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 82
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in wedlock with Mary J., daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Kelly) McCor- mack. They have been blessed with six children : Andrew, James M., Mary E., John II., Robert W. and Edward. In 1869 Mr. Whannel erected his present residence on section 7 of Crystal town- ship. lle, with his brothers, came to this county poor, but by patience, perse- verance and industry, they now rank among the largest and best farmers of Tama county.
John Stevenson settled in Tama county, Iowa, on section 36, Crystal township, in 1865, and there made his home until his death, which occurred January 8, 1876. Mr. Stevenson was a native of Scotland, born in Ayreshire, June 12, 1808. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Marion Wier, a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, born in December, 1811. They were blessed with ten children, eight of whom are now liv- ing. Mr. Stevenson continued to live in Scotland until 1853, when they emigrated to Canada, settling on a farm in Peterboro county. During 1865 he sold his home- stead there, and, crossing to the United States, came to Iowa, where he soon pur- chased land on section 25, of Crystal town- ship, this county. Ile settled on it and continued to improve the same until the time of his death. His widow now occu- pies the homestead. Mr. Stevenson's third son, James, is also a native of Ayre- shire, Scotland, having been born there November 23, 1843. Hle was eight years of age when his parents emigrated to Canada, and twenty-two years old when they settled in Iowa. He made his home with his parents until 1870, when he was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter
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of Samuel Steen, of Pennsylvania. They have three children - Ella E., Jessie J. and Samuel W. Mr. Stevenson's farm is in the southwest quarter of section 25, Crystal township He is now largely engaged in stock raising in connection with farming.
Among those who have come into the township since 1865, and are now promi- nent settlers, may be mentioned Johann Cohrt, John B. Brush, Edward Dodd, E. B. Harlan, D. W. Baker, John Sharp, ( laus Fredrick Jacobs, Heinrich Clausen, Edwin Moore, E. W. Harrison, James Fink, William Belfour, Robert McPher- ran, John Swan, Peter Ploen, Edwin Lynde, William MeTurk, Robert Cowan, William Houghton, John Harmsen, Jona- than and Joseph Allard, and others.
Johann Cohrt, one of the first German settlers of Crystal township, was born at HIollingstedt, Schleswig, Germany, He received a good education in his native town, and there lived until 1856, when he emigrated to America. Upon being landed at New York city, he proceeded directly to Davenport. Iowa, and from there, removed to Illinois, where he was employed during that winter chop- ping wood, for which he received $1 per cord. He then hired out as a farm hand, and for his first years labor received $170; the second year he worked for twelve dollars per month, except during harvest time, when, he received $1.50 per day. August 13, 1858, he was married to Rebecca Tenkk who was born August 26, 1840, in Holstein, Germany. She is a daughter of Peter and Maggie Tenkk. In 1859 Mr. Cohrt farmed land six miles from Davenport, Scott county, on shares.
The next year he removed to Liberty town- ship, same county, where he bought 80 acres of wild land ; on it he erected a house and continued to improve the land until 1866, when he came to Crystal town- ship of this county and purchased the west half of section 16. Ile lived on the northwest quarter six years and then built his present residence in the other quarter. He is also engaged in stock rais- ing in connection with farming. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cohrt, eleven of whom are now living- Clans, Mary, Peter, Annie M., John, Wil- liam, Henry, Emma, Matilda, Clara and an infant named Theodor. Teresa, a twin sister to Matilda, died when in her fifth year ; and just eight days later, Caroline died, aged about three years.
John B. Brush is a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, born July 26, 1817. His education was received in his native county, and there his youth and early manhood was spent. Ile passed the win- ter of 1846-7 in Buffalo, New York, and proceeded to Illinois, buying land in De- Kalb county of that State. Two years later he sold his property there and re- moved to this State, making his first settle- ment in Center township of Clinton county, where he was one of the pioneers, the township not being organized until three years later. He purchased government land, and during the years he lived there, improved it and made of it a comfortable homestead. In 1866, he sold the farm, came to Tama county, and bought the southeast quarter of section 22, Crystal township, which land was then wild prairie. The same year he completed the house in which he now lives, and in 1881 erected a
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
barn 32x46 feet, with an ell 18x30 feet. Mr. Brush now owns 320 acres of improved land and 10 aeres of timber land, and also a resi- dence in the town of Traer. March 23, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Phebe C. Cole, also a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, and a daughter of Josiah W. and Hannah (Wiekham) Cole. They have seven children: Walter J., Jane II., Emma A., Sarah F., Oscar W., Charles C. and Judson W.
