USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
In the fall of 1839, L. A. Simpson moved into Hale township. He afterwards became county surveyor. M. Q. Simpson settled about 1842. He became sheriff
Digitized by Google
383
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
of Jones county in 1844. Benjamin Freeman and family made Hale township their home in 1854.
The first death in the township was the wife of M. Q. Simpson. The funeral services were conducted by Elder Rathburn of Cedar county. The next sermon was preached by Wm. Farbs of Indiana. The first marriage in the township was in 1839. The name of the groom was James G. Blone, but the name of the bride was not learned. An effort was made to stop the marriage, but the birds had flown too swiftly and the knot was tied before interference arrived.
From 1848 to 1856 M. Q. Simpson, W. S. Simpson, and Silas Garrison did some preaching in the private homes of the settlers. The first church built in the township was the Free Will Baptist church at Pleasant Hill in 1868, though the society was organized in 1855. The Diamond Methodist Episcopal church lo- cated about two miles south of Pleasant Hill was built the same summer. This church was moved away a number of years ago. The first school taught in the township was by Daniel Garrison and wife in 1848. The first schoolhouse built was called Union School and was located in Pennsylvania neighborhood in 1854. This neighborhood is about two miles east of Pleasant Hill. The first saw-mill was built and operated by Norman Seeley on the Wapsie about a mile west of the present Hale bridge in the year 1847.
The settlement on the north side of the river was not made as early as on the south. Philip Lewis and William Cronkhite were the first and came about 1850. After them came Clement Lane, Robert Brown, William Vrooman, William Sweet, John Gorman, Robert Inglis, Burt Smith, John Fradenburg, George Thurston, Harvey Campbell, Clement Guthrie, William Walston, John Brigham, J. C. Austin, George Lewis, J. B. Mullett and others.
THE TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED.
Hale township was organized in July, 1851, and was named after Hon. J. P. Hale at the suggestion of Mrs. Simeon W. Cole now residing in Olin. The first township election was held at the house of Joseph Bumgardner. The board of election consisted of L. A. Simpson, Joseph Bumgardner and Daniel Garrison. The first justices of the peace were Samuel Holden and Daniel Garrison.
AN EARLY INDUSTRY.
An industry of some importance was begun near Hale bridge in the latter part of the '6os or early '70s in the manufacture of lime. The site of the old lime kiln is yet seen on the road to the Hale bridge. Quite a few men obtained em- ployment during the flourishing days of the industry.
THE BRIDGE.
The first bridge across the Wapsie in Hale was built in the latter part of the '6os. The present substantial structure was built in 1879, and is yet in good con- dition.
Digitized by Google
384
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE VILLAGE OF HALE.
The history of this little embryo city begins with the advent of the railroad about 1872. In that year J. C. Austin & Chase opened the first store of the vil- lage. This was located east of the present store of S. W. Reyner. Prior to this store, J. C. Austin had a temporary store in a shack north of the depot. A man named Sharkey had the first blacksmith shop. George Lewis built the first resi- dence. This residence is now occupied by John Kruse.
The story is told of a wag of an Irishman, Wm. Ross, who was a character generally admired in the early history of the village. He was section boss, but that hindered not in the flow of his wit, and the flow of his poetry. This ability to make rhymes was proverbial, and the sides of the grain elevator used to be cov- ered with his poetic effusions. In Mr. Austin's store was a placard reading. "Notary Public and County Conveyancer," which the inimitable Billy at once read before the crowd of evening traders, "Notorious Republican and County Sur- veyor."
The oldest resident of the village is J. B. Mullett. Kind of heart, and cheerful of disposition, he is spending his days with all the comfort of his limited means.
The Hale school building was erected about 1900 by the citizens of the village, and by them presented to the school district.
THE POSTOFFICE.
