USA > Iowa > Fremont County > History of Fremont County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistic, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Fremont County, constitution of the state of Iowa, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 66
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Rev. Charles N. Lyman, Onawa; term expires 1881. James L. Smith, Tabor; term expires 1880. Rev. John Todd, Tabor; term expires 1880.
Solomon Jones, Tabor; term expires 1884.
Samuel Dalton, Tabor; term expires 1884. Rev. Edwin S. Hill, Atlantic; term expires 1884. Solomon Jones, secretary and treasurer.
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601
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
SIDNEY TOWNSHIP.
The surface of this township presents, perhaps, as diversified an ap- pearance as any township in the county. Hill and dale succeed one another in marvelous profusion in whatsoever direction one may go. Prairie and forest adds each its share to beautify the landscape, and the numerous small streams cut and carve the entire surface in a manner most charming if not always convenient. There is no early history that dis- tinctively separates it from the town whose name it bears. The reader is, therefore, referred to Sidney City for information concerning early set- tlers; and dates pertaining to its organization may be sought at the begin- ning of this chapter. It might be remarked, however, that the settlement of the township progressed slowly. There seemed to be a most marked predilection in favor of more heavily wooded sections, or indeed, of bottom lands. True it is that the settlers came from the older eastern states; and brought with them the manners and customs of the sections where they had been born and where they matured. To shake off the old habits, the old likes and dislikes, was a task to which the early settler had a special dislike, and he therefore allowed the old-time habits to guide his judg- ment in the selection of a new homestead. Accustomed to hilly and wooded regions, his choice leaned in that direction in his new home, and his location was accordingly selected on hillside or in the valley. It was years before the prairie began to be viewed as a desirable home, and then only when the influx of population made such a choice a matter of ne- cessity. To-day a great portion of its surface is under cultivation, and it no longer lies on outskirts of civilization, but is the scene of marvelous activity.
Besides the churches of Sidney city, there are four others in the town- ship. The oldest organization is that of the Methodist Episcopal, which dates back to 1848. The original members were William Rector and wife, Benjamin Rector, Eliza and Lydia Rector, William Rector, Jr., Richard Iler and wife, and Mrs. Hunsaker. The society erected a frame structure in 1869. The present membership is thirty.
The next oldest church in the township is Asbury Chapel-named for the celebrated clergyman and bishop of that name-situated on section 17. The church was organized in the autumn of 1851. The original mem- bers of this church comprised some names which have appeared in the preceding paragraph, but here they seemed to have sustained official rela- tions with the church: William Rector, (local preacher) Elizabeth, and his wife; Benjamin Rector, (local preacher) and his wife, Mahala; John and Nancy Beatty, and James Folden and wife. The class
602
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
was under the leadership of John Beatty. In 1873 a frame church build- ing was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars, and was dedicated by the Rev. J. C. R. Layton. The society has been under the pastorate of very many clergymen, some of whom have passed away to reap the rich reward of a pioneer preacher. Among others were Matthew Simpson, William Mann, Samuel Farlor, B. W. Coe, W. F. Laidley, W. E. Hamil- ton and John Branson. The membership now numbers thirty-nine.
The third oldest township church organization is the Pleasant Grove Christian Church, which was organized April 26, 1857, on its records appear the names of many of the oldest settlers in the county, men who have filled many offices of public trust, and have been otherwise closely identified with the interests of the county. Among the names of the original members appear those of T. L. Buckham, Jane Buckham, Juliet Simmerman, Wm. M. and Amanda Lovelady, Phineas and Elizabeth Lowder, William Foxall, F. Barger, G. B. Redd, Milton and Jane Rich- ards, Almira Redd, and Julia and Mary Richards. The elders of the organization were Milton Richards and T. L. Buckham (now deceased). The society has never built a church structure, but continues to meet in a school-house. There have been eight pastors since its organization.
