History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 107

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 107

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1143

LE CLAIRE TOWNSHIP'.

lowed farming until 1878, when he sold his farm for $14,500 and moved to Le Claire, where he has resided since. In politics is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust.

Horatio G. Stone, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Essex Co., N. Y., on the 25th day of November, 1811, son of Abram and Eunice (Haskins) Stone. They were natives of Connectient and moved to Moriah, N. Y., where they lived for more than 40 years. They removed to Iowa in 1850, where Mr. Stone died Jan. 28, 1860, and Mrs. Stone. Jan. 22, 1860. They lived together for 67 years. Mr. Stone cast his first vote for George Washington and his last for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. "Stone by profession was a sur- veyor. In that capacity was familiar with and participator in the hardships and inconveniences attending the early settlement of Northwestern New York. Governed through long life by principal of strictest integrity, his fellow citizens of Essex County frequently placed him in a position of honorable responsibility, the duties of which he ever discharged with fidelity. There was a family of three sons and three daughters, which lived to be adults, viz .: Ilenry, who settled in Scott County, where he died JJuly, 1877; Friman, located in Wyandotte, Mich .; H. G .; Clarissa, married William Stacy, died in Le Claire in the spring of 1880; Malissa, wife of C. C. Applegate, died in 1846; Harriet, wife of Wil- son Lowe, died in Essex Co., N. Y. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a limited education ; remained on the farm until he was 22, when he was employed in an iron-ore mine for a couple of years. In 1836 was employed by a man by the name of Spencer to work by the month for a couple of years. In 1839 made a elaim where he now resides and the following spring commenced to open up a farm. In 1841 married Hannah Von Boskirk, a daughter of Andrew and Passa Von Boskirk, natives ot Union Co., Pa. In 1832 they moved to Lieking County, where they remained until 1839, when they removed to Wisconsin and remained one year. In 1840 came to Le Claire Township. She was born May 12, 1820. The fruit of this marriage was 11 chil- dren, 10 of whom are living, viz .: Henry, Clarissa, Eunice Ann, Horatio, Andrew. Ida Adelaide, Perry, Euphemia, Effa. Fred. Henry died July 19, 1871. Mr. Stone has been a member of the Republican party since its organization. He owns 320 acres ofrich land, valued at $65 an acre. His farm is one of the finest in the county. A large and commodious residence has taken the place of the log cabin, 14 x 16, which they occupied on coming to Scott County.

Henry Stone, deceased, (ne of the early settlers of Scott Co., Ia., was born in Hinesburg, Vt., Dec. 2, 1793. When a young man he engaged on Lake Champlain as captain of a sailing vessel for several years. In 1815 married Abigail Knapp. They had a family of seven children, who lived to be adults. She died Dec. 31. 1836. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and respected by all who knew her. Ile again married Betsey

1144

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

Nichols, a daughter of John Nichols, of Conneetient, and Rachael Chapman. Father died in Clinton County and mother in Essex County. In 1844 lett their home in New York, and came to Whitehall by steam, and by canal to Buffalo, and by steam to Chi- eago, when it was a small village; thence by teams to Scott County. The roads were very muddy, and they were nine days in making the trip, and located near where H. G. Stone now resides. Moved in- to a shanty with a large family; made a farm and made a good. comfortable home. IIe died in Le Claire, July 26, 1876, leaving his companion to travel on alone. She is now residing with Mr. and Mrs. Hulett, at the age of 78.

Austin F. Stonebroker. farmer, LeClaire Township. was born in Blair Co., Pa., Ang. 1, 1839, son of Samuel W. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Stonebroker. His father by trade was a tailor, which he followed for some years, and then embarked in the mercantile business, which he followed a few years when he failed, and re- sumed his trade for a few years; he again engaged in the mercan- tile business, which he followed until he died, in 1874. Mother died in 1842. In the winter of 1854 Austin F. came to Iowa and located in Le Claire, where he worked at the tailor's trade one year; then en- gaged in the butcher business for a short time. At the time of the Kansas trouble, went there and participated in the squabble. After the trouble was over returned to Le Claire, where he engaged in the livery business. In 1861 enlisted in the 2d Iowa Infantry, Co B; participated in the capture of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, at the siege of Corinth. Was discharged for physical disability in the fall of 1862. IIe then went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was employed in Government detective foree until the close of the war. He afterward formed an independent office in company with C. P. B., where he remained one year. He was then connected with the metropolitan foree. In 1868 returned to Le Claire, where he purchased the farm where he now jesides. llas 80 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation, valued at $65 per acre. In February, 1869, married Miss Maggie Jack, a daughter of Leslie Jack, of Allegheny Co., Pa., where she was born, July 20, 1852. The fruit of this marriage is two children, viz. : Beanmont E. and Mearle I. Is a member of A. O. U. W. of Le Claire.

