USA > Iowa > Marshall County > History of Marshall county, Iowa > Part 10
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Mr. Owen and Simon Price came about the same time, and Mr. Andrew Logan, who published the first newspaper in Iowa, at Davenport, in 1836. He still survives an amiable wife who is buried not far from the mill in the village grave-yard where too sleeps Mrs. M. Rhodes, the victim of a terrible accident by fire.
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This grave-yard needs attention from loving hands, for there are not even rail pens to enclose all the graves, in the Iowa fashion. The grave-yard in the north part of the town is not much better as to embel- lishment.
Near here lives Mr. P. A. Culver, alternating with Mr. C. Rhodes in the honors of township supervisor, and a man of upright life and principle. Mr. Tuffree from Pittsburg, Pa., came to Eden in 1855, fenced his land and built his house when the wolves howled anything but a welcome to the hardy settler. Mr. Rutson Bullock came later, also Mr. Jeroleman who from small means has become quite wealthy and takes many premiums at the county fairs for good stock. Mr. Bullock keeps an excellent hotel at State Center, also Mr. A. Woolston is to be found there -once citizens of Eden.
Perhaps there are no country residences for fifty miles around, equaling in beauty and cost that of Mr. C. B. Mendenhall and Mr. Conway Rhodes-with the most substantial barns and out-houses, in keeping with their splendid homes.
Mr. Rhodes built the first mill and store in Eden- ville, in 1857, bringing the lumber and goods from Iowa City, using very emphatic words at the sloughs, -so he reports.
The first postmaster was Mr. Isaac Sanford, who afterward kept hotel on East Main street, and had a shoe shop also. His name appears among the first Justices in the township.
The first Fourth-of-July celebration was in 1858, when the little village was all excitement. Baskets and bundles went forward to the rustic tables, there was music by the choir, and an oration by Rev. Mr. Merrill of Jasper county. Zenas Bartlett was Grand Marshal, and the older settlers will remember of being marched around the mill and back to the grove in the hot sun- shine-rather more fatigued than patriotic. There
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was a splendid flag in the procession, and the beau- tiful Emma Tuffree, who died in 1862, sang the national airs with the sweetness of a full-throated lark, as she marched along with a few school girls.
Mr. Benson, who a few years later was killed by lightning, was one of the company, and Martin Logan, the first on the starry record of Eden's heroic dead. Next, was Mr. Bartlett, who left wife and little children and an aged father, but alone with his nurse, died in a St. Louis hospital; then the merry-hearted George Culver; Irving Benson, who was killed at Champion Hills, nobly bearing the colors in that ghastly highway from Jackson, Miss. ; then the martyr- ed prisoner, Simon Woolston, whose sweet, boyish face will never be forgotten here; after him, Harry Nichols, who went late to the army but died early at Alexan- dria, after he had marched with "Sherman round to the sea," and sank to sleep without a comrade to fold the army blue over his brave heart. Tears fill my eyes as I write of these soldier boys, for I knew them well. They sleep in almost nameless graves, where no loving sympathy can plant the myrtle and the rose, or erect the enduring marble to their memories.
ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS.
This time-honored institution of temperance was organized in 1859, and by its efficient labors has entirely banished whisky-selling for miles around. Among its charter members, who bore the brunt of persecution in the good work, were Mr. F. T. Woolston, Mr. John Jeroleman and lady, Charley Price, whose gude-wife is one of the sweet singers of upper Eden, and Mrs. Scotten, a very efficient officer in the order. But alas! the banners of the lodge are trailed in the dust, and the enterprise is among the things that were.
In our notice of Eden, we must not overlook the
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lively poetess of the " Star of Hope," Mrs. A. Bul- lock, or Mrs. Maggie Brewer, a contributor to the same.
Among those who came later to this township, who in a few years have become wealthy and prosperous, is Mr. D. Harmon, a highly gifted singer; Mr. A. Viles, Esq. ; Mr. James Nichols, from Pennsylvania ; and last, though not least on our list, Mr. T. Robb and Mr. J. B. Mendenhall.
STATE CENTER
Originally belonged to Eden and a part of Washing- ton township, and was set off after the village of State Center reached nearly full stature. In the winter of 1863, about the first of December, State Center Station was dropped down upon the railroad track, and looked desolate and lonely enough the first winter, as there were but two or three houses besides those belonging to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad Company.
