USA > Iowa > Lucas County > History of Lucas County, Iowa containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc > Part 69
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The largest stream in this township is the north fork of Cedar creek, which enters it near the southwest corner, and flowing in a north- east direction, passes into Monroe county on the east side of the township. The other streams are called First, Second and Third creeks, and all flow in an eastern direction, and are numbered in regular order,
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beginning on the north. They all empty into Cedar creek, after passing out of the county. Along these streams some very good timber is found, and in the south part of the township, near Cedar creek, is a saw mill owned by Mr. George N. Shore, who is kept busy converting saw logs into lumber of various kinds. Some of the best white oak lumber in the county can be obtained at this mill. Mr. Shore has also, at the request of his neighbors, attached a corn burr, and supplies the neighborhood with meal.
Portable saw mills are in frequent use in other parts of the township, and furnish a regular occupation for a number of persons.
The general surface of the township is probably rougher and more broken than any other in the county, especially in the southeast part; but the very roughest of the land, which is mostly owned by non-residents, furnishes splendid pasture, and the citizens have the best "range " in the county for their stock.
The west and northwest parts of the township are better situated. The farms are well cultivated, with good residences and many good barns. Splendid crops of corn, oats, and flax are usually raised, and a large number of hogs and cattle are every year shipped to Chicago.
The tax books of 1880 show 22,900 acres of land. Of this amount, something less than one-half is fenced, and in cultivation, and each year the owners of land are fencing and breaking up more.
Probably the best coal, from surface veins, in the county is in the north- east part of this township. The distance from Chariton is too great to haul it there, but a large amount is used by the farmers, especially in the winter season.
Some good building stone is quarried, and used for cellar walls, and foundations generally, as also for walling wells.
There is no railroad in the township, though the people are anxiously looking for one, and would probably be willing to vote a tax in aid of one, and the time will probably come when a road will be built through that way from Chariton to Knowville, or Oskaloosa.
A postoffice, called Belinda, is located nearly on the line between sec- tions seven and eight, at which a large number of the people receive their mail; but quite a number patronize the offices at Columbia, in Marion county, and Ola, in Cedar township, while others go to Chariton.
A general store is located at Belinda; also a blacksmith shop, and wagon and repair shop.
Chariton is the natural market for this township; but, owing to the competition in freight rates at Knoxville, a large amount of grain is mar- keted there.
One of the first settlers in that part of the county was Mr. Thomas L. Strong, who, about the year 1851, located in section five. About the same
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time, Benjamin Litton settled in section eight; but many others soon located in different parts of the township. Mr. Litton is still living on the old place, and, although so old a resident, is as active as many of the young men now-a-days at thirty. He has raised a large family, and is a prosperous farmer.
Mr. Strong, after living many years in Pleasant township, and serving . in the army during the war, changed his residence, a few years ago, and is now living in the town of Russell, where he seems to be doing well, and enjoying life.
The first marriage solemnized in the township was that of John Cald- well, to a Miss Asher. About the same time Mr. A. Jacobs was joined to Miss Minerva Ballard.
The first birth in the township was that of Harvey Strong, son of the above named Thomas L. Strong. He was born on the 13th day of December, 1851.
The first death was that of Harvey Strong, above named, in April, 1853.
The first regular physician who practiced in the settlement was Doctor Rogers, of Columbia.
The first religious service held in the township was by the Rev. Dick- enson.
At the present time, the township is remarkably well supplied with churches, having four church buildings and some other church societies.
The society of the Church of Christ in Christian Union was organized in 1864, and held their meetings in school houses until 1876, when they erected a nice building, twenty-six feet wide, and forty feet long. The membership numbers about one hundred; and Elder K. D. Wolf has. been pastor for four years.
It is thought by some that this church has no distinctive belief or rule of faith, which is a mistake. The following are the Christian Union prin- ciples :
1. The oneness of the Church of Christ.
2. Christ the only head.
3. The Bible our only rule of faith and practice.
4. " Good fruits " the only condition of fellowship.
5. Christian union without controversy.
6. Each local church governs itself.
7. Political preaching discountenanced.
Motto :- " In things essential, unity; in non-essential, liberty: in all things, charity."
