USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
7
٣
-
AL JNS
L
LOG CABIN HOME OF GEORGE MUELLER
The Mueller home from 15GG to 1574. Built by Benjamin Duckett about 1-54 or 1855. The building is still standing on section 2, Union Township
RESIDENCE OP GEORGE MUELLER Built in 1966. Section 35, Jefferson Township
MIR. AND MRS. GEORGE MUELLER
Married at Warsaw, Illinois, August 8, 1864, and came immediately to Madison County. They have lived on their present farm over forty- eight years continuously. Celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary August 8, 1914, at which time this picture was taken.
337
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Union Township, which he still owns. In 1886 he built a new house, just across the road from his old log cabin and is living there today.
Mr. Mueller, like many of the early pioneers, transformed a wilderness into one of the best farms in that community. He served as township trustee from 1891 to 1907, was school director of his district six or seven years, and road supervisor one or two terms. Seven children fell to his lot, now all grown up: Herman A. Mueller who served the county well and faithfully as auditor, later held the position of cashier in the Johnston Bank at St. Charles, and is now engaged in the real-estate and insurance business: Mrs. A. F. Burger, of Winterset; Mrs. Pleasant Brittain, of Ransom County, North Dakota; George E. Mueller, of Tioga, North Dakota, where he is farming and teaching school; Oscar O. Muel- ler, an attorney at law at Lewistown, Montana; Ernest W. Mueller, in charge of the home farm; and Mrs. Fannie Mueller St. John of Sheridan, Wyoming.
At times there were Germans who would live a few years in the settlement and then move away. Frederick Thoms worked for George Mueller in 1876 and owned a small farm in section 34. Jefferson Township and, in 1877, rented the A. F. Burger place. In 1878 he bought a farm in section 16, where there was another German settlement. About 1881 he sold out and moved to Nebraska.
Somewhere about 1882 Emil Mathes worked for William Schoen in the creamery, later sent for his mother and sister in Germany, and lived near this vicinity until about 1890, when he went to Des Moines and later to Chicago.
Reinhold Kneuper came from Germany in 1871, lived in this settlement a few years and then bought a farm in section 8, Jefferson Township. Two Franco- Prussian soldiers, Daniel Wenzell and Henry Walsmith, located here in 1871. They remained a year or so and then went to Nebraska.
There is also a German settlement in the northwest part of Jefferson Township, sometimes known as the Clayton County German Settlement. Landing in New York from Germany, these people first made their way to Northeastern Iowa but when that country began to settle up and land increased in value, they sold out there and sought cheaper farms. Some Americans from Clayton County had located in Madison County after the war, about 1866 and 1867, among the number being A. M. Peters and others. About this time the Rock Island Railroad was being built through from Des Moines and these German people heard of this and also that Madison County was noted for cheap lands and fertile soil, and thus it was that they were attracted to this part of the state. George Storck was the first of the number to come to Madison County, the year of his arrival being 1868. He purchased a quarter section of raw prairie land on section 13, Madison Township and then returned to his home in Delaware County. In January, 1870, he returned to Madison County, improved his land and has lived here continuously since, having in the meantime acquired 520 acres of the best land in the county. He was but five years of age when he was brought by his parents from Germany in 1848 to Clayton County. He enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, on the 22d of August, 1862, and was mustered out August 8, 1865. He received a wound in the shoulder at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, and was promoted to the rank of corporal. After the war he returned to Clayton County but in 1867 located in Delaware County, where he made his home until he came to Madison County. From 1883 until 1885 he served on the board of supervisors, Vol 1 -22
338
IHISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and since 1880 has been connected with the Madison County Mutual Insurance Company, first as president and then as secretary, which position he still holds.
Gerhardt Storck, a brother of George Storck, came to Madison County in the spring of 1870 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 9. Jefferson Town- ship. He was the owner of 700 acres of land in Jefferson Township. He died a few years ago.
Ferdinand Marquardt, a brother-in-law of both George and Gerhardt Storck, came a single man, with them from Clayton County. About 1871 he bought the southwest quarter of section 3, Jefferson Township, which he improved and on which he still makes his home. He also owns another farm in this township and one in Penn Township, near Dexter.
