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 93

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 93

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George A. Crocker lives on section 14. He is a son of Calvin and Irene (Law- rence) Crocker. He was born in Bangor, Maine, October 17, 1844. In 1849 the family migrated to Illinois, and in 1866 George A. Crocker came to Hardin county. Here in 1868 he married Miss Sarah Hiserote, daughter of A. J. Hiserote. Mr. Crocker settled where he now resides in 1870. The children are Clinton and Lee. Mr. Crocker has always voted the Republi- can ticket.

A. Huffman resides on section 20, and owns 280 acres of land, all of which is well improved; he is therefore an im- portant factor in the farming community. Mr. Huffman was born in Coshocton county,

Ohio, on the 12th day of April, 1823. His parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Jones) Huffman, In 1845 the family removed to Green county, Wis. Here Mr. Huffman on the 31st day of July, 1853, married Miss Mary Jane Baughman, daughter of George and Ruhamah (Bark) Baughman, and continued farming until 1866; then came to Iowa, and located where he now resides. Of the fourteen children born in this family, ten are now living-Ruhamah, now the wife of Philip Keopple; Clara, now the wife of Geo. Buchanan; Francis, Olive, Addie, Wil- liam, Maggie, Martha, Samuel and Char- lotte. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are mem- bers of the M. E. Church. Mr. Huffman is a Democrat in politics.

J. N. DeGroff, one of the prominent men of Jackson township, is a son of J. T. and Lucinda (Smith) DeGroff, and was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1839. When he was six years of age he inigrated with his parents to Carroll county, Ill., where he helped till the soil. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I of the 12th Illinois Cavalry, and served three years. He then returned to Illinois, and, in 1865, married Miss Eliza J. Knox, a native of Carroll county, Ill., born in 1839. In 1869, Mr. DeGroff came to Hardin county and located on section 33, Jackson township, where he has since mnade farming a business, and now owns 160 acres of well improved land. In politics, Mr. DeGroff is a Republican, and has held local offices; in religion, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have one child-Alice E.

S. Syverson, an enterprising and intelli- gent farmer, is a native of Norway, and was born in 1835, his parents being Thore

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and Caroline Syverson. In 1848 the family emigrated to the United States, and first settled in Green county, Wis. The subject of this sketch learned the brick- maker's trade, and followed the same in various localities. He also worked on the Goverment survey of Minnesota in 1853. In 1869 he came to Hardin county, and two years subsequently located on section 28, Jackson township, where he has since resided and followed farming with marked success. Mr. Syverson owns 80 acres of land, on which he has erected a neat farm house and made other improvements, so that it is now worth $50 per acre. He takes a great interest in education, and is ever on the alert to make his home more attractive and pleasant. In politics, he is independent, and has held the office of Township Trustee since 1878. Mr. Syver- son was married in 1858 to Miss Harriet Mace, then of Green county, Wis., but a native of Ohio. They have three children -Julia, Charles and William.

R. J. Heath was born in Erie county, Pa., December 10, 1837. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Richmond) Heath, were both natives of the State of New York. In 1846 the family migrated to Illinois and settled in Carroll county. Here the subject of this sketch received a common school education, learned the carpenter's trade, and followed the same until 1861, when he responded to the call of country by enlisting in Company K of the 15th Illinois, three-months' call. He was transferred to Company A of the 34th Illinois, where he served until July 11, 1865, when he was mustered out as First Lieutenant. After returning from service, Mr. Heath resumed his trade for one year,

then followed farming until May, 1869, when he came to Hardin county. Here he has devoted most of his time to his trade. He owns 80 acres of land on sec- tion 31, where he has resided since 1880. Mr. Heath is an independent in politics, and has held local offices for several years. He was married in 1866 to Miss Mattie McNamer, a native of Illinois, born July 6, 1840. They have had two children, one of whom is now living-Fred.

M. M. Lamb, a resident of Eagle City, is a son of William and Mary (Millikin) Lamb, both natives of Pennsylvania, and now residents of Robertson, Hardin county. Mr. Lamb was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, December 15, 1854. When four- teen years of age, he came with his parents to Hardin county. Here he received a common school education, and helped till the soil until the fall of 1881, when he en- tered the store of Joseph Kidwiler, as clerk, and, in March, 1882, became a partner in the business, which partnership was dis- solved September Ist, the same year. In April, 1882, Miss Hulda C. Smith, daughter of James and Mary Smith, became his wife.

