USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 27
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
CLAYFORD.
This place now exists only in name. As a matter of fact it was never more than a postoffice, and in this capacity, the early inhabitants will tell you that the name is very familiar. The office was established October 11, 1861, and John W. Jenkins was appointed postmaster. On December 12, 1872, Hannah Jenkins was commissioned to perform the official duties of this position. The office was continued at the residence of the postmistress in the northeast corner of sec- tion 7. On January 25, 1894, the name of the chief officer at this mail station was changed, and Robert Snyder appears as the one in charge. The last person to be commissioned in this office, and the one following Robert Snyder, was his wife, Hannah Snyder, who again assumed the official title June 16, 1899. On September 30, 1902, the office was discontinued. The rural mail delivery from Onslow was established at this time, and furnished the patrons with daily mail. Prior to this time, the mail was carried on the route from Onslow to Cascade and was delivered about three times a week. There is no postoffice in Clay township at the present time.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLAY.
The Free Will Baptist church was the earliest church organization effected in Clay township. On March 12, 1853, a meeting was held at the house of Myron C. Walters in Clay Mills for the purpose of organizing a church. A sermon was preached by Elder Donaldson from 1 Corinthians III : 9th "Ye are God's Build- ing." After the sermon, the elder proceeded to ascertain how many wished to be organized into a church society. Six presented themselves with letters, viz : Reuben Green, William Hill, Myron C. Walters, Susan Maria Green, Margarette Walters; one presented herself for baptism, viz : Mary Hill.
After an examination regarding their faith, and finding they all agreed in sentiment with the Free Will Baptist church, the articles and covenant as laid down in the creed of that denomination having been adopted, the right hand of fellowship was given by Elder Donaldson, and prayer was offered by him.
M. C. Walters was chosen clerk, and the name of "Free Will Baptist Church of Clay" was adopted. M. C. Walters was chosen to apply, in behalf of the new organization, for membership in the quarterly meeting to be held with the Buena Vista church in April, 1853, and to represent the congregation at that time. On the request of Mr. Walters, made to that body, the Clay church was accepted as a member of the quarterly meeting.
M. C. Walters was chosen deacon and continued in that office until his re- moval to New York state about 1900. The present deacon is William Eckler, and the present clerk is W. N. Tippett. The deacons chosen at different times were: M. C. Walters, Lewis Beckwith, S. L. Carpenter, William Eckler. The clerks have been : M. C. Walters, C. W. Sutton, W. N. Tippett. The present trustees are : William Eckler, G. B. Hall, W. N. Tippett.
The church prospered in the early days of the township history and in due time, about 1865. a church building was erected at the location known as Frozen Hill. This building yet stands, and in the more recent years has been known
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as the Bethel Presbyterian church, though yet owned by the Baptist society. Here the community met for the worship of God and the study of His Word for many years. After some years the use of the building was generously offered to the Bethel Presbyterian church who used it conjointly with the Baptist church. Among the pastors of the Clay Baptist church have been : Elders Reives, Slater, Maxon, Anderson, O. E. Aldrich and George Bullock.
After many years of public testimony to their love for their Saviour, the Bap- tist congregation became so reduced in numbers by deaths and removals that they could no longer maintain regular public worship and this condition has continued to the present time. The organization has been continued, though no active part has been taken in the continuation of regular services.
THE BETHEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The broad expanse of prairie lying north of the early village of Wyoming, had among its earliest settlers, several Presbyterian families mostly from Scot- land and the state of Ohio. Previous to the year 1861, occasional services were held, Rev. George E. Delevan, who was in charge of the Presbyterian church at Wyoming at that time, was the preacher. This beloved pioneer died at Wyom- ing in the spring of 1861.
By invitation of some of the members of the Presbyterian faith, Rev. James L. Wilson of the Dubuque Presbytery, located at Scotch Grove, commenced preaching at John Paul's schoolhouse, known now as the Valley School, three miles north of Wyoming, in the same township. Rev. Wilson's first sermon there was on Sunday, June 16, 1861. Arrangements were made for the contin- uation of the services, and the appointments were maintained regularly once in two weeks until the close of the year, 1864.
At the beginning of the year 1865, the meetings were removed to a more central location and to a more commodious schoolhouse in Clay township, two miles further north. The attendance and interest at once increased. A part of the time services were held at the former location where the attendance and inter- est was well maintained. At the new place now called Defiance Hill, the first ser- mon was preached January 8, 1865. Besides the regular preaching of the Word, the Lord's Supper was frequently administered here, the session of the Scotch Grove Presbyterian church with the minister from the same place having charge of the sacramental service. On these occasions, as well as at the regular commun- ion services at Scotch Grove, a considerable number of the people from this community were received as members of that church.
