History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 95

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990

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 95
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 95

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Charles H: O'Neil, trustee of Lime Creek township, was born in Clinton Co., N. Y.,

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

March 11, 1844. His parents became resi dents of Marquette Co., Wis., when the son was seven years old. In two years they went to Fond du Lac county, where they were pioneers. When at the age of twenty-two years Mr. O'Neil went to Min- nesota, and stopped in Dodge county, where he was married Dec. 24, 1866, to Marcella Beidleman. They went to Fond- duLac county, where they passed the next two years, then came to Lime Creek town- ship, and purchased unbroken land on sec- tion 19. They lived on this laud five years and then bought their present farm of 160 acres on section 8, on which they have since lived. Mr. O'Neil has built a house and put his farm under good improve- ments. In 1883 he built a barn, 30x40 feet, with 16 feet posts, and has besides a gran- ary, 16x24 feet. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil have three children-Melville J., Ella M. and Leslie D. George A. O'Neil, brother to C. H. O'Neil, was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., Jan. 17, 1848. He was married Nov. 25, 1875, to Lucinda B. Whiting. They came to Lime Creek township in 1878, and purchased a farm of Dwight Brown, on the southeast quarter of section 7. Their children are-Arthur and Lucia.

L. A. Peck, who came to Lime Creek township in 1869, was born in Rock Co. Wis., Nov. 26, 1847, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits and received a fair education at the common schools, and af- terward was advanced by three terms at the Milton Academy. In 1869 he came to this township, where his father had a large tract of land. He improved some of the land, staying on it part of the time and spending the remainder in Wisconsin. In

1881 he located permanently on section 27, where he still lives.

Dwight Brown came to Cerro Gordo county in 1870, and settled on the east half of section 7, in the northwest portion of Lime Creek township. He was born in Windham Co., Vt., June 1, 1823. At the age of eighteen, he went to Chicopee, Mass., and was there employed several years in a cotton mill, going thence to Lowell, Mass. He there engaged as an operative in a factory. His stay in Lowell was brief and he proceeded to Fitchville, Conn., where he worked three months. At the expiration of that time, he went to Clinton, Mass., and acted as overseer of the weaving department in the Lancaster Mill, some twelve years. His first inde- pendent business venture was in the gro- cery and provision trade, which he operated a year, sold out and moved to Wisconsin. He bought a farm in Linden, Sauk county, where he lived ten years, and then moved to Madison. IIe lived there a short time and went to Charles City, Iowa. Here he engaged in farming and dairy business three years, then came to Cerro Gordo county as stated. He has interested him- self quite extensively as a wheat grower. His crop in 1876 was 3,220 bushels. Mr. Brown was married Aug. 11, 1844, to Maria M. Ingalls, born in Caledonia Co., Vt. They have children as follows-Adelbert D., Frank M., Emma M., Hattie J. and Carrie E. The first child died in infancy. Frank was born in Massachusetts May 26, 1858,.and died Dec. 21, 1874. Hattie was born July 23, 1859, and died Dec. 11, 1874.

Ansel Harroun is a pioneer in the strong- est sense of the term, having changed his location with the westward progress of

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

civilization three times. He was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1818. When he was two and a half years old his parents went to Pennsylvania, and settled in Craw- ford county, near Meadville. He was ed- neated in the common schools and reared to a farmer's vocation. In 1844 he came west and located in Darien township, Wal- worth Co., Wis., and two years later went to Fond du Lac county where he was a pio- neer. He took up government land in Springdale township, built a log house and proceeded to make the customary improve- ments preparatory to successful farming. In 1856 he became a pioneer in Olmstead Co., Minn. He bought land in Dover county and engaged in wheat culture. In 1870 he sold his property and came to Iowa, settling on the northeast quarter of section 24, Lime Creek township. His farm shows all the improvements common to the first-class homesteads of the county. The buildings are good and Mr. Harroun has a fine grove of trees of his own plant- ing. He was married to Delilah Crossly, a native of Crawford. Co., Penn. Mr. Harroun is an indefatigable reader and is one of the best informed men in the vicinity.

