USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa : its people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 26
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It was constituted in 1853 and derived its name from President Thomas Jefferson. It had a population of two thousand three hundred and forty-one in 1885 and in 1890 the United States census gave it as having a popula- tion of two thousand and twenty-two. The same authority, in its reports in 1910, give it as having two thousand five hundred and ninety-six, in- cluding the town of Logan, which was placed at one thousand four hundred and fifty-three.
Jefferson is among the semi-prairie townships of the county. Its principal native groves are known as Elk, Six Mile, Harris, and Reel's Grove, and that which skirts the pretty banks of the famous Boyer river, the chief water course of the township. The Boyer flows from section 4 to section 35, where it takes its leave for LaGrange township. Six Mile creek and Harris Grove creek, with small tributaries, make up the water courses of the township. The landscape in this part of the Boyer valley is ever a treat to the eye. The rural district presents a beautiful scene in mid-summer and autumn, when the hundreds of well-tilled farms, their modern farmhouses and rich-bearing orchards, all bespeak of prosperity and contentment. Of the great drainage ditch that runs through this town- ship a special article appears elsewhere in this volume. Having thus seen described and general features of this portion of the county, the reader is now ready to be introduced to the early men and women who dared to risk their existence in this section long years ago-the pioneers.
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The honor of having been the first settler in Jefferson township as now known, belongs to Jason Z. Hunt, who landed in the county in the month of May, IS50, having left his home in New York state in the early part of that month and year. Ile located in section 13, remained ten years and moved to section 12, where he erected the first brick house in the county. He owned about three hundred acres of excellent land. He was a brother- in-law of Stephen King. He died in September, 1891. A sketch of the family appears in this work.
In 1851 the settlement was added to by the advent of Messrs. B. F. La Porte, S. E. Dow, and James McCurley. La Porte was a blacksmith and followed this useful trade nearly all the years of his residence here. He married Sylvia Harris, who was among the first teachers in the county. They finally located at Logan, where he died a few years since. Dow went to Crawford county and became the founder of Dow City. McCurley first settled in La Grange township, but later moved to Jefferson.
Alfred Longman, Sr., whose history is inseparable from that of the county itself, came in 1853 and for many years has lived a retired life at Logan.
Hon. Stephen King, of Logan, came to the county in May, 1852, locating in Cass township, but he later removed to Jefferson, where he farmed suc- cessfully for many years. He was the county's first judge, and many of the men who later owned farms of their own at one time worked for Judge King.
Wickliffe B. Copeland arrived in November, 1852, remained at old St. John two years, and then moved to Jefferson township in section 24, township 79, range 43. He drove ox-teams through from Indiana and be- came a prominent factor in Harrison county as the years went by. His descendants still reside within the county.
Thomas Vanderhoof landed at IIarris Grove, May 16, 1852, and purchased a claim, remained two years and moved to Magnolia, where he lived for three years, before he finally settled in section 30 of Jefferson township, where he owned two hundred and forty acres of valuable land.
James Dungan came in from Indiana in 1852 or 1853, settling near the old Brady farm, where he lived until some time in the eighties, when he emigrated to California. His son became the honored president of Drake University at Des Moines.
Jacob Kirk claimed land near where now stands Logan, in 1853. He
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remained until 1855 and went to Nebraska. He went from place to place until he finally settled in section 3, of Jefferson township. He served in the Union army in Civil War times, going from this county.
John W. Henderson also came in 1853, during the month of April. He bought a Mormon claim and hnt in sections 24 and 25. building his house on the latter section some years later.
Another settler of 1853 was Samuel McGavren, who took up a part of section 21.
The Reel family. "Uncle Henry," came in 1853, and he it was who first improved the water power at Logan.
Another 1853 pioneer was George Thorpe, who located at Jeddo, making the first improvement at that point. He built and operated a saw mill and corn-cracker. In war days he went to the western mountains, but subsequently returned and died here.
In 1854, among the new comers to this county was Hon. Phineas Cadwell, who came in October, and located in section 36, of Magnolia town- ship. He took three hundred and sixty acres of land and at one time owned seventeen hundred acres in Harrison county. He did not come to Jefferson township until 1881, when he moved to section 13. where he lived many years thereafter.
Shedrick B. Card came in 1854, and settled at Six Mile Grove, Cass township, where he lived thirteen years. He then moved to the old hamlet of Whitesboro, in Jefferson township, in 1874, and bought land in sec- tion IO.
