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 66

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 66

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I .. , H. Glews, Sammy R. and J. Clark. Eva H. and Othello are deceased. Mr. Davison is a greenbacker, and has been township trustee and clerk of the school board.

Calvin F. Kyes was born near Cleve- land, in Lorain Co., Ohio, Ang. 17, 1830. In 1844 he removed to McHenry Co., Ill., and in 1862 to Bremer Co., Iowa. He has always been a farmer, and at present is agent for the Kimball organ, which bnsi- ness he conducts in addition to farming. He owns the southeast quarter of section 35, Portland township, six acres of which is a fine grove. He has 3,000 evergreens set out on his place for timber and pro- tection. Mr. Kyes is a democrat politi- cally. He is also a Master Mason. He was married May 2, 1850, to Martha A. Smith, of MclIenry Co., Ill. They have one child-Wilson Alfonso.

P. T. Ferguson was born in Broadalbin, Fulton Co., N. Y. When thirty-seven years of age he went to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and remained three years. He then came to Kossuth county, settling ou section 9, south half of southeast quarter, where he still lives. He also owns one quarter on section 10, and eighty acres on section 11, besides five acres in grove. Ile cultivates 125 acres, but makes stock raising a specialty. He was married Feb. 26, 1854, to Emeline Dingman, of Fulton Co., N. Y. They have six children - Frances E., who married Grant Benschoter, of Port- land township, Iowa; Alice A., James H., living in Algona; Melvin W., Adelbert, and Wilbur. Mr. Ferguson is now town- ship trustee, and has held the office some time. He and his wife are members of

the Baptist Church. In politics he is a republican.

John Gilbride is a native of Ireland, born in 1836. In 1856 he came to America, landing in New York. After living in Mercer Co., N. Y., two years, he removed to De Kalb Co., Ill., making his home there eleven years. In 1870 he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, settling on section 32, township 96, range 28, where he now owns 200 acres of good land, well improved, raising grain of all kinds, and also being interested in stock. He was married June 8, 1878, to Anna Gnrdett, a native of France. They have three chil- dren-Louis, Charles and Ester.

Lemuel Stockwell, son of W. S. and S. A. (Tubbs) Stockwell, was born in Dela- ware Co., Ohio, Sept. 29, 1848. He lived in Delaware county until 1868, when he removed to Hancock Co., Iowa, locating in Amsterdam township. He remained there two years, when he came to Kos- suth county and located on the southeast quarter of section 29, township 97, range 28. Ile has 100 acres of land under cul- tivation, and is engaged in mixed farm- ing. In 1863 he enlisted in company D, 12th Ohio Cavalry, under Gen. Kilpatrick. Hle was assigned to Stoneman's 23d Corps. He was mustered in at Cleveland and served almost three years. He par- ticipated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Marietta and siege of Atlanta. Mr. Stock- well was wounded three times, but not seriously. He was united in marriage on the 10th of May, 1870, with Rosetta Robins, of Hancock Co., Iowa. He is a republican in politics.

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Gotleb Bohn was born in the province of Brombah, Germany, May 1, 1819. His father died when he was but a child. In 1858 Mr. Bohn emigrated to the United States, locating in Washington Co., Wis. He remained in that county until 1871, when he removed to Iowa, locating in Kossuth county, on the southwest quarter of section 8, Portland township. He has since added 160 acres to his possessions. In June, 1844, he was married to a daughter of Martin Hebunes. They have had twelve children-August, Julius, Angusta B., Gustavus, who died when a child; Henrietta M., who died during the voyage to this country ; Paulina V. K., William L., Martha T., Bertha M., Clara M., who died when five years old; Her- man K. G. and Edward J. Augusta B. married William Bohn, and lives in Clear Lake, Iowa. The oldest son is contrac- tor on the railroad; the rest are at home. The family are all members of the Ian- theran Church. Mr. Bohin is a democrat.

Martin A. Owen, son of Alvah and Catharine (Christman) Owen, was born Feb. 2, 1838. His father is dead. His mother was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., and now lives at Whitehall, Trempealean Co., Wis. When the subject of this sketch was three years old, he went to Sheboygan, Wis., remaining there one and a half years. He then went to Lowell, Dodge Co., Wis., remaining there thirty years. He then came to Kos- with county, locating on section 4, town- ship 96, range 28, Portland township, where he now owns 120 acres of good land. Mr. Owen was united in marriage, Feb. 17, 1861, with Josephine Tuttle, daughter of Nathan and Jane Tuttle, of

Lowell, Dodge Co., Wis. This union has been blessed with two children-Lewie M. J. and Nettie V. Mr. Owen is a re- publican. He deals in live stock, and makes that his business as well as farm- ing.

