History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 61

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 61

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. pointed postinaster while living on the farm. He has held that position five years. He also runs the Clark House at Bancroft. Mr. Clark still retains his farm, and has forty acres in Portland township. He was married Nov. 21, 1862, to Mary Fuller, of Hudson, Wis. They have had eight children, six of whom are living-Agnes, Arthur, Lucie C., Cecelia 'E., Willis H. and Ernest R. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Congrega- tional Church. In politics Mr. Clark is a republican. While at St. Croix Falls he was town treasurer and deputy sheriff. He has held the office of school director, and has been clerk of the board for four years.

Bancroft Literary and Library Associa- tion was organized Sept. 4, 1883, having for its object the care, development and use of the library by the association. The following named were elected the first officers pro tem: James Crose, chair- man; J. C. Jones, secretary; Mrs. W. E. Jordan, Mrs. M. H. Knapp and Mrs. L. H. Walters, committee on finance; Mrs. M. H. Knapp, librarian. At the regular meeting held Oct. 2, 1883, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: E. F. Clark, president; Z. Roberts, vice- president; J. C. Jones, secretary; Mrs. L. H. Walters, treasurer; Mrs. M. H. Knapp, librarian; Z. Roberts, Mrs. W. E. Jordan and A. J. Berryman, trustees. The asso- ciation has a membership of about fifty, and quite the nucleus for a good library; somne 110 volumes were included in the first purchase, and Bancroft, the historian, after whom the town has been named, has donated $1,000 worth of books to the new library. In kindly recognition of

his liberal gift, the association has made him an honorary life member of the society.

The religious interests of the commu- nity are by no means neglected, as there are divine services held by the Rev. R. A. Paden, a Presbyterian clergyman, who first made his appearance here, and preached the initial sermon, during the * summer of 1882. There is as yet no church nor society, but services are held at the Phoenix Hotel.

The first religious services in the town were held in the building owned by R. M. Richmond. This was conducted by Rev. William Spell, a Congregational minister, in January, 1882.

R. M. Richmond, son of Rufus and Ann Richmond, was born in Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 4, 1852. When three years of age, his parents moved to Dallas Co., Iowa, his father engaging in business near Dallas Centre, where he has lived ever since, except three years, which he served in the late Rebellion. Mr. Rich- mond lost his two oldest brothers in this Rebellion. He has two brothers and a sister living in Dallas county, and his father, at the age of seventy years, enjoy- ing good health. His mother died in 1867. In 1869 Mr. Richmond returned to Colum- bia Co., N. Y., where he lived with an unele six years, spending his school days in the Claverack College and Hudson River Institute, near Hudson City, be- tween New York and Albany. He then spent one year in New York city. In 1876 he returned to Dallas Co., Iowa, en- gaging in farming and speculating, for two years. He then engaged in the mer- cantile business until 1881, at which time

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he moved to Kossuth Co., Iowa, since which he has been engaged in the real es- tate business in the town of Bancroft. Mr. Richmond erected one of the first buildings in this village. He now hastwo business houses, which he rents; also has several farms and tracts of wild land in this county.

Warren Coffen was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1833. When two years of age, his parents, John and Cla- rissa (Nelson) Coffen, removed to St. Law- rence Co., N. Y., where they engaged in farming. When abont sixteen years of age, he went to Worcester, Mass., and engaged in the stock business. In 1854 he removed to Rockford, Ill., engaging in the stock business there for two years. He then went to Huntsville, Ala., and engaged in raising cotton. Ile went from there to New Orleans and shortly afterward the war broke out. Ile returned to his home in Ogle Co., Ill. He enlisted in company B, 7th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served until he was disabled, when he was discharged. In abont a year he again en- listed. This time in company L, same regiment. He was in the battles of Cor- inth, Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, Inka and several other hard fonght battles. Here- ceived his discharge at Nashville, Tern., and returned to Ogle Co., Ill., remaining there until he got well. In 1864 he had taken a claim of 160 acres of land on sec- tion 9, township 98, range 30, in Green- wood township, Kossuth Co., Iowa. In July, 1866, he came out and took posses-

sion. He raises cattle, horses and hogs, and is one of the most systematic farmers in this county. lle was married Oct. 26, 1868, to Ellen De Rusha, daughter of Eli and Caroline De Rusha, of Fairibault Co., Minn. They have had nine children, eight of whom are living-Ella, Albert, Minnie I., Julia, Ellen, Electa, Rosanna and Warren. Mrs. Coffen is a member of the Catholic Church. Her parents live in Fairibanlt Co., Minn. They are of French descent. Mr. Coffen's father died in March, 1875, and is buried in Ogle Co., Ill. His mother lives in Ogle county, on the old homestead. Mr. Coffen is a republi- can, politically.

