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 84

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 84

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Hugh Johnson resides on section 21. Mr. Johnson was born in Monmouth county, now Ocean county, N. J., in 1813. He

lived there till 1840, when he removed to Indiana. Mr. J. is a millwright by trade. He bought a mill in Indiana, which he run for some time, and then rebuilt and sold. He came to Iowa to improve his health, He came to Hardin county, from Indiana, with teams, in 1856. Mr. John- son bought his first land (340 acres) of Robt. and John Simpson. He has now 500 acres in his home farm and owns land in other places. His first wife was Ann Potter, of New Jersey. She died in Indi- ana, leaving Mr. J. with three small chil- dren. His second wife was Caroline Hough, born in Indiana. She died here in March, 1858. His present wife was Ann Macy, who came here with her father, Henry Macy, in 1855. Mr. Johnson's children by his first marriage are all de- ceased. Of these, James was a member of the 6th Iowa Infantry, and was cap- tured at Jackson, Miss., imprisoned at. Libby three months, and died at Annapolis in 1863. Mr. Johnson had six children by his second wife, all of whom but one (John) are living. John was in the cav- alry service during the war of the rebel- lion, and died at home of disease contracted in the army. Mr. J. had three children by his present wife, two of whom (Casto and Martin) are living. Mr. Johnson has been one of the successful farmers of Hardin county. He had no advantages for an education when a youth, but acquired sufficient knowledge of books, after reach- ing manhood, to transact all necessary business. In politics, he was an admirer of Horace Greeley, of whose paper he was a constant reader for a long series of years, and he still continues to read the New York Tribune out of respect for its great founder.

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He is now independent in politics, voting as his conscience dictates.

R. T. Ward came to Hardin county in the summer of 1856, and became an early settler of Georgeton. Here he continued his trade-that of wagonmaker. He also did carpenter work; and, as contractor and builder, has continued the same to the present time, with the exception of about five years, when he carried on a nursery. He located on the north side of the river, on section 14, where we now find him in 1863. Mr. Ward is a native of England, born in 1824; there learned his trade, and followed the same in his native country until 1847, when he came to the United States, and first settled at Cleveland. He was married in 1844 to Miss Mary Gale, and their household has been blessed with nineteen children, three of whom are now living-F. B., A. G. and Rhoda A. C.

Dileston K. Wilkinson resides on sec- tion 23. He was born in Bennington county, Vt .. in November, 1835, where he lived till twenty-one years of age. He then went to Ohio, and thence to Iowa in 1857, and has been a resident of Hardin county since that time. Mr. Wilkinson is a carpenter by trade. He came to this county with the company that built the mill at Hazel Green." He bought the farm where he now lives of Thomas Williams. His farm contains 160 acres. His wife was Elizabeth Stotser, daughter of John Stotser, an early settler of Etna township. Mrs. Wilkinson was born in Ohio, and came here with her parents from Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have five children -Cora A., Nettie J., Rosa B., John and Bertie. They lost their oldest child-

Rollin A. Mr. Wilkinson's farm contains 80 acres.

Ira Demander is a native of Brown county, New York, born August 20, 1827, his parents being James and Emaline (Dean) Demander. When he was but a small boy, he commenced to work at lum- bering, and continued work at the same until eighteen years of age. He then went to New York City, learned the car- penter's trade, and afterwards served as bridge carpenter for the New York and Erie Railroad Company. In 1850 he mar- ried Miss Harriet Wiest, a daughter of Stephen Wiest, one of the first settlers of the Mohawk Valley. In 1854 Mr. Deman- der removed to Ogle county, Ill., and from there in 1857 to Hardin county, Iowa; but he did not bring his family to Hardin county until the following spring. In 1870 he purchased his present property, which is known as the Alexander Pierson farm. This contains 80 acres, and is well improved. Mr. Demander is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic Fraternity and the l. O. O. F. Of the six children, only one is now living-Rose, now Mrs. Morris Sheehan, of Fargo, Da- kota.

W. E. Fisher is found among the early settlers of the county, as he pre-empted eighty acres of his present farm in 1855, and settled on the same in 1857. When Mr. Fisher came to Hardin county, his worldly goods consisted of fourteen dol- lars in money, and as the panic of 1857 came on, he experienced many hardships of pioneer life. For three years there was no money to be obtained; one could not get ten cents for a days labor, and the only way to get provisions, was to trade grain

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

for the same. In those days he hauled dressed pork to Cedar Falls and sold it for $1.50 per hundred, and his wheat for 40c per bushel. Mr. Fisher is a native of Essex county, New York, born July 27 1832. He learned the moulder's trade, and followed the same for six years; dur- ing this time he worked in several of the Eastern and Middle States. He was mar- ried November 17, 1856, to Miss R. A Smith, and they now have three children -Mary, now Mrs. J. F. Bullis of Han- cock county; Charles and Irene.

