History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 81

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 81
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 81
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 81

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).

CHAPTER XVI

BINGHAM TOWNSHIP.

The township of Bingham occupies the | about the center of the north line of sec- extreme northwest corner of Hancock county, and comprises all of the congress- ional township 97, range 26. It has Crys- tal on the east and Orthel upon its south- ern boundary. The soil is a rich, sandy loam, in common with all this region. The prairie here undulates in long swells, like the ocean under a midsummer calm. A branch of the upper waters of the Des Moines river, which rises across the line in Winnebago county, enters the township

tion 4, and changing its direction, trav- erses, in an almost westerly direction, through sections 5. and 6, making its exit on the west line of the southwest quarter of the last. Another branch of the same river rises on section 1, this township, and running in a general south westerly course, crosses sections 2, 3, 10, 15, 16, 20 and 30, crossing the line into Kossuth county on the latter. A third branch takes its rise in Lake George, on scetion 14, pursuing

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IIISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

also a southwesterly course, makes its exit from the township on section 31, hav- ing traversed in its course, seetions 22, 23, 28, 29, 32 and 31. Boone river also rises in the southeastern part of the township, on sections 28 and 36, and flows west, then south, into Orthel township. This county being so well furnished with living waters and rich, luxuriant grasses is the ideal paradise of stockmen, and the day is not far distant when its fertile plains will trem with the herds of cattle that will enrich their owners. The low of kine will then be the music that will lull the farmer to his rest, and peace and plenty reign in every home.

The first settler in this township was Silas J. Wright, who, in 1868, purchased a portion of the school lands on section 16, broke some prairie and opened up a farm. Here he lived but a short time when he pulled up stakes and returned to Illinois, from which he came, and where he is at present living.

John Bingham, who located here, on section 20, in May, 1869, is usually ered- ited with having been the first settler, but through an error, as the records show. Mr. Bingham, after whom the township is named, still resides within its limits.

John G. Bingham is a native of "merry England," where he first saw the light of day, April 6, 1831. Ile was born in Lin- colnshire, and is a son of David and Su- san Bingham. In 1850, he came over to our "land of the free," and first lived for three years in Dodge Co., Wis. He then went to Marion, Olmsted Co., Minn., bought a quarter section of land, and farmed it for eight years. Ile subse- quently lived in Pleasant Grove township

for seven years, and in 1868, came to Hancock Co., Iowa. He first purchased 320 acres of land on sections 20 and 21, and has sinee disposed of 160 acres lying on the latter section. Mr. Bingham is about the oldest living settler in Bingham township. He is republican in politics, and in 1865 enlisted in company Il, Ist regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving till the war closed, and suffering the loss of his eyesight. He was married Dec. 26, 1856, to Clarissa, daughter of Moses and Clarissa Huntley, of Chatfield, Fillmore Co., Minn. They have had eight children born to them, six of whom are living-David M., Elethea S., John J., Andy W., George C. and Rocelia May.

A family by the name of Ross were the next pioneers, having located on section 34, in 1874. They remained two years and then removed to the State of Kansas.

Frank Aiken also came during the year 1874. After living here about four years, he was seized with the Dakota fever and emigrated to that land of rich promises.

C. IT. Barber was a settler of the year 1875, locating on a part of section 16, where he still lives.

M. T. Barber located upon a portion of scetion 16, also, coming into the township with his brother, C. H., in 1875. He lives yet on the homestead, one of the most prominent men in the township govern- ment.

John Quinn and Isaac Emmons are the next in order of settlement, locating in the township during the year 1877.

The growth of the population, in this part of the county, for some reason un- explained, has been retarded, but a steady increase has been noticed within the last

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

few years, until now the township con- tains some sixty-six souls.

The first birth in the township was that of Elizabeth, daughter of John and Clar- issa Bingham, born July 7, 1869.

The first death was the above daughter of John Bingham and wife, who died in February, 1874, and was laid away to rest in Crystal Lake cemetery.

- 'The first school in the township was held in the house of Mr. Bingham in 1872. The gentleman's wife, Mrs. Clar- issa Bingham, was the teacher,and presid- ed over the destinies of the little school with grace and dignity. During the same year, 1872, a frame school house was erected, 16x22 feet in size, and at a cost of $500.

