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 86

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 86

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became a widow at nineteen, and afterward went through college, graduating in 1864. She was engaged for a number of years in teaching, and is a woman of fine literary taste and much mental culture. A sad event in the married life of Mr. and Mrs. Knapp was the death of their only child (Henry Hamlin), who died July 23, 1879. He was born May 3, 1866, and had there- fore entered his fourteenth year. He was a boy of much promise, and many bright hopes of the future were blasted by his early death.

Marcus C. Woodruff was born in the village of Aurora, Erie county, N.Y., March 21, 1831. His education was such as was afforded by the common school system of those days, to which should be added a course at and graduation from the Aurora Academy. At nineteen he taught school in his native town, and for a few years served as mercantile clerk in Buffalo. Touched by the spirit of Western adven- ture, he emigrated' to Illinois, and three years later to Hardin county, Iowa. On the 7th of August, 1855, the day on which James W. Grimes was chosen Governor, he came to Iowa Falls, then an embryo village, consisting of a log farm-house and a small saw mill. In October of that year he built the first frame building in the town, and continued a resident of the place until the spring of 1871, when he moved to Waterloo. In the summer of 1863 he purchased the Hardin county Sentinel, at Eldora, and two years later moved it to Iowa Falls, where he continued its publication until he left the county. In 1871 he became half owner and editor of the Waterloo Courier, and three years later sold out and bought a half interest in

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the Dubuque Daily Times, of which he was editor until impaired health compelled him to abandon the business in 1881. Mr. Woodruff was Postmaster of Iowa Falls from the inauguration of President Grant until his removal to Waterloo. In Sep- tember, 1878, he was appointed Railroad Commissioner of the State, to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of ex- Governor Carpenter, who was elected to Congress. Mr. Woodruff was re-appointed for a full term as Commissioner in the fol- lowing April, and continued in the position until April, 1882. He is still a resident of Dubuque. His family consists of a wife, Eliza E. Weller, whom he married April 7, 1861, and five children-Julia, Minnie, Mary, Frances and Mark.

L. F. Wisner, a Hardin county pioneer, was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1832. HIe was reared on his father's farm, but at a very early period in life, began business for himself. Believing the West better adapted to the growth and development of a man, he left his native State, and, for a time, stopped in Illinois, but in 1856 he located in Hardin county, where he has since continued to reside. In 1868 Mr. Wisner and Julia A. Hatch were united in marriage. They have one son-George H. Mr. Wisner came to Hardin county a poor man, but he had energy, strength, and a determined will, and to-day he is recog- nized as one of the wealthiest men in the county. By many he is thought to be a cold, hard man, without a heart to feel for the wants of others. That this is not the case, is illustrated by the following inci- dent: Some years ago a poor man bought a small farm, which he supposed to be un- incumbered. He paid every cent that he

had for the place, and was happy in the thought he had provided a home for him- self and family. The man from whom he purchased left the country; and in due course of time the purchaser learned that Mr. Wisner had a mortgage on the place for $400. What to do he knew not. He was advised, and finally persuaded to state the case to Mr. Wisner, but had little faith that any good would result. When Mr. Wisner heard the poor man's story, and satisfied himself of its truthfulness, he at once cancelled the mortgage and surren- dered his claim. He thus showed himself to be possesssed of a heart that could be touched by the troubles of others. Mr. Wisner made Iowa Falls his home for many years, but now resides in Eldora. He is the President of the Hardin County Bank in that place, but has strong affec- tion for his first love-Iowa Falls-and in addition to his interests in the bank, has much property besides.

