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 95

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 95

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

father's. The result of this trip was that, when he reached the hospitable roof of his parents, he had just fifty cents in his pocket. Surely, " all is not gold that glitters." On the third of June, 1856, he arrived in Hardin county, settling near Xenia, Eldora town- ship; from there he removed, November 5, 1868, to Pleasant township, section 18, where he still resides. There has been born to them eight children, four of whom are living -- John W., born .October 13, 1863, married to Belle Sheldon, of Sher- man township, where they reside; Belford J., born February 23, 1857; Luella M., born July 3, 1866; Lillie Belle, born June 10, 1871. In politics Mr. Lynn is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Lynn have for years been members of the Baptist Church, their society worshiping at the Presbyterian Church at Point Pleasant. In his farming operations Mr. Lynn has been very success- ful, having at present 307} acres of land, 28 acres of which is timber. The farm is well improved, with good house, barn, etc., and 235 rods of Osage hedge. His land is valued at $35 per acre.

S. B. Hubbard, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 2, 1827, and reared in Pickaway county, receiving a liberal edu- cation. His parents were Thornton and Rachel (Harvey) Hubbard. There was a family of four sons and three daughters, six of whom are living-Willis, Allen J., Samuel B., Mary E., Leah, and Margaret. In 1848 the family emigrated to Illinois; in the fall of 1855 came to Marshall county, lowa, and in 1857 came to Hardin county, Iowa, where he purchased the farm on which he now lives. He has 119 acres of land in Hardin township, valued at $30

per acre. Mr. Hubbard was married in 1847, to Anna Tatman. She was born in Perry county, Ohio, October 14, 1828. Nine children blessed this union-Mary E., John, Anna Bell, William W., Joseph T., Samuel D., Maria E., Emma, Alice, and Elmer. In politics Mr. Hubbard is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust in his township.

Charles Boody was born in Hanover, Germany, January 12, 1835. His parents, Frederick Boody and Doretta (Fredericks) Boody, were natives of Hanover, and lived and died there. The father died in 1838, the mother in 1872. Mr. Boody, at the age of nineteen, came to this country, first stopping in Morgan county, Missouri; from there he went successively to Clayton and Jones counties, Iowa, and then to Hardin county, settlingin Pleasant township, where he now resides, on section 18. On Octo- ber 27, 1860, he was married to Miss Sarah Rousseau, of Marshall county, Iowa, who was born March 17, 1837, she being a daughter of Reuben Rousseau and Sarah Bangus Rousseau, who were among the earliest settlers of Marshall county. There has been born to them seven children, all of whom are living-Estella J., born August 17, 1861, now the wife of Jasper J. Parsons, of Hubbard; Robert V., born Feb- ruary 7, 1863; Otis S., and Orley S., (twins) born June 27, 1865; Reuben, born August 14, 1868; Frederick, born August 20, 1873; Cecil, born March 6, 1877. In politics Mr. Boody has been a Democrat. He has fol- lowed farming as his business, and has been eminently successful, having in his pos- session 235 acres, all under fence, and all well improved, except 20 acres of timber, the whole valued at $30 per acre.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Peter H. Doty was born in Orange county, N. Y., November 24, 1830, and while quite young his parents removed to Sussex county, N. J., where his early life was spent. His parents were natives of New Jersey. The father died in 1842, and the mother in 1851. Of their four children, only two are now living-Mar- garet J., widow of Jeptha Meeker, now living in New Jersey, and the subject of this sketch, who was married November 25, 1854, to Miss Mary E. Mead, born in Orange county, N. Y, soon thereafter re- moving to the State of Indiana, where they remained only a short time, when they removed to Iowa, stopping in Eldora township a short time; from there to Union township, and, November 9, 1855, they removed to Pleasant township, sec- tion 22, where they now reside. The fruit of this union was six children, five of whom are now living-George E., born September 30, 1857; Charles A., born February 26, 1860; Sarah C., born June 19, 1864; James E., born April 4, 1869; Martha, born April 27, 1872-all unmar- ried and living at home. Mr. Doty has always been identified with the Demo- cratic party, and is at present the constable for his township. Mrs. Doty's father was a native of Connecticut. The mother was born in Sussex county, N. J., where they were married. The father died July 25, 1862, and the mother is still living, at the age of seventy-nine years, making her home with her daughter. They have always followed farming, having now in their possession 170 acres of good prairie land.