J. G. Graham, son of Jolin and Hannalı J. Graham, was born in Hastings Co., Canada, June 6, 1859. In 1876 he went to Lapeer Co., Mich., engaging in the lum- ber business until 1879. He then came to Iowa, and worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He helped to build the road into Bancroft, and in December, 1881, located in that city. In 1882 he began to clerk for Jolm- son Bros., with whom he still remains. Mr. Graham was married Dec. 25, 1881, to Artie M. Coffen, daughter of C. S. and Aurilla Coffen, of Portland township, her parents being among the first settlers in that township. Mr. Graham's father is a native of Ireland. He now lives in Can- ada, being engaged in farming. His mother died in 1876. Mr. Graham is a democrat, in politics.

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CHAPTER XX.

IRVINGTON TOWNSHIP.

This territory lies in the second tier of townships,from the south line of the coun- ty and the second from the east line. It consists of all of congressional township 95 north, range 28 west, and contains about 23,000 acres, and is abundantly wa- tered by numerous small creeks and runs, affluents of the East Fork of the Des Moines river, which flows along the western border of the township. The surface of the ground is most beautifully diversified, gently undulating in some localities, it becomes quite rolling in others; prairie interspersed with timber and in some parts, especially the western sections, heavy groves make up a picture of great natural beauty. Along the river, the strip of forest extends sometimes a mile in width. In this the woodman's ax has seemed at times to make sad havoc, but other trees sprung up in their place, rapid- ly assume goodly proportions, as if in de- fiance of man's puny attempt at extermin- ation. The population of Irvington is to a great extent, of American birth, and are an enterprising, thrifty people, and some of the finest farms in the county are to be found in this township. Considerable em- ulation seems to exist among the farming community, to see who can have the best tilled land, the finest crops, or the choicest herd.

The first settlement made in this town- ship was made by Malachi Clark and his son, William G.Clark,in the spring of 1855. William Clark settled upon the north- west quarter of section 19, and in August he built a house here. This was the sec- ond house raised in the township. Mal- achi Clark continued to reside here for some years and then removed to Oska- loosa, where he died. His son, William, removed from Kossuth county in 1859 or 1860, and is now living in Keokuk county, this State.

Alinost at the same time that the Clarks made their settlement, Hiram Wiltfong, Reuben Purcell, Philip Crose, Thomas and John Robison, selected land in this town- ship and settled down as pioneers and prospective farmers of Irvington town- ship.

Reuben Purcell, settled upon a portion of section 20 at a place since called Pur- cell's point. Here he built a log cabin, the first in the township, and lived for somne little time. This farm, upon which he settled, is now a portion of the Albe Fife land.

Hiram Wiltfong located near the Clarks, on section 19. The house he built here, and resided in was the third house erected in the township and is yet standing on the farm of William Carter,

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where it is used as a granary or barn. Wiltfong was a queer genius, and is chiefly noted for his selling the settlers seed corn, which, by the way, he would take out of his crib, of corn just gathered perhaps. Ile did not stay here long but strayed away after selling his claim.

Philip Crose at first located upon the southwest quarter of section 19, in Au- gust, 1855, and here he erected his hum- ble cabin of logs. This historic building, having outlasted the days of its useful- ness, has been torn down and the mate- rial of which it was built, used for fire wood. Mr. Crose sold out his claim a short time after his settlement, to James Parnell, of Indiana, who had some idea of coming here to locate. In the spring of 1856, he (Mr. Crore,) took another claim on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 18, where he is living to this day.

Philip Crose, son of Solomon and Fan- nie (Campbell) Crose, was born Nov. 18, 1812, in Ohio. When quite young, he left Ohio, and went with his father to Shawneetown, Ill., where he lived five years, and then removed to Vigo Co., Ind., near Terre Haute. After living here a while, he moved to Tippecanoe Co., Ind., and lived with his father until he died in 1845. He was married Jan. 22, 1834, to Mary Crouch, born in Ross Co., Ohio. They had seventeen children, eleven of whom are living-John, Syntha, Sarah, Abram, Thompson, James, Joseph, George, Louisa, Frank and Philip. Mr. Crose owns 163 acres of fine land on Rec- tions 13 and 18, having his residence on section 18, Irvington township. Politi-

cally he is a democrat. Mrs. Crose is a member of the M. E. Church.

