USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 20
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A post-office was established with George H. White as postmaster in 1856.
A blacksmith shop of the "one-horse" order was operated by H. J. Allee, who, in 1866, sold his forge and good will to B. F. La Porte, who, the year following, re- moved to the newly platted town of Logan, where he has ever since stood by his glow- ing forge, with the exception of a few short vacations.
George H. White sold his "store" to C. C. Coole, and he soon formed a partner- ship with B. Fish, who moved in from Cedar Rapids. They only remained a year and removed to Logan and there built the pioneer store. Mr. White also came to Logan and built the brick hotel, known as the Logan Hotel. D. W. Kennedy owns the land where Whitesboro stood.
REEDER'S MILLS.
The vicinity known as Reeder's Mills, at an early day was styled "Hard Scratch" and is frequently so called at the present time. Much of historic interest clusters about this locality. It is an important post-office of the county and its history dates back to 1857, when Jasen Whitinger and Norman Squires brought a sawmil from Guthrie County, Iowa, and set it in motion at this point, which is within the upper end of Harris Grove, on section 35, near Harris Grove Creek.
These gentlemen operated this mill several years, then sold to Thomas and William Reeder, who added a set of burrs, thus converting it into a combined saw- and grist mill. They sold to John D.
Dow, who ran the same two years and sold the saw-mill to Samuel Deagle and removed the burrs and other grinding machinery to Needmore,inCass Township. The old saw-mill bought by Deagle, was sold to Joseph Childs, who made a barn of it. The engine was removed to the Cherokee Nation in 1879.
The first store put in at Reeder's Mills, was the one opened by Thomas Cavin and Cyrus Broadwell, in the fall of 1866. They conducted it about two years and then removed the building, as well as the stock of goods to Logan.
In the fall of 1867, McCoid Bros. (James and Aaron) built a building at Reeder's Mills and put in a general stock of goods. Two years later, James sold to his brother Aaron, who continued until 1872, then re- moved to Logan.
Charles Kemmish started a general store, and a year or two later Aaron McCoid re- turned from Logan and bought him out, operated two years and sold a half inter- est to W. D. Armstrong-the firm being McCoid & Armstrong. McCoid sold to Armstrong, who ran the business until fall and formed a partnership with James Haner, consolidating their stocks and changing the firm to Haner & Armstrong.
A post-office was established at this point in 1858, with Jasen Whitinger as postmaster. He continued in the office until 1863, and was succeeded by John D. Dow, who was postmaster until 1867, then came N. H. Vanarsdale, from 1867 to 1874. James Haner then took the office and is still holding the position, which is one of usefulness, though not a lucrative one.
A wagon-shop was started at the place in 1867 by P.C.Kemmish, who ran it about six years and removed to a farm. J. P. Cowan started a wagon shop in 1879, and still works at his trade at this point.
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B. F. La Porte started the pioneer black- smith shop at "Hard Scratch"in 1859. He remained there one year and sold to one Kerns, who wielded the sledge for two years, but in "the cool of the day" he left, but finally returned in company with a man having official authority-he gave bonds and left the county.
The present business of "Reeder's Mills" consists of the post-office, a store, kept by James Haner; a wagon-shop, by J. P. Cowan; a blacksmith shop, by James Haner and one by N. H. Vanarsdale, the latter having a large trade and is known to be a fine horse-shoer.
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HARRISON COUNTY.
BOYER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XVIII.
B OYER, the second township, from both the north and east line of the county, comprises all of township 80, range 42, and was organized in 1857. It was named from the Boyer River, its chief water course. It is south of Lin- coln, west of Douglas, north of Jefferson and east of Magnolia Townships. It had a population of 1,296 (including Wood- bine) in 1885, and the late (1890) United States census gives it 1,470.
The Boyer River, the largest stream of the county, enters this township on sec- tion 1, and flows on in its graceful mean- dering, leaving the domain from section 33.
Willow Creek touches on the extreme northwestern corner of the township. Besides these there are numerous creeks and "runs" which drain and water the whole township.
Parts of Bigler's and "Twelve Mile" Groves constitute the largest bodies of native timber land, in all amounting to five hundred acres. "Twelve" and "Six" Mile Groves were named by the early Mormon settlers, as they denoted the dis- tance from Harris Grove, where they lived, Elk Grove was thus styled for the elk seen roaming about the locality at an early day.