Previous to the commencing of the meetings at Defiance Hill schoolhouse, there was farther north, in the eastern part of Clay township, an organization of the United Presbyterian church, called Mt. Hope church, supplied with preaching by Rev. A. J. Allen, beginning in 1856. He having ceased to labor, and there being no regular supplies, the organization became languishing and disbanded in 1865. The records of that noble little church were lost in the fire which burned the house of the elder of the church, Mr. James Kirkpatrick, in the year 1859. This elder and the chief part of the members of the United Presbyterian organization a few years later became identified with the Presbyterian meetings being held at
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Defiance Hill. These members of this early organization were mostly from the Presbyterian church of Ireland, but some were from Scotland and other places.
In April, 1870, a petition was sent to the Dubuque Presbytery signed by a number of members of the Presbyterian society, and some others, asking for the establishment of a Presbyterian church at this place. Accordingly the Presby- terv in session at Jesup, on the 27th of April, 1870, appointed a committee to attend to the matter at some time convenient to themselves and to the people. This committee consisted of Rev. Samuel Hodge of Hopkinton, Rev. James L .. Wilson, of Scotch Grove, and Hon. John McKean, a ruling elder of the Anamosa church.
The organization was effected at Defiance Hill, June 14, 1870, under the name of the Bethel Presbyterian church, the following persons entering the new or- ganization by letter, mostly from the Scotch Grove church, viz: James Kirk- patrick, Mrs. Jane Kirkpatrick, William H. Chatterton, Mrs. Hilah S. Chatter- ton, Stephen R. Streeper, Matilda B. Streeper, Andrew Scroggie, Mrs. Grace Scroggie, Andrew Duncanson, Mrs. Marion Duncanson, David H. Orr. Henry P. Chatterton, Mrs. Alice P. Chatterton, Mrs. Jane Young, Mrs. Ann Reid, Mrs. Margaret Paul, Mrs. Mary J. Hawley, Mrs. Mary Neelans. John Paul was ac- cepted as a member on profession of faith.
The organization was perfected by the election of Andrew Scroggie and Stephen R. Streeper as ruling elders. John Paul and James Kirkpatrick were elected deacons.
Of the above named charter members, five are still living, namely: James Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Ann Reid, Mrs. Mary J. Hawley, Mrs. Mary Neelans and John Paul.
The new church prospered and in due time the question of building a house of worship arose, and was discussed. A site for the building was chosen, and one thousand, two hundred dollars subscribed toward its erection, but about that time the railroad came to Onslow and the organization of a Presbyterian church at that place had a tendency to check the building plans of the Bethel church. About the same time, the Bethel church was generously offered the use of the Free Will Baptist church building. This offer was accepted, and in this build- ing, the Bethel Congregation has held regular services ever since.
The following ministers have served as pastors since the organization of the church, namely : Revs. J. L. Wilson, John Rice, Henry Cullen, Alexander Scott, J. A. Hahn, Philip Palmer, J. R. McQuown, P. A. Tinkam, and the present pas- tor, S. B. McClelland.
The ruling elders have been : Andrew Scroggie, Stephen R. Streeper, Andrew Duncanson, Thomas Hamilton, John Neelans. William Fletcher, John Denni- son, Isaac N. French.
The deacons have been : James Kirkpatrick, John Paul, A. P. Ormsby, John Dennison, David H. Orr, Ahab DeWitt, Joseph W. Orr, Robert Scroggie, R. W. Chatterton, C. S. Ames. In 1901, the office of deacon was abolished, and the office of trustee established. The trustees have been: James Kennedy, C. S. Ames, R. W. Chatterton, C. L. Butler, Robert A. Scroggie.
The church organization for 1909, is as follows :
Session : Pastor and moderator, Rev. S. B. McClelland; elders, John Neclans. William Fletcher and Isaac N. French.
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Sabbath School: Superintendent, R. W. Chatterton; assistant superintendent, William Fletcher ; secretary and treasurer, Miss Alice Green; organist, Miss Ina Young; assistant organist, Miss Alice Green.
Ladies Missionary Society : President, Mrs. Adella E. McClelland; vice presi- dent, Mrs. Minnie Kennedy ; secretary, Mrs. Fannie Hicks; treasurer, Mrs. Hat- tie Chatterton; secretary of literature, Mrs. Mary H. Neelans.
