History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I, Part 71

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co.
Number of Pages: 763

USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 71

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).

"During the summer of 1860 the old church edifice was erected. The Rev. Trowbridge, of Dubuque, laid the corner stone, with proper religious ceremonies. The stone is in the southeast corner. An excavation is made in that stone where the records of the church, a copy of The Eureka and several other articles are deposited in a sealed tin box.

"Mr. Delevan, the pastor, was untiring in his efforts to build that church. He wrote, begged, and worked, till his efforts were crowned with success. He witnessed the gradual rising of its walls with pride and pleasure, till the last brick was laid, and the last flourish given by the mason's trowel. With one blast from the breath of omnipotence, those walls were razed to the ground. The faithful gathered around to view the ruins, and with philosophic and pious mien, in solemn chorus said,

It was to be; It's God's decree From Time's beginning.

"Fondly cherished hopes were blasted. The numerical and financial feeble- ness of the church almost made the idea of rebuilding hopeless. Standing on one corner of those ruins, Mr. Delevan, with uplifted hand said, 'With God's assistance, these walls shall be rebuilt.' His untiring energy was again called into activity. He visited remote parts of the county, enlisted the sympathies of men and women abroad, and again had the satisfaction of seeing those walls rising in place. The season was so far advanced before these walls were completed that water was boiled to make the mortar.

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"Mr. Delevan was the only minister that has died in Wyoming while sustain- ing pastoral relations to any of the churches, and he deserves very honorable mention in connection with the growth of Wyoming, and its religious and moral development. He was an active worker in the field for the benefit of his fellow men. The first winter after he came here, he organized a library association, and succeeded in gathering together quite a number of volumes of valuable books. He also caused to be read a paper. It was a semi-monthly publication, and was edited and read by a person appointed at each meeting, thus giving the editor two weeks to write his editorials. It was called The Iris. I hold in my hand a copy of that paper. This number was edited by Mr. Delevan and was read before the association March 3, 1858, twenty years ago last month. This paper and these articles remind us of early struggles in the past, and there are very few here tonight who heard them then.

"Sometime in the fall of 1860, Mr. Delevan was attacked with bleeding at the lungs, often a precursor of the fatal ravages of insidious disease. He continued his ministrations after he became so weak that he could not stand while he preached; but sitting in his chair and breathing with difficulty, he would pro- claim the great truths of the Gospel. I recollect going in to see him one morning just after breakfast. He said to his wife, 'Get the Bible, and we will have our usual family worship.' She replied, 'that she was fearful he was too much prostrated.' Said he, 'I can acknowledge God.' Then sitting in his chair he devoutly implored the divine blessing upon his family and all mankind. March 18, 1861, he passed serenely from earth to receive the reward of the faithful, and his funeral was the first religious service held in the church he had labored to build. He was a man of marked ability, a thorough scholar, and in his inter- course with men, exhibited very many of those excellencies that should adorn and embellish Christian character.

"The ministers who followed Mr. Delevan as pastors were: Geo. R. Carroll, J. L. Janes, A. K. Baird, Mr. Lodge, and Mr. Goodale. Mr. Janes, while tem- porarily preaching at Floyd, was attacked with cerebro spinal meningitis, and died suddenly. He was brought here for burial. His connections with the church as pastor had been so recent ; his many acts of kindness and generosity ; his faith- ful preaching; his social manners, and all his relations, whether as pastor, friend or neighbor, endeared him to the people both in and out of the church, and he was followed to the grave by a mourning community, who realized the great loss; but were consoled by the thought that it was his gain.

(For additional data in regard to this church see another page .- Ed.)

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

"The United Presbyterian church was organized November 4, 1859. by the Rev. Jonathan Stewart, with twenty members. Samuel Coburn, Jesse Barrett, and J. W. Wherry were the first elders. Barrett and Coburn are gone, and Wherry, alone of the trio is left. ( Mr. Wherry died June 11, 1908). Of this organization I have few incidents to relate, but in passing will simply state,

Their church was built without ostentation.

They sing the psalms of inspiration,

And mind their own business with admiration.