The Chicago & Northwestern Railway follows the charming Boyer Valley down
with Woodbine in the central eastern part of the township, as a busy trading mart and station point.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Charles Smith settled on section 29, either in 1849 or 1850. His aged father lived with him. The family were all of the Mormon faith and practice. Charles died in 1869.
In 1851 came Richard Musgrave and his son George. They settled on section 25, at Twelve Mile Grove. George is now editor of the Democratic paper at Logan, Iowa, and the father died several years ago.
John Jeffrey came to the county in the summer of 1851, and purchased a Mormon claim on section 18. He still resides there. He is a Scotchman. He passed through many pioneer hardships, some of which are mentioned in his personal sketch.
Lorenzo D. Butler, deceased, was a Mormon, and came from Kanesville in 1851, settling at Twelve Mile Grove, where he purchased a claim on section 12, kept the land until the spring following and sold for $300, and bought a claim on sec- tion 15, where he built one of the first mills in Harrison County. The site is that of the Woodbine Roller Mills of to-day. He opened a general store in 1855. He went as a Mormon missionary to England.
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He died in 1884. The widow lives at Woodbine.
Thomas Thompson came in the autumn of 1852, and settled where he now lives, on section 18, at Biglers' Grove. He lived in a log cabin until 1856, then built his present house. See personal sketch.
Amon Fry came in February, 1853, in company with his parents. He lived at home until 1855, and then bought land on section 8, remained until 1866, then purchased his father's farm.
The same year came David Fry and family, John McIntire and family, John Holeton and family. McIntire moved to Monona County, and Fry died in 1875. Holeton also died.
Luke Jefferson also was among the settlers of 1853. He settled on section 31, at Twelve Mile Grove, and took up land prior to its survey. In 1856 he moved to section 26, then sold and moved to section 31, and moved a Mormon cabin to his place. See sketch.
During 1854 came the following :
B. Abrams, now deceased, settled at Bigler's Grove, on section 19. He died there in 1878.
Josiah Coe came in April, 1854. He took a claim in Crawford County,. which in 1856, he traded for sixty acres of im- proved land at Twelve Mile Grove. He was a bachelor at the time, and made his home with Matthew Hall. In 1856 he pre-empted a quarter section, where he now lives. See personal sketch.
David Barnum, deceased, settled on the northwest of section 23, in November, 1854; he pre-empted land in January, 1855. He lived in the basement of an an- finished house during the winter of 1856- 57. He died in 1890.
James M. Adams and family came to the township in July, 1854, from Wiscon-
sin. They bought a claim of Richard Abrams, on section 31. In the family were three men, grown sons. He re- mained there until his death, in 1866. His sons, A. M. and B. C., reside at Lo- gan, while Joseph and "Rube" live in Monona County.
In 1855 came Jonathan Holeton, in com- pany with his parents. In 1870 he moved to section 8, where he still lives.
Benjamin Purcell and family came in 1856, and settled along the north line of Boyer Township, on section 6, and he died in 1884. Many members of the family are found throughout the county.
David Selleck came from Illinois, in March, 1855, and entered a section of land near where Woodbine stands, a mile to the north. This tract is on sections 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12. He lived in a rude dug- out for a time. See his biographical no- tice.
James Selleck, brother of David, came in 1855, and settled on section 2, re- mained about three years and moved to the Willow Creek Country, farther west in the township.
F. J. Porter came to the county in 1855, settled at Jeddo, remained until 1858, and moved to section 3, of Jefferson Township. In 1869 he moved to section 19, of Boyer, and in 1891 to Woodbine.
Henry Hushaw, John Johnson, Elijah Hedgecock, Hiram Moore, Dr. John Cole and several others, numbering thirty in all, came from Indiana in 1855. Hedgecock soon settled on section 35, where he still resides; Moore settled on Mud Creek, remained until 1866, moved near Dunlap, and was stricken dead by lightning while in an unfinished house. The family moved to Oregon later on. Mr. Hushaw settled north of Woodbine, on section 36, of Lincoln Township, but
12
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now lives in town. John Johnson settled in Lincoln Township, remained until 1866, and now lives at Omaha.
W. H. McHenry came with his parents to this county in about 1853, locating at Bigler's Grove. He is now a large land- owner, living north of Woodbine.
John R. White settled at Twelve Mile Grove a few years prior to the war. He is now retired at Woodbine.
About 1860 David Bostwick settled on section 28, developed a small farm, and died there in the '70s.
