USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 94
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THE FIRST SCHOOL
was taught by M. Owens, in the winter of 1855-'56, in a rude cabin, hurriedly constructed, on section 25. The first schools taught in Floyd County were generally private or subscription schools.
Probably the next school was taught during the following summer in the house built by William Welch for a residence on
1025
ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
the bank of Flood Creek. The teacher was Miss Malinda Palmer, then of St. Charles (Charles City), now a resident of Blue Earth County, Minn.
The formation of the first school-district bears date of April 24, 1856. By action of David Wiltse, School Fund Commissioner of Floyd County, on application of John Ball and others, sections 1 to 12 inclusive, and the north one half of 16, 17, and 18, in town- ship 95 north, of range 17 west, were detached from School Dis- trict No. 1, of Union Township, and formed into a new district and named No. 3 of Union Township. The organization of this district was effected at a meeting held at the house of Wm. Welch, in said district, May 5, 1856. Wm. Muchler presided; L. G. Hiscox was Secretary. The officers elected were: George Wise, President, L. G. Hiscox, Treasurer. At a subsequent meeting, held on the 21st of July following, a site was chosen forty rods west of the center of northeast of section 9, and at a meeting held Sept. 14, 1857, a tax of $300 was voted to build a grout house twenty-two feet square thereon. John Ball was the contractor and builder. The house was completed and paid for Nov. 10, 1858, the cost being $299. It was good work, as the condition of the house to-day testifies.
The register of the first school taught therein contains names of twenty-five pupils, whose ages varied from that of four to twenty- one years, many of whom are now fathers and mothers of grown-up children, and yet residents of the township. Some have cast their lots in distant lands, and some have crossed the dark river to the other shore. The pay for those days was as low as eighty-seven cents per day without board.
The second school district, whose formation bears date of May 19, 1857, was comprised of sections 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and south 1-2 of 19, 20, and 21. This territory was on ap- plication of E. Crowell, Sen., and others formed into a district and named No. 3, of Rock Grove Township. A meeting to organ- ize said district was held at the house of A. B. Warren, June 6, 1857. The officers elected were: A. B. Warren, President; Dr. N. T. McEwen, Secretary; O. McEwen, Treasurer. On the 12th of Sep- tember following, a meeting was held at the same place, a school- house site was chosen on the northeast corner of the southwest of section 32, and a tax of $200 voted to build a frame house 20 feet square thereon. E. Crowell, Sen., was the contractor and builder, which. he completed Dec. 1, 1858. During that winter the
1
1026
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
first school was taught, under the instruction of N. T. McEwen, and numbered nineteen pupils. In the winter of 1860 this house was destroyed by fire, through the thoughtlessness of the teacher in depositing ashes that contained live coals too near the straw em - bankment that surrounded the house.
The secretary's report from the two districts named for the year ending Sept. 15, 1857, show the whole number of children of school age to have been forty-three.
The teachers of last spring term and the number of pupils in attendance will be seen by the appended table :
DISTRICT NUMBER.
ENROLL MENT.
TEACHER.
LGTH. OF SCHOOL IN WEEKS.
1
18
Clara J. Teeling.
2.
24
Wm. McEwen.
3.
23
Jessie Bumps.
4.
20
Maggie McElroy.
5
34
John G. Legal.
6
28
A. L. Drake.
7.
22
Lida Smith.
8
16
Fannie L. Mix.
A COMPARISON.
In 1857 there were twenty-seven heads of families; there were forty three children of school age, and not a school house within the borders of the township in which to properly educate them. Compare with to-day. The township has now upward of 200 heads of families; the children of school age number close to 300; there are eight school-houses, whose aggregate cost is $3,800. Teachers receive, not the pittance of $16 per month and board themselves, but the more liberal compensation of $25 and $30, and boarded.
On the 13th of March, 1858, the General Assembly of the State passed an act making each civil township in the several counties of the State a school district, and providing that districts then established should become sub-districts. In accordance with the provisions of this act the district township was organized at a meeting held on the 3d day of May, at the house of J. B. Powers. District No. 3, of Union, then became Sub-district No. 1, of district township of Ulster, and District No. 3, of Rock Grove, Sub-district No. 2, and are known to-day by those names. The other sub dis- tricts in the township are numbered in the order of their formation.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
The first district township officers elected were : Henry Sprague, President; A. B. Warren, Vice- President; N. T. McEwen, Secre- tary; John Ball, Treasurer. Sub-directors-No. 1, W. Mutchler; No: 2, J. B. Powers.
