USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 109
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Ricklef Lunschen was born in Oldenburg, Germany, Feb. 7, 1840, and is a son of Frederick Lunschen, a native of the same place. He was brought up on a farm and received a common- school education; also attended for some time the college of Obel- gonne. Ile came to Davenport in 1868, purchased 320 acres of land in Liberty Township, to which he removed the same fall. This land is located on section 20, and is still occupied by our subject, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. He was mar- ried in 1868, just prior to leaving for America, to Miss Sophia, daughter of Frederick Volkmann. They have had eight children, but three of whom are living, viz .: Charles, Paulina and Ricklef. The names of the deceased were-Anne, Lena, Helena, Sophia and Frederick. Four of these died in 1881, within the space of three months and six days, two of scarlet fever and two of brain fever.
George Mewes was born in Holstein, Germany, June 19, 1825. Ilis father, George Mewes, was also born in Holstein. He came to Scott County in 1853. For three years he worked as a hired hand, when he bought a farm in Butler Township. He now resides on section 18, Liberty Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns 179 aeres, besides some timber land; was married in 1852, to Anne Kragen, by whom he had one child,
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and he was again married to Anne Cornelius. They have three children,-Katie, Hans, and Augusta
James M. Mitchell, son of Abiel and Sarah Mitchell, nee Ling- ham, is a native of Rutland Co., Vt., and was reared on a farın, and edneated in the graded schools of Salisbury and Pittsfield, Vt. He went to Albany, N. Y., in 1845, and elerked in his brother Henry's store until 1848, when he came to Scott County. After arriving here he engaged in school-teaching some nine years. He was married Jan. 26, 1850, to Matilda S., daughter of Revilo Noble. She was born in Bennington Co., Vt., and came with her parents to this county when a small child. Mr. Mitchell located in Big Roek, Liberty Township in 1871, where he was station agent for the C., M. & St. P. R. R. Co. for seven and one-half years. Hle is a faithful worker in the cause of temperance, and an active member of the Congregational church at Big Rock.
Peter F. Mohr. Although not an old settler of Scott County, Mr. Mohr deserves a mention in our county history. He was born in Holstein, Germany, May 23, 1826, and is a son of Peter Mohr, Sr. He came to this county in 1872, and now owns 160 acres of val- nable land on sections 8 and 17, Liberty Township. He is en- gaged in farming and stock-raising, at present on the Peter Wheeler farm. He was married in 1852, to Miss H. Thompson, by whom he had six children, five living-John H., Maggie, Alfred, Theo- dore and Herman. The deceased's name was Emma. Mr. Mohr was a soldier for Holstein and Schleswig during the war with Den- mark in 1848, and held the rank of lieutenant.
Henry Petersen, a son of John F. Petersen, was born in Holstein, Germany, Oet. 29, 1828. He obtained an edneation in the public schools of that place. He came to Scott County and located in Davenport in 1856. He went to Illinois and remained there two years, then returned to this county, where he has resided since. He was married in 1854, in his native country, to Wheapky Klink. They have five children-Maggie (now the wife of John Ohdie), George, Charley, Mary and Katie. Mr. Petersen is the owner of a large farm of 400 aeres on section 26, this township, which is under good improvement, and well stocked. He is one of Liberty Township's most enterprising and energetie citizens.
