History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 88

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.

Tull, Thomas Cessna, Mrs. F. Vanlew Mary Acton, Emma Fin- tel. Average attendance about 75.

The Presbyterian Church was first organized in 1852, at the res- idence of the late Mary E. Robison, by James D. Mason. The original members were: James Wilson and wife, Robt. S. Wilson and wife, Robert Humphrey and wife, J. H. Robison and wife, Mary E. Robison. Officers : Elders, Robert S. Wilson, James H. Robison. Robert Humphrey. The first services were held by Rev. Enoch Meade at a school-house which stood on the northwest cor- ner of section 3, Buffalo Township. Pastors: Revs. Enoch Meade, Cleland, George Ray, William Shann, John M. Jones, J. D. Mason. Barelay, Nott, Clark, A. N. Tanner, T. Hench, Williams, William Gay, Haskell. The church now numbers 31 members. The elders are Isaac Barnes, James Van Evera and Cortez Wilson. The trustees are John Barnes, James Van Ev- era and S. Anderson Robison.

The Baptist Church of Blue Grass was, first organized on Aug. 30, 1845, at the house of John Perrin, with the following named persons as charter members: John and Rachel Perrin, William and Catherine Daniels, Lyman and Abigail Carpenter, and Ezra Car- penter. Elder Morey delivered a discourse. Elder Smith then gave the right hand of fellowship and pronounced it the First Bap- tist Church of Blue Grass. The increase of members of the church soon became so great that the house of John Perrin was too small to hold service in; accordingly the propriety of building a new house of worship was considered, and a committee appointed to raise the necessary funds. After much delay the meeting-house was finished, and in August, 1854, the congregation met for the first time in their new church. As they had had to borrow $400 to complete their church, an appeal was made to the public for money topay the debt on the house, and the committee collected what they could from the members, charging each one according to the amount of his property. Until 1849 the church was without a reg- ular pastor. Lyman Carpenter, licensed minister, occasionally spoke words of cheer and comfort to them, while various traveling preach - ers ministered unto them. The church felt the need of having some one to break the bread of life to them. Accordingly Mr. Ly- man Carpenter was asked to accept an ordination, that he might more fully become their spiritual adviser. IIe did so, and through his influence many souls were added to the church. The statistics of the church for 1858 are as follows: Baptized, S; received by letter, 7; by experience, 3; excluded, 2. The number of teachers in the Sabbath-school. 17: scholars, 100; volumes in the library, 420; membership of the church, 58. In October, 1860, Mr. Car- penter after 15 years of earnest labor in the church, left there for California, leaving behind him many warm friends and hearty well-wishers. The pastors who have been called to the church since then are Revs. E. M. Miles, G. W. Dowd, A. F. Sharpman, Gilman Parker, Mr. Goodwin, H. Holmes, A. C. Kelley, H. Will'-

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BLUE GRASS TOWNSHIP.

iams and others. On Aug. 9, 1879, Rev. W. L. Ward was called to the church. He stayed five months, and since that time they have had no preaching. The present membership of the church is 31.

CEMETERY.

The Blue Grass Cemetery is located in section 5, near the village. It was first used as a burial place at the death of Verba A. Burn- sides, on the 5th day of Augu-t, 1840.

It was laid out into lots by J. E. Burnsides, who owned the land, about the year 1840, and sold a great mmy lots to numer- ous parties. It was organized as the Blue Grass Cemetery in 1872, as the law directs. It is well located, carefully cared for, nicely ornamented, contains many beautiful and costly monuments; in a word, a delightful city of the dead.

VILLAGE OF BLUE GRASS.

Blue Grass was laid out in 1853 by J. E. Burnsides, John Per- rin and James W. Reynolds, on sections 31 and 32, in Blue Grass Township, and sections 5 and 6 in Buffalo Township. The first postmaster was Joli Perrin, who held the office from 1849 until he was succeeded by Mr. Colvin in 1853. Present incumbent, Dr. J. Gadd.

