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 88
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 88
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Ella Hoyt were his assistants. Lizzie Perrett is the present principal and Lib- bie Brown her assistant. There are at present fifty-six scholars enrolled; average attendance, forty-six. This is a large sub- district, and a school has been held the past year at a private house in the west- ern part of the district. The first school was taught in Wm. Peckam's house, in 1878, by Hattie Perrett. A new school house will soon be necessary.
The first school in No. 3 district was taught by Truman Judson, in 1856, at Ed- ward Beckwiths house on section 36 This was paid for by private subscriptions. Com- modore Farington taught school in a dwelling house on the southwest quarter of section 36, in 1867. The first school' house built in the district was erected in 1869; it is a frame house on section 36. Helen Carpenter was the first teacher.
The first school district No. 4 was taught in John Claus granary, in the summer of 1866, the teacher being Ann A. Redington, who is now the wife of T. S. Hill. That same summer a school house was built on the southwest quarter of section 3, in which house Belle Rule was the first teacher. This building served until 1881, when it was torn away and the present building erected. In this new building Bell Lewis taught the first school. In June, 1882, this house was damaged by a cyclone, but was soon repaired.
The first school building in district No. 5 was erected in 1874, and was located on section 34. Ida Dogan was the first teacher. Kate Hemtzleman taught in 1883.
The first building in district No. 6 was erected in 1876, located on section 24.
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 833
Lizzie Perrett taught the first school, and D. W. Walker is the present teacher.
The first school house was built in district No. 7, in 1874, located on the southeast quarter of section 30. Mary Maher was the first teacher.
The first school house in distriet No.8 was built in 1876; but prior to this time, school was held in a house belonging to Isaac Lewis, for one year, which was taught by Lena L. Gardner. The first teacher in the. new school house, erected in 1876, was taught by Ainnie Teele. This building is a frame house located on section 1. Religious services have been held here by the different denominations, and preach- ing by Revs. Nels Jeffers and Long, Baptists, and Revs. Bradley and Newvill, Free Methodists.
PLYMOUTHI VILLAGE.
The village of Plymouth was surveyed and platted by Stephen Henderson, in 1858, on land owned by Rev. Thomas Tenney and his son Charles W. John Morgan and Levi Shepard also had an interest in this plat. There was a log honse standing on the plat at the time, which has since been removed to Worth county. This plat was situated on the east quarter of the northeast quarter of section 7, and a few lots on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 8. Levi Shepard erected the first build- ing that year and opened a general store. He remained, however, but a short time, and upon his leaving, the village had no store. A postoffice was established at Plymouth in 1859. Martin Redington was appointed postmaster with the office in his house. This was on the mail route from Charles City to Mason City, and
from Rock Falls to Albert Lea, Minn. Martin Redington kept the first hotel, which he opened in 1859. It was in a building constructed partly of logs, the remainder being a hard wood frame, 26x- 42 feet. This was called the Plymouth House. It was run as a hotel about seven years. Mr. Redington also started the first blacksmith shop in town, in 1860. The original town of Plymouth went down, and in 1870 a new town was surveyed by O. H. Bogardus, surveyor of the C. M. & St. Paul Railroad, on land owned by Rev. Thomas Tenney and son, and Charles Gracie. It is situated on the west half of the southwest quarter of section 5, and a few lots on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 6. This plat was re- corded the 23d of December, 1870. The town, in 1883, contained about 300 inhabi- tants, with three stores, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, two hotels, one drug store, a flonring mill, one elevator, one school building, three churches, two saloons, wagon shop and cabinet manu- factory, meat market and shoe shop. The first building was erected by George Warde, the upper part of which he used for a dwelling, the lower part he rented to J. C. Cotey, who put in a stock of general merchandise and drugs. He was still in the business in another building in the town in 1883. This pioneer merchant has indeed achieved success, as he now owns a fine store with one of the largest stocks in Cerro Gordo county. The first build- ing in the place still remains; it was pur- chased in 1882 by Benjamin Kenyon, who remodeled it and opened a hotel, which ' bears the name of Plymouth Honse. The first hotel in the town, however, was
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
opened by R. A. Warham, in December, 1870.
Dr. G. H. Waller opened a drug store in 1875, and sold the same in 1877. This store is now owned by Murray Bros.
The first blacksmith was Martin Red- ington, who opened a shop, in 1870, and sold out, in 1883, and moved to Rock Falls.
