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 67
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CHURCH OF CHRIST.
The last of the present churches to be organized was the Church of
1 Christ. That event occurred on the third Lord's day in September, 1863, and initiatory steps were taken by John N. Parker. The original mem- bers were Milton Richards, T. L. Buckham, John Gordon, J. T. Woolsey, G. A. Drake, Charles Jackson, George Lacy, W. H. Wood, Nancy Lan- caster, Deborah Drake, Polly Lacy, Jane Buckham, E. Dale, H. Wood and Martha Gordon. In 1865 the society built a frame church, costing some two thousand dollars. The pastors have been C. P. Evans, P. T. Russell, W. H. Hardman, A. Williams, John Friend, L. D. Cook and G. B. Mullis. John Field is the present pastor. It now numbers about seventy. ยป
611
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
To these churches have been entrusted the religious interests of the community from their earliest organization. Though each holds its peculiar dogmas and adopts each its special creed, they have, in the main, been united in their efforts to discharge the trusts devolving on them. What has been done their records and tasty church buildings attest.
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
This township is largely within the Missouri bottom, and presents there- fore, the usual appearance of rich floodplain lands. It is bounded on its eastern side by the lofty bluffs of loess that give such a picturesque appear- ance to the landscape-bold, high escarpments that serve to relieve the unvarying monotony of the surface.
The first settlers in Scott township were Mormons, who came from Hancock county, Illinois. They came in 1845 and 1846, and found con- genial homes on the rich lands of the Missouri bottom. There were among them D. C. Study, Barbara Study, George Forney, Mrs. John M. Ewell, and Mary Ann Dike. The first marriage took place October 10, 1847, and was that of Samuel Ettleman and Susan Forney. The cere- mony was performed by John Huston at the house of David C. Study. In 1846 was born the first male child, Washington, son of George and Catherine Forney. On September 9, 1848, the first female child was born, and was a daughter of the same persons who had been the parents of the first boy. Among these newcomers Doctor Venable cared for the sick of body, while Rev. W. Rector was the "physician of the soul."
FREMONT CITY.
The growth of the township was similar to that of all the others in the county, slow at first, but soon rapid and permanent, In 1856, Abraham Fletcher, who had resided in the vicinity since 1851, laid the foundations of Fremont City-formerly known as Plum Hollow, by which name it is still recognized by the postal arrangements of the government. Mr. Fletcher built the first residence, opened the first store, and was the first postmaster.
The village was incorporate.l in 1879, with the following officials elected at the first election: J. McF. Paul, mayor; W. R. Paul, recorder; H. F. Reed, treasurer; C. M. Graves, marshal; and councilmen, William Green, J. H. Cale, W. R. Roberts, Joseph Blair, Leonard Study, and J. S. Jones. The village is an independent school district, and has a most commodious brick school-house costing $4,800. The schools are now under the man-
612
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
agement of principal C. W. Durrette, assisted by Misses Lydia Dilts and Nettie Stockton. The sexes are quite evenly divided, and the whole number of pupils in attendance is 145.
STATISTICS.
Independent district Fremont City :
No. of teachers employed the past year 2
Salary per month paid to males
$55.00
Salary per month paid to females $40.00
No. of months of school . 9
No. of children of school age. 213
No. enrolled in the district. 108
Average attendance 80
1
Value of school property
$4,800.00
Amount paid teachers the past year
925.00
Amount paid for school houses. .
Amount paid for contingent purposes
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
There are two of these in Fremont City. The Odd Fellows lodge, No. 278, was organized March 16, 1874. The charter members were Hiram Atkinson, H. F. Reed, William Blair, A. B. Atkinson, Dwight Lumm, John Lumm, and J. H. Howard. The lodge was officered by W. Blair, N. G .; H. F. Reed, V. G .; A. B. Atkinson, Sec .; and J. H. Howard, Treasurer.
MASONIC LODGE.
Mersail lodge A. F. and A. M., was organized under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, bearing the date of September 23, 1874. The officers were J. M. Isom, W. M .; G. P. Martin, S. W .; and[S. J. Ellis, J. W. The lodge was chartered June 8, 1875. The following were the charter members: (The reader will note that the name of the lodge is an acrostic, derived from the initial letters of the surname of some of the charter members.) Y. P. Martin, S. J. Ellis, W. R. Roberts, M. A. Steph- enson, J. F. Ault, J. M. Isom, B. G. Loucks, D. Lumm, John Lumm, and Joseph Burson. The first officers under the charter were J. M. Isom, W. M .; Y. P. Martin, S. W .; M. A. Stephenson, J. W .; William Greer, Treas .; Wm. Blair, Sec .; W. B. Meek, S. D .; G. W. Sheer, J. D .; W. R. Roberts, Sr. S .; R. Baylor, Jr. S .; T. C. Harris, Tyler. The lodge has had a most varied existence, but has always been prosperous. The men within its jurisdiction are influential and honorable members of society, and in their own peculiar way the Masons are doing what they may to
No. of school houses, brick .