The first store was opened by a merchant of Muscatine in 1852, and was succeeded by that of John Baker in the spring of 1853. The first blacksmith was Christ Meeke, in 1852. The first wagon- maker was Henry Greebe, in 1853, who after remaining a few years moved to Nebraska, where he has since been honored with a mem- bership in the Legislature of that State. The first boot and shoc maker was Wm. Sonerman, in 1855. The first carpenter shop was opened by Win. Moss in 1853. The first hotel was built by J. E. Burnsides in 1854, and kept by Garret Clawson. The first church was built in 1854 by the Baptist society. The second church was built in 1859 by the First Methodist Episcopal society. This house was moved to Cross Roads in 1879, and rebuilt, and is now used as a church. The society in the same year erected on the same lot the present church, a beautiful specimen of architecture, at a cost of $4,000. The third church was erected in 1873 by the Presbyterians, an excellent building and well cared for. The first school-house was ereeted in 1859, at a cost of $1.050. The first steam flouring mill was erected in 1856 by J. E. Burnsides as su- perintendent. paid for by subscription from farmers; was sold to M. Donahue, who, after it had been run ,several years by Win. Neal. removed it to Davenport, and there rebuilt ; was afterward sold to Johnston, who sold it to Beatty. It was burned several years ago. The sceond steam flouring mill was erected in 1867 by Mr. Dor- man, which is now run by John Greenwald.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

The present population is about 350. The first brick in the neighborhood west of Davenport, in the county, was made by Ezra Carpenter in the summer of 1845, in a yard in section 6, now em- braced within the town limits. While the hands were digging the clay out of the bank, when about six feet below the surface, they found the fossil remains of a mastodon; the tusks, teeth and some of the other bones were in a good state of preservation. The tusks resembled petrified hickory, and were estimated to be about 11 feet long.

WALCOTT.

Walcott was laid out in 1853, on sections 7 and S, by Cook & Sargent, and the first passenger train that ever run over the M. & M. Railroad carried a delegation to attend a sale of lots in the village. The first store was opened by F. W. Keferstein, who removed to Davenport in 1871. The postoffice was established in 1855, and its first postmaster was Mr. Keferstein, who was succeeded by Henry Sutton. Bernhard Schwarting is the inenmbent. The first blacksmith was Samuel Benchoff. The first harness shop was by Bock & Sears. A warehouse was built by the railroad company in 1855, and an elevator built by private enterprise in 1867. It is now owned by Stockdale & Dietz. It was originally 22 x 60 feet. It is now 22 x 84. The proprietors handle 400,000 bushels of grain annually. They also ship about 10,000 head of stock annually. The shipments at Walcott annually amount to 650 cars of grain, 500 cars of stock, and 100 cars offlour. There are now two large stores, two wagon shops, three blacksmiths, one agricultural implement, one stove and tin store, one butcher shop, two boot and shoe shops, one steam flouring mill, erected in 1872, at a cost of $20,000, equipped with the best of machinery, and has a capacity for turning out 150 lbs. of flour each 24 hours.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Ilenry Bock, Walcott, was born in Holstein, Germany, May 29, 1845. He was educated in the schools of his native place, and emigrated to this county in 1857. From 1860 to 1862 he learned the harness-making trade in Davenport. In 1865 he established a shop in Geneseo, Ill., and in 1867 opened business in the same line in Walcott, where he has since remained, dealing in harness. saddles, whips, etc., doing a good business. He was married in 1871 to Miss Charlotte Stockdale, sister of Alex. and John Stockdale, of Wal- cott. They have five children, as follows: Ella, Anna, Harry A., Henrietta and Wm. J. Mr. Boek is member of the A. O. U. W. t: Hans Brandt was born in Holstein, Germany, Oet. 8, 1843. He came with his parents to Scott County in 1847. They settled on section 24, Blue Grass Township, and Hans now resides on a

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BLUE GRASS TOWNSHIP.

part of the old homestead. He served in the late war, in the 45th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and belonged to the musi- eians corps. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and many others. His brother, John Brandt, now of Omaha, Neb., also served in the war. Mr. Brandt was married in February, 1873, to Mary T. Cistenmaker. They have five chil- dren-Blondina A., Arnold B., IFulda A., Laura A. and Oscar B.

