USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 73
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A CURIOSITY.
One of the curious freaks of nature exhibited in the township, is what is familiarly known as the "Devil's Candlestick," which may be found along Bear Creek, about the middle of section 27. This object is in the shape of a candle stick, composed of rock, which standing some forty or more feet in height. slender in form and separate and alone, causes the observer to wonder at its peculiar position. Looking at it from a distance, and from a certain view point, its crest slightly resembles a bear sitting on its haunches, and tradition says that Bear Creek has been named after this object.
STEAM MILL CORNERS.
In the earlier days of the township history, this name indicated a place which was the center of considerable industrial activity. The observer today would
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pass by the spot without once being led to believe that historic ground was being passed over. It is merely four corners, much like any other cross roads in the country, and is located in section 3, of the township. The early resident might yet recognize a few land-marks of ye olden time, and around which fond mem- ories might cluster and out of which interesting reminiscences might be related.
What was described as the east part of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3, township 84, range I, was laid out into town lots and platted under the name of Spencer by Benejah Moore in August, 1857. In an early day John B. Nichols kept a small stock of merchandise in a small building which stood about eighty rods east of the corners; this building burned a number of years ago. In a later day a man named Crandall kept a small store about eighty rods west of the corners. This was about fifteen years ago. No postoffice ever graced the embryo village. However, the home of Roderick Spencer was often used as a mail distributing point by the mutual consent of the parties living in the neighborhood. A party from the neighborhood when in Wyoming, would carry all the mail for the people in the vicinity and leave it at Mr. Spencer's.
The steam mill, after which the place derived its name, was built about 1856 or 1857, by Jacob Bodenhofer and Thos. Green. It was later rented to Miles Norton, and subsequently it was bought by a man named Noregan and about 1865, was moved to Emeline, in Jackson county. Benejah Moore was also con- nected with the mill. This mill stood in the hollow a few rods southwest of the intersection of the four corners. It was a busy place, and part of the time, was in operation day and night. Many hands found employment. The pile of logs was large and the lumber sawed would run into the hundred thousands of feet.
OFFICIAL ROSTER-WYOMING TOWNSHIP.
The early records having been lost through fire, there is no record from which the early officers of the township could be obtained. Very few men in the county have held the same office for a longer term of years than has Jerry Wood- yard, who was elected and reelected assessor for a period of about thirty years. This faithful official surrendered the office when he moved to town. Mr. Wood- yard died April 5, 1908. He was a man of a large heart and a happy and an agreeable disposition and the entire people had an affectionate regard for him.
1878-Trustees: J. B. Wherry, F. T. Woodyard, Wm. Ward; clerk, H. S. Rising.
1879-Trustees: F. T. Woodyard, Wm. Ward; J. B. Wherry; clerk, H. S. Rising; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1880 -- Trustees : J. B. Wherry, F. T. Woodyard, Wm. Ward; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, John Paul.
1881-Trustees : M. H. Morse, J. B. Wherry and F. T. Woodyard; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1882-Trustees : F. T. Woodyard, J. B. Wherry and M. H. Morse; clerk, W. H. Peck ; assessor. Jerry Woodyard.
1883-Trustees : M. H. Morse, F. T. Woodyard, C. H. Johnson; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
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1884-Trustees : M. H. Morse, F. T. Woodyard, J. B. Wherry ; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1885 --- Trustees : M. H. Morse, F. T. Woodyard, J. B. Wherry ; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1886-Trustees : A. J. Blakely, M. H. Morse, F. T. Woodyard; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1887 -- Trustees : F. T. Woodyard, M. H. Morse, A. J. Blakely ; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1888-Trustees : M. H. Morse, A. J. Blakely and F. T. Woodyard; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1889-Trustees : J. W. Wherry, F. T. Woodyard and M. H. Morse; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1890-Trustees: L. M. Tasker, J. W. Wherry and F. T. Woodyard; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1891-Trustees : F. T. Woodyard, J. W. Wherry and L. M. Tasker; clerk, W. H. Peck; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1892-Trustees : L. M. Tasker, F. T. Woodyard, J. W. Wherry ; clerk, W. H. Peck ; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1893-Trustees : M. H. Morse, J. W. Wherry, F. T. Woodyard; clerk, G. W. Halsey ; assessor, Jerry Woodyard; road supervisors; Ira Propst, John W. Mc- Burney, Peter Schmalfeldt, W. C. Paul, D. G. Tebo, Peter Kedley, W. Robbins, John O'Hara, Fred Luckstead.
