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 88
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Isaac L. Carr, son of John K. and Mar- garet Carr, was born Sept. 8, 1840, in Montgomery Co., Ind. He went, in 1851, to Missouri, and remained near Princeton, Mercer county, nine months, then went to De Witt Co., Ill., and lived until twenty- six years of age. At that time he went to Keokuk Co., lowa, and staid one year, then returned to DeWitt county. Two years later he went to Kansas and lived one year in Lyon county, and one year in Butler county, thence to Christian Co., Ill., where he remained nine years, after which he came to Humboldt county and settled Jan. 1, 1882, on the north half of the northwest quarter of section 23 in Cor- inth township, where he has a fine loca- tion, good buildings, a grove of six acres, and seventy-five acres broken. lle also owns 160 acres on section 14, of which seventy acres are broken. He was mar- ried April 19, 1866, to Mary J. Day of De- Witt county. They have three children
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living-Isaac L., Birdie K. and Anna Z. Pearly is buried in Christian Co., Ill, and an infant in Coles county of the same State. Mrs. Carr's parents were John E. Day (now buried in De Witt Co., Ill.,) and Anna (Miller) Day, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Carr are members of the United Brethren Church. He is a repub- lican.
Robert Henderson was born Feb. 7, 1847, in Ireland, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is a son of Robert and Letitia (Mc- Adam) Henderson. When eight years of age he came to America, locating in Phil- adelphia, Penn. Remaining there six months he went to Watertown, Wis., re- maining there twoyears; thence to Colum- bia county, remaining there twelve years. In March, 1868, he removed to Mason City, Iowa, thence to Algona, Kossuth county, thence to Emmettsburg, Emmet county. Ile took a claim eleven miles southwest of Emmettsburg, and in 1871 his parents moved on to it. Mr. Henderson soon after- ward started out to secure work, and after traveling some forty-five miles he hired to a man in Rutland township, Humboldt county, remaining with him two years. He married Margaret Meltrick, widow of John McItrick. She resided on the south- west quarter of section 2. They have 334} acres of land, and make stock raising a specialty. They have three children- Sadie, Willie J. and Robert Garfield. Mrs. Henderson had five children by her first husband-Martha, Ellis, Margaret Jane, Emma and D .. rothea. Mr. Henderson is a republican politically, and a Master Mason.
C. D. Markin is a native of Bartholo- mew Co., Ind., born March 16, 1844. He is the son of Charles and Mary Ann
(Einsley) Markin. The former is buried in Illinois and the latter now lives in Jasper county. In 1869 Mr Markin, sub- ject of this sketch, came to Iowa and lo- cated upon a farm in Bremer county, where he lived six years. In 1875 he moved to Humboldt county, and settled on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 5, Corinth township, where he is engaged in farmning and stock raising. He also owns a house and lot in Rolfe, Pocahontas county. He was married Aug. 24, 1870, to Jane Elizabeth Curining- ham, daughter of R. M. and Eliza Cunning- ham, of Janesville, Bremer Co., Iowa. They have five children-Florence M., Jessie F., Mary Elizabeth, Myrtie and Robert Watt. Mr. Markin enlisted in 1862, in company B, of the 87th Indiana, and served seven months. Ile was mus- tered into the service at South Bend, Ind., and out at Galatin, Tenn. He participat- ed in the battle of Perryville, Ky., and minor skirmishes. He is a republican and a member of the G. A. R., and has held the office of school director of district No. 7.
Nels O. Nelson was born in Norway, Oct. 23, 1848, and is a son of Ole Nelson and Sarah (Erickson) Nelson. When Nels O. was six months old he removed with his parents to La Salle county and lived on a farm until 1869, then went to Benton county, thence to Webster Co., Iowa, and from there he went to Dakota Territory. That country not proving what he desired, he came back to Iowa and purchased a farm in Humboldt county -the northwest quarter of section 34, township 91, range 29, Corinth township, where he now owns a beautiful and well
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improved place. Mr. Nelson was married Dec. 3, 1873, to Susan Chantland, of Web- ster county, daughter of Thomas and Christena Chantland, both residents of Dakota Territory. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have four children-William Oliver, Thom- as Amos, Sarah Henrietta and Charles M. Mr. Nelson is a republican in politics, has held the office of township trustee three years, and is a man of more than ordinary business qualifications.