Hollis J. Gilbert was born in 1841, in Kane Co., Ill. When twelve years of age he removed to New Brunswick where he remained until he was fourteen, then went to the State of Maine. Going from there to Vermont, where he lived two" years. He then removed to Monroe Co., Wis., and made it his home eleven years. In 1870 he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, settling in Algona. After six years he removed on the place where he now lives, on section 29, township 96, range 28, where he owns 120 acres of well improved land, and carries on general farming. He is now township assessor. He was mar- ried Oct. 23, 1861, to Lucy J. Ensign, born in Canaan, Litchfield Co., Conn. They have six children-Susie, Ernest, Lonisa, Laura, Lee and Clare. Mrs. Gilbert is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics, Mr. Gilbert is a republican.

B. H. Winkie is a native of Germany, born March 19, 1855. When quite young he emigrated to America with his parents, locating in Dodge Co., Wis. In 1876, they removed to Kossuth Co., Iowa, pur- chasing eighty acres of land on section 7, township 96, range 29, this township. In 1881 they removed to Algona, where they now reside. The subject of this sketch now owns and resides on the old homestead. On Dec. 25, 1881, he was married to Ida Potter, a native of Illinois, born Jan. 8, 1859. Mr. Winkie has sixty acres of land under cultivation. He is

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now turning his attention to raising fine stock. Ile one of the most enterprising young farmers in the county. He is a republican.

Edgar P. Keith was born March 6, 1853, in Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis. In 1881 he came to Kossuth county, settling on sec- tion 9, owning the north half of the north- west quarter of section 9, and the sonth half of the southwest quarter of section 4. He also owns another quarter section adjacent, which he intends to make a stock farm, having already a good many Short Horn cattle, brought from Rock county. The Upper Des Moines crosses his farm ; also, Lindner's creek. He was married Dec. 25, 1873, to Louisa M. Wood. They have three children-Lyman Wood, Harry W. and Flora. Mr. Keith is sub- director of the 5th district, and president of the board. In politics, he is a repub- lican.

Willie A. Chipman was born near Mo- mence, Kankakee Co., Ill., Sept. 18, 1845. He enlisted March 21, 1864, in company IT, 42d Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in at Chicago. He participated in the following battles : Resaca, At- lanta, Springhill, Nashville, and also went into the New Orleans and Texas campaign. He was wounded in the side at the siege of Atlanta, but does not draw a pension. Discharged at Port Lavaca, Texas, Dec. 16, 1865, reaching his home in Illinois, Jan. 12, 1866. Mr. Chipman was married, Dec. 17, 1867, to Dorothea Davison, of Momence, Ill. They have had five chil-

dren, three of whom are living-Myra M., Ehner O. and Chauncy B. They buried their two oldest near Momence, Ill. In April, 1881, Mr. Chipman, came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, bringing the best of all recom- mendations, an unsullied character, and a determination to make a home and friends in the grandest State in the Union. Hle now owns the whole of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 97, range 28, Portland township. He gives special attention to stock and grain raising, and has forty acres under cultivation. Polit- ically he is a republican, and is now a sub- director of district No. 4, Portland town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Chipman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Be- ing class leader, Sunday school superin- tendent and trustee almost continuously.

Ellis McWhorter was born Feb. 16, 1854, in Franklin Co., Ind. Ile is a son of Tyler and Rhoda (Ward) McWhorter. When two years old his parents moved to Whiteside Co., Ill., where they still re- side. Ilis father is a practical and suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser. He has a well improved farin of over 500 acres, also 640 acres in Portland township, Kos- suth Co .. Iowa. Ellis McWhorter moved to Kossuth Co., lowa, in March, 1883, where he bought 287 acres of land in Portland township. The Des Moines river crosses the southwest corner of his farm. One hundred acres is under culti- vation. He intends making stock raising a specialty. He is a republican, as his father has always been.

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY. 531

CHAPTER XXIV.

PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

The territory (known as congressional township 95 north, range 27 west, was taken from the townships of Wesley and Irvington, in 1882, and organized into a separate civil township under the name of Prairie. The election was held in Oc- tober, 1882, at what is known as the Pel-

ton school house. At that time the first officers were chosen, and are at present

yet in office. They are the following named gentlemen: Jolın Taylor, Martin Rahm, Jr., and August Studer, trustees; Matthew Studer, clerk; David Arbuckle, assessor; A. J. Pelton and George Elfrich, justices; Joseph Rahm, constable.

