporated under the name of the Christian Church of Pleasant Grove. The incorporators being Samuel Tib- bets, G. B. Shidler, and O. M. Newhouse, trustees. One of the prominent pastors of this church, of the early times, was Rev. Onias Shortridge.
In the northwestern part of the township were a number of the pioneers who were Baptists, calling themselves Separate Baptists. Some of them were among the first settlers of the township. They had organized and held church services for many years before they became incorporated as a religious organiza- tion under the law. On the 16th of October, 1858, A. J. Hanks, Joseph Clemons and Thomas Douglass, on behalf of the church became incorporated. This church was ministered to at its beginning by Reverend Gilmore and Zion.
Assessed value of the real and personal property of Pleasant Grove Town- ship for the year 1914:
Real estate
$1.291,064
Personal property
1 36,636
Moneys and credits. 314,198
Total
$1.741,898
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
The Board of County Commissioners on the 7th of January, 1841, caused to be made of record the following order :
"Ordered that township 71 north, range 3 west, be constituted and organ- ized under the name of Franklin Township, and that an election be held for the election of township officers on the first Monday of April, next, at the house of John Lorton." Vol. I-36
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Flint Creek runs through the southern part of the township and has several branches which extend in a northwesterly direction through the township be- tween which were prairie lands.
This township had an abundance of the best of timber as well as prairie lands. Along Flint Creek, are quarries of valuable limestone.
Among the first settlers of the township was William Pence, who came as early as 1835, and afterwards entered the northwest quarter of section 10. John Babb was one of the early settlers. Tillman Smith, Levi Larkin, Aaron Lines, Bolin Ping, Gaiter S. Barnes, Jonathan Zion, Charles Snelson and John McDonald, were among the settlers who came before the land sales. Oliver Hall came to Des Moines County in 1838 and first settled in Franklin Town- ship on section 8. William Clark settled in the township in 1839.
Among the prominent men of the township were Robert Allen, who was the county's representative in the Twelfth General Assembly. Hon. J. M. Kopp was one of the prominent citizens of the county, and represented the county in the Seventeenth General Assembly. Mr. Kopp enlisted in the Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
William Sommerville came to Des Moines County in 1847. He was a native of West Virginia. No one was more highly respected than Mr. Sommerville. His generous nature and hospitality won for him a host of friends. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years.
We mention the name of Fritz Schnittger, a native of Germany, who came to Des Moines County in 1849, and settled in Franklin Township. At the breaking out of the Civil war, he enlisted in the Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry Volunteers. Was mustered out in 1862, when he reenlisted in the Eighth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. He was proud of his adopted country, and gloried in the part he had taken in its preservation.
Isaac and Frederick Buhrmaster came to Burlington in 1838. Soon after their arrival they moved to Franklin Township. At the time the people of the neighborhood had to go a long distance to mill. There was no grist mill nearer than Moffits Mill on Skunk River at Augusta. They conceived the idea of building a wind mill, such as was constructed in the old country from which they came. They commenced its construction in 1840. The work was slow, because they were farmers and could not devote their whole time to its building. It was constructed of stone, the walls of which were thirty feet in height. The sails of the mill were thirty-five feet long and six feet in width. The mill was operated for several years in grinding wheat and corn. However, it could not compete with water power, and its operation was abandoned. It appeared like a phantom away out on the prairie, its long and wide wings swinging in the air. We here produce a picture of the walls of the old mill. its sails gone.
This township has a larger German population than any other township in the county, with the exception of Flint River.
Nathan and George Huston were early settlers in this township.
John Lorton was the founder of the Town of Dodgeville, named after Gen. A. C. Dodge, one of the leaders of the democracy of the county and of the territory. Mr. Lorton came to the county in 1836 and bought over three hun- (red acres south of the town of which he was founder. Mr. Lorton has the honor of being the first store keeper in the town.
A
OLD WINDMILL, FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
·
555
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Mr. Naudy, an Irishman, came in 1836 and laid claim to over thirteen hundred acres. This was more than he could enter under the law, although he had its boundaries marked. A part of his claim was jumped by Levi and Elias Larkin.
James L. Gilmore was among the early pioneers who settled in this township.
The oldest church organization in the township is the Separate Baptist. Their house of worship is commonly known as the "Old Stone Church." The Rev. James L. Gilmore was the minister who organized this church, and was its first minister. He continued to minister to its congregation almost to the time of his decease, in 1865.
Within the enclosure of the church grounds is a beautiful cemetery, in which repose the bodies of many of the pioneers and old settlers, among whom are that of the Rev. James L. Gilmore and his beloved wife.
John Burkhart was the first postmaster in the township. His house was the postoffice, a double log cabin, at what was called Burkhart's Point.
John Thompson was the first school teacher. He taught in a log house which had been rented for that purpose.
The first white child born in the township was W. H. Smith, a son of Tillman Smith.
