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 91

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 91

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peals of the familiar school bell and the solemn tones of the church bells, all speak to me in tenderer accents than I hear anywhere else on earth.

In conclusion let mc entreat you all to cherish and perpetuate this Old Settlers' Association in all the virile strength it now displays. It is a grand thing to prescrve the reminiscences of your pioneer times; it is noble not to forget the day of small things. It warms our hearts and exalts our minds. It tempers our lives with unselfish- ness, and softens and deepens the bonds of fel- lowship and our common brotherhood.

CHAPTER XXIX. -

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

Jackson township is bounded on the east by Clay, on the west by Ellis, on the north by Hardin and Etna, and on the south by Pleasant. It embraces Congres- sional township 88, range 20.

EARLY SETTLEMENT AND EARLY SETTLERS.

One bright day in the month of October, 1850, several wagons, drawn by five yoke of oxen and one span of horses, halted upon the banks of the Iowa river, on sec- tion two of what is now known as Jackson township. The wagons contained Jacob Kidwiler, wife and nine children; Adam

Crim and Francis Mitchel. They had just completed their journey from Craw- fordsville, Ind., and now became the first settlers of Jackson township, and among the first of Hardin county. They at once erected a shanty, and in this they all lived until the following spring. Their nearest trading point being Iowa City, it was very seldom they could go to a store. But it was not necessary, as they had brought some provisions with them, to which they added fish, turkey, venison, duck, coon and other wild game, and, therefore, had enough to last them until spring. The

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

corn they ground in a wooden mortar made by Mr. Kidwiler. The Indians never troubled them, as Mrs. Kidwiler often gave them bread and meat, thereby retaining their friendship. Mr. · Kidwiler made one trip to Oskaloosa, and found that town fortified against the Indians. The people there tried to persuade him to go immediately and bring his family, as they would surely all be massacred by the Indians; but he informed them that he was on good terms with the red men, and not afraid to have them as neighbors. And thus time rolled on. In the spring of 1851, Mr. Kidwiler erected a double log house, and in this he resided until his death, which took place in January, 1863. His wife died in the same month, only one week later. Jacob Kidwiler was of Ger- man descent, but he was born in the State of Virginia, April 27, 1806. He was reared on a farm, and about the year 1834 married Miss Mary Longbreak. They reared a family of ten children, nine of whom were living at the death of the parents: Catherine, now Mrs. Michael Williams; Michael, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Solomon Livengood; Mary, deceased, who became Mrs. Jacob Lambright; Charles, Jane, deceased; Jacob, Rachel, deceased; Adam and Joseph H. Kidwiler, the latter being the first white child born in Hardin county, his birth having taken place on the 26th day of June, 1851. Joseph resided with his parents until their death, helping till the soil and attending school, although the advantages for the latter were far from what they now are in Hardin county. On May 25, 1865, he, in company with several families, started for Oregon. The trip was made in "prairie schooners," and

occupied five months. Mr. Kidwiler re- mained in Oregon and Washington Terri- tory until 1871; then returned to Hardin county, remaining, and, until 1877, dealt in wood, etc. He then erected a building and started a store at Eagle City, and has since been engaged in mercantile business. During the summer of 1882, he made an- other trip to Oregon. Mr. Kidwiler was married on the 12th day of March, 1874, to Miss Marilla Scott, a native of Winne- bago county, Iowa, born February 4, 1857. They have two children-Don C., born May 26, 1876; and Chester L., born Janu- ary 19, 1878. The subject of the above sketch, as a citizen, is independent in politics, and is now postmaster at Eagle City. As a man, he is plain and unassum- ing in his manners, and highly respected by all who know him.

Adam Crim, who came with the Kid- wilers, was a native of Virginia. He was a bachelor, and was of a miserly disposi- tion. He located a large quantity of land, and resided in the township .until about the close of the war, when he removed to Missouri, and has since died.

After the settlement was made, no township in the county settled more rapidly than Jackson.

In 1851 there came Levi W. Southard, now residing in Eldora township; Joshua Ball, now in Kansas; Levi Livengood and Solomon Livengood.

In 1852 and 1853, R. D. Simpson, J. W. Simpson, John Leitner, Winthrop Dyer, Louis Hayden, James Fairchild, William Shafer, Thomas Huff, A. L. Walling, Rev. E. C. Crippin, Jesse Griffin, Reynolds Hayden, Mr. McGarrett, Lewis Hayden,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Peter Haddock, James Hall and Patrick Burns.