In the same year, (1857), nearly two months after, or June 27, was organized the Old School Baptist Church. The original members were George and Mary Humes, Thomas Jenkins and Matilda, his wife, John and Sarah Pugh, James and Nancy Hodges, John Baylor, 'Louisa Bald- win, James and Mary Kelley, Margaret Hinchman and Elizabeth Wilson. In 1871 a church was built at a total cost of one thousand three hundred and sixty dollars. In September of that year it was dedicated to the service of Almighty God by Elder Thomas Jenkins, who was its first pastor. The membership now numbers fifty-eight.
The educational interests of the township have not been confined to the city of the same name. Pleasant schools are placed here and there throughout its limits, and an intelligent enthusiasm warrants the very best grades of country schools.
STATISTICS:
No. of sub districts 19
No. of teachers employed the past year 34
Salary per month, males and females. $27 50 No. of months school . 6
No. of children of school age in district.
837
No. of children enrolled in the schools in the district. 639
401
Average attendance in the whole district
No. of school houses, frame. 18
Value of school property in the district township. $11,300 00
603
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
Amount paid teachers. $3,068 50
Amount paid for school houses.
Amount paid for contingent purposes $117 91
SIDNEY.
Sidney is the county seat of Fremont county, and is located near its center. Under the chapter devoted to the county seat may be found an account of its survey and platting. The land on which it stands was en- tered by Judge Thomas Greenwood, but not until after the survey by which it was divided into town lots. The site of the town is a very pleas- ant one, being on the high prairie on the divide between the Missouri and Nishnabotany rivers. The towering court house marks the location of the village most conspicuous from nearly every part of the higher portion of the county.
The growth of the town was at first rapid, owing to the establishment of Sidney as the county seat. The officials, many of them, purchased sites and erected residences. Others came in and soon an active business interest began to contribute to the general causes of growth.
Sidney was not incorporated nntil the year 1870. In the record of the circuit court of Fremont county for April term, 1870, appeur the following proceedings with reference to incorporation :
In the matter of the application to incorporate the town of Sidney Iowa.
NO. 124.
Now on this day this matter coming up for hearing on the petition and plat thereof filed herein. And the court being satisfied from an examination of the petition and plat that all the requirements of chapter 61, acts 12th general assem- bly of Iowa, for the incorporation of towns and cities has been complied with; and being further satisfied from the evidence that there are 1500 inhabitants in the limits described by said petition, it is therefore ordered by the court that G. V. Swearingen, J. N. Penn, George W. Hoop, Thomas Maloy and J. A. Boden- lamer, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to do and perform all other things necessary for the incorporation of said limits, and to be known as the City of Sidney, as provided by said chapter 61, acts 12th general assembly.
STATE OF IOWA,
FREMONT COUNTY, S SS.
I, J. C. Shockley, clerk of the circuit court of the county and state aforesaid, hereby certify that the above is a true copy from the record of said court now on file in my office.
Given under my hand and official seal this 20th day of August, A. D., 1870. [SEAL.] J. C. SHOCKLEY, Clerk C. C.
The commissioners above appointed entered immediately upon the dis-
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
charge of their duties. They therefore caused the following election notice to be published and posted on the 14th day of April, 1870.
ELECTION NOTICE.
In pursuance of a decree issued from the circuit court of Fremont county, Iowa, at the April term of 1870, notice is hereby given that there will be a meet- ing of the qualified electors of the territory as described and platted, will be held at the court house in Sidney on Saturday, the 7th day of May, 1870, to vote on a proposition to incorporate said territory as the city of Sidney. The limits of said incorporation to embrace an arca of one mile square as follows, to wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section twenty-six, township sixty-nine, range forty-two; thence south on section bearing one mile, thence west on section bearing one mile; thence north on section bearing one mile; thence east on section bearing one mile to the place of beginning, in Fremont county, state of Iowa, a plat and description of which is now on file in the office of the county clerk. The ballot used at said election shall be " for corporation," and "against corporation."
