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 67
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The Society of Friends, while having no regular organization, meet regularly for worship at the Centre school house.
The Disciples have an organization, but no regular house of worship. The organ- ization was effected in 1880, by Elder Matthew Wing, of Providence township, at the Centre school house. The first mem- bers were, David Hodgson, J. R. Homer, E. F. Griffith, Eliza Bateson, Mrs. Wals.
Regular services were not held until the summer of 1882, when Elder Ross, of Hubbard, began holding services for them once each two weeks.
EDUCATIONAL. 1
It is certainly a matter to create wonder and astonishment at the progress made as , regards the public schools in the township, when it is remembered that in 1872, when the township was organized, there were but nine qualified voters. At this time nothing had been done in an educational way. Some time in 1873 Alice Hunter taught a summer term of school at the house of W. C. Paul, with three pupils-Charley Paul, Ella Paul and Mary Biddick. About the same time there was a school taught at Robert McFarland's house, the name of the teacher not being remembered.
The first school house was erected in 1873, on the southwest quarter of section 5. There are now nine school districts in the township, each having a good frame school house, with a total value of $5,400. There were in October, 1881, in the town- ship, 177 persons of school age, and an enrollment of 133. The average wages paid teachers was $27 per month.
CEMETERY.
There is one cemetery in the township, laid out in the spring of 1881 on section 9. It contains one acre of ground.
BLACKSMITHING.
Concord is an agricultural township ex- clusively, still it has its blacksmith shop. In the spring of 1878, Albert Thompson commenced business on section 29, which
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
he continued about one year, when the shop was closed and he emigrated to the Red River of the North.
Carl Bye in 1880 started a shop on sec- tion 20, and is still engaged at his trade.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
David H. Hodson, a native of Hendricks county, Ind., settled on section 8 in 1876, where he owns 80 acres of well improved land. Mr. Hodson was born on the 9th day of December, 1847. In 1849 the family came to Iowa, lived in Warren county until 1853, then came to Hardin county and settled in New Providence, where the father, Jabez Hodson, still re- sides. The mother died on the 30th day of May, 1860, leaving two children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the older. He helped till the soil, was edu- cated at Westfield, Ind., and subsequently taught school until 1876. Mr. Hodson has been twice married. In 1877 to Miss Clara Jones. She died January 17, 1880, leaving one child, since deceased . April 27, 1882, he married Miss Mary Barrett, of Indianapolis, Ind.
John A. Hubbard is the oldest son of S. B. and Anna (Topman) Hubbard. He was born in Piatt county, Ill., May 10, 1852. He came with the family to Iowa in 1855, and in 1856 to Hardin county, and settled on section 21, Pleasant township. Here he helped till the soil, and received a common school education. In 1876 he married Miss Francis Miller. daughter of Franklin Miller, and soon purchased his present farm of 120 acres, and has since resided on the same." Mr. Hubbard is a wide-awake and industrious farmer, is a Republican in politics, has held local
offices, and takes an active interest in any public enterprise. Their children are Edward, Wilson and Samuel.
I. Harris has lived in or near Hardin county nearly all his life, as he was born in the north part of Marshall county in 1855. When he was about nine years of age the family moved to Winneshiek county, and about four years afterward to Hardin county, and settled in Union town- ship. Soon after coming to Hardin county, the father died, the mother having died when the subject of this sketch was but two years of age. Mr. Harris, there- fore, after the death of his father, was compelled to work for other parties until 1874, when he married Miss Mary Welch, and they now have two children-Ralph and Edna.
William V. Hutchens is a son of Thomp- son and Sarah (Philips) Hutchens, who were natives of North Carolina, and settled in Providence township, Hardin county, Iowa, in 1864, and there resided until May, 1876, when they emigrated to Oregon. Mr. Hutchens was born in Yad- kin county, North Carolina, October 4, 1836; removed with his parents to Indiana in 1859; then went to Missouri. In 1860 he returned to his native State, and there married Miss Julia Ann Wilhelm. The next year he removed to Morgan county, Indiana, from which place, in 1864, he came to Hardin county. In 1872 he be- came a resident of Concord township. The children living are Elizabeth, Nettie, Mary, Sarah, Thomas and Ettie.