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"The first preacher that I recollect connected with this denomination was John 'Anderson, a young man from Washington county, New York. He preached here before the church was organized. He was sent out as a supply, and was quite young, but his sermons were ripe with thought, and careful preparation. He preached noble sermons, full of beauty, pathos and power; one of which I well remember. His subject was 'The Judgment Day,' and from the storehouse of thought, and the elevated plains of imagination, with Gospel truth, and eloquent zeal, he portrayed the scenes of that awful day. He warned, admonished, en- treated, and if any of those who heard him, receive the reward of the workers of iniquity, it will not be the fault of John Anderson. L. J. Crawford, J. U. Mc- Clenahan and Wm. Donaldson have been the installed pastors. (A more com- plete history of this church is given on another page .- Ed.)

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

"The Baptist church, which in the early history of Wyoming, had an existence here, was organized on Pleasant Ridge, at the house of Judge Holmes, by his father, Rev. Luther Holmes, in 1852. In 1856 it was transferred to this town. The same year, Rev. Horace Holmes became the pastor. The population of the county was sparse. The church was feeble, the removal of some, and the death of others, diminished their number, and after a struggle of nearly six years, the organization was abandoned. The pastors of all these churches I believe have been faithful servants, and I think it safe to say if the people had lived according to the precepts taught by these men, they would have been better than they are now.

SOME ORGANIZATIONS.

"I would be glad to mention various associations that had an existence in our early history, but space forbids. Wyoming had its prosperous Lyceum, flourish- ing Literary and Library Association, Horse Protection Society, often called Vigilance Committee, its object being stated in its constitution, 'to ferret out offenders and bring them to justice.' It was thought by some, that this gave to the opinions of men considerable latitude as to what constituted justice, and it was also thought that justice was sometimes reached by a very short road. It was not the ostensible object of the society to deal illegally with any one violating the property rights of men, and I believe this rule was never violated by the so. ciety. The organization of these societies in all new countries, is almost a necessity. They are a terror to evil doers, and the horse-thief and the blackleg flee from the 'wrath to come.'

"There was another organization, and it was almost co-eval with the existence of the town. Its growth has been spontaneous-I refer to the heavy setters. Tt is the only association that has grown with our growth, and strengthened with out strength without effort, and has become a very formidable institution. It meets every day at divers places and manifests as much activity as the rules of the association will admit. It seldom engages in useful discussion; but dwells much upon the short-comings of better men. It takes great pleasure in rehearsing bits of scandal, and sometimes adds by way of emphasis, base fabrications. It

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is a kind of wholesale dealer in tongue of venomed slander, and it would be well if there were none engaged in the trade at retail.

"The old Iowa Mutual Insurance Company was formed here, just how early I cannot tell; but should think about 1857. Milton Briggs was in the company, and there were a few men called directors. It was a good thing for Wyoming, and brought to our town many men and considerable money. It loaned money, and when its affairs were wound up there was no one to receive the indebtedness, or look after it, and that clever old statute of limitations paid it. It favored the education of the young, and for this purpose built a large schoolhouse in our town, and would have made it more ornamental, had it not been for short sighted school directors. It discharged its obligations with fidelity, and paid its losses promptly. It might have been doing business yet; but it was alleged that legis- lation was unfriendly and its affairs better be wound up.

"In the spring of 1856, Thomas Green and Mr. Bodenhofer built a steam mill in the north part of the township. It has been torn down and removed. It furnished lumber for most of the buildings that were being erected at that time and there is not a farm for miles around but what is fenced with lumber, more or less of it coming from that mill. It was a useful enterprise.

