USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 42
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Andrew and James Hanrahan and their families and several other Irish families moved into Lee Township in the early '6os. I now close my Lee Town- ship narrative.
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IHISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
In order to give a correct idea of the Irish settlement, it is necessary to name briefly several families in Warren County across the line in the townships ad- joining Crawford and Lee, who came in the years previous to 1860. They are as follows:
John Spain and family: John Cahill, also his father and family: Michael Doheny and family ; Edmund Ryan and family ; William Ryan ; John and Thomas Bell and their father's family : Bernard King : Niel MeElwee, and family : Anthony MeElwee, and a family named Friel: Patrick Cassiday and family; two brothers named Michael and James Kane and their families; John Mackin and family; John Welch and family : Peter Murray and family ; Pat Walsh : Adam Walsh; William Shay and family ; Patrick Butler and family : a Mrs. Gallaher and family, she a widow, and Michael Cash and family. All the families here mentioned, with the exception of the following named, were Catholics: Allen Major, William Kennedy, Anderson Melees and the MeMichaels. (See Crawford Township. )
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
As may be seen, the Irish came from many places to the settlement, and the name of the settlement began to spread abroad throughout the land, one following the lead of those who had gone before. But here they were with no church and cemetery. Some were in favor of having the church and cemetery on the north side of the river; others on the south side. In the meantime, a stranger, an old man and a government surveyor, returning from further west, getting sick at the house of Patrick Walsh on the south side, died. The corpse was prepared for the grave. Mr. Walsh and some neighboring men left home to locate a burying ground, when some half dozen smart fellows slipped in, took up the corpse and started the cemetery on the north side. So where the cemetery was, the church should be near, and as the majority of the people were on the north side, the people built a good sized log church in the summer of 1856. Thomas Finan gave the forty acres of land for church purposes. The church stands on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 36, Lee Township, and the cemetery is in the southeast part of the "forty." Very many of the first set- tlers lie there now, and also many of their children. At first in religious ways, the people were attended by missionary priests, going from place to place. In 1856 Reverend Father Platt became parish priest of Des Moines and he attended St. Patrick's once a month. He died and Reverend Father Brazill got an assistant and there was mass in St. Patrick's twice a month until about 1873, when a parish priest was sent to reside at St. Patrick's. The first resident priest was Reverend Father Smythe, now at Council Bluffs, who remained three years. Then came Reverend Father Rice, who was pastor of that congregation from 1870 to 1884. Ile died in 1884 and was succeeded by Reverend Father Moynihan, who was pastor of the church until November. 1906. Father Moynihan resigned on ac- count of old age and infirmity and was succeeded by Reverend Father Dugan, who is pastor of St. Patrick's Church at the present writing, February, 1907.
The present frame church was built somewhere near the year 1870. 1 am not positive of the date but that is near to it. The log church was taken away. There were some German families who attended at first St. Patrick's Church, viz. : Kasper Weil, Conrad Weil, Anthony Weidman, Charles Snyder, Julius Reiman and some others.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
After the death of Father Rice, St. Patrick parish was divided. All south of North River were stricken into the parish of Churchville and now attend there ; here they have a large congregation. Another part of St. Patrick's parish is given to Cumming, which makes the congregation the smallest of the three at present.
Many settlers came to the Irish settlement since 1860. I merely give their names as far as I can and where they settled. But before I do I will name a few who came in the early '50s. Patrick Walsh, Adam Walsh and John Cutler came to the settlement in 1852. There are several families belonging to the settlement who came previous to 1860 who live in the southwest corner of Polk County. Among those are the Hoyes, Malones, Dargans and others. Those who settled in Warren County in 1860 and since are R. Maguire, E. Slavin, Ellwood brothers, John Collins, James Davitt, Mr. Fagan, James Doud, Pat Doud, Pat McNerney, T. Harrigan, Pat Breslin, J. Graham, Ed MeCusker, Peter McDonnell, Pat Mc- Donnell, John Linnan, Thomas Gallagher, John Mulroy, James Banks, George Banks, Michael Cash. Mr. Cash was a very early settler, in 1855 or 1856; the Hall brothers, John and Michael; Joseph Nugent, Pat Waldron, P. Brownrigg, William Hayes, Peter Quinn, Ed McManus, James Sheehey, Pat Ward, William Gavin, the McAndrew family, John McGovern, Thomas Powers, Neil Enright. John Keeney, Matt Lillis, Thomas James, Daniel Heaffey, Robert Kelley and others. All the foregoing are or were men of families, with the exception of two or three who settled on the Warren County side of the settlement since 1860 or about that time. In this list I do not mention any of the young men who grew up or were born here. Some of those mentioned have since removed to other places. Many are dead, but there is, generally speaking, in most cases, one or two more representatives of each family.