The Lake George school house, a frame edifice, 16×22 feet in size, was crected in 1881, at a cost of $500. Katie Quinn has the honor of being the first teacher therein.

The Shattuck school house was also built during the year 1881. This is a smaller building than either of the others and was put up at a less expense. This school was formerly taught at the house of Frank Aiken and its initiation was in 1877. Mary Aiken was the first teacher.

The Barber school house, a fine sub- stantial frame building, erected near the residence of C. Il. Barber, in 1883, cost in the neighborhood of $700, including

furniture. Katic Quinn was the first teacher.

When Bingham township was set apart from Crystal, in 1878, a township library was organized. This extremely praise- worthy enterprise has grown and pros- pered until now it contains some 500 vol- umes, valued at $425. This is entirely supported by a small tax which the in- habitants of the town have cheerfully burdened themselves with. The exis- tence of such institutions shows the cul- ture of a community, for where literature is eagerly sought after, and arrangements perfected, as they are here, for the easy dissemination of good books, an easy eur- rent of ideas polishes off the rough edges that man is apt to gain, when isolated from the society of men or letters.

Bingham township was organized by being set apart from Crystal township, of which it formed a part, in 1878, although the first election did not occur until the 14th of October, 1879. At this time the following were elected the first officers of the township: J. R. Flack, J. G. Bing- ham and Frank Aiken, trustees; David Bingham, clerk; J. R. Flack, assessor; Frank Aiken, justice; J. R. Flack, consta- ble. The present officers are as follows: John Bingham, M. T. Barber and John Quinn, trustees; M. T. Barber, elerk, as- sessor and justice of the peace. A his- tory of this township of a necessity must be brief, for its tender age makes the re- quisite material short.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVII.

BOONE TOWNSHIP.

Boone township is that portion of Han- cock county lying in the western tier thereof, known as congressional town- ship 95, range 26. It was organized in 1880, but at that time included what is How Orthel township. The latter was set off, and Boone became its present size in 1882. The land is a beautiful rolling prairie of a rich, black loam, with some sand now and then, and gravel or drift deposit along the Boone river. The latter flows in a southwesterly di- rection entirely across the township, in- tersecting on its path, sections 3, 10, 15, 16, 21, 20, 29, 30 and 31. The Boone river with several of its affluents and branches, thus provides a liberal supply of life-giving, flowing water for the ben- elit of the stock and which adds to the fertility of the soil. The township, also, is traversed by the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad, but no station or depot is located within its boundaries at present. But little timber can be found within the township, and all of that is in the artifi- cial groves planted by the foresight and prudence of the inhabitants, and which consist chiefly of willows and cottonwood, but owing to the newness of the settle- ment, these incipient groves are too di- minutive to be recognized as timber.

The first pioneer who located in what is now Boone township, was Maurice Day, who stuck his stakes and settled on section 6, during the year 1870. Mr. Day was a man of family and his first labor was to erect him and his a honse to shelter them from the inclemency of ti. weather. This, the first house in the township, was a frame building, 16x18 feet in dimension. This done, he com- menced to break up the sod, plowing and sowing the seed that he might have a harvest when the earth had waxed older. With Maurice, came his younger brother, Stephen, who worked with him in part- nership. Stephen was not married, but lingered in "single blessedness." He only remained here about two years when he removed to Upper Grove, in Avery township. These brothers came from the "Old Keystone" State, Pennsylvania.

The next to locate here was Iver Nis- sen, a native of Denmark, who settled on section 11, during the year 1871. Mr. Nissen is still a resident of the township.

A Mr. Stanlope, also a Dane, located upon section 11, in 1872. He lived here until about 1875, when he removed to California.

J. B. Hill, a native of Black Hawk Co., Iowa, was the next incomer, locating npon section 6 during the year 1876. He is

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

still a resident of this place, inhabiting the homestead that he reared at that time.

The first birth in the township was that of a daughter of Maurice Day, born in 1872. This child died while still an infant and was thus the first death in the township.

