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 89
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1862-J. B. Merritt, Jacob Korns and David Babb, Trustees; R Johnson, Clerk; E. M. Poyneer, Assessor; A. N. Poyneer, C. W. Moffatt, Justices ; Charles Me- Laughlin, J. G. Cronk, Constables; C. W. Moffatt, Road Supervisor.
1863-David Babb, J. G. Cronk, R. Moffatt, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk.
1864-A. IF. Cowles and Quincy Man- full, Constables. There was a tie on all the rest of the candidates, and on the 17th of November the matter was decided by drawing lots with the following result: David Babb, S. T. Leach, J. G. Cronk, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk; R. John- son, Assessor; C. W. Moffatt and Ed- ward Phillips, Justices.
1865-David Babb, C. W. Moffatt and John Roberts, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk and Assessor; J. II. Smith, Justice; John Manfull, Constable; R. Johnson, Sol- omon Korns and J. G. Cronk, Supervisors.
1866-C. W. Moffatt, John Roberts and F. M. Clark, Trustees; E M. Poyneer, Clerk and Assessor ; David Babb and F. M. Clark, Justices.
1867-David Babb, E. R. Moffatt and F. M. Clark, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk and Assessor.
1868-Levi Snyder, J. G. Cronk and David Babb, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk; C. W. Moffatt, Assessor; C. B. Cro- futt and C. W. Moffatt, Justices.
1869-J. G. Cronk, II. J. Reed and D. Babb, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk; E. J. Jenks, Assessor; C. W. Moffatt and J. B. Merritt, Justices.
1870-R. Johnson, John Ramsey, and J. G. Cronk, Trustees; A. N. Cowles, Clerk. 1871-R. Johnson, E. L. Fish, and V. Smith, Trustees; A. N. Cowles, Clerk; J. G. Cronk, Assessor.
1872-E. L. Fish, E. R. Fish, and V. Smith, Trustees; A. N. Cowles, Clerk; E. M. Poyneer, Assessor; C. W. Moffatt and II. Vosburg, Justices.
1873-11. J. Reed, J. H. Smith, and John Ramsey, Trustees; F. B. Sanborn, Clerk. 1874-1I. J. Reed, Hiram Winders, and C. W. Moffatt, Trustees; F. B. Sanborn, Clerk; Isaac Smith, Assessor; W. Stewart, Justice.
1875-E. L. Fish, Henry Vosburg, and Ovid Vandyke, Trustees; D. E. Wing, Clerk; C. A. Wilson Assessor; C. A. Wil- son, C. W. Moffatt, Justices.
1876 -Ovid Vandyke, A. J. Vosburg, and E. L. Fish, Trustees; D. E. Wing, Clerk; C. A. Wilson, Assessor and Justice. 1877-A. J. Vosburg, E. L. Fish, and Ovid Vandyke, Trustees; D. E. Wing, Clerk; C. A. Wilson, Assessor; C. W. Moffatt, Justice.
1878-Hiram Winders, 1 year ; Jonas Kellogg, 2 years, C. W. Moffatt, 3 years; Trustees; T. A. Dunlava, Clerk; James II. Smith, Assessor; A. J. Vosburg, Justice. 1879-E. L. Fish, Trustee; D. E. Wing, Clerk; C. A. Wilson, Assessor.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
1880-A. J. Vosburg, Trustee; C A. Wilson, Clerk; D. E. King, Assessor; J. C. MeClure, Justice.
1881-J. D. Sanborn, Trustee ; C. A. Wilson, Clerk: D. E. Wing, Assessor; C. A. Wilson, and J. Speaker, Justices.
1882-A. L. Franz, Trustee; C. A. Wil- son, Clerk; F. B. Sanborn, Assessor; and Levi Snyder, Justice.
