USA > Iowa > Monona County > History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 27
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971
MONONA COUNTY.
The Spring Valley branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints was organized in 1861 or 1862 by Elder W. W. Blair and E. C. Briggs, and held meetings for a time at the school- house at Preparation. Owing to many of its mem- bers being but transient in their stay here, in 1875, after lingering along for a time, it was dissolved, and services discontinued.
The Union Center branch of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints, came into exis- tence April 9, 1876, the meeting being held at the Wight schoolhouse, Elder J. M. Putney, an ordained member of the hierarchy, presiding and directing. Twenty-two members were enrolled as the com- mencement of the new society. The following were chosen the first officers: Elder George Mon- tague, presiding eller; Elder James Ballantyne, priest; Elder John Conyers, teacher, and Elder J. M. Putney, clerk. The church has a present mem- bership of one hundred and thirteen, and hold their meetings in the Moorhead schoolhouse every Sab- hath. A Sunday-school is held in connection. The present officers are as follows : Elder J. M. Putney, presiding elder; Elder JJames Ballantyne, priest; Elder John Conyers, teacher, and Eller .. W. Steel, clerk.
Moroni Winegar, one of the county's leading citizens, made a settlement in the township in 1851, at Preparation, but shortly after took up an inde- pendent claim, where he has ever since resided.
John T. Rawlings, the present Postmaster and only merchant at Preparation, came to Monona County in 1873, and settled in Center Township with his parents. He came to Preparation in March, 1886, and embarked in his present busi- ness, carrying a stock of general merchandise.
A blacksmith shop is also located here, which is carried on by Philip Johnson. The first to fill this business here was Lars Jensen, who was fol- lowed by J. Willfong; he by E. J. Severence, who was followed by the present proprietor.
OTHER PARTS OF THE TOWNSHIP.
John Conyers, one of the earliest pioneers of the adjoining county of Harrison, came to Spring Val- ley, or, as it was then called, Preparation. in 1863, and rented the old farm near the site of the vil- 1
lage, forty acres of which he subsequently pur- chased, and where he still lives.
Joseph Duff Butts came to Spring Valley Town- ship in the spring of 1865, and settled on a part of section 15. There he remained for twenty years, at the end of which he removed to Turin, where he is engaged in the livery business.
Thomas J. Perrine, the son of Charles Perrine, who had settled at Preparation in 1854, on coming out of the army in 1865, settled down in this town- ship, where he still resides, one of the wealthy, prominent farmers of the county.
Freeman and Henry Bowerman, quite influential citizens in their day, made a settlement about the same time. After years Henry removed to Wis- consin, and Freeman, after living in Salix, to Ne- braska.
Halvor E. Strand came to Monona County in 1867 and settled in Spring Valley Township and opened up a farm, He resided here until the spring of 1884, when he removed to LaCrosse County, Wis.
John B. Moorhead, one of the prominent citizens of Spring Valley, and one of its largest land-own- ers, came here about May Ist, 1867, and made a settlement. Ile had come to Boyer Township, then a part of Monona County, in 1851, and was one of the pioneers of that region. With him came his brother, George P., one of the best business men of the county. Being quite successful here he, in 1877, sold out to J. B. Moorhead and removed to Dunlap, where he is engaged in the banking business.
Knud Thoreson, a present resident of the town, came here in September, 1867, and made a settle- ment. The following year his brother, Nels Thore- son, located here and remained a resident until his death, which took place May 13, 1885,
James Graham, one of the leading citizens of Spring Valley, made his settlement in the town in the fall of 1867, since which time he has been iden . , tified with its growth and development.
John Dunlop in 1868 settled upon the south west quarter of section 2, where he died some eight years later.
Shortly after him came his brother, Peter. who remained here some years and then returned to "Bonnie Scotland."
275
MONONA COUNTY.
James L. Bartholemew, one of the most promi- nent citizens of the township, first came to Monona County, October 25, 1869, and rented a farm on seetion 29, where he toiled for some three years, and then, in company with his brother, Samuel C., rented the Graham farm. In 1875 he commenced the purchase of land here and has kept adding to his farm until it is one of the largest and best in the township.
Mrs. Mary A. Butts, a sister of J. B. Moorhead, settled in this township in 1869, and is a resident here at present.