The oldest resident, we think, was Mr. William Barnes, who bought produce at the station-a very energetic man. Next, came Mr. John Anselme, the pioneer of French Grove, and built a hotel, or rather transported a building on wheels from the village of Marietta across the prairie ten miles. In the spring following, Mr. Bassett built a beautiful residence in the northern part of town, which being in an elevated position, was a sort of lighthouse for a long distance to tired travelers.
About this time it was noised about that State Center was the center of Iowa, the very pivot of the Hawkeye State. Lots had an upward tendency at this hub. Then came the Carpenters, men of capital and enterprise, from Sandwich, Ill. Soon, the firm of Shipman & Dobbins gave a new impetus to trade in that vicinity ; next in order, the mechanics and
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artisans, that make up the bone and sinew of a town ; another hotel, kept by Mr. W. Greenfield, swung out good cheer to the passer-by ; and finally drug stores, furniture rooms, etc., stood coaxingly on the streets, to relieve the farmers of State Center and Eden of their spare cash.
TERRIBLE TORNADO.
On the 27th of June, 1865, there came up a terrible thunder storm from the west, with flashing lightning and roar of heaven's artillery, while the wind seemed to come like an avalanche, sweeping everything be- fore it. Mr. T. M. Carpenter had a store of dry goods, and occupied the back part as a home for his family ; there was a rush, then came a terrific crash, the cries of little children mingled with groans and sobs from the inmates, and the storm beating down upon their heads. On examination, it was found the whole structure had blown down, one of the timbers striking a little girl about seven years of age, and the stove in falling over had inflicted some dreadful burns upon the babe of a few months. All had received more or less injuries, the goods in the building were scattered about the debris and ruin, and bearing their wounded children in their arms, the terror-stricken parents sought shelter at the nearest house as soon as possible. The little girl died the next morning, in spite of medical assistance; she was attended by Dr. Waters of Marshalltown, through whose skill and the careful nursing of the mother, the infant finally recovered, after a great deal of suffering.
The strange freaks of the wind-which, in its peace- ful moments, is so like an infant's breath-were notice- able. Heavy sticks of timber, and long and unman- ageable boards, were seen flying through the air in every direction ; chips of wood and bunches of the blow-weed were playing cross-fire ; while the dust and fragments of brick and stone about the buildings elsewhere
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filled the atmosphere to such an extent, that it seemed as if a heavy garment had been dropped down be- tween heaven and earth. A wagon box was carried a long distance without the wheels, a wash-tub was moored away out on the prairie without mortal hands, and pails, pots and billets of wood danced a jig outside of the houses to the music of the storm.
PRESENT PROSPERITY.
There is scarcely a town in the State that has made such advance in wealth and prosperity as State Center. In a little more than three years it has grown from a hamlet of two families to a population of five hundred : has dry goods stores, millinery shops, manufactories of harness, shingles, shoes, etc. ; with a flourishing Good Templars' Lodge. A large public school-house has been built the past season and furnished with a beautiful toned bell, and walnut desks, blackboards, and everything to make the building comfortable for student and teacher. Most of the inhabitants were from Sandwich, Northern Illinois, and brought with them much of the energy and go-ahead-a-tive-ness of that region.
The farms in the vicinity of State Center are scarcely equaled for good crops, and their neat, thrifty appear- ance, especially Mr. Bowen's, Van Pelt's and L. Brown, Esq. Once, Mr. Brown's farm was considered the jumping-off place on the wide sea of grass beyond. John O. Groat's house upon the Scottish headlands 1. as not more welcome to the mariner than this farm- house, with its stately wheat stacks and droves of pigs and chickens, was to the wayfarer upon the billowy undulation of that far-stretching prairie.
State Center has an exceedingly pleasant location viewed from the westward. It will soon be a fine business point, as there is no town of any size in the whole region from Marshall to Nevada. There
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are already two large warehouses, and an elevator in process of erection for the storage of grain, etc., and a Methodist church is talked of the coming season. Shipman & Dobbins have established a newspaper, and with their characteristic energy, it will be of benefit to the village. There is also a small job office, doing some very creditable work in the publishing line.
Mr. J. Price is supplying with dressed lumber a large region of country, and nice comfortable farm- houses are dotting the prairie at every point of the compass. Mr. Walker is also in the same business, gladdening the eyes of new-comers with that important article, so necessary to a new home -cheap pine lumber.
