USA > Iowa > Mills County > History of Mills County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 60
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
at Rushville on Keg Creek. The monument or headstone erected to his memory is almost the sole relic of a town of which few of the living resi- dents of the county ever heard, and that fewer still have ever seen. On this first monument ever placed at the grave of any person in the county of Mills, is simply inscribed "J. Eastman, died April 10th, 1847, aged 60 years." The headstone is native limestone, and was probably obtained at the exposure of native rock along the Missouri bluffs. There were two schools started in this year, but which has priority in point of time, it is impossible to determine. A man named McCarthy taught one of them, and his compensation was some fifteen dollars a month, most of which was paid in provisions, from which we may reasonably infer the school was a private enterprise and conducted on the subscription plan. No locality is assigned for its position. Mrs. Spencer, whose husband was then absent in the Mexican war, taught the very first school in Silver Creek township in this same year. The school was in her own dwelling. That of McCarthy was held in the first school-house, erected this same year, and was, perhaps, at or near Rushville. The number of pupils whom he instructed was some twenty-five. Another, and the second death of the year, was that of Mrs. Freeman, who died on section thirty of Lyons township. The first physician in the county came in 1847, and was Libeus T. Coons, who afterwards became the founder of Coonville, and finally went to Utah. He came from the vicinity of Council Bluffs to this county, and to that locality from Nauvoo.
It would doubtless be a matter of extreme interest to trace the emotions and thoughts of these early residents were such a thing possible. They came, many of them, from the older and more populous east; left behind them all the advantages of a high civilization, the comforts of pleasant homes, friends and associations made doubly dear by long and constant intercourse. They came to what? Hardships and toil, but for these they cared little. There were hopes to be realized, plans to be developed, farms to make and homes to build. Whatever of romance we may wish to attach to their lives, there was little in reality. / Their coming, it should be remembered, was not always a matter of election. They did not come to a land then a wilderness altogether from choice, but because stern necessity made it imperative. Some of them were driven from pleasant homes for religion's sake. Others came because the population of the eastern states was rapidly increasing through imigration, and the stern law of increase made removal necessary. They came hither because the west offered more extended opportunities and contained the promise and potency of success in life. V
In the year 1848, the population of the county was subject to the same increase as in the year next preceding. There was no great influx of population, such as had occurred in 1846, but it was more slow and des-
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
tined to be come permanent. There came to Silver Creek in this year Greenberry Jones, Daniel Moody, William Wolf, Jonathan Kerns, Noah Cotton, and Benjamin F. Merritt. The last named came from the state of North Carolina. Among the inhabitants of Silver Creek there had been up to this time no physician. But now came a Doctor Spurgeon, from Missouri, who was the first to care for the sick and sore distressed. In the same year Washington Lewis located in Indian Creek township, and is thus entitled to be called one of its earliest settlers. The first gen- tile preacher in the county dates his advent from 1848, and was the Rev. Martindale, who held services in Lyons township in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal faith. In the neighboring township of Rawles, matters of very great interest were transpiring. The first school had been opened on section seven by Eli Withrow, who came from Fremont county ; the weaknesses to which flesh is heir had been treated by the first resident physician, Dr. John Scott, who was also the postmaster at Wahbonsie P. O., instituted that year but now extinct. Among the new- comers, as settlers, to Rawles in 1848, were A. H. Berger, James Wood- land, and Samuel Berger, the last named coming from Cedar county, Mis- souri. The only event of note in Silver Creek township was the build- ing of the first school house, a log structure erected by the citizens and at no cost whatever except that of the labor necessary. In Anderson oc- curred the first male birth in the township, that of Charles, son of William and Maria Matthews. In Platteville township there had located the first settler, a man named O'Neal, who came from Hocking county, Ohio. The first cloth known to have been woven in the county was this year made by Mrs. Holman, who resided about two miles southwest of Glenwood. The foundations of Coonville were laid in this year, by Libeus T. Coon, Silas Hilman, Ira Hilman, William Britain, G. N. Clark, and a number of oth- ers, who were attracted by the beautiful site of the town. J. W. Coolidge had come in the earlier part of the year, from near the present city of Council Bluffs, and had found a suitable location near Keg creek, south- east of old Coonville .* While many other facts of minor importance oc- curred, evidencing the substantial growth in prosperity and population, none of them are worthy of especial mention. All had more or less in- fluence in shaping the after destiny of the county, but they were the usual experiences of life.
