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 96
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151st Illinois, was mustered in as Sergeant, and went to Dalton, Georgia, Atlanta and Americus. He was discharged January 24, 1866, and returned to Illinois, having enlisted three times and served over four years. In 1867, he came to Tama county, and purchased 86 acres of land on section 28. He at once built a house and com- menced improving his land. Since that that time he has worked into stock and is now engaged quite extensively in stock raising, keeping on an average 200 head of cattle, and about as many hogs. Mr. Mowry has one of the finest stock farms in the township. He now owns 700 acres, part improved and part pasture land, and has two sheds for stock, one 140 and 150 feet long. Mr. Mowry was the first in the township to use the tile drain for draining his land. lIe was married in 1866 to Miss Lucina Lapp, who has borne him three children : Lorena C., Burdette F. and Alzada B. Mr. Mowry has held various offices of trust in the township, and is the present Secretary of the School Board. which office he has held for thirteen years. He has also held the office of Justice of the Peace for ten consecutive years. In 1881, Mr. Mowry was elