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 52
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 52
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the business of a butcher. He made an expedition to Pike's Peak in 1860, and was absent one year. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in company K, 19th Wisconsin Volunteers, and was in the United States service until the spring of 1864, when he was honorably discharged at Newbern, N. C., He was married in 1862 to Elizabeth Whitmore, a native of Eng- land. They have four children-Mary, Sarah, John and Ella.
Lucius Loss settled on section 10, Mott township, in 1867, where he now owns 160 acres of finely improved land. He has been a valuable citizen in his township, holding himself as under obligations to respond to the call of his fellows in whatever position needed. He has been towhship trustee six years, and officiated as school director and treasurer. He was born in Windham Co., Vt., April 18, 1815. Not long after his birth his parents moved to Saratoga Co., N. Y., where Mr. Loss was assistant on his father's farm, and had small advantages for an extended education. He determined to come west, as the east offered but limited opportuni- ties for a man's advancement without means. He removed to Dane Co., Wis., in 1847, and when he arrived the aggre- gate of his finances showed an exhibit of eleven dollars. He remained in Dane county until 1867. He was married Dec. 19, 1842, to Mary Ann Kemp, born in Sunderland, Bennington Co., Vt, Jan. 19, 1819. Of their six children, Philo L., Ida M., Charles C. and Frank are living Mr. and Mrs. Loss are members of the Methodist Church.
Jacob Wire, section 36, Mott township, came to Franklin county in 1867, at which
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
date he purchased 340 acres of land, to which he has added by purchase until he now owns 1130 acres, all in a most im- proved state of culture. To the duties of general agriculturalist he adds the labors of an extensive stock breeder. Mr. Wire was born in Lancaster, Penn., Oct. 19, 1827. His parents, Samuel and Cath- erine (Smith) Wire, were natives of Penn- sylvania. Three years after his birth they settled in Ohio and later came to Grant Co., Wis., where Jacob grew to manhood, and spent a number of years as an agri- culturalist. He was married in 1853 to Sarah Wagner, and his household in- cludes four children-Ira, Vinette, Advia and Frank. Mr. Wire is a democrat in politics.
George W. Pease was born at South Bend, Ind., Oct. 25, 1838. Ilis parents came to Iowa not long after that event, and settled in Henry county, where they remained a few years, and then went to Grant Co., Wis. There George grew to man's estate. In December, 1861, he en- listed in company I, 16th Wisconsin In- fantry. He was wounded in the right knee at Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862, and was soon after transported to the hos- pital at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was discharged in October ensuing. He re- enlisted in September, 1863, in company E', 8th Iowa Cavalry. He went into the ranks, but in June, 1864, he was commis- sioned second lieutenant. He was again wounded July 30, 1864, and taken prisoner and was taken to the stockade prison at Andersonville, Ga. Sept. 16 following his capture, in company with two others, he made his escape and turned his back
forever on the king disgrace of the insane south. The party hid by day and traveled by night in the direction of the Union lines, picking their route, shielded by the friendly darkness until the last day of September. Starvation stared them in the face many times, and they were only pre- served from extreme suffering by the sympathetic negroes, who supplied them with food. After fifteen days of united toil and privation Mr. Pease's compan- ions took a different route. On the 3d of October he was gladened by a sight of the Union lines, and was soon in safety at Atlanta. He learned a few days later of the re-capture of his companions. Soon after re-joining his regiment, he suc- ceeded to the command of his company and retained the position until the release of his superior officers from prison. At the termination of the war he was trans- ferred to the command of a company in the 136th U. S. C. I., where he continued in service until January, 1866, when he was discharged at Augusta, Ga. IIe re- turned to Wisconsin and engaged in mining. He came to Franklin county in 1868 and settled on the farm he now owns, situated one mile east of Hampton. His venture was unfortunate and in 1872, he disposed of his interests and sought to retrieve his fortunes in the mines of Idaho and Utah. In 1881, he returned to Hamp- tou and bought the farm with which he parted nine years previous. It now in- cludes 278 acres, all under first-class im- provements, and valned at $14,000. He is now extensively engaged in stock rais- ing. He was married in 1882 to Mrs. L Rose. They have one child-Maggie Gertrude.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
I. B. Wheeler came to Franklin county in the spring of 1868, and settled on a farm he had purchased in 1864. He has now a fine farm of well improved land in- cInding 320 acres. Mr. Wheeler was born in Rutland Co., Vt., Oct. 26, 1836. He passed the first fifteen years of his life in his native county, and in 1851, his par- ents came west to Rock Co, Wis., re- moving later to Green county, in that State. Here Mr. Wheeler received the training of a farmer's son, and was en- gaged for six years as traveling salesman for the McCormick Reaper company. He was married in 1871, to Ann Brown a native of Grant Co., Wis. Mr. Wheeler spent most of two years prior to his set- tlement in Iowa, in the eastern States, trying to regain lost health, which he succeeded in doing for the time being. His schooling was very limited, which did not exceed three months in the year after he was ten years of age.