John Edge resides on section 20, of Corinth township, to which he removed in 1882. He formerly lived upon the southwest quarter of section 21, in the same township, seven years. He was born in England, at Sonth Staffordshire, July 18, 1826. His parents, Joseph and Sarah (Golden) Edge, are buried in North Staffordshire, at Ypstone's church. He came to America in 1869, and settled at that time at Brady's Bend, Armstrong Co., Penn., where he lived about three years. He then removed to Irsina, Somerset county, and was there engaged in manag- ing coal mines three years, then spent two years upon a farm in the same county, af- ter which he came to Humboldt county, where he has a valuable farm and good improvements. He was married Aug. 19, 1850, by W. Lewis, vicar of Sedgley Church, Staffordshire, to Maria Spruce, of Wolverhampton, England. Eleven chil- dren have been born to them-Sarah, Mary, Joseph, John, Ann Maria, Benja-
min and Emma are living; Samuel and George H. are buried in England, William and Rose Hannah in America. Mr. Edge belongs to the republican party. He and his family are members of the M. E. Church. He takes an active interest in
the welfare of the Church and Sunday school, of which he has been superintend- ent. He is highly esteemed in the neigh- borhood where he lives.
Jacob Sheky is a native of Germany, born April 10, 1849. He is a son of Michael and Anna (Cobene) Sheky, who reside in Jefferson Co., Wis. When six years of age he came to America, locat. ing in Watertown, Wis., where he lived for about seventeen years. On the 30th of February, 1870, he was united in mar- riage with Anna Shuster, of Watertown, Wis. This union has been blessed with five children-Anna, Michael, Mary, Jose- phine and Albert. In March, 1872, Mr. Sheky removed to Webster Co., Iowa, where he followed farming. He remained there a few years then came to Humboldt county, and purchased 120 acres of land on section 33, Corinth township. He has six acres of timber on section 12, Badger township, Webster county. He is en- gaged quite extensively in stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Sheky are members of the Catholic Church. In politics, he is a re- publican.
Lemuel Bane settled on the northeast quarter of section 10, Corinth township, in March, 1882, where he owns 120 acres. His farm is pleasantly located, one mile west of Humboldt. He has eighty acres under cultivation, and good improvements; and is engaged in raising grain and stock. His residence is surrounded by a fine grove. Ile was born Aug. 6, 1822, in Washington Co., Penn. His parents were George and Charity Bane, both now de- ceased. The former is buried in Morgan Co., Ill., the latter, in Pennsylvania. Lemuel Bane went, in 1852, to Edgar Co.,
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Ill., four years later, to La Salle county of the same State, where he remained twenty- six years, and from whence he came to this county. He is one of the substantial farmers of the county, and liked by all. He was married Feb. 22, 1847, to Mary Braden, daughter of James and Elizabeth Braden, who were natives of Green Co., Penn., and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bane have one son -- William. They are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Bane is a democrat, politi- cally.
John Large was born in county Queens, Mountmellick, Ireland, March 25, 1845. He came to America and settled in Noble Co., Ohio, where he remained eight years. He then removed to Christian county, and lived twenty-six years. Ile arrived in Humboldt county, in 1882, and settled October 7, on section 22, township 91, range 29, Corinth township. He was married, April 3, 1869, to Martha E. McClure, of Richland Co., Ill. They have three children-Lewis E., Alvah C. and Nellie I. Mr. Large is a republican. He enlisted, in 1862, in company A, 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He partici_ pated in the battles of Chickamanga, Franklin and Nashville and many skir- mishes, and was not once wounded. He was mustered into service at Springfield, Ill., and out, at the same place.
T. C. Mason came to this county in company with Mr. Gay. He was born
Jan. 12, 1856, in Westmoreland, England. His parents, T. W. and Elizabeth (Cow- perthwait) Mason, now reside in Tama county. He left his native country in 1871, and came to America, locating at that time near Traer, Tama Co., Iowa, where he remained twelve years. He then came to Humboldt county where he resides on the same farin with Conklin Gay. He was married, Jan. 12, 1881, to Martha C. Gay, of Tama county. They have one child-Anna Cornelia. Mrs. Mason's parents were Cornelius and Lucy Ann (Wood) Gay. The former is buried in Buckingham, Tama county. The lat- ter resides with Mr. and Mrs. Mason. Mr. Mason is a member of the republican party.
