History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 38

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 38
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 38

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).

Joseph Gilchrist, one of the early set- tlers of Ross township, was born in West- moreland Co., Penn., July 3, 1827. He is the son of Joseph and Julia (MeCollister) Gilchrist, both natives of Pennsylvania. His mother died while he was a child, and he was brought up on his father's farm. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, at New Salem Cross Roads, Pennsylvania, which vocation he followed for a number of years. In 1858, he removed to Iowa and located at Shell Rock, Butler county, where he worked at shoemaking about three years, then removed to Franklin county. In the

fall of 1862, he settled on the place he now owns. Ile first bought forty aeres on see- tion 10, to which he has added from time to time, until he is now the owner of 240 aeres, nearly all of which is under cultiva- tion. Mr. Gilchrist is an enterprising farmer, having twenty-eight head of cattle and nine horses on his place. He began setting out fruit trees soon after locat- ing, and now has a thrifty orchard, nearly all in bearing condition. Mr. Gilchrist married Sarah A. Bushyager, of Pennsyl- vania, Ang. 8, 1849. She has borne him eight children, all of whom are now liv- ing-Irving K., born May 3, 1850; Mary E., born Oet. 4, 1850; William D., born Nov. 5, 1854; Sarah L., born Oct. 31, 1856; Martha J., born April 19, 1859; Alice S., born Ang. 1, 1861; Joseph G., born March 12, 1864, and Truman H. J., born Dec. 1, 1866. The first four children were born at Adamsburg, Penn., the next in Butler Co., Iowa, and the three last named in Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist are members of the Disciple Church at Rockwell.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice, at Sheffield was estab- lished in 1874. W. S. Bowen was the first postmaster; he served one year and was succeeded by N. J. Brown, who kept the office a year, when Mr. Bowen again re- ceived the appointment, and was still post- master in 1883. The office was made a money order office in October, 1877. The first order was issued to Richard Wilde for $48, payable at Mason City to . Brick- son & Nelson, dated Oct. 1, 1877. In Angust, 1883, there had been issued 4,707 money orders.

344

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

W. S. Bowen, postmaster and mayor of the town of Sheffield, in 1883, has been identified with the interests of the place since its very commencement. Mr. Bowen was born in Canada East, near the Ver- mont line, in October, 1829. He is the son of Peter and Mary Bowen, natives of New Hampshire. He was brought up on a farm, receiving a common school educa- tion. He followed farming in his native county. When he moved to Clayton Co., Iowa, he followed the same occupation until 1867. Mr. Bowen then removed to Franklin county, settling in Clinton town- ship on section 5 and owning 200 acres of the section. When the town of Sheffield

was laid out, in 1874, he moved to that village and was soon after appointed post- master. After holding the office a short time he vacated it for a few years, but was again appointed, and was still postmaster in 1883. He has been a justice of the peace for several years, was elected mayor when the town was first incorporated, and with the exception of one term, has held that office ever since. He was also town treasurer for eight years, and has been connected with the school board most of the time since he lived in Sheffield. In politics he is a strong republican. He was married, in 1864, to Hattie Vance.

CHAPTER XIX.

GENEVA TOWNSHIP.

This township, in 1883, comprised con- the few settlers were undergoing hard- gressional township 91, range 19 west, and was one of the four townships in the east- ern tier of the county. Martin Boots, Peter C. Berry, D. G. Carbaugh, Q. A. Jordan and Jabash Jones, were among the first settlers of the township.

The land is of a most excellent quality, and as highly valued as any in Franklin county. Mayne's creek runs through the township from west to east, which, with its small tributaries, waters and drains the en ire township. Timber is found in Four Mile Grove and Highland Grove.

Great is the contrast of the township, as seen in 1883, with that of 1860, when

ships, such as the future generations can never fully conceive of. The pioneer would look out over the wide frontier and wonder if he would live to enjoy the priv- ileges of a fully developed country- whether the iron horse would ever course through this section of Iowa in place .of the ox team method of transporting mer- chandise and produce. Each season brought with it some signs of better days, until in 1870 the farmer and merchant found access to the eastern markets by way of the Central of Iowa Railway. from that date the county has steadily ad- vanced, and in 1883 Geneva, as well as

345

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

those townships adjoining it, was fast developing into a choice agricultural dis- trict, and in the near future is destined to rank high among the fair garden spots of Iowa.

SETTLEMENT.

The first settlers of this township were: Job Garner, Amon Rice and Peter Rein- hart, in 1854.