In 1854 and 1855, there settled here a large number, the town of Hardin City, of which more will be said hereafter being built up at this time. Among the number were David Bowers, I. H. Bowers, William J. Bowers, Joseph Knowles, Patrick Mul- doon, Edwin Steele, Henry Bliss, Henry L. Huff, C. G. Ankeny, Erastus Pardee, John Brile, D. C. Purcell, Adam Sheley, Amos Doan, Beriah Wright, George Hay- den, George Pattee, Day Pattee, Mr. Jordan, William Dean, Henry Smith, George Teller, M. Teller, John Edick and Walter Hayden.

Of the foregoing it is to be regretted that of many so little is known.

William Shafer was from Kentucky. During the rebellion he enlisted in the 32d Iowa Infantry, but was discharged before the expiration of his term of service on account of disability. He then returned home, and subsequently removed to Nebraska, where he now resides.

Thomas Huff was from Kentucky. He made a good neighbor and citizen while residing here. It was at his house the first election in Morgan township, which then comprised all the north part of the county, was held.

Robert D. Simpson, one of the pioneers of 1852, is a native of North Carolina, born on the 7thi day of June, 1828. His parents were William and Nancy (Price) Simpson, both natives of North Carolina, and pioneers of Hardin county, having settled in Jackson township in 1855, where the mother died in 1859, and the father in 1861. Of the five children born unto them, four are now living-John, Robert D.,

Nathaniel and Francis H. The subject of this sketch removed from his native State with his parents when'he was but four years of age to Delaware county, Indiana, where he helped till the soil until 1852. He then with his brother, John, came to Iowa, and located on land in Hardin township, Hardin county. He then went back to Indiana to spend the winter, but the fol- lowing year again returned to Hardin county, and commenced improving his land. In 1855 he again went to Indiana, and married Miss Melinda Graham, daughter of William Graham, a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, and returned to his Western home, where he has since made farming a successful business. He located where he now resides, section 9, Jackson township, in 1867, and he now owns 327 acres of land. Mr. Simpson is a Republican in politics, and has held local offices. His religious connection is with the Baptist Church. Mrs. Simpson died April 28, 1877. She had eleven children, eight of whom are now living -Nancy J., wife of Mr. Geo. Bryant; William, John, Frank, Charity, Robert, George and Charles.

Francis Harlow Simpson, youngest son of William and Nancy (Price) Simpson, was born in Delaware county, Indiana in the month of April, 1837. He came with bis parents to Iowa and located with them in Jackson township, where he soon . became a prominent citizen. His political career has been with the Republican party. He has held local offices for many years, and is at present a member of the County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Simpson has always taken an active interest in educa- tion, and has therefore been a member of the School Board for many years. He

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

was married to Miss Rebecca Rickel, born in Ohio, and raised in Illinois in 1859. The children are-Sarah Viola and Francis Marion. Mrs. Simpson and the children are members of the Baptist Church.

Patrick Burns landed in Hardin county in the month of September, 1853. His native country is Ireland, where he was born in 1829. At the age of fourteen years he bid home and friends farewell, and was soon on his way to the United States. Upon arriving in the Land of the Free he first lived one year in the State of Vermont; then he migrated to Indiana, where he married Miss Jane Basham, who was born in Tennessee, but raised in Indi- ana. In 1853 Mr. Burns concluded to seek his fortune on the Western frontier, and he accordingly took his wife and their one child (William) into a buggy and started for Iowa. He arrived in Hardin county in the month of September, with only $60 in money, but an abundance of energy and good health. He was unsettled for a few years, trading a little in land and working as best he could, until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, of the 32d Iowa, and served three years. He was with General Banks on the Red river ex- pedition, and on April 9, 1863, was taken prisoner and remained as such, in Tyler Prison, Texas, fourteen months. After being mustered out of service, he returned to his home with his health somewhat im- paired, but he at once purchased his pres- ent farm, all of which was then a wild prairie. This he has since improved, so that he now owns 140 acres valued at $35 per acre. In 1882 Mr. Burns went to Da- kota and took up a soldier's claim. He is a Republican in politics. His religious

connections are with the Christian Church. Their children are-William, George S., Elizabeth and James.

Jesse Griffin was one of the pioneers of 1854. He was born in Bradford county, Pa., in 1802; was reared on a farm and re- ceived a very limited common school edu- cation. When seventeen years of age his father died, leaving him in charge of the family. The duties pertaining to the head of a family he discharged faithfully. In 1853 he came to Iowa, locating in Black Hawk county, where he remained one year, when he came to this county and located on section 10, Jackson township. The next year he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held until his death, and no man in all the northern part of the county was better known than 'Squire Griffin. He was married in Bradford county, Pa., to Rachel Pratt, before com- ing West. They reared eight children, only one of whom now resides in Hardin county-Mrs. Morris Frisbie. Mr. Griffin died in 1863, and his wife followed five years later. They were pioneers whose memory will ever be kept green.