Thomas Robison remains upon his original claim.

Thomas Robison, son of William and Sa- rah (Lane) Robison, was born Jan. 8,1824, near Shawneetown, Gallatin Co.,Ill. When quite young he moved with his parents to Tippecanoe Co., Ind., living at home until the time of his marriage, which took place June 15, 1844, he taking to wife, Mary Martin, born in Ohio. There are six children living-J. B., F. E., T. W., S. M., A. J. and M. A. Mr. Robison came to Iowa in July, 1855, and settled on sec- tion 31, township 95, range 28, what is now Irvington, Kossuth county, and where he still lives, owning 205 acres of good land, and raising grain and stock. He has been township assessor several times, also has served as school director, and town- ship trustee several terms. Politically, he is a Jackson democrat.

John Robison settled upon the north- east quarter of section 1, where he re- mained until during the year 1858, when he left this section, going to Johnson county. He afterwards removed to Brook- lyn, Poweshiek county, where he died.

During that same year, 1855, O. J. Smith. L. L. Treat, Benjamin Hensley, Jacob C. Wright, Kendall Young, Elijah Lane and George Smith came to the township.

Lyman L. Treat, a keen, shrewd busi- ness man, came to this locality to speculate and manipulate the county seat location, and had a principal hand in the contest over that question as detailed in the gen- eral county history. He afterwards kept the store at Irvington, the first in that vil-

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lage. He is now a wealthy and infinen- tial merchant of Webster City.

Jacob C. Wright continued a resident of the township of Irvington until the day of his death, Feb. 17, 1875.

Kendall Young has removed to Web- ster City, where he has acquired consid- erable of this world's goods, and is at present the president of the First National Bank at that place.

Benjamin Hensley settled upom section 31, but did not remain any length of time. In 1857 he drifted away, and his after movements have been entirely lost sight of.

Jason Richmond and Charles Osgood, also made a settlement in this locality during the year 1855. They were Massa- chusetts men, who came here from Whit- insville, in that State, to found a settle- ment. Mr. Richmond remained several years and then removed back to his native hills. Mr. Osgood made a short stay also, and went east again. He was prosecuting attorney of the county court in an early day.

Elijah Lane is still a resident of the original claim he made at that time, but has recently been cut off and is now a res- ident of Sherman township.

Elijah Lane, a native of Ohio, was born June 21, 1832. When he was six years of age his parents removed to Tippeca- noe Co., Ind. When he was fifteen years of age he went to Will Co., Ill., and re- mained there one year, when he returned to his home in Indiana. In about three years he went back to Illinois. This time he located in McHenry county, and en- gaged in farming with Thomas Robison as partner. He next engaged in farming

about twelve miles south of Bloomington, Ill. On the 22d of October, 1855, he came to Kossuth county, locating on sec- tion 6, township 95, range 28, Irvington township. In 1859 he removed to Wash- ington Co., Iowa, and followed farming until in the fall of 1863, when he returned to Kossuth county. He settled on his old farm, where he resided until 1881. At that time he removed to section 31, town- ship 95, range 28. He has eighty-five acres of good land, well improved. He was married April 14, 1853, to Martha A. Wright, born in McLean Co., Ill., Jan. 7, 1835. This union has been blessed with three children-Carrie F., Sarah A. and Chloe A. Mr. Lane belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Prudence Lodge, No. 205, Algona. Mrs. Lane is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a repub- lican in politics, and has held the offices of township trustee and supervisor in Irvington township.

Coryden Craw also was among the set- tlers of Irvington, during the year 1855, and at the election held in August, that year, he received the nomination for county judgeship, from the Irvington fac- tion, but was defeated by a few votes, and Judge Asa C. Call elected in his stead.

Among the most prominent arrivals of the years 1856-7, were: D. W. Sample, Kinsey Carlon, Richard Hodge, William Carter, Addison Fisher, O. W. Robinson, B. Howard, who was familiarly known as "Bing," Barnet Devine, George Wheeler and others. Most of these parties are at present residents of the county. O. W. Robinson, who was a man of some means, bought a farm here, but in 1861 or 1862, he returned to his native State, Vermont,

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where he remained some time, but is now living in the copper region of Michigan, where he has acquired considerable wealth.

