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 67
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Gregor, Iowa, and Wyalusing, Wis. In 1858 he was sent to Lyons. In 1859 he went to Monroe and Beloit, Wis. In 1860 he was called to Muscatine, Iowa, where he remained until 1865, when he went to Mt. Pleasant and Burlington, Iowa, where he remained until 1873. He then went to Riley Center, Kan., and re- mained there until the fall of 1882. He then came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and set- tled in the village of Ramsey. He preaches in three different places in Ram- sey township. As they have no church as yet, he holds service in school houses. He is now (1884) gathering funds to build a church, to be 28x40 feet in size, and cost about $1,200. His congregation numbers from eighteen to twenty fami- lies. Rev. Mr. Schmidt was married June 1, 1857, to Adrianna Vyverberg, a native of Holland, by Rev. A. Van Vliet. This union was blessed with nine children - Charlotte, Augustinus, Angust, Frederick 'T., Werner A., Calvin, Hannah, Sophia and William. Augustinus, August and William are dead. Charlotte is married to A. C. McCreary, and resides in Kansas. In politics Rev. Mr. Schmidt is a republi- can.
There are two cemeteries located in this township. The one on section 13, town- ship 98, range 27, was donated to the township by D. B. Hutchins, and contains some five acres of land. The first person buried therein was a child of William Kleint, in June, 1879. The second wax A. Wagner, in 1880.
The other cemetery is located on section 32, and was donated by Bernard Meyer, in the spring of 1882. It contains but one acre, now, but it will be enlarged as occa-
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sion requires. It is surrounded by a good substantial board fence. At present there are bnt two bodies interred in this beauti- ful little "Gott's acre," one a child of A. Wagner, bnried in November, 1882, and the other, John Feldman, buried in Sep- tember, 1883.'
The first land was broke on the 15th of July, 1867, by Norman Collar, on section 19.
The first house was one built of sod by Norman Collar, and finished Aug. 25, 1867.
The first death was that of Albert, son of John C. and Eliza J. Wolfe, who died during the year 1873.
The first marriage was between Frank Pearce and Mary E. Wolfe. Rev. Free- man Franklin performed the ceremony on the 9th of January, 1877.
First frame dwelling house was built by Case Wiltse, in the spring of 1873, and in which he at present resides.
The first child horn in Ramsey town- ship was Effie, daughter of Case and Eliz- abeth Wiltse, the date of whose birth was March 1, 1874.
The first school house was built in 1877, on section 13, township 98, range 28, and in this the first school was taught in the summer of that year by Silas Schenck.
The small post village of Ramsey is located upon section 14, township 98 north, range 28, and is the only village in the township. The postoffice, the blacksmith shop, and a few dwellings is all there is of it at present, but the future may bring it increase, and it grow to be quite a place. The country surrounding it is of the very best quality and is gradually filling up with an intelligent class of agriculturalists.
The postoffice, which bears the same name as the village, was created in 1877, and P. G. Schneider commissioned the first postmaster. After holding this posi- tion for three years, he was succeeded by F. Esebrandt, who held it for two years. John Meinburg was the next incumbent of the office, until in the summer of 1883, B. F. Smith was appointed and is the present postmaster. This office is supplied with its mail by the stage from Algona, semi-weekly. James I .. Payne, of that towu, was the first mail carrier to this point in 1877, when the office was first established.
B. F. Smith, the son of A. D. and Polly Smith, natives of New York, was born in Marquette Co., Wis., June 2, 1852, and lived with his parents until the fall of 1872, when he went into the pineries and worked there until the spring of 1873, when, with two friends, he made a trip by wagon through Minnesota and Dakota. In 1878 he went to Grand Rapids. Re- maining there six months, he removed to Colby, Wis., and in 1879 went to Wau- kesha Co., Wis. In 1880 he went to Durand, and in 1882 removed to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and settled in the village of Ramsey, where he now resides. He is the present postmaster, being appointed to that office July 12, 1883. Mr. Smit: was married Dec. 2, 1878, to Catharine E. Jones, daughter of James and Elean. . Jones. Mrs. Smith was born Aug. 3, 1857, in Marquette Co., Wis. In politics he is a republican.