Rev. Joshua Wilson, an old resident of the township, was ordained an elder in 1867, and is a local pastor.
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A society of the Christian Church was established in the northeast part of the township, early in its history. They, some fifteen years ago, built a good church, very near the north county line, and have a very prosper- ous organization.
In the east part of the township is a church, built about seven years ago, by a Methodist Episcopal society, and in the south part is another, belonging to the same denomination, which was built about three years ago.
The Dunkards have a society in the east part of the township, while the Swede Methodist have one in the west part. All seem to be prosper- ing.
The first school in the township was taught at the house of Mr. Thos. Strong, by Miss Mary Crawley. She afterwards married, as most school ma'ams do, and went to Nebraska to live.
The township is now divided into nine sub-districts containing four sec- tions each, with a school house in each. A few years since, the school house in district seven was burned at night, supposed to have been the work of an incendiary, but it has been replaced by a new one. While the citizens of Pleasant township are generally comfortably situated, there is less wealth than in most of the other townships, and as a result, the expense of supporting nine schools is a greater burden than it ought to be, and makes their school tax uniformly higher than in any other township in the county. Though this may seem burdensome, yet, the up-growing generation will be benefitted by it, which will also add to the greater prosperity of the township.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Population in 1880, 919. Union township is in the southwest corner of Lucas county, with Clarke county to the west and Wayne county to the south of it. The land is principally well situated, being mostly prairie of a slightly rolling character. The north fork of Chariton river passes through the township from west to east, dividing it so as to leave nearly two-thirds on the south side. The river is formed by two small streams, one of which, rising in the west part of Wayne county, flows northward into Lucas county, and joins the other coming from Clarke county, near the west line of Union township. Whitebreast creek flowing in a northeast direction cuts off about a half section of the north- west corner of the township. Along the "divide" between Whitebreast creek and Chariton river, was formerly a traveled road called the "Mor- mon trace." It was made by the Mormons on their way through this country to Utah. The road has since been changed to the section lines, but retains its old cognomen of the Mormon trace road.
There is probably a smaller amount of good timber in this, than any other township in the county, but along the Chariton river is some of very
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HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
fair'quality. Many of the farmers own small tracts of timber in Jackson township, which lies to the north. While wood has been the principal fuel since the first settlement; within a few years coal has been largely used both for heating and cooking purposes. Of this a considerable has been hauled from the mine at Cleveland in wagons, but the larger part has been brought to the station at Derby on the cars. Within a short time, a company. has been organized at Derby, to prospect for coal, and they are now engaged in sinking a shaft into the ground with an appar- ently fair prospect of finding the desired vein.
The tax books of 1880, show 22,800 acres of taxable land in addition to the town of Derby. Of this amount, over three-fourths is under fence and otherwise improved, which is an unusually large proportion.
Quite a number of the finest and largest farms in the county are in this town- ship. Among them are those owned by J. W. Sprott, Granville Westfall, M. J. Mabry, Geo. H. Sutton, Robert Irvin, James Leech, James McMains, H. Pollard, Wm. Sandersand A. M. Troutman. These gentlemen own from four hundred to eight hundred acres each, and all are splendidly improved with good residences, barns, and outbuildings generally. They, along with the other farmers in the township, raise splendid crops of all kinds, and a large amount of the best stock; and being close enough to the Wabash railroad at Humeston, as well as the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road at Derby, secure the advantage of competition in freights, and therefore receive the highest prices for their farm commodities.
The first known permanent settler in the township was a Mr. Hamilton, who located there in 1850. Early in 1851, came H. Holmes, Mr. Fudge, S. B. Chapman, Granville Westfall and Bennett Robinson. These were all that lived in the township at that time, but just over the line in Clarke county, Mr. Alonzo Williams had previously located, and he afterward changed his quarters over to Lucas county, and is one of the oldest citi- zens of that neighborhood. Of the above named gentlemen three still live in the township. Mr. Chapman is now taking his ease at his home in the town of Derby. Messrs. Westfall and Williams |are both prospering in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Chapman is a strong advocate of the doc- trines of the greenback party. Mr. Westfall is an ardent democrat, and Mr. Williams is an earnest republican. Thus, the three survivors of the original settlers represent the three leading political parties.
