USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 46
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In 1849 Elisha Thomas built the first mill at the present site of the Hawleyville mills. It was here where Sylvester Thomas, the first county treasurer and recorder, lived.
In 1848 A. B. Quimby settled on the farm later owned by Charles Hakes. This was the most northern settlement in Page county at this time.
John Rose and John Ross both came in during 1847-48. Men named Gregg and Henry Martin settled in 1849 in the north part of the township.
In 1850 George Baker purchased the claim afterward constituting the farm of John McDowell, on section 3.
Edward Hollis made a settlement at the same time in Valley township. In 1850 A. B. Quimby and James Foster went to St. Joe, Missouri, to mill, the high water having washed out the mill in Page county.
Henry McAlpin came in and settled near Hawleyville in 1851, also Claiborne McBee and William Robbins. The last-named was the second sheriff of Page county.
McCagy Thomas, son of Elisha Thomas, committed the first suicide in Page county. He shot himself with a gun in the mouth, out in a secluded brush patch in 1849.
Rev. Carl Mean, afterward a member of the lowa legislature, lived on the road to Clarinda and kept a few articles of merchandise for sale at his residence. These were truly the first goods sold in Nebraska township. · From 1850 to 1860 a majority of the following made settlement in Nebraska township. All named came prior to 1860 and a few perhaps even prior to 1850: Daniel McAlpin settled at Hawleyville. Robert Mc- Alpin settled at Hawleyville in 1854. Thomas McAlpin settled a half mile south of Hawleyville in 1854. C. G. Ilinman started a wagon and black- smith shop about 1855. John Whitcomb settled at Hawleyville and opened the pioneer hotel, and his brother. Joel Whitcomb, was among the early blacksmiths there, coming in 1854-55. D. Q. Kent located a short distance up the Nodaway from Hawleyville. He is now deceased. Warren Hul- bert, later of Clarinda, was among the early comers. Nat Shurtliff operated a steam sawmill during that decade. J. M. Hawley, from whom Hawley- ville was named, came from Missouri in 1853, and opened the first regular store in Page county. E. M. Gilchrist, Stephen E. McAlpin, D. A. Thomp-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
son, Dr. A. H. East and his brother, T. H. East, were connected with the milling interests of Hawleyville. They are now both deceased. Luke Rawlings, Wash, Rawlings and Thomas Schooley all came during the above named period, also B. R. Tanner. David Morgan and J. M. McFarland.
SCHOOLS.
The pioneer school of Nebraska township was taught in a log building erected for school and church purposes at Hawleyville in 1854. The con- trast between that day and this in educational matters has been great.
VILLAGE OF HAWLEYVILLE.
This is the oldest village in Page county. It is situated on the northwest quarter of section 13. township 69, range 36 west of the 5th principal meridian, and is in the civil township known as Nebraska. It is a quaint, old-fashioned place, with the waters of the East Nodaway river flowing upon its western limits. It is upon ground sufficiently elevated to prevent overflow from high waters. It is seven miles to the northeast of Clarinda, the county scat.
The first attempt at business at this point was in 1853 and during the month of January, when James M. Hawley, who had been in trade in Andrews county, Missouri, and sold out on account of a two years' siege of fever and ague, came to this section with a few hundred dollars' worth of goods, loaded upon a wagon and drawn by a fine team. He came into the county for the purpose of trading his goods for venison, furs, game, etc., with which the country then abounded. But upon arriving where Hawley- ville now stands he concluded it a good point at which to open a general store, which he did. His first goods were sold from an improvised counter, made by placing a slab or plank across the heads of two barrels. For some time Mr. Hawley was the only dealer in general merchandise in four coun- ties, namely: Adams, Taylor, Montgomery and Page. He did a large and paying business, laying the foundation for the goodly fortune he afterward possessed. He had his goods, which consisted of everything from a cambric needle to a cook stove, cradle or bedstead, freighted by team from St. Louis; St. Joseph, Missouri, or Ottumwa, Iowa. He frequently paid five dollars a barrel to have salt brought from one of these three points. He sold the same salt at nine dollars a barrel. His stock consisted of enough fabrics of one sort and another to keep his few customers clothed, and he also made out to supply them with sugar, tea, coffee, "lasses" and tobacco, with a small supply of patent medicines, of the Jaynes and Ayers variety.
The above formed the beginning of a village, which was platted in 1853 by Henry McAlpin, and named in honor of Mr. Hawley, the pioneer merchant of the county, who still is one of its honored residents, living at Clarinda. No record appears of a platting until May 17, 1855. when James M. Hawley and Mr. McAplin owned the plat. Hawley's store was about all there was to give the spot a village-like look for a few years.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
In 1856 John Whitcomb bought a log house, which Elisha Thomas built in 1848, and converted it into a hotel, in which he cared for the weary travelers who chanced that way.