James Haner came in 1854, in company with his father, William Haner, and located first in section 3. of La Grange township. In 1859 he traded for a hundred and twenty acre tract in section 26 of Jefferson township. The father died in 1859.
About the same date David Little settled at Harris Grove and, after six years, moved to Whitesboro, Jefferson township, where he died in 1863.
Lowry Wilson came in 1854, claiming land in section 13, township 79, range 42. He worked for Henry Reel in his mill and served in the Union army as a soldier from Harrison county.
Elijah R. Peckenpaugh, a cooper by trade, came to Harrison county in 1854. In 1867 he settled in section 25. He was killed by a runaway team near Woodbine in 1884.
Two brothers, William and Ezra Perry, came to the township in 1854 from Virginia. They settled in section 31.
Thomas Richardson and family came from Indiana in 1854, locating
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near the present site of Logan. IJis two sons were James and Marion, who soon settled in Jefferson township. These men served in the Civil War.
In 1855 or 1856 came Thomas J. Acrea, who bought land in the county, after having lived for one winter in old St. John. Ilis father, William Acrea, purchased land in section 24, Jefferson township, and erected a log house, later occupied by F. J. Copeland. Henry Knauss effected settlement in the spring of 1855, in section 26. At one date he owned a full section of land in the township.
Peter Brady came to the township in 1852 and bought a claim in section 22 and part of 23, where he erected the first regular "Yankee" barn in Harrison county. Hle owned three hundred acres near Elk Grove. Seventy-five men were present at the "raising" of this barn-some coming from Council Bluffs to enjoy the sport and receive some of the "drinks" that might have been passed 'round then with no objections on the part of anybody.
In the autumn of 1856 came James L. Armstrong, who had visited the county in 1854. He located in section 25, but in 1858 moved to sec- tion 23. He was a soldier in the Union army and a member of the Twenty- ninth Iowa. He came from Indiana.
Ed E. Erwin came to Jefferson township in 1856, and bought two hundred and forty acres in section 36, but later moved to section 35. His brother, James, came in the spring of 1857, settling in La Grange township. He lived at Reeder's Mills, and finally located in section 30.
James McCoid of the Logan Roller Mills, of later years, was a merchant at old Jeddo in this township in 1856. He purchased a farm in 1855. in section 23, and in 1868 bought the Henry Reel flouring-mill and water power at Logan.
Amasey Beedle came to Jeddo in August, 1856.
Charles G. Scofield came to Harrison county in 1856 and lived at Six Mile Grove until 1861, when he entered the Union army, serving for three years. During the latter years of his life he was totally blind.
John A. Weston came to the county in November, 1857, and purchased eighty acres of land in section 6. He was still there in the nineties.
Anson Smith came to the county in April, 1857, first locating at the town płat of Olmstead (now defunct), and in 1869 buying land in section 6 of Jefferson township.
Hon. L. R. Bolter located in section 12 of this township in October, 1863, coming fresh from the gold diggings of Colorado, where he had worked
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for the Wells Fargo Express Company as a bookkeeper at two hundred and twenty-five dollars per month.
S. L. Case settled in 1863. having been at St. Johns since 1855.
John M. Kennedy settled in section 3, in the spring of 1868, later mov- ing to section 4, where he owned, at one time, six hundred acres.
William K. Logan came in 1873 and improved a half section that he had purchased the year before. William Aiston, of Massachusetts, located in section 18 in 1877.
John H. L. Boustead, son of John Boustead, of English birth, came from England to this county in IS68, settling at Twelve Mile Grove. He remained seven years and, in 1876, moved to section I.
In November, 1863, came J. Peterson, who was employed as a hand by the month. Later he purchased forty acres which he improved and made into a fine home.
Thomas V. Cowan came in 1877 to section 25.
Joe H. Edwards, who later was proprietor of the county seat nursery, settled in this township in the spring of 1878. He settled in section 17 and there planted his nursery in company with F. W. Hart. Two years later he sold to Hart and planted another nursery in section 19.
Casper N. Cadwell, was a prominent citizen of this township. He first located in Magnolia township in 1867.