Joseph Adams and Dwight Smith eame from Big- ler's Grove, Harrison Connty, where they had been early settlers, in 1870, and located here. Mr. Ad- ams still lives on the west half of section 24; but Mr. Smith removed back to Ilarrison County, where he now resides.
Among others that settled here in 1870 may be mentioned Mrs. Margaret Wright, a widow, who died here. Of her family, J. Wherimerion is in Australia, preaching the Mormon doctrine; Sonar- moni is still living here engaged in farming; Ro- lando is in California; and Amasa lives at Little Sioux.
John Welliver, still living here, settled about the same time.
Jerome B. Harlow settled in this township in October, 1870, and is still living here.
J. M. Putney, a leading agriculturalist of the town, located here, where he lives, in the spring of 1871.
Ole Engun, one of the Norwegian citizens of Spring Valley Township, came to Monona County in 1871, and settled first in Willow Township. In 1877 he came to this town and settled on section 22, where he now lives.
Joseph A. Adams, now engaged in the mercan- tile trade at Moorhead, settled on a farm on section 21, in 1871, on coming to the county, and made his home there until 1888, when he entered upon his present business, which he established October 15 of that year.
John Conyers, one of the pioneers of Harrison County, came to Spring Valley Township in 1871, and here makes his residence. John J. Conyers, his son, is also a resident of the town.
James Larson, now of Willow, came here in the spring of 1872 and worked for John and George Moorhead for three years, after which he removed to the Boyer Valley.
Stephen M. Blackman, still a resident of the town, a son of one of the early settlers of Harrison County, came here in the spring of 1873 and was engaged in teaching and farming. In 1877 he moved to his present residence on section 15.
John R. Melntyre and Elias Trimble came here in 1873, and commenced the homes where they now live.
Andrew Ballantyne, one of the earliest settlers of Harrison County, where he located in 1855, came to Spring Valley Township in April. 1875, since which time he has made his home on section 2.
Abraham Condit and Samuel Rice made a settle- ment here in 1871. Neither remained here for any extended term, moving away about 1875 to Kansas.
Joseph Bird and Peter Fritz made settlements within the limits of Spring Valley Township. Mr. Bird is still a resident of this county, but Fritz has removed to Nebraska.
William Conyers came here from Kennebec Township in 1876, and is still a resident of this part of the county.
Benjamin Gorder, who had been living in Belvi- dere since 1875, came to this township in 1877 and made a settlement and is still a eitizen.
Andrew Larson, still a citizen of the town, lo- cated on the farm where he now lives in 1877.
John R. MeIntyre, a member of the farming com- munity of Spring Valley Township to-day, came here in 1878, and made his settlement on section 24.
Andrew Rnde settled in the town of Spring Val- ley on seetion 11, where he now lives, in 1878.
Peter Johnson settled in this town in the spring of 1879, but two years later removed to Sioux, where he now lives.
Knud Knudson came to Monona County in 1871, on coming from his native land, Norway, and in 1879 bought the place on section 14, where he now lives.
Charles W. Blackman came to Monona County in 1875, and settled on the farm on section 22, this township. where he now lives.
276
MONONA COUNTY.
James W. Steel dates his settlement from the au- tumn of 1881, and since that time has been a resi- dent of the township.
Nelson D. Beall, a native of the Hawkeye State, made his settlement in this county and township in March, 1882.
MOORHEAD.
Located on the southwest quarter of section 9, lies the little hamlet known by the name of its founder, JJ. B. Moorhead. Although never platted as a town site, the necessities of trade have caused the springing up of one of the busiest of small business centers in the county. In 1883 James Calkins erected a frame building 16x 10 feet in size which was used as a hall and place of hokling meet- ings until 1881, when it was rented by 1. T. Hen- derson. who put into it a small stock of goods Not meeting with the success his effort deserved, in a short time the place was closed and the building used as a repair shop and later as a dwelling house.
Previous to this, however, William Horton, in 1880, erected a store building 14×22 feet in size, one story high, and carried on the general mer- chandise trade in a small way until 1881, when he was succeeded by O. D. Johnson & Co., and they by William and Thomas Dryden under the firm name of Dryden Bros,, who enlarged the building and increased the stock. The following year they sold out to D. W. MeDonald, who carried it on for two years, and then sold to George Stees. This was in 1884. The latter ran the business until Jan. 1, 1886, when he found a purchaser for the stock and good will in the person of G. P. Benja- min. In October, 1886, after making some addi. tions to the building the latter sold a half interest in the business to G. E. Erickson, and as Benjamin & Erickson they continued to hold the trade until
April 1. 1889, when the latter purchased the re- maining interest, and is now carrying on an exten- sive trade. Ile has made additions to the store room until it is now 22x64 feet in size. Mr. Erickson is the present Postmaster and the office is located in his store. Hle deals in dry goods exclusively at the present, having sold his grocery department to Joseph A. Adams.
