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 28
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This organization was confined exclu- sively to those residing in La Grange Township and the membership is con- stantly kept up to twelve. Great good has grown out of it, for by this inter-
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change of thought much has been learned, that would not have come to light other- wise ; beside the ambition of each member has been aroused to improve the farm fences, outbuildings, and home, as well as to keep pace with others in fruits, cere- als, garden products and all pertaining to farm, home and fire-side. Indeed this Club will ever stand as a monument to the intellect and common sense of Father and Mother Jacob T. Stern. In the lan- guage of Father Stern, at the Twentieth anniversary of the Club,
"May it still on and prosper And its good effects be known, By its social monthly meeting Till One Hundred years are flown."
BEEBEETOWN POST-OFFICE.
This is situated on section 26, of La Grange Township and was established in 1880. The first postmaster was Frederick F. Beebee, whose wife was the prime mover in getting the office established. In 1881, a country store was started at this point, by A. D. Fitch, on land do- nated by Mr. Beebee. Mr. Fitch con- ducted the store about six months, when James Haner built a store. About the same time Mr. Beebee purchased Mr. Fitch's goods and turned the store build- ing into a dwelling. Mr. Haner ran the store a while and sold to F. A. Merritt, who continued until the autumn of 1888 and sold to J. P. Yarrington.
The post-office has had about the same changes and been conducted by the same men as the various stores have, Mr. Yar- rington being the present merchant as well as the postmaster.
James L. Beebee, father of Frederick above mentioned, built a blacksmith-shop here in 1881 and rented to Charles Wil- kins, who was followed by a Mr. Whipple, who ran the same a year or so, when it was leased by J. Van Cleaver. Next came James Keller, then Showwalter & Pinfrock and now Peter Cromer wields the sledge and fans the glowing forge at this place. Showwalter & Pinfrock built a new shop in 1890 and are still there.
During 1884-85, Dr. John Hanson, pra- ticed medicine at Beebeetown, but not finding sickness enough, he sought sick- lier pastures!
What was known as "Harris Grove Post-office" was established in time of the Civil War. It was on section 14, and the first to serve in the role of postmaster was Harry Coburn. It moved about the town- ship and was finally discontinued in 1867.
FATAL ACCIDENT.
A fatal accident occurred, in the month of September, 1886, to Charles Rogers, in Harris Grove. He was riding upon a load of hay, going down hill in front of Horace McKenney's house, when the wagon tongue broke, which frightened the horses jerked him off the load head foremost, upon the hard ground, producing concus- sion of the brain. He lived about two hours, unconscious to the last. Dr. Com- fort was called but to no purpose. He was twenty-eight years of age and left a wife and two children. His sudden death shocked the community. Verily in the midst of life we are in death !
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HARRISON COUNTY.
ST. JOHN'S TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXXI.
0 N the southi line of the county, and | form a junction in the center of St. John's second from the western border, is Township, at what is known as Missouri Valley, which is the largest city of Harri- son County. found St. John's Township. It was formed into a civil township under Judge D. E. Brainard's administration, in 1856, The population of this township, includ- ing the city, in 1885, was three thousand four hundred and thirty-one. The 1890, United States census gives the township and city a population of three thousand seven hundred and ninety-two. and named Hoosier, which name it re- tained until 1860. It is bounded on the north by Calhoun and Taylor Townships, on the east by La Grange, on the south by Pottawattamie County, and on the west by Cincinnati Township. It con- Much concerning the first settlement of the county will be found connected with the history of St. John's Township. tains an area of forty-two sections, equiv- alent to twenty-six thousand eight hun- dred and eighty acres of land. It is all of EARLY SETTLEMENT. township 88, range 44 west, and six sec- tions of range 43-78 west.
The Willow and Boyer Rivers flow through the territory. The timber is all confined to the eastern half of the domain. Spencer's Grove in the north, and Mc- Gavren's Grove in the southern portion, also that found fringing the streams, pro- vide a good supply of timber for hard wood and fuel purposes.
This township is well supplied with railroads. The Chicago & Northwestern system, made up of the Chicago & North- western, Sioux City & Pacific, and the Fre- mont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley line, all
Up to 1848 not a single white man had invaded what is now known as St. John's Township, but it was during that year that John Reynolds and family, William Smith, Sr., Charles Smith, Jr., Adam Stevens, George Lawrence and the Mon- grum families all made settlement in “Ten- nessee Hollow," on the south line of the township, most of them coming in 1848 and 1849. They all came from Tennessee, and hence the name "Tennessee Hollow." About the same time came William Spen- cer, Eleazer Davis and William Steele, who located farther north in the town- ship.
