History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 113

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

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

exception of Mrs. Hawley, who could not eat it. They fin- ally located in Greene County, where he took up wild prairie, and opened up a farm, where he raised large quantities of produce, which he shipped to St. Louis in flat-boats ; he also shipped hogs on flat-boats, and during transportation carried his corn and fed and fattened them on the way. In the spring of 1837 he sold out his farm and emigrated to Seott County, where he bought a elaim of Buek Spencer, paying $1,400, there being a log cabin, and a few aeres broken. At this time there were but six build- ings in Davenport. Mr. Hawley manfully worked to develop a farm, which he sold. In 1842 his sons George B. and Daniel S. bought a large traet of land, where George B. now resides. Capt. Hawley was a soldier in the war of 1812, being commis- sioned as captain, and took an active part in the battle of Platts- burg, N. Y. His father was a lieutenant in the same war, and also participated in the battle of Plattsburg, where he was shot through and so injured that he could not eat, and starved to death. Capt. Hawley died in Pleasant Valley, Nov. 12 1861. Mother still living at the advanced age of 90. Capt. Hawley was the first man who brought any onion seeds to Iowa. and the first that raised any in the State. Capt. Hawley eame to the county in a keel boat, float- ing down the Ohio to St. Lonis. He then hired a steamer to tow him up to Duck Creek in the immediate vicinity of his elaim. George B. came through by land, driving through their stock to Roek Island, erossing over the river to Davenport about dark, and know ing that his father's elaim laid npon the river, himself and a man he brought with him started to find them and got lost, and the first night in Iowa slept in a hay-staek. The next morning they found themselves near the boat. The subject of this sketeh was reared on a farm and received a common-school edneation. After arriving in Iowa in 1837, he in company eommeneed raising onions and po- tatoes. They built a flat-boat, which they would load with onions and potatoes and float them to St. Louis, where they found a ready market, and followed the business for 13 years. In 1860 he married Miss Lucretia Sawyer. She was born Sept. 18, 1826. She died in 1874. She was a member of the Christian church, and was loved and respected by all who knew her. He again married, April 25, 1877, Miss Annie E. Graham. She was born Dee. 3, 1856. Two children blessed this union-Henry I. and Maud Lucretia. He lias a beautiful farm of 210 aeres, valued at $150 per acre. Mr. Hawley has been identified with the county for over 40 years, and has seen its many changes. He is one of the largest well-to-do farmers of the county.

Henry W. Henley, farmer and stoek raiser, was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Feb., 2, 1824, son of Stephen and Rebecca ( Work) Hen- ley; father a native of North Carolina, and mother of Pennsylvania. They were married in Clarke Co., Ind., abont 1817, where a family of eight children were born, five sons and three daughters, five of whom are living, viz .: Jessie L., Henry W., Stephen H., Samuel

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A. and Mary J. Mr. Henley emigrated from Indiana with his fam- ily in the spring of 1836, and located in Scott County, on the place where Henry W. now lives, where he remained a couple of years, when he purchased another farm on Crow Creek, and moved there, and remained until his death. In politics he was a Democrat. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education. In 1852 he married Miss Clarinda Lee, a daughter of John and Pnrcilla Lee, of Ohio. She was born Jan. 3, 1828. By this nnion there were eight children, six of whom are living, viz .: William S., James M., Albert C., Charles F., Frank II. and Walter M. Mr. Henley came to the country among the earliest settlers, and has been identified with the county for nearly half a century. He has 140 acres of land, 90 of which is under cultivation, and the whole valued at $75 per acre.

George J. Ilyde, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ferrisburg, Vt., on the 22d day of June, 1815, son of Jabez P. and Martha (Edgerton) Hyde, natives of Vermont, and married in Mariah, N. Y. The fruit of this marriage was nine children, eight of whom lived to be adults, viz .: George J., Andrew J., Lucy Ann (now the wife of Lyman Drake, of Galesburg, Ill.), Benjamin (deceased), Martha (now the wife of George W. Ferris, of California), Diadema (now deceased, was the wife of Horace Wieks, of Galesburg, Ill.), Lydia (married Albert Clyne, of Peoria, Ill). The subject of this sketeh was reared on a farm. When 17 years old served as an apprentice at the wagon-maker's trade. Afterward took up paint- ing. Mr. Hyde received an academic school education ; spent two years in Hamilton College. N. Y. Nov. 3, 1843, married Julia Ann Rowe, a danghter of William and Mary Rowe, natives of Steu- ben Co., N. Y., where she was born April 22, 1822. Her parents came to this county in 1837, where her father died in 1840; mother in 1851. In the fall of 1838 Mr. IIyde left Northern New York for Mil- waukee, Wis., but abandoned the idea of going there to make a home. From Milwaukee went to Chicago; thence by teams to Hampden, Ill., and then crossed the river to Scott County, having 75 cents ready money when he landed. Mr. Ilyde purchased a elaim of a man by the name of Campbell, paying $25 for his claim, and in company with his brother opened up their present farms. Mr. H. has a farm of 350 aeres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $75 per acre. He came to the county a poor man, with nothing but a strong constitution and a good will; went to work and by good management and economy has ae- cumulated a fine property, and is one of the solid farmers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Hyde had nine children-Mary Floretta, William Frederick, Julia Florence, Benjamin F., George Fre- mont, Martha Frances, Wilford Perkins, Eva and Diadema.

