History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 91

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 91


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seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Burnside resided on the farm with her parents in Blue Grass Township until 1871 when they removed to their present home in section 6, this township. They are members of the Methodist church and have had four chil- dren, two living, viz .: James C. and Thomas C., born Sept. 14, 1879. Mr. Burnside has 96 of his 117 acres of land under good cultivation and well stocked, and is one of the representative far- mers of Scott County. He was elected township supervisor two terms. He affiliates with the Democratic party. Elizabeth G. Burnside married Frederic Johnson and resides in Blue Grass Township, and Rhoda A. H., who married Clarence Barr, resides in Davenport Township. John married Nancy Friday. Ile died in November, 1880. His widow and two children live with their grandfather in Rockingham Township. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Burnside adopted Ella Powell, March 1, 1877. Her parents were Norval and Margaret (Crossing) Powell. This closes the interest- ing sketch of James E. Burnside and family.


W. L. Clark .- Capt. Warner Lewis Clark, whose parents were Benjamin Warren Clark, of Virginia, and Mary Beard Clark, of Kentucky, was born on the Wabash River near Mount Carmel, Wabash Co., Ill .. Nov. 14, 1822. At his birth, his mother died, and he was cared for by his Grandmother Beard. During the year 1824 his father married Miss Celia Gabbert, of Kentucky. W. L. was then taken home. His father soon afterward removed to Fort Edwards, Hancock Co .. IN .. there being uo settlement outside the fort.


& @ Burnside


987


BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.


During the summer of 1827 W. L. Clark's father removed to Rock Island, and settled on the banks of the slough, near where the wagon bridge strikes the shore in the now eity of Rock Island. At that time Black Hawk, Keokuk and their tribes, namely the Saes and Foxes, were living there, the main town being on the north side of Rock River, half a mile below Milan bridge. The sideof the bluff south of the residence of Hon. P. L. Cable, to Rock River or Black Hawk's Tower, was one of the continuous cornfield, feneed in with brush the entire distance to keep ponies from the growing crops. Ile thinks you will find some of the old corn-hills still standing, with large trees growing out of them.


The Indians were friendly in the main; but, like all nations, had some restless bold spirits, and as boys W. L. Clark and his brother John P. had many pleasant hours with the young Indians, playing ball, running foot-raees, and shooting bows and arrows. W. L. was familiar with the language of these tribes, speaking their dialeets as well as the natives.


Their nearest neighbors were an Indian family, who lived about five rods cast of their house in their wiek-a-up, living harmoniously until one day the Indian head of the household came from the island with just enough " fire-water " to make him vicions. He came to the house of Mr. Clark's father and threatened to strike him with a war club. Mr. Clark's father took a good-sized switch, and gave him a thorough whipping, and Mr. W. L. Clark relates that an Indian will bare his breast and dare one to shoot, when he will seemingly run for dear life when threatened with a switch, as it is considered a great indignity to be switched.


The Indian was forgotten, until upon one occasion Mr. Clark, Sr., was returning from Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, traveling upon the ice, which was covered with snow, when about where Fort Madison now stands he noticed this Indian running upon the shore near by to get behind a tree; suspecting from the Indian's actions that all was not right, he covered the skulking warrior with his gun, commanding him to "come to him," which the Indian imme- diately obeyed. He then marehed the Indian further out upon the ice, when he compelled him to lay down his gun, tomahawk and scalping knife in the snow. He then walked the Indian ahead of him for several hours, when he released him, knowing that it would be impossible for the Indian to return for his weapons and over take him before he reached home. Black Hawk was then informed of the affair and interfered to prevent further difficulty. In the spring of 1838, having put in a erop, the family had difficulty in preventing the Indians from stealing and destroying it. The prin- cipal or summer home of the Indians was on Roek River as well as where Rock Island is now situated. When they prepared for the win- ter hunt, they put stones in their canoes to sink them in the river, until their return in the spring. They also dug holes in the ground and put in the sacks of dried corn and beans, covering the saeks with leaves and brush, then filling earefully with dirt, and over this


57


988


IIISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


covering again with leaves and brush, to hide from view. Soon after they left, their enemies the Winnebagoes, who were a thieving, troublesome race, would come, and with iron spears would prod about searching for the hidden corn. Upon finding it they would carry it away. This petty thieving kept up a continuous fend be- tween the tribes. In one instance three Winnebagoes stole some ponies from the Sacs; they were caught by the Saes who took them to their village. To punish the thieves, the Sacs formed a ring, about the size of a circus ring, in which the three Winnebagoes were placed. They were made to ride and walk about the inelosure while the squaws and young Indians amused themselves throwing sharp missiles at them. After they had thoroughly frightened the captives the ring was opened and they were allowed to escape.