Garner located on section 15, and built the first house in the township, remaining there a year. He then sold to Martin Boots and entered the land where Hamp- ton now stands, giving forty acres of the same to the county.

In 1855, J. E. Perdue, Silas Moon, Mar- tin Boots, Charles Leggett, Henry Smith, George Hansell, William H. Thompson, David Church, Q. A. Jordan, Rufus Ben- son and Samuel Carbaugh, settled in the township.

J. E. Perdue came from Illinois, locat- ing on section 17, where he lived until 1868, when he removed to southern Iowa.

Silas Moon came from Indiana and set- tled on section 17, where he remained for a time and moved to Oregon territory.

Charles Leggett settled on land after- ward owned by J. Pickering.

Henry Smith first came in the fall of 1854, but did not come to remain until the following spring. He entered land on on section 17, which he afterward sold to J. E. Perdue.

George Hansell moved from Ohio to Cedar Co., Iowa, April, 1855. He came to Geneva township in July of that year, locating on sections 6 and 7, where he lived until 1873, when he removed to Ing- ham township, where he had owned land

for several years. The station on the Dubuque & Dakota railway was named after him.

William H. Thompson came in 1855 and settled on sections 7 and 8. His wife tells of many laughable incidents connected with pioneer life in Franklin county. It is related that the few women of the set- tlement used to call upon each other, not for sympathy, but for the express purpose of getting more of a company to help each other "hate the country."

The old settlers of the township tell of a "curious" soup, noted for not being over rich. A soup bone was hung up in the window and its shadow allowed to fall upon boiling water.

William H. Thompson, one of the old settlers of Geneva township, was born in New Hampshire in 1831. He grew to mannood in his native State, on the farm, attending the common school and acade- my in his native town, where he also taught school. In the fall of 1855, he came to Franklin county and entered his present farm. He remained in Waterloo, Iowa, during the winter, returning to his new home the following spring, where he has since resided. On the organization of the township, Mr. Thompson was ap- pointed township clerk. He has also held the office of drainage commissioner, and in 1856 held the office of deputy county clerk. He is a staunch republican. He was married in the spring of 1857 to Lucy E. Joslin, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1828 ; they have had six children, four of whom are now living-George D., Herbert W., Clarence I. and Roland J. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Metho- dist Church.

346

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

David Church located in the township in the fall of 1855 and hired a house. In the spring of 1856, he built and moved his family there. He settled on section 9, and in 1883 owned several hundred acres of land in this county. David Church was born in Erie, Penn., Oct., 20, 1827, and is a son of David and Margaret (Clark) Church. He came to Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1855 and bought a claim in Geneva township. In 1856, he brought his family, commenced improvements and farmed until 1881. He was one of the board of county supervisors for six years, was one of the organizers of the Citizen's Bank of Hampton, and always a director of the same. He is an active politician and has been a life long democrat. He re- ceived a limited education in his native State. In 1854, he came west and lo- cated in Winnebago Co., Ill. In 1852, he and Hariet C. Shattuck, of Pennsylvania, were married and have two children- Walter, residing in Washington town- ship, and George H.

Q. A. Jordan came from Illinois in 1854 or early in 1855, locating on section 16. He remained until just prior to the war, when he moved to Kansas While a resident of the township he saw what he supposed to be some elk in the distance; having a fleet footed mare he mounted her, with his gun, and started for them. Upon nearing the objects he found them to be two horses, with a man riding one of them and leading the other. The man put whip and spur to the horses and tried to make good his escape, but when Jordan got within shooting distance, he called upon him to halt, saying he would shoot if he did not. The man did not obey,

and, good as his word, Jordan fired and wounded him. He then brought him back a prisoner, when it was found that he was a horse thief. Shortly afterwards parties came from Fort Dodge, claimed the horses, and took charge of this pio- neer thief, who was dealt with according to law.

Martin Boots is one of the early settlers in Geneva township. He was a native of of Fayette Co., Ohio, born in 1817. He was reared on the farm, and when sixteen years of age, went with his parents to Indiana. He received his education at the log school-house, hence it was a lim- ited common school education. When twenty-one he engaged in farming. May 25, 1844 he married Rebecca Jones, born in Preston Co., W. Va., in 1820. In the fall of 1854, they came to Iowa, stopping the first winter near Waterloo, and the following spring, coming to Geneva town- ship, they purchased and opened the farm on which he still resides. The first relig- ious services in the township were held at his house. Mr. and Mrs. Boots are members of the United Brethren Church, and have eight children: Rhoda, William, Martha J., James W , Mary E., John M., Malena E. and Simeon. In politics he is a republican. His farm consists of 240 acres, valued at $30 per acre, containing excellent buildings, near which is a fine spring, which furnishes an abundance of water, not only for domestic purposes, but also for stock. He makes stock a special- ty, and is successful.

