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 69
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John T. Hardin was born in Clinton county, Ohio, August 20, 1821. He is the son of William and Elizabeth (Sewell) Hardin, the former being a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Delaware. They were among the early settlers of Clinton county. They moved from Ohio to Ver- milion county, Ill., in 1829, where Mrs. Hardin died in 1860. His father subse- quently married, and removed to Cham- paign county in 1868. John remained with his parents until he was 23 years of age. In the meantime, by attending school and self-application, he was sufficiently qualified to teach, and therefore, during the following year, taught school. In 1845, he was married to Martha Davis, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio. She was the daughter of Henry and Rachel (Pollock) Davis. In 1840, her parents moved to Illinois, where her mother died in 1848, and her father in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin resided on a farm nine years
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
after marriage and then moved to Homer, ·Ill., where he engaged in merchandising until 1864, when he moved to Hardin county, locating on his present farm of 143 acres. They have had seven children, five of whom are now living-William M., John D., James F., David S. and Joseph T. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Pine creek. In politics, he is a Republi- can.
John A. Fisher is a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born June 13, 1836. He is the son of Orand J. and Getlie T. (Mines) Fisher. When John was eleven years of age, his father died, and he was compelled to work as a common laborer at anything he could get to do. When twenty-three years of age, he emigrated to Ogle county, Illinois, where he lived about five years. Soon after his arrival he was married to Julia F. Rabers, a native of Germany. They have been blessed with eleven children, eight of whom are now living-Orin, Frederick, Minnie, John, Grettie, Alla, Also and Tilla. In 1864 he emigrated to Iowa and located in Hazel Green, and in 1866 to his present place of residence, where he owns 660 acres of land, one hundred and twenty acres being in Grundy county, and the remainder in Clay township. Mr. Fisher has been a School Director since coming to the county. He is a member of the German Presby- terian Church.
Myron Conklin is a native of Duchess county, New York, and was born January 16, 1809. He is the son of John and Lydia (Clark) Conklin, the former being a native of New York, and the latter of Connecticut. The latter end of their days
was spent in Pennsylvania. Myron was reared on a farm, attending the district school in the winter, and working on a farm in summer. In 1831 he married Maria Lesher, who was born in Columbia county, New York. Her parents are Peter and Maria Lesher. After marriage they began farming in New York, which they con- tinued ten years. They then moved to Pennsylvania, where they spent three years on a farm among the rocks. He then returned to New York and remained three years, going from there to Massa- chusetts, where they lived ten years. He then moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he engaged in hotel business for two years. Mrs. Conklin died, April 1, 1857. They had thirteen children, eight of whom are now living. In 1861 'Mr. Conklin again married, taking as a wife Mrs. Lucretia Crosly, who was born in Jefferson county, New York. Her maiden name was Green. By her marriage with Mr. Crosly they had six children, three of whom are now living. In 1856 Mr. Conklin. moved on a farm where he resided until 1875, when he sold out and moved to Har- din county, locating at Steamboat Rock.
Charles R. Green was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., February 19, 1838. His parents were Riley W. and Jane J. (Sweet) Green, who were also natives of New York, and who now reside in Reno county, Kan. Charles was educated in the dis- trict school, and removed with his parents to McHenry county, Ill., when but four- teen years of age. At twenty-eight he moved to Kane county, in the same State, where he remained four years, and from whence he inoved to Hardin county and located near Steamboat Rock, where he
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
now resides, the owner of 240 acres of well improved land. He was married in 1868, in McLean county, Ill., to Ann M. Brainard, a native of Ohio. - They have had four children-Fanny, now Mrs. M. Miles; Jessie, Samuel R. and Eddie. Mr. Green has been engaged for many years in the purchase and sale of horses.
Johann H. Grothaus was born in Ger- many, April 21, 1845. His parents are Charles and Tajada (Rosconun) Grothaus, who emigrated to the United States in 1879, locating in Hardin, where they re- mained for a time, and then moved to Grundy county, where they now reside. Johann learned the trades of millwright and carpenter. He preceded his father to this country some years, and on January 5, 1875, married Lena T. W. Eggers, who is said to be the first child born in Etna township, daughter of Herman and Tolka (Steenblock) Eggers. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs Grot- haus-Henry C., Terrena J. and Herman J. H. Politically, Mr. Grothaus is a Democrat.
BEAR HUNT.
Several bears have been found in the township in an early day. In the latter part of the winter of 1854-5, a bear was found by C. J. McClure, and followed by him and J. G. Vansickle on horseback. They finally overtook the bear, and killed it with clubs, in the edge of Grundy county.
WILD ANIMALS.
