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 86

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 86
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 86
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 86

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).

Joseph Karr, farmer, was born Feb. 26, 1840, in Allegany Co., N. Y., where he

resided nineteen years, then removing to Wisconsin. In 1876 he moved to El- lington township, Haneock Co., Iowa, and in 1878 came to Ell township, settling on section 23, where he has eighty acres of well improved land. Mr. Karr was mar- ried Oct. 11, 1863, to Charlotte Van Iloosen, born in 1846 in Ohio. They have had four children-Daniel, born Dec. 25, 1867; Jessie, born in 1875; Gertie, born in 1877; Dora, born in 1880. Mr. Karr enlisted in company C, 38th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, March 21, 1864, serving fourteen months, and being discharged May 25, 1865. While charg- ing the rebel's works before Petersburg, June 17, 1864, he was wounded in the left leg by a minnie ball. After being in the hospital at Providence, R. I., six months, he came home on a furlough. lle was afterward sent to Madison, Wis., where he remained until after his discharge. He has since been engaged in farming on his land at this place. At the time of his discharge Mr. Karr's leg was crooked so that he could not get it to the ground, and he at one time came near losing it, but he now walks pretty well. Mr. Karr is a pensioner, receiving 814 per month.

Charles Ford, farmer, is a native of England, born Dec. 8, 1841. In 1850 he emigrated to Canada, remaining there until 1860. In 1861 he removed to New York, thence to Jefferson Co., Wis. In 1879 he came to Hancock county, and lo- cated on section 18, Ell township. Ile has 160 acres of good land, and is engaged in grain and stock raising. On the 1st of January, 1863, he was united in marriage with Mary Daily, born in Ireland, Dec. 25, 1843. They have seven children-

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IIISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

W. IT., John C., George B., Lillie A., Charlotte, Mary and Catharine. Mr. Ford is a republican.

John Stork, farmer, was born Sept. 5, 1853, in Austria. In 1856 his parents re- moved to America, locating in New York, thence in Iowa Co., Wis., where they re- sided fourteen years. They then removed to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, locating in Union township. Thence to Garfield township, Hancock county. In 1876 he removed to Franklin county. In 1878 he purchased eighty acres on section 13, Ell township. In 1881 he was married to Mary Hubbard, born in Jefferson Co., Wis., May 7, 1857. They have one child -Winnie Inez, born Jan. 21, 1883. Mr. Stork is a republican, and a member of the Catholic Church.

Richard Corey was born Aug. 22, 1845, in Winnebago Co., Ill., where he resided until 1871, engaged in farming. He then became engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. In 1876 he sold out his business and purchased a farm, engaging in that business. In 1880 he came to Hancock Co., Iowa, settling on the southwest quar- ter of section 2, Ell township, which he has since made his home. lle has 120 acres of well improved land and is en- gaged extensively in stock raising. Mr. Corey has also large herds of cattle from Cerro Gordo, Mitchell and Floyd counties, which he herds and returns in the fall. He makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Duroc hogs. Mr. Corey is a republican. Ile is one of the justices or magistrates of Ell township, secretary of the school board, also one of the township trustees. Mr. Corey was married May 5,

1865, to Charlotte E. Herrick, born Sept. 14, 1843, in Chittenden Co., Vt., near Lake Champlain. They have one child- George H., born in Rockford, Winnebago Co., III., Nov. 14, 1867. Mr. Corey's father, Lonson Corey, was born in 1816 near Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Ile is still living and makes his home in Rockford, Ill. ITis mother, Margaret (Long) Corey, was born in 1819, in Kentucky, and died in 1875 at Rockford, Ill. They had eight children, five of whom are living-Mar- garet, James, Richard, William and Frank. Richard is the third child. The father of Mrs. Corey, Phineas Herrick, was born July 24, 1803, at Rutland, Vt. He is still living in Vermont. Her mother, Emily (Mears) Herrick, was born at Milton, Vt., Ang. 3, 1805, where she is still living. They had eleven chil- dren, five of whom are living-Dwight, Huldalı Eliza, Stephen Edgar, Charlotte and George. Charlotte is next to the youngest child. She is a member of the Congregational Church.