Levi Snyder, Justice of the Peace of Highland township, is a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and was born May 1, 1828. Ile was left motherless when but an infant. His father subsequently married again, and Levi was brought up on the farm. February 16, 1855, he mar- ried Miss Hannah Booth, a native of Penn- sylvania, and in 1857, emigrated to Ogle county, Illinois, from thence, in 1866, moved to Iowa, sinee which time he has been a resident of Highland township. Mr. Snyder is a Republican, in politics; in religion, a Congregationalist. His fam- ily consists of three children: Samuel W., Mary and Mamie. Mr. Snyder is one of the leading farmers of Tama county. Ile has made good improvements on his land, and he may truly be called a well-to-do farmer, who is prompt in fulfilling all his obligations.
The present Clerk of Ilighland town- ship, C. A. Wilson, came to the coun- ty in 1872, and in 1873, located on his present farm, which he had purchased in 1869. Ile was born in Pennsylvania, March 9, 1839. Ilis parents were A. C. and Cloey E. ( Bowen ) Wilson, the for- mer of Vermont and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. In 1845, the family moved to Car- roll county, Illinois, where, in 1861, Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company K, 15th Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry and served one year, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. In December, 1861, while in the service, he came home on a furlough and married Miss Miriam A. Rice, a native of New York. After being discharged from the service, he followed farming in Ogle county, Illinois, until he came to Iowa. He is a Republican, has held all the township offices except Trustee and was census enumerator in 1880. Mr. Wilson is a member of the M. E. Church. The children are : Lettie, Nora, now Mrs. R. Anderson; and Minnie.
FIRST THINGS.
The first birth in the township was Wil- liam, a son of James B. and Laura C. Merritt, born in October, 1856. In the same month, James, son of Samuel and Amanda IFull, was born, and, it is thought by many, that this was the first birth.
The first death in the township was an infant son of James B. and Laura C. Mer- ritt, named William, who died in August, 1857. The remains lie buried on seetion 16, but there is nothing to mark the spot. On the 14th of April, 1859, the first marriage was solemnized at the residence of David Babb, by Isaac Butler, Esquire. The contracting parties were II. I. Reed and Mary Babb. This was the first wed- ding that was celebrated in the township. The couple resided in Highland township until the spring of 1883, when they moved to Nebraska.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school building in Highland township was erected in 1861, near the center of the township, on the site now occupied by Center school house, district number 5. Miss Lucy Clark, of Grinnell
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
taught the first school-a term of three months-receiving $25 per month as com- pensation. There were only ten or twelve pupils present. The second school house was erected in district number 2.
There are now nine school houses in the township, valued at about $800 each, and educational facilities are on a par with any township in the county.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services in the town- ship were held at the house of Jacob Korns, with Rev. Daniel Long, a minis- ter from Pennsylvania, presiding.
There was preaching at the school houses occasionally for many years, but no society was permanently organized un- til June, 1881, when Rev. G. P. Fisher, of Grinnell, organized what is known as the Tama Mission of the United Brethren Church. The society started out with a membership of twenty-five, as follows: I. Speaker, Martha Speaker, F. Nichols, Elizabeth Nichols, R. Martin, Margaret Martin, A. L. Babb, Milla Ann Babb, Fan- nie Ireland, Maggie Martin, Mary Martin, Joseph Martin, Thomas Speaker, Allie Speaker, May Nichols, Laura Nichols, Carrie Nichols, Charley Drew, Nora Spickler, Reuben Spickler, Albert Spick- ler, Charles Hamil, Carrie Hamil, Eddie Hamil and Claretta Ihoneywell.
I. Speaker was chosen class leader, and F. Nichols, steward. Rev. G. P. Fisher was succeeded as pastor by Rev. Richard Swaim, the present minister.
Services were held at the school house of district number 6 until 1883, when the present church edifice was erected near the school house. The church is a frame structure, 28x40 feet in size, with a seat- ing capacity of 165, and cost $1,300. The membership of the society now numbers thirty-four.
A Sabbath-school was organized in April, 1880, with J. Speaker, Superintend ent. The school is now in flourishing condition and has an average attendance of about thirty-five.
