History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 63

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 63

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Martin Pritchard was born at Batavia, New York, October 20, 1835, and soon after his birth his parents moved to Michi- gan. His early education was limited to the district schools of that day; but always having a taste for books, he applied him- self to study during hi's leisure moments, and in this way gained a solid education. He learned the trade of blacksmithing under his father, and upon his arrival in Alden, in the year 1856, opened the first blacksmith shop in the place. He after- ward spent one year in Colorado, and upon his return resumed his trade, which he fol- lowed until 1870, when he embarked in mercantile trade, and remained in this business until 1881. He was the first Township Clerk, and taught the first school in the township, and has held the office of Mayor for three years. Mr. Pritchard was also Supervisor under the old Supervisor system, nearly two terms, and was Postmaster of Alden from 1870 to 1881. He also was the first Vice-President of the Old Settlers' Society. In 1859 he was married to Sophia M., daughter of Henry and Hannah (Richmond) Alden. They have one child living: Gertrude M., wife of J. W. Blakeslee, of Webster City.

Alden Catlin, one of the early settlers of this part of the county, was born in Frank- lin county, Massachusetts, July 14, 1832, and is a son of Timothy and Electa (Alden) Catlin, who are also natives of that State. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed while in Massa-

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chusetts; and upon his arrival in Alden, in 1856, he helped to build the first house erected here. In 1870 he moved to his farm, on section 13, bought soon after coming to the county; and since his re- moval there, he has improved his place, until now he is the owner of a fine farm. Mr. Catlin has never taken a very active part in the country's politics. He, at one time, held the office of Township Trustee. In 1855 he was married to Miss Mary Jane Hodge, who is a native of New York. Two children have blessed this union- Ella and Alice.

Franklin Draper (deceased) was born in Herkimer county, New York, November 12, 1822. While in New York he fol- lowed the trade of masonry, which he learned when a young man. On Decem- ber 24, 1846, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Catharine E. Weber, who is a native of the same county, and who was born in 1830. In 1853 they came west, spending one year at Janesville, Wis., and one at Batavia, Ill. In May of 1855, they came to Iowa Falls, and the following year ceased their wanderings by settling in Alden. In 1857 the family moved to their farm on section 14, where Mr. Draper died September 11, 1880. Their children are George Franklin, Mary C., who is now the wife of Charles Robbins; James W., Charles, who was married to Miss Effie Kline, January 11, 1880; William A., who is a twin brother to Charles; Lillian, Isabella and Frederick Owen.

Wilson R. Mason, a native of Ohio, was born in Belmont county, July 11, 1840, and is the son of David and Susannah (Bevan) Mason. In 1843 his parents

came west to Tazewell-now Logan- county, Ill., and afterwards moved to Bureau county, Ill. Here he remained until sixteen years of age. In 1856 they came to Hardin county and settled near Point Pleasant, where his father died in February, 1871. In 1867 he located on section 36, Alden, where he now owns a farm of 70 acres. Mr. Mason has held the office of school director. In September, 1865, he was married to Sarah Morriell, who bore him two children-Joshua Tho- burn and Sylvia Ann-and who died in the spring of 1870. July 11, 1870, he was married to Hannah Masters, who has borne him one child-Mary Ellen.

Robert M. Treat was born in New Haven county, Conn., January 13, 1838. He is a son of Charles and Henrietta (Mallory) Treat, both natives of that county. He remained in that county until February, 1857, when he came to Alden, and in 1858 bought a farm on section 11, on which he settled in 1869. In 1863 he enli-ted in Company F, 2d Iowa Infantry, and was honorably discharged at Selma, Ala., at the close of the war in 1865, and returned to Alden, where he has since resided. He was married in 1860 to Miss Susan Pritch- ard, a native of Pittsfield, Mich. Five children have blessed this union-Elmer E., Marion H., Robert S., Frederick W. and Philip.

J. G. Whitney is a son of Solomon and Bersheba (Clow),Whitney, and was born in Franklin county, Vermont, March 4, 1836, remaining there until 19 years of age. In June, 1857, he arrived at Alden, and for one and one-half years, worked at the car- penter's trade. In the spring of 1860, he crossed the plains to Colorado, but

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

returned in 1861, and afterward made several trips to the mining regions; and in 1866, located on the northeast quarter of section 14, where he still resides. Mr. W. has held the office of trustee three terms. He was married in 1866, to Miss Adeline Davis, daughter of "Squire" Davis, of Alden. Their children are Millie, Montie, Maynard, Mirtie, Martin, Maurice and Irving.

