USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 27
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Christian civilization; then the wide scope of prairie stretching away to the west, with the numerous artificial groves, which in summer breaks pleasantly the sameness of the prairie scene, and in a more southerly course taking in the little village of Maysville; then facing to the south the winding course of Mayne's creek can be traced for several miles, and beyond it across the rolling prairie we have seen the tops of the trees in the grove just north of Ackley, about twelve' miles distant, and a friend lately told us that the workmen upon the cupola of the new hotel in Ackley could see Highland Grove, and the course of the Iron Horse can be plainly traced by his smoky breath the greater part of the distance from Ackley to Hampton; then changing the view in a southeasterly direction, Four Mile Grove is plainly seen and on beyond it some twelve miles, stands Bear Grove, in Butler county, a prominent oasis upon the treeless prairie, and to the east the timber along Van Horn's creek with the wide grass bottom lands along its valley, with Burr Oak Grove, and in the distance the belt of timber upon Union Ridge along the banks of the West Fork is plainly visible for several miles.
"Such is but a brief outline of the view from this beautiful eleva- tion selected to be the last earthly resting place of the loved and lost ones. Little did we think when we first stood upon this beauti- ful eminence, fifteen years ago, and could have numbered all the settlers' houses then in sight upon our fingers and gazed admiringly upon the scene, that within so short a period, this spot would be held as a sacred and endeared resting place of two loved and cherished, but early lost buds of promise. There are ten little ones sleeping there now, all under ten years of age, and one aged person with them; and while we reflect upon the change that a few short years have wrought, we look forward to the future hoping this fitly chosen spot may ever be held as God's acre, as the old Saxons called their burial grounds, and may loving hands continue to improve and beautify it. May we ever bear in mind that all the works of man are perishable, and man himself must perish, 'Dust thou art, to dust returneth.' "
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP
Oakland township lies in the southwest corner of Franklin county and was organized in 1867, having been detached in that year from Morgan township. The first election was held at the home of John I. Popejoy, in 1856. This, however, was before Oakland was Vol. 1-19
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separated from Morgan township. A postoffice was established when there were not more than a dozen families in the community. Amasa Dodd was the first postmaster and the name of the office was Oakland.
Oakland township is watered and drained by the Iowa river, which runs through it from northwest to southeast, traversing por- tions of sections 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 35 and 36. Originally the river had heavy timber on either side of its entire course through the township. One railroad-the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, now known as the Rock Island, trends diagonally across the township, entering on section 6 and making its exit from sec- tion 25. The soil is of a very productive quality, producing all the cereals, vegetables and fruits common to this climate. Some of the most beautiful and productive farms in all northern Iowa are situ- ated along the Iowa valley. So lasting is the richness of the soil that lands which have been cultivated for over a half century pro- duce perfect grains in bountiful measures. Corn usually ripens a month earlier than on the prairie back from the river. Much here- tofore waste land has been reclaimed since the establishment of Drainage Ditch No. 2, located in the northeastern part of the town- ship.
Oakland has for its boundary lines, Hardin county on the south, Wright county on the west, Morgan township on the north and Lee township on the east. Three trappers known by the names of Den- nis Sprague, Doctor Crawford and Francis M. Mitchell, are credited with having been the first settlers in Oakland township. Sprague had a claim where the village of Oakland was afterward located and Mitchell went to Des Moines and made the first entry of land in Franklin county. These men did not stay long, however, and in all probability John I. Popejoy, who appeared here in 1854, entering six or seven hundred acres of land, should be characterized as the first real settler of the township. Mr. Popejoy visited this region with H. H. Pierson in 1854 and stopped at a spring where H. C. Holmes had made a preemption of 160 acres. Here they heard some one coming, which proved to be two men carrying a gun and an ax, who accosted them with the query "What are you doing here?" This led up to some warm words between the quartette, but finally a bargain was reached by which Popejoy purchased whatever inter- est the men had in the locality. The land thus obtained was the finest tract of timber on the north bank of the Iowa river, covered with oak and black walnut. The final entries made by Mr. Popejoy
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brought his possessions up to 2,860 acres in one body, 1,000 acres in grass and the balance in timber and plowed land. He became the biggest farmer and cattle man in this section of the state and in 1881 erected the largest and finest farm residence in northern Iowa, which cost him $12,000. It was situated in a beautiful oak grove, about thirty rods from the east bank of the Iowa river, overlooking the beautiful Iowa valley. He established himself on this place with his family, in 1855. Mr. Popejoy became prominent in public affairs. He represented his district on the county board for sixteen years and had the further distinction of being the first assessor in Franklin county. The town of Popejoy was named in his honor. He passed away in 1896.