POSTOFFICE.
A postoffice was established at this point in 1854 or 1855, and James M. Hawley was appointed postmaster. The mail was at first brought from Quincy, Adams county, Iowa, by a carrier who walked and carried the mail in a hand satchel.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first merchant at Hawleyville was James M. Hawley in 1853.
The first blacksmith was Thomas Goodman, who came in 1853. He removed to California years later and there died.
The pioneer wagon maker was C. G. Hinman, who came into Hawley- ville in 1854.
The second school building was erected in 1861 by Thomas Goodman. It was a two-story brick building and was replaced by a new one in 1890.
THE MILLS.
The first mill in this part of Page county was a sawmill, erected about 1849 by Elisha Thomas, on the north bank of the East Nodaway river, which at this point gives a head of nine feet. In 1851 Henry McAlpin and A. M. Collier purchased the site and added rude grinding machinery, in- cluding a run of buhrs and a home-made bolt, which was run by hand. In 1854 the mill was sold to Dr. A. H. Thomas and Thomas H. East, and from their hands went after several changes to Truman Curtis and Thomas East, who in 1859 erected a new flouring mill, from which they took flour by wagons to St. Joseph, Missouri, and sold it there at a dollar and a half per hundred.
In 1866 A. M. Collier purchased the mill. In 1889 he added steam power and put in the "roller system," with a daily capacity of fifty barrels. The engine was a thirty horse power, which, with the Leffell turbine water wheel, affords sufficient power to run at all times of the year.
RELIGIOUS.
The first preacher to proclaim gospel truth in these parts was Rev. Samuel Farlow. Some claim Carl Means. Farlow was a Methodist and succeeded in forming a class at a very early date. Rev James ("Uncle Jimmy") Stockton, a Cumberland Presbyterian clergyman, living in Taylor county, also preached to the people at Hawleyville. There was one laugh- able scene at the old log church away back in the '50s: After forenoon services all ate dinner and within the pioneer assembly might have been found a dozen rollicking girls, of marriageable age, who planted their robust
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
forms ontside the log "meeting-house," and all provided with clay pipes, took their usual after meal smoke.
The Methodist people held meetings in the log school house until 1870, when a frame chapel was erected, in which services are still conducted.
The Seventh Day Adventists organized at Clarinda and here in the fall of 1889 the meeting commenced in tents, conducted by Elder Washburn and C. B. Gardner, and from these meetings the two societies were formed.
HAWLEYVILLE IN 1909.
Owing to the fact that other towns have sprung up all around Hawley- ville and it has been missed by all the lines of railroad so far, the place has gone back to a great extent, and what was Page county's brisk pioneer trading point has now come to be a small hamlet, which is made up of a few hundred people.
VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
Valley, the extreme northeastern township of Page county, is congres- sional township 70, range 36 west. It is bordered on the north by Mont- gomery county, on the east by Taylor county, on the south by Nodaway and Nebraska townships, and on the west by Douglas township. It is a very well improved section, having many of the wealthiest farmers in the whole county. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway traverses the township from north to south, en route from Villisca to Clarinda, with the village of Hepburn located on section 20. The Nodaway river courses its way in a direct north and south direction. Along this stream here and there is found considerable timber. The broad valley on either side is an excellent and well improved farm district. Valley was at one time known as Dyke township, after one of the first settlers within its limits. It has been known as Valley since 1858, when it was changed by County Judge S. F. Snider.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first white man to invade Valley township for the purpose of making for himself a home was Alexander Dyke, who came in the early part of 1850 and settled on section 16, where he remained nntil his death in March, 1880.
The next to settle was S. F. Snider who came in 1851 and settled for a time on section 28. He was afterward elected county judge.
Reuben Trout came from Ohio, September 28, 1853. Dr. Graves had come previously and settled on the north line of the county. He afterward moved to Hawleyville and practiced for a time but later moved to In- diana.
Tilman Loveless also settled on the north line and remained until 1864, when he removed to Missouri and there died.
A. M. Tice settled in 1853 on section 36. He died on section 22 in 1887.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
Ezra Heady took land on section 27.
F. W. Higgins settled on the north part of the township.
Reuben Coffman settled on section 16, remained several years and fin- ally removed to Kansas, where he passed away.
A. J. Petty was also a settler on section 16. He afterward removed to Indiana ..
James Insco and Louis Van Devener came about 1854.