August Bernau came from Clayton County in 1872 and settled on section 7, Jefferson Township. He died here in 1883. His son William died in 1894 and the latter's widow now makes her home on the old Bernau homestead, owning 200 acres. Another son of August Bernau. J. H. Bernau, bought the northeast quar- ter of section 23. Jefferson Township, where his son, Elbert Il., now lives. J. H. Bernau died in 1899.
John Westphal came from Clayton County in 1874 and bought 240 acres of land in section 3, Jefferson Township. He was serving as treasurer of the Farm- ers Mutual Insurance Company at the time of his death in 1880. His widow owns 160 acres of land here, which she rents. ller son llerman also owns eighty acres in this township.
August Ziemann came from Clayton County in 1873 and first located on land which he rented from L. Renshaw. In a few years he purchased a farm on section 21, whereon he still makes his home. He now owns 280 acres.
Charles Wishmeyer, who was born in Galena, Illinois, came to Madison County in 1871 and soon afterward purchased a farm in Jefferson Township. He died here in February, 1907.
Carl Marquardt emigrated with his family from Germany to Clayton County in 1859 and came from there to Madison County in 1873. He purchased a farm on section 9, Jefferson Township, which was his home until his death in 1896. The farm is now owned by Gerhardt Storck.
Il. E. Marquardt came with his parents from Clayton County in 1873 and bought eighty acres of land on section 9. this township. Hle later sold the tract to G. Storck and bought 220 acres on sections 4 and 5. Ile has served as secretary of the Jefferson Township school board for several years.
Fred H. Meyers came here in 1874 with his stepfather. John Westphal. About 1888 he bought the southeast quarter of section 21, and a few years ago pur- chased the Sylvester Renshaw Farm, his possessions now comprising a half sec- tion of land.
William Steinhaus and his son Edward, with their families, came direct from Germany to Madison County in 1873. In 1884 they moved to Nebraska.
August Prochnow came here from Germany in 1873 with the Steinhaus fam- ilies. He owned 160 acres of land on sections 10 and 15. In 1903 he died in a miser's hut, with plenty about him.
William Buske came here from Clayton County in 1871. He bought the north- cast quarter of section 8, but sold his land about ten years ago and is now living in Des Moines.
339
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Fred Roggmann came here from Clayton County in 1873. Two years later, in 1875, he sold his land on section 8 to Louis Niendorf and left the county. Mr. Niendorf, who came from Clayton County in 1874, added to the 160 acres purchased of Buske until he had 320 acres, now owned by his heirs. Mr. Niendorf died a few years since.
Chris Heitman came to Madison County in the early '70s and bought the southwest quarter of section 9, which he sold in 1885 or 1886 and moved to Nebraska.
Ferdinand Jensen came to Madison County in 1883 and a few years later bought the southwest quarter of section 9 of Peter B. Lienemann. This farm he afterward sold to N. Boos and purchased land on section 4, which has since been his home.
Conrad Fundinger came to Madison County in 1881 and purchased the north- east quarter of section 16, which he still owns.
B. B. Lienemann on emigrating from Germany, first located in Jackson County, lowa. In 1882 he came to Madison County and bought land on sections 5 and 6, Jefferson Township. He died about 1901. His son, John, lived on section 20 for a few years and then moved to Arkansas. Another son, Peter, now lives on the old home farm, while Brachtel and William live on farms near by.
Fred Thoms made his home for a few years on the farm which is now occu- pied by Conrad Fundinger, the latter purchasing the land in 1881. Mr. Thoms then went farther west.
Louis Vandt * came to Madison County in 1885 from Stuart, Iowa. He first rented land for about a year and then bought forty acres on section 15. his present home. He has since purchased more land and now owns 275 acres. His sons, A. J. and Albert, are operating the farms, while another son, William, bought land in the northeast part of the township.
Carl Radke came from Germany to Madison County in the early 'Sos, and a few years later bought land on section 10, where his son, Otto, now makes his home. Both Mr. Radke and his wife are deceased. Herman Radke also makes his home in Jefferson Township.
George Lentz emigrated from Germany to Madison County in 1891 and lived on a farm located in section 10. After about ten years spent here he and his son, Henry, moved to South Dakota. His son, John, purchased land of the Niendorf estate, located on section 8.
