History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 117

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 117

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of the State. We should like to speak more in detail of the early trials and difficulties through which they passed; of their joys and sorrows; of their disappointed hopes; and be allowed to follow each in his fortunes since the days of old Rockingham, but the limits of this work will not allow. There is, however, one truthful remark that may be written. No village in the far West at that day could boast of a better class of citizens, or those of whom she could be more proud, than Rockingham, both on account of their high-toned moral character, their social and friendly qualities, and for their kind and liberal attention to the siek and to the stranger. Many a wanderer from the home cirele has been made to know this, when laid upon a siek bed, in a far Western village, he has found the kindly tones and skillful hands of woman in his siek room, and had at the same time substantial proof that he was not forgotten by the 'sterner sex.'"

A postoffice was established at Rockingham in 1836, with J. HI. Sullivan as postmaster. It was continued until 1841, and then discontinued, but re-instated again, and finally discontinued abont 1851.

FRUIT.

The farmers of Rockingham have made a specialty of fruit-rais- ing, beginning the work at a very early date. In 1840 a Quaker from Indiana came up the river with a load of grafted trees, stop- ping at Rockingham and disposing of his stoek. The stock was admirably adapted to the climate, and the fruit was of good qual- ity. Among those who have made a specialty of fine fruit were: Rev. E. Mead, John Friday, Sanford Stevens and Richard Jenkins.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

John M. Friday was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 18, 19, son of Charles Jacob Friday, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1788, and came to America in 1832, arriving in Dav- enport, Ia., April 15 of that year. He died in Seott County in June, 1853. The subject of this sketch attended school in Ger- many until he came to this country with his father, and to Iowa, then the Black Hawk purchase, in 1832, where the family had to live in wagons, as there were no cabins here at that time. His sister Caroline (now Mrs. George Winton) was born in a wagon, May 18, 1832. She was the first white child born in the county. Mr. John Friday broke the first prairie and fenced the first 10 acres of land in Rockingham Township, and planted it in corn in June, 1836. He also planted the first apple-trees in the township, bringing the seed with him from Indiana. He planted the first fall wheat in the county, in 1836. He claims to have helped get out the first mill timbers in the county, at Rockingham, that was supposed to be the only mill between St. Louis and Dubuque, on

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

the Mississippi River. Mr. Friday was married on May 6, 1847, to Elizabeth Forgey. Their union has been blessed with eight chil- dren-Caroline, born Mar. 13, 1848; Nancy, Apr. 8, 1850; Anna D., Aug. 22, 1852; Sarah E., Dec. 26, 1854; Minerva, June 2, 1856; Mary L. Oct., 16, 1859, and John M., July 19, 1862. Mr. Friday came to Scott County a poor man; he is now one of the heaviest tax-payers in this township. He own 240 acres of land in Rockingham Township, 400 in Blue Grass Township, and 120 acres in Davenport, making 760 acres in all. He has held the offi- ces of road commissioner, school director and school trustee of his township. He is classed with the enterprising and influential men of the county, and has done much to improve it in every way, and is one of those who can look with pride and satisfaction on the results of their labors in bringing Scott County to its present pros- perons condition.

Henry Haase is a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, born Feb. 7, 1849. He emigrated to America in 1878, and located in Daven- port, Dec. 11 of that year. H & marriage with Maggie Wolf occurred Feb. 18, 1879. By this union there were two children, one living. He is engaged in farming on Offirman's Island, which contains 300 acres of land. He farms 120 acres, raising 50 to 75 bushels of corn an acre, which he feeds to his stock, as he considers this the most profitable way to dispose of his crop, always finding a ready sale in Davenport for his stock.

