USA > Iowa > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882 > Part 80
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Mill creek was so called from the first saw mill in the township being located on it, in 1839.
Lingle creek was named after Thomas Lingle, who built a flouring mill on this stream in 1840.
MILLS.
The first saw mill built in Big Grove township, was by Anthony Sells, on section 29, in 1839. It was an upright saw.
The first flouring mill was built by Thomas Lingle in 1840, on section 9, on the stream which has ever since been known as Lingle creek. This mill was built of hewed logs, sixteen feet square and two stories high. The burrs were made of "niggar head" stones and found here on the prairies; they ground corn, wheat, and buckwheat, which were all sifted in the same bolt. The people for twenty miles around flocked here to get grinding done. The Lingle mill kept running for eight or nine years. There is now a small mill at the same place, owned by F. Riddle, a Bohemian gentleman, and is known as the "Bohemian Mill."
There is a stone quarry on section 35, on the old Joseph Beuter farm, which has been worked more than thirty years. Mr. Beuter quarried stone there before his death, and also burned lime there. The rock burns into excellent lime, and also furnishes good stone for building purposes.
There are several smaller quarries along the bluffs.
There are three or four ancient mounds on the northwest quarter of section 27. There are from four to five feet high, about thirty feet across, and have trees fourteen inches thick growing on them. They lie along the backbone of the divide in a southeast direction, about a hundred feet apart.
Mr. Rudolph Stortzer, now living on section 6, an old and successful hunter, one day shot a female deer that had a horn about a foot long, with four prongs on one side of her head-the only instance he ever heard of where a doe had horns.
Mrs. Anastasia Beuter, a lady eighty years old and now living on sec-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
tion 35, has a powder horn which is marked thus: "Made by James Taylor, September 27, 1857, at Fort Edward." The inscription is cut into the horn in large plains letters, besides several fancy and ornamental figures. This relic has been in the family a great many years.
The oldest person in Big Grove township is Christian Hess, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1800, and came to Iowa in 1868. He was living and enjoying good health in September, 1882.
Jacob F. Gobin, now living on section 13, started the first drug store in Johnson county, at Iowa City, in 1841.
ALPHONSO B. NEWCOMB
was born at Enfield, Connecticut, April 10, 1805. His grandfather was a physician in that place, and married the daughter of Gov. Terry of Con- necticut. His father moved to the vicinity of Rochester, N. Y., when Alphonso was but a child, and after serving as a lieutenant-colonel in the war of 1812, and while holding the office of custom-house officer at the mouth of the Genessee river, died when the subject of this sketch was about ten years of age, leaving the family dependent upon their own exertions.
Alphonso began the battle of life as cabin boy on a lake steamer, and gradually worked his way up the rounds of sailor life. But when com- paratively a young man he left the lakes and engaged in the mercantile business in Pontiac, Michigan. He was then connected with the Hud- son's Bay Fur Co., and traveled extensively through the great Northwest, then uninhabited save by wild animals and the yet wilder red men.
He came to Iowa City in 1841, and was the builder of the dam, and'one one of the owners of the flouring-mills first erected where Coralville now stands.
During the " gold fever " of 1850 he was one of the bold " Argonauts " who undertook the long and perilous journey "across the plains," leaving Iowa City on the 15th of April, 1840. Accompanied by his wife and lit- tle daughter, he began his pilgrimage toward the setting sun. The adventurous journey was accomplished with their slow-moving oxen in about five months. He went to Butte county, California, and for nine years divided his time between mining, lumbering, and selling goods. He was the first postmaster at Bidwell's Bar, the town at which he was located, and erected extensive saw-mills at Berry Creek, seven miles from that place. At the end of nine years, having met with varying fortune, and his health beginning to fail, he returned to "the states" by the way of South America, in which country he spent some time. Landing at New York, he made a short tour through several of the eastern states, but finally came back to Iowa City. He remained there but a short time and then moved to a farm twelve miles north of that place, upon which he lived quietly for sixteen years. At the end of that time he sold his farm
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
and moved to the neighboring village of Solon, where he spent the remaining six years of his life. He died of heart disease on the 9th of June, 1882, after an illness of two weeks, at the ripe age of 77 years.