D. W. Sample was born April 17, 1822, in Pennsylvania. He lived there until 1856, and then came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, locating on section 32, township 95, range 28, where he has 470 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation, raising grain of various kinds, but makes a specialty of stock. He was married in May, 1859, to Josephine Austin, born in Jackson Co., Iowa. They had ten chil- dren, eight of whom are living-Charles B., Margaret E., Anna, Miss Franc, William G., Henrietta, Addie M. and Leota R. Mr. Sample is a member of the Order of Free Masons, Prudence Lodge, No. 205, Algona. In politics he is a republican.

William Carter was born June 2, 1831,in Lawrence Co., Penn., where he lived until 1853, and then came to Kossuth Co., Iowa. In 1857 he bought 160 acres of good land on section 30, township 95, range 28, where he has since lived and carried on a general farming business. He has held the offices of township trns- tee and justice of the peace, also is a member of the Order of Free Masons, Prudence Lodge, No. 205, Algona. He was married in June, 1864, to Martha Crose, born in Indiana. She died April 2, 1882, leaving five children-Mary E., George, Henrietta, Incy and Abram.

Luther Bullis was a pioneer of 1856, in Irvington township. He located on what is now the King place, where he remained until the fall of 1859, when he traded his land for cattle which he drove off. He is how a resident of Montana territory. It

is told of him that he had caught a young beaver, which he kept in the house, and one night down came the bedstead; the pet had gnawed off one leg of that piece of furniture.

John Ramsey settled in this township in 1856, where he remained until 1868. Ilis present location is unknown, or whether he is alive or not.

R. Parmenter was another of the set- tlers of this year. He located in the vil- lage of Irvington, and after a time was engaged as a merchant in that place. He left the county, going to Pike's Peak, from which he returned, but for a short time, when he left the country for good, and his present whereabouts are unknown.

The first cabin was erected in Irv- ington township by Renben Purcell, on section 20, during the spring and summer of 1855. The second was built by Mala- chi and William G. Clark, the same Ang- ust; the third by Hiram Wiltfong.

The first birth in the township was that of the twin sons of Philip and Mary Crose, James and Joseph, who were born upon the 28th day of Angust, 1855. These are the first children born in Kossuth county.

'The first marriage was that which united the destinies of William Moore and Sarah Wright. This occurred upon the 22d of April, 1857, at the house of the bride's father, Jacob C. Wright. By whom performed seems to be hard to de- termine; parties who were present think- ing that Rev. Chauncey Taylor soleni- nized the rite, while the record in the office of the clerk of the court says that George Wheeler performed it. Both par- ties are now dead, the husband dying

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while a soldier in the service of his country. His body was brought back te his home and now reposes in the cemetery of Irvington.

The first death was that of Ambrose Craw, in June, 1855. He was buried about a mile and a half west of Algona. At that time his friends had no lumber with which to make a coffin, so they, with the help of some neighbors, split out puncheons from bass-wood logs, and nailed them together, that they might bury him, at least, decently.

The first land broken for the purpose of agriculture was by Malachi and Wil- liam Clark, in the spring of 1855, on sec- tion 19. On this piece of land the follow- ing year Clark secured a small crop of corn, the first raised in the township.

The first wheat was raised by Jacob C. Wright, in 1856.

The first religious services were held in November, 1855, at the cabin of William G. Clark. A Rev. Mr. Skinner, a Con- gregational minister from Polk county, preaching the sermon. The second ser- mon was preached by that good man, Father Taylor, in August, 1856.

The first school was taught in the town hall at Irvington, in the summer of 1857, by Andalusia Cogley.

Irvington township was organized at the March term of the county court, 1857, with the following described boundaries: "beginning at the quarter post on the east line of section 7, township 95 north, of range 27 west, of the 5th principal meridian, and running from thence due west, along the center of sections 13, 14, etc., to the middle of the channel of the East Fork of the DesMoines river, and

thence down the middle of said channel to the south line of township 94, and thence east along said line to the east line of the county, and thence along said county line to the place of beginning." The following is a list of the first officers of the township, the election taking place at the house of R. Parmenter: S. W. Parsons, W. T. Crockett and T. O. Came- ron, trustees; William Moore, clerk; John G. Allison and Elijah Lane, constables; William Carter and John Robison, road supervisors.

In this connection is given a list of the present officers of the township: Nathan Gates, M. Stephen and D. W. Sample, trustees; Z. C. Andruss, clerk; J. W. Bates, assessor; B. C. Minkler, justice of the peace and David Blythe, constable.