Michael Buttenoh, son of Anton Buttenoh, was born in Hol- stein, Germany, Feb. 22, 1822. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools there, and emigrated to America and located in Scott County in 1848. Hle settled on a farm in seetion 13, Blue Grass Township, where he still resides. Ile owns 720 acres of land, and is one of the well-to-do representative farmers of the county. He was married in 1853 to Louise Gollinghorst. By this union there were eight children; four survive-Anton, Christoph, George and Maggie. Mr. Buttenoh is a member of the Shooting Society of Davenport, and of Maysville.

Thomas P. Cessna, a descendant of Scotch-Irish aneestry on the paternal, and of German on the maternal side, was born in Bed- ford Co., Pa., Oct. 27, 1827, and was a son of William Cessna, of' that State. His brothers. John and J. Boon Cessna, are prominent lawyers of Bedford, Pa., the former being the leading member of the bar there; he has been twiee elected to Congress, onee as Speaker of the House of that body. Ile was also chosen representative of his distriet in the Legislature two terms. The subject of this record located in Blue Grass Township in 1858, and settled on a farm in section 29, which he had purchased in the spring of 1857, during a visit to the West. He owns a fine farin of 200 aeres here, and one of 120 aeres in Union Co., Iowa. He was united in mar- riage in April, 1848, with Sarah Koerner, of Bedford Co., Pa. They have seven children-Laura, Ellen, Newton, Belle, John, Hattie, and Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Cessua are members of the Methodist church. Ile has held the offices of township trustee, supervisor and school director. Ilis great-grandfather, John Cessna, settled in Pennsylvania during the time of William Penn, and was a soldier in the Revolution, as was his grandfather, Peter Morgret.

Philip Dietz was born in Germany, Jan. 10, 1838, aud is a son of John Dietz, who came to America with his family in 1853, and to Waleott, Scott Co., in 1855, but settled soon after in Hickory Grove Township. Philip returned to Walcott in 1872, and engaged in stoek-dealing here until the fall of 1873, when he bought the elevator, which he still runs in partnership with A. and J. Stockdale, under the firm name of Dietz & Stockdale. He was married Sept. 22, 1859, to Dora T. Reissen. To them were born five children, two living-Louise and Ferdinand. Mr. Deitz is a member of A. O. U. W. and I. O. O. F. Lodges, and the Shooting Association of Davenport. Ile is one of the prominent and enter- prising men of Seott County.

Henry Gabbert, one of the early settlers of Seott County and tho

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

State of Iowa, was born in Overton Co., Tenn., March 19, 1821. His parents were David and Catharine Gabbert, nee Giles, his father, a native of Virginia, and his mother, of North Carolina. Ilis father was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving on the frontiers of Ohio, in General Harrison's brigade, and in Colonel Barber's regiment, in which his brother was an officer. Ilis ancestors were in the Revolutionary war, and took part in forming our free insti- tutions. He had few opportunities for education, as the schools of that day were few, and of an inferior order. Mr. Gabbert has lived successively on the frontiers of Indiana and Illinois, and at five years of age removed with his father's family to the West, and settled in Iowa in the spring of 1835. Here his father had located a claim, on to which he moved, and for the first two years had charge of the ferry boat at Buffalo, owned and run by Captain Clark, of the same place. He has followed farming for years, adopting this calling from the first. Mr. Gabbert was married on the 28th of December, 1848, to Miss Eliza J. McGarvey, of Holmes Co., O. To them have been born six children-William HI., born Oct. 12, 1849, is a promising young member of the bar at Davenport, and has been clerk of the District and Circuit Courts of Scott County; Mary Ann, born Aug. 18, 1851, was married Ang. 13, 1872, to John R. Bowman, one of the leading principals in the Davenport schools; Sarah Hellen, May 28, 1856; Cornelia Aetna, Jan. 15 1865: Eliza Jane, Sept. 14, 1867; and Benjamin, Nov. 5, 1869 .- Mr. Gabbert in politics is a Democrat. He has never been a can- didate for office, and is not active in political matters. He was . well acquainted with the great chiefs, Black Hawk and Keokuk, and has lived to see the thousands of Indians, who were here at that early day, fade away before the advance of civilization.