613
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
help the poor and unfortunate. True to their convictions of right with brothers, they " meet upon the square," and with those not of the mystic tie they extend the hand of fellow-feeling, if not that of fellowship. The present officers of the lodge are W. B. Meek, W. M .; T. C. Cole, S. W .; M. A Stephenson, Jr. W .; William Greer, Treas .; J. Blair, Sec .; E. Trip- lett, S. D .; R. H. Scofield, J. D .; G. W. Sheer, S. S. The lodge now numbers thirty-two.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of the township have advanced wonderfully since Abra- ham Fletcher taught the first school in his own house. The scholars were few, and not always well mannered. School teaching in those days was neither a pasttime nor a joke-though the latter, as a plural noun, was the common lot of the early teacher. There always have been, and always will be urchins to bend a pin or grease a blackboard, stuff the key-hole with paper, or the chimney with snow, to the detriment of teaching in quiet. And-speak it lightly under the stars-such things are told of those who are to-day the staunch men of Scott-men who, when trouble came and the dark image of war cast a deep shadow over the land, forgot the sports of their youth and their books alike, to enter upon the hard and stern duties of war. Some of them returned to care for the material interests of the county; others, alas, sleep the sleep that knows no waking. They went forth in the full pride and power of manhood, but return they did not. Peace to their ashes, and glory to their names, which are legion.
STATISTICS.
No. of sub-districts.
9
No. of teachers employed the past year
15
Salary per month, male. $ 32.85
Salary per month, female. 32.85
No. months of school.
7.2
No. of children school age.
373
Average attendance in the township
133
No. of frame school houses in district.
9
Value of school property $2,978.00
Amount paid teachers. $1,930.00
Amount paid for school houses.
Amount paid for contingent purposes
No. of children enrolled in district. 266
614
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
The oldest church of which there is any record is the Fremont City M. E. Church, which was organized in 1856. The original members were William Mann, Granville Mann, Archibald Mann and Abraham Fletcher. The society, beginning with so small a number, is only another illustration of the gathering " of the two or three " from which wonderful results have followed. In 1857 and 1858 a frame church was erected at a cost of one thousand dollars, showing the greatest energy and enterprise in the early membership. In 1871 the church was repaired, and when finished was dedicated by J. C. Laten, and the pastor, W. F. Laidley. The member- ship is now seventy.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church is at Bartlett, and was organized April 12, 1872, by A. J. Roberts. The elders were J. P. McClure and David Aitkin. The pastors have been A. J. Roberts, R. L. Pertle, J. D. McClure, and the present incumbent. The membership is 27.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
Walnut township was first settled in 1852, by a Mr. Gilkerson, who came from Missouri and located in section 18. In the same year came John Copeland, from the western part of the county, though originally from Indiana. A. J. Singleton, from another part of the county, came in 1852, in the spring, and settled on section 7. Isaac, a son of Mr. Single- ton, was the first male child born in the township. The first marriage was that of Marcus Spencer and Catherine Davis, which occurred in a log cabin on section 4, near Walnut creek, and was performed by the Rev. Samuel Farlow, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In April of the same year the first death occurred, being that of Mrs. Chambers, wife of Ezekiel Chambers. The same clergyman who performed the mar-
riage ceremony, was to officiate at the burial of Mrs. Chambers. He was the first clergyman in the township, and its early religious history is due entirely to his efforts. The services were held in Mud Seminary- a name given to an old log school-house on section S, and in which the first school was taught by E. W. Pease. He exercised a kind of tyran- nical rule over some thirty pupils, and is said to have been rather more successful in frightening than in educating them. For his services the
615
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
district paid him twenty dollars per month, and the pupils paid him in the school-boy's final resort-disrespect.