The subject of this sketch remained at Roek Island until De- cember, 1833, when he removed with his father's family to Black Hawk's purchase, where they made the first settlement in what is now Buffalo, Scott Co., lowa. Being 11 years of age at that the time, he assisted a hired man to haul logs to erect the first cabin county. He had attended school six months up to this time, three months at White Oak Springs, Wis., and three more at Oquawka. In the spring of 1836 the town of Buffalo was laid out, and young W. L. took the contract for putting up the first storehouse, for Jacob Pelien, and took S. C. Hastings, who was afterward judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa, and member of Congress, also chief justice of California, as a partner, they doing the scoring and hiring S. Gillet to do the hewing. The party cleared about $80. W. L. Clark had also the management of the noted " Clark's ferry," and is now residing upon the tract of land that he "elaimed " at that time. He attended a school taught by Erastus Basset, which was the first school in Buffalo township. In 1838, when 16 years of age, his father sent him to Wabash Co., Ill., to sell two farms he owned there, and to return through the State and buy 50 cows. W. L. employed Daniel Stennate ( father of Hon. Wayne Stennate, of this State ) to accompany him and assist in driving. Strange to relate, Mr. Clark came through the entire State of Illinois with $3,000, going from grove to grove telling his business, with greater safety from robbery than one could go now from Buffalo to Davenport with 75 eents in money.


During the winter of 1838, Mr. Clark received his last school- ing. Upon Oct. 25, 1839, occurred the death of his father, the saddest event of his life, and one month later the death of his mother, leaving eight children, most of whom were young and helpless. Never before in their young lives being accustomed to lack for anything, he and his brother found themselves without a change of clothing, all having been stolen while they were absentat the funeral of their mother. IIe states that even now, after the lapse of 49 years, he cannot refrain from shedding tears at the recall of those dark, dreary days. No human being who has never experienced such an event can feel as he felt. And to further discourage the


989


BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.


young lad, a friend (?) of the family predicted that " Lewis would come to some bad end, because he had never been acenstomed to labor." As cruel as the prophecy seemed, he is now very thankful for it ; for he determined to convince that friend " that he would be a man," and states that within 15 years, she could have purchased the friend's farm and several others and had money to spare, besides having the confidence of those who knew him. He began by cut- ting wood for 50 cents per cord, broke prairie for $2.00 per aere, raised and sold winter wheat for 20 to 22 cents per bushel. W. L. Clark married Harriet Baker, daughter of Maurice Baker, of Mary- land, and Margaret Waters Baker, of Kentucky, Dec. 9, 1841. They immediately started to housekeeping with a family of six of his brothers and sisters, he being but 19 and his wife 18 years of age. They now have a family of eight children-Benjamin Warren, who was born December, 1842, married Miss Lizzie Evans, of St. Lonis, where he is engaged in the wholesale grocery trade; Emina M., who married Gen. Jesse M. Harrison, of Dubnque, Iowa ; Clara M., who married Chas. F. Elmes, of Chicago ; Florence L., who married Mr. W. L. Orriek, of Dubuque ; Lincoln L., who is unmarried ; Kate M. and Anna M. still reside with their parents at Buffalo. Chas. C. is with his eldest brother engaged in business in St. Louis, Mo. In the fall of 1846, W. L. Clark took several men and an outfit and went to the pineries on Black River, Wis. In 1847 he removed to Davenport. In 1848 he and W. H. Baker erected a double saw-mill on Black River, above the fall; soon after stocked a lumber yard in Davenport, the firm being Clark & Hamilton. In 1850, Capt. Clark sold out the yard and purchased a one-quarter interest in the steamer " Unele Toby" and two barges. taking possession and running the boat until 1553. Capt. W. L. Clark and the late Capt. Leroy Dodge, in the year 1854, purchased a half interest in a line of packets running between Keokuk, Davenport and Rock Island, Capt. Clark taking command of one steamer and Capt. Dodge of the other. They made money very rapidly, and in 1856 the two gentlemen bought the entire line paying the Keokuk company 840,000 for their interest, adding the " Ben Campbell," a very fine boat at that day, which was afterward burned at Buffalo. Capt. Clark received the United States mail contract for carrying mails over his line through the kindness of his staunch friends, Genls. Dodge and Jones, Senators from Iowa, which was a valuable acquisition. During the summer of 1865, Capts. Clark and Dodge laid out an addition to the city of Buffalo, which still bears their name. In 1857 Capt. Clark removed from Davenport to Buffalo, opening his coal mines to supply the packet line with coal. At that time he had become quite wealthy but in 1859 the financial crisis came upon the land bke a northern bliz- zard, sweeping every one before it, Capt. Ciark not being an exception. The most seenre banks crumbled to invisible fragments, leaving nothing but wild-cat swindles, from which sprang many fine buildings for the unfortunate creditors to gaze upon while