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John Reynolds moved to the west side of. Bigler's Grove in 1852, and the next spring to the east side of that body of tim- ber, and settled in Boyer Township. He died there several years ago. The family survivors are still there.
May 18, 1850, Dr. Robert McGavren settled just over the line in Pottawattamie County, but was associated with all the early settlement affairs of St. Johns Town- ship. He removed to the village of St. John in October, 1858, and practiced med- icine there until the town of Missouri Valley was started, then moved to that point, where he still resides. See personal sketch of "Reminiscences" elsewhere in this book.
In 1851 came William Dakan, who set- tled on section 26. He moved to Ne- braska in 1888.
Erastus Coleman came to the township in 1852, settled on section 35. He became a member of the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Atlanta. The family now reside in La Grange Township.
Joseph A. Deal came to the county in 1852, from Putnam County, Ind. . Their outfit consisted of three wagons. The father located on section 35, where lie bought a Mormon claim. The father, John Deal, was a blacksmith. See family sketch.
William H. Branson, of section 2, came to St. John's Township, in 1853, on a hunting expedition, in company with John Lathan, John Mostiller and Harvey Mostiller. They came from Indiana. Bran- son remained until January 1 1854, when, in company with Peter Deal, he started back for Indiana, returning the following March.
James Deal came from Putnam County, Ind., by team, in 1852. They were three
weeks and three days on the road. The winter of 1852-53 they spent at Honey Creek, Pottawattamie County, and the following spring removed to a farin one mile from the village of St. John's, where they lived three years, and came to sec- tion 24, where they still live.
Alfred Walker settled on section 35, in the spring of 1853. He came front Ohio, to which State he returned, re- mained until after the war closed, then settled in La Grange Township, where he still lives. He has been blind since 1865.
In 1854 came Andrew R. Cox, son of Abram Cox. He settled on section 13, his present home, where he owns about five hundred acres of land. See sketch.
John A. Reel came by team from In- diana, in 1854, being twenty-three days on the road. He settled on section 15, now included in the plat of Missouri Valley. See personal notice.
Logan Crawford came to the county in 1854, settled in Calhoun Township, but now lives on section 5, of St. John's. See sketch.
Henderson Frazier came from Indiana in 1854. He settled on section. 26, re- mained until 1867, then moved over into Pottawattamie County, where he died in 1889. Members of his family still 'reside in St. John's Township.
James G. Davis came from Illinois in 1855, settled on section 33. He remained until 1863, and moved to Council Bluffs. In 1867 he removed to Logan, where he died the following year.
James A. Kirkland, deceased, came to the county in 1855. He pre-empted what is now known as the Charles Gilmore farm. He improved the same, sold and in 1861 bought land on section 35, now owned by his wife. He died in July, 1882.
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HARRISON COUNTY.
Jacob Cox, of section 12, St. John's Township, came to his present home in the spring of 1854. He is a native of Ohio. See personal sketch.
Franklin G. Weatherly, of section 12- 78-44, came in the autumn of 1855. He worked for Solomon Barnett, near Mag- nolia, for two years, was married and moved to section 1, of St. John's, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and pre empted a part of his present place. In 1860 lie removed to Indiana, but returned in 1868.
James M. Smith came to the county in 1855, and located on section 27. His fam- ily consisted of a wife and one child. He took one hundred and sixty acres of swamp land. He now owns over five hun- dred acres. See sketch.
Bates Branson became a settler in the fall of 1855. He pre-empted eighty-six acres, and made it his home with Isaac Cox, for some time, and finally went to Indiana, remained until the spring of 1860, and brought his parents out with him. When he first came he was in com- pany with John S. Moreland, Ephraim Moore and Henry Mains.
C. Frazier, of section 4, came in 1855, and was an early settler between the Boyer and Soldier Rivers.
Milton Berry came in 1856, settled on section 33, remained until 1889, when he removed to Missouri Valley.
A. M. Smith came to the township in the fall of 1856, from Putnam County. Ind. See sketch.
Moses B. McIntosh, whose personal sketch appears elsewhere, came in 1856. He bought and entered land amounting to a half section, at what is known as "Mc- Intosh's Point." George R. McIntosh, of section 18, came in 1856, with his brother.