Henry H. Strohbeen, lumber merchant. Le Claire, was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 14th of September, 1827, son of Fred- eriek and Magdalina Strohbeen. They were married in 1825. The fruit of this nnion is three children, viz .: Minnie, Dolly and Henry. Father by trade was a tailor. He emigrated to the United States and located in Davenport, Ia., where he died in 1854, of the cholera. Mother died in Belle Plaine, Ia, 1863. In early life Henry II. learned the tradeof a weaver. At 20 years of age he came to the States. In 1851 he located in Blue Grass Township, where he bought a farm and resided until 1858, when he sold out and rented the three following years. In 1861 he bought land at Belle Plaine, and made a farm and remained five

1145

LE CLAIRE TOWNSHIP.

years. In 1853 he married Christianna Puls. She was born in Germany in 1837. By this union there were nine children, two of whom are living-Louisa and Edward. Mrs. S. died in 1869, and in 1870 he married Amelia Goldsmith. After returning to Scott. County he bought a small place in Le Claire Township, and while living on this place he embarked in the Inmber trade. In 1878 he bought a mill in Le Claire, and after putting abont $2,000 repairs upon it, it was burned to the ground, cansing aloss of $2,400. He has since built a mill on the same site, and has furnished it with new machinery and is ready to do all kinds of work in his line. Mr. S. carries a stock of 800,000 feet of' lumber.

John II. Suiter, Le Claire, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Lawrence Co., Ohio, Ang. 15, 1822, and came to Iowa in 1835, with his parents, being 14 years of age. Married Eliza Jane Wright in the winter of 1842. She was born in Greene Co., O .. Dec. 16, 1817. There was by this union a family of eight children, six living-Agnes, born Nov. 16. 1843; John W., born Mar. 28, 1546; Zachariah G., born May 20, 1851; George P., born Mar. 14, 1853; Jeremiah J., born May 24, 1855; William A., born Sept. 29, 1861. He has 200 acres of land in Scott County, valued at $75 per acre. Also has 360 acres in Keoknk County, valued at $20 per aere, which is used for grazing. Mr. Suiter has been identified with the county nearly half a century, and has seen the various changes which Scott County has undergone. In politics he is a Democrat. In the fall of 1843 he commeneed as pilot on the Le Claire Rapids and followed it until 1875, when he gave it up on aecount of his landed property. In 1864, in the time of low water, he was the only pilot that took rafts over the rapids. receiving from $10 to $15 a trip.

William M. Suiter, one of the pioneers of Scott County, was born in Illinois on the American Bottoms, Nov. 13, 1826, son of Phillip Suiter, and Hannah Pancake. His father eame to the county in 1835, and moved his family in 1836, when William was 10 years of age. The facilities for schooling were lim- ited. At an early day he engaged in the river trade, first as a raft hand, but before he was 21 years of age was running as rapids pilot, which oeenpation he has followed since. Oet. 10, 1848, he married Miss Alice M. Disney, youngest dangh- ter of Mordecai Disney, of Baltimore, who emigrated to Davenport in 1842 She was born in Cincinnati, O., Oet. 28, 1825. They have been blessed with seven children, five of whom are living- Alice F., born July 25, 1850, now the wite of J. II. Manwaring; Mordecai P., conductor on the B. & M. R. R .; Noah was born Jan. 26. 1553; Win. Edward, July 9, 1857, also a eondnetor on the same road; Charles J., born Nov. 11. 1859, engaged in railroading; Sırah I., born Oct. 20. 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Suiter have been identified with the county for many years. Commenced at the lower round of the ladder and have succeeded in accumulating a fine property and home. Mr. Sniter has 160 acres of valnable

1146

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

land in Nebraska, besides several lots in Le Claire, and a fine res- idenee in which he lives. Is a member of Howard Lodge, No. 55, A. O. U. W., of Le Claire.