The grocery business of Joseph A. Adams was established Oct. 15, 1888. by the present proprie- tor, who has worked up a liberal patronage and lu- crative business, dealing in groceries exclusively.
The blacksmith shop here is in the hands of An- drew Jackson Erb, who established the first forge here. N. A. Merritt is also engaged in the same line of trade.
John E. Frazier, M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon, a young man of culture and ability, located at Moorhead August 20, 1885, and has been engaged in the duties of his profession there ever since.
HIall Creek post-office was established assuch June 1, 1872, and James L. Bartholomew commissioned as its first Postmaster, having the office on seetion 29. Ile was succeeded by Thomas Lewis, and he by John B. Moorhead, who removed it to Moor- head, where it has ever since remained, and is known by the name of that village.
The post-office at Moorhead was established in 1871, with Thomas Lewis as Postmaster. The office was kept at his residence on section 17, for a short time when he was succeeded by J. B. Moorhead, who removed the same to his dwelling. S. M. Blackman succeeded him, and the office was re- moved to the store in the little village of Moor- head, where it has since remained. The present Postmaster is G. E. Erickson.
e
1
SOLDIER TOWNSHIP,
CHAPTER XXI.
HE subdivision of the county to which has been given the name of Soldier, embraces all of Congressional Township 83, range 42, and contains the usual thirty-six sections, or about 23,040 acres of land. It is bounded on the north by the town of St. Clair; on the east by Crawford County ; on the south by Willow Town- ship, and on the west by that of Jordan.
The surface of this township is a beautiful roll- ing prairie, swelling and rounding up from the plane like the waves of the ocean suddenly con- verted into solid material. The soil, the rich, warm and productive bluff deposit, or loess, of the geologist, is the equal of any to be found in Western lowa and is wonderfully fertile. Crossing the Northwest center of the town runs the Soldier River, and this with its tributaries and affluents affords ample drainage and an abundant supply of run ning water. There is no railroad or station within its limits, the only village being the little hamlet of Soldier, most of the marketing of produce being done at the village of Ute, in St. Clair Township.
The first settler in what is now Soldier Town- ship, and in fact the first white man to locate on the Soldier River between Preparation and Ida Grove, was II. A. Agens, who came here in March, 1858, and settled on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 4, and during the early summer put up a log cabin and broke about fifteen aeres of ground. Ifere he was followed by his family, his wife and
seven children, in June of the same year. He had come here from St. Clair County, Mich. He entered 320 acres of land here, and made this his home until his death, which took place September 9. 1888. his wife following him to the great "here- after" in June, 1889. Their children are still resi- dents of the township, William and Henry carry- ing on farming operations.
In the fall of 1860 John Ward and J. L. Swin- burne made settlements in this town. Mr. Ward. who was a trapper and hunter, did not remain many years, removing from the county. Mr. Swin- burne taught the first school and was the first to represent the town of St. Clair, then embracing this town and the one south of it on the board of county supervisors. Ile died while in office in October, 1869.
Next came Moses Jackson and Isaac U. Riddle. two brave veterans of the famous Third Iowa In- fantry, who in the spring of 1865 walked nearly the entire distance from their home in Story County to this region, arriving in what is now Soldier Township April 6. After remaining over night with Mr. Agen, that evening they traveled over the county, but about the middle of the month settled down in this town on seetion 4, where both still make their home. There was a cabin on the land of M. J. Riddle in which the two young men took up their quarters, although the first summer they took their meals with Mr. Agen's family. Shortly after this in the fall their sister, Martha A.
278
MONONA COUNTY.
Riddle, came out to keep house for them, and in 1867 their father. Matthew B. Riddle, came here with the balance of their family and stayed until the following fall. Both the brothers are still citi- zens of the town, grown affluent and prominent, Isaac filling most acceptably a place on the county board at the present.