W. H. H. Adams is a native of Ohio, born in Coshocton county, January 22, 1841. His parents, Henry and Sarah (Mills) Adams, were both natives of Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania. In 1845 the family migrated to Green county, Wiscon- sin. Here W. H. H. Adams was reared on a farm, received a good common school ed- ucation, and, February 23, 1862, married Miss Eunice A. Sanders, born in Shenango county, N. Y., January 11, 1844. In 1869, he came to Hardin county, and, in 1877, purchased his present farm. Mr. Adams

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is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. The children are, Jennie, Henry and Clarendon.

J. F. Garrettson, the Berlin merchant, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1821, but when about five years of age he re- moved with his parents, Aquilla and Ame- lia (George) Garrettson, to Washington county, Pa., where he was bred to a mercan- tile life. He also taught school, and at the age of 23 he engaged in a general mer- cantile business, and continued in the same for about nine years, but, as his health failed him, he sold out and spent several years traveling. In 1869 he came to Har- din county and engaged in his present business. In 1847 Mr. Garrettson married Miss Harriet B. McClelland. She died in 1850, leaving two children, one of whom is now living-William M., who now re- sides in Pennsylvania.

Darwin Cronk was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., January 25, 1818, and was raised in Jefferson county, in the same State, and, in the fall of 1861, emigrated to Illinois, where he was engaged in farm- ing and cheese-making, and made the first dairy cheese in Kane county. In 1870 he came to Iowa and settled where he now resides. Mr. Cronk has been thrice mar- ried. His first marriage was in 1839, to Miss Jeanette Eldred, who died, leaving five children-Ann J., John, Samantha, Aura and Minnie. In 1875 he married Mrs. Mary (Widger) Cronk, widow of Henry Cronk. She died in August, 1876, and in September, 1878, he married Mrs. Maggie (Horton) Parse, widow of Frank Parse.

Aura Cronk, son of Darwin and Jeanette (Eldred) Cronk, was born in Oswego

county, N. Y., September 5, 1848. He mi- grated with the family to Illinois, and in November, 1868, was married to Miss Alice Trumble. In 1870 he came to Iowa, and, in 1871, located where he now resides. His farm forms a part of the Jacob Kid- wiler estate, and is therefore the oldest improved land in Hardin county. The children are, Lillie and Myrtie.

Jeremiah Hubbard, the Eagle City black- smith, was born in Clinton county, N. Y., October 31, 1818. At the age of fifteen years he bid adieu to farm life, and com- menced work at his trade, which he fol- lowed in his native State until 1861, when he went to Fon du Lac City, Wis., where he continued his trade, with the exception of six months spent in the United States service as blacksmith. He remained here until 1870, when he came to Iowa, near Iowa Falls, where he engaged in farming and blacksmithing until 1878, when he came to Eagle City, where he now resides and carries on the blacksmith business. Mr. Hubbard was married October 2, 1842, to Miss Joanna Brown, also a native of Clinton county, N. Y. They are the pa- rents of ten children, nine of whom are now living-Everett, Emmett (now de- ceased), Edmond, Lillias, Agnes, Anna, Edith, Jessie, Nettie, Lyle.

William Johnson was born in Indiana in 1832, and was a resident of said State until 1853. He then came to Iowa, and first settled in Wapella, Louisa county. Here, in 1857, he married Miss Louisa C. Cheneworth, and they now have nine children-Clara E., Arthur, Anna, Maggie, Solomon, Cora A., Eldan, C. Garfield, Daisy and Lutricia. Mr. Johnson became a resident of Hardin county in 1871, and he

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

now resides on section 13. His postoffice is Hardin City.

W. S. Johnston, a native of Canada, was born January 2, 1850; but when only about three years of age he was brought by his parents (S. P. and Susanna (Shoup) Johnston) to the United States, and then - resided in Carroll county, Ill., until 187], since which time he has been in Iowa, and located on section 23, where he now owns one quarter-section of land. Miss Clementine Wick, of Whiteside county, Ill., became his wife in 1875. They have had one child-Elsie May.