J. B. Thiel, farmer, is a native of Ver- non Co., Wis., born April 25, 1856. lle resided in his native county until the spring of 1882, when he came to Hancock Co., Iowa, settling in Garner, and in 1883, moving to the place where he now lives. Mr. Thiel is a republican. He was mar- ried Oet. 16, 1883, to Matilda Cietlon, born in 1861, in Houston Co., Minn. Mr. Thiel is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Garner. His father, John Thiel, was born in 1817, in Ger- many, and is now living in Wisconsin. TTis mother, Theressa Ehm, was born in Germany and died in 1858. They had two children, J. B. being the youngest.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Norman Schoonover was born in the town of Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., Dec. 31, 1821. When ten years of age his parents removed to Ohio, locating on the Cuyahoga river, about thirty miles south of Cleveland. Ilere the subject of this narrative was reared to manhood, and at the age of eleven years was given a yoke of oxen, and plowed the ground for four aeres of corn, four acres of wheat, two acres of buckwheat, and the same fall sowed four acres of wheat. Taking every- thing into consideration, this work was spoken of in a very creditable manner, and the boy praised very highly. In

1854 Mr. Schoonover started to Califor- nia by the "overland route," driving five yoke of oxen hitched to a wagon con- taining two tons of merchandise for the traders at Salt Lake City, Utah. The wagon train was once surrounded by hostile Indians, but our subject escaped without any serious loss. He subsequently returned to Ohio, and in after years trav- eled extensively, visiting the various ports of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and Carribean sea, and the larger portion of the principal cities in the United States He was a soldier in the Union army dur- ing the Civil War, and received an hon- orable discharge.

CHAPTER XXII.

ELLINGTON TOWNSHIP.

This township, one of the oldest set- tled, is located in the northeastern corner of the county, having Madison on the west and Concord on the south. It is a complete congressional township, being six miles square and contains thirty-six square miles or about 23,040 acres. Lime creek, a considerable stream, traverses the entire township from west to east, with the general course slightly inclined to the southwest ; entering, as it does, on section 18, and leaving again on the south- east line of section 24. This and its affluents provide a liberal supply of life- giving water for all stock purposes.

The first individual to settle in the ter- ritory that now is known as Ellington, was Jacob Ward, who came into this see- tion with John Maben. The latter gen- tleman located in what is now Madison township, but Mr. Ward made a settle- ment on section 22, of this township. A choice that he never was in the least dis- satisfied with. Here he first reared the humble cot that sheltered him and his from the inclemency of the weather. The date of Mr. Ward's entrance to the county is given as the 27th day of September, 1855, and was, with Mr. Maben, the first in the northern portion of the county.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Jacob Ward, or as he is familiarly and affectionately called by all, "Unele Jake," lived on his farm, although often lured from its peaceful rest to mingle in the turmoil of polities, until the summer of 1881, when he was killed in the cyclone of that year, that devastated this part of the township. Ife was a man of gener- ous impulses and hospitable temperament, and largely identified with the growth and development of the county and was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Catharine Ward was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, Nov. 30, 1826. She em- igrated to America in 1852, landing in New York. In 1856 she and her hus- band came to Hancock county, locating on section 22, Ellington township. She was married to Joseph Kneldler, June 4, 1844. He died in October, 1859. They had nine children, four of whom are liv- ing-Amelia, born June 7, 1848, now the wife of George Stonebangh, of Dakota; Mary, born Ang. 28, 1849, now the wife of George Lannager, of Dakota; Odelia, born Dec. 10, 1855, wife of Charles Palmer, of Britt, and Joseph, born Sept. 20, 1858. She was married to Jacob Ward, in October, 1860. He was born in New York, April 2, 1821. Ile was killed by a cyelone on the 11th of June, 1881. They have three children living-Katie, born June 27, 1863; Francis, born March 13, 1865, and Ella, born April 2, 1867. Katie is a school teacher. In the winter of 1882 she taught school at No. 7, this township, and in 1883 taught in Britt.

In the fall, shortly after the arrival of Mr. Ward, Jacob and Harrison II. Rice made a settlement on section 8, and where

they remained a few years. They finally sold out to Mr. Maben and removed to a warmer climate.

Philip Tennis was another settler of the year 1855, he locating upon the north- east quarter of section 7.

Mr. Pease, who made a temporary settle- ment here in 1855, also located on section 23. These latter parties were of that class of pioneers, who, as soon as settle- ments spring up around them, move ont to newer countries, more suited to their tastes and mode of life. They have re- moved from the county long years ago.

In December of the same year Bernard and Andrew Bolsinger, Joseph and Lewis Barth settled in the same vicinity.

Bernard Bolsinger some years ago emigrated to that new Eldorado of the west, Oregon, and there died. Ilis consin, Andrew, is still a resident of the county.

Lewis Barth, who was somewhat identi- fied with the organization of the township, and was a prominent citizen, is now a res- ident of Sioux county this State.

Joseph Barth is still a prominent resident of the county.