"In our early history all merchandise was brought in wagons from various points on the Mississippi River-afterwards Louden became the great shipping point. In wet seasons it was a severe task to get across the Wapsi valley and over some of the miry sloughs, both this side and beyond. Almost countless numbers . of swine have been driven from this section to that point on the North-Western railroad. For years we looked and hoped for a railroad connection directly east. At length with aid to the amount of forty thousand dollars, the Davenport & St. Paul railroad was finished through our town in the year 1871. It has been fin- ished to Fayette, and we confidently expect that it will be completed to Cresco in a year or two, thus giving us railroad communication with St. Paul. How soon it will be completed to the north pole, will probably depend something upon the success of Stanley in his polar explorations. In the Methodist historical record, I find this statement, 'Railroad came into town in December, and threw all protracted services off the track; so that there has been little revival interest, and no conversions .- B. C. Barnes, pastor.' It would appear from this that the advent of a railroad absorbed all thought in reference to the great unknown fu- ture. The Midland railroad was finished through the north part of the township the same year, and the thriving town of Onslow commenced. By the two rail- roads our citizens have access to all points north, east, south and west. It may not be inappropriate to remark here that our county is traversed by four rail- roads, with a strong probability of another in a short time. There are but five counties in the state that have more miles of railroad that Jones.

"The first doctor who lived on this town plot, was Dr. Edwards. He came in the spring of 1856. Of his antecedents I know nothing; of his skill I am entirely ignorant ; but it was said that he bought a fine pacing horse from Nick Countryman. One day he paced out of town, and Nick's estate would be glad to know if he was pacing yet.

"Among the first merchants were J. A. Bronson, Irving Green, Gilbert & Kelley, Hendricks & King, B. K. Bronson, S. M. Bronson, A. G. Brown, A. Bron-

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son, S. K. Tourtellot, J. B. Allen, Hezekiah Moore, Charles Gilbert & George Foote, Benj. Stiles, L. D. & D. E. Brainard. The first tinner's name was White, and his shop was in the back part of A. H. Person's house. The latter was the first artist in town, and his rooms were at the house of Mr. Thomas Green. R. S. Williams was the first successful brick maker, and to him Wyoming is greatly indebted for its brick blocks and dwellings. His stores, halls and galleries, and shops of various kinds speak of merited success. The first hotels were kept by Brainards,' and in this business they got up a corner. Uncle Ansel and Daniel F. were cornered where the Valley House (where Mrs. Buckholtz now resides) stands, and Nial with his sons were cornered where the Bissell House (where Miss Lydia Wherry now lives) stands, and L. D. was cornered out on the prairie a mile east of town, but running a hotel.

"I have mentioned the earliest settlers or those who came in 1839 and 1840. It is a short list and I will repeat it: James Van Voltenburgh, with his sons, Joseph, Taylor, Peter and Dan, David Pence, Wm. Knight, Garrisons, Simpsons. E. M. Franks came into Jackson county in 1841, and some years afterwards moved into this township. His business relations in the township having been very in- timate even before he became a citizen. He is the largest land holder in Wyoming, and to him Onslow is much indebted for its thrift and prosperity. His per- manent and substantial improvements have had their effect in stimulating others. In 1842; John B. Nichols, the father of our druggist, moved on what is now called South Prairie, and located on the farm now owned by John Byerly. He was the first settler in that vicinity. He was temporarily living in Clay township and did some farming there. In the summer of 1842 he cut logs, and drew them out on the prairie for a house. His farming occupying his time for a few days, his track on the prairie was no longer visible, and he lost his logs. A second set of logs shared the same fate. When he drew the third set, he took occasion to mark the road so that he could find them. You can judge that there was pretty tall grass over there. It has been said that he killed seventeen rattle snakes one morning before breakfast, and it was not a very good morning for snakes either. In 1844, Joel B. Taylor and Seaborn Moore located where Peter Byerly lives. His father came a few years later. Seaborn Moore was formerly from Georgia; but had been living in Indiana and Illinois long enough to get himself and family thoroughly filled with the real genuine ague, and he left that country to find a spot where the ague was unknown. Those of you who know where he located will readily conclude that the ague would never find him. It was a very secluded spot in the north east corner of the township. There were two ways to get there. You could follow up a narrow, crooked, rocky ravine from towards Monmouth, or you could go over through the brush towards Canton. No matter which way you went you could always tell when you were near Esq. Moore's (this was near the northeast corner of section 12). When you had gone just about as far as you could get, you felt very certain that you were pretty near Mr. Moore's. There was no ague there. A spring of pure crystal water came up among those rocks. Lightning had a peculiar attachment for that place, and often manifested its power. Mr. Moore doubtless thought that it was better to be struck by light-