POSTOFFICES.
Highland township has never had a postoffice within its boundaries. The cit izens have always been obliged to patron- ize neighboring villages for mail.
CEMETERY.
There is one cemetery in Highland town- ship, located on the southeast quarter of seetion 22. It contains a fourth of an acre, which was donated to the township for burial purposes by John Korns, in 1870. The first body interred here was Louisa Korns, wife of the donor.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIX .
HOWARD TOWNSHIP.
Howard township is six miles square, [ There are a good many springs in this consisting of Congressional township 84, township. There is a large mill, at pres- ent owned and operated by Sol. Bruner, which was ereeted by Christian Bruner, his father, in 1854. Three miles south of the southern boundary line, is the beanti- ful and thriving town of Toledo, the county seat of Tama county. Nearly the whole township is under fence and in a high state of cultivation. It is settled by a good, honest and industrious elass of people, who by hard toil have accumulated good com- fortable surroundings. In 1880 the popu- lation was 900. range 15. It is bounded on the north by Crystal, on the west by Carlton, on the south by Toledo, and on the east by Car- roll townships. Along its western bound- ary is a heavy body of timber, six miles in width, which extends into this territory, which is of an excellent quality consisting mostly of white and red oak. On the eastern side of this timber runs a rapid stream, ealled Deer creek. On the east side of this ereek there is a beautiful val- ley, averaging about three-fourths of a mile in width, and extending along with the SETTLEMENT. stream easterly through the township. On The first settlers in Howard township were the Giger's, who came in the spring of 1852. The head of the family was Samuel Giger, and there were several grown sons. the eastern boundary of this valley, com- menees the beautiful rolling prairies, which extend on eastward to the township line. On these prairies rise a number of small streams which empty into Deer creek. Samuel Giger emigrated to Iowa in the fall of 1851, spending the first winter in Benton county. In the following spring he came to Tama county and located in Iloward township. He was born in Wal- nut, Fairfield county, Ohio, in October, 1811. His father, Martin Giger, married M. Hite, by whom there were five children born. Mrs. Giger died in 1812, and his father married Nancy Montgomery, by There is another stream running through the centre of the township called Jordan, which receives its water from a number of smaller streams, and has along its banks several small groves. These lands are very fertile, the soil being a dark sandy loam about two feet in depth. There are some bluffs and hills, but good soil may be found well toward the top of the highest.
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whom he had thirteen children. Making him the father of eighteen children-nine sons and nine daughters. The subject of this sketch was married December, 1832, to Miss Fannie Haudeshill, a native of Virginia. By this union there were nine children, six of whom are living-Mary J., Sarah C., John H., Isaac F., Rebecca and Aaron'M. Mr. Giger has been identi- fied with the county for thirty years. Coming to the county poor, he went to work to make a home, and by hard work has accumulated a competency, and to-day is one of the well-to-do farmers of Howard township. Mr. and Mrs. Giger have passed their fiftieth marriage anniversary, and all those years have been active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
[. F. Giger was born in Perry county, Ohio, December 12, 1842. His parents were Samuel and Frances ( Hondeshell ) Giger, who emigrated to Tama county in 1852, locating in Howard township. I. F. was reared on his father's farm, receiving his preparatory education in the common schools. In 1863, he attended Cornell Col- lege, where he graduated with the class of 1869. In October of the same year he was married to Miss Mary Winset, a daughter of Benjamin Winset, a native of Maryland, and Mary ( Davis ) Winset, of Ohio. Mrs. Giger was born in Delaware county, Indiana, January 6, 1847, and emi- grated to Black Hawk county, Iowa, with her parents in 1852. This union is blessed with one child-Regina, born in Bates county, Missouri, August 28, 1872. In politics, Mr. Giger is a staunch Republi- can. In 1872 he was nominated for the office of County Superintendent of schools, by the Anti-Monopoly party. Not wish-
ing the office, he took no interest in the canvass and was finally beaten by a few votes. In 1864, he enlisted in the 44th Iowa Volunteers, Company D, in the one hundred days service. Mr. Giger has a farm in Howard township, consisting of 160 acres, all under good cultivation, valued at $45 per acre. For the past eight years he has turned his attention to teach- ing.