The first marriage in the township took place in the winter of 1851. The high contracting parties were J. C. Wetter and a widow named Mrs. Salisbury. They were united by Elijah Robinson, justice of the peace. Mrs. Salisbury's maiden name was Wilson, but, having lost her first hus- band, concluded to join fortunes with the eccentric Swiss, for such he was. Mr. Wetter was an industrious man, a great religionist, and strong in doc- trinal controversy. When the war broke out he enlisted in the thirty-
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HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
fourth Iowa infantry, and served with credit until its close. He changed his residence to Otter Creek township just previous to the war. He had always been a strong republican, but when the greenback wave swept over the land, it carried him away. For the time he dropped his religious controversies and became a greenback orator. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace on the greenback ticket, but his apparent anxiety to take possession of his office caused him to perform his first official act a little too soon. His term began on the first Monday in Jan- uary, but on the first day of January, three days earlier, he took an acknowledgement of a deed as justice. He remedied the matter by doing it over again afterward. He afterward sold his farm in Otter Creek township, and went to Kansas.
The first death in the township was that of a little daughter of Mrs. Salisbury.
The first religious services in the township were held by Reverend Thomas Winters, a Baptist minister, in a log school-house in section eleven. Soon after, in the same neighborhood, a society of that church was organized by Reverend Mr. Whitehead. Among the original mem- bers were John Woods, Bennett Robinson, Alfred Conner, Mrs. James Barger, Thomas Wade, and George Courtney and wife. A church was erected, which was called "Goshen." About five years ago the church was moved a short distance, and repaired generally; but very shortly afterward was blown down by a tornado. The society at once proceeded to rebuild, and now have a much better building than before. Reverend Mr. Barnett, of Peoria, in Wayne county, has been the pastor for nearly twenty years. A Sabbath-school is regularly conducted, with J. H. Scovel as superintendent.
In 1856, a society of the Christian Church was organized at "Last Chance." The members lived both in Lucas and Clarke counties. Those in this county were mostly of the Hood family, being Martin, A. M., A. J., and William, and their families, and G. Westfall. About fifteen years ago, they built a church at an expense of about six hundred dollars. Their last pastor was Reverend Mr. Porter, but, for about two years, they have had no pastor.
A society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1873, at Derby. Before this organization, societies of this church had existed, and service were held in different parts of the township, at school-houses, but this society seemed to practically unite or absorb the others. The same year, 1873, the erection of a church building was begun, and com- pleted, at an expense of about fifteen hundred dollars, and was dedicated in 1874, by Rev. H. H. Oneal, then of Chariton. This society is only part of what is called Derby circuit, two other appointments being under the charge of the pastor. The Derby society, or appointment, has
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HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
about sixty members. Their pastors, since 1873, have been as follows: Reverends Messrs. Allen, Martin, W. W. Welch, R. Daily, A. H. Mur- phy, Simpson Guyer, and R. J. Tennant, the present incumbent.
On the 27th day of April, 1873, a society of the Presbyterian Church was organized, and incorporated, at Derby, by the following persons: Reverend W. C. Hollyday, pastor; I. M. Taylor, elder; and A. D. Leech, and Goodman Abell, deacons. The names of the other members of the society are not given in the record. They proceeded at once to erect a church at an expense of about one thousand dollars. Their pastors have been Reverends Messrs. Hollyday, Edgar, and Allen, but at the present time they have none.
The first resident physician in the township, was Dr. Martin, who located at Last Chance about the close of the war, but many years previ- ously, Doctor Fitch, of Chariton, and Doctor Chaney, of Green Bay, in Clarke county, were the regular practitioners.
The first school in the township was in a log school-house, in section eleven, where the Goshen school-house now stands. It was taught by Jacob Holmes, who is now dead. He had sixteen pupils, and received one dollar and seventy-five cents for each one. He boarded with Mr. S. B. Chapman, who then lived on the farm now owned by D. M. Thomp- son, and paid one dollar a week for his board.
The township is now divided into seven school districts, with a good school-house in each. Recently the district, in which Derby is situated, has been made independent.
