USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Page County, constitution of the state of Iowa, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 63
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There are three Sabbath schools-one at Page City, and another at the Covenanter Church. This school is kept up during the year. Number of teachers, 12; scholars (average), 140; and one at Nodaway Mills.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
RAILROADS.
There are two railroads in the township-the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific. Both were bilt in the year 1879.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF CLARINDA.
The religious denomination to which the congregation belongs, employ the name "Presbyterian " to describe their form of government, and to this they prefix the word "Reformed," because they profess to hold all the attainments in doctrine, worship and government made by the church, and embodied in what is known in ecclesiastical history as the "Westminster standards." They are called " Covenanters," because they bind themselves in a covenant to adhere to these, and to live in accordance with the teach- ings of the Bible.
The members of the congregation reside chiefly in Harlan township. The church is about four and a half miles southwest of Clarinda, and about seven miles northeast of College Springs.
The first members of the congregation came from Lee county, Iowa. William Whitehill, Thomas Toner and Aaron Wilson visited Page county in the fall of 1853, and after selecting farms returned home. They re- turned to the county in the spring of 1854, and settled south of the town of Clarinda. William McClelland came along with them, and John M. Stevenson and Robert Stevenson arrived soon after them.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CONGREGATION.
The following record in sessions minutes gave the history of the organ- ization: "The Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Clarinda, Page county, Iowa, was organized on December 17th, 1855, by a commission of the Illinois Reformed Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. James M. Mc- Donald and Thomas Reid, ruling elder. Messrs. William Whitehill and Robert L. Wright were chosen ruling elders, and Thomas Toner and John M. Stevenson, deacons."
These officers elect were ordained and installed the same day, and a call made on Mr. Joseph McCracken to the office of pastor in the congre- gation. The pastor elect having accepted the call, was ordained to the ministerial office on the 29th of October, 1856. The choice of Mr. Mc- Cracken was greatly to the advantage of the congregation. He was young, energetic, and unwearied in his efforts to advance the interest of the church. He labored with a good degree of success in building up the congregation till the fall of the year 1858, when he accepted a call to take charge of a congregation in the city of St. Louis. This left the con- gregation vacant. While vacant they received supplies from the Presby-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
tery, attended regularly to their prayer meetings on Sabbath and increased in members.
The names of the members of the congregation at its organization were John M. Stevenson, John Moreland, Eliza Ellen Stevenson, Susan More- land, Aaron Wilson, William Whitehill, Semeramis Wilson, Jane Mc- Cluskey, Mary M. Wright, Thomas Toner, Robert Young, Eliza Toner, Esther J. Toner, Mary Whitehill, Rosanna Toner, Sr., John Alexander, Mary Toner, Jane Alexander, Sarah Stevenson, George Tippin, Selema Scholes, Jane A. Thomas, Robert Stevenson, Sarah S. Taggart, A. W. Tippin, William McClelland, Mary Stevenson, Elizabeth McClelland, Rob- ert L. Wright, Charles Toner, Miriam McMains, Sarah G. Whitehill, Samuel Taggart, Ann Eliza Wright.
Rev. D. McKee, the present pastor of the congregation, visited the county for the first time, in the fall of the year 1859. He preached in the house of James Caskey on the 20th of November of that year. After spending a month in the congregation, he returned East. Receiving a call from the congregation to become its pastor he returned and entered on the work of the pastorate on the 17th of March in the year 1861.
The year 1861 and those following, was a trying period in the history of the congregation. Most of the young men volunteered to defend their country. Thus leaving fathers and mothers with only partially improved farms, and some of them in debt, to support themselves and bear the burdens incident to the war. Yet the surrender of beloved ones was cheerfully made to defend the liberty of the country.
CHURCH BUILDINGS.
The congregation erected a temporary building in the year 1860. This gave place in the year 1866 to the large and comfortable house now occu- pied. The present church building is a frame, forty feet wide and sixty feet long; it has a gallery ten feet wide by forty feet long, over the vesti- bule in the front of the church. It will seat about five hundred persons.
OFFICERS IN THE CONGREGATION.