1894-Trustees, M. H. Morse, F. T. Woodyard, J. W. Wherry ; clerk, G. W. Halsey; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1895-Trustees : F. T. Woodyard, M. H. Morse, J. W. Wherry ; clerk, T. K. Paul; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1896-Trustees : J. W. Wherry, M. H. Morse, F. T. Woodyard; clerk, T. K. Paul; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1897-Trustees : F. T. Woodyard, J. W. Wherry, M. H. Morse; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1898-Trustees : M. H. Morse, J. W. Wherry and F. T. Woodyard; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, Jerry Woodyard.
1899-Trustees : J. W. Wherry, F. T. Woodyard, M. H. Morse; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, E. S. Overholt.
1900-Trustees : F. T. Woodyard, M. H. Morse, J. W. Wherry; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, W. H. Mallicoat.
1901-Trustees : M. H. Morse, J. W. Wherry, F. T. Woodyard; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, W. H. Mallicoat.
1902-Trustees : F. L. Hodgeman, F. T. Woodyard, J. W. Wherry; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, W. H. Mallicoat.
1903-Trustees : John Allen, F. L. Hodgeman, J. W. Wherry; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, John O'Hara.
1904-Trustees: F. L. Hodgeman, John Allen, Frank Allen; clerk, D. A. White ; assessor, John O'Hara.
1905-Trustees : S. A. First, John Allen, Frank Allen ; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, John O'Hara.
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1906-Trustees : John Allen, Frank Allen, S. A. First; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, John O'Hara.
1907-Trustees: W. G. Wherry, Frank Allen, S. A. First; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, John O'Hara.
1908-Trustees : S. A. First, Frank Allen, W. G. Wherry; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, John O'Hara.
1909-Trustees : W. G. Wherry, S. A. First, Frank Allen ; clerk, D. A. White; assessor, Wm. Wilcox; justices, J. S. Brownell and T. H. Lightfoot; constables : W. N. Morse and John Millsap.
THE TOWN OF WYOMING INCORPORATED.
The town of Wyoming was incorporated in 1873. It is unfortunate that the early records of the town have been destroyed. Outside of the minutes of the recorder, we find the first action on the part of the town council was the passing of ordinances, the first three ordinances bearing date of December 13, 1873, the first relating to the officers of the town, and their duties; the second, in relation to money received by officials in behalf of the town; and the third was a regu- lation of licenses.
On April 10, 1874, the town council passed an ordinance prohibiting saloons from operating within the incorporated limits of the town, and it can be said to the credit of Wyoming, that from that date down to the present time, no saloon has been permitted to open its doors in the town.
I'TS GROWTH.
During the entire existence of the town, either as a village or as an incorpo- rated town, its growth has been steady, and the high standard of intelligence and morality established by the sturdy pioneers of the place, has been faithfully maintained. The officers of the town, without exception, have been men of business ability and of unquestioned integrity.
THE MAYOR.
With due regard to the faithful performance by prior officials, of the duties devolving upon them, the present Mayor, J. S. Brownell, has without question de- voted more energy, more time, and more faithful service in looking after every detail of the welfare of the municipality, than any man who has occupied the chair of the chief executive of the town. Some may have possessed more native ability. had the benefit of more education and larger experience, but none could have been more nergetic, more persevering and more watchful of the interests of the munic- ipality, than Mr. Brownell. Taking office when the finances of the town were in a shattered condition, the indebtedness deep, and the business affairs in a dis- ordered state, he took up the burden manfully, and with perseverance, he continued his labors until system and knowledge prevailed, and the people soon knew upon what foundation the municipality was standing. Mr. Brownell is conceded to be the best all-around mayor the town has ever had. The members of the
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town council have stood by the mayor, and have rendered faithful service, in behalf of the town of Wyoming. Strange to say, the mayor and the members of the town council, have never received a cent for their services as officials of the. town.
THE INDEBTEDNESS.
The bonded indebtedness of the town at the present time is five thousand, one hundred dollars. Of this sum, two thousand, seven hundred dollars is water works indebtedness, and two thousand, four hundred dollars, is yet unpaid on the opera house bonds. This indebtedness is rapidly being reduced. The town has no source of income, other than by direct taxation. An exception may be made of the water works. This system is now about self-sustaining.
THE OPERA HOUSE.
The opera house was built by the town and is yet under the control of the municipality. It is not a paying investment financially, though the convenience of the place is unquestioned. The opera house was built soon after the disastrous fire of 1890, which destroyed the old opera hall, in the same location. The stage was fitted up with new scenery in 1907. The hall is lighted by electricity. The opera house is under the direct management of the town council, C. J. Ingwersen being the opera house committee for 1909.
THE TOWN PLATTED.