. C. D. Pritchard is a son of Philo A. and Eliza J. (Woodward) Pritchard, and was born at Lockport, N. Y ., August 9, 1830. In 1836, his parents moved to Washtenaw county, Michigan; here he received an academic education, attending the "Union" school at Ypsilanti, and after- ward began the study of law. In the spring of 1857, he came to Alden, and dur- ing the fall became the proprietor of the "Alden House," which he ran one year. He then moved to Hancock county, where he was admitted to the Bar, in 1858, and afterward practiced his profession and teaching. In 1860 he was elected Clerk of the Courts of that county, which office he filled for two years; elected in 1863, and was a member of the State Legislature of 1864; was soon after appointed Depart- ment Clerk in the Interior Department at Washington, D C., but finding a clerk- ship not suited to his taste, and that the chances of promotion were few, he soon after resigned, and returned to Hancock county and began the practice of his chosen profession. In 1869, he was employed to thoroughly examine and correct the books of Wright county, which he did in a very satisfactory manner. In 1871, he entered into partnership with his brother Martin, at Alden. In politics, he

is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He was married in the fall of 1857 to Miss Anastatia Morton, daughter of J. G. and Almira (Gorton) Morton, of Ypsilanti, Mich. They have been blessed with three children-Ada M., Ida M., and Anastatia.

Loren Burnham, a son of Appolis and Irene (Taylor) Burnham, was born in Mon- tague, Franklin county, Mass., June 26, 1830. He received a limited education at the district school, attending only during the winter months, after reaching the age of ten years. In 1851, he went to Con- necticut, where he worked in a foundry at New Hartford, and afterwards at Plain- view. In May, 1857, he came to Hardin county and located at Alden, on section 25. In 1863, he bought a claim of Mr. Treat, and the next year settled on this place, and now owns 210 acres. He has engaged in farming most of the time since coming to Hardin county. Mr. Burnham has held the offices of President, Secretary and Director of schools at different periods, and is now present school Treasurer. In 1875, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Loveland, who is a native of Con- necticut; eight children have been born to them, six of whom are now living-Ernst C., Albert M., Eugene L., Dwight E., Lucia A., and Maurice M.

A. A. Davis is the son of M. J. and Matilda (Wells) Davis, and was born in Ionia county, Michigan, March 17, 1846. In 1857 his parents moved to Alden, where he received a good education at the public schools. His first engagement in business was at Dows, in the lumber trade, and was also in partnership with John Hoskin, at Alden, in mercantile trade. At present he

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occupies a position in the latter's store. In 1872 he was married to Miss Florence Pritchard, daughter of Henry and Saman- tha Pritchard. They have one daughter living-Minniefred.

C. P. Johnson, a son of Ezekiel and Mary (Mathus) Johnson, was born in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, August 29, 1836. His parents moved to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1837, where they set- tled on a farm; and bere his father died in September, 1874. His mother is still living on the old place. Mr. Johnson re- mained in Wayne county until 1861, when he came to Hardin county, and located just north of Iowa Falls. In 1865 he removed to his present" location, and now owns 244 acres of land. He was married in 1845 to Miss Margaret E. Catey, daughter of Jobn and Sarah (Harris) Catey. She bore him three children-George, Albert and Stew- art-and died in April, 1874. Mr. John- son was again married to Miss Mercy J. Merrill, a native of Cataraugus county, New York, November 1874, and the result of this union is two children-Minerva and Freddie E.

The grandfather of Mr. Johnson's first wife came to America from Germany, and upon his arrival in this country could not speak English enough to make known his own name, but was able to make people understand that his father's name was Henry, and his mother's Catey, so he re- ceived the name of Henry Catey.

TOPOGRAPHICAL.

The main branch of the Iowa river en- ters this township on section 1, township 89, range 22, and runs a southeasterly course through sections 12 and 13, same

town and range, and through sections 18, 17, 20, 16 and 21, township 89, range 21, leaving the township on section 16. The South Fork of the Iowa river enters the township on section 6, township 89, range 22, thence south through sections 5, 8, 17, 20, 21, 28, 29, 32 and 33, leaving the town- ship from the latter section. The only timber in the township is along the main branch of the Iowa river. The remainder of the township is a rolling prairie, except- ing the northwestern portion of the town- ship, which is a low prairie.

FIRST MARRIAGE.

On the 1st day of July, 1856, Charles Philo and Hannah E., daughter of Asher Bolden, were united in marriage by Esquire Lott Clover, at the residence of the bride's parents. This was the first marriage ceremony ever performed in Alden township. Mr. and Mrs. Philo are now living near Wadena, Minn.