990


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


grieving over their misplaced confidence. During those dark hours that tried men's souls, many noble-hearted, honest men fell to rise no more financially. A few withstood the blast; though they lost money, they came forth with honor brightened by the rough usage they had received. Capt. Clark had sufficient left to supply a comfortable home in his old age, and grant a few lux- uries. In principle Capt. Clark has been a life-long Democrat, but. without desire for political honors, he has always sacrificed his own advancement for the preferment of others. Never was a man who was more keenly sensitive to the ingratitude of those whom he had befriended. He is generous to the poor and has a kindly sympathy for the unfortunate. Temperate in his habits in every respect. Though not a member of any church, is a staunch defender and supporter of religion. IIe expresses keen regret at having been unable to do more to advance the cause of justice, truth and tem- perance. He has great decision of character when sure of his position, nothing can change his opinion. neither men nor corpo- rations. He still resides on the homestead farm where he hopes to remain nntil taken to his final resting place.


John. L. Coates was born in Buffalo Township May 11, 1842. He lived on the farm there until his marriage to Helen Me Garvey, Sept. 15. 1869. She was born in Holmes Co., O. Her father, William Mc Garvey, was born in Pennsylvania ; his wife, Mary A. Graham, was of Irish nativity. He died in July, 1873. She is a resident of Rock Island. They had a family of 11 children. In the fall of 1877 Mr. John Coates bought his present farm of 571 acres, in section 28. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist church, and have had three children -- Mary L., who died July 15. 1873; Pearl W. B., and Lulu F. The parents of our subject were Elisha and Mary (Sexton) Coates, natives of North Carolina. They were members of the Methodist church and had eight children. They were among the early pioneers of Seott Connty, having come here in 1839. Mr John L. Coates has his farm all under cultivation except 14 acres of timber land. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for A. Lin- coln.


John P. Cooper. farmer, Muscatine County, but formerly of Buffalo Township, was born near Mt. Pleasant, Murray Co., Tenn., March 25, 1812. His parents were John I., and Nellie Cooper, nee Mc Adams. nativesof Tennessee. They had 10 children, two liv- ing-John P. and Samuel. The subject of this memoir worked on his father's farm and in a saw-mill until he was 20 years old, when he became self supporting. IJe left his home with a good mare, a shot-gun and $15, as the foundation for a fortune. He went to La Salle, Ill., thence to Scott County, inJuly, 1832. He was employed in building a mill-dam for one month, was then taken with the ague, to which he was a victim one whole summer, being unconscious with the fever every other day. He split rails for seven months. walking one mile to his work, and would cut and split 150 rails


991


BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.


per day. In partnership with a young man named Allen Olin- stead he put in a crop near La Salle, and later one in Buffalo Town . ship, on a claim which they had entered in 1833. Mr. Olmstead and Mr Cooper made an agreement that the one who married first should have the crop and cabin on the claim in Buffalo Township, this being Mr. Olmstead's proposition. Mr. Cooper was not aware of the fact that his friend was engaged to a Miss Bailey in La Salle, but such was the case. Accordingly Mr. O. returned to that place to marry her, but finding her sister much handsomer he proposed to her, and was refused. Thinking his former betrothed was only waiting to be asked. he proposed marriage to her, but she declined the honor. Sufficient to add, he left her, a sadder but a wiser man, and is now living unmarried in Illinois. Mr. Cooper was married in Illinois to Winnie Jane Pace. They were compelled to come to Illinois to be married as there was no law authorizing marriage in Iowa at that time; accordingly a party of wedding guests went over to Andalusia with them and they were married by a young justice of the peace, Daniel Edgington. He was very bashful, and after getting Mrs. Cooper married, broke down completely, and Uncle John jokingly says that his wife was mar- ried but he was not. Mrs. Cooper was a daughter of Michael and. Nancy Pace, nee Richards, natives of Virginia. After their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper remained on their claim in Buffalo Township until 1870 when they moved into Muscatine County, Montpelier Township. She died here Dee. 4. 1877, having been the mother of 12 children, 10 living-Robert M .. married Magda- lena Friday; Mary E., wife of A. JJ. Hyatt; John P., married Powenne Actions: Eliza, wife of William Benshoff; Catherine I., wife of Charles T. Wineman, Harriet C., married La Fayette Swi- net; William, married Mary Evers: Emma. married John Malli- coat: Josephine, married George W. Allbee; Wenona, wife of John P. Logan, and Violena I., married B. F. Craig and died in September, 1870. Mr. John Cooper owns a fine farm of S0 acres, and is one of the pioneers of 1836, and is one of the representative men of the county.