William Lee is a native of Wayne county, Ind .; born May 13, 1844. His father, John Lee, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, Hannah (Bald-
G
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
win) Lee, a native of Ohio. In 1853 the family came to Iowa, and settled in Dallas county. In 1869 William Lee came to Hardin county; lived first in Providence, next in Grant, and, in 1874, settled in Con- cord township, and here erected his present dwelling, which was the eighth house built in the township. Mr. Lee was married at Eldora, to Miss Sarah Pierce, and they now have four children-Riley A., Albert A., Alonzo J. and Adella.
William C. Paul, the second man who settled in Concord, and now the oldest set- tler in the township, is a native of Eng- land, born February 9, 1846. In 1853 the family came to the United States, and set- tled in Grant county, Wis. Here, William C. Paul helped till the soil, received a common school education, and subsequently resided in Iowa county, where, in 1865, he married Miss Hannah Biddick, daughter of Matthew and Nellie Biddick. In 1870 Mr. Paul came to Iowa in search of a location, and soon purchased his present property, then returned to Wisconsin, and, in the spring of 1871, removed to his new home. The family consisted of Mr. Paul, wife and three children. They had no neigh- bors north, east or south of them for several miles; on the west, however, in Hamilton county, there were a few settlers. Mr. Paul now owns 200 acres of land; is hon- est, industrious and enterprising. They have had four children, three of whom are now living-Ella H., Charley A. and Allie J.
R. H. Jones is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio; born November 23, 1822. He is the second of nine children. In 1839 he removed with the family to Grant county, Ind., where, in 1841, he married
Miss Martha J. Webb. In 1853 he re- moved to Michigan, and in 1861, to Min- nesota, from which State he came to Har- din county, in 1874. Of the ten children, eight are now living-Oliver D., Elvina, Calvin W., Mary R., Sarah, Martha L., Isaac T. and Walter F.
E. F. Griffith came to Hardin connty in the year 1876, located in Concord town- ship, and was immediately accepted by the ' public as a trustworthy and influential citi- zen. He has since held offices of trust, and has ever shown himself wide-awake in the interest of any public enterprise, or the ad- vancement of education. Mr. Griffith set- tled on section 27, where he now resides, in 1881, and he now owns 160 acres of well improved land. Esli F. Griffith was born in the State of Ohio, on the 19th day of November, 1840. In 1853 the family immi- grated to Iowa and settled in Story county, and there continued farming. The subject of this sketch resided in Story county until 1862, then went to Indiana, and one year later, to Canada, where, in 1865, he married Miss Isabelle Atkinson. He then returned to Iowa, but soon went back to Canada, and there lived until 1869. He then again returned to Iowa, resided in Union county three years, then moved to Story county, and from there to Hardin county . Mr. Griffith is a Republican in politics, and his religious connection is with the Disciple Church. The children are: Sarah, Nelson W ., Esli E., Elijah M., William W. and Permilla. Mr. Griffith's parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His father, Jonah Griffith, was born in 1810; died in Story county, in 1877. His mother, Sarah (Merriman) Griffith, was born in 1812, and is now living with her son, E. F.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Colben Sime, the most prominent farmer of the township, resides on section 29. He is a native of Norway. Mr. Sime was subsequently married, and in 1861 came to the United States and settled in Shelby county, Ill. He subsequently lived two years in Chicago, and in 1869 immigrated to Iowa; lived at Nevada until 1876, then came to Hardin county and located where he now resides and owns 480 acres of land. The six children are: Jennie, now Mrs. I. Ringheim; Thomas, Lewis, Corben C., Sarah and Martha. C. C. Sime came to Hardin county with his parents, and owns a one-half interest in the personal property and has charge of the farm.
