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 87
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 87
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Patrick Flood is an adopted son of America, and is a fine sample of what a man may become and accomplish under the benefits of republican institutions. He was born in county Kildare, Ireland, in 1818, and there reared on a farm. He was a young man when he first set foot on American soil, in New York. His first employment was at gardening, in Orange Co., N. Y., and his first earnings were sent to his native land for the emigration of a brother. Hc stayed a short time in Orange county, and went to Albany, and from there to Yates county. Soon after hesent money home for the purpose of bringing out two sisters and another brother. He labored as a farmer in Yates county about fifteen years, then locating in Ogle Co., Ill., where he purchased property in Polo. He worked as a mason's assistant a short time, bought a team, rented land and employed himself in farming. In 1868 he exchanged his property in Polo for land on section 10, in Falls township, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, and in 1870 moved here with his family. He drew lumber from Nora Springs to build his house, and applied his energies to improving his farm. In February, 1883, he rented his place and .
Richard Morris.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Astor, Lenox and Tildan Foundations.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
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and moved to Plymonth, where he owns the finest residence in the village. His family consists of his wife, (formerly Katie Nolan, of Carlow Co., Ireland), and three children-Harriet E., Katie A. and Lulie J. Helen M., the oldest child, died when twenty-three months old. Mary A., Ellen, Thomas M. and Annie died in infancy.
Nelson L. Page, grain buyer, was born Feb. 12, 1849, in Windsor Co., Vt. While he was yet in childhood, his parents went to Wisconsin and located in Dane county, where he spent his youth in school and assisting on the farm. On attaining his majority he came to Mona, Iowa, and ope- rated in wheat about six months. He then came to Plymouth, and, conjointly, with his brother, L A. Page, continued to buy wheat. In 1876 he rented Ehler's flour mill, which he managed six years, after which time he resumed his previous vocation, and still retains it, being the sole operator in grain at Plymouth. May 12, 1880, he was united in marriage to Nellie Brimson, of Norwalk, Ohio. Mary is the name of their only child.
R M. Todd, mill owner at Rock, Falls is a native of "Auld Scotia," and was born at Perthshire, July 18, 1836. He was sent to the school in his parish until he had acquired a good degree of educa- tion, and in 1852 came to America. Two years later he went to California, where he engaged in mining. In 1858, in com- pany with several others, he made the first exploration up the Frazer river in the Golden State. In 1863 he left California, returned east and settled at Milwaukee, interesting himself in commission busi- ness. He was married in 1865 to Salene Elmore, and three years later went to
Minnesota, where he bought a farm in Freeborn county, near Glenville. In 1871. he came to Rock Falls and purchased an interest in the flouring mill, of which he is now sole owner. His fine residence is situated on the south bank of Shell Rock river. Mr. Todd has a family of three children-Charlotte, Helen and Blanche. L. Cole, station agent, was born in Athens, Somerset Co., Maine, March 1, 1847. He worked on the farm summers and attended school winters until seven- teen years of age, when he went to Massa- chusetts, and located at Neponset village, where he was employed to drive a milk wagon to Boston. In the fall he returned home, and went to school that winter; and the next summer worked at farming. In the fall he went to the Penobscot river, where he was employed in a mill to saw shingles. He worked there one year, then started west. He stopped a short time at Oshkosh, then went up the Little Wolf river, and worked in a shingle mill until fall, when he returned home and attended school that winter. In the spring of 1868 he returned to Oshkosh, Wis., where he entered the commercial college. He graduated in the fall, and engaged with Fletcher & Everett to keep books. He was with them until March, then engaged as clerk on a steamboat running on the Fox river. He then made the acquaintance of L. R. Root, superin- tendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, who gave him em- ployment in the depot at Berlin. He was employed in several places in this State until December, 1871, when he was appointed station agent at Plymouth, a position which he still retains. He
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was married the 24th of April, 1872, to Clara Stevens. They have been blessed with five children-Bertie, Levi, Eben, Claudie and Clifton D.