In 1852-3, the snow fell on the 18th day of November, and remained on the ground until the spring. During that winter, elk, deer and buffalo were found in
abundance. A great many were killed during that winter, but since then but few have ever been found.
A VETERAN.
Asel Wickham, of Clay township, died suddenly Friday, March 26, 1880. While sitting at his loom, weaving, he dropped over dead. Dr. Lowe held an autopsy, and a piece of rib was revealed, having been broken during the war, and, by some misplacement later in life, had entered the heart, causing death. He was a native of Ohio, serving as a dragoon all through the Mexican war, and received for services a patent to 600 acres of land in Texas. Though past fifty when the Rebellion began, he was fired with patriotism, and enlisted in the 12th Iowa. At Shiloh he was captured, and finally brought up in Libby Prison, where he was a captive eighteen months. During a futile attempt to escape, he received a blow from the butt end of a musket, which broke the rib which ultimately caused his death.
SUICIDE.
John Van Ote, a resident of Clay town- ship, living about three-quarters of a mile south of Steamboat Rock, who had been deranged some time, wandered off in the woods, down the Iowa river, to the coal banks, and there committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, and found about twenty-four hours after. This was during the winter of 1855-6.
DROWNED.
In the spring of 1857, two men were crossing, on the ferry-boat, the Iowa river, and, in going across, the oxen backed off
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
the boat, and Wm. Wright, one of the two, was drowned. The other, Samuel John- son, escaped, although he got in the river.
TOWN OF STEAMBOAT ROCK.
Steamboat Rock is one of the oldest towns in Hardin county. It was platted in May, 1855, by John Shepherd, the first county surveyor of Hardin county. It is located on the Iowa river, on section 28, township 88, range 19. Isaac N. Lesh, Charles Boyle and John Royal were the original owners of the town site.
An addition was made and filed for record by Moses Robinson, and described as the south half of the northwest quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter of section 27, same township and range as in the original town. The surveying and platting was done by Robert Allison.
Steamboat Rock was so named on ac- count of a large projecting rock on the river bluff at this point, which, at a dis- tance, presents the appearance of a number of steamboats lying at anchor. Upon one of these was what had the appearance of a wheelhouse, on which grew a large pine tree. Lightning struck this tree in 1858, and the shock cut off the wheelhouse and spoiled the steamboat appearance. This piece of rock has been completely washed away.
FIRST THINGS.
When a town is created, it is always a matter of interest in after years, to know something of the beginning made in the various enterprises, and a vocation neces- sary to the well being and prosperity of the place. People wish to know some-
thing positive about the place; they do not wish to speculate upon the matter, but want positive knowledge.
Steamboat Rock, like all other towns, had its beginning. After having been surveyed and platted, the merits of the place was required to be made known to the people in order to induce settlement. The first person to locate here after the town was laid out, was Sandford Baldwin, in a house that was built of logs by Isaac N. Lesh, in December, 1855, and built on the southeast corner of the north west quarter of section 28. This house was burned some time afterwards. The first stock of goods was opened in the above building by I. N. Lesh. He was succeeded by Joseph Furry, who remained but a short time.
The first blacksmith was Isaiah Frost, has since died.
The first wagon maker was I M. Silver- thorn, now residing in O'Brien county.
The first shoemaker was E. G. Smith, who long since left the place, and is now located somewhere in the State of Nebra. ka.
The first school in the village, was taught by Lizzie Kadoo.
The first religious services were held by Rev. J. R. Lowrance, a Cumberland Pres- byterian minister, now living in Illinois.
The first physician was Dr. O. G. Fisher. There are now two in the town, sketches of whom appear in the medical chapter.
The first hotel was opened and run by Reuben Wright, who now resides in Washington Territory.
The first lawyer was S. B. Cunningham. Nearly all of the foregoing located here between 1855 and 1857.
578
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
POSTOFFICE.
A postoffice was established here in the early part of 1856, and known as Lithopolis. It was on the mail route from Waterloo to Eldora. The name of the office was sub- sequently changed to Steamboat Rock. S. B. Cunningham was the first postmaster. He was succeeded in turn by J. H. Seeley, Moses Robinson, A. A. Noyes, Moses Robin- son, second term; D. B. Morse, R.C. Wright, A. W. Wales, and R. H. Waite, the in- cumbent. The office was made a money order department in July, 1872. The first order was drawn in favor of Tallman & King, and was sent by Dr. E. H. King for $3.56. The amount of business transacted the past year, was $941. The office is supplied by the patent office boxes and Yale lock box.