Rufus Benson settled on section 16. He was born in the town of Richmond, Cheshire Co., N. H., Sept. 7, 1804, and is a son of Isaac and Eunice (Sawyer) Ben-

347

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

son, natives of New Hampshire. His grandfather was one of the first settlers of that State. Rufus was the fifth of seven children, three girls and four boys. His father died in Vermont. His mother died when he was but seven years old. When twelve years old he went with a married sister to Ohio, where he remained three years, when he returned to New Hampshire. After staying two years here he returned to Ohio, where he mar- ried, Dec. 11, 1828, Caroline Wells, a na tive of Geauga Co., Ohio, born Aug. 12, 1810, by whom he had four children. In 1×55 he came to Franklin county, settling on section 16, Geneva township, where he now resides. Mrs Benson died Sep- tember 5, 1862. He was again married Dec. 13, 1864, and by this marriage had three children.

During 1856, Richard Horner and P. C. Berry, came to this township. Hor- ner came from Indiana and settled on section 18, which had been taken up by John Evans, the year prior. Mr Horner was born, November 28, 1812, in Balti- more, Md. At fourteen years of age, he was bound out to learn blacksmithing. After serving an apprenticeship for five years, he spent four years working at his trade in Chambersburg and Pittsburg, when he returned to Baltimore and stayed there eighteen months, and also two years in Pittsburg. He also spent sometime in boating between Pittsburg and New Or- leans. In 1835 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked at his trade two years, and in 1837, went to Warren, Wayne county, Ind., and followed his trade until he came here, in 1856. After coming to Franklin county he combined blacksmith-

ing and farming until 1862, when he turned his attention wholly to farming, which he still follows. He was married, October 22, 1840, to Hannah Maninfold, born in Washington Co., Tenn., De- cember 1, 1820. They have had eight children-Benjamin, Jesse, (deceased), Joseph, (deceased), William, John, (de- ceased), and Shepherd. Three of his sons served in the war, where Jesse was killed. Mr and Mrs. Horner, were members of the United Brethren Church for twelve years, but there being no church of that denomination where they live, in Geneva township, they have united with the M. E. Church. Mr. Horner was originally a Democrat, but became a Republican on the organization of that party He has an excellent record as a man and citizen, is one of the solid men of the county, and well regarded by all his fellows.

W. C. Horner was born in Indiana, in 1844, and came to Franklin county with his parents when fourteen years old, re- ceiving a common school education. He enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in company II, 32d Iowa Infantry, and was in the follow- ing engagements: Red River Expedition, Nashville, Eastport, Miss., and Holly Springs. After he received his discharge he returned to Franklin county, where he was married Dec. 31, 1865, to Rhoda Boots, born in Indiana, March, 1845. They have eight children living-Martha E., Herbert O., Ida May, Bertha R., William A., James W., Edith I. and Charles C. He is a republican in politics and has held local offices.

P. C. Berry, born in Lebanon Co. Penn. in 1815, is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Lutz) Berry, natives of Penn-

348

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

sylvania. In 1815, they removed to Cin- cinnati, and from there to Batavia, and then to Butler Co., Ohio, and again to Cass Co., Ind., where the father died in 1853, the mother in 1873. They reared a family of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the sixth. P. C. Berry was reared on his father's farm, and as the advantages were not what they now are, his education was limited. He was mar- ried in Cass county, Aug. 4, 1836, to Christena Thomas, a native of Preble Co., Ohio, born Feb. 14, 1817. Her parents, Lewis and Barbara (Albright) Thomas

, were natives of North Carolina, from whence they removed to Ohio, then to Indiana, both dying in Miami county. They had eleven children; Mrs. Berry be- ing the eighth. In 1856, Mr. Berry emi- grated with his family to Franklin county, and purchased the farm where he now lives. He and his wife have been mem- bers of the Methodist Church upwards of forty years. The farm consists of 3283 acres, under a good state of cultivation, valued at $35 per acre. He is a republi- can in politics. Fourteen children have been born to them, seven of whom are now living-Mary J., Emeline, Edward N, Oliver B., William D., James C. and John W. Mr. Berry is a member of the Masonic order, and was a charter mem- ber of the Hampton lodge. He is regarded as an excellent citizen.