Among the citizens of the township, no one is more highly respected than W. C. Rose; for he is honest, industrious, and ever ready to help his neighbor in time of trouble . Mr. Rose is a son of Rufus and Pheobe (Jackson) Rose, and he was born in Pennsylvania on the 12th day of April, 1846. In 1855 the family migrated to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Carroll county. In January, 1867, W. C. Rose married Miss Ett Murphy, came to Iowa, resided in Tama county until 1876, then purchased his present property, and be- came a resident of Concord township, Hardin county. Mr. Rose is a Republican, has held local offices, and takes an active interest in education. His farm is on
section 27, and contains 160 acres. The children are Harry, Mary, Edward, and an infant not named.
Mr. Rose, May 14, 1864, enlisted in Com- pany G, 142d Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving until October 26, 1864, when he was discharged by reason of ex- piration of term of service. He again enlisted, March 4, 1865, in Company B, 7th Illinois Cavalry, serving until Novem- ber 4, 1865, when he was discharged by reason of close of the war.
S. M. Johnson is a native of Norway, born June 22, 1855. He came to the United States in 1873, and first lived in Marshall county, Iowa. In 1878 he came to Hardin county, and in 1880 purchased his present farm on section 22, the same containing 160 acres. Mr. Johnson, Octo- ber 21, 1880, married Miss Lula M. Sink, an adopted daughter of A. H. Sink, and they now have one daughter -- Edna E.
A. H. Sink, a prominent farmer of Concord, settled on section 35 in 1878, and he now owns 560 acres of land. He was born in Ohio in 1836, removed to Michigan in about 1850, but afterwards returned to Ohio, from which State he camne to Iowa, lived first in Tama, next in Marshall, and from there came to Hardin county. In 1862 he married Miss Hellen Crofutt. They have four children-O. Grant, Berton A., Charles W. and Silva.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIII.
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CLAY TOWNSHIP.
The township of Clay comprises Con- gressional township 88 north, of range 19 west, of the 5th principal meridian. It was organized in October, 1855.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
That portion of the county of Hardin comprising Clay township was first settled in 1851. Among the early settlers were Nicholas Rice, 1851; S.A. Williamson,1851; Bolivar Fail, John Williams, Matthias Jackson, Gideon Rathbone, Samuel W. Hoover, Isaac N. Lesh, William Ranes- berger, George Hayden, Elijah Hayden, Henry Isebrands, Granville Arnold, Henry Johns, William Leverton, Benjamin F. Reed, Charles H. Rockwell, S. B. Cun- ningham, Porter Estabrook, Sidney Ellis, Daniel Bates, John Wright, J. W. Higen- botham, Ebenezer B. Wilcox, James D. Fuson, F. H. Sterns, L. E. Campbell, A.S Root, S. F. Lathrop, Anthony Robertson, William Robertson, William Haynes, William Scott, James C. McConchie, John A. Moore, William Freeborn, 1852; N. W. Doud, George Ranesberger, Ezra Hunger- ford, Asher Park, Charles Boyle, Sanford Baldwin, Rev. E. C. Crippin, George Hayden, John Giles, John Kelso, Joseph Felkner, James Tucker and Ellis Parker. Several of the foregoing have passed "over the river," some have moved away and no
trace of them can be found, while others yet remain honored citizens of the town- ship. Further on in this chapter will be found biographical sketches of a large number of pioneers, with a few of a later date.
FIRST BIRTH.
As regards the first birth in the town- ship, it is claimed by some to have been a child born unto Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Wil- liamson, while others claim that the wife of Nicholas Rice gave birth to a child be- fore that of Williamson's.
FIRST DEATHS.
The first deaths were the wife and child of S. A. Williamson, who were buried on land now owned by William Leverton.
TOPOGRAPHICAL.
