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 91
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The first settler to cast his lot within the borders of this township, was Isaac Asher, who was born in Tennessee, in 1795. Hle left his native State and removed to Selby county, Indiana, where, in 1823, he married Miss Martha Greer, a native of South Carolina, born in 1806. In 1845, with his wife and family of nine children, he started for the western frontier, and on the last day of that year erossed the Mississippi river at Burlington. Here he remained about eighteen months, then again pushed westward, until he halted in Marshall county. Here, on the 13th of June, 1848, Elkanah Asher was born, the first white child born in that county. In November, 1849, Mr. Asher with his wife and six children left Marshall county and located on seetion 6, township 83 north, range 16 west, in what is now Indian Vil-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
lage township, and was thus one of the first settlers to permanently locate in Tama county. December 25, 1854, Mr. Asher moved to the west half of the southwest quarter of the southeast quar- ter of section 8, Indian Village township, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1860. His widow yet lives on the old homestead.
Mr. Asher was attracted to Indian Vil- lage township by its wonderful beauty. This was, at that time, the hunting ground of the Indian, and nothing had heretofore occurred to interfere with his pursuit of game. The virgin soil was still undis- turbed by the plow, and the wild Indian was naturally opposed to the advent of the white man, and at first they demanded that the Asher family return and not take possession of any claim in this vicinty, but after a time they were permitted to settle. This was the only settlement in the township until 1851, when Eli W. Dailey, Anthony Bricker and John Dailey, with their families, settled on the west side of the river.
In the fall of this same year, William Taylor and Newell Blodgett came and settled near Indiantown.
In 1852, the settlement was increased by the addition of four families, Isaac Butler, J. H. Voorhies, Wm. Martin and Wash- ington Abbott.
The latter settled on section 20. Here he lived on a farm until his death, which took place in 1866. Mr. Abbott was born in Ohio, and there married Miss Mary Cruthers. In 1842, he removed to Miami county, Indiana, and from thence to Iowa, in 1844, settling in Tama county, in 1852. While living in Indiana, he had an attack
of fever, which settled in one of his limbs and caused him to be a cripple for life. ITis wife died in 1880. They had seven children, four of whom are now living-John, Rachel, Benjamin and Solo- mon.
John Abbott, son of Washington and Mary Abbott, was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1835. He came to this county with his parents in 1852, and in 1861, was married to Miss Jane Warner, daughter of John and Christina Warner. Out of a family of nine children there are but six living-George W., Allan C., Ellen M., Maggie M., Esther M. and Ida W. Mr. Abbott now owns 214 acres of land.
In June, 1853, came five families, con- sisting of twenty-eight persons: Allen Dingee, with his wife and six children; James Cronk, wife and six children; Wil- liam Cronk and wife; Wilson Voorhies, wife and four children; and Robert Voor- hies, wife and two children. They had just completed their journey from Mor. row county, Ohio, having made it with seven two-horse teams and occupied thir- ty-two days. The party first halted at the residence of Hampton Voorhies, a rude building 14x16 feet. There Allen Dingee and family, Wilson Voorhies and family, and Robert Voorhies and family stopped for about two months, and as Ilampton Voorhies family numbered six, it made twenty-two persons living in a house 16x14 feet. This would seem at this day an impossibility, when two families can hardly live in a good two-story building, but this band of pioneers lived thus har- moniously, and soon each had a cabin of his own. These very circumstances and necessities seèmed to unite' them more
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
closely together. They all located in the same neighborhood and all who had reached maturity had united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thus they lived in peace and rejoiced in each other's prosperity. Their nearest trading point and grist mill was at Iowa City, a distance of seventy-one miles. Their postoffice and black-smith shop was Marengo, forty-two miles distant. At the present time one would hardly think any progress could be made under such circumstances, yet the rich fields and cultivated farms which now surround this people are the result of such toil and privation.