Truman S. Hill started the first wagon shop, in the fall of 1870. In 1878 he formed a partnership with T. A. Barnes, and engaged in the manufacture of furni- ture as well as wagons. They are also contractors and builders.
The first warehouse was built in 1870, by L. A. Page, who commenced buying grain that fall. In 1871 he sold to Bas- sett, Hunting & Co., who, in 1876, bought the warehouse built by C. W. Tenney, in 1870. In 1878 they erected an elevator with a capacity of 10,000 bushels, which, with their warehouse room, gives a storage of upwards of 30,000 bushels of grain. This elevator is run by a fifteen-horse power engine. The company is represented by N. L. Page.
In 1874 George Daney started a sor- ghum mill, which accommodates the sur- rounding country.
PLYMOUTH MILLS.
The building of this mill was com- menced, in 1874, and completed, in 1875, by Fred Ehlers. The building is 36x50 feet, three stories high, and contains three run of stone. In 1883 the mill was remodeled, and the buhrs, with the excep- tion of one run, removed and six set of rollers provided, together with all the im- proved machinery for making patent flour, The mill is run by water supplied from the Shell Rock river, through a race 100
feet long. There is a constant supply of water, except in extreme cold winter weather. This is a custom as well as mer- chant mill, and is a great accommodation to the people in this vicinity.
RAILROADS
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was completed to this point in the fall of 1870, and a station house built. R. G. Carter was the first agent, who re- mained but a short, and was succeeded by A. M. Webster, who in time was suc- ceeded by L. C. Cole.
POSTOFFICE.
The postoffice was moved from the old town in 1871, at which date R. A. War- ham was the postmaster.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
The Plymouth Cemetery Association was organized in May, 1880. The trustees were : J. N. Malsbury, L. A. Page and Joseph M. Pennell. President, C. W. Tenney ; secretary, Dr. G. H. Waller ; treasurer, R A. Warham. The cemetery was platted in 1880, and was located on the northeast quarter of section 6. The association purchased five acres of land for which it paid $250. The lots were sold from three to ten dollars each. The first buried on this ground were brought from other places.
A TRAGIC DEATII.
In the month of February, 1877, a heart- rending and fatal accident occurred at Page's mill, at Plymouth. Mrs. N. L. Page went into her husband's mill about dark, either for company to her husband, or on some errand. Together they started across the second story floor, he with a lamp in his hand, and she prattling as young and buoyant people will. Near
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
their path was a perpendicular shaft, which was at the time making a hundred revolutions a minute. As she stepped over it her skirts were caught by the instrument of death. At the very instant she screamed for help, he grabbed her about the waist, but together they fell to the floor, he stunned and she wonnd around the fatal shafting. In the fall the lamp was extin- guished, and darkness covered the terrible death scene. Mr. Page ran down stairs and shut off the water power; but all took time. When the mill was stopped Mrs. Page was still in death. Each time the shaft carried her over she was brought with violence against the floor, bruising her body in a shocking manner. Mrs. Page was a daughter of C. E. Crane. She was married but a few months previous. She was buried in the Mason City cemetery.
ROCK FALLS.
This village was laid out and platted by Elijah Wiltfong, in 1855. It is located on the northeast quarter of section 21. Soon after platting, he sold to A. J. Glover, who, in 1855, erected a saw mill. He also kept a small stock of merchandise. L. S. Eager opened the first general store, in 1856, and continued in business here un- til 1876, when he moved to Mason City. The postoffice was established in 1855, and was on the route from Charles City to Mason City. A. J. Glover was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by L. S. Eager and he by T. W. Lane, in 1870. Af- ter this, L. D. Cadwell, who was succeeded by the present postmaster, B. A. Brown, who has the office at his store. When first established, this postoffice was called Shell Rock Falls, but when the railroad was built through, the station was named
Rock Falls, and the new postoffice called the same on account of a Shell Rock on the B., C. R. & N. Railroad. David John- son kept the first public house, which was opened, in the fall of 1855, by a dance. He run this hotel a few months and returned to his former home in Delaware county.
Jesse Clauson was the first blacksmith in the village; he came in 1855 from Michigan, stopped but a few months when he returned to that State. Frederick Drew opened the next shop in 1856. He was there three or four years and then went to Nora Springs, where he still resides. This branch of business is now represented by Martin Redington, who was the pioneer blacksmith of Plymouth.