Fred A. Quistorf, section 23, Liberty Township, was born in Holstein, Germany, Nov. 28, 1835, and is a son of Indwig A. Quistort, who came from Germany in 1850, and settled in BIne Grass Township, Scott County, where he purchased 40 acres of land for $200. After taking three erops from it he sold it for 81,200. For three years our subject worked as a common laborer on the tarin. He was married in December, 1860, to Miss Helen Steffen, daughter of Joachim Steffen, who emigrated from Ger- many to America with his family in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Quistorf have had eight children, six living, -Anne A., Ferdinand A., Ele- nora II., Emma A., Minnie M. and Meta A. Mr. Quistorf is at present justice of the peace for Liberty Township, and county
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
supervisor. He has also held the office of township trustee for several years. Our subject is a member of the A. O. U. W., in good standing. He owns 160 acres of valuable land where he resides, besides 80 acres in Cleona Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Ilenry F. Quistorf, a native of Holstein. Germany. was born Feb. 26, 1838. IIis father, Ludwig Quistorf, a native also of that place, came to the United States with his family, and located in Blue Grass Township in 1850. Scott County was then in its in- fancy; its broad and fertile prairies were unbroken, and were the homes of deer and wolves, but these hardy pioneers went to work with strong hearts and willing hands, and cleared the land and cultivated the soil. Mr. Ludwig Quistorf died in Blue Grass Township at the age of 68 years. The family came to Allen's Grove Township in 1857, and settled on section 25, where they now own a finely cultivated farm, large barn and granary, and a comfortable home. Henry Quistorf married Louisa Pardy Dec. 3, 1861. She was born in Hanover, Germany. They have had eight children, seven survive, viz .; Hermann. Amelia, Theresa, Amanda, Josephine, Anne, and Adolph. They also have adopted his brother Bernhardt Quistorf's son, Julius. Mr. Henry Quis- torf has held the offices of trustee, constable, and school director.
Michael Rasp is a son of John Rasp, deceased, and the eldest of eight children, viz .: Michael, Mary, Margaret, Ellen, Eliza, John, Bridget, and Thomas. He was born in Canada West, in March, 1826, and came to this county with his parents in 1849. IIe was married in 1859 to Mary O'Neil, by whom he has four children, Hannah, Mary A., Theresa and Margaret. Mr. Rasp resided in Scott County until 1860, when he located just across the line in Clinton County, on section 32, Spring Rock Township. He owns in the two counties 140 acres of land.
John Rasp, section 5, Liberty Township, is a native of Canada West. and was born in December, 1837. Ilis father, John Rasp, a native of Germany, was a soldier for England, and came to Canada as such in 1812. He afterward obtained 100 acres of land there as a reward for his services to the British government. The family removed to this county in 1849, and settled on section 5. Liberty Township, where our subject now resides, and is engaged in farming and raising stock. In 1864 Mr. Rasp, being of a rov- ing nature, went to Montana, remaining in Virginia City 18 months. He then traveled through Idaho and Wyoming. He pursued Willard Barress' trail to Walla Walla; then around through Oregon and back to Salt Lake City. IIe was eye witness to many Indian depredations, yet himself was never molested. Ile was within 10 miles of Fort Julesburg when it was burned, and had been at the fort in the evening just a few hours previous to its being fired by the savages. Mr. Rasp was a soldier in the miners' expedition to drive the Indians from the mines. He returned to his home in 1865.
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Christian Schwien, born in Holstein, Germany, Nov. 7, 1824, was a son of Henry Schwien, also of that country. Christian was married there to Mary D. Ausborn in 1854. They have had six children, four living, viz. : Emma (married Henry Reinhold), Rudolph, Gustav and Charley. The subject of this memoir was educated in the common schools of his native country. Soon after his marriage he came to the United States and located in Daven- port, Iowa, where he remained five years. Ile came to Liberty Township in 1859. rented land until 1866, then bought a farm of 80 acres in section 36. Hle now owns 120 acres of fine farming land; has a large barn 36 x 44 feet, and a good house on his farm. His wife died Sept. 19, 1881; his mother died in Davenport, Dec. 8, 1881. Mr. Sehwien has been school director three years.
