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 62
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 62
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William Farnsworth was born in New Jersey in 1802. His father, Edmond Farnsworth, was a farmer in Chester county, where the family resided until William was eighteen years old and then removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. From there William removed to Illinois and was among the first settlers of Du Page county. In 1868 he removed to Owa- tonna, Minn., and in 1872 came to Frank- lin county. He has 135 acres of land on section 6, West Fork, which is valued at $25 per acre. Mr. Farnsworth was mar- ried to Angeline King in 1826. She died in Illinois, leaving eight sons and three daughters. In 1863 Mr. Farnsworth
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
married Amanda Hewlon, of Illinois. Mr. Farnsworth had four sons in the Union Army during the civil war.
The following settled in the township prior to 1875, of whom little is known: George Higby, Lorenzo Johnson, D. Loomis and L. Groves, all of whom set- tled on section 16; also George Stickney, who came from Illinois and located on section 23.
ORGANIC.
West Fork was detached from Ingham township in 1868, and the first election was held at the house of Simon Selix, Nov. 13, 1868, when forty-two votes were cast for the various officers, as fol- lows: Trustees, James E. Bailey, James Ray and W. H. Bowton; clerk, Thomas Hudson; assessor, Lewis Sumner; con- stables, J. W. Hall and G. H Horton. In 1883 these offices were filled by David Miner, Ed Esslinger and G. Kugler as trustees; P. B. Riggin, clerk; T. E. B. Hudson, assessor.
FIRST THINGS.
The first marriage in the township was that of Alonzo Hall and Lucy Lill, in 1862. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Loomis Benjamin.
The first birth was Julian H., son of John O. Crapser, born Sept. 19, 1856.
The first deaths, which are fearful to recall even at this late day, were those of Mr. Hogan and his children.
POSTOFFICES.
The first postoffice in the township was called Ingham and was located on the northwest quarter of section 16. L. T. John was the first postmaster. About the same date, in 1857 or 1858, L. N. Lock- wood petitioned for a postoffice to be on
or near section 2, of what is now West Fork township. The petitition was grant- ed, and the office called Coldwater, and James M. Chambers appointed postmaster. After several years this office was moved just across the line into Butler county. In 1879 Ingham postoffice was abandoned, and the one at Sheffield took its place. In 1883 there was no postoffice within the township, the Coldwater office being just in the edge of Butler county, and accom- modated the inhabitants, who lived nearer this than to Sheffield.
CHURCHES.
The first sermon preached was in about 1860, by Rev. Loomis Benjamin, who set- tled on the Slade farm. The services were held at J. O. Crapser's house, on section 2. There were about a dozen in attendance. Mr. Benjamin held meetings regularly at his house.
In 1883 the only organized religious so- ciety in the township was the Coldwater Baptist Church, organized in October, 1879, at the house of John Lockwood, over the Butler county line. A. R. But- ton, of Osage, presided at the first meet- ing. The following were a greater part of the charter membership : L. N. Loek- wood, Emaline Lockwood, John H. and Maria Lockwood, Andrew J. and Sarah Lockwood, Edwin A. Lockwood, Emily A. Lockwood, Lizzie C. Lockwood, Dora E. Lockwood, Ida M. Lockwood and Solo- mon Robinson. In 1883 the Church mem- bership was twenty-three. Ida M. Lock- wood was the first Church clerk, but re- signed, and Andrew J. Lockwood sue- ceeded. Rev. A. R. Button was the first pastor. At a meeting, Aug. 27, 1881, it was voted to build a church edifice by
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
subscription, on the southeast quarter of section 1-the land being donated by Mr. L. N. Lockwood. The building (ost $1,200. The Church was incorporated in February, 1882, at which time John H. Lockwood, Edwin Lockwood and Andrew J. Lockwood were appointed trustees. The first services in this church were held in July, 1882. Rev. Button resigned and Rev. J. F. Bryant took charge, preaching every Sunday.
The German Baptist society were build ing a fine church edifice on section 5, in 1883.
There was a class formed at an early day, in the western part of the township, by the Methodist Episcopal people, but no regular Church organization was per- fected.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house built in this town- ship was on section 2. It was built by Mr. Crapser in about 1861, and in 1883 it was used by Thomas Hall as a residence. The first term of school in this building was tought by Louis Parker. In 1883 there were nine school houses in the town- ship.