Rev. Enoch Mead, the subject of the following narrative, was the first Presbyterian clergyman to make a permanent settle- ment in Scott County. He was born in Greenwich, Conn., Sept. 2, 1809. His parents were Colonel Ebenezer Mead and Elizabeth (Holmes) Mead, both of Puritan descent. The family homestead is situated at the foot of Putnam's hill, and the farm, which has been in the family for several generations, having been purchased direct from the Indians, includes that historic place. His grand- father, Gen. Ebenezer Mead, of the Revolutionary war, was stand- ing in the road in front of his house, and saw Gen. Putnam dash down the rocky precipice at break-neck speed, the British dragoons being in close pursuit. A full life-size likeness of Gen. Mead now adorns the home of the grandson in Iowa in the uniform of a major-general. Col. Ebenezer Mead held the rank of colonel of Connecticut militia for many years, including the war of 1812. Enoch Mead lived with his parents on the farm, attending the dis- trict school in the winter, and in the summer working on the farm, until the age of 14 years. The farm being situated on Long Island Sound, he spent much of his leisure time in boating, fish- ing, swimming and hunting. Ilis parents at this time believing that a good education was better than a farm, proposed to him to qualify himself for a professional lite. The proposal was no sooner made than accepted. He commenced by entering the classical school in Stamford, taught by J. B. Ferris, Esq., a graduate of Yale College. At the expiration of two years his teacher pro-

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nonneed him qualified to pass through that "ordeal " required of all who become members of college. In September, 1826, he ap- plied for admission to Yale College; passed a ereditable examina- tion and was admitted as a member. In September, 1830, after four years of college life, he graduated with his class, then num- bering 70 members. Ile then returned to his early home and spent a few anxious weeks in deciding upon his future course in life. The result was, he chose the profession of a clergyman, and in the fall of 1830 became a member of the Theological Seminary, at Auburn, New York. In this institution he pursued the usual three years' course of study. Before completing his course he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Cayuga Presbytery, April 17, 1833. The first public services in his new profession were per- formed in the Presbyterian church, of Lockport, New York. It was his intention when this engagement was filled to " go West," he having then in possession a commission from the American Home Missionary Society, appointing him to a Western field. Abont this time he received a call to become pastor of the Congre- gational church. of New Haven, Vt. This call was accepted, and on Jan. 8, 1834, he was ordained and installed pastor of that church, succeeding the Rev. Dr. Bates, President of Middlebury College. Mr. Mead's ministry in New Haven was a decided snc- cess. A powerful revival of religion soon followed, and as a result the church, which numbered about 200 at his settlement, was in- creased by frequent additions until it had donbled in numbers and strength, when he resigned his charge.

The winter of 1836 and '37 in Vermont was a severe one. Snow fell to the depth of four feet on a level. On the 10th of May fol- lowing loaded teams could be seen crossing Lake Champlain in the widest part on the ice. It was under these circumstances that the young pastor decided to seek a more genial elimate, although in so doing he was obliged to break away from a united and pros- perous church. While in Vermont, in addition to the care of his church, he performed the duties of chaplain for the Second Regi- Inent of the Third Brigade of Vermont Militia, having received his commission from the Governor of the State.

While in New Haven Mr. Mead was married on the 20th of Jan- uary, 1835, to Miss Mary E. James, oldest child and daughter of Deacon Samnel James, a successful farmer of Middlebury, Vt. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was one of the vol- unteers who fought for his country at the celebrated battle of Plattsburg, where the British were defeated on land and water. The union of Mr. Mead in marriage with Miss James was in all re- spects a wise one. The two have lived happily together for nenr half a century, and if spared a few years longer. can celebrate their golden wedding. They have two children. a son and daughter- James R., removed to Kansas in 1859, and is now a leading citizen of the flourishing city of Wichita ; Mary E., gradnated with the

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highest honors of her class at the Female Collegiate Institute, For Plain, New York.

Mr. Mead being released from his charge in Vermont had now an opportunity to "go West," in accordance with a long-cherished wish and purpose. Leaving his family in the care of his parents in Connecticut he set his face toward the setting sun, having no particular destination in view. His route was by the way of Phil- adelphia, Pittsburg, the Ohio River and np the Mississippi to Alton, Ill. While resting in Alton from the fatigue of a three weeks' journey, a pro-slavery mob destroyed the printing-press, and murdered the publisher of the Alton Observer, Elijah P. Love- joy. Mr. Mead with a few sorrowing friends attended the funeral of this early martyr to the cause of emancipation and administered the last solemn rites. From Alton he proceeded up the Illinois River to Peoria, the last boats of the season having gone up the Mississippi. Thence he went to Knoxville, the end of public travel at that time. Leaving there his baggage, he set ont on foot and alone for Rock Island, which he reached after three days' travel over a new country, almost without roads and bridges, with the settlements from 10 to 15 miles apart.