Laurel Summers was born in Montgomery Co., Ky., Oct. 2, 1812; was a son of Enoch and Elsie Summers, nee Hadden. natives of Kentucky, who were married in 1811, in Montgomery County of that State. In 1823 they removed to Morgan Co., Ind., where Enoch Summers entered land and farmed until his death, which occurred in 1845: The family then removed to Iowa. where the mother died in Jackson County, in 1867, having been the mother of six children-Laurel, Presley, Redman, Shelton, Dolly and Caleb. Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Summers in early life were members of the Baptist church, but upon the organization of the Christian church, joined that denomination, and affiliated with them until their death. He gave time and money to the building up of the church, and was one of its most zealous workers. The subject of this memoir re- mained on the farm in Morgan County until 1830, when he went to Indianapolis, where he learned the trade of briek mason. This he followed until 1837, when, being drawn thither by the then pre- vailing current, he came West, and located in the Territory of Wis- consin, in what is now Scott Co., Ia. IIc here made a Government claim and embarked in farming. He also established a cattle ranch partnership with his brother, buying cattle from Indiana. The in- vestment did not prove a lucrative one, and it was abandoned soon after. In 1838 he was elected to the first Territorial Legislature, and was re-elected the two succeeding years. In May, 1841, he married Miss Mary Parkhurst, who was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 11, 1822, and was a daughter of Sterling and Ann Parkhurst, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New Hamp- shire, who were married in the State of New York. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Summers has been blessed with five children-Helen L., now Mrs. C. P. Whitford; Elsie A., widow of E. S. Curtis; Sarah, now Mrs. W. P. Headley, Lewis C., who died in infancy, and Au- gustus D. Mr. Summers followed his trade until 1844, when he was elected to the Legislative Conneil, and served two years. In 1850 he was elected to the State Legislature, and in 1853 was ap- pointed United States Marshal of the district of Iowa under Presi- dent Pieree; served through his administration and was reappointed under James Buchanan, and served eight years. Since 1861 he has followed contracting and various other ocenpations. He was elected to the mayoralty of Le Claire four terms, and served as deputy sheriff of Seott County for three years. In 1874 he was elected one of the trustees of the Iowa Agricultural College at Ames, and served in that capacity four years. Mr. Summers was educated in the Democratie school of polities, and still adheres to the principles of that party.

Frederick Thelemann, Le Claire, was born in Hanover, Ger -. many, Nov. 21, 1823. In 1849 he came to the United States, land- ing in Baltimore, Md., May 17, and immediately proceeded to

1147

LE CLAIRE TOWNSIIIP.

Pittsburg, where he embarked in the cabinet trade, where he re- mained until the following fall, when he went to St. Louis, working at his trade, and was afterward employed in an organ factory for one year; afterward was employed in the car shops for three years; from there he went to Davenport. where he got work in a cab- inet shop. In 1856 he came to Le Claire, where he has remained since. Ang. 4, 1850, he married Miss Sophia Ehlar. She was born in Brunswick, Germany, in 1833. There was a family of seven children, six of whom are living -- Win., Emma. Edward, Ida, Fritz, and Robert. Mr. Thelemann has 72 acres of land on which is a valuable stone-quarry of limestone, and valned at $4,000.

Jacob Vogler, farmer and stock-raiser, Le Claire, was born in Switzerland. Oet. 2, 1822. In 1850 came to the United States in a sailing vessel and was 56 days in crossing; landed in New York, where he remained a short time and thence to Canton, Ohio, where he worked as a laborer. In 1852 came to Moline, Ill., where he was employed by Deere & Co., in the plow shops a short time, and afterward worked for a man by the name of Dump in a Hlouring mill, also worked on the river, when he drifted to Princeton, when he was employed in milling for 10 years. In 1870 married Mrs. Edwin Small. She was born in Switzerland, July 22, 1830. By this union there are two children-Jacob, born March 11, 1871; Frank, born June 19, 1873. Has 66 acres of land all under a high state ot cultivation, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Vogler came to the United States in limited circumstances, but by ju licious man- arement has accumulated a fine property and home.

J. W. Van Sant, ship-carpenter, Le Claire, was born in Burling- ton Co .. N. J .. on the 9th day of January, 1810. son of Nicholas and Merey ( Davis) Van Sant. They were married in Burlington Co., N. J., where a family of nine children were born. eight of whom are living. Mr. Van Sant died at his residence near Lower Bank. N. J., March 6, 1879, at the advanced age of 90 years and 4 months, leaving his beloved companion within a few days of 90, and with whom he had lived most happily for more than 70 years. to plod her weary way alone for a short season. Two daughters and seven sons also survive him, two of whom are ministers of the New Jersey Conference, two of the Newark, and one a local deacon residing near the homestead; the remaining two with the two danghters are honored members of the M. E. church. He himself united with the church when 17 years of age, and not very long after received in succession exhorters' and local preachers' licenses. Without the advantages of an early education he became a man of more than ordinary intelligence on general subjects; was a diligent and devoted student of the Bible. of which he acquired an unusually full measure of knowledge. J. W. in early life learned the trade of ship carpenter under his father's instrue- tion. When 22 years of age married Miss Lydia Anderson, of Momnouth, now Ocean Co., N. J .. where she was born May 15, 1812. By this union there was a family of eight children, six ot

