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 95
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John Gardiner is a native of Sterling shire, Scotland, born in 1824. His parents William and Elizabeth (Lindsay) Gardi- ner, were farmers in their native country. In 1852, the family came to Canada, and settled in Perth county, where the father died in 1855. The mother died in Scotland in 1849. There were six children in the family that grew to man and womanhood- Peter, William, Jane, now wife of James Murray; John, Robert and Walter. The subject of this sketch left his native coun- try in 1849, came to Canada, and a year or two after his arrival bought a farm in l'erth county, where he resided until 1878. lle then came to Iowa, locating in Lincoln township, Tama county, where he now, resides on sections 2 and 3, owning 231 acres of land. Mr. Gardiner is now an Elder of the Presbyterian church of Grun- dy county. He was married in 1849 to Miss Margaret Giltillan, a daughter of Moses and Jeanet (McLean) Gilfillan, na- tives of Sterlingshire, Scotland. Of their children, eight are living-William, of Toledo, Ohio, and principal of the public school at Ironville, Ohio; Moses, resident
of Grundy county; Jeanet, wife of George Dew; John, now a resident of Lincoln township; Elizabeth, Margaret, wife of Thomas Crozier; James and Robert. Mrs. Gardiner died in Perth county, Canada, in 1874.
Claus Wiese was born in 1838, in Hol- stein, Germany. He is a son of Joachim and Catherine (Schlesing) Wiese, of Prob- stei, near Kiel, Germany. His father died in Europe in 1865 ; his mother in Grundy county, lowa, in 1881. Claus came to the United States in 1867, settling in Scott county, where he resided for eleven years engaged in farming. In 1878, he came to Lincoln township, this county, and pur- chased 240 acres of improved land on sec- tions 23 and 14. Mr. Wiese was married in 1870 to Miss Lena Goettsch, a daughter of Peter and Bertha (Pieper) Goettseh. They have seven children : Emil, Al- vine, Louis, Willie, Lilly, Addie and Hat- tie. Mr. Wiese is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has held various local offices and at present is serving his township as Road Supervisor.
ORGANIC.
Lincoln township was formerly a part of Spring Creek, the two townships consti- tuting one election precinct. In the year 1861, a petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors, praying for a divis- ion and that the Congressional township 86 north, range 16, west of the fifth prin- cipal meridian be set off as Lincoln town- ship. This petition was signed by Joseph Prescott, Green Prescott, Lockhart Wil- bur and S. V. R. Kelley, and was granted. The first election was held on the second Tuesday in October, 1861, at Fifteen Mile Grove. At this election the follow-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
ing officers were chosen : S. V. R. Kelley, Justice ; Jospeh Prescott, Clerk ; Green Prescott and S. V. R. Kelley, Trustees. At this election there were only four votes cast. There were not enough citizens to fill all of the offices, so they were obliged to "double."
The present officers of the township are as follows : Clerk, A. E. Stewart ; Justices of the Peace, Messrs. Wilcox and J. F. G. Cold ; Constable and Assessor, John Lundt ; Trustees, Marx H. Rehder, George Rehder and C. II. Baldwin.
John Lundt, the present Assessor and Constable of Lincoln township, was born in 1850, in Holstein, Germany. Ilis par- ents, Henning and Wiebke (Matthiesen) Lundt, were farmers by occupation. Mr. Lundt came to the United States in 1868, locating near Davenport, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for five years. In 1874, he moved to Grundy county, where he re- mained five years, and in 1879, came to Tama county, and located in Lincohi on section 23, in 1880, on which section he now owns a farm of 160 acres. Mr. Lundt is a member of the Lutheran Church In politics he is an Independent. Mr Lundt was married in 1880, to Miss Lena Lage, a daughter of Joachim and Catherine (Speth) Lage. By this union there are two children, Anna and Harry.
FIFTEEN MILE GROVE POSTOFFICE.
This postoffice was established a num- ber of years ago, with A. C. Brockway as postmaster. It is located at the resi- dence of the postmasteron, section 7. It is a great convenience to the farmers, and supplies a large area with mail matter.