By Isaac Lesh.
The Iowa river is the principal stream in Clay township, and has the appearance as in Eldora, Jackson and Hardin town- ships, of finding its way through an im- mense fissure caused by an upheaval of a streak of country up and down the river; which, of course, if this be correct, it has widened out into bottoms of more or less extent. That it is much higher than the Cedar, forty miles east, and the South
1
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Fork, west, is certain from the fact that the rainfall in places runs from either side less than a quarter of mile from the Iowa river, away from it, and on the farm of Anthony Robertson the divide does not exceed twenty rods from the Iowa river east into the Cedar and South Fork. Be- sides minerals, gold and sulphur, clays, paints, etc., are brought up and made more or less visible, although but little investi- ยท gation has been made. Itlooks as though the river runs through an immense ridge, with a very zig-zag fissure through the center, in some places hardly wider than the stream. Above and below it is all normal, like other streams. Coal in abundance is found all along the river, and doubtless underlics the entire township. Timber exists in abundance along the river. The remainder of the township is a beauti- ful rolling prairie.
To the foregoing, the committee on ex- amination added the following:
"Clay was undoubtedly originally the most heavily timbered township in the county, being about half covered with heavy timber. The timber is white oak and red oak; also black walnut, hickory, basswood, white walnut and elm."
MINERALS.
In 1857, gold was discovered on section 29, on the west bank of the Iowa, and was worked by O. M. Holcomb and others, he being an experienced miner from Cali- fornia. Gold was also discovered on the northwest quarter of section 22, about the year 1859, on the east bank of the Iowa, north of Steamboat Rock. Work has since been done in this mine at different times.
In 1876 quite an excitement prevailed, and one hundred men worked there for some time. L. E. Campbell, R. H. Waite, R. C. Wright, E. M. Campbell, and others, were among the number.
ORGANIC.
Clay township was organized in October, 1855, and its first election held at Steam- boat Rock. The following named were among the first officers: Porter Estabrook, Samuel L. Higenbotham and Isaac Fail, Trustees; Samuel H. Rathbone, Town Clerk.
The records of the township being lost or misplaced, the officers can only be given from 1875 to the present time:
1875-Trustees, E. B. Wilcox, John Hoover, W. W. McIntosh; Assessor, J. Q. Rathbone; Cierk, W. Cartwright; School Directors, Wm. Robertson, D. Taylor, M. Taylor, H. H. Rice.
1876-Trustees, J. G. Vansickle, S. J. Stewart, W. W. McIntosh; Clerk, W. Cartwright.
1877-Trustees, Robert Higenbotham, M. Ackerman and D. W. Turner; Clerk, E. W. Skerry.
1878-Trustees, W. W. McIntosh, John H. Hoover, F. H. Sterns; Clerk, R. S. Wardwell.
1879-Wm. Campbell and S. G. Crane, Justices; C. W. Brooks and D. McIntosh, Constab'es; Trustees, John Q. Rathbone, L. H. Smith and C. O. Cook; Assessor, J. F. Rathbone; Clerk, R. S. Wardwell.
1880-E. M. Campbell, Justice; Trus- tees, D. W. Turner, C. O. Cook, J. Q. Rathbone; Jas. Higenbotham, Assessor; R. S. Wardwell, Clerk.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
1881-Trustees, F. H. Sterns, D. W. Turner, J. Q. Rathbone; M. C. Connant and James Nulton, Justices: B. G. Cun- ningham and D. McIntosh, Constables; E. W. Skerry, Clerk; James M. Higen- botham, Assessor.
1882-James Nulton and E. M. Camp- bell, Justices; Trustees, F. H. Sterns, D. W. Turner and E. B. Wilcox; Hugo Koch, Clerk; Constable, D. McIntosh.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school in the township was taught by Mrs. Samuel Hoover, in her residence, on section 29, on land now owned by John H. Hoover.