Francis N. and Richard Colburn and S. J. Wright made a settlement in the town- ship next, locating on lands in the vicinity of the others, during the year 1856.

Of these Francis N. Colburn and Rich- ard Colburn are still residents of this township and county and are numbered among the most solid citizens thereof.

Francis N. Colburn was born Sept. 9, 1801, in New York. When thirty-one years of age he came to Ohio, and settled in Trumbull county where for twenty years he lived on a farm. From there he came to Hancock Co., Iowa, settling on the

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

southeast quarter of section 22, Ellington township, where he resides, having 223 acres of fine land, well improved. Farm- ing has been his profession all through life. For three terms he has held the office of township trustee. March 16, 1826, he married Caroline Bloss, of New York, born Feb. 20, 1805, in Vermont. They had ten children, six of whom are living-Perley, Paul R., Lorenzo, Richard, Oliver, Harvey, Francis, Lewis, Rhoda and Marietta. Paul enlisted in an Illinois regiment and was killed in battle near Richmond, a minnie ball piercing him in the forehead. Lorenzo enlisted in the 12th Wisconsin regiment and died in the hospital. Of six sons who served in the war, only two lived to reach home. Rich- ard is the only son now living in Han- cock county. He was shot through the calf of his right leg with a minnie ball. A eyclone passed through Ellington town- ship June 11, 1881, striking the house of Mr. Colburn, taking off the east end, also carrying away the woodshed and the chimney. At the time of the storm, Mr. Colburn was milking in the basement of his barn, when it was taken entirely away, also a horse and barn 16x32 feet in size. Something struck Mr. Colburn on the head, cutting two long gashes, also one under his chin. His eyesight soon after failed him, so he has not been able to do much of anything since the storm. Mr. Colburn is a republican.

James C. Bonar located on section 7, in Ellington township, during the year 1855. Mr. Bonar was quite prominent in the po- litical field, in the county, in the pioneer days, having held the office of drainage commissioner in 1859. He left the county

years ago, and is at present a citizen of Minnesota.

Grove R. Maben is one of the promi- nent old settlers of this locality, also hav- ing made his claim in 1857.

G. R. Maben was born Feb. 9, 1831, in New York. In 1856 he went to Stephen- son Co., Ill., staying one year, then came to Hancock Co., Iowa, and bought 120 acres on sections 6 and 7, Ellington township, where he has made his home most of the time, raising stock. He now owns over 1,000 acres of fine land, having his resi- denee on section 7 Ellington township, having built a fine brick house in 1869. He made the briek on his place, and hauled them ten miles to build the court house at Concord, the county seat of Han- cock county. He also had the contract for building the court house. Ile raises some fine Durham cattle, and averages the sale of over 100 head of three year old steers annually. Mr. Maben has held the office of county superintendent, also, for several terms, has been county super- visor, besides holding various other offices. In March, 1859, he married Elvira Pike, born March, 1838, in Broome Co., N. Y. There are seven children-B. G., Ella, Alice, O. K., Rollie W., Carrie and Clyde.

The first marriage in the township, tra- dition claims, was that of a man by the name of Edson, who was united to Miss Gillespie, during the year 1859. They have sinee that event left the county.

Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Emily Ward, who was born in February, 1856, was the first birth in the township.

The first death in Ellington was Calista C. Colburn, infant daughter of Richard and Diana Colburn, in 1858.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

The first adult that was called hence to a glorious reward was Diana Colburn, the wife of Richard Colburn. Mrs. Colburn was buried in the wood at the time of her death in April, 1858, but on the opening of the cemetery her body was removed to that place.

The first school taught in the township was in a dwelling house that stood on section 22, but was destroyed in the cy- elone of 1881. Hannah Johnson presided over the destinies of this pioneer school. There is a difference in the date of this which was either during the year 1858 or 1859.

The postoffice of Ellington was estab- lished in 1859, and Charles C. Doolitile, now clerk of the courts, appointed post- master. He was succeeded by James Crow. Since then G. W. Beadle and G. W. Gillett have held that responsible posi- tion as custodian of the mails. The latter gentleman, Mr. Gillett, is the present in- cumbent.

There is one cemetery in the township, located upon a part of section 23. The first burial therein was Diana Colburn, wife of Richard Colburn. Mrs. Colburn, as has been stated, was buried in the for- est at the time of her death in 1858, but was raised when the cemetery was insti- tuted and interred therein.

