USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 26
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Richard Horner was a native of the Hoosier state, whence he emigrated to Iowa in 1856 and settled on section 18, on a tract of land taken up the year previously by John Evans. Being a black- smith by trade, he combined farming with that of horseshoeing and wagon repairing. Three of his sons served in the Civil war, one of whom, Jesse, met his death while fighting for the Union. The esti- mation of Mr. Horner by his neighbors as a citizen was a high one. His son, W. C. Horner, was fourteen years of age when the family arrived here. He was one of the boys who enlisted in Company H, Thirty-second lowa Infantry, recruited in Hampton. He married Rhoda Boots in 1865.
P. C. Berry was a native of the Keystone state. He was reared on a farm, and desiring to make the cultivation of the soil his voca- tion, sought the prairies for a farm and found one to his liking in Geneva township, coming here in 1856. Mr. Berry was a good citi- zen and an excellent farmer. He was a charter member of the lodge of Masons.
In 1858, Eleazer Manifold settled in Geneva township. He left his native home in Indiana when eight years of age and removed to Blackhawk county, Iowa, whence he came to this township and settled at Four Mile Grove, where his father died in 1875.
Jarvis Clock was born on Long Island in 1828. With his par- ents he went to Ohio in 1832. He saw considerable service on the great lakes and also on a whaling vessel. In 1855 he found his way to Iowa and purchased a farm in Franklin county in this township but did not move thereon until 1859. He built on the place a sub- stantial stone house, set out an orchard and planted a grove of maple trees and by good judgment and thrift made his place one of the most
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valuable in the township. After a short illness, Mr. Clock died of pneumonia, February 18, 1879.
Lavellette Stoddard settled in Franklin county in 1857, spend- ing three years in Maysville, Reeve township. In the spring of 1860 he moved with his family to Geneva township. He had two children : Fannie E., who married Dr. S. R. Mitchell, first clerk of the court of Franklin county; and William P., now living in the town of Geneva.
Edward McClelland, a Pennsylvanian by birth, came to Iowa in 1861 and located in Geneva township. In 1878 he took up his home on section 15. Mr. McClelland became quite prominent in Franklin county politics and held several offices.
N. Clemmens arrived in Franklin county from Pennsylvania in 1862 and eventually located on section 2, Geneva township. By industry and thrift he accumulated several hundred acres of land and was rated a good farmer and citizen.
Allen Andrews was born in the State of New York. He came to Iowa in 1866 and settled on section 13, Geneva township, where he lived until he died in 1875. He was a republican in politics, held local offices and served on the board of supervisors.
Henry H. Andrews was a son of Allen Andrews and came with his parents to Franklin county. After the death of his father he took charge of the farm and managed the home affairs with ability and good judgment. He held several local offices.
Henry Ihde came to the United States from the fatherland and after serving his adopted country in the Civil war settled in Frank- lin county, choosing a farm in Geneva township for his abiding place. He became an estimable citizen.
John M. Yenter was also a native of Germany, who removed to Pennsylvania when twenty-one years of age. He eventually immi- grated to Iowa and in 1867 settled on section 22 in Geneva township. It was through his endeavors that the German settlement got its initial start in this township.
Isaac Appleby removed from the State of New York to Illinois in 1864, and in 1868 he removed to Franklin county and purchased a farm in Geneva township.
James W. McDougal was born in Ohio and served in a regiment from that state in the Civil war. In 1868 he came to Franklin county, remained that winter at Mayne's Grove and in the spring located in Geneva township.
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Adam Knau settled on section 22 in Geneva township in the spring of 1869. He devoted his whole time to the improvement of his farm and soon had the satisfaction of bringing the place up to a high standard.
W. C. Reinke came to America from Germany in 1857 and located in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming until 1866. That year he removed to Iowa and settled in Hardin county. In 1869 Mr. Reinke came to Franklin county, locating on section 25, in Geneva township. He was a man of good education, well versed in his native tongue, and having received instructions while in his adopted country prepared himself and was ordained a minister in the Evangelical Association. His first circuit was at Butler Center in 1867. John G. Herbster was born in Baden, Ger- many. He immigrated to the United States in the spring of 1859 and coming to Germany purchased a farm of 160 acres on sec- tion 35.
William B. Bryan located on section 7 in 1870. He was a veteran of the Civil war.
John Knoll was born in Germany. He immigrated to Illinois, whence he removed to Franklin county in 1870 and located in this township, where he died August 7, 1882.
Louis Belzer was a German. He immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1848 and settled in Wisconsin. He arrived in Franklin county in 1865 and settled in Geneva township.