The postoffice in Hale was established February 28, 1872, and on that date Arthur O. Dickinson was commissioned to perform the duties of postmaster. On November 19th of the same year, Edmond F. Austin was appointed to this position which he held until April 30, 1877, when F. E. Husten was named in a commission from Washington, but on May 31st of the same year, another com- mission was issued with the name of Frank E. Austin written upon its face. This, however, did not suffice, and on November 9th, also of the same year, Rufus B. Chase became the postmaster by proper appointment. On February 28, 1879, George Lewis was found with the proper credentials as postmaster. And on November 7th of this same year, F. M. DeLarme succeeded to the office. Jere- miah C. Austin was appointed to the office January 12, 1880, and he was succeeded by Mrs. Hathaway January 5, 1883, and on the 8th of the next month, Burton A. Demoney became the man who signed the money orders. The office had been named Hale Village, in its beginning, but in the spring of this year the name was changed to Hale, and upon the change being made Mr. Demoney was reappointed to the office June 20, 1883. W. J. Mills was appointed postmaster July 28, 1886, and things being now apparently settled, he continued in the office for nearly nine years, when on May 1, 1895, Joseph Bluthe was appointed. The commission to Charles E. Walston as postmaster was dated April 17, 1899, and for nearly ten years, Mr. Walston was the obliging Nasby of the village. In the transfer of business interests, rather than in any political upheaval, Mr. Walston asked to be released from these confining duties, and on March 25, 1909, Samuel W. Reyner took up the reins of office under Uncle Sam, and is now performing the duties of the office with all the dignity and obliging manner of an old hand at the business.
Digitized by Google
385
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
HALE CHURCH.
The Hale church was built in 1874, and while it was the intention that it should be a Union church, the Methodist Society have had general control of the building. The building was erected under the ministerial supervision of Rev. Jenkins, and was dedicated by Elder Paxton. The records of the organization of the Methodist Episcopal church have been mislaid, and for this reason the record cannot be given complete. Among the first members were Mrs. John Campbell, Mrs. Geo. Taylor, W. N. Walston and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Berwell, C. E. Walston and Lizzie Walston.
During all of the thirty-five years of its existence, the church organization has been maintained. During its existence it has had its Epworth League and its Junior League, and its Temperance League organizations. It has had a live mem- bership. The attendance has been good, and the song services have been a source of religious enjoyment.
In the early history of the church, it was in the Oxford circuit but several years ago, it was transferred to the Olin charge, and the Methodist Episcopal minister at Olin now ministers to the spiritual wants of the Hale charge. The class leaders of the church have been John Deming and Wm. Giddings. E. L. Barber was financial steward for a number of years.
The present trustees of the church are: C. O. Woodard, Albert Switzer, C. W. Iosty ; C. E. Walston is financial steward. The Sunday school is well maintained with the following officers: superintendent, John Inglis; secretary and organist, Miss Bertha Woodard; librarian, Miss Margaret Inglis. Robert Inglis, who is yet an attendant, but enfeebled with age, was the Bible-class teacher almost since the organization of the church. Although a Presbyterian, he and his entire family have been liberal supporters of the church and Sunday-school, both in attendance, personal work and financial assistance.
The Hale church has wielded a wide influence in the maintenance and devel- opment of a high standard of morality in the community, and around it will cluster many precious memories of the days past and gone.
HALE BUSINESS ROSTER, 1909.
Present business roster of Hale Village: S. W. Reyner, general merchandise, postmaster ; John Schledetsky, hardware, agricultural implements, lumber; F. W. Rummel, barber shop and pool room; Sam Conley, blacksmith; Mrs. Sam Con- ley, restaurant; Frank Herlitzka, shoemaker; Henry Kruse, live stock, grain, insurance ; J. B. Mullett, broom maker ; Ray Knight, depot agent.
VILLAGE PLATTED.
The village of Hale was platted by J. C. Austin, in April, 1876, and included blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4, located south and west of the present location of the Hale postoffice. Preston's Addition to Hale was platted August 30, 1898, by C. A.