Oliver S. Wildman, who resides on sec- tion 35, was born in Clinton county, Ohio,

March 13, 1854. His father, Seneca Wild- man, was born in Virginia, March 29, 1812, and his mother was born July 20, 1815. They were married in 1833 in Ohio. The fruit of their union was eleven children, four of whom are living-Ruth, wife of J. S. Maden, and Elizabeth, wife of Nathan Hunt, both of Hardin township; William, married to Asenath Adams, and Oliver S., the subject of this sketch, who was married Jan. 6, 1876, in Story county, to Miss Dora Thatcher, since which time they have lived in Pleasant township. They have one child living-Earl J., thirteen months of age. Mr. Wildman has been fortunate enough to have some extra advantages in the way of education, having attended several terms at the high school at New Providence, and one year at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind. Mrs. Wildman also attended two terms at the high school at DesMoines, Iowa. Mr. Wildman has adopted farming as a busi- ness, and, although but a young man, is the possessor of 160 acres of fine prairie land, well improved, worth $40 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Wildman are members of the Society of Friends, of which there is a large representation in this and Provi- dence townships.

John Downend was born at Wadsworth, near Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, Sep- tember 9, 1825. His parents were natives of England, where the father died. The mother came to the United States in 1853, and made her home at Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, until 1859, when she removed to Hardin county, settling in Eldora, where she continued to reside until her death, which occurred October 11, 1876, aged seventy-six years. Mr. Downend's early life was spent

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

833

in England, and, at the age of twenty-five, he was married at Lick Hill, Yorkshire, England, to Miss Anna Bell, of that place, March 26, 1850. A few days thereafter the young couple started across the sea, to try their fortunes in the New World. They first settled at Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, where they lived until the fall of 1855. They then moved to Iowa, stopping a short time in Vinton, Benton county, and, in the spring of 1856, came to Har- din county, settling in Eldora, where they lived until in 1863, when, having purchased a farm in Pleasant township, on section 13, he removed to it, where he lived until his death, which occurred, after a short illness, October 12, 1880. Mrs. Downend, who survives him, continues to reside on the farm, which is being conducted by her son, who remains with her. There have been born to them seven children, of whom five are living-Frank L., born January 25, 1851, married May 12, 1880, to Miss Ella A. Nicholson, of Mansfield, Ohio; Lizzie, born May 5, 1852, married September 22, 1874, to John R. Wright, died at Dennison, Texas, May 15, 1876; Anna M., born De- cember 17, 1853, married to H. C. Miller, September 19, 1876, now living at Iowa Falls; John H., born July 17, 1855; Alice B., born March 4, 1857; William J., born September 23, 1858; Laura A., born April 22, 1861. Before coming to this country, Mr. Downend learned the trade of joiner and cabinet-maker, serving seven and a half years at it, and followed it as a busi- ness both there and in this country, before beginning the business of farming. H was, in politics, a Democrat, though con- servative in his views. As a farmer he

became a success, having, before his death, 540 acres. The home place of 360 acres of land, is finely improved and worth from $30 to $35 per acre. Mrs. Downend and her daughters now living at home are members of the Christian Church of El- dora, near where they reside.

Joseph Race, one of the prosperous farmers of Pleasant township, was born at Melnthorp, Yorkshire, Eng., October 11, 1817, where he received a common school education. He was married, October 8, 1840, to Miss Mary Bell, born at Tickhill, Yorkshire, Eng., December 22, 1815. In the summer of 1859, he came to America, arriving at Eldora, Hardin, county, Iowa, September 30, remaining in Eldora until April, 1866, when he moved to the town of Pleasant, on the farm where he now re- sides, in section 11, and has a nice farm containing 240 acres, valued at $25 per acre. Twenty years previous to leaving England, he followed the business of gardening, and, from the appearance of his dooryard and surroundings, where he now lives, must have been an adept at the business. Since coming to this country, he has been identified with the Republican party, and has held the office of School Director, and, at the present time, is Road Supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Race are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living-Joseph, born September 17, 1841; died January 9, 1862; William, born October 15, 1843; died October 14, 1862; H. G., born December 28, 1845; Annie E., born January 14, 1848; Eliza, born May 12, 1850; Mary J., born September 23, 1852; Walter B., born February 28, 1855.

834

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

FIRST THINGS.

The first marriage, as already stated, was that of Peter Miller and Laura Duke, in the spring of 1853.

The first birth was a daughter of Frank Miller, born in the fall of 1852. It lived but a short time.