John H. Giger, another son of Samuel Giger, came to the county with his parents in 1852. In 1864 he was married to Rhoda E. Hammitt, a daughter of Benja- inin Hammitt, who was one of the pioneers of Tama county. By this marriage there are five children living-Mary A., Estella F., Louis K., Ella Leota and Samuel A. Mr. Giger is a Republican in politics, has held the office of Township Clerk for seven years and has also been elected to several other local offices of trust within the gift of the people.
The next settler within the limits now comprising Howard, was Christian Bru- ner, who erected a cabin on section 33. The interesting details connected with the settlement of this party, will be found in connection with the history of Toledo township.
Peter Overmire was one of the Bruner party coming from Ohio. Ile first settled on section 6, Toledo township, and was the first settler in that township. Later, he moved into Howard township, and is still one of her citizens.
Peter Overmire was born in Perry county, Ohio, February 1, 1814. Ile is a son of Jacob and Mary (Guinn) Over- mire, who emigrated to Ohio in 1816, be- ing among the early settlers of Perry
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
county. Here Peter grew to manhood, re- ceiving his education in the pioneer schools. When eighteen years of age he went to Sandusky county, where he he- came acquainted with and married" Miss Elizabeth Hill, June 24, 1838. Five chil- dren have blessed this union-Eve, John F., Levi W., Silas and Mary C. Mr. Over- mire left Ohio and went to Indiana, and in the summer of 1851, emigrated to Iowa City, where he spent the winter, and in the spring of 1852, came to Tama county, set- tling in Toledo township, on section 6. lle built a log cabin, the first erected in the township, and remained three years, when he removed to the vicinity of Mon- ticello. In the spring of 1860, he re- moved to his present home, in Howard township, where he has since resided. Mr. Overmire has a farm of eighty acres on seetion 19, under a good state of cultiva- tion, valued at $40 per acre, and also owns twenty acres of timber. Mr. Overmire is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Lutheran Church.
R. A. Rundle came here in the fall of 1852, from Ohio, stopping for some time in Carlton township, and finally settled on section 29. He remained there until 1873, when he removed to Ohio, where he died shortly afterward.
E. G. Moler came to Howard township in 1852, and took a claim. He is still a resident of the township.
In the spring of 1853, Benjamin Ham- mitt, a native of Ohio, arrived, and made selection of land by taking the southeast quarter of section 20. llere he lived un- til the time of his death. His widow and daughter still occupy the old homestead. Benjamin Hammitt was born near Wheel-
ing, Virginia, July 29,1805.1Ie removed soon after with his parents to Ohio, where he lived until 1853, when he again removed to Howard township, Tama county. He was married to Miss Mary Overmire, May 14, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Iammitt were the parents of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. He joined the Baptist Church in 1840, since which time he led a consistent and exemplary Christian life. Ile served as Justice of the Peace for several years in Ohio, and for six years in Howard township. He was highly re- spected forhis trustworthiness and integrity by all who knew him. After a severe and painful illness, he died Monday morning, July 19, 1880, leaving an aged widow and seven children to mourn his death.
L. F. Hammitt came to Howard town- ship with his parents in 1853. IIe is still a resident, living on the northwest quar- ter of section 29.
David Miller came with the Hammitt party, in 1853, and settled on the south- west quarter of section 19. He now lives on the southeast quarter of the same sec- tion.
Jacob Reedy, from Ohio, came in 1853, and settled on section 29. He lived there until 1871, when he removed to Monti- cello. Hle is now dead.