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In the early days, the settlers went to Comstock & Dunham's mill, on Skunk river, over sixty miles, to get their grinding. Mr. S. B. Chapman procured a hand-mill, and fastened it to the wall of his house, with which a very energetic man could grind about a bushel an hour. It was kept in con- stant use, and people would come nearly twenty miles, very frequently on horseback, to use it. Mr. Chapman would usually give them their dinner, and send them on their way rejoicing without charging any toll.
Derby in the east, and Last Chance in the west of the township, are the postoffices, but some of the people receive their mail at Humeston, a couple of miles in Wayne county, and others at Lucas, in Jackson town- ship.
In 1871 and 1872, the Chariton branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was built through the township, and in the fall of 1880, work was begun on a branch of that road from Derby west; but after doing a large amount of work the enterprise was suddenly abandoned. The people expect to see it resumed at no distant day, as the railroad company took care to secure and retain the right of way of the proposee extension.
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HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
DERBY.
Population in 1880, 174. The village of Derby was laid out by Messrs. Perkins and Manchester, trustees for the owners of the land on which it is situated, it being on the southwest quarter of section twenty- four, in township seventy-one, north of range twenty-three, west, Union township. The plat, which covers something over forty acres, was made made on the first day of May, 1872. The village is pleasantly situated on a beautiful prairie on the line of the Chariton branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad,and is the first station on the road.
In June 1875, Mr. J. W. Riggle, having purchased the land adjoining on the west, laid out Riggle's addition to Derby. The original town con- tained one hundred and ninety-two lots, and the addition fifty-nine. While the population of the village is not large, it is nevertheless a good point for business, being situated in midst of a splendid farming country. Major Lewis and Mr. Throckmorton buy and ship large amounts of grain and stock.
In addition to the churches mentioned under the head of Union town- ship, there are two secret societies that have organizations here. The Masonic lodge called Mount Carmel, No. 295, was originally organized at Freedom in June 1871, with the following charter members, all of whom were officers as indicated: John Bacon, W M .; John Barnet, S. W .; W. H. Palmer, J. W .; M. Ream, treasurer ; J. W. Barnet, secretary ; J. Thomas, S. D., Thomas Vanderbun, J. D., J. M. Ryan, tiler.
The lodge was moved in January, 1876, to Derby, and the following are present officers: A. G. Keys, W. M .; George Wright, S. W .; James Stunbaugh, J. W .; Henson Pulley, treasurer; Leander Moore, secretary; J. B. Sommers, S. D .; E. Mabry, J. D. There are twenty-two members, and they occupy a fine and well furnished lodge room. Mr. A. G. Keys, the master of this lodge, is also a grand lodge officer.
A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted by D. D. G. M. Robert McCormick in 1876. The following are the names of the charter members: J. H. Smith, D. A. Enslow, C. N. Riggle, Wil- liam Campbell, J. W. Sprott, J. A. Robison, A. G. Johnson and T. F. Enslow. The organization now numbers twenty-seven persons. The following are the names of the present officers: A. B. Cheney, N. G .; L. S. Hedges, V. G., A. O. Kirk, secretary, J. J. George, treasurer, B. T. Chapman, warden; G. W. Thompson, conductor; O. Dickenson, R. S. N. G .; N. M. Bruner, L. S. N.G .; J. W. Sprott, R. S. V. G .; J. Parkins, L. S. V. G .; G. W. Harris, R. S. S .; L. A. Leech, L. S. S .; Isaiah Robison, I. G .; R. D. Spencer, O. G. They have a fine lodge room built in 1877, at an expense of six hundred dollars.
Should the coal company, now prospecting at Derby, meet with suc- cess, the town will receive a prosperouse impulse, and might soon rival
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Lucas and Cleveland; it being supported by a superior farming country surrounding it. It contains dry goods, drug, hardware and agricultural implement establishments, two hotels, and other business houses, shops, etc. The railroad gives the people "high hopes and great expectations". of their future importance.
WARREN TOWNSHIP.