Signed, G. V. Swearingen, Thomas Maloy, J. N. Penn, G. W. Hoop, J. A. Bodenhamer, Commissioners.
April 14, 1870. .
STATE OF IOWA, CITY OF SIDNEY, S - SS.
I. N. A. Talcott, recorder of said city, do hereby certify that the above is a full, true and complete copy of an election notice as published in number 46 and others of the American Union, in the months of Apriland May, A. D. 1870.
N. A. TALCOTT, Recorder.
August 20, 1870.
The election was duly held in the place designated and a majority of the ballots cast were " for incorporation." A second election-that of vil- lage officers-was therefore in order, and the following notice published on May 12, 1870. By comparing the dates it will be seen that the matter | was not allowed to rest until the entire business of incorporation was con- cluded.
ELECTION NOTICE.
Notice is hereby given to the qualified voters of the incorporated town of Sid- ney, county of Fremont, and state of Iowa, that an election will be held at the court house in said town on the 28th day of May, 1870, for the purpose of elect- ing the following officers of the incorporation, to-wit:
One mayor, one recorder, one treasurer, and five councilmen.
Signed, G. V. Swearinger, Thomas Maloy, J. N. Penn, G. W. Hoop, J. A Bodenhamer, Commissioners.
May 12, 1870.
605
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
The final publication, and one which completed the act of incorporation, was the following, which, however, bears no date:
Now, an election having been held in pursuance of the foregoing notice in the incorporated city of Sidney, Iowa, on the said 28th day of May, A. D. 1870, the following named persons were duly elected as officers of the incorporated town of Sidney, as shown by the returns of said election now on file in the office of the circuit clerk of Fremont county, Iowa, to-wit:
Giles Cowles, Mayor; Mero Webster, Recorder; F. Bartholomei, Treasurer. Councilmen, Hiram Yates, James A. Gray, T. R. Stockton, John B. Gray, J. B. Furbush.
Such is the history of the incorporation of Sidney. The records have been presented, and from them a proper judgment may be gathered of the method and history of city incorporation, and the legislation to which it is subjected.
The city of Sidney is an independent school district and maintains its public schools in a most liberal manner. The school building is near the north limit of the city, and is a neat brick building two stories in height. The schools are in charge of a principal, and are graded in four depart- ments, high school, grammar school, intermediate and primary. The board of education has aimed to make them suited to the wants of the community by supplying each department with the best facilities for teach- ers and with the best talent. The statistics below best illustrate the con- dition of the schools.
No. of teachers employed the past year 5
Salary per month paid male. $75.00
Salary per month paid females $31.66
No. of school months. 9
No. of children of school age in district.
368
No.en enrolled in schools.
332
Average attendance in the district. 176
No. of school houses in the district, brick. 1
Value of school property in the district $12,000.00
Amount paid teachers past year $ 1,904.85
Amount paid for school houses .
Amount expended for contingent purposes $173.97
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
From time immemorial men have banded themselves together in secret organizations for various purposes. In ancient times the growth of art and science, and of poetic art especially, was intimately bound up in or connected with societies of a secret nature. Much of the philosophy of
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
the Greeks and Romans found its birth in the secret groves of Italy or Greece. Jurisprudence and grammar had an origin in the same manner, and some of the most distinguished in mathematical and mechanical sci- ences were members of secret orders. Though now, and without the slightest grounds, often accounted hostile to religion, secret orders really owe their origin to religion or to religious institutions. As De Quincy has so eloquently shown in his famous essay on the Essenes, Christianity at its inception was a secret institution. Opposition comes with a very poor grace from those who owe their existence to similar institutions, and whose practices now border on secresy. In the secret walls of European cloisters were elaborated many of the dogmas of modern faith, and all with a veil of mystery that is not yet entirely obliterated. The greatest of all the Jews-the law giver himself, Moses-went apart, in secret, to obtain the laws of God. The eternal fire was kept veiled from the eyes and reason of men within the holiest of holies. Without entering upon a polemic, or wishing to arouse hostile criticism, the suggestion is offered that the world will never be freed from secret orders, for the highest interests of men have always been subserved by them, and they have become so powerful a factor in the amelioration of the condition of men that they are indispensable.