Joseph Gadd. M. D., postmaster at Blue Grass, was born in Woodsfield, Ohio, June 17, 1822. He was a son of David and Elizabeth (Truex) Gadd, natives of Pennsylvania. Ile was a car- penter and cabinet-maker. They had 12 children, 11 living. Dr. Gadd lived with his father, attending school and assisting him in the carpenter's trade, until he was 16 years old, then began the study of medicine. His marriage to Susannah Rush occurred Feb. 5, 1543. She was born in Perry Co .. O., of Isaiah and Agnes Rush, nee Skinner, Pennsylvanians by birth. After he was mar- ried, Dr. Gadd went to Cincinnati. O., and attended Miami University two sessions, and the Eclectic Medical Institution three sessions; then went to New York City and practiced in the Infirmary there seven months. He located. in the practice of his profession, in Brighton, Clarke Co .. O., and remained there four years. Ile came to Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1854, and lived there seven years; from there to Davenport, one year; thence to his pleasant home in Blue Grass, Feb. 5, 1862. Dr. Gadd and wife have been blessed with 10 children, five living-Anna J .. now Mrs. Samuel Heikes; Nathan T., married Sarah E. Miller, and practices law in Green- field. Ia .; Joseph P .; Kate F .; wife of James Myers; and J. E.

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BLUE GRASS TOWNSHIP.

Dr. Gadd is a member of I. O. O. F., ancient member of Boonsboro Lodge, Iowa, of the Encampment, and has passed the chair in both institutions. Was also a member of Good Templars and Sons of Temperance Lodges. Ile received his present appointment as postmaster, in May 1862. Hle and wife are zealous members of the M. E. church, in which he has held the position of Steward since 1864. He is the recipient of a large and Merative practice in Blue Grass, and is one of the prominent men of the city.

Benjamin T. Gudd. M. D., was born on a farm in Perry Co., O., Sept. 7, 1837. llis father died when he was five years old, and he remained on the farm with his mother until his 15th year; he then went to Williamsport. O., and clerked in a store and attended school one year. He came with his mother and her family to Dav- enport, arriving Oct. 31, 1855. He obtained employment in the grocery store of Burrows & Glasspell. which he retained until 1856, when the family moved to a farm near Ottumwa. He studied medicine here and at Hickory Grove Township until 1860, then came to Davenport and read dentistry under Dr. R. D. Meyers. In Octo- ber. 1864, he went to the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute , from which he graduated Feb. 15, 1865. Upon leaving school he came to Blue Grass. where he now is engaged in active practice; he practiced two years at Boonesboro, Ia. He was married to Emily Coates Feb. 20, 1868. She is a native of Buffalo Township, and was a daughter of Elisha and Mary Coates, nee Sexton, born in North Carolina, and at present residents of Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Gadd are the parents of four children. viz .: Edson E., Mary E., Harry and Myrtle J. The parents of Dr. Gadd were David and Elixabeth (Truex) Gadd; he was born Dee. 10, 1786, in Penn- sylvania, and died May 14, 1547; his wife was born in Ohio, was the mother of 12 children, and died Nov. 29, 1865. Dr. Gadd is a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 19, Blue Grass. He has been the recipient of a large and lucrative practice here and is one of the popular and prominent men of the township. He owns a nice residence and four lots in Blue Grass, where he resides.

