History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 36

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990

USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 36
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Richer and T. Thomas were trustees ; C. S. Barney, recorder ; William Thomas, treasurer.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in what is now Clinton township was taught in the winter of 1859-60, in a log smoke-house, on section 9, by Miss Hoit, who only had two schol- ars. A school house was built, in 1860, on section 9, which was afterwards moved over into what is now Ross township, and was still used for school purposes in 1883. The only school house in what now con- stitutes Clinton township is located in the town of Sheffield. The building was erected in 1875 and is a two-story struc- ture, 26x36 feet, costing $2,000. The first teacher was A O. Hemming who taught in the winter of 1874-5. In 1883, the teachers were D. R. Bradford and D. Thompson.

CHURCHIES.

The first religious society in the neigh- borhood of Sheffield was called the West Fork Baptist Society, organized in No- vember, 1863. This Church was formed by A. F. Crosby and wife, A. T. Little and wife, R. Knapp and Olive Gillett.

The Methodist Church was organized in November, 1880, with a membership of forty. The society built a church in 1882, at a cost of $2,250, which was dedi- cated in November, 1882. The first pastor in charge was Rev. Coleman. In 1883, Rev. Will was pastor, at which time a union Sunday school was maintained by the several denominations, the meeting- place being at the Baptist church. HI. D. Hocking was at that time superintend- ent. The trustees of the church were: . J Perrin, James Ormrod, Wm. Combellick,

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

R. J. Churehouse and L B. Carhart. James Thompson donated the lot upon which the church was built.

The Baptist Church of Sheffield was or- ganized in 1876, and in 1880 they com- menced to build a church edifice, the cost of which was $2,300, all of which was raised by subscription. This house of worship was built under the direction of A. Dailey, A. F Crosby, James Borst, H. Winchell and W. S. Bowen. Rev. A. R. Button was the first regular pastor. Rev. J. F. Bryant was their pastor in 1883, at which time there was a membership of twenty-seven.

SOCIETIES.

Mulligan Post, No. 102, G. A. R., was organized Oct. 20, 1882, with twenty- three members, mustered by R. S. Benson, assisted by other members of the McKen- zie post, at Hampton. The post received its name, at the suggestion of J. II. Rich- er, in honor of the famous, gallant hero, James R. Mulligan, colonel of the 23d Ill. inois regiment, who was shot down at the head of his command at the battle before Winchester, on the 24th of July, 1864. He was immediately picked up by his men and laid upon a stretcher to be carried from the field, his last words be- ing: "Lay me down and save the flag." Well may the post at Sheffield be proud of the name of Mulligan.

"There is no prouder grave,

Even in thy own proud clime."

The charter members were : Hiram Chase, John Richer, J. Bender, G. R. Miner, William Combellick, F. W. Kim ball, R. Cook, J. S Barney, B. R. Tilton, H. R.Floyd, James D. Abrams, C. D. Johns, R. Wilde, J Perrin, I I. Thompson, A. Bailey,

D F. Ross, Ed. Eslinger, Emanuel Es- linger and Samuel Eslinger. The follow - ing were the officers : J. S. Barney, com- mander; C. D. Johns, sr. vice commander; R. J. Churchouse, jr. vice commander; G. R. Miner, adjutant; John Richer, chap- lain; William Combellick, quartermaster; Joseph l'errin, officer of the day; Samuel Eslinger, officer of the guard; I. I. Thomp- son, sergeant major; B. R. Tilton, quar- termaster sergeant. These officers served for three months and the following, who still held in 1883, were elected: R. J. Churchouse, commander; William Parks, Ser vice commander; G. R. Miner, adju- tant; Jonathan Bender, jr. vice com- mander; William Combellick, quarter- master; Joseph Perrin, officer of the day; Asa Bailey, officer of the guard; F. W. Kimball, sergeant major; C. J. Webster, quartermaster sergeant; John Richer, sur- geon; Ed. Eslinger, chaplain.

No deaths had occurred in the order, up to July, 1883, at which time the post num- bered forty-six. In 1883, the post was financially in a good condition-the quar- termaster having in his hands enough money to pay the current expenses of that year. The post holds its meetings each month, on the Saturday evening before the full moon; all the members working in harmony, and the best of feeling always prevailing. The youngest member was, at this date, thirty-seven years old, and the oldest fifty-six. Five of the members were born in England, one in Ireland and the remainder were from eight States of the Union.