The first school was held at the house of J. B. Hill, in 1879, and Mary Clark was the teacher. This school was kept np and held session as convenient until during the summer of 1881, when a school house was erected on section 5, at a cost of $393. May Halgeson was the first to preside over the destinies of the youth of the dis- trict submitted to her charge, and that attended the "new school house." The school is now known as the Dallman school and Helen Clark is the present preceptress.

What is called the Nissen school house was built during the year 1883, on section 11. This structure is 18x30 feet in size, and cost 8438. Prior to this time, hos- ever, a school was taught at the residence of Peter Madison, of which Andrew Murray was teacher.

There is no regularly organized Church society within the limits of Boone town- ship, but the religious education of the people is, by no means, neglected, nor are they left without light on the subject of "The Way, the Truth, and the Life." Religious services are held every alter- nate Sabbath at the Dallman school house, by ministers and disciples of different denominations, among which the Luther- an, Congregational and Methodist, stand out quite prominently. A Sabbath school is held at the same place every week, and is ably conducted and well attended.

Young and old, all look forward to Sun- day school as the day to be marked with a white stone in their calendar.

On the second day of November, 1880, was held the first election for township officers, the township being at that time organized, but included within its terri- tory all of what is now Orthel, which was set off from it later. This election took place at the Daggett school house, now in Orthel township, and resulted in the election of the following officers: John llolloway, E. Lloyd and T. Pressnell, township trustees; Frank leal, clerk; G. WV. Flack, assessor; S. Basford and John Holloway, justices; G. R. Flack and Fred Cook, constables; H. C. Potter and E. Lloyd, road supervisors of districts 1 and 2. At the June meeting of the board of supervisors, 1882, the order was issued ordering the organization of Orthel town- ship, which are thereby cut off from Boone and entered upon a separate existence. The present officers of Boone township are: Thomas Pressnell, Iver Nissen and W. H. Nowling, trustees; Thomas Duff. clerk; J. B. Sanders, assessor; Alfred Larkins and J. B. Sanders, justices; An- drew Christopher and Elias Long, consta- bles; Edward Lloyd, road supervisor.

Herman Dallman, was born in Prussia, Jan. 8, 1855. In the spring of 1869 he came to America, locating at Watertown, Wis. He lived there about one year, then removed to Seymour, Wis. He re- mained there about six years, working in the saw mills and pineries. He then re- moved to this State, locating in Mitchell county. After remaining in that place two years, he came to this county, locating in Boone township, and purchased ninety- six acres of land on section 5. This land is mostly under cultivation. Mr. Dall- man belongs to the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a republican. His par- ents live in this township.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVIII.

BRITT TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the second tier from the north line of the county, and the second from the western boundary. It is bounded on the north by Crystal town- ship, on the east by Garfield, west by Or- thel and south by Erin, and contains thirty-six square miles, or 23,040 acres, and is known as congressional township 96, range 25. In common with the most of the county, the land is a level prairie, with just sufficient roll to drain the larger part of it. A rich growth of succulent grasses cover the soil where left in its pris- tine state, but, where plowed and fitted for the bearing of crops for the use of man, it shows the black loamy soil, usually found in all countries whose fertility and productiveness is beyond parallel. The numerous herds of cattle that feed on the indigeous herbage, show by their fat, sleek condition the nutrition to be derived from this natural product, and the really immense amount of hay cut from these prairies demonstrates that this is the stock raising country-par excellence. No finer or better land lies under the canopy of Ileaven, than is found right here. Some of the land, lying in the state of nature as yet, as it has for thousands of years, is wet and sloughy, but as farms are opened up about it, these dry off and return a liberal percentage of profit for the outlay

of time and money expended. Partly ly- ing on section 13, is Eagle lake, a consid- erable body of water, containing over 1,000 acres, the larger part of which is however, in the adjoining township of Garfield. Issuing out of the northern end of this is the west branch of the lowa river, which with many a devious curve and divers crooks, meander- southward through the lower part of the township, on the eastward side. Two small streams in the southwest portion of the township, also, help water that locality. But little timber is seen within the limits of Britt, except artificial groves, and these, owing to the newness of the country, are as yet, in their infancy.

The first settler in Britt township, was Thomas Clark. He was what is called a "section boss," and located a section house at what is now the town of Britt, in April, 1873.