List of those who settled in Crawford Township since 1860: Bernard John- son, P. Gill, William Costello, John Peters, Thomas Mulroy, John Marrinan, Thomas Linnan, Thomas Swift. William Connolly, Robert Morris, William Conner, Pat Curtis, Michael Casey, Thomas Dee, Pat Doud, T. McGovern, John Kelley, John Tiernan. Pat Kilduff, the Hogan family, John Graney, P. Graney, Martin Gavin, John Dillon and Thomas Burke.
Lee Township since 1860: James Condon, Thomas Glynn, Maurice Breen, Peter Kelley, M. M. Gilleran and his father, Martin Waldron, James Brazill, Lawrence King, John Pollard, Stephen Murphy, James Kiernan, John Clarke, Michael Dargan, Richard Dargan, Michael McNamara, Michael Phillips, John White, John Roach, Thomas Mckeon and Timothy O'Herron.
In order to show fully the Irish settlement I must include part of Union Township. Here we find Ed Monaghan, Patrick Nolan, Michael Donohue and Martin McNamara.
The names of those who served in the Civil war follow: There were very few young men grown to man's estate when the war of 1861-65 took place. The Irish settlers were nearly all men who had wives and families, consequently but few of them served in the army. Among those who did serve whom I know were: George Banks, John McWilliams, L. A. Smith, Patrick Doud, M. M. Gilleran, Martin Waldron, Thomas Burke, James Gillaspie, William Couch, Charles Condon and others whose names I do not remember.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
GROWTH OF THE SETTLEMENT
It will now be seen that the Irish settlement is not a very small place. From north to south it is fully twelve miles, and about the same number of miles from east to west. Of course there are many people of different nationalities living in their midst: Americans, Germans and others, all living in harmony and brotherly love together as all men should do. They are, generally speaking. industrious and prosperous, and as to honesty, few will say that they have been cheated by an Irish man.
The early time houses have all disappeared and in their places stand modern dwellings, substantial and capacious barns and granaries. Horses, cattle and swine are here in abundance, and cheerful hospitality can be found among the Irish settlers and their descendants, and as freely given as on any part of the globe.
And now the history of the Irish settlers of this place, known all over lowa as the Irish settlement. is at its close. Many of the original ones are in their graves; peace to their memory. Many have moved to other places, and those of native Irish birth, who yet remain, are hastening to the world beyond the grave.
CHAPTER XLIV
GRAND RIVER TOWNSHIP
This township was erected by the County Court on the Ist day of March, 1858, and is the southwest subdivision of the county, being bounded on the north and east by Webster and Monroe townships, respectively, on the south by Union County, and on the west by Adair County. Its surface is mostly rolling but there is a great deal of choice prairie land in this section of the county. It originally had a large body of heavy timber on the Grand River, which is the principal stream traversing its domain. These water courses harbor the timber and they are so narrow and deep that they are hardly visible from the high prairies.
James Nelson was the first permanent settler in the township, coming in 1852. He built a log house on his claim. One of the linn logs was split so as to leave a large crack and this was the only provision for lighting the habitation. This house stood on what was later known as the Marley place.
Soon after Nelson had located, S. B. Barker, A. J. Hastie, Ransom Moon, J. C. Barker, J. F. Barker and William McPherson settled in the same locality. J. F. Barker bought the Nelson claim and the little 12 by 14 cabin for some time sheltered the families of S. B. Barker, A. J. Ilastie, J. C. Barker and Lewis Bragg. It also became a hostelry and its latchstring was always on the outside to bid welcome to the traveler. The house at times was so crowded that "when bedtime came the first family would take the back part of the cabin and so con- tinue filling up by families until the limit was reached. The young men slept in ' the wagons outside. In the morning those nearest the door rose first and went out- side to dress. Meals were served on the hind end of 'a wagon and consisted of corn bread, buttermilk and fat pork, and occasionally coffee to take away the morning chill. On Sundays, for a change, they had bread made of wheat 'tread out' by horses on the ground, cleaned with a sheet and pounded by hand. This was the best the most fastidious could obtain, and then only one day in seven."