The first mill was the wind mill built by the Buhrmaster Brothers.
SPERRY
The construction of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad materially affected Dodgeville, so much so, that it has ceased to be the town it was before the construction of the railroad. What Dodgeville lost, Sperry gained.
John M. Sperry, an enterprising fariner, located a town on the line of the railroad on sections 12 and 13, and called it Sperry. The town has grown since its foundation and is the most important village in the township. Has several churches, a good hall, and sufficient stores to satisfy the demands of the surrounding neighborhood.
A postoffice once existed at what was called Franklin Mills. A flouring mill had been erected at this place. It supplied the wants of the people for many years; but when other and better mills had been erected near by, this mill fell into decay and was finally consumed by fire.
The assessed value of the property of the township for the year 1914 was as follows :
Real estate
$1,509,676
Personal property 180,156
Moneys and credits 147,319
Total
$1,837,161
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP Township 72, Range IV, West
On the petition of certain citizens to the county judge for this township, an order was made establishing this township in 1852.
-
556
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
It has more tillable land than any other township in the county. The whole township consisted of prairie land at the time when the first settlers came.
The first Government sale of lands in this township took place in 1852.
Among the first settlers were Bernard Hall, who came to Des Moines County in 1837, and located on a farm in the township in 1857. Oliver Hall came to Des Moines County in 1838 and settled in Washington Township in 1854. R. M. Peckham came to the township in 1855.
The following named persons are among the first settlers of the township: Eden Lotspeich, J. R. Lines, John Oberman, Henry Starker, Isaac Redfern, John Morrison.
The first postoffice in the township was called La Vega (flat land).
Yarmouth is the principal village in this township and contains all the stores usually found in country towns.
This township was the last to be settled. The value of its property, as shown by the assessment lists, is almost equal to the best of the older settled townships.
Assessment value of property of Washington Township for the year 1914:
Land and lots
.$1,999,168
Personal property
230,136
Moneys and credits 86,579
Total
$2.315,883
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: صاح H = البيض ثم أع جمرم في مر + بيكر جونويج هر فيزجاجة الوجيز +حب
د وم وبنيبإجم ـ بيعي
صيد ٣٠ مخصصوج+م
١٩ And
رغم باجاج مجة
ومساء
دومبيب
٣ مجم+ كبيبه + ميكم بي بيجيجار +جاجم ٢جم
/ ينيو +جانيز لوبوجبا
فهو يحبجم مر احم بح جـ
د. ميان جاب بجر وبي جاجة مجم دجاج ط •خاصية
إسم ٨٩ جوب١ ج او +جم يبوج
nts
٨١٢٠١٠٢٠
MAMMMER
الجووم الصيد +جر حليم
٠٠
اليوم
١٠١٠
طوص فع من
إي أجور غير بر
البيه
H FJN
جمجم
ـجموعة
التصميم)
%44
١٨٨
اريم طبحيل:
ـدهـ
١٩٠٠٠
١٠+٢
ميام
بع انصب
M
٩٥٠
١ جمهر
١١٠٠
بودوى
ميومين
7 5
MA
١ ٢٦ كوب١
١ ٠-المع 4
بريوباباجم ٣ ١جم.
Mpen +e+
هبوطوجو ب و
+ طعيم
444
+٠٠٠٠
١٠٠
بالرج
اشوجون صير جيه
م مهمر
٠٠
MA
كامير مس
٨٨
نجم بيوم ى
مجمبه
مر ميم ++٨/١ ٠٥٠٠٠ ٠٨٠٠٠٩
١٢ ٠١٠٠١٠
م ٣ /٨٨ HIM
جرى به n معاجم أبو بركيم ٠٠ ٠٨٨٨ بعاليه٣
٥٠٠٠٠٠٠٢٩٥٠
فياسم ٥
ـمم عيهم +خايوب٨
rAr
٨.٠٠
٢٥٥٩
١٠
٩٨٠٠
محمد
HANd
د. بايايوب
an ديجار
ديابفى #
٣٠١٨٨٢٩١٩٩٨
A MAp
بيجان في دار فور ميية:
أبراجزايد ميس
٣٩ ماد أجاب + جــ
جنيه ٣ مجم ++ ++جبرنا
Annin 14
رويما
مرايم
، باجاج جم AMi d
ـم ٠٢ ٢ أمورابعة
٠ ١٠٠٠
ANth
M
٨
١٣٧٩
# ايوبىم خيار ج٠٢٩ ٥ ٥
مـ
/ An باسم (هاجم ٨ ٤ ٨٣١٨ ٠ ٩+١٤٣ - بي بووبوزعيم- كياريو
بالجوه ور
4م الحبوب فيم
بيوص ٥٨ ٨٨ ٧٤
وميم ى: ٨
٨ ٨٨٨٨
• بوص داء
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