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 36
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Edward A. Jones came first to Morgan township in 1867 and bought an interest with Amos Chase in his saw-mill. A few years later he pur- chased a hundred and twenty acres of land in this township and built for himself a comfortable home.
William Arthur and family came up from St. John's township, this county, in the fall of 1867, remained a short time with his father-in-law, William McWilliams, and, in 1869, located on the land originally claimed by Ephraim Ellis, in sections 26 and 27.
Joseph Miles came from Vermont and located in section 14. He came to this county in 1857.
A. M. Silsby came in July, 1868, and took land in section 34. The Soldier river meandered through and made beautiful his farm, which is among the many valuable ones in this section of the county. He came from Essex county, New York. He farmed many years and was also in business in Little Sioux village.
Robert H. Everett accompanied his parents in 1867 to this township, and in 1869 bought forty acres of land in section 26. This land had been partly improved when he purchased it.
In 1858 Henry L. Sweet came to Harrison county. first locating in Union township, but in 1869 he came to Jackson where he became a well- to-do farmer.
In 1870, F. W. Brooks settled in section 4, township 81, range 44- After about ten years he sold his farm and left the county.
Amos S. Chase, a pioneer of the county and among the vanguard of civilization here on the great Missouri slope, came in 1848, but did not move into Jackson township until 1870.
Marshall Oviatt, of section 35. was a settler in the county in 1865, and came to this township in 1871. He died in September, 1891.
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William G. Fisher came in 1870 and leased land of William Arthur, butt subsequently bought land in section 3.
William 11. Vredenburg came to Little Sioux in 1862, rented ten years and then bought in section 11, of Jackson township.
Joseph W. Reilly came to Harrison county in 1865, located in Mlis- souri Valley and, about 1875, purchased land in section 3 of Jackson town- ship. Ile died about 1888.
Frank W. Cottrell was an immigrant in 1878, purchased two hundred and eighty acres of wild land in section 12.
Archer Rose, in section 4, came to this county in the autumn of 1876, and remained in the vicinity of Missouri Valley until 1880, then bought a partly improved farm in section 4. Jackson township.
Charles Vredenburg came to section 21 in the spring of 1863, driving four hundred and fifty miles with his four-horse team.
George W. Connyers located in Little Sioux township in 1868 and operated a saw-mill. Later he moved to section 2, Jackson Township, where he died, May 1, 1885.
J. A. Coffman, of section 33, came with his parents in 1866.
Albert M. Wall, in section 13, first located in Magnolia township in the autumn of 1870.
Benjamin S. Miles, in section 14, came to the county in 1866, locating where he lived many years.
J. O. Alton came to Harrison county in 1874 and for six years rented land, but at the end of that period bought land. He met with a tree-falling accident in March, 1885, that nearly cost him his life.
Ned M. Athey first became a Harrison county resident in 1874. He rented land for a number of years in St. Johns township, but finally secured a good farm of his own.
T. J. Bryason, in section 22, was a resident since the spring of 1873. He was born in England, and, when of age, sailed for America, having won- derful experiences in getting over the Atlantic.
Charles C. Champney dates his settlement in Jackson township from 188.1, having come to the county in 1867, first locating in Cincinnati town- ship.
Joseph Foreman, born in Pottawattamie county, 1856, located in Har- rison county when twenty years of age.
Joseph Fox came to Harrison county in 1860, driving stage between Council Bluffs and Sioux City, an occupation which he followed six years.
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For a time he conducted the hotel at Little Sioux. He located in Jackson township, permanently in 1884.
In the spring of 1865 Albert M. Jones located in Jackson township. where in the early nineties he owned seven hundred acres of land. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois.
This township was settled largely by American people and they have succeeded in transforming a wilderness into a garden spot where now there is but little other than prosperity and contentment.
MILLING IN THE TOWNSHIP.
Almost the first evidence of civilized life in any community is the roll and rattle of saw and grist-mills. In Jackson township early in the fifties, a saw-mill with a "corn-cracker" attachment was constructed in section 4, township So, range 44. This was run by the power furnished by damming the waters of the Soldier river. "Bill" ( William) Martin erected this mill. and it was of great service to the pioneer settlers for many miles around.
In 1872 the "Gravel Bank Mills" were built by MI. Clapper and Jane Wakefield, in section iq. on the Soldier river. It was later sold to L. Pey- ton. The milling industry has materially changed in all sections of the West. and but few, if indeed any, of the original mills of Harrison county are now in operation.