The year 1849 was ushered in when spring opened by the coming of James Berger and Mrs. Nancy Berger, to Rawles township. The first school of that year opened at the house of Dr. Scott, and he taught the pupils gathered under his charge in the interval of his more strictly pro- fessional duties. The school was conducted on the subscription plan, for
*All other facts pertaining to the early settlement and growth of Coonville will be found in the history of Glenwood.
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
free schools were unknown at that date in this county. In the winter a somewhat notorious event had transpired in the same township. James Woodland, an early comer, had died at his house under suspicious cir- cumstances, and been buried on the farm of Joseph Rawles; his death was never properly investigated, and while exciting suspicion could not be legally investigated, for at the time of which we are writing Mills county was still unorganized. Soon after his death his brother, William, married his widow, and both left for parts unknown; thus occurred the first mystery within the borders of the county, but it has had frequent like experiences since.
In Lyons township had located Michael Kerns and W. E. Dean, both coming from Missouri. In Indian Creek had located Peter Huntsman, from Maryland, on section twenty-seven; H. Abel from Canada on sec- tion twenty-one; and a Mr. Davis on the same section with the last named. In the same township, in the winter, John Simons, son of James . and Sarah Simons, had been born, making his birth one of the earliest in this portion of the county. A like event, the very first of its kind, had taken place in Platteville township, being the birth of Albert, son of James and Rachel O'Neal. Only one settler was known to locate in Silver creek township, and he came in October. His name was R. L. Merritt. In Anderson township had located James Fry, John Holden and John McIntyre, all from Indiana. In the same township the first birth had occurred, being that of Fanny, daughter of Noah and Lucretia Cotton, on the twenty-fifth of September. Up to this year the residents of the county were without a mill. This is one of the most important fea- tures of a newly opened country, and indispensable to its people. Kanes- ville on the north, Oregon, Nebraska City and even St. Joseph on the south were the only points where flour and meal could be had. The en- terprise of J. W. Coolidge intervened to supply this much needed adjunct of pioneer life. In the summer of 1849 he built a mill on Keg creek, which afterward became the site of Gordon's mill. The venture proved successful, trade commenced and grew, and he soon opened a store in connection with it, selling, probably, the first merchandise ever imported to the county. The site of the mill adjoined Glenwood, of which place Mr. Coolidge became an early and valued settler.
The year 1850 added largely to the population of the county. The set- tlers sought houses in almost every part of its territory, and especially along the streams. Many of them came from thickly wooded and hilly countries, and these facts led them to seek the same kind of territory here. Few, if any, farms were being selected on the open prairie, for prairie farming was then an untried experiment in western Iowa. Along streams and in or near groves of wood were to be found the most desirable loca- tions for farms and future homes, and these the settlers eagerly and rapidly
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
occupied. As usual, Rawles township contributed its full share to the events of the year. Among the newly arrived settlers were Lawrence Rains, in June, and William J. Rains, then a lad, who passed his time in school. Among the first or early births was that of a daughter of Joseph Rawles. In the early spring a daughter of Lena Aitney died, and was bur- ied on section seven.
A commodious log school house was built, but two years afterward it burned to the ground, being the first conflagration of that kind in the county. George, a son of James L. and Nancy Berger was born, on September 4, thus entitling him to be placed among the historic worthies of the county's earlier days. The first cloth known to have been made in Rawles township was this year woven by his mother, Nancy Berger, in Silver creek township.
Mrs. Merritt has the honor of weaving the first cloth, which was also made in the winter of 1850. Julia Barnes and George Clark had both become residents of Plattville township, and Mrs. Hoyt had taught one of the first schools in the township of Lyons, at her own house, the pupils numbering ten, their tuition being paid by subscription. There are preserved remembrances of but two settlers in Lyons for that year, John and William L. Lambert, both coming from Kentucky. A like number are remembered as having settled in Anderson township, Augustus Rich- ards, from Virginia, who located on section 10, and Samuel Badham, from England, location not known. The remaining settlers located in the older portions of the county, and their identity has been lost among the numerous names known to have come in that year.