The first death was Martha E., daughter of Isaac S. and Mary A. Moore, who died October 4, 1853, aged nine years.

The first school in the township was in the winter of 1853-4, in a log cabin erected by Jesse Waggle, on section 28. Isaac S. Moore was the first teacher. With the growth and improvement in the township, the log houses have given way to frame, and there are now ten in the township. The first regular school house was a frame, boarded up and down, and erected on the farm of Isaac S. Moore in 1856.

The first election was held at the house of James Miller, in April, 1854.

The first physician to locate in the town- ship was Dr. D. C. Atwater. He located in the township in the summer of 1862.

TOPOGRAPHICAL.

The topographical features of Pleasant township may be stated as a high and rolling prairie, with considerable bottom land, the latter being very rich and fertile. The soil is a black loam, with more or less sand in it. There is also considerable gravel in the township, which is available for the repairs of the roads. The water courses are the South Fork of the Iowa river, run- ning diagonally through the township, entering on section 7, and passing through sections 8, 17, 20, 21, 22, 27, 26 and 25, entering Eldora from the latter section;

Big Beaver creek, which enters the town- ship on section 2, and running south, is joined by the Little Beaver creek on sec- tion 11, the latter heading on section 4, and pursuing a southeasterly course through sections 4, 3, 10 and 11; the two together enter section 12, and running almost south through 13, 24 and 25, where it empties into the South Fork; Tipton creek, which enters the township on sec- tion 30, passes through 20, and on section 21 joins the South Fork. It will thus be seen the township is well watered. Con- siderable timber exists along the river and creeks, of the usual varieties found in this latitude.

ORGANIZATION.

Pleasant township was organized in 1854, by Alexander Smith, County Judge. It then comprised the west half of the present township, and all of the present township of Tipton and Sherman. In 1859, Tipton was organized from it, and Pleasant made to comprise Congressional township 87, north of range 20, of the 5th principal meridian.

The following comprise the officers for 1882: Trustees, Samuel B. Hubbard, Henry Wehrman, James Smith; Clerk, William A. Albery; Justices of the Peace, Joseph B. Smith, Jacob Humm; Constable, Peter H. Doty; Assessor, William Patter- son.

CEMETERIES.

There are three cemeteries in the town- ship-The Rough Woods on section 8; Point Pleasant on section 18; and Duke on section 2.º.

835

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in the township was taught by Isaac S. Moore, in a log cabin erected on section 28, by Jesse Waggle in the winter of 1853-4. The first school house was a frame building, erected in 1856 on section 28, at a cost of $150. The building was 18x22 feet, and boarded up and down.

There are now in the township ten good substantial school houses, valued at $4,800. The schools are all in a flourishing condi- tion, and kept up to the standard of good country schools.

RELIGIOUS.

The pioneers of Pleasant township, while toiling for the good things of this world, did not neglect the duty they owed to the giver of all good. The first religious services in the township, were held at the house of Isaac S. Moore, in the spring of 1853, by Rev. E. C. Crippin of the Metho- dist Espicopal Church. A class was or- ganized by Rev. Mr. Steward, from Illi- nois, October, 1853. The following named comprised the original membership: Isaac S. Moore, Mary A. Moore, James Blair, Hester J. Blair, Catherine Johnson and Martha Lyons-six in all. The following year there were quite a number taken into the Church under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Steward, among whom were Archibald Johnston, John Sharar, Harriet Sharar, John Cayton and others whose names are not recalled. Isaac S. Moore was the first Class Leader, and served three years ..

A class of Protestant Methodists was organized about the year 1865, and those that remained in the neighborhood, com- posing the Methodist Episcopal Class,

united with it. This society, in 1865, erected upon section 28 a church editice at a cost of $1,200. To Leonidus Smith and S. B. Hubbard, much credit is due for the erection of this church building.

A class of Free Methodists was also organ- ized in the township by Rev. Eli C. Moss- man.