Prairie township is six miles square and contains 23,040 acres of most excellent land. The surface is rolling to a slight degree, and the soil a rich dark loam, sus- ceptible of high cultivation. It is well watered by Prairie creek, which rises in Wesley township and enters Prairie on the northeast quarter of section 4. Run- ning in a general southerly course, it intersects the entire township and on sec- tion 34 making a confluence with the small creek that rises on section 13, forms the West Fork of the Boone river.

David Arbuckle was the first to locate in the township, settling npon the north- west quarter of section 30, in 1871. Hle is still a resident of this homestead that

he has carved out for himself upon the prairies of Kossuth county.

A Mr. Burdick also settled in Prairie township in 1871, locating upon the north half of the northeast quarter of section 30. After living here for some time he removed from the county, and his present whereabouts are unknown.

The first school in the township wax erected in 1876 on section 23.

The second was built in 1883 on section 18. It is a large, commodious edifice and cost $844. It was put up by George Me- Rae, under contract, and is built in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. The first teacher was Justina Tumach. The school board is composed of John Taylor. George Elfrich and August. Studer.

School is also held for the present in two private dwellings, the law not allow- ing the directors to build a school house for less than fifteen pupils.

The cemetery of Prairie township was purchased of Herman Studer, in 1882, for the sum of 824, and contains abont one acre. Before this the people buried their dead on railroad land on section 19, but upon the location of the cemetery, which is upon section 17, it was deter. mined to remove all the bodies to this consecrated ground. This will be done in the near future. The first interments

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here were two Hungarian boys, whose bodies were brought from Algona, but whose names are unknown. The next wore children of Meyers and L. Klein- peter.

The only church in the township is lo- cated on section 17, and is of the Roman Catholic denomination. This is the Ben- edict Church of the Bavarian settlement. It was built under the supervision of Rev. Father Eberhard Gahr, in 1879, at a cost of $900, besides the large amount of gra- tuitous labor done thereon. The edifice, which is a fine one, is 20x36 feet, and in ornamented with a bell, that rings out the Angelus at noon and eventide, and calls the worshiper to the shrine of devotion. Before the erection of the church, ser- vices were held at the parsonage-a nice, comfortable house, which was built during the summer of 1878, at an expense of $675. The congregation includes some fifty or sixty families, and services, held every Sabbath, are always well attended.

Rev. Eberhard Gahr, who is the present pastor of Benedict Church, in Prairie township, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 18, 1833. He was the son of George and Catharine Gahr, natives of Bavaria. Rev. Gahr commenced his studies for the the ministry, in 1846, at the gymnasium in Regensburg, and in 1854, after he had completed his studies, he came to Ameri- ca, and went to the Vincent Monastery in

Westmoreland Co., Penn., where he re- mained two years. He then went to New- ark, N. J., where he remained almost three years, and in the fall of 1858 he re- moved to , Shakopee, Scott Co., Minu., where he took charge of his first Church in that place, and also had charge of all the Churches of faith in Scott, LeSneur and Sibley counties, besides east Minne- apolis and missions in Hennepin county, where he remained for five years. In 1864 he was sent to Castorville, Texas, to take charge of the Church there, and a number of missions in the country. In 1869 he was called to Augusta, Bracken Co., Ky., and remained there until 1872, when he was removed to Ottawa, Ill., on account of poor health in Kentucky. In the fall of 1877 he came to Prairie town- ship to look at lands; his object being to locate a colony, which he did the follow- ing spring, 1878. He built the parsonage, and the year following, 1879, he built the church. The first service was held in the same, Ang. 15, 1879. Ilis congrega- tion numbers from fifty to sixty families.

'The first birth in the township was that of a child of M. Studer, born in 1882.

The first death, that of a daughter of M. Studer, who died in 1882, and was buried in the cemetery attached to Ben- edict church.

The first marriage was that of August Germar and Francesco Foerstel, in 1879.

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CHAPTER XXV.