Proctor E. Johnson, architect and builder, was born at Wentworth, Grafton county, N. H., January 11, 1823. At the age of twenty years, after receiving a com- mon school education, he went to Quincy, Mass., and remained there three years, learning the stone-cutter's trade. From there he went to Manchester, and worked at mechanical work until 1848. He then went to Hopkinton, Mass., and, on De- cember 17, 1849, was married to Clarinda Ellery, of that place. He then bought a saw-mill in Hopkinton, and run it success- fully for three years, when he sold out an 1 returned to Wentworth, N. H., and there rented the large saw-mill known as the Mellen Mills, and another, three miles dis- tant, known as the Peabody Mills. These

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

mills were supplied with timber bought by the acre, and necessarily required a great many men and teams to do the work. This business was carried on successfully until the spring of 1854, when a freshet carried away the dams to both mills, and no possibility to rebuild them until late in the summer, and a heavy supply of logs in the yard and woods made practically- valueless, resulted in his losing all that he had gained by his great industry. He then took a position with Brooks & Nor- cross, lumbermen, of Lowell, Mass., and stayed there until 1856, when he and his brother, Alonzo P. Johnson, joined the Army of Western Pioneers, and went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then supposed to be at the front; remained there a short time, and, in June, 1857, he went to Iowa Falls. His family joined him a few months later, and, with the exception of three years spent in Ohio during the war, he lived at Iowa Falls until his death, June 19, 1879. Proctor E. Johnson was one of the finest architects and builders in the State of Iowa, and the principal build- ings and bridges throughout the State are still monuments of his untiring energy. He was kind-hearted, and was liked by all who knew him, as one of the most com- panionable of men. At the time of his death, he left a wife and two sons-Wilbur K. and William E. Johnson, who are now living at Canon City, Col., the sons being extensively engaged in mining.

John T. Miller resides within the village limits. His farm adjoining is on section 8. Mr. Miller is one of the early settlers of Hardin county. In 1856 he located at Rocksylvania, where, with M. W. Hollings- worth and D. P. Griffith, put up a steam

saw mill there, bringing the machinery with teams from Dubuque. They oper- ated this mill for about two years, when it was sold and transferred to Clear Lake, where it was still in use but a few years since. He bought the farm which he now owns of Dr. Joel Willis, where he located in February, 1858: Mr. Miller was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1823, but removed with his parents to Warren county; married Dorcas Ellis, who was born in Clinton county. An older brother, Joseph Miller, came here the same year with the intention of settling, but returned to Obio, and now resides in Columbus, in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have eight children-Laura C., wife of Fred Texido; Hiram C., Florence, Ida, Lydia A., Lewis N., Robert E. and David. They lost two children: Amanda and Horace. His father, Solomon Miller, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and settled in the Miami Valley, Ohio, in 1816, but resided in Warren county at the time of his death, in 1864. His mother was a native of Louden county, Va., and died in 1863.

Joseph White located in Rocksylvania, May 17, 1857. He engaged in the mercan- tile business with Mr. J. H. Weiland. They were the first merchants in the township, although a few goods were brought here and sold previous to that time. They afterwards removed the store to Iowa Falls. Mr. White continued in the mercantile business till 1867. Since that time he has been engaged in farming, in which he has been very successful. He owns 940 acres of land. Mr. White was born in North Carolina, in 1828. He removed with his parents to Indiana in 1835. His parents, Caleb and Mary White, natives of North

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Carolina; at the time of their death they resided in Knightstown, Henry county, Indiana. Mrs. White's maiden name was Ann Eliza Pyle, and at the time of her marriage with Mr. White, she was the widow of Jonathan Wildman, a son of Seneca Wildman of the township of Providence. Mr. and Mrs. White have two children - Hattie and Charles. Mrs. White has a daughter by her former marriage-Emma Wildman, now the wife of Isaac Rich of Jefferson county.