The following account of the Presby- terian Church of Point Pleasant is from the pen of J. M. Boyd:

In the fall of 1859, Rev. Williston Jones, a Church Extension Missionary of the Iowa Valley Presbytery, in what was then known as the "New School Presbyterian Church," visited this neighborhood. His object was to look over the field with a view of establishing a missionary station. He first preached at the house of Lewis Howell, Esq., two miles west of Point Pleasant; afterwards at what was known as the Shintaffer school house, one mile south of the Point. Being a man of in- domitable energy, with his whole soul ab- sorbed in the great work of saving souls, and feeling that there was encouragement to work for his Master in this then new field, he continued to preach and labor during the fall and early winter. Much in- terest being manifested by the few early settlers then here, he on the 6th day of February, 1860, organized a church com- posed of fourteen members, to-wit: Oliver Nanny and his wife, Eliza Nanny, Marga- ret Wasson, M. D. Mulford, Benj. Cole, Nancy Cole, Sarah Meeker, Orin Lowden, James H. Rousseau, Eliza Rousseau, Emma Jones, Joseph E. Wasson, Sarah Jane Howell and Mrs. Magdalene Boody. The latter being received on her death-bed. Oliver Nanny, M. D. Mulford and Benja-

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

min Cole were the first Ruling Elders. On the 18th of the same month, nine more were added to the Church, among whom were Judge McIntyre and wife, Augustus G. Mitterer and wife, and Mrs. Sarah Ann Howell. The conversion of Judge Mc- Intyre may deserve a passing notice. A man of more than ordinary force of char- acter and intelligence, well posted, but of decidedly rough exterior; very little pol- ish of manners; a bold, avowed infidel of more than forty years. Learning that there was some interest in Mr. Jones' meetings, he went to hear him preach. The text was "And we do all fade as a leaf;" in Isaiah, 64:6. Mr. Jones was no master theologian, but he was deeply in earnest and preached with feeling and power. At the close of the sermon the old Judge came up to the preacher, trembling like a leaf, and ex- claimed, "You, sir, must be terribly mis- taken, or else I am," and commenced a controversy. "But I have no time to argue now," said Mr. Jones, "as I have another appointment at Steamboat Rock, and must go." And away went the preacher, for a fourteen-mile drive and wade through the snow drifts, over the bleak prairie, to his next appointment. But returning, he found the irate Judge meek and humble. Judge McIntyre lived the four remaining years of his life a useful member, and also as an Elder of the Church.

In the summer of 1860 the Church pro- cured of James H. Rousseau a lot on which was erected the frame of a building, which. had been started far a "court house" during the county seat contest with Eldora, in April, 1858. The election being con- tested, and the gods of the courts grinding very slowly, lest justice might be done too

speedily, the building fell into the hands ' of Mr. Philip Shintaffer, by virtue of me- chanics' lien, and was by him transferred to the Church.

At a meeting of the Church, held Sep- tember 20, 1860, a committee was appointed to ascertain in what the subscribers to the building fund would pay their subscrip- tions-money was out of the question. At the same meeting it was resolved to send four loads of wheat to Iowa City (110 miles) to buy materials for the "meeting house." The men taking the wheat must take their own provisions and feed, and "camp out." The wheat brought 35 to 40 cents per bushel; hence the necessity of economy.

The church was supplied at different times by different ministers, until 1871, when Rev. C. M. Howe became pastor, in connection with the Church at Eldora. His relation as pastor continued about eight years. At present the Church is sup- plied by Rev. Thomas Hickling, of Eldora. They have recently re-roofed the Church building, making a comfortable house of worship.

The Church now numbers about 24 mem- bers. J. M. Boyd is now the Ruling Elder.

The Rev. Williston Jones was born in Holland, Erie county, N. Y., February 7, 1814. At the age of five years he removed with his parents to Bond county, Ill., and was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. He graduated at Illinois College, in 1840, and at Lane Theological Seminary, Cin- cinnati, Ohio, in 1844. He spent several years as an itinerant missionary in South- ern Illinois. September 16, 1846, he was married, at St.Louis, Missouri, to Miss Eliza- beth H. Shearer, of Erie county, New York.

837

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

This excellent lady still survives him. Much the largest portion of Mr. Jones' ministerial life was spent in Iowa, coming to Cedar Rap- ids in 1848, that beautiful city being then an insignificant village. He labored in that portion of the State for eight years, and organized five Missionary Churches. He came to Iowa Falls, Hardin county, in 1856, and labored as a missionary in Har- din, and also in parts of Franklin and Wright. Here his labors were abundant, and of the most toilsome, self-denying, pioneer character; traveling with a pair of mules the whole seven years, through sum- mer's heat and winter's . cold, through sloughs and snow-drifts Yes, he encoun- tered many a pelting storm in his long drives over the bleak prairies, often miles and miles without a sign of habitation. In March, 1865, he went South; partly on account of his health. He was for a time in the Christian Commission work. He was with the Army of the Potomac when Richmond was captured. In May of the same year, he went to Rolla, Mo. Here he performed the last labors of his life. He passed to his heavenly rest November 20, 1865. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Henry A. Nelson, D.D., from the words, "He being dead, yet speaketh." There are those in Hardin county to-day who can realize that lie speaketh yet.