Peter G. Schneider, one of the promi- nient farmers of Ramsey township, is the son of Peter and Catharine Schneider, natives of Germany. He was born in
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Galena, Jo Daviess Co., III., Dec. 7, 1851. At the age of fifteen years he learned the blacksmith trade with his stepfather, George Rittweger, who had a shop at Scales' Mound, and with whom he re- mained until of age. In 1872 he opened a shop of his own in Scales' Mound. In the spring of 1874 he was married, and removed to Malvern, Mills Co., Iowa, where he worked at his trade for three years. In 1877 be removed with his family to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and settled on section 13, Ramsey township. He has 200 acres of land on section 18, of which 160 acres are under cultivation. Mr. Schneider was married Nov. 9, 1873, to Johanna G., daughter of Rev. J. and Gesiena Leisveld, natives of Holland. Mrs. Schneider was born July 9, 1855, in Platteville, Grant Co., Wis. They have five children-llerman J., George A., Wil- liam I .. , Benjamin Peter and Lydia G. K. Mr. Schneider has held the office of town- ship assessor for five years, that of school treasurer two years, road supervisor three years, and school board one year. He was the first postmaster in Ramsey, and held that office for three years; has been a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Al- gona for over nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider are members of the Presby- terian Church. Ile votes the republican ticket.
The first house in the village of Ram- sey was erected in 1877, by W. L. Green.
The first blacksmith shop in the village of Ramsey was built in 1877, by P. G. Schneider, who ran it for about four years, when he disposed of it to Martin School, man, who is the present representative of that business.
David A. Duitman, is a prosperous and thriving farmer of Ramsey township. He is the son of Garret and Johanna Duit- man, natives of Holland. He was born Sept. 3, 1856, in Fond du Lac Co., Wis. He remained with his parents until twen- ty-twoyears of age, when he was married to Eva, daughter of John Henry and Eva D. Berning. Her father was a native Prussia ; her mother of Holland. Mrs. Duitman, was born April 1, 1857, in Fond du Lac Co., Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Duitman were married Feb. 24, 1878. They have two children-Winnie E. and John Henry. In 1878 Mr. Duitman came to Kossuth C'o., Iowa, and settled in Ramsey tow 11- ship, on section 19. lle owns 160 acres, and has ninety acres under cultivation. Hle lias a good house and barn on the same, and makes stock raising his main pursnit. In polities he is a republican.
Thomas W. Tinker is the son of Hilton and Emma Tinker, natives of England. He was born Ang. 9, 1848, in Springfield, Dane Co., Wis., and lived with his parents until twenty-two years of age. In 1869 he went to Trempealean Co., Wis., where he farmed during the summer ; and in the winter he worked in the pineries. In 1871 he went to Winona Co., Minn., and worked on what was then called the Ma- ple Dale farm, one year, and rented the same the next year. In 1874 he bought a farm in the same county. In the spring of 1881 he sold his place and moved with his family to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and set- tled in Ramsey township, on secti. n 13, where he now resides, and makes stoek raising his pursuit. He was married Oct. 10, 1873, to Maggie, daughter of William and Eliza MeKnight, natives of Scotland.
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Mrs. Tinker was born in Walworth Co., Wis., Sept. 30, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Tin- ker have five children - Burnie W., Ho- mer II., Myrtle E., Sidney A. and Thomas
McKnight. Homer is dead. Mr. Tin- ker has held the offices of trustee and secretary in Ramsey township. In poli- tics he is neutral.
CHAPTER XXVI.
SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.
This township is the second from the | Lane is a native of Ohio, and one of the east line of the county on the most south- present residents of Irvington township. erly tier, and is known as congressional Joseph Kaney came to this township in 1856, and pre-empted a claim of 160 acres on section 18, where he now lives. township 94 north, range 28 west, of the 5th principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by Irvington, on the east by Lu- verne, and on the west by Cresco township. On the south is Humboldt county. It con- tains just thirty-six sections of land or 23,040 acres. It is crossed diagonally by the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, which enters it on the northeast quar- ter of section 36 and makes its exit about the center of section 5. The surface is gently rolling and the soil dark, alluvial, loam,' of uncommon richness. A small creek, an affluent of the West Fork of the Boone river, crosses the northeastern cor- ner, crossing in its course, sections 2, 12 and 13.
"The first settlement was made on the 8th of December, 1855, by Richard Hodges, locating upon section 8, where he yet lives.
Elijah Lane, one of the pioneers of the the county, settled upon section 6, where he pre-empted eighty acres, in 1855. Mr.