WATER POWER.
Here is one of the best water powers in Iowa. By nature there was a perpendic- ular fall of four feet over a ledge of solid rock; but since an improvement has been made by a dam, they now obtain a twenty foot head, which gives almost an unlim- ited water power. As before stated, Mr. Glover built a saw mill here in 1855. His first dam was built of logs interlocked with whole trees laid with their tops up stream, and the whole covered with dirt and stones. The following spring this dam went out and another one was put in and one run of buhrs placed in the mill by which corn and chopped feed were ground. The sec- ond dam was washed out the next spring, and Mr. Glover, after meeting with these repeated misfortunes, sold out to Elijah Wiltfong, who built a crib dam, which was filled with stone; the mill was also raised one story higher at the time. The last dam, which all supposed secure, was swept down the stream the following spring, and
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
this time the mill itself, as if by a peculiar instinct, followed the current which had carried away so many of its dams. Mr. Wiltfong then sold the mill site, which, after changing hands two or three times, fell into the hands of C. W. Tenney. Al- phonzo Brown bought the right of flowage on the right bank of the river, from Mr. Wiltfong, and on the left side, from Mr. Tenney, who gave him the mill site. Mr. Brown constructed another dam and built another mill farther up the stream. In 1868 George S. Heaton bought the prop- erty and the next year commenced build- ing the present mill. In 1871 he sold his interest to R. M. Todd. In 1873 the mill was completed. Itis a stone building 40x60 feet, four stories in height. The stone from which it is built, was quarried where the mill stands. The rock from which the lime was burned, came from the same locality. This mill was at first fur- nished with seven run of buhrs, and the necessary machinery. In 1876 Heaton sold his interest to Mr. Todd. In 1880 and 1881, the buhrs were taken out and rollers substituted. It is now furnished with ten double set of rollers and one single set, and two run of buhrs and all other neces- sary machinery for making first class flour. It now has a capacity for making 200 bar- rels of flour per day. In 1882 a frame addition was made to the main building, 22×60 feet, which was furnished with three run of stone, for feed, with a capac- ity of three car loads of feed per day. This is one of the best equipped, as well as one of the largest mills in Iowa.
CREAMERY.
Rock Falls creamery was started in 1882 by Carney & Co. This business was con-
tinued by them during the summer of 1882, but failing in the fall, the property was sold at sheriff's sale. B. A. Brown pur- chased it and operated the same in 1883 Most of the cream is gathered from Falls, Portland and Lime Creek townships, some coming from Worth county. In 1883 they produced 1200 pounds of butter per week, which sold for the highest price of Iowa butter in eastern markets.
R. M. Todd built an elevator in 1878, with a capacity of 25,000 bushels. This is located 400 feet from the mill on the opposite side of the stream. The power is derived from the mill power, being con- nected by a wire cable.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, was completed to Shell Rock Falls in 1872, and a depot built. A. W. Weller was the first agent. He re- mained but three years and returned to Cedar Rapids, his former home, and is now in the employ of Stewart & Douglass. W. H. Cook succeeded him as station agent.
INCORPORATION.
The town of Shell Rock Falls was in- corporated August, 1882. The first elec- tion was held at the school house, the 8th of that month, at which time the follow- ing officers were elected to serve until the March following: Mayor, R. M. Todd; councilmen, W. C. Owens, R. Kinney, W. C. Baker, B. A. Brown, L. Sumner and John Bliem; recorder, A. W. Hadwick.
The officers elected in March, 1883, for that year, were: Mayor, R. M. Todd; councilmen, W. C. Baker and G. A .. Ray- mond; assessor, A. W. Raymond; record- er, A. W. Hadwick.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS.
The first Church organization in the town was the Congregational, which was perfected in 1856, by Rev. Thomas Ten- ney, at Rock Falls. Benjamin Reed and David Butts were the first deacons. The society flourished for some years. Rev. James Mason from Mason City preached here for some years, also Revs. Dykeman and Brooks.
A union Sunday school was organized in an early day at Rock Falls, with David Butts as superintendent. This school, which is still in a flourishing condition, is superintended by George Daney and meets at the M. E. church at Plymouth.
At the time of the building of the Con- gregational church the ladies formed an aid society and raised money enough to furnish the church.