There are now in the township, outside of Steamboat Rock, eight school houses, seven of which are frame and one stone, the average cost of which amounts to $700.
NURSERY.
In 1861 B. F. Reed commenced in the business of raising, buying and selling nursery stock, being the first in the town- ship. He remained active in the business until within a short period. The business has been at times quite prosperous. It is now conducted by J. Wells.
In the early settlement it was thought fruit could not be grown in this climate, but by continued trial and perseverance, it has been proven that idea of the early set- tlers was a mistaken one. Nearly all the varieties grown in the Northwest are now raised here, especially small fruit.
Benjamin F. Reed is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in Claremont Town, Sullivan county, November 9, 1825. His father, John Reed, was also a native of New Hampshire, as was his mother,
Martha (Alcott) Reed. His father died in 1865, and his mother in 1871. Charles, until fifteen years of age, remained at home, and then went to work for an uncle, where he remained a year and a half, and then went to Boston, where he remained a short- time. At seventeen he enlisted on a whale ship, and went on a two years' voyage. While on the voyage, on a cer- tain occasion, he was sent out with a party in a boat to capture a whale, when the monster dived under the water, arising to the surface under the boat, breaking it in two, and precipitating the crowd into the water, killing the second mate. Mr. Reed himself was badly bruised, but was rescued by another boat. The two years' voyage was a prosperous one. On his return he went back to his father's, where he spent one year. He then started West, but turned around and went to Calais, Maine, where he remained two years, working at the trade of a mason. After drifting around a while, he went to the Cochituate Water Works, working for a time as a hand, and then as inspector of a section. Giving up that position, he traveled for a time, and then returned to Cochituate, where he engaged in the shoe business. In 1851 he crossed the isthmus to the gold regions of California, where he remained until 1854, returning east to Calais, Maine, where he was married to Harriet E. Whit- ney, a native of Washington county, Maine. Soon after marriage they emi- grated to Hardin county, Iowa, and located on section 35, where he now resides, having in his farm 255 acres of land. They have had eight children-John F., Reuben W., Charles F., Cordelia P., Elizabeth J., Everett E., Daisy and Paul M , all of whom
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
are living. He has always been identified with the Republican party. For a number of years Mr. Reed was engaged in the nursery business, and yet has a supply of ornamental fruit trees, evergreens and grape vines. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M.
THE PIONEERS.
Clay township has many pioneers yet living within her borders. Among those who lived here during the first decade are the following named:
John Moore came here in 1851, and located on section 9, on land now owned by Anthony Robertson, and afterwards sold it to Isaac Fail, and he to Wm. Jen- ings, and he to Fail again, and he to An- thony Robertson, the present proprietor. Mr. Moore built a log house on this claim, which was subsequently torn down. John Moore left here in 1855, and went to the western part of the State, and afterwards to Salem, Neb., where he now resides.
Alfred Moore came in 1851, and made a claim on section 15, on land now owned by Wm. Haynes; afterwards sold that and made a claim now owned by Mathias Jackson-northeast quarter of section 22. He remained until 1855, and then left here with his brother, John Moore. About the same time came John Smith, and located on section 4, on land now owned by Henry Johns. He remained here until during the later. part of the 60's; now living in Nebraska.
Isaac N. Lesh was born in Preble county, Ohio, February 26, 1813. He is the son of Henry and Susannah (Harter) Lesh, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. His parents moved
to Wayne county, Ind., when Isaac was but twelve years of age, where they both died. Isaac received a limited common school education, and was reared on a farm. On the 28th of June, 1836, he was married to Mahala Harris, a native of In- diana. Six children were born unto them, only one of whom is now living-Armeda J., now Mrs. Francis Parker. Mrs. Lesh died March 16, 1851, in Marshall county, Ind. Mr. Lesh was again married Sep- tember 19, 1852, with Elizabeth Baldwin, who was born in North Carolina. They have been blessed with seven children, six of whom are now living-Daniel E., Henry M., Isaac M., Lewis, William A., Marilla A.