The growth of the congregation soon demanded an increase of elders and deacons. On the 25th of January, 1859, James Hutcheson and James H. Wilson were chosen elders and William R. Tippin and Samuel Y. Hutcheson deacons. On October 6, 1862, James Linn and Robert Gil- more were chosen elders. In the year 1865, elder James Hutcheson re- moved to Kansas and James H. Wilson to Washington, Iowa, and John M. Stevenson, deacon, to Rheboth congregation. This rendered an in- crease of officers necessary, and on December 5, 1865, Robert McCrory, William Gilmore and James Caskey were elected elders and Alexander Mckeown, William G. Moreland and Robert Ewing were elected dea-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
cons. October 4, 1869, James Neil and Joseph McElroy were elected elders. William J. Conney was elected elder January 4, 1870. November 4, 1876, William A. Wright, George W. Scholes and Joseph F. Caskey were chosen deacons. On December 12, 1877, John C. Glasgow, John C. Aiken, Isaac B. Caskey and Charles Toner were elected elders. Four of these officers have died; three have been released from the exercise of their office, and five have received certificates of dismission to other con- gregations. The officers at the present time, viz., September 20, 1880, are James Caskey, James Linn, James Neil, John C. Glasgow, John C. Aaken and Isaac B, Caskey, elders; and Thomas Toner, William R. Tip- pin, Alexander McKeown, William G. Moreland, William A. Wright, George W. Scholes and Joseph F. Caskey, deacons.
MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION.
The congregation was organized with thirty-four members. Since its organization there has been received into membership in the congregation three hundred, making a total membership of the congregation of three hundred and thirty-four members. Thirty-five of this number have de- ceased; one hundred and seven have received certificates of dismission, to form new congregations or unite with those already formed; thirty-two have left to unite with other churches or form missionary societies; a few have gone away from the bounds of the congregation, leaving on the con- gregational roll at present a membership of one hundred and fifty.
BAPTISMS IN THE CONGREGATION.
There have been two hundred and seventy-six persons baptized in the congregation since its organization. Five of these were adults and two hundred and seventy-one were children. The present pastor reports that since June 2d, 1861, to May 2d, 1880, he has married in the congregation fifty couple, baptized four adults and two hundred and fifty children. Of the children baptized one hundred and twenty-three were girls and one hundred and twenty-seven were boys; and so nearly equal were the sexes of the children, for the entire period of nineteen years, that at no time one sex exceeded the other more than four. The equality of the sexes is an unanswerable argument against polygamy and a confirmation of the pro- priety of the scripture direction, "Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."
Of the two hundred and fifty children baptized sixteen have died, eleven boys and five girls. Of the deaths eleven were under two years of age and five under five years of age. Three died of membranous croup, four of cholera infantum, three of diarrhea, one of erysipelas, one of disease of the heart and one of diptheria; the disease of the others not recorded. Two hundred and thirty-four are still living. What a contrast between the large cities and the country as it respects children.
Biographical Directory.
AMITY TOWNSHIP.
SEARCY, A., farmer, section 18, P. O. College Springs; born October 10, 1823, in Kentucky. He reached the age of man- hood in his native state, but in 1850 moved with his parents to Clay county, Missouri. In April, 1854, he came from the latter state to Iowa, settling in Amity, and is the oldest living settler in the township. He was mar- ried in Clay county, Missouri, in 1851, to Miss Jane Scoggan, a native of Indiana, by whom he became the father of eight children, six of whom are now living: Alex A., Lillian, Francis R., William P., Cora L., and George G. This wife dying in May, 18-, he was again married, to Miss Maggie S. Yates, a native of Wisconsin, June 7, 1876. Mr. Searcy has a fine farm of 220 acres of land, all under cultivation or pasturage. He has a fine orchard of 150 apple trees, all bearing choice fruits. ,
STANTON, A., farmer, nurseryman and dairyman, P. O., College Springs. Born October 13, 1832, in the state of Ohio. Came with his mother to Lee county in 1848, remaining one year. He then went to Ap- panoose county, Iowa, living there the following five years. In 1863 he came to Amity, of which he has since been a continuous resident. He has been twice married; first, in 1856, to Miss Mary Woodmanse, a native of Ohio. This wife died in October, 1859. Was again married in 1863 to Bell S. Boyles, a native of Ohio, by which union they are the par- ents of four children: Harlan W., Mary, J. Bimsey and Jennie. Mr. Stanton's portrait shows him to be a man of character and worthy of con- fidence. As a business man he has won many friends; as a man of strict morals and sterling integrity he enjoys the utmost esteem of those who know him.