Charles E. Shaw, farmer and stock-raiser, section 2, Liberty Township, was born in Oneida Co .. New York, Dec. 6, 1828, and is a son of Anthony and Sophia (Spinning) Shaw, also natives of New York. He was brought up on his father's farm and attended a subscription school, which was tanght in a log cabin, with a huge fire place in one end of the cabin, board desks (which were fastened to the wall by wooden pins), slab seats and puncheon floor, and one house had a dirt floor. The family came to Lee Co., Iowa, in 1843. In 1848 he went to Lake Co., Ill., and to this county in 1853. Ile first settled in Dixon and engaged in farming for nine years, when he removed to his present farm. He was married Oct. 27, 1851, to Experience Buck, daughter of Stephen Buck; she is a native of Canada. They had 10 children, eight living-Martin, George. Jeannette, Anthony, Julius, Minnie, Lizzie and Edna; one daughter, Mary, was four years old when she died, the other, Emma C., wife of George Fouke, died Nov. 15, 1880; they had one child, Florence E. Mr. and Mrs Shaw are members of the Christian church .
William F. Smallfield was born in Holstein, Germany. Sept. 8. 1:28. Ilis father. James Smallfield, also a native of that place, came with his son William to Connecticut in 1846. He was a tanner . by trade, and our subject learned that trade when a boy. In 1848 they came to Scott County and located in Davenport, where Will- iam worked for Harvey Leonard. the present sheriff, two years. In 1850 he went with ox teams across the plains to California, and was engaged in mining there four years, then returned to this county and kept a store in Davenport some years. In 1873 he came to Liberty Township and purchased 80 acres in section 23, and 80 acres in section 24, where he now resides. He married Mary Steinhilber in 1854. They have had eight children, three deceased; the living are Adolph, Frank, John, Charlie and Eddie. Mr. Smallfield has his farin of 160 acres under cultivation, and is extensively engaged in farming and breeding stock.
Calvin B. Snyder was born in Huron Co., Ohio, May 18, 1838. He came with his parents in November, 1846, to Allen's Grove Township, where they labored hard to make a farm: this was be-
67
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
fore Iowa became a State. They lived in a small log cabin, which had previously been built on the land; our subject was active in assisting the Government during the war; he was commissioned 2d Lieutenant by Governor Stone, and he raised recruits and drilled them at home for service. Mr. Snyder was married Feb. 1, 1863, to Miss Harriet J. Haile, daughter of James Haile, an early settler of Liberty Township. They have had nine children-Charles D., James S., John F., Ella, Sarah E., Harry H., Henry B., Lee II. and Rudolph. Mr. Snyder has held the offices of assessor, justice of the peace, constable several years, and has been president of the School Board of Liberty Township almost constantly since he was old enough to hold office; is a member of the Good Templars. IIe resides ou section 12, Liberty Township, owns 241 acres of land and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Simon Snyder, the father of the above, was born in Northampton Co., Pa., Oct. 9, 1806. He learned the tanner's trade when young; he removed to Tomp- kins Co., New York, in 1826, and to Huron Co., Ohio, in 1834, and as above stated, to this county in November, 1846. He was mar- ried in December, 1827, to Susan Jacobs, by whom he had seven children, five living-Ephraim, Rudolph, Calion B., Daniel and John; the deceased, Roswell B. and Richard J., were drowned in the " Wapsic" while bathing. Mrs. Snyder died in Decem- ber, 1873, and he again married, Oct. 10, 1875, this time to Jennie Negus.
August Treimer was born Nov. 4, 1843, in Holstein, Germany. He was reared on a farm and attended school in Germany nntil 1865, when he emigrated to this country and located in Scott County, where he rented a farm of 160 acres on section 24, Liberty Township. After renting four years he bought this farm, which is now nnder a high state of cultivation and well stocked. He is one of the representative farmers of Liberty Township, and an enter- prising citizen. He was married in January, 1879, to Sophie Oruse. To them have been born two children-Emma and Annie. Paul Treimer, father of August, resides in Cleona Township. He is a native of Germany.