The first plat of the town of Wyoming was executed by J. A. Bronson, B. K. Bronson and C. J. Marsh, June 21, 1856, and on June 27th, of the same year, the plat was approved by G. C. Mudgett, county judge. Bronson's addition became a part of the town in May, 1857. Green's Addition was platted in May, 1870, and in September of the same year, Janes' Addition. The last addition to the platted portion of the town was in April, 1878, when Wherry's Addition was added.
SOME FIRST THINGS IN WYOMING.
The first land was settled by William Knight, forty acres, afterward sold to Thomas Green.
The first load of lumber was brought to town by A. G. Brown.
The first hotel was conducted by Nial Brainard & Son.
The first general store was by Jas. A. Bronson.
The first blacksmith, Wm. Vaughn.
The first postmaster, Wm. P. L. Russell.
First stage route-from Maquoketa to Anamosa, by W. J. and John Brainard. The first hardware was by Gilbert & Kelly.
The first lawyer, D. L. Blakeslee.
The first baker was an uncle of John H. Smith.
The first millers, on site now owned by A. N. Reade, were Wilson Brothers.
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The first stone mason, was John Russell, afterwards state auditor and a resident of Clay township.
The first brickyard kept by J. A. Bronson.
The first brick moulder, Henry Seegar.
The first schoolhouse was on the site of the present residence of E. N. Wilcox.
The first carpenter, W. J. Brainard.
The first teacher, Wm. H. Alden.
The first woman teacher, Rachel Huckle.
The first preacher, Rev. Joel B. Taylor.
The first donation party was held at Brainard's hotel for Rev. Horace Holmes.
The first creamery was by John R. Graft, 1878.
The first representative in the general assembly from Wyoming, was Hon. W. H. Holmes.
The first music teacher, Mrs. B. K. Bronson.
The first musical instrument was a melodeon, the property of Mrs. M. H. Calkins, who rendered the first selection ever given on a musical instrument in Wyoming. This melodeon is yet in her possession and was used during the Golden Jubilee in 1905.
The first man to buy, dress and ship poultry in carload lots, was J. R. Graft. The first lodge was the Good Templars organized by Chester Johnson.
The first burial in the present cemetery, was Chas. L. Brainard, son of Daniel E. and Angeline Brainard, who donated the first acre for that purpose. The child died March 16, 1858, when about one year of age and was buried on what was later the R. B. Hanna farm, now owned by John Reimers, and the body was later moved to its final resting place in the cemetery.
The first marriage in the township was Johnson Knight and Ann Simpson, January 3, 1846. The first marriage in town was Wm. Newton and Jane Lewis.
The first birth is said to have been a child of Wm. Newton and wife, though the date is not at hand. Wm. Conley was born February 22, 1852, and, in the absence of a more authentic record, is entitled to this distinction in the township. He was born in a house that stood south of the present site of South Mineral church. Mr. Conley is now a resident of Onslow.
The first milliner, Miss Lucy Brainard.
The first dentist, was A. L. Hodge, who made periodical visits, while living at Maquoketa.
The first drug store was by Ervin Green.
The first plasterer was David Douglas.
The first section boss was a man named Saunders, the father of C. G. Saunders, of Council Bluffs.
THE POSTOFFICE.
As stated in Dr. Calkins' history, the first postmaster was Wm. P. L. Russell, who was appointed October 18, 1854. The office was at first located in the northwest part of town, and was called Marshfield. On August 21,
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1855, when James A. Bronson was appointed postmaster, the name was changed to Wyoming. Since that date the postmasters and the dates of their appointment, have been: Daniel E. Brainard, September 16. 1856; Daniel L. Blakeslee, October 11, 1858; Valentine C. Williston, April 4, 1859; Daniel L. Blakeslee, April 22, 1859; James A. Bronson, April 20, 1861 ; Moore Briggs, June 29, 1869; Samuel Coburn, April 21, 1870; Lewis J. Rich- ards, June 23, 1871 ; Ashael Bronson, July 13, 1871 ; W. H. Holmes, August 27, 1872; W. H. McClure, May 7, 1883; Horace P. Johnson, September 2, 1885; John W. Waite, May 10, 1889; Horace P. Johnson, June 29, 1893; Wm. S. Gar- rison, July 20, 1897; Aaron M. Loomis, March 7, 1904. Mr. Loomis, the present incumbent was reappointed February 27, 1908. During the time Mr. Garrison was postmaster, the office was raised to the presidential class. The present salary of the postmaster is one thousand, three hundred dollars. Miss Zella Biglow is the assistant postmaster. Three rural mail routes have been established. Route number one, was established in 1902, with Harry Cook as carrier. A few years later, Robert H. White became the carrier, and now holds that posi- tion. About 1905, routes two and three were established with George Atkins and L. A. Leek as carriers respectively, and this position they yet hold.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
By Mrs. Elva Calkins Briggs.