The late Milton H. Greenfield came June 19, 1858. In the spring of 1859 he started with others for Pike's Peak to look for gold. When out as far as Fremont, Nebraska, he turned back and permanently located in Jefferson township, where he resided until about 1900, when he removed to Woodbine, and from there to Colorado, where he died.
Archy Johnson and family settled here in 1859. They were the parents of a large family of interesting sons and daughters, some of whom still reside within the county.
William McEwen, of section 1, in 1891 owned over three hundred acres in this township. He was of the later settlers, coming from Ohio about 1880.
H. N. Van Arsdale, of Reeder's Mills, came to the township in 1866, and saw many of the hardships endured by pioneers in grasshopper days. Ile was a blacksmith. After the above dates settlers came in too thick to begin to trace out their settlements. Those given were the real pioneer band in Jefferson township.
The schools and churches will be treated in special chapters on such topics.
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DEFUNCT VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP.
Not all of the villages platted within this township are in existence today. Jeddo, platted in section 12, township 79, range 42, January 12, 1856, by Jesse Denison, of Denison, lowa, and George Thorpe, acting as attorney in fact for Ansel Briggs and wife, once bid fare to become a place of importance in Harrison county, but time's changes dictated differently, and many years ago it composed a part of a corn field owned by the late Senator L. R. Bolter, who purchased the town lots and moved the few scattering buildings thereon. But the history of Harrison county must needs give the facts concerning the rise and fall of this well-named town. Alex- ander McCoy opened the first store in the place, and also built the first dwelling. The first goods were offered for sale to the public in August, 1856. For three years he carried a general merchandise stock, then sold to James McCoid, who operated the store three years longer, when he sold out the stock, all but a few articles which he moved to Reeder's Mills, then called "Hard Scratch."
From 1858 to 1860 a store was operated at Jeddo by George Shepherd. A hotel was built by Mr. Alexander McCoy in about 1857. L. R. Bolter bought the building and sold it to L. Crane, who removed it to his Boyer township farm and there converted it into a dwelling house.
Charles Baker started a blacksmith shop and operated it until 1860, when he sold it to Jackson Dougherty, who wielded the sledge there from 1860 to 1865.
A postoffice was established in 1856, with Owen Thorpe as postmaster. Hle was well educated and came from Indiana in 1853. He was known as "Judge Thorpe" and, after an eventful life, finally died at the home of L. Crane in 1886.
George Thorpe constructed a saw-mill on Six Mile creek in 1854. It was borned and another erected in its place, during the Civil War, by Post & Chase, who operated it two years and sold it to Jolm Van Arsdale, who, in turn, sold it to MeCoid & Bvedle, about 1870. It was finally abandoned and torn down.
Jeddo, notwithstanding it had a rival near by, known as Buena Vista, was a good trading point, and at one date had almost a hundred population, with a dozen or twenty buildings. But long years ago its site was deserted and crops were grown where once stood a thriving little hamlet, with high hopes of one day becoming "the town of the county."
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HARRISON COUNTY, JOWA.
"BUENA VISTA" ( WHITESBORO) DEFUNCT.
What was known in the county plat books as the village of Buena Vista, was platted July 14. 1856, on section io of township 7y, range 42. Owing to another postoffice in Iowa by this name, it was soon re-named, after one of its proprietors. George H. White, and known as "Whitesboro" during the remainder of its days. It was three miles from Jeddo and a rival trading point. Its proprietors were George II. White, Stephen King, Thomas Reeder, Levi Reeder and H. F. Shinn. It had several small stores, two hotels, shops, etc., but with the construction of the Chicago & Northwest- ern railway in 1866-67, this village was left friendless, and had to give way to the inevitable and go down, for Woodbine and Logan rose up to remain permanent towns in the county, and station points along this great western highway from coast to coast. But a bit of its history, brief though its ex- istence was, may not be out of place in this connection.
George H. White operated what was known to pioneers as the "White House." He also kept a small store filled with such necessary articles as his pocketbook could purchase and which his customers could pay him for. In 1856 the government was induced to establish a post office at this point and Mr. White was appointed postmaster. A small blacksmith shop was conducted for a time by H. J. Allen, who sold his outfit to Benjamin F. La Porte, who a year later became the pioneer blacksmith of the newly platted town of Logan. C. C. Cole bought the store of Mr. White, and he soon formed partnership with B. Fish, who came in from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After one year they moved to Logan, where they built the first store. Mr. White also built the Logan Hotel, a brick building. The land on which stood the short-lived village of Whitesboro later became a portion of the D. W. Kennedy farm.