About the same time or shortly after. R. B. Ran- some settled in this town and remained a prominent citizen of the same until the spring of 1889, when le removed to Dakota.
Junius Brown came to this part of Monona County in July, 1866, and took up his residence in a "dug-out" which he constructed on section 16. The next spring he built a log cabin and broke up some land, and has lived here from that time until the present. With him came Orson Good- rich, who lived here about five years and then re- moved to Nebraska.
Peter and Jacob Z. Koontz came to this" county in June, 1866, and settled on section 17. The former resided here until about 1879, when he re- moved to Washington Territory and was followed by his brother, Jacob, in 1882, and both make their home in that region still.
Michael O'Donnell made a settlement within the limits of this town on seetion 17. in the summer of 1867, and made his home bere until the spring of 1884, at which date be removed to the town of Cooper where he now resides.
In 1867 Chauncey Goodrich and his sons, Ward and Milo, came to Monona County and located. The father died here in the fall of 1888, but the boys after four or five years removed to Nebraska.
The same year Henry Koontz made a settlement in the town. He lived here for a while and moved back to Pennsylvania. Returning bere at a later date he went West from here to Washington Ter- ritory.
Engbret Evenson, a leading citizen of the town now, came here in the spring of 1868 and settled on section 30,1 but later removed to 31 where he now lives. For some years, like the balance of the residents, he lived in a "dug-out," but now has a fine house and many broad aeres.
Engbret Kundson and George Swenson came with Mr. Evenson. Mr. Knudson settled on a part
of section 33. where he is living in easy circum- stances to-day. George Swenson located on sec- tion 33, where he is still a resident owning a beau- tiful farm. Andrew Swenson, a brother of George, came with him and also settled here.
A. Steece Kinzer made a settlement in 1868 on section 8, on what is now known as the Linville farm, and there made his home until 1881, when he went to Oregon and is residing in that young State.
Charles Goodrich, still a resident of the town, dates his settlement here from 1868.
In 1869 Norman Sterling and a colored man by the name of King Betts came to this part of the county and made a settlement. Sterling resided here for a few years'and then returned to Illinois. Betts died in St. Clair Township.
Robert R. Porter, a prominent settler off the year 1869, located in the spring of that year on a piece of rented land. Two years later he located on the place where he now resides on section 8. He first came to the county in 1866 on a tour of investigation, but made no extended stay here.
Ole E. Strand, one of the prominent Norwegian citizens of the township at the present came to Monona County with others in 1867, and after liv- ing with his brother, Halvor, in Spring Valley for about two years, came to Soldier Township in 1869 and made a permanent settlement on section 30 where he now lives.
Jerome Lawrence, still a citizen of this section of the county, settled here April 1, 1869.
William Koontz, also a resident of the town at the present, settled here in 1870, and renting a piece of land on section 17, resided there for several years. He is still a resident of the town living on section 19.
Christian Evenson made his appearance in Mo- nona County in the fall of 1873 and settling on a piece of land on section 34, constructed a "dug. out" in which be took up his residence. The land belonged to Eastern speculators who would only sell the whole, so he could not buy it, but made his home on it until 1881, when he removed to the farm where he now lives on section 35.
Hans L. Wingate, now living on section 20, settled in the township in 1874,coming here in April.
279
MONONA COUNTY.
James K. Sooy located in the town of Soldier in 1876. Ile had first come to the county in the fall of 1868, but after a short time here went to Smith- land and worked at carpentering. In February. 1870, after a visit to Ohio, with his brother Ilenry, he settled in Kennebec Township, whence he re- turned to Ohio and from the latter here. He remained a resident here until 1881, when he went to Washington Territory, but returned here in 1882 and has his home on section 7.
In the fall of the same year Erik Olson made a settlement here on section 29, where he now re- sides.
In the spring of 1878 Erie K. Lee took up his residence on a rented farm in this section of the county. Two years later he purchased land on section 3.1, where he now lives.
About the same time C. II. Nordby located on a rented piece of land from which he removed six months later to the farm on section 29 where he now lives.
Martin Barrett, located in Soldier Township, on coming to the county in the fall of 1878, on the farm on section 36, where he is still living.
Christian Christianson joined the citizens of this township in the spring of 1879, settling on section 31, where he now lives.
George Stecce came here in 1880 and for about two years was engaged in farming. In 1882 he bought the store at Soldier which he operated for some two years. He is now living in Harrison County.