The township of Ellington was organ- ized in June, 1861, and the election took place at the same time as the general election in October, 1861. Francis N. Colburn, James Crow and Jacob Ward, were judges of election, and B. F. Dens- low and C. C. Doolittle, clerks. The election resulted in the choice of the fol- lowing officers, who were duly qualified

at the beginning of the year 1862: Fran- cis N. Colburn, C. Bice and Luois Barth, trustees; Charles C. Doolittle, clerk; James Crow and C. C. Doolittle, justices; Louis Barth, constable.

The present township officers are: J. Q. Beadle, Jabez Hubbard and E. C. Mil- ler, trustees; Edmund Davis, justice; Charles A. Clark, clerk.

In June, 1881, a fearful cyclone devas- tated this fair township, destroying large amounts of property, etc. A local writer thus communicates the account of it to the county paper, the Garner Signal, of a cotemporary date:

"A terrible cyclone swept across our county last Saturday afternoon, carrying destruction to nearly all within its reach, and leaving desolate ruin in its wake. It came from the southwest and traveled in a direct northeasterly course. It first struck the ground in Garfield township and made ruins of everything before it. * * *

"The first building it struck in Elling- ton township was that of J. B. Gould, in the southwest corner, occupied, at the time, by llarvey Gould and family. The house was blown into kindling wood and Mr. Gould and his wife dangerously wounded. Mrs. Gould was badly cut and bruised about the head, and, in fact, all over body and limbs also. Her collar bone was broken and her lower limbs and the lower part of her body paralyzed. At this writing she lies in a very precarious situation. Mr. Gould had several ribs broken and was otherwise bruised and cut.

"W. C. Moak's farm house, occupied by a German family, had the roof taken off;

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

the granary and stable were also demol- ished.

"C. A. Clark's house, built of logs, was next taken and not one log left on an- other. The family of five were all in the house, but fortunately escaped with but slight bruises. Their little girl was up- stairs when the storm came, and was blown some ten or twelve rods, and when found a log was lying on her clothes, hold- ing her down, but she was not hurt.

"Jacob Ward's farm house and build- ings was the next point of marked, posi- tive and terrible disaster. IFis fine double farm residence, large barn, 100 feet long, sheds, etc., where blown into splinters and Uncle Jake found a lifeless corpse among the ruins, some eight or ten rods from where the house had stood. Ile had stepped out of doors from the supper ta- ble, remarking that he thought the wind was going to blow and he would see to his wind mill, and just as he stepped out- side the storm struck him. Ile was found with his neck broken and his breast crushed in. The others of the family es- · caped without dangerous injury. Uncle Jacob Ward was one of the pioneer set- tlers of the county, widely known and universally respected. He was once treasurer and recorder of the county, and an active participant in our political and social affairs. He was sixty-one years of age, had a fine farm, and was in shape to pass the remainder of his allotted days in peace, comfort and plenty. But now he is no more. Thousands of dollars of his earnings, and his own life, went before the blast of the hurricane in a moment of time.

"Francis N. Colburn's large barn, gran- ary and kitchen to his house were de. molished.

"Richard Colburn's house was taken entirely off the foundation, and literally ruined. The roof was taken off, and the sides of the building, though left stand- ing, were racked to pieces. His granary and barn were blown down and some of his stock killed.

"Beyond Mr. Colburn's the houses of Lewis Thompson and of Nels Oleson were destroyed.

"The Center school house at Ellington, a large two story building, was entirely destroyed.

"Andrew Bolsinger's house was blown into kindling wood, but aside from light bruises, the whole family escaped unin- jured.

"George W. Gillett lost his stables, blacksmith shop and kitchen to his house, but the main part of his house was left standing. A portion of the planking was torn off the bridge across Lime creek, and several small bridges destroyed.

"S. N. Howland's buildings were dam- aged somewhat. The empty log house on his prairie farm, where George Stonebaugh used to live, had the roof taken off.

"Joseph Whiteis had some stables blown down, and Charles Nelson lost a granary.

"O. K. Pike was driving home with a new lumber wagon, and buggy hitched behind. The storm blew him out into a slough, lifted one horse clear over the other, and broke his wagon and buggy. The box to his wagon was taken entirely away and he has been unable to find any trace of it.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

"G. Carlson, lost a granary, on the Blanchard Barrett farm.

"There were, of course, many others who sustained damages to a greater or less extent. Fences were swept away and broken down.

"In company with J. J. Upton we drove, on the next morning after the storm, over several miles of the track of the tornado. One could easily follow its path over the prairie by the flattened grass and weeds, and pieces of boards and sticks driven partly into the ground. The track of the whirlwind seemed to be from three to six rods wide. Of course this hurricane caused a heavy current of air and heavy wind that reached some dis- tance each side, and did some damage.

"It was a terrible storm, and one never to be forgotten by those who felt and witnessed its effects."