In 1873 the Christian church was organized, meeting in the frame school house in district number four. The original members were E. High, W. Watts, T. B. Birk, A. Bowman, J. Daniel, F. M. Park, Mrs. M. Bowman, E. J. Park, L. Daniel, Josie Daniel, Mrs. Birk, Miss M. E. Park, A. B. Park, Mrs. Watts, and G. H. Park. The pastors of the church have been L. D. Cook, and W. H. Hardman. The membership is sixty, testifying to the zeal of those forming the early organization.
EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS.
No. of sub-districts
6
No. of teachers employed the past year
12
Salary per month, same to males and females $ 27.50
No. of months school.
7
No. of children of school age.
217
No. of children enrolled in the district township
190
Average attendance in the township
93
No. of school houses in the township, frame
6
Value of school property $ 3,100.00
Amount paid teachers. $ 1,157.50
Amount paid for school houses. $
68.00
Amount paid for contingent purposes $ 5.00 .
Biographical Sketches.
The word "sketch" implies an outline or delineation of anything, giv- ing broad touches by which only an imperfect idea, at the best, can be conveyed. It is not designed to include all the several and separate acts of a man's life, important or otherwise, for that would necessarily be both comprehensive and minute in its character; nor is any single sketch purely biographical, which would imply a review of the life and character of each person: The design is to give the merest outline, with particular reference, however, to the public life of the persons named. To go into each man's private life, or into his home life, would be both unwarranted and without general value. As a rule one's neighbors know full enough about him, and to afford them correct data for information would perhaps deprive them of the topics of quondam conversations.
All men cannot be great; each has his sphere and the success of his life is to be measured by the manner in which he fills it. But men may be both true and good, may be morally great, for in true living there are no degrees of greatness-there is no respect to persons.
In the sketches which follow there will be found few names not entitled to a place in the public confidence. The names are, for the most part, those of men who have been closely and for a long time identified with the interests of the county and their several townships. If in their lives, no mention appears of the hardships they endured in the early days of the county's history, it is because reference has been made to pioneer life in the earlier pages of the volume, and a repetition of individual experiences would be devoid both of interest and aim.
To the county the names of none of its earliest settlers are without interest; and if their names do not appear among these sketches it is because an inauspicious destiny arrested their career. Their place was already marked. To have obtained sketches of their lives would have been to the writer, next to the consciousness of duty fulfilled, the highest of gratifications. Their lives would have obtained and justified all sym- pathy, and their names recall heroic examples, of which the men of to-day, with better fortunes, though with less daring, are neither the companions, the rivals, nor the masters. In the great majority of instances the bat-
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617
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
tles in which many persons named have been engaged are suppressed-not because they are valueless, but because the several engagements of the Iowa regiments may be found in another part of the volume. This has not been generally the case with regiments outside the state, except in an occasional instance when some one was ambitious to share the glory of the war represented themselves in remarkable battles in different states but occurring at the same date! It has, in a word, been a paramount object that men should be sketched as they are, rather than as they think they are, or wish, perhaps, to be.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
BLAIR, J. J., farmer, section 9, P. O., Plum Hollow ; born December 11, 1831, in Mason county, Kentucky. When five years of age accompanied his parents to Ohio, and located in Brown county, where he grew to man- hood, receiving his education in the common schools, and in the graded schools of Georgetown, Came to Iowa in 1855 and located near Tabor, where he resided until 1862 when he went to the far west to engage in mining. In 1865 he returned to the states to remain. In 1871 he pur- chased his farm, which he has greatly improved. He has held numerous public offices and is thoroughly independent in views and ways.
BAYLOR SAMUEL, farmer, section 32, P.O., Percival; born October 5, 1814, in Fairfield county, Ohio, where he attained his majority and was educated. In 1850 he removed to Edgar county, Illinois, where he remained until 1869. In that year he came to Iowa and settled on the farm he now occupies. He was married April 17, 1834, to Miss Elizabeth Julien. They are the parents of eleven children, seven now living: Stephen L., William A., John, Arthur C., Melissa H., Sarah and Susan.
BENNETT, JOSEPH, merchant, P. O. Percival; born March 12, 1832, in the town of Sandwich, New Hampshire. In 1855 he moved to Illinois, remaining but a short time, for in the same year he came to Iowa and located in Linn county. In 1857 he located in Otoe county, Nebraska, where he was engaged in farming until 1864, when he opened a store for the sale of general merchandise, in the same county. Shortly after, he moved to Lincoln, and opened the first store and sold the first goods ever sold in that place. In 1869 he came to Percival where he has since resided. He was married October 18, 1853 to Miss Nancy Hart. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Missionary church of Percival. He held the position of postmaster at Percival, from 1869 to 1875.