Patrick Reynolds settled in the town- ship in 1873. He was born in Ireland in 1830 When seven years of age, his par- ents moved to America, settling at To- ronto, Canada, where they lived seven or eight years and then moved to Wisconsin, living a year at Milwaukee, then removed to Washington county. His father pur- chased timber lands of the government. He assisted his father in clearing up three good farms. In 1856 his father gave him forty acres of land and he, at the same

time, purchased forty acres adjoining, thus making him an eighty acre farm, which he sold in 1869, and came to Iowa, pur- chasing land on section 2, Lime Creek township. He returned to Wisconsin and in 1873 made another purchase of land in this township, on section 34; this time moving his family on the place. His farm is well improved and shows ev- ery mark of. being cared for by a thrifty farmer. He was married June 21, 1858, to Snsan Short, a native of Carroll Co., Ohio. They were blessed with nine chil. dren-John, Eliza, Frank, Maggie, Thom- as, Lizzie, Eddie, Ella and William. Lizzie died when two and a half years old.

Henry Matley, a settler of 1876, was born Feb. 17, 1836, in Lancastershire, Eng- land. At the age of ten years he entered a cotton mill, where he worked four years. At fourteen he came to America with his parents. His father bought a farm in Columbia county, near Portage City, Wis., and he resided there until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Monroe county, and bought a farm near Sparta. He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in company C, 23d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served until the termination of the strug- gle for the Union. He was honorably discharged July 4, 1865. Vicksburg, Ar- kansas Post, Cyprus Bayou, Greenville, Miss., Champion Hills and Black River Bridge, are among the engagements in which his command was actively engaged. At Vicksburg he received a Minnie ball in the fleshy part of his arm which inflicted a severe wound. He was in action at Jack- son, at Carrion Crow, Miss., and was taken prisoner at the last place, Nov. 3, 1863. He was exchanged June 6, 1864, at Jack-

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

son. The war ended he returned to his former employ of farming, at Sparta. In June, 1867, he sold his farm and went to Minnesota, where he bought a place in Buford township, Blue Earth county. He put it under good improvements, erected valuable buildings, and in 1876 sold out and came to Lime Creek township, where he bought his present property on section 6. He has made extensive improvements, built a brick house, barn and sheds and has a beautiful and valuable homestead. He has a large number and variety of shade and ornamental trees, and an assort- ment of fruit trees, all of which enhance the worth and beauty of the location. Mr. Matley was married Jan. 27, 1870, to Ann Draper, a native of Derbyshire, England. Bessie Matley is the only child.

Among the settlers of 1876 was George R. Miller, a native of Vermont, born in Alburgh, Grand Isle county, Feb. 10, 1823. When but a few years of age his father died, and soon after his mother moved to Canada and located in the province of Quebec. When he was seventeen years old, he commenced to learn the blacksmith trade. After a few months of hard work, he and the trade had a falling out, as he remarked to a friend, and he then turned his attention to farming. He was married in 1849, to Mary Wilsey, who was a na- tive of Canada He settled at Russell- town, where he remained until 1854, at which time he moved west. He made the trip to Chicago by lake, and from there he took a team and drove to Minnesota, locating in Fillmore county. He built a log house which he covered with shakes. He remained in this until 1869, when he built a good frame house. In 1876 he

sold out and removed to Lime Creek town- ship. Mrs. Miller died in January, 1879. In 1883 they had three children living- Sabra, George E. and Lucinda. His sec- ond wife, to whom he was married in November, 1873, was Helen Maning. By this union there were two children-Julia W., and Ethel E. Mrs. Miller also has three children by her first husband-Hat- tie H., Lottie L. and Eddie M.

Lewis C. Neidermyer came to the town- ship in 1877. He is a native of Germany, born June 6, 1850. When four years old he came, in company with his parents, to America, settling in Orange Co., N. J. When but fourteen years of age, he en- listed in company H, 39th New Jersey Volunteers, and was with the regiment until its discharge in July, 1865. He par- ticipated in the battles of Hatch's Run, Pittsburg Landing, Stone Creek, and many other engagements. When dis- charged he returned home. When he was only seventeen years old he started out in life for himself, first going to Indiana, where he engaged in farming one year, and then went to Colorado, and there engaged in mining and farming for about eighteen months, after which he returned as far as Kansas, and spent four years near Atchison, and from there went to Illinois, spending one year, thence to Pierce Co., Wis. He was married in 1876 to Miss L. Thing. They have four children -Florence E., Clarence C., Chester A. and Frank.