At the present writing they have eight school-houses, valued at $3,980, and which have been furnished at an expense of over $1,200: The present number of children of school age in the township is 290. And so Ulster citizens have a record to show that from the earliest period they have paid much attention to educational matters. From the pioneer era to the present time the school has been the theme of gossip and inquiry. A love of education forms the leading characteristic of the people. It has always been fostered and cher- ished by them as far as their means would permit.
In March, Colonel David Ripley, County Judge of Floyd County, formed from the north half of township 95, range 17, and the south half of township 96, range 17 west, a civil township, which was christened Ulster, after the then-existing postoffice of that name.
THE FIRST ELECTION
was held at the house of James Auchmoody, April 5, 1858. Officers elected: Township Trustees, John Ball, James B. Powers and John Fox; Township Clerk, William L. McEwen; Justice of the Peace, M. F. McEwen and Wm. Mutchler; Constables, A. R. Rhinehart and H. D. Sprague; Road Supervisors, O. McEwen and James J. Quimby.
The poll-book of this election shows the number who partici- pated in it to have been thirty-one, which was then the whole vot- ing population of the township. We append the list as recorded.
A. Wise,
E. H. Hanchett, W. L. McEwen,
E. Crowell, Sen., John Fox,
G. W. Crowell
James Welch,
John Ball,
Frank Thomas,
J. B. Powers,
L. G. Hiscox,
H. D. Sprague, Wm. McEwen,
W. Mutchler,
Daniel Border,
N. T. M .Ewen, Wm. Welch, J. J. Quimby,
M. Warren,
Henry Welch,
A. B. Warren, N. J. Crowell,
Nelson Welch,
M. Owens,
Henry Sprague,
John Hanchett, A. R. Rhinehart,
O. McEwen, George Wise, Joel Johnson, C. Wise.
By an act of the County Board of Supervisors, January, 1862, the boundaries of Ulster were changed, the alteration consisting in detaching one tier of sections on the north and attaching two tiers on the sonth, thus making the township six miles east and west
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
and seven miles north and south. The change was made on the part of the board, it not being petitioned for or even demanded by the citizens of Ulster.
The present township officers are: Trustees, Orlando McEwen, Charles Bartz and Henry Hohlsted; Clerk, M. A. Hirsch; Assessor, John H. Crowell; Constable, August Kock and George Hitz; Justices of the Peace, Edward Crowell and Henry Achem- back; Supervisors, J. G. Wiggins, S. N. Crowell, Sureno Whit- ney, Simon Koener, Jacob Metz, D. Dickman, William Herbrecht- meyer, Mathew S. Kramer and George A. Hellman.
RAILROADS.
The northeast corner of the township is crossed by the C., M. & St. Paul, while the extreme southwest corner is crossed by the B., C. R. & Northern Railway.
POSTOFFICE.
In 1857 the first postoffice was established in John Ball's house, Mr. John Ball being appointed Postmaster. This was known for a while as the Ripley postoffice, but owing to the name being similar to one in Greene County, Ia., by the name of Rippy, and causing considerable difficulty in the distribution of mail, they changed the name to Ulster, which remained unchanged till 1875, when Mr. Ball resigned his position as Postmaster, and the office was abandoned. Since then there has been no postoffice in the township.
ULSTER'S VOLUNTEERS.
Of the citizens who nobly voluteered their lives in the defense of our country, we find inscribed upen the roll of honor the following: L. D. Powers, John Henchett, Edward Crowell, Jr., William Clarence Decker, James M. Crowell, Silas W. Crowell, W. S. Henderson.
These brave boys were never shot in the back; but on every battle-field of any magnitude in the Mississippi Valley, made their presence known and felt, as a history of the Thirty-second, Twenty- seventh and Third Iowa Infantry Volunteers at Pleasant Hill, Fort Donelson, Fort Robinette, etc., testifies. One of the number, W. C. Decker, never returned, but fills an unknown grave, on the bloody battle-field on Pleasant Hill, Mo.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
WATER.
Its principal stream is Flood Creek, whose name is taken from its peculiarities, being at times nearly void of water, and at others, a raging, turbulent river, overflowing its banks. It flows south- easterly in a meandering course, through the center of the town -. ship. In the northern part it affords plenty of water, in the central and southern part it is subterraneous. There is a small tributary to Flood Creek, called Spring Creek, emptying in on section 4, and has its rise in the northwest corner of the township. Its name originated from the fact of its source being from several small springs.
