USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 21
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Any history of Garner township without reference to Unele Billy would be like the play of Hamlet with that character omitted. He was a typical North Carolinian with just enough of the southern dialect to be interesting. and of such integrity that he commanded the respeet of the entire community, and when his work was done, in addition to his neighbors, a special train took friends from the city to follow his remains to the little cemetery named after him and overlooking the home he had enjoyed for half a century. He was of long lived stock, his father having passed the century mark and his mother to nearly ninety. In 1846 he was married to Miss Sarah Workman, and if ever one was appropriately named, it was she. While he was in the
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army she conducted the farm, in addition to her manifold duties in the house, with almost masculine ability.
While the man seems to be the subject of most history, there are thousands of noble, patient women that have been real helpmeets and con- tributed more than their half to the general welfare and there is something wrong that they fail to receive credit for it. The only way seems for them to become historians and speak for themselves, as we are so vain as to claim all the credit ourselves.
The first school ever taught in Pottawattamie county is claimed to have. been held in the little Mormon suburb of Kanesville called Carterville. This was in 1847. A Mr. Curtis was the teacher and he contracted to teach for $12 per month, but at close of school was compelled to compromise for a. part. From this modest beginning the institution had grown by 1881 when the school enrollment reached three hundred, with twelve schoolhouses.
At this writing (1907) the school board is organized as follows: F. S. Childs, president; B. G. Davis, secretary; and W. S. Clay, treasurer; with twelve subdistricts; with compensation, first-grade teachers $42.50, second- grade $35, per month.
According to the state census of 1905, there were four hundred and fifty- seven persons of school age.
The vicinity of the old Wicks mill has for more than half a century played a conspicuous part in the early history of Pottawattamie county. It was here where the immigrants obtained their first flour and corn meal, and later, for many years, it was the place where the Latter Day Saints held their yearly meetings, some coming for nearly one hundred miles. A beautiful grove furnished an ideal camping ground, the Mosquito creek, like the Jordan, became famous for the number baptized in its waters, and alongside of the road coming from under a bluff was an excellent spring capable of supplying any number of worshippers. Nearby was a little schoolhouse where young Kinsman taught and from where he used to write interesting letters to the Nonpareil. Little did we think at that time of the noble part he was soon to play and the fame he was soon to achieve by his heroic death near Vicksburg. All honor to General Dodge and the others that assisted in recovering his remains and having a suitable monument erected to his memory.
Later on this spot witnessed one scene in a tragedy enacted in June, 1865. At this time a highwayman made his appearance in this neighborhood. His first victim was Mr. Jesse Smith. He was on his way to his home in Crescent when he met the robber about two miles north of the city and was taken down into a ravine on the cast side of the road, relieved of his money and held prisoner until towards night, and the teams had ceased to pass along the road, when he told him to take the road, turning neither to the right or left, which he proceeded to do, but returned to town the next day and gave the police his description. The next victim was a Mr. Kaywood, whom he met on the Canning hill in east part of the city. This was just at dark, and after taking his money permitted him to go on. There were but three or four police at that time and probably fifty men turned out and helped to
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scour the brush around the city, but without success, and the very next day a Mr. Perks, while bringing in a load of wood, was halted on the hill in the south- ern part of the city and made to deliver. It will be remembered that the old Wicks mill had been replaced by a new one, built by George Parks and S. S. Bayliss, and was known as Parks' mill, and was operated by him, he going out mornings and returning evenings on horseback. The evening after the third robbery, on coming in as he came within fifteen or twenty rods of the spring by the roadside, a man rose from drinking and started on ahead. Mr. Parks was in the habit of carrying money for buying grain, and as a con- sequence always went armed, and seeing this man the conviction flashed upon him that this was the robber, and that he was making for a little thicket ahead, there to await him, and instantly resolved to take the initiative, and quietly riding up ordered him to throw up his hands and keep them there on pain of instant death for refusal. He then ordered him to walk by the side of his horse's right shoulder, keeping his hands over his head, until opposite the first house, being that of Mr. Vogle, whom he called to come out and disarm his prisoner. The weapons were two splendid revolvers, duly loaded and ready for use. Just then a team came along with several men and the man was brought into town where a committee was waiting to receive him.