Dr. John Cole came from Indiana in 1855, lived at Bigler's Grove one winter, and in the spring of 1856, settled on sec- tion 11, where he made his home the re- mainder of his days, dying about 1880; he built the brick house now owned by George Pugsley. He was a successful old-school practitioner. The widow now resides at Woodbine, where her husband had prac- ticed medicine,
About this time, perhaps 1855, came a German family, Charles Forberg, being the head. A German known as "Mr. Hugo," but whose name was Hugo Hol- doelgle, came with Forberg. They set- tled on section 2. Mr. Forberg died, and "Hugo" married his widow and now lives at Dunlap.
About the same time came Jerman Brown, who settled on section 15. He now lives near Onawa. His father, Eras- tus Brown, also took land on section 15, and died about 1873, in Clay Township.
Lewis Vining came in 1854, with David Barnum. He settled on section 2, and died about 1880. The widow now lives at Woodbine.
Eli P. Mendenhall came in May, 1856, and settled on sections 21 and 22. In 1879 he moved to Woodbine and engaged in the real-estate business. His father,
Charles Mendenhall, came the same time and settled on section 22. He moved to Woodbine and became a pioneer land- lord at that point. See sketch.
Henry C. Harsbarger ("Clay" as he is known) came in company with his father, John, in 1856, and settled on section 33, now the County Poor Farm. He was a soldier in the First Nebraska during the Civil War, being the first soldier to enlist from Harrison County. He was subse- quently County Auditor and Recorder. See personal sketch among biographies .
Charles Kreps came in before the Civil War, and lived on section 21. He went from this county into the Union army, returned, and in 1876 inoved to Califor- nia.
In 1857 Richard Vining came to these parts and located, in 1859, on section 14. He came with his parents from New York State. See sketch.
Joseph Kessler became a settler of this township in 1858. He first lived on sec- tion 28, and in 1867, moved to Kansas, where he died in 1874.
Leroy Edgerton came in the spring of 1870, rented land three years, then bought on section 15, where he now resides.
Comstock Willey came to the county in 1866, to look at the country, and in May, 1867, to remain. He finally bought land on section 35.
Edwin C. Carrier came when only fif- teen years old, in 1870, worked for Luke Jefferson awhile, was married in 1872, and settled on section 26, where he remained until 1891 and sold.
Jacob Kiefer came in 1860, settled on section 26, remained a year and moved to section 23, where he now lives. See sketch.
Richard Jefferson came in 1858, settled on section 24, where he still lives, owning
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two hundred and twenty acres of choice land. See biography.
Mathew Winter came about 1858, and settled on land near where Woodbine now stands. on section 14. He became a prom- nent citizen, and a devoted, untiring worker in the Methodist Church. He died several years ago.
Leysander Crane came to the county in the summer of 1862, during the Sioux Indian outbreak in Minnesota. He went on West, remained until 1864, and then settled on his present farm on section 35, of Boyer Township.
Stephen Crow came in 1865, and located on section 35, where he still resides. He lived in a small log house until 1868, when he built a large brick farm house. See sketch.
George Pugsley who came to the county with his parents, in 1855, was but five years of age at that date, and therefore has grown up in the county. He has a fine home near the flourishing town of Woodbine.
H. H. Rathbun and family came to the county in 1878. He and his son, G. H., who came to this county with him, are en- gaged at dairying and breeding of Holstein cattle.
J. J. Snyder came with his parents in 1857.
Samuel Boone, of section 22, is a de- scendant of Daniel Boone. Samuel was born in Indiana, came to Harrison County in 1886.
Mahlon Griffith settled in the county in 1886, and is classed among the substantial farmers.
SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse erected in Boyer Township was the one built in 1857, about one mile north of where Woodbine now
stands. It was a frame structure, 20x30 feet. It was also used for religious ser- vices, the first sermon preached therein being one delivered by the Rev. Hiram Moore, May 17, 1857. It was during that summer the first term of school was there taught, by Lewis Vining. Messrs. Selleck and Brown were leading spirits in getting this school located, and built the house with their own means.
As the country has settled up and the school population increased, good school- houses have been erected at various points in the township, until now there are nine, valued at $5,440. The total number of pupils enrolled in 1890 was one hundred and sixty-three. This school record does not include the city of Woodbine, simply the outside districts.
AN INDIAN ENCOUNTER-"HAMILTON'S DEFEAT."
Much las, from time to time, been said regarding an encounter with the Omaha Indians, at a point where James Roberts now resides, in Boyer Township.