THE TOWN OF SOLON.
The Solon Reaper, of date July 28, 1882, published a sketch of the vil- lage history, from which we glean a few points:
The founder of Solon, as far as information can be ascertained, is one John West, who it is said laid out the first town proper of Solon in the year 1842 .* The same became vacated for some reason or other in 1847. In the year 1850, H. H. Kerr and P. B. Anders resurrected the vacated town proper and laid out in lots the town of Solon the second time.
John Brakel was the first who started in business here, opening a black- smith shop in the year 1843, and continuing the same many years. P. B. Anders opened in the same line in 1848. The first hotel, or rather an inn, was put up by George Gruel in 1850.
In the year 1870, the citizens of Solon were made happy by the news of the approach of the iron horse, from Burlington north, through here, and great joy and enthusiasm prevailed.
Since the construction of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern rail- way, the town remained quiet, people came and went, and nothing of much importance happened until the year 1877, when the town was incor- porated and made its own laws for its citizens to abide by.
2, 1877, which consisted of the following:
The first meeting of the officers of the incorporated town was held July Mayor, A. B. Newcomb.
Councilmen, P. N. Connelly, D. R. Randall, John Hess, Geo. Mattas, R. C. Caldwell.
Recorder, Wm. Buchanan.
Marshal, F. A. Heinsius.
The officers elected in March, 1882, were:
Mayor, A. P. Walker.
Trustees, D. A. Pratt, Geo. Corrigan, D. R. Randall, J. H. Fisher, W. A. Palmer, A. C. Swafford.
Marshal, Jos. Pitlik.
Recorder, M. S. Shircliff.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF SOLON.
L. M. Lawyer, dry goods and groceries.
Shircliff & Fisher, dry goods and groceries. Swafford Bros., dry goods and groceries.
A. Serovy, dry goods and groceries.
W. T. Pratt, dry goods and millinery.
W. T. Pratt, hardware and drugs.
Otto Heinsius, drugs.
A. Serovy, City Hotel.
Mrs. C. Palmer, Palmer House.
Joseph Pauba, dealer in implements and grain buyer. Joseph Pitlik, harness.
Jacob Pauba, Solon mills.
*Mr. Kerr says it was on the 25th, 26th and 27th of October, 1840 (not '42), that he and West first platted and staked off the town.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Phillip Duel, furniture.
E. M. Burgess, physician.
J. S. Crain, physician. Otto Heinsius, physician.
E. M. Rogers, physician.
D. A. Pratt, lumber dealer.
G. A. Mattas, lumber dealer.
Joseph Payn, restaurant.
C. H. Palmer, livery.
Caldwell & Pratt, livery.
A. C. Swafford, lawyer.
I. C. Brockel, blacksmith.
W. Jedlcika, blacksmith.
John R. Hess, wagon-maker.
D. M. Rogers, confectionery and books.
Catholic Church.
M. E. Church.
German Evangelical Church.
John Egermeyer, meat market.
Joseph Wlach, meat market.
Kucera & Zajicek, shoemakers.
Fisher & Beck, Solon brewery.
John Kurtz, saloon.
Joseph Wlach, saloon.
John Egermeyer, saloon.
Frank Veshek, saloon.
Mrs. T. Kintz, saloon.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Solon is especially proud of her graded schools, in the higher depart- ment of which Latin is taught, as preparatory for entering the State Uni- versity. It is reported that the first school house in the town of Solon was built by or known as the C. H. Palmer school house. (No date given.) In 1879 the corporation built a fine two-story frame school house, with a tower-four rooms, and seating capacity for 500 (?); cost $3,400. The, graded school was organized in November, 1878.