Andrew J. Hyde, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ferris- burg, Vt., on the 26th day of January, 1816, son of Jabez and Martha (Edgerton) Hyde, who emigrated to what is now the State of Iowa in 1856, when he worked by the month and afterward

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

bought a claim with his brother. In 1841 married Emma Rowe, a daughter of Christopher Rowe, of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y. Mr. Rowe came to the county in 1837, and settled in Pleasant Valley. The fruit of this marriage was four children, two of whom are liv- ing, viz .: V. R. Hyde, of Salem, Or .; he married Miss Sarah Leamer, who died leaving a family of four children, viz. : Eveline L., Jean C., Ella C., Dana B .; Ella May, now the wife of Hobert Churchill, of Michigan. Mr. J. Hyde has held several local offices of trust in the township; was elected town bidder in an early day, and at one time had all the cast of Davenport under his bids. In 1852 was elected to the State Legislature, and also has held the office of magistrate for 10 years. Has 181 acres of land under cultivation, valued at $75 per acre; 12 aeres of timber. Mr. Hyde has been identified with the county for nearly a half century; eame when the prairies looked as if no white man had ever put foot upon them; not a cabin could be seen as far as the eye could reach. Mr. Hyde came to the State as most of the men came, poor, only 25 cents in his pocket, but went to work with a will and has succeeded in accumulating a fine property and home. Christophes Rowe, Esq., one of the old settlers, died Nov. 1, 1860, at the ad- vanced age of 73, and appropriate resolutions were passed at the Old Settlers' Association. He was well and favorably known in the county; was accidentally killed by a gun shot in Museatine, Co., Ia., leaving a large concourse of friends to mourn his loss. Mr. R. was among the earliest settlers, and manfully did his share in developing the country.

Joseph Lagrange was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1806, son of Conrad and Magden (Flagg) Lagrange, natives of New York; father of French and mother of German descent: they died in Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was married to Mary A. Segge, Oct. 19, 1834, a daughter of John G. and Mary (Fiteh) Segge, natives of Albany Co., N. Y. Her father died about the year 1846, and mother, 1820. Mr. Segge was in the war of 1812. Mr. Lagrange was born in Canada, Oct. 20, 1815. By this mar- riage there are five children, viz .: Mary A., born Feb. 23, 1837, now the wife of Samuel Preston, of Powesheik Co. Ia .; Ellen J., born July 7,1839, now the wite of John W. Olds, of Pleasant Val- ley Township; James, born May 21, 1843, now of Clinton, Ia .; William HI., born July 20, 1845; Charles E., born April 3, 1852. Mr. Lagrange was born and reared on a farm. His father being a blacksmith, he learned the trade, and staid at home with his parents until 28 years of age, working a part of the time on the farm and part of the time in the shop until the year he was married. He followed blacksmithing until the year 1853. when he moved to Pleasant Valley Township, Scott Co., Ia., and purchased the- farm he now lives on. Hlas 160 acres of land, all under a good state of cultivation, valned at $75 per acre.

Aaron Remer, gardener and fruit-raiser; P. O., Davenport, Ia .; was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 1, 1829, son of John and

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PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSIIIP.