Edward Dodd settled in Tama county in 1866. lle spent the first year in the employ of West Wilson, of Crystal town- ship, and then purchased, in that township, 120 acres of unimproved land on section 17. During the same year he broke a number of aeres, and in 1868 raised his first erop. In January, 1873, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Janet Wilson, a danghter of West Wilson. They have been blessed with five children: Ilenry West, Thomas Wright, James Wilson, Maggie Drynan and William Andrew. Mr. Dodd now owns 280 acres of improved land, on which have been erected good farm buildings. In 1872 he built his present residence. He is a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, born March 29, 1838. He made that country his home until 1856, when he came to the United States. After landing in New York, he proceeded to Michigan where he was employed in farming until 1863, then removed to Illinois, remaining in the latter State until the year of his settlement in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Dodd are mem- bers of the Tranquility Church.
E. B. llarlan is a native of Putnam county, Indiana, where he was born No- vember 25, 1843. Ilis early years were spent in school and on the farm. During
August of 1862, he enlisted in the 89th Indiana Volunteers and went to Kentucky, where he was taken prisoner by Morgan, in his raid through the State. Ile was immediately paroled and returned to his home. April 26, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Susanna Etter, who also was born in Putnam county. In 1864, he purchased a farm in Washington town- ship of that connty, and there lived until the fall of 1868, when he sold his property and came to Iowa. He worked a rented farm near Tama city, this county, the first year and then bought a farm on section 15, Crystal township. There he lived four years then sold the place and purchased his present farm on section 5. During 1882, he erected the house in which he now lives, and at the present time owns 400 acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan have been blessed with nine chil- dren, six of whom are now living: David Franklin, Mary Ann, Joseph R., Lizzie, Rosa and Noah Robert. Their son Johnny died in infancy: Etta May died at seven years of age, and Rebecca died when five years old.
Daniel Webster Baker is a native of Orleans county, Vermont, born on the 10th of January, 1847. He was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the dis- triet schools. October 9, 1863, he left home, went to Montpelier, that State, and on the 12th of that month started for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ariving on the 15th, and on the 18th started for Tama county. Ile reached Toledo the same day and stopped for a few days with George Guilford, an old acquaintance, who, on the 21st of ()c- tober, took Mr. Baker to the farm of John B. Sharp, in Spring Creek township. where
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he remained until about the Ist of Decem- ber. Then Mr. Baker went to Wm. Guil- ford's, whose farm he cultivated the fol- lowing year, and in August, 1864, pur- chased the David Hunnewell place in Iloward township, where he remained, engaged in farming, until April, 1868. IIe then sold his farm and purchased the one which he now occupies in Crystal township, and removed to it on the 7th of April. During his first year in Howard township, Mr. Baker taught school for one term in the old log school house in the Gallagher district, and has frequently since tanght singing school in that and adjoining townships In 1864, Mr. Baker was married, by Judge T. A. Graham, to Miss Elisabeth: Sharp, who came to Iowa from Vermont, in July of that year, in company with Wm. Guilford and wife, who were returning from a visit to friends in that State. This marriage has been blessed with two children: ITattie G., born January 24, 1868; and John W., born June 9, 1870. Mr. Baker is a Republican, and although not a politician, has held various township offices. When the Grange movement spread over this portion of Iowa, he took an active part, and was one of the officers of that lodge.
John Sharp is one of the oldest men in Crystal township. He was born June 3, 1798, seven miles from Manchester, Eng- land. When fourteen years of age he learned to weave, and six years later, learned to draw patterns for the Print Mills, which occupation he followed while in his native country. In 1830 he came to the United States. After stopping in the State of New York six or eight months, he journeyed on to the town of
Poultney, Vermont, where he was em- ployed in weaving broadcloth. There he remained six months, and then decided to return to England; therefore made prepar- ation, and started for Montreal, where he intended taking ship. On his way he stopped at Greensboro, Vermont, to visit friends, and they induced him to buy a farm in that vicinity, and settle there. He complied with their wishes, and made that his home until his removal to Tama coun- ty, Iowa, in 1867. He settled in Spring Creek township, where he lived for some years, and then took up his abode with his son-in-law, D. W. Baker, of Crystal township.
