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 40
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 40
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
RELIGIOUS.
'The first religious services were held at the house of Mr. Boots, on section 15, in the summer of 1855, by Revs. Brown and Olmstead, who held occasional services. The United Brethren denomination organ- ized a society in 1858, by Revs. John Buckmaster and Israel Schaffer, with the following members : John Gould, Mr. and Mrs. Boots, Jesse Manifold and wife, J. Jones, Mary Jones, Thomas Jones and Sarah Jones. Services were held at the log school house, on section 16, preaching onee in four weeks, usually.
CEMETERY.
The first cemetery in Geneva township was located about a mile east of Four Mile Grove. This cemetery served the whole township until 1868, when the interments were removed to grounds near the Grove. Another cemetery was located at High- land Grove, which, in 1875, was removed to the Geneva village cemetry.
GENEVA VILLAGE.
Geneva is situated on section 19 of Geneva township. It was platted in Ser- tember, 1871, by Wm. J. McVey, of Dix- on, Ill. The first to engage in business at this point was H. C. Clock, who erected a building 22x26 feet, two stories high, and commenced to do business in October, 1871, with a stock of about $8,000. Mr. Clock was still engaged in business, in 1883, carrying a general stock.
The Geneva House was built by H. C. Clock. The original building was a school house, which was moved for this purpose and added to, making its present dimen- sion. The first landlord was H. C. Clock. In 1875, he sold to A. P. Mc- Cardle, who ran the house for a time, when it again fell into the hands of Mr. Clock, who ran it until March 25, 1881, when Charles L. Canfield became proprie- tor, and was still running it in 1883.
The drug business was first represented by Tidd & Silence, who opened a store in 1880, continuing in company a year, when Tidd became sole proprietor, and was run- ning the only drug business there in 1883. He also was the only practicing physician of the town at the time.
The first one to engage in the hardware trade, was John D. Parks, in 1875, in a building erected for the purpose. Ile was
-
366
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
succeeded by his son, George, who sold to J A. Waddington, proprietor of the only hardware store at Geneva, in 1883.
A boot and shoe shop, doing repair work and carrying a full line of boots and shoes, was established at Geneva in 1878, by Joseph Kulas, who was in trade there in 1883.
George Thompson started the first ex- clusive grocery store, in 1877. He sold to Fred Steiner, in March, 1880.
A wagon shop was opened by Joseph Fuchs, in 1882, and a blacksmith shop about the same time by George Johnson.
The Geneva Creamery was established in the spring of 1881, by H. C. Clock at a cost of $1,600. The building was 20x26 feet, with a wing for horse-power room 20x30 feet. In 1883, this creamery was consuming the milk of 500 cows. During the month of July, 1883, $1,600 was paid for cream at this creamery, showing that the farmers paid much attention to dairy business, which is one of the paying branches of farm work in Franklin county.
The first one to deal in lumber, was M. Burns, who opened a yard in October, 1871, continuing in trade until 1872, when he sold to H. C Clock, who was still run- ning the business in 1883, having an annual sale of $10,000 worth of lumber.
The pioneer grain dealer of Geneva was M. Burns, who ran lumber and grain busi- ness together for a year. H. C. Clock & Bro. built the Geneva elevator, in 1875, at a cost of $4,000. It was a frame building, 28x36 feet, and had a capacity of 6,000 bushels.
POSTOFFICE.
In 1858, a postoffice was established near Geneva, and kept at private houses for
many years. William H. Thompson was among the first who took charge of the mail in the township. He held the posi- tion also after the Central Iowa railway was built, and before Geneva village was platted or made a stopping place; and a good joke is told on Mr. Thompson, who went out one dark night with a lantern and signaled the train to stop, and de- manded the Geneva mail pouch to be thrown off. The office had not yet been ordered moved to the village, but the con- ductor told him to go to gehenna and passed on. Soon after the station was established, and H. C. Clock was appointed postmaster. He was still holding the office at his store in 1883. In July, 1881, the office was made a money order office. The first order was issued to Charles H Tidd in favor of George S. Clark, for $5.25. The first order paid was to Peter W. Hicks from George Hicks, for $10.10. The first five months there were 185 orders issued, and up to Aug. 1, 1883, there had been 902 issued, which is a good index to the business of the town. '
H. C. Clock, postmaster of Geneva and an old resident of Franklin county, and the first to engage in the mercantile busi- ness at Geneva, was born in Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, July 24, 1839. He is is the son of Ebenezer and Lucinda (Jarvis) Clock, natives of Islip, L. I., who were of English extraction. They were married in the year 1824, and emigrated in 1830 to Lake Co., Ohio, where the father died in 1841, at the age of forty- one, the mother dying in 1869, aged sixty- three. They were the parents of nine children, seven boys and two girls ; the subject of this sketch being the sixth.