J. G. Cronk came in 1853, and in 1860, settled on a part of his present farm. Mr. Cronk has been the architect of his own fortune and his present prosperity shows .him to be a successful worker and man- ager. He was born in Binghamton, Brome county, New York, December 22, 1833, his parents being John and Sarah (Lane) Cronk. He was left fatherless when only seven years of age and one year later bade his mother good-bye, and with his uncle, Samuel Cronk, emigrated to Ohio, where he tilled the soil until 1856. During this time, about 1853, he made a short visit to his native town to visit his mother. In 1856, he came to Iowa, and being unable to start in busi- ness for himself he entered the employ of Myron Blodgett, who owned the farm which has since given site for the village of Montour. But Mr. Cronk was not the man to remain in the employ of others. He desired to strike out for himself. He therefore, in 1860, married Miss Susan Butler, daughter of Isaac, and at once en- gaged in farming. Ile now owns 800
acres of choice land and is extensively en- gaged in stock-farming. From 1878 to 1882, he dealt in grain and live stock, being a member of the firm of Butler & Cronk. His mother now resides at Syca- more, Illinois, and as he frequently goes to Chicago with live stock, bis visits with her are more frequent than in former years. Mr. Cronk is a man who attends strictly to business and therefore makes life a success. He is a member of Polar Star Lodge, A. F. and A. M., at Montour, the Chapter at Tama C'ity and Commandery No. 14, at Belle Plaine. In politics he is a Republican. Ile has four children: Del- la, now the wife of W. H. Black, Edward, Wilber and Nelson.
Allen Dingee settled on section 19, In- dian Village township, in 1853, as stated. Mr. Dingee was born in Westchester county, New York, September 19, 1806. Ilis father, Stephen Dingee, wasalso born in that State. His mother, Betsy (Mar- vin) Dingee, was a native of Connecticut. Allen Dingee was reared on a farm, and on the 9th of December, 1829, married Miss Elizabeth Penny, a native of Putnam county, New York, born February 14, 1808. In 1841, they emigrated to Ohio and settled in what is now Morrow county. In 1853, Mr. Dingee conchided to go farther west and he therefore joined the party spoken of in another place and came to lowa, and soon located on the northwest quarter of section 19, Indian Village township, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Dingee have had seven chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy. Two died after marriage, one being the wife of Martin Slate and one the wife of C. J. Stevens. The four children living are
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Chelista, now Mrs. George Voorhies, Al- fred, Emma, now Mrs. A. C. Baxter, and Ettie, now Mrs. T. P. Smith. Mr. Dingee is Republican in polities and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1824. He is ever ready to show his hospitality to all persons and es- pecially to ministers of the Gospel, of whom he has entertained over eighty since his residence in the county. Of those, fifty-six were regular Methodist Episcopal pastors, ten presiding elders and the others were local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, United Breth- ren and Lutheran denominations.
During the next year, 1854, emigration increased steadily. Every new face was welcomed with hearty good-will. Willing hands from far and near assisted in ereet- ing the log cabins. The fortunate pos- sessor of an extra bag of meal divided among his neighbors, and that true, genu- ine feeling of generosity prevailed. Envy and strife, hatred and jealousy, so preva- lent during these later days, were un- known to them, which fact enabled them to endure the hardships of that day more easily. Bound together by one true sym- pathetie chord, they traveled on the jour- ney of life, and those who have not gone hence are now in the enjoyment of a com- petenee, surrounded by the beautiful country their own hands have wrought out.
Prominent among the settlers of 1854, were James Magee and his two sons, Rob- ort and James L., T. D. H. Wilcoxon and James M. Bradley.
James Magee settled on seetion 26, and lived there until his death. Mr. Magee was a native of Ireland, and came with
his parents to the United States in 1819, at which time he was twelve years of age. The family settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and here Mr. Magee was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Leech, a native of that State. James sub- sequently came to Ohio, and in 1853, came still farther west, to Iowa, and lo- cated land on section 26, Indian Village township, then returned to Ohio, and in November, 1854, he removed his family to their new home, where he remained until his death, which took place in 1858. ITis wife still lives on the old homestead. Mr. Magee left a family of four children: Elizabeth, now the wife of Isaac Arment, Robert, James L. and Mary, now Mrs. Charles E. Alden.
Robert Magee, son of James and Nancy Magee, was born in Ohio, January 6, 1835. Hle came with his parents to Tama county in 1854, and has since devoted his time to farming. His marriage with Miss Manora Chase, daughter of Stephen Chase, took place on the 4th of April, 1867, and they now have four children: Lottie, Anna, Jennie and Katie. Mr. Magee is, and has always been, a Democrat.
Stephen Chase, his father-in-law, is a native of New York, was born January 14, 1818. He went to Illinois at an early day, and when but a young man, com- meneed trading with the Indians of Iowa. In 1853, he settled in Tama county, and resided here until 1870, when he removed to Pottawattamie county, where he now lives. His wife was Miss Olive Conner. They have had nine children, only one of whom is now living: Mrs. Robert Magee, now a resident of this county.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
James L. Magee was born in Ohio, Jan- nary 7, 1837. lle came with his parents to Tama county, in November, 1854, and has since made farming his business. 1Ie now has about 500 acres of land, and is engaged quite extensively in stock raising. Politically, he is a Democrat, but takes no more interest in politics than mere- ly to attend the elections and cast his ballot. In 1873, he married Miss Sarah Gibbon, then of Tama county, but a native of Ohio, and they now have four children, three sons and one daughter.
Another of the early pioneers who has figured conspicuously in the history of this county is T. D. H. Wilcoxon. He made his first visit to Tama county in the spring of 1854, at which time he entered a large tract of land, and then returned to Illinois to get his family. In the month of June, of said year, he came back to Iowa and set- tled at Indiantown. Here he commenced burning lime taken from a quarry which he had opened. He soon built the first patent lime kiln in Indiantown, continu- ing in this business for several years. During this time he also carried on a gen- eral store. Of late years he has directed his attention mostly to his stone quarries, of which mention is made in another part of this work. Mr. Wilcoxon was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, June 26, 1826. His father, George D. Il. Wilcoxon, was a na- tive of South Corolina, and his mother, Anna ( Hopkinson ) Wilcoxon, of Virginia. In 1835, the family emigrated to Ogle county, Illinois. Ilere the subject of this sketch followed farming until he came to Iowa, in 1854. On the 22d of February, 1852, Mr. Wilcoxon was married to Miss Betsy A. Torry, then of Buffalo Grove,
Illinois, but a native of Erie county, Penn- sylvania. She died October 11, 1872, leaving six children: Herbert, Alice M., Lillie D., Charles D., Carrie B. and Eddie G. Mr. Wilcoxon is a courteous and genial gentleman, and has many friends. He is a Republican in politics and has held several local offices. Ile was a char- ter member of Polar Star Lodge, A. F .. and A. M.
James M. Bradley came to the county in June, 1854, and after paying the neces- sary fee for entering the southeast quar- ter of section 32, Indian Village township, he found his cash reduced to $12. Ife soon erected a log cabin, which, although a rude structure, was highly prised by his wife because it was nearly all built by himself. As soon as they became nicely situated in their cabin, Mr. Bradley com- menced making improvements about his new home, and in a few years his home and farm presented quite a different ap- pearance. In 1868, he sold his farm and removed to another; but nine years sub- sequently he was obliged to take back his first farm. He then erected a new resi- dence and made various other improve- ments and continued to till the soil until 1883, when, as he found himself advanc- ing into old age, he sold out and is now living a retired life. Mr. Bradley was born in New Ilaven county, Connecticut, November 30, 1813. He emigrated to Illinois in 1838, and there in 1852 married Miss Lucy Helm, sister of Phineas Helin. She died in 1856. In June 1860, he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, and by this union five children have been born, four of whom are now living: James M., Chester A., Walter A. and Bessie Belle.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Mr. Bradley was one of the founders of the Congregational Church at Butlerville and is now a member at Montour. He has never associated himself with any other society. Politically he is a Republican and has held various local offices. He is honest and upright in all his transactions with his fellow men, and is accordingly highly respected.
Josiah Paxson eame to this county in April, 1866, and settled on section 19, Indian Village township, where he now resides. He is a native of Columbianna county, Ohio, born April 30, 1837. His father, Joseph Paxson, was born on the 10th of August, 1804, and is a native of Loudoun county, Virginia. He received bnt few months schooling; but he was a man of strong will, and while pursuing his trade, as blacksmith, he was often found reading the Bible. Thus by con- stant application, he soon became well acquainted with the Holy Scriptures. He was ordained a minister in the United Brethren Church, and served in that ca- pacity for fifty-five years, when he was su- perannuated. He now resides in Columbi- anna connty, Ohio. IIis wife died in Feb- ruary, 1878, leaving five children; Jessie, llannah, John N., Josiah and Mary Jane. Josiah Paxson was reared on a farm, re- ceived a good common school education, and for some time was engaged in teach- ing. March 12, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Hayes, daughter of William Hayes, one of the early pio- neers of Marshall county. She was left motherless when only five years of age and was reared by her aunt, Sarah Heald, who also came to Iowa with Mr. Paxson and is now a member of the family. Mr.