RAMSEY TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the extreme north- eastern portion of Kossuth county, and comprises all of congressional townships 99 and 100 north, range 27 west, all of township 98 north, range 27 west, except the nine sections in the southeast corner; also the two eastern tiers of sections in townships 98, 99 and 100 north, range 28 west. This gives it an area of 127 square miles, or 81,280 acres. The surface is rolling prairie and in some instances somewhat broken. The soil is the same rich, black loam that is found nearly everywhere in the county, and promises inexhaustible fertility. The Blue Earth river rises in the northern part of town- ship 98, range 27, on section 4, and run- ning in a general northwesterly course passes out of the township and county on the line between Ramsey and Portland townships. The southern part of the township is pretty well settled up, but in the northern half there is plenty of room for the incoming immigrant. The town- ship was named for Wayne Ramsey, the president of the First National Bank of Madison, Wis., who is the owner of large tracts of land in this precinct.

The Chicago & Northwestern railroad crosses diagonally the northwest portion of the township, entering on the west line of section 26, and making its exit on

the north line of section 7, both in town- ship 100, range 28. There is no station within the limits of Ramsey, the sparse- ness of the population not warranting it as yet.

The first settler who came to Ramsey township and took up land with the in- tention of making a home was Norman Collar. On the 13th day of July, 1867, he arrived here from his old home in Grundy Co., Ill., and located on the south- east quarter of section 24, township 98, range 28. He came all the way in his wagon, and with him were, besides his own immediate family, De Witt and Emily, nephew and niece of Mrs. Collar. Al- though the party left Mendota on the 8th of May, it was, as has been said, the 13th of July before they reached their future home in Kossuth county. After their arrival, as there was no house prepared for them, they were compelled to camp in their wagon until the 25th of August, by which time a sod house was erected, and into which they moved. In this they re- sided until 1872, when Mr. Collar built a neat frame house, which he has since enlarged and added to. While they were living in the old sod house, travelers, landseekers, speculators and tourists gen- erally made it a point to stop with them when in their neighborhood. No point

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in this section was so well known as the "Old Sod Tavern," as it was called. They sometimes realized quite a nice little sum from this accommodation of the traveling public, amounting to as high as $600 per year. Mr. Collar is still a resident of the original claim on which he first located.

Norman Collar was the first settler of what is now Ramsey township, and is a prosperons and thriving farmer and stock raiser. He was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., April 16, 1838, and removed to St. Lawrence county in 1839. Ile is a son of Lyman and Eliza Jane Collar. ITis father was a native of Vermont and his mother of New York. In 1848 he went with bis parents to Grundy Co., Ill., where he remained and farmed until 1867, when he removed with his family to what in now Ramsey township, Kossuth Co., Iowa, and settied on section 24, where he now resides. Mr. Collar was married Feb. 14, 1861, to Almira, danghter of Edsel and Berintha Drake, natives of the Eastern States. Mrs. Collar was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., April 28, 1830. They have no children. They have had living with them, ever since they came to lowa, De Witt and, until married, Emma Drake, nephew and niece of Mrs. Collar. De- Witt is still living with them. Emma was married April 16, 1871, to A. B. Johnson, and now resides in Blooming Prairie, Minn. In politics Mr. Collar is a republican.

On the 15th of July, 1867, Mr. Collar turned the first furrow that was ever plowed in the soil of Ramsey township. He, at this time, broke abont seven acres, and the next spring put in his first crop.

Caleb Pearce was the next to settle in this township, in 1869. He came here from Mendota, Ill., and settled upon sec- tion 19, township 99, range 27. Timber being wanting in this locality, he built for himself and family a sod house, in which they lived for some seven years. In 1877, cirenmstances having improved with him, he erected a neat frame dwelling which is Tiow occupied by his son. Frank. Mr. Pearce died in February, 1881, his wife having preceded him hy nearly a year. When Mr Pearce settled here his nearest neighbor was distant, seven miles, and he had to go twenty-two miles to have bis grist ground. He had two children- Frank, who lives on the old homestead, and Amelia, who is married to Alfred Bartlett, and who lives at Blue Earth Chy, Minn.

Willet F. Pearce, is the son of Caleb and Ann Pearce, one of the early settlers of Ramsey township. Mr. Pearce wax born in New York city, Dec. 12, 1854. At the age of four years, his parents removed to Mendota, Ill. In 1869 he came to Ram- sey township, Kossuth Co., Iowa, and set- tled on section 19. He owns 240 acres of land, has abont 100 acres under enltiva- tion, and makes stock raising his pursnit. He was married to Mary, daughter of John and Eliza Wolfe, Jan. 9, 1877. Mrs. Pearce was born in Decorah, Winneshiek Co., Iowa. They have had three children -Edwin C., Lillie V. and George S. Lil- lie V., is dead. Mrs. Pearce is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics, Mr. Pearce is a republican.