The schools and churches took a prominent place in the development of this township. These, with lodges and newspapers, will all be treated out- side the township history section of this volume, in separate chapters. (See index. )
Postoffices were few and far between in early days in all new counties. Here the settler did not have to wait as long as in many other parts of the country, but long enough to try the patience of many who had been in the habit of having mails daily in some one of the eastern or middle states be- fore immigrating here. It was 1872 before this township had a postoffice. That year there were two offices established. One of these postoffices was at the house of A. M. Silsby, who held the postmastership for eleven years. resigning in favor of Mrs. Amos S. Chase, who had charge until the office was discontinued in 1885. The name was "Soldier Grove postoffice."
The same year an office known as Mt. Pisgah was established. E. Cobb was first appointed postmaster, keeping the office at his farm home in sec- tion 12. Succeeding him came J. G. Miles, of section 14. and from that point it went to Peyton's Mill, of the same section. George Peyton was
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commissioned postmaster and served many years. This office was estab- lished on a route extending from Little Sioux to Moorhead. Mail was re- ceived three times a week.
The following is the record recently furnished the author by the De- partment at Washington, concerning the postoffices and postmasters at what is now styled the Pisgah postoffice in this township:
Alt. Pisgah, established April 23, 1872, Elijah Cobb appointed post- master; Samuel Bartholomew, May 7. 1875: J. G. Miles, July 8, 1875: John F. Rawlings. April 24. 1884: L. L. Peyton, April 14. 1886; A. H. Deman, May 29, 1893 : Ezra Miller, May 4, 1899. Name changed in January, 1902, to "Pisgah." Ezra Miller appointed postmaster after the change of name and still serving.
TOWN OF PISGAII.
With the building of the railroad which is a branch of the Northwest- ern system, in 1899, Pisgah was made a station point and has become one of most enterprising little towns within the county. It was platted in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter and a part of the south half of the northeast quarter of section 14, township 81, range 44, by the Western Land and Town Lot Company and the Boyer Valley Railroad Company, January 20, 1899.
A postoffice, railroad station, shipping facilities, an express office, etc., have all helped to make the place one of great importance to the surround- ing country. Prior to the construction of the railroad through this section, there had been established many years, a postoffice known as "Mt. Pisgah." but when the road was finished, and a station made here, the company dropped the "Mi." and left it simply Pisgah, so that now the postoffice, station and express office address is one and the same. "Pisgah" is indeed better, because the town is situated at the base of the great hills which gave it the name Mt. Pisgah postoffice. It is beautifully situated on the east bank of Soldier river, at the foot of the long chain of bluffs.
Before the coming of the railroad, pioneer Ezra Miller, who still con- ducts the chief general store of the place, opened a store and was postmaster, the first of the new town of Pisgah. He came in the spring of 1899, and when he opened his store there was only one other business building on the platting, that being a blacksmith shop conducted by Phil Johnson. The first hotel was operated by Ward Jones. The pioneer hardware merchant was M. S. Vaneaton. L. Willan ran the first drug store. The pioneer doc- tor was Dr. Walter Cook. The first school was taught by Misses Edith
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Swaine (now Mrs. Foy Jones), and Clara H. Miller (daughter of A. J. Miller, of Logan) who is now an instructor in the public school at Butte. Montana, receiving about one thousand five hundred dollars per year. This first school in Pisgah was taught in the new four-room school house, which was erected either in 1903 or 1904, at a cost of four thousand dollars.
The first to buy grain, in a regular way, was the firm of Nye-Schneider- Fowler Company. The first to handle lumber was H. A. Quinn. The first denomination to erect a church was the Methodist Episcopal. The first livery was kept by J. C. Hammer.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Pisgah was incorporated in 1904. The matter came up, really because the citizens wanted to be set off as an independent school district, and this could only be accomplished by incorporating into a town government. The following have served as mayors: J. B. Swain, 1904-10; E. Miller, 1910-12; J. C. Arnold, 1912-14: J. B. Swain. 1914. The present town officers are : Mayor, J. B. Swain: clerk, Frederick Hushaw; treasurer, E. W. Gamet; health officer, Dr. W. Cook; councilmen, C. T. McKenney, Thomas Babe, William Griffith, Arthur Lane, R. W. Miller.