E. L. Stebbins is a native of South Hampton, Massachusetts, born in 1818. In 1820 the family removed to Cattaraugus county, New York. Here in 1857 E. L. Stebbins married Miss Clara M. Babcock, a native of Vermont, and in 1871 came to Iowa and settled in Hardin county. They have three children living-Flora, Frank and Anna.

H. H. Senter is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, born in 1836. His parents being D. K. and Susan Senter. In about 1853 the family migrated to Ohio, and from that State, in 1857, H. H. Senter came to Hardin county, and has since resided in the vicinity of Georgeton. In 1861 he married Miss Celia Van Avery, and they now have one daughter-Luna.

J. S. Maden, resides on section 26, where he settled in the fall of 1858. Mr Maden was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1831, where he was brought up. He was mar- ried there to Miss Ruth Wildman, daughter of Seneca Wildman, an early settler of the township of Providence. Mr. Maden has three sons, all of whom were born on the homestead farm. Their names are respectively-Edwin L., Alvin C. and

Charles S. Mr. Maden's farm contains 195 acres.

FIRST MARRIAGE.

Samuel Parkinson and Almira Stevens were united in marriage in 1854, and were the first couple married in Hardin township. John Caldwell, the first Justice of the Peace, performed the marriage ceremony. In due course of time a daughter was born unto this couple, which received the con- gratulations, and has the honor of being the first born in the town of Iowa Falls.

FIRST BIRTH.

Oliver Townsend, son of Nathan and Sarah Townsend, was born in the fall of 1852, and was the first born in Hardin township. Grown to manhood, he has long since left the paternal roof, and now re- sides in California.

FIRST DEATH.

The first death in Hardin township was that of Mrs. Daniel Lane, in 1855. She was buried on the hillside near the Illinois Central depot.

POSTOFFICES.

The first settlers of Hardin township received their mail at the Marietta post- office, in Marshall county. They received but little, which was well for them, as the journey to and from Marietta required two full days. When the postoffice was estab- lished at Eldora, in January, 1854, their mail was then received from that office. This was much better, as the distance was but half so great, and with a smart team of oxen they could make the journey in one day, by getting up early and returning

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late. Finally, it was decided an office must be established somewhere in the neighborhood of Rocksylvania, or at White's Mill, now Iowa Falls. Two peti- tions were got up, one favoring Rocksyl- vania, and the other White's Mill. Dr. Simons prepared and sent the petition for the latter place, to Gen. A. C. Dodge, who wrote back inquiring if there were any Democrats in the township to whom the office could be given. The Doctor wrote evasively, that, being on the border, things were in a chaotic state in politics; still there were a few persons, at least, in the vicinity that still voted for General Jack- son. Mr. Talbott's petition was for Rock- sylvania. General Dodge replied to this petition that there should be a postoffice granted, if the Postmaster and other respon- sible men would bind themselves that there should be no expense to the Government. Dr. Simonds wanted it in one place, Mr. Talbott in another. The Postoffice Depart- ment wrote they must compromise. "What does thee think about it?" queried Mr. Talbott. It was finally decided that Mr. Talbott should have the postoffice, Ed- win Terril was to be Postmaster, and the name Rockwood given the office. Mr. Talbott still presisted in calling it Rock- sylvania. Despite the philological discus- sion on the name, the office was of great benefit to the settlement after it was estab- lished by the compromise. Rockwood Postoffice was known on the books of the Department for over two years.

Iowa Falls was the next office established, in the spring of 1857. .

ORGANIC.

Hardin township was organized in 1854, by Alexander Smith, County Judge. Its

first election was held under a burr oak tree, but a short distance from the present grist mill. The following named officers were elected: Trustees, J. F. Simonds, Henry Pilgrim, William A. Bolden; Clerk, Edwin Terrill; Assessor, Benjamin I. Tol- bert; Justice of the Peace, John Caldwell.

In April, 1856, the election was held at the house of Joseph Wells, when 65 votes were cast, showing that the township was being rapidly settled. The following named officers were elected: Trustees, T. B. Knapp, J. F. Simonds, Jacob George; Clerk, James S. Smith; Justice of the Peace, William Jones; Assessor, David Mitchell; Constable, A. A. Wells; Road Supervisor, O. H. Foster. The ordinance for restraining hogs running at large was voted for, resulting in a majority in its favor.

