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 90
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Joseph Matern, one of the early set- tlers and prominent farmers of Howard township, was born in Alsace on the 2d day of April, 1836. When he was seven years old his parents emigrated to America, coming in a sailing vessel and being thirty-five days upon the water. They located in Muskingum county, Ohio, and in the spring of 1857, came to Tama county and settled on section 20, in How- ard township, where Joseph's father re- mained until his death, which occurred January 20, 1881. Joseph was married in 1879 to Miss Augusta Brecht, at Cedar Rapids. She was born in Baden, near the river Rhine, August 17, 1839. They have had born unto them, fifteen children, twelve of whom are now living-Rachel M., wife of H. Atkinson; Franklin L., John P. T., Henry, Mary, Joseph J., Albert, Philomenia E., Edward A., George Otto, Maggie A. and Gracie H. Mr. Matern has 245 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. Mr. and Mrs, Matern are members of the Catholic Church. In polities, Mr. Matern is a Democrat.
Alanson H. Bailey settled in Howard township in 1858. Ile was born in Fort Ann, Washington connty, N. Y., January 23, 1827. He is the son of Howard and
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Mary ( Cutter ) Bailey. When a young man he learned the wheelright's trade of his father and followed it for a number of years. November 27, 1831, he was mar- ried at Glens Falls, N. Y., to Miss Frances A. Patter, daughter of David Patter, of Ilebron, Washington county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of one child-Mary A., now the wife of O. A. IInlett. In October, 1853, Mr. Bailey left northern New York and moved to Ogle county, Illinois, where he remained three and a half years, engaged the greater part of the time in working on the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris. Hle helped make the sash by hand for 120 windows and bought some of the material that was left from the building, at the rate of five cents per foot. Hle hanled it to Tama county, lowa, and used a part of it to make sash for his dwelling house. In the spring of 1857 he came to Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa, and from there to Tama county in June of 1858. He set- tled in Howard township, took up land and began making a home. At the time of his settlement here, for a distance of eleven miles from Traer to Philip Otter- man's, there was but one house, which was at Baker's Grove. Mr. and Mrs Bailey came to the county in rather limited circumstances, but, by close attention to business, fair dealing, and living within their means, have accumulated consider- able property, and to-day rank among the most prosperous farmers of the county. They now own 240 acres of land. most of which is under cultivation, valued at $45 per acre. They know by experience what privations may be met in a new country ; for one year after coming to Tama county
they had but one apple, and also in that time they used but fifty cents worth of sugar. Mr. Bailey is a Republican and has trained in that party since its organi- zation. lle has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are members of the M. E. Church.
In 1859, John F. McCormick came, and is now one of the most enterprising farm- ers in Howard township. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 3, 1833. When he was still very young, his parents moved to Perry county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1857, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Jane Giger, a daugh- ter of Samuel Giger's, who was one of the pioneers of Howard township. This union has been blessed with ten chil- dren, nine of whom are still living: Na- than E., born March 14, 1858; Samuel L., born July 20, 1859; James A., born March 8, 1861; John H., born December 3, 1863; Isaac S., born March 14, 1865; Frances E., horn July 2, 1867; Mary C., born Febru- ary 7, 1869; Charles A., born August 1, 1871; William F., born September 3, 1873, lied February 17, 1879, and Sarah MI , born May 8, 1879. In 1856, Mr. McCormick came to Tama county, and in 1859, settled on his present place, where he has since resided. When he came to the county he was poor, but by hard work and economy, has succeeded in securing comfortable surroundings, a valuable property, and to-day is one of the well-to- do farmers of the township. He now owns 240 acres of prairie land, all fenced in and valued at $45 per acre. In politics,
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Mr. McCormick always votes with the Republican party. IIe and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church.
Among the arrivals during the decade between 1860 and 1870, may be mentioned the following, who are still prominent cit- izens and representative men: Adamı Brecht, F. Goodenow, Madison Schroeder, C. A. Baxter, Dennis B. Gregory, II. 11. Withington, A Cuthbertson and J. M. Grau.