Joseph Raney, son of Joseph and Cic- cla Raney, was born July 14, 1824, in Mar- tin Co., Ind. In 1854 he came to Iowa, stopping first in Muscatine county, where he engaged in farming for two years. He then came to Kossuth county, and located in Irvington township, pre-empting 160 acres of land on section 18. Irvington township has since been divided, placing Mr. Raney in Sherman township, where he now owns 176 acres of land, all under cultivation, and where he raises a large amount of sheep, horses, hogs, cattle, etc. Mr. Raney has been married twice. First, Jan, 31, 1847, to Polly Gootee, danghter of Thomas and Nancy Gootee. The re- salt of this union was nine children, six of whom are now living-Virginia, wife of William Johnson; they moved to Lower California where he died; she then married A. J. Down; Walter W., who married Cora M. Fisher, and lives in
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Cresco township; Sheldon, who married Isabella Gilmore, and lives in California; John; Caroline, wife of John R. Frazer, living in Cresco township; and Joseph F. Sheldon and Virginia have taught school. Sheldon now teaches in California. Mrs. Raney died in March, 1862. In May, 1863, Mr. Raney married Mary, daughter of Addison and Martha Fisher, of Massa- chusetts. They had twelve children, eleven of whom are living-Mary A., wife of E. C. Clark, living in Cresco town- ship; Phoebe O., William H., Cora M., Charles A., David E., Carrie I., Adol- phus J., Martha E., George S. and Robert F. Mr. Raney at different times has held the offices of school trustee, school direc- tor, township assessor, treasurer and road commissioner. He is now township trus- tee. Politically he is a republican.
Henry Wheeler made a claim on section 6, in 1857, and remained about four years. He was a native of New York State and when he left this county went to Min- nesota.
A Mr. Sissens made his selection on section 6, also, in the same year. He came here from Illinois, and after a short trial of pioneer life, gave it up and re- moved to eastern lowa.
Abram Knight, a native of England, came to this township from Canada, in 1858, and took a claim of 160 acres on section 5, where he lived until the day of his death in 1861.
The first death in the township was that of Abram Knight in September, 1801; his remains were buried on Mrs. Crock- ett's farm, in Irvington township.
The second death was that of Mrs. Polly R., wife of Joseph Raney, who died in March, 1802.
The first birth was that of Caroline, daughter of Joseph and Polly R. Raney, born Oct. 16, 1858. She is now married to John Frazer, and lives in Cresco town- ship.
The first marriage occurred upon the 22d of May, 1863, when the Rev. Mr. Billings united in the bonds of wedlock, Joseph and Mary Fisher.
The first school was held at the school house built in 1859, but the name of the pioneer teacher has not been preserved.
Sherman township was organized in February, 1883, and the first election, for township officers, was held in October of that year. The following named were chosen to manage the affairs of the town" ship: John Connors, John Brass and H. C. Parsons, trustees; D. D. Dodge, town- ship clerk ; A. Rutherford, Jr., assessor ; Max Miller and D. D. Dodge, justices ; Joseph Raney and W. G. Beardsley, con- stables ; Nick Marso and A. Lorimer, road supervisors.
In the Curran school district, school was first held by Ella Sparks, at the residence of Mr. Curran, in 1866. In 1867, a school building was erected, and Asa Story pre- sided as pedagogne. Of this school, John Reed, the present county recorder, relates, that in 1865, whilst he was county super- intendent, he visited this school in the course of his duties. The building was but an apology for a school house, 8x10 feet, and but loosely put together. Mr. Story lived in and held the school in the same room. He had but about six scholars and he, of course, in the presence of the
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superintendent, wanted them to behave their best, but as usually happens, when children are wanted to do their best, then they behave the worst. One luckless urchin, brimming over with fun and frolic, could not contain himself, and Mr. Story turned an empty barrel over him and tak- ing a seat thereon, proceeded to hear the class recite. Literally barrelling up the boy.
The school house in sub-district No. 3 was erected, in 1871, and James Clapp was installed as teacher for the first term.
The Connor's school house was built in 1880 and Miss Rutherford was the first teacher.