Conklin Gay was born in Henrysburgh, Lower Canada, on the 5th of February, 1820, and is a son of William and Sarah (Manning) Gay, both of whom are de- ceased. They are buried at Three Mile Bay, N. Y. When seventeen years of age he removed to Three Mile Bay, N. Y., and lived on a farm for eight years. In 1851, he removed to Lake Co., Ill., where he followed farming four years; thence to Tama Co., Iowa, where he lived on one place thirty years. In March, 1883, he removed to Humboldt county, locating on the southwest quarter of section 15. He also owns the west half of the southeast quarter of the same section. He is en- gaged principally in stock raising, and politically is a republican.
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CHAPTER XXII.
THE TOWNSHIP AND TOWN OF DAKOTA.
These two are co-extensive, the town- ship, which once occupied about two-thirds of the county, having been cut down to the limits of the incorporated town of Dakota. This covers the inost of section 6, township 91 north, range 28. It lies on the high bluff crowning the divide between the two forks of the Des Moines river, and is a veritable " city set on a hill." It was laid out by Edward Mcknight in 1855, but was not filed for record in this county until the 7th of June, 1858. The surveyor who performed the work of the survey was William Safford. In 1858 Charles Bergk purchased the town site of Mr. McKnight, and held it until 1875, when it was transferred to the county.
One of the leading journals of the State says of this town:
" This thriving trade center is the judi- cial seat of Humboldt county. It is sit- uated on the Sioux Rapids branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, be- tween the two forks of the Des Moines river, about three miles above their junc- tion It adjoins the corporate limits of the flourishing city of Humboldt on the east. It was originally called Dakota City, and was so known for some years, but lately, by common consent, the latter word was dropped.
"In 1873 a substantial court house was erected, which is a fitting capitol for the rich and prosperous county of Humboldt. Nearly all the principal religious denomi- nations are represented by organizations, but only the Methodists have a house of worship, which is a substantial structure, and in every way a credit to the good peo- ple of this congregation, as well as to the citizens at large.
" Dakota occupies a fine location. The immediate vicinity is a splendid agricul- tural domain, and in every prominent in- dustrial pursuit it is a brisk business place."
The first settlers on the site of the present town were: Charles Bergk, Ed- ward Mcknight, August Zahlten and Christian Hackman. The settlement of these parties and sketches of them are given elsewhere, and space forbids a repetition of it here. Suffice it to say, that E. Mcknight owned the land on which these parties settled in 1854, and that all but he wintered here in a cave, on the East Des Moines, the following winter.
In the following spring came William Cragg and Charles Adelsberger, who set- tled here in May of that year. Others came with them but did not remain, tak-
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ing up claims in various parts of the county.
William Cragg, one of the earliest set- tlers in this county, was born in Philadel. phia, Feb. 25, 1833. His father, Dennis Cragg, was a native of England, although reared in Pennsylvania. His mother was Ann (Elliott) Cragg, a native of that State. They reared four children, of whom Wil- liam was the third. He remained in his native city until the spring of 1855, then came to Dakota, Iowa, and engaged in farming, improving what is now known as the "Harvey farm," the second farm in the southern part of the county to be improved. He lived there until 1858, when he returned to Philadelphia and re- mained eleven years. He then came back to Dakota City and became deputy treasurer of the county, which position he held until January, 1874, and was in the real estate and drug business from 1874 to 1882. He was married in 1862, to Mary Lugar, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children now living-George W., Harry and Mary. Mr. Cragg was as- sessor of Dakota township several terms, and has been a member of the city coun- cil. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the Legion of Honor, in Dakota City.
Walter Thomas, now a resident of the town of Humboldt, settled in Dakota as early as 1856, and is one of the few old settlers of the county still living in it.
G. L. Hess came from Philadelphia in 1856, and settled in Dakota. He entered the service of the government during the war, and was killed in the awful carnage at the battle of Gettysburg, where was checked the rebel advance, and the con- federacy met its death-blow.
During the year 1856 Henry Foster, a Mr. Bostwick, Patrick Sheridan, Egbert Hulbert and D. F. Howell became settlers. Mr. Foster came from Cincinnati and Mr. Bostwick from Canada. Patrick Sheri- dan remained for a short time, when he removed to Rutland township, where he now lives. Hulbert left this country dur- ing the Indian scare of 1857, and never returned. D. F. Howell and his wife are still residents of this, the place of their original settlement on coming to Hum- boldt county.
W. Calvin Beer was another settler of the year 1857, and was the orator of the first 4th of July celebration held in the town, that year.
S. S. Booth came to Dakota and settled in 1857. He afterwards moved to a more salubrius climate sonth.
William Blythe came here in 1857, and after remaining some time removed to Corinth township.