Paxson is an earnest Christian, having been a member of the M. E. Church, and an active worker in the Sabbath school for over fifteen years. He is a Republican in polities and is in hearty sympathy with the cause of temperance. He has six chil- dren: William, John, Addison, Sadie, Fred and Charles.
L. J. Dixon came to Indian Village township and located in Montour in 1879. Mr. Dixon is a native of Ohio, and was born in Delaware county, on the 17th of April, 1835. His father, Archibald Dixon was born in Vermont, and his mother, Lois (Ingham) Dixon, in Utica, New York. L. J., when twelve years of age, removed with his parents to DeKalb county, Illinois, where he helped till the soil until twenty years old. The family then moved to Iowa and settled in Black Hawk county, where the parents both died, in November, 1873. In 1854, Mr. Dixon was married to Miss Malinda Win- sett, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Winsett, and pursued farming in said coun- ty until 1879, since which date he has been a resident of Montour. They had four children; Alice, Olive, George 1 .. , and Lettie.
ORGANIC.
This township was first organized in 1852, comprising what is now Highland, Indian Village, Carlton, Spring Creek and Lincoln, or a strip of six miles by thirty, on the west side of the county. The first election was held at the house of E. W. Dailey, on the first Monday in Au- gust, 1852, at which time, William Tay- lor, E. W. Dailey and L. Appelgate were elected Trustees. Other changes of bound- ary lines have been made, which may be
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
found in the chapter on County Govern- ment, until it assumed its present bound- aries in 1855, and the following officers were elected: J. H. Voorhies and William Taylor, Trustees; Allen Dingee, Clerk.
The following are the officers for 1882 : A. B. Toplin, A. B. Gage and J. M. Mills, Trustees; C. A. Stevens, Clerk; G. W. Paxton, Assessor. 1883-A. B. Gage, A. B. Toplin and J. M. Mills, Trustees; R. E. Everett, Clerk ; George W. Paxton, As- sessor.
HISTORICAL ITEMS,
The first marriage of residents of this township was that of Miss Auna Asher, daughter of Isaac Asher, to Samuel Da- vidson, of Marshall county. The cere- mony was performed by Esq. Furguson, and took place at the home of Mr. David- son, on the 18th of July, 1850.
The first death was that of Maria Blodgett, in 1853. The first birth was Mary M. Blodgett, March 4, 1853.
The first marriage in the township was that of Myron Blodgett and Sarah Cronk. The ceremony was performed by Judge J. C. Vermilya on the 14th of August, 1853. They now reside in Dakota.
The first school was taught by Chauncy J. Stevens during the spring of 1856, in a small building erected for that purpose in Indiantown He taught a term of three months at a salary of $35 per month. There were about sixty pupils enrolled during the term. The following residents of the county were numbered among the pupils : Mrs. J. G. Cronk, Mrs. J. D. Ilaywood, Mrs. T. P. Smith and E. B. Asher.
The first sawmill in the township was erected at Indiantown, in 1855. It was propelled by steam power and was owned by Jonas Dunham and Joseph Jack, but was first operated by P. M. Fisk and Woodhull Helm. It was subsequently run by various parties and finally sold to George Knox and A. C. Tenny, when it was moved across the river to section 9, where it still remains.
The first religions service held in the township and probably in the county was in 1852, when Rev. Solomon Dunton, of Iowa City, established a Methodist Epis- copal Mission at the house of Washington Abbott.
The first orchard in Tama county was set ont at Indiantown in the spring of 1852, by Wm. Taylor. It contained about sixty apple, some cherry and other fruit trees. The trees lived to bear fruit, but as they were neglected they have since died.
Mr. Taylor is a native of Ohio. He emigrated with his parents to Illinois, where he married Miss Betsy Chase, then came to Iowa, and in May, 1851, became one of the pioneers of Indiantown. Here he purchased some land and engaged in farm- ing. When Indiantown became in need of a hotel, he formed a partnership with E. B. Coffin, and erected a large building, but the cost was so great that he became financially embarrassed, and has never regained his footing. His wife died in the fall of 1880. She reared a family of fourteen children, nine of whom are now living. Mr. Taylor still resides at Indian- town, but usually spends the winter sea- son on the frontier in hunting and trap- ping, which sport he has always admired.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
EDUCATIONAL.
As elsewhere stated, the first school in the township was held during the spring of 1856, in Indiantown, the teacher being Chauney J. Stevens. Educational facili- ties have kept pace with the settlement and improvement here, and there are now seven sub-distriets in the township, and Montour independent district, with eight school houses, all in good repair.