The August election was held at J. S. Smith's store, when 69 votes were cast. This was further increased at the Novem- ber election for President to 119 votes.

Previous to this time the entire town- ship was one Road Supervisor's district. The Trustees now divided it into four.

The annual election for township officers was held April 5, 1857, resulting in the election of the following named: Trustees, J. F. Simonds, J. H. Foster, John Airy; Clerk, J. S. Smitb; Justice of the Peace, M. C. Woodruff; Constable, J. T. Lane; Road Supervisor, D.W. Mott. There were 131 votes cast.

At the April election, 1858, there were 137 votes cast, and the following named elected: Trustees, D. S. Gray, J. C. Wal. dron, John Caldwell; Clerk, Charles Mc- Queston; Justice of the Peace, William Jones; Constable, J. T. Lane.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

1859-Trustees, John Slayton, P. S. Gray, D. L. Smitb.

1860-Trustees, D. L. Smith, J. K. Sen- ter, P. S. Gray; Clerk, J. H. Weiland.

1861-Trustees, George Griffith, P. E. Johnson.

No record of election has been made from 1861 until the present year. The following are the officers for 1882: Trus- tees, William E. Nichols, Sr., Joshua Col- lins, Emerson R. Calkins; Clerk, T. B. Knapp; Justices of the Peace, W. W. Bunce, J. C. Hammond; Constables, L. H. Phinney, R. D. Dutton; Assessor, S. W. Pyle.

EDUCATIONAL.

In the summer of 1854 John Caldwell and his neighbors gathered together and erected a log school house, in which George P. Griffith taught the first school in the township. This house was located on a small stream, now known as School creek, which was so named by Mr. Caldwell, after the erection of the school building, about two miles southeast of the present town of Iowa Falls. Mr. Griffith was subsequently elected County Surveyor, and served two terms. The township now boasts of four- teen good substantial school buildings.

The graded school of Iowa Falls, men- tion of which is made in the history of the town, is one of the best in the county, and ranks with any in the State in towns of its size.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services in the town- ship were held under the auspices of the Society of Friends, in a log cabin on sec- tion 12, now owned by Isaiah Biggs.

Rev. E. C. Crippin was the first Metho- dist Episcopal preacher, and was here as early as 1853.

The history of the various churches are given elsewhere in this chapter.

REMINISCENCE OF NATHAN TOWNSEND.

In the fall of 1852 a party of surveyors operating in this section of the country made their headquarters where Hampton now stands. Provisions were very scarce with the settlers this fall, but the surveyors had brought with them quite a liberal stock of supplies. Mr. Townsend's stock of flour having become exhausted, he applied to the surveyors for the loan of a barrel of flour, which he promised to repay as soon as he could transport a quantity of pro- visions from Jefferson county, which he was intending to do as soon as possible. The provisions in due time were brought from Jefferson county, and Mr. Townsend and his sons started for the surveyors' camp to return the borrowed flour. It was now mid-winter, and extremely cold, and the suffering of the party was intense. Before reaching the surveyors' camp, at Hampton, they came upon five buffalos, but without molesting them, they continued their course, and soon after .met two hunters, named Maine and. Reeves, who assisted them in delivering the flour, and then they all started to return to the spot where the buffalos had been seen. These they soon found, and having surrounded and brought them to bay, succeeded in dispatching all of them. They then returned to camp, and the next morning Mr. Townsend and Reeves started out to dress and bring in their game. Thomas, the oldest son, went out with them, with the team, to bring in

Henry Fiddle

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the meat. The weather was extremely cold, it being in the month of February, and his suffering was intense; but event- ually the game was all dressed, and suffi- cient meat for the season was thereby secured. The wolves, however, during their absence, had appropriated a share of it to themselves.

ROCKSYLVANIA.

The first village by this name was laid out on ground now occupied by the busi- ness part of Iowa Falls. Mr. Talbott was determined to give it the name of Rocksyl- vania, notwithstanding those living here were opposed to it. He explained that sylvania meant woods, and that the rocks were the distinguished features of the landscape, consequently Rocksylvania was an appropriate name. Dr. Simonds thought otherwise. "Such a long name-such a jaw-breaking combination of words, ought not to be thought of," said the Doctor. Mr. Talbott thought otherwise. On account of the opposition he would not have his plat recorded, nor did he offer any lots for sale. Losing confidence in the future of the place, he sold out his inter- est in the land and mill property to Captain White, in the fall of 1854. Soon after disposing of his interests in the present location of Iowa Falls, Mr. Talbott, in con- nection with Lindley Hoag, Peter Collins and Edwin Terrill, laid out a town, which is described upon the plat as " located upon the east half of section 18, township 89. range 20." The town was surveyed and platted by Thomas Mercer, and filed for record November 1, 1854. This town was given the name of Rocksylvania.