Digitized by
286
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Preston, C. E. Walston, D. C. Merritt and J. J. Merritt and others, and in- cluded the land north and west of the present postoffice corner.
THE CREAMERY.
The Hale Creamery, for a number of years was one of the most prosperous industries in the township. It was built about the year 1894 by a stock company promoted by W. J. Mills and C. E. Walston. This stock company operated the creamery with good success for about four years when it was then sold to a Coop- erative Company. Two years of experience was sufficient for the new owners, and it was then resold, and after some minor changes in ownership, the creamery became the sole property of Walston & Merritt, C. E. Walston, W. J. Mills and A. G. Alden. The business was continued, almost without interruption, and was finally destroyed by fire on the morning of July 4, 1907. There was no in- surance. Though the creamery was a profitable institution, it was not rebuilt.
HALE LODGES.
HALE CAMP, NO. 4083, OF THE MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA, was organized at Hale, July 27, 1896, with the following charter members: W. J. Mills, C. E. Walston, F. D. Cruise, P. L. Markey, J. F. Iler, Fritz Kruse, J. W. Wooder, A. E. Mullett, George Briggs, W. H. Brownell, C. J. Miner, William Martin, E. Horton, C. W. Huston, M. E. Wooder, H. A. Mills, B. F. Curley, H. E. Coon, O. E. Thornton, G. W. Schledetsky, D. L. Smith, John Burch. The officers were: C. E. Walston, C .; P. L. Markey, adv .; W. J. Mills, clerk ; F. D. Cruise, banker ; J. F. Iler, esc .; C. W. Huston, W .; H. A. Mills, S .; Dr. J. W. Kirkpatrick, physician; F Kruse, delegate. Managers-E. Horton, O. E. Thornton, J. W. Wooder. There are sixty-seven members at present with the following officers : Michael Souhrada, C .; Freeman Mason, clerk; C. E. Walston, banker; M. E. Wooder, adv.
WAPSIE CAMP, NO. 1488, ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA was instituted at Hale, April 5, 1899, with forty-eight charter members as follows: Mrs. Fannie Clay, oracle ; Mrs. Mary Horton, V. O .; Mrs. Anna Iler, rec .; Mrs. Minnie Cruise. receiver ; Mrs. Lizzie B. Giddings, chan .; Mrs. Clara B. Freeman, marshal; Mrs. Mary Martin, O. S .; Mrs. Kate Kruse, I. S .; Frank W. Port, physician; J. W. Wooder, N. L. Sweet, Anna Henak, Nora Mills, Addie Starry, Clara Shankland, Minnie L. Anderson, Sadie Patton, Nellie Mills, Mary E. Walston, C. E. Walston, F. A. Byerly, Carrie Biggart, Nina Byerly, Viola Brownell, E. C. Freeman, C. C. Wood, J. W. Patton, D. E. Vrooman, Wm. Martin, W. H. Brow- nell, Ora Thornton, Louie M. Wood, Maggie Mullett, F. W. Stange, Ida Shu- maker, A. Shumaker, Wm. Henak, H. A. Mills, Cora Wooder, Ollie M. Blah- ney, J. F. Iler, Frank J. Miner, I. K. Shankland, E. Horton, Fred Cruise, Bert Clay, Melton Tubbs, Cora Tubbs. There are thirty-six members in this camp at the present time. Regular meetings are held, and the camp is in a prosperous condition. The following are the officers for 1909: Mrs. Kate Kruse, oracle; Mrs. Emma Warner, vice oracle; Miss Elva Conley, recorder; Mrs. Charles Woodard, receiver ; Mrs. S. M. Conley, chancellor.
Digitized by Google
---
387
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
PLEASANT HILL CHURCH.
One of the first settlements in Hale township was in the beautiful grove known to the first settlers as "Nigger Point" later changed to the name of Pleasant Hill, the name by which it is known at the present time. Daniel Gar- rison was the first white settler, coming from the state of Indiana in June, 1838. Soon after others were attracted by the beautiful grove, among them was the Simeon Cole family who settled in the grove in the early spring of 1850.