The first school board consisted of the following gentlemen: Secretary, A. J. Beuter; treasurer, L. M. Lawyer; directors, D. A. Pratt, P. B. Anders, and W. E. Kester.
The first teachers in the graded school were four in number, as follows:
W. H. Martin, principal.
Miss Lillie Harvey, assistant principal.
Miss Minnie Sterrett, intermediate.
Miss Annie Nedobety, primary.
The number of pupils enrolled was 200, the actual full attendance was 165.
The present officers of the school board are as follows:
D. A. Pratt, president; F. J. Wertner, secretary; Chas. Pratt; L. M. Lawyer, treasurer.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
The present board of teachers are, for 1882-83:
A. B. Sargent, principal.
Miss Emma J. Vandenbury, grammar department.
Miss Edith H. McDonnell, intermediate department.
Miss Laura M. Connelly, primary department.
The teachers and pupils have commenced and made good progress toward establishing a school library.
The people were so proud of their new school that in 1879 they had a nice pamphlet printed, containing the officers' and teachers' names, the rules adopted, the school calendar, the schedule of studies, etc., all in high-toned city style.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Solon was organized about 1840. Tle original members were: Warren Spurrier and wife, W. D. Cannon and wife, Mrs. Fannie Pratt, J. B. McGroove, Father H. Lyman and wife, Mrs. Eleanor Pryce, John West and wife, Mary Lyon, and a few others. In 1855 Mr. Paul B. Anders gave two lots and twenty dollars toward building a church, and that year a frame church was erected; this old building is now used as a barn by William Pratt. In 1879 the present church was erected. This commodious structure is also a frame, 38x50 feet, and cost about $2,800. It was dedicated December 21, 1879, by Rev. Frank Baxton, Rev. J. T. Crippen and Dr. Miller, presiding, elder. The following have been its pastors: Revs. Free, Briar, Bush- nell, Kendig, Brown, Critchfield, Taylor, Black, Lanton, Hankins, Skin- ner, Young, Dimmitt, Johnson, Ward, Kynett, Hokyn, Miller, Haskin Moore, Hammond, Snider, Younkin, and Bradford, the present pastor Solon was first supplied as a mission on Cedar Rapids circuit. It was afterward connected with Iowa City circuit, and was served in this way from 1840 to 1855, when the first church was built. The present mem- bership is fifty.
St. Mary's Catholic Church of Solon was organized in 1850. The original members were E. McDonnell, A. Walter, Joseph Beuter, A .. Stehle, Jacob Stehle and Fidel Kessler. The first building was a frame, and was built by Father Emonds in 1858. The present church was erected in 1875; this is a brick and cost $5,000; it was dedicated in May, 1882, by Bishop McMullen, of Davenport. Its pastors have been, Father Emonds, Father Spochek, Father John, Father Schmeller, and Father John, the present pastor. There is a burying ground connected with the church.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1856. The original members were, George, Jane, Elias and M. A. Stream, John Mahring and Doretha Mahring. They have a frame church, situated on section 5, Big Grove township, erected in 1858 and '59, at a cost of $800, and was dedicated January 1, 1860, by J. G. Shaffer. Its pastors have
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
been, Rev. C. Baird, Jesse Halstead, R. C. Baird, A. M. Tanner, Wm. Leslie, Rev. Settlemeyer, B. F. Mills, S. Knight, and J. K. Bloom. The present membership is twenty-three. Of the original members John Mahring is the only one now living. The land for the church was given by Christopher Fuhrmeister. There is a flourishing Sunday school con- nected with the church of about seventy-five scholars; Mr. Henry Fuhr- meister is superintendent.