The first store established in the place was by Peter Collins, who continued it two or three years.

As already stated, Rocksylvania had the - honor of having established in the place the first postoffice in the township, with Edwin Terrill as Postmaster. The office was not obtained without a hard fight with those representing the interests of the neighborhood of White's Mill. When it was found the office was to go to Rock- sylvania, it is said that Dr. Simonds, who could not get over his grudge against such a jaw-breaking name, as he termed it, secured a change of the name to Rock- wood, arguing that if sylvania meant wood, why not call it wood, and be done with it. He wanted no names requiring one to lug a dictionary around with him to know its meaning.

After holding the office a short time, Mr. Terrill resigned, and Mahlon Collins, who was Deputy Postmaster, received the ap- pointment, and held the office until it was abolished by order of the Postoffice Depart- ment, in the spring of 1857.

In speaking of the efforts made to build up Rocksylvania, Nettie Sanford says:

" Rocksylvania, proper, east of the depot, had a steam mill built in 1856, and a build- ing which received the cognomen of the "Crystal Palace." It was a stone structure with a flat roof, and Mr. A. A. Wells, the builder, paid out considerable money for its construction. Mr. Wells, a very ener- getic, busy man, tried, this summer, a new arrangement for building a barn. It was constructed, at least the walls thereof, of common stove wood, about sixteen inches long, and laid up with lime mortar."

But all efforts to build up the place were

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

in vain. Iowa Falls, its more fortunate rival, secured the influx of population, and Rocksylvania of to-day has but about 100 inhabitants, with no business of any kind.

REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Nathan Hunt resides on section 35. He settled in Hardin county in the spring of of 1863. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1835. His parents were Robert and Ruth S. Hunt, the former being a na- tive of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. The father died in Ohio. His mother came here in 1864, and afterward went to Kansas, where she died at the home of her daughter Ann, in February, 1881. Mr. Hunt came here from Ohio. His first wife was Esther T. Stubbs, a daughter of Elisha Stubbs, She died in Ohio. His present wife was Miss Lizzie Wildman, daughter of Seneca Wildman. She was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have one son- Milo, born April 22, 1869. They have also an adopted daughter-a niece of both Mr. and Mrs. Hunt. Mr. Hunt's ·farm contains 140 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were married in a log cabin on sec- tion 27, in March, 1864. The ceremony was in accordance with that of the Society of Friends, of which they are members.

Israel Klopp resides on section 24. He was born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1835, and moved to Ohio with his parents, Dan- iel and Susanna Klopp, and from Ohio to Stephenson county, Ill. His parents finally settled in Black Hawk county, Iowa, where they lived till their death. Mr. Klopp married Margaret Wilson, a daughter of James Wilson. They came to Iowa in 1863, and settled on this place, which was

formerly owned by the father-in-law of Mr. Klopp, who purchased it of Mr. J. W. Miller, who was the first settler on the farm. The farm contains 80 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Klopp have three children- Ellen E., Martha A. and James W.

Arthur P. Martin is a son of John A. Martin, and he was born in Grafton county, N. H., May 25, 1853. He came to Iowa with his family in 1863, and settled in Hardin county; here he learned the painter's trade, and followed the same for about three years, since which time he has been farming; and, in the spring of 1878, he associated his brother as partner, and took charge of his father's farm. In 1880 he purchased his brother's interest, and has since carried on the same alone. The farm contains 210 acres, 7 acres having been sold, as the celebrated Pool of Silome is situated on the same, and is now well im- proved and run as a stock farm, feeding 75 head of home cattle and 100 hogs. Mr. Martin was married in March, 1881, to Miss Maggie J. Hadlock, and they now have one daughter.