.
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
367
II. C. Clock, in 1853, removed to Jo Daviess Co., Ill , and in 1859 came to Mays- ville, Franklin county, and engaged in the mercantile business with his brother ; he followed the same until June 24, 1861, when he entered the State service, and July 17, the same year, was mustered into company C, 6th Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, of which he was made Ist sergeant, which position he held until May, 1862, when he was promoted to 2d lientenant, then Ist lieutenant, and in 1864 to captain, which position he held until his final dis- charge, Feb. 25, 1865. On receiving his discharge, he returned to Maysville and again entered the mercantile business with his brother, which he followed until the fall of 1871, when he removed to Geneva and engaged in the same business which he still follows, and is the present postmaster. He is a member of the Odd Fellow and Masonic fraternities. Ile was married May 17, 1865, to Emily A. Roberts, born in 1839 at Spartansburg, Crawford Co., Penn., by whom he has had eight children, all of whom are still liv- ing except one. He is a republican in politics. Captain Clock took part in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, charge at Jackson, Miss., Mission Ridge, and engagements between Chatta- nooga and Atlanta.
SOCIETIES.
Alba 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 elected were: W. W. Soper, N. G .; A. A. Noble, V. G .; T. H. Reeve, secretary ; II. C. Clock, treasurer.
The lodge increased rapidly, and con- tinued to hold their meetings at Maysville until the completion of the Central Rail- way of Iowa, in 1874, when it was re- moved to Geneva. The following is a list of the noble grands who have served since its organization ; W. W Soper, A. A. Noble, H. C. Clock, T. H. Reeve, Silas Page, J. H. Stevenson, M. B. Jones, J. M. Hedges, J. M. Runyan, C. L Clock, J. H. Page, C. C. McArdle, John Ihde, R. B. McCord, D. J. McMillan, V. A. Harris, James Kulas, H. M. Roberts, C. H. Tidd and S. L. Jones.
Jarvis Clock joined by card Oct. 3, 1871, and died Feb., 18, 1879. The lodge has had seventy-two members since its organ- ization. In 1883, it numbered thirty-five, at which time it was in a sound condition, with new members being added from time to time. There are but very few, if any, lodges in this district that are in a better condition, financially or otherwise. The decrease in its membership is due chiefly to removal of members, most of whom have taken withdrawal cards. Only two deaths had occurred in the lodge up to Aug .. 1, 1883-S R. Hedges, who was drowned in Nebraska, and Jarvis Clock, who died at home. But one member's wife has died since the organization of the lodge-Mrs. G. W. Soper.
Kedron Lodge, No. 241, A. F. & A. M., was organized at Maysville, Iowa, 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 lodge was or- ganized by the election of the following officers : Charles L. Clock, J. W. ; L. S.
368
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Cooley, secretary ; J. D. Parks, treasurer, H. C. Clock, S. D. ; Henry Shroyer J. D .; J. M. Jones and Albert Pickering, stew- ards ; B. K. Jackson, Tyler.
The lodge was removed to Geneva, Jan. 28, 1874. The lodge showed their appre- ciation for services rendered by C. L. Clock, by re-electing him to the office of worshipful master, nine successive years, at the end of which time, he removed to Hampton to assume the duties of county auditor. W. T. Bullis succeeded Mr. Clock, serving one year. B. K. Jackson was elected in 1878, and served one year and was succeeded by H. C. Clock, who served two years. W. T. Bullis was again elected in 1881, serving one year. Dr. C. H. Tidd was elected in 1882 and was re- elected in 1883. Daniel W. Bullis was initiated at Maysville, Oct., 5, 1870, and remained a constant and faithful member until his death in March, 1870. His was the only death in the lodge up to August,
1883-a very remarkable fact. The total membership of the lodge since its organi- zation, has been fifty-nine. In 1883, it was twenty-seven; the decrease being due to removals, except the one death men- tioned. The success of the lodge has always been very flattering. The grand secretary of the State remarked to a dele- gate from this lodge, to the Grand Lodge, a few years since, "That it was unneces- sary to look over the papers of this lodge, as they were always correct." Kedron lodge has always been extremely careful in the selection of officers, and as a result, have been financially sound.
A Methodist Episcopal Church was or- ganized at an early day in Reeve township, and was afterward known as the Geneva Methodist Church. This society owns a fine frame church edifice and parsonage, on an adjoining lot. Rev. O H Sproul was pastor in 1883.
CHAPTER XX.