There has been several attempts to make a bloody chapter with which to color crim- son the pages of a county history, the annals of which cannot truthfully contain many accounts of bloodshed between white men and Indians. The following are sub- stantially the facts concerning what one local historian, Joe H. Smith, has been pleased to style "Hamilton's Defeat," as Capt. Chester M. Hamilton, a pioneer, lead the posse of whites in a little skir- mish against the Indians :
In 1853 there were about one hundred and fifty Omaha bucks, accompanied by their squaws and families, camped in Boyer Township. They were out for their usual autumn hunt. These Indians be- longed in Nebraska, and had no right, by way of cessions or treaty, to molest or
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claim any portion of Iowa soil; yet might made right, as has always been the case. They annoyed the few settlers very much by robbing poultry milking cows, and pil- fering generally. This band of Indians divided into two squads, one going up the Willow, while the other planned for an expedition up the Boyer River. The band which made up the Willow numbered about twenty "warriors," bucks, and were surrounded by twenty-five white settlers, and made to leave for their own country. The band going up the Boyer was strong, in that they numbered over one hundred bucks, together with their families. These would not consent to surrender, and as a result about twenty-five white men of the settlement came upon them and demanded a surrender. The Indians attempted to run from camp, and John Thompson, it is said, took a gun from one of the dusky braves, and James W. Bates had wounded another in the arm. The whites feared they were getting into too thick a squad of Indians and sent for re-enforcements. These came in during the night time, so they were unobserved by the red men, who still believed they were good for a few white men, hence felt brave and de- fiant.
Among the settlers who took part in that encounter were: Capt. Chester M. Hamilton, then Sheriff of this county; John Thompson; Daniel Brown, the first settler; Ira Perjue, A. C. Todd, Jesse C. Wills, George Brigham, E. T. Hardin, Horatio Caywood, Frank Caywood, Col- lins I. Butler, Levi Motz, Jerry Motz, James W. Bates, - - Shadley, David Gamet, Solomon Gamet, Isaac Gamet, Thomas F. Vanderhoof, E. T. McKenny, Uriah Jewell, S. J. Comfort, Samuel Coon, George White, D. R. Rogers, James Hardy, P. Green Cooper, William V. Cooper, and a few others.
The meeting place, as agreed upon, was at the home of Solomon Oaks, four or five miles from the Indian camp. En route one heedless fellow shot at a deer grazing near their line of march, whereupon the Indians commenced scampering for the left bank of the Willow. Here they made a stand under cover of the banks of the stream. There was but one gun among the whites capable of shooting to the spot where the enemy were entrenched, that belonged to Charles Gilmore, who refused to have it fired, thinking if effect- ual it might cause revengeful trouble. The excitement was only increased by delay, and the whites became alarmed and really badly frightened, although the foes were really too far apart for a rifle ball to take effect; however, they kept whizzing through the air. Finally the Indians com- menced advancing, by creeping through the high growth of grass. At this omen most of the whites commenced to skulk to the rear. John Thompson and David Gamet were the last to retreat, and were enraged at the cowardice exhibited by their once brave comrades. The whites hid themselves among the rushes and canes of the sloughs, remaining until after midnight, when all made good their es- cape.
The causalities of the "battle," as re- ported in after years show that none were killed; none were wounded (by Indians) ; fifty badly frightened; ramrods worn out on horses, in retreat, thirty; full of poor whiskey, thirteen ; prayer meeting while engagement was going on, one, lead by Comrade Shadley, who was fleeing on a borrowed mare, which if killed would be assessed up to his estate. So the Lord of Hosts was then and there called upon to rescue him, which petition was heard! Thus ended the last encounter with In- dians, as well as "Hamilton's Defeat."
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HARRISON COUNTY.
LITTLE SIOUX TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XIX.
6 HIS is the northwest corner town- ship of Harrison County, and being located along the eastern shore of the Missouri River is one of much irregu- larity in shape. It is bounded on the north by Monona County; east by Jackson Township; south by Morgan Township and west by the Missouri River. It is seven and one-half miles along the north line and five on the southern border, while it extends seven miles from north to south. It was organized in 1854 and as now constituted comprises parts of ranges 44 and 45, in townships 80 and 81. It con- tains thirty-five sections in round num- bers. Its name is derived from the In- dian "Sioux" tribe. There seems to be no authority in the records for the prefix "Little," the name is simply Sioux Town- ship, but custom calls it Little Sioux. Its. chief stream is the Little Sioux River which enters the northeastern part of the township and forms a junction with the waters of the Missouri, on section 27, township 81, range 45.