The Congregational church was built in 1867. Hon. N. W. Cutter, member of Congress from Constitution, Ohio, gener- ously donated a quarter section of land to aid in its construction. B. A. Brown re- ceived the land in part payment for laying the foundation. It is a stone structure, very finely arranged within. The several religious denominations donated quite lib- erally towards the building, and use it from time to time for special meetings.
The Methodist Episcopals held their first services in the school house, about 1865. Elder Ward, from Mason City, was the first preacher. He organized a society of a dozen members, including A. Beyrs and wife, with some of their children, Joseph Cox and wife, George Morse and
wife, and Thomas Whaley and wife. Meetings were held in the school house until the Congregational church was built, which they then occupied. Elders Ward, Cooley, Leslie, Bennett, Garrison, Littler, Leonard and Cameron have served this charge since its organization.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
A union Sunday school was organized at the church in February, 1882, by Rev. D. E. Skinner, of the American Sunday School Union. A. W. Hadwick was chosen their superintendent. They had a membership of sixty scholars in 1883.
CEMETERY.
The cemetery at Shell Rock Falls was laid out in 1865. One acre of land was purchased from David Butts and one half acre donated by C. W. Tenney. The grounds are beautifully situated on the brow of the hill just north of the village. David Butts was the first person to be buried there.
LADIES UNION AID SOCIETY.
This organization dates from the sum- mer of 1882, and contains about twenty members, among whom are the following officers : President, Mrs. George Roebuck; vice-president, Mrs. Smith ; secretary, Mrs. Jennie Burke; treasurer, Mrs. D. E. Skinner. The society holds semi- monthly meetings at the school house, to which the gentlemen are invited with the understanding that they drop a small con- tribution into the treasurer's hands ; and in this manner quite a sum of money was raised, which went toward furnishing the church.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXV.
GENESEO TOWNSHIP.
Geneseo comprises congressional town- ship 94, range 20 west, and is bounded by Bath on the north, by Dougherty on the east, by Franklin county on the south and Pleasant Valley township on the west. Beaver Dam creek enters the township on section 3, but immediately leaves again, re-entering at the northeast corner of section 4, taking a southern course and uniting with the West Fork of the Red Cedar river, on the southern part of sec- tion 21, which takes a southeasterly course, leaving the township on the south- east quarter of section 35. The surface of the township is gently undulating, and is well watered by springs and streams. The soil is a rich prairie loam. Near the streams the lime rock is usually from eight to twelve feet from the surface, and in some localities much nearer. Back from the streams at a distance of about one mile exists a clay sub-soil.
Until 1880, wheat was the leading cereal raised; since that time corn and oats have been the principal grains produced. But little wheat is now raised, while much attention is paid to stock raising and dairying.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Jarvis J. Rogers was the first settler of the township. He settled on section 3,
May 2, 1855, where he made claim to 160 acres of land, but when the land came into market it was purchased by other parties, of whom Mr. Rogers purchased. He and his family occupied this tract for nine and one half years and sold to George B. Rockwell. Mr. Rogers built a log house on the land, near where the residence of Mr. Rockwell afterward stood. This was the first house built in what was afterward Geneseo township, the ruins of which still were to be seen in 1883. In 1864 Mr. Rogers bought the farm of Mrs. George Fuller, where he resided at the time of his death. Jarvis J. Rogers was born on Long Island in 1812, where he lived till he was twenty years of age when be removed with his parents to Erie Co., N. Y. Here he was married to Nancy Green, born on Long Island, but afterwards removed with her parents to Erie county. Mr. Rogers was brought up on a farm and followed farm- ing during his life. He was one of the well known farmers of this county. He died Sept. 1, 1871. His widow resides on section 10, on the farm her husband pur- chased after he sold his original home- stead to Mr. Rockwell. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers had eight children, three of whom are living-Anna, Francis, of Mason City, and Mary E. The homestead farm where
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Mrs. Rogers and her daughter, Anna, resides, contains about 300 acres of land.
Lyman Hunt settled on section 27, in May, 1858. He was a native of Massa- chusetts, but came here with his family from Illinois. He died Feb. 11, 1876. His widow, afterward Mrs. Daniel Losee, still lives on section 27. She has several children, one of whom lives in this town- ship on section 27. Her daughter, Mary E. was the first white child born in the township.
George Alonzo Fuller settled on section 10 in 1860, and soon after went into the army, where he died in 1864, after which his family removed to New York.
