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 76
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hay which was spoiled by rain. In May, 1856, he made actual settlement. He now lives in Traer.
During the summer of 1856, Joseph Moss and family arrived, coming from Benton county, settling on section 18. They were natives of Ohio, and Mr. and Mrs. Moss were usually called "father" and "mother." They moved from here to Perry township, and later to Vinton, where they both died.
Newton Miller settled in Clark town- ship in 1855. In the chapter upon "Early Days" will be found a reminisence written by Mr. Miller, giving the details of his early settlement, and the death of his wife by a prairie fire.
I. P. Wentch was a settler of 1857, making his selection on section 6, where he still lives. He was born in Wurtem- burg, Germany, June 29, 1822. He came to America in 1851 and worked on a farm in Connecticut for eighteen months; then came west to Huron county, Ohio, where he remained until 1854, at which time he came to Tama county and located in Bnekingham township. Three years later he settled in Clark township, where he has since resided. Mr. Wentch is one of the large land owners of this part of the county, his farin consisting of 460 acres in a high state of cultivation. Ile has always taken an active part in politics, having held sev- eral of the township offices. In 1852, he was joined in matrimony with Miss C. B. Reitter, a native of Germany. They have nine children ; Catharine, Mary, George F., John 11., Lonise, Julia Ann, May Bell, Joseph P. and Wallace W.
Andrew Boylan came in 1859, and made settlement on section 4, where he remained until 1865, when he moved to Bucking- ham township. He now lives in Traer.
T. S. Talmage also came in 1859, and located on section 11, where he still lives. lle is a native of Greene county, New York, born January 27, 1834. He is a son of llenry and Jane A. (Reed) Tal- mage. His father was a physician and was born in Vermont. His mother was a native of New York State. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native county and there received a part of his education at Greenville Academy. Upon removing to the State of Wisconsin, in 1856, he attended Beloit College. After completing his education he traveled for two seasons through Illinois as agent for J. H. Manning & Company, the cele- brated reaper manufacturers. The win- ters of said years were spent in teaching. In April of 1859, he came to Tama county and immediately settled on his present place-section 11, in Clark township- which land he had previously purchased. The whole journey from southern Illinois to this county was made by Mr. Talmage on horseback. In politics he is a Repub- lican and was the first County Supervisor from this township, which office he held three years. He has held nearly all of the township offices and was Clerk of the same for thelong period of twelve years. Ile is a member of, and was one of the organ- izers of the Presbyterian Church at Dy- sart. He is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor. Mr. Talmage was united in marriage, in 1861, with Miss Eliza A. Howe, a native of Girard, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Four children have blessed
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this union: Jennie R., Hattie B., Charles H. and Ilarry H., who died Jannary 12, 1881, at the age of six years, seven months and nine days.
Stephen R. Ilunt came in 1860, and set- tled on the northwest quarter of section 14. Ile remained here until 1880, when he moved to Kansas, where he still lives.
The settlement of Clark township was slow, the cause being the lack of timber. Among those who have come in since the date last mentioned, and have been, or are now, prominent citizens of Clark township, may be men- tioned; James Enderton, Hugh Calderwood, John T. Converse, Christian Knoop, B. F. Thomas, Samuel Everett, Mathias Stoakes, J. N. Stoakes, Robert Powell, J. T. Find- ley, R. B. Beach, M. D. Bonney, Robert S. Smith, William II. Stoakes, J. D. E. Reed, J. F. Redmond, William Stewart, John Campbell, and John Jensen.
James Enderton was born March 4, 1833, at Medina Centre, Medina county, Ohio. In the fall of 1839, his parents moved to Sterling, Illinois, and James E. remained with his parents till of age. He married Miss Lucinda Root, a native of Farming- ton, Trumbull county, Ohio, November 17, 1856. Two daughters, Jannie and Sylvia, bless their union. Ile came to Tama county in the spring of 1866, and settled on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 11, in Clark township. Ile owns a fine farm of 80 acres. Mr. Enderton is a Republican, and has held the office of School Director, Road Supervisor, Town- ship Trustee and Assessor.
Ilugh Calderwood was born in Fulton county, New York, Angust 13, 1834. He is a son of John and Jane Beeket Calder-
wood, both natives of Scotland. Hugh remained at home until 1859, at which time he came west to Iowa, and settled in Elk River township, Clinton county, re- maining there until 1867, when he settled in Tama county, on section 18, Clark township, where he has a fine farm of 380 acres. In politics, Mr. Calderwood is a Republican, and has held the offices of Jutice of the Peace four years, and has been Assessor twice. Ile was married to Miss Mary Stewart, a native of Scotland, in 1865. Six children bless this union-John B., Floretta J., Annie May, Ruby Eliza- beth, William Stewart and Arthur James.