Francis Redinger, a farmer on section 11, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born on the 14th day of July, 1843. His parents were John and Maria Redinger. The subject of this sketch was left mother- less while yet in his infancy, but the father soon married again, and in 1847 the family migrated to Ohio, six years later to Stephenson county, Ill., and in 1860 to Monroe, Green county, Wis. In 1861 Francis Redinger returned to Freeport, Ill., and on October 8 enlisted in Company G of the 46th Illinois Infantry, and served four years and twenty-two days, partici- pating in many hard-fought battles, be- sides numerous skirmishes. After service, Mr. Redinger returned to Monroe, Wis., and in 1866 married Miss Rebecca Butler. In 1872 he came to Iowa and settled where he now resides. He owns 40 acres of land. The children are Anna, William, Gilbert, Perry, Norman, Samuel and Rosa- moud.

Samuel J. Swartwout, though not a pioneer, is acknowledged to be a prominent citizen. He was born in the State of New York, April 27, 1822, and when only eight

years of age left home and commenced the battle of life alone. On February 21, 1848, he married Miss Angeline Merrill He continued to reside in his native State until 1871. He then traveled a few years; also dealt some in real estate. In 1876 he purchased property at Mount Pleasant, and resided there one year. In 1877 he came to Hardin county, and with two of his sons (L. D. and F. D.) he pur- chased the property where he now resides. One son, F. D., has since withdrawn his interest from the property. There are four children in the family-George A., Lorenzo D., F. Dayton, and Rury, now Mrs. L. E. Hampton.

L. D. Swartwout was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., June 15, 1854. At the age of fifteen years he entered a store as clerk, and served in that capacity about four years. The next six years he spent at- tending and teaching school, during which time, in 1873, he came to Iowa. In Sep- tember, 1877, he came to Hardin county, and located where he now resides. The farm contains 355 acres, valued at $30 per acre. Mr. Swartwout, on the 28th day of January, 1879, married Miss Rose Stead- man. They have had one child, deceased. Mr. S. is a Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church.

HARDIN CITY.

One of the most noted as well as the most flourishing towns in North western Iowa in 1855 was Hardin City, but its glory has faded away.

Lewis Hayden, shortly after erecting his saw-mill and corn-cracker, conceived the idea of founding here a town. Calling into his services John Shepherd, then

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

County Surveyor, he had laid out a town described upon the plat as being located upon the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter, and southeast quarter of the north- east quarter of section 12, township 88, range 20. This plat was filed for record February 14, 1854. The name given the town was Hardin City.

An addition was subsequently made, known as East Hardin City, by William Dean. East Hardin City is described as being located on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter, and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 7, township 88, range 19. John W. Simp- son was the surveyor.

After his mill got fairly to running, Lewis Hayden erected a large two-story frame building for hotel purposes. This was early in 1854. He ran the house him- self for over a year, and then sold the same to Edwin Steele, who continued it for a number of years. Of Mr. Steele, the Eldora Ledger, of February 13, 1880, said :

"Edwin Steele was among the first to locate in Hardin City in 1854. He was a Pennsylvanian, and brought considerable money with him to his new home. A year later, next to Marietta, Hardin City was the largest town in Central Iowa. For twenty-five years he was postmaster of the town, and for a number of years ran a hotel. It has been said that in the early days he had as much as $30,000 in gold entrusted to his care in one night by trav- elers. On Tuesday morning, February 10, 1880, Mr. Steele arose with the first gray streaks of dawn, built a fire in the kitchen stove, and indulged in a few whiffs of his pipe. While breakfast was being pre-

pared, he returned to bed. About seven o'clock, when called, he gave no sign. Ex- amination proved him dead, lying on his side, with an unusually placid expression on the pallid face."

In 1854 Beriah Wright opened a stock of general merchandise in the village, be- ing the pioneer in that line of trade. In 1855 Erastus Pardee commenced in the same line of business. The two were the general merchants of Hardin City during its palmiest days, and each enjoyed a good trade.

As already stated, in 1853 Lewis Hay- den erected a saw-mill at. this place, to which was soon after added a "corn- cracker." The first grist was furnished by Mr. Hayden, consisting of one bushel of corn, which was ground into meal, stirred with whisky and baked. What effect the bread had upon those who ate it, the "old settler" does not report. In "1854 David Bowers purchased of John Fullenwiler, of Cedar county, a set of burrs, which he brought to Hardin county and sold to Mr. Hayden, who at once placed them in his mill in place of the burrs first used, which were made of common boulders.

The first election in Jackson township, after it was duly organized, was at this mill. The Judges of Election sat upon a saw-log, with a keg of whisky between them, and every voter was entitled to a drink.