The village of Irvington was the first laid ont in Kossuth county, being filed for record upon the 27th day of September, 1856, by George Smith, Lyman L. Treat and Kendall Young. The town was start- ed by these parties with an eye to captur- ing the county government, but were de- feated as detailed elsewhere. The first merchant in the village was Lyman L. Treat, who opened a general merchandise store in the fall of 1835. This he contin- ned to operate until about 1861, when he disposed of the stock and business to J. A. Armstrong, who was the merchant until 1878, when he closed out the stock and discontinued the store.

The first blacksmith was "Bing" How- ard, who started a shop in 1856. He was succeeded shortly after by a man by the name of Louppe. Both of these parties have left the county. Howard going to Webster City, where he is engaged in the

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hardware business. Louppe drifted back to Indiana and has been lost sight of.

The school district of Irvington was organized in 1856. At a meeting of the qualified electors held upon the 11th of August of that year, at the village of Ir- vington J. C. Wright was made president all L. L. Treat, secretary. Ballots were then prepared and voting commenced- For sub-director, Rev. Gilla received nine votes and was declared elected; for sec- retary, William Moore received ten votes, defeating Leicester Fox, who polled but one; L. L. Treat was elected treasurer, ' having ten votes, while his opponent, H. A. Davidson, had but one.

The present board of the school dis- trict township is composed of the follow- ing named: President, C. J. Harvey; secretary, Z. C. Audruss; treasurer, Perry Burlingame; sub-directors, Perry Burlin- game, A. Lambke, R. Hodges, Michael Smith, Henry Curran, John Connors, Addison Fisher, C J. Harvey and Nelson Swizzer.

The first school in the township was taught by Andalusia Cogley, in the sum- mer of 1857, in the town hall at Irving- ton, then just finished. This school only lasted for two weeks.

In 1858 William P. Davidson opened a school in the same place, and taught a full term.

The first regular school house built here was erected for a dwelling house, but in 1860 it was purchased and moved on to section 19, where it at present stands. This is called No. 2, the one called No. I was built in Irvington and hauled to its present location on sec- tion 28.

There are at present five school houses in all, in the township, all of them fine buildings. Three of them are 20x36 feet, the others 18x30 feet and they were erect- ed at a total cost of $600 a piece. Be it said to the credit of Irvington township, that the educational interests are the best managed of any locality in this section of country, employing only the best class of teachers and paying good salaries to the right people. This bears its fruit in a more intelligent class of young people, that are growing up in Irvington, and in the better condition of the schools gener- ally. During the year 1883 the following named were among the teachers in the township: Emma Johnson, A. A. Crose, Cora E. Morford, May Halgerson, Letitia Hodges, Dora Barker, Joseph Crose, Hattie Parsons, Ida M. Miller, Celestia Reed and James B. Reed.

In November, 1855, the little knot of settlers gathered together at the cabin of William Clark, to hold the first religious services ever held in Irvington. A Con- gregational divine by the name of Skin- ner, from the neighborhood of Des Moines, had come up here for that pur- pose and the service was held. No other meeting, for the same object in view, was held until in Angust, 1856, Rev. Chaun- cey Taylor, one of the most indefatigable laborers in the Lord's vineyard, came to Irvington from Algona, and preached several times. In 1859 services were held several times by Rev. Mr. Lawton, a Meth- odist Episcopal divine. He was followed by a Rev. Mr. Mallory, also a Method- ist, as this place had been made a point in a circuit of that Church. He was suc- ceeded by a Rev. Mr. Billings, who lived

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at Irvington. Mr. Billings removed from here about 1860 or 1861, going to Boones- boro, Boone county. Irvington after this had regular religious services until 1881, when they were discontinued, and the people go to Algons to attend Church.

The old town hall of Irvington, around whose hallowed walls cluster so many pleasing associations of by-gone days, and which so many in the community reeall in the glamour that memory throws around their youth, was built in 1857. Being in want of a suitable place for public meet- ings, a joint stock subscription was raised, and with the proceeds the edifice was built. This was opened with a dance, and as that was the principal enjoyment of the period, many an old settler tells with infinite glee, how that the mini-ter who held forth to them had to hurry his sermon, that the young folks might enjoy an innocent dance. This building was for many years the general rendezvous for the whole township, and stood until 1881, then having become decrepid with age, it tumbled to the ground.

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History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 61

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company Number of Pages: 898

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898