Mrs. Sarah Fisher, daughter of John H. and Rebecca (Cross) Vandermark, was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jan. 17, 1817. She was married May 2, 1836, to J. B. Nickerson, a native of the Old Bay

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State, born near Boston. He was a machin- ist by trade, and settled at Owego, N. Y., where he opened a machine shop in 1839. HIe afterwards went to Chicago, which was at that time but a small place. In 1854 they went to Danby, DuPage county, where Mr Nickerson died of cholera, July 4 of the same year. Mrs. Nickerson was married in 1856 to Daniel Fish, a farmer near Danby. After a resi- dence there of nearly eight years they went to Wheaton, where Mr. Fish died in 1873, leaving one son-Daniel, Mrs. Fish had four children by her first mar- riage. William Henry died of cholera at Danby three days before his father. Robert C. died in Chicago in his fifteenth year. James D. was born in Chicago, where he obtained a good education in the public schools. He was graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, and enlisted in the 141st Illinois Infantry, and afterward re-enlisted in the 9th Illi- nois Cavalry. He lost his health and set out to travel. He has been absent sixteen years and the family have had no intelli- gence from him in-fourteen years. George Albert, youngest son, died at the age of twenty-two months. Mrs. Fish owns a residence in Wheaton, 111., which she left in 18833 to reside in Lime Creek township where she has a farm, managed by her son Daniel, who was born May 8, 1858, at Danby, Ill.

ORGANIC.

This township was set off from Mason in 1870; but the records of the first elec- tion were lost. The following served as township officers in 1882: C. H. O'Neal, D. H. Simons and John Pedalty, trustees; Lorenzo Thompson, W. H. Kling, con-

stables; B. F. Gibbs and James Draper, justiees of the peace; J. J. Long, clerk; J. J. Russell, assessor.

FIRST DEATH AND MARRIAGE.

The first death in the township was Mrs. Corington, who died in the winter of 1855-6. She was buried in Mason town- ship.

The first marriage was that of Charles Lutz to a daughter of Alexander Long in the summer of 1855. They were married by 'Squire John McMillen at the house of the bride's parents, on section 34. He obtained the license from Floyd county.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in Lime Creek township was taught in the summer of 1855 by Eliza A. Gardner, who was one of the family whom the Indians captured at Spirit Lake. This school was taught in a log house owned by Wellington Benton, which was a rude cabin covered with shakes, and was situated on the northeast quarter of section 28. In the summer of 1856 Frank E. Temple taught in the same building.

The first school house built by public money was erected in 1857, on section 34.

There are now nine sub-districts, eight having a school house, and one having three-making eleven school houses in the township.

In district No. 1 the first school house was built in 1874 on section 2. Miss Cummings taught the first school.

District No. 2 was provided with a building in 1878, on section 10.

District No. 3 held its first term of school in a building situated on section 6, erected in 1872. Fannie Dexter, after- ward wife of Julius Thompson, of Worth

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

county, was the first teacher. Nellie Dex- ter taught in 1883.

In district No. 4 the first school was held in a 'og cabin owned by Stephen Wright, located on section 19, in the win- ter of 1858-9.

In 1860 a school house was built from pub- lic money, on the same section; but in 1864 it was being moved to the southeast part of that section, and while on the way was damaged by lightning, but was finally re- paired and in use in 1883.

In district No. 5 the first school house, built in 1857, was located on section 22. Elizabeth Hoyt taught the first school. This house was afterwards enlarged and converted into a church for the several denominations worshipping in the neigh- borhood, and was used for such purposes until 1880, when it was changed into a dwelling house. The next building in the district was erected in 1865, and located on section 21. It was a stone building, and used for school purposes until 1875, at which time it was torn down. In 1882 the district had no school building.

The first building in No. 6 was con- structed in 1878, situated on section 13. Edith Crane taught the first school.

In district No. 7 a school building was provided in 1871, which stood on section . 25. Emma Russell taught the first schools.

District No. 8 has three school houses. The first was built in 1857, on section 34. Henry Gray and Frank Temple were among the early teacher. During the years of the war this house was destroyed by fire and another reared on the same site. The other two are located on see- tions 27 and 28.

In district No. 9 the school house was erected in 1878, on section 31. Cora Bab- cock taught the first term of school.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

The first services in the township were held by the United Brethren at the house of Alanson Beebe. Rev. Musselman con- ducted the services.