A village or country cross-road without its blacksmith shop would be an anomally, so in 1854 Amos Doan was persuaded to set up a shop, and was therefore the pio- neer blacksmith.

A man by the name of Horback was the first shoemaker, and dates from 1855.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

The first lawyer to hang out his shingle and offer to settle the disputes of the com- munity, was John Fairchild, who came to the village shortly after it was laid out, in the spring of 1854. He was a young man, just admitted to the bar, and doubtless in- dulged in high hopes of the future, but death claimed him a few months after his arrival. He came in about the same time with J. D. Thompson.

Henry L. Huff came in the spring of 1855, hung out his shingle as an attorney, and, in connection with C. G. Ankeny, be- gan the real estate business. More is said of these men elsewhere in this volume.

The first physician was Dr. Winthrop Dyer, who settled here in 1854, and remained here until 1858. He was the only regular physician who ever lived in the township. Dr. Hiserote, who came here in 1857, read a few medical works and com- menced practice as a homeopathic physi- cian.

The mill erected by Mr. Hayden in 1853, and enlarged in 1855, was destroyed by fire in 1859. Sometime previous to this, Mr. Hayden was offered $18,000 for the mill and mill site, by a company from Ohio, but rejected the offer. After the mill was burned the site was sold to a Mr. Mitchell, who subsequently sold it to Edward Hiller, who erected the present mill at a cost of $6,000. It was supplied with two run of burrs. Hiller sold the mill in 1865 to John Fossler for $21,000. Time's changes have told terribly upon the old mill, and it has depreciated in value until to-day it would scarcely bring $2,000. It is now the property of Dr. Vary of Ackley.

In the spring of 1855 a postoffice was established at this point, with James Fair- child as Postmaster. Mr. Fairchild re- tained the office but a short time, and was succeeded by Edwin Steele, who held the office until his death, a period of about twenty-five years. He was succeeded by Mr. Hiller Rickard.

BERLIN.

The town of Berlin was laid out in the fall of 1857. It was surveyed by Robert Allison, Deputy County Surveyor, and plat filed for record September 14, of that year. The proprietors were Allen Greer and J. S. Hiserote. The town was situated on the east half of section 22 and west half of section 23, township 88, range 20.

Allen Greer commenced the mercantile business here the year he laid out the town, which he continued for some years. He also built a steam saw mill. The latter was run some four or five years.

While the town was laid out in 1857, the postoffice authorities could not be persuaded to establish here a postoffice until 1863, when John Ross was appointed Postmaster. From that time until the office was discontinued in 1878, it was held by Geo. H. Speers, Thompson Willer, D. Slocum and Orris Frisbie.

About the commencement of the war, Berlin was a flourishing little village with about twenty-five dwelling houses, a general store, blacksmith and wagon shop. All have been removed but one small store, a blacksmith shop, a school house, and seven or eight dwellings. It has been unfortunate in having had several fires- three stores being burned among the number.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

The following account of the Presby- terian Church at Berlin is furnished by J. M. Boyd:

Rev. John Price came to Berlin from Columbiana county, Ohio, in the spring of 1857, as a missionary of the Old School Presbyterian Church. He made his head- quarters at Berlin, then supposed to be a place of some future importance. He also preached at Eldora, Hardin City and other points. On the 30th day of October, 1858, he organized a church at Berlin of five members-Mrs. Margaret Ann Russell, Mrs. Jane Noble, Mrs. Janet Price, John Russell and J. M. Boyd. The last two were elected Ruling Elders.

Mr. Price was a Welshman by birth, a man of some talent, some oddities and peculiarities, and while he might have been useful in an old settled church, he had neither the taste. nor energy for a missionary in this new field. In the spring of 1859 he left the little flock for still newer fields in Nebraska, and what- remained of them afterwards united with the Church at Eldora.

FATAL ACCIDENT.

John Whitson, an early settler of Har- din county, and a soldier of the civil war, a native of North Carolina, was found dead on the public highway near David Bowers' residence, January 1, 1877. The cause of his death was a fall from his horse.

CEMETERIES.

There are, in 1882, four places for the burial of the dead, the one at Berlin being regularly laid out. There is one on the

southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 2, known as the Kidwiler Ceme- tery; one on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 13; the other on section 19.

EAGLE CITY.