1148

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

whom are living, viz .: Asa, Esther Ann, Elias A., Sam'l R., Nicholas G., Nellie. In 1835 left his home in New Jersey, and came to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1837 came to Rock Island County, when he embarked in farming, which he followed for four years. When the boat business began to brighten up he came to Rock Island and engaged in that, building the first keel-boat built in Rock Island, and also worked on the first steamboat; also built the first sailing boat that was ever built here; has been engaged in the boat business for 40 years. In 1862 came to Le Claire. Mr. Van Sant has been a member of the M. E. church since he was 13 years of age.

James Wilson, farmer and stock-raiser, Le Claire. Iowa, was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1825, and came to the United States in 1855 and located in Le Claire Township, where he has followed far ring since. In 1849 married Jane Galligher; she was born in Ireland. There was a family of 13 children, nine of whom are living. viz. : William, Susan, Nathaniel, Thomas, Sarah J., Andrew, John, Margaret and Mary E. Mrs. Wilson died in 1872. She was a member of Seceeders church. Mr. Wilson has 320 acres ot land valued at $75 per acre in Le Claire Township, and 160 acres in Poweshiek Co., lowa, valued at $35. Nathaniel Wilson, deceased. a brother of James Wilson, was born in the same county; came to Scott County in an early day and was among the earliest settlers of the county. Through the influence of Nathaniel, the large famil of James Wilson was induced to come to this county and settle in Le Claire Township. Nathaniel Wislon at his death had accumulated a fine property. He died in 1878.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the northwest portion of the county, and comprises township 80, range 1 cast. It was first settled in 1837 by the Goddards, Langhreys, HIellers and Woods. The township is mostly rolling prairie, in some parts very much broken. There are several very fine groves in the township, and several creeks. George W. Parker thus describes the township :

" There is a small creek running through the central part of the township called Walnut Creek, which enters Allen's Grove Town- ship at Little Walnut Grove, near Dixon. A small branch of Mnd Creek heads in the southwest corner of the township and passes along the north side of Round Grove and enters Cleona Township. Rock Creek heads in Cedar County and enters Liberty Township in Pasten's Grove on section 6, and crosses sections 6 and 5 in a northeasterly direction to the north line of the town- ship and the line between Scott and Clinton counties. It meanders back and forth along the line cast to section 4, and then leaves the township. A portion of section 1 has some timber. Little Walnut Grove is on sections 12 and 13, and contains 100 acres. Big Wal- nut Grove is on sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, with about 600 acres, oak, walnut, basswood and hickory being the principal kinds. Pasten's Grove is on sections 6 and 7, and is principally oak, and comprises not far from 450 acres. Round Grove is nearly all on section 33, and contains 40 acres, mostly hickory,"

Mr. Parker, in a communication to the Ilistorical Committee of the Academy of Science, further says of this township :

"In the month of September, 1836, Mr. Burt, a citizen of Michigan, received the contract from the general Government to run the 5th principal meridian line through this part of Wiscon- sin Territory, as it was then called. He spent some days near Fairport, below Buffalo, in getting connection with the line on the opposite side of the river. He then ran that line dne north to the river above Dubuque, and then returned to a point just east of the present town of Durant, and ran the correction line duc east to the river just below Le Claire. These were the first lines run. Mr. Burt and his son, then commenced running the township lines north of the correction line, and were engaged all winter and until the month of May, 1837, in surveying the 5th meridian, which is the west line ot Liberty Township. He passed through Pasten's Grove Sept. 20, 1836. The other lines of the township were run some time in the fall or winter."

In the summer of 1837, a man by the name of Van Sant, a tailor by trade, and a citizen of Cincinnati, O., came here with a contract

(1149)

1150

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

to sub-divide four townships, 80 and 81 east, and 80 and 81 west of the 5th principal meridian. He was an acquaintance of the surveyor general, who had his office in Cincinnati at that time. Van Sant had picked up his hands in Cincinnati and they were little fitted for the work, and he knew but little about practical surveying. The result was, after spending double the time necessary, and having any amount of trouble with his help, a very poorly surveyed township, and he had to give up a portion of his contraet and go back home."

Mr. Van Sant while surveying the township located a elaim at Round Grove, which included the whole of the timber. He hired the Pastens, father and son to put up a log cabin. He also hired Peter Langhrey to break an aere of prairie in the fall of 1837. Before he left the Territory he sold the claim to A. T. Russell, for $300.