Claus Frederich Jacobs, is a native of Holstein, Germany, born January 14, 1837. Ile attended school until fifteen years of age, and from that time until his depart- ure for America in 1855, was employed on a farm. Upon landing in New York city, he journeyed westward until he reached Winona, Minnesota, where he soon be- came engaged in a saw mill. Not long afterwards he removed to Davenport, lowa, where he remained four years, employed on public works. At the end of that time he rented land in Scott county, and began farming on his own account. In 1860 he was married to Margaret Schmidt, who bore him four children-only one of whom, Henry, is now living-and died in 1867. Ile was married to his present wife, Miss D. Meier, 1869. They have been blessed with eight children, four of whom are now living : Dora, Willie, Annic and Bennie. In 1869, Mr. Jacobs eame to this county and purchased wild land on section 35, of Crystal township. Since that time
IHISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
he has improved the land, set out a grove, and in 1879 built a barn 24x32 feet, and two years later, erected his present large frame residence. In 1873, the family was stricken with scarlet fever, and within nine days' time, three of their children were taken from them by death.
Heinrich Clausen is a native of Germany, born in Klein Dennewerk, Schleswig, February 7, 1831. His early life was spent in school, and later, he worked on a farm. During 1869 he emi- grated to America, making his first settle- ment in Jackson county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming. Subsequently he removed to this county, and rented a farm on section 30 of Crystal township. Five years later he purchased a farm on section 9, and in 1876 built the frame house in which he now lives. His mar- riage with Miss Catherine Michalsen occur- red in 1856. They have three children : Hans, Ilenry and John.
Edwin Moore is a native of Stillwater, Saratoga county, New York, born April 1, 1836. His early life was spent in school and on the farm. September 10, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Ervy- ette Teal, a native of Duchess county, New York, and a daughter of Jacob Teal. They have but one child-Ella A., who is now teaching school. During 1863, Mr. Moore settled in Illinois, where he was employed in farming until his removal to Iowa, in 1871. Soon after his arrival here, he purchased a farm on section 29, of Crystal township, Tama county, and im- mediately began making improvements. He has set out fruit and shade trees, and erected good farm buildings, which in-
cludes the substantial farm-house in which he lives.
E. W. Harrison is a native of Illinois, born in DeKalb county, August, 24, 1842. His parents were George and Elizabeth Ilarrison, natives of England. Upon com- ing to this country, they first settled in New York State, and from there removed to DeKalb county, Illinois, where their son Uriah was the second white child born in DeKalb township. The subject of this sketch received his education in the graded schools of DeKalb village. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 14th Illinois Volunteers,; his regiment went South and joined the Army of Ten- nessee, but after some time, was transfer- red to the Army of the Cumberland. It was the first regiment to enter Knoxville, and participated in the siege of Atlanta, besides being in several minor engage- ments. July 30. 1865, Mr. Harrison was honorably discharged with the rest of the regiment, and returned to his home, where he became engaged, in company with his brother, as a manufacturer and dealer in harness. During 1869, he sold his prop- erty and business there, and came to Iowa. The first season in the State was spent by him in breaking prairie land in the counties of Calhoun and Carroll, after which he came to Tama county, where, in the fall of 1870, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Philena Mann, who died January 16, 1872. His present wife, to whom he was married in 1873, was Lorinda A., daughter of Solomon Walls, Six chil- dren have been born to them : Daniel S., George P., Clara E., Grace E., Ralph E., and Charles S. In the spring of 1873, Mr. Harrison moved to Kansas, remaining
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
until in the fall of 1874, when he returned to Iowa. Ile purchased his present farm in Crystal township, in the fall of 1877.