A. C. Brockway, postmaster of Fifteen Mile Grove postoffice, is a native of New
York, born in 1839. Ile is a son of Samuel, Jr., and Adelia (Tiffany) Broek- way. His father is a son of Samuel, Sr., and Susan (Bently) Brockway. Ilis father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, fol- lowing that business in the summer and spinning in the winter. The father was born in the State of New York, his father being Samuel Brockway, Sr., also a native of New York Samuel Brockway, Jr., moved to Massachusetts in 1850, and has since made that State his home. Mrs. Brockway died in New York, in · 1849. There were three children in the family- A. C., the subject of this sketch; Ilenry D., killed in Virginia during the late eivil war and George E .; all of whom served in the Union army during the rebellion. A. C. Brockway received his education at the Fort Plain Seminary, in Montgomery county, New York, and leaving school, en- listed for nine months in Co. A, 49th Massachusetts Volunteers, on the 1st of September, 1863, serving eleven months. Ile participated in the battles of Plain's Store, six weeks seige of Port Hudson and at Donaldsonville, being discharged at Pittsfield on the expiration of the term of his enlistment. He came west to Tama county in the spring of 1864, residing in Lincoln township, where he followed farm- ing and teaching until November 1865, then returned to Massachusetts. lle re- mained there until late in 1866, during which time he took a course in the Com- mercial College at Rutland, Vermont. That fall he came back to Lincoln town- ship and purchased 114 acres of land on sections 6 and 7, where he has since re- sided. lle taught school for two winters, but made farming his chief occupation.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
July 1, 1867, he was appointed postmaster of Fifteen Mile Grove postoffice, holding said office eight years. In politics, Mr. Brockway is a Republican, and his first vote for President was cast for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. Mr. Brockway has been a member of the Board of Supervisors of Tama county, serving until he returned to Massachusetts in 1865, when he resigned. In October, 1864, Mr. Brockway was com- missioned Second Lieutenant of the Hawk- eye Battery of Tama county. Ile is also a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and at one time was a member of Grange No. 303. lfe is a member of the First Baptist Church of Grundy Center, the minister of that church holding ser- vices at Fifteen Mile Grove school house each alternate Sabbath. Mr. Brockway was married September 19, 1866, to Miss Harriet Perry Kinney, a daughter of George and Liddie (Perry) Kinney, of New York State. They have six children -Jessie A., born March 23, 1869; Willard, born April 3, 1871; Ruth, born September 22, 1873; Annie, born January 3, 1875; Charley, born December 5, 1878; and Albert II., born October 27, 1882. Mr. Brockway has served this township in va- rious capacities, having been Clerk, Assess- or and Trustee, and in every position has proven a worthy and efficient officer.
COLDVILLE POSTOFFICE.
This office was established through the efforts of J. F. G. Cold, and was named after him. It was located at his house, on section 10, and for many years was de- pended upon by many farmers for their mail. It was discontinned a few years ago.
John F. G. Cold, who was postmaster of this office for eight years prior to its abol- ishment, was born in 1840, in Schleswig, Germany, and is a son of F. T. Cold and Henrietta nee Bohn. His parents emi- grated to America in 1848, and located in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1871, the family came to Tama county, locating in Lincoln town- ship, on section 14, where the mother now lives; the father having died in 1876. The subject of this sketch received his educa- tion in the public schools of Ohio, and afterward followed the wagon-maker's trade for two years. Then in 1864, he en- listed in Company A, 177th Ohio Infantry, and was discharged at Greensboro, North Carolina, on the 24th of June 1865. He participated in the battle of Wilmington. 1869, he came to Tama county, and located in Lincoln township, on section 10, where he now owns 180 acres of land. In poli- tics, Mr. Cold is a Republican, and has held the office of School Director, being at present Justice of the Peace and Secreta- ry of the School Board. He was also postmaster for eight years at Coldville postoffice, until the office was abolished. Mr. Cold was married in 1867, to Miss Mary A. Pillatt, daughter of Francis and Mary (Wilson) Pillatt. This union has · been blessed with six children, all of whom are living-Francis F., Henrietta, Willie, Elizabeth, Katie May, and Bertha.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The first school house in the township was at Fifteen Mile Grove. Miss Ange- lette King, a daughter of W. B. King, was the first teacher. This was in 1862. F. C. Kelly, Joseph and Green Prescott were the first school directors.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Green Prescott built the first house in the township. The first religious service was held at Fifteen Mile Grove school- house. Rev. Bunce, a minister of the United Brethren Church, preached the first sermon in the township.
The first child born was a daughter of George Wilbur.
The first death was Mary Prescott, a young lady seventeen years old and a daughter of Joseph Prescott.
The first postoffice was established in Fifteen Mile Grove with A. C. Brock- way as the first postmaster.
The first blacksmith shop was estab- lished by Green Prescott.
