USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. I > Part 44
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
In 1850 Alexander Montgomery made the first actual settlement in what is now styled Colfax township. He settled on section 5 and died in 1882.
Next came John Gillihan to section 8. He and Montgomery came here from Kentucky. John Iker came about the same period, locating on section 16. To these three pioneers should go the credit of effecting the first set- tlement in this now goodly locality. It was these three men who set the stakes and gave tone and caste to the early affairs of the township. Soon sprang up good schools, good churches, pleasant homes, model farms and all that goes toward making a county desirable.
Other very early settlers were Mr. Birdsall, Alfred Snodderly, Lewis Lowns, Jefferson Tibbitts, the Lynn boys, J. W. Calvert, Mr. Michael, James Bullock, David McCord, James Turner, Ed. Monzingo and James Hammel.
Frank Hitchcock came from Grundy county, Illinois, in 1869. Charles Hipp came about the same time. E. Cadwell. J. G. Johnson, J. Gamble, J. Hensleigh, A. Hill, E. Apley, J. M. Ferguson, O. Wetmore, J. H. Palmer and G. W. Bowman were all settlers prior to 1875.
THE FIRST EVENTS.
The first birth in the township was James M., son of Alexander Mont- gomery, born May 4, 1851.
The first marriage was Oscar McCord to Miss Iker in 1865.
The first school teacher was Joseph Kempton, who taught in a log school. house, built by James Hayner, on section 5, in 1856.
The first frame schoolhouse was erected in 1861.
The first religious services were held in 1856, at the cabin of John Gilli- han, by James McVey, who was a Christian minister.
The first female child born within the township was Onie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Montgomery. .
Mrs. Montgomery also wove the first cloth in the township.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
BLANCHARD.
Blanchard is a flourishing town of about four hundred and fifty popula- tion, on the Omaha & St. Louis Railway, on sections 32 and 33, Colfax township, and also a small portion extends over the state line into Missouri. It was platted in September, 1879, and lots were sold in October. It is well located and is surrounded by one of the most fertile and paying agricultural districts in Page county. Its population consists mostly of intelligent Amer- icans, who sustain the best of all modern improvements and build up edu- cational and religious societies very rapidly.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY.
An office was established in the autumn of 1879, with J. D. Parrott as postmaster. He was succeeded by B. Thurman, R. Pruitt and O. Wetmore. It soon became a money order office.
INCORPORATION.
Blanchard became an incorporated town in 1880. The first council were: T. F. Willis, mayor; Samuel M. Zeluff, recorder ; A. J. Colton, treasurer ; J. A. Funk, S. W. Bird, C. G. Anderson, M. G. Blair, C. C. Hayes and G. A. Gattlin, trustees.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first child born at Blanchard was Martha, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Lincoln, born January 15, 1880.
The first school was taught by E. E. Benedict in 1880.
The first house on the plat was built by John Mann.
The first goods were sold by John Mann, grocer; Fossett & Bird- sall, hardware ; N. G. Russell, A. A. Lincoln, Frank Gillmore, general deal- ers ; Bower & Comstock, groceries and meat; J. D. Parrott, drugs; Mr. Clement, furniture ; Anderson Bar, agricultural goods; J. Cole & Com- pany, grain dealers; George Palmer & Company, lumber.
THE BANK.
Monk & Anderson Brothers established a banking house at Blanch- ard in 1881. They began on a six thousand dollar capital and conducted a general banking business.
THE CREAMERY.
Blanchard has one of the finest creameries in all this part of the state. A stock company was formed of the best business men in the community and in 1880 a good frame building was erected just north of the town and all the latest butter-making machinery installed. It started up November 6.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
1889, and is doing a good business at producing a very superior quality of butter from milk delivered within a radius of eight miles. The incorporated name of the concern is the Blanchard Butter & Cheese Company, with a capital stock of eight thousand five hundred dollars.
SCHOOLS.
From the first Blanchard has been noted for her excellent schools .. The first term was taught by F. E. Benedict, commencing September 20, 1880. This term was held in what was known as the "Milwaukee Beer Parlor," which building was erected for saloon purposes ; but the agitation of the pro- hibitory question and the high moral sentiment of the community would not long tolerate and support a beer saloon. Other buildings were leased for schools, but in 1881 a fine two-story brick structure was built, at a cost of nine thousand dollars. It was erected by Alexander Searcy and is forty by sixty feet, divided into three departments.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal church was organized here by a small class in 1881. A frame chapel was built the next season. It was thirty-eight by fifty feet and cost twenty-six hundred dollars. July 13, 1883, it was blown to pieces by a terrible cyclone, which swept over this part of Iowa. The church, however, was rebuilt on the same foundation and still serves the purpose. The last building cost twenty-two hundred dollars. In 1885 a parsonage was built at a cost of one thousand dollars.