Homes have been visited and cheered, families cared for by lodges, the sick visited, and with a faithfulness and self-denial that only brothers, true to the mystic tie, can do or illustrate. It is not compulsory attention, it is not charity, but the simple outgrowth of a pure and exalted humanity. Nor can institutions of this nature justify or shield either crime or evil, based as they are upon the purest morality and that code of all moral codes-the Bible-they must war against vice in all its forms, nor brook the appearance of evil. The men in them are usually the best in the community. True, it often happens that mistakes are made-but what organization is freed from them? They should be measured by the quality of the work they do, rather than by the public estimate of what they ought to accomplish.
Of societies of this nature there are two in Sidney, the history of each 1 of which here follows. It is manifestly impossible to give more than the merest outline, and that is all these sketches intend.
MASONIC LODGES.
NISHNABOTANY LODGE NO. 153, A. F. & A. M.
Nishnabotany Lodge No. 153, U. D., was granted a dispensation by the most worshipful, the grand master of the grand lodge of Iowa of A. F. & A. M., and was organized under dispensation, by special deputy grand master, L. B. Fleak, and held their first meeting January the 5th, 1860.
607
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
Officers under dispensation-Bro. Wm. Dewey, W. M .; Bro. G. J. Briggs, S. W .; Bro. J. L. Irons, J. W .; Bro. W. C. Sipple, Treas .; Bro. Dan. G. Elifritz, Sec .; Bro. E. S. Hedges, S. D .; Bro. J. N. Cornish, J. D .; Bro. Joseph Burson, Tyler.
Members-Bro. J. M. McMillen, Bro. Pearson Hosier, Sen., Bro. Eli Hiatt, Bro. J. A. Harvey, Bro. A. Mann.
The finance committee consisted of Bro. J. N. Cornish, Bro. E. S. Hedges, Bro. J. S. Irons.
At this meeting there were three petitions for initation received, and one to receive the degree of M. M., that of Bro. L. Lingenfelter a fellow- craftsman from Liberty lodge No. 31, of Missouri.
On the 28th day of June, 1860, the lodge was chartered as Nishnabot- any lodge No. 153, A. F. & A. M., and on the same evening officers were elected as follows : Bro. Wm. Dewey, W. M .; Bro. George J. Biggs, S. W .; Bro. John L. Irons, J. W .; Bro. L. Lingenfelter, Treas .; Bro. Dan. G. Elifritz, Sec. The W. M. elect then appointed the following officers : Bro. E. S. Hedges, S. D .; Bro. N. A. Talcott, J. D .; Bro. Jos. Burson. Tyler. The W. M. appointed as finance committee Bro. E. S. Hedges, Bro. J. N. Cornish, and Bro. Robert Percival.
The officers were then installed by S. T. Marks of Glenwood lodge No. 58, acting as special deputy grand master.
Nishnabotany lodge is now in its 21st year (soon be old enough to vote). The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastation of war, have each had its effects. Nishnabotany lodge, notwithstanding, has still survived.
On the 28th day of November, 1868, the lodge recommending that the brethren of Hamburg, Iowa, and vicinity, receive a dispensation for lodge No. 253. On the 12th day of October, 1872, the lodge recommended that the brethren of Riverton, Iowa, and vicinity, receive a dispensation for lodge No. 327.
On the 31st day of January, 1874, the lodge. recommended that the brethern of Plum Hollow, Iowa, and vicinity receive a dispensation for lodge No. 341.
Since the lodge was chartered there has been admitted as members 159. There are 58 members at this time.
The lodge has mourned at the loss of 8 of its members since its charter, cut down in death by " That all-devouring scythe of Time."