Henry Fry, of section 4, came in 1856. He first located on section 3, where his father bought two hundred acres of land. In 1873 Henry purchased one hundred and twenty-six acres on section 4. See sketch.
About 1857 John Marshall settled on section 17. He now lives in Pottawatta- mie County.
Victor Tamisiea, of section 26, came in 1857, in company with his parents, who emigrated from New York. The father settled in Pottawattamie County, where he died.
Thomas H. Faith, of section 12, came in August, 1857, from Boone County, Iowa. He served in the Union army, and upon his return moved to section 12, where he owns a half section. See sketch.
John W. McVey came in from Stark County, Ill., in the spring of 1857. He worked out for others until 1858, when he bought one hundred and thirty-two acres of land on section 2, where he is now a well-to-do farmer. See sketch.
In 1858 came James Dougherty, whose sketch appears in this book, with particu- lars regarding his settlement. The same year came Robert Berry, who located near the Pottawattamie County line; where he rented land until 1865, then bought on section 18, where he owns two hundred and sixty-two acres.
Jacob Darting, of section 6, became a settler in April, 1858. In the fall of that year he bought wild land, where he now lives. See personal notice.
Allen S. Jones, of section 33, came in 1858. See sketch of his life.
Alexis Schmitt, of section 21, came in 1858. He ran a blacksmith shop at the village of St. John's for four years, then bought forty acres where he now lives. See notice.
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HARRISON COUNTY.
Roger Wolcott, deceased, came to Har- rison in October, 1859, from Wisconsin. He settled on section 30. He died June 8, 1884.
James McCulley, deceased, came to the county in 1859. He bought a lot and built at St. John's. He died in June, 1883. See sketch.
William M. Jones came in 1863; he set- tled on section 33, where still resides.
Isaac Skelton came in 1863, and located on section 33, but removed to section 31.
William T. Wilson came to the town- ship in 1865, and bought eighty acres of land on section 28. He subsequently sold and purchased on section 21. See per- sonal notice.
William Fisher came from Ohio, in 1870, and located on section 19. In 1872 he sold and bought on section 20, his present home.
John W. Varns, of section 19, came from Ohio in 1870.
E. Newton became a settler of the township in 1867. He now lives on sec- tion 3. See sketch.
Henry B.Cox, one of the sturdy pioneers, became a resident of Harrison County when it was in its infancy, coming from Putnam County to Pottawattamie County , Iowa, in a prairie schooner, in 1851, where he remained until coming to Harrison County, in 1854. His son, John L., was born in Pottawattamie County, Septem- ber 12, 1853, coming to this county with his parents, and is to-day a well-to-do farmer.
In 1856 Harrison County settled up quite rapidly ; among those who came in that year was Addison L. McIntosh, then a lad of fifteen years, coming with his par- ents, and that winter lived on the present site of Missouri Valley. The Rev. Lewis S. Snyder also came to the county that
year, and opened up the first tin shop at Magnolia, where he remained until 1865, when he settled in St. John's Township, where he now resides. The following year, 1857, William N. Fouts came from Pottawattamie County, and settled in St. John's Township. He had come to that county from Putnam County, Ill., in 1850.
Elias G. Haight located on the site of liis present farm on section 26, in 1867. W. T Roden came in the following year, and is to-day a large landowner, and deals quite extensively in stock.
Peter Kirly came to the county in 1871, having lived in Pottawattamie Connty one year previous to that date; his home is on section 36, of St. Johns.
In October, 1875, Alfred Bessire came in, and is to-day a prosperous farmer, re- siding on section 1, St. John's. His father- in-law, John Shaw, came to the county the same date, and located in Calhoun Township, but is now a resident of St. John's Township.
Levi F. Friend dates his settlement from 1882, locating on his present farm.
EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS.
The first term of school taught in St. John's Township was commenced the first Monday in December, 1850, at the build- ing known as the "Mormon Tabernacle"' a large log house, located on the nortli- west of the southeast of section 35. It was a subscription school tanght by Dr. Robert McGavren, who took all sorts of commod- ities from the patrons of the school for his pay-very little cash !
At this time, 1891, St. John's Township is provided with nine excellent school- buildings, including a finetwo-story brick house at what was the village of St. John's. This does not include the Mis-
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souri Valley public schools. The total enrollment of pupils, aside from the city, is three hundred and five.
The first religious services were held by the Mormon people, about 1850, in the old log "Tabernacle" in "Tennessee Hol- low."