Jesse R. Dodd moved to Oakland township from Morgan town- ship in 1855, and located in Oakland Grove, a village so named by John I. Popejoy.
G. A. Polhemas emigrated from Illinois in 1855 and located on the south side of the Iowa river, where he lived until the spring of 1883, at which time he removed to Dakota. A Mr. Beatty came to the township about the same time as Mr. Dodd but soon returned to his native state, Vermont.
James D. Brande settled in lowa in 1854, first locating in Hardin county. In 1857 he purchased 130 acres of land on section 35, Oak- land township, twenty-one acres of which were under the plow. On the property was a block house-one of the best in the community. This was the home of the Brandes for some years.
Levi Bigelow, a native born son of the state of New Hampshire, settled at Otis Grove in 1856, and the following year moved to Oak- land. Mr. Bigelow was postmaster at Oakland over twenty years, township clerk ten years, and also served as justice of the peace, assessor and school director. In 1866 he went into the mercantile business.
E. A. Smith was a son-in-law of Levi Bigelow. He came to the township in 1857 and finally located on section 28.
C. W. Walton became a resident of this township in 1865. He acquired a valuable farm of 130 acres, all but twenty acres of which he placed under cultivation. Mr. Walton saw much service as a private soldier in the war of the rebellion. He became one of the leading citizens of this township and held most, if not all, of the local offices.
A. O. Sime, a Norwegian, settled here June 10, 1867. He pur- chased a tract of eighty acres of land, to which he added other acres from time to time, finally becoming prosperous and independent.
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N. W. Hagenson located on section 7, in 1867. Three years later he removed to a purchase on section 17. Being inured to hard knocks and having a determination to advance, it was not many years before Mr. Hagenson had accumulated a fine property and was rated as one of the good citizens of the township.
Rev. N. Peterson was one of the worthy men who chose Oakland township for a place of residence. He was born in Denmark and emigrated to the United States in 1866, first engaging in the mercan- tile business at Indianapolis, Indiana. He prepared himself for the Lutheran ministry at Decorah, Iowa, also at the German Lutheran Seminary at Springfield, Illinois, and the Norwegian Lutheran Seminary at Madison, Wisconsin. In 1877 he became the pastor of Otis Grove Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Claus Erickson, as his name indicates, a Norwegian, immigrated to America at the age of twenty-two, first locating in Wisconsin. He enlisted in Company G, Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteers, and served three years. In 1868 he became a resident of Oakland town- ship, assuming all the duties devolving upon a good husbandman, and became a highly respected citizen.
Iver Iverson came with his brother, Erik, from Norway to America in 1868. The Iverson brothers became residents of Oakland township that year, first purchasing forty acres of land, upon which they began farming. Later Erik Iverson secured a tract of 160 acres of land on section 18.
Daniel B. Martin and Nancy Garner were the first couple mar- ried in Franklin county. At the time, they lived in that locality which was afterwards part and parcel of the original Reeve town- ship, and was eventually separated from Reeve and became a part of Oakland township. The license was secured at Eldora before Franklin county was organized. Under authority of the license issued by the county court of Hardin the young couple were mar- ried, but not, however, until Franklin county had been organized and detached from Hardin, and its county court assumed all the functions prescribed by law. Martin not knowing this and having waited some time after receiving his license, and not being a resident of Hardin, concluded the marriage was illegal and as soon as possible the marriage ceremony was again performed, this time by Judge J. B. Reeve, at his home in Reeve township. Not, however, until three weeks had elapsed from the time 'Squire Leggett, who held his com- mission under appointment from Hardin county, had declared Mar- tin and Nancy Garner man and wife.