Dellia (Miles) Remer. His father was a native of New York, and his mother of Maryland. His father was in the war of 1812, and was one of the earliest settlers of Scott County. Coming in the year of 1839, he located at Davenport, living a retired life, and died here in 1875; his mother died in 1856. The subject of this sketch made a living until 21 years of age by catching logs and drift-wood found floating in the river. In the year of 1850 he made a contract with the Government to carry the mail between Davenport and Rock Island, and he carried it until 1852. At times, during that period, the mail was so light that he could carry it on his back. Ife then put on the river the first steam-ferry between Davenport and Rock Island, and continued to carry the mail an- other year. This ferry was put on in opposition to a flat-boat with sails and oars, run by Mr. Wilson, of Rock Island. Mr. Remer continued in the business about one year in opposition to the other ferry, and then they made a compromise, and Mr. Remer withdrew. Ile then followed the river for a number of years, as captain and pilot. Ile once had a boat wrecked within sight of where he now lives, which caused him the loss of $3,000. He run as pilot from St. Louis to St. Paul, until he purchased the place where he now lives, and settled down to a quiet life. He married Elizabeth Blakeman in 1851. By this union there was one child-Mary, born Dec. 1, 1852, now the wife of James Ly- ons, of Louisville, Ky. Mrs. Remer died June 14, 1853. In the year 1856 Mr. Remer married Lucindia Wright, of Rock Island. By this union there were three children, viz .: Edward E., born May 31, 1859; John W., born Dec. 30, 1861; and Sherman G., born Jan. 3, 1864, died March 3, 1879. Mr. Remer has a fruit and garden farm of 30 acres, valued at $100 per acre, all under a high state of cultivation. In politics he is a Republican.

William B. Scandrett, farmer and stock-raiser; postoffice, Dav- enport; was born in Blair Co., Pa., Nov. 30, 1832; son of Will- iam and Catharine (Colman) Scandrett. They were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Scandrett was a captain in the war of 1812. He moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa with a team, and landed in Pleasant Valley, June 7. 1849. Mr. and Mrs. S. died in Le Claire Township. The subject of this sketeli lived at home and worked in a foundry and iron works until he was about 18 years of age. After that he worked at the carpenter's and millwright's trade, until the spring of 1845, when he came West and landed at Rock Island, April 17, 1845. He came from St. Louis to Rock Island on the Steamer " War Eagle," the first boat of that name on the river. He then went to work at his trade and helped to build the first bridge across Rock River, at Camden, working about three months. He then went to the Wisconsin pineries and worked at his trade part of the time, and was also in the lumber business, cutting logs and rafting lumber down the river, selling it at difter- ent points. His lumber camp was situated between two tribes of Indians. While in this place he had to send 120 miles for his

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

mail. In April, 1848, he left Wisconsin and started for Pennsylvania. On his way down the river he stopped off one day to vote for Zachariah Taylor for President. He also stopped over and located a part of the farm he now owns. In 1849 he started back with his parents and came on to the place where he now lives. Mr. Scandrett married Jane R. Hall, Dec. 18, 1856. She was a daughter of William B. and Sidney (Ross) Hall, natives of Pennsylvania. By this union there were eight children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Sidney A., born Oct. 19, 1857; Clyde A., born March 4, 1860; Emma A., born March 29, 1862, died Jan. 5, 1868; Katie M., born May 13, 1866; Grace M., born Oct. 5, 1867; Miles J., born Nov. 5, 1869; Frank W., born July 19, 1875; Ross H., born May 8, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Seandrett celebrated their silver wedding Dec. 18, 1881. Mr. Scandrett has been identified with Scott County for a long period of years, and is a practical farmer. He has 180 aeres of land under a good state of cultivation, valued at $65 per aere. He has held the office of justice of the peace for 12 years. He was the first man drafted in the township and sent Alfred Bey as substitute.

John Scott was born in Mercer Co., Pa., Jan. 10, 1805, son of Will- iam and Sarah (Parker) Scott. They were among the early settlers of Mercer County. He was a farmer and merchant, and died in Penn- sylvania. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a limited school education. He lived with his father until he was 23 years of age, helping him clear the land for the town-site of Greenville, Salem Co., Pa., he entting the brush. In or about the year 1827, he purchased a wild piece of land in Mereer Co., Pa., and made a farm which he sold in 1851, and moved to Scott Co., Iowa, on the farm he now owns. Mr. Scott was married to Mary Bowman, March 12, 1829. By this nnion there were seven children, six of whom are living, viz. William S., born Feb. 15. 1831, now of Princeton Township; John B., born May 11, 1833, now of Butler Township; Catharine, born March 19, 1836; Sarah, born March 31, 1838; Mary, born May 27, 1841 -- now the wife of Lewis . Wilcox, of Calhoun Co., Iowa; James, born Dec. 31, 1850; Andrew, born April 15, 1837, now dead. Mr. Scott has helped to open nine farms in his life, and now owns 160 acres of land, all nnder a good state of culti- vation, valned at $75 per acre. In polities is a Democrat. Mrs.

John Scott died Ang. 12, 1878.

