USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 73
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father, who was a miller by trade, died when Alexander was but four years old, and his mother followed, five years later. The subject of this sketeh then lived with an uncle one year, after which, he spent the same length of time with a sister ; and during both years he was kept steadily in school. le then engaged in farming, which occupation he followed in that country until 1861, when he came to America. Upon landing in New York, he proceeded to Chicago, where he spent a few days and then went on to Bureau county, Illinois, and was there engaged in farming until his removal to Iowa in 1874. Mr. Speirs was married, in 1866, 'o Miss Nancy F. Blackburn, a native of Missouri. They have been blessed with eight chil- dren-William, Mary, Agnes, Alexander, James, John, Robert and Albert. During 1882, he visited Humbolt county, and while there, purchased a quarter section of land in Avery township, of that county.
ORGANIC.
This township was organized in 1853, and contained what is now Geneseo, Buck- ingham, Grant, Crystal, Perry and Clark. The last division was made in 1868, when Grant township was cut off and Bucking- ham assumed its present boundaries.
The first election was held in April, 1853, at the house of the Woods brothers. The following officers were elected: Jus- tices, John Connell and David Dean; Constables, A. L. Dean and Robert Con- nell; Trustees, David Dean, N. L. Osborn and Samuel Dunkle; Clerk, Jonas P. Wood; Assessor, Jonas P. Wood. The Judges of this election were John Connell, David Dean and N. L. Osborn. The Clerks were J. P. Wood
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and A. L. Dean. The highest number of votes polled at this election was nine, that being the number which David Dean re- ceived for Trustee.
The last annual election was held at the Gravatt school-house, November 7, 1882. O. Gravatt, J. C. Wood and P. II. Mason were Judges and Robert Provan and J. G. Bull, Clerks. At this election the follow- ing officers were chosen:
J. C. Wood, Trustee; G. Jaqua, Justice of the Peace; J. G. Bull, Clerk; J. V. B. Greene, Assessor; Road Supervisors: Dis- trict No. 1, J. W. Fleming; District No. 2, E. B. Green; District No. 3, Conklin Gay; District No. 4, F. B. Little; District No. 5, B. L. Keeler; District No. 6, D. C. Ladd; District No. 7, Thomas Cummings; Dis- trict No. 8, II. G. Flakins. There were cast 107 votes.
John G. Bull, present Clerk of Bucking- ham township, is a native of Greene county, Ohio, where he was born June 5, 1843. His younger days were spent on a farm. He received his education in the district schools and the Teacher's Normal of Xenia, Ohio, which latter he attended three terms. In August, 1862, Mr. Bull enlisted in the 94th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served for three years. In 1865, he began teaching in the public schools of his native county, and contin- ued until 1868, when he came to Iowa. Mr. Bull settled in Tama county, purchas- ing land, in company with his brother, on section 5, of Oneida township, and there engaged in farming until 1882, at which time they sold out, and the subject of this sketch bought his present farm on sections 27 and 34, of Buckingham township. He was elected to the office of Township Clerk
in November of 1882, and the same year was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Hopping of Greene county, Ohio.
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools in this township have kept pace with the necessities. Buildings have been erected and teachers secured when- ever there was a demand for them. The people have seemed desirous of furnishing all the children an opportunity to secure a good common school education and the record which follows will show how much they have accomplished.
In district number one the school house was built in 1870, on section 8. Miss Lucy Foster was the first teacher in this build- ing. The original cost of the house was five hundred dollars and in 1880 it was en- larged at an additional expense of three hundred dollars.
School district number two did not have a building until 1874, when one was erect- ed on the northwest quarter of section 20. Miss Jennie Felton was the first teacher in this house. Miss Jennie Graham was the teacher in the spring of 1883.
The first building for school purposes in district number three was erected in 1858, on the southeast quarter of section 36 and was a frame building. John Gaston was the first teacher. In 1873, this building was moved away and the same season another was built on the northeast corner of section 26. Clementine Goben first taught here.
District number four had its first school in 1858, which was taught in William C. Reed's house on the northwest quarter of section 24, by Aurelia Slade. The children afterward attended school in what is now sub-district number six. This was made
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
a distriet as it now exists in 1861; and a school-house was built the same year. Miss Aurelia Slade was the first teacher in this house. The school here is now under the management of Miss Ennice Cum- mings.