The church has pursued the even tenor of its way, sometimes making vigor- ous strides, at other times more lagging in its progress, but still advancing in the work to which it has been called, an uplift in the community and an honor to the Kingdom. A series of revival meetings were closed in the early part of October, 1909, which added much to the enthusiasm and strength of the church, the meet- ings being conducted by Evangelist Foote, with the assistance of the regular pas- tor. Rev. S. B. McClelland.
The Bethel church has never had a resident pastor. During the first ten years or more of its organization, the pastor of the Scotch Grove church also served as pastor of this church. About 1883 or 1884, the Bethel church and the Onslow church united in the support of the same pastor, the regular services in the Bethel church being held every Sunday afternoon, the pastor residing at Onslow. This relation has continued down to the present time. The church building is located in the southwest corner of section 17, in Clay township, the location being known locally as Frozen Hill. The church is a central institution in the com- munity, and is the nucleus around which clusters precious memories and the in- fluences for good which predominate in the country on all sides.
LATTER DAY SAINTS CHAPEL.
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints built a church in section twenty-two, near the present residence of Ed Green in Clay town- ship in the summer of 1897. This is a plain building twenty-eight by thirty-six feet and appearing about like the average country church. The building cost about one thousand two hundred dollars.
The local organization or "branch" at the time, had about fifty members, widely scattered throughout Jones and Jackson counties. Other branches have been organized within the same territory, and members in each case have united with the nearest church. At the present time there are about forty-seven mem- bers, many of these still widely scattered.
The following are some of the early members : Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson ; Mrs. Louisa Myatt. Mariner Maudsley, Edwin Lowe, Miss Lizzie Haller, Mrs. Maria Kelsall, Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Green, Rachel M. Green, Susan Green, Willard Thomas, Amelia Thomas, John Wier. Cora Wier and D. J. Dierks.
The church has always depended largely upon missionaries sent out by the general church for its ministers. Among these were the following : John S. Roth, of Grinnell, Iowa; William T. Maitland, of Des Moines, Iowa; O. B. Thomas, of Lamoni, Towa; John W. Peterson, Lamoni, Iowa; Oscar Case, Morehead, Iowa; Fred Farr, of Greene. Iowa; J. B. Wildermuth, Osterdock, Iowa; James Mc- Kerman, Muscatine, Iowa.
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The church was dedicated by Joseph Smith and J. W. Peterson. The former is president of the reorganized church and a son of the original founder of the church established in 1830. A large congregation of people from all the sur- rounding country gathered to hear the man whose name had become famous because of its association with the Orientalism of Utah.
THE VILLAGE OF CANTON.
The village of Canton, properly speaking is only partly in Clay township, but its early history is so much associated with the early history of Clay township, that a history of the township is not wholly complete without some reference to this once thriving business center. The assistance of Levi Waggoner, now eighty years of age, has been helpful in securing the data of this sketch of the Canton history.
Canton is one of the earliest settled towns in this part of the state. As early as 1843 we find J. E. Hildreth making improvements at the present site of Can- ton. In that year the Canton water power was first improved by J. E. Hildreth who built a sawmill on the east side of the Maquoketa River ; this mill he operated about two years when it was destroyed by fire. After the fire he sold his interests in and around Canton to J. J. Tomlinson, and took up a new location on the present site of Ozark, four miles north, on the north fork of the Maquoketa River.
J. J. Tomlinson thus became the sole proprietor of what there was of Canton about 1844 or 1845, and in addition became the owner of about eight hundred acres of land adjoining. Mr. Tomlinson now began to rebuild the sawmill on a much more extensive scale, a mill with a capacity of one thousand feet of lumber per hour. In connection with the sawmill Mr. Tomlinson built a machine shop for the manufacture of all kinds of wood work, such as wagons, lumber, furni- ture, all kinds of lath work. The capital invested amounted to over twenty thousand dollars in this business alone. Mr. Tomlinson also built a grist mill and woolen factory on the west side of the river soon after or about 1845. This is the beginning of the mill about which the memory of so many of the early settlers of Clay township centers, and which was one of the most flourishing in- stitutions in eastern Iowa for many years.
Mr. Tomlinson's business was now flourishing on both sides of the river. At that time there was neither grist mill nor sawmill nearer than Dubuque on the north, and Anamosa on the west. And in those early days, Iowa was a wheat country, and wheat was a staple crop which gave Mr. Tomlinson a range of coun- try more than forty miles in extent from which to draw his supply of wheat. His mill was never allowed to stand idle, day or night. The same was true of his sawmill and machine shop. The two mills together gave employment to over sixty men, in one way and another.