The Free Methodists organized a class, in 1873, at the house of Mr. Van Patter. Rev. Thomas LaDue had charge of the or- ganization, which consisted of the follow- ing named members : H. W. Shumaker, Mrs. Calvin Parker, William Jellison, William Hulet and Mrs. Ellen Hulet. H. W. Shumaker was chosen class leader. Meetings were held at the chapel on sec- tion 22. They were supplied with a min- ister .from Plymouth. D. H. Simons was leader in 1883, and the society num- bered but ten members. Religious meet- ings had been held at the school house in distriet No. 3, in 1873. Rev. Bennett, a Congregational minister, was the first preacher, and a little later, Rev. George Rogers, a Baptist clergyman, preached for this society. Early in 1879 the Evangeli- cal Association organized a class in the school house. Rev. C. W. Anthony, with eight members, constituted the society, as follows : Mr. and Mrs. Henry Matley, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Snell, Mrs. Peter Trainor, Mrs. Mary Anderson and J. J. Long. The last named was class leader. Elder T. J. Fink was the first preacher. He remained about two years and was sneceeded by Rev. D. W. Brown. In 1883 the society numbered fifteen members. A union Sun- day school was formed in 1876. Rev George Rogers was elected as its superin- tendent.

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

SORGIIUM WORKS.

In an early day the people turned their attention towards the raising of sorghum or sugar cane. At that time mills with wooden rollers were in use, to crush the juice from the stalks; and they employed large kettles in which to boil it down. But in 1880 Heury Martin commenced to make sorghum by the improved plan. IIe made large quantities, which found a ready sale at a fair price.

LIME CREEK BRICK YARD,

In 1871 N. M. Nelson and Henry Brick- son established a brick yard on section 34, Lime Creek township. They continued in business until 1877, when Mr. Nelson became sole proprietor, and has since operated alone. The bulk of the brick used in Mason City have been the pro- duct of this yard. In 1882 about 400,000 brick were turned ont. Mr. Nelson was born in Norway, March 4, 1841. He was reared to the age of nineteen on a farm, when he determined upon a seafaring life. He was a sailor four years, and the for- tunes of his wandering life made him ac- quainted with the chief entry ports of Russia, Greece, Turkey, Adusa on the Black Sea, and other harbors of the East- ern Continent. He came to America in 1864, landing at Quebec. He went directly to Chicago, and during the first year spent his time prospecting. In 1865 he went to Jacksonville, Ill., where he was employed four years in a brick yard. His next move

was to Ackley, Iowa, and there he was engaged in the same calling two years. In 1871 he came to Mason City and founded his present business, as stated. He was married in 1872 to Nellie Gates, a native of Norway. They have four chil- dren-Aunie, Jennie, Gilbert and Hanna Elisa.

GLENWOOD CREAMERY.

This was the first creamery started in this section. Leonard Hill built in the spring of 1880. Cream was gathered from Lime Creek, Mason and Lincoln town- hips. In 1881 he started another creamery at Clear Lake. The first year he made 30,000 pounds of butter, and in 1881 busi- ness had increased one-third. In January, 1883, Messrs. Lamb & Babbitt, of New York, through their. agent, Frank S. Chapin, bought the property and operated it on an extensive scale.

BOULDER CAVE.

A natural curiosity appears in this town- ship-a boulder cave, discovered in 1875 by Will Dennis and John Elder, who were drilling for a well near the cheese factory on the Robert's farm. After going down eight feet, the drill suddenly dropped four feet, and, upon examination, it was found that there was a cave containing about 670 square feet, entirely ceiled over with rock, and the bottom covered with boul- ders about the size and shape of a gallon jug.

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXI.

MOUNT VERNON TOWNSHIP.

This comprises congressional township 95, range 21 west. It is bounded on the north by Lake township, on the east by Bath, on the south by Pleasant Valley and the West by Union township. The soil of this township is of an excellent qual- ity, producing in abundance all the crops common to this latitude. Beaver Dam creek enters the township on section 7, and flows southeast, leaving the township from section 36. In 1883 there was a large quantity of wild land in the town- ship.

SETTLEMENT.

The first man to break sod in this town- ship was Edwin Nichols, in 1858, at which time he broke nine acres of his present farm. He raised his first wheat in the summer of 1860. He made improvements from time to time, and in 1866 erected a house, which was the first dwelling in the township. Mr. Nichols did not live on the farm himself, but rented it.