The first land entered in the township was in September, 1853, on section 7, the parties being from Maine and then living in Black Hawk county. During the same month the following parties entered land on section 14: S. V. R. Kelly, Hiram Kel- ly, and Austin B. Kelly; C. F. Fenton and Joel E. Irish from New York, entered section 11.
CHAPTER XXXII.
ONEIDA TOWNSHIP. :
The township bearing this name is | Ransom Terpenning, Justices; B. R. among the most fertile and productive in Dickerson, R. Terpenning and J. B. F. Ilill, Trustees. Tama county. It is well watered by Salt creek and its tributaries, and has a The first business transacted by the Board of Trustees, was to levy a tax of two and a half mills on all taxable prop- erty, for road purposes, and at the same meeting this was amended so as to call for three mills. October 7, 1861, the township was divided into three road dis- tricts. soil which only needs the plow and seed to bring forth bountifully all kinds of cereals adapted to this climate. Oneida is the extreme east of the middle tier of townships, bounded by Clark township on the north, Carroll on the west, York on the south, and Benton county on the cast.
Oneida is a full Congressional township, and was organized on the 9th of October, 1860. The first election was held Novem- ber 6, 1860, and the following officers were elected: Daniel C. Twogood, Clerk; B. R. Diekerson, Assessor; G. G. Mason, and
Below is given a list of those who have held office and who have been prominent in the public affairs of the township, as taken from the Clerk's record:
Daniel C. Twogood, B. R. Dickerson, G. G. Mason, Ransom Terpenning, J. B.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
F. Ifill, O. A. Terpenning, Jonathan Har- den, John M. Hull, William Fowler, A. Heath, Josiah Thomas, F. K. Morgan, W. W. Wiles, A. Cady, M. B. Sapp, C. W. Taft, I. E. Babcock, J. C. Wiles, A. An- thony, N. Huff, W. D. Dean, Welcome Mowry, W. W. Moses, Iliram Frank, J. K. Bull, J. H. Burris, John Graham, Frank Meggers, John Frye, J. M. Kinner, R. M. Morgan, Jacob Rolphs and J. A. Kinner.
The officers for 1883 were: J. C. Wiles, John Frye and J. M. Kinner, Trustees; Frank Meggers, Clerk; R. M. Morgan, Assessor; J. A. Kinner and Jacob Rolphs, Justices.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The early settlement of this township although made later than other townships in Tama county, has many interesting things connected with it. The pioneers had many trials and discomfits continually confronting them. Many miles from market and isolated as it was from the rest of humanity, they passed their early days in hope that the dawn of a better and more prosperous day was coming. Those who are yet living have indeed seen the arrival of that day, and now are surrounded by advantages that in an early day were deemed visionary and impos- sible.
Benjamin Twogood made about the first settlement in Oneida township. Hle came in 1854 and settled on the southeast quarter of section 36. He remained until 1860, then sold out, and moved to Kansas.
John M. Ifull came the same year, loca- ting land on sections 26 and 31. Mr. llull lived on this farm until 1876, when he removed to section 8. Ile lived on
that section until 1881, then coneluded to go farther west and removed to Nebraska, where he is at present.
Jonathan Harden came to Oneida in 1855, from Benton county, this State, locating on section 19. He was a native of Virginia and came to Benton county a number of years previous. Mr. Harden lived in the township until 1880, then eanght the gold fever, sold his land, and struck out for the Black Hills. In 1856 the little settlement received a number of additions. Among those who came this year were: Daniel Twogood, Ransom Terpenning, William and Alexander Fowler, C. F. McGee and David Gillespie.
Daniel Twogood entered land on section 13, and during the war sold his farm and engaged in the agricultural implement business at Belle Plaine, Benton county, where he also erected an elevator. In about 1875 he sold out his business and went to Los Angeles county, California, where he is engaged iu fruit raising. Mr. Twogood was a thorough business man and was very successful in his business ventures.
Ransom Terpenning was a native of York State. He entered land on sections 26 and 27, built a frame house, and made that his home until his death in Angust, 1873. Mr. Terpenning was born in Cort- land county, New York, September 21, 1818. His early life was spent on a farm and at eighteen years of age he commenced to learn the trade of marble entting. After learning his trade he moved to Tompkins county, where he purchased a farm and engaged in the marble business in Dryden, until 1856, then came to Tama county, where he purchased land on sections 26
831
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and 27 of township 84, range 13, now known as Oneida township. He made this his home until the time of his death which occurred August 25, 1873. He was married October 21, 1839, to Miss Eliza Chrisman, born in York State, April 14, 1821. They were blessed with five chil- dren, three of whom are now living: Os- car A., Edgar R. and George D. His · widow now makes her home with her son Edgar, who was born September 11, 1847, and was but nine years of age when his parents came to Iowa. Edgar attended school and worked on the farm until 1870, when he engaged at carpentering, which trade has since occupied most of his time. Hle was married July 4, 1880, to Miss Amanda Renslow. They have two chil- dren: Francis, Earle and Harry Lawrence. Mr. Terpenning has held the office of Con- stable four years and in 1883, engaged with the C. M. & St. P. Railroad as bridge builder.