CEMETERIES.
The first cemetery in the township was located near James Ray's, which was little used. In 1883 there were two cemeteries -one near Hall's school house, and the other near James Ray's. The former has about a dozen graves, and the latter nearly a hundred.
BURNED TO DEATH.
The first deaths in the township were fearful. A man named Hogan, who lived on the farm now owned by James Ray, about 1855, was living in a log house in the grove. He had been sick for some time, and was stricken with paralysis. His wife ran to the nearest neghbor's, David Allen's, more than a mile away. During her absence the two children were near the open fireplace, and their clothing caught fire, which communi- cated to the bed on which Mr. Hogan lay, unconscious. On the return of Mrs. Ho- gan, the house was in flames, and the two children were fatally burned. The father lived but a few days. They were buried at Janesville, Butler county.
CHAPTER XXXV
WISNER TOWNSHIP.
This is the northwest corner township in Franklin county, and is bounded on the north by Cerro Gordo county, on the east by Richland township, on the south by Scott township, and on the west by Wright county. It comprises township
93, range 22. The surface of the town- ship is a slightly rolling prairie, with oc- casionally a slough, but the greater por- tion is good farming land, which is being rapidly converted into beautiful stock farms. Corn is the principal crop raised.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
In 1883 Wisner, and Scott just to the south, were styled the prairie townships of Franklin county, as they then contained larger tracts of wild land than any others in the county. These vast prairies were then utilized for grazing purposes more especially. However, at this date, settlers were flocking in and commencing to im- prove the choice lands within its borders.
The best house in Wisner at this time was that of Charles Westaby, on the south- west quarter of section 33. It was a two story frame building, 22x26 feet square. SETTLEMENT.
The earliest settler was G. W. Myers, who located on section 35, in November, 1877, at which time he built the first house in the township. He did not move there, however, until the following spring.
J. W. Powell also settled in the spring of 1878, on section 12, where he still re- mained in 1883.
Next came J. C. Shermer, settling on section 25. Following him came Joseph Jenson, who remained two years and moved to Wright county.
Charles Westaby, who settled in Reeve township in 1876, removed to Wisner in 1883, having owned a large tract of land there for some time. He is the son of John and Mary Westaby, who, in 1883, were living in Lincolnshire, England, where he was born Feb. 15, 1853. Charles was reared on a farm in his native country. In 1872 he came to America, and settled in Jo Daviess Co., Ill., and there engaged in farming until 1876, when he came to Franklin Co., Iowa. He was married Jan. 26, 1877, to Mary Hanson. Mr. Westaby has a fine farm consisting of 780 acres, 500 of which are under cultivation. This
land is situated as follows: 220 acres on section 5, Scott township, and the re- mainder on sections 20, 32 and 33 of Wis- ner township. During the summer of 1883 he was building the finest farm house in the township. It was a two story frame building which was to cost $1,800. His farm was also provided with a barn 50x50 feet which cost $1,000. Mr. Westaby, who at this date was only thirty-three years of age, was as well surrounded as any man in Franklin county. He is a thorough going farmer of the pure Eng- lish type, and bears the respect and es- teem of the entire county.
ORGANIC.
Wisner was set off from Richland in 1882, and the first regular election held at the house of G. W. Myers, in October, 1881, when the following officers were elected: J. W. Powell, John C. Shermer and Louis Ford, trustees; G. W. Myers, clerk; James Smith, assessor.
In 1883 the officers were: J. W. Powell, J. C. Shermer and Fred Carter, trustees; but the latter named did not qualify, and Edward Courtney was appointed to fill the vacancy; G. W. Myers, clerk, and Enos Wonders, assessor.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first birth in Wisner township was a pair of twins to J. W. Powell and wife, in 1880.
The first death also occurred in 1880- that of a son of G. W. Myers and wife, who died in the autumn of that year.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house built in the town- ship was erected on section 11, in August, 1882, and the first term of school taught in the winter of 1882-3 by Clarence Rich- ards. This was the only school house in the township in 1883.
G
HISTORY
OF
CERRO GORDO COUNTY,
IOWA.
CHAPTER I.
THE CHANGE.