Irving C. McMaster, who had come to this county with his parents in the fall of 1873 and made his home in Grant Township, in the spring of 1881, came to Soldier and located upon a farm on section 17. In 1884 he sold out and entered into mercantile pursuits in Soldier and Castans, In 1888, he sold out his business and retired to a farm on section 19, where he now lives. This was the old Ransome place.
Granville P. Linville settled here in the spring of 1881, and is still a resident of the township, mak- ing his home on section 8.
In the spring of 1882 came William Qnatter, & native of the "Fatherland" and made a settlement on section 26. lle is now living on section 27,
I. C. Jensen, a Norwegian, located on section 35 in 1882, and has made this his home ever since.
Anton Hanson located here in the fall of 1883 and engaged in blacksmithing which he carries on at Soldier, at the present,
FIRST ITEMS.
The first marriage of residents of the townships was that of Moses J. Riddle and Miss Mary L. Agens which took place Oct. 19, 1866.
The first birth was that of Dora, the daughter of HI. A. Agens, who was born in 1860, She is now the wife of Emmet Dorothy, of Ute.
The first death was that of Mathew Shannon Riddle, the son of M. J. and Mary L. Riddle, who died September 30, 1869.
The first election held in the precinct of St. Clair. that then included both townships now known as St. Clair and Soldier, occurred in the fall of 1836, at which time there were but thirteen votes cast.
The first breaking was done by H. A. Agens in May, 1858, on section 4.
The first fence in the township was laid up in 1866, on section 4, by Moses J. and Isaac U. Rid- dle, who built about 280 rods of it at that time.
The first school was taught by J. L. Swinburne in a cabin that stood on the present farm of M. J. Riddle, in the winter of 1862-3.
The first schoolhouse was built in the fall of 1865, on section 4, Aaron Davis being the con- tractor.
ORGANIC,
At a session of the board of county supervisors held April 3, 1866, a general re division of the county was made, and townships 83 and 84. range 42, were authorized to organize as one civil town- ship under the name of St. Clair, The first election was held at the schoolhouse, for it seems that there was but one and II. A. Agens, J. P. Spillman and J. L. Swinburne acted as judges, and R. B. R.ta- some and William Agens, clerks. But thirteen votes were cast and J. L. Swinburne was chosen to represent the town on the county board. October 14, 1867, a petition was presented to that honoral le body, praying that the name of the town might be changed to that of Soldier, which prayer was granted by the board October 15, following.
280
MONONA COUNTY.
April 3, 1872. the supervisors separated town- ship 84, range 42, from Soldier and ordered its re -. organization as a separate civil subdivision and Soldier assumed nearly its present form, a small part of what is now Jordan forming part of its ter- ritory until November 12, 1872.
SCHOOL MATTERS.
The district township of Soldier, then embracing two Congressional towns, was organized at a meet- ing held on the first Saturday in March, 1867, of which T. F. Spellman was Chairman and M. J. Riddle, Secretary. Among other business trans- acted was the adoption of a resolution offered by R. B. Ransome levying a tax of $125 for the school honse fund ; another by II. A. Agens levying a tax of $25 for contingent and $100 for teacher's funds. On the third Monday in the same month the di- rectors held a meeting and elected John Patrick President, Junius Brown, Member of the Board, and M. J. Riddle, Secretary.
After the separation of the two towns, in March, 1878, the school district was also divided, the first meeting being held that month. William Agens was chosen Chairman pro tem of the meeting, and (). E. Strand, Secretary pro tem. On organization Peter Koontz was chosen President of the district Township Board; Junius Brown, Secretary; and O. E. Strand, Treasurer. I. Cummins, of St. Clair, and M. J. Riddle, of Soldier, were appointed a commit- tee to divide the funds on hand.
The Norwegian Lutheran Church, which stands on the south part of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 31, this township, was organized by Rev. J. A. Hellestradt, who became its first pastor, in 1879, and he continued in charge of the little flock until 1884, when he was silc- ceeded by Rev. Oscar Skeberg, the present pastor, who resides at Sioux City. Services are held here about once a month.
The foundation for a church edifice was laid in the fall of 1882, and the frame raised the follow- ing spring and the building enclosed so that meet- ings were held in it, although it was cold in the winter time, not being finished. During the sum- of 1887 the building was completed and dedicated in October of that year. Nils Thoreson was one
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