Frederick R. H. Lill was born in England. Finding his way to Canada, he removed from there in 1869 to Iowa. In 1870 Mr. Lill located on section 14, this township.
James Pearse settled in the township in 1872. He was a native of England. Mr. Pearse located on section 7, accumulating several hundred acres of land, and became very successful.
Bernard Heitman was born in Germany. He located in Geneva township in 1873, purchasing a farm at that time, which he greatly improved.
John Bauer was from Wurtemberg, Germany. He attended the celebrated Heidelberg University two winters. He came to the United States in 1873 and located on section 23, Geneva township and there became permanently settled.
John C. Bell was born in Yorkshire, England. He came to the United States in 1855 and settled in Wisconsin. In 1875 Mr. Bell became a resident of Geneva township, where he became a fixture and was always highly esteemed by his neighbors.
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Frank Beach served in the Civil war, was married to Sarah Elsey in 1864 and in June, 1866, settled on section 12, in this township. He was held in high regard by his neighbors and held several local offices.
Thomas F. Argent was an Illinoisan by birth. He served in the Civil war and returned to Illinois after his discharge. After a resi- dence in several places he came to Franklin county in 1876 and set- tled in Reeve township, where he farmed until 1877. In the year just mentioned Mr. Argent came to Geneva township and took up farming.
Ludwig Bell was a German citizen, who came to Franklin county in 1878 and located on section 12, Geneva township. Mr. Bell was a good farmer and as a matter of course, prospered.
Charles L. Canfield was a Buckeye and grew to manhood on a farm. With his young wife he came to Franklin county in 1878 and settled in this township, where he farmed until 1881, after which time he conducted the Geneva Hotel.
John Dovey was an Englishman, who emigrated to Canada when he was fourteen years of age. In the spring of 1881 he left Ackley to take up his residence in Franklin county, locating on section 23, in Geneva township.
Rev. Jacob Haymond was a Virginian, who made farming an occupation until 1860, when he entered the ministry, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had charges in Marshall, Har- din, Grundy and Linn counties, and in 1879 took charge of the church at Geneva, remaining there three years. A son of Reverend Haymond, Edward H. Haymond, located on section 13, Geneva township, in 1881.
John M. Boots, son of Martin Boots, was born in Geneva town- ship, June 1, 1856. He was reared on his father's farm. In 1882 he was married to Rachel M. Manifold, daughter of one of the early settlers. Mr. Boots located on section 2 in the spring of 1882.
O. H. Tillman, a native of Darke county, Ohio, removed with his parents, Daniel and Mary Tillman, to Franklin county, in 1855, settling on section 10 in this township, where the parents lived the remainder of their days. The father passed away in 1861 and the mother in 1876. He was a member of Company H, Thirty-second Towa Volunteers and served until August 25, 1865. After the war he returned to Franklin county and in 1867 married Miss Mary L. Clinesmith, of Holmes county, Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Till-
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man, Andrew and Margaret Clinesmith, came from Ohio to Frank- lin county in 1855 and settled in Mayne's Grove, remaining there one year, when they went to Morgan township.
John M. Runyan, an Ohioan, settled in Franklin county in the late '6os, choosing Geneva township for a location.
E. L. Clock, whose native place was Long Island, New York, removed from Warren, Illinois, to Franklin county in 1856. He built a frame store building at Maysville and installed a general stock of goods, continuing there in the mercantile trade until 1871, when he sold out to his brother, Captain H. C. Clock, who located in and is now living at Geneva. E. L. Clock began to accumulate land in the vicinity of Maysville and from his home in Geneva managed his farm in the raising of live stock. In 1907 he and his wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Fannie Wheeler, and whom he wedded on January 21, 1857, celebrated the fiftieth anni- versary of their marriage. Mrs. Clock was a native of Painesville, Ohio, and with her brother, the late Henry Wheeler, and her wid- owed mother, she came to Franklin county in 1856 and settled near Geneva, in Reeve township.