John A. Martin was born in Bradford, New Hampshire, July 23, 1817. His father, William Martin, was born in War- ren, New Hampshire, . in 1762, and his mother, Sarah (Andrew) Martin, in the same State in 1779. J. A. Martin entered college to prepare for the ministry, but remained only about eighteen months, when he turned his attention to the tailor's trade, which he followed for several years. He then carried on a mercantile business; also followed farming until 1863, since which time he has been a resident of Har- din county. When Mr. Martin came to Iowa, he at once purchased property at

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Iowa Falls, rented some land and followed farming. In 1866 he purchased 220 acres, located on sections 11 and 12. For this he paid $25 per acre, which was considered an enormous price, as the property was but little improved. Mr. Martin, however, saw that it possessed many advantages, among which were timber, water and loca- tion. He at once improved the same by erecting good buildings, etc., and in 1870 sold the property to Isaac Painter for $7,500; but in 1874 he bought back the same for $8,000, and he thinks he got a good bargain. In 1878 he sold off 20 acres, on which is located the celebrated "Pool of Silome," but Mr. Martin is a stockholder in the same. In 1877 he re- tired from active life, and now resides at Iowa Falls. On April 17, 1842, Miss Samantha Bind became his wife. She was born in Washington, Vt., September 5, 1822. They have had twelve children, eight of whom are now living-Lucy M., Sarah F., Arthur P., Clarence C., Hurbert J., P. W., Henry O. and Chas. M.

Spencer W. Brown resides on section 26. He settled where he now lives in December, 1864. He bought his original farm, which contained 80 acres, of Thomas B. Knapp, of Cedar Falls. Mr. Brown was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1830, but was brought up in Otsego county, in that State. He went to Illinois in 1855, and to Lafayette county, Wis., in 1857. He enlisted, August 13, 1862, in the 96th Illinois Infantry, and served till the fol- lowing February, when he was discharged for disability, the result of an accident from which he has never recovered. He came to Hardin county in May, 1864. His wife was Miss Helen F. L. Wright, born

in Greene county, N. Y. Her father died when she was a child. She went to La- fayette county, Wis., on a visit, in 1858, where she met Mr. Brown. They have eight children, four boys and four girls. Mr. Brown has increased his farm to 260 acres.

David J. Alvord came to Hardin county in 1864, and was at once accepted by the people of Hardin township as a prominent and influential citizen. His honesty and good natured disposition has made him many warm friends. He is a Republican in politics, and has been a public officer most of the time since coming to the county. Mr. Alvord is a native of Western New York, where he was born September 3, 1818. His father, Obed Alvord, was a native of Connecticut, and his mother, Susanna (Johnson) Alvord, of Rhode Island. In about 1824 the family migrated to Lake county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch learned his trade-that of wagon maker-and followed the same for several years; he acted as a traveling salesman for a firm in Cleveland, until 1864, since which time he has resided at Georgeton, and made farming his princi- pal business. He was married in 1843 to Miss Mary Ann Turner, and they now have four children-Jane, now Mrs. Chas. J. Comar; Daniel, yard-master at Collin wood, Ohio; Wealthy, now Mrs. Abram Gray; and Hattie, now Mrs. George Fitts.

Isaiah Biggs is one of the prominent farmers of Hardin county. He resides within the limits of the corporation of Iowa Falls. He was born in Ohio in 1827; removed to Warren county with his parents, and to Hamilton county, Iowa, in 1856, where he bought land and improved

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a farm; came to Hardin county in 1865. His farm contains about 400 acres. Mrs. Biggs was formerly Miss Anna Wood- ward. They have two children-Florence, wife of Warren Brown, the present Re- corder of Keokuk county, Iowa; and Valencia, who is still at home.

Josiah D. Walton was born in Steuben county, New York, September 9, 1852. The family soon removed to Pennsylvania, and from there, in 1865, to Iowa, and became a resident of Hardin county. The mother died in 1867. She had had ten children, seven of whom are now living. The father died August 6, 1880, while on a visit to one of his sons in Adams county, Wis. The subject of this sketch followed farming in Hardin and Franklin counties, until 1872, he spent one year in Penn- sylvania, when he again returned to Har- din county. In 1878 he married Miss Hattie Berdine of Franklin county, Iowa. Mr. Walton is a conscientious upright man who does just as he agrees. His politics are Republican, and his religion, Methodist Episcopal. The children are-Ellis B., Ernest A. and Cyrus A.

A. P. Hill was born in Vermont, August 30; 1822. His parents being Asa and Sally Hill. In 1846 the family removed to Franklin county, New York. Here the father died, and the mother soon after- wards returned to Vermont. But A. P. Hill subsequently migrated to Whiteside county, Ill., and in September, 1861, enlisted in Company C of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, and served three years. He then returned to Illinois, and in 1865 came to Hardin county, where he has since resided, with the exception of two years, which he spent in Illinois. In 1878 he married 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 84

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