Francis Walter settled on section 10, in the spring of 1861, and was still resid- ing there in 1883.
Nelson J. Grummon located the same year on section 8, and afterward owned an adjoining farm on the same section.
In 1859 John Whitesell settled on see tion 9, but later moved to Franklin coun- ty, went into the army, since which but little is known of him.
George E. Lyman came to his present home on section 36, in February, 1860. He was born in Susquehanna Co., Penn., Sept. 18, 1828. His parents removed to Wyoming county, where he married Sarah E. Kentner, a native of Monroe Co., Penn., born Oct. 9, 1834, and who had removed with her parents to Wyo_ ming county, when an infant. After his marriage he removed to Lee Co., III., from thence to Iowa in 1860. He bought 680 acres, now having but 375 under an excellent state of cultivation. During the war he enlisted Dec. 15, 1863, in the 4th regiment, Iowa Cavalry, and served
until its close, participating in the battles of Guntown, capture of Selma, Ala., Columbus and Macon, Georgia, and numerous campaigns. They are the par- ents of seven children, five of whom are now living-Lucretia M. wife of George H. Felthous, born Dec. 10, 1851; Myron W. born April 3, 1853, died July 28, 1857; an infant daughter born Dec. 23, 1854; died Feb. 1, 1855; Mary E. wife of C. W. Harris, born July 6, 1856; Eddie W. born July 10, 1860; Elma L. born April 15, 1862; and Lena L. born Dec. 10, 1863.
Rev. Loomis Benjamin was one of the pioneer preachers of Cerro Gordo county. He came to Franklin Co., Iowa, in the spring of 1860, and preached both in Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, and probably preached the first sermon in Geneseo township. He was well known and held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was born in the state of New York, in 1801. İle began the ministry in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church when twenty-five years of age, and continued in the ministry until the time of his death, preaching a sermon the Sab- bath preceding his death. He was twice married and had ten children, five of whom are now living. He died Oct. 22, 1879.
George W. Folsom, now a resident of Rockwell, came to Franklin Co., Iowa, June 7, 1860, buying unimproved land on section 5, Ingham, now known as West Fork township, which he made his home and improved well until 1882, when he removed to the village. He is the son of Joseph Folsom, a native of New Hamp- shire, who moved to, and was one of the early settlers of Ogle Co., Ill, where
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
George was born in 1838. The family re- moved to Winnebago county, where the father died, aged eighty-one years. Mrs. Folsom, nee Benjamin, is the daughter of Rev. Loomis Benjamin, a pioneer preacher of Cerro Gordo county. They have five children-Elva, Mina, Lucas G., Jessie L. and Wilbert B. Their eldest child, Elvira, died in infancy.
Christian Kittell came from Shell Rock, Butler county, in 1861, and settled on sec- tion 31. He also served in the army dur- ing the rebellion, and lost his life in the service. His widow afterward married, and in 1883 was living in Sheffield.
Sidney Dillingham came from Cherry Valley, Ill., and settled in Geneseo town- ship in 1863. His son-in-law, Joseph Barnes, came on at the same time, and lived here several years then went to Kansas. Mr. Dillingham died in 1882.
Benjamin F. Lyman came with his family in April, 1861, and purchased a quarter of section 36, but died suddenly, April 28, 1862. His wife and infant son, (born.here Dec. 3, 1861), returned to Illi- nois; but afterwards she again married, and in 1883 was living in Franklin county.
Daniel Warner settled in 1862, built a log house and remained two years, when he removed to Kansas.
George Hunt located on section 35, but soon returned to Illinois.
William Wright settled on the north- east quarter of section 36, where he lived two years and moved to Franklin county.
Jeremiah Dodd settled on section 25, where he lived about two years and re- turned to Illinois.
N. J. Grummon settled on a farm in Geneseo township, in 1861. Having sold
that farm he settled on section 3, in 1876, where he now resides. He was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1836. His father, Horace Grummon, removed with his fam- ily to Winnebago Co., Ill., when N. J. was a child, his mother dying when he was an infant. He lived near Belvidere, Ill., for twenty-one years. He married Romelia Quackenbos, a native of Canada, whose father settled in Illinois when she was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Grummon have two sons-Charlie and Willie, both born in this township. Their only daughter, Myrtie, was born in Illinois in 1861, and died here Dec. 16, 1882. She was an es- timable young lady, and her death was a severe affliction to her parents and a loss to the community.
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