In 1858, Eleazer Manifold settled in Geneva township. He was the seventh son of a family of eleven children. Mr. Manifold, Sr., was born in Tennessee, in 1812. When a boy he went to Indiana where he was married to Hannah Sedanbaugh, born in Pennsylvania. She

died in 1874. Eleazer was born in Randolph Co, Ind. When eight years of age, his parents removed to Iowa and wintered in Black Hawk county, and in the spring of 1858, came to Franklin county, settling at Four Mile Grove, in Geneva township, where the father died in 1875. The mother is still living near where they first settled in the township. Eleazer was married June 15, 1874, to Elma C. Pound, born in Wisconsin, in 1855. They have three children-Alva C., Edna A. and Jesse B.

During 1859, Jarvis Clock and his son, H. C. Clock settled in Geneva township.

Jarvis Clock, the second son of Ebenezer and Lucinda Clock, was born near Islip, Suffolk Co., L. I., Feb., 1828. In 1832 his parents moved to Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, where he attended school until he was about fourteen years of age, when he went into the employ of the captain of a vessel engaged in the merchant service on the lakes. Here he remained for several years and then went on board a whaling ship. He was fond of a sailor's life and followed it for several successive years. In 1855 he came to Iowa and purchased a farm in Franklin county, Geneva town- ship. On the 9th of September, 1858, he was married to Nancy Marvin, of Pike Co., Ohio. The following winter they spent in Illinois, and in the spring came to Franklin Co., Iowa. He immediately began improving his place though they did not move on it until 1866. That year he built a substantial stone house and the following year set out an orchard and planted a grove of maple trees. He was careful for nothing so much as to make his farm a valuable and comfortable home.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

"0,00 1.00

W. B Bryan.

Mrs W. B. Bryan.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

A .t . Lenox and Tiden

353

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

and means of sustenance for his family, and though he did not live to improve it according to his ideal, yet he made it one of the best farms in the county. There are four children in this family-Mary Belle, born Jan. 12, 1862, Kire LaClare, born July 8,21863, Archie Louis, born Oct. 25, 1867 and Rose Marvin, born Feb. 28, 1873. In February, 1879, Mr. Clock was attacked with pneumonia, and after an illness of only a few days, died Feb. 18, 1879, at the age of fifty-one years. For more than twenty-five years he had been a member of the I. O. O. F. and was buried by that order. He was a man of ster- ling integrity, and his influence was always on the side of religion, temperance and right.

Lovelett Stoddard came in 1860, having lived three years in Reeve township. He was born in Connecticut, in 1816, where he grew to manhood. He received a com- mon school education, was married Sept. 6, 1840, in Connecticut, to Catherine E. Bishop, who was born in England, in . 1818. In 1857 they came to Franklin county, and first settled in Reeve town- ship, remaining until the spring of 1860, when they removed to Geneva township, where they still reside. They have had two children-Fannie E., (now deceased), born Nov. 28, 1842. She was finely edu- cated, was .one of the early teachers of the county, and was married Nov. 4, 1862, to Dr. S. R.Mitchell. Three children were born unto them-Clara L., Mary F. and Fannie M. William P., was born May 29, 1845. He received a good common school education. He is republican in politics, and has held the office of town- ship clerk, and school secretary. He was

married Dec. 25, 1876, to Alice E. Hedges, a native of Ohio, born July 30, 1857. They have two children-Mark L. and Glenn II. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard, senior, are members of Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard, junior, are members of the M. E. Church.

Among others who came to the town- ship during the next ten years were: Ed- ward McClelland, N. Clemmens, Henry Andrews, Henry Ihde, Isaac Appelby, James W. McDougle, Adam Knau and John G. Herbster.

Edward McClelland is a son of Frederick and Dorcas (Carr) McClelland, who were early settlers of Pennsylvania, where they lived until their death; his father died January 1859, aged seventy years, and his mother, in 1863, aged sixty-seven. They had ten children, six boys and four girls. The subject of this sketch was the fourth, and one of twins, born in Bradford in 1824. He acquired a good common school education and chose farming as an occu- pation. He married Hann h P. Roberts, July 18, 1847. She was born in Bradford, Penn., May 27, 1820. They came to Geneva township in 1861, and in January 1878, removed to their present home on section 15. Four children have been born to them -Edward B., Marietta (de- ceased), Edward D. and Mary J. They are members of the Disciple Church, and also of the Grange. He is a republi_ can in politics, and has held several county offices.