Henry Thielvoldt is a native of Holstein, Germany, and was born in 1849. In 1853 he emigrated with his parents to America and came at onee to Davenport. He attended school in this city until 1872, when he went to Muscatine Co., Iowa, and engaged in farming there two years; then rented the farm which he now owns, until 188f, when he bought it. He has his farm under good cultivation, and well stocked. He was married on the 8th of December, 1872, to Able Pack. Their union has been blessed with three children- Johanna. born April 5, 1873; Willie, April 2, 1875, and Amanda, March 14 1879. Mr. Thie, voldt is a member of the Presbyterian church, an l in politics is a Republican.
Henry Van Bergen was born in Holstein, Germany, Jan. 7, 1848, and is a son of John Van Bergen, also a native of Holstein. He was brought up on a farm and attended the public schools of
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Holstein. Hle came to this county in Angust, 1870. He worked as a farm hand for six years, then engaged in business for himself at New Liberty. Ile is proprietor of the New Liberty dance hall, and of the saloon. The hall is 30 feet wide and 42 feet long. He was married in 1879 to Miss Lena Trede, daughter of John Trede, deceased, who came to this county about 28 years ago.
Nicholus White, an enterprising farmer of Liberty Township, is a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, and was born in Angust, 1819. He came to New York State in 1848, remaining there until 1852; then to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked in Ridgeway & Kimball's car factory for two years. Mr. White is a wagon-maker by trade. He came to this county in 1855, and established a wagon shop in · Dixon, which he ran for 10 years. He then located on a farm on seetion 10, Liberty Township, where he now resides. The land was then wild prairie. Ile has worked hard and has his land now well improved, of which he owns 200 aeres, besides 80 acres in Louisa Co., Iowa. Ile was married in December, 1849, to Miss Alice MeDonald, by whom he has had nine children: six of these are living-Julia, Thomas, Edward. Katie, Bridget and James. One son, Daniel, died at the age of 15 years. The family belong to the Catholic church at Big Rock.
Orson E. Wright, the popular druggist of Big Rock, is a son of Edward and Anna ( Schutt ) Wright, and was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., July 11, 1830. He was brought up on a farm and received a common - school edneation. His father was a mill- wright, and our subject early learned the use of tools. He came to Huron Co., Ohio, in 1851, where he worked at the cabinet- maker's and carpenter's trade until 1854, when he came to this county. He engaged in farming for several years, and in 1872 established a drug store in Big Roek. He also keeps a full line of notions, school-books, wall-paper, etc., and is doing a good business, Mr. Wright was married in September, 1851, to Miss Julia A. Mead, daughter of Jesse II. Mead. She was also born in Berkshire Co., Mass. Both are members of the Congregational church at Big Rock, of which he is deacon.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
Lincoln was one of the last organized townships in the county, its corporate existence dating from 1866. Like all other prairie townships, the land was not entered until all the timber was dis- posed of, and settlements were not so early made. The township comprises township 79, range + east, save one tier of sections on the east.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Robert Criswell came from Pennsylvania in 1844, and located in Long Grove, where he resided three years, and then moved to what is now Lincoln Township. He was the first settler in the township. He improved a farm on section 23. In 1867 he moved to Princeton, in this county, and there died, July 22, 1881, being 81 years of age. William H. Jones came to this county in 1849. He is a native of Wales. Mr. Jones improved the east half of section 23, where he now resides. Eldad Scott, from Indiana, came. in 1851, and improved on section 27. Both himself and wife are now dead. H. E. Mason settled in 1850, on section 35. He came from the State of New York, and remained here until 1859, when he moved to Missouri. He has since become a Methodist preaclicr. M. J. Rohlfs, now county treasurer, settled in Lincoln Township in 1850. In 1853 came Peter N. Lau, who located on section 29; J. Schuckloth, section 17; Henry Mueller, section 20; and Hans Plagmann, section 32. From this time forward the township settled quite rapidly, the names of parties it would therefore be impossible to give.