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ning and killed at once than to be tortured long and finally killed by ague. There were in the family, father, mother, seven boys and two girls. Some of them, however, were married, and all of them became stout and robust. In after life, five of those boys enlisted to fight the battles of their country and against the oppression of the native heath of their father. Those five boys were as successful in dodging rebel bullets on battle fields as they had been heaven's artillery in the rocky ravine at home. Mr. Moore was the first justice of the peace in the town- ship, having been elected first while Wyoming was a part of Clay precinct, and was continued in the same office during the existence of Pierce township, and until Wyoming's history was fairly begun. He was an interesting man in conversation ; his memory was retentive; his language clear and easy. He went west several years ago and died. While living in Illinois he became acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, and was a great admirer of that great man. He took much pleasure in relating ancedotes characteristic of the great statesman.

"John Tompkins came to Wyoming in 1846, and is one of the few who have retained their first location. Sarles Tompkins, the father of Stilwell Tompkins, came in 1848. He or Thomas Green built the first barn in the township, both were in 1853. Mr. Tompkins was killed while trying to load a hog onto a sled in 1862. John T. Lain, the father of Samuel, came into Wyoming in 1849, and located on the farm now owned by Roderick Spencer (Chris Bramer's farm at Steam Mill Corners). He sold the claim afterwards to Sweet & Lindsay, who claimed to be doctors ; but it is said to be a question whether they were engaged in that laudable business or stealing horses. He died several years since. His widow is still in our midst, tottering under the infirmities of age.

"S. C. Bill, O. J. Bill, L. D. Brainard and G. W. Fawcett, came in 1851, and located on Pleasant Ridge, and chained their wagons to the trees to keep them from blowing away. They had heard of Iowa's balmy breezes and thought they would anchor their prairie schooners to some trees and thus secure a footing on terra firma. They were the first settlers on that Ridge (locally known as East Ridge), and came from Ohio; they had traveled from the Buckeye state in wag- ons, during one of the wettest seasons ever known, and when they got onto that ridge, they probably thought it was like Mt. Ararat, and they took possession of it. L. D. Brainard pitched his tent on the Stephen Hamilton farm (now owned by Mrs. Ab. Mallicoat) ; also entered some timber land in the east part of the township. This timber had been claimed by some one else from Jackson county, and the claim society from that county came up to notify I .. D. that he must get off that land. He heard what they had to say and then in language almost pro- fane said, 'By the long wars, we have got six rifles and plenty of ammunition. You undertake to drive me away from here, and we will show you that we know how to use them.' Those of us who knew L. D. in his palmy days can almost see him shrug his square shoulders and nod that curly head while those determined words were uttered. He never heard of that claim society again. In 1846, Brain- ard built a sawmill on Bear Creek, which was the first in this vicinity. He went west several years ago. W. H. Holmes and Amos Robbins came the same year. The latter shot himself a few years later. Mr. Holmes is still in our midst. At the first election in the township he was elected justice of the peace. He has since

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been representative and senator, county judge, state treasurer, and is now our obliging postmaster. How long he will retain this position depends something on how sharp an eye he keeps on the non-intervention policy in politics accord- ing to Hayes' Civil Service Reform.

"Samuel Conaly, senior, and Benjamin Wilson came into this township in 1851. In the two families, there were nineteen persons, and they are all living except one. A remarkable case of longevity in two families. Thomas Conaly went to California and died, all the rest remained in Iowa and lived. Mr. Conaly lives on the land he then bought (east and south of South Mineral church). He is eighty-eight years old, and I believe he is the oldest person in the township, and is one of the few survivors of the war of 1812. Old Mr. Walsworth is now about 94, but does not now live in the township, he having moved into Scotch Grove a few years ago. He is another of the survivors of the conflict of 1812. Samuel Conaly, Jr., lives in the first frame house that was built in the township. It is the house where George Gilbert formerly. lived, in which his children were born (on the north side of the road in the north end of north west quarter of the north east quarter of section 4).