Henry Curran was born in August, 1831, in the county of Louth, Ireland. His mother died when he was quite a child. Iu 1850, he came with his father to America, landing in New Orleans. Shortly after their arrival, his father, one brother, and two sisters died, with what is called ship-fever. The next year he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where his sister was married. In a short time, he went to Galena, Ill, and from there to Allamakee Co., Iowa, where he purchased land and bnilt him a house. The following year, he went to St. Louis Co., Mo., and en- gaged in farming. Remaining there two years, he went to Montgomery county and staid two years. He then went up the Mississippi river on a speculation. He P. Politically, Mr. Curran is a republican.
purchased 250 sacks, intending to buy potatoes, but failing to find any, he had to give it up. So he purchased a boat running it six months. After this, he went to Hampton, Rock Island Co., 111., and bought a cooper shop. The next summer he hanled logs, and in the fol- lowing spring commenced making brick. He continued in that business until the war broke out in 1861, his men all enlisted, and he was obliged to suspend. In the spring of 1865 he went back on his farm in Allamakee Co., Iowa. In the fall he sold out, and came to Kossuth county, lo- cating on section 22, Sherman township, then call Irvington township. He pur- chased 160 acres of land, and built him a house, which burned down in February, 1872. He then built a house half a mile away from where the old one stood, and that year, he took a contract to make brick for the Algona court house. In 1874 he took a contract to carry mail from Spencer, Clay Co., to Sioux Falls, a dis- tance of 100 miles. He remained on this route one year, then for two years carried mail from Sibley to Algona. He then went back on the farm where he now lives. He was married April 19, 1857, to Jerusha Parker Knights, born in Danville Caledonia Co., Vt. They had ten children, of whom eight are living-Mary M., Henrietta, Helen J., Lillian L., Caroline B., Artemus F., Archibald M. and John
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CHAPTER XXVII.
WESLEY TOWNSHIP.
This township is in the extreme eastern part of the county of Kossuth, and com- prises all of congressional townships 96 and 97, and sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36, of township 98 north, all west of range 27, and contains eighty-one square miles, or 51,840 acres of land. The soil is a rich dark loam, with a slight admixture of -and. The surface is slightly nudnlating, and in some sections nearly level, and where covered with the indige- nous grasses, presents a beautiful appear- ance. It is well drained and watered by several creeks, the most important of which is the Buffalo fork, that rises in Hancock connty on the east, enters Wes- ley township on section 1, township 97, range 27, intersecting its whole breadth from east to west, and makes its exit on section 6. There is one railroad, passing diagonally across the lower corner of Wesley township. This is the Iowa & Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwan- kee & St. Paul, entering on the north half of section 36, and making its exit on the south half of 32. There is but one vil- lage in the township, the village of Wes- ley. This is considered an excellent agricultural township, and consists almost entirely of prairie. Although having quite a number of settlers, they are seat- tered over such an immense territory that
a great deal of land is as yet nnimproved, awaiting the tide of emigration that must turn this way.
The first settlement made in this town- ship (as near as we can learn) was by Alexander K. Kennedy, in the fall of 1865. Ile came alone, but in the spring of 1866 he moved his family here. This was in May. He took up a homestead of eighty acres on section 22, and also pur- chased 160 acres of agricultural college land on section 28, besides some five acres of timber.
Alexander K. Kennedy was born in Stoughton, Mass., Dec. 1, 1837. When two years of age his parents removed to Lake Co., Ill. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the service, but as no more men were needed, he was not called into the field. He worked on a farm, also do- ing some carpenter work. In 1865 he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, taking a homestead of eighty aeres on section 22, Wesley township. He also purchased 160 acres of land on section 28,and five acres of timber land in Cresco township. Mr. Kennedy was married, Feb. 14, 1865, to Anna Thain, of Lake Co., Ill. They have had eight children, seven of whom are living-Jolin T., Mary I., Alice E., Wil- liam T., Fannie T., Ralph and Rubie. Mrs. Kennedy is a member of the Disci-
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ple Church. Mr. Kennedy is a republican in politics. He has been school director and trustee, road supervisor, and has sev- eral times been president of the school board. He is now serving his eighth term as justice of the peace.
In the spring of 1866, Charles, Joseph and George Hubbard came to Wesley from Wisconsin and made a settlement on sections 18 and 20. George remained here about a year, and then removed to Illinois. Joseph emigrated to Kansas af- ter a stay of two years, and Charles, how- ever, stayed until 1878, when he. too, left Kossuth county, going to Kansas.
Zenas Sabin, during the summer of 1×66, located in Wesley township. Ile came from Illinois, and had his home par- tially built, when, becoming disgusted with the looks of things around him, the newness of the country, and suffering, perhaps, with homesickness, he went to- ward Minnesota, but soon journeyed back to Illinois.
Edgar Stevens came from DeKalb Co., Ill., to Wesley township in the spring of 1867, and located upon section 30, where he took up a homestead of eighty acres. He since then purchased another eighty on the same section and a forty on section 19, all of which he owus at the present time, although he is no longer a resident of the county, being engaged as a minis. ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hartley,in the north western part of Iowa.