The German Lutheran Zion Church of Solon, was organized in 1876. The original members were Henry Hertz and wife, John Brackel and wife, John Huber and wife, Christian Shoup and wife, Jacob Rohring and Miss Myers. They . first met in the school house in district No. 2, and afterwards held meetings in the school house in Solon, and then in the Presbyterian Church until July, 1882, when their new church building was completed. This is a neat frame structure and cost about $1,000. It was dedicated by Rev. O. Hartman, of Iowa City, assisted by Rev. Ide, Rev. Blessin and Rev. Mordorf. Its pastors have been Rev. Herlein, Rev. Ide, and Rev. Hartman, the present pastor. Present membership eight fami- lies, or about forty members.
The Presbyterian Church in Solon was 'built in 1867, at a cost of $3,600, and was dedicated in 1868. But since that time most of the mem- bers have moved away, and meetings are not kept up.
CEMETERY.
The present cemetery was first laid out some time in 1845 or '46, by D. D. Smith, on section 23, and Warren Spurrier's son was the first person buried in the new graveyard. Cotton E. Pratt, who died February 15, 1840, on section 36, and was buried on section 3, in Cedar township; was taken up and removed to the new ground. Also, John E. Adams, who died later in the same year as Pratt, and was buried at the same place; was removed to the new burying ground. In 1872 a company consisting of E. A. Brown, J. G. Brown, Eben Adams, Moses Adams, Charles Pratt and Charles W. McCune, bought five acres of land adjoining, and incor- porated the "Oakland Cemetery." It now contains six acres, on a rise of ground one mile northwest from Solon.
On section three there is what is called the Fackler's Grove burying ground, containing about one acre. George Fackler was the first person buried there.
LODGES.
Wayfaring Lodge No. 385, A. F. and A. M., was instituted by dispen- sation, June 17, 1868, date of charter, June 7, 1879. The charter mem- bers and first officers were: E. M. Burgess, W. M .; I. B. Grant, S. W .; A. Medowell, J. W .; R. A. Keen, Sec'y .; R. P. Mulock, Treas .; John Chisman, R. C. Caldwell, A. O.Lake and Chas. W. McCune. The charter was surrendered in 1880, the Lodge not being able to secure a suitable hall by renting, and not strong enough to build one.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
THE SOLON MILLS.
The flouring and saw mill at Solon, was built in 1873, by Akerly & Carney. They failed, and it fell into thands of the Solon Mill Company, consisting of L. M. Lawyer, E. M. Adams, C. W. McCune and Charles Pratt. They increased it to three run of burrs; and sold it June 2, 1881, to Jacob Panba, who still owns it, and is doing a good business.
L. M. Lawyer served as post master of Solon for twelve years.
CREAMERY.
The Solon Reaper, of July 28, 1882, published the following statements: The Solon Creamery, Fisher & Beck, proprietors, was built Oct., 1880. The whole building is 2,106 square feet, and is divided into departments as follows: The cheese, 26x31 feet; creamery, 22x30 feet; ice house, 20x24 feet; and the engine room, 10x16 feet. The capacity is from 800 to 1,000 lbs. per day, but at present only making about 250 lbs. per day, the season being very backward with them as well as with others. The number of pounds of butter made the first year reached 18,000, and this year they expect it will reach between 40,000 and 50,000. This creamery is fitted up with all the modern improvements, and run by steam.
CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
January 7th, 1846, on the petition of the inhabitants of township No. 81 north, of range No. 5 west, of the 5th principal meridian, praying for township organization, etc., it is
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" Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county known as congressional township No. 81 north, of range 5 west, of the 5th principal meridian, be and the same is hereby organized into a civil township, to be known by the name of 'Cedar township,' and that the first election shall be held at the house of Philo Haynes, in said township."
Mr. John L. Adams, the township clerk, reports that the township now contains nine independent school districts. The equalized value of real estate for 1881 was $9.55 per acre. The personalty was $58,273. Road tax levy, 2 mills; total road tax, $551.97. There are ten road districts.
The township officers in 1882 were: Trustees, J. M. Douglass, John E. Adams, D. Maloney; assessor, W. J. McCune; clerk, John L. Adams.
EARLY EVENTS.