The town purchased in 1910 a good-sized natural timber tract, just over the Soldier river and within the corporation limits which is being im- proved to make a handsome park. A neat band stand, a ball diamond, and other things necessary for the comfort of those who frequent the park, have been provided this season. The town did well to secure this land before the price went out of sight, for land is steadily climbing up in this part of Har- rison county.
The town badly needs a system of water works, and in the near future will doubtless have ample facilities in this way.
The lodge of the place is the "Yeoman" order, beneficial insurance on the mutual plan. The public hall is known as "Babe's hall." The churches are the Latter-Day Saints ( reorganized ) and the Methodist.
POSTOFFICE.
Pisgah postoffice is a fourth class office. It was first known as Mt. Pisgah, but, upon the construction of the railway, changed to "Pisgah." and its first postmaster, and the only one serving thus far, is Ezra Miller, gen- eral dealer. He was appointed May, 1899, when it was still Mt. Pisgah,
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and when the name changed, January 2, 1902, he was appointed for the newly-named office. It now has two rural free delivery routes, one twenty- four miles and one eighteen miles and a fraction in length. The gross re- ceipts of this office for the last fiscal year was one thousand three hundred and twenty-five dollars and seventy-six cents.
BUSINESS FACTORS IN 1914.
In the month of July, 1914, the following were in charge of the busi- ness interests of the place :
Agricultural Implements-McKenney, Seabury Co. (Inc.). Bank-Pisgah Savings Bank. Barber Shops --- Charles Wall, E. O. Wonder.
Blacksmiths -- R. C. Howe, Paul Faris.
Cement Worker-George Peyton. Drugs-Hushaw & Cole.
Dray Lines -- Thomas Babe, Jessie Nuzum.
Elevators-Nye-Schneider-Fowler Co.
Furniture-C. S. Vaneaton. General Dealers-Ezra Miller, Lane Brothers, C. M. Nuzum.
Garages-McKenney, Seabury Co., and one other concern.
Hardware -- C. S. Vaneaton.
Harness-H. Terrell.
Hotel-Mrs. William Kiess.
Jeweler-C. E. Fairchild.
Lumber-Nye, Schneider, Fowler Co. Meat Market -- P. B. Baker. Physician-Dr. Walter Cook.
Stock Dealers-Nye-Schneider-Fowler Co., Fred Beckmann.
Veterinary Surgeon-F. A. Boies.
VILLAGE OF ORSON.
This is the latest village platting in Harrison county, it having been platted March 23, 1899. It was executed by the Western Town Lot and Land Company, in sections 32 and 33 of township 81, range 44. This is a very convenient shipping point for the farmers in the surrounding country. The business is, of course, at present quite limited, but, with the passing years, the shipping interests will naturally follow the general line of small stores and shops. The postoffice is now kept in the depot.
CHAPTER XXXIL.
LA GRANGE TOWNSIIIP.
La Grange, the central township on the south line of Harrison county, is south of Jefferson, west of Union, north of Pottawattamie county, and east of St. Johns township. It comprises all of township 79, range 43, ex- cept the western tier of sections, which are included in St. Johns township. It has thirty square miles and contains nineteen thousand two hundred acres of valuable land.
Its surface is rolling. fertile prairie, except the northeast part, where is found Harris grove covering several sections. Small and numerous streams flow through this goodly township, the larger being Harris grove creek, Honey creek and Timber creck.
In 1885 the township had a population of five hundred and thirty; in 1890 it was six hundred and thirty and in 1910 it was listed as having seven hundred and forty-three.
ORGANIZATION.
La Grange township was organized at the fall election in 1853. M. I. Mckinney had been appointed organizing sheriff, of Harrison county, and, by virtue of such office, called an election to be held in the various pre- cincts. Owing to dissatisfaction over Magnolia being counted on as the place to locate the county seat, many precincts did not cast a vote, believing that such a course might defeat the organization of the county at that par- ticular time, an event which they lioped would cause the county seat to be located nearer their own townships. La Grange, however, did not do this, although her settlers were bitterly opposed to Magnolia as being named the seat of justice. At this election Michael Rogers and William Dakan were elected justices of the peace for La Grange township.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first settlers were Mormons, the earliest of whom was John Harris, who invaded this township in 1848.
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The earliest death among the "Gentiles" ( other than Mormons) was Thomas MeKenney, June 12, 1852. Two of the Mormon faith had died before the person just named.
The firsh marriage in the township was that of M. Rogers and Hope Reeder.
The first birth, save possibly a few Mormon children whose births are not recorded, was Frank McKenney, March 26, 1852.