Frederick, Peter and Mary Dorney, from DeKalb Co., Ill., also came to this place the same spring, and located on sec- tion 6. The boys took up a homestead of eighty acres each, and proceeded to open up farms. In 1879 Poter died; Fred got
married, and in 1880, he with his wife and sister moved to Algona, where they still reside.
In the fall of 1867, Silas Stevens, a cousin of Edgar Stevens, located a home- stead claim on section 6, of eighty acres. He came from DeKalb Co., Ill., also. He was killed by a threshing machine in 1869. His widow now resides in New York.
About the same time Corbin and E. Hyde, came from the same place to Wes- ley township and each took up a home- stead of eighty acres, on section 30. Corbin removed to Algona about 1873, where he still lives. Edward moved ont of the county in abont 1875.
'The same autumn, of 1867, Edward 'Thomas, a native of Massachusetts, left DeKalb Co., IH., where he had been liv- ing, and came to Wesley township, loca- ting upon a homestead of eighty acres on section 30, where he still lives.
Wesley township was organized in June, 1871, and the first election was held at the house of A. Ward, ou section 8, town- ship 96, range 27, in November, of the saine year. The following were the officers chosen: E. Thomas and E. L. Stevens, trustees; Orrin J. Emmons, clerk.
The present officers of the township are as follows: George W. Eddy, J. J. Gannon and J. A. Cunningham, trustees; George J. Lawson, clerk; E. W. Gurren, assessor; A. K. Kennedy and Joseph Hartshorn, justices; C. Brisbois, consta- ble; and the following road supervisors: District No. 1, J. P. Gray; No. 2, A. Ward; No. 3, John Dyke; No. 4, Frank Hume; No. 5, H. Ward; No. 7, C. Reibs-
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amen; No. 8, John Zumsteg; No. 9, C. Hngi.
The first death in the township was that of a son of Edgar and Emeline Stev- ens, who died in November, 1867, but a few hours old. It was buried on his father's farm. This child was also the first birth in the township.
The first marriage united in the golden bonds of wedlock, Austin Eastwood and Rebecca McPherson, on the 3d of June, 1872. This couple came to residence of M. Taylor, who was a justice of the peace, and he tied the marital knot. They now live at Coral, Mich.
The first school house was built in the fall of 1870, at a cost of $575, on section 6. This school, now called the Ward school, was in district No. 4, and the first teacher was William Ward.
The first school, however, was taught by Florence Calkins, at the residence of Samuel Witter, on section 22, in the sum- mer of 1869. Nine scholars are reported to have comprised the list of this pioneer school.
The first ground appears to have been broken by Zenas Sabin, in 1866, but A. K. Kennedy planted the first seed and sowed the first grain in the township.
The first birth, where the child lived, was that of John T., the son of A. K. and Anna S. Kennedy, who was born Dec. 21, 1868. He still resides with his father in this township.
The first divine service was held in Wesley township, in a sod house belong- ing to a man by the name of Mickleson. This was held by the Rev. Mr. Torge- son, a Norwegian Lutheran preacher of
Worth county, during the summer of 1870.
The first services of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, were held at the house of John Smith, in September, 1872. Mr. Smith lived in a sod house, 16x22 feet in size, about one and a half miles northwest from the village of Wesley. Elder Obed Robinson, at that time a resident of Port- land township, conducted the exercises. He labored in this place, preaching some four or five times before the winter set in. By this time he had organized the Church with the following list of officers : Obed Robinson, John Bennett, Mr. Paine, Corey Currie and T. Gallion, trustees ; Corey Currie, recording steward ; Obed Robin- son, class leader; Case Wiltse and T. Gal- lion, stewards. Services were suspended until in the spring of 1873, when Elder Rob- inson again commenced his work, preach- ing this time in what is now called the McPherson school house. Here religions services were held until September, 1873, when the little Church was moved to the village of Wesley, a Church having been started there at the same time as this one.
Obed Robinson, son of Isaiah and De lilia Robinson, was born in Swanton, Franklin Co., Vt., March 15, 1824. Ife received a good education in the home of his birth. In 1847 he attended St. Al- ban's Seminary. He was joined in marri- age, in 1849, to Ammyrilla Campbell, daughter of William and Fanny Campbell, of Vermont. They had eleven children, nine of whom are living-Edna, Merrit, Franklin, Fanny, Julia, Elmer, Charley, Clarence and Mayrilla. In 1849 Mr. Rob- inson removed to York State, constantly exhorting, holding meetings and prayer-
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