Mr. Cole was a devout man, and as the settlement grew, conceived the idea of organizing a church. Accordingly a meeting was called in the early fall of 1855. The meeting was held in Simeon Cole's log house, Elder Reeves, of Tip- ton, preaching the sermon. At this meeting the first church society in Hale town- ship was organized, the church now known as the Pleasant Hill Free Will Bap- tist church. There were nine united with the church at this meeting, including Simeon Cole, Senior, and wife, Henry Cole and wife, John Cole and wife and M. N. Phillips and wife, the names of the other members not being definitely known. Meetings were held regularly thereafter in Simeon Cole's house, except- ing when the weather would permit them being held in the grove near the house, until the schoolhouse was built in 1865, when the meetings were held therein. The schoolhouse soon became inadequate to hold the pioneers of this rapidly growing colony, and the people began to talk of building a church. The needs of a church building became so apparent that a meeting was held on the 3d day of February, 1868, to consider the matter. The meeting was largely attended, and it was unanimously decided to build a new church.
About this time Rev. O. E. Aldrich, of Wyoming, became the pastor, and to him was delegated the authority to draw up the incorporation papers, which he proceeded to do. They were submitted to Squire Roger, Rome, for an opinion. Mr. Rogers pronounced them all right, and they were adopted. Henry Cole, Jackson Simmons and Jesse Finch were elected as the first board of trustees, M. N. Phillips was the first clerk.
The members went to work at once to get the material for the new church on the ground. Henry Cole donated the rock for the foundation, which was hauled from the quarry without expense. The contract was let to H. Rummel and Jacob Harbaugh, for five hundred and fifteen dollars, and seven teams went to Muscatine for the finishing lumber. The work of building the new church was commenced in the early spring of 1869, and the early fall found the build- Ing completed and ready for use. The building was thirty by forty feet, with a high cupola, surmounted with a dome and ball of tin, gilded with gold. The build- ing stands on the highest point of land in that community, and can be seen for miles in almost every direction. The building is located near the southeast corner of section 21 of Hale township.
Shortly after the completion of the new building Rev. O. E. Aldrich held the greatest revival ever known in the county at that time. Sixty-four were converted, and with but few exceptions all were baptized and became influential members of the church. Under the pastorate of Rev. Aldrich, who was one of the best known pioneer preachers, the church continued to grow stronger, and in the early seventies was the strongest church in eastern Iowa.
.
Digitized by
388
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Among the early members of the church were Simeon Cole and wife, Henry Cole and wife, John Cole and wife, Fred Cole and wife, S. W. Cole and wife, George Phillips and wife, Mrs. Nelson Garrison, William Buckley and wife, B. H. Scriven and wife, D. A. Clay and wife, Jesse Finch and wife, Aaron Gear- hart and wife, H. P. Chatterton and wife, I. B. Southwick and wife, Jackson Simmons and wife, Joseph Bleasdell and wife, and B. A. Smith and wife.
The church continued to prosper under the pastorate of O. E. Aldrich until the latter part of the seventies, when a man by the name of Rathbun, claiming to be a minister of the gospel came into the community, exposing secret societies, and more especially Masonry, causing a division of the church, finally resulting in the matter of the control of the church being taken to court. After this, for a number of years, Elder Curtis was pastor of the church, but the church never fully recovered from the division.
Among the former pastors have been : Revs. O. E. Aldrich, D. C. Curtis, Maxon, Blackmar, S. Sumerland, Tompson, B. F. Butterfield, R. R. Whittaker, Sanders, Frank Piersol, E. H. Turner, and the present pastor, Frank Piersol.