Anna Scott taught the first school in Geneva township in the winter of 1854-5. Her pupils met her at the residence of Peter Rhinehart, where they were given instruction. An attendance of five pupils was the maximum. Alvira Johnson, who afterwards became Mrs. Creighton, taught a term of school in 1856 at the house of Daniel Tillman. In 1857 the first schoolhouse was built on sec- tion 16. William H. Thompson taught the first term in this build- ing. The old pioneer was a victim to the primitive method of pupils in their mischievous practice of barring out the teacher. One morning Mr. Thompson went to the schoolhouse but found the chil- . dren, headed by two or three big boys, had locked him out and refused to let him in the building unless he would treat them to some- thing the next Friday. Being amply possessed of mother wit, Mr. Thompson climbed the stick and mud chimney of the cabin, which was built against the side of the building, and reaching the roof, placed a broad board over the top of the chimney flue, which, driv- ing the smoke downward into the schoolroom was meant to drive the unruly boys and girls into the open, but Mr. Thompson failed in his endeavor and was beaten by his opponents. He was compelled to leave the children in possession and did not gain admission into his schoolroom until the next morning. It is said that one of the older boys who took part in this escapade was William Horine.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
The first permanent schoolhouse was erected during the sum- mer of 1862. Here the following winter Amelia Cole gave instruc- tions to fifteen scholars. This building was used for school pur- poses until 1873, when it was bought at auction by John Strain for $50.
The home of Martin Boots was the rendezvous for the settlers religiously inclined, and it was here that Reverends Brown and Olm- stead held the first church services in the township. This was in the summer of 1855. In 1858 Reverend Brown organized a society. At the time Revs. John Buckmaster and Israel Schaffer presided. Those who became members at that time were John Gould, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Boots, Jesse Manifold and wife, J. Jones, Mary Jones, Thomas Jones and Sarah Jones. The meetings were held in the log schoolhouse on section 16.
The first burial ground opened in Geneva township was located about a mile east of Four Mile Grove. This place served the whole township until 1868, when another burial spot was made use of near the grove. There was a burying ground at Highland Grove. Some time later the bodies from these were removed to the Geneva village cemetery, in 1875.
THE TOWN OF GENEVA
Geneva is situated on section 19 of Geneva township and was laid out and platted in September, 1871, by William J. McVey. Obadiah Smith was the surveyor. In 1903 the village was incor- porated as a town and the census for 1910 gave the place a popula- tion of 199.
H. C. Clock was the first person to engage in business in the town. He came to Geneva in September, 1871, and on Nov. I opened a store. He had been in the merchandise business in Maysville the preceding ten years. His new stock of goods here was installed in a building which he had erected, the dimensions of which were 22x26 feet and two stories in height. This structure later was covered with galvanized iron and was painted to resemble brick. Mr. Clock is the pioneer of Geneva, still active and giving his time and attention to many business affairs. After the railroad was built Mr. Clock paid $760 and certain of the farmers $740 as a bonus to the railroad company for a sidetrack and depot. John Strain and William J. McVey each gave five acres of land for depot grounds.
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The Geneva House, still serving its purpose as a retreat for the wayfarer, was built by H. C. Clock. The original structure was a schoolhouse. To this was built an addition, giving the building its present dimensions. Mr. Clock was the first landlord of the Geneva House. In 1875 he sold the property to A. P. McCardle, who later turned it over to Mr. Clock, who conducted it until the spring of 1881, when Charles L. Canfield became proprietor. Since his day, the Geneva House has been under the management of different people.
Doctor Tidd and Mr. Silence opened a drug store in Geneva in 1880, continuing the partnership one year, when Doctor Tidd became sole proprietor and maintained the business for many years, together with his practice.
John D. Parks was the first to engage in the hardware trade, commencing business in 1875 in a building erected for the purpose. He was succeeded by his son, George, who sold to J. A. Wadding- ton, who is still in business.
Joseph Kulas opened a boot and shoe store and a cobbler shop in 1878.
George Thompson started the first exclusive grocery store in 1877. He sold out his goods to Fred Steiner, in March, 1880.
Joseph Fuchs opened a wagon shop in 1882; George Johnson a blacksmith shop about the same time.
M. Burns was the first lumber dealer. He opened a yard in 1871, continuing therein until 1872, when he sold out to H. C. Clock. Mr. Burns was also the pioneer grain dealer. After H. C. Clock acquired the business the firm of H. C. Clock & Brother built an ele- vator in 1875, with a capacity of 6,000 bushels.
A postoffice was established near Geneva in 1858 and among the early postmasters was William H. Thompson. After Geneva station was established. H. C. Clock was appointed the postmaster and held the office many years. The first money order was issued to Charles H. Tidd in favor of George H. Clock, for $5.25, in July, 1881. The first order was paid to Peter W. Hicks by George Hicks for $10.10.