Following him, came B. McMullen, who built the first frame house in the town- whip, in 1874. Mr. MeMullen, however, had been engaged in breaking land and opening up a farm the spring previous, on section 25.

The next settler was R. S. Rasmusson, who located on the land where the town of Britt now stands, in March, 1875. A lit- tle later came Peter and J. Jenson.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Rasmus Rasmusson, residing on section 14, Britt township, was born in Denmark, May 8, 1851. IIc was there reared and educated, and there farmed till 1866, when he emigrated to America, locating in Dane Co., Wis., remaining there but two . months; thence to St. Croix Co., Wis, where he lived nine years. In May, 1875, he came to this county and was the first actual settler in the flat prairie. He has a well improved farm of 200 acres. Ile was married March 15, 1871, to Augusta Clauson, a native of Denmark. They have three children-Christina S., Willie J. and Lewis II. They are members of of the Advent Church. Mr. Rasmusson was township trustee of Britt, from 1876 to 1880, and was township treasurer for two and a half years. Ile is a member of the Masonic order.

Jorgen Jenson is a native of Denmark, horn June 22, 1834. He was reared on a farm. In 1870 he emigrated to the United States, settling in St. Croix Co., Wis., and engaging in farming. In the fall of 1876 he came to Hancock county, and the following May located on his present place, on section 14, Britt town- ship, where he has 160 acres of good land. Mr. Jenson was married April 18, 1859, to Carrie Erickson, a native of Denmark. They have three children-Albert, Celia and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Jenson are members of the Lutheran Church.

The first child that was born in the township was Willie Clark, whose day of birth was in June or July, 1874.

No record exists of the first marriage in the township, as to the names of the contracting parties, except that the ecre- mony was solemnized at the house of E.

Marshall, and that the lady was a domes- tie in that gentleman's employ, and the groom was a man who worked for Mi. Devenpeck. The date of this cannot b. remembered with sufficient accuracy to merit a place in history.

The chronicle of the first death is shrouded in the same mystery, but it is supposed to be that of a sister of B. Me- Mullen.

The first school house within the limits of the territory now comprised in the township of Britt, was built on section 25, in 1875, and was called the MeMullen school house. The first school was taught by Dida Draper the same year. This building has lately been moved on to see- tion 26, and is called the Dickinson school house. This was presided over by Lucy Sloper last year. The next school was established in the town of Britt, for ac- count of which the reader is referred to the history of that "burg" a little further on. In 1881 another school house was erected on the land of J. H. Burdick, on section 15, and the first teacher was J. Clark.

The township of Britt was established Oct. 1, 1873, the first election for officers taking place at the house of Mr. Deven- peck, on the 14th of October. The fol- lowing is the list of the first officers: R. M. Day, J. B. Daggett and B. McMullen, trustees; A. J. Sprague, clerk; R. M. Day, assessor; G. Deveupeck and A. J. Spragne, justices, and William Porter and G. W. Eddy, constables.

The Evergreen Cemetery was located and established on the 20th of March, 1877, by the township. The board had appointed a committee, consisting of H.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

C. Potter, J. Il. Burdick and R. S. Ras- insson, for the purpose of selecting the proper spot for the public burial place. They met together and pitched upon a plot of ground containing some five acres, on the southeast quarter of section 28. The first to be laid at rest within its limits was William Wooliseroft, the grandfather of Jesse Wooliscroft, late of this place, who died the same year. The second was Mrs. Breese, whose body was brought here by her son, William Il. Breese, and laid at rest.

The cyclone that devastated other por- tions of the county on the 24th of June, 1882, did considerable damage in Britt township, the most important being the demolishing of the house and buildings of Eli C. Southwick, on section 11.

BRITT.

The town of Britt lies upon parts of sections 28 and 33, on a beautiful flat prairie. "The flowery mead of summer bloom," coming close up all around the village, which stands like some island in an emerald sea, alone, and lost in im- mensity. The town was laid out and platted, and the plat filed for record ow the 20th of June, 1878, by John T. Stone- man and William II. Lorimer. Prior to this a station was located here, and a grain warehouse had been erected, but nothing approaching a town was found here. In a marvellously short time after the town site was laid off, it had grown to be the largest town in the county, and its vigorous growth inspires the confi- dence in its future, a future full of promise.