Distriet number five. The first school house built in this district was in 1862, on O. Gravatt's land on section 27. Miss Zoe Taylor was the first teacher here. Two or three years later this building was moved to the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 22 and in December, 1870, was burned and one term of school was taught in J. R. Ilolman's house. The present building was erected in 1871, on the old site. Miss Amelia Gordon was the first teacher in the new building. Miss Kate Cummings is its present teacher.
The first house in district number six was built in 1860, on the northeast quar- ter of section 11, and Miss Aurelia Slade was the first teacher. Three or four years later this house was moved to the south- east quarter of section 3. The present building was erected in 1870, on the north- east quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11. Mrs S. J. Sarvey was the first teacher here. in the spring of 1878 this house was moved to its present location on the southwest quarter of section 1.
District number seven was set off in 1877, and a school-house built the same year, located on the southwest quarter of section 3 and Miss Del Wager taught the first term. James Pinkerton is the present teacher.
All these houses are in fair condition and additions are constantly being made rom time to time.
RELIGIOUS.
A Methodist Episcopal class was organ- ized at the Bovina school house in 1864, with J. R. Hankinson as class leader and Rev. Baker as pastor. There was only a small membership. Among them were the following: J. R. Hankinson and wife and Mrs. Jameson and two daughters from Black Hawk county. The organization continued in existence about ten years, being supplied by different pastors. The Protestants in this vicinity generally wor- ship at Traer.
A Baptist society was organized at the Bovina school house about the same time the Methodists perfected an organization, with the following membership: W. T. V. Ladd and wife, George Brown and wife, William Spencer and wife, Mrs. J. E. Davis and C. T. Tower and wife. Rev. J. J. Wilkins was the first pastor and was succeeded by E. L. Lesher. Meet- ings were held every alternate Sabbath. This organization also continued in exist- ence about ten years. A Sabbath School was organized on Section 11, in 1862, with W. T. V. Ladd as Superintendent ; there were about twenty-five scholars. Meet- ings were afterward held at the school house on Section 3 and in the new school house on Section 11. The school increased in numbers and also continued in existence about ten years. Besides these religious societies many meetings were held from time to time in different places. One in the school house in district number one, where a class was organized by Elder Bai- ley in 1874 with ten members as follows : Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols, Byron Allen and wife, Martha Stephenson, Mrs. James Wor- ley, Mrs. Betsy Philp, Mrs. Daniel Cum-
6
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
mings, Mr. Dix and Anthony Stunly and wife. In district number two a good many services have been held but no organiza- tion effected. Elders Hamilton and Liv- ingston preached here. The Congregation- alists had meetings in the schoolhouse of district number seven, and the Methodist Episcopals held some services in the same place. Religious meetings were held at the house of William C. Reed, on section 24, by Rev. J. R. Upton, a Congregational- ist. Mr. Emerson afterward preached here and also Elder Roberts.
The Catholics held meetings in Martin Cummings' house, on section 14, in 1878. Father Kelley, from Eagle township, offi- ciated, and at that time Martin and James Cummings were baptized. Mass has since been said in Anthony Cummings' house on section 14. The people of this vicinity now meet for worship in a new church in Lincoln township, Black Hawk County. Father O'Brien has charge there.
HISTORICAL ITEMS.
On the afternoon of the 8th of October, 1866, A. II. Felter murdered his wife and attempted to commit suicide. The details of this horrible tragedy may be found in the chapter of "Events of Interest."
In June, 1854, Mr. Ilarton and son, while crossing Wolf Creek, were drowned. They were living on rented land on the southeast quarter of section 26, and were attempting to cross the creek on section 36. They had been breaking prairie on the opposite side from where they lived and during the day the creek had swollen to a great depth. The team was obliged to swim, and Mr. Harton and his son were thrown from the wagon and drowned. Their bodies were soon recovered. His
widow afterward married again and moved away.
The first death in the township was a daughter of David Dean, who died in the summer of 1852 and was buried on section 27. A son of Mr. Spade died here in 1853 and was buried in Buckingham cemetery. This was the first interment in those grounds. As there was no preacher in the neighborhood they were buried without funeral services.
The first marriage was that of W. II. Il. Hill to Charlotte, daughter of Varnum Helm. ITe enlisted in the army and died while in the service. His widow was married again and now lives in Nebraska.
An early birth was John A., a son to Alfred and Sevena Wood, born April 11, 1858. He is now married and living at Rock Branch, Woodbury county, where he is engaged in mercantile business. The first birth in this town was a son of A. L. Wood. He was named Wesley, in honor of Wesley A. Daniel. Hle now lives in Kansas.