John Dururer is a native of Wedenburg, Nawstellam, Germany, born May 10. 1824. His parents died here when he was but a boy. He was thrown on his own resources when quite young, and worked on a farm and in hotels until 25 years of age, when he came alone to the United States, and located in Davenport. He was married here to Johanna Swenstz, Dec. 12, 1857. She was born in Oldenberg. Holstein, Germany, and wasa daughter of God- lieb and Henrietta (Steiger) Swenstz. After his marriage Mr. Daurer rented land nine years, then bought a farm of 240 acres in section S, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Daurer have one child, Louie. They adopted Charles Swenstz in 1860 and Bertha Schraeder in 1875. Mr. Daurer has 140 acres of his farm under cultivation and well stocked. In politics he is a Republican.


Henry II. De Santo, druggist, is a native of Dorpat, Russia, born


992


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


Oet. 3, 1840. His parents were Gustav and Matilda (Franke) De Santo, natives of Russia. He was professor of the University at Dorpat, and died in St. Petersburg in July, 1856; his wife died in Carlsburg, Germany, in 1864. Henry De Santo studied medieine and chemistry in the University at Dorpat, until 23 years of age, then eame to the United States; landed Oet. 8, 1862. He enlisted at Cineinnati in Company I, Seeond Ohio Cavalry. He was wounded in the right leg by a piece of shell at the battle of Winchester, Va., and was sent to the Baltimore hospital, where he remained in the dispensary department until the elose of the war, when he received an honorable discharge. He was married in Bal- timore to Lonisa Bass, a native of that place, Oct. 15, 1865. Her father, Fred Bass, was born in Germany and died in Mareb, 1869; his wife Mary (Bunz) Bass, died in September, 1874. After Mr. De Santo was married he elerked in the city drug store at Roek Island until 1867, when he went to Andalusia, Ill., and opened a drug store. In 1879 he established his present store at Buffalo. He carries a stock of $1,000 and has athriving trade. Mr. and Mrs. De Santo have had five children. one living-Emilie. The subject of this memoir isa Mason and a member of Barrett Chapter, No. .18, in Rock Island, and of Andalusia Blue Lodge, No. 516. IIis grandfather was one of the prisoners taken at Napoleon's defeat in Russia, in 1812.


Erie Dodge, son of Daniel and Mary (Stephenson) Dodge, was born on a farm in Russia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 10, 1805, where he attended sehool and worked on the farm until March 27, 1829, when he was married to Evaline Buskirk, who was born Oet. 3, 1812, in Oneida Co., N. Y., and was a daughter of Law- renee and Elizabeth Buskirk, natives of New York, where they died. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dodge lived on the old homestead in Russia, N. Y., until October, 1834, when they removed to Joliet, Ill., where he was engagedin blasting and haul- ing roek for the locks on the canal. In 1836 he was elected con- stable and deputy sheriff, which office he held for four years. After the expiration of that time he worked at farming. Ilis wife died here Mareh 27, 1889, having been the mother of five children, one deceased. IIe was again married, to Mary J. Harrington, July 23, 1843. She was born at Hogensburg, N. Y., on the St. Lawrence River, Sept. 16, 1823. IIer parents were Benjamin O. and Harriet E. (Langdon) Harrington, natives of Vermont, and the parents of seven children. One year after his marriage Mr. Dodge moved from Joliet to Iowa, and settled in Buffalo Township, March 27, 1845. He bought a farm of 352 aeres March 28, 1853, and lias sinee sold all except 20 aeres in seetion 15, on which he resides. He and wife have had four children, viz .: William L., who mar- ried Sarah Fraser, and resides on a farm in Blue Grass Township. He is a school-teacher, and is at present teaching near Eldridge, this county. Daniel C. married Hattie Harrington; they reside in Buf- falo Township; he is an engineer. Rosie D. married Edward Gif-


993


BUFFALO TOWNSILIP.


ford, and resides on the farm in Buffalo Township; and Clara B., who married Samuel James; he owns the James coal banks in Buffalo Township. Mr. Eric Dodge has his farm under good cultivation, and is chiefly engaged in raising fruits. He has held various offices of trust in his township. In politics he is a Demo- erat, and cast his first vote for " Old Hickory" Jackson.