S B. Cunningham, the first postmaster, is one of the well known pioneers of Har- din county and of Clay township. He is a Pennsylvanian, born in York county, and is the son of Samuel A. and Julia A. (Boyd) Cunningham, who were natives of Maryland. His father died in Indiana in his 93d year, and his mother in Pennsyl- vania, on the old homestead, in her 58th year. At 14 years of age, the subject of this sketch went to Baltimore, where he engaged as an errand boy in a bank, attend- ing school in the winter. From the bank he went into the wholesale house of How- ard, Holmes & Stuart, where he continued two and a half years; at the expiration of which time he entered the law office of Reverdy Johnson, as a student, where he remained nine months. He then went to Dayton, Ohio, and engaged as a shipping clerk in a wholesale house, remaining for a short time, and then pushing on further
West, he next brought up in Richmond, Ind., and from there went to Liberty, Union county, Ind., where he read law with Judge Parry two years. From Lib- erty he went to Winchester, in the same State, with a stock of goods, and began the life of a merchant. He was unfor- tunate in having his stock destroyed by fire, the work, doubtless, of some burglars whom he helped to arrest. He now en- gaged in farming for a time, after which he purchased another stock of goods and located in Windsor, Ind., where he· re- mained five years. Selling out his stock, he engaged in pork-packing, investing in this business all his wealth. This was an unfortunate affair, and he lost every dollar put into it. He was then assisted by his friends in the purchase of another stock of goods, which he opened at Smithville, Ind., where he remained from 1848 to 1852. In this latter year he came to Iowa, and lo- cated in Anaosa, Jones county, and with a brother and brother-in-law engaged in merchandising. In 1854, he returned to Indiana for his family, bringing them to Anaosa. In 1855, he engaged in select- ing lands for eastern parties, and soon after gave up this situation, and went to New York, where he purchased a stock of goods with the intention of resuming the mer- cantile trade. A portion of his stock was lost by the wreck of the steamer on the lake, and he stopped at Chicago and sorted up. With this stock he landed at Steam- boat Rock, October 26, 1855, where he opened a store, continuing in business until 1859, when he sold out and built the El- dora Mills, which he managed until 1863, when he leased it to Reuben D. and James Buckner, and enlisted in Co. G, 9th Iowa
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Cavalry, and was commissioned Captain. He served until 1864, when he was dis- charged on account of disability. In 1865, he sold his mill, and returned to Steamboat Rock, and engaged in merchandising, con- tinuing in the same line until 1871. Maj. Cunningham has been engaged in various enterprises to advance the interests of Har- din county, and has ever been an active man. In 1843, he was married to Mary McPherson, daughter of Adam and Phæbe (Steele) McPherson: Ten children blessed this union, six of whom are now living- Benjamin G., Phæbe A., Martha M., Reu- ben S, Stephen L., Cora May. The de- ceased are: Alexander, Nora, Julia, and one in infancy. Maj. Cunningham was the first postmaster in Steamboat Rock, and has held many of the township offices. He votes the Republican ticket.
R. H. Waite, the present postmaster, is a native of New York. He was born July 30, 1844, in Genesee county, N. Y. He is the son of Richard L. and Nancy J. (Hyde) Waite, the former a native of New York and the other of Connecticut. They both reside in New York, and are at an advanced - age. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the common schools and seminary of his native State. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the 129th New York Infantry, serving three years, and was honorably discharged July, 1865. After his dis- charge, he returned to New York and engaged in the drug business until 1870, when he came to Iowa and located at Steamboat Rock, and was cashier of the Farmers' Exchange Bank three years, after which he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, in which he still continues. In 1868, he was married to Helen M. McIntosh.
They have two children-Richard M. and Guy H. In 1877, he received his first ap- pointment as postmaster, and was re-ap- pointed in 1881.
INCORPORATION.
Steamboat Rock was incorporated under the general laws of the State in 1875. The following is a complete list of town officers from that date to the present time :
1875-A. W. Wales, Mayor; R. H. Waite Recorder; H. W. Kelley, J. C. Root, Jer- ome Seabury, Thomas W. Neesen and . D. B. Cartwright, Councilmen.
1876-A.W.Wales, Mayor; E. W. Sker- ry, Recorder; A. A. Noyes, A. M. Ivins, E. H. King, C. O. Cook and J. E. Snyder, Councilmen .
1877 -- D. W. Turner, Mayor; E. W. Skerry, Recorder; R. H. Waite, Assessor; D. B. Cartwright, C. O. Cook, A. A. Noyes, B. G. Cunningham and S. S. Lockwood, Councilmen.