The first birth in the township was Ellen, daughter of William HI. Jones, who was born in 1850. She is still living.
The first marriage was that of Mr. Scott and Mary Ann Cris- well. They now reside in Jasper Co., Ia.
The first death remembered by P. B. Criswell was that of Caro- line Stacy, aged about 12 years, who died in 1854.
The first school-house was built on section 23, and was known as the Jones school-house The first school was taught by J. O. Jameison. The house was burned down a few years since, and another erected in its stead. The township as a school district has eight sub-districts, with 324 pupils of school age, and an enroll- ment of 273. It has also eight frame school-honses, with an aver- age value of $1,200, or a total of $9.600.
The first religions services were held in the Jones school-house in the winter of 1853-4, by Rev. Mr. White. There is now but one religious denomination represented by an organization-the
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Summit Presbyterian Church, which was organized July 6, 1858, by Rev. J. D. Mason, assisted by Rev. J. M. Jones and Elder James Jack. Previous to this time services were held first at the house of William Yocum. Those signing the Articles of Covenant on organization were David II. Moore, Mrs. Caroline Moore, Will- iam Walker, Mrs. Maria Walker, Miss Emily Cadwallader, Miss Eliza C. Walker, William Yocum, Mrs. Sarah Yocum, Mrs. Rachel Dapp, Miss Amy Ella Yocum, V. K. Torrence, Mrs. Catherine Torrence, John Walker, Martha Ann Walker, John McMonegal, Mrs. Elizabeth McMonegal, Mrs. Catherine Moore, Benjamin Sny- der. John Port, Levi Reddick. Mrs. Margaret Proudfoot, Mrs. Elizabeth Crisswell, Mrs. Mary Ann Le Grange, Robert English, Mrs. Esther English, James M. English, Mrs. Sarah Jane English -a total of 28. On organization, Robert English, D. H. Moore, V. R. Torrence were elected elders. A house of worship was erected on the north line of section 25 in 1858, at a cost of $1,200. The building is frame, 32 x 40 feet. Those serving as pastors since organization were Revs. J. D. Mason, IIugh Barclay, R. L. Adams, C. R. Von Emman, H. Bishop, C. P. Spinning and N. Williams; the latter the present inenmbent, who has associated with him in the government of the congregation, Samuel McDowell, Will- iam Walker and John Moore. elders. . Since organization 176 persons have been connected with the congregation, 110 of whom have been dismissed by letter, 21 died; present membership 40. At the same time the congregation was formed, a Sunday-school was organized, which has been in active existence from that time to the present. Its first superintendent was Robert English. The following named are the present officers of the school: Samuel Mc- Dowell, Superintendent; Assistant Superintendent. A. J. Greene; Secretary, J. C. Walker; Librarian, Blair Kepler.
Lincoln Township is bounded on the east by Le Claire, on the west by Sheridan, on the north by Butler and the south by Pleas- ant Valley Townships. No tiner body of land can be found in Scott County, and evidences of thrift are seen upon every hand.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A history of the people of a country is a history of the country it self. For this reason is here given sketches of many of the most prominent citizens of the township:
Delter Arp was born in Holstein, Germany, Jan. 1, 1831, where he lived until he was 22 years of age, when he emigrated to the United States, landing in New Orleans, July, 1853. He came to Davenport and worked on a farm some time; then helped to build the road from Davenport to Warcourt, after which he worked for different parties nntil he rented a farm in Sheridan Township. Soon after he purchased S0 acres of land in Lincoln Township, to which he has since added S0 acres, making a fine farm of 160 acres, where he now resides. IIe was married to Bertha Weise in March, 1865. She was born in Holstein, Germany, and was a daughter of
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
Hans and Anna (Peipel) Weise. Mr. and Mrs. Arp have had a family of eight children, two living, viz .: Hans and Adorf. The parents of Delter Arp were Clans and Ewoltd (Awoltd) Arp, of German nativity. They had eight children. Mr. Delter Arp came to this country a poor boy; could not speak one word of English, and to say that he is to-day one of Lincoln Township's most enterprising farmers, is sufficient to show what hard work and perseverance has accomplished. He has held many local offices of trust in his township, having been elected supervisor and school director.