J B. Beck, agriculturist, is located on a farm two miles east of Hampton. He is the present township clerk of Mott town- ship and secretary of the school board. He is also secretary of the Franklin county Anti-Horse Thief Association, and secre- tary of the Agricultural Society of this county. He was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Aug. 16, 1830. His father, Benja- min Peck, was born in Nova Scotia, and his mother, Caroline (Biggs) Peck, was a native of Maryland. Mr. Peck acquired a good education in the common schools of the place of his birth and finished his studies at Granville, Ohio. In 1859, he became principal of the middle building on State street, Columbus, Ohio, which place he filled three years, and while there he
graduated from Duff's Commercial Col- lege. He was also principal of the schools at Johnstown, Alexandria and Hartford, Ohio. He has taught six terms since coming to Franklin county, making thirty- five terms in all. In 1863, he settled in Keokuk Co., Iowa, where he was elected county surveyor, and held the office four years. He became a resident on the farm he now owns in 1868. Mr. Peck is a re- publican of the radical stripe and is prom- inent in the local politics of his township. He was married in 1861 to Mary R. Moore- head, of Granville, Ohio. Mr. Peck has pushed his way in life, and, by economy and industry, has accumulated a fine pro- perty. He owns 490 acres of land valued at from $30 to $50 per acre, comprising some of the best improvements to be found in the county.
Casper Wolf is an extensive land hold- er of Mott township. His landed estate in Franklin county aggregates 487 acres of choice land, all under fine improve- ments. It is located on sections 26, 14 and 25. Mr. Wolf has been a resident since his purchase. He was born in Ly coming Co., Penn., May 14, 1842. Ilis parents became settlers in Vane Co., Wis., in 1848. At the age of twenty, Mr. Wolf enlisted in his country's defence in 1862, in company I, 23d Wisconsin Infantry. He was in numerous battles and on May 22, 1863, he was wounded. His injury kept him in the hospital three months. He received honorable discharge July 4, 1865, at Mobile, Ala. He re- turned to Wisconsin, and lived there until 1868. He was married in 1866 to Mary Messelheimer. They have five children-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Theodore L., Alton, Arthur, Jasper and Cyrus.
J. W. Cummings and A. B. Cummings are associated in farming in Mott town- ship, where they have been located since 1869, when their parents settled in Frank- lin county. J. W. Cummings, the elder brother, was born in Wentworth, Canada, Angust 11, 1853, In 1868 the parents and sons removed to Jackson Co., Iowa, where they resided until the date named as that of their settlement in Franklin county. J. W. Cummings has been, since their removal to Franklin county, engaged as a clerk in a drug store in Des Moines seven months. Ile was married Dec. 30, 1880, to Etta L. Roberts. A. B. Cummings was born in Wentwo th Co., Canada, July 23, 1855. He settled here, as stated, and has since April, 1881, been connected with his brother in farm- ing.
George Messelheiser came to Franklin county in 1867. He was a lad of eleven years, and f om an unsophisticated boy he has grown to manhood and importance as a citizen and farmer of Mott township. He was born in Jefferson Co., Wis., Jan. 26, 1856. During his carly boyhood his parents removed to Dane Co., Wis. He is at present school treasurer. Mr. Messelheiser was married in 1880 to Mena Kugler.
Henry Burmester, farmer, is a German by birth, and came to America in 1869, settling almost immediately in Ross township, in Franklin county, where he operated on a farm two years. At the expiration of that period he located in Chapin. In 1876, he took possession of his present farm in Mott township including 240
acres of land. He was married in 1862, to Maggie Meyer. They had two chil- dren-William and Annie. Mrs. Bur- mester died June 6, 1882. In December, 1882, he was married to Annie Schroeder. Mr. Brumester was born in Hanover, Ger- many, Nov. 4, 1836.