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
Grant township is on the south line of Franklin county, in the second tier from the eastern boundary, and comprises con- gressional township 90, range 20 west. Prior to 1870, this territory was a part of Reeve and Osceola townships. It was named by John Griggs, in honor of Gen. Grant. It is a prairie township, with but one stream, Beaver creek, which heads on
section 9, and courses its way to the south- eastern corner, where it enters Osceola township. The soil is of a sandy loam and is well adapted to stock raising.
SETTLEMENT.
James Sayre, Sr., Amos Roberts and two men named Macey and Stoddard, made the first settlement in Grant township, in 1860. Sayre and Stoddard settled on section 5.
1
369
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Levi Talhelm came to the township, from Reeve township, in 1863. He is a teacher, and now officiating in that capac- ity at the Center school house. He re- ceived his education in the common schools of Illinois and Iowa. His history and present position afford abundant proof of the manner in which he improved his opportunities. He was born in Maryland, May 10, 1848. His parents, Humphrey and Nancy (Petrie) Talhelm, moved to Rockingham Co., Va., when he was an infant, going thence to Lee Co., Ill, in the fall of 1855. In September, 1860, they removed to Clinton Co., Iowa, remain- ing but one year. In December, 1861, they came to Franklin county and located on section 36, Reeves township. Two years after they fixed their residence on section 4, Grant township. Mr. Talhelm is the eldest of nine children. He was married June 4, 1871, to Anna Cogswell. Their two children were born respectively as follows: Arther I., July 19, 1872 and Nora B., June 11, 1876. Mr. Talhelm is estimated to be one of the representative and influ- ential citizens of the county. He has of- ficiated as township clerk, also as treasurer and secretary of the school board.
John Griggs came in 1864, locating on section 36. In 1867, among others who came for settlement. were the Cogswell and Bullis families.
William T. Bullis, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Aug. 22, 1839. His father was. Arnold Bullis, and his mother Malinda (Wert) Bullis, who had ten children ; Wil- liam T. being the oldest. At the age of six, his parents moved to Lee Co., Ill., lived there eight years, and then removed to LaSalle county, that State, where his
mother died early in the fall, and his father, December 24, of the same year. William T. enlisted, in 1862, in the 104th Illinois Infantry, serving his country until July, 1865. He was married, in the spring of 1851, to Eliza Zern, by whom he had five children-Malinda, William, Charles, Nellie and John. Mr. Bullis is a Mason, and a radical republican in his pol- itics. He aided in the organization of the township, and his brother was one of the number who gave the name of Grant in honor of his old commander-U. S. Grant.
Franklin M. Hamblin arrived in Grant township, in May, 1868, and was one of its organizing board. He was born Nov. 8, 1836, in Hancock Co., Ohio ; is a son of Don Alonzo and Isabel (Slight) Hamblin, and is the fourth of eight children. He obtained a fair education in the common schools of his native State, and, in 1854, came to Iowa. He was a resident of Du- buque county, until May, 1868, when he set- tled in Grant township, Franklin county. He enlisted as a soldier in the civil war, Oct. 8, 1861, enrolling in company H, 12th Iowa Infantry. He was in active service three years, receiving an honorable dis- charge Dec. 6, 1864. He was married May 16, 1880, to Fanny Smith. Their two chil- dren are named Avallon G. and Harriet J. Mr. Hamblin is a republican in political sentiment.
Wesley Brogan came in 1873, locating on section 5. He is the tenth child of John and Margaret (Dunlap) Brogan. Ile was born Sept. 20, 1833, in Campbell Co., Ky., and is one of a family of twelve children. In 1843 his parents moved to Muscatine, Iowa, where they lived until 1869. October 14, of that year they located
19
370
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
in Grant township, Franklin county. Mr. Brogan was married in 1855, to Permelia Batchelor, and his household flock includes nine children. Their names are : Leroy, Morris, Elwood, Jesse, Ackley, Ethlena, Mary, Cora and Oreilla.
Joseph Studer came in 1873. He is a native of Waterlooshire, Canada, where he was born July 7, 1850. His parents, Amandus and Francis (Bolinger) Studer, had a family of ten children, of whom Joseph is second in order of birth. When he was seventeen years old, he determined to exchange his home in the Dominion for one in the States, and accordingly went to Illinois, where he stayed four years, com- ing thence to Eldora, Iowa, and, two years later, to Franklin county, where he located in November, 1873. He was married Jan. 2, 1872, to Catharine Hoffer. They are the parents of six children : Edward, Mary, William, George, Joseph and Matilda. Mr. Studer is a democrat, and the family are communicants in the Catholic Church.