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The first birth in Oakland township was that of James Mitchell, son of Sanford Mitchell, in 1855. In the home of Sanford Mitchell death first made its appearance in the township, in 1856. The son at that time was called and the body found interment in Oakland cemetery. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1860 and was buried in the Pope- joy cemetery.
Tabitha Wyatt taught the first school in Oakland township in a building erected by J. I. Popejoy and J. R. Dodd, west of the river, on section 27, in 1857. The young lady mentioned was a daughter of C. W. Wyatt, a settler of 1856. Miss Wyatt was prob- ably the youngest school teacher who ever undertook to inject the rudiments of an education into a group of pupils. At the time of opening this school she was only twelve years of age.
Rev. Philemon Plummer held religious services at the home of John I. Popejoy, in 1855. In 1875 the Baptists, Methodists and Congregationalists organized societies but in the 'Sos the Metho- dists was the only organized religious body remaining. Previous to these just mentioned, however, a Union Sunday school was organized in 1858.
In 1857 Amasa Wyatt and J. R. Dodd put up a sawmill, which was greatly needed and generously supported.
Sanford Mitchell opened a blacksmith shop in 1856 and about the same time J. R. Dodd opened a store which afterwards came into possession of Silas Pearce.
Early in the history of the township a burial ground, known as Popejoy cemetery, was laid out on section 27. It contained one acre of land. An association to take charge of the property was formed in 1864. William Walton was chosen as its president. Another cemetery was opened on section 8. This tract of land consisted of two acres and many interments have been made there.
VILLAGES
Jesse R. Dodd filed and platted Oakland village in January, 1857. The plat embraced the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 28, but as a trading point the village never amounted to very much. In fact there never was any great attraction there for the settlers. However, a postoffice was established and in 1866 Levi Bigelow built a store and kept the postoffice. He continued in busi- ness there for a number of years. Amasa Dodd was the first post- master. In 1862 Levi Bigelow was appointed postmaster.
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Popejoy is a station on the Rock Island railroad. It is located on section 22 and was platted by the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Falls & Northwestern Town Lot Company, per C. J. Ives, president, and E. S. Ellsworth, secretary, on September 28, 1880, as Carleton. The name was afterwards changed to Popejoy. It is now a town of no little importance. The census of 1910 gave it a population of 200. In 1908 it was incorporated. It has two grain elevators, a bank, church, several stores, shops; and secures a good trade from a rich and prosperous class of people within a radius of several miles. A post- office was established June 19, 1888, and J. W. Finch was first ap- pointed as postmaster. His successors were: M. E. Mathews, July 23, 1890; J. W. Finch, May 11, 1893; J. H. Popejoy, October 3, 1894; Edwin P. Finch, January 17, 1896; Annie A. Gordon, No- vember 15, 1897; Robert L. Mendell, April 29, 1901 ; John E. Carr, March 11, 1907; William S. Kent, September 26, 1910; James H. Popejoy, February 27, 1912.
The Bank of Popejoy, a private financial concern, was estab- lished in 1896. Its officers are: G. H. Jameson, president; J. E. Carr, vice president; and A. F. Iverson, cashier.
A WEEK IN OAKLAND
The late L. B. Raymond was familiar with every nook and corner of Franklin county and probably knew every man within her borders. He made a study of the history connected with this important sub- division of the state and visited at intervals various localities, in order that he might obtain material of value to add to a collection already accumulated. On one of his "trips into the country" in 1871, this indefatigable news gatherer spent a week among the industrious and hospitable people of Oakland township, and on returning to his desk, at the Record office (now Recorder), wrote the following for his paper :
We had the pleasure of spending last week in Oakland township, and becoming better acquainted with its situation and its people than ever before. Five years ago the coming spring we passed through the township but since that time our travels have been confined to other portions of the county. Oakland, as the most of our readers are aware, is situated in the southwest part of the county, the Iowa river flowing diagonally through the township. There is consid- erable timber skirting the river, but aside from this there are no groves except artificial ones, which have been started on many farms.