Nicholas Boos in 1898 purchased what is known as the Chris Heitman farm of Ferdinand Jensen, located on the southwest quarter of section 9, and has since made his home thereon.
Frederick E. Meyer emigrated from Germany a number of years ago and for a time made his home in Penn Township, after which he located at Van Meter. About 1885 he married Ida, a daughter of Gerhardt Storck. and lived on land belonging to his father-in-law until his death about 1903. For several years he served as clerk of the township.
Henry Wehrkampf came to Madison County from Clayton County in the 'Sos and bought land on section 4. In 1898 he sold out to Ferdinand Jensen and returned to Clayton County.
* Mr. Vaudt sold out a few years ago and moved to Kossuth County where he died in 1914.
340
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Ferdinand Dallman came here from Wisconsin in 1875 and later bought the north half of the southwest quarter of section 10, where he made his home until his wife's death. lle eventually sold his farm and about 1903 or 1904, with his daughter and her husband, moved to Dakota.
With the Dallmans came Ferdinand Kading and August Crumrie. When they came here in 1875 they had one team and a wagon and they are now prosperous farmers of .\dair County.
William and Henry Kahre also lived in the German settlement in this township a few years but moved to South Dakota.
Gudliff. John and George Brooker also lived in this community from about the year 1868. They have all passed away.
LUTHERAN CHURCH, JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
From 1872 to 1875 ministers of the Lutheran denomination preached to the people of that faith in Jefferson Township, services being held in the Gerhardt Storck Schoolhouse. After the latter year the Lutheran minister from Dexter held regular services here, and teachers came to educate the children of the neigh- borhood in the doctrines of this denomination and to prepare them to become members of the church. From 1884 to 1904 this charge was connected with Dexter, the same pastor presiding over the two congregations. In the latter year, by mutual consent, the church in Jefferson Township became an independent charge and called their own pastor in the person of Rev. C. Jobst, who holds services every Sunday. There is also a parochial school in connection with the charge, classes being conducted by the pastor four days in the week. The Luth- eran congregation was organized as such in 1885, being incorporated under the laws of Iowa. The same year a church was erected on the southeast corner of section 8, services up to that period having been conducted in the schoolhouse one mile north of the present church building. Among the organizing members may be mentioned George Storck, F. Dallman, L. Vandt. C. Radke, Mrs. John Westphal, Carl Marquardt, R. Kneuper, John Lienemann, H. E. Marquardt, Charles Wishmeyer, August Ziemann, B. P. Lienemann, F. Marquardt and William Bernau. Rev. E. A. Brauer is the present pastor.
CHAPTER XLII
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
Jackson Township was organized in May, 1860. It is bounded on the north by Penn, on the south by Webster, on the east by Douglas townships, and on the west by Adair County. The North River passes through it from west to east. Along this stream the settlers found abundance of timber and stone not only for the needs of this township, but its neighbor, Penn, which had little if any timber within its borders. The general surface of the country is somewhat rolling and just enough to make a delightful farming country. The soil is of the richest and with abundance of good pure water for both man and beast the citizens of this township are doubly blessed and justly take a great pride in their homes, which are modern in character, and surrounding them are barns and other buildings which harmonize with a general air of comfort, thrift and prosperity.
A man by the name of Phelon and Alfred Rice are said to have been the first settlers in the township, coming here in 1850. They were soon followed by Samuel Bunn, Willis Rose and O. B. Bissell. Rose and Bunn bought out the claims of Rice and Phelon. John Rose came from Illinois early in 1852 and set- tled on the banks of the North River. He married Mary Gilleran, a native of Ireland, in 1856. His nearest neighbor was six miles away and he was compelled to haul logs to Winterset for lumber. The nearest grist mill was at Indianola, and not being very reliable as to its running days, the last resort was hand ground corn meal with which to make bread. For this purpose a common tin grater was used. When the township was organized Mr. Rose was authorized to notify the voters to meet and hold the first election. The number of votes cast on that occasion was between forty and fifty. Willis Rose with his family, among whom was a son, George, settled on section 5, in 1852. The elder Rose died in 1861 and left a farm encumbered by a mortgage, which was a burden to his family, and especially to the boy George, who, however, by industry and good management redeemed the land and added many acres to the farm besides.