"W. S. Johnson came in the spring of 1852, and Wm. Stuart in the fall of the same year. Mr. Johnson was at one time a representative in the Iowa legis- lature. He died a few years since in Connecticut, where he had gone for the benefit of his health. He leaves three sons in Wyoming, and one-the doctor- in Connecticut, where he enjoys a lucrative practice. Mr. Stuart was the first postmaster in the township. The postoffice was at his house, and was called Pierce, it was established in 1853. As before mentioned Mr. Stuart went to Cali- fornia and died. Wm. Inglis came that year and located in the east part of the township. Walter Trimble and James Tabor came the same year. The former is dead. The latter lives in the south east corner of the township on a well im- proved farm and is said to have the largest orchard of any man in the state. John Russell and John Sim were among the immigrants that year. The former lives in Clay township; but the prominent offices he has held, and positions he has filled make him more familiar to us. (He was the first stone mason in Wyoming. -Ed.) He has been a member of the legislature several terms, and speaker of the house of representatives, and state auditor, and has now retired to his farm. His companion, John Sim, lives on the farm he bought from Uncle Sam, near Onslow, and is spending the decline of life in ease and retirement. He is one of the noblest works of God-an honest man. Trueman Eastman, the father of Joel, was among the arrivals that year, and located on the Ridge; he died several years ago. His widow still lives on the old homestead. Nathan Potter, Joseph and Hiram Wheeler, and Charles Gardner came in 1853. Mr. Stingley located the same year on S. G. Frank's farm, and widow Seals on land now owned by Chas. Johnson and W. J. Brainard. John Miller came that or the next year, and bought and improved the west part of R. B. Hanna's (John Reimer's) farm. The house has been removed.

"Benson Stunkard and S. J. Pence, also came the same year. The latter planted the first orchard in the township, and unlike many others, he stays to en- joy its fruits. E. B. Nims came that year, and located where his widow now lives.

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Wm. Tasker was also one of the settlers who came in 1853. He lived on his farm a little east of Onslow (now the John Corbit farm) a lonely bachelor till he found Grace with Paul. His brother, John Tasker, came soon after and has been much interested in county politics, and has been a member of the house of repre- sentatives. Elijah Edwards, on Beer's Creek, was among the first settlers of the township. Old Mr. Paul, the father of all the other Pauls, and of both the Task- er's wives, came about the same time and located on what is now called South Prairie. He spent the decline of a well spent life, honored and respected, and surrounded by more children grown to mature years than often falls to the lot of man. He died at the house of his son John, several years since at the age of seventy-eight years. The evening before he died he sent for me to come and see him. When I sat down by his bedside he said with his native politeness, 'I do not wish to take any medicine. Excuse me; I sent for you to come and tell me how long you thought I would probably live?' The fluttering pulse told that life was fast ebbing; but his mind was clear and serene. No tremor shook his frame as he thought of death's cold embrace. He had laid his treasures 'where moth and rust doth not corrupt.' Before the morning sun had shed his rays on the beauties of earth, the spirit of Henry Paul had gone to the realm of Everlasting Life. I have thus sketched some of the early settlers, up to the organization of the town- ship in 1854. The rapid increase of the population after that prevents further details, and is left for the subject of another lecture.

"I said nine-tenths of the fourth decade was gone. With the completion of this decade, the first quarter of a century of the organized existence of this town- ship will have passed, and its records transferred to the archives of eternity. The deeds of the past are beyond our reach. If we have acted well our part, been faithful to duty, and true to the responsibilities resting upon us, we glance back with pleasure, now and then stopping to drop a tear when death has broken friendship's fretted thread. When we review the acts we called good, we find them less in number than we thought. Such reviews teach great and noble les- sons, and aid us in mapping out for the future greater and nobler works. One- tenth of the fourth decade remains. Let me ask you to crowd it with noble de- votion to principle; fill it with elevating thought, and give to the fifth decade an impetus that shall enable it to 'distance' the progress of the past, and make it a fit confrere of any in all the coming future. How many of us will be permitted to take part in the great campaign to follow, prophecy alone can tell.

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History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I, Part 71

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co. Number of Pages: 763

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co.
Number of Pages: 763