FIRST BIRTH.

Charlotte, daughter of Dr. John Craw- ford, was born in the winter of 1852-3, and was the first child born in the town- ship. She is still living.

FIRST DEATH.

Mary Ann, daughter of William and Julia Myers, died July 28, 1853. Her body lies buried in the Alden cemetery. This was the first death in the township.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school was taught by Martin Pritchard, during the winter of 1856-7, in a building erected for the purpose. and now owned by Mrs. Neill, on section 18,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

township 89, range 21. This was the be- ginning of the educational work in the township, which has now been well devel- oped. There are now eleven good and substantial school buildings, nine of which are of frame and two of brick, the latter being in District No. 4. There are now 400 children of school age in the town- ship, having during the year 1880-81 an enrollment of 375 and an average attend- ance of 194. The school property is valued at $10,000.

RELIGIOUS.

The minister of the gospel soon found his way into Alden township, proclaiming "the unsearchable riches of Christ." Phi- lemon Plummer, a minister of the Chris- tian or Disciples' Church, was the pioneer preacher in this township. In the early part of the summer of 1853 he delivered a discourse in a log house on section 18. The house was crowded to overflowing. Since that time, ministers of nearly all the leading denominations in this part of the State have preached in the township. For some time the cabins of the early settlers were used for religious services; next, the school houses were used, and, last of all, church buildings erected for and dedicated to the service of a living God. There are no church edifices outside the town of Alden. For a history of these and the denominations worshipping therein, see the history of the town of Alden in this chapter.

ORGANIC.

Alden township was organized in 1856, by the County Judge. The first election was held at the house of George B. Nel- son, April 7, of that year. The following

named officers were - elected: Trustees, Sumner Kemp, Henry Alden, J. W. Cowles; Martin Pritchard, Clerk; Lott Clover and James Holden, Justices of the Peace; George B Nelson, Constable; O Bigelow, Supervisor; S. Elwood, Assessor.

The present officers of the township are as follows: John Barrett, S. L. Pierce, E.W. Crockett, Trustees; W. W. Jones, Clerk; John Tomlinson, Assessor; M. J. Davis and C. D. Pritchard, Justices of the Peace; J. Y. Fiddler, O. J. Thomas, Constables.

POUGHKEEPSIE.

In 1855 W. H. Foote laid out upon sec- tion 16, township 89, range 21, a village, to which he gave the name of Poughkeep- sie. The plat of the town was never recorded, and all attempts by Mr. Foote to establish here a town was soon after- wards abandoned. In 1855 a postoffice was established here, under the name of the town. It was discontinued by the Postoffice Department in a short time.

SETTLERS OF THE SECOND AND THIRD DECADE.

Albert Wood is a son of G. C. and Electa (Woodworth) Wood, and was born in Iowa county, Wis., in 1853, remaining until 1865, when the family moved to Hardin county, and settled in Alden town- ship. Here his father died in 1872, and his mother in 1874. He has held the office of road supervisor two years, school direc- tor three years, and is present secretary of the township district schools. He was married in January, 1881, to Miss Flora Brown, a native of Iowa county, Wis. They have one child .

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Hiram D. Palmer, son of Alexander. and Olive (Plumb) Palmer, was born in Warren county, N. Y., August 27, 1831, where he remained until 1850, following the occupation of boating and rafting. In 1850 he went to Washtenaw county, Mich., and was engaged in farming in that and Ingham counties until 1865, when he came to Alden and located on section 12, where he now owns a fine farm of 140 acres. In the fall of 1875 he went to Prince Ed- wards county, Va., and remained three years, and still owns a plantation of 252 acres. He was married in Veray, Mich., in 1857, to Hannah Elizabeth Hill, daughter of Bazaleel Hill, of Ohio. He was killed near Mr. Palmer's farm by a team running away, upon his return from Sunday-school. They have six children-Emma, wife of Richard Kremelmyer; Irene, Clara, Lu- cile, Eunice and Ernst Orson.

A. Lemoine was born in Medina county, Ohio, December 9, 1829, and is a son of Noah E. and Hannah (Shaw) Lemoine. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of New York. In 1839 his parents moved to Summit county, Ohio, and here his father died February 22, 1846. In October of this year he came west to Manetowoc county, Wis., where he re- mained until 1853, engaged in farming. From this place he moved to Columbia county, Wis., and remained until 1865, when he came to Hardin county and lo- cated in Jackson township. In 1872 he came to Alden, and now owns a fine farm of 125 acres. In 1852 he was married in Manetowoc county to Miss Cordelia Wheeler, a native of Canada, who bore him three children-Luella, now wife of Leroy Babcock, of Jackson township;

Alida, wife of J. K. Devendorff, of Eldora; and Frank.