FATAL ACCIDENT.

On the 4th of July, 1876, a terrible acci- dent occurred at Sheffield, which proved

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

fatal. Just as the north bound passenger train, on the Central of Iowa railroad, was drawing into the station, a man named George Hall, a carpenter by trade, touched off an anvil as a salute to the incoming train, which was an excursion train with passengers bound for a centennial 4th of July celebration at Clear Lake. A ring had been placed over the opening in the anvil, which burst, a segment of which struck the unfortunate man in the lower part of the abdomen, completely severing his intestines. He survived, in fearful anguish, until 3 o'clock, P. M., of the same day. The event cast a gloom over the town making the day one of mourning instead of joy and celebration.

Another fatal accident occurred in Sep- tember, 1876. Joseph Stocks, a carpenter, fell from a low scaffolding and received injuries, from which he died in three days. He left a wife and three children, who now reside in Belmont, Wis.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

In the spring of 1874, Elias Whitney erected a small hotel. That year the town improved rapidly, every branch of busi- ness being soon represented. The place continued to grow until 1877, when a re- action took place and but little improve- ment was made until 1880, when it again commenced to thrive.

The second hotel in the place was built by John Bolton, in 1874, who was still its proprietor in 1883.

The third hotel was opened in 1880 by E. C. Seheader, called the Galena House.

Uncle John Bolton, proprietor of the Gilman House, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, in May, 1821. He is the son of John

and Magdalena Bolton. He lived in his native place until he was sixteen years of age, when he moved to the western part of Ohio. Mr. Bolton was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education. He continued to live in Ohio until the spring of 1865, when he came to Iowa and settled in Mahaska county, where he farmed for five years, then came to Franklin county and settled at Hampton, where he was in the livery business. From Hampton he went on a farm in Washington township, where he staid until he came to Sheffield and bought a third interest in the plat which was owned by Thompson, Gilman & Bolton. He built a store 22x26 feet and engaged in the hardware business, but the demand was so great for a hotel that he gave up his hardware business and opened a hotel the next fall, to which he built an addition of 26x36 feet, two stories high; kitchen, one story high and 20x30 feet. This gave the people confidence in the place and raised the price of the land at once from $5 to $6 per acre. In the year 1880, Mr. Bolton sold his interest in the town plat to Thompson, retaining only the property where his hotel is and four other lots. He was one of the directors of the school when the school house was built, helped finish the building and hired the first teacher. In the spring of 1883, he was appointed justice of the peace to fill a vacancy, and still holds that office. Mr. Bolton was married in 1843, to Luere- tia Barber; she died in 1856, leaving two children-Samantha and Sally O., the former being the wife of Robert McMagus, of Marshalltown, and the latter the wife of Wm. Ogle, now of Kansas. Mr. Bolton was married in 1857, to Almira

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Thompson, a sister of Mr. Thompson, pro- prietor of the town site. IIe has been a member the A. F. & A. M. for over twenty-five years, and was one of the charter members of t . e lodge at Sheffield. He has also been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge for the past twenty-six years, and helped charter Hampton lodge. Mr. Bolton has held some of the offices in the lodge in Ohio. He is called "Uncle John" by every one far and near. In token of their respect and esteem for him, on his sixtieth birthday, the R R. boys gave him a grand surprise, making him $200 worth of presents, including a fine gold headed cane. There were about 120 present.

Another hotel, in 1883, was being operated by William Harstwell, who was born in Brockville, Canada, in 1837. When a child his parents moved to Lon- don, Canada, where he lived until nineteen years of age. He was raised on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1856, he went to Wisconsin, but re- mained there only a short time. From there he moved to Illinois, bought land, and remained until 1860, when he came to Iowa. Mr. Harstwell was one of the first settlers in West Fork township, there being only two or three farmers when he came there. He helped to organize the town. He now rents his farm, and for the past year has lived in town, ruuning a · hotel. He bought his present hotel in 1882. In 1857, he was married to Clara Hall, a native of Canada. They have three children-Emma, Ida and Lyle.

The first to engage in the hardware trade was M. Linchrist, in 1875. He con- tinned in the business about a year and

then sold to Culver Bros, who afterward sold o W. B. Barney & Bro.