Three wooden bridges span Flood Creek within the township.
Good water is found wherever it has been sought, by digging wells. There are no springs of any note in the township, unless it be the small ones at the source of Spring Creek as mentioned above.
THE FIRST DEATH
occurred in August, 1854, Daniel Beaver, Jr., a boy one year of age, son of Daniel Beaver, Sen.
CEMETERIES.
There are three in the township. In 1854 the first was laid out near School-house No. 1.
In 1860 another was enclosed in the northern part of the town- ship. And in 1875 one near the German church.
CREAMERY.
The only manufactory in the township is a creamery owned by Mr. O. McEwen & Son, situated on section 32, established in 1881, using the milk of about 500 cows, and employing five hands.
The topography of the township is similar to that of the county and State, being comparatively level, with a few slight elevations along the channel of streams, etc. The soil is of a black, sandy loam of rich quality, partaking some of lime. Several small limestone quarries have been opened, though the material is not first quality for building purposes.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
TIMBER.
With a few exceptions the only natural timber is found along Flood Creek, though artificial groves have been cultivated on nearly every farm, till the township is now considered well wooded.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The German Methodist Camp-Meeting, held in Ulster, July, 1871, was a very interesting event. Great interest was manifested, and many were added to the fold of Christ. There was a full attend- ance, with as many as nineteen pitched tents, Germans, and even Americans, coming from all the neighboring townships, and even counties.
In February, 1862, L. A. Belcher was found frozen to death in Ulster Township, after having been two weeks buried under the snow.
June 11, 1860, Mrs. Mary Johnson, wife of W. G. Johnson, of Ulster, was instantly killed by lightning while she was standing in the house. A husband and two small children were thus bereft. They had emigrated from Ireland two years previous.
A failure to mention the hard times through which the brave people of Ulster passed, and the sacrifices they made during this period, would be an unpardonable omission. Beginning with the financial crisis of 1857, extending and increasing through the dark days of rebellion and strife-they indeed had days of sadness and strife.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Henry Achenbach was born in Germany in 1851, came to Amer- ica with his brother, Leonard Achenbach, in the year 1852; made their home in Lake County, Ill., for about thirteen years. At the expiration of this time they moved to Floyd County, Ia. Mr. Leonard Achenbach made his first purchase in Ulster Township of 200 acres, lying on sections 16 and !21. In the year 1875 Henry A. purchased eighty acres on section 21, and in 1880 he bought another eighty in same section. He was married in Charles City in 1875 to Sophia Wolf. They have four children-Clara M., Anna B., Louis L. and Henry C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Achen- bach are members of the Methodist church. Politically he is a Republican. He has held the office of Township Trustee and Road Supervisor two years; is School Director, and is now serving his fourth year as Justice of the Peace.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
John Ball was born in Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., July 12, 1817. At the age of fourteen Mr. Ball moved with his parents to New Jersey, near Newark. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and at the age of sixteen went to Newark to work. In Angust, 1835, in company with his father, moved to Michigan City, Ind., where he remained one year, when he married Nancy Glover, who was born in Putnam County, Ind., Jan. 4, 1816. After their marriage they moved to Lake County, Ind. Here they remained engaged in farming principally till the year 1853, when they emigrated to Iowa and located in Ulster Township, Floyd County, being the first settlers of the township. Here they still reside, alone as they started, having raised a family of six children, who have grown up, and are now out in the world tasting of its bitter and sweet, as they did forty years ago. In the year 1855 Mr. Ball was elected County Judge, and has many years filled its office of Justice of the Peace. Mr. Ball was elected on the first Board of Supervisors in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are both mem- bers of the Free Methodist church. Mr. Ball has held the license of local preacher ever since coming into the State. In the years 1861-'62 under the presiding eldership of John Gould, Mr. Ball traveled as a supply on the Forest City Circuit. Their family, consisting of three sons and three daughters, are all enjoying the religion of the gospel. Mr. Ball has certainly been a marked character and a moving power upon the frontier. During the war, though well up in years, he was determined to enlist and help Uncle Sam do his threshing, but was refused the job on account of his age. In spite of this rebuff he joined the Quartermaster's De- partment and remained for a time, when failing health caused him to return. Besides being a man of daring spirit, he is one of pub- lic spirit, and encourages every enterprise tending to the good of humanity, and has furnished us valuable assistance in compiling this work. Mr. Bill settled on the northeast quarter of section 10, consisting of 113 acres at present; formerly owned 480.