The first piece of land improved was the J. D. McKenney farm.
The first regular saw-mill was built in 1857, by James McCoid. At this mill were ent immense amounts of native lumber, some of which was exported to Europe.
As now bounded, the first school which was located in section 13 was taught in the summer of 1853, by Susan Comfort, in a log cabin left vacant by the Mormon settlers. It was a subscription school.
(For an extended account of schools and churches, etc., see index for such topics treated in the general chapters of this work.)
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP.
In 1848, when the Mormon sect were in the midst of great trouble in Illinois, Missouri, and other states, over the peculiar religious teachings, and practices of that church, and at a time when western Iowa was still referred to as "beyond the pale of civilization," and settlement by white men, not yet thought of, these people drifted westward. Most of them stopped in western Iowa, and it was some of their number who first com- menced the improvement in what is now La Grange township. Those who permanently remained here were, for the most part, bitter against the teach- ings of Brigham Young, who had then made it known that polygamy was to be taught and practiced as one of the rules of faith of the church, he claiming to have had a revelation to that effect. Enough to state that these comers to Harrison county were mostly of a floating, nomadic class, not knowing where they might finally locate permanently. Hence, many names may have been lost from memory or record, as among the persons who first settled, if, indeed, they might be called "settlers" at all.
During the spring of 1848, sixty-seven years ago, John Harris, one of the Mormon band, located at what, in honor of him, was later styled "Harris grove." Ile located on the northeast of section 12. subsequently owned by J. D. McKenney. Harris sold to Robert Wiemer and he, in turn, to MeKenney. The last purchase was dated in the autumn of 1851. Of
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the one hundred and thirty persons who wintered and summered in and near the grove, the names of the following are recalled. The entire party consisted of thirty-three families: Harris, Weimer, Austin, Powell, Noyes, Sufelt, Twitchell, Hodges. Comfort, Mecham. Thornton and Mikesell. These all constructed cabins and remained until the spring of 1852, then went on to the "promised land" in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jacob Stern farm was first settled by Asa Earl, who was the only Mormon of the com- pany who was not an adherent to polygamy. During the stay of the Mor- mon band they built and operated two saw-mills, the first ever run in Har- rison county. These mills were located at opposite ends of Harris Grove. They were of the old style whip-saw type, and cut considerable lumber. The Mormons also had two wagon shops. All was wild and lonesome in this unsettled county. The sound of the wild turkey's "quit! quit! quit!" might have been heard on every hand, and crows and blackbirds were seen in countless thousands.
In the fall of 1851 Michael McKenney, John McKenney and the fa- ther of Michael. Thomas MeKenney, and family, came in from Cass county, Michigan. Thomas died June 12, 1852. John settled in Jefferson township and died December 26, 1880. James D. and C. T. McKenney, then small youths, come to be prosperous farmers of the township. Whey they ar- rived they remembered finding as settlers who had preceded them Thomas Reeder, William Howard. Asa Earl, and a man namd Orinder. In 1852 Jewell removed to Kansas and died there. Thomas Vanderhoof came from Michigan with the Jewells and settled in Magnolia township, but did not remain long.
George W. White came in the autumn of 1852, as did also John Rogers and family from West Virginia. They settled on the west side of the grove and died there about 1880. His son, J. D. Rogers, came in the fall of 1854. Michael Rogers came in 1852. In the spring of 1851 William Dakan, a Mexican War soldier, located on the Jasper Culver farm in St. Johns township.
The above constituted the majority of settlers up to 1853. But this fine section was not long in attracting more immigrants, for the fertility of soil, the wild fruits, wild honey and the abundance of wild game made the place a real paradise for new comers to settle. Counting those who came in before 1880, it may be said that the following effected permanent settle- ment before, or by, that date:
Benjamin A. Divelbless, in section 4, came to the county in the spring of 1853, and settled at Bigler's Grove. He went across the plains, but re-
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turned in 1871, rented the A. Longman place one year and, in December, 1872, moved to section 4.
Jacob S. Vanderhoof. in section 3. came in 1854, in the early autumn, and in 1856 purchased a hundred and twenty acres in section 11, La Grange township. He remained there three years, then bought in section 5. Later, he sold to A. Longman and bought in section 3.
James Rogers came in April, 1854, entered a quarter section at gov- ernment price (one dollar and twenty-five cents) and erected a log house with a mud chimney. He also set out one of the county's finest orchards.