(The following excellent history of the Wyoming schools was prepared by Mrs. Elva Calkins Briggs on the occasion of the semi-centennial celebration in Wyoming, August 6, 7, 8, 1905, and was read by her at that time. We are fortunate in having this important and interesting history at our disposal. The name of Mrs. Elva Calkins Briggs should have appeared in the history as the first assistant principal of our public schools, but as the writer of the school history was too modest, we take the liberty of stating this fact of importance in our school history-Editor).
"The sons and daughters of Wyoming pioneers present their program on historic ground. For fifty years, hardly a man, woman or child has claimed this village as his home, who has not been, in some way, interested in our public schools; and for thirty-eight years a well worn path has stretched from this campus to nearly every Wyoming home.
"Early in its history, our town began its efforts along educational lines; nor was this to be wondered at. Seventeen college graduates were, at one time. numbered among the pioneers, and before the completion of these exercises, we will have learned enough concerning our first settlers to know that the founding of the home would soon be followed by the planting of the school.
"On the first Monday in May, 1855, the electors of Pierce township number four, held an election of officers. The district then embraced a much larger territory than now. At the first meeting, it was resolved to build a school- house, and the location later agreed upon was the corner east of H. N. Ford- ham's home .* On the 28th day of August, the contract was awarded for five
Note: "Mr. Fordham's home is on Lots 3 and 4 of Block 51, Wyoming
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hundred and eighty dollars, the building to be completed November Ist. The. pencil of Milton Lowell, a Wyoming boy who played in the light of bonfires kindled in its shadow, and the pen of his son Orson, whom the world, even, calls famous, have today made us familiar with the necessarily plain architecture of this first schoolhouse. Though fashioned on simple lines, it had an artistic setting. In close proximity stood the oak from under whose branches Wyoming soldier boys marched to distant battlefields. In the background were trees which promised, if left undisturbed, some day to become giants, while underneath and before stretched this valley destined soon, the pioneers hoped, to teem with the business of a metropolis.
"Then the town was without a hall, and the schoolhouse served more than its original purpose. In it were held Christmas festivities and exhibitions at- tended by an audience which came on foot, in lumber wagons or sleds, drawn often by oxen. Its walls echoed not alone to lessons learned from McGuffey, but they heard voices proclaim all manner of creeds from those of Calvin to Wesley. They heard politicians here proclaim the doctrine of their faith and listened to differences settled according to different interpretations of Black- stone. As a result of these varied meetings, a little extra janitor work some- times became necessary, and then the pioneer woman appeared. For nine years the building remained without alteration, but the onward march of education ordained that an addition be built, the new room being known as 'the kitchen.'
"In this first schoolhouse, in the winter of 1855 and 1856, there assembled, from this and all adjoining townships, an historic company of fifty-nine boys and girls, pupils of the first Wyoming school. Of this number, there are present today, Albert Brown, Andy Fairchild, Bradley Brainard of Oklahoma; Jeff Close, Mrs. Emma Miller Green, Mrs. Rebecca Green Keddick of Mt. Vernon and Mrs. Jane Miller Lindsey. At the desk sat Wyoming's first teacher, Wil- liam H. Alden. He had come from Massachusetts, the home of the first normal. In genealogy, he could boast of a short and direct line of descent from John Alden of Puritan fame. He was a good teacher; shared in the sports of his pupils at recess, and at night went to his boarding place at Thomas Green's or John Miller's to dream, perhaps, of the wealth which afterwards became his as a farmer.
"For twelve years, the school building performed its office of schoolhouse, church and courtroom, and then, one night in the spring of 1867, fire of un- known origin, ended its existence. More than twenty teachers had taught in it. Horace Holmes followed William Alden in 1857. Then came Moore Briggs*, now a resident of San Jose, California. J. R. Stillman, a teacher in 1860, died not long since in Harvey, Illinois. W. S. Slocum had as assistant Mrs. Martha Cady Brainard. Samuel Green and Sallie Brainard were the next faculty. Then followed Mrs. Helen Fuller, who died in Omaha; Rachel Huckle of Pennsyl- vania, Miss Turner, Mary Sartwell, Charlotte Walker Dunbar of Maquoketa, Hattie Guyer, Nettie Blakeslee, Susan Gould Garwood of Boulder, Colorado; Louise Persons Perry and Mrs. Mary Aldrich Freeman of Spencer, Ohio, recently state president of the Woman's Relief Corps. Of this group of pioneer edu- cators, there are here today, Mrs. Augusta Brainard Bronson, Wyoming's first "Mr. Briggs died in California, March 19, 1909.