A S the changes of less than half a cen- tury are contemplated, one can scarce- ly realize or comprehend that the wonder- ful results of Time's marvel-working hand are the achievements of a period so brief as to be within the remembrance, almost, of the present generation.
Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves of Time's great book to but a third of a centu- ry ago, and the stranger would have gazed upon a landscape of great beauty, selected by the Sioux and Dakotahs as their camp- ing ground, with that singular apprecia- tion of the beautiful which nature made an instinct in the savage. These vast, rolling prairies were as green then as now ; the prairie flowers bloomed as thickly and diffused their fragrance as bountifully We are in the haunt of the red man, with scarcely a trace of civiliza tion. But what a contrast! Then all was as nature had formed it, with its
variegated hues of vegetation ; in winter a dreary snow-mantled desert; in summer a perfect paradise of flowers. Now all traces of the primitive are obliterated ; in place of the tall prairie grass and tan- gled underbrush, one beholds the rich waving fields of golden grain. In place of the dusky warrior's rude cabins, are the substantial and often elegant dwell- ings of the thrifty farmers, and the iron horse, swifter than the nimble deer, treads the pathway so recently the trail of the red man. Then the sickle of fire anni- ally cut away the wild herbage and drove to its death the stag ; now it nourishes on its broad bosom thousands of tons of the staple products of the great Hawkeye State. Then the storm drove the elk and bison to their hiding place; now the blast drives the herd of the husbandman to comfortable shelter. The transformation is complete.
48
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
CHAPTER II.
LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
Cerro Gordo county is situated in the second tier of counties from the northern line of the State, and is the fifth west from the Mississippi river. It is twenty- four miles square and contains an area of 368,640 acres. Like most portions of northern Iowa, it has a very pleasing diversity of surface, particularly in the eastern portion, produced by the valleys of the numerous creeks and streams, by which the county is well watered and drained, while the prairies which form the greater portion of the area of the county, are not devoid of a good degree of diversity, occasioned by their undula- tions. The prairies, except in the south- west, where a number of extensive marshes are found, are generally high, rolling and dry, though never being sufficiently broken or abrupt to render them unsuita- ble for pleasant and profitable cultiva- tion.
Nearly every portion of the county is well watered by clear and rapidly flowing streams, generally supported by springs. All water courses in this part of the State flow more rapidly than in the west and southwest portions, affording better and more abundant water power for machin- ery. The eastern part of the county has larger and more numerous streams of run- ning water than the west.
Shell Rock river flows from northwest to southeast through Falls, the northeast
corner township, watering portions of two other townships. It is a rapid stream, flowing through extensive beds of lime- stone, and presenting many superior mill privileges, but few of which are as yet improved. This stream has its source in Minnesota and is a tributary to the Cedar river.
Lime creek, sometimes called Lime river, is a tributary of the Shell Rock, and is the most important stream in Cerro Gordo county. It enters from Hancock county, about four miles south of the northwest corner of Cerro Gordo, and thence flows in a northwesterly course some six or eight miles, touching the south line of Worth county. Thence its course is in a southeast direction, through Lincoln, Lime Creek, Mason and Portland townships, leaving the coun- ty near the middle of the east line. It thus meanders through five different town ships, affording the county at least thirty miles of water course, exclusive of its tributaries. This stream also flows through and over beds of limestone nearly its entire length in this county. It has many tributaries, one of the most important being known as Willow creek, which has its rise in the western part of the county, one branch of it being the outlet of Clear Lake. These streams abundantly water all the north half of the county.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
*
In the southern part of the county are the streams known as Coldwater creek, Beaver Dam creek, the West Fork of the Cedar river, and their many tributaries.
It may be hardly necessary to refer to an element so common throughout all parts of Iowa as water, yet it is well to state that the purest and best is easily obtained everywhere by digging from ten to thirty feet, and in many localities liv- ing springs are found bursting from the banks of the streams and along the rivers.