Reports were furnished by Moses Adams, John McCune, James Buchanan and E. A. Brown, from which we gather the following points of pioneer history :
James Buchanan settled here on section 24, in April, 1838. He came here from Cedar county, Iowa, but was originally from Cleveland, Ohio.
A. C. Sutliff came here in September, 1838, took his claim, made some hay, and then went back east; but returned and settled here in January, 1839. He was from Trumbull county, Ohio.
Thomas Prague settled on section 22, in 1838. He was from Pennsyl- vania.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Isaac Dennis, 1838, on section 23.
Joshua King, spring of 1838, on section 2 or 4; he was from Indiana.
Jesse B. McGrew, in 1838.
Mathew Cavanagh and a man named Pendleton are reported as coming in 1838.
E. A. Brown came March 6, 1839, and settled on section 31; he came. here from Warren county, Illinois, but was originally from New York state.
Moses Adams, from Ohio, settled on section 20, in July, 1839.
The first baby born in the new settlement was Jesse B. Sutliff, born December 22, 1839, child of Allen C. and Nancy Sutliff.
The first marriage was that of Eben M. Adams to Miss Henrietta Lyons, on March 9th, 1840, at Mrs. Lyons' house on section 31, where. Mr. Adams now lives (1882.)
The first death was Thomas Prague, in 1838 or '39; he was buried on section 23.
The first physician was Dr. Joseph Adams, from Maine, who was here in February, 1840, but did not stay. Dr. Jesse Bowen, of Iowa City did most of the early doctoring in this settlement.
The first preacher was Rev. Uriah Free, a Methodist circuit rider, in 1839. In 1842 or 1843 a Congregationalist missionary named Aldin, from Connecticut, preached at Harry Sutliff's house.
The first school was taught by Daniel F. McCune, in a log school' house, on section 3, near A. C. Sutliff's place, on the line between sections 3 and 10. The house was built by the neighbors clubbing together, in the winter of 1844-5. It was of hewed logs; had slab benches, and a big open fireplace. Mr. McCune had sixteen or eighteen scholars, and received $10 per month. He died in Solon.
The first weaving in the neighborhood was done by Mrs. Samuel Trot- ter, on section 16. No date.
The county board appointed the first Cedar township election to be at the house of Philo Haynes, in the spring of 1846. But Moses Adams. reports that the first election was at Thomas Prague's house, though no. date is given.
Moses Adams was the man who got the first grist of wheat that ever was ground in Johnson county. This was in the fall of 1839, at Switzer's mill, on Clear Creek. The flour was not bolted.
The people of this settlement went mostly to Davenport instead of Muscatine for their store trade and river business, before Iowa City began. to be a trading place.
There is no post-office in Cedar township now, 1882.
FERRY, MILL, ETC.
The ferry across Cedar river was established by A. C. Sutliff, in 1841. Stone to build the first capitol of Iowa (now the central building of the-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
State University group), was crossed on this ferry, and hauled to Iowa City by ox teams. A ferry boat has been maintained here ever since started by Mr. Sutliff. It is now owned and run by James McClellan.
A saw mill was built on section 23, about 1846, by Philo Haynes, and was kept up ten or twelve years.
Moses Adams relates that in 1843 the ice on Cedar river was so thick and solid that people crossed on it freely and safely as late in the spring as the 7th day of April.
In 1851 A. Heller was drowned in Cedar river, on section 23, while fish- ing with a seine.
CHURCHES.
St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church (Bohemian), of Cedar town- ship, was organized November, 1861. The original members were John Brush, James Ulch, John Ilik, Sr., John Fiala, Sr., Anton Dvorak, Frank Svejkovsky, Joseph Drable and Albert Maly, Sr. They have a stone church, erected in 1866, at a cost of $1,300. It was dedicated by Father Urban. Its pastors have been Father Anton Urban, Father Frank Chmelar and Father John Zlpeik. The present membership is 70. [No other particulars furnished.]