Wallen Hayden settled where he now resides in 1854. He is a native of Penn- sylvania, born May 9, 1826. His parents, Nathaniel and Margaret (Miller) Hayden, were both natives of said State. In about 1831 the family migrated to Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and, in 1851, married Miss Rebecca Swearingen. In 1854 the young couple, in company with Benj. Hayden and family, concluded to seek a home on the Western frontier. They therefore, on the 31st day of May, loaded their worldly goods on a wagon and started on their long and tedious

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

journey, which occupied until July 12, on which day they arrived at Hardin City. Here they stopped, however, but a few days, when the journey was continued to Homer, Hamilton county, where Mr. Hay- den left his wife, while he took the stage- coach (which was making its first trip) to Fort Dodge. Benj. Hayden located in Hamilton county; but the land did not suit Wallen, who returned to Hardin county, and soon located on the northeast quarter of section 25, Jackson township; and here he has since resided. Mr. Hayden, when he located in his new home, was wbat one might call well-off financially, as he had brought $1,000 in cash with him, and his land cost him but $400. But Mr. Hayden was a poor man; for before coming West he had the misfortune to have one of his legs so badly crippled by a runaway horse as to compel him to use a crutch the re- mainder of his days. * Wallen Hayden was not the man, however, to feel downcast, as he at once erected a shanty, and when the time come to put in his crops, he took a bag of wheat on a horse and seeded his ground on horseback. He would also ride a horse while harrowing the ground, and in this way, by being industrious, economi- cal and ambitious, he made his life a suc- cess. He now owns 689 acres of land, which is free of incumberance. Mr. Hay- den is a Republican in politics, and has held local offices. A Free-Will Baptist in religion, and a man who is highly respected by his fellow men. The nine children are - Sarah Maggie, now Mrs. Alfred Doud; E. Estella, now Mrs. Thomas Platts; Andrew J., Elva, E. Gary, William R., Artie, Ada and Myrtie. Since residing in this county, Mr. Hayden has never run in

debt a cent at either store or blacksmith shop.

Inmon H. Bowers, second son of David and Elizabeth (Golden) Bowers, was born in Licking county, Ohio, September 15, 1841. He came with his parents to Iowa in 1850, and settled with them in Hardin county in 1854. In 1861 Mr. Bowers re- sponded to the call of his country by en- listing in Company A, 12th Iowa, and served until March 28, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability, caused by a gunshot wound received in the left leg at the battle of Corinth, October 6, 1862, He then returned to Hardin county, and has since followed farming. He now owns 150 acres of land. He is a Republi- can in politics, and has held® local offices. He was married in 1864, to Miss Hannah E. Speers. She died in December, 1868, leaving two children-Iva and George. September 27, 1877, he married Miss Cassa Hurd, a native of Carroll county, Ill., born in 1861; and by this union they have three children-Cleopatra, Allie May and Maud.

David Bowers, one of the early pioneers who settled in Jackson township in 1854, is a native of Stark county, Ohio, and was born on the 15th day of April, 1809. His parents were Mathias and Catherine (Hawk) Bowers; both natives of Mary- land. Mr. Bowers resided in his native State until 1849, when he emigrated to Iowa, and after living five years in Cedar county, he came to Hardin county, and in 1855 located on section 23, Jackson town- ship, where he now resides; and he now owns 120 acres of land, valued at about $30 per acre. Mr. Bowers has been twice married. In 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Golden, a native of Culpepper, Va. She

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

died, leaving four children-William J., Inmon H., E. Frances, now Mrs. John Swagard, and Mary M., now Mrs. John Curzy. In 1874 he married Mrs. Catherine Dean, widow of Robert Dean.

Edwin Steele was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and in that State married Miss Polly Schrader; they then emigrated to Iowa; lived in Dubuque county until 1855, then came to Hardin county, and settled at Har- din City. Here they engaged in the hotel business for several years, and subsequently engaged in farming. Mr. Steele died Feb- ruary 10, 1880, leaving a wife and five chil- dren-Jane H., Smith, Luella D., now Mrs. W. S. T. Doan, Seth and Edwin.

Edwin Steele, youngest son of Edwin and Polly (Schrader) Steele, was born in Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, June 18, 1852. He came with his parents to Har- din City, and has since resided at that place, and is now making farming a busi- ness.