At the village of St. John's the first sermon was preached by Elder John Case, of the Baptist Church early in 1858. It was at the house of John Deal.
A Methodist class was formed about 1858, with Jacob Fulton as leader. Fin- ally the class was moved to the Missouri Valley. Among the early day ministers were Revs. Mr. Baker, Kirtland Card and Arthur Bradley as Presiding Elder.
OAK GROVE CEMETERY.
This was among the earliest "silent cities" of the county for which this book was written. It was laid out in 1858 on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 35, A child of Mr. and Mrs. Tim- othy Case, who died in 1858, was the first person to be buried therein. Many of the pioneer families have been called to visit these grounds and there take the last look at the forms and faces which they loved. There are many graves here and the place is still used for cemetery pur- poses. It is located on a beautiful spot and has always been well cared for.
VILLAGE OF ST. JOHN'S-(DEFUNCT.)
This was the original place of the town- ship and had it not been for the railroad company building to the north, and estab- lishing a town of their own, would to-day hold first rank among the cities of this county.
This place was platted in July, 1857, by a town site company and recorded Decem- ber 25, 1857, on sections 26 and 27, town- ship 78, range 44. The members of such
company were : Robert and George McGavren, John Deal, G. H. Cotton, E. W. Bennett, Noah Harris, P. J. McMa- hon, C. Vorhees, H. C. Purple and James A. Jackson. The company was organ- ized August 27, by selecting Robert Mc- Gavren president, and E. W. Bennett, secretary.
Harvey & Woodruff opened up a gene- ral store that fall and Jacob Preston opened an hotel called the "Boyer Valley House." He soon sold to Jacob Fulton.
The next winter not being a favorable season for building, things were at a stand- still until the spring of 1858, when life and improvement wereseen on all hands. This kept up until the "wild cat" banks all over the country failed, ruining thous- ands of good business men and thwarting trade from ocean to ocean. But railroads always build and boom a new country and on the appearance of the cars one mile to the northwest of St. John's on sections 14 and 15, sprang into magic-like existence "New St. John's," which name was soon changed to Missouri Valley.
Thus was born and died what has now come to be called "Old St. Johns." Around the spot still lingers many a fond memory of pioneer days, when men and women, too, lived largely upon hopes, which have long since vanished.
The old town plat is within a well-tilled farm at this date and in the midst of a charming agricultural district, with peace aud plenty found everywhere.
The following business was carried on during the existence of St. John's.
A post-office was established in 1858 with William N. Fouts as postmaster. Then came W. E. Ellis, who was suc- ceeded by E. K. Robinson. At the request of the patrons this office was discontinued in 1871.
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HARRISON COUNTY.
The first to engage in trade at this point was Harvey & Woodruff, above mentioned.
A man named Platt opened up a small candy shop and grocery store in the fall of 1857.
In 1858 "Squire" Noah Harris embarked in a general store.
In 1860 a general store was put in by John C. Buchanan, who a year later sold to Dr. Robert McGavren.
In 1862 James Seaton conducted a store of general merchandise, continuing until the close of the war. He was drafted into the Union army, came home and died in 1875.
Early in 1865 Scott Justus put in a stock of clothing, a year later a general stock.
W. A. & W. C. Ellis opened a general store in 1866 and in 1867 removed to Mis- souri Valley.
In 1866 Brookhauser & Langherty began general merchandising. In 1868 they re- moved to Missouri Valley.
The first hotel was the "Missouri Val- ley House," in 1857, by Jacob Preston. Later on it was operated by Jacob Fulton, Walter Wolcott and finally by W. A. Ellis. In 1866 the St. John's House, a two story frame building was opened up to the public. Among the landlords of that house was Noah Harris. It was built by Dr. Robert McGavren and Mr. Harris. It was operated until 1868 and then moved to Missouri Valley and converted into a hardware store which was burned in 1872.
In 1858 R. Fouts commenced to work at the blacksmith trade in company with one Thrall. Samuel Gibson soon came in as did Robert Hoy.
In the winter of 1866-67 John C. Henry and John C. Caley, each started shoe shops. In 1866-67 two harness shops were in full blast, one by John P. Lahman, who in 1867 moved to Missouri Valley.
A hardware store was put in by W. J.
Harris in the fall of 1866, a year later he moved the stock to Missouri Valley. In March, 1868, Dr. Robert McGavren bought an interest and helped to conduct the business until it was burned Novem- ber 14, 1872.