The merchandise business was not a whit behind the business of the mills. Between the years of 1852 and 1857, there were six well kept stores in Canton. The principal one was conducted by E. M. Franks. His stock consisted of gen- eral merchandise of the amount of eighteen thousand dollars. The Smith Bros .. Tom and James, had stock of the value of ten thousand dollars. Tomlinson &
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Smith had a stock of six thousand dollars. A Mr. Dawson, two thousand five hundred dollars. J. Brenneman, two thousand dollars. William Lowe, hardware, two thousand dollars. William Hannah, drug store, two thousand dollars. There were also at that time four practicing physicians, towit, Dr. Thomas Gracey, Dr. Johnson, and the Belden partnership, consisting of M. J. Belden and W. P. Belden.
About the same time E. M. Franks also conducted a packing plant through the winter season, with a capacity of handling one hundred hogs per day, al- though he handled dressed hogs only. This was the practice in that period of time, in all sections of the country, both east and west. Mr. Franks was also an extensive dealer in cattle and hogs and at most any time in the period of which we write, during the '50s, from three hundred to five hundred head of cattle could be counted in his yards at any time. He also had from three hundred to six hundred hogs on feed at any one time. In fact Canton was a first-class mar- ket town for anything the farmer had to sell in the line of cattle, hogs, wheat. corn, oats or hay. The store provisions were hauled from Dubuque, and the store keepers frequently took such products in trade for groceries and dry goods.
In those days, by far the greater number of teams were ox teams. Mr. Tom- linson at all times kept not less than twenty yoke of cattle at work drawing logs from the woods to his mills, and a less number in delivering the lumber to Dubuque, Cascade and other points.
These were years of Canton's greatest era of prosperity. About the year 1854, the grist mill, together with the woolen factory burned to the ground. In 1855, Mr. Tomlinson rebuilt the grist mill, but the woolen factory was never rebuilt.
About the year 1866, the Midland Railroad was projected, and the business men began to look for new locations along the line of that road. E. M. Franks bought several hundred acres about eight miles west of Canton along the pro- posed line of the road, and including the present site of Onslow. Mr. Franks now began the disposal of his shelf goods in quantities to suit purchasers. His fresh goods he moved to his new location at Onslow.
Mr. Tomlinson also made his escape to the gold regions of the Rocky Moun- tains, after selling his holdings to Dr. George Trumbull of Cascade at a price of less than one-half he could have obtained before the Midland road was built. From this time on, Canton's decline was rapid.
It was about this time that Dr. Trumbull sold his grist mill to Robert Becker, who in turn sold a one-half interest to a Mr. Peck, forming a partnership under the name of Becker & Peck. Under this partnership the business was con- ducted for several years, or until wheat became so scarce that the parties could no longer find it profitable to continue in business. Becker & Peck now dissolved partnership, and in the deal the grist mill remained in the hands of Robert Becker who operated in a small way on the slim supply of wheat that constantly grew less till the manufacture of flour was entirely discontinued. From that time, the mill was used as a feed and custom mill only. Mr. Becker, now thoroughly disgusted with his mill property, traded to one Alex. Clark, for a half section of land in Kansas. Mr. Clark was a Scotchman with considerable business tact, and with his pleasing address he won friends, and for many years conducted a
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flourishing business grinding feed. Mr. Clark continued to operate the mill until about six years ago when he disposed of his mill property, and since that time, the mill has changed hands several times. L. B. Parshal is now the owner of the property, and if the present plans mature, the Canton mill property will be so revolutionized that its early owners would not recognize the place. There is no better water power in eastern Iowa than at Canton. There is a good water fall, and the foundation for the dam could not be improved. At this point, the banks of the river are of solid rock, and the bed of the river is of the same solid material. A dam properly built would stand for ages.
THE CANTON POSTOFFICE.
The Canton postoffice was established on July 15, 1844. Since that date when John J. Tomlinson received the first commission, the postmasters with the dates of their appointment, have been, in their order : Robert B. Hanna, December 10, 1853; Miles F. Simpson, April 25, 1854; Thomas Smith, July 29, 1854; Thomas Gracey, November 4, 1856; William A. Smith, August 24, 1857; William B. Han- na, July 20, 1859; John W. Dillrance, August 22, 1859; W. B. Hanna, August 19, 1861 ; James B. Camp, March 7, 1865; Leander B. Sutton, October 24, 1865; John W. Reade, June 5, 1867; John Baldwin, October 8, 1868; John T. Bayliff. June 15, 1869; George W. Kelsall, December 31, 1872; Lyman B. Parshall, March 30, 1886; John C. Ripperton, July 19, 1887; Alfred Frey, December 21, 1891 ; Hannah E. Ripperton, April 1, 1893; Alexander Clark, April 19, 1895; Ned L. Sutton, June 4, 1897; Robert H. Buchner, the present incumbent, April 23, 1908.