Adam Brecht, an enterprising farmer of lloward township, was born in Baden, near the river Rhine, July 11, 1835. When a young man, seventeen years old, his parents emigrated to this country, landing at New York city. They went from there to Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained one year. In 1858, Adam's father removed to Iowa county, Iowa, where he is living at present. At the time he landed in Cleveland, Ohio, he had but $5 in ready money and had a family of eleven chil- dren to support; to-day, he has a fine farm of 240 acres, with good buildings. Adam Brecht was married in October, 1860, to Miss Nancy Matern, a daughter of John Matern. She was born on the 22d day of May, 1840, By this union there were «leven children, nine of whom are living: John H., born June 24, 1861; Edward, born October 31, 1862; Anna M., born June 1, 1864; Marcella, born October 16, 1865; Mary A., born March 12, 1870; William S., born April 9, 1872; Law- rence, born July 3, 1874; Clarence C., born July 18, 1876, and Mary T., born June 22, 1880. In 1861, Mr. Brecht came to Tama county a poor man, but he went to work with a will, and by good manage- ment has accumulated a fine property. Ile
has 290 acres of land, 240 are under culti- vation, valued at $45 per acre. The family are all members of the Catholic Church, one daughter is in the St. Francis Convent at Dubuque. In politics, Mr. Brecht is a Democrat.
Fitch Goodenow was born May 22, 1834, in Livingston county, New York. Ilis parents were Enos and Abagail ( Cole) Goodenow. Fitch was one of a family of three sons and eight daughters, and when he was eleven years of age his parents moved to Potter county, Pennsylvania. At seventeen he came with a brother to Sterling, Whiteside county, Illinois, and hired out to work by the month on a farm. Ile worked at one place three years, then was engaged in breaking prairie in the summer and running a threshing machine in the fall until he had earned $700. He went into partnership and lost every cent of his earnings. In 1863, Mr. Goodenow came to Tama county, Iowa, and located in Howard township, where he bought eighty acres of land on ten years time. He broke his land and fenced it, going twelve miles for the posts and rails. March 13, 1860, Mr. Goodenow was married to Miss Ann C. Thompson, a native of Lee county, Illinois, born April 22, 1839. She was a daughter of John M. and Rachel Thomp- son. This union has been blessed with tive children, three sons and two daugh- ters: Florence E., Annette R., Charlie F., Ira E. and John T. Mr. Goodenow has been a hard working man and now has 160 acres of land, all under good enltiva- tion and valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Goodenow is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and has for his motto, do right and fear not.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Madison Schroeder was born in June, 1835, in Prussia, Germany, where he was reared on a farm. In 1854, he came to America, stopping in Pennsylvania, where he worked on a farm for four years. In 1858, he came to Tama county. Ile was joined in marriage with Miss Margaret Matern in November, 1861. She was born in Ohio, on the 28th day of August, 1843, and came to Tama county with her par- ents when she was fourteen years old. By this union there were seven children, five of whom are living: Martha S., born November 29, 1863; William U., born April 24, 1865; Delbert, born October 19, 1871; Appelona C., born December 19, 1873; and Mary L., born February 6, 1881. Their first winter was spent in Toledo, where Mr. Shroeder sawed wood, and Mrs. S. did washing, by which means they raised money enough to buy the rough lumber to build their first cabin, now a portion of their comfortable home. In 1864, Mr. S. purchased his present place. ile now owns 200 acres of prairie land valued at $45 per acre. He began at the foot of the ladder and has steadily gone up. During the war when prices were high, they used to grind wheat to make wheat coffee; and for three years they had only fifty cents worth of sugar in their house, using sorghum for sweetening purposes. They thus kept within their means. All of the family are members of the Catholic Church.