As to lakes, Cerro Gordo has one of which all Iowa is proud. Clear Lake, the Sara- toga of the west, is one of the largest and most beautiful in Iowa. It is situated in township 96 north, of range 22 west, is about six miles long, east and west, by an average of two miles wide, the widest place being nearly three miles. The water in depth is from ten to twenty-five feet, and abounds in various kinds of fish, including pike, pickerel, bass, buffalo and other varieties. This is a great resort for pleas- ure seekers of all kinds, and much used for religious, temperance, musical and other gatherings. On the south side and east end of the lake are large bodies of timber, amounting in the aggregate to several thousand acres. The bottom of Clear Lake is pebbly and the water pure and clear as the name indicates. A line of rocks, or boulders, extend around the borders, protecting the banks from wash- ing, as the waves often beat against them with great force. At the east end of the lake there is an outlet leading into Wil- low, and thence into Lime creek. This outlet has been turned into good account by the erection of a flouring mill for
which it furnishes an excellent mill power, the supply of water being constant and easily controlled. Clear Lake is the only lake of any size in the county. Grimes, the southwest corner township, contains several small ones, none of which have names.
The northern portion of the county is abundantly supplied with the various kinds of timber common to this portion of the State, consisting principally of burr, red and black oak, walnut, butter nut, hickory, poplar, linn, hackberry, soft maple and white and red elm. The most exten- sive bodies are found along the Shell Rock river, Lime creek and surrounding Clear Lake, and extending northward into Worth county. Owen's Grove in the east, and Linn Grove in the south, furnish a good supply for fuel and other purposes to the settlers around them. The south- west portion of the county has little or no good timber, but nature has abundantly supplied it with fuel in the extensive peat marshes which are among the best and most valuable in the State, if properly utilized. It is estimated that there are over fifteen thousand acres of native tim- ber in the county, which will afford, if properly preserved, a supply for all pur- poses for which native timber is used, for all time to come.
Like most portions of Iowa, the chief source of wealth for the future, as well as the sure support of the present inhabitants of Cerro Gordo county, consists in its rich fertile soil.
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION.
In geological formation Cerro Gordo county belongs to the Devonian age. The drift deposit being comparatively thin,
592
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
especially in the eastern portions, most of the creeks and streams have eroded their valleys through it so that their waters flow upon the exposed strata, along a large portion of their courses. In the western part of the county is found stratified rocks plentifully exposed, cropping out along the streams, and forming in places high bluffs of solid limestone, which, being covered with a thick growth of timber, and fringed with cedar, form an object of attraction, at once grand and picturesque. In various portions of the county, and especially south of Clear Lake, are extensive marshes yielding a supply of peat which has been pronounced of superior quality by the State Geologist of Iowa. As yet these peat fields have been scarcely disturbed, but it is possible that at some day in the future they may prove very valuable.
There is a plentiful supply of stone, much of which is of excellent quality for building purposes. The greater part of the stone at every exposure is excellent
material for the manufacture of lime, and all suitable for common building purposes. The magnesian strata being more uni- formly bedded, of dense and uniform tex- ture, is admirable material for dressed stone, for bridge piers or other heavy masonry. Some of the common limestone near Mason City is thinly and uniformly bedded, and having a light gray color, makes a fine appearance in the business houses which have been constructed of it at that place. Many of the rocks are highly fossiliferous, and show the outlines of various kinds of shells, and being of the sub-carboniferous, or kind which belongs below the coal measures, no dis- covery of coal can be expected in this region.
On the banks of the lakes and streams an abundance of sand can be obtained, while clay suitable for the manufacture of brick is found in sufficient quantities to meet all future requirements, though it is nowhere so abundant as in the southern part of the State.
CHAPTER III.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
To the readers of local history, the chapter relating to the early settlement of a country is of general interest, especially is this the case with pioneers themselves, those who have witnessed the changes that have been made, who have seen a trackless prairie transformed into a beau- tiful country, and filled with an enterpris-
ing, happy people. He reads here slowly and critically, every word recalling mem- ories of the past, which for a generation have been buried among a host of recol- lections, which now arise before him like a dream. The old associations, the deeds, the trials and battles against hunger and cold, while the settlers were few and far
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
between ; and the wolves howled about the little log cabin, sending a chill to his heart ; and the wind driving the sifting snow through the crevices-all now rise vividly before him. Often it is with pleasure he can recall these recollections, viewing with satisfaction the thought that he lived to see a wealthy land, dotted with school houses and churches, villages and cities.