The United Presbyterian church was organized at Blanchard in 1880 by twelve members. The same year a church edifice was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. It was built of frame, thirty by forty-eight feet, with a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty. The first edifice was wrecked by a severe storm and was rebuilt.
SECULAR SOCIETIES.
Emanuel Lodge, No. 405, (Blue Lodge) of the Masonic order, was in- stituted at Blanchard in 1880 by the following charter members and officials : J. A. Funk, W. M .; A. E. Pratt, S. W .; E. E. Phillips, J. W .; S. W. Bird, H. White, D. A. McDaniels and J. W. Dewey.
State Line Lodge, No. 429, I. O. O. F. was instituted at Blanchard in 1882, by nine members. The first officers were: J. A. Funk, N. G .; E. E. Phillips, V. G .; John Jeffords, secretary ; A. F. Fossett, treasurer. In 1882 they bought a hall which they finely furnished and equipped.
Blanchard Encampment, No. 167, was organized in the fall of 1888. There was only one charter member; the remainder were borrowed from neighboring towns.
Rising Star Lodge, No. 180, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was formed at College Springs in 1878 and afterward removed to Blanchard,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
about 1881. The charter members numbered twenty persons. When the division arose in the supreme lodge over the yellow fever trouble at the south, this lodge became dissatisfied and withdrew.
The Grand Army Post was organized January 11. 1886, by John Spence, with fifteen charter members. The first elective officers were: T. G. Baggs, P. C .; R. D. Perigo, adjutant; F. M. Stevens, S. V .; W. C. Ross, J. V .; John R. Pruitt, Q. M .; J. N. George, surgeon ; P. S. Davidson, ยท chaplain ; J. A. Funk, O. G.
HARLAN TOWNSHIP.
This civil township includes congressional township 68, north, range 37 west. When the independent district of Clarinda was formed, a small slice was taken out of the northeast corner. Harlan is situated with Nodaway township on its north; East River on the east; Amity on the south, and Lincoln on the west. Its territory is chiefly rolling prairie land. It rises gradually from the Nodaway river on the east and descends toward the Tarkio on the west. Sections 9, 16 and 21 are the water shed of the town- ship. The west branch of Mill creek rises on section 16, and running south- west passes College Springs on the west. The eastern branch rises on section 21 and runs nearly due south and passes College Springs on the east. "No Business" creek takes its rise on section 22, running in a southeasterly di- rection, emptying into the Nodaway river about a mile and a half north of the south line of the township. For fear coming generations may wonder at the origin of the above creek's name it may be stated that Will- iam McClelland, who lived near the stream, once attempted to cross it on horseback but got mired, and upon getting home his wife asked him what stream he meant, whereupon he said that it had no name and had no business here, and from that time on it naturally took the name of No Busi- ness creek.
Olive Branch heads on section 15 and runs northeast. emptying into the Nodaway river about a mile and a half south of the north line of the township.
Hutton's Branch rises on section 9 and runs first north of east and then south of east, entering the Nodaway river a little north of Olive branch. There are smaller streams emptying into the above named stream, furnish- ing plenty of water for domestic and stock purposes. Besides the Noda- way timber in the eastern portion of the township, there are groves of tin- ber in other parts. The largest is Lee Grove, on sections 10 and II, also Pinkerton, on section 27. All of the streams have more or less timber along their borders. There is a vein of soft coal about two feet thick. Among the banks already opened may be named Aikin, Ribble, McLean and Pinkerton. Extensive prospecting has proved that no very paying strata of coal are to be found in Page county.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Harlan was settled in 1844 by Alexander Lee and by Alexander Tice. "Doc" Franklin Parker, Ezra Heady and Edward Chestnut, in 1850. Chest-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
nut was the pioneer who remarked that, if he could not get more than two dollars per hundred for his bacon, he would "sit up nights and eat it him- self."