William W. Bunce came to Iowa Falls the spring of 1857. He was born in Indiana in 1829. He lived in Rush county in that State, from 1840 to 1850; in the last year mentioned, he started for Califor- nia, and on reaching Cedar county, in this State, was prevailed upon to postpone the journey for a time, and finally changed his mind and engaged in farming. He married Lydia M. Bond, born in Chautauqua county, New York, and came with her parents to Iowa, in territorial times. Mr. Bunce came here, as stated, in 1857. He worked at the trade of a carpenter and joiner for many years. He enlisted July 5, 1861, in the 6th Regiment Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry. He served but a few months, when he was discharged for disability. He afterward was engaged in recruiting, and finally re-enlisted, and served in the Northwest, being stationed at Fort Sully. After the war he worked at his trade for about a year, when he was injured by a fall, and was obliged to re- linquish it. He then followed the busi- ness of painting for several years; was elected Constable, and served six years, and was for two years Deputy Sheriff of Hardin county. Has been a Justice of

the Peace for two years. Mr. and Mrs Bunce have had three children, all of whom are deceased. They lost two children at Cedar Rapids. Their last child, Charlie W., died May 29, 1881, at the age of twenty-one years.

Earl H. McMillan, of Iowa Falls, is the son of George McMillan, who settled in Ellis township with his family in June, 1859. George McMillan was born in Erie county, N. Y., about 1817. He married Mary Ann Wilcox, who died in the State of New York. His second wife was Eliza McMaster, who lives in the town of Ellis. Mr. McMillan died in that township in December, 1879. He settled on a farm on section 5, where his widow still lives. He had four children by his first wife, two sons and two daughters. The daughters are deceased. The sons are Earl H. and Charles T .; the latter lives in Ellis town- ship. There is one son, George D., by his second wife.

Earl H. McMillan was born in Erie county, N. Y., in 1837. He now lives at Iowa Falls, but has a farm in Ellis town- ship, adjoining the homestead. His wife was Miss Mary Fisher. They have four children-Cora L., Clara J., Charles H. and Clyde E. Mr. George McMillan was one of the first supervisors of the town of Ellis. Earl H. enlisted, in 1862, in the 1st Regi- ment of Iowa Cavalry, and served about a year and a half, when he was discharged for disability.

James Havens is engaged in farming, and resides in the northern part of Iowa Falls. He was born in Monmouth county, N. J., July 16, 1813, where he was reared. He married Hannah Johnson, who was born in the same county in 1816. They

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

removed to Wayne county, Ind., in 1848, where they lived twelve years; then came to Hardin county in October, 1860, and set- tled on section 10 in 1863, Mr. Havens having rented a farm previous to that time. He sold his farm in 1881, and set- tled in the village of Iowa Falls, where he had owned a place for twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Havens have nine children- Elizabeth, born in 1835; Lewis, born in 1838; Mary, born in 1840; Benjamin, born in 1842; James, born in 1847; Sylvester, born in 1849; George W., born in 1852; Catherine, born in 1854; and Columbus, born in 1856. They lost two children- Ann and William. Mr. and Mrs. Havens are members of the M. E. Church.

Joel W. Hiatt came to Iowa in October, 1842. He lived in Henry and Lee counties till September, 1860. The last years of his residence there, he was engaged in the mercantile business in Salem, Henry county. During the former years, he was engaged in farming. He came to Hardin county in 1860; has been a resident of Hardin county since that time, except two years which he spent in McLean county, Ill. He was engaged in the lumber busi- ness here for several years. Mr. Hiatt was born in Guilford county, N. C., De- cember 17, 1814. He removed with his parents to Clinton county, Ohio, when . a child; afterwards to LaSalle county, Ill., and in 1830 to Wayne county, Ind. He was married in Wayne county to Lydia Williams. She was born in Montgomery county, Pa .; is a daughter of Rev. Daniel Williams, native of Guilford county, N. C., who moved to Pennsylvania when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt have had no children of their own, but have raised

eleven children from different ages of childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt are mem- bers of the Society of Friends.

SOCIETIES.

Iowa Falls is represented by the follow- ing Societies: Masons, Odd Fellows, United Workmen, Knights of Honor and Ladies of Honor.