(. A. Baxter was born in Chenango county, New York, October 29, 1842. Ilis father, Augustus Baxter, was a native of Scotland ; his mother, Hannah Padgett, of New York. His parents were married in Chenango county, where three of their
children were born. The father, for many years, was engaged in the mereantile busi- ness, and just previous to his death he followed farming. The subject of this sketeh enlisted in April, 1861, in the 13th Illinois Volunteer Infantry for three months, being discharged at the expiration of his time of service. He again enlisted in the Sth Illinois Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Ball Bluff, Warrenton Junetion, seven days fight before Rich- mond, Malvern Hill, second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Anteitam, Martins- burg, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded, Spottsylvania Court House, and Coal Harbor, where he left the command and was detailed at General Wilson's headquarters, as head blacksmith, receiv- ing a commission as Second Lieutenant. Ile also participated in Wilson's Raid and the battle of Stone River, where he was again wounded, lying for five days without food and surrounded by rebels. When he was relieved he went to City Point. Ile was discharged at Chicago, September 28, 1864. The following fall he was married to Miss Mary J. Smith, of DeKalb county, Illinois. They have a family of five chil- dren-Henry A., Ettie M., Clara A., Cora E. and Jessie A. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Baxter came to Tama county, where he purchased land and made a home: Ile has 160 acres valued at $45 per acre, and nine acres of timber land valued at $15 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Dennis B. Gregory was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, January 25, 1820. His parents were Miles and Annie (Bron-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
son) Gregory. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfathers, on both sides were participants in the Revolu- tionary war. Dennis B. when eighteen, left home and went to Winnebago county, Illinois. Ile was married at Rockford, in 1841, to Miss Harriet N. Bunker, who was born in Chenango county, New York, April, 1820. In 1856, he moved to Mc- Henry county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In 1859 he went to Mercer county, Missouri, and in 1861, enlisted in an independent regiment, known as Mer- rill's Horse Regiment. While in the stam- pede at St. Charles, Missouri, he was dis- abled and discharged June 21, 1862, on ac- count of disabilities. In May, 1865, he came to Tama county and located on the place where he now resides, in Howard township. He now owns 138 acres of land valued at $45 per acre. In early life Mr. Gregory supported the Democracy, but at the commencement of the war he went over to Republicanism, and has affiliated with that party ever since. Mr and Mrs. Gregory are members of the M. E. Church.
H. H. Withington, of the firm of H. Il. Withington & Son, proprietors of the Ridgeland farm, and feeders of Holstein cattle and Merino sheep, was born in Graf- ton county, New Hampshire, on the 21st day of January, 1829. His father, Robert Withington, was born in Hillsboro, now Merrimac county, New Hampshire, in 1807; his mother, Sally (Putney) Withington, was born in Grafton county, in 1806. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom lived to be adults, but only four are now living: Lucinda A., wife of J. A. Hurlbert, of Elroy, Wisconsin; Nathan II., of Smith county, Kansas; Emma L., wife of S. W.
Durkee, Olatha, Kansas. Mr. Robert Withington is still living, at the advanced age of 76. Mrs. Withington died in 1879. The subject of this shetch, when four- teen years of age, was bound to Abraham Longfellow, who gave him a good educa- tion in the English branches, and also one hundred dollars when he reached his majority. Ju 1857, Mr. Withington was married in Canaan, Grafton county, New Hampshire, to Miss Lydia Ann Fellows, a daughter of Peter Fellows. She was born in Bristol, Grafton county, September 23, 1834. By this union there is one son, Wallace IL., who was born in Hanover, Grafton county, August 20, 1858. In 1865, Mr. Withington came to Tama county, locating in Howard township, where he turned his attention to farming and stock raising. Mr. Withington has a fine stock farm of 280 acres, valued at $45 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Withington are members of the Free Will Baptist Church, of Toledo. Mr. Withington, in politics, was a Democrat in early life, but at the time of the Kansas trouble he came over to l'epublicanism and has since affil- iated with that party. In 1876, he was elected County Supervisor and in Janu- ary, 1878, was chosen chairman of the Board of Supervisors, which office he held until the expiration of his second term.
A. Cuthbertson, carpenter and joiner, was born in Orleans county, Vermont, January 4, 1846. His parents were Bruce and Isabella Cuthbertson. Mr. Cuthbert- son when a small boy, learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, his father being a mechanic before him. In December, 1867, be left his native State and came to Iowa for the purpose of trapping. Being
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IIISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
pleased with the State, he concluded to make it his home. Ile was married to Miss Martishia Otterman, a daughter of Philip Otterman, a prominent farmer of Howard township. Five children have been born to them : Nancy S., Edda, Archie, George and Philip. Mr. Cuth- bertson is principally occupied with his trade, hiring men to work his farm, which consists of 120 acres under cultivation, valued at $45 per acre.