William Barr was born near Indiana Town, Pa., Dec. 16, 1816. He lived there on his father's farm until Nov. 10, 1843, when he was married to Ellen Davis, who was born in Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel and Susan Davis, nee Elliott, natives of the Keystone State. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barr lived in Pennsyl- vania until 1848, when they removed to Miami Co., Ohio, where he followed farming some five years. In June, 1849, Mrs. Barr died, having been the mother of one child, who died in infancy. After his wife's death Mr. Barr lived one year on the farm, then engaged in the milling business, which he continued in until July, 1861. He was married the second time to Mahala Redman, July 5, 1853. She was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., and was a daughter of Samuel and Esther Redman, nee Rench. In July, 1861, Mr. and Mrs. Barr came to Iowa, and resided in Davenport a few years, when they moved on to the farm where they now reside, on section 27, this township. Mr. Barr has a farm of 120 acres under a high state of cultivation. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and the parents of eight children, five living, viz .: Scott W., Fannie E., Canada B., Rosa E. and J. Florrence. Mr. Barr's parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Evans) Barr, natives of Penn- sylvania. The former died in November, 1860; the latter in 1819 or '20. Politically Mr. Wm. Barr is a Republican, and has held the offices of supervisor and school director of this township.
Fritz Bostian, son of Yocum and Mary Bostian (the former died in America in 1868, the latter in 1875), was born near Plan, Ger- many, Jan. 4, 1822. He came to the United States when 27 years of age; landed at Quebec, Canada, then came to Chicago, from there went to New Orleans; worked in Mississippi and Louisiana, until 1852, when he came to Davenport, Ia .; worked for different parties for two years, then bought a farm of 80 acres in Butler Township, where he remained until 1867, when he sold his farm and purchased 160 acres in Lincoln Township, his present residence. His land is worth $75 an acre, and is well improved. He is one of the repre- sentative farmers of Scott County. He was married in June, 1856, to Frederica Shultz. She was born in Germany. They have two children, viz .: Anna M. married John Peters, and lives on a farm in this township, and Laura. In politics Mr. B. is a Republican.
Benjamin Criswell was born near Lewiston, Pa., June 18, 1819. When he was 13 years of age his parents moved to Blair County
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LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
and settled on a farm near Williamsburg. Ile was married here
to Catharine EdelbInte, March 12, 1842. She is a native of Blair County, and a daughter of JJacob and Rebecca (Crocket) Edelblute, who were natives of the Keystone State. He died in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Criswell remained in Blair County until 1852, when he came to Iowa. where he purchased 80 acres of land in Lin- coln Township, to which he has since added 182 acres, making a fine farm of 262 acres, where he now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Cris- well have been born three children, viz .: Orlando B. (who was married Jan. 24. 1877, to Mattie Birchard, a native of Scott County, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Stockwell) Birchard. She is a member of the Christian Church, and the mother of one child- Sidney Criswell), Asberry Criswell (who married Dora Moore), and Orville Criswell (who married Flora Hart, a daughter of Hiram and Mary IIart, and resides in Crawford Co., Iowa). Robert Cris- well, father of Benjamin, was born in Mifflin Co., Pa., and died June 22, 1880. Ilis wife, Mary A. McElvain, was born at the same place, and was the mother of 12 children, four living, viz .: Mary A., wife of James Scott: Margaret, wife of Sam Scott; William and the subject of this sketch. The mother died in Pinceton Township, this county, in November, 1867. Mr. Benjamin Criswell is one of the leading stock and grain-growers in this county. He has held various local offices in the township. In politics he is a Democrat.
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