CEMETERIES.
The first cemetery platted out in the township was on section 17, adjacent to Indiantown, and is still being used for burial purposes. Some years later there were bodies interred on section 8, some of which still remain, and some have been removed to other places.
The Montour cemetery is located on section 27. It is nicely situated, and is kept in good shape.
INDIANTOWN, OR BUTLERVILLE.
Wm. Taylor located on the south half of the northeast quarter of section 17, in what is now Indian Village township, in 1851. Ile sold, in 1853, to Isaac Butler, who at once laid out a portion of the land into town lots and called it Butler- ville. Eli W. Dailey joined him on the north, and he also laid ont some lots and called his addition Indiantown. N. J. Blodgett subsequently added an addition to Butlerville which was called Pleasant Hill. The village of Indiantown was well located, having good water power and the finest stone quarries in the State. However, it made but a slow growth, and after the completion of the Northwestern railroad, the business was removed to Mon- tour. At present, a postoffice, a small store, a blacksmith shop and several dwelings,
mark the spot where the pioneers of that section once expected to see a flourishing town.
In the spring of 1854, the people suc- ceeded in having a postoffice established here, under the name of Indiantown, and Isaac Butler was appointed first post- master. He was succeeded by John Moore, and in July, 1856, the name of the office was changed to Butlerville. Mr. Moore served as postmaster until his death, in 1859, when E. Ruggles was appointed. He was succeeded by Hampton Voorhies, and since then Geo. II. Gamon, David Doty, C. D. Torrey, G. W. De Long and others, have filled the office. Mail is now received daily from Montour.
Gibson W. DeLong, the present post- master of Butlerville, was born in Otsego county, New York, May 1843, his parents being A. C. and Mary (Wilson) DeLong. Hle received a common school education, and in the fall of 1862 enlisted in Com- pany F, 121st New York Volunteer In- fantry, and served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of physical disa- bility. He subsequently re-enlisted in Company D, 3d New York Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. After being mustered out of service he elerked in a wholesale house in New York city for one year, and in 1867, came to Iowa, and settled where he now resides. He now owns over 200 acres of land, has a dairy of thirty cows, and manufactures a large quantity of creamery butter. Mr. DeLong is a Republican in polities, has held several local offices, and since 1877, has been postmaster at Butlerville. He was married February 24th, 1867, to Miss Mary F. Hendry, a native of Delaware
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 801
county, New York, and they now have five children :- Arthur, Kittie, Charley, Mary and Eliza.
The first hotel was erected by Phineas Ilelm, in 1854. He furnished food for the hungry and rest for the weary, for a short time, when the hotel changed hands. The building was used for hotel purposes for some time afterward.
The second hotel was erected by Wil- liam Taylor and Ebenezer Coffin, in the fall of 1856, and was a building of good dimensions and design. It was subse- quently removed to Montour, where it was known as the American House and used for hotel purposes until destroyed by fire, in 1870.
The first physician of Butlerville, was E. N. Whipple, who located there in the fall of 1855, and practiced in that vicinity until about 1860. Dr. Crenshaw, a young man, was located here in 1857 and 1858. In 1859, Dr. J. H. Stevens came to this place and prescribed for the sick until 1862, when he entered the United States service. About the same time Dr. Cren- shaw came and also Dr. Shugart, who practiced for some time, but is now in California.
Dr. John Doe, also practiced medicine and was engaged in mercantile pursuits for a number of years. He is now living in Texas.
In the fall of 1856, Dr. E. N. Whipple and B. W. Fellows formed a partnership and opened a drug store in Indiantown. Mr. Fellows withdrew from the business in about 1859, and Dr. Whipple soon after- ward sold to J. H. Stevens.
The first blacksmith to locate at Indian- town was William Eby, who opened a shop in 1854 or 1855.
In 1855, P. M. Fisk and Woodhull Helm erected a saw-mill, then associated Charles Gray as partner, and operated the mill under the firm name of Fisk, Helm & Gray. In 1856, this firm added flouring mill machinery, and continued under that firm name until about 1860, when Mr. Gray became sole proprietor. Mr. Gray soon sold the machinery of the saw-mill to parties in Belle Plaine, but the flouring mill is still owned and operated by him. The mill is located on the southwest quar- ter of section 9, on the south bank of the Iowa river, which stream, at this point, furnishes a six foot head of water. The building is two stories and a half in height, and 25 x 50 feet in size. It is equiped with three run of stone.
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