Patrick O'Neil is a native of Ireland. He was born in 1822, and reared on a farm in that country, making his home there till 1841, when he came to America. He landed in New York and went to Monroe county, where his brother was living. He was there employed in farming until 1844, when he started west, going directly to Milwaukee, which was then but a village. He worked at mason work there a while, but soon purchased tim- ber land on that section, built a cabin home and improved some of the land. After a short stay there he sold out and moved to Washington county, where he was among the first settlers. He pur- chased 120 acres of timber land of the government, built a hewed log house, a good sized barn, and cleared 100 acres of his land. He remained there until 1871, when he sold and moved to Iowa, loca- ting in Cerro Gordo county. Here he bought wild land on section 30, Falls township, erected a frame house, in which he was living in 1883. He was married in 1844 to Mary Hickey, by which union there were nine children-Mark, Catha- rine, Mary, Maggie, Patrick, Bridget, James, John and Henry.
Patrick O'Connell was one of the set- tlers of 1871. He was born in Ireland, at the city of Dublin, in 1821. There he received a liberal education in the schools of his native city. At the age of eighteen he left his native land for America, land- ing at New York city, where he found employment with a plumber for six months,
when he engaged in the North River foun- dry. Four years later he went to Penn- sylvania and settled in Washington county and engaged in farming for ten years. In 1851 he removed to Wisconsin and located in Washington county. He bought tim- ber land of the Government and erected him a log house, cleared his farm up from a dense forest and lived there until 1871, when he sold out and came to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, settling on section 30, of Falls township. He was married in 1842 to Bridget Bergan, by whom he has had seven children-Thomas, Mary, John, An- nie, Aleshia, Daniel and Catharine.
J. E. Cole is a native of Broome Co., N. Y., born July 14, 1838. When he was ten years old his parents settled in Dane Co., Wis., where they were pioneers. In 1856 with his parents he removed to Iowa Co., Wis, where they again engaged in farming. He was married Dec. 5, 1861, to Sarah J. Sanguin a native of Pennsyl- vania. In 1854, conjointly with his broth- er-in-law, G. G. Hickok, he purchased a livery stable and stage route at Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., which business he man- aged two years then resumed farming in Iowa county. In 1870 he went to Grand Tower, Ill., where he was in charge of the stables belonging to the Grand Tower Mining, Manufacturing and Transporta- tion Company. IIe returned to Wiscon- sin in 1871. In the spring of 1872 he lo- cated on a farm in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. Ile bought land on section 36, Falls town- ship, which he has put under a high state of improvement. He built the commo- dious frame house where he now lives in 1882. Eight children grace the home and gladden the parents hearts. Their names
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
are-Wilbert E., Ida E., Charles G., Perry O., Franklin J., Edith E., Eher J. and Gracie Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the Free Methodist Church.
Levi Helm, assessor of Falls township, was born March 13, 1848, in Fayette township, LaFayette Co., Wis., and ob- tained his education in the district schools of his native town. His father was a farm- er and the son was instructed in that vo- cation, and in later years of his minority he traveled with a thresher. At the age of twenty he determined upon the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked eighteen months. In 1872 he came to Iowa and located in Falls township. He rented land on section 15 the first year, and, the year ensning, leased a considera- ble tract on sections 20 and 21, during which time he made a purchase of land on section 1, and made a beginning of improving it. In 1874 he raised and har- vested his pioneer crop. The next year he built a house which he occupied until February, 1882, when he removed to the Lewis place on section 16, having been appointed administrator of that estate. In addition to the management of a farm, Mr. Helm has worked at his trade to some extent. He was married Dec. 5, 1871, to Ora I .. Mosher, of Green Co., Wis., by whom he has four children-Jessie, Charles L., S. Bernice and Roswold X.
Fred Ehlers, miller, settled in Plymouth and established himself in his present business in 1874. He is associated with his brother. They built their mill and continue sole proprietors. Mr. Ehlers was born in Milwaukee Co., Wis., April 28, 1843, and passed his younger days on his father's farm, attending the common
schools. When seventeen he entered a flouring mill at Maysville, Jackson coun- ty, to learn the trade, where he remained one and a half years, going thence to Hamilton. He worked there two years and went to Trueville. His next move was to Milwaukee, to attend Bryant and Stratton's Commercial College. On ler v- ing school he went to Chicago and found employment as elerk in a wholesale flour store and afterward in a wholesale gro- cery. After spending a year in Chicago, he went to Grafton, Wis., and was occu- pied there in a mill one and a half years, going then to Benton Co., Iowa, where he bought a flour mill of Jacob Sams, at Shellsburg, which he operated until com- ing to Plymouth. Mr. Ehlers was mar- ried in 1867 to Miss M. K. Knapp, of New York. Harry, Freddie, Minnie, George, Daisy and Arthur are the names of their children.