Dr. T. S. Smith, one of the oldest physicians of Scott County. was born near Burlington, Vt., Jan. 22, 1836, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Street) Smith, natives of Vermont, where they were mar- ried, when two children were born-Aaron and T. S. When a mere child his parents emigrated to Onondaga Co., N. Y., when they were blessed by two more children-Evelinc and Susan. Mr. Henry Smith died in Onondaga County, in 1843, and Mrs. S. followed in 1847. The subject of this sketeh commeneed reading medicine

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when 17 years old, at Anburn. N. Y., with Dr. Coventry, and after- ward attended two courses of lectures at Geneva and two at Buffalo Medical College, where he graduated in 1847. The same year came to Galena, Ill., where he followed the practice of medicine for two years, when he removed to Hampden, Rock Island Co., where he followed his profession for 20 years, which extended on both sides of the river. In 1865 he came to Seott County. In 1859 married Mary E. Hollenbeck, who bore him four children. The Doctor is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising, having 420 acres of land, 300 under a high state of cultivation, valued at $30 per acre.

Captain Benjamin T. Stiles, farmer, Pleasant Valley, Ia., was born in Medina Co., O., on the 2d day of August, 1832, son of Noble and Cynthia E. (Todd) Stiles, natives of Massachusetts, where they were married. The fruit of this marriage was seven children, five sous and two daughters, viz .: Enoeh N., who went to California in 1850, and was supposed to have been mur- dered; Hervey R., of Muscatine Co., Ia .; B. F., of Scott County; Royal P., Perry, Dallas Co .. Ia .; Celestia E., now the wife of Homer Curtis, of Cedar Co., Ia. ; Cynthia E., now the wife of James Butterfield, of Iowa Co., Ia. Mr. Stiles left Massael:u- setts in 1831, and emigrated to Medina Co., O., where he pur- chased a farm in the heavy timber of Ohio and cleared it up. In 1850 went to California, where he died with the cholera two weeks after his arrival; mother died in Ohio, in 1866. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common-school ed- neation. In 1855 came to Scott County, where he worked by the month. In 1861 enlisted in the 2d Iowa Cavalry Company C, par- tieipated in all the engagements of the regiment; was promoted from 1st sergeant to 2d lientenant, Dec. 1, 1861, and June 11, 1863, was promoted to captain; mustered out at Davenport, Ia., Oet. 7. 1864. He immediately purchased a farm in Liberty Town- ship, where he embarked in farming up to 1877, when he came to his present place. In 1866 married Miss Emily Jacobs, a daugh- ter of V. F. Jacobs, of New York. She died in 1868, leaving one son-Frank N. The Captain again married, Miss Alice C. Crane, a daughter of Zenas Crane; father a native of New Jersey, and mother of Massachusetts. She was born Sept. 21, 1849; one child-Bertha C. Has 120 acres of land in Scott Co., Ia., valued at $100 per aere; also, 80 acres in Jasper Co., Ia., valned at $20 per acre. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people.

PRINCETON TOWNSHIP.

Princeton is the most northern township of Scott County, lying along the river, the first permanent settlement of which was made in the spring of 1836.

Giles M. Pinnco and Haswell H. Pinneo located their claims in the fall of 1835, and moved on them as permanent settlers in the spring of 1836. George W. Harlan had located some claims prior to this for speculative purposes, but with no thought of set- tlement. Giles M. Pinneo settled where he now resides, on section 34, while Haswell made his claim upon which a portion of the vil- lage of Princeton was subsequently located. Many of the early settlers will remember his neat hewed log cabin, and the welcome there extended to all who might choose to call and test the hospi- tality of its owner. He died many years since, enjoying the re- spect of all who knew him.

Thomas Hubbard, Sr .. who had been living on the opposite side of the river since the close of the Black Hawk war, in the spring of 1836 moved over and settled on what is now a part of the city of Princeton. The Pinneos and Mr. Hubbard were the only set- tlers during the year 1836.

Thomas Hubbard was from Kentucky; had served in the Black Hawk war, and seemed to have much of the old Kentucky hatred for Indians. While settled upon the Illinois side of the river, he had frequent raids made upon him by the red skins, which were repelled in true pioneer spirit. The Indians were in the habit of stealing from him such few articles of " animal civilization " as he was able to gather around him, such as fowls, hogs and cattle. He had procured some bees from the forest, which at that time were plenty, when one day on his return to his cabin he found that they had been robbed by the Indians. He was soon upon their trail with his rifle, and came up with them as they were leaving the shore in their canoes. He fired upon them, when the fire was returned, Hubbard taking to a tree for shelter. Several shots were passed and one Indian was killed. Many other skirmishes were often related by the old man of his exploits with the red skins. He returned to Kentucky and there died many years ago.