James Fink was born in Holstein, Ger- many, August 3, 1817. He attended school until sixteen years of age; then for four years he worked at farming. In 1837, he commenced wagon making, serving three years, then joined the army. After serving a few weeks he was discharged on account of an impediment in his speech. After this he worked at his trade two years; then opened a wagon shop, and carried on the business until 1866, when he came to America, landing in New York on the 28th of May. He came west as far as Scott county, Iowa, and in August of the same year rented a farm for three years. After the expiration of said lease, he came to Tama county, and settled on his broth- er's farm for one year, in Spring Creek township After this he bought land in Crystal township on sections 15 and 22. IIe has at present 400 acres of well improved land and fine farm buildings. He has five children-Peter, Claus A., Annie S., Betsy C. and James. Three of these children- Claus, Annie and Betsy-are all of one birth, and are the only triplets in Tama county. Ilis oldest son, Peter, was born June 3, 1849. He attended school until seventeen years of age, then was employed as clerk until he moved with his parents to America. He met with a small accident while crossing the bridge to the vessel. The chain broke and he, with two others, plunged head-foremost forty feet into the water. Ile was rescued without damage, but got a free dueking. He remained at home until 1879, and February 15, of that year, he married Miss Catherine Dow
Schmidt. Their union has been blessed with two children-Tilly Margarita and Rosa L. He lives in Lincoln township, and has a farm of 240 acres.
William Balfour is a native of Lincoln- shire, England, born May 25, 1845. There he received his education in the private schools, and when thirteen years of age emigrated with his parents to America. They settled on a farm in Rock Island county, Illinois, and the subject of our sketch continued to make his home with them until March of 1864, when he en- listed in Company I, 28th Illinois Volun- teers. Ile joined his regiment at Spanish Fort, Alabama, and continued with it un- til honorably discharged in March, 1865. He then returned to his home where he was employed in the coal mines until 1872, at which time he came to Tama county, Iowa, and purchased land on section 25 of Crystal township. He immediately settled upon it, and before many years had passed his farm was under good cultivation. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel J. Coulter, a native of Summit county, Ohio.
Robert McPherran was born on the 2d of September, 1835, in Franklin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. Until sixteen years of age, his life was spent in school and on the farm. He was then em- ployed by his brother as overseer of a construction force on the Pennsylvania railroad. In that work he was engaged two years and then returned to his home, and one year later, removed to Illinois, where he was employed for two years in the same capacity on the Mississippi River railroad. At the end of that time he again returned to Pennsylvania, where
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
he was married, December 29, 1858, to Miss Catherine A. Miller, a native of Miff- lin county, that State, born April 16, 1838. They immediately settled on a farm in Mr. McPherran's native township, and there lived until 1873, when they sold their property and came to Tama county, Iowa. Mr. McPherran purchased wild land in the northeast quarter of section 36, Crys- tal township, where he immediately set- tled and began making improvements. Since that time his land has been well cul- tivated, and he has erected good farm buildings, which includes his present large frame residence. Mr. and Mrs. MePher- ran have been blessed with eight children -Florence, born March 19, 1860; Samnel S., born August 2, 1861, died in infancy; Ilarrison M., born April 13, 1863; Walter E., born January 11, 1865; Ada Mand, born December 30, 1866; John W., born May 3, 1868; Hurbert B., born August 6, 1870, and Frank B., born December 1, 1873.
John Swan is a native of Perthshire, Scotland, where he was born August 22, 1839. He was reared on a farm, and con- tinued to live in his native parish until twenty-five years of age, when he went to Dundee, where he was engineer in a linen factory eight years. Ile then emigrated to America, landing in the State of Vir- ginia, where he engaged in farming (in Nansemond county) about four years, raising cotton, peanuts, sweet potatoes and water melons. In 1876 he came to Tama county, Iowa, and settled in Crystal township, buying land in the northwest quarter of section 4. Since that time he has improved his farm, and among other buildings erected the house in which he
now lives. Mr. Swan was married in 1859 to Miss Adelaide Lawson, who bore him nine children, and died in 1876. Three of these children are now living-John, Jane and Adelaide. During 1880 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah MeDurrell, who died June 16, 1882.
Peter Ploen was born February 25, 1839, in Holstein, Germany. Ile attended the public schools of his native place until sixteen years old, and at the age of seven- teen emigrated to the United States. Upon landing at New York city he came directly to Iowa, where he was employed in farming in Scott county. For his first year's labor he received $130, and for his second year $100. In 1863 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Sophia Berten, a native of Holstein, and subsequently rented a farm, which he worked until 1872, when he removed to Marshall county, where he leased a farm for four years. At the expiration of that time he came to Tama county, and bought land in the southeast quarter of section 27, Cry -- tal township. Ilis farm is now under good cultivation, and he has erected all of the buildings now upon it. Mr. and Mrs. Ploen have five children living - Meta, Henry, Carrie, Adolph and Charlie. Their son Edward died at two and a half years of age.