Christian Knoop was born in Bredstadt, Germany, April 24, 1838, and came to America in 1865. The first three years after coming to the United States were spent in Scott county, Iowa,and in 1868 he came to Tama county, locating on section 31, Clark township, where he now owns 320 acres of land under good improve- ment. He has held the office of Road Supervisor for two years. In 1868, he was married to Miss Lena Gosau, a native of Germany. They have one adopted son, George.
B. F. Thomas, an enterprising farmer in Clark township, was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 6, 1837. He is a son of L. H. Thomas, a native of Pennsylvania, and Lydia (Phillips) Thomas, a native of Ten- nessee. His early life was spent in his native county where he learned the potter's trade. In 1856, the family came to Tama county and settled in Buckingham town- ship, where his parents still reside. In 1861, he enlisted in Company G., 14th Iowa Infantry as a private, but was after- ward promoted to a non-commissioned
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officership. During his service he partici- pated in the battles of Donelson, Shiloh, Lake Chicot, Tupello and Town Creek. Hle was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and remained a prisoner of war two months. He was honorably dis- charged in November, 1864. He then returned to his home and was engaged in working at his trade. In December, 1864, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Stoakes, daughter of John Stoakes, of Perry town- ship. In 1869, they settled on section 5, Clark township where he now owns a farm of 240 acres. Mr. Thomas is a Republican in polities, has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and is at present one of the township Trustees and Treasurer of the township schools. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living, John L., Arthur II., Lewis N., Curtis II., B. Frankie and Wil- lie II.
Samuel Everett was born in Somerset county, Maine, on the 7th day of January, 1832. Ile is a son of S. F. and Calista (Turner) Everett. His early life was spent in his native county, receiving but a limited education. In 1850, he came west to Dodge county, Wisconsin, with his parents. In 1851, he engaged as a sailor on the lakes and during that year helped to unload the first railroad engine ever brought into Wisconsin. In the fall of that year he returned to his home in Dodge county, where he remained until 1864, then came to lowa, spending the first year in Allamakee county, then came to Tama county and located in Perry township, near West Union, buying a farm of 104 acres. Mr. Everett was at one time postmaster of the Wolf Creek postoffice. In 1869, he
settled on section 19, Clark township, where he has since resided. He was mar- ried in December, 1866, to Miss Caroline L. Vanglike, a native of Madison county, New York. Three children bless this union; Carrie, Lizzie A. and Hattie M.
Mathias Stoakes, son of William M. and Caroline (Householder) Stoakes, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 18th day of January, 1848. He came with his parents to lowa in 1851, and to Tama county in 1855. He was reared on his father's farm in Perry township, and received a good common school edu- cation. In 1869, he settled on section 7, in Clark township, and in 1874 settled on section 8, and now owns one of the finest farms in that township. Mr. Stoakes has always taken an active part in matters of local interest, especially in school affairs. He was married in 1874 to Miss Jane Stewart, a native of Washington county, Wisconsin. They have four children: Ella Jane, Charles Stewart, William Mathias and Edith Elizabeth.
J. N. Stoakes, brother of Mathias, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, August 7, 1849. In 1851, his parents emigrated to lowa, locating in Van Buren county, where they remained until in February, 1855, and then settled in Perry township, Tama county. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving a good common school educa- tion. In 1870, he settled on section 7, Clark township, where he now owns a fine farm of 160 acres. Mr. Stoakes is a Republican and has held several town- ship offices. At present he is Assessor and Secretary of the School Board. In 1871, he was married to Miss Mary Jane
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Brown, Five children have been born unto them-Thomas F., Maggie, Ernest R., Carrie C., ard Grace.
Robert Powell is a native of Wales, born September 5, 1844, his parents being Edward and Elizabeth ( Davis ) Powell, both natives of Wales. He came to America with his parents in 1855 and settled in Wisconsin. August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company C., 29th Wiscon- sin Infantry and served until honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin. While in the service, he was a participant in the following engagements: Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River, seige of Vicksburg, seige of Jackson, Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely. After his discharge, he returned to Dodge county, Wiscon- sin, and in 1870 came to Tama county, locating on section 19, Clark town- ship, where he now owns a farm of 160 acres. Mr. Powell has held several of the township offices, Ile was married in 1867 to Miss Sophia Furrow, a native of Wisconsin. Their children are-Edward, Emma, John, Estella, Martha and James Garfield.