The first school building erected in Geneva was built about 1872 and was used for the purpose until another one took its place. The old building was moved and became part of the Geneva House. The present building stands on a beautiful tract of land in the northeast part of the town. It is two stories in height and con- tains three rooms, where three teachers preside. The structure was
OPERA HOUSE
H C.CLOCK- & SONS
Methodist Episcopal Church
SCENES ALONG RESIDENCE AND BUSINESS STREETS OF GENEVA
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
built in 1905 at a cost of $5,000. There are ten grades and a two years' course in high school work. The average attendance is about sixty pupils. The present members of the school board are: C. L. Fox, president; W. T. Overton, treasurer; B. D. Hunt, secretary. J. H. Clock, H. T. Page, D. McMillan and William Laipple are the other members.
GENEVA SAVINGS BANK
The Geneva Savings Bank was organized in 1902 by D. G. Wiley as a private institution. In July, 1905, F. A. Harriman, H. L. Har- rison, N. A. Inglis, A. W. and G. F. Beed and B. D. Hunt pur- chased the property and organized it as the Geneva Savings Bank, with the following officers : H. L. Harrison, president; A. W. Beed, vice president; and B. D. Hunt, cashier. It is capitalized at $15,000.
A very sad incident is connected with the organization of the Geneva Savings Bank. On Friday, October 29, 1905, F. A. Harri- man, A. W. Beed, G. F. Beed, H. L. Harrison and N. A. Inglis went to Geneva in Mr. Harriman's machine to check up and take formal possession of the bank. At nine o'clock in the evening, the party started home, taking the old Maysville road, and while motoring down the steep hill just beyond A. D. St. Clair's residence, at the rate of thirty miles an hour, Mr. Harriman lost control of the steering gear of the machine. The front wheel struck the bridge that spans a small creek at the foot of the declivity and the impact was so great that the occupants of the car were thrown clear over the bridge, which is thirty feet in length. All escaped serious injury but Mr. Harriman. He was found lying on the ground, uncon- scious, and was picked up by his companions, who took him to the home of A. D. St. Clair, at the top of the hill. Dr. L. E. Haecker was summoned by 'phone and was soon at the injured man's bed- side but could do nothing for his patient. The young man remained unconscious until his death, which took place soon after the physi- cian's arrival. However, no bones were broken and death was evi- dently caused from concussion of the brain. Mr. Harriman was one of the prominent young men of Hampton, and left a widow, a daughter of John M. Hemingway, to mourn his loss. Mrs. Harri- man at the time of her husband's death was the mother of twin girls, who were about six weeks old.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
This society was first conected with Eldora Mission. Reverend Stewart, a local preacher, was in charge. He preached in the sum- mer of 1855. In the fall of 1856 Maysville circuit was formed and Reverend Freeman was the pastor. In the fall of 1857 Rev. H. J. Burly ministered to the charge. The circuit at that time took in all of Franklin county and most of Butler county. Reverend Burly was in charge two years, and in the fall of 1858 Rev. James Hankins succeeded him. He had a colleague in Father Connell in the fall of 1859, and in the fall of 1860 Rev. Smith Knickerbocker took up the pastorate and remained about two years. His successor was Rev- erend Hesstwood. Mayne's Grove was the first appointment in this charge. In June, 1856, a class was organized at Mayne's Grove and called the Maysville class. Levi Jones was appointed leader.
The Geneva Church was organized in the winter of 1873-4 by Reverend Bargelt. Services were conducted in the schoolhouse in Geneva until 1882. In the summer of that year a church building was completed at a cost of about $2,000. Some of the early con- tributors to this were James Pearse, Thomas March, John H. Page, Silas Page, W. P. Stoddard, B. H. Shute and H. C. Clock. The lat- ter was not a member but was on the board of trustees.
The old church was remodeled and built to in 1899. It is a frame structure. The old parsonage was sold and moved into the country and on the site a new residence for the pastor was built dur- ing Reverend Barton's administration. The present members number 175. In the Sunday school are enrolled 135. The auxiliary societies are the Ladies' Aid Society, Woman's Home and Woman's For- eign Missionary Societies and Epworth League.