Ilis son, S. C. Reedy, who is still a res- ident of this township, was born in Fair- field county, Ohio, on the 12th day of Feb- ruary, 1846. In 1852, his parents emi- grated to Tama county, where he grew to manhood. Ilis education was received in the pioneer schools of his adopted county. He attended his first school in a log cabin, his teacher being a Mrs. Skinner. S. (".
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
was married on the 25th of February, 1869, to Miss Julia Hammitt, a daughter of Benjamin Hammitt, one of the early settlers of this county. She was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, November 26, 1849. By this union there were five chil- dren, four of whom are now living: Carl R., born April 29, 1873; Winfred N., born March 1, 1875; Florenee M., born Oeto- ber 23, 1880; Roscoe R., born August 17, 1882. Mr. Reedy has a very comfortable home on the southeast quarter of section 20, lloward township.
Robert Ray made his appearance also in 1853, coming from Michigan. He set- tled on the northeast quarter of section 29, where he lived until 1878, and then re- moved to Kansas. In 1882, he returned to this township and settled on section 15.
In 1854, Frederick Spayde, a German, came and settled on section 32. Ifere he remained until the time of his death in 1880, when his family returned to Ohio.
Jacob H. Tindall, a native of New Jer- sey, who came here from Ohio, entered the sonthwest quarter of section 18, in 1854. He built a cabin and remained one year, then went to the timber one year, spent a few months in Kansas?and Mis- souri, and finally returned to Howard and settled on section 27, where he still re- sides.
Philip Otterman was also a settler of 1854. He was born in West Virginia, June 24, 1818. Ilis parents were Lewis and Glory (Null) Otterman, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1831, they emigrated to Montgomery county, Indiana, and set- tled in a heavily timbered region. This move was made with one team of horses and a wagon, which were sold upon their
arrival in Indiana for $100. With this money Philip's father purchased eighty acres of land. Here he remained a short time, then sold and purchased 160 acres of a farm and remained here till his death. Philip was reared on his father's farm, re- ceiving his education in a school which was supported by subscriptions. Mr. Ot- terman was brought up to hard work. When fourteen years of age he worked out by the month through the summer season to help support the family. His forte seemed to be in the use of the axe, and he has split one thousand rails be- tween sun and sun. There was no man that could drop a log quicker than he. In 1842, he was married to Miss Naney Da- vis, of North Carolina. In September, 1854, he left Indiana in company with his brother Elisha, John Cross, L. Harrington and Ferdinand Utterback, and started out with teams for Iowa. Stopping in Bru- ner's timber, they camped out until they erected log cabins in which to spend the winter. During this winter Mr. Otterman hauled and prepared timber for a house and to fenee his farm. In May, 1855, he moved on the place where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Otterman are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: Thomas, George, John, Martishia, Jose- phine, Sarah and Albina. Mr. Otterman has owned 600 acres of land in the town- ship, but has divided it among his children. In his homestead there are 320 aeres with fine and substantial buildings, plenty of fruit and valued at $45 per acre. In pol- itics he is a strong Democrat. Ile and his wife are members of the Christian Church. George W. Otterman has been identi- fied with Tama county for a quarter of a
4
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
century. IIe was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, February 17, 1847. When seven years of age his parents moved to Tama, where he grew to manhood. lle was married in 1868 to Miss Mary E. l'eugh, a daughter of Samuel Peugh, of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Otterman are the parents of two children, Franklin J. N. and P. Roy P. Mr Otterman has a farm of eighty acres under good cultivation, valued at $45 per acre.