POINT PLEASANT.

The town of Point Pleasant was origin- ally located upon the east half of the south- east quarter of the northeast quarter of sec- tion 13, township 87, range 21, and the west half of the southwest quarter of the north- west quarter of section 18, township 87,

range 20. The town was surveyed and platted by order of the proprietors, Joshua and Catherine Allen, and filed for record in May, 1855.

The first improvement made in the town was by Thomas J. Sheldon, who erected a store building and dwelling combined. Mr. Sheldon put in a stock of general merchandise, and was, therefore, the first merchant in the place.

The town grew slowly but steadily until 1858, when it had a population of about 300 inhabitants, with several stores, black- smith shops, and such other business as tended to make it a live and prosperous town. Its citizens were of an enterprising character, deserving of success.

In the year 1858, the question was sub- mitted to a vote of the people in regard to the removal of the county seat from Eldora to this place. The citizens of Point Pleasant worked hard to secure its removal here, and when the votes were counted by the proper officers, it was decided that Point Pleasant had a majority of the votes cast. Steps were at once taken to remove the records and offices to the latter point, a building already being provided for the purpose of the offices. Before this could be done an injunction was issued against their removal, and the case was taken into court. For ten long years it rested there, until finally it was decided in favor of Eldora. [See chapter "County Seat Con- tests."] This decision of the Supreme Court was a death blow to Point Pleasant, which being deprived also of railroad facil- ities, has caused many of the inhabitants to seek other and more favored localities.

The postoffice was established here in 1855, shortly after the town was laid out,

838

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

and T. J. Sheldon appointed Postmaster. Dr. Crosgrove is the present incumbent.

VILLAGE OF LAWN HILL.

This village is located on section 34, Pleasant township, and was laid out in October, 1880, by the Chicago and North- western Railroad Company. The village was first called Providence, and a petition was sent to the Postmaster-General pray- ing that an office might be established here under that name. There being an office called New Providence in the county, the Postmaster-General objected, and it was then named Lawn Hill.

The first sale of town lots was made October 18, 1880. T. C. Cook moved a house on the village plat shortly after, which was the first. The first erected on the plat was by Miles Reece, during the same fall. Mr. Reece's house was a frame, 16x22.

T. C. Cook opened the first store, con- sisting of drugs and groceries, in the fall of 1880.

J. W. Newby was the first blacksmith, locating here in April, 1881.

C. Palmer, in the employ of J. D. Lundy, was the first shoemaker in the place. Mr. Lundy still runs a harness and shoe shop.

The first sermon was preached in the depot building, by a Presbyterian minister, then residing at Gifford, in the spring of 1881. No church organizations have yet been effected.

The first and only physician was Dr. C. J. Cook, who yet resides here.

The postoffice was established in Janu- ary, 1881. H. C. Allgood was the first Postmaster, and held the office until the

14th of February, 1882, when the incum- bent, T. C. Cook, was appointed.

On the 31st of October, 1881, Lawn Hill experienced its first fire, H. C. Allgood's hardware store, in which the postoffice was kept, and in which also were the town records, was destroyed by the fire-fiend.

Miles Reece, T. C. and C. J. Cook erected the hotel known as the Monitor House, in the fall of 1881. The house was finished and ready for occupancy December 14. In size, it is 24x30, two stories in height and contains twelve rooms. It was a neat looking building, and erected at a cost of $1,500. J. D. Lundy purchased the interest of Mr. Reece, and now serves the guests of the house in a very acceptable manner.

There are in the village, at the present time, one hotel, one elevator, one harness shop, one blacksmith shop, one drug store and grocery store, six dwelling houses, with several adjoining the village plat. A good depot building has been provided by the railroad company, and, altogether, the village is neat and thrifty. The following comprises the business directory in August, 1882: T. C. Cook, drugs and groceries; S. S. Mulford, general merchandise; L. G. Hunt, grain and stock buyer; J. D. Lundy, real estate agent and proprietor of the hotel; J. D. Lundy & Son, harness, boots and shoes; Albany Bros., builders and lumber dealers; Daniel Morris, agricultural implements; J. W. Newby, blacksmith; C. J. Cook, physician.

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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 95

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