Case Wiltse was the third settler in Ramsey township, locating here in 1871. In the spring of that year, he came to this

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vicinity and took up his land on section 30, township 98, range 27, and the same year had abunt twenty acres broke by Cunningham and Gray. In the fall of 1872, he brought his famly from Black Hawk Co., Iowa, into Kossuth county. Ilaving no honse built to receive them, he occupied a sod house in Wesley township, that belonged to S. P. Hartshorn, all that fall and winter, but in the spring of 1873, having built a frame house on his own land, he moved his family into it. This honse, in which he yet resides, was built by his own hands, he being a carpenter by trade.

Case Wiltse, one of the first settlers of Ramsey township, is a son of James and Electa Wiltse, natives of Canada. He was born April 9, 1834, in the village of Farmersville, county of Leeds, Canada. At the age of nineteen, he learned the carpenter trade and followed it until the fall of 1860, when he came to the United States, locating in Shiawassee Co., Mich., where he worked at his trade until 1865, when he returned to Canada. In 1869 he removel to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where he followed his trade and farming. In the fall of 1872, he removed with his fam- ily to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and settled on section 31, Ramsey township, where he resides at present. Stock raising and farming is his main pursuit. He owns 160 acres of land, abont ninety of which is under plow, and has good improve- ments on the same. He was married Jan. 21, 1856, to Elizabeth Steffens, daughter of Richard and Catharine Steffens, natives of Canada. She was born Dec. 25, 1840, in Canada. They have had nine children -Simeon J., Alborne H., Anna M., Charles

C., J. Frank, Effie E. and Glenn H. Laura A. and Guy E. are dead. Mr. Wiltse was formerly a member of Buffalo Grange Lodge, No. 94, organized in 1874. In pol- itics, he is a republican and strong abo- litionist. And he is a prohibitionist in every sense of the word.

Ramsey township was organized upon the 3d of June, 1879, and the first elec- tion was held at the school house, on sec- tion 13, township 98, range 28, in the fol- lowing October. A petition had been presented to the board of supervisors, the year previous, by P. G. Schneider, W. L. Green and J. Liesveld, asking that body to authorize the organization of the township, but the prayer was denied. At the first election, the following were among the officers chosen : Case Wiltse, clerk; J. G. Schneider, assessor; Case Wiltse, justice of the peace. The pres- ent officers are: D. A. Duitinan, clerk ; P. G. Schneider, assessor; D. A. Duitman and Case Wiltse, justices; C. Duitman and J. Meinberg, constables.

Ramsey township has four school houses. The one in district No. 1 was the first built, being erected during the year 1877. The first school in the town- ship was taught here by Silas Schenck, during the summer of the same year. The house is 18x28 feet in dimension and was built by Thomas Gallion, and cost 8650. Mary Hoffman, of Dubuque, taught in 1883.

School house in district No. 2 was erected in 1880, on section 12, by H. C. Kleist, at an expense of $600. The first teacher was Viola Mann; the presentone, Hattie Chesley.

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That in district No. 3 was built in 1881 by H. C. Kleist, and cost $600, and is a neat frame structure 16x34 feet. It stands on section 32, township 98, range 27. The first teacher was Alice Ferguson.

District No. 4 has a good school house located upon section 4, township 98, range 27, built during the year 1882, by Wil- lard Miles, and cost about 8600. Louise Austin taught the first school here during the summer of 1883.

The first preaching in the township was done by the Rev. J. Liesveld, during the year 1877. After him came Rev. A. Krebs in 1880, and who remained only one year, to be succeeded by Rev. F. Schmidt, the present pastor of the society. All these were of the Presbyterian de- nomination.

Rev. Frederick Schmidt is a native of Prussia. He was born in Saar Bruecken, Rhine province, March 21, 1832, and is the son of Christian and Charlotte Schmidt. He lived with his parents until 1849, when he came .to America. He landed in New Orleans, after being forty- nine days in making the trip across the ocean. From there he took passage on a steamboat and went to Cincinnati, where he remained about six months ; thence to Platteville, Wis. In 1850 he went up into the pineries on the Menomonee river and staid there eight months. He then re- turned to Platteville and remained until 1857. While there he joined the Ger- man Congregational Church and after- wards joined the Old School Presbyterian. In 1854-5-6, he went through a the- ological course in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1857 he was licensed to preach. His first appointment was in Clayton City and Mc-

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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 66

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