618
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
BEBOUT, GEORGE C., boatman, P. O. Eastport; born in Warring- ton, Jefferson county, Ohio, September 23, 1850, where he lived until eight years of age. In that year he came to Iowa with his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Fremont county and of Nebraska City. He was married January 24, 1870, to Miss Dora Heskin, by whom he has four children: William, Alice, Hattie, and Ross.
BETCHEL, D. W., farmer, section 21, P. O., Percival; born in Janu- ary, 1836, in the state of Pennsylvania. When still a young child, moved with his parents to Illinois and located at Rock Island, where he reached man's estate and was educated. In 1869 he moved to Kansas, and in the same year to Missouri. He came to this county and township in 1872. He enlisted in company F., 23d Iowa infantry, August 19, 1862. He was in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, and all the other engagements in which his regiment figured. Wm. Betchel was married August 14, 1862, to Miss Anna Wilkinson, a native of Illinois. They are the parents of five children: David B., Sarah E., Amos F., Annie C., and Carrie M.
BOTSFORD, O. D., farmer, section 30, P. O. Percival; born January 30, 1812, in Franklin county, New York. When five years old he moved with his father's family to Genesee county, and was educated in the com- mon schools and the high schools of Bethany and Rochester. His college course was taken at Oberlin, Ohio. He studied theology in the same col- lege intending to enter the ministry, but after a few years service he was obliged to desist. He also read medicine and graduated from the Home- opathic college in Cleveland, Ohio. He was married in 1849 to Miss A. J. Hall. He came to Iowa in 1856, and located on the farm he now occu- pies. He owns a fine farm under a high state of cultivation, and is an intelligent, active gentleman.
DAILY, MRS. MARY, farmer, section 33, P. O. Percival; the daugh- ter of Henry and A. O'Neal, who were natives of Ireland, where Mrs. Daily was born in 1840. She was eight years of age when her parents emigrated to America, and located in Jeffersonville, Indiana. In 1853, she came to Iowa and lived at Muscatine. There she was married to Findley Daily, and soon afterwards came to Fremont county. Mr. Daily was a native of Cork, Ireland, where he lived until coming to America. Mrs. Daily is the mother of nine children, eight of whom are now living: Henry, William, James, Ellen, Mary A., Daniel, Annie, and John. Mr. Daily died September 2, 1880, at his home from typhoid fever. He was a good citizen and bore the respect of all who knew him. Mrs. Daily is a conscientious member of the Catholic church.
619
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
FITZGERALD, WILLIAM, farmer, section 25, P. O. Percival; born in Limerick county, Ireland, November 14, 1831. When twelve years of age he came with his parents to America. In 1858 he located in this county, and has remained here ever since. He had been a member of the regular army, enlisting in 1851, and being engaged in the frontier war with the Indians. He was in the Sioux expedition of 185-, and was twice wounded by arrows. In the war with the Confederacy he participated as a soldier in company F, fifteenth Iowa infantry. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, and all the other engagements in which his regiment par- ticipated. He was several times wounded, and was finally mustered out of the service-covered with glory-July 25, 1865. He was married Jan- uary 18, 1869, to Miss Margaret Carl, by whom he has six children, one deceased: Robert E, Mary E., Nora, Nellie, and Susan.
FRENCH, S. T., grain dealer and broker, P. O. Percival; born January 19, 1845, in Merrimac county, New Hampshire, where he grew to man- hood .. He was educated in the common school and in Pittsfield academy. When seventeen years of age he began to clerk in a dry goods store for an uncle, R. L. French. In 1868 moved to Illinois and located in Macon county, in 1859 he came to Iowa, of which state he has since been a resi- dent. In the township where he now resides he has held the office of jus- tice of the peace for two years. He is now agent for the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R.
FOX, FRANK, merchant, P. O. Percival; born October 6, 1840, in Woodstock, Grafton county, New Hampshire, where he grew to man- hood. He was educated in the common schools of his native state, and in the Congregational Seminary, at Northfield. His health failing him he resorted to a voyage at sea, which he followed for five years and succeeded in recovering the most complete health. He engaged in various kinds of business until coming to Iowa in 1875. He was married November, 21, 1870, to Miss Louisa Peaslee, a native of New Hampshire. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
GORE, ALLEN M., farmer, section 8, P. O., McPaul; born Novem- per 5, 1835, in Monroe county, West Virginia. When six years of age he noved with his parents to Buchanan county, Missouri, where he resided intil seventeen years of age. He then went to Atchison county, from vhich place he came to Iowa in 1863. In 1877 he moved to Kansas, but eturned in 1880. He was married March 27, 1859, to Miss Mary F. Nare. They have eight children, Robert W., Samuel, Eliza C., Maggie .. , Emma J., Friel, Fred. and Stephen.