In the summer of 1854 claims were taken by D. P. Robinson, Will- iam Whitehill, Robert Young, Thomas Toner, his son, Charles Toner, and John Stevenson. Of this number, Thomas Toner died March 20, 1884, and John Stevenson moved away many years ago.
Prior even to the coming of these gentlemen was a Mr. Redferin, who claimed land later owned by Mr. Annan.
Other early settlers were David and F. H. Muller, Lewis Conner, W. G. Moreland, John Brown, Robert Murphy, David Porter, Samuel Pink- erton and William McClelland. The last named came October 17, 1854, and located on section 25. John Griffith was among the pioneers. His son Isaac served in the Union army, was taken ill and got within a few miles of his home, when he died at the home of Abe Nixon.
Messrs. Toner, Whitehill, Wilson and McClelland were of the original membership of the Reformed Presbyterian church.
Elijah Scholes came in and settled on section 25 in 1855. "Nine" But- tler settled on section 36 at a very early day.
Robert Young came to Harlan township in 1854, also the same year came Archie Rodgers, who soon went west. William and Jacob Butler came in 1856. William Butler was the first to make a home on the prairie, four miles out from timber, on section 30. He thought he would go into stock growing and believed that he would be off by himself for many years, but it was not long until he was surrounded on every hand. From the close of the war settlement was effected very rapidly.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first death was that of Willie, son of William McClelland, who died in the fall of 1855.
Among the first marriages were those of Robert Young to Sarah White- hill, and James H. Wilson to Esther Toner.
The first to preach the gospel was Rev. Joseph McCracken, of the Re- formed Presbyterian faith.
The first schoolhouse was of logs, built in 1856.
William McLean, a pioneer, met with a fatal accident in 1889 He was at a near neighbor's, who was pulling stumps by a horse stump-puller, and Mr. MeLean was standing just behind the sweep or lever to which the teams were attached. The horses were pulling every pound they could, when the clevis broke and the tension of the machine suddenly collapsed, the sweep coming with great violence against his legs, breaking both of them below the knee and throwing him with fearful force over on his chest, in- juring him about the lungs. Blood poison soon set in and he died.
SCHOOLS.
The people have ever manifested a marked degree of intelligence in this portion of the county and have been fully up to the standard in school mat-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
ters. The first schoolhouse was built of logs in 1856 in district No. I. Thomas Toner, Aaron Wilson and William Whitehill were the chief build- ers. These gentlemen were all from Lee county, Iowa. Many of the most substantial farmers in Harlan township caught the graduates of that old log schoolhouse and they have indeed made good wives. In 1867 the old log schoolhouse gave place to a frame building, and that becoming too small a more commodious building was erected in 1877, which at that time was the best schoolhouse in Page county for a country district.
Fairview schoolhouse was built in 1857. This district included what is now Nos. 5 and 6. The house was located on the northeast quarter of section 28, near William C. Brown's residence. In 1868 the district was divided and Mentor and Pleasant Ridge districts formed and good build- ings provided in each, which were twenty-two by twenty-six feet.
The McNutt schoolhouse was built in 1871, that district then embracing what is now Nos. 3 and 4 but is now No. 2.
RELIGIOUS.
The Reformed Presbyterian congregation of Clarinda, styled "Cove- nanters," is one of the religious denominations of Harlan township. This congregation was organized December 17, 1855, with thirty-four members and the first pastor was Rev. Joseph McCracken, who was ordained and in- stalled October 29, 1856.
For many years private dwellings and schoolhouses were employed as places for public worship. Soon after the first members settled they erected a log schoolhouse, which also served as a place of worship. In 1860 the congregation erected a frame building, which served until 1866, when it was found too small and a frame structure, forty by sixty feet was erected, this church being located four and a half miles southwest of Clarinda and about seven miles northeast of College Springs.
The doctrinal principles of this sect are the same as those held in common with other churches bearing the name Presbyterian. They hold the the Bible to be the supreme rule of faith and practice and also that the teachings of the same be summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith. They differ from the other denominations in the practical appli- cation of their principles to the civil institutons of the country. They be- lieve that civil government is an ordinance of God, ordained for man's good, placed under subjection to Christ and under obligation to take the moral law as taught by Christ ; that this nation in its constitution ought to acknow- ledge God as the primary source of all authority. They believe our fore- fathers when framing the constitution made two serious mistakes: First, in legalizing human slavery: second, it laid the foundation of government on men instead of God. While they believe in the main our national con- stitution might be right, they greatly regret that God is not more clearly acknowledged as the supreme ruler. By reason of many being the law- making power, this sect claims that the postal and interstate commerce laws are contrary to God's Sabbath laws. For this reason the members of
JUSTE SHAMBAUCH'S
FLOUR.