SMITH, AMMI, farmer and minister, P. O. College Springs; born in Maine on the 6th of March, 1803. He there grew to manhood as a farmer, his education being received at the common school. In 1839
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
moved to Boone county, Illinois, remaining there until 1856, when he came to Iowa, locating in Amity township. In 1865 moved to Andrew county, Missouri, thence, in 1872, to Colorado, and finally returned to Amity in 1878. Has been twice married. Was first married to Miss Cyrene Bis- bee, a native of Maine, by whom he had eleven children, two of whom are now living: Clark ank Wesley. This wife died in May, 1878, at Fort Collins, Colorado. On May 5, 1879, he married Miss Lucy A. Smith, a native of New York. Mr. Smith has been a minister of the gospel since 1831. For fifteen years he was a minister in the M. E. church, from which he with- drew in 1846 to enter the Wesleyan church. His years have been those of usefulness, and his record as a pastor is one of which he may justly be proud.
STANTON, I. N., farmer and manufacturer of sorghum, P. O. College Springs; born in Ohio, May 17, 1834. In 1850 he, with his mother, moved to Lee county, Iowa, remaining two years. He then went to Appanoose county, remaining until 1879, when he came to Page, locating where he now resides. Married July 10, 1856, to Elizabeth Elliott, a native of Penn- sylvania, by whom he had three children, Mila, Jessie and Mabel. This wife died July 27, 1863. He was again married February 16, 1867, to Eleanor Elliott, a native of Pennsylvania. By this union they have seven children, Edward, Asa, Elizabeth, Olive, Joseph, Charity and Eleanor. Manufactures sorghum on a large scale. A genial and estimable man.
THRALL, A. A., farmer, section 24, 160 acres, P. O. Bradyville; born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 26, 1817. In 1840 moved to Boone county, Indiana, and to Page county, Iowa, in 1861. Was married to Miss Mariah Green in Preble county, Ohio, February 26, 1840. Is the father of two children by this wife,-Annie E. and Mary C. His wife died in 1847. Married for his second wife Miss Lyda Johns, by whom he has six children George W.,John H., Rachael A., Arthur A. Sarah J., and Min- nie B. Mr. Thralls retains the vigor of manhood in a wonderful degree, though now 63 years of age. A lifetime of usefulness is crowned with a happy old age.
WHITE, W. B., teacher, P. O. College Springs; was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1822. His father and mother (the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daugh- ters,) emigrated to Muskingum county, O., in the spring of 1826. He was a farmer and Willison B. White, his third son, labored on the farm until the age of sixteen, then entered Muskingum College in 1843, receiving an ed- ucation that qualified him for a professional teacher. Obtained his schol- arship by his own personal effort, teaching in winter and attending college during the remainder of the year. On the 14th of April, 1847, he was
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
united in marriage to Rachel W. McClenahan of Oxford township, Guern- sey county, Ohio, by Rev. Hugh Forsythe of Fairview. He still con- tinued in the business of teaching, taught in all grades of schools from the rural district up to the college; taught as an assistant with Rev. J. E. Alexander, in the Miller Academy at Washington, Ohio, then superin- tended the Barnesville Union schools in Belmont county, Ohio. Also New Concord schools and the schools of Quaker City, Guernsey county, Ohio. Commenced teaching in 1842 and taught in Ohio until 1870, then removed to Page county, Iowa, purchased a farm in Amity township, erected comfortable buildings and put it under cultivation. Continued teaching until 1875, having taught in all sixty terms. During the late war he served four years and four months. Enlisted at New Concord, Mus- kingum county, Ohio, on the 9th of August, 1861 in the 15th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and at the expiration of this time reenlisted at Strawbury Plains, East Tenn., for three years longer, during which time he served as hospital steward for the regiment, car-, ing for the sick and wounded in the field, hospital and on the battle-ground, and marched with the army, and had to be up to the line of battle in the hour of danger, and assist in dressing the wounded. Was under Rose- crans; then under Gen. Wm. Sherman, and at the siege of Nashville and the two days battle there, under Gen. Thomas. Was in the battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Look-Out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and 120 days in the Atlanta campaign, and at the siege and taking of that place. He also participated in the battle of Franklin and the demoralizing of Hood's army, at Nashville; and after the surrender of Lee and other de- partments of the rebel army, his regiment, with some others, was ordered to Texas; landed on the 8th of July, marched to Green Lake, and went into camp for a few days. Then took up their