William II. Moore resides in the vil- lage of Rock Falls, where he removed in the spring of 1883. He was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Nov. 28, 1820. His parents removed soon after his birth to Ontario county, and four years after went to Yates county. When he was thirteen years old, they settled in Washtenaw Co., Mich , where they were pioneers of York township. At the age of' twenty-one Mr. Moore returned to the Empire State, where he remained some time occupied in farm- ing in Ontario and Allegany counties. He was married in Allegany county, Oet. 24, 1847, to Hannah A. Potter. In 1865 he went to Barry Co., Mich., where he bought land in the oak openings. He im- proved his farm and built a house and occupied the same place until 1860, when
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
he sold and went to Minnesota, taking up his residence in Freeborn county, where he bought government land in the town- ship of Freeman. He built a home and made other improvements, remaining there until 1876, when he again disposed of his land by sale and removed to Cerro Gordo county, buying 240 acres of land on sections 26, 34 and 35, which he occu- pied until his retiring, when he rented this property. His wife died in 1855 leaving a son Edwin G. He was again married in July, 1858, to Euphemia A. Pickle. From the second marriage there are three children-Everett S., Mary Luella and Addie.
Capt. Samuel R. Apker is a native of Lycoming Co., Penn., born July 7, 1834. Early in life he went to South Carolina, where he resided a few years with an uncle. He then went to Baraboo, Wis., and after a three years' engagement in a saw mill, he entered into mercantile busi- ness. In December, 1861, he enlisted in company H, 17th Wisconsin Volunteers. He was mustered into service as first lieu- tenant and a few months later was pro- moted to the rank of captain. In July, 1863, he veteranized and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 14, 1865. He par- ticipated in a number of battles, among them being that at Corinth, Atlanta and the siege of Vicksburg. He marched to the sea with Sherman and was under fire in the numerous frays of that notable campaign. During his period of service he led his command in twenty one gen- eral engagements. Following is a reprint from a Madison paper:
"The members of company H, 17th Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, presented
Capt. S. R. Apker with a beautiful gold watch and chain as a token of their love and esteem for him as an officer and a gen- tleman."
On receiving his discharge Capt. Apker returned to Madison, and after a month's stay came to Iowa. He opened a hotel at Conover, Winnesheik county, where he did business two years. He was burned out and came to Cerro Gordo county. After a brief stay at Clear Lake and Mason City, he went to Nora Springs and managed a billiard hall four years. In 1874 he en- gaged in mercantile business in Plymouth in which he has since continned. He was married in 1866 to Rosa Valley. Ralph and Maud L. are the names of their two children.
Peter Wallraff, harness maker at Ply- mouth, opened his shop in 1877. He com- menced to learn the harness making trade when but three years of age at Cross Plains, Wis., where he served two years, then went to Milwaukee and worked one year, then went to Black Earth. His health being poor, he was obliged to leave the shop, and do out door work. In 1871 he went to Kansas, where he engaged in farming, at Minneapolis, in that State, one year, then returned to Wisconsin. In 1873 he went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he found employment on the railroad. He remained there one year and returned to Wisconsin. He was married the 24th of July, 1875, to Louisa Strums, and set- tled at West Mitchell, Iowa, where he worked at his trade until 1877. He came from there to Plymouth. Mr. Wallraff is a native of Germany, born on the banks of the river Rhine. March 25, 1851. He was but three years of age when his parents
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
came to America, and settled in Dane Co., Wis., where he was reared and edu- cated. He is one of the tallest men in the county, measuring six feet and four and one half inches. Mr. and Mrs. Wallraff are the parents of two children-Harry and Oscar.
Daniel W. Walker, a teacher of the public schools of Falls township in 1883, is a native of Iowa, born in Louisa county, May 28, 1853. Ilis early education was received in the district school and ad- vanced by four years' schooling at Grand View Academy, from which he graduated in 1873. He completed his education at Iowa College in 1880. In the meantime he had been teaching school, commencing when he was sixteen years of age. He was at one time principal of a school in Muscatine county for four years. In 1880 he went to Union, where he was engaged as principal of the schools. Two years later he was appointed postmaster there, the same year purchasing a newspaper, the Union Stur. In September of the same year he sold his paper and resigned his position as postmaster and at once came to Rock Falls, where he was engaged as principal of the schools. In 1876 he mar- ried Amanda Jones, of Muscatine county. They have three children-Arthur, Albert and an infant. His father, John P. Walker, is a Scotchman. He came to this country when but ten years of age and settled in Illinois. In 1836 he came to Iowa, settling in Louisa county, being a pioneer settler there. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Rachel A. Dickey, was a native of Ohio. She died in 1880. Her husband was still living in 1883.