1878-D. W. Turner, Mayor; R. C. Wright, Assessor; E.W. Skerry, Recorder; J. E. Snyder, S. S. Lockwood, C. O. Cook, B. G. Cunningham and A. A. Noyes, Councilmen.
1879-Wm. Campbell, Mayor; E. W. Skerry, Recorder; D. W. Turner, H. W. Kelley, B. G. Cunningham, Jerome Sea- bury, A. A. Noyes and R. H. Waite, Coun- cilmen; R. C. Wright, Assessor.
1880-E. M. Campbell, Mayor; E. W. Skerry, Recorder; R. C. Wright, Assessor; A. A. Noyes, Jerome Seabury, D. W. Turner, W. D. Shattuck, Henry Lukin and B. G. Cunningham, Councilmen.
1881-M. Ackerman, Mayor; E. M. Campbell, Recorder; J. C. Root, Assessor; A. A. Noyes, W. D. Shattuck, B. G. Cun-
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
ningham, Jerome Seabury, Henry Lukin and D. W. Turner, Councilmen.
1882-B. G. Cunningham, Mayor; E. M. Campbell, Recorder; S. B. Cunning- ham, Assessor; A. A. Noyes, W. D. Shat- tuck, Jerome Seabury, Henry Lukin, D. W. Turner and John Wright, Councilmen .
RELIGIOUS.
A settlement is no sooner founded than the school teacher and the herald of the Cross make their appearance. The latter is generally a self-sacrificing person who believes it to be his duty to minister to the spiritual wants of man, and who is willing to forego personal comfort in order to dis- charge that duty he feels is incumbent upon him. Rev. Ethan C. Crippin, a Methodist Episcopal divine, and Rev. Mr. Lowrance, a Cumberland Presbyterian min- ister, were the first to labor in the town- ship; but it is generally conceded that Rev. J. R. Lowrance, a minister of the Presby- terian Church, was the first in the village. He labored here in the winter of 1853-54, and faithfully attended to his ministerial duties. The Presbyterian Church was the first organized in the town. There are now four organizations, and three regular places of worship.
The First Presbyterian Church of Steam- boat Rock was organized March 7, A.D. 1857, by Rev. Moses Robinson, who took charge of the Church for about three years. Its original members were, Joseph Alley, Robert Hunter, Lonsdale Scott, Frances Alley, Harriet Hunter, Elizabeth Robinson and Jane Fisher. Its first Rul- ing Elders were Robert Hunter and Joseph Alley.
After the organization, during the first three years, there were added ten members.
After Moses Robinson, the Church was supplied for a time by a licentiate from Union Theological Seminary-George R. Carroll-and was then without preaching for about one and one-half years. During this period there were added to the church five members.
In September, 1861, Mr. Charles S. Sterns was chosen Ruling Elder, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Joseph Alley .
In 1863 Rev. Williston Jones became its minister.
On September 16, 1864, one of its Ruling Elders, Charles S. Sterns, died, and Alfred Hixson was chosen to fill his place.
During the ministry of Mr. Jones, he secured the legal incorporation of the Church, secured a lot on which to build, got the donation of rock in the quarry for a foundation, and the donation of labor to dig and haul the rock upon the lot. His labors with the Church closed March 12, 1865, having added eleven to its member- ship.
The church was then vacant until July 1, 1866, when Rev. David Blakely took charge of it. A Sabbath School was im- mediately organized, which he superin- tended during his stay, enrolling about 100 members. It still lives, and is now super- intended by Frederick H. Sterns.
An effort was immediately made to erect a house of worship, which was completed at a cost of $3,306, and dedicated, free· of encumbrance, Marchi 10, 1867, under the direction of a Building Committee, consist- ing of A. A. Noyes, S. F. Lathrop and James Coombs.
SOMSurmer
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Rev. Blakesley's connection with the Church ceased June 36, 1874. During his ministry the following were chosen Ruling Elders: Daniel Bates, Samuel Johnson, Jonathan Dickinson and Frederick H. Sterns. There were added to the Church fifty members.
From this time the Church was vacant until the fall of 1875, when the services of Rev. David James were secured for one year, during which time there were no ad- ditions to the Church.
The Church was again vacant until March 1, 1877, when the services of Rev. A. S. Foster were secured, who labored with them for one year, and added one member.
On May 15, 1879, a student from Princeton-T. C. Potter-commenced preaching to them for a term of three months. Also, another student from Princeton-J. P. Moffat-served three months during the summer of 1880.
November 1, 1881, Rev. M. M. Cooper took charge of the Church, and served it for nine months, till July 30, 1882; receiv- ing, during the time, four members.
The Church is now vacant, with a mem- bership of 39. Its Ruling Elders are Jonathan Dickinson, Daniel Bates and Frederick H. Sterns.