REEDER'S MILLS.
In carly times this vicinity was known as "Hard Scratch," and is sometimes so called even to this day. It never amounted to more than a postoffice of considerable importance in this county, and as a good trading center, but was never dignified by platting.
It had a history beginning back in 1857, when Joseph Whitenger and Norman Squires purchased a saw-mill in Guthrie county, and brought it to this point and set its machinery in motion, at the upper end of Harris Grove, in section 35, near the banks of Harris Grove creek. Thomas and William
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Reeder bought the mill after a few years, and added a set of burrs, thus having a combined saw and grist-mill. They sold to John D. Dow, who after two years sold the saw-mill to Samuel Deagle, and moved the grinding machinery to Needmore, in Cass township. The engine of this old mill finally went to the Cherokee Nation in 1879.
The first store was opened at Reeder's Mills by Thomas Cavin and Cyrus Broadwell in the autumn of 1806. After running two years both the building and the stock of goods were removed to Logan.
In the fall of 1867 MeCoid Brothers (James and Aaron) constructed a building at Reeder's Mills and opened a general store. Two years later James sold to his brother. Aaron, who continued until 1872, when he moved to Logan. Charles Kemmish started a general store, and a year or two later Aaron McCoid returned from Logan and bought him out. He operated the store two years, and sold a half interest to W. D. Armstrong, the firm being styled MeCoid & Armstrong. McCoid sold to Armstrong, who ran the business until fall and formed a partnership with James Haner, consolidating their stock and changing the firm name to Haner & Arm- strong.
The postoffice was established here in 1858, with Jasen Whitinger as postmaster. He continued to run the office until 1863. and was succeeded by John D. Dow, who was postmaster until 1867, after which came N. H. Vanarsdale, from 1867 to 1874. James Haner took the office at the last named change. Since then the post office was in charge of W. D. Arm- strong until it was discontinued on account of the rural delivery.
A wagon shop was started here in 1867 by P. C. Kemmish, who operated it six years and then moved to a farm. J. P. Cowan started a wagon shop in 1879, and conducted it several years.
B. F. La Porte started the pioneer blacksmith shop at "Hard Scratch" in 1859. He remained one year, selling to a Mr. Kerus, who stood by the forge and anvil at that place two years. It is stated that "in the cool of the day" he left, but finally returned in company with a man having official authority -- he gave bonds and soon left the country for his country's good.
Coming down to 1891 it is learned that the business of "Reeder's Mills" consisted of the postoffice, a store, owned by James Haner, a wagon shop owned by J. P. Cowan, a blacksmith shop owned by James Haner and one by N. H. Vanarsdale.
At this date, the summer of 1914, there is a general store conducted by W. D. Armstrong, and a blacksmith shop with J. W. Sprinkle at the forge.
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THE TOWN OF LOGAN.
Logan, the county seat of Harrison county, is situated in Jefferson civil township, and was the outgrowth of the construction of the Chicago North- western railroad through the county in 1866. Its original platting is described in the county recorders of plats of villages as being the east hali of the southiwest quarter of section 18, township 79, range 42; also the northeast quarter of section 24, township 79, range 43. It is a picturesque site for a town, lying on the second bench of the Boyer river, mostly nestled at the foot of a high elevation at the west. The town site is indeed excellent, and the improvements have kept pace fairly well with other towns in the county. Hundreds of fine shade trees make glad the scene, affording, as they do, plenty of shade in the heated terin, and wind breaks during the severe winter months. It derived its name in honor of that gallant, dashing commander of Union volunteers, Gen. John A. Logan. Logan was platted, originally, by pioneer Henry Reel, July 19, 1867. This land was formerly squatted on by James B. McCurley, who had that portion in section 14, and who, about 1854, sold to Henry Reel, who also obtained that part on which the main town stands, including the mill site, the same having been se- cured from Messrs. Kinney, Dow, King and others who claimed the land and agreed to donate it to whomever would come and erect a mill. Hence it was that "Uncle Henry" Reel came from Indiana and, taking advantage of this seemingly liberal offer, commenced at once to throw a dam across the Boyer river and soon had a saw-mill in operation. It is related that but few tools were employed in the construction of that first saw-mill, other than an axe and big jack knife. It was the water power at this point that lo- cated the place, not the unthought-of railroad station that was many years waited for. B. F. La Porte, the well-known blacksmith, claimed that he had built a cabin where Logan now stands as carly as 1852, but finally abandoned it.