The first building erected in the town of Britt was the depot of the Chicago,

Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, which was put up during the year 1870.

The second was a section house, located about sixty rods east of the depot, above, but which has since been torn down

The first residence erected was that of J. II. Burdick, and which stood on the south side of the railroad track, opposite the section house mentioned above.

John II. Burdick was born Dec. 29, 1830, in Allegany Co., N. Y. Ilis par- ents, William and Mary (Hancock) Bur- dick, were natives of Rhode Island, and were old settlers of Allegany county. John was reared and edneated in his na- tive county, and was engaged in farming there until 1855. He then went to Gale- na, Ill., where he worked in the lead mines. In 1859 he returned to New Fork, and in 1866 went to Wisconsin, where he became engaged in Dane and Rock counties, farming, umil 1876. He then came to Hancock Co. fowa, locating in Britt township. Mr. Burdick was mar- ried Sept. 8, 1861, to Elizabeth Ostrander, a native of New York. They have five children-Mary J., Ella, Hattie, William J. and Rosa. He is a school director of Britt district, and one of the township trustees. In 1878 Mr. Burdick settled on eighty acres of land one-half mile south- west of Britt. In 1883 he sold this farm and settled on his present farm northeast of Britt, where he has 160 acres of good land.

The first sermon preached in the vil- lage was delivered by the Rev. Z. C. Bradshaw, of Belmond, Wright county, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal faith, in November, 1878.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

The postoffice at Britt was established in 1870, and Robert Lattimore made post- master. He was succeeded by S. F. Ben- son. This gentleman continued to hold the office until the spring of 1880, when he was succeeded by the present incum- bent, E. E. Adams.

The depot of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company was erected in 1870, and Lewis Rock was the first agent appointed by that corporation to manage its affairs at this point. E. P. Healy is the present agent, having been appointed to this place in June, 1880.

Edwin P. Healy, agent of the C. M. & St. P. R. R. was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Nov. 30, 1853. Edwin was reared in his native county and attended for a time the Oberlin College, of Ober- lin, Ohio. When seventeen years of age he engaged as brakeman on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. During the last two years of his service there he was conductor. In 1878 he went to New Hampton, Iowa, where he re- mained eighteen months. He then went to Bassett, Iowa, where he engaged in the agricultural implement business, and while so engaged he learned telegraphy and railroad office work. In June, 1880, he came to Britt, taking charge of the business of the Milwaukee road at that point. Ile was married Dec. 15, 1880, to Lillian L. Hoxsie, a native of Wisconsin. They have one child-Walter H. IIe is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities.

The depot of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company was erected in August, 1880. This company had at this point, a station agent prior to this in the

person of R. Hill, who took charge May 18, 1880.

The first school in the town of Britt was held in the kitchen of the hotel dur- ing the fall and winter of 1876-7. Belle Swortwood was the teacher that then led the youth of the village along the flowery paths of knowledge, and planted in their minds the seeds of learning. During the following spring and summer Mary He-s taught the school, which was then beld in the store building now occupied by J. R. Wolf as a residence. The present school house was erected during the summer of 1878, at a cost of $2,000. The first term taught therein was in the fall of that year and W. S. Groom was the teacher. Under his fostering care the school im- proved so well that he continued to "teach the young idea how to shoot," as Gold- smith so beautifuly expressed it, during the following year, 1879. In May, 1880, this was made a graded school with W. J. Mass- ingham as principal, and sole teacher through the summer term. In the fall and winter term he was assisted by Mary Stubbins, C. C. Turner was the principal during the summer of 1882 and Thomas Lowe, the fall and winter following. The present principal is William Houston, who has as assistants Calla Ross and Della Whitney.

On the 4th of July, 1881, was held the first general celebration in honor of the natal day of the Republic. It is related that there being a great dearth of timber of any length in this locality, the citizens collecting in a body, proceeded to where the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company had piled some bridge timbers, and quietly appropriated what was noces-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

sary to make the liberty pole that was ereet- ed. This, of course, produced considerable argument, and more merriment, but was finally settled, to the satisfaction of the participants at least.

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 81

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950