Eagle City is a small village located on the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 38, township 89, range 19, or on that part of that township and range lying in Jack- son township. It was platted by E. P. Stubb for the owner, Samuel Fossler. The plat was filed for record May 18, 1878. The town now consists of one store, owned by J. H. Kidwiler; one blacksmith shop, run by Jeremiah. Hubbard; one grist mill, owned by Samuel Fossler; and some half dozen dwelling houses.

The Eagle City Flouring Mill is the property of Samuel Fossler. He purchased the site for the mill in 1865, at which time there was a saw mill on it, built by Jacob Kidwiler, but was not in running order, the dam having been washed out. In 1869 he erected the present mill, which is run by water power, using the Turbine wheel. The mill has three run of burrs. The .mill is a three-story frame structure, well and substantially built. Mr. Fossler paid $2,250 for the property, and now values it at over $10,000. The water power has a nine foot fall. £ He still has, and runs a saw mill in connection.

The postoffice at Eagle City was estab- lished in 1878, with Joseph H. Kidwiler as Postmaster. Mr. Kidwiler yet performs the duties of the office. The mail is received here twice each week from Eldora.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXX.

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.,

The township of Pleasant comprises all of Congressional township 87 north, range 20 west, of the 5th principal meridian.

The first settlement was made by Isaac S. Moore, in the fall of 1851, on section 21. Mr. Moore still resides in the township, but for a time resided in Tipton township. He has ever been active in the affairs of the county, and was for many years a member of the Board of Supervisors of the county.

Isaac S. Moore, one of the pioneers of Pleasant township, who settled on section 21, October, 1851, was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 29th day of November, 1819. He is a son of Samuel I. and Elea- nor (Lynch) Moore. They were married in Pennsylvania, where three children were born. They emigrated to Highland county, Ohio, where six more children were born, all of which lived to be adults, and two of whom are living at the present writing. His father was twice a Representative in the Legislature. He died in Carroll county, Ind. His mother died in 1852, in Tippecanoe county, Ind. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm until seventeen years of age. He received but six months' schooling, being a self-made man. From 1827 until 1844 he drifted about in various places. He married Mary A. Voorhies in Jefferson county, Iowa. She was born in Gurnsey county, Ohio, September 16,

1824. Nine children were the fruits of this union, five of whom are now living- Sarah M., wife of H. H. Dresser; Rebecca A., wife of Ira J. Robinson; Nancy J., wife of D. S. Maxon; Isaac S., Jr., and Parker L. He embarked in farming in Jefferson county, remaining there until 1848, when he removed to Maliaskee county, Iowa, and in 1851 came to Hardin county. In 1861 he enlisted in the 6th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company C., re- maining in the service some six months, when he was discharged for physical disa- bility. In an early day Mr. Moore was elected County Supervisor, and also held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Moore came to the county in limited circumstances, but, instead of sitting down, went to work, and by judicious management accumulated a comfortable home.

James Miller and his son Frank, and Cavender Deere, each took up claims in the township before Mr. Moore, and James Miller broke the first land in 1851, on sec- tion 28. Each of these men settled that year, but the priority of actual settlement is given to Mr. Moore.

James and Frank Miller were from Ken- tucky, and were brothers. James took an active part in county affairs while he lived. He was a strong and uncompromising

Sea Mc Millen.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Democrat. He died in 1856. Frank died the same year and within a few months of his brother.

Peter Miller was a son of James Miller, and came with his father. He was married in April, 1853, shortly after the organiza- tion of the county, to Laura Duke. This was the first marriage in the county, the license being issued by Alexander Smith, County Judge, who then had authority to issue the license. The marriage ceremony was performed by Alexander Smith.

Cavender Deere was a Virginian by birth, locating in Illinois at an early day, from which place he came to Iowa, and took up a claim in Pleasant township, in Hardin county. He now resides in Mar- shall county.

Thomas Bennett was another one of the settlers of 1851 in this township. He lo- cated on section 29. He came to this place from Washington county, Iowa, but of what State he was a native is unknown by the early settlers now living in the township. He is remembered as a hard- working man, and a good, kind neighbor. He was the first Sheriff of Hardin county. In 1860 he moved to Michigan, where he remained a few years, and then came back to Iowa. He now resides somewhere in Kansas.

L. L. Park, from Ohio, came in 1852. He was a farmer and blacksmith, and a + man of some ability. He located on sec- tion 26. He was the first blacksmith in the township, and began work in the spring of 1853 .. He left the county in 1855, and now resides in Missouri.

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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 93

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