He then returned to his home in Warren county and remained there until 1867, when he came to Tama county and first located in Geneseo township. In 1870, he moved into Clark township and settled on section 20, where he now owns a fine farm of 240 acres. Mr. Findley was married in 1859 to Miss Margaret E. Williams, a native of Pennsylvania. Six children have been born to them-Alphens L., Thomas, Fatima, Abbie, Emery and Ottie.
R. B. Beach is a native of Iowa, born at Lyons, in Clinton county, May 22, 1858. His father, the Rev. 11. W. Beach, was a Methodist minister. R. B. Beach's educa- tional advantages were the common schools in his native county, in connection with those of Tama. In 1865, his parents re- moved to Geneseo township of this county, where they remained until 1874, when they came to Dysart. Here his father en- gaged in the lumber trade until his health failed, in 1877, and in the following year his death occurred. The subject of this sketch has continued to reside here since coming with his parents in 1874, and at present is engaged in farming. During 1882, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Roxie J. Freeman, who was a native of Benton county, Iowa.
J. T. Findley, a son of William and Rebecca ( Taylor ) Findley, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the M. D. Bonney is a native of Ohio, born in Portage county, January 18, 1827. IIe is a son of Hezekiah and Marietta (Dewey) Bonney. lle was reared on his father's farm, receiving a good common school edu- cation. In 1851 he removed to Lorain coun- ty, Ohio, when he was married January 18, 1853, to Miss Arvilla R. Ilolcomb, a native of that county, and daughter of Truman and Phæbe (Pike) Holcomb. Two chil- 7th of May, 1836. He attained his majori- ty in his native county, and in 1857, came west to Minnesota, where he remained two years, locating in 1839 in Warren county, Illinois. July 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 83d Illinois Infantry, and afterwards participated in the second battle of Fort Donelson, Nashville and Colum- bia, being honorably discharged from service at Chicago, Illinois, July 5, 1865. dren were born to them in that county,
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one of whom is now living: Everard M. In 1857, they settled in Branch county, Michigan, and, while there, George II., Ardelle A. and Marietta V. were born to them. In 1870 they settled in Tama county, on section 11, Clark township. In polities Mr. Bonney is a staun h Republi- can and has held several local offices. They are members of the Methodist church of Dysart.
Robert S. Smith, one of the enterprising farmers of Clark township, is a native of Scotland, born on the 10th day of May, 1842. His parents Robert and Jennie (Stevenson) Smith, came to America in 1849, and located in Green Lake county, Wisconsin. In 1862 they moved into lowa,
settling in Hardin county where they now reside. In 1859, Robert visited Colorado and remained one year. Again in 1870 he visited the golden west, returning after a sojourn of two years to Ilardin county. In 1875 he settled in ('lark township, on section 27, where he now owns one of the finest farms in the township, consisting of 400 acres of well improved land. Mr. Smith is Independent in politics, and is one of the present Township Trustees. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and has reached the 32d degree. In 1870 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Lillie Filkins, a native of New York State.
William II. Stoakes settled in this county with his parents in 1855. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, May 21, 1853. lle is a son of William and Caro- line (Householder) Stoakes, and a brother of Mathias and J. N. In 1855, his parents came to Tama county and settled in Perry township, where they still reside, and where the subject of this sketch grew
to manhood. In 1876, he settled on section 7, Clark township, where he still lives. Ile was married in 1876 to Miss Alice Jameyson, daughter of Charles .Jameyson of Genesoe township. Three children bless this union-Irene, Charles R. and Howard.
J. D. E. Reed was born in Vigo county, Indiana, December 4, 1840; remained there until 1865, when he came west to Cedar county, Iowa, and in 1869 to Tama county, where he settled on section 6, in Oneida township. In 1876 he became a resident of Clark township, where he now owns a farm of 240 acres, eighty acres on section 33 and 160 acres on section 28. He was married in 1859 to Miss Letitia Watts, a native of Kentucky. They have four children-George W., Ellen M., Charlie and John D. E.
John F. Redmond was born in Wieklaw county, Ireland, November 29, 1834. Ile came to America in 1857 and first located in Ulster county, New York, but soon after came to Ogle county, Ill., and re- sided there until 1865, when he came west to Benton county, Iowa, where he settled on a farm two miles west of Dysart. In 1878, he came to Clark township where he now owns a fine farm of 160 acres ad- joining the village of Dysart. In 1870 he was married to Miss Catherine Skiffing- ton, a native of Ireland. Their children are John P and Joanna E.