The year following, 1851, witnessed the first marriage in Indian Creek township. The oldest daughter of Abel Carey, Melissa, was married to a Mr. Silket. In the same year occurred the first death in the township, that of Homer Hoyt, who was buried a little north of what is now known as the Carey burying ground. On section 21 was built a log school- house, after the manner of the early settlers, by gratuitous labor, and if not the first, it was at least one of the earliest in the township. In Oak township, October 3, occurred the first birth, that of Thomas Gunsolly. William McPherson and William Kesterman, both located farms in Rawles township, as did also Luke Wiles, all three of whom afterward became largely and closely identified with the county's interests. Among the old residents who came in that year were J. H. Buckingham, from Missouri, to Lyons township, William Reed to the same locality, David M. Buckingham, also from Missouri, to Lyons, Simon Troth to Lyons, Geo. R. McKnight to Lyons and John Haynie to Plattville.
In this year 1851 the county was properly organized as a body politic in the commonwealth of Iowa. From this time on the matter of growth in both numbers and prosperity is very marked. It may be well to pause
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
here a moment and consider the character of the new-comers, for this may properly command attention at a most critical period in the county's history. Of adventurers there were few or none now being added to its population. Most of the incoming settlers had definite objects, and came to realize plans and hopes of long standing. They had come from Illi- nois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, the New England states, and a few from the south. Unlike these later comers had been the first settlers. They came unwillingly, and tarried with equal regret. Driven from pleasant homes and a prosperous city there was in their hearts a vague unrest- not unmixed with bitter and hostile feelings. The objective point of their weary and dangerous journey lay far to the westward, and thither their faith looked in the hope of rest and peace. Here there was no surety, there was the promise of plenty-here hostile, or at best indifferent, men might at any moment wrest from them that which they had, there their possessions would at least be secure.
So many of them had left for the far west the year following their advent here. In this year of 1851 many of them cast their first and last ballot and aided in organizing the county. While the events we have narrated were transpiring, the gentile population of the county had increased. Already, in the neighboring county of Fremont, strenuous endeavors were being made to wrest from the Mormon population of that county the strength and prestige which superior numbers insured. It remained now to accomplish the same object here, and to this the gen- tile population addressed all its energies. Opposition first found expres- sion in denying the rights of suffrage; in disallowing the privilege to sit on juries; and in open hostility to the judge of the district court, as has elsewhere been shown. Hence, these causes led to the final removal of the immediate followers of Brigham Young to Utah. Many still remained, and becoming interested in the county's prosperity contributed largely to its material wealth, and made both excellent and exemplary citizens. As has been said, of a far different nature was the coming of the later settlers. A feature, however, that amounts to a peculiarity deserves especial mention. Many of the pioneer settlers of Mills had
performed a like work in states to the east and south. They came to accomplish the task of reclaiming from a state of wildness these new and rich lands. This done, they again went onwards, in their pioneer work; ever in the van, and ever braving the dangers and trials of new or little known sections. Hence it is that the earliest settlers remained but a few years, and then moved from the county. With the year 1851 the arrivals were so numerous and the population became so scattered that it is a matter of excessive difficulty to trace their location and the subsequent changes made. Hitherto, there had been few settlements, or aggregations of settlers made. Glenwood had been founded as an
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
offshoot from Rushville, Bethlehem, afterward East Plattsmouth, had been started, and the now extinct Wahbonsie had a struggling existence in the southwest. In the east and south no permanent villages had been established, nor had any attempt in that direction been made. Some short time previously a town called California City had been started in Platteville township by Daniel Ambrose, and George and James Clark, the exact date of which is not known.