SHAMBAUGH MILL
24
SHAMBAUGH MILL First grist mill in Page County
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
this sect cannot conscientiously vote for representatives who are to be sworn to uphold such laws. They claim to love their country more than others in that they deny themselves this right of suffrage, hoping the na- tion may see the error of their ways and incorporate God into its constitu- tion.
The history of this denomination would fail of being complete unless its war record be mentioned. Situated near the dividing line between sla- very and freedom, it early took part in the defense of the right side. No congregation of Page county, perhaps not in all Iowa, in proportion to its numbers, furnished as large a number of volunteers. When the word came on Sunday morning that Bedford was being threatened by invaders, the pastor announced the news from the pulpit and asked the men to go home, take their guns and proceed to that point at once. All save a few men too old and feeble, went and the good women at once formed themselves into a commissary department and sent a wagon load of provisions.
The years from 1861 to 1866, were full of anxious cares to the mothers and wives of this congregation. Some had their only son in the ranks, while others had two and some three sons in the Union army. These times of trial had a bright as well as a dark side. Harlan township seemed nearer to Clarinda than now, and when the women met to make garments for the Christian Commission, the men usually accompanied them and any gathering that had Antony Loranz and James D. Hawley in it was certain to be lively.
MENNONITES.
This peculiar sect are non-resistant and take no part in politics. They have similar belief to the Quaker-Baptist people. They make most excellent citizens and are a self sacrificing people in that their membership, when called upon to give up home or religious belief, choose the latter as the most val- uable to them.
PAGE COUNTY MILLS.
This milling plant is situated on the west bank of the West Nodaway river, about six miles south of Clarinda, and on section 36 of Harlan town- ship, in the town of Shambaugh. Its early history is that in 1858-59, a man named Richardson erected a sawmill at this point which was propelled by the waters of the West Nodaway river. It passed through different men's hands and a man named String, in company with another inan, sold the mill to James Shambaugh, who added a small grinding concern which he ran until 1883, when the mill was rebuilt and the patent process "roller system" was placed in operation, having a daily capacity of fifty barrels of flour. In 1888 steam power was added to the water power.
SHAMBAUGH.
This place is the first station south of Clarinda, on the line of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. It is located on the west bank of the
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
West Nodaway river, on section 36, Harlan township. At about this point Nodaway Mills postoffice was established at quite an early day but no effort was made to start a town until about the time of the building of the rail- way. It was in October, 1881, that James Shambaugh and wife platted a part of section 36, and at once lots were offered for sale. The first day fifty town lots were sold. The advent of the iron horse gave all a new life and quite a little village sprang up at once.
The first to sell goods here was the firm of Bracken & McLean in 1878. They were in a store room near the mill, before the town was laid out. After three years the building was moved by the owner, James Shambaugh, to the newly platted town.
John Tabor, who operated Shambaugh's, then known as Nodaway mills, kept a stock of tobacco and other staples, which he sold to the customers of the mill, hence he sold the first goods in the place. The postoffice was also originally at the mill. William McLean, of Bracken & McLean, was the next postmaster. He was accidentally killed in 1889 while working a stump-puller upon his farm north of the village. D. Claytor was the next postmaster. He remained in office until October, 1889, when he was suc- ceeded by C. T. Cox. Mr. Cox bought an interest in the general store of W. L. McLean in 1883 and later became connected with the firm of D. Heidelbaugh.
The first hardware was sold by Ham & Potter about 1882.
The first to deal in drugs was Potter & Large, who built a store in 1888 and embarked in trade.
The grain men were all commission men, no elevators being built. One year there were eighty thousand bushels of corn bought at this point.
Among the blacksmiths who stood at the forge at this hamlet may be named Messrs. Rumsey, Jim Brown, C. H. Herryman, and J. F. Hay.
George Crabb operated a harness shop here about a year but left in the fall of 1889.
CHURCHES.
There are three religious denominations represented in the village, all of which possess good buildings. They are the Methodist, Church of God and the Brethren of Christ.