Ransom Moon was the immediate follower of Nelson into the township, coming in February, 1852, and taking up a claim in the timber on "Moon Branch," where he built a pole cabin 12 by 14 feet square. In the spring of that year he moved to a town near the center of the township, where he cultivated a farm and improved it by setting out groves of trees, orchards, building fences and erecting necessary farm outbuildings. He became one of the substantial business men of the community and lived on the old homestead many years.
Alvin Greer located here in March, 1852, and took a claim on a beautiful point of land between Grand River and Barker Branch. However, failing to secure the money with which to make his entry, his claim was "jumped," which compelled him to seek another locality, his choice being on the edge of Adair County. Greer met his death while serving his country in the Civil war.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Probably no man among the first settlers in the township accomplished more toward settling and improving the community than Samuel Barker, a Baptist minister, a man of means and great energy of character. With his three sons, O. W. Barker, J. C. Barker and Elihu Barker, and his brother, J. C. Barker, together with A. J. Hastie, the eller Barker arrived in the township in May. 1853, and located in what became known as the Barker settlement. Samuel Barker entered 2,000 acres of land in the township and became one of its most valued citizens. Ilis son, Elihu, served with distinction as a sokhier in the Civil war and later took up his residence in Arkansas, where he became quite prominent in state affairs. (). W. and J. C. took up claims for themselves, improved them and long lived here as leading citizens. O. W. held various township offices, among which was that of supervisor, serving on the first board elected. Mr. Barker opened the first road in the township, and his brother, Capt. E. G., enlisted in the First lowa Cavalry and served 21/2 years. He afterwards enlisted in the infantry service. Was county treasurer two terms.
A. J. Hlastie, who came with the Barkers, was one of the substantial men of the township, becoming one of its principal stock dealers. It is said that when Hastie put up his first cabin, he and his assistant, J. 11. Marley, found the work very difficult and by the middle of an afternoon, having lifted logs until they were utterly worn out, were ready to abandon the preconceived idea of complet- ing the work that day. About the time they had concluded to leave off from their labors a party of engineers in the employ of a proposed air line railroad from Clinton to Council Bluffs approached them. Upon learning of the intended im- provement they were greatly cheered, not only by that, but at the time it was current gossip that the contents of an eight-gallon keg in possession of the en- gineers might have done its part toward creating somewhat of the exhilaration the settlers exhibited before the departure of their guests.
John II. Bragg, James Reason and Hiram Pierce settled in the township as early as 1853 and not long thereafter came Philip Osborn, J. J. Greer, E. Pindell. William Kivitt and John Grandfield.
Wesley Cochran, an Ohioan, first came to Madison County in IS51. He returned to his old home in Illinois and afterwards settled in the township per- manently, accumulating several hundred acres of land.
J. H. Marley was born in Indiana in 1832. He located in this township in April, 1853. Ile engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Marley was one of the prominent men of the community, held various offices and about 1878 was elected as a member of the board of supervisors.
J. Thomas immigrated from Ohio to lowa in 1854 and located in this township with his bride of a few months.
H. C. Wright was a native of North Carolina. With his father he immi- grated to Indiana in 1840 and came to this county in 1854, locating on section 15, Grand River Township. Mr. Wright enlisted in the Fourth lowa Infantry and reenlisted as a veteran in the Civil war.
W. M. Kivitt was a North Carolinian who immigrated to Indiana in 1831 with his parents. He arrived in Madison County and this township in 1855 and became one of the leading farmers and citizens of the community.
W. O. Lee, when first coming here in 1855, occupied part of his time in teach- ing the children of the neighborhood. He developed into one of the substantial
GRISWOLD MILL ON GRAND RIVER, GRAND RIVER TOWNSHIP Last mill in Madison County operated by water power
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
farmers of the community and in 1800 married Angeline Barker, a daughter of one of the pioneers. Mr. Lee was a veteran of the Civil war.
J. C. Grandfield was a settler in the township of the year 1856. Hle was a native of England and arrived in this country in 1855.
A. Bonham, with his wife and family, left the State of Ohio in 1857, and coming to Madison County located on section 23, Grand River Township. Hle raised a large family of children and became one of the useful and prominent men of this community. Among his children were D. Bonham, Mary, Benjamin, Hannah, W. G. and Samuel.