Mr. Lesh and family moved to Clay township, May 8, 1852, and entered the land on which Steamboat Rock is now located. In 1861, he moved to Nebraska, where he remained for a time, and then moved back to Clay township, locating on section 29, where he now resides on a farm of 140 acres. In politics he is a Republi- can.
Samuel W. Hoover was a native of Ken- tucky, and located in Clay township in 1852, and was among the earliest settlers of the township. He located on section 20, where he built a small cabin and lived until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in one of the infantry regiments, and served until his death, which occurred at Savannah, Tenn., in 1862. Mr. Hoover was born in 1820, and married Eliza J. Williams, December 6, 1843. Mrs. Hoover, subsequent to the death of Mr. Hoover, married Samuel Richards, and now resides in Warren county, Iowa.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
John H. Hoover was born in Shelby county, Ind., April 2, 1850. He is the son of Samuel W. and Eliza J. (Williams) Hoover, and came to this county with his parents when but two years of age. He was educated in the district school, and was raised a farmer. He remained with his mother after his father's death, in 1862, till her marriage to Samuel Richards. In 1874 he purchased his mother's interest in the old homestead. In 1875 he was married to Ella M., daughter of D. B. and Nancy (Cook) Cartwright. A sketch of her parents will be found elsewhere in this history. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have three children-Etta L., born August 31, 1876; Lee D., born February 16, 1878; Marian M., born February 23, 1881. Mr. Hoover is a member of the United Work- men, of Steamboat Rock, and is a Republi- can in politics.
Gideon Rathbone came to Clay town- ship in 1853, and purchased the claim and cabin formerly owned by Nicholas Rice, on section 27. He is now one of the oldest citizens living in the township. He was born in Washington county, Ohio, August 6, 1809, and is the son of Edmond and Deborah (Taylor) Rathbone. His father was born in Massachusetts in 1777, and his mother in New York in 1782. They were married in Virginia, and moved to Ohio when it was a territory. In 1816 the old gentleman constructed a boat and started down the Ohio river for Illinois. On arriving at Lawrenceville, Ind., on account of sickness, he stopped one year. He sold out his boat, but the next season started again, and arrived in Crawford- now Lawrence-county, Ill., August, 1817. In 1827, he moved to Sangamon county,
Ill., remaining there sixteen years, and from thence to McLean county, the same State, where he remained until 1853, when he moved to Hardin county. His wife, Deborah Rathbone, died June 22, 1861. Edmond Rathbone died September 15, 1865. Gideon resided with his parents until after he reached his majority. In 1828 he was united in marriage with Eliza Jane Howell, who was born in Kentucky in 1812. Thirteen children were born unto them, eleven now living-Onatus C., John Q., Isaac F., Winfield S., Narcissa, Salicia, Electa, Mary J., Victoria A., Maria and Angella. Mrs. Rathbone died September 9, 1874. Mr. Rathbone again married, April 25, 1876, to Mrs. Lucy Ann (Brooks) Howell. Mr. Rathbone was a natural machinist, and in 1827, while living in Sangamon county, Ill., he made the first iron mould-board plow ever used in that section. Previous to this time, the old wooden mould-board plows were used. Mr. Rathbone accompanied his father to the various places where he resided, and finally settled in Clay township, as stated. He now resides on section 34.
John Q. Rathbone, son of Gideon and Eliza J., just mentioned, was born in San- gamon county, Illinois, July 28, 1837. He was reared on a farm, and came to this county with his parents, in 1853. He was united in marriage with Marilla Johnson, on the 26th day of February, 1860, Mrs. Rathbone was born in Warren county, Illi- nois, January 17, 1842. She is the daughter of Alex. and Mary (Adams) Johnson, the former being a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. Eight children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone- Frank P., Lillie J., Samuel H., Antoinette,
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