J. R. Bushman, son of David and Eva (Spangler) Bushman, was born near Rochester, N. Y., October 6, 1832. In 1844 his parents moved to Carroll county, Ill., and here his father died in 1880. He remained here until the fall of 1865, when he moved to Clay township, Hardin county, and remained eight years, engaged in farming. Upon leaving this township, he settled in Alden on section 35, and now owns 200 acres of land. Mr. Bushman has held the office of school director. He married, in 1858, Miss Eunice Baker, a .native of York State. Six children have blessed this marriage-Abram Fred, Lydia Arrilla, Theresa, Elliott, John and Carrie.

S. M. Massey is the son of Baker and Polly (Stowell) Massey, and was born in . the year 1831 in the State of New York. His educational advantages were the com- mon district school. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, at which time he came west to Beloit, Wis, where he worked at the tinner's trade two years. From Beloit he went to Jefferson, Wis., where he engaged in the same busi- ness until the breaking out of the war in 1861. At the President's call for troops, he gave up his business and joined the ranks, enlisting in Company B, First Wis- consin Cavalry, and served until honorably discharged at Cape Girardeau, Mo., Janu- ary 6, 1863, on account of disability. After this discharge he remained in the quartermaster's department in that town one year. In September of 1866, he lo- cated at Alden and engaged in the hard- ware business, and has since been a resi- dent of this place. Mr. Massey is a Master

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Mason in good standing. He was married in 1851 to Miss Marietta Hunter, who was also born in New York State. Four children have been born to them, of whom Lou is the only one living.

D. McPherson is a son of James and Christina (Gordon) McPherson, and was born in Genesee county, New York, in June, 1834. He was reared on a farm, and received a good common school education. In 1867 he came to Alden, and located on section 6, where he now owns a farm of 180 acres. He was married in 1863 to Miss Emily Olive Crocker, a daughter of James and Phæbe (Chamberlain) Crocker, of Le Roy, Genesee county, N. Y. Their children are: Ida, Ruth, William, Grace, Gordon and Marion.

A. Parmelee, a son of David W. and Cynthia (Crampton) Parmelee, was born in Genesee county, New York, August 24, 1828. He was raised on a farm, receiving a very limited education. During the spring of 1867 he came to Alden and bought.a farm, to which he moved his. family during the fall of that year. He has held the office of President of the School Board of this township. He was married April 9, 1849, to Miss Eunice A. Parmelee, daughter of Phineas and Mary (Ward) Parmelee. Their children are: Howard, Julia, now wife of Dr. Bracket, of Goldfield, Iowa; David W., Ward P., Mary, Ruth, and Effie.

G. Coy was born in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1820. He came to America in 1839, landing in New York, and soon after was engaged in shoemaking with a brother, in Oswego county, New York, for two years. He remained in the Eastern States until 1852, when he came West to Du Page

county, Illinois, and was there engaged in farming, and afterward to Kane county, and in the spring of 1867, to Alden, and located on section 7, where he now resides. He was married in 1852, at Chicago, Ill., to Margaret Dewyer. She died in 1857. He was married in 1859 to Margaret Berry. Five children have been born to them, viz .: Elizabeth, Anna, Ellen, John and William.

Thomas Clayton, a son of John and Ann (Cronshaw) Clayton, was born in England, July 27, 1823. In 1851 he came to Amer- ica and located in Oneida county, New York, where he worked in a foundry until 1867, at which time he came West, and settled at Alden, on section 16, where he bought a farm of 123 acres, and now owns over 400 acres of land. He was married to Miss Mary Fielding, a native of Black- burn, Lancashire, England, in 1847. Six children have been born to them-Alice Ann (now the wife of Charles Anderson, of Iowa Falls), Agnes, George, Joseph, Thomas F. and Mary.

F. C. Hill, a son of Lemon and Jeanette (Cook) Hill, was born in Erie county, New York, May 28, 1832. Here he remained until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Sheboygan, Wis., and the following five years was connected with stage lines be- tween that city and Fon du Lac, Wis., after which he was engaged in railroading for 17 years. He began this business by " breaking," and was promoted from one position to another until he became con- ductor; first on the Canada & Northwestern Railroad, in Wisconsin, and for nine years of the time with the Illinois Central in Iowa. In 1868 he purchased a farm of 80 acres on Section 21, Alden, and on which he settled in 1879. In January, 1866, he

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was married to Miss Margaret Edwards, who is a native of Wisconsin. Three children have been born to them-Arthur G., William Lemon and Lelah Belle.