Arcturus Lodge, No. 100, I. O. O. F., was organized December 19, 1856, by I. W. Jones, District Deputy G. M., with the following named charter members: James D. Gourlay, James Speers, J. F. Simonds, J. R. Larkin, J. H. Foster and A. Button. At its first meeting the following named officers were elected and duly installed: J. F. Simonds, N. G .; O. E. Able, V. G .; J. H. Foster, Sec .; J. R. Larkin, Treas .; A. Button, Warden; M. C. Woodruff, Con- ductor. With the exception of about one year, the lodge has held regular meetings, and the greater part of the time been in fine working condition. Its membership has always been composed of the leading and best citizens of the town and vicinity. It now numbers about fifty members in good standing, owns some valuable real estate in the town, and have ample funds in the treasury. It is truly in a flourish- ing condition. Its present officers are R. A. First, N. G .; W. S. Sheldon, V. G .; W. H. Woods, Sec .; J. B. Thomas, Treas.

Occidental Encampment No. 35, I. O. O. F., was organized October 20, 1869, by R. Howe Taylor of Marshalltown, D. G. P. The following are the charter members, viz: Isaac B. Thomas, William Haines, E. O. Soule, Geo. L. Griggs, Isaac L. Thomas, S. P. Smith, S. N. Woodworth. First officers were E. O. Soule, C. P .; I.

yours Truly O.T. Fullolph.

سے

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

B. Thomas, H. P .; S. N. Woodworth, S. W .; I. L. Thomas, Scribe; S. P. Smith, Treas .; Geo. L. Griggs, J. W .; William Haynes, Sentinal. The present officers are: S. P. Smith, Chief Patriarch; J. W. Hiatt, Senior Warden; I. B. Thomas, High Priest; P. J. Cowan, Scribe; S. Powers, Treas .; Dr. D. A. Davis, Junior Warden; W. E. Nichols, Sentinel. The Encamp- ment meets first and third Thursday night in each month.

Mason's Home Lodge, No. 192, A. F. and A. M., was organized by dispensation, April, 1866, with George W. Chapman, Sr., W. M .; Ira Demander, S. W .; Luther Mc- Donald, J. W. A charter was granted the lodge at the June session, 1867, of the Grand Lodge, with the following named charter members: Hiram Aldrich, Julius Austin, J. H. Dodson, S. T. Gibbs, E. L. Lyons, H. C. Mead, A. M. Mitchell, John G. Waldron, and M. C. Woodruff. The lodge was instituted by Jonathan Edging- ton, Special D. G. M., assisted by E. W. Eastman, D. G. M. Of the foregoing char- ter members, only one is now connected with the lodge, the others having removed or have since died. The following named have held the office of W. M .: George W. Chapman, Ira Demander, Henry Holden, now deceased; M. W. Anderson, L P. Jones, W. L. Griffith, D. A. Ivins and S. H. Todd. The present membership of the lodge is 55, and it is in a good healthy condition. The meetings are held Tuesday evening, on or before the full moon in each month. The present officers are: S. H. Todd, W. M .; J. D. Steere, S. W .; W. S. Attwooll, J. W .; S. B. Thomas, Treasurer; M. W. Anderson, Secretary; G. A. Ivins,