Present officers of the lodge: J. F. Hoop, W. M .; S. B. Thompson, S. W .; F. C. Cromwell, J. W .; J. C. Shockley, Treasurer; P. H. Hoop, Secretary; W. H. Thomason, S. D .; D. J. F. Mooman, J. D .; Pear- son Hosier, Tiler-who has tiled the lodge for the last fifteen years, and has not missed to exceed five meetings in all that time. The lodge is now in a prosperous condition.
608
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
ODD FELLOWS SOCIETY.
FRONTIER LODGE, NO. 93 I. O. O. F.
This lodge was instituted, August 6, 1856, in the grand jury room of the old court house, by D. D. G. M. Cassady, of Council Bluffs, under authority of a dispensation dated June 6, 1856, signed by John Pope, G, M. and Wm. Garrett, G. Sect. The charter members were Woodson S. Estis, J. W. Ripley, James Knox, Jr., Wm. Mann, J. R. Hinchman and Augustus Giehl. The first officers were Woodson S. Estis, N. G .; James Knox, Jr., V. G .; J. W. Ripley, Secretary; and Wm. Mann, Treasurer. The lodge continued to meet regularly in the same room for about one year-Col. E. S. Hedges being a bright Odd Fellow, rendered good ser- vice in its youth and is to this day kindly rememberrd by the old mem- bers. In 1857, a hall was fitted up in the attic of the old seminary build- ing generally known as the "pigeon roost," where the lodge met regularly for many years.
Dr. I. F. Morris (now deceased,) was the first representative to the grand lodge, which met at Keokuk in 1858. Staging across the state at that time being very uncertain, Brother Morris made the entire trip on foot and horseback, swimming some of the intervening streams. The first funeral service performed by the lodge was in charge of Dr. I. N. Penn chief marshal over the body of Dr. J. W. Ripley, charter member, and first secretary. The services were held in the old court room, February 16th 1858. Rev. L. G. Bell, one of the pioneer Presbyterian ministers of Iowa, preached the funeral sermon although, the veteran minister had lived considerably over three-score and ten years, his sermon was excel- lent, very forcibly and impressibly delivered. Like many other institu- tions of the kind in the very early settlement of the country, Frontier Lodge has had its ups and downs, its seasons of prosperity and adversity.
During the early days of the late war nearly all the able bodied mem- bers enlisted in the Union army, not a quorum of members in good stand- ing being left, but W. L. Jenkins, Dr. I. N. Penn and G. V. Swearingen determined to keep it alive, and retain its charter, they met occasionally, corresponded with members who were at the front, received dues and at the proper times elected officers some of whom were no doubt on the march or in camp; made reports and forwarded to the grand secretary informing him of the situation, which was approved. The charter mem- bers now living, so far as known, are James Knox, Jr. Sidney, W. S. Estis, Riverton, Iowa, and Wm. Mann, Rolla, Missouri. After the war closed and the living members returned, the lodge had a period of pros- perity, and being conducted very economically saved over $1,600, which was used in 1876 in erecting the brick building known as Odd Fellow's
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
Hall, the upper story of which is used by the Subordinate, Rebecca and Encampment, the building is the best one now in town, being 29 by 66 feet; the basement 9 feet; with two stories each 14 feet. The present officers are J. B. Moomaw, N. G .; Dan'l Pickens, V. G .; M. L. Carl, Rec. Sec .; G. V. Swearingen, Per. Sec., and Job Throckmorton, Treas.
Viola Lodge, No. 63, Degree of Rebecca, was instituted June 18, 1874, by G. V. Swearingen, special D. D. G. M. The first officers were, Job Throckmorton, N. G .; Mrs. C. M. Swearingen, V. G .; Mrs. E. Reaves, Sec .; and W. L. Jenkins, Treas.
Present officers are W. L. Jenkins, M. G .; Mrs. S. Throckmorton, V. G .; Mrs. H. M. Crose, Sec., and A. J. Gray, Treas.