The Canton of today is but a remnant of its former prosperity. The old buildings are the undisputed habitation of bats and owls. One store, the mill, one blacksmith shop and a few scattered dwellings, including the schoolhouse and the mill, constitute the Canton of 1909.
OFFICIAL ROSTER CLAY TOWNSHIP.
1857-Election held in Sutton schoolhouse, April 6, 1857. Trustees: S. R. Howard, J. P. Ames, Isaac DeWitt ; clerk, John Russell; justice, L. G. Drake; constables, C. C. Sutton and C. Hicks.
1858 Election held in Sutton schoolhouse, April 5, 1858. Trustees: Joseph P. Ames, S. R. Howard, and A. Gowing; clerk, John Russell; justice, Joseph Ty- ron ; constables, William B. Gress and C. C. Sutton; supervisors: No. I, Luke Potter; No. 2, Bethuel French ; No. 3, James Hall; No. 4, Cyrus Anderson; No. 5, B. Sharpless; No. 6, Platt Jennings.
1859-Election held October 12, 1858. Trustees: A. Gowing, B. C. Slater and Thomas Johnson; clerk, James L. Hall; assessor, S. R. Howard; justices, Joseph Tyron and J. Z. Mackrill ; constables, William B. Gress and R. B. Willcox.
1860-Trustees : J. Ingraham, Richard Hayner and Isaac DeWitt; clerk. J. C. French ; assessor, Charles F. Vincent; constables, Cornelius Hicks and William A. Smith.
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1861-Trustees: Jacob Bodenhofer, E. A. Cohoon and Joseph P. Ames; clerk, J. I .. Hall; assessor, S. R. Howard; justices, John Brinimon and William H. Peck; constables, George Howard and R. B. Willcox.
1862-Trustees : William Paul, Japhat Ingraham and J. W. Jenkins; asses- sor, S. R. Howard; clerk, J. L. Hall; constables, R. B. Willcox and H. Smith.
1863-Trustees : S. R. Howard, James McDaniel, Patrick Donahue; clerk, William G. Jenkins; assessor, E. E. Brown; justices, E. Harwood and Joseph Tyron; constables, John Potter and B. Grogan.
1864-Trustees : William Eckler, Albert Howard; clerk, William Paul.
1865-Trustees : G. A. Hanna, A. Howard and William Paul; clerk, R. Havner; justices, William Eckler, A. Harwood; assessor, E. E. Brown; con- stables, R. B. Willcox, John Patton.
1866-Trustees : Albert Howard, Hiram Dubois and C. W. Sutton; clerk, James L. Hall ; assessor, E. E. Brown; constables, John Patton and R. B. Willcox.
1867-Trustees : Albert Howard, C. W. Sutton, Daniel Canole; clerk, James L. Hall; assessor, E. E. Brown; justices, William Eckler and R. G. Dye; con- stables, J. F. Sutton and David Moore.
1868-Trustees : A. Howard, J. L. Hall, S. L. Carpenter ; clerk, W. H. Peck; constables, David McDaniel and J. F. Sutton; justices, William Eckler, A. Isenhart.
1869-Trustees : Albert Howard, William H. Chatterton and William Gates; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, James L. Hall; justices, William Eckler and A. Isenhart; constables, W. A. Eckler and W. A. Smith.
1870-Trustees : J. D. Barnhill, W. H. Chatterton and J. H. McDaniel; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, E. E. Brown; justice of the peace, C. W. Sutton; con- stables, W. A. Eckler and George Carr.
1871-Trustees: J. H. McDaniel, Eldad Cooley and E. E. Brown; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, J. D. Barnhill; justices, John Brinneman, John Dennison; constables, George Carr and John Vasser.
1872-Trustees: James McDaniel, Eldad Cooley and W. N. Tippett; clerk W. H. Peck; assessor, E. E. Brown; constables, John Vasser and J. W. Bacheler.
1873-Trustees : James McDaniel, Eldad Cooley and W. N. Tippett; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, J. D. Barnhill; constables, James Johnson, D. H. Butler ; justices, E. A. Cohoon and George Reyner.
1874-Trustees : R. B. Weaver, Lyman Osborn and Isaac DeWitt; clerk, J. D. Barnhill; assessor, John Dennison; constables, D. H. Butler and J. R. Johnson.
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