Charles Bartz was born in Germany in 1852; came to the United States in company with his father, Wm. Bartz, in 1854 They located first in Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis. Here they remained about fifteen years. In 1869 they became citizens of Floyd County. Charles Bartz made his home with his parent, in St. Charles Township five years after coming here. In 1874 he purchased 160 acres on section 25, Ulster Township, where he still
63
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1032
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
resides, and built a fine house the following year. He was married in Wisconsin, April 30, 1869, to Miss Bertha Dangs, a native of Germany. They have three children-Matilda, Edward and Walter He farms usually about 100 acres and keeps about fourteen head of cattle, thirty-five hogs and five horses. Politically he is, and al- ways has been, a Republican; also his father before him; has filled the office of Township Trustee for more than a year.
John Bell was born in Ireland in 1827. At the age of 21, in company with three brothers and five sisters, he left Ireland for Canada. While on the voyage they were taken with a disease called emigrant's fever. Two of the youngest boys died at sea and two sisters died soon after reaching Canada. Mr. Bell was taken to the hospital, but at the expiration of ten days slipped away from the authorities. Going to the country he secured places for his brothers and sisters and himself, engaging as a hand in a tannery where he remained for three years, when he went to Dixon, Ill., where he hired with a company who were engaged in building a dam across Rock River; with them he remained a year and a half; he then went to Oregon, Wis., and worked till fall, when he returned to Canada and brought his brothers and sisters to Beloit, Wis., where he had previously secured places for them. While at work on Turtle Creek, Wis., repairing a dam he made the acquaintance of Miss Sarah E. Bagley, who became his wife Oct. 21, 1851. She was a native of New York State, being born there Ang. 25, 1831. The next spring they went to Rockton, Ill., where Mr. Ball worked five years in a paper-mill. From there they moved to Clayton County, Iowa, where he remained two years, working as a hand among lumber principally, afterward moved to this county and farmed. In 1862 went to Pike's Peak, but finding it unprofitable soon returned and moved to Charles City, Floyd County, Ia. In the following spring he rented a farın in Ulster Township, and farmed as a renter four years. In the spring of 1868 he purchased a farm of 120 acres on section 4, Ulster Township, where he still resides. His family con- sists of two children-Ida May, now the wife of S. H. Matson, resides in Estherville. Emmett County, Iowa (Mr. Matson is editor of the Vindicator); Harry L., the second child, is sixteen and lives at home. Mr. Ball served thirteen years on the School Board, first year as Secretary, the balance of the time as President of the board; has served as Justice of the Peace two terms and married four couples, the only persons married by a justice of the peace in the
1033
ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
town. He has always been a temperance worker, and at present is the Grand Worthy Assistant of the Sons of Temperance of the State of Iowa.
.
W. S. Briggs was born in Tioga County, Penn., in 1842. At the age of twenty-three he came to Iowa, locating in Ossian, Win- neshiek County. Taught the village school the first winter. Afterward engaged as bookkeeper for the firm of Brooks Brothers, hardwaremen; with them he remained a year and a half. At the expiration of this time he went into the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad office, where he remained about four years. Afterward he went into the employ of a grain dealer by the name of R. N. Sawyer; with him he remained about a year. At this date, being in 1872, he went to Michigan, locating permanently in Montcalm County, where he engaged in the lumbering business, remaining over four years. In the spring of 1877 he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating on section 8, Ulster Township, on a farm of 120 acres, which he purchased in 1866, 'paying therefor $400. He sold forty acres of it in 1878. In the years 1877 and 1878 he built himself a good house. He has his farm under a good state of cultivation. Mr Briggs received his education at Knoxville Acad- emy, Pa., afterward attending Osceola Academy, finishing at the State Normal School of Mansfield. Afterward took a commer- cial course at Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. Briggs was married in 1869 in Michigan to Miss Tina E. Hunter, a native of Michigan, being born in Lenawee County, in 1844. Their family consists of three children -Lora H., Lulu A. and an infant son not yet named . Briggs E. A. Mead,a sister's son, makes his home with Mr. Briggs, who expects to raise him. Mr. Briggs has been School Director and is now President of the board. Politically is a Republican.