J. Q. Beadle was horn Feb. 5, 1829, in Vermont. When twenty-one years of age, he went to Massachusetts, spending the summer, then returning to Vermont. In the spring of 1852 he took a trip to California, in search for gold, going by way of Nicaragua, Central America. After spending three years in the mines of California, he returned to Vermont, to stay only three months. In the fall of 1855 he came by way of Chicago to Mitchell Co., Iowa, then went to Worth county, remaining till 1861, when he en- listed in company C, 12thi United States Infantry, and served three years. He participated in all the eighteen hard fonght battles of the Army of the Potomac from the second Bull Run fight, to the capture of Petersburg. He was honor- ably discharged at Elmira N. Y., and

came to Hancock Co., Iowa, where he bought land on section 16, Ellington township, where he is now living. He has 240 acres of fine land, and raises stock and grain of all kinds. Mr. Beadle is a republican.

G. W. Beadle was born July 8, 1835, in Vermont, where he grew to manhood and was educated. When twenty years of age, he removed to Lyons, Clinton Co., Iowa, where he lived two years, thien came to Worth county, making his home for two years at Bristol. He then removed to Forest City, Winnebago county, and re- mained there till 1861, when he came to Hancock county, settling on seetion 16, Ellington township. He has 700 acres of good land, 500 acres of which lies in one body, where he lives. While in Forest City, he manufactured brick for the court house at Forest City and the Clark hotel. Mr. Beadle has held the office of county supervisor two terms. On June 24, 1860, he married Sarah J. Streator, born May 6, 1835, in New York. They have four living children-Howard G., Clara I .. , Julia M. and Charles L. Mr. Beadle is a republican.

Wes Hayes, farmers and stock dealer, is a native of New York, born Sept. 9, 1832. Ile resided in New York nntil twenty-five years of age, when he came to this county, settling on section 24, this township. He has 320 acres of land on sections 24 and 25. He also has eighty acres in Fillmore Co., Minn. He was en- gaged in running a meat market in Forest City, but recently disposed of it. He has a meat market in Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo county. He has furnished fresh meat to his neighbors for ten miles around

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

his home ever since 1868 or 1869. On the 13th of February, 1858, he was united in marriage with Polly Roberts, born in Plattsburg, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1832. They have three children living-Foster, born July 9, 1860; G. W., born Jan. 1, 1862; and Dora, born March 7, 1869. Mr. Hayes was one of the first settlers of Hancock county. The brush was so thick at the place where he erected his house, that he had to burn a place big enough to dig a cellar. He is'a member of the Free Masons, Truth Lodge, No. 213, Forest City. He belongs to the Congregational Church. His father, Daniel Hayes, was born on the Connectient river in 1793. lle died in Plattsburg, N. Y., in 1873. He had command of a squad of men in the War of 1812, and took an active part in the battle Plattsburg, N. Y., on Sept. 11, 1812. His mother, Mary (Reynolds) Hayes, was born in 1804. Wes is the next to the youngest of six children- Reuben, Cornelia, Millie, Susan, Wes and Amelia. Mrs Hayes' father, Reuben Roberts, was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., Aug. 26, 1803. He now lives in Elling- ton township, this county. Her mother, Eveline (Pate) Roberts, was born in Ver- mont, July 11, 1810, and is still living. They had seven children-Benjamin P., Polly L., Angeline B., Ether A., Mary L., Edwin and Ella. Mr. Hayes has held various township offices, and is the pres- ent supervisor from this township.

S. D. Willson is a native of Erie Co., N. Y., born in Hamburg, Sept. 24, 1814. In the spring of 1842 he removed to Wis- consin, where he resided until 1868, when he removed to this county, locating on section 24, Ellington township. His farm

consists of 120 acres of well improved land. He wasmarried in 1842, to Harriet E. Sedgwick, born in Connecticut in 1822. They have three children living-Orin, Clark D. and Bird. Mr. Willson is en- gaged in mixed farming. Ile is a demo- erat, politically.

A. W. Larson was born in Sweden, Dee. 18, 1832. He came to America in 1866, landing at New York, then went to Rock Island where he lived a short time, then going to Henry Co., Ill. In 1868 he re- moved to Mitchell Co., Iowa, and in 1869 came to Hancock county, settling on see- tion 29, Ellington township, where he has sinee resided. He has 120 acres of fine land, well improved. I 1873 he married Caroline Addison, born in Nor- way in 1847. There are four children- Eddie, Augustus, Matilda S. and Lars. Mr. Larson belongs to the Lutheran Church, and is politically a republican.

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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 86

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