Daniel Henderson was an Ohioan by birth and moved to Indiana, from whence he came to Madison County in 1853, and located on section 13, which became his permanent home. There were but few families in the township at the time of his arrival; consequently, he became identified with its growth and development.
O. B. Bissell came into the township and took up a permanent settlement in 1855. He became one of the solid men of the county and so improved his farm with fine buildings, good fences and systematic cultivation that it became one of the best in the county. He held various offices of trust and was a member of the State Legislature in 1874. He also served on the board of supervisors.
John G. Fox, born in New Jersey in 1834, immigrated to this county in 1856,
341
342
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and the following year married Henrietta Ulory of this county. He became one of the substantial farmers and citizens of the community.
James G. Beck, a native of Ireland, arrived in the township in 1859 and for many years lived on section 27. Ile enlisted in the Seventh lowa Infantry in 1861, and remained in the service during the war.
Thomas Stewart was one of the substantial men of Jackson Township. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth and a blacksmith at the age of sixteen. Moving to Illinois he there engaged in farming until immigrating to Madison Township early in its history. There he improved a farm, with but few other settlers within a score of miles of him. He was compelled to get his grinding done at Panora, and haul his lumber from Des Moines. Ile located in Jackson Township, on section 2, in 1860. At this time the land consisted chiefly of wild prairie and the settlers were few in number. Mr. Stewart was the father of fourteen children and five of his sons served in the Civil war, one dying while at the front, and four remaining until the close of hostilities.
Among other things related of Jackson Township in an article prepared by him for a local paper. E. R. Zeller had the following to say: "Like Penn, Jackson was sparsely settled until late and is like the township mentioned in soil and population. Alfred Rice, the Roses and Samuel Bunn are said to have been the pioneers, while John Fox and O. B. Bissell began work there about the period of which we write. Mr. Bunn's widow, Mrs. McPherrin, still resides there, while Bissell, now gone, was the grange representative in the State Legislature. The Earlys were a potent force in the development of that part of the county. James was afterward county treasurer two terms and Tom has been, and still is, a leading politician and stock buyer. The Stewart home has long been a land- mark there and in that blacksmith shop so long operated by Robert Stewart, have been struck many of the effective blows essential to the development of a county. 'Squire Ilindman for many years dispensed justice and married people, later removing to Monroe County, where he died. Then there were the Shermans, Devaults, Robinsons, Bairds, Jones, Estells, Crawfords. Fords, Spears, McCor- kles, Niblos, Meachems, Ham Lee and John Shoff. Lemuel Banker was a member of the board of supervisors. James G. Beck, E. G. Perkins, Robert McCalman, John Spence and Rev. James Sawhill have been potent forces in the moral and educational affairs of the county. Beck and Spence still remain to remind us of the olden times. Reverend Sawhill died some years since but the force of his sterling Christian manhood still goes on producing good results. William Kipp has long since died and the family moved away, but the place is still known as the Kipp farm. The Aitchisons and Smiths came from Jackson County, lowa, to Jackson Township in later times. The former still remain but the latter are all gone except one. Father and Mother Smith are dead and the fine farm they improved is now owned by Mr. Benjamin."
In the center of Jackson Township is a little hamlet, and scarcely that, named Pitzer, where there is a general store. Close by is the United Presbyterian Church and the schoolhouse, the latter at the four corners made by the joining of sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. There is not a railroad in the township but the citizens have easy access to Winterset, about seven miles away.
Rev. John E. Darby lived in Jackson Township in early years and taught its first school. As will be seen by consulting the general chapter on schools, this
EARLY CHAPEL, JACKSON TOWNSHIP
343
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
township is well provided with schoolhouses and churches, and with all other modern conveniences, such as excellent roads, rural free delivery of mails, the telephone and the modern means of rapid transit-the automobile-the people are living in more than comparative ease, comfort and prosperity.
CHAPTER XLIII
LEE TOWNSHIP
Lee Township was created by the County Court on the ist day of March, 1857, and given the name of Badger, but on the 6th day of September, 1858, the name was changed to that of Lee, in honor of Harvey Lee, an early settler of the county.