There being no jail at that time, he was taken to a room in the Hagg block, now known as the blue front, and the following day he was fully identified by his victims. The green goggles he wore when on duty were found in his pockets. Sheriff Voorhis requested someone to file informa- tion, but all refused, and the sheriff was calculating to get an order to com- mit him to the nearest jail; but the next morning he was found dead hang- ing to a willow tree in the yard where John Hammer kept his building material. It appeared that he was from Kansas and on hearing of his fate some one of his friends wrote to our mayor asking for particulars and say- ing he was not considered a bad man at home, and that he had been a soldier in the Union army. He was buried beside the other victims of vigilants on the ridge above the Soldiers' cemetery. But to return to Garner town- ship.
Another tragedy was enacted later wherein a young man named Charles Grainwell was killed by Thomas Davis. It occurred at a threshing. The young man was pitching the sheaves to Davis, who was feeding, and the sheaves coming too fast Davis became angry, and after some words Davis stabbed Grainwell with the big knife for cutting bands with fatal result. Davis was tried, convicted and sentenced to five years in the penitentiary, but after serving two years and a half was pardoned and left the country.
Still later a Chautauqua assembly was established here and conducted for two or three seasons, but was not a success financially and was discon- tinued.
The present township officers are as follows: Trustees, F. S. Childs, Fred Janson and G. W. Shipley; clerk, H. E. Tiarks; justices of the peace, Ed. Rozenberg and J. C. Begley. No constable seems to be needed, as none qualified after the last election.
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GROVE TOWNSHIP.
Grove township derives its name from the fact that it has a number of fine groves that if properly cared for will be sufficient for a dense population, and what in the way of forest would have been considered indispensable fifty years ago would now be objectionable. It has been demonstrated that it is easier to make a farm from prairie and raise timber than to clear heavy timber land and get it under cultivation. In Grove township we have a happy medium; enough but not a surplus. Grove township was included in Macedonia township until September 25, 1858, on which date, by authority of the county judge, the territory consisting of congressional township 74 north, of range 30 west, was deelared a civil township, and the same was declared an election precinct, and it was ordered that an election be held therein on the second Tuesday in October, 1858.
The election was held as ordered and the following persons elected : George B. Otto, township elerk; E. W. Knapp, justice of the peace; Cornelius Hurley, constable; David Watson, assessor; and Thomas Connor, A. J. Field and S. M. B. Wheeler, trustees. It is a full congressional township, and bounded on the north by Center, east by Waveland, west by Macedonia and Carson townships, and south by Montgomery county. It is watered by Jordan, Farm and Indian creeks, all flowing south, and are fed by springs that never dry.
Long before this township had been organized or a permanent settler located trails were made by the Mormons while on their pilgrimage, and these became the roads of the pioneers that followed.
In 1848 the following named men came in over the old Mormon trail from Illinois, viz .: James Watson, came with ox teams; George Owen, drove both horses and oxen; George Taylor, came with ox teams. These brought their families with them and were soon followed by many others.
The first sawmill in the township was built and owned by John Smith in 1853, and was located on Farm creek. This mill was washed away dur- ing a freshet and was rebuilt in 1856 by C. Hurley. Sr., and again washed away. The next mill was built by J. S. Watson about two miles below. In 1859 S. M. B. Wheeler built a mill on Jordan ereek. These were all saw- mills, and the settlers were compelled to go to the old Indian mill near Council Bluffs or to Meeks' mill on Rock creek in Missouri, and at times when the roads were impassable they resorted to pounded corn. Roads were gradually being opened and soon enterprising citizen- established mills. The first bridge was over Jordan, on the Mormon trail. . In 1850 the settlers became so numerous that they began to talk of schools, and they employed a Dr. Williams to teach a school in one room in the residence of Jacob Anderson. This proved so satisfactory that a second term was taught by a Mr. John Day in a little log cabin near the residence of S. M. B. Wheeler. The first building erected in the township for school purposes was located forty rods north of the center of section 20. It was built of logs with puncheon floors and seats. This was built in 1855 and used for a number of years. In 1865 the next schoolhouse was built, being located in the southeast corner of the southwest
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quarter of section 21, and for a time was used by the children of the entire township until 1868, when the township was divided into three subdistriets. From this modest beginning the schools continued to grow until, in 1881, when there were nine subdistricts with eight ungraded schools. Number of months taught, tive and one-half; teachers employed, male five, female ten ; compensation per month, males $30.86, females $29.70; pupils of school age, males one hundred and seventy-five, females one hundred and sixty.