Emigrants are coming in every day to State Center and the township.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
Is situated west of Timber Creek and south of Mari- etta, the Waterloo and Marshalltown road passing through it on to Edenville, Peoria and Desmoines. It has some very fine timber in it; Starry and Bear Groves being the largest bodies in the township. It is an elevated plateau, excepting the northern portion, and contains beautiful farms in a high state of cul- tivation. There are a good many sheep in this vicinity, and, thanks to the factory in Marshalltown, the wool commands a fair price or can be exchanged for cloth.
Henry Starry was the first settler in this township, having moved from Iowa county in 1852. He came in with wagons, bringing with him his stock, nails and farming utensils, and even the flour for a year's use. His daughter Mary remembers driving the old cows along, as she walked a good deal of the way. He entered the land called Starry's Grove, also his
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farm, and built his cabin westward of the timber. The next family was a Mr. Miller, a brother-in-law of Mr. Starry. They all went a hundred miles to mill, fought wolves, killed rattlesnakes, broke up nature's green sward, welcomed new comers, heard the pro and con of the Marietta war, and gradually grew rich and prosperous.
Among these early settlers were Mr. Gotham and the Manwarings from New York, also Mr. Wickers- ham and Mr. Myers of Bear Grove. We will say, en passant, that Mrs. Myers is a model farmer. She hires help to do the housework, and with a Bloomer dress made of bed-ticking, may be seen hauling wood, driving a reaper or sulky plow, and is one of the most successful managers in the county. She has been known to go down to Iowa City for a load of lumber, accompanied only by her little boy, camping out, boiling her teakettle by the roadside, and taking care of the team herself.
We would recommend her to the notice of the New York Tribune and the American Agriculturist, for she far outshines their pet female farmers in Central New York. We must admire her self-reliance, although some may question her taste.
PRAIRIE FIRES.
If we should wish to get up an entertainment upon a grand scale for an Eastern audience, a prairie fire would be the most entertaining. A fire could sweep for about ten miles from the north down through into Jasper county in almost a direct line without the least interruption, as the western half of both Washington and Jefferson townships are prairie uplands, with only a farm to break in occasionally on its course.
At one time Mr. S. Manwaring was aroused by the crackling and roaring of the fire, and on looking out saw the haystacks in a blaze, with danger to the house
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and stable. At once all hands were set to work to carry water, and finally, by the help of wet blankets and carpets, they saved a part of the hay and buildings. But hundreds of tons of hay are lost every year in Iowa from fires often carelessly lit by the pipe of a passing hunter, or boys bent on mischief.
One night, Mr. Gotham was awakened by the light of a coming fire, and in a costume nearly Georgian, he suc- ceeded in getting a furrow ploughed around his build- ings, but there was a hen-roost in one corner of the yard where the fire got up some strange dissolving views within, for the poultry disappeared, then appearing in the morning tailless, with their wings badly burnt.
The railroad passes along the banks of Linn creek, a beautiful stream twenty-six miles in length, which meanders through the long grass of this prairie up to its source in Minerva township. A singular accident happened to the cars not far from Mr. A. H. Stone's. A bridge had become damaged by a freshet; the loco- motive passed over, however, but the baggage and passenger cars went down into the water. This was in the darkness of the night, the cars overturning with heated stoves, burning lamps and sleeping passengers, yet the good God took care that none were hurt. Some of the cars were badly damaged, and the mails with the terror-stricken travelers had an involuntary bath.
Linn creek is a haunted stream. On the 9th of April, 1867, a young lady with her father, Mr. Hud- son, was drowned about two miles west from Mar- shalltown. Miss Hudson attempted to cross on the submerged bridge, but the horse lost his foothold upon the plank, there being no railing, and both fell into the water. Her father, attracted by the screams of the daughter and the shouts of quite a party assembled near, not one of whom could swim, plunged in, but lost his hold upon a bunch of willows to
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which he had clung for support, and not being a good swimmer they both sank to rise no more.