Benjamin F. Du Bois was born near Poughkeepsie, Duchess Co., N. Y., Feb. 24, 1812. He was a son of Matthew and Sarah (Flagler) Du Bois, natives of New York State. Benjamin F. at- tended school at Belleville and Poughkeepsie, graduating in the latter place in 1831. He then commenced the study of medicine, but finally abandoned that and engaged in teaching. He taught 10 years in the city schools. He was married in Belleville to Clementine Walker, March 24, 1842. She was a danghter of Joseph and Margaret (Leslie) Walker, of Scotch nativity. He died in Scotland in 1822; she died in 1852, in Buffalo Township. Mr. and Mrs. Du Bois came to Scott County in 1843; he bought a farm of 120 acres in sections 17 and 18, where he now resides. He taught school for five years after coming here, since then has devoted his whole time and attention to farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Du Bois were born two children, viz .: William L., who married Ellen Her- ron and resides at Dalton, Ga., and Darwin C., married Mary Brownawell and lives in Ottumwa, Iowa. Mrs. Du Bois died in 1845 and Mr. Du Bois married Mary Walker, a sister of his first wife. She taught the first school in District No. 5 in 1843 or '44. They are the parents of the following named children: Clementina now the wife of Albert Berryman; Margaret E .; Joseph E., who married Elizabeth Rowan; and Edith L., now the wife of Chas. F. Sparrow. Mr. Du Bois was elected township inspector of schools in 1847 and held that position until the election of a county su- perintendent. He laid ont the school district of the township, which at that time consisted of four districts. He held the office of township clerk over 20 years, He has been president, secretary and treasurer of the School Board.


Davis C. Dutcher, postmaster, farmer, and owner of the White Sulphur Springs, was born near Otsego Lake, near Cooperstown, Nov. 10, 1820. fle lived here, working on his father's farm and attending school until 23 years of age, when he married Miss Fanny E. Wagner, February, 1844; she was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., and was a daughter of Abraham Wagner, and Maria Keller; they were among the first settlers on the Mohawk River in New York State; he was a farmer, and is still living at Linwood, in his 85th year, a hale, hearty old gentleman. She died in February, 1851. After Mr. and Mrs. Duteher were married, he opened a store of general merchandise, and was appointed post- master at East Springfield, N. Y., where he remained some seven years, until the fall of 1554, when he went to Illinois and settled on a farm on Rock River, five miles south of Rock Island, where he remained until April, 1858. when he came to Scott Co., Iowa,


994


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


and, on the Hazelwood farm in Blue Grass Township: remained here four years, when he bought the farm where he now lives, at. Linwood, section 24, Buffalo Township. He and wife have had two children, viz .: John G., who married Josie Mosdorf, and Jerome E., who married Mary Mitsch; they reside on the old homestead in section 24, with their parents. The parents of Mr. Davis C. Dntcher were Gabriell Dutcher and Margaret McKellop. They were mem- bers of the German Reform Presbyterian church, and had a family of three children, all living. He was a farmer, born in New York and died in 1850. She was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., near where the great Indian massacre of 1812 was. She died in May, 1874. Her father, Archie MeKellop, was chased by the Indians at the massacre of 1812, and he hid in a hollow log and thus saved his life. The Indians sat down on the log, and even struck their tomahawks in it, and were wondering where he had gone. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Davis C. Dutcher, has his farm of 117} acres, most all under cultivation, and well stocked. Ile is one of the well-to-do representative farmers of Scott County. On his farm at Linwood, situated seven miles below Davenport, on the Mis- sissippi River, is the White Sulphur Springs, noted for its health- ful qualities. The following is an analysis by Professor Rush Emery, of Albany, N. Y. Grains in one U. S. S. Gallon, 231 enbic inelies.


Sodium Chloride. 92.7995


Iron Bicarbonate. 27.3796


Calcium Chloride.


.33.5699


Potassium Sulphate. 6.1300


Magnesia Chloride.


23.2687


Sodium Phosphate. .5000


Carbonic Acid ..


.31.5700


Silica .. .30.5601




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