William Fowler came to the township in about 1856 and settled on section 20. In 1881, he disposed of his land and re- moved to Calhoun county, this State, where he still lives. Mr. Fowler was an easy-going fellow, took things slow and never worried much.
Alexander Fowler settled on the same section with his brother. He remained but a few years and removed to Louisa county, Iowa.
Abraham Anthony became a settler of this township in 1857, locating land on section 36. Ile lived there for a few years, then moved to section 23, and in 1878, went to Ilardin county, where he is now living.
E. O. Thomas came to Oneida township in 1857, and settled on section 23, where he lived until the fall of 1862 Ile then enlisted in the Union Army, contracted some disease and died in Lee county, Iowa, in the spring of 1863.
. O. N. and G. G. Mason came to this township, from Illinois, in 1838, driving through with oxen and cows hitched to their wagons. They were fourteen days on the road and experienced some ex- tremely bad weather. As soon as they arrived they put up a little shanty in which to live until something better could be built. In the fall they erected a frame house, the best in the township. The brothers bad each purchased 120 acres in 1856, and at the date given, came to im- prove their purchase. O. N. improved his land until 1862, when he entered the service and returned home in July, 1865. Ile then re-commenced improving his land and has since resided here. Mr. Mason is a native of New York, and was married in York township, Tama county, Iowa, to Miss Eliza J. Overturf, a native of Ohio, whose parents, Simon and Lydia ( Bonam ) Overturf, came to lowa in 1855. HIer father is now a resident of York township ; her mother died in 1857.
G. G. Mason lived on his farm for a number of years, then, in 1866, went to Waltham and engaged in the mercantile business. He remained there for about three years, then went to Traer and engaged in the insurance and musical instrument business. He returned to Waltham in 1877 and died the same year.
II. C. Wiles and family came to Oneida township in 1858 from Jones county, this
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
State. Mr. Wiles settled on section 21, and made that his home until the break- ing out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in the service and died of disease in the fall of 1863. Mrs. Wiles died in York township, December 31, 1879. Mr. Wiles was a native of York State.
C. F. McGee settled on section 31 and lived there some time, then removed to York township' He is now in the livery business at Gladbrook. .
David Gillespie came during this year and settled on section 19, and a number of years later, he settled on section 20. He lived there until 1878, when he sold his farm and went to the Black Hills.
Brad Dickerson became a resident of Oneida township in 1859. Ile settled on section 27, and in about 1869, moved to Carroll township. In 1875 or 1876, he went to Illinois on a visit and borrowed $1,200. On his return, he lost his trunk at Fulton, on the Mississippi. He did not discover his loss until on the west side of the river at Clinton. He at once crossed the river on the bridge, found his trunk and started to return, carrying the trunk on his shoulder. He has never been heard of since. His trunk was found on the bridge, broken open and rifled of its con- tents, and the supposition now is, that he was murdered for his money. Mr. Dick- erson was very sociable, and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. IIe is remembered as having one limb shorter than the other, causing him to limp very noticeably.
A lleath came to the township in 1860 or 1861, and settled on seetion 9. Ile soon moved to section 29, and from there to section 18. He is now in Kansas.
Edward and Whitney Bacon came about this time, the former loeating on section 21, and the latter on section 9. Whitney is now a resident of Kansas, and Edward is in Irving, York township, Tama county.
During the war quite a number came to swell the list of settlers in Oneida town- ship. Among them were the following : James and Stephen Rustin, Reuben, jr., and James Phillips, James Morrison and his son Michael and F. K. Morgan and his son M. R.
James Rustin settled on section 20, and lived there until 1879, when he removed to Calhoun county, Iowa. Mr. Rustin was an elderly man and was Deacon in the Freewill Baptist church. He was thor- oughly honest, and was well liked by all who knew him.
Stephen Rustin worked about the neighborhood, and run a threshing ma- chine for Mr. Fowler until 1875, when he settled on section 18. Ile is now in Cal- houn county, this State.