It is said that James Rothill, who located on section 31, in 1852, was the first one to take up a permanent residence in this township. Within a very short time and in the same year. James Lane arrived in the community and settled on section 1, where he remained a short time and then sold his claim to Allen Majors in 1855.
Harvey Lee, after whom the township was named, came here from Indiana in 1856 and located on section 32. Lived there until 1862 and went back to Indiana. About 1864 he returned and settled on section 3. in Union Township, where he remained until his death in 1884.
The township was largely made up of the sturdy sons of old Erin, who came here early in the history of the county, took up claims, laid out farms, cultivated and improved them, became prosperous and today many of their descendants are still living in this neighborhood. In 1853 Andrew Hubbard and 'Squire Flynn settled on sections 4 and 8, respectively. In the following year George W. Roberts and James Malone settled in the township. Malone soon after sold out to Thomas Cavenor and later sold his interests to N. W. Johnson in 1864. Mr. Johnson was an old Connecticut sea captain and became one of the most extensive farmers in this locality, owning at the time mentioned a block of land consisting of one section and a half. He dealt extensively in live stock and generally bought all the surplus corn that his neighbors had to sell.
Andrew Hubbard set out the first orchard in Lee Township in 1859. Soon thereafter 1 .. N. Smith, George W. Roberts and Thomas England also had good orchards bearing fruit. Captain Johnson, George W. Roberts and Emerson Hazen early became the most extensive farmers in the township.
One of the pioneers of the township was George Roberts, who settled here in 1854. He was a railroad engineer, which probably accounted for his highly manifested taste for machinery on his farm, of which he had the latest improved and plenty of it. He probably had in use the first manure spreader brought to the county and for years owned and operated a threshing machine. Mr. Roberts many years ago moved to Missouri and the large farm which he im- proved is now the property and home of Conrad Eichner.
.A passing notice should be given an eccentric character from Pennsylvania named William Heaton, who in 1858 laid off and staked his land into lots, with the intention of establishing a town and building a seminary, to cost not less than
344
345
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
$100,000. Many of the lots were contracted for at prices ranging from $50 to $300 each and in the summer of the year mentioned Heaton and quite a large gathering of people met on the ground, where speeches were made by B. F. Roberts and others, setting forth the advantages of the locality for a town and the great importance of a seminary there. Heaton executed a bond in the sum of $50,000, which is on record at the courthouse, for the faithful application of all moneys accruing under certain provisions of the town lot contractors. But for some reason his hopes were never realized and the stakes were never driven to make the Town of Heaton.
As the great body of early and later settlers of this township were of the Irish race, and their history later written by James Gillaspie, what that venerable and worthy pioneer has said of them follows.
IRISH SETTLEMENT IN LEE
The compiler of the history relating to the settlements in Crawford and Lee townships of the Irish people. James Gillaspie, is still living at a ripe old age at his home, about five miles out of Patterson. He is now well along in years and admits that his memory is not as reliable as in days of yore. In the prepara- tion of his articles he makes the declaration of his want of absolute accuracy as to the years in which many of the old settlers, of whom he speaks, located in this township, and he also assumes the possibility of omitting some names that should appear in the list he has prepared. If he is correct in his surmises, no blame should rest upon him, for his work has been honestly accomplished and with the determination to make it as complete as possible. He says that Allen Major came here in 1855, from Warren County, Iowa, and for some time has been gathered to his fathers. His son, John, lives in Iowa but has left the old farm.
John McCarty and family came in 1855. He has passed away, while some of his sons still live on the old place.
David and John Welch, brothers, came as early as 1855 or 1856. David settled in Lee Township and John settled across the line in Warren County. David is dead and the family has moved away.
Timothy Horan and family came from Des Moines in or about 1860. He is dead. His son, James, and two sisters lived on the farm.
Daniel Mulvihill came some time in the '50s. He died a few years ago. His son, James, lives on the farm, and another son, Daniel, is a Catholic priest in Des Moines.
Jeremiah Dooley and family and James and Patrick Maher were early settlers, but I am not sure of the date.
James Lynch and family also came early. Mr. Lynch is still in good health and lives on the old farm. Michael and Patrick Duffy were also early settlers.
Peter Laughlin and family came to Lee from the western part of the county sometime near 1860. He has been dead a few years. His son, Thomas, is in South Township, while John still lives here.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.