John Schmitt, one of the "1854 settlers" of Howard township, was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, near the river Rhine, on the 2d day of February, 1816. When twenty-one years of age he came to Amer- ica, landed at New York and from there went to Pennsylvania, where he remained a few months and then came to Muscatine county, Iowa. In 1843, he returned to his native country, remaining but a short time, and then returned again to Iowa. In 1844, he was married to Sarah Acker, who bore him two children, Edward and Augusta lle went to California in 1849, and followed mining for eighteen months and then returned to Iowa, when he and his wife separated. In 1854, he came to Tama county, and purchased his farm in lloward township and kept "bach" for a couple of years. In 1858, he married Mrs. Eliza Emerson, widow of John Emerson, by whom he had four children : Mary P., Phobe, Lyman and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt are the parents of six chil- dren : Harriet, William T., Emily, Frank- lin, George E. and John C. Mr. Schmitt has a fine farm of 320 acres in Howard township, valued at $45 per acre. In pol- ities he is a Democrat.
D. K. Gallagher settled in Howard town- ship in 1854, and is still here. Ile was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 16, 1831; was raised on a farm, receiving a common school education. When fourteen years of age his parents moved to Whitley county, Indiana, and in 1854, came to Tama county. In Febru- ary, 1878, D. K. was married to Miss T. J. Sellers, a native of Ohio, born Jan- uary 5, 1843. By this union they have had four chidren, three of whom are now living : Lizzie M., Charles L, and Edith. In politics Mr. Gallagher is a Republican and cast his first vote for Gen. Fremont. Mr. Gallagher has held several local offices of trust in the township.
Among others who settled here at a very carly day were : P. J. Hartman, 11. Howdyshell, R. Blake, E. Meyers, A. Ilarbaugh, D. Miller, G. Zehrung, P and 1. Otterman, William Gallagher, N. Ilill, S. Bird, S. Peer, J. Strain, C. R. Ward, A. Leonard, W. C. Granger, J. Davis, B. C. Trust and others.
Captain William Gallagher settled in Iloward in 1856. Ile was born in Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1803. William was reared on a farm and received his education in a school which was supported by subscription. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, December 23, 1830. Eight children have been born to them: Dan. K., William, who enlisted in the 14th Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, was elected Lieutenant and after- wards was promoted to the Captainey. He was taken prisoner at Shiloh, and lay in prison for six months. Ile was here ex- posed to all kinds of weather, and con- tracted diseases, from the effects of which
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
he died at Denver, Colorado, in Decem- ber, 1871; Hannah J., James S., also a soldier of the Union army, died Jannary 24, 1866; Francis S., who died August 10, 1846; John, who died August 25, 1846; Rebecca E., who died January 16, 1863; and Randolph Lu. In 1845, Mr. Gallagher emigrated to Whitley county, Indiana, where he remained ten years. In 1855, he removed to Linn county, Iowa, and in the spring of 1856, came to Howard township, where he entered a large tract of land and opened a good farm. Mr. Gallagher has been identified with the interests of Tama county for over a quarter of a cen- tury. In December, 1876, Mrs. Galla- gher died, leaving her husband and chil- dren to mourn the loss of a dutiful wife and a kind mother.
Another settler in 1856 was Samuel Bovennyer. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1826. IIs parents were Philip and Hannah (Gohun) Bovennyer, who were married in Pennsylvania, where four of their chil- dren were born. Samuel was brought up on his father's farm. He was married in York county, Pennsylvania, January 14, 1855, to Miss Mary Huffman, a daughter of George and Sarah (Bowen) Iluffman. In 1855, they left their home in Pennsylva- nia for the then far west, coming by rail to Rock Island, then the terminus of the railroad. There they purchased a team and came to Tama county, by the way of Iowa City, where he purchased land of Ru- fus Clark, now owned by Mr. Gally. In 1856, he sold out and removed to his present farm in IToward township. Mr. and Mrs. Bovennyer are the parents of five ehildren, four of whom are living; Sarah N, wife
of Emanuel Merede: Andrew J., Ulysses G., and Samnel, jr. Mr. and Mrs. Boven- nyer are hard working, honest and up- right people, and, by hard work and atten- tion to business, have accumulated a fine property, and are elassed among the well- to-do farmers of the county. They have 280 acres of land in a high state of culti- vation, valued at $40 per acre, and forty acres of timbered land valued at $20 per aere.
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