The Church of God was organized about 1870. They had no church edifice until 1884, when they erected a fine brick church, forty by fifty-six feet, at a cost of three thousand dollars. Later a parsonage was built but it was subsequently sold and the funds went toward the new church.
The Methodist Episcopal church was formed by a class of nine in 1883. W. M. Gray was the leader. At first they held services in other church buildings and in the town hall. December 9, 1889, work com- menced on a new frame edifice which was finished and ready for occupancy in a month from that date. The building is thirty by forty-four feet and cost eleven hundred dollars.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
PAGE CENTER.
This is near what was platted as Page City in 1858, with the hope of inducing the county seat to be removed there. Page Center was platted upon the building of the Denver Short Line Railroad in November, 1881. It is situated on the southeast quarter of section 7, township 68, range 37.
DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP.
Douglas, one of the best townships in Page county, is on the north line and the second tier from the east side. It comprises congressional township 70, range 37 west, and is bounded on the north by Montgomery county ; on the east by Valley township ; on the south by Nodaway township ; and on the west by Fremont township. It is the only township in the county but what has a line of railroad touching some part of its domain, or a village. This part of the county is the divide between the Nodaway and Tarkio riv- ers. It is noted for its most excellent farms and thrifty foreign farmers, who are among the best citizens in the county. Nearly all came here poor and are today wealthy. This single six-mile-square township contains more actual wealth than many whole counties in some states.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first to locate in Douglas township was Levi Reeves and Henry Otte in 1856. The latter came to the township in the fall of 1855 and took up land, to which he moved the following year. He located on section 34, and became one of Page county's best farmers. Reeves settled on section 12 in the spring of 1856. Hames Black also came in 1856.
Henry Sunderman settled on section 27 in 1855. He made his home at Henry Otte's seven years, during which time he improved his farm.
Hiram Ward located on section 9 in 1855. Mrs. Ward died the follow- ing August and this was the first death in the township.
George Newsome came in the autumn of 1857 and is still a resident of the southeast of section 12.
David Margeum located on the east half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 2. He died in February, 1889.
Alexander Mains came in the fall of 1856 and settled on section 2. He sold out some years later and removed to Kansas, and finally died.
Thomas McNeal settled in 1862 on the southwest quarter of section II. John Strickland settled in 1862 on section II.
Other pioneers in this township were Major Cramer, from Indiana; a family named Dirum, N. C. Winter. George Robinson and James McIntosh. About 1870 the Swedes commenced coming in very rapidly and are now very numerous.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first settlers were Henry Otte and Levi Reeves in 1855-56.
The first death was Mrs. Hiram Ward, in August, 1856.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
The first male child born was William, son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Reeves, in October 1857.
The first female child born was Lucinda Otte, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Otte, born in 1856.
The first marriage in Douglas township was Cyrus Dinwiddie to Miss Hannah Ward in 1859.
The pioneer sermon was preached by Rev. Doughit, a United Presby- terian minister. It was in a log house, built on the site of James Black's farmhouse, on section 2.
The first school was taught by Miss Hester Sayres. This was about the close of the rebellion, perhaps 1864.
The first regular schoolhouse was of logs and put up by volunteer work upon the part of the pioneers. It stood on section 12 and was used for both school and church purposes.
The only three fatal accidents now recalled by the early settlers are as follows : In 1872 John Swanson, who at the time was caught in a fearful storm near Laports sawmill. while taking refuge beneath a large tree, was killed by a falling limb. He left a family. The other cases were a Swede boy who was drowned in the Nodaway river at the close of the war, and a man who was killed while loading a huge rock upon a wagon.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The United Presbyterian church was organized in 1872 by the following membership: James Black and wife, James Pollock and wife, C. C. Moore and wife, William Wolf and wife, Clara Wolf and Isaac Schofield. They met at the residence of Mir. Pollock on section 1. The name of this branch of the church is styled North Page. Rev. D. C. Wilson was the organizer, and the first eiders were James Pollock and William Wolf. The first services were held at the schoolhouse in district No. I. A frame church was erected in 1874 on the south half of the southwest quarter of section I, township 70, range 37. It was twenty-eight by thirty-six feet and cost about twelve hundred dollars. John Brown was the builder. It was dedicated by Rev. D. C. Wilson of Clarinda. At the time this church was built, the society numbered forty. At first the society was supplied with ministers from various points but about 1878 Rev. David Dodds came from Pennsylvania and was made pastor of both the Hepburn mission and this church.
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