But again, it will be with sadness that the past is recalled, and thoughts will spring up of the dark and painful side of early days. How a wife, whose virtues, bravery and simplicity will always be re- membered, or a child pratling in inno- cence, being called from earth to the eternal home, laid away under the cruel sod, in solemn quietude, by the rough but ten ler hands of hardy pioneers. Time had partially allayed the sting, but the wound is now uncovered by the allusion to days gone by, and the cases are not a few, when a tear of bitter sadness will course down the cheek, in honor of the memory of those who have departed.
Notwithstanding, however, the many disadvantages and even sorrows attend- ant upon the first steps of civilization, and the adversities to be encountered, the pioneers led a happy life. The absence of the aristocratic and domineering power, which to-day is so apparent, must have been a source of comfort and satisfaction. Merit alone insured equality, and this could not be suppressed by traditions. The brother- hood of man was illustrated in a sincere and practical way, and hospitality was not considered so much of a Christian trait as a duty to humanity.
EARLY SETTLEMENT. By H. G. Parker.
The first settlement in Cerro Gordo county was made by Joseph Hewitt and Jarvis Dickirson, who came from Clayton county, in the summer of 1851, for the purpose of hunting, to capture buffalo calves and elk, which were known to exist here in great numbers at that time. They first camped on the southeast shore of Clear Lake, in July, 1851, after experi- encing many hardships and labors in crossing streams, swollen to unusual pro- portions by the rains, which deluged the country that season. Little thinking that this wild place was henceforth to be their home, and eventually the place of their burial, they proceeded to construct such cabins as their immediate wants, and necessities of pioneers demand. To these cabins, as evening approached each day, they brought bountiful supplies of buffalo meat, elk, venison, and other game, as well as fish from the lake to supply their wants. Here, fifty miles distant from any white neighbor, cut off from retreat to the settlements by the high waters and al- most bottomless sloughs they had to cross in their journey, they were compelled to make preparations to pass the winter and endure such hardships as only the first settlers experience, privations unknown to the poorest inhabitants of to-day, too numerous to be mentioned in detail, and, if mentioned, unpleasant to dwell upon.
When the spring of 1852 came, Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Dickirson decided to re- main and permanently locate. Accord- ingly they took claims of timber and prairie belonging to the government lands which
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
had not yet been surveyed. Little farm- ing, however, was done for several years, and the grain for their animals, as well as flour for bread, was brought in wagons for many miles-often from Jones, Dela- ware and Clayton connties, while gro- ceries and clothing came principally from Dubuque, 180 miles distant.
A little after this, either in the fall of 1851, or spring of 1852, Elijah Wiltfong settled on the Shell Rock, at Shell Rock Falls, in the northeastern part of the county, and made a claim to the water power and timber land adjacent.
The next to follow his lead were two brothers, David and Edwin Wright, who located on the banks of Lime creek, abont three miles northwest of the present site of Mason City, in 1852. There they took claims and made some improvements. They, too, were accustomed to pioneer life, and with the rifle supplied many wants which otherwise would have been severely felt. John B. Long and John Biford came from Winnebago Co., Ill., in June, 1853, and made extensive claims on Lime creek, in the vicinity of what is now Mason City. Their claims comprised most of the timber lands, and some of the finest prairie in this vicinity. To the large body of timber on Lime creek near this place, Mr. Long gave the name of Ma- sonic Grove, in honor of the order of Freemasons, of which he was supposed to be a member, and the early settlement of the vicinity, was for several years known as Masonic Grove.
In the summer of 1853, Anson C. Owen located a claim in a fine grove about six miles southeast of Masonic Grove, and the grove immediately took the name of
Owen's Grove. Subsequently a civil town- ship was named in honor of him, and his name from that time to the present, has been as familiar as household words to every old settler. In the summer of 1853, Robert O. Sirrine and James S. Sirrine, settled and took claims on the east shore of Clear Lake, while Michael Callaman located on the south side. That spring the county was surveyed into townships by John T. Everett and a Mr. Anderson, government surveyors.
In the latter part of the same season the county was sub-divided into sections and quarter sections, and the following year a town was laid out on part of the present site of Mason City by John B. Long, George Brentner and Joseph Hewitt, each proprietor and owner of a one-third in- terest, although the land on which it was laid out yet belonged to the Government. The town was christened "Shiboleth." Subsequently Joseph Hewitt sold out his share in the plat.
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