Arriving at Rock Island he passed direct to Davenport, then a new town containing about a half dozen families. Learning at this place that there was a town four miles below called Rock- ingham, then the county seat, and already containing several hun- dred inhabitants, he traveled down to that place and received a hearty welcome as a minister of the gospel. It was represented to him that the "Sabbath had not crossed the Mississippi," but the people generally desired a Christian minister to settle among them and establish there religions institutions. Mr. Mead, believing that this was a promising field for usefulness, accepted the invita- tion to remain. He soon gathered a congregation, organized a Presbyterian churalı, and continued his services as a minister of the gospel until the decline of the town caused by the removal of the county seat to Davenport. During the first winter, as the children were growing up in ignorance, hie gathered and taught a village school for one term and then returned East for his family. When at the East he boxed his goods and books and sent them to his Iowa home, via New York, New Orleans, and the Mississippi River. Then purchasing a span of horses and a covered spring wagon he bade farewell to the Green Mountain State, and with his family set out for his new home 1,200 iniles distant. His overland journey was made without accident, the weather being fine and the roads good, the longest stretch on the journey without a house being 40 miles. The journey was made in a little more than a month.

The once prosperous town of Rockingham now commenced a rapid decline, which continued until it was nearly deserted of in- habitants; the church that had been organized was swallowed up by the Metropolitan Church in Davenport. Mr. Mead then devoted

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himself to the missionary work in his own and the adjoining coun- tries, and for many years continued this work. At Blue Grass and other places he supplied the gathered congregation for more than 10 years. He often made missionary tours to the distance of 100 miles, and the last year he traveled 3,000 miles. Finding that riding over the prairies in sunshine and storm, exposed to all the vicissitudes of this changing climate,his health was failing he retired from the work and has for most part since that time been engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits. He is now a member of the State Horticultural Society, takes an active part in their dis- cussions; also contributes articles for their annual reports. His home is four miles below the center of the city of Davenport, and commands a charming view of the great river for several miles, and of the twin cities, Davenport and Rock Island.

Mr. Mead is a Republican in politics and has always given the party a hearty support. He is not an office seeker, but has often been elected to fill the most important offices in his township and the county. He served one term as county supervisor. He is a member of the Pioneer Association and has served as president of that society. His habits are strictly temperate; has never used tobacco in any form. He with his family still retain their con- nection with the Presbyterian church. He has never lost his interest in books and literary exercises: has a valuable private library of from 400 to 500 volumes, and is in constant receipt of the best periodical literature of the day. He is a friend of the poor and does all in his power to improve their condition. Kind, generous and open-hicarted, he is respected and beloved by the people with whom his lot is cast. Although in his 73d year, having endured the hardships of pioneer life for 43 years, he is in posses- sion of all his faculties. attends personally to his extensive farming operations, and is the only remaining representative in Rocking- ham of that energetic and determined band who labored so hard to make it a famous city. Ile still cherishes pleasant memories of the old homestead and its surroundings where he spent his youth- ful days, and the past winter visited the place for the 12th time since he removed to Towa.

James R. Mead, son of Enoch Mead, was born in New Haven, Vt., May 3, 1836. Ile resided with his father until some 20 years ago when he moved to Kansas. The first five years of his residence there was spent in hunting and trapping, and as an Indian trader; he established a trading-post, being licensed by the Government while hunting on the plains. Ile shot with his gun 3,000 head of buffalo, besides trapping a large number of wolves and other games. He afterward turned his attention to polities and was elected by the Republican party to the Legislature, serving in both Houses. Subsequently engaged in railroading and banking; also speculated in mining in Colorado. Ile was superintendent of the road from Newton to Wichita while it was being constructed, and was elected president of the road. At the

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present time he is engaged in conducting a large farming operation in the vicinity of Wichita, of which city he is an honored and esteemed citizen. He is now president of the Old Settlers' Association of the county in which he resides.

Peter H. Nagal was born in Holstein, Germany, April 5, 1835. He came to this country in 1878, and at this date, March 20, 1882, has been in the county 16 years. He landed first in New York City and came from there direct to Davenport. For the last 10 vears has lived in Rockingham and followed the occupation ot gardener. His principal business now is the cultivation of a vine- yard. Mr. Nagal's family consists at present of himself, wife and seven children. Two of the children were born in Germany, and five in this country. Mr. Nagal is a good citizen, industrious and of correct habits; is succeeding well in his business and has the good will of all his neighbors.

SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP.

Sheridan Township was organized as late as 1866, and much of the early history of the settlement of its territory has been told in connection with the history of the townships, of which it originally formed a part.

At a session of the Board of Supervisors, in January, 1866, in accordance with a petition of its residents, township No. 79, range 3 east, was set apart and separately organized into a new township, to be known as "Phil Sheridan Township." The north half. 18 sections, was taken from Winfield Township and the southern IS sections from Davenport. At the same session of the board the prefix " Phil" was omitted, and the township styled "Sheridan;" and its voters were notified to meet on the second Tuesday of October of that year, to eleet three trustees, one elerk, two justices of the peace, two constables, one assessor and one supervisor.

Claus H. Kuhl's tavern was the first polling place, and though now a private residence, is still used for election purposes, as also for meetings of the Town Trustees, School Board and Board of Equalization.

H. II. Frye was the first Supervisor, James Quinn, Gilbert Wieks and Christ Vogt, Trustees; Anderson Martin, Assessor; B. F. Berkey, Clerk; Win. Saddoris and Asmus II. Lamp. Jus- tices of the Peace; Peter Weis and James Morrison, Constables.

There are two postoffices in the township, at Mount Joy, kept by Peter Wiese, and at Eldridge Jnnetion, with J. D. McCormick as postmaster. although the business of the office is condneted by E. V. Van Eps, in connection with his general merchandise store.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The first settler in the territory now comprising Sheridan Town- ship was a Mr. Sloper, who settled on seetion 28, in 1840. He was followed by Lyman Osborn, in 1841, who located on section 29. Among others to brave the hardships of pioneer life and settle in this then desolate and uninhabited part of the county, were ex- Gov. Rush, Hans Shnekloth, Claus Hagerdorn, Joseph Seaman, Wm. Rigg, Dr. A. J. Emeis, Benj. Barr, Gilbert Wicks, Capt. LeMarinel, C. Meyer, John and Nathan Greer. Moses Farber, James and Joseph Quinn, Christ Vogt, Peter Blunk, Hans and Juergen Schmidt. The first prairie broken was by Mr. Sloper, who settled on what is now section 2S. The first blacksmith shop was run by Henry Kuntzen, on seetion 25. Dr. A. J. Emeis was the first resident physician in the township.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

VILLAGES.

There is but one village in Sheridan Township-Eldridge Junction, established in 1871 by J. M. Eldridge. It is situated in the eastern part of the township, on section 11, at the junc- tion of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and the Maquoketa Branch. Soon after the advent of the railroad, shops were located here by the company, giving employment to a large number of workmen. This gave an impetus to the young village, and for a time the prospects were good for a large and thriving settlement; but the railroad magnates saw fit, some years since, to remove the shops, which was a death blow to the embryo "City of Eldridge." Many of its business places, hotels, etc., were soon after closed, and a number of buildings have since been torn down and removed from the place.

At present the village contains but one store, in which a general line of goods is kept by Mr. Van Eps, who, however, does a good business. There is a meat market, a barbed-wire factory. shoe shop, church, school-house, hotel and postoffice in the village.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school election in the township was held in 1867, when the following board was chosen: Alex. Murrison, James Calderwood, Albert Brugman, Henry Fellner, A. J. Emeis, Wm. Rogers.

There are nine sub-districts in the township, with a frame school-house in each, the total value of which is estimated at $10,700. There are 483 pupils in the township, with an enroll- ment of 297.

CHURCHIES AND SOCIETIES.

Sheridan has but one church building and organization, that of the Presbyterian society of Eldridge Junction, which was built about the year 1874. It numbers about 20 members. James Mason was the first pastor, and was followed by the Revs. Bishop, Spin- ney, and Williams, the latter being the present pastor. There is a Sabbath-school in connection with the church.