In 1865, there was a blacksmith shop opened on the southwest quarter of section 1, by Irwin Thompson. Two years later he moved the same to Geneseo township.
Leander Clark built a saw-mill on Wolf creek in 1855. Ile built a brush and dirt dam and secured a fall of six feet. An up and down saw was used. In 1857, he sold one half interest to T. F. Clark, who con- tinued the business until 1863, when the dam washed out, since which time the mill has not run.
LARCHI HILL CEMETERY.
An association was formed in 1878, by the following persons: O. Gravatt, B. F. MeKay, D. C. Ladd, J. T. Ames, Charles
44
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Tower, W. W. Blanchard, William Pink- erton. Board of Directors, O. Gravatt, President; J. T. Ames, Secretary; B. F. Mckay, Treasurer. J. T. Ames donated nearly two acres of land on section 14, a part of which had been used for a private burying ground. It was platted by Ames and Gravatt into lots, twenty-two feet square, valued at ten dollars each. Mrs. Susan Ames was the first interment, buried here in 1865.
The grounds have been beautified, im- proved and trees set out, making it a pie- turesque spot.
POST OFFICES.
There was a postoffice established in 1867, called Bovina, with C. II. Blanch- ard as postmaster. The office was kept at his house on section 10, mail being received twice each week from Buckingham. The office was discontinued in 1873. About this time Buckingham postoffice was moved to section 22, and kept at the house of the postmaster, J. R. Holman. This office was discontinued about one year later.
TIIE LARCHIES.
The above is the name of a large stock farm in Buckingham township, J. T. Ames proprietor. Mr. Ames came to the town- ship in 1854, bought a large tract of land, and is now one of the largest stock raisers in the county. In 1881, he built a barn on section 23, 120 feet long and 112 feet in width. It is conveniently arranged,
has a capacity for 500 tons of hay, and room enough to feed and stable 200 head of cattle. It is built after the most modern plan and cost between tive and six thousand dollars. It required one hundred and thirty thousand shingles to cover the roof. The barn is supplied
with water conveyed through pipes from a well about fifty rods distant, which gives forth a continuous flow the year round, furnishing a full supply. Mr. Ames keeps about 225 head of cattle, all of shorthorn grades. He also raises colts to some ex- tent, but gives his attention principally to raising cattle.
J. F. Ames, owner of the farm, was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, October 18, 1819. When he was two years old his parents removed to Erie county, New York, where eight years later his father died. The subject of this sketch then made his home with a brother- in-law, Abner Dewey, until he reached his majority, the intervening year being spent in attending school and helping with the farm work. Upon becon ing of age he followed a sailors' life on the lakes two years, and then started for the west. He located in Walworth county, Wiscon- sin, where he entered government land, and made that his home until the fall of 1843, when he went south, and during the next four years was engaged in teaching in the States of Missouri and Kentucky. He then returned to Wisconsin, where he continued to reside until 1850. April 8 of that year he started t California in company with four others. They went over land with two four horse teams, taking provisions and camping ont on the way. August 20, they arrived at their destination and Mr. Ames' first work in that State was the building of the levee at Sacramento. Subsequently he engaged in building mills and flumes and also took contracts for grading streets in Sacra- mento. During 1854 he returned to Wis- consin, where he was married to Miss
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Mary J. Reed, formerly of Dutchess county, New York, and the same year the young couple came to Tama county, Iowa. Mr. Ames purchased and entered land on sections 14 and 23 of Buckingham town- ship, and has since made that his home,
although he spent the first winter after his arrival here, in Wisconsin. Ile is now largely engaged in stock raising in connection with farming. They have three children living: Asa L., Herbert and John T.
CHAPTER XXI.
CARLTON TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in the western tier of Tama county townships and comprises all of township 84 north, range 16, west of the fifth principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by Spring Creek ; on the west by Marshall county ; on the South by Indian Village township; and on the east by Howard. It is well sup- plied with living streams of water. Deer creek enters on section 4, and flowing in a southeasterly direction, passes through sections 3, 10, 11, 14, 23 and 24, makes exit near the northeast corner of section 25. Prairie creek rises on section 9, runs in a southeasterly direction through sections 16, 15, 22 and on section 23, empties into Deer creek-Sugar creek enters on the northwest quarter of section 6, and flow- ing in a southerly direction through sec- tions 7, 18, 17, 19, 29 and 32, leaves the township. There are a number of small tributaries of these streams, so that the township is as well watered as any in the county.