C. S. Barney was born in Lancaster, Wis., in 1856. When eight years of age his par- ents moved to Detroit, Mich., where he grew to manhood. He was educated at Patterson select school, graduating in 1872. He then went to Lansing, Iowa, where he learned the tinner's trade, and followed it for three years. In 1875, he went to Hampton, and worked at his trade until 1879, when he came to Sheffield and bought out Cresler Bros., extending the store building deeper and filling up with a well selected stock.

The first to engage in the lumber busi- ness was Richard Wilde, in 1874. Rich- ard Wilde was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in April, 1886. His parents, John and Mary Wilde, came to Iowa in 1835, and here Richard grew to manhood. He re- ceived a liberal education, completing it at Mt. Vernon in 1856, at the age of twen- ty years. His father was a miner, and his son was well drilled in the same busi- ness, so that in 1858 he went to Missouri and engaged in the lead mining business. In 1861, he entered the army in the Inde- pendent battallion, 3d Missouri Cavalry, as a private. He was in the battle of Little Rock, and the Red river expedition. He was taken prisoner at Hartsville, Mo., in 1863, but was soon paroled. He then went to Dubuque and thence to Wisconsin, where he conducted a lead furnace, and in 1869 came to Franklin county and settled in Clinton township, near the present site of Sheffield. Here he followed farming until 1874, when he moved to Sheffield, and engaged in business until 1881, when he retired. In 1882-3, he bought out the

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

interest of Thompson & Gilman in the town plat, and has done, and is doing, more than any other man in building up the town. He owns a great many build- ings and is still adding to the number. Mr. Wilde came here in 1869, compara- tively poor, but by strict integrity and elose attention to business, he has amassed a good fortune. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., at Hampton; is also a member of the I. O. O. F., of this place, and has held at different times all the offices of his lodge. He was also one of charter members. He was married in 1868, to Miss M. J. Raine, a native of Eng- land. They are the parents of three chil- dren-Effie, Fannie and Willie.

In 1881, Thomas & Lawrence purchased the lumber business of Richard Wilde, and in 1883 were the only representa- tives of this branch of business.

L. Lawrence, of the firm of Thomas & Lawrence, dealers in lumber and coal, was born in Grant Co., Wis., in 1856. He came here in 1881, and formed a partner- ship with Mr. Thomas in the lumber and coal trade, and they have a good business. His early life was spent on his father's farm in Grant Co., W'is., and later in Jo Daviess Co., Ill. His education was ac- quired in the common schools, after which he spent a few years railroading. In pol- itics he is a republican; is a member of the Masonic lodge at. Sheffield, and has been its secretary ever since the lodge was organized; he is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, at Hampton, Iowa.

Joseph Thom s was born in Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1854. He is the son of Thomas and Rosetta Thomas. When he was four years of age his parents moved

to Grant Co., Wis., where he was raised on a farm, and educated at the public schools. When he was twenty-one years of age he went to Plano, Ill., to work in a reaper manufactory. Ile remained there two years, when he returned to Wiscon- sin, staying there with his mother one year. His father died when he was quite young. In 1878 he came to this place and clerked for his brother one year. He then, in company with his present partner, Mr. Lawrence, spent one year traveling through the west, taking in Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and Indian Territory. They then returned to Sheffield, formed a partnership, and engaged in the lumber business, buying out R. Wilde. In the winter of 1882-3 they started the coal yard. Mr. Thomas was married in June, 1882, to Julia Lawrence, a sister of his partner. She was a native of East Du- bugne, Ill. They have one child-Fleta May. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Masonic lodge, was one of the charter members, and has been the S. W. ever since the lodge was organized.

In 1881 J. T. Wilde entered into part- nership with William Parks, and engaged in the lumber and coal trade. J. T. Wilde, of the firm of Wilde & Parks, was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1857, where he re- ceived an academic education, completing it in 1876. He then spent two years in the east, and in 1878 came to Sheffield and worked for his unele in the coal business for two years. In 1881 he spent a short time in Colorado and New Mexico, but soon returned to Sheffield, and in com- pany with William Parks bought the lumber and coal yard. Mr. Wilde is a member of the I. O. O. F. Politic lly

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

he is a republican. He was married in 1879 to Ella Zimmerman, who died June, 1881, leaving one child-John G.

The first agricultural implement ware- house at Sheffield was started, in 1875, by H. D. Abrams, who sold to R F. Sullivan, in 1878. In 1882, William Parks estab- lished himself, in company with his son, in the agricultural implement business.