Henry Beavers settled on section 21 and in 1862 removed to California.
Hugh Moffitt came as early as 1854, while William Copeland came about 1852. Copeland's Grove was named in his honor.
In the fall of 1856 Nathan and William Orme came. William Orme was known as Squire Orme, he being a justice for many years. He died in 1868. Jesse Orme came in 1856.
Napolean Swim came prior to 1855, settling on section 25, where he re- mained for five years.
Jonathan Snider, son of Judge Snider, was also an early settler.
L. H. Wilder came in 1856, settling in the center of the township. He was an early county clerk.
The Rounds family came in 1856, Solomon, Levi and James. The father, who also came, was a veteran of the war of 1812. Joshua Rounds came a year later.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was held in a log cabin built for that purpose on section 27, in 1853. Myron Quimby was the first teacher. As the township became settled much attention was paid to educational matters. The wages then paid were from fifteen to twenty dollars per month. Many of the brave soldiers who went forth from Page county lived and attended the pioneer public schools of Valley township. Many went forth to do battle and many are now slumbering in a soldier's grave in a southern clime. The township is now provided with good school buildings, there being nine in all.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Valley township has always been guided by a moral and religious ele- ment. North Grove Methodist church was formed in 1859. The original members were Elizabeth Orine, J. A. Bussey and wife, Henry Beaver and wife. A. Beaver and wife, C. Kennett and wife, O. F. Henshaw and wife and Mrs. Caroline Osborn, Originally services were held at the school- house but in 1877 a church was completed and dedicated by Rev. B. F. Crozier, at a cost of two thousand dollars.
Rose Hill United Brethren church was formed in 1868, with nine de- voted members : George Hagley and wife, S. Markel and wife, William Sul- livan, Maria and Sarah Shepherd. L. Markel and Samuel Wolf.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
In 1873 a frame chapel was erected in the southwestern part of the township, at a cost of six hundred dollars.
Hepburn United Presbyterian Mission was formed March 16, 1879, under the pastoral care of Rev. D. Doods. There were nine original mem- bers. In 1878 a church edifice was erected at Hepburn at a cost of seven- teen hundred dollars. It is a two-story structure, twenty-two by forty feet.
A Christian church was formed in 1889, with thirty-two members, with Rev. Isaiah Moffitt as pastor.
The Methodist church was formed at Hepburn in the fall of 1887, with a membership of twenty-five persons. A parsonage was furnished in the fall of 1889.
MILLS.
At an carly day there was a steam saw mill located about a mile north- cast of Hepburn. It was on section 27 and was called the Latty steam mill, and from it came much of the early day hardwood lumber.
E. P. Bager built a water buhr-mill south of Hepburn in 1875, which was burnt in 1881. It was replaced by a very large mill with six run of im- proved buhrs but this was destroyed by fire in 1887.
VILLAGE OF HEPBURN.
Hepburn, named in honor of Colonel "Pete" Hepburn, of Clarinda, is a station on the Clarinda branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. It is eight miles north of Clarinda and some less south of Vil- lisca. It was platted in January, 1873, on section 20. It is of but little business consequence, yet makes a good market and trading point for the farmers of Valley township. The first to engage in merchandising at this point were Messrs. Growling and Sunderman. The first house was erected by Mr. Field.
POSTOFFICE.
Prior to railroad days there was a postoffice established northeast of Hepburn, known as Meed postoffice, with O. G. Robbins as the first post- master. The office at Hepburn was opened in 1873.
ODD FELLOWS LODGE.
Hepburn Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 442, was instituted in January, 1885, by six persons. The first officers were: H. Reed, N. G .; C. J. Carlson, V. G .; C. B. McColm, secretary ; S. S. Heady, treasurer.
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INDEX
Introduction
The Indian and His Fate. Black Hawk 10
Indian Treaties_
First Land Title in Lowa.
Early Settlement
19 Civil Government for Territory and State. 20 Organization of the Territory of Town 21
The Territory Becomes the State of Iowa 23
The State Becomes Republican 25
25
Climate
26
Topography 26
Iowa in the Civil War .. .29
Educational Institutions . 32
The First School Building at Dubuque.
. 33
State University
35
State Normal College 37
State Agricultural College
37
School for the Denf.
37
College for the Blind 39
Hospital for the Insane. 38
Soldiers' Orphans' Home 41
42
Industrial Schools for Boys and Girls.
42
Penul Institutions .13
Penitentiary at Anamosa +3
State Historical Society ., 43
Iowa Soldiers' Home
Other State Institutions
Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Constitution of Iowa.