There is an abundance of building stone in this township, many quarries hav- ing been opened. Not only this township but the surrounding country is supplied from these points. The surface of this township is generally rolling and in some places hilly. There are tracts of fine prairie land and a number of excellent farms. The soil on these prairies is a rich dark loam, and upon the timber lands of of a lighter nature mixed with clay and vegetable mould. Along Deer creek there is a little natural timber, and in the southern part of the township there is a good supply.
The Toledo & Northwestern Railroad passes through this township. There is one town within its borders-Garwin.
Carlton township was so named in hon- or of James P. Carlton, one of the first District Judges of the Fourth Judicial District.
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH.
The first to settle in what is now Carl- ton township was Anthony Bricker, from Indiana, in the spring of 1856. He crossed the lowa river at Indiantown, ferrying his household goods over in his wagon box which he had caulked sufficiently to keep out the water. He stopped a short time near where Brown's sawmill now stands and shortly afterwards selected the northeast quarter of section 30 as a claim, where he erected a log cabin twelve by twelve feet. He was a married man hav- ing a wife and two children and is re- membered as an accommodating, genial companion, an intelligent man and a good neighbor. Ile remained on this place un- til 1852, when he sold his claim to II. L. Dobson and removed to section 34, where he remained until 1857, when he sold out to Dr. N. Welton and removed to Kansas. lle is now living in Montana.
The next settlement made in this town- ship was in 1852 by David, Leviand Ja- cob Appelgate, brothers. David is now a resident of Toledo and Levi lives in Ne- braska.
In 1853, the little settlement was in- creased by the arrival of Stephen Dobson and his son, C. W. Dobson, and their fam- ilies; Dr ... J. S. Haynes, Jacob Tamb, James Laughlin, sr., James Laughlin, jr., George Laughlin and Samuel Brieker, a brother of Anthony.
C. W. Dobson and his father, Stephen, came from Indiana, arriving here on the 26th of September, 1853. C. W. located on section 30, where he remained for a number of years and then removed to sec- tion 8, where he still lives. Stephen died there.
John Wilson came from Illinois, and settled in Carlton township in 1854. He lived for many years in Indian Village, dying there in 1879.
Jonathan Peterson came to Carlton township in October, 1854, and settled on section 18. Ile came here with teams, bringing James Barrows and wife, D. Gray and wife, George Brown and Ulys- ses and James Seely. The first winter was spent in Indian Village township. Jonathan Peterson was born in Vermont, in 1800. When qnite young he went to New York and when eighteen came west to Illinois, where he spent four years. lle then purchased a · buffalo and an Indian dog and started on his return to New York, giving exhibitions on the way. Soon after his return he was married to Abigail Chapman, also a native of Ver- mont, born in 1804. Soon after his mar- riage, he engaged in farming and after- wards in mercantile and banking business until 1847, when he removed with his fam- ily to Kendall county, Illinois, where he had previously purchased several hundred acres of land. Ile engaged in farming in Illinois until 1854, when he sold his land, moved with his family to Tama county, Iowa, and entered several hundred acres of land in Carlton township. He made this his home until his death, which occurred in February, 1862. His widow died in March, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Pe- terson reared a family of nine children. Mr. Peterson was highly respected as a man and held the confidence of all who knew him. For a number of years he was Chairman of the County Board of Super- visors.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
John Peterson came to Tama county with his parents, « ho settled in Carlton township in 1854, but made permanent settlement in 1855. Ile is a son of Jona- than Peterson and was born in Genesee county, New York, May 11, 1833. His marriage with Miss Mary Ferguson, a na- tive of Indiana, took place on the 22d of February, 1866. Miss Furguson was born in 1848. This marriage has been blessed with three children : Ida A., Eva L. and Roscoe C. Mr. Peterson is one of the most prosperous farmers of the county. Ilis farm contains 1,000 acres under good cultivation, with a commodions dwelling and good barns for his stock. In politics Mr. Peterson is a Republican and has held various local offices. He takes an active interest in county and township af- fairs, showing an especial interest in ed- neational matters; for, as the advantages for his own early education were limited, he is desirous to do everything that will improve the opportunities of to-day. Mr. Peterson is a kind father, a good neigli- bor and is respected by all who know him.
James Lewis came to Carlton township from Illinois in 1855, and settled on sec- tion 29. He soon sold that place to Sam- son Strong, but still lives in the township.