J. A. Atkinson, is a citizen of Iowa by birth. He was born in Dubuque county, Feb. 18, 1837. His parents, Archibald and Phillis (Adams) Atkinson, came from England and settled in Dubuque county in 1835. They remained there until 1840, when they went to Cook Co., Ill., near Chicago, and finally settled in Grant Co., Wis. Mr. Atkinson lived there a number of years and for sometime was engaged in lead mining. In 1859 he made a trip to the mining regions of Idaho, where he re- mained six years, returning in 1865. In 1869, he settled on section 27, in what was then called Washington township, where he is proprietor of 340 acres of land, and is extensively engaged as a stock farmer. Mr. Atkinson has held the offices of town- ship trustee and school director. He was married, in 1862, to Annie L. Lukey, a na- tive of England. Their five living chil- dren are-Jessie, Elmer, Archie, Lotta and Ralph.
John McNeill, one of the largest stock farmers of Mott township, came to Franklin county in 1870 and com- menced his struggle with the world as a day laborer. His success is so phenom- enal as to deserve special notice. Begin- ning with only his manhood's strength and steadfast determina ion, by economy and unwearying industry, he has secured a competency for old age. In 1872 he purchased eighty acres of land and has since
486
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
increased his estate by purchase until he owns an aggregate of 840 acres in Frank- lin county. He was married in 1872, to Lucy Bobst. Their four children are- Clara, Della, Alexander and William. Mr. McNiell was born in Bath county, May 2, 1846. He is son of Hugh and Mar- garet (Hammell) McNeill, who settled in 1858, in Iowa Co., Wis., where Mr. McNeill passed his youth and first year of his man- hood.
Jacob Klinefelter, became a resident of Mott township in 1870. He is the pro_ prieton of a finely improved farm of 135 acres, where he settled soon after his ad- vent in Franklin county. He was born in York Co., Penn., Dec. 30, 1827. His par- ents, Peter and Catherine (Wilhelm) Klinefelter are both natives of the Key- stone State. In 1831 the family removed to Marion Co., Ohio where his mother died shortly after. In 1834 his father set- tled in Dane Co., Wis., and there Mr. Klinefelter was a resident until he came to Iowa, as stated. In 1873, Mr. Kline- felt was married to Catherine Under- koffler, born in Waukesha Co., Wis. Their children are-Rosetta L., Mabel S., Amos J. and Arthur G.
William Crawford was born in Upper Canada, Oct. 8, 1834. All his early life was passed there and Dec. 23, 1853, he was married to Elizabeth Piper. Mrs. Crawford was born in Canada, Oct 2, 1825. They came to Michigan in 1865, and, in 1870, to Franklin Co., Iowa. Mr. Crawford died Feb. 27, 1881. Mrs. Crawford yet survives him. Following is the record of their children-Louisa, born Nov 23, 1854, was married to James Johnson, Feb. 25, 1874; Julia, born Jan.
27, 1857, married Samuel Boutin, March 14, 1874; Charlotte, born July 24, 1859; Addie M., March 10, 1865; Mary M., Feb. 14, 1868; Hester A., March 12, 1872; and Flora, March 30, 1875.
Fred Paullus has been a farmer of Mott township, since 1870. He owns a fine farm of . 60 acres. Mr. Paullus was born in Germany, Sept. 10, 1836. He came to the United States in 1854, and made his first settlement in Schuylkill Co., Penn., going thence, a year later, to Wisconsin, which was his home until he came to Franklin county. He was married, in 1861, to Eliza Kaus. Following are the names of their nine children-Lizzie, Catherine, Henry, Fred, Lena, Mena, George, Carl and Louisa. Mr. Paullus has held the position of road supervisor.
D. J Patton is one of the leading farm- ers of Mott township. He came to Frank- lin county in 1870. He soon after located in Ingham, remaining until 1879, at which date he became proprietor of his present farm of 308 acres, on section 3, Mott township. Mr. Patton is extensively en- gaged as a stock farmer in addition to the ordinary business of an agriculturist. He has been the incumbent of several town- ship offices and is at present trustee. He was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Jan. 27, 1836. His parents, G. R. and Ruth (Johns) Patton, were natives of the key- stone State, and, in 1848, came to Green Co., Wis. Mr. Patton was married, in 1855, to Sarah E. Gapen, a native of Pennsylvania. Their children are - George C., Frank L., Lena B. and Fred S.
Benjamin S. Brown came to Franklin county in 1870. He settled on section 36,
a. m. m.D.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 489
Mott township, where he now owns 215 acres of land. He was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. 16, 1838. At the age of twelve years he accompanied his parents to America. They first settled in LaFay- ette Co .. Wis. Mr. Brown was a resident of that county until 1870, with the excep- tion of two years which were spent in Jo Daviess Co., Ill. He has been quite prom- inent as a public spirited citizen, and has held the offices of president of the school board and treasurer of the agricultural so- ciety. He was married, in 1862, to Mary Glendinning, a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have seven children- Franklin, Maggie, Mary, Fannie, Adeline, James and Jane.