Henry Gruemmer was born in Holstein, Germany, Feb. 22, 1846, and is a son of Max Grnemmer, also of that country, who came to Scott County in 1869. The subject of this memoir came to this connty in 1868, and worked at the wagon-maker's trade in Daven- port until 1870. He farmed five years, and in 1877 came to Wal- cott, where he has been engaged in the saloon and boarding-house business sinee. He occupies a portion of the Schwarting briek block, and does a good business. He was married Nov. 20, 1870, to Mina Belter, a daughter of Fred Belter, and a native of Hano- ver. Germany.

Henry G. Goering was born in Prussia, June 11, 1829, and is a son of John Goering, a native of that country. Having a natural and strong love for books, Henry studied during his leisure hours, thereby aceruing much useful knowledge, although he never had

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

a teacher. He came to Scott County and worked on a farm in Blue Grass Township nine months for his board, and the next three years by the month. He rented land some time, then bought a farm in section 10, this township. He owns 640 acres of fine farming land, besides a number of acres of timber. He was mar- ried in 1855 to Mary E. Robison. Their union has been blessed with 13 children, seven boys and four girls of whom are living. He has been twice elected township supervisor.

Theodore Hartwell was born in Jennings Co., Ind., April 23, 1835. He came with his widowed mother to Buffalo Township, Scott Co., in 1836. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Hartwell, is a native of New York State; she was married the second time in 1843, to Peter Wilson, and now resides with her son, Theodore Hartwell, on the old homestead. The latter came to Blue Grass Township in 1842, and is the second oldest settler now living in the township. He was married Nov. 21, 1856, to Verronigne Pilloud, a native of canton of Friburg, Switzerland, born Aug. 25, 1832. She came to America and located in Ohio in 1849, and to Scott County in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell have had three children-Elmer E .; Peter W., who died in 1874 in his 16th year, and Lanrent, died in 1879 atthe age of 19 years. The subject of this sketch is engaged in farming 234 acres of rich land in section 32, this township; he also owns 17 acres in Illinois. IIe now holds the office of township trustee, and is a member of I. O. G. T. Lodge.

Louis Hinz is a son of Hans C. Ilinz, of Holstein, Germany, where Louis was also born, June 5, 1844. He emigrated to Scott County in 1866, and resided in Davenport until 1870, when he came to Wolcott, Blue Grass Township, and conducted what is now Sindt's Hotel for four years, when he established a store of general merchandise here, which he still operates. He carries a capital stock of $5,000, and does an annual business of $17,000, with a steadily increasing trade. Keeps a full and complete stock of general goods. He was married in September, 1870, to Katie Jordan. They have two children-Bertha and Frida, who attend the English and German school in Wolcott. Mr. Hinz is a mem- ber of I. O. O. F. Lodge, and of the Maysville Shooting Society, which was established in 1878.

William F. Illian was born in Waldick, Prussia, March 12, 1834. He came to America in 1851, and came at once to Scott County. He worked as a farm hand some 18 months, then worked on his father's farm, on section 26, Blue Grass Township, until his father's death, which occurred May 31, 1856. Ile remained on this farm until 1876, when he moved on to the farm where he now resides, in section 33, this township. He owns 402 acres of rich land, all under a high state of cultivation. He was married to Henrietta Schumann, in February, 1860. She was born June 21, 1841. They have had seven children-Minnie C., born May 11, 1864; Emma S., May 20, 1866; Frederick W., July 23, 1868; Linne S.,

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BLUE GRASS TOWNSHIP.

July 2, 1871; Lonisa HI., July 13, 1873; William F., Sept. 12, 1875, and Albert L., July 18, 1879. Mr. Illian has held the office of road supervisor. In polities he is a Republican.