William F. Vore accompanied his parents to the county in the fall of 1855 and settled at Harris Grove. where the father purchased two hundred and forty acres. The father was Pierson Vore, long since deceased.
Francis T. Hill came in the spring of 1857, locating at Harris Grove. In 1858 he purchased forty acres of wild land, improved the same and sold it. after which he bought in section 10. This was about 1866. He was a soldier in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry Regiment in the days of the Civil War.
George W. Smith, of section 23, came in the spring of 1858 and pur- chased wild land in section 16. At first he lived in a "dug-out" on the hillside.
Jacob T. Stern and family came from Pennsylvania in 1857 and estab- lished "Linnwood Farm." He retired to Logan and there died many years ago, one of the most intelligent and worthy old gentlemen of the county. He was the father of Almor Stern, abstractor of today. The father was really the founder of the farmers' club system now so common in Har- rison county.
David B. Vanderhoof came in the autumn of 1864, settling in section 2, known as "Hickory Heights." He departed this life in 1885.
William Elliott, of section 10, came to Harrison county in the spring of 1862. Here he built a log cabin, which he covered with buckwheat straw poles. But it was not many years until he was a well-circumstanced farmer of La Grange township.
Jolin A. Orr, son of Col. William Orr, came to the county with his parents in 1861, and in 1872 moved to Pottawattamie county. In 1876 he moved back and bought two hundred acres of land in sections 5, 6 and 8 in La Grange township. At the date of his death, in October, 1882. he was the sole owner of one thousand and forty acres of land. His widow car- ried on this great farm for many years, hiring and overseeing equal to any and superior to many a man.
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Section II was settled, in part. by William Pett, who came to this county in May, 1867. By trade he was a mason.
John Vore came to the county with two teams in November, 1854. locating at Twelve Mile Grove, Douglas township. In 1855 he traded for land in Crawford county, remained there until March, 1867, and then moved to La Grange township.
Wilson Doty came to Harrison county when yet a young man, in com- pany with his parents, the date being some time in the fall of 1866, settling first in Taylor township. Three years later he settled in St. Johns town- ship and, in 1872, in La Grange township.
Henry R. Coleman was born in Harrison county in 1860. His father, Erastus Coleman, was one of the 1852 pioneers in the county, coming direct from Ohio.
J. H. Fensler, a blacksmith by trade, came to Harrison county in 1870. and worked at his trade for a time in Missouri Valley. His sons operated a farm in St. Johns township until 1882, when the house was burned. He then sold out and located in La Grange township. In the autumn of 1874, Peter R. Mullen settled permanently in the township.
Albert T. McEldery located in 1879.
J. P. Yarington commenced farming in La Grange township in the spring of 1881, coming in from Kansas. August, 1888, he commenced mer- chandising in Beebee town.
W. C. Stodgel came in 1882, settling in section 8.
Edward Fagan, an Irishman, born in 1809, came to Harrison county in 1883, accompanied by his family. Peter and Patrick, his sons, were carrying on the farm here in 1891. Edward Fagan died in the faith of the Catholic church in July, 1890.
John G. Brundage, of section 8, came in the spring of 1868 to St. Johns and worked by the month. till 1870, then rented land. He came to his own land in this township in 1873.
Arthur J. Gilmore, who was county supervisor in the early nineties, came in 1869 and bought a hundred-acre tract of wild land. His family moved on from Dubuque in 1872 and they all located in section 28.
Nephi Yocom came in 1870. Michael Sarvey, in section 28, came in 1871, buying a quarter section of land. At one time he owned six hundred acres. He was another immigrant from Dubuque county, Iowa.
Frederick F. Beebee, of section 35. came in March, 1871, settling in section 26, with his father, who had been here, in 1856 and had taken up land.
Peter R. Mullin, of section 15, came in the fall of 1874.
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James P. O'Rourke, in section 29, came with his father from Dubuque county in 1873.
John Bradshaw of section 34 located in 1877. In 1878 Harry Adams settled in section 28, where he bought improved land.
"HARRIS GROVE FARMERS CLUB."
As farmers' clubs have come to be a power for good in the intelligent farming districts, in this and other counties, it will be well to give some account of the organization of this particular club, for the reason that it was the first to be formed in the county, and perhaps in all western Iowa. From two former histories of the county, the following facts have been arrived at, and they should be preserved for future generations, who will look with a degree of pride upon the work of their forefathers, along these lines:
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