A Mr. Algoyee was also drowned some years since not far from Le Grand highway bridge, in attempting a bath. Near here Mrs. Ed. Lockwood and Mrs. H. Nash had a narrow escape about seven years ago. Their horse had become frightened by covered wagons and kept obstinately backing, till he reached the bank, when he tipped the buggy over with its hu- man freight into the current, excepting Mrs. Nash and child who fortunately alighted a moment before. Mrs. Lockwood and her little daughter struggled in the icy water, it being in March. She succeeded in holding her child up from the stream with one hand, while clinging with the other to the willows, and was finally rescued from her peril by the Pike's Peak trav- · elers, who had caused the mischief. The only damage done was to the buggy and harness, and the sinking of a basket of vegetables which the party had made the journey to obtain. But we will follow the wind- ings of the ill-fated stream back to Washington.
Situated in a beautiful grove is the home of John Haynes who came here in 1854. He is of Scottish descent, and with the determination, characteristic of that earnest people, he bravely went through the hard- ships of the West without flinching. His brother Thomas is his neighbor, and a thrifty farmer. The Haynes, with Mr. Starry, have been pillars in the Protestant Methodist Church in this vicinity, and Mr. John Haynes was also very instrumental in keeping up the Good Templar organization.
About seven miles from Marshall, is a station in this township called Cedar Cross Roads. There has been something done towards laying out a town by Mr. F. A. Stone.
Among the wealthy men of Washington whom we have failed to notice, is Mr. John McCord, Mr. Wil- son, who drew the splendid silk quilt at the Orphans'
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Fair, Mr. Wyatt, and Mr. Thayer-all good citizens. This township is every way adapted to sustain a large population.
JEFFERSON.
This township is bounded on the north by Timber Creek township, eastward by Greencastle, south by the Jasper line, and on the west by a township not named, being all prairie south of Washington. The road from Marshalltown to Newton, passes through Jefferson, winding through the lanes and door-yards of the "Kentucky settlement," and finally goes out among the knolls of the southern edge, till a wagon, seen in the distance, from Mr. Archerd's, has the appear- ance of a big fat spider crawling slowly along on the sky's edge.
The earliest settler was Mr. William Powers, who entered his land in 1852, giving his name to the grove and farm. This grove is on the south branch of Timber creek, which heads westward nearly to the Eden line in a romantic little lakelet of about an acre of clear pellucid water. Here are brandts and wild geese in early spring in great numbers, to attract sportsmen.
Mr. Powers' family suffered many privations, as they were obliged to go to Oskaloosa to mill-no church, and their nearest neighbor four or five miles distant. Mr. Putnam is an excellent citizen, living near the Kentucky settlement, which in 1855 was opened up by four farms, the land being first entered by Mr. Currens. Mr. Rogers was one of the largest proprie- tors-had a farm of two hundred acres. And Mr. Archerd who now keeps the Union House, was also an early settler, and has grown rich and prosperous here on his fruitful farm.
This year, 1855, also saw a family settle upon the south edge of the township by the name of Hoppin. They were from New Jersey, he, a dry goods clerk,
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the wife, a young woman who had seen better days, and two little children. He had only about five hundred dollars, but seeing the beautiful prairie in this part of Jefferson, bought an unfenced claim, with a cabin. He also purchased a yoke of oxen, but being inexperienced, his crop of 1856 proved to be a little corn, a few pumpkins, and perhaps a peck of garden beans. The cold winter of 1856-7 coming on, he attempted to keep his oxen and cow from freezing, but was taken down with typhoid fever and died without medical attendance. Soon after, the cattle died, and this brave woman with her children lived alone that terrible winter, with but very little addi- tions to the winter's store of provision. There was nothing to buy, the emigration was so heavy that year, and if there had been, she had no money. She wore her husband's coats and boots, obtained fuel, dug snow drifts, lived on parched corn for bread, and did not see a cup of tea or coffee for eighteen months. Any one but a heroine would have become disheart- ened and begged out of Iowa, but she clung to the farm, and the next year she raised a good crop with- out a fence, the neighbors lending a team, and in six years she sold the farm for eighteen hundred dollars, and with the proceeds of a year's produce, she went back to the Camden and Amboy State, rejoicing in her self-reliance.
The Desmoines and Cedar Rapids telegraph, which passed through Newton and Marshalltown, had its line swung on tall cottonwood posts through here and Timber Creek, but it did not pay much of a dividend other than outgoes, and it was discontinued, the people burning the supports for firewood, after the line was taken down.