Louis Hammer had a carpenter shop at St. John's but finally removed to Council Bluffs.
Two wagon shops were in operation be- fore the war, one by Samuel Myers and another by a Mr. Jerred.
The only physicians who ever practiced (to speak of) were Drs. Robert and George H. McGavren, who came from Pottawat- tamie County in 1858. Dr. G. W. Coyt was there a short time.
SCHOOLS.
The first school taught at this village was by Miss Ella McWilliams, now the wife of William Arthur, of Jackson Town- ship, in the summer and fall of 1858. It was a subscription school held in a frame building not built for school purposes.
In 1862 a frame schoolhouse was built in which a school was taught the follow- ing winter by Emily Munday, who, later became the wife of H. C: Harshbarger. She is now deceased.
In 1874 the present two-story, two- de- partment brick schoolhouse was erected at a cost of about $2,000. It is 25x44 feet. At one time there were one hundred and six pupils attended this school. but since Missouri Valley has made such progress in school matters this school is on the decrease.
MILL.
In 1857 William Arthur and H. N. Carter built a sawmill at St. John's which they operated until 1862 and mnoved the plant away. Mr. Arthur now lives in Jackson Township, while Mr. Carter re- sides at Kansas City.
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HARRISON COUNTY.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HIS is the northeast corner subdivi- sion of the county and comprises township 81, range 41. It is six miles square, hence contains 24,040 acres. On its north is Crawford County, on the east Shelby county, on the south Douglas Township and on its west Lincoln Town- ship. It was organized in 1856. The chief stream found within its borders is the Boyer River, which flows diagonally through the territory, entering on section 3 and leaving on section 31. Picayune Creek crosses the southeastern portion of this township and Mill Creek, coming from the East, forms confluence with the Boyer on section 20. Weimer's Grove constitutes the principal natural timber- land. This is found in the northwestern part of the township and covers two hun- dred and fifty acres.
The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad traverses this township, following the Boyer Valley, coming in on section 3, and running on an air line to the southwest corner of the township.
The only town within Harrison Town- ship is Dunlap, a prominent station on the Northwestern Railway, on sections 2 and 3. The population of the township
in 1885, including Dunlap, was two thou- sand and eighty-seven. The last United States census returns place it at one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven. The decrease is owing to the fact that the railway shops were removed from Dunlap during this period and this took several hundred people away, directly and indi- rectly.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first to effect a setttlement in what is now known as Harrison Township were James Welch, Henry Olmstead and Ethel. P. Brown, who came the latter part of 1856 and early part of 1857. Welch came from Indiana and located on the north- west quarter of section 33, and commenced improvement, but in the spring of 1857 he moved over into Crawford County and sold to G. C. Roberts. Ethel. P. Brown located on the northeast of section 13, on forty acres. He remained there until after the Civil War, having served in that terrible conflict as a member of Company C, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry. He sold and removed to Shelby County.
The same year (1856) Henry Olmstead, J. L. Roberts and C. S. Way came in from Connecticut. Olmstead settled on
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the southwest of section 22. He was identified with the township until the autumn of 1861, when he was killed by falling from a load of lumber being drawn by a spirited team, the heavy load passing over his body. He left a wife and four children, who remained in the township until 1879. The mother died and the children left the county.
In the spring of 1857 a party came from Connecticut. They were: Lorenzo Kel- logg, B. F. Roberts, A. N. Warren, A. F. Roberts, Anson Smith, Charles Pitkin, George Hedge, and Marvin Hayes. G. C. Roberts came in April of that year from Texas. The above were permanent set- tlers and were all formerly from near Hartford, Connecticut. L. D. Chandler, Charles Pitkin and Abijah Perkins came at the same time, but only remained a short time. This New England colony settled as follows: G. C. Roberts bought Welch out on section 22; J. L. Roberts settled on section 23, as did B. F. Roberts ; A. N. Warren on section 14; H. B. Lyman, section 2; Ed. Brace on section 14; he is dead; Anson Smith settled on section 27 and had a blacksmith shop; George Hedge, a carpenter, located on section 27, and Lorenzo Kellogg on 28.
H. B. Lyman and Ed. Brace came in the fall of 1856 and wintered at North Grove, Crawford County, and in the spring of 1857 settled in Harrison County.
William Benjamin and family came in 1859 and settled on section 12, remained a few years and remove l to Oregon.
T. P. Kellogg came from Connecticut in the spring of 1858, located on section 11; he now resides in Douglas Township.
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