620
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
HILL, CHARLES E., house and sign painter, P. O., Percival; born in Northwick, Connecticut, in 1843, where he received his education. When seventeen years of age he enlisted in company C, Fourth Connecti- cut volunteers. He was promoted from time to time, and in 1863 he was commissioned first-lieutenant, and then became captain of company. He was in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Palmetto, Antietam, South Mountain, Cedar Mountain, Bull Run, and all the engagements in which his regi- ment participated. He was discharged-full of honor- June 21, 1865.
HOWELL, JAMES P., blacksmith, P. O. Percival; born October 23, 1830, in Howard county, Missouri. When twelve years of age he went with his father's family to Andrew county, same state, where he grew to manhood and was educated. When eighteen years of age he learned the blacksmith trade, which he has since mainly followed. He enlisted in the confederate army under General Price, and was in the battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, and numerous other engagements, serving in all a period of four years. In 1867 he came to this county. He was married in 1850 to Mrs. Margaret Davis, a native of Virginia. They have three children; Frances M., Robert J. and Mary M. Mr. Howell commands the esteem and respect of all who know him, as a man true to his convictions of right.
HAWLEY, E. R., farmer, section 29, P. O., Percival; born March 31, 1822, in the state of Vermont; at the age of three years he moved with his parents to New York, where he grew to manhood and was educated. In 1844 he moved to Jefferson county, in northern New York, and main- tained a residence there until 1864, when he came to Iowa. He has been intimately connected with the educational interests of the county for many years, having held the office of school director uninterruptedly for twelve years. He has held other township offices and filled the same with the highest honor. He is a member of the Sons of Temperance, and the, Masonic fraternity. He was married January 22, 1847, to Miss Amelia Sheldon, a native of Watertown, N. Y. From this union there resulted the birth of eight children, four sons and four daughters; Ann E., Henry E., Mary, Frank W., Etta L., Arta L., Jay S. and Bertrand. Mr. Hawley has filled the office of justice of the peace since 1877. 1
HORSLEY, JOHN, farmer, section 9, P. O. Percival; born March 16, 1827, in Cambridgeshire, England, where he grew to manhood anc was educated. He came to America in 1851, and located in Steuber county, New York. After a residence of one year he went to Cook county, Illinois, and in 1858 came to Iowa, Fremont county. He was mar. ried March 22, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Peacock, a native of England
621
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
Mr. Horsley has been a successful farmer, all his life having been spent in that business. When he came to Iowo he had scarcely anything, but by industry and frugality has secured a comfortable competence.
HOYT, NELSON, farmer, P. O. Percival; born February 7, 1838, in the Province of Quebec, Canada. His youth was passed on the farm and in seeking to obtain an education in the faulty free school of that day. In 1866 Mr. Hoyt came to Iowa, where he has since resided in the county of Fremont. He was married in 1869 to Miss Maria Gibbon, by whom he has five children: Sarah, Geneva C., Gracia L., Lottie and Mable M.
JACOBS, CHARLES M., farmer section 21, P. O. Percival; born January 1, 1826, in New Haven, Connecticut, where he grew to manhood and was educated. At the age of seventeen he went to sea, as a whaler, under the command of Capt. W. H. Sherman, as jolly a tar as ever sailed the briny deep, and a good skipper. His voyage lasted two years. He made seven voyages to the West Indies, and one voyage to the East Indies, following the sea for ten years. He was five years in the mines of California engaged in mining pursuits. In the spring of 1858 he came to this county and located at Civil Bend. The farm he now occupies passed into his possession in 1870. He was married August 6, 1857, to Miss Ruth Johnson, a native of Connecticut. They are the parents of three children, two living: H. E., and Stella M.
KELLOGG, J. M., farmer, P. O., Percival; born in Hartford county, Connecticut, where his youth was spent and his education obtained. In 1847 he was in the city of New York, actively engaged in the insurance business. In 1857 he came to Iowa and located in this township. He was married in 1858 to Miss Harriet M. Rogers, a native of Waterford, Connecticut. They have two children: Samuel L. and R. Welles. Mr. Kellogg is a successful farmer, and an energetic, reliable business man.
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