The present officers of the church are: clerk, Mrs. Mae L. Chatterton; or- ganist, Mrs. Nettie Glick; librarian, Frank L. Phillips; treasurer, Milo G. Phil- lips; deacons-Geo. A. Phillips, Cyrus H. Smith, Hosea Ballou, Geo. R. Clay; trustees-G. A. Phillips, Hosea Ballou, D. A. Clay, George R. Clay; Women's Home Missionary Society-president, Mrs. Mae Chatterton; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Nettie Glick; Sunday-school superintendent, Rev. F. Piersol.
Regular preaching services are held, and the society maintains its organization.
OFFICIAL ROSTER HALE TOWNSHIP.
It is unfortunate that the records of Hale township cannot be found. It is possible that when some of the useless documents of the township were being destroyed, the clerk's records were included. The earliest record found, is a recent one beginning in 1902.
1902-Trustees: John Inglis, Elwood Kirkpatrick, H. P. Chatterton; clerk, Emmons Horton ; assessor, A. Schumaker.
1903-Trustees : Elwood Kirkpatrick, H. P. Chatterton, John Inglis; as- sessor, A. Schumaker ; clerk, Emmons Horton.
1904-Trustees : Jesse Ballou, John Inglis, Elwood Kirkpatrick ; clerk, Henry Kruse.
1905-Trustees: Elwood Kirkpatrick, Jesse Ballou, John Inglis; clerk, Henry Kruse.
1906 -- Trustees : John Inglis, Jesse Ballou, Elwood Kirkpatrick, clerk, Henry Kruse.
1907-Trustees : Hans Rohwedder, Elwood Kirkpatrick, John Inglis; clerk, Henry Kruse.
1908-Trustees : Elwood Kirkpatrick, John Inglis, Jesse Ballou ; clerk, Henry Kruse.
1909-Trustees : John Inglis, Jesse Ballou, Elwood Kirkpatrick ; clerk, Henry Kruse; assessor. Hans Freeman; justice. C. E. Walston.
Digitized by Google
...
389
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
GENERAL CONDITIONS.
Jackson township was among the later townships to become the abode of the white man in the county. The earliest settlement was in the southern part along the timber lands on the Wapsipinicon River. As was usual with the earliest set- tlers, the broad prairies did not have the attractiveness they now possess. The timber sections possessed the necessary element of shelter from the cruel, merci- less winds of winter, as well as providing fuel near at hand, and timber from which to split rails for fencing. It was here the hard labor of clearing a small field of timber and stumps took place for the cultivation of the soil and the rais- ing of corn and wheat. The early buildings were log cabins hewn from the timber logs, the crevices plastered with clay, with perhaps one small window left for light. But the latch string was always out. The older residents even yet tell of the hospitality of the time. Every stranger was welcome to the same accommoda- tions as the rest of the family, and frequently the stranger would remain a week or more at a time, without money and without price. This was the unconventional and general custom of pioneer and frontier life. Jackson township upheld her reputation in a remarkable degree. The large Byerly families, the Hays families, the Monroe families and others whose posterity yet inhabit the land, and are numbered among the upright, hospitable and broad minded citizens of the county, are deserving of praise and honor for the part they have taken in the educational, religious and agricultural development of the township.
THE FIRST SCHOOL.
The first school in the township was taught by Andrew Byerly, son of Francis Byerly who settled in the township in 1846. The primitive school building was a slab shanty joining Adam Overacker's house at Newport in 1850. Later a log schoolhouse was built but this burned, and then a frame building was erected as the educational center of the neighborhood.
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement in the township was around where Newport was later lo- cated. James Sherman and Adam Overacker are said to have been the first settlers about 1839. Overacker settled in the Newport region, while Sherman located in the eastern part, and in the early history of the township was a justice of the peace. David German was also an early settler in the eastern part. Levi Cronk- hite, David Myers and Anthony Overacker settled near Newport.
A PIONEER FAMILY.