Many of these early settlers left Nauvoo intending to go to Utah, but for one reason or another they paused here and finally coneluded to remain and few, if any, have had cause to regret it. The first to organize a religious body in the township were the Latter Day Saints. E. W. Briggs and W. W. Blair were the organizers, and the original members were John Smith and wife, E. W. Knapp and wife, A. J. Field and wife, James Otto and wife, Levi Graybill and wife, John Winegar and wife, Joseph Smith and wife, and Stephen Smith. John Smith was their first president and E. W. Knapp the first clerk. Services were first held at residences of the different members and later at schoolhouses, but the society becoming more numerous and wealthy, in 1874 they erected a modest church building at a cost of $763. The membership had increased until in 1881 it had reached ninety and maintained a regular Sabbath school.
The Wheeler's Grove class of the M. P. church was organized in 1865 by its original members, among whom were Isaac Denton and wife. Jacob Elsweck, Alexander Osler and Susan A. Stedman. In 1875 they erected a church building at a cost of $1,300, and by 1881 their membership was sixty and their Sunday school was thirty-five.
Pleasant Grove congregation of the C. P. church was organized by the Rev. J. W. Carter July 1, 1876, was received under the care of the West Iowa Presbytery of the C. P. church August 18, 1876, with Rev. J. W. Carter the first pastor. In 1879 they erected a church building at a cost of $1,400.
The Christian church was organized by Rev. Cephas Ellis and Samuel Johnson. Their first pastor was the Rev. Samuel Johnson.
In 1881 they commenced building a church at a cost of $1,200. They had at that time a Sunday school of sixty pupils.
The village of Eminence was laid out in 1875 by L. D. Woodmansie, who also was the first resident and also the postmaster, and in addition started a general merchandising business. And the next to loeate was Dr. A. J. Michael, and he was followed by Malcom Mckenzie, a blacksmith, and next came J. L. Harrell. He engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness, and later a general store was opened by F. E. and N. Pershall, brothers.
September 30, 1863, Mrs. Isaac Denton gave birth to boy triplets, which were named, William, Wallace and Willard. They lived but a short time. On August 17, 1864, the same lady gave birth to twins, but they lived but four and six hours respectively.
The most terrible eyclone that ever visited western Iowa spent its most
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destructive force on the devoted heads of the people of this township in which in less time than it takes to record it an entire family was killed and thousands of dollars' worth of property was destroyed. The details have been given by the press and are too well remembered by the citizens to re- quire repetition, but simply to say that strong well built houses and barns were reduced to kindling, farming implements and domestic animals blown out of sight, even fowls stripped of their feathers in an instant. The saddest feature was the instantaneous killing of the family of Mr. Osler, Mrs. Paist and son.
Long since the damage, so far as money value is concerned, has been repaired, but the loss of the friends who perished cannot be forgotten.
According to the state census of 1905 there were in the township two hundred and forty-two persons of school age, of which one hundred and twenty-nine were males and one hundred and thirteen females.
The school board is constituted as follows: President, James K. Osler; secretary, John A. Knox; treasurer, G. M. Putnam. Teachers' salary, $38 and $33.
The township officers are as follows: Trustees, L. A. King, J. A. Mitchell and A. C. Bissbe: elerk, Thomas Morgan; justices of the peace, Harvey Bolton and E. V. Winans; assessor, John 1. Knox. No one qualified as constable.
HAZEL DELL TOWNSHIP.