Ferdinand Perkins, oldest son of John and Harriet (Parkins) Perkins, was born in Freeport, Ill., May 6, 1850. He came with his parents to Iowa in 1855, and in 1856 to Eldora. Here he was educated, and helped till the soil until he reached his majority. His father then gave him a farm of 80 acres in section 36, Jackson township, and this he cultivated. On December 25, 1879, he married Miss C. J. Kennedy, daughter of Rezin and Eliza- beth Kennedy, born in Ellis township, May 31, 1857. He then followed farming one year in Ellis township, after which, in March, 1881, he moved on his farm, where he now resides and owns 160 acres of land. They are the parents of two children- Sarah E. and John Rezin.

Samuel Fossler, the proprietor of the Eagle City Mills, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Northumberland county on the 22d day of February, 1829. His parents are J. A. and Elizabeth Fossler, the former being a native of Germany, and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1840 the family migrated to Oglė county, Ill. Here J. A. Fossler built a custom flouring mill, and in this the son learned milling. He also helped till the soil; and, as he was a natural born mechanic, he also worked at the wagon trade and labored some as a machinist. In 1852 he engaged in busi- ness as a wagon-maker and machinist, and . continued the same until 1856, when he came to Eagle city and purchased his present property. Since settling in Eagle City, he has invented the "Iowa Rotary Churn." Mr. Fossler was married in 1851 to Miss L. Jane Finney. They have had seven children, four of whom are now living-Alice, now Mrs. John McDonough; Emma Jane, now Mrs. E. Booth; Mary E., now Mrs. Newton Miller, and Lydia.

Alexander Gunn is one of the pioneers who came to Hardin county in 1856. He is a native of Scotland, born in 1821, and resided in his native country until 1851; then came to the United States, and lived in Columbiana county, Ohio, until he came to Iowa. In 1856 he purchased his present farm; then spent the summer at Iowa City, and in the fall went back to Ohio and remained until 1858, when he returned to his farm in Hardin county, where he has since lived. Mr. Gunn was an unmar- ried man when he settled in this county. He boarded with William Noble, a pioneer of Hardin county, and now a resident of Warren county. In 1860, his sister, Isa-

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

belle Gunn, came to Iowa and took charge of his house until 1862, in which year (June 17) Mr. Gunn married Miss Margaret McKinzie, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. They have had five children, four of whom are now living-Hugh J., George W., Belle M., now deceased; Bell Jennett and Katie May. In politics, Mr. Gunn is a staunch Republican. Mrs. Gunn has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since the spring of 1862.

William Graham, who settled in Jackson township in 1856, is a native of Kentucky, born in 1804. In 1825 he married Miss Nancy Turner. She died in 1868, leaving six children, four of whom are now living.

Clark A. Bliss resides on section 14. He is a native of Erie county, Pa., born Janu- ary 6, 1841. His father, Henry Bliss, is one of the pioneers of the county, as he settled at Point Pleasant July 11, 1857, and is now a resident of Jackson town- ship. Clark A. Bliss, when five years of age, went with his father to Sheboygan, Wis., but soon afterwards went with Mr. B. Dean to DeKalb county, Ill., with whom he lived twelve years. He then re- turned to Pennsylvania and followed farming; also worked in the oil regions. In January, 1863, he enlisted in Company C of the 111th Pennsylvania, and served three years. After being mustered out of service, he returned to Pennsylvania, and about three years later came to Hardin county, Iowa. He, however, subsequently spent five years in Illinois, and also fol- lowed railroading in Pennsylvania. He located where he now resides in 1880. Mr. Bliss, July 4, 1865, married Miss Mary E. Wheeler, a native of Erie county, Pa. They have three children-Willie J., G. S.

and Bessie M. In politics, he is a Repub- lican.

William H. Hiserote is the oldest son of A. J. Hiserote, and was born in Columbia county, N. Y., November 4, 1836. He came to Hardin county with the family, and on the 6th day of December, 1860, married Miss Anna Lininger, daughter of John and Ann (Hayworth) Lininger, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They settled in Jackson township in 1857, and reared a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters. The father died in 1858 and the mother in 1873. William H. Hiserote, after mar- riage, took charge of the homestead, and six years subsequently purchased the same. He now owns 100 acres, all of which is well improved, and valued at $40 per acre. Their children are Fred, Ella, Frank, Annie, Melvin and John.