Reuben Phillips came here from Illi- nois, and settled on section 16, where he still lives. His brother, James, settled on section 29, and lived there until 1878 when he sold his land and went to Kan- sas.
James Morrison settled on seetion 32, and in 1881, sold out and removed to Belle Plaine, where he now lives. He was a native of Canada. Michael, his son, set. tled on section 9, and remained till 1873, then moved to section 17. Ile lived here about seven years and left the county. His whereabouts are unknown.
833
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
F. K. Morgan settled on section 36, Oneida township, in 1863, and remained a resident of that township until 1882, when he sold his farm and removed to Plymouth, this State. Mr. Morgan is a native of Mas- sachusetts, born in 1812, and was left an orphan at an early age. lle lived with an elder sister for some time, then went to Pennsylvania where he married Miss Ol- ive Welch, a native of Bradford county. In 1853, they came to Iowa, first loeating in Linn county, and afterwards came to Tama county. While a resident of this county he always took an active part in every movement which tended to benefit the publie, and was continually kept in of- fice as he always proved a faithful and an efficient offieer. His children were Wil- liam A., John N., M. R., Sarah E., now Mrs. O. A. Terpenning; Agnes, Andrew, Simeon, Ithemar and Frank.
M. R. Morgan, son of F. K. Morgan, was born in Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania, on the ISth of January, 1850. Ile was reared on a farm, came with his par- ents to Iowa, and made his home with them until July 4, 1867, when he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Byam. He then resided in Benton county one year, and then came to Oneida township, where he has since made his home. He pur- chased his present farm in 1877, then raw prairie, and now has it under good eulti- vation. It is valued at $35 per acre. In politics Mr. Morgan is a Republican, and is at present Township Assessor. Ile belongs to but one secret society, the Q. L. of H. They have three children: Emma, Ella and Ilallie.
In 1965, the following named settlers were among those who came in: Major
Sapp and family, Robert Lathrop, Joab Hutchinson, J. C. Wiles, Charles E. Stearns, A. H. Loveland and William Thomas.
Major Sapp settled on seetion 28, and with the exception of two years, made that his home until the fall of 1882, when he moved to Toledo, where he now lives.
Joab Hutchinson lived on section 19, where he had first located, until 1877, when he moved to the village of Traer, this county. In 1879, he went to Nebras- ka. Ile was a Canadian by birth.
Robert Lathrop purchased a farm of Albert Mason on section 16, where he has since lived. lle is a native of Canada.
J. C. Wiles came in October and settled on section 28, where he has since lived. Mr. Wiles was born in Cortland county, New York, April 24, 1843. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. At fourteen he was apprenticed to a wag- on-maker to learn the trade, and after serving three years, engaged as a journey- man. He worked at his trade until 1865, with the exception of one year, then came to Iowa and purchased land on section 28, of Oneida. He has erected a comfortable frame dwelling house, two stables and a log house, and also has set out quite a number of forest and fruit trees, and now has 360 acres of improved land. Novem- ber 3, 1852, he was married to Miss Janet C. Weld. They have three children: Eva D., Eddie J. and Violette. Mr. Wiles has been very successful in his farming oper- ations, and being possessed of all those qualifications that go to make a man of sterling worth, he to-day holds the re- spect of all who know him. He is one of the representative men of his township.
67
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Charles E. Stearns came from Canada and settled on section 27. He is a car- penter by trade and spends much of his time from home. His family still live on the farm.
A. HI. Loveland settled on section 28, where he still lives. He came from Bu- rean county, Illinois.
W. Thomas was formerly from Canada, and on coming to Oneida township, set- tled on section 27. . He lived here until 1879, then sold and went to Kansas.
In order that the reader may gain some knowledge of those who settled here in an early day, of their characters, and of their prosperity, personal sketches are here pre- sented of a number who have been inti- mately connected with the welfare and growth of the township.
Welome Mowry came to Oneida in 1867, and located on section 28, where he has since lived. Mr. Mowry was born in Put- nam county, Illinois, April 3, 1842. In 1851, his parents removed to Bureau county, same State, where Welcome re- ceived his education in the common schools. Later he attended the Dean academy one term. On the first call for troops, made in 1861, he enlisted into the service ; but on the arrival of the company at Springfield, the quota was found to be full and he returned home. He enlisted again in August of the same year, in Company D, 7th Kansas Cavalry. IIe joined "Lane's Brigade," and served with the regiment until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He participated in many engagements, including the battles of Corinth, Tupelo and Coffeeville, and was honorably discharged September 24, 1864. He re-enlisted February 14, 1865, in the
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