Here follows a list of the pastors : 1862, O. Glassner; 1863, C. J. Jones; 1864-65, G. J. Wilkerson; 1866-68, L. S. Cooley; 1869, G. Woods; 1870-71, J. J. Littler; 1872, W. H. Miller; 1873, H. Bar- gelt; 1874-75, J. M. Hedges; 1876-77. G. B. Crinklaw; 1878, L. S. Cooley ; 1879-81, Jacob Haymond; 1882, Reverends Sprowl and Bret- nell; 1883, T. A. Miller; 1884, G. E. Shear; 1885-86, W. E. Ross ; 1887-91, Thomas A. Trimble; 1891-95, H. H. Barton ; 1895, Eugene Ketchum; 1896-1900, N. F. Norton; 1901-02, W. E. Smedley, who died during his second year of service; F. P. Fisher, who filled out Reverend Smedley's unexpired term and remained until 1904; 1904-06, W. F. Spry; 1907, G. B. Shoemaker; 1908-11, J. B. Jones ; 1911, T. M. Nielsen, the present incumbent.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
In June, 1913, St. Paul's Church was organized by Rev. J. C. Wieneke, the names of the charter members being: John O'Brien, Ed O'Brien, his mother, Mrs. Ed O'Brien, John Haller, John Honick, John Amman, Dennis O'Laughlin, Michael O'Laughlin, James Redding, John S. Redding, Leo Redding, Clement Redding, Job Bartacek, John Kopacek and Thomas King, with their fam- ilies. It is confidently anticipated that the number of families will be increased when the new church building is ready for occupancy.
Building operations began on the church, a frame structure, in the fall of 1913 and it will be dedicated before the expiration of the winter season. The property was purchased in July, the contract let in October and the corner stone laid November 16th, with fitting ceremonies. Since the organization of the parish, services have been held in Woodman Hall. The pastor is Rev. J. C. Wieneke of Hampton.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES
Kedron Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A.M., was organized at Mays- ville July 29, 1868, by a dispensation from the grand master, which was granted to C. L. Clock, A. B. Hudson, E. L. Clock, Henry Shroyer, J. M. Jones, A. Pickering and B. K. Jackson. The first officers chosen were: Charles L. Clock, J. W .; L. S. Cooley, secre- tary; J. D. Parks, treasurer; H. C. Clock, S. D .; Henry Shroyer, J. D .; J. M. Jones and Albert Pickering, stewards; B. K. Jackson, tyler.
After Maysville began to disintegrate, the lodge was moved to Geneva, January 28, 1874, and C. L. Clock was elected worshipful master, which office he held until his removal to Hampton.
Albia Lodge, No. 213, I. O. O. F., was organized at Maysville, January 23, 1871, by H. C. Clock, W. W. Soper, A. A. Noble, W. T. Bullis, T. H. Reeve and G. W. Soper. The first officers were : W. W. Soper, N. G .; A. A. Noble, V. G .; T. H. Reeve, secretary ; H. C. Clock, treasurer. This lodge became strong in numbers and con- tinued to hold its meetings at Maysville until the completion of the Central Railway, when, in 1874, it moved to Geneva.
Geneva also has a strong lodge of the order of Modern Wood- men. All these organizations have auxiliary societies, whose mem- bership is chiefly composed of women.
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GOD'S ACRE
William H. Thompson was one of the real pioneers of Franklin county and became a permanent and valued citizen. He was a man of splendid breeding, education and refinement; his early New Eng- land training was always apparent. Mr. Thompson took a deep interest in all that pertained to the welfare and advancement of his new home and neighbors in this western prairie state; and was a keen and critical observer of every local incident of note. Of Nature he made a deep study, and as a student of her manifold beauties, he was often impelled to preserve his impressions in choice bits of prose, as the following article, written in 1871, clearly indicates :
"Among the many changes and improvements that have been made in Geneva township during the past year, one that deserves a passing notice is the building of a good, plain four-board fence around the Highland Grove cemetery. It was during the winter of 1857 that David Church lost an infant son, and at that early period of the settlement of our township there was no cemetery to inter the little infant in. So Mr. Church and wife selected a spot on the crown of the bluff on the south side of Highland Grove, it being a portion of prairie belonging with his timber lot, and a pleasant and elevated situation. A few years later and some two or three other little children were placed by its side, for the want of a more suit- able place for interment. Then as the settlement seemed to require a cemetery, the offer was made by Mr. Church to donate an acre or more if needed, for that purpose, and W. H. Thompson offered to donate the same from his land that lay adjoining Mr. Church's on the west and comprised a portion of the crown of the bluff. The offer was accepted and trustees were appointed to legally establish a cemetery. The ladies of the vicinity formed a mite society to obtain funds to fence and improve the ground, a portion of it was laid out into lots and the past summer a substantial fence was com- pleted around the ground. The enclosure is eighteen rods square, and the view from the cemetery we believe is equalled by but few, if any, in the county. The scene presented from this elevated posi- tion, on a clear, pleasant day, few can fully describe and do justice to it. Looking away to the north, a goodly portion of Ingham town- ship is plainly seen, dotted here and there with a farm house and occasionally a neat, white schoolhouse. Turning the eye to the northwest, the town of Hampton is in full view before you, with the towering church spire, bearing the most positive evidence of a
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