In 1852 the principal events of interest belonged to Platteville and Anderson townships. In the latter the first death of the year was that of Augustus Richards, on December 10, who was buried in Farm Creek graveyard. This year, in the same township, appeared the first physi- cian, Dr. John Johnson, who came from Ohio, and afterwards moved to Missouri. The first services of the Methodist Episcopal church in Ander- son, were conducted by Elder Peter Cooper, at the house of Widow Richards, and were the funeral services of her husband. The first school was also opened, taught by Miss Mary E. McClenahan, now the wife of D. Hougas. The students numbered nine, and the compensation was. eight dollars per month. In' Plattsville township was built a hewn log school-house, on section eight, the first building of that nature, so far as can be learned, in the township. No school was held in it until the fall. In the spring a school had been opened on section thirteen, by Miss Angelina Mayfield. E. Gilliland,* who still resides in the township, came from Missouri to Platteville. The settlement of this township was slow,
and these were all known to have come, with certainty, in that year. In this year the first marriage in Rawles township, relative to which has been preserved the name of the officiating clergyman, was that of John Wolf to Julia Kesterson, by the Rev. Mr. Towner. On the 28th of August was born Alvira, daughter of William and Alvira Huntsman, in Indian Creek township, one of the first in that portion of the county. Of newcomers in this year the following names have been collected: Jesse Miller, who located on land now occupied by the poor farm; Henry Saar, from Missouri, to which state he had gone in 1842, and who settled in Oak township; T. M. Blair, in Rawles, from Missouri, Alfred B. McPherron, A. Williams, Urbin Williams, Richard Estes and W. Newell, all of whom located in Rawles township. To Lyons township came R. Shaw, Sarah Haynie, William Estes and George Foldeux. S. C. Pitzer and F. M. Britt, from Missouri, located in Center township, and made farms. In White Cloud settled James Hughes, one of the oldest residents in the township. Among these persons may have been some who were rough and uncouth, but beneath the rugged exterior beat true
*Short biographical sketches of many ot the earlier settlers will be found in the closing part of this volume, grouped under the several townships in which they now reside. To them the reader is referred for all other facts he may wish to know.
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
and manly hearts. They were necessarily frugal in their habits, and this gave them courage to endure the severest trials, and withstand the harshest blows of fortune.
The facts of preceding years were repeated in 1853. In Rawles town- ship the first marriage of the year was that of David Utterback to Rachel Allison, by Rev. Mr. Armstrong, of the Methodist Episcopal church. He had followed the pioneer Methodist preachers-Revs. Cannon and Witter-who came as missionaries of that faith. The Christian Church of Wahbonsie, was this year organized, being the first church organiza- tion in the county. Elsewhere will be found a history of the church, together with the names of its original membership. In Anderson town- ship was born Calvin A., son of John and Harriet Richards, in the month of December, and this is supposed to be the first male birth in the town- ship. It is, at all events, one of the earliest. Among the settlers who came to Rawles in this year were Fred. Terraberry, Joseph Munsinger and Isaac Townshend. In Oak township settled J. M. Warren, E. H. Buffington, from Illinois, and J. H. Cotton, from Lafayette county, Mis- souri. Other old settlers are John Chambers and S. Barbee in Center township, M. J. Martin, in Glenwood village, Charles L. Epperson, in Lyons, and William Hoxie, in Plattsville township, who came hither from the state of Michigan.
In 1854 was built the first school-house in Anderson township, on sec- tion thirty-five. No money was expended, the material being logs and the labor furnished gratuitously. Mary A. Cotton died in this township December 9th, and lies buried in the Cotton graveyard on section thirty- six. The second female born in this township was Violet, daughter of Samuel and Mary Badham, in the month of November. In other por- tions of the county nothing usual or worthy of special mention occurred. New comers located in nearly every portion of the county. In Lyons were J. A. Tipton, John Gillens, Thomas Connor, John Jackson and James Hubbard. H. P. Fowler came from Lafayette county, Missouri, and located in Oak township, as did, also, John Hutchens, who came however, from Andrew county, Missouri. In White Cloud occurred its first marriage, that of Pleasant Silket to M. A. Hughes, October 5, the ceremony being conducted by Rev. E. A. Morris. The first female child born in this year, so far as relates to White Cloud, and was Sarah V., daughter of James and Caroline Hughes. J. J. Kenady died and was buried south of the old village of White Cloud. To Rawles township came John M. West, Daniel Terryberry and John A. Davis. In other portions of the county numerous farms and homes were commenced, by Joseph Foxworthy, Charles Kesterman, William H. Rodman, among many others.