J. H. Mack, who afterwards became one of the leading physicians of the county, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1837, settled in Indiana and Illi- nois and from the latter state came to this county in 1858, making part of the journey up the river to Des Moines and landing at the mouth of Coon River. He came on foot from Des Moines to Grand River Township, where he engaged extensively in farming and accumulated large bodies of land. Doctor Mack enlisted in the Forty seventh Jowa Infantry in the Civil war. Returning to Grand River he took up the practice of his profession.
When the township was first placed under the hands of the white men it offered to them an abundance of wild fruits such as crabapples, phuns, cherries and the like. Within a few years thereafter many orchards had been planted and were producing bountiful crops of apples, pears and cherries. There was also plenty of wild game in the timber, such as deer, elk, turkeys and smaller animals, which provided liberally days of sport for the skilful huntsman of that day, and added largely to the larder of his good wife. It is also related that wild hogs were found in the timber, long-legged brutes, wild and feet as a deer. Their presence here was attributed to the Mormons, who had lost them while wintering at Mount Pizgab, in Union County, in 1847.
Other matters of interest might be spoken of concerning this township, but it is to a great extent the same as the general history of the county, which finds a place elsewhere in this volume and its companion volume. It is sufficient to say that in all respects Grand River Township is a very good one in which to find a permanent home, for its farms are at a high state of improvement and its terri- tory has all the modern advantages, good schools, churches, well kept roads, telephonie conunication and daily mail service by way of rural delivery routes. The community is also favored and blessed by the location within its borders of one of the best little trading points in Madison County.
MACKSBURG
This little trading point is about eighteen miles southwest of Winterset, and is on the divide constituting a water shed between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. It is surrounded by a splendid scope of country and is in the midst of a very fertile farming and stock raising region. Grand River, worthy of its name, wends its way closely by the town, and in an carly day not only supplied water power for milling and other purposes but upon its banks stretch bodies of timber provided by Nature for the uses of mankind.
Macksburg was laid out on sections 9, 10, 15 and to, March 23, 18744, for the owners of the land, W. O. Lee, J. IL. Mack, E. G. Barker, A. J. Hastie and
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111STORY OF MADISON COUNTY
John D. Love; R. A. Patterson, surveyor. The name adopted is taken from one of the prominent early settlers of Grand River Township, whose high character, indomitable energy and enterprise are chiefly responsible for the establishment of this one of Madison County's commercial centers. Dr. J. II. Mack will long be remembered for his own sterling characteristics and Macksburg will further serve to perpetuate his name in local history.
Near the town site of Macksburg a postoffice was established in 1863 and given the classic name of Venus. A. J. Hastie, a pioneer of the township, was installed as postmaster, and the office continued in existence until 1870, when it was abolished for the reason that no one could be found to assume the onerous ( ?) duties of the establishment imposed by the Government. However, the office was reestablished in 1871 and when Macksburg was founded the office was removed to the new town and given its name, with Dr. J. II. Mack in charge. and from this time on Macksburg began to grow and soon assumed the propor- tions of a village that gave evidence of one day being able to take its place in the front rank, as a business and shipping point.
Jolin H. Marley and J. D. Love, both of whom were at one time in charge of the postoffice, were first in the field as merchants and were active in increasing the interests of the town and its upbuilding. Other mercantile establishments and industries secured a footing in the "burg" and today there are a number of busi- ness enterprises that call to the place a class of people well equipped to purchase goods suitable to their means, which is saying a good deal. as they come from farming districts surrounding the town that cannot be surpassed for fruitfulness and prosperity anywhere in the State of Iowa.
In the center of the town is a block of ground which was a donation from Dr. J. H. Mack for park purposes. It is a pretty spot and on its four sides are ranged most of the business houses. The park was originally the site of a school- house and was secured by Doctor Mack by trading other property for it. Mention of the schools will be found in another chapter.
While Macksburg does not have in her confines a printing press, her business interests, schools, churches and local gossip find a place in the Macksburg Record, a five-column quarto. established in 1911. The paper is edited by Mrs. Shell and published at Lorimer.
With its bank, several general stores, among which is also the postoffice. implement concerns, lumberyards, drug and drygood stores, livery stables and garages, elevator and recently acquired railroad facilities, Macksburg continues to retain her place in the county's commercial affairs and socially the town is con- sidered par excellence.