ORGANIC.
Falls township was organized in De- cember, 1856. The first election was held in April, 1857, at the house of John F. Ford, on section 2 of what is now Portland township. At this election there were thirty-four votes cast for the following of- ficers: Thomas Tenney, John M. Hunt, Horace Gregory and A. J.Glover, trustees; Frederick Pattee, assessor; L. S. Eager, clerk; George L. Bunce and Charles W. Tenney, justices of the peace; John Brown and Robert Campbell, constables. In 1882 the officers were: John Claus, William C. Graves and Henry Calvert, trustees; Fred Ehlers, clerk; B. Kenyon and S. D. Gregory, constables; Levi Helm, assessor; G. H. Waller, Joshua McAllister and A. W. Hadwick, justices of the peace.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first birth in Falls township was a daughter of Robert and Amanda (Baker) Campbell, which occurred July 28, 1856. She was named Delphina, and is now the wife of Albert Week, and is the mother of one child.
The first marriage in this township was that of George Frederick and Miss Arvilla, daughter of Robert and Amanda Camp- bell, the ceremonies taking place in their cabin Nov. 19, 1855. Rev. Thomas Ten- ney married the couple. It will be seen that Mr. and Mrs.Campbell had the honor of being the parents of the first child, and also of giving the first bride in the town- ship.
The first death in the township was that of Thomas Corkerton, who had set- tled on section 10. He had been married but a few months, and his wife was on a visit in Illinois from whence he had come.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
He was stricken with fever, while board- ing at Elijah Wiltfongs, and after a short illness died. He was buried on his own land-the west half of the southwest quarter of section 10. His remains were afterward removed to Plymouth cemetery. His death occurred some time in October, 1855.
AN INCIDENT OF HARDSHIP.
In 1855 a man named Ralph, and his family, came to Towa and took a claim in Worth county, near the line of Cerro Gordo county. They lost their claim and moved to Bristol; and in December of the same year, he and his wife went to Nora Springs with two yoke of oxen and a sled, for provisions. On their return they spent one day and two nights at the house of James Wright, on section 5, Fall town- .ship. The morning they left Mr. Wright's for home was pleasant, but soon began to blow and turned extremely cold. That night one pair of their oxen returned to Wright's, and they, supposing a calamity had overtaken them, went in search. The following day William Redington and Charles Johnson started out, and after several hours found the body of the man on the sled, about nine miles from Ply- mouth. His wife's shawl was closely wrap- ped about his body. Her body was found three miles further on. It appeared that she had turned the cattle loose and started ahead on foot for help, having left her shoes on the sled, which can never be fully accounted for. She walked three miles in her stocking feet. The two bodies were brought back to Falls township and bur- ied, in one coffin, on the northwest quar- . ter of section 21. They left five children, who were soon taken east to friends.
In 1862, soon after the Indian outbreak at New Ulm, Minn., the news reached Falls township, and caused quite an ex- citement. J. M. Hunt, Elijah Wiltfong, Joseph Perrett, C. W. Tenney and three others started on horseback for the scene of action. They went as far as Mankato, and there learned that the troops had arrived, and the Indians were being stead- ily driven back, so they returned by For est City, Clear Lake and Mason City, and informed the settlers there of the situa tion and quieted their fears.
Thomas Tenney started the first sorghum mill in the town. It was a wooden roller mill; the pan was of wood lined with sheet iron. Later this mill was replaced by an iron roller mill, and a cast iron ro- tary evaporator. About 2,000 gallons of syrup were annually made in this mill some years. George Daney and J. G. Ball each have a mill at the present time.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church held their first services in the stone school house in 1865. Rev. Z. R. Ward organized a society that fall with but a small mem- bership, among whom were: Eli Holden and wife, Dr. Charles Graves and wife, Mr. Nicolas, and Daniel Sabin and wife. They continued to worship in the school house until 1875, when they moved to New Plymouth, and there worshiped in the new school house. In 1880 the society built a church. It is a neat frame build- ing, costing about $2,000.