Logan was not made the seat of justice for Harrison county until 1875, Magnolia being the former county seat. Its population in 1890 was eight hundred and twenty-seven; in 1900 it had one thousand three hundred and seventy-seven, and in 1910 it was one thousand four hundred and fifty-three. The Chicago & Northwestern railroad was finished through to Council Bluffs, but trains did not stop at Logan until the month of December, 1867, owing to some difficulty between the management of the road and the Logan- ites. But regular train service was established at that date by the estab-
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lishment of the postoffice, which, of course, required trains to stop to dis- charge and receive United States mails.
THE BEGINNINGS.
In every town and city there had to be a "first" in each department of industry. The record of the beginning in all these towns in Harrison county is not without interest to the reader of local annals. "There are memories, dear old memories, the heart can't ne'er forget."
The march of commerce soon followed after the postoffice was established, and as soon as it was known that Logan was a railroad town. . George F. Waterman, who opened a drug store in August. 186;, was the first to embark in business. His store stood directly west of what was later known as the "Logan House." It was not long before the hotel just named was erected by Messrs. Rudasill. Wood & Lowe, of Magnolia, but at first it was designed and used as the general store conducted by these three gentlemen.
On the east side of the public square Cole & Fish conducted a general merchandise store which they had moved in from Whitesboro.
The next to engage in business was the firm of Broadwell & Cavin. who moved a stock over from Reeder's Mills, having erected a part of what was later styled the Lusk House building.
The first hotel at Logan was the brick building erected by George W. White, the same being a part of the old Vose Logan house.
The earliest grain buyers were T. M. C. Logan and Judge Leach of Cedar Rapids. In 1873 came Seekel. Luce & Co., who succeeded the last- named firm and who handled farm machinery as well as grain.
The second to engage in the hotel business was G. T. Kennedy, who conducted the Lusk House. built by James A. Lusk, now deceased. The hotel is still operated by his son.
In 1874 the business interests of Logan were about summed up by the following dealers: General dealers, Rudasill & Co., and Cole & Fish; hard- ware, G. B. Cadwell; drugs. G. T. Kelley and William Giddings; hotel, G. T. Kennedy; harness shop, Louis Walters; blacksmiths. B. F. La Porte and F. M. Sprinkle: wagon maker. Daniel Stewart: shoe shop, Milton Goodenough; The Western Star, edited by George Musgrave; grain deal- ers, Logan & Leach and Vanderhoof & Co .; lumber, Seckel & Co .; livery, "Yankee Robinson" barn.
The chapter on banks and banking will cover the banking history at
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Logan, hence is not here referred to in detail. The same is true of schools, churches and lodges-see special chapters on these subjects.
MILLING HISTORY.
While, today, Logan has no milling interests worth mentioning, the history of that industry, in days gone by, are quite replete with interest. The building of the old water mill, saw and grist-mill combined, was on the east bank of the Boyer river, opposite where Logan now stands. This was in 1856. The mill-site was donated by the claim owners, including . Judge Stephen King and Messrs. Dow and Kinney. Henry Reel was the proprietor, builder and operator of this pioneer milling plant. Grists were first ground in this mill on December 17. 1856, and sawing was first done in 1857. Large amounts of native lumber were cut at this mill. The "head," or fall, in the river furnishing the power was almost eight feet. The machinery was, of course. rough and primitive, fashioned largely from wood, even to most of the gear wheels which were worked out by Mr. Reel and his son-in-law, Lowery Wilson. At first it had but one run of burrs, to which was added another in a few years. The frame was of solid logs grown in the near-by forest. The few irons and special castings had been brought from Indiana by Mr. Reel, who came west for the express purpose of engaging in the milling business. The flour here manufactured was not of the modern-day "patent" brand, but served well to satisfy the pioneers, who then ate to live rather than living to eat. During the hard winter of 1856-57 this mill had no covering, save a factory cloth protection over the burrs and bolting chest, the latter being operated by hand. Around this first mill clustered many a memory-some of sadness and some of joy. Men came here from Onawa and other points sixty miles distant, and flour was taken to Sioux City, when there chanced to be a surplus.
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