MAACKSBURG INCORPORATED
The village of Macksburg was incorporated as a town. November 5. 1876. Dr. J. H. Mack. M. Osborn, J. D. Love, J. D. Rawls and W. O. Lee were ap- pointed commissioners to provide for and call an election, which was held at 1. J. Mack's store. The judges of election were A. J. Mack, W. O. Lee, M. Osborn : clerks, George Dudley and J. D. Love. Dr. J. H. Mack was elected the first mayor of the newly made municipality. At this time the business interests were represented in the following industries : General stores, Love, Sharp & Com-
METHODIST CHURCH, MACKSBURG Built and dedicated in 1876. Repaired, re- modeled and rededicated in 1914
BAPTIST CHURCH, MACKSBURG Built and dedicated in 1874
PUBLIC PARK, MACKSBURG, LOOKING NORTHEAST Grand River Township
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
pany, Levi Wolf ; hardware, Lee & Lafler; drugs, J. J. Clark; millinery, Mrs. Mahan; insurance, W. O. Lee; carpenter, L. T. Townsend; shoes, Gray Malian, A. Kirtland; harness, J. T. Johnson; blacksmith, H. L. Harden; wagon maker, A. Hammers; physicians, J. H. Mack. J. A. Rawls, T. M. Comuck ; hotel, T. H. Gilbert.
FINANCIAL
The first bank in Macksburg was established in August, 1902, as a private concern, by L. W. McLennan, of Afton, which continued under Mr. McLennan's sole control until in April, 1903, when the Macksburg National Bank was or- ganized. The incorporators were L. W. McLennan, J. M. Wilson, L. T. Town- send. J. H. Mack, Cass Pindell. I. D. Harrison and Mart Rowe ; and first officials, J. M. Wilson, president ; J. H. Mack, vice president ; E. O. Klingaman, cashier. Capital stock, $25,000.
In March, 1904, W. W. Walker succeeded to the cashiership, and in 1908, upon the death of Doctor Mack, L. T. Townsend was elected vice president by the board of directors. J. M. Wilson met an untimely and tragic death, June 21, 1910, and was succeeded in the presidency by L. T. Townsend ; at the same time Mr. Harrison went into the office of vice president. The latter died in November, 1910, and Martin Rowe became vice president. Finally, Mr. Townsend disposed of his stock and Eugene Wilson, son of J. M. Wilson, was made president of the institution on February 8, 1913.
Plans have been completed for a new bank building, which will stand on the corner of North and East streets. The structure will be a one-story brick and it is anticipated the new home of the bank will be ready for occupancy in the spring of 1915. Present officials: President, Eugene Wilson; vice president, Martin Rowe; cashier, W. W. Walker. Capital, $25,000; surplus, $10,000; deposits, $62,000.
RELIGIOUS BODIES
The Macksburg circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the fall of 1874 and consisted of the following places: West Branch, Pleasant View, Hebron, Pleasant Valley and Skunk Hollow. The congregations of the last four held services in schoolhouses. The Macksburg society first met for worship in the Kivitt schoolhouse and continued so to do until the church was built in 1874. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas Berry and the regular pastor was Rev. A. Thornbrugh. Up to this time Macksburg was a part of the Winterset circuit. Rev. Thomas Berry became president of Simpson College and, in 1876, secured enough subscriptions to meet the quite heavy indebt- edness of the society. At this time Rev. I. M. O'Flyng was the pastor. Ministers following the last named were: D. O. Stuart, September, 1878, to September, 1879; F. D. Funk, 1879-80; George M. Jeffrey, 1880-81; B. A. Fassett, 1881-82; J. H. Senseney, 1882-83; J. D. M. Buckner, 1883-84; J. Il. Warfield, 1884-85 ; Jolın Webb, 1885-86; A. O. Miller, 1886-87; E. E. Raymon, 1887-88; William Johnston, 1888-89: J. S. Mason, 1889-90; W. E. Ilarvey, 1890-92; I. M. O'Flyng, 1892-94; F. S. Bunting, 1894-96; M. H. Ellis, 1896-97; D. Martin, 1897; F. B. Vol. 1-23
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Dunn, 1899-1901; C. Knowl. 1901-02; J. G. Duling, 1902-04: C. E. Trueblood, 1904-06; W. C. Smith. 1906-07; J. N. Hosier, 1907-08; Ivan R. Mills, 1908-10 ; Roy N. Spooner, 1910-12; L. B. Shannon, 1912-14; Fred E. Whitney, 1914.
This church has a membership in the circuit of 200 and at Macksburg 70, with an average Sunday school attendance of 80. In the fall of 1914, the church building met with improvements that cost about $3,000. On the lot adjoining the church is a neat and comfortable parsonage.
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