The Free Methodist, held their first meeting at the school house in district No. 3. Thomas La Due, their first preacher, came in 1871. He organized a society with about twenty members, including
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Jacob Armstrong and wife, Miss Isabella Johnson, John Claus and wife, Henry Pryor and wife. Meetings were after- wards held in private houses. In 1874 a chapel was built on the northwest quarter of section 10. Henry Pryor donated one acre of land on which to erect the build- ing. The following have preached here since La Due: J. C. Norton, G. C. Coffee, C. A. Cusick, J. S Bradley, C. M. Damon, J. B. Newvill and H. D. F. Goffin. Their chapel was blown down June 19, 1882, and since then the society has worshiped at Plymouth.
A Sabbath school was organized at the school house, on section 3, in connection with the society. Lawrence McLeo was the first superintendent. It was after- wards united with the school at Plymouth.
In 1872 Rev. Thomas La Due organized a class of fourteen members at the school house, on section 36, and among the num- ber were: Benjamin Reed and wife, Mrs. George Teele and her two daughters, Wil- liam Johnson and wife, Benjamin Frost and wife, J. E. Cole and wife and Mrs. Charles Farrington. Benjamin Reed was the leader of this class. In 1882 Rev. E. D. Skinner, missionary agent for the Sun- day School Union, organized a class here, and J. E. Cole was chosen superintendent. This class numbered twenty members.
The German Baptists of this township held their first meeting at the school house, on section 36, in 1873. Rev. John Crone was the first preacher. He organized a society here of abont fifteen members, some of which were from Floyd county. The following were from Falls township: Henry Gildner and wife, Conrad Gildner, Henry Gildner, Jr. Conrad Gildner was
the first deacon. Rev. Mr. Crone was succeeded by H. Shroder, and he by Wil- liam Fosching, who was the pastor in 1883, at which time there were fourteen mem- bers. This church had a branch in Floyd county of nine members.
The German Methodists organized a class at the school house in the northeast part of Portland township. Rev. R. Fig- enbaum was the first pastor, who served in 1870. This class met for worship in the stone school house at Rock Falls. Christian L. Berlin and Conrad Krug were class leaders. They continued to worship in this building until 1875, when they changed to Nora Springs, where they now worship. Rev. William Kopp is the pres- ent preacher. In 1882 they met for wor- ship at the Plymouth school house and also at Valentine Clans' house.
The first Catholic services in Plymouth were held in a private house. The Cath- olics at that time were mostly Bohemians, and two men of that nationality, named Albert Coben and Frank Yarick under- took the building of a church in 1878; but they did not succeed in obtaining funds sufficient to complete the building, and some of the Irish of that denomination assumed the debt. Father Michael Caro- lan was their priest in 1883.
SCHIOOLS.
The first school in Plymouth independ- ent district was taught by Miss Harriet Tenney, who is now the wife of Rev. Henry Craig, of Massachusets. This school was held in a log cabin belonging to Rev. Thomas Tenney and dates back to the winter of 1856-7. The first school house built was on the plat, in 1858. It was C. W. Tenney was the
made of grout.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
first teacher. This building was at first furnished with slab benches. In 1867 this building was torn down and a stone structure erected in its place. This was used until 1876. The present building is located in the village and was built in 1875 at a cost of $1,500. This is a two story frame building, and the school is a graded school of two departments. James Bryden was the first principal. Tom B. Miller was principal in 1883, with Miss L. B. Gardner as his assistant. There are 135 scholars in the district with an aver- age attendance of ninety-five.
The first school house erected in Rock Falls was built in the fall of 1855, and was made from slabs. The first term of school taught was by Julia Hunt. The second building was that erected in 1859,which was 20x26 feet. Emma Adams taught the first school here. This building served for school purposes until 1867, when it was found to be too small for the accom- modation of the scholars, and it was sold and a store was afterwards kept in it. A stone structure took the place of this. Commodore Farington was the first to teach in this building. In 1877 this house was condemned as unsafe and torn down, and three terms of school were taught in a store building The present building was completed in 1878. It is a frame house, 28x42 feet, two stories high, with four rooms. This building and furniture cost $3,000, and is one of the finest school houses in Cerro Gordo county, and is a great credit to the people of Falls town- ship. In this building is a graded school of two departments. Duncan Rule, after- ward county clerk, taught the first term of school in this building. Myra Kling and
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