It is impossible to follow further, thus minutely the settlement of the
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
various parts of the county. Arrivals occcurred almost daily, and the pioneer work was over. It might be remarked, however, of the county as a whole, that the homes of the early settlers were often hastily erected, and not intended for permanent occupation. Adverse fortune often led to their long habitation, but they began now to disappear and to be replaced by more substantial dwellings. To-day there stand on their sites many beautiful, and sometimes costly homes, made bright and cheerful with contentment, and refined by all the appliances of civilized art. Little more remains than to now list the names of such as had become prominent citi- zens of the county. Among the names will be seen many who have extended a powerful influence in directing the course of events in the county. They were men sterling and true, whose contact with other men and with circumstances made them self-reliant and energetic. Nothing so much as pioneer life serves to develop real manhood, nothing so much leads to independence, nothing is so effective for discipline. These men were, many of them poor, but pride entered not to disturb their homely joys. The strife and contentions incident to political contests and hopes of preferment, were reserved for a later day. Petty jealousies, it is true, sometimes occurred, but mutual dependence and kindred interests forbade their fostering.
1855, G. W. Patrick, W. S. Viola, from Ohio, A. Lewis, F. M. Wilson, H. C. Sheppard, D. O. Briggs, A. R. Wright, from Indiana, James Lam- bert, T. K. Hammond. who located in Lyons township. In Rawles township settled O. B. Russell, James Boyd, William E. Utterback and A. R. Graves. To White Cloud township came Stephen D. Davis, Jas. M. Summers, William Van Doren, H. W. Summers, and many others. 1856 and 1857 witnessed the coming of William Weaver, William G. Summers, Valentine Plumb, W. B. Wilson, J. W. Devore, Thomas R. Kayton, Frank Moore, John Graham, from Indiana, John Tinker from Wisconsin, Henry Kisby from Wisconsin, but originally from England, Henry Russell, M. W. Hurlburt, M. C. Pearse, John Butler, R. H. Hurlburt, Solomon Jones, H. A. Norton, John Byers and L. D. Prindle. These persons with numerous others located farms at divers places in the county. To follow them through all the subsequent changes made would be impossible and without interest. Enough has been said to indicate the rapid advances being made in the matter of population, and the char- acter of the men now commencing their residence in the county.
Those coming later than 1857 could hardly be properly considered as early settlers. They came not to the wild prairies of an unorganized county, but to one rescued to civilization, recognized as a body politic, and with a population among the thousands. To them many of the older scenes were indeed familiar, but now the old things have passed away. To-day the residents of the county look back with pride and with amuse-
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ment, a peculiar mingling of emotions, to the things that were. The busy hum of newer industries and modern interests have served to detract attention from these old time events, but they have a value which the present should sieze and turn to its advantage.
THE COUNTY PRESS.
There is no power that deserves to take so prominent a position in a community or country as the press. It occupies a position far over that of any other, the clergy not excepted. This circumstance arises not from any deterioration of the clergy themselves, but chiefly from the general diffusion of knowledge among all classes. We do not look to the clergy for superiority of erudition; the scientists, the philologist, the historian all come in for a share of respect for their learning. Once the distinction between the clergy and the laity meant something; it means very little to-day. When only those who could read or write belonged to the church, each member was called a clerk, or clericus, or clergyinan. But the clergy of to-day are not those who preach from the pulpit once a week, but those as well who preach from the editor's chair. As James Free- man Clarke, remarks, the editor has as much right to put "reverend" before his name as the preacher has. The editor wields a mightier weapon than any clergyman can. He influences the public mind for good or evil daily and the Sunday paper has snatched from the pulpit its ancient power, its traditional prerogative. Instead of dealing with questions, the very nature of which renders them unknowable, and therefore impracticable, the editor comes to our door with the live issues of to-day. The latest, the best, the most valuable of the thoughts and doings of men all over the globe reaches us every morning to sway our passions, enlist our sympathy, or arouse us to duty. Nor is this the sole prerogative of the city dailies, but that also of the country weekly newspaper. These latter come to homes of toil, homes where the busy cares of life absorb so great a portion of the time that all but the weekly visitant remains necessarily unread. The power of the type is felt in such hours, felt as no minister's sermons ever are.
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