James M Snyder is an extensive land- holder of Mott and Richland townships, and has resided in Franklin county since 1870, where he owns 500 acres of land, all under cultivation and well improved. Besides his agricultural and stock inter- ests he operates an insurance business. He was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 14, 1843. His parents, James and Sarah Snyder, settled in Ogle Co., Ill., in 1855, where they reared their children, giving each a good education. During the re- bellion Mr. Snyder enlisted in an Inde- pendent Cavalry company, furnishing his own horse and outfit; was 2d lieutenant of company A, Ogle County National Guards, Col. Brown, commanding. The services of the regiment were offered to the gen- eral government, but as the calls for troops were always promptly filled in northern Illinois, Gov. Yates refused to mus- ter them into active service. Mr. Snyder is a democrat, has held most of the im- portant offices in his township, and while
secretary of the Franklin county agri- cultural society, rendered that organiza- tion important service. He was married, in 1867, to Nannie D. Murphy, a native of Ohio. They have two children-Jennie M. and Clinton Howard.
William Wolf is a substantial farmer of Mott township. He came to Franklin county, in 1871, and settled on section 14, where he owns and manages 240 acres of finely improved land. He was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Oct. 26, 1835. He accompanied his parents to Dane Co,, Wis., in 1849 where he was reared on his fa- ther's farm and trained to the vocation of agriculture. Mr. Wolf was married July 26, 1862, to Mary M. Messelheiser. They have seven children living - Laura G., Ezra, Adam, Simon, Esther, Clinton and Olive.
Christopher Fink has been a farmer, on section 21, of Mott township, since 1871, and now owns 160 acres. He is a native of Germany, born in Hanover, Nov. 17, 1839. He came to America in 1865, and located in Cook Co., Ill., where he engaged as a farmer, and railroad laborer, until he came to Franklin county. He was mar- ried in 1868 to Elizabeth Heimricks, a German by birth. They have four chil- dren-William, Emma, Clara and Joseph.
S. A. Davis has been a resident on sec- tion 1, Mott township, since 1874. He was born in LaFayette Co., Penn., March 8, 1834 His parents were David and Mary (Woodle) Davis, who settled in Green Co., Wis., in 1838, where they were among the pioneers His mother died there in 1871, his father, in 1882. S. A Davis enlisted at Washington. D. C., in June, 1863, in company K, 22d Wis-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
consin Volunteer Infantry. After he re- turned from the war, he went back to Green Co., Wis , where he remained until 1874, and then came to Iowa. He was married December 25, 1866, to Cassandra Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania.
William M. Wolf, settled in Mott town- ship, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1874. He is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born in 1845. Soon after he was born his parents came to America and settled near Ann Arbor, Mich., where his mother died Soon after her death his father removed and settled in Richland Co., Wis., where he reared his family. In 1862, William M. enlisted in company M, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. He served one year and was honorably discharged at Cape Girardeau, Mo. After he left the army, he returned to Richland Co., Wis., and from thence came to Franklin county. He was mar- ried, in 1874, to Cecelia Shockly, of Ohio. They have four children-Katie, Edith, Charles T. and Mary.
A. K. Waters has been a resident of Motttownship, Franklin county, since the year 1875. He was born Aug. 19, 1836, in Canada, where he passed his childhood and received his education. He emigrated to the United States, settling in Winona, Minn., where he first engaged in lumber- ing, after which he opened a flour and feed store, which he disposed of and re- turned to Canada, where he remained un- til coming to Iowa. He was married in 1878 to Mrs. Mary M. Coon, widow of George Coon. They have one child- Arthur L.
Jacob Miller has been a resident of Franklin county since 1879. He lives on section 11, Mott township, where he owns
160 acres of land. He was born in Ger- many and came with his parents to Ameri- ca in 1852. His parents settled in Dane Co., Wis., where Jacob went into the army, enlisting Aug. 13, 1862, in company A, 23d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Vilas, afterwards colonel, was captain of the company. Mr. Miller was with his regiment in many important engagements, and was honorably discharge in June, 1865. He then returned to Dane Co., Wis., and engaged in farming until he came to Iowa Since coming to Franklin county, he has held several important school offices. He was married, in 1866, to Elizabeth Wolf. They have seven children-Theodore, Adelia, William, George, Walter, Alvin and Edna.
David Wolf came to Franklin county in 1877, and soon after settled on section 11, Mott township, where he now owns 160 acres of land under a high state of culti- vation. He was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., April 14, 1848. His parents soon after his birth moved to Dane Co., Wis., where David grew to manhood and learned the trade of carriage making, at Madison. He was married, in 1873, to Mary Shade. They have two children-Lewis and Harry.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first marriage in Mott township was that of Thomas Newell and Ellen Lath- rop, in 1858 or 1859.