Henry Dersham is a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, born in 1830. His parents were Henry and Mary (Linn) Der- sham. In 1842 the family removed to Ohio, and subsequently to Henry county, Illinois. The subject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade, and, in 1856, married Miss Barbara Rickel. Two years subse- quently, he emigrated to Iowa, and became a resident of Jackson township, Hardin county. Mr. Dersham remained in Hardin county only two years, when he removed to Waterloo, and continued working at his trade until 1868. He then returned to Hardin county. The children are: Mary Ellen, John F., George W., Hattie G., Robert E., Etta M., and William H.

A. B. Hughes, one of the men who came to Hardin county in 1859, was born in Jacksonville, Morgan county, Ill., in 1825.

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. HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

His parents being Allen P. and Elizabeth (Tilton) Hughes; at eighteen years of age Mr. Hughes went to Platsville, Wis., where he followed mining, afterwards worked at his trade as blacksmith and wagon maker. In 1849 he returned to Illinois, and in 1854 located with his parents in Carroll county, at which time there were but fifteen families. In 1852 he married Miss Laura Wheeler, a native of Bradford county, Pa. In 1859 he came to Hardin county, and first settled at Berlin, Jackson township, where he continued his trade, and at the same time improved his present farm which he had purchased in 1858. In those days the marketing had to be done at Iowa City, a distance of over one hun- dred miles, or Cedar Falls, a distance of forty miles. The latter trip occupied three days, during which time he had to camp out at night. The average price of wheat being about thirty cents per bushel. We will give an account of but one trip, this was made in 1864, when Mr. Hughes loaded forty bushels of wheat into a sleigh, and started for Cedar Falls, for the purpose of getting provisions and clothing for winter. Soon after starting out a heavy snow com- menced falling, and the roads became so blockaded, that Mr. Hughes required eleven days to make the trip, and when he re- turned to Eldora, he found his net proceeds consisted of thirty cents, this he gave to Joseph Furry, a merchant of that place, · whom he was owing sixty cents, and had agreed to pay on his return. In those days it took two bushels of wheat to buy one pound of tobacco. Mr. Hughes is an honest and upright man, who is highly respected. He owns 160 acres of land which is well improved. Is a Republican

in politics, but takes little interest more than to perform his duty as a citizen. The children are-Andrew S., Rollin, Ruth A., wife of Mr. Robt. Ringle, and Mary L., wife of Mr. Harvey Bradfield.

Andrew S. Hughes is the oldest son of A. B. and Laura Hughes, and he was born in Illinois in 1849. He came with his parents to Hardin county, and resided with them, tilling the soil, threshing grain, ditching, etc., until 1875, when he married Miss Elnora R. Adams. They have three children-Mattie May, Henryette E. and James Allen. Mr. Hughes is a man who thinks for himself, and is the inventor of several useful machines.

EDUCATIONAL.

In the summer of 1855 a log school house was erected on section 11, and in the winters of 1855-6, a school was held therein, taught by Henry Smith. This was the first in the township. Mr. Smith sub- sequently became one of the pupils of J. M. Boyd in his Berlin school, a sketch of which is given in connection, written by Mr. Boyd. When the war broke out he responded to his country's call, and became a member of Company A, 32d Iowa Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864, and died in prison at Tyler, Texas. He was a good soldier and universally esteemed by officers and men.

There are now eleven independent school districts in the township, with school property valued at $5,000. There are 400 persons between the ages of five and twenty-one.

The first school taught at Berlin was by J. M. Boyd, commenced in the fall of

W. a Slow. DECEASED.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

1858. They had no school house, and no room in which a school could be taught. The first attempt was in the large store room in a large building, then known as the Ark, (afterwards burnt down); but it was soon found impossible to teach where trade and business were constantly going on. About the 15th of November a small but comfortable school house was ready for use. They had no use for a large school house, thought they. But soon sixty-two scholars were enrolled. Most of the families in the village and around it were large ones, and the settlement then was just around the village and about the timber west and south. Most of the country was a grand ocean of prairie. The parents and patrons were people of intelli- gence and culture. Among the parents and patrons in the village and vicinity, were thirteen men and women who had been teachers of experience in Pennsylvania and Ohio; but coming as they had to the frontier, their children had been for a time without any good school advantages, and hence the anxiety to improve the first school opportunity. The little school house was every day crowded, for cold and stormy indeed was the day that did not find nearly every scholar in place. The two terms there taught those two winters passed pleasantly and with profit to scholars and teacher. Nor must we forget the Literary Society and Debating Club, the Mock Congress, the Night School, and also the paper, called the "Prairie Flower," which contained its weekly budget of news reviews of the discussions, and at times severe criticisms and denunciations of the proceedings of the Congress. But that school has passed away, not a vestige of

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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 91

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