Between the years 1836 and 1840 came Daniel Hire, Benjamin F. Pike, Jesse R. James, Samuel Sturtivant, John B. Doty, Benjamin Doolittle, Jonas Barber, Jacob Rose, Abijah Goodrich, Mr. Sweet, Avery D. Pinneo, Gideon Averill, William Palmer, Franklin Rowe. Sterling Parkhurst, Matthias L. Pinneo, Samuel Gast, George Gast, Susanna Gast, Issac Daughenbaugh, John Leamer, Polly Leamer, Samuch S. Gast, John A. Gast, Wm. Gast,

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PRINCETON TOWNSHIP'.

Henry Shadle, Mary A. Shadle, Jacob Fulmer and Christina Fnlmer.

From 1840 settlement was slow in the township for 10 years, when for a time settlers came in quite rapidly. The township now has 300 voters.

In the first settlement of Princeton Township, like all other pioneer places, families underwent many privations. Supplies of every kind, except wild meat, had to be obtained from Fort Armstrong, on Rock Island. These were taken up by water over the rapids in Indian canoes. It was but little they were able to purchase, and all that was expected in those days were the bare necessaries of life. A story is told of one of the Pinneos making a journey to Davenport, after it became settled and a store had been established, with a lot of beans in order to exchange them for goods to make clothing for his family. It was bitter cold weather, and on the way he had an attack of the ague. He exchanged his beans with much difficulty at 25 cents per bushel, heaping measure, and took their "five-cent" calico at the rate of 35 cents per yard. These were the beginnings of some of those who settled in this township. But brighter days have dawned, and many of the old settlers now enjoy the fruits of early toil, and are no more placed under the necessity of "planning and contriving " to secure the little necessary to eke ont an existence.

Benjamin F. like came up from Rockingham in the spring of 1838, and brought with him a small stock of goods, which was the first store of any kind in the township.

The first frame house built in the township was in 1837, by Daniel Hire. In the spring of 1838 Benjamin Doolittle established the first public ferry across the Wapsipinecon River, on the road from Davenport to Comanche. Jonas Barber built a steam mill this year, the first of any kind in the township. A distillery was also built this year by Jacob Rose. The first children born were Henry Hire, Thomas Doty and Albert Pinneo. The first deaths in the township were Mrs. Mary Sweet and Mrs. Lucy Goodrich.

The Methodist circuit rider at an early day penetrated the town- ship and was followed from time to time by representatives of various denominations. There are now three represented in the township by organizations-Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Lutheran. The latter organization is at Lost Grove. In 1853 three members of the Methodist Episcopal church, -- Porter Mo- Kinster, JJerry Goodrich and James Todd-assisted by their friends and neighbors, erected a brick church edifice, 26 x 36 feet. After holding services in this church about three years, the organization was transferred to Princeton, its three principal members having died meanwhile. On the 10th of February, 1856, Rev. Daniel Garber, a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran church at Daven- port, came to the township and organized a congregation of that faith.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

On Saturday, May S. a meeting was held for the election of officers. Isaac Daughenbaugh was elected elder, and Samuel Gast, deacon. The first meetings were held at the brick church, erected by the Methodists, and which they continued to use as the prop- erty of that denomination until 1859, when they built a house of worship in the town of Princeton, at a cost of $565, which they exchanged with the Methodists for their church edifice at Lost Grove, where they vet worship.

Rev. Daniel Garber was the first pastor. He supplied the church until March 10, 1857, when Rev. F. R. Sheer was called and served until 1869, with success, with the exception of one year (1858). In 1869 Rev. George W. Shaffer supplied the pulpit, during which time he had a revival and 14 additions to the church. Mr. Shaffer continued with the church until November, 1878, when Rev. J. L. Hammond assumed the pastorate. Reg- ular services of the church are held every Sabbath. The present membership is 52. The present officers are as follows: Samuel Heleman and J. A. Gast, elders; Adam Mc Coy and John Shaffer, deacons.

The Sabbath-school was first organized by the Methodist Episcopal brethren in 1853. The first superintendent was Daniel Conrad, a local M. E. preacher from Le Claire; secretary and librarian, James Todd. In 1856 the Lutheran congregation took charge of the school, electing Dr. Samuel Gast, of Princeton, as superintendent: J. L. Gast, secretary and librarian. The present superintendent is Rev. E. Hammond, assistant superintendent, W. E. Gast, secretary, William Hammond, librarian, G. C. Gast. There are now 80 pupils enrolled, with an average attendance of 60.

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 113

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