N. Clemmens is of German descent, born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1833. There he grew to manhood,and was married in 1858 to Susan Whiteman, born in 1832. In 1862 they canie to Franklin county, and

354

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

now live on section 2 in Geneva township. His farm consists of 240 acres, valued at $20 per acre. They have had seven children, six of whom are now living-Sarah E., Francis K., Andrew, James, William, George W. (deceased) and Allison.

Allen Andrews, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1828. He spent his youth on a farm and was educated at the com- mon schools. His parents were natives of Connecticut, from which State they re- moved when quite young to New York, where they both died. After the father's death Allen returned and spent four years in Connecticut, and then came back to New York, where he was married in 1851 to Mary Hotchkiss, a native of New York, born in 1828. In 1853 he emigrated to Dodge Co., Wis., where he worked at his trade of carpenter and joiner until 1866, when he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and settled on section 13, in Geneva township, where he lived until his death in Decem- ber 1875. He left a wife and nine chil- dren-Henry H., Carrie H., now wife of Frank Watson, Nellie I., Minnie C., Eleanor E., Emma E., Maria A., Frank B. and Mercy M. Mr. Andrews was a repub- lican in politics, and frequently held local offices. At one time he was a member of the board of county supervisors. He was always a good father and worthy citizen. He was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.

Henry H. Andrews, son of Allen An- drews, and an old settler of Geneva town- ship, was born in Dodge Co., Wis., August, 1855. He came with his parents to Franklin county, where he has since lived. After his father died he took charge of the farm and family. He was

married Nov. 2, 1878, to Charlotte E. Hacker, a native of Dane Co., Wis., born, June, 1857. They have had three chil- dren-C. Belle, Clare M. and Allen H. Henry H. Andrews is a republican, and at times has held local offices in his town- ship.

Henry Ihde was born in Sulte Amt Schweren, Germany. When sixteen years old, his parents emigrated to »Dodge Co., Wis. He received a common school edu- cation in the German language. He enlisted in company C, 1st Wisconsin regiment, served three month in the army of the Potomac; was enrolled April 24, 1861; discharged Aug. 21, 1861. He re-enlisted Aug. 21, 1862 in company K, 29th Wis- consin Infantry; discharged June 22, 1865; was wounded in the face by a gun-shot at Champion Hills near Vicksburg. After receiving his discharge he returned to Wisconsin, and in 1867 removed to Frank- lin county and settled in Geneva town- ship, where he still lives. He was mar- ried Nov. 1, 1865, to Mary Burmeister, a native of Zecun Amt Hagenow, Germany. They have five children-George, Clara, Laura, Augusta and Edwin. He served faithfully in the war and his pension is only a just due. He is an estimable citi- zen.

John M. Yenter, a native of Wurtem- burg, Germany, came to Pennsylvania when twenty-one years old. He remained there eleven years, and then went to Du- buque, Iowa, and in 1867 came to Franklin county, settling on section 22, in Geneva township. He was the first to start the thriving German settlement in that town- ship. While a residen: of Dubuque, he worked at mason work, and also in the

355

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

lead mines. He was first married in Pennsylvania to Mary Klent, by whom he had two children, one of which is still liv- ing-Martin. His wife died before he left Pennsylvania, and he married again. By the second wife he had two children. His third wife was the widow of Christo- pher Bolinger, by whom he has had four children.

Isaac Appelby was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1809. When a boy his parents removed to Cayuga county, where Isaac grew to manhood. He received a good common school education. He was twice married; first in 1831, to Betsey Suthard, a native of New York, by whom he had six children, four of whom are now living. In 1864 he moved to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., where his wife died the next year. He was again married in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1858, to Maria Wilder, born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1825, after which he re- turned to Jo Daviess county, remaining until 1868, when they removed to Frank- lin county and purchased the farm. He died of pleuro-pneumonia, Feb. 4, 1875, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss. His children are-Eli, George, Myron and Leroy B. George is prosecu- ting his studies in the Chicago Medical Col- lege. Mr. Appelby was formerly a demo- crat, but since coming here had voted the republican ticket. His farm consists of 152 acres, valued at $30 per acre, and is well improved. In the autumn of 1882, Mrs. Appelby fell and dislocated her hip. While it troubles her considerably, she is still in full possession of her mental fac- ulties

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 38

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