The Catholic Church (Irish), of Cedar township, was organized in 1863. The original members were Mathias Canfield, Thomas Noland, Patrick Larkin, James Brennen, John Peters, Michael Donahue, Michael Beecher, Patrick Beecher, James Beecher, D. Mahony, Thomas Ryan, Michael Harty, Thomas Butler, Thomas Wall, James Cahen and others. Their first frame church building was erected in 1863, and was dediceted by Father Emonds of Iowa City; the present building was erected in 1868, at a cost of $1,800, without seating; this is also a frame, and was dedica- ted by Father McCabe, of Wilton. Its pastors have been Father Emonds, Father Quigley, Father Welch, Father McCabe, Father Downey, Father Sullivan, Father McCabe, of Mechanicsville, Father O'Riley and Father Burke, the present priest. There are forty acres belonging to the church which was bought by the original members. They have a burying ground of about two acres.
BURYING GROUND.
There is a grave yard comprising one acre, on section 10, on the Sutliff farm. The first person buried here was Mrs. Ruth Sutliff, who died August 7, 1843. Samuel H. Sutliff died September 30, 1843, and was the second burial here.
FINE STOCK.
J. G. Bowen and sons, on section 33, are extensively engaged in rais- ing thoroughbred Short-horn cattle. They commenced in June, 1878, with a few choice animals; and now, September, 1882, their herd num- bers seventy-five thoroughbreds, and 130 grades. Their herd is headed by Constance Airdrie, No. 25,998, and Constance Waterloo, No. 38,044,
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
of the American Herd Book. Their farm, called "Cedar Park," contains 900 hundred acres, and is one of the best stock farms in this part of Iowa.
John E. Adams, on section 32, has a herd of nine thoroughbred Short- horns-all recorded animals.
John P. McCune, on section 9, commenced in 1875 to breed Short-horns, and now has a herd of forty thoroughbreds-all recorded stock.
Sheep .- Samuel Spurrier, on section 19, is making a specialty of sheep raising, and has 450 head of medium grades.
Bees .- J. M. Adams, on section 22, has 140 swarms of bees-the native black and Italian bees interbred. He says white clover is the main honey feed with him, and that the bees will make about fifty pounds of honey to each hive during the season, besides enough for their own winter sup- ply. He uses the Langstroth hive-thinks it the best.
CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
By an order of the county board, April 8, 1841, all of Johnson county west and south of the Iowa river was made election precinct No. 3, or Clear Creek. The first election was to be at the house of John Hawkins, on Clear Creek; and David Switzer, Jesse McCart and Nathaniel Fellows, were appointed as judges. (See Chapter I, Part 2, of the County History.) February 10, 1846, it was by the county board,
Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county contained in the following bounds, to-wit: Commencing at the northwest corner of township 79 north, range 6 west, thence north two miles, thence west one mile, thence north one mile, thence west to the west line of township 80, range 7 west, thence north to the northwest corner of said township 80, range 7, thence west to the county line, thence south to the center of township 79 north, range 8 west, thence east to the west line of township 79, range 6, thence north to place of beginning, be and the same is hereby set apart as a civil township and shall be known as "Clear Creek Township," and that the first election shall be held at the house of Bryan Dennis in said township.
The above boundaries included the north half of what is now Hardin township, the two north tiers of sections of Union township, and all of Oxford except the narrow strip between the Iowa river and the north line of town 80. The changes of boundaries which reduced Clear Creek township to its present size and shape will be found in the histories of the several townships originally included as above.
TOWNSHIP MATTERS.
Clear Creek precinct took its name from Clear Creek-called in the Indian tongue Capi-hammet, clear water,-a beautiful stream taking its rise in Iowa county and dividing this township in two parts in very nearly the middle. Clear Creek precinct included all of present Clear Creek township, all of Penn township, all of Madison and Oxford townships, all west of present township line to county line, all south to the congressional
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