. 45
Page County
48 Location 50 Descriptive and Physical 53
38 Hydrography and Geology
Pioneers of Page County ..
61
Trading Points in Early Days
81
Coanty Organization
83
Early Courts
86 Land Entries 89
The First Townships 91
94
Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors.
95
Court House History
104
County Infirmary
106
Officials of Page County
107
Bench and Bar
138
.. 145 Medical Fraternity
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Early County Court
Feeble-Minded Children
Capital Removed to Des Moines
INDEX
Medical Societies in Page County
لنا
The Press of Page County
152
The Clarinda Herald 153
The Page County Democrat
The Clarinda Journal 156
The Sentinel-Post, Shenandoah
158
The Shenandoah World
161
The Essex Independent 162
History of Page County Newspapers.
163
Transportation Facilities in Page County.
165
The First Railway 165
Brownsville & Nodaway Valley Road 166
St. Louis & Council Bluffs (Wabash) line
163
Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad
Denver Short Line
Religious Societies in Page County
171
Page County's Civil War Record
225
A Border War Episode.
251
Sergeant Goodman and the Guerrillas.
258
Page County in the Spanish-American War
282 286
Growth of the County in Population
288
Gratifying Comparisons
259
Live Stock a Great Industry
201
Township Officers for 1908-9
291
First Things to Happen
208
Banks and Bankers of Page County
299
Fraternal Orders and Societies of Page County
307
Location of the County Seat
331
Clarinda
332
Noda way Township
321
Grant Township
323
Shenandoah
3.76
City and Village Plats
122
Pierce Township
123
Essex
429 DET
College Springs
130
Fremont Township
111
Morton Township
113
Lincoln Township
145
Coin
116
Washington Township
44R
Colfax Township
453
Blanchard
454
Harlan Township
456
Shambaugh
461
Douglas Township
463
Buchanan Township
165
Braddyville 167
East River Township
169
Nebraska Township
172
Valley Township
176
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Drainage Districts
Important to Taxpayers
Valuation of Real and Personal Property
Amity Township
Tarkio Township
ILLUSTRATIONS
W. L. Kershaw, Historian
1
Sheridan Avenne East from Elm Street,
Shenandoah
East Side of Public Square, Clarinda .. 25
West Side of Public Square. Clarinda. . 2
Congregational Church, Shenandoah
. .
Braddyville High School
31
George W. Farrens.
63
Main Street, Looking West, Sh 1- donh, in 1873 75
Shenandoah in Isss
Perry Harder
North Side of Public Square, Clarimla, abont 1866
West Side of Public Square, Clarinda,
about 1867
99
Methodist Episcopal Church, College
Springs
111
Sheridan Avenue West of Elm Street,
Shenandoah
125
Sheridan Avenue West from Syenmore,
Shenandoah
123
Clarinda Avenne West from Ehn. Shen-
andoah
130
View of Elm Street, Shenandoah
Sentinel-Post Office, Shenandoah
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Depot,
Shenandoah
167
Wabash Depot. Shenandoah
167
Rev. Samuel Farlow
177
First Presbyterian Church, Clarinda
157
First United Presbyterian Church, Clar-
inda
187
Presbyterian Church, Shenandoah.
. 103
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Shenan-
doah
201
Proposed M. E. Church, Shenandoah. . 205
Present M. E. Church. Shenandoah.
205
First Baptist Church, Shenandoah. .. 209
Christian Church, Shenandoah.
2009
United Presbyterian Church, College
Springs
Nishnabutna River at Shenandoah. . . 255 Scene in Forest Park, Shenandoah. . . . . 255 North Side of Public Square, Clarinda . 225 South Side of Puldie Square, Clarinda 225 High School, Shenandoah 304
State Hospital for the Insane, Clar-
inda
345
Public Library, Clarinda
351
John Beam's Hotel in the early '70s,
Clarinda
3.50
Clarinda High School, 1876.
3.59
Lisle Manufacturing Company, Clar- inda
Clarinda Poultry, Butter & Egg Com-
pany
.365
Sheridan Avenue Enst from Maple
Street. Shenandoah
. 322
Sheridan Avenue West from Blossom
Street. Shenandoah
Western Normal College, Shenandoah. 340
Carnegie Library. Shenandoah
400
Shenandosh Armory
409
College Springs before the fires uf 1900,
1902, and 1904
431
Business Row at College Springs after the fires
Old Mill at Braddyville
119
Shamhangh Mill
First Gristmill at Page Cumty, Sham-
bangh
159
Christian Church, Braddyville
Methodist Episcopal Church, Braddy-
ville
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