Eugene S. Brown was born in Hampshire County, Mass. He is a son of E. T. Brown, who was born in Worcester County, Mass., in 1806. In 1832 he married Miss Perses Alone, a native of Berk- shire County, Mass., born 1807. Their family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters. Atherton was killed at the battle of Shiloh, at the age of twenty. He was a soldier in Company K, Third Iowa Infantry. In June, 1854, E. S. Brown came to Charles City. At that time the cars only came West as far as Warren. There they took the boat to McGregor, and walked to Charles City. The year following, 1855, his father, mother, brother and adopted sister joined him. Mr. Brown remained in Charles City till 1875. He first engaged as a clerk, but afterward
-
1034
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
engaged as a farmer. In 1874 Mr. Brown purchased the farm of 140 acres where he still resides, on section 35, Ulster Township, built his house and made all his improvements. He enlisted in Company G, Twenty-seventh Iowa, Sixteenth Army Corps, Aug- ust, 1862, under the command of A. J. Smith; went up the Red River in assisting General Banks; was with Smith on the Meridian raid; at Nashville when Hood came, and previous to that followed Price through Missouri with Rosecranz; thence to a skirmish with Forrest at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, where they had an engagement; started from Montjery, July 16; at Clinton Ang. 9. Mr. and Mrs. Brown and George Whitehead and wife were the first and only members for a while of the Baptist church, Charles City.
A. S. Brownell was born in New York State, in 1835; made that State his home till twenty-nine years of age, when he came to Iowa, locating in Manchester, Delaware County, where he worked at his trade four years, he being a carpenter and joiner ; afterward engaged in the stock and grain business about five years. In 1873 he became a citizen of this county. The first four years he spent in Charles City engaged in the stock business. In 1877 he moved upon his farm of 480 acres on sections 27 and 28, Ulster Township, which he had purchased in 1875. Here he has since made his home, and a pleasant one it is. Five years ago it was one unbroken wild prairie, but to a stranger it now bears the appear- ance of a long-cultivated farm. It is all under a good state of cultivation, besides being beautifully situated in plain view of M. & St. P. R. R. and the village of Floyd, though seven miles away. Mr. Brownell has adorned and embellished this farm with shade trees, evergreens and fine buildings, so that we are safe in saying that his farm surpasses all others in the township, and can- not be excelled anywhere; has in crop over 400 acres, 205 acres of which is corn; has a complete set of farming implements includ- ing planters, mowers, harvesters etc. In addition to his extensive farming he deals largely in stock, keeping usually from 130 to 140 head of cattle, though last year he wintered about 200 head and fattened fifty; turned off in the spring about ninety head. Keeps about 100 head of hogs, and nineteen head of horses. In the State of New York, in 1855, he and Miss Mary McDonald were united in marriage. She was a native of New York State. They have six children-Charles, Ada, Edwin, Carrie, Mary and Albert.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
L. B. Clark was born in Orange County, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1862. He was a son of Isaac Clark, who died when L. B. Clark was a mere child. His avocation was that of a laborer. When Mr. Clark was about twenty-nine years of age he left the State and went to Fond du Lac County, Wis., where he worked at the trade of mason, remaining about twelve years. He contracted and hired hands, a good share of his work being in Ripon. Failing in health, he determined to abandon his trade, and came to Ulster Township, Floyd County, and purchased 131 acres on section 18, paying$10 per acre. At this time it was all wild land, but he has brought it all under a good state of cultivation, and has made it his home. In the State of New York, in the year 1850, he and Miss Ann Amelia Ray were married. They lived happily together till she was removed by death in the year 1853, while they still resided in New York State. They had two children, but both died when small. Mr. Clark married his second wife in 1860. Her name was Carrie S. Orr, a native of Scotland, coming to this country when a child. She made him a good wife, till death with its silent tread again stealthily crept into Mr. Clark's home, May 1, 1881, and removed the wife and mother, leaving a family of seven children- Edwin L., Nellie, Alice, May, Daisy Belle, Charles V., Ida Birda and Wm. Ernest. Mr. Clark is a man who has nobly fought the battle of life alone. In his present loneliness his children are keeping house, and trying to make home pleasant for him. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clark were members of the Baptist church in Wis- consin, and also after they came to Iowa. Mr. Clark still maintains the relationship.
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