There are found three good sized lakes in the southern part of the township, one of which is named Smith Lake. These beau- tiful lakes are described in the opening chapter of this book.
Timber skirts the Missouri and Little Sioux Rivers and furnishes a good supply of lumber and fire wood. At an early day the sawmills cut great quantities of native lumber. The acreage is placed at two thousand.
The towns of this township are Little Sioux and River Sioux-the former an old village and the latter has sprang up as a station on the Sioux City & Pacific Rail- way, since 1868. This railway (a branch of the great Northwestern system) runs about parallel with, but some distance east of, the course of the Missouri River.
In 1885, Little Sioux Township had a population of 1,036, including villages, The 1890 federal census places it at 1,150.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The subjoined comprises a list and some account of the whereabouts of the princi- pal pioneers who improved and brought to its present state of perfection the civil township of Little Sioux.
The first to enter this domain for the purpose of making for himself a home was Silas W. Condit, (now deceased), who came in 1848. He was among that great body of Mormons who came as far west as Council Bluffs, with President Brigham
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Young and on account of the teachings of polygamy severed his connection with that church. He was the first man to lo- cate on the Little Sioux River. He sub- sequently laid out the village of Little Sioux, in company with T. B. Neeley. His first abiding place was a rude cabin covered with bark. He passed from the turmoil of this world in 1878. See personal sketch.
The next to effect permanent settlement was Nathaniel Neeley, on section 18, in 1852. He was the father of Hon. T. B. Neeley. The father died in 1875.
Seth Palmer came and claimed a part of section 36, in 1852, and moved to the same in 1853. He now owns three hun- dred acres. A sketch will be found in the biographical part of this volume.
John L. Perkins, a young man at the time, came to the township in 1853. He now owns one hundred acres on section 19.
Moses German effected a settlement at the village of Little Sioux in 1855 and there erected the first house. He served as Deputy Sheriff of the county and is still a respected resident of the township.
Elijah Ellis came from Ohio in 1851, but returned soon thereafter. The Ellis family, as generally spoken of, came from Ohio in May, 1855 and landed at the Mar- tin place and rented for one year. They came by boat to St. Joseph, and staged it the balance of the way. The family then consisted of the mother, three daughters and four sons : Sylvanus, John H., A. M. and Clark. In 1856 they removed to sec- tion 36-81-45 and finally entered land on section 30-81-44, where they remained from 1858 to 1875. The mother died in the spring of 1891, aged eighty-six years. Sylvanus taught school in the winter of 1855-56-one of the earliest, if not the first
in Magnolia. He formed a partnership with George Brainard, in the publication of the Harrison County Republican and died in 1859. The other brothers all live in Little Sioux Township.
Gabriel Cotton settled early in the '50s. He sold his claim to Mr. McCauley in 1856 and left the county.
Two brothers named Quinn, one of whom was Jerry, settled on section 19 early-probably in 1854. T. B. Terry bought them out and they moved West.
In 1855 came a Mr. McCauley, from Wisconsin and located for one year in Jackson Township, but then took land on section 30-81-44. He was killed by being kicked by a horse in 1863.
Linus Bassett came early in the '50s from New York. He settled on section 31-81-44. After seventeen years he sold to A. H. Gleason and now lives in Little Sioux village. His son, L. H. Bassett, came in after the close of the war.
Hiram M. Huff, from Kentucky, came to the township an single man, in 1855, and was married in 1856. He worked on Jerry Martin's farm and in 1857 claimed land on section 2-80-44, which he still owns, but now resides at Missouri Valley. See personal sketch.
Two brothers, "Jack" and "Wash" Conyer, came in from the South in 1854. The former settled on section 25-81-44, but at the close of the war removed to Monona County. "Wash" settled on the same section and died there about 1885. The family still remain in the vicinity.
Daniel Shearer came from Texas in 1856, and located on section 25. He is now deceased.
Another settler in the '50s was M. Mur- ray, who came from Scotland and located in the northeast part of the township.
John Bagby came from Indiana about
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1854 and worked for Charles La Ponteur, a Frenchman, and subsequently mar- ried and bought on the southeast of sec- tion 18-81-44.
A sturdy, daring pioneer of 1853 was Charles La Ponteur. He was a French- man and an Indian trader; he married a Sioux squaw, by whom he reared a family.
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