J. M. Grau was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 29th of September, 1843. Ilis parents were John and Mary (Bishop) Grau. Ilis mother died when he was a small boy. From the age of seven to eleven he lived with an unele. At the latter age he started out on his own hook, working by the month. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the 1st Iowa, Volunteer Infantry, Company C, for three months. Ile served out his time and re-enlisted in the 16th lowa, Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany F, and participated in the follow- ing engagements : Inka, where he was wounded in the right shoulder, the bullet being extracted several days later from near the spine, where it was wedged in between two ribs. The surgeon removed the bullet by cutting in and seizing it with a pair of nippers, pulling it out by main strength. Ile was sent to the hospital at Corinth, but was soon after removed to Keokuk, where he lay for six months, not being able to raise his head from the pil- low. After receiving his wound, he was removed from the fiehl and was placed in a room on the bare floor, with many of his poor comrades who were expected to die. There he remained until the last of his unfortunate companions had breathed
their last, when he was found by a Major of his regiment and removed to better quarters. In 1863, at the time the regi- ment veteranized, he joined it and wax sent to the 17th army Corps, at Big Shanty, and participated in the campaign to Atlanta, where a large portion of the command was captured, himself with the rest. He soon made his escape under very dangerous circumstances. He also parti- cipated in "Sherman's March to the Sea," and in the Grand Review at Washington. Ile was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Muscatine county, lowa, where he had previously made his home, in 1853. In 1866, he was married to Miss Mary E. Burnside. By this marriage there were eight children, six of whom are liv- ing : Libbie J., born June 16, 1867; Laura A., born June 11, 1869 ; Frank A., born August 10, 1871, died October 17, 1872; Ida May, born September 22, 1873; Emma A., born May 10, 1876 ; Lillie A., born March 16, 1878 ; Nellie, born March 7, 1879, died August 13, 1879, and Mary E., born April 8, 1881. In the spring of 1868, Mr Grau came to Tama county and located in Howard township on section 1, where he purchased his first land with the money saved from his army wages. Mr. Grau has a farm of 280 acres in a high state of cultivation, with good substantial buildings, and valued at $35 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and at present holds the office of Justice of the Peace. His first vote for President was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Grau are members of the M. E. Church.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first death in the township was Aa- ron Leonard, who died in the fall of 1855.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
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His remains were laid away in the cemetery on section 33. It was the first burial in the cemetery.
The first school in the township was taught at the house of Robert Ray, on section 29, in 1854, by Miss Skinner.
The first marriage in Howard was a double wedding, joining the destinies of W. T. Hollen and Miss Sarah Bruner, and Joseph Davis and Miss Rebecca Bruner. The ceremony was performed by Benja- min Hammitt, Justice of the Peace, Sep- tember 17, 1854.
ORGANIC.
When Tama county was organized How- ard township embraced nearly half of the county, comprising the territory which now forms the townships of Colum- bia, Toledo, Tama, Iloward, Carroll, Otter Creek, Richland, Salt Creek, York and Oneida. The first election was held - at the house of Rezin A. Redman, in April, 1853. One by one the townships named have been set off, and organization au- thorized by the County Judge and Board of Supervisors, until Howard township of to-day is left, embracing congressional township 84, range 15.
Following is given a list of those who have held the various offices, and been most prominent in township affairs :
Justices :- Benjamin Hammitt, C. R. Ward, R. Ray, J. Fay, W. C. Granger, B. Rhoades, J. Stone, II. Dunn, W. Guil- ford, J. Rider, G. Burke, J. Gray, C. Baxter, HI. Snodgrass, E. Carpenter, and .1. Whitley.
Clerks :- D. F. Bruner, R. Ray, J. II. Granger, J. W. Rider, E. S. Beckley, D. K. Gallagher, C. C. Granger and S. W. Hawke.
Trustees :- W. C. Morrison, J. Ross, F. Davis, S. Giger, W. C. Granger, D. N. Hill, C. R. Ward, J. Stone, J. Fay, D. Miller, J. Rudy, F. Iloman, H. Parker, M. Ross, J. Fuller, P. Otterman, R. Ray, G. W. McCallister, A. Harbaugh, J. II. Tin- dall, G. Burke, E. D. Rice, II. McAnulty, J. T. McCormick, H. H. Withington, G. T. Jones, .I. Gray, J. A. Richards and J. 11. Giger.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services in lloward township were held at the house of Chris- tian Bruner, on section 33, in 1853, by a Lutheran preacher from Iowa City. The next were held at the same place by Rev. Gamon, of the Methodist Episcopal faith, in the same year. In 1854, a society of this denomination was organized at the residence of Samuel (tiger, on section 29, by Rev. David Pettefish, with quite a large membership. Jackson Rindes was the first class leader. They continued to wor- ship at private residences and school houses until 1875. when a neat church edifice was erected on section 20, which they still use. The present pastor is Rev. Iliram Bailey. J. H. Giger is class leader. A Sabbath school has been organized in connection with this society, which is now in a flourishing condition, and is working much good for the canse. Samuel Craw- ford is Superintendent.