Eldridge Lodge, No. 132, A. O. U. W., was organized in 1877, with John Rogers, P. M. W .; E. T. Morgan, M. W., J. W. David- son, G. F .; J. D. McCormick, O .: J. A. Pollock, Recorder; Jas. Youmans, Financier; G. A. Hastings, Receiver; P. Herbold, G; J. G. Quinn, I. W .; L. Cohnan, O. W. It now has a member- ship of about 15, and at one time it had nearly 25.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Peter Arp was born in Holstein, Germany, Feb. 5, 1830. IIis father was Peter Arp, also a native of that country. The subject of this memoir came to the United States in 1849, and after spend-

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ing two winters in Missouri he came to Scott County, where he has resided since. Ile worked for the first three years by the month; then purchased his present farm of 178 aeres, on section 22 Sheridan Township, which is under good improvement and well stocked. He also owns 169 acres in sections 23 and 24. Ile was married Sept. 2, 1854, to Minnie Fellner, a native of Hanover, Germany. They have had seven children, five living-Henry, Emma, Willie, Johnnie and Lizzie. The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Arp held the position of township trus- tee one term, and is one of the prominent men of the county.

John Berkey was born in Northampton Co., Pa., Oct 19, 1821. His father was Christian Berkey, a native also of that State, whose ancestors came to Pennsylvania during the time of William Penn. The subject ot this record was reared on a farm, and was educated in the German and English languages in the common schools of his native State. When he was 11 years old he became crippled from white swelling. Ile began to learn the tailor's trade when 17 years old, which he followed until 1857. He was married in No- vember, 1841, to Mary Heller, of Pennsylvania. To them have been born 13 children, six living, viz .: Benjamin F., James M., Amanda M., Alvin J., Emeline M. and Lizzie. In 1853 Mr. Berkey came to this county and bought land in section 13, Sheridan Town- ship. He moved his family here in 1857. He has his land all under good cultivation, and valued at $100 an acre. He was jus- tiee of the peace in his township three years, and has held other offices. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

M. C. J. Boecken, proprietor of the Boecken House, opposite the C., M. & St. P. depot, Eldridge, was born in Germany, April 24, 1846. Ilis father was Claus Boecken, born also in that country. Jan. 26, 1818. he married Anna Melckert, born Dec. 31, 1817; they now reside with the subject of this sketch, who came to this county in 1867. He was engineer on the Mississippi River six years, in the United States employ; was one of the workmen on the new bridge at Davenport, and engineered on the canal at Keo- kuk two years. Ile was married May 25, 1877, to Lena Peterson, daughter of A. Peterson. of Davenport, where she was born and reared. They have one child-Clara Christina. Mr. Boecken erected a fine house in 1880. It is two stories high and is 64 x 42 feet.

John Bostian, farmer, section 30, Sheridan Township, was born in Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, March 3, 1824. Ilis parents were James and Mary (Karr) Bostian. They had two boys and two girls. John was the youngest. Ile attended school until 14, then learned the wagon-maker's trade, which business he followed until the fall of 1849, when he came alone to the United States; was two months at sea; landed in New Orleans, where he worked on a farm for his unele near New Orleans 18 months; then came to Davenport, Ia. He worked here 18 months, when he bought a farm in Butler Township, where he remained until 1869, when he

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purchased his present farm in Sheridan Township. He married Miss Dora Nees, May, 1853. The fruit of this marriage was four children, viz .: Henry, Adolph, Ida and Ella. The mother died March 28, 1865. Mr. Bostian married Miss Mary Dref's July 1, 1867. She was born in Germany, and her father was Christopher Drefs. Mr. and Mrs. Bostian have had eight children, viz .: Meta, Rudolph, Herman, Ferdinand, Maleta, Alma, John and Otto. Mr. Bostian owns a farm of 160 aeres in Lincoln Township and 160 in Sheridan Township; both farms are under cultivation and well stocked. He is one of the representative farmers of Scott Connty, where he has been identified since 1850. In politics he is a Re- publican.

Albert Brugman was born in Holland, Sept. 9, 1829, son of John Brugman, a native also of that country. Albert was reared on a farın, and obtained an education in the common schools of Hol- land. IIe came to this country in 1854, and located in Davenport, La. IIe remained there two years; then in 1856 went to farming in Rockingham Township. In 1858 he bought a farm of 160 aeres in Sheridan Township, which he still owns, IIe was married, April 17, 1855, to Mrs. Sevilla Belken, nee Bomberg, a daughter of Frederick E. Bomberg, who came to Scott County in 1838. They were the first German family who settled in Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Brugman have two children-John and Minnie. Mrs. Brugman was the widow of Henry Belken, by whom she had six children, three living-Julia, Mary and Henry. Members of the Catholic Church.

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 117

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