Population in 1880, 984. Warren township is in the south tier of town- ships in Lucas county. By the congressional survey it is numbered township seventy-one, north, of range twenty-two, west. The land is unusually well situated, even for Iowa. Chariton river enters the town- ship a little north of the middle of the west side and flowing east and northeast passes into Whitebreast township about a mile west of the northeast corner, leaving about one-fourth of the township on the north side of the river. Wolf creek enters the township a little north of the southwest corner, and flows in a general eastern direction, and passes into Benton township about a mile north of the southeast corner. These streams with their small tributaries drain the township.
According to the tax-books of 1880, there are 23,325 acres of taxable land in the township. Of this amount, over 21,000 acres are under fence and otherwise improved, being a much larger proportion of improved land than in any other township in the county. In addition to this, the improve- ments of all kinds average better than other townships. The horses and cattle are always assessed higher than any other, which indicates a better grade of stock.
The first settler to locate permanently in the township, seems to have been Mr. Samuel A. Francis. He located in the northeast corner of the township in section one. The place is now owned by " Uncle Billy" Holmes. He built him a cabin and commenced improving his claim at once, living for the time a single man and alone. This was in 1849. In 1850, Peter Waynick came and located a Mexican land warrant also in section one, and about the same time L. M. Duckworth entered his land in section fifteen, and in the winter following, he, and D. D. Waynick's made the rails to fence it. and to repay Mr. Waynick; Duckworth after- ward helped him make the rails to fence his place near Chariton. A man named Jesse Wells is said to have located about the same time in section fourteen.
In 1851, Mrs. Powers, a widow, came from Ohio with her family and located in section five, and Jacob Taylor on section seven, Samuel Cowden on section eighteen, and Jacob Critzer on section twenty-five. During the same year, and 1852, the following persons located in different parts of the township: Wm. Swaney, C. Gartin, Allen Edwards, James Barnett, Wm. Sams, David Miller, G. W. Mitchell and E. D. Plymate. Of these early
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settlers, Messrs. Duckworth, Sams, Mitchell and Plymate, are still living in the township and are all prosperous farmers. Mr. Duckworth, consid- ering the length of time that he has lived in the county, and also that he has two boys who are voters, is a remarkably young looking man, and shows few traces of the hardships of pioneer life. His appearance is that of a man on the sunny side of forty, and he is more active than most men of that age, but he has passed his fifty-second birthday. Mr. Mitchell is the same age, and also remarkably well preserved. Warren township fur- nished one of the parties to the first marriage that took place in the county. This was Mr. Samuel A. Francis, the first settler in the township. The other party to the contract was Miss Louisa J. Waynick a sister of D. D., I. H., and W. W. Waynick. She was living at the time with I. H. and W. W., at their home on what is now Stephen Threlkeld's farm, about three miles southeast of Chariton, and there the marriage ceremony was performed by James Peck, as noted in chapter on "early record events." The newly married couple at once took up their residence on their claim in Warren township, and lived there for a number of years, when they sold out and removed to Nebraska, where they are still living.
The first marriage ceremony performed in the township was by Sam- uel Cowden, Esq., a justice of the peace, in 1852. The parties united by him were Mr. Asa Pollard and Miss Talatha Taylor.
In November, 1853, Mr. W. H. Palmer was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Emily J. Campbell, by Rev. Mr. Parr, a Christian minister; and in December of the same year, Mr. William Cowden was married to Miss Julia McVey.
Mr. Palmer is living in Benton township, and is a well known citizen and prosperous farmer.
Mr. Cowden was badly used up by rebel bullets during the late "unpleasantness," and makes his home partly in Chariton, and partly in the neighborhood of Freedom.
The first birth in the township, was a son to Samuel and Louisa Fran- cis. He was born in November, 1850, and was named Jay. He lived but about four years, his death occurring while the family were tem- porarily living in Monroe county during the winter of 1854 and '55.
In 1851, a son was born to Jacob and Margaret Burley. He was named Jacob, after his father.
The first girl baby known to have been born in the township was Mil- lie Pollard, daughter of Asa and Talatha Pollard. This was in 1853.
The first death known to have occurred in the township, was that of a daughter of Allen Edwards, in 1851. She was the first person buried in what is now known as the Freedom cemetery.
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