William Boddy came from Hardin Co., Iowa, in 1873, settling on section 26, Grant township. He is a Yorkshireman by birth, and a stone mason by trade. He was born in England, Feb. 15, 1843. His father and mother, Robert and Mary (Newton) Boddy, were the parents of eight children. In 1848, they emigrated to America and settled at first in the State of New York, where they lived three years, going thence to S ephenson Co., Ill. Mr. Boddy attended the common schools of this country, obtaining a good fundamental education, which he finished in the academy at Warren, Ill. He became a soldier, and fought for the honor and integrity of the Union cause from
the first years of the civil war until 1865, as sergeant in company A, 92d Illinois Volunteers, when, on being mustered out of service, he returned to Illinois. Mr. Boddy went afterwards to Kansas, and, in 1868, was married to Ann Eliza Meeker. Their six children are Elmer R., Addie A., Mary M., Arthur N., Jennie M. and Charles D. The family came to Iowa in 1869, and passed four years in Hardin county, removing to Lee township, Frank- lin county, and settling in the township of Grant, in March, 1883. Mr. Boddy belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
W. B. Johnson settled in the township in 1874. His parents were W. B. and Lydia H. Johnson, who came from Ver- mont to the wild west, in 1846, and re- mained a short time in Walworth Co., Wis., removing thence to Linn Co., Iowa. In 1855 they came to Franklin county, and settled in Geneva township. The site of their location is now that of the depot in the village of Geneva. The senior John- son was the first mail carrier from Mays- ville to Cedar Falls. Mr. Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 6, 1844, in Vermont. He came to Iowa with his parents, and attained his majority under his father's supervision. In Au- gust, 1863, he enlisted in the 9th Iowa Cavalry, and remained in the service until Feb. 16, 1866. He returned to Geneva after his discharge. He was married Dec. 6, 1866, to Hester Van Kirk, of Franklin county .. In the spring of 1874, the family settled in Grant township, and now re- side on section 6. Their four children are Addie E., Mary I., Jason A. and Earl W. Mr. Johnson is a radical repub- lican. The family attend the Methodist
371
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
church at Pleasant Ridge, in Hamilton township.
Moses A. Webber located on section 15 of Grant township, in March, 1875. He is a son of David and Eliza (Ames) Web- ber, and had thirteen brothers and sisters, he being twelfth in order of birth. He was born July 25, 1828. He made the acquaintance of labor early in life, and at twenty managed his father's farm and carried on the trade of briekmaker. He was married in Oxford, Oxford Co., Me, Oct. 16, 1853. His wife was Olive L. Dyer. They have three children living- Oscar M., Ora and Scott. One daughter, Ida E., died of heart disease Jan. 13, 1877. M. Webber's farm contains 240 acres of land, which is a fine exhibit of his agricul- tural skill and energetic perseverance. He is a member of the Masonie order.
Heinrich Meyer, the only child of Heinrich and Doratha (Hener) Meyer, was born Nov. 22, 1856, at Hanover, Germany. His early life was spent at home, where he received a common school education, and at the age of nineteen came to the United States, first stopping at Cincinnati, Ohio, and soon afterwards came to Frank- lin Co., Iowa and purchased land in Grant township, where he now resides. He was married to Doratha Gottscholk, in 1877, by which union there are three bright children - Alviana, Doratha and Augusta.
E. B. Keeling came in 1876. The parents of Mr. Keeling were natives of England, and resided in Staffordshire at the date of his birth, Jan. 21, 1847. He is a son of George and Mary (Bate) Keel- ing. They went, while he was still in early youth, to Manchester, England, where their son was educated. They
again, in 1857, transferred their residence to Warrington, where they remained ten years. In 1867, he came to America and settled at Freeport, Ill., continuing in that vicinity until 1872. Mr. Keeling went to Dakota that year and entered a claim for 480 acres of land. In 1876, he came to Franklin county, and May 24, 1877, was married to Mary Griffin. Their three children are-Ella E., Mary J. and Mabel F. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church.
Henry Fessler, a prominent politician of Franklin county, located here in 1876. He was born in Berks Co., Penn., April 9, 1841. He is the youngest of seven chil- dren. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Hirschy) Fessler, died, respectively, in 1848 and 1867. Mr. Fessler obtained his education in the common schools of the keystone State, and at eighteen years of age went to Ogle Co., Ill., where he was a resident twelve years. The enthusiasm of patriotism, awakened by the outbreak of the rebellion, swept him along with its resistless tide, and, in 1861, he enlisted in the 55th Illinois. At the end of the war he returned to Illinois, and there remained until the date of his coming to Iowa, in 1871. He made a brief stay in Hardin county, and passed one year in Osceola, Franklin county. His residence in Grant township covers a period of seven years. He was married Nov. 16, 1865, to Susan Miller, born in the keystone State. Fol- lowing is the record of their children- William, born Sept. 17, 1866; John F., July 18, 1869; Adelaide, June 20, 1872; Mary, Dec. 24, 1873. Guy died Aug. 21, 1868; Catharine, Aug. 31, 1871; Matilda, April 29, 1878 The family are members
26
ยท
372
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fessler is of the greenback persuasion in politics.