The first elain located in the township was in the spring of 1836 by Henry Pinekley, then living with Captain Clark, at Buf- falo. It was on section 12, where the town of Dixon now stands, and called at that time Little Walnut Grove. About the same time George Washburne, another of Captain Clark's hands, lo- eated a elaim at the east end of Big Walnut Grove, one mile south- west of Dixon, on section 13. Ezra Allen and the Pastens hauled the logs together and put np the house in April, 1837.

In the fall of 1846 John HIeller located a elaim in the grove on seetion 15. In the fall of 1836 or spring of 1837 Horace Wood located a elaim on seetion 14, in the timber, and built a cabin on the bank of Walnut Creek, in the spring of 1837. and moved into it, his family being the first that settled in the township.

Jacob Heller purchased the elaim of Henry Pinekley in Little Walnut Grove in the fall of 1836, and in the spring of 1837 John Grace and M. C. Jacobs broke up some of the prairie on the north side of the ereek, on seetion 12. This was the first breaking done in the township. A variety of produce was planted which yielded an abundant erop that summer. Mr. Heller moved on to the claim the last day of July, 1837, his son John and family going with him, making three families in the township on the first of August, 1837.

Those living in Liberty Township, Ang. 1, 1837, were Jacob Heller, wife, and daughters Elizabeth, Hannah and Harriet; John Heller, wife and son Jacob, and daughter Eleanor, now Mrs. Feigley; Horace Wood. wife, and two children; John Grace and Mark C. Jacobs, two young men who lately came from Ohio, who were at work for Mr. Heller.

M. C. Jacobs located a elaim on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 24, and lived there until his death in 1877. John Grace lo- eated his claim in Allen's Grove Township, and lived there until his death in 1879. He was buried in the Dixon Cemetery. llorace Wood died many years ago, and nothing is known about his family by the old settlers. Jacob Heller and his wife both died in 1845, in the house that they first moved into at Little

1151

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP'.

Walnut Grove, and are buried in the cemetery near by. Cornelia, wife of John Heller. died at Toronto, Clinton Co., March, 1873, and was buried in the cemetery at Little Walnut Grove. Harriet Heller married Leroy Dutton, Jan. 1, 1844, and died in March, 1845. Of the 15 persons in the township on the 1st of August, 1837, eiglit are known to be dead. There are living at the present time in the township, Mrs. Hannah Heller Parker, Mrs. Eleanor Heller Feigley and Mrs. Elizabeth Heller Haile. These are all that are left of the settlers of 1837. The settlers of 1838 were : John Trueky, wife, and son Abraham, and daughters Eleanor, Eliza- beth and Ruth; James Laughrey, wife and two children. John Trucky died at Toronto, Clinton Co., and was buried at that place. Eleanor and Ruth Trucky died near Dixon, and were buried there. M. C. Jacobs was buried at Dixon. James Laughrey and wife died at Union Grove, years ago. In the summer of 1837 Mr. Heller broke considerable prairie and sowed the first fall wheat sown in the township. The seed was brought from MeDonough Co., Ill.

LAND SALES.

The land in this section was advertised for sale at Dubnque in 1839, but the sale was adjourned until July, 1840. There was a meeting largely attended by the settlers along the Wapsipinecon held at the house of Jacob Heller. in June, 1840, for the purpose of self-protection at the sale. Resolutions were passed. and James Me Intosh selected as bidder for Scott and part of Clinton Counties. This was necessary as but few had the money to pay for their land, and there were plenty of sharks ready to take their improvements. The plan was for the settlers to attend the sale en macse, give the number of his land to the bidder, and when the auctioneer called that number the bidder let it pass. but if a speculator was to bid, he was to be settled with on the spot. Only one had the temerity to bid on a claim belonging to another. The words had hardly passed his lips before he was lifted over the heads of the crowd and passed out of Iowa in a hurry, and when they pitched him on Illinois soil he was in a demoralized condition.

FIRST THINGS.

In the summer of 1842 the citizens of Long Rock Creek and Posten's Grove united and built a log school-house on the west side of seetion 4, and near the banks of Long Creek. This was the first school-house in the township, and had split puncheon seats. Mary Parker, now Mrs. Walraven, of Wheatland, was the first teacher. Rev. Mr. Chenowith was probably the first to preach the gospel in the township. The first claim was made by Henry Pinckley. The family of Horace Wood was the first to perma- nently settle in the township. A daughter of Horace Wood was drowned in 1838, the first death in the township. The first break-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 107

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280