The first birth was a child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knowls, in 1856.
The first death was that of Mrs. Ryan, who was frozen to death in the winter of 1856-7.
The first house in Mott township was of logs, and was built by James Van Horn, on section 21, in the spring of 1854.
491
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
ORGANIC.
The township was organized in 1879. The first election was held at Maple Grove school house. E. F. IIanks, Mr. Claypool and Walter Beed were the first trustees. The township officers in 1883 were : J. B. Peck, clerk ; Joseph Tyler, assessor ; John McNeal and Timothy Rose, justices of the peace ; E. F. Hanks, Walter Beed and D. J. Patton, trustees.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught at Mott's Grove in a log cabin in the winter of 1857. The next school was taught in 1858 by Mr. Fairbanks. A frame school house was erected in 1859, on section 20, and served the township for school pur poses for twenty years. In 1883, the town ship had seven school houses and an average attendance of 213 scholars.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services were held in the log school house in 1857 or 1858, when a Sunday school was formed in which all took an active part. Rev. Thomas K. Hansberry was among the pioneer preach- ers in the township and county. In 1872, the Evangelical Lutheran denomination organized a church, holding service at the school house until 1883, when they erected a fine church edifice on section 19.
The Evangelical Association in Mott township was first organized at Hamp- ton in 1869. Meetings were held in the country at the school house until 1881, when the society erected a beautiful church edifice, situated in the valley (f Buffalo creek, in the heart of one of the finest rural districts in Franklin county. The house stands on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, and cost $1,600, besides work donated. It was dedicated Dec. 19, 1881. The de- sign is very attractive. The first pastor of the society, after the building of their church, was Rev. O. F. Roll, who served three years, one before the church was finished and two afterward. In 1883, the church numbered thirty, with a Sunday school having an average attendance of thirty-five. The first members of this soci- ety were : J. A. Messelheiser, Adam Mes- selheiser and wife, Casper Wolf and wife, William Wolf and wife, Henry Wolf and wife, Jacob Klinefellow and wife, Jacob Miller and wife, Christiana Fink and wife, Catherine Klousia and Conrad Roamer and wife. At this date, Rev. Caulp, was pastor in charge, living at Hampton and preaching once in two weeks.
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492
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
Oakland is the southwest corner town- ship in Franklin county, comprising con- gressional township 90, range 22. It was detached from Morg n township in 1867. The Iowa river runs through it from northwest to sontheast, passing through portions of sections 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 35 and 36. It has quite heavy timber on either side of its entire course through the township. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railway runs from section 6, diagonally to the southeast part of the township, entering Lee town- ship from section 25. The soil of Oak- land township is of a very productive quality, producing all the cereals, vegeta- bles and fruits common to this climate Some of the most beautiful and produc- tive farms in all northern Iowa are situated along the Iowa valley. So lasting is the richness of the soil that even lands which have been cultivated for a quarter of a century, produce as bountifully as the vir- gin soil. Corn usually ripens a month earlier than on the prairies back from the river.
SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement in the township. was made, in 1853, by Sprague, Crawford and Mitchell, who were trappers and hunters. Sprague made the first entry of land.
John I. Popejoy came the next year, 1854, entering 600 or 700 acres of land. In 1855, he came to remain a permanent
resident. He was the first settler north of the Iowa river. In 1854, he came with H. H. Pierson to the grove where H. C. Holmes had made a pre-emption of 160 acres. They stopped at a spring on the place, and soon heard some one coming, which proved to be two men carrying a gun and an ax. When meeting they were asked what they were doing there. Some sharp words followed, and the party tried to force Popejoy and Pierson away, but they did not propose to be driven away, and after a few minutes a bargain was struck by which Popejoy bought them out for $50. He had the finest tract of tim- ber land on the Iowa river, covered with oak and black walnut. His first entry con- sisted of a mile square, to which he added from time to time, up to 1880, when he possessed 2,860 acres in one body, 1,000 in grass and the balance in timber and plowed land. In 1881, he built the largest and finest farm residence in this part of the State, costing $12,000. This house is a two-story frame structure, situated in a beautiful oak grove, about thirty rods from the east bank of the Iowa river, over- looking this famous valley, which in mid- summer presents a charming landscape. John I. Popejoy holds, by seniority of set- tlement, first rank in the pioneer element of Oakland township He made his first journey to Iowa in 1854, in quest of land and selected a location in Franklin county.
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