Mention has already been made of the division of Crescent township by which Hazel Dell was formed. It is a full congressional township. It lies mostly on high rolling upland, sloping easterly toward Mosquito and westerly towards Pigeon creeks. There are fine groves of timber in the ravines and the soil is as good as any in the world. Most of the first settlers were Mormons, but the larger part went on with the great movement to Utah. The first officers of the new township were : J. P. Boulden and James Osborn, trustees. Nearly all the early history of this township is identical with that of Crescent, but it has become famous as being the birthplace of Indian creek. This is probably the most active stream on earth of its size. It rises in some springs near Hazel Dell church, drains twenty square miles before reaching the city, when it has to be spanned by as many bridges. Engineers have grappled with it for forty years and it seems to relish the fun. It has not been an unmixed evil though, for it has been bringing down millions of yards of earth to fill the low ground at the foot of the bluffs without which the beautiful ground where Bayliss park, the courthouse, library and much of the best property in the city, would new be a morass like it is a mile either way from these points.
We will probably hear more of this stream in connection with the city of Council Bluffs.
Hazel Dell! What prettier name could be found for a township? It of itself is suggestive of rural happiness. It was fortunate in its first settlers, being as good people as could be found anywhere. The Valliers, Nixons, Greggs, Coopers, Kings, Barretts, Rev. Cooper. O'Brien, Halls. Bouldens, Trip-
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lets, Springers, Osborns, McGruders, Frosts, Jenkins and many more of the same sort; one would think they might be exempt from most of the troubles with which other communities are afflicted, but it seems that the evil one had long ago invaded a mueh happier though smaller one, and so this town- ship, like most others in the county, must have its tragedies.
On the 26th of February, 1878, in the northwest corner of the town- ship, the people were shocked by the killing of David Roberts by Jonathan Jones. After a long and tedious trial Jones was acquitted on the plea of emotional insanity caused by jealousy.
A long time previous to this an affair was pulled off that partook of the nature of melodrama. There was a "fine old English gentleman" who was a widower, had a farm in one of the beautiful dells, and a fine trotting horse named Charley, of which he was very fond. He dressed well, was seventy, and still was not happy. He longed for a companion, and he found one about half his age, and all for a time went well. He was wont to extol her many virtues to his friends in town when he met them. In faet he found her superior to either of his former wives (this was the third) and one fine morn- ing he started to go to look at some land at quite a distance, but promised to return for supper, and she kissed him good-bye and put her arms around Charley's glossy neck and kissed him.
Someone once said "Frailty, thy name is woman!" When that old gentleman returned he found his house a desolation! The finest of the bed- ding, all of the silver, china and glassware that had been his former wife's, had disappeared as effectually as if the earth had opened and swallowed them up.
All his efforts to locate her were fruitless, but after some weeks it was reported she was half way to Salt Lake with a younger man and former lover.
Another tragedy occurred more recently in the extreme southeastern part of the township. It appeared that a store at Weston had been robbed. Deputy-sheriff J. C. Baker was investigating the matter, and on questioning a young man named George Matheson pretty closely, he became indignant and shot Baker. He was indieted and tried for assault with intent to commit murder and found guilty, but appealed and cause was sent back on error in ruling. On rehearing he was convieted of assault with intent to inflict great bodily injury. In a civil aetion Baker recovered a heavy judgment. It seems but proper to make special mention of old Mrs. Nixon, the Spartan mother long since deceased, that sent three sous and three sons-in-law to the Union army.
During the winter of 1855-56 an old settler, Mr. Barrett, father of O. L. Barrett, superintendent of the county infirmary, became lost and was frozen to death, but his widow conducted the farm and reared the family. At this time the people of Hazel Dell will compare favorably with those of any town- ship in the county.
Its present officers are as follows: Trustees. Hans Henningson, R. M. Hough and Geo. T. Ford; clerk, Wm. Nixon; justices of the peace, T. F. Emmerson and R. T. Hanson; assessor, S. D. Hough; constable, Harry Shroder; board of education, president, C. J. Christofferson ; secretary, Wm. Nixon ; treasurer, J. H. Gregg. According to state census of 1905 there are
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three hundred and eighty-two of school age in the township, one hundred and ninety-three males and one hundred and eighty-nine females in eight sub- districts.