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The land near the Iowa is of good quality and well adapted either to agricultural or grazing purposes; in a large share of the town- ship, however, the soil is not of the best quality, being wet and heavy with many gravel knobs. The principal improvements yet made are near the river. Oakland Valley is quite a little village, containing about a dozen dwellings, a brick schoolhouse, a postoffice, store, etc. Levi Bigelow is the postmaster and merchant of the place. We were highly pleased with the general appearance of the people with whom we became acquainted. They are generous and whole-souled, deeply interested in education, intelligent and moral. At Oakland Valley an interesting lyceum is maintained, holding regular meetings every Friday evening. These meetings are well attended, are very inter- esting and are proving instructive and beneficial to the entire com- munity. Regular religious exercises are held each Sabbath, the Methodists and Congregationalists having church organizations. In the northern portion of the township the inhabitants are largely Nor- wegians, who are an industrious class of people, good farmers, with neat and frugal housewives, and are rapidly becoming Americanized. In this neighborhood there are two schools in which nearly all the pupils are Norwegians. These children make very studious, well behaved pupils and are learning rapidly, considering the advantages they have enjoyed. There are five schools in the township, with four comfortable schoolhouses and another about to be built. The teachers at present employed in this township are H. L. Frost, Mrs. L. L. Johnson, Mrs. Lizzie Fobes, Miss Mattie A. Northrup and Miss Emma Dodd-a corps of teachers equal in ability to those of any township in the county.
Among the projected improvements in this locality we notice that L. R. Fobes is about opening a farm a couple of miles north of the village. He is busily engaged in drawing building materials, fencing, etc. and making ready for more active operation as soon as the season will admit.
We were kindly "taken in and done for" by the "Cattle King" of the Iowa valley-John I. Popejoy-to whom we are under lasting obligations for many favors shown us during our stay in his vicinity. Mr. Popejoy is an extensive stock grower and is wintering the present season about one hundred and thirty head of cattle, mostly four-year- olds. They are in good condition and will yield a good sum of money when ready for market.
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OAKLAND IN THE EARLY DAYS
By Harry Dodd
In and around Oakland at the time of the Indian massacre at Spirit Lake and Okoboji, were eight families-by name Brande, Wyatt, Popejoy, Mitchell, Smith, Dodd and Polhemus. The Wyatts lived in a two-story log house where Mr. Houghton now lives ; Dodds lived on what is now the Rice farm; Polhemus' home was near the present Coats farm; and Mitchell lived on the place now owned by Mr. Graff.
Alden was a large village of three huts, while Iowa Falls pos- sessed the superior number of four. There were only a few homes between these two cities and none at all between Oakland and Hamp- ton. Iowa City was the nearest town where provisions were obtain- able, so several men would make the trip together and return with several wagon loads of flour, groceries and other necessities. There were no roads at this time and they were unnecessary, as the men would strike off across the prairie, turning out only for sloughs and ponds.
When the news first reached the settlers of the terrible outrages committed by the Indians at Spirit Lake, great excitement prevailed among the scattered settlements. Rumors continually reached our friends at Oakland that Indians were coming to massacre all the people in Iowa. Wagon trains of five and six and more were passing on their way east to God's country, as they expressed it. Many came from Fort Dodge and further west. Each reported the In- dians only a few hours' journey back of them and rapidly coming east. The eight families at Oakland were urged to join these people who were escaping death, or a fate worse than death, but not one of them could be persuaded to leave the homes they had worked so hard to make pleasant and comfortable. However, they believed that something should be done to protect the helpless women and children, so the homes were deserted and all gathered at Mr. Mit- chell's home, on the Graff farm of today, and turned the place into a fortress. In all respect and reverence the rude log hut was dubbed Fort Mitchell. For the accommodation of the women and children beds were made on the floors, both upstairs and down. The men brought their guns and for a week sentinels stood at their posts day and night to guard the fort and the precious souls it contained.