line of march for San An- tonio. Garrisoned that place until the 15th of December, 1865. Orders came to muster out; took up line of march to the Gulf, and reached Col- umbus, Ohio, December 25th, 1865, and received pay and discharge, and arrived home to greet dear friends. The subject of this sketch had the pleasure of the companionship of his wife until January 12th, 1880, when she was taken with paralysis on Saturday, and died Monday, 9 A. M., in her fifty-seventh year. In July following he was married to Emily Walker Merritt, who was born of Yankee parentage, on the Western Reserve, in Ohio, and grew up on a farm, surrounded by such influences as sent the old war-horse, J. R. Giddings, to Congress for twenty-five years. Com- pleted her education in Oberlin, Ohio, and, after teaching several terms in Cleveland and the country schools on the Reserve, becoming iniatiated into all the mysteries of "boarding around," was married in 1861, at the age of 23, to Jerome Merritt, and, after teaching with him for 18 months in southern Indiana, went to his home, at the head of Lake Superior. In
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
1873, feeling that a farming country would be better suited to the devel- opement of the five boys that had been born to them, they came, with these and one daughter, to make for themselves a home in Page county. No family ever entered the Kingdom of Page with higher hopes and fonder anticipations than did they when they settled on a piece of railroad land, five miles west of Clarinda; the husband working on the farm during the week, and preaching on the Sabbath. Teaching during the winter, thus using every endeavor to improve his own condition and that of others, only to see one reverse after another waste away the accummulations of years. In 1878 a naturally strong frame yielded to quick consumption, and, after three months' sickness, at the age of 46, he passed to the other side, giving as his last testimony, "I shall not wear a starless crown," leaving his wife with small means to provide for herself and children the comforts of life, which she did until her marriage with the subject of this sketch, and by this union she is more amply prepared for carrying out the plans devised by herself and deceased husand in reference to the more liberal education of her fatherless children.
WOODMANSEE, THOMAS, farmer, section 29, P. O. College Springs; born in Ohio, September 22, 1830. He passed 18 years of his life in his native county, but in 1848 came to Iowa, and settled in Lee county. At the end of eight years he went to Lucas county, where he remained one year. In 1857 he came to Page county, of which he has since been a continuous resident, honored and esteemed by all who know him. He was married to Miss M. L. Scoggan, a native of Clay county, Missouri, in 1861, by whom he had two children, one of whom is now liv- ing, Charles H. They are members of the Baptist church.
WHITE, JAMES H., farmer, section 14, owns 140 acres of land P. O. College Springs; born July 27, 1829, in Muskingum county, Ohio. Came to Iowa April, 1863, and located in Clinton county. In October of 1867 came to Page, of which he has since been a continuous resident. In 1864 enlisted in company B, Fifteenth Iowa, and was with Sherman in his “march to the sea." Was married May 19, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, of Guernsey county, Ohio, by whom he has eight children, of whom five are living: Venora A., Clarence C., Horace A., Robert C. and Louisa A. Mr. and Mrs. White have been members of the U. P. faith for thirty years.
WOODMANSEE, JAS. S., farmer, section 13, owns 132 acres of land, P. O. College Springs; born March 21, 1829, in Clairmont county, Ohio. In March, 1846, moved with his father's family to Lee county, Iowa, and eleven years later came to Page county, where he has since re- sided. He was married October 13, 1850, to Miss Ann B. Trescott, of
1
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Lee county, Iowa, by whom he has five children; three living: Clara E., Arthur L. and Cassius O. Mr. W. is an energetic man, full of the vigor of youth, and with the promise of many years of usefulness.
NELSON, FREDERICK, farmer and stock-raiser, section 7, P. O. College Springs; born in Sweden in 1835, lived through the usual vicissi- tudes of a farmer boy's life until 1853, when he emigrated to America, employing his time for a sustenance in day labor. In 1856 he came to Amity, went to school at that place and learned to read English. During the seven years, from 1863 to 1870, he was the agent of the American Emigrant Company, the relations of which to the county are fully set forth in the chapter on "The Swamp Land Troubles,"-the historical portion of the work. While acting in this capacity he crossed the ocean ten times. His farm, of 560 acres, attests his economy and faithfulness, since when he came to America he came penniless. He was married in 1861 to Miss Julia M. Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he is the fa- ther of two children; one living: Emma W.