H. D. Abrams, one of the settlers of 1866, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Oct 5, 1833. When he was quite young his parents, Henry J. and Rachel (Ray) Abrams, moved to Wayne Co., N. Y., and again, in 1857, moved to Lee Co , Ill., in which county the subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the common schools In 1866, he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and settled on section 5, Clinton township, buying at that time 200 acres of land. He has since disposed of part of it and now owns only 120 acres, a portion of which is within the present corporation of Sheffield His land, which he bought at $2.50 per acre, is now valued at $40 per acre He built the first frame house on the north side of South Fork. For miles up and down the creek he made the first wagon track He lived on his farm until the spring of 1875, when he came into Sheffield and engaged in farm machinery and real estate business. He took an ac- tive part in the locating of Sheffield. Af- ter three years he gave up the selling of farm machinery and since then has been dealing in real estate and insurance, hav- ing charge of several farms in this locality for eastern parties. In 1870, he was made secretary of the school board and has held the office ever since, except one or two years He has been constable and dep-

nty sheriff for four years, also one of the town trustees, and assessor for a long time. He is a member and secretary of the I. O. O. F. His parents are still living in this town, aged seventy-two years. He was married, Nov. 3, 1858, to Hulda Cor- nell, of Lee Co., Ill. They are the par- ents of five children-Nellie, wife of James Cook, of Clinton; Mattie, wife of Irving Kithell, of Colorado ; Martha, wife of D. B. Burright, of this town; Hattie and Ida, who still live with their parents.

William Parks, of the firm of William Parks & Son, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, in 1834, and went with his parents, in 1848, to Green Co., Wis. After his edu- cation in the common schools he went to Missouri and spent three years in the hardware business, then returned to Wis- consin, where he went into the dry goods business, remaining until 1876, when he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, settled at Hampton and engaged in selling dry goods. He spent three years at Leadville, Col., mining and prospecting, and made a small fortune. In 1882, he came back to Franklin county and established himself in the business of farm machinery in Shef- field, which business he still follows. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Hampton and is a republican in politics. He was married, in 1865, to Angeline Bennett, also a native of Ohio. They are the parents of five children-Dallas B, Emma E., IIerma A., Charlie and Der- win.

Thomas Bros. engaged in the general merchandise business in February, 1879. Their store building was 24x60 feet and two stories high. They did a business of $25,000 annually.

Chris Green.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Lev, Lenox and Tiden

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

William Thomas was born in England, in 1844, and is a son of Thomas and Rosetta Thomas. He came to Sheffield, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1879, and, in part- nership with his brother, went into the gen- eral merchandise and grain business, where they have built up a large and lu- crative business. He came to America, with his parents, in 1848, and settled in Grant Co., Wis. He received a common school education and grew to manhood on a farm In 1864, when he was twenty- two years of age, he went to California, and with good success engaged in mining for three years, then returned to Wisconsin. He came here in 1879. Mr. Thomas was a charter member of the Masonic lodge, of which he has been master since its organization. He was also a master for two years in Wisconsin. IIe is a mem- ber of Arch Chapter, at Hampton, also Asylum Commandery, No. 43; was one of the charter members of the I. O. O. F., of which he is still a member. He has been, and is now, treasurer of the town. HIe was married in 1871 to Miss E. Glover, a native of Wisconsin. They have three children-E., Orville and Bertha.

In 1883, the general merchandise busi- ness was represented by Tompkins & Thompson, Thomas Bros., Hocking & Slade and A. II. Bird.

O. P. Thompson, of the firm of Tomp- kins & Thompson, was born in Benton Co., Iowa, Oct. 23, 1854, and settled in Shef- field, Clinton township, in 1878. His parents, James and Mary Thompson, set- tled in Hampton, Iowa, when he was two years of age. Here he grew up. His father was the first merchant in Hamp- ton, afterwards engaged in the real estate

business. After receiving a common school education, O. P. Thompson spent two years at Grinnell College, entered the medical department of the State Uni versity at eighteen years of age, in 1872, and gradnated in 1875, after which he commenced the practice of medicine at Neilsville, Wis., remaining there for two years. He then spent a year in traveling and came to this place in 1878, and fol- lowed his profession for three and a half years when failing health compelled him to give up his practice. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Tompkins, which has been successfully continued ever since. Mr. Thompson was married in 1878, to Lizzie M. Pride, a native of Ohio.