Mr. Schettler, a very enterprising stock dealer, set- tled in this township twelve years since, and has be- come wealthy in the business. He was from Mays- ville, Ky., and helped a great deal in carrying on the
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enterprises of roads, schools, etc., in the settlement. They have several fine school houses, larger than is generally seen in country neighborhoods. This town- ship has excellent soil, some good timber, and is every way a good point for farmers to settle in.
The names of the soldiers from Jefferson who sleep in Southern graves, are Clarington Poynes, who en- listed in the Second Cavalry, and William King. They were brave, good boys, and were sadly missed from the fireside and community. There were several who were discharged from inability and disease.
HUNTING PARTIES.
The prairie in the western portion has been noted for hunting parties, with dogs, guns, snack-baskets, and bottles of corn coffee. There is a tradition extant of one party who went to the head of Timber creek and killed seven hundred and eight chickens. These broiled, with hot rolls, and a cup of good Java, is a dish fit for a king. No wonder our prairies present such attractions to English and other sportsmen. Last season a large party of hunters from Buffalo visited this section. They were highly pleased with their success, and as our railroad facilities are increasing, no doubt in a few years our lovely plains will receive a full share of the summer tourists who journey for health and comfort.
Mr. George Wills, with a party of five, went beyond Powers' Grove and killed three hundred and eleven chickens in one day, returning to town with their wagon loaded down with game. If this slaughtering should go on long at a time, the question is, where would the chickens be ? unless the Darwinian theory be true, that animals can be made from vegetable matter, and chickens could be manufactured from brown grass and Timber creek water.
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CONSERVATISM.
Jefferson township has politically been rather con- servative, and a few went so far as to tease their neigh- bors by hanging butternuts on the telegraph poles and on the latch-string of their doors, but there has been quite a change of public sentiment recently, and the fossil remnants of conservatism are disappearing under a growth of free and enlightened opinion
The Methodists and Disciples both have meetings in the school-houses, but on the lower edge of the town- ship there are a good many Germans, a very industrious people, who having grown quite wealthy in a few years, now think of uniting with those of Malaka township in Jasper county, and building a church edifice of their own near the line of Jefferson. We believe they are Lutherans, and hold service in their own language. The German pastor from Newton ministers to their spiritual need when he can be spared from his own parish.
Just this side of the Kentucky settlement may be found a Mr. Fuller, who with his amiable wife dis- penses hospitality to the stranger, yet sighs for the " Kentucky home far away."
LIBERTY.
Liberty township occupies the extreme north-western corner of Marshall county, has a number of small streams that form the north fork of the Minerva, and others tributary to the Iowa, and has a fine body of timber in Illinois Grove, the main portion of which is in Liberty, a few acres only crossing the Hardin line. Coal is found near this grove in abundance. It is a pity capitalists leave this enterprise so to languish. Timber is in close proximity ; the fencing is excel- lent, and the crops are always good. There are fine fields of sorghum and broom corn, as well as all the other staple products of the soil.
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Mr. William Howard is quite an old settler, coming in 1855. He is favorably known as a faithful officer in the Board of Supervisors, and is an excellent neighbor and citizen.
Among other good farmers, we are slightly "ac- quaint" with Mr. Mandeville Colwell, a Scotchman by birth, and who brought to this neighborhood all the thrift and intelligence characteristic of that glorious people, the countrymen of Burns and Wallace, of Bruce and Kit North.
Mr. Holcomb, a brother-in-law of Dr. Waters of Marshalltown, is well known in this section. Also a Mr. Wm. McCormick, who left a good home, wife and little children, and gave his life for the nation, after some months' service.
Mr. Ingledew is often mentioned as a prominent citizen of Liberty, and a Mr. Davis. Mr. William Bevins came here as early as 1851-has a good farm, and Bevins' Grove is known for many miles. Mr. Charles Tucker has quite a pleasant little inn that might be called the " half-way " house, as it stands so near the line that he may be counted a citizen of both Story and Marshall.
Quite a heavy wind passed over this township and Bangor in 1859. It was on a May Sabbath after- noon. The day had been very warm, and at 4 o'clock there rose in the north-west a huge black cloud with a sea green edge, which rapidly came to the zenith. The wind came "tearing down " from that quarter, sweeping over the timber and twisting the trees like whips. In crossing the fields it cleaned the young corn right out of the soil as with a scraper, whirling the sand into winrows like stacks of hay.
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