Newton Penny was born in Howard, Co., Ind., Nov. 3, 1843. When fourteen years old he went to Missouri, and from there to Marion Co., Iowa, where he re- mained over two years, and came to Frank- lin Co., Iowa, settling in Grant township, October, 1872. He enlisted, in the 32d Iowa Volunteer under Capt. R. S. Benson, of Hampton, and was mustered out Aug. 24, 1865, at Clinton, Iowa. He was mar- ried, Oct. 28, 1866, to Catherine Miller, by whom he had five children who are living -Elizabeth C., Hattie B., Nancy C., James E. and Jeannette. Mr. Penny is a member of the Odd Fellows order, also of the Knights of Honor. In politics he is a republican. He has been township trus- tee eight terms, and justice of the peace seven years, besides holding other offices.
Benjamin Havens was born in Monmouth Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1842. He is a son of James and Hannah (Johnson) Havens, and was the fourth of ten children. In 1848, he removed to Wayne county, where he remained until the fall of 1860, when he went to Hardin Co., Iowa. In 1877, he came to Franklin county. In 1863, he enlisted in the 9th Iowa Cavalry, ser- ving until February, 1866. He was mar- ried in July, 1866, to Mary E. Ford, by whom he has five children- John W. Benjamin Franklin, James H., Elmer E., Rosie May and Minnie M. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a zealous worker in the republican party.
John W. Myer located on section 6 in 1878. He was born in Waukesha Co., Wis., May 12, 1855. He is a son of John
and Catharine (O'Whiler) Myer. His parents, with their family, came to Frank- lin county in 1858. Mr. Myer was mar ried Jan. 8, 1878, to Matilda Pickins, and on the 15th day of the same month they fixed their residence in Grant township. Their family includes two children- Orville T. and Verdon N. Mr. Myer is a republican of the most decided type.
Nicolaus Plattner is a farmer who set- tled on section 22 of Grant township, in 1880. He farms a large tract of land which he is managing according to success- ful methods, and where appearance and outfit reflects the greatest credit upon its proprietor. Mr. Plattner was born in Switzerland, May 3, 1832. Like every son of Helvetia, he received a good and useful education, and was fitted in his native country to become a good citizen, particu- larly of a Republic. He came to America in 1858, and perfected himself in the art of gardening. He was married April 9, 1862, to Maria Rath. The family includes nine children-Jacob, Andrew, John, George, Anna C., Samnel, Frederick N., Mary and David. Mr. Plattner settled first in Minnesota, and shortly after went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he lived eighteen years working at his trade. In 1880, he settled in Franklin county, as stated. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
Edward Ryan came in 1880. He was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Dec., 27, 1845. His parents, Michael and Johanna (Cantwell) Ryan, had eleven children, of whom Edward is fourth. The senior Ryan removed his family and interests to McHenry Co., Ill. during the infancy of his son, and, nine years later, transferred h s residence to Hardin Co. Iowa. Mr.
373
. HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Ryan came to Grant township in the month and year of his marriage, which occurred Jan. 27, 1880. His wife was Nora Kiley.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The first marriages in Grant township were those of Levi Talhelm and "Anna Cogswell, and Mr. Lambert and Ruth Cogswell, in 1871.
The first death was Mrs. Johnson, grandmother of Mrs. Levi Talhelm, who died in the spring of 1872. She was bur- ied in the cemetery at Maysville.
The first birth was Charles W., son of W. T. and Eliza Bullis, born May 14, 1867.
The first sermon preached in the town- ship was by Rev. Mr. Woods, from Mays- ville, a Methodist minister. It was at the house of J. F. Moats, in 1869.
In December, 1870, as Levi Talhelm was going from his home to Iowa Falls on foot, he was accosted by a man who de- manded his money. Talhelm resisted as best he could, but in the encounter re- ceived two gashes, cut through his clothing, and a severe blow on the arm He suc- ceeded in taking Talhelm's knife and pocket book, leaving him unconscious for some time. The weather being cold pre- vented him from bleeding to death. He finally wandered to a farm house. No clue was ever found as to the perpetrator of the foul deed.
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.