In 1846 Francis Byerly with his wife and six sons and two daughters, made Jackson their home. The sons were Michael, Jacob, Andrew, John, William, and Adam, all of whom have passed to their reward except Adam who now lives in
Digitized by
390
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Michael Byerly's sons, Milton, John W. and William M. are now numbered among the prominent citizens and residents of Jackson town- ship. John W. Byerly is the oldest continuous resident in the township, now living. He has the record of never having missed an election ever held in the township, although he was not a voter during the first years when he attended the elections. John W. Byerly and his brother, Hon. Wm. M. Byerly are the only residents in the township who have made this garden spot their home contin- uously since the territorial days of the state.
OTHER EARLY SETTLERS.
Others of the early settlers were: Samuel Spear, 1845; David Myers, 1845; Wm. Jeffries, 1849; Daniel Slife, 1849; S. M. Johnson, 1854; Isaac Hay, 1848; David Tallman, 1851 ; Hassan Monroe, 1855; Barnard and Anthony Waggoner, 1853; Oliver Potts, 1849; Jas. and Edward Strawman, 1851; David, Joseph and John Emmett, 1856; Kramer family, 1864; Reuben Hay, 1848; James and Edward Stevenson, 1851; John Brown, Wm. Alspaugh, Joseph Apt, Chas. Brown, L. B. Smith, Houseman family, Jos. and Chas. Beam, Orville Cronkhite, Valentine Slife, Reuben Bunce, Brickley, Tarbox, Benadom and Stivers families, W. C. Monroe, Harve Monroe, Hollingsworth family.
The population grew and increased rapidly. Jackson township had a larger population in 1865 than it has in 1909. The people are prosperous and enjoy com- fortable homes.
VILLAGE OF NEWPORT.
Two villages have struggled for an existence in Jackson township, and both efforts were without avail. The first village was Newport and this early settlement was dignified and distinguished by being selected as the county seat. This was in 1846. In a county seat contest with Dale's Ford, Newport was victorious, al- though it was said that not over a dozen votes altogether were cast at the election.
LOCATION OF VILLAGE.
The ground on which this county seat was located was donated by Adam Over- acker, and was a ten-acre tract described as lot 2, section 33, township 84, range 3 west. Here the town was duly platted in July, 1846, by G. G. Banghart, Adam Kramer, and Adam Overacker. At the sale of the lots the same month, twenty- eight were sold at an average of less than eleven dollars per lot, the highest price paid was twenty-six dollars. The residence of Adam Overacker was the county seat and official headquarters, one room having been rented by the commissioners for county purposes. Some logs had been prepared for the erection of a log court- house, but nothing further was done. When Judge Wilson came from Dubuque to Newport to hold court, he found one log shanty, amid tall trees and waving grass. He passed on. No term of court was ever held at this historic spot. The county seat was changed to Lexington, now Anamosa, the next year.
Digitized by Google
391
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE NEWPORT MILLS.
The Newport Mills were erected in 1866 by Cooper and Hollingsworth. This soon became a prosperous business center. Corn and wheat were ground. The mill changed hands frequently. Henry High, the present proprietor, has operated the mill for the past twenty years or more. One of the substantial iron bridges spans the Wapsie at this point. There was never any postoffice at Newport, so far as can be found of record.
VILLAGE OF ISBELL.
The village of Isbell was located at the intersection of sections 13 and 14, and 23 and 24, the land we understand is now owned by Frank Ireland. There were a house or two and a store. A postoffice was established September 1, 1857, with James Hays as postmaster. On June 11th of the following year, Albert N. Deni- son represented Uncle Sam in the postoffice. He was followed by Chester H. Johnson, December 21, 1860, and on October 4, 1861, Ezra M. Denison was commissioned to take charge of the mail. No further change was made until April 5, 1865, when Mrs. Almira Luce was appointed. Feburary 27, 1866, Daniel M. Matteson became postmaster. The Isbell postoffice was discontinued January 29, 1867. With the discontinuance of the postoffice, the hopes of the young village to become a prosperous town, fled, and the record of the village is all that is left to tell the story of its existence.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.