Mr. Merritt came during the same year from Illinois and settled on section 28. lle died there a number of years ago, mourned by a large circle of friends. Ilis widow still lives in the township.
Alexander Reed, from Illinois, settled on section 16, of Carlton, in 1855. IIe re- mained a few years when he sold out and returned to Illinois.
The Haskell and Baldwin party settled in the central part of the township in 1855.
Jackson Guthrie came the same year with his family and settled in Carlton township. He is still a citizen here.
Stephen Harris, sr., and Ilick Dowell settled on section 29 this year. Both of these parties have left. A son of Mr. Harris still lives in the township.
Benjamin Clark, a brother-in-law of Mr. Ilarris, came from Indiana and settled near Anthony Bricker's place. He re- mained until the time of his death, just be- fore the war.
Peter Voir and Daniel Defrance came from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1855 and located on section 6. Peter Moir now lives in Howard township and Defrance is in Hamilton county, Iowa.
Hiram Fay and Edwin Libbey were also settlers of 1855.
Another valuable addition was made to the settlement in 1855, by the arrival of Dr. William L. Conant and family. The father is noticed at length in the Medical chapter.
Marion A. Conant, son of Dr. William 1. Conant, was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, on the 8th of April, 1852. In 1855, his parents came to the county and settled in Carlton township where they remained until the spring of 1881, when they moved to Gladbrook, at which place the father is engaged in the practice of medicine. Marion was reared on his father's farm, receiving a common school education. Ile was married, December 28, 1873, to Miss Eva B. Buihner, who was born in Oswego, III., September 15, 1855. They have one child, Addie B.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Mr. and Mrs. Conant are members in good standing in the Christian Church at Gar- win. Mr. Conant is a Republican and has been elected to several local offices.
George W. Conant, also son of Dr. William L. Conant, was born March 12, 1855, in Van Buren county, Michigan. A short time after his birth, his parents emigrated to Carlton township, as stated, where George grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools. On the 23d of December, 1880, he was married to Miss Mary A. Snodgrass, who was born in Jackson county, Iowa. She is a daughter of Hugh and Lucinda (Clark) Snodgrass, natives of Ohio, both born in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Conant have reared a family of five children. Mr. Conant is a staunch Republican and has held various local offices.
In 1856, Rev. Andrew Donaldson ar- rived and settled on section 25. In 1857, L. N. B. C. Burt came and settled on section 7. The following year Newton Mudgett, now a prominent merchant of Garwin, settled on section 29. William Krouse came in 1859, and located on section 23.
L. N. B. C. Burt is a native of Ver- mont, born in 1829, and when four years old moved with his parents to New York, where he grew to manhood, receiving a common school education. Ile was mar- ried in 1855, to Miss Mary Peterson, born in New York State, in 1838. In 1857, he
removed to Tama county and settled on section 7, in Carlton township, where he still resides. Mr. Burt's parents were natives of Vermont. His mother died in New York, in 1850, aged forty-six; his father died in Warren county, Iowa, in
1881, aged 84. They reared a family of seven children, the subject of this sketch being the fourth. Mr. Burt has a fine farm of 160 acres, under good cultivation. Ile is the father of six children-Willard S., George F., Louis H., deceased; Charles L., Grant C. and Bertha M.
William Krouse is a native of Germany, born December 16, 1828. He is a son of Conrad B. and Francisca (Osthans) Krouse, the father being born September 3, 1801, the mother, October 10, 1811. In 1848, his father emigrated to Richland county, Ohio, and engaged in farming until 1863 or 1864, when he removed to Cleveland. Here he lived a retired life, and in 1874, the father passed away. His mother, in later years, was married to William Schaper, and now resides in Carlton town- ship. William finished his education in the high schools of Brunswick, Germany, came to Ohio with his parents, and was there engaged in the mercantile business until 1851. In 1852, he came to Davenport, Iowa, where he again engaged in the mercantile line. In 1851, he came to Tama county and entered a tract of 1,280 acres of land in Carlton township for his father. In 1859, he purchased a part of this land from his father, and removing here with his family, engaged in farming, which business he still follows. William was married in 1856, to Miss Barbara Miller, a native of Switzerland, born November 8, 1838. There have been seventeen children born to them, fifteen of whom are now living-William, Mary B., Frank, Robert, Minnie, Emma, Oscar, Barnhard, Fritz, Louisa, Ernest, Charles, Ella F., Sophia and Clara.
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