Peter II. Jessen wasborn in Germany, Aug. 12, 1814; was the son of Peter and Margaret (Anderson) Jessen, who both died in Germany. Peter was reared on a farm and received a common- school education. After his mother's death he had to work out from home. In 1839 he was married in Germany, to Anna Mat- son, and lived there till 1847, when they came to America, and he worked on a farm near Chieago for three years, when he moved to Davenport in 1850. Ile then made a trip west to California, where he spent two years. He then returned to Seott County, and in 1853 bought SO aeres of land, where he now resides. He was divorced from his first wife while in California, and on his return to Iowa in 1853 was married to Anna Otto. He has three children -William J., Adolph, and Theresa. He now owns 320 acres of land in Blue Grass and Davenport Townships. He is a Republican in politics.

William Johnson, deceased, was born in Jennings Co., Ind., and was a son of James Johnson, who came with his family to Buffalo Township in 1838. The subject of this sketeh was married in June, 1846. to Lonisa Catlin, whose father was the first settler in Blue Grass Township. They had five children-Laura, Amelia, Rosanna, Albert and Louisa. Mr. Johnson died Dec. 6, 1859, leaving his family and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Mrs. JJohn- son was married again on Aug. 29, 1861, to S. C. Dorsey. He was born in Nicholas Co., Va., Jan. 17, 1835, and came to Scott County in 1855. Ile has been township trustee, and has held other local offices of trust. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey have had three children -- Benjamin R., who is a student in Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Davenport; Annie B. and Charley L.

Henry Karges was born in Germany, Aug. 6, 1831. He emi- grated to the United States in 1847, and located at Evansville. Ind., where he followed shoe-making, the grocery business. and conducted a hotel, remaing. there 18 years. In 1867 he came to Seott County, and settled in Blue Grass Township, and keeps a store of general merchandise in Blue Grass, and has a good trade. He was married to Carolina Gikeman. in Evansville, Ind., Ang. 15, 1839. They have had 10 children, fourliving-Henry, born Sept. S, 1866; Will- iam, Jan. 22, 1869; Albert T .. Feb. 15, 1573, and Arthur C., May 5, 1881. Mr. Karges is a member of the M. E. Church, and in polities is a Demoerat.

Hans Kruse, was born in Holstein, Germany, Sept. 7, 1838, and was a son of Joachin Kruse, of German nativity. Hans emigrated to Amerien and located in Scott County in 1854. He worked as a farm laborer four years, and in 1861 bought 80 aeres of land on seetion 4, Blue Grass Township, where he still resides. He now owns 120 aeres, all under good cultivation and well stocked. He was married Nov. 12, 1866, to Ida, daughter of Wulf Hahn. She is

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

a native of Holstein, Germany. They have two children -- Charles and Henry; they are twins.

Charles Must is a native of Brunswick, Germany, born July 9, 1825. His father, Erhart Mast, emigrated to America with his family in 1832, and located in Wheeling, Va .; thence to Monroe Co., O., in 1837, where Charles ran on the river two seasons, and finally located in Blue Grass Township, Scott Co., in 1848. The subject of this biography has been twice married, first in April, 1847, to Kesiah Payne, who died, having been the mother of one child, Hannah; the second time on Oct. 12, 1855, to Minnie C., daughter of Frederick Angel. Mrs. Mast's parents died when she was small, and she came to this country with her sister, Mrs. Char- lotte Witenbrook. Mr. and Mrs. Mast have had eight children, six living-August, Louise, George, Tilla, Minnie and Frederick.

Charles Metteer, dcecased, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., and was a descendant of Scotch and Irish ancestry. He came to Scott County, and located in Blue Grass Township, in Avril, 1839, settling on section 33, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred Nov. 30, 1870. His wife was Zilpah (Whittaker) Metteer, by whom he had 10 children, six living -- Maria, Elizabeth, Dorcas, Emily, Loretta and Angusta. Mr. Metteer made Scott County's interests his own immediately on settling here, and was always one of the foremost men in every movement calculated to encourage its growth and increase its prosperity. He was a man of irreproachable character, and was held in high estcem by a large circle of friends.

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 88

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