Edwin Nichols came to Cerro Gordo county, in company with Oscar Stevens, and brought the machinery for a steam saw mill which they established at Clear Lake. After operating the mill two sea- sons, Mr. Nichols sold his interest to Mr. Stevens. He had, on coming to the county, purchased 400 acres of land, and, on disposing of his mill property, he gave

his landed estate his undivided attention. When the rebellion shook the country to its remotest limits, Mr. Nichols responded to the Nation's cry for help by enlisting in company B, 32d Iowa, and after active service through three years was dis- charged for physical disability. He re- turned to Clear Lake, but impaired health precluded his engaging in any active busi- ness. He managed the improvements on his land and put it in first-class condition, and, in 1880, established his residence thereon. His farm now includes 300 acres, and is one of the most valuable and desirable homesteads in this part of Iowa. His principles are those of the democratic party. Edwin Nichols was born in Mass- achusetts, March 7, 1827. He is a son of Charles and Fanny (Coomes) Nichols. They left the Bay State in 1846 and set- tled in Dane Co., Wis., where the father died Aug. 26, of the same year. The mother died in 1850. Of their family of eleven children, six only are living. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Nichols are Emmeline, Mary, Susan, John and Harriet E. In 1852 Mr. Nichols connected him- self with the westward tide flowing with increasing volume toward the Pacific slope, and spent two years in the mining ventures of California, meeting with sig- nal success. His domestic history dates

HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 909

from May, 1856, when he was married at Portage City, Wis., to Elizabeth Hend- rickson. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have had five children-Florence A., Edwin J., Charles B., (born Oct. 16, 1859, and died March 9, 1860), Charles L. and Wilfred C. Mr. Nichols belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

The next to make improvements was R. T. Lane, who located on section 29, in March, 1870.

Seribner Chadbourn came from Wis- consin in 1870, and broke land on section 11, and in 1871 brought his family. In 1883 he was living at Clear Lake.

Richard T. Lane claims to be the first · permanent settler in Mount Vernon town- ship. He is a man of decided character and influence, and is warmly interested in all public or private enterprises, calculated to add to either general or individual pro- gress. He was born in Prince Edward's Island, June 1, 1827. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Lane, with eleven children, came to the States in 1857, and settled in Bristol Co., Mass. His father died in 1862; his mother still lives on the home- stead. Nine of the brothers and sisters of Mr. Lane are yet living-Samuel, Edward, George, Philip, John, Ann, Rachel, Joseph and Herbert. Martha is dead. Mr. Lane was married July 29, 1857, to Abbie A. Carpo. She died July 22, 1859, leaving two children, one of whom is now living-Harriet. Mr. Lane was married again April 1, 1860, to Amanda R. Staples. Five of six children born from the second marriage are still living-Abbie, (Mrs. George Babcock), Petronella, Dora, Annie and Claudia. In 1864 Mr. Lane settled

in Wisconsin, and in 1869 fixed his resi- dence in Mount Vernon township.

Following Mr. Lane came David R. Babcock, from Wisconsin, who settled on section 10, in 1871, where he resided until 1882, when he returned to Wiscon- sin.

After him came John Hawks, in 1871, locating on section 31. Hle afterwards sold and moved to LeMars, Iowa.

In 1872 Mr. Shafer settled on section 31, where he was living in 1883.

ORGANIC.

June 3, 1878, the board of supervisors of Cerro Gordo county set apart the territory embraced within the limits of congres- sional township 95 north, range 21 west of the 5th principal meridian, and thereby or- ganized the civil township of Mount Ver- non. The first election was held at the school house located on section 11, Oct. 8, 1878, and resulted in the election of the following named officers:

Trustees, M. Kennison, R. T. Lane and Barnard Campbell; clerk, C. R. McFarlin; assessor, Ellis Barlow; justices of the peace, W. R. Winter and Barnard Camp- bell; constables, D. R. Babcock and Wil- liam Bray; road supervisor, C. R. McFar- lin. When the polls were closed, the judges of election, E. O. Gregory, R. T. Lane and C. R. McFarlin, cast lots to de- cide the respective length of terms the trustees elect were to serve, and thus Bar- nard Campbell was chosen for the term of three years, R. T. Lane two years, and M. Kinnison one year. C. R. McFarlin was ap- pointed to deliver the election returns to the county auditor, which was done on the 9th day of October, 1878. The first assess- ment showed the valuation of real estate

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

to be $113,039, and personal property amounted to $5,943. At the election held Oct. 14, 1879, the following officers were elected:

Trustee, M. Kinnison; clerk, Z. Quincy; assessor, H. Harmon; justice of the peace, David Sullivan and constable, Joseph Bar low. The officers for 1833 are: Trustees, R.T.Lane, M. Schow and Francis Latham; clerk, C. R. McFarlin and assessor, H. Harmon. The persons elected justices of the peace and constables refused to quali- fy.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first marriage was that of George Babcock to Abbie A. Lane. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Milton Franklin.

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History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 95

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company Number of Pages: 990

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990