William Stewart is a native of Wash- ington county, Wisconsin, born to William and Jane (Pringle) Stewart, on the 14th of August, 1858. He was reared on his father's farm, receiving a common school education, until 1876, when, he attended and graduated at the Oshkosh Business
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College. In October, 1879, he came to Tama county and settled on section 8, Clark township, where he now owns a fine farm of 240 acres. Mr. Stewart is a Re- publican in politics.
John Campbell is a native of Chemnng county, New York, born to Judson and Abigail (Young) Campbell, on the 15th of August, 1838. He resided in his native county for thirty years, then came to Tama county, settling first on section 35, Perry township, where he spent five years, at the end of which time he located in Carroll township, remaining until 1881, and then moved into Clark township where he now owns 160 acres on section 30. Mr. Camp- bell was married in 1860, to Miss Mary A. Butts, a native of New York State. Their children are Elsie, Judson, William, Flor- ence, Carrie and Charles. September 6, 1861, Mr. Campbell enlisted in the 50th New York Volunteers Infantry, and after serving fourteen months, was discharged on account of physical disability.
John Jensen was born in Germany, Oc- tober 17, 1847, and came to America in 1864, locating first in Scott county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for five years. In 1870, he came to Tama county and located on section 2, Oneida township, where he remained until the spring of 1882, when he moved to his present farm of 320 acres on section 29, Clark township. He was married, in 1877, to Maria Thiesen, a native of Ger- many. They have two children living: Peter and Thomas.
ORGANIC.
The first election was held at the house of David Torrence, November 6, 1860. The following have been the officers :
1860-Trustees, Joseph Moss, Charles Unger and G. W. Wierman; Assessor, David Torrence; Clerk, G. W. Bradley; Supervisor, T. S. Talmage. G. W. Brad- ley resigned the clerkship April 8, 186., and David Torrence was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1861-Trustees, Joseph Moss, Charles Unger and T. S. Talmage; Assessor, Jo- seph Moss; Clerk, David Torrence.
1862 - Justices, David Torrenee and .I. A. Parmenter; Constables, G. A. Gum- mell and I'. P. Wentch; Trustees, Joseph Moss, C. Unger and T. S. Talmage; As- sessor, Joseph Moss; Clerk, David Tor- rence.
1863-No records. 1864 - No records.
1865-Justices, P. P. Wentch and Da- vid Torrence: Trustees, Andrew Boylan, Newton Miller and Henry Moss; Asses- sor, David Torrence; Constable, Charles Unger.
1866-Assessor, James Enderton; Clerk, T. S. Talmage; Trustees, P. P. Wentch, Ilenry Moss and Charles Unger; Justices, David Torrence and Solomon Cochrane; Constables, Newton Miller and Jerome Lee.
1867-Supervisor, Joseph Dysart; Clerk, T. S. Talmage; Assessor, James Enderton; Trustees, Solomon Cochrane, David Tor- rence, P. P. Wentch; Constable, James Enderton.
1868- Assessor, 1Ingh Calderwood; Clerk, T. S. Talmage; Trustees, Solomon Cochrane, Enoch Converse and Samnel Everett; Justices, David Torrence and T. S. Talmage; Constables John W. Thomas and Ezra Coffee.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
1869 -Trustees, David Torrence, James Enderton and S. F. Everett; Assessor, Hugh Calderwood; Clerk, T. S. Talmage; Justices, B. F. Thomas and W. H. Shafer; Constables, A. Coutts and H- F. Mosher.
1870- Frustees, David Torrence, James Enderton and Hugh Calderwood; Asses- sor, J. T. Converse; Clerk, T. S. Talmage; Constables, HI. F. Mosher and Kelsey Phelps.
1871-Clerk, T. S. Tahnage ; Trustees, M. D. Bonney, David Torrence and B. F. Thomas; Constables, F. M. Crissman and Benjamin Heath; Assessor, W. H. Shafer.
1872-Justices, J. W. Crissman and S. F. Everett; Assessor, W. II. Shafer; Clerk, T S. Talmage; Trustees, Joseph Dysart, James Enderton and Daniel Pickett; Con- stables, F. M. Crissman and P. Olson.
1873 -- No records.
1874-Assessor, HI. Frank; Justices, S. Hardin, H. Calderwood; Constables, M. B. D. Wetherin and J. N. Black; Trus- tees, James Enderton, B. F. Thomas and Daniel Pickett; Clerk, T. S. Talmage.
The officers elected in the fall of 1882, are as follows: Justices, N. C. Rice and L. J. Tussey; Clerk, E. Pearson; Trustee, B. F. Thomas; Constables, W. P. Worrall and A. Burnett; Assessor, J. N. Stoakes.