The First Baptist Church of Steamboat Rock was organized in 1869. A prelimi- nary meeting was held July 21, of that year, when those present resolved to -organize. A meeting was held, and an organization effected, October 21, 1869. The following named were the constituent members: A. W. Mitchell, George W. Timson, D. B. Morse, Mrs. Julia Noyes, Mrs. H. P. Hollenbeck, Mrs. Nancy Sterns
and Mrs. Julia A. Timson. On the 6th day of June, 1872, the Church at Hardin City united with this congregation. A large portion of these subsequently with- drew and organized a church in Jackson township. The first pastor of this church was Rev. M. Root, who came in April, 1871. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Allen, who in turn gave way to Rev. Mr. Cook. Since its organization, the Church has enrolled 70 members including those from Hardin City. It now has a mem- bership of 32. The Church have no house of worship, but hold their services in one of the other churches in the town. The first deacon of the church was D. B. Morse. The present deacons are S. A Williamson, and M. Conklin,
A class was organized at Hazel Green, in 1857, by Rev. E. C. Crippin, which became part of a circuit. This class, or a portion of it, became the foundation for the Methodist Episcopal Society at Steam- boat Rock. A church edifice was erected in 1870, at a cost of $1,500. At this time Rev. Mr. Hall was pastor. The church now forms a part of the Abbott circuit, embracing five societies-Steamboat Rock, Fairfax, Abbott, Pleasant Hill and Eagle City, with a total membership of 111. Rev. Charles M. Hurlbut is the present pastor, and was appointed to the charge, in October, 1881.
EDUCATIONAL.
As already stated, the first school taught in the town was by Lizzie Kadoo, in an old log building crected by Sanford Bald- win, and which was the second house erected on the town plat, in the winter of 1856-7. The building was first used as a
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
residence, and after being used as a school house was converted into a wagon shop. The old log building has long since been displaced by a more commanding edifice, the erection of which was commenced in 1869, and completed in 1870, at a cost of $15,000. When the new building was completed the school was thoroughly graded.
There are now in the district, 200 of school age, with an enrollment in 1882 of 132, and an average attendance of 81. The teachers during the past year were, W. A. Doran, Maggie C. Finster and Lou V. Stowe. The present teachers are W. A. Doran, Maggie C. Finster and Hattie Rockwell.
MASONIC.
A dispensation was granted to organize a Masonic lodge in Steamboat Rock, Feb- ruary 10, 1868. A charter was granted to the same, June 8, 1870, and Equality Lodge, No. 262, A. F. and A. M. was duly organized with the following named charter members: Wm. P. Noyes, A. A. Noyes, T. H. Robertson, W. Campbell, D. B. Cart- wright, A. S. Root, A. W. Mitchell, J. Dick- inson, S. Mason, E. C. Coombs. Its first officers were: T. H. Robertson, W. M .; A. S. Root, S.W .; A. A. Noyes, J. W. Its present officers are: A. S. Root, W . M .; W. D. Shattuck, S. W .; N. L. Webb, J. W. Since organization the lodge has enrolled upon its book 71 members, and now has a membership of 33.
LITERARY.
A literary society was organized during the winter of 1856-7, at Steamboat Rock, which met and discussed various literary
subjects during the winter. This was the first organization of the kind. Others have been organized since, but there are none at present.
MILLS.
In 1857, S. F. Lathrop purchased of Charles Boyle the old saw-mill and dam, which had been erected by a joint stock company-Isaac N. Lesh, Charles Boyle and Sam. G. Higenbotham. He at once began the erection of a grist mill three stories in height, and in size 32x40, at a cost of $10,000. There were then two run of burrs, with a capacity of 125 barrels per day. In 1862, a freshet washed out the dam and swept away the old saw-mill. He replaced the dam, but did not rebuild the mill. In 1867, the dam was again washed out, and rebuilt in a more sub- stantial manner. There are now three run of burrs in the mill, and it is doing a good, safe business, the flour manufactured here ranking among the best. The mill has never changed ownership. W. C. Baker, from Cedar Falls, has now the superintendency of the mill. It was en- larged by an addition 24x36 in 1881.
Solon F. Lathrop was born in Oneida county, N. Y., September 5, 1827. His parents were Zephaniah and Tryphena (Field) Lathrop, natives of Massachusetts, who emigrated to New York in 1820. His father died there in 1853. His mother subsequently came to lowa City, where she died in 1872. The educational ad- vantages of Solon were good when a boy. When ten years of age, he left home and worked out among farmers of the neigh- borhood until eighteen years of age, when he began to learn the trade of carpenter
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