ORGANIC.
This township was formed in 1857 by an order issued by J. C. Vermilya, then County .Indge, to J. S. Bishop, directing bim to call an election. It was a separa- tion from Buckingham township, and the formation of Crystal. The first township election was held at the house of Nelson Felter, April 6, 1857, on the north west
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
quarter of section 15, when the following named persons were elected: J. S. Town- send, Township Clerk; John W. McKune, Robert Wylie and Orrin Burright, Trus- tees; John B. Wylie and John Buchanan, Constables; Robert Wylie and West Wil- son, Justices of the Peace; Nelson Felter, Supervisor of Roads. Township affairs seem to have been properly managed. Nothing unusual has occurred to mar the general good feeling, and the elections have been much the same from year to year. In 1882 the following were elected which constitute the present list of officers:
Clerk, Edwin Lynde; Assessor, Robert Cowen; Trustees holding over, George Me- Kune, Wm. McTurk; Trustee elected, .J. B. M. Bishop; Justices, John McClain, Wm. McTurk; Constables, John Winters and Wm. Houghton; Road Supervisors, District No. 1, Gilbert McMillan; District No. 2, Thomas McTurk; District No. 3, E. W. Harrison; District No. 4, Henry Weise ; District No. 5, James Fink ; Dis- trict No. 6, John Klesspie ; District No. 7, William Stevenson ; District No. 8, Peter Ploen ; District No. 9, E. Eby.
Edwin Lynde, present Clerk of Crystal township, came to Tama county March 4, 1869. Ile first rented land for five years in Crystal township, then purchased a farm in Buckingham township where he lived two years. He then sold, and bought his present place in Crystal township, where he has since lived. Mr. Lynde is a native of New York, born in Essex county, January 17, 1841. His grand- father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and after the war was among the first settlers and first inn-keepers of Wills-
boro township, Essex county. His aunt Elizabeth was presented with fifty acres of land because of having been the first white child born in that town; and it was on that land that the subject of this sketch was born and reared. His early educa- tion was received in the district school, but later he attended four winters at a select school in town, having to make the trip of three long miles each morning and night. November 7, 1861, Mr. Lynde en- listed in Colonel Berdan's United States Sharp Shooters, went south and joined the Army of the Potomac, sharing in many battles and being wounded in one of the seven day's fight before Richmond. Octo- ber 9, 1864, he was honorably discharged and he at once returned to New York State, where he was married to Miss Ann E. Lincoln, daughter of Simeon Lincoln, of Essex county. In 1868, Mr. Lynde removed to Vermont, where he remained one year engaged in farming, then came west and settled in Tama county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lynde have seven children: Jennie, Woodard, Noble, Rolla Cassius, Daniel, Jesse and George.
William MeTurk, one of the Trustees and Justices of Crystal township, was born in Ayreshire, Scotland, Aug. 13, 1836. In 185'7 he emigrated to America, and upon land- ing at Quebec, Canada, came directly west to Wisconsin, where he was employed as a farm hand a short time, and then pur- chased a team and worked land on shares. During 1864 he went to Mitchell county, Minnesota, where he resided two years, and then came to Tama county, Iowa. He soon bought land in Crystal township and on it built a log cabin, in which he lived until 1872, when he erected the frame
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
house in which he now lives. He was married in Scotland, in 1857, to Miss Annie Donaldson. They have six chil- dren, Thomas, John and James (twins), Gilbert, Margaret, and an adopted daugh- ter, Kitty.
Robert Cowan, the present Assessor of Crystal township, is a native of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, born September 8, 1846. When he was nine years old his parents removed to this State and settled in Franklin township, Linn county. His early education was received in the district schools, and sub- sequently advanced by two terms at Cor- nell College, Mount Vernon. January 5, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Townsend, the daughter of John S. and Susan (Diekey) Townsend. The following year he came to this county, settling on section 21, of Crystal township. During 1879 he erected on his farm his present residence. He was elected to the office he now fills in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Cowan have two children- Shields F. and Robert.
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