Clark township was so named in honor of Judge Leander Clark. Quite a number of names were proposed, among which were "Plain," on account of its level sur- face, and "Rock Creek," after the creek of that name, but "Clark" was finally de- cided upon.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school in this township was held in a building on the northeast quarter of section 2, owned by Newton Miller, in
1862, and was taught by Jacob Parmenter. There was an attendance of about seven scholars. The first school house built was on the northeast corner of section 11, in 1863, and cost $224. It is still stand- ing. The first school in this building was taught by Miss Annie Torrence during the winter of 1863-4. The district in which this building is located now comprises sections 1, 2, 11 and 12.
There are now nine school districts in the township, including the independent district of Dysart. All these have good school buildings excepting number 9, and the educational facilities compare favora- bly with other townships of similar pop- ulation.
ETTIE POSTOFFICE.
This office was established in 1869, at the house of John T. Converse, on section 11, where it remained until its removal to Dy- sart, in February, 1873, when the name was changed to correspond with that of the village. J. T. Converse was the first postmaster, and remained in charge until after the name was changed to Dysart.
John T. Converse was born in Ashford, Windham county, Connecticut, October 31, 1823. His parents were Palmer and Betsy (Tyler) Converse. He grew to manhood in his native county. Ilis edu- cational advantages were the district schools, and later, an attendance at an academy. During 1846 he was married, in Tolland county, Connecticut, to Miss Marcia Crawford, a native of Union, Tol- land county, and a daughter of Judge Ingoldsby W. and Rhoda (Taft) Crawford. HIer ancestors were among the early set- tlers of Tolland county. After their mar- riage, the young couple spent some years
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
in Windham, where Mr. Converse was engaged in farming; and in 1857, they removed to Minnesota, locating in Dakota county. During 1866, they re- turned to the east, and in February, of 1867, came to Tama county and settled on the southeast quarter of section 11, Clark township. Mr. Converse was appointed postmaster of Ettie postoffice in 1868, and later was first postmaster of Dysart. Ilis death occurred on the 21st day of Decem- ber, 1880, at San Antonio, Texas, where the family were spending the winter. His remains lie in the cemetery of Dysart. Mrs. Converse has two children living, Marcia Melora, wife of Adelbert A. Ives, of Dysart ; and John T., who is living in Grundy county, Iowa.
HISTORICAL ITEMS.
The first birth was George F., a son to P. P. Wentch and wife, September 27, 1857 ; he is still living.
The first marriage in the township was, that of Newton Perkins and Miss N. Moss. It occurred in 1859.
The first death occurred in October, 1856, the wife of Newton Miller. Her death was occasioned by a dreadful prairie fire in which she was caught during a high wind. Particulars will be found in chapter 11.
TOWN OF DYSART.
This place is pleasantly located in the eastern part of the township. The land on which it rests was formerly owned by John W. Crissman, who caused the village to be platted in November, 1872. To this original plat an addition was made dur- ing the summer of 1875, by David P. Tus- sey, of Blair county, Pennsylvania. After-
ward another addition was made by Rev. H. W. Beach, of about thirty acres.
The village was named in honor of Ilon. Joseph Dysart, ex-State Senator from Tama and Benton counties, and ex-Lieu- tenant Governor of the State.
ORGANIC.
Dysart has been duly incorporated, the first election being held July 12, 1881, when the following named persons were elected to office: N. C. Rice, Mayor ; T .. C. Curyea, Recorder ; Peter Jensen, C. P. Fedderson, S. W. Arbuthnot, D. E. Hallet, Chas. Betebenner and George Alexander, Trustees.
The next election held, March 1882, re- sulted as follows: N. C. Rice, Mayor ; R. B. Beach, Recorder ; C. P. Fedderson, S. W. Arbuthnot, Geo. Alexander, Peter Jensen, P. C. Jones and J. E. Hollabaugh, Trustees. N. C. Rice resigned, November 14, 1882, and HI. W. Persons was elected Mayor to fill vacancy by the council on November 12.
The officers elected in March, 1883, were as follows : H. W. Persons, Mayor ; Peter Jensen, and D. E. Hallet, Trustees ; Arthur Sewall, Assessor ; J. II. Pinkerton, Recorder ; Wendell Pierce, Treasurer ; Byron Stewart, Street Commissioner.
BUSINESS MATTERS AND MEN.
The first store built in this town was erected by William Davidson who opened therein a general stock of merchandise, in January, 1873. It is now occupied by Emmett & Peters for a hardware store.
The second store building was erected by John W. Crissman in which Mr. Durand, of Belle Plaine, opened a stock of goods. This building then stood on the southwest corner of Main and Wilson
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