This township is only touched by railroads on the extreme southeast corner, where the Rock Island and Milwaukee running parallel strike the village of Weston. This place has an elevator. lumber yard, general store, one church (Catholic) and a graded school. The teachers receive $40 and $35 respectively for first and second grades.
Mr. Jacob Hansen is entitled to special mention, having served the public faithfully as supervisor and later on the joint commission of Harrison and Pottawattamie counties to assess the benefits to the land owners by reason of the construction of the several ditches petitioned for and granted by the joint boards of said counties.
HARDIN TOWNSHIP.
Hardin township was organized in 1869. Previous to this it was a part of Kane. It is a full congressional township, and is mostly high rolling prairie but has some groves of natural timber. This township is named in honor of Richard Hardin. He came to Council Bluffs with his father, Davis Hardin and family, in 1838 when a boy. That being the first white family this far up the Missouri. The Hardins were typical Kentuckians. Tall, heavy boned, fond of hunting. generous and liberal in all their views. Davis, the father was sent to take charge of the Pottawattamies, as will be more fully treated in the part of this history pertaining to Council Bluffs. Keg creek, Little Keg and Little Silver creeks are the principal streams, and the town- ship is watered by springs.
The first permanent settler was Mr. Reece D. Price, who came from Wales in 1849 and settled with a number of Mormon families. There were one cluster of thirteen log huts in one camp and another of eleven. In the summer of 1850 these went on to Utah and left the family of Mr. Price entirely alone. The rich lands, of which none are better, soon attracted settlers, and by 1858 quite a number of first-class citizens had located here. Among thiem were Mrs. Perry and family, R. C. Thomas and family and Mr. W. K. Eames from Vermont, in 1857, and from this time on they continued to arrive, and soon a school was started. The first ever taught in the township was by Mr. Lorenzo Burr in 1857. He was employed by Mr. Reece D. Price, and the school was in a log cabin belonging to him.
The first bridges built were over Keg creek at the Hardin stage station and Weasel Run. Both are built of logs. The first road was the old stage road, running from Des Moines to Council Bluffs, and the Western Stage Co. did a great business until the coming of the railroads.
The Methodists organized a little society as early as 1880, also quite a large Sunday school. The first schoolhouse built by the township was on section 18, near the residence of Mr. James Wild. The first to teach in the new building was an English priest by the name of Middleton.
From this modest beginning the schools had increased to the extent that in 1881 there were five subdistricts. Number of teachers, males, two, females.
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seven. Salary per month, both sexes, $30; number of pupils, males, one hun- dred and two, females, eighty-two.
Schoolhouses, frame, four; brick, one; value $1,500.
Since 1881 these have increased to nine in 1905 with three hundred and six persons, including those of the new town of MeClelland, between the ages of five and twenty-one years. The Chicago & Great Western Railroad is the only one that passes through this township. It was completed in 1903, and immediately the new town of MeClelland sprang into existence and at this writing there are a lumber yard, depot buildings, three general stores, one drug store, one implement and hardware store, two saloons, a livery stable and blacksmith shop and one elevator.
The Methodists have organized a church and erected a neat house of worship.
Mr. Pete Cramer is engaged in buying and shipping stock.
The county infirmary is also located here under the superintendance of O. L. Barrett.
Among those who, by industry and integrity, have made themselves prom- inent are D. F. Dryden and Elias Quick, the former being a farmer and large stock raiser. He was for a time a member of the board of supervisors, and is an ex-soldier of the civil war. The latter started a store in 1883, and a postoffice was established at his store in 1884, and named Quick postoffice.
Few merchants have been as fortunate as he. Starting in with a moderate stock, every one of the twenty-three years showed an increase in his business and profits. This was due largely to his strict attention to business and partly from the fact that no better class of people can be found than those with which he is surrounded, and both these gentlemen have become wealthy and built elegant homes in the city, where they now make their homes, letting their boys continue the business.
There are two churches in the township, one being the Methodist, called Mount Hope, the other being Presbyterian.
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