S. D .; Fred N. Smith, J. D .; L. P. Jones and J. D. McKay, Stewards.

Iowa Falls Lodge, No. 35, A. O. U. W., was the first lodge of the order organized in the county. It was organized Novem- ber 11, 1875, by I. M. Chrissenger, with 15 charter members-O. W. Garrison, R. H. Scofield, E. S. Ellsworth, P. J. Cowan, R. J. O. McGowan, A. A. Wells, H. C. Mil- ler, M. Van Buskirk, F. J. Evans, Z. K. Hoag, J. L. Hoag, G. W. Chapman, Jr., Milan A. Nutter, S. P. Smith and J. M. Wells. The lodge has been in quite a flourishing condition since its organization, and now numbers 45 members in good standing. One death has occurred since its organization-J. W. Latson, in the fall of 1877. Regular meetings are held the first and third Wednesday evening in each month. From January 1, 1876, to January 1, 1882, a period of six years, there were 56 assessments, proof positive that as an insurance society, it is the cheapest in ex- istence, while its social merits are equal to the older orders. The following named have served in the office of Master Work- man since the organization of the lodge: R. H. Scofield, P. J. Cowan, T. J. Evans, A. A. Wells, J. W. Robinson, G. W. Chapman, Jr., H. C. Miller, S. M. Weaver, S. P. Smith and L. L. Kelly. The present officers are: L. L. Kelly, P. M. W .; T. W. Quillian, M. W .; M. Van Buskirk, F .; Lloyd Waldron, O .; C. B. Taylor, Finan- cier; R. J. O. McGowan, Receiver; T. J. Ashley, Recorder; G. Follett, Guide; W. E. Taylor, I. W .; Wm. M. Morton, O. W. The officers at the time of organization were: O. W. Garrison, P. M. W .; R. H. Scofield, M. W .; S. P. Smith, Foreman; M. Van Buskirk, Overseer; R. J. O. McGowan,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Recorder; P. J. Cowan, Financier; H. C. Miller, Receiver; E. S. Ellsworth, Guide; M. A. Nutter, I. W .; J. M. Wells, O. W.

Banner Lodge, No. 1221, Knights of Honor, was instituted October 1, 1878, by W. H. Sisson, Deputy Grand Dictator, assisted by Brethren Hughes and Stead- man, of Vinton Lodge, with a full charter membership. The following named officers were elected for the balance of the term, ending December 31, 1878: A. A. Weaver, Past Dictator; S. P. Smith, Dictator; R. J. O. McGowan, Vice-Dictator; H. H. Senter, Assistant Dictator; H. C. Miller, Reporter; William Welden, Financial Reporter; J. T. Buttolph, Treasurer; R. W. Milner, Chap- lain; J. L. Welden, Guide; C. A. Shaw, Guardian; A. W. Pattison, Sentinel. No deaths have occurred since the lodge was instituted. The following named members have occupied the Dictator's chair: S. P. Smith, R. J. O. McGowan, M. VanBuskirk, R. W. Milner, J. B. Thomas, H. C. Miller, C. E. Shaw. The officers in the fall of 1882, are: C. E. Shaw, Dictator; J. T. Buttolph, Vice-Dictator; D. S. Downey, Assistant Dictator; R. J. O. McGowan, Treasurer; C. L. Haworth, Reporter; C. R. Crane, Financial Reporter; S. M. Weaver, Chaplain; M. VanBuskirk, Guide; E. R. Calkins, Guardian; J. B. Thomas, Sentinel. The foregoing officers, together with the following named, constitute the member- ship at the present time: S. J. Bowman, C. Foote, O. W. Garrison, W. C. Holding, T. B. Knapp, J. T. Lane, R. W. Milner, H. C. Miller, W. E. Nichols, A. W. Pattison, Avery Palmer, A. A. Weaver, William Welden, William Wilde. The names given show Banner Lodge to be a good, solid one. Its members work harmoniously

together, and all are satisfied with the Knights of Honor as an insurance organiz- ation, as well as social.

The D. W. C. Society was instituted October 10, 1878, with the following named officers and members: Jennie Wells, Pres- ident; Jessie Bunn, Vice-President; Lulu Hyer, Secretary; Maud Higgins, Treasurer; Kate Buttolph, Nell M. Buttolph, Jessie Brown, Emma Mckay, Luta Hyer, Flora Hyer, Lou Young, Jennie Wells, Clara Quivy. Its present officers are: Kate M. Aldrich, President; Jessie Steere, Vice- President; Lettie Beughton, Treasurer; Edith Evans, Secretary.

LADIES SOCIAL GATHERING.