George Todd, son of Charles and Maria (Williams) Todd, was born in Courtland county, New York, January 5, 1836. He was reared on a farm, and since reaching his majority has followed the occupation of farming. In 1868 he came to Alden, and located on section 23, where he bought 40 acres. In 1876 he sold this place to Orson Bennett, and bought his present farm of 80 acres, on section 22. Mr. Todd has held the office of Constable. He was married to Miss Harriet Tirrell, in 1858, she being of his native county. Five children have been born to them-G. K., Ella A., Lena B., Ernst, and Grace.

A. M. Merrill was born in Cataraugus county, New York, June 15, 1854. In 1869, his parents came to Alden, where his father (David Merrill) bought a farm and died here, in 1874. He has been engaged in farming here, with the exception of 15 months running the "Central House." He was married in 1875 to Miss Emma Davis, daughter of "Esquire" Davis, of Alden.

John Tomlinson, son of William and Elizabeth (Sheppard) Tomlinson, was born in Manchester, England, March 31, 1835, In 1841, his father came to America and located at New Diggins, Lafayette county, Wis. In 1844, he, in company with his mother, joined the father at that place. In 1850, his father be came proprietor of the "White Bear" hotel at Galena, and during the cholera scourge of 1850, he died. A brother and sister also died of this dreadful disease at the same time. The family immediately returned to New

Diggins, and depended upon the exertions of young John, then a lad of 15, for sup- port. Until 1862, he was engaged in min- ing, but at this time started in the mercan- tile trade at Fair Play, Wis., and after- wards at Georgetown, Wis.

In May 1869, he located in Alden, on section 32, and now owns a fine farm of 265 acres, with all modern improvements, and with everything arranged to his taste, he will undoubtedly pass the remainder of his days in peace and quietude. He early acquired a taste for the study of ornithology, and has devoted a good deal of time to this charming science. As a taxidermist, he has acquired considerable reputation, and takes a great deal of pleasure in entertain- ing his numerous visitors, by showing them his large collections-the result of many hours of labor. He has held the office of Assessor for the past eight years. Mr. Tomlinson was married, November 19, 1857, to Miss Leah Armstrong, a native of Cumberland, Eng. Seven children have been born to them-Mary Eliza, William Armstrong, Elizabeth, John Ellsworth, - Frank Walter, Arthur Lincoln and Robert Austin.

Mr. Tomlinson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in good standing, and was one of the first officers of the Alden Lodge.

Cornelius P. Farrell, a native of Ireland, was born in county of Tipperary, Decem- ber 13, 1835, and is a son of Cornelius and Margaret (Powers) Farrell. In 1855 he came to America, and remaining but a short time in New York State, moved west to seek his fortune. He first settled in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming two years. From -

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here he moved to Coffin's Grove, Delaware county, Iowa, where he spent two years, and then spent three years at Masonville, same county, Mr. Farrel afterwards engaged in railroading at different points, until 1869, when he located on his present farm, on section 30, and by perseverance and industry, has made for himself a nice home. He was married in New York, June, 1856, to Miss Margaret McGuire, a native of Leitram, Ireland, and who was born on the 19th day of October, 1837. They have been blessed with nine children, eight of whom are now living-Ellen, born in Lafayette county, Wis., March 21, 1857; Cornelius Mitchell, born October 12, 1853, and died in 1865; John, born in Coffins Grove, Iowa, January 17, 1862; James, born in Masonville, Iowa, October 31, 1863; Thomas, born in New Hartford, Iowa, October 29, 1865; Michael, born in Casey- ville, Iowa, January 2, 1867; Margaret, born in Alden, Iowa, May 22, 1869; Cor- nelius, born in Alden, Iowa, April 15, 1872; Kate, born in Alden, Iowa, September 4, 1874.

E. W. Crockett, who is a son of James and Mary Ann (Walford) Crockett, was born in Worcester, England, January 20, 1831. He came to America with his father in 1841, and located in Iowa county, Wisconsin. In 1852 he went to California, overland, where he remained three years, and then returned to this part of the country, and settled in Galena, Illinois, where he engaged in contracting. In 1869 be located at Alden, and followed farming until 1876. Mr. Crockett has held the office of Justice of the Peace six years, and is present trustee, and one of the village council. He was married in 1851 to Miss

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History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 63

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002