A party by the name of McDongal was also a settler of the year 1857. Ilis pres- ent whereabouts is unknown.
Alexander McLean was also an in-comer of the year 1857, and the fall of that year was elected treasurer and recorder.
Gilbert Forest was another of the pio- neers of 1857, and was one of those who kept the hotel in an early day.
The first log building in Dakota was erected in 1855, by Harlow Miner, Wil- liam Miller, B. Trellener, and J. and F. Johnson. This was built for a residence for Mr. Miller, and stands near the pres- ent residence of G. Franklin, and is used by A. W. McFarland as a stable.
The first building in the village to be built of pine was erected for a school
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house. It was a small frame structure, the lumber for it having been hauled from Cedar Falls. It is standing yet.
The first birth in Dakota was that of a child of Washington and Jane Clarke, who was born in 1857. She was called Dakota, after the place of her nativity, and was the first child born in the county.
A town hall was built by Edward Me- Knight, in the summer of 1857, which was afterwards used as a chapel by the Roman Catholic congregation.
A steam saw mill was erected by Edward MeKnight in Dakota, in 1855, which was the pioneer mill of the county. . This had an attachment for grinding corn and wheat, but was without the machin- ery to properly bolt it. This mill passed into the hands of Charles Bergk with the other property of Mcknight. It was while engaged in running it that one day the flue collapsed and the boiler was rent assunder with a terrible explosion. Mr. Bergk, who was in the mill, was flung out on to the prairie and every one thought he was dead. They went to him and under- took to raise the body from the ground, when Bergk jumped up, and wiping the dirt from out his eyes, explainingly said to the bystanders in his broken English, "I'll tell you vat was the matter, poys, the damn things bust."
The postoffice was established in 1856, and Charles Bergk was commissioned postmaster. At first he carried the office in his pocket, and delivered the letters personally. HIe held the position for about fifteen years, when he was succeed- ed by J. M. Youngling. In February, 1877, W. J. Smith, the present postmas- ter, received his commission, and has held
the place ever since. E. B. Fancher is his accommodating deputy, who attends to most of the business, as Mr. Smith has large mercantile interests to look after. The amount of business transacted at this office in 1883 was about $1,000.
William J. Smith, the present postmas- ter of Dakota, and wholesale dealer in flour from New Richland, Minn., is a na- tive of Clearfield Co., Penn., horn Sept. 22, 1848. His father, Samuel Smith, was a native of England, and his mother, Mary A. (Stewart) Smith, was a native of Ireland. William is the only child. He was reared in Clearfield county, and re- ceived a commercial education in Iron City College, of Pittsburg, Penn. He resided in his native county till 1866, when he removed to Clarence, Iowa, and there engaged in different lines of trade until 1871, when he came to Dakota, where he was also engaged in different lines of business. In 1876 he became postmaster, a position which he now holds. He en- gaged in the wholesale flour trade in 1878, and is doing a large business. Ile is also engaged in the same business at Livermore, in this county. He was mar- ried Oct. 9, 1872, to Rose Hegarty, a na- tive of Cedar Co., Iowa. They have two children-Samuel W., and an infant, Law- rence A. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. societies, and is also a Sir Knight. He has been a member of the city council several terms.
The first hotel in Dakota was run by Washington and Albert Clarke, in 1856. This was a small building, the main part 16×20 feet, two stories high, and a " lean- to" 12x14 feet. There were no partitions upstairs or down, but beds placed in a row
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accommodated the weary traveler. The Clarkes kept this until May, 1857, when they were succeeded by Alexander Mc- Lean. He was in turn followed by B. Chauvet, and while in his hands it was burned to the ground.
The Dakota House is conducted by M. Burgit, a thorough business man, and one who is unremitting in his attention to all his guests. He came from New Hampton, Iowa, in 1879, purchased the hotel, and after refitting and refurnishing it throughout, from first floor to attic, he opened it to the public. The Dakota House has twenty-two large-sized, airy rooms, comfortably appointed, and the office, dining and sample rooms are all con- veniently arranged for business. The build- ing is a two-story brick, 30x60 feet, with an L 16x20 feet. The table fare is all that could be desired, and everything about the house is kept scrupulously neat and clean. Connected with the hotel is a fine livery, having good reliable horses and comfort- able riding vehicles. Both hotel and liv- ery are extensively patronized, and Mr. Burgit is meeting with the success that his industrious efforts deserve. There is no hotel of its size in northwestern Iowa that is better kept than the Dakota House. This hostelry was erected in 1872 by Dr. D. P. Russell, who ran it himself for a while, when he rented it to several par- ties in succession, but who all retired after a short time. "Dr. Russell again became its landlord, and he and his wife ran it until 1879, when Mr. Burgit became its owner and landlord, and is the present genial host.