Among the institutions of Iowa Falls, worthy of more than a passing thought, is that of the "Ladies' Social Gathering." This Society was formed on the 29th day of November, 1859, for the exclusive purpose of preparing a place for the dead, laying out, and improving the grounds. This indispensable matter had been overlooked by the company laying out the town, and the ladies of the place, feeling that life was uncertain and death certain, met at the residence of Mrs. H. P. Jones, for the purpose. of forming a Society having the foregoing objects in view. Mrs. H. P. Jones, Mrs. Sarah M. Estes, and Mrs. Clara E. Johnson were appointed a Committee on Constitution and By-laws, with instructions to report at an adjourned. meeting, to be held in two weeks.

At this adjourned meeting Mr. H. P. Jones was elected President of the meet- ing. The report of the Committee was heard, and a Constitution adopted, the

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

essential parts of which are here given. It is as follows:

"The uncertainty of life, and the certainty of death, which has been verified in our inidst, warn us to provide for the dead while living, and as no quiet retreat has been set apart sacred to the rest of the departed, and where the living

'When, sorrowing o'er some stone they bend, Which covers all that was a friend,'

.may treasure up lessons of immortality;

"Therefore, we, the ladies of Iowa Falls, do associate ourselves together to accom- plish that object, and severally agree to adopt and be governed by the following constitution and by-laws:

" ARTICLE 1. The name of this Associa- tion shall be, "Social Gathering of Iowa Falls."

" ART. 2. The object of this Association shall be to aid in purchasing grounds for a cemetery, or fencing and adorning the same; shall obtain admission fees, buy, make and sell various articles, and receive donations to accomplish said object.

" ART. 3. The officers of this Associa- tion shall consist of a President, Vice- President, Secretary and Treasurer, and six Directresses, who shall be elected quarterly.

"ART. 4. This article defines the duties of the officers.

"ART. 5. Any lady of good moral char- acter may become a member of this Asso- ciation by signing the constitution and by-laws, and paying an admission fee of 25 cents.

"ART. 6. We cordially invite gentle- men of good moral character to become honorary members of our association,

hoping they will deem our enterprise worthy of their assistance.

"ART. 7. This association shall meet semi-annually, and close at 92 o'clock, with prayer or singing.

"ART. 8. The association shall meet in alphabetical order with the members.

"ART. 9. No refreshments shall be pro- vided, and each family in attendance shall provide their own light.

"ART. 10. A part of the evening shall be spent in reading, and the remainder in improving and useful conversation.

"ART. 11. No disparaging personal re- marks shall be countenanced by the asso- ciation. Any member making such will be subject to reproof."

At this meeting the following named officers were elected for the term: Mrs. H. P. Jones, President; Mıs. S. M. Estes, Vice-President; Mrs. J. S. Smith, Secre- tary; Mrs. E. C. Sayer, Treasurer.

The meeting closed with prayer by Rev. Mr. Critchfield.

On the 14th of August, 1860, the asso- ciation purchased of the company owning the town plat four and a half acres of land, at $40 per acre. One of the association thus writes of this matter: "This was a most daring enterprise. It was not quite a year since we started out. All our means came from making domestic wear-such as shirts, overalls, knitting stockings, piecing quilts, with an occasional donation from some visitor in town, whom the ladies were extremely affable to in order to swell the small sum already accumulated, gen- erally inviting them to our meetings."

At the time of purchasing, the funds of the association were so small that, in order to get a deed for the land, made necessary

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

that they might sell the lots, the associa- tion had to accept the following conditions, which were presented them, signed by the owners of the land:

"You shall survey into lots, blocks, streets, alleys, plat and put upon the public record said parcel of ground.

"You shall, as soon as consistent, enclose said ground with a good fence of pine boards.

"You shall appoint a committee of three from among your members to confer with us in fixing the price at which said lots shall be sold, and on what terms deeds are to be given at the time of sale.

"You shall use your best endeavors to sell lots enough to compensate us within three months after the plat is recorded, for one-half the amount of what said land will amount to at the rate of $40 per acre, and the balance in the next nine months following.

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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 86

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