The Popejoy family were unable to join the rest because of their stock, but fearful lest the Indians should come upon them unawares,
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they kept the horses harnessed during the day and at night hitched them to the wagons so as to be ready at a moment's notice and take refuge in Fort Mitchell. And lest in spite of these precautions they should be caught napping, they planned their campaign as follows: In the family was a young German girl and in her care were placed the two youngest girls. She made them a solemn promise, with her hand over her heart, that if the Indians attacked their home, she would seize the little girls by the hand and flee to the river, which was but a short distance from the house. And if hotly pursued by the Indians and no avenue of escape presented itself, she would drown both the little girls and herself in the river, the parents pre- ferring such a fate for the girl and their little ones to a life of captivity among the Indians. The father and mother were to guard the rest as best they could.
At the little fort the strictest watch was kept and after many sleepless nights, the families dispersed to their various homes where no Indians came to disturb their slumbers.
In 1857, the same year as the Indian scare, was held the first town meeting. It was in a big house which stood on the site of Adam Smith's corn crib of today. The first election took place at this time, Mr. Popejoy and Jesse Dodd being among those elected to office, and they at once entered upon the duties assigned them. Dur- ing the same year it was decided that there should be some kind of a school, as the only instruction the children received was from the parents. Accordingly, an old log house on the banks of the Iowa river was chosen for the purpose. The floor was puncheon and the seats or benches were mere slabs or half logs with sticks driven in for legs. The stove was one of the old-fashioned kind, with an ele- vated oven, that had previously served as a cook stove.
The first teacher was Eliza Smith. She was paid by subscrip- tions made by the parents. Some of the pupils desired to study geography but the teacher informed them that if they insisted on studying that subject, they would have to get a new teacher as she knew nothing whatever about geography. After the first term, there being a scarcity of teachers, a litle girl of twelve years took up the ferrule. Although but a year older than most of her pupils, Jennie Wyatt did fairly well, as most of the children were informed by their parents of the punishment awaiting them at home if they did not mind the little schoolma'am.
In 1859 the school district was organized and called Oakland, and under the new arrangements, the teachers were paid by the
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county. Miss Elizabeth Bigelow was the first teacher after the or- ganization. After school was out Miss Bigelow became Mrs. Adam Smith. They drove to the minister's and every time Miss Eliza- beth spied a pretty flower, Mr. Smith would get out of the buggy and pick it for her, and sad but true, after the ceremony when they were riding home, no one observed Adam picking any flowers. How- ever, Mr. Smith built a home for his bride. Part of the pine used came from Cedar Falls, and the rest came from Independence.
In 1862 the county superintendent, by name N. B. Chapman, decided that Franklin county should have an institute. Accordingly, Professor Enos, of Davenport or Dubuque, was employed to conduct the first training school, and he was paid $50 for his work. Two girls, Mary Wyatt and Delia Hitt, represented Oakland at the institute and they have rendered the following account of it: Hamp- ton was then a small village, with a population of 200. The institute was held in the schoolhouse and an old melodeon was borrowed for the occasion. About one hundred teachers were present and they were entertained by the people, no charges being made for their board. The institute began at 9 and closed at 4. Every morning they all sang the song, "The Year of Jubilo." It commences, "Say Darkies, have you seen the Massa?" After singing they took up the study of geography, all reciting in one class as at a common school. Then followed the other studies in the same manner. There were no examinations at the close of the institute, which lasted a week, but those who desired to teach were given certificates by the superintendent.
During one of the recitation classes, one of the teachers differed from the professor on some small point. An argument ensued, in which the young lady became very angry, and after scolding at Pro- fessor Enos, walked out of the room and did not return to the in- stitute. Several years later she became county superintendent and she was considered an excellent educator.
At the close of the institute, Sam Wyatt, then a lad of twelve vears, came with a team after the two girls. A friend had taken them part of the way and exposed them to a fever at a farm house where seven of the family were lying ill with the disease. Sam found the girls and they started homeward. It was a very dark night and the horses could not follow the road. The girls had to get out of the buggy and creep on ahead of the horses in order to tell where they were going. But after a hard night's travel they reached their
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