MONTICELLO VILLAGE
This was one of the very first towns platted in Tama county. It was laid out during the summer of 1853, by Christian and David F. Bruner, and Joseph Brown, upon land entered and owned by Chris- tian Bruner and Adam Zehrung. The latter gentleman soon sold to D. F. Bru-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
ner and Joseph Brown. Forty acres were laid in lots and blocks, on section 33, How- ard township, on the banks of Jordan creek. The first lots built upon were given away, and the first building was erected by Samuel Bird who came there from Maquoketa.
The first store was opened about the same time by Peter and James Brush, two brothers from Ohio. They kept a stock of general merchandise, and re- mained as long as the town was in exist- ence. Joseph A. Brown and Blackman, from Marion, opened the next store and remained a long time. These were the main stores in Tama county for several years. The next store was opened in 1854, by Christian Mooney. Ile remained a short time, and then sold to Reedy & Company.
John Matthews, now of Tama City, was in business here for some time running a shoe store. Theodore Shaffer was part- ner for some time. For a number of years Monticello was prosperous, and promised to become one of the lead- ing towns of the county, but after Toledo became the county seat, and the impossibility of getting a railroad became apparent, things changed, and gradually the embryo town dropped out of sight. The business mostly went to Toledo, and the houses were moved away to adjoining towns, or the country.
A mill was built here in 1854, by Chris- tian Bruner, which is still being run by his son Solomon Bruner, who lives in Toledo township. A history of it will be found in that connection.
CHAPTER XXX.
INDIAN VILLAGE TOWNSHIP.
This is in the western tier of townships comprising Congressional township 83, range 16, west of the fifth principal merid- ian. It derived its name from the large number of Indians living in the vicinity, at, and before its organization. It is among the wealthiest townships of the county. The Iowa river enters on section 6 and flowing toward the southwest traverses sections 7, 8, 9, a part of 16 and 15, then 22, the southwest corner of 23, then 26, and makes exit on 25. Raven
creek, having source in the south in Mar- shall county, flows toward the northeast, making confluence with the Iowa river on section 25. Sugar creek enters from t e north on section 5, and empties into the river on section 9. Indian creek flows into the river at Montour; so the township is abundantly watered. Along these streams is found a bountiful supply of timber, although it has been diminished consider- ably since settlement began. However, in localities where the land has not been put
Bre W. fellows
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
under cultivation after elearing, a young . growth springs up, matures rapidly and in a few years assumes proportions suitable for the many uses for which it is designed. The bluffs along the stream, through this township, contain an abundance of build- ing stone of excellent quality, which is quarried to a considerable extent, and used for various purposes ; it is called in market "Iowa Marble." The soil here is of the productive kind, consisting mainly, on the prairies, of a dark sandy loam, and on the timber lands, a clay mixed with de- cayed vegetable matter. The surface lies rolling, and in some places may be called hilly. Two railroads pass through this township, the Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. The former traversing the township from east to west, about the centre ; the latter the southern part. There are three towns, Montour, Le Grand Station, Indiantown or Butlerville, within its boundaries, which receive due attention elsewhere.
It will be seen, therefore, that this town- ship has many advantages; and, having within its borders an enterprising class of citizens, her continued prosperity seems assured.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Many interesting facts cluster around the first and carly settlement of this town- ship, which will vividly be brought to mind by the mere mention of those pioneer days. The difficulties attending the first settle- ment of this country cannot be realized, or the hardships and privations undergone estimated, by any comparison with the new settlement in the west of to-day. Now, lines of railroads traverse the lands, markets for agricultural products are at
hand for the settler, buyers of grain and stock appear upon the scene, and ready money is alway at hand for any and every- thing for which a demand exists, and the so-called "pioneers " of the west to-day have comparatively an easy time. Pene- trating the forests and wilds of this country thirty years ago, making the tire- some journey with ox teams, settling re- mote from railroad or trading point, with- out society and with but little shelter, means almost hermitage, and all honor is due those brave men and women who so nobly, in years gone by, endured these things, and set in motion a series of events which have developed so rich and goodly a land; until Indian Village township stands forth to-day in all its beauty and de- velopment, with desirable homes and happy surroundings, well tilled farms and comfortable houses.
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