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primary teacher; Mrs. Martha Cady Brainard of Oakdale, Nebraska; and Mrs. Huldah Gleason Niles of Anamosa.
"The select school. was, at times, in evidence, and among its teachers were Mrs. Lowell, Mrs. James Todd, S. M. Bronson, Mrs. Emma Miller Green and Miss Julia McClure.
"Following the burning of the old schoolhouse, immediate steps were taken toward the erection of a new one. A loan of nine thousand dollars was secured from the Iowa Mutual Insurance Company. Shortly afterward, the company ceased to do business and the district was never called upon to pay its indebtedness.
"In choosing a location for the building near which we meet today, rare fore- thought was exercised. It was easy of access from all points; and then too- just back of it grew a row of luxuriant willows, whose disappearance can best be explained by some of the boys and girls who have today 'wandered back again.' I well remember the just manipulation of at least one twig in the hands of Mrs. Tillie Herrick Jamison of Cedar Rapids. The tower and two north rooms were added in 1881. The members of the building committee at this time were: Dr. A. G. McGrew, of Geneva, Nebraskat, and S. W. Johnson of Enid, Oklahoma, who bought a ticket for this reunion as soon as he heard of it.
"The first principal of the new school was S. J. Tuttle, now an attorney of I.incoln, Nebraska. Miss Kate Lillis of Monmouth, and Miss Hendricks com- pleted the faculty. The next corps of teachers came, with but one exception, from Ohio. They were headed by E. B. Champlin, who has left his editorial sactum in Faulkton, South Dakota, to be present on this occasion. He was accompanied from Ohio by Mrs. Champlin, one of our best instructors, also by O. M. Stafford, now a wealthy banker of Cleveland, and Mrs. Lucy Witter Chamberlain, whose popularity all her pupils remember. Mrs. Josie Humphrey Richards, now living in Missouri, was the remaining member of the faculty. Many of Mr. Champlin's boys are today filling positions of trust, maintained perhaps, because they adopted as their life motto the line of that poem which they were so often by way of punishment, obliged to memorize: 'Stand! the ground's your own, my brave!' Other principals of earlier days were Robert McCready, Dr. C. S. Shepard, of Omaha, W. H. Fort, a life long teacher, Dr. Ely, C. C. Moore, U. D. Runkel. J. W. Kelsey of Manchester, D. D. Priaulx *. Dr. F. E. Brown, of Primghar, J. J. Billingsley, Rev. McGlade, of Portland, Oregon, and L. Buchanan.
"A number of years ago, when living in Chicago, we unexpectedly found our- selves next door neighbors of Mrs. Maria Sykes Nichols. Her form, though slighter, retained its queenly bearing and she used often to relate ludicrous in- cidents which her pupils had no idea she appreciated. Mrs. Nichols died recently in Chicago. She was the only lady who has sustained the relation of principal to the Wyoming school, and her term of service was longest.
"Before me, is a nearly complete list of teachers but its reading must be the duty of the historian with more time at his disposal. Among the many, are the names of Miss Keeney, late missionary to India, Mrs. Amy V. Rhodes. Miss Eva Holmes and Mrs. Alice Cool Bates, for years primary teachers, Mrs. Alice Patti-
t Dr. McGrew died February 10, 1909.
* Mr. Priaulx died August 3. 1909, at Maquoketa.
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son Wherry, Mrs. Mary Pixley Smith and Mrs. Alicia Breish, assistant principals, while Mrs. Vene Craighead Niles, Mrs. Rena Kimball Sanford and N. W. Hut- chins appeared as grammar grade instructors. Sons and daughters of pioneers helped swell the list and we recall A. B. Holmes, of Los Angeles, his sister Lucia. of Cedar Rapids, Laura Cady Rumery, of Litchfield, Nebraska, Hattie Brainard Garrison, Sadie Frank Rhodes, Dr. Fred McGrew, of Laporte, Indiana, and Anna Wherry, who represented one of the largest and best Wyoming pioneer families.
"The Wyoming public school building is not a thing of beauty, yet to many of us who, for years, passed through its doorway, it is an object of veneration. There is not an inch of these grounds with which we are not familiar. Within, the black walnut desks, which bore marks of inattention to study, have been replaced by more modern furniture; our schoolmates are there no longer: the old time teacher is gone, yet the friendships formed within those walls, will survive all the 'blightings of change.' When the old settler of the future advocates a new school- house, we appreciate something of the feeling of the poet when he said:
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