H. A. Tompkins was born in Westches- ter Co., N. Y., in 1846. He is the son of Thomas H. and Charlotta Tompkins. He remained in his native place until he was seventeen years of age. In 1863 he came to Iowa on his own account, and first settled in Hancock county. For five years, he was engaged in several different occupations, and in 1870 he returned to New York, re- maining there until the spring of 1874, when he again came to Iowa and settled at Clear Lake, engaging in the machinery business until 1878. He then went into a store in that place, where he remained until he came to Sheffield, and on the 1st of January, 1882, engaged in general mer- chandise business in company with O. P. Thompson where he has been very suc- cessful He was married in 1868, to Frances Kelsey, a native of Ohio. She died in 1870, leaving one child-Vinna J. He was again married, in October, 1876, to Harriet A. Andrews, a native of Wiscon-

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

sin. One child has blessed this union- George. H.

HI. D. Hocking, of the firm of Hocking & Slade, dealers in general merchandise, Sheffield, and the present clerk of Clinton township, was born in England in 1834, and in 1841, came with his parents to America, settling at Galena, Ill., where he grew to manhood, with liberal educational advantages, completing at Mt. Morris, Ill., Academy. His father was a mer- chant, and much of his leisure time was spent behind his father's counter, thus laying a firm basis of practical experience that he utilized in his future life. When only nineteen, he began life for himself by accepting a clerkship in a general mer- chandise store in Galena, where he con- tinned until 1877, when he came to Iowa and settled at Sheffield, Franklin County, taking a clerkship in the store of William Combellick, where he remained until the fall of 1882, when he embarked in business for himself, forming & partner ship with J. Slade, a well to do farmer of West Fork township and engaging in the general merchandising business. They com nenced with a very small store and with limited stock, but under the careful management and business capacity of Mr. Hocking, combined with the frugality and care of his partner, their business has been a success from the first, amounting now to to about $20,000 per annum, and constant- ly increasing. Mr. Hocking is a working and influential member of the M. E. Church and a member of the I. O. O. F. at Galena, Ill. In politics he has been a life long republican. He has been twice married. The first time in 1859, to Angeline Cattle, who died in 1860, and again in 1864 to

Miss A. A. Anderson. They are the parents of one child-Willie, who is a clerk in his father's store.

A. H. Bird, dealer in general merchan- dise, was born in Canada in 1847. He was brought up on a farm, received a common school education and came to the United States in 1867. He first settled at Watertown, Wis., where he followed farming for six years, or until 1872, when he came to Iowa and bought a farm in Clinton township, Franklin county. Here he continued to farm until 1882 when he sold out, and, in company with William Combellick, engaged in the mercantile business in Sheffield. In March, 1883, he bought out the entire business and has now one of the largest and best stocked stores in the to + n. He was for five years one of the trustees of Geneseo town- ship and a member of the school board for two years. He was wedded, in 1872, to Flora E. Jones. They have four chil- dren-Nellie A., Florence, Sidney and Hugh.

The first exclusive grocery store was started by B. R. Tilton, in 1882. B. R. Tilton came to Franklin county in 1882. He was born in Maine, in 1848, where he was reared on a farm, educated at the common schools and followed farm life in his native State until March, 1872, at which time he came to Iowa and settled at Pleasant Grove, Floyd county, where he farmed for three years. In 1875, he went to Riverton township, the same county, where he engaged in farming until 1877. From there he went to Nashua, Iowa, and engaged in speculation in real estate and stock until 1882, when he came to Sheffield and opened a grocery

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

store. In 1864, he enlisted in company D, 9th Maine Volunteer Infantry, and and served with distinction until the close of the war. Ho received a severe wound in the mouth, at the battle of Darbytown Road, Virginia, in the fall of 1864 ; the ball entered his mouth and came out at the side of his face, near his right ear. He was only sixteen years old at the time. He remained in the hospital until the close of the war, suffering greatly from his wound. In 1873, he was married to Martha J. Clark. They have had three children-Lula, Mary J. and George HI. The eldest, Lula, died of diphtheria, in 1879, and was buried at Pleasant Grove. Mr. Tilton belongs to the G. A. R. and also the A. O. U. W. societies.

E. E. Morehouse opened a gro- cery store, in 1881, carrying boots and shoes also. The first year his sales amounted to $15,000.

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History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 36

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company Number of Pages: 990

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990