YAFLE, GEORGE W., farmer, owner of 200 acres of land, P.O. Braddy- ville; born July 15, 1832, in Cass county, Illinois. Came to Page county in April, 1865, was married November 12, 1857, to Miss Mary W. Lacy, a native of England. They are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are now living: Leonard, Edward B., Mary J., John L., Geo. L., William J., Rebecca L., Albert, and Willard. Mr. Yafle has been a member of the M. E. Church for 26 years, and is in high standing in his community. Coming here a poor man, he has by industry and perseverance succeeded in establishing himself on a firm business basis.
ADAMS, W. E., grocer, P. O. College Springs; born in Putnam coun- ty, Illinois, July 19, 1853. His parents moved to Du Page county, Illinois, while he was still a child. Came here in 1870, with his parents, settling in Amity township. Married February 11, 1874, to Miss Annie K. Kemp- ton, a native of Michigan, by whom he is the parent of two children; one living: Roswell E. Begun his present business in February, 1880. As a business man he possesses excellent qualifications, and merits the large patronage he receives. A man of integrity, and of strong character, he enjoys the esteem of his fellow townsmen.
AXTELL, NATHAN, farmer, sections 25 and 26, P. O., Braddyville; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1818. Came to Page county in September, 1865, and has since been a continuous resi- dent of the county. He was married May 18, 1841, to Miss Johanna Dodd, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, by whom he is the father of six
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
children: Mary E., C. Clay, Oliver W., and James M., living, and two de- ceased. His wife died on May 25, 1871. Mr. Axtell was married to Cla- rissa Dodd, June 25, 1872. He is a devout member of the Presbyterian church, and to him more than to any other individual is the establishment of that church in College Springs due. He is a fine old gentleman of 62, full of years and the wisdom gained from that harsh old task-master, ex- perience.
BUTLER, JOHN R., farmer, section 1, P. O. Shambaugh; born in Adams county, Indiana, February 12, 1832. Here grew to man- hood and received his education in the common schools of the county. Came to Page county in August, 1854, where he has since resided. He is one of those enterprising, energetic men who have helped to make Page county the garden spot it now is. He is a member of the Baptist church. Was married November 6, 1856, to Miss Rhoda Clevenger, of East River township. They have three children, Sarah A., Lillie A. and Miriam M.
BODWELL, W. S., farmer, section 8, P. O. College Springs; born in New Hampshire in 1836, where he lived until he was 18 years of age. The years from 1854 to 1858 he spent in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa in building bridges. Enlisted in Company K, 4th Iowa Infantry, in September, 1861, and served for three years. Was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas Post, and present at Sherman's defeat before Vicksburg. He was mustered out in 1864. In 1866 was married to Miss N. M. Pierce, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has six children: Dean M., I. Lama, Ross C., Horace G., Mel. P. and Jessie. His standing is most ex- cellent, as is attested by the fact that he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W.
BABBITT, C. E., dealer in fine stock, P. O. College Springs; born in Illinois in 1836, where he grew to manhood following the avocation of a farmer. In August, 1869, came to Page. Was married in Illinois in 1860 to Miss M. J. Montague, a native of Ohio, by whom he has three children living: Sylvester M., Lewell L., and Dora M. Mr. Babbitt is well known to the citizens of Page as a most successful dealer in fine stock. His name appears very frequently on the premium lists of the county fair, and the excellence of his stock is an admitted fact. He is alive to the busi- ness interests of the county, and takes an active part in promoting its prosperity.
BAGNALL, C., Proprietor of Bagnall House, P. O. College Springs; born in England, 1821. At the age of 7, came with his parents, George
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
and Sidonia Bagnall, to America, and located in Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, in the spring of 1828. Young Bagnall matured to manhood, fol- lowing the occupation of a farmer, receiving his first education in the common school. In 1867 he came to College Springs, where he has since resided. Two years later he commenced keeping hotel in the north por- tion of the city. In December, of 1873, his hotel was burned to the ground; there being no insurance, the heavy loss of four thousand dollars would have been completely discouraging to a man less energetic and per- severing. Married Miss Annie Ibbs, a native of England, in 1845, by whom he had eleven children, five of whom are living: Sadie E, now Mrs. Dr. Lymer, John I., C. Barker, George W. and Davie. Mr. Bag- nall and his estimable lady keep an excellent hotel, and are most amiable as host and hostess. They enjoy the esteem and respect of the people with whom they are associated.
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