Sidney Encampment, No. 95, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 8, 1877 by D. D. G. P., E. Alberson, of Hamburg, under a dispensation granted by Ben. Newman, G. P. The charter members were, Job Throckmor- ton, James Liggett, Mero Webster, G. C. Reaves, W. B. Cantwell, N. Young, L. C. Day, G. W. Heckel, A. P. Stafford, W. L. Jenkins and I D. Lankton.
First officers-M. Webster, C. P .; Job Throckmorton, H. P .; Jas. Lig- gett, S. W .; I. D. Lankton, J. W .; G. C. Reaves, Scribe.
Present officers -- W. L. Jenkins, C. P .; Job Throckmorton, H. P .; A P. Stafford, Scribe; Geo. M. Heckel, Treas.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Was organized June 12, 1852, and is the oldest church organization in the village. The organizing pastor was the Rev. J. C. Renfroe. The original membership was fifteen: James Bobbitt, Martha E. Bobbitt, Margaret Bobbitt, J. Thomas, Melinda Thomas, Elizabeth and Hannah Thomas, J. Catlett, Lucretia Catlett, B. Williams, Mary Williams, Noah Leboo, Mrs. Leboo, Francis Bourn and A. A. Bradford. In 1857 the society built a brick church, the cost of which cannot now be ascertained. The pastors of the church have been Elias Finley, J. C. Renfroe, I. M. Sea, J. C. Otis, Prof. Rogers, Milton Williams, J. W. Roe, James Smith and Amos Pratt. Two of these pastors have served two terms-at dif- ferent intervals; the Rev. Elias Finley and I. M. Sea. The present mem- bership of the church is sixty.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The second church organized in Sidney was the Presbyterian, which became a society June 30, 1855. The church was organized by the Rev. L. G. Bell, the first missionary of the board of domestic missions for the
19
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
state of Iowa. The original members were C. B. Campbell, Mrs. A. Campbell, Miss Sarah E. Campbell, James Mann, Mrs. Jane H. Mann, Mrs. Mary Duncan, Mrs. Lucy Allen, Mrs. Margaret Bell, Miss Mary J. Bell, Mrs. Eliza Greenwood, Mrs. Mary Laird, and C. B. Campbell, who was elected first ruling elder, A church was built in 1870, which was a frame building and cost $5,250.00. It was dedicated November 13, 1870, by the Rev. T. H. Cleland, jr., of Council Bluffs. The pastors and stated supplies have been L. G. Bell, Rev. Finney, L. G. Hughes, H. H. White, Rev. Wilson, B. Mills, F. L. Arnold, J. S. Clung, J. B. Lindskie and Henry B. Dye. The first installed pastor was the Rev. H. H. White. E. H. Sears, J. A. Day, S. T. Mitchell and E. H. Mitchell, are the present ruling elders. The membership now numbers one hundred.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
was organized in 1856, by Jesse L. Fort. The original members were Benjamin Rector and wife, Job Throckmorton and wife, Priscilla Wil- liams, John Hiatt and wife, James Hiatt and wife, Nicolas Proctor and wife, and others. In 1865-6 a brick building was erected, which cost some four thousand dollars. It was dedicated July 1, 1866, by E. M. H. Fleming, presiding elder of the Council Bluffs district, the district being then, as now, a portion of the Des Moines conference. Its pastors have been B. W. Coe, T. K. McStewart, G. J. Nexon (two years), I. M. O'Flyng (two years), G. C. Waynick (one year), B. Shinn (two years), J. B. Hardy (one year), A. P. Hull (one year), A. Baker (one year), E. W. Sage (two years), F. Plumb (two years), and Fred Harris (three years). The present membership is seventy-five. When this church was first organized it embraced the entire county. The charge at present includes Sidney, Walnut grove and Cherry grove. Meetings were usually held in the court-house or school-house until the church was built.
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