Mandeville Burgit, proprietor of the Dakota House, is a native of Cayuga Co.,
N. Y., and was born Dec. 22, 1818. In 1834, he with his father and mother re- moved to Illinois, locating in Livingston county, where they were early settlers. In 1842 he went to Walworth Co., Wis., there living two years, when he removed to Dodge Co., Wis., where he farmed till 1864, then removed to Chickasaw Co., Iowa, where he owned a large farm near New Hampton. In 1879 he came to Dakota He was married June 16, 1849, to Miriam Jones, of Wales. They have seven children - Isaac H., John M., Lydia B., Lottie, Edson, Miriam and Mandeville, twins. Mr and Mrs. Burgit are members of the Congregational Church.
The Northwestern Hotel was partially built by James Haggerty, in the fall of 1880, and run by him as a hotel for some little time. William Leedom erected the balance of it later. The present landlord is T. McNamara.
The pioneer store building was erected by Edward McKnight for Burchard & Kinsman, in 1857. This was built of na- tive lumber, sawed at his own saw mill, and consisted of oak, basswood and black walnut.
The first merchants who located in Da- kota was this firm of Burchard & Kinsman, for whom the store was built, and who came to this place in the fall of 1857. They engaged in the general merchandise line but were here only a short time when they, like many others that memor- able year, failed and left the country.
John E. Cragg was the next to engage in the mercantile trade, and begau the same general business in 1858. This be carried on until 1861. Mr. Cragg was
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prominently identified with the official life of the county.
The third merchant in Dakota was Sam- uel Goodyear, who opened his store some time in 1866 or 1867, and ran it for several years.
George I .. Cruikshank opened a store here in 1868 which was the first one after the war. He was followed by J. M. Young- erling and B. Chauvet. Freeman & Mott. came shortly after, having erected the building now occupied by G. D. Osborne. Freeman & Mott were succeeded by W. J. Smith, who ran the store until 1873. The building remained untenanted for about a year, when it was occupied by C. H. Brown & Sons, as a store. In 1878 these latter moved to the building erected by A B. West.
This general merchandise trade is at present in the hands of G. D. Osborne. This was commenced in May, 1879, the firm then being Osborne & Griswold. It ran through several changes in the next few years, being, successively, Osborne & Savage and Osborne & Franklin and in Marclı, 1883, it passed into the hands of the present proprietor. He carries a fair stock and is doing a good business.
G. D. Osborne establislied a general store in Dakota, in May, 1879. He car- ries a stock of $4,000, and has the princi- pal trade of the place. He is a native of Oswego Co., N. Y., born Nov. 29, 1858. He came to this county in 1879 and en- gaged as clerk for C. H. Brown & Son, of Dakota City. He remained in their em- ploy six months, and then established his present business. He was married Oct. 7, 1882, to Rosa L. Martin, of Palo Alto
Co., Iowa. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
Another store was commenced in 1874 by C. H. Brown & Sons, who after a time was succeeded by Manley Brown, one of the sous, and who operated it until Jan- uary, 1884, when it passed into the hands of Thompson & Thompson, the present owners, who hang out their sign as "The Farmers' Store." Part of the original stock of C. H. Brown & Sons was that of J. M. Youngerling, who had run a store here just previous to their starting.
The first drug store in the town was started by John T. Fockler, about 1872.
This business is now represented by A. W. McFarland. It was established in 1874 by William Cragg, who, however, sold it out to Franklin & Osborne in 1882, and these parties ran it for about a year, lisposing of it to the present proprietor on the 26th of February, 1883. Mr. Mc- Farland is one of the prominent attorneys and moneyed men of the county.
The first hardware store was started by I. G. McMillan, who operated it for some years. The next to fill this business was Gilliland & Minturn, who re-established the trade in March, 1881. This they ran until the 21st of September of the same year, when they closed it out to Butts & Benton, who operated it in part. . nership until April, 1883, when a dissolu- tion took place, Myron A. Benton pur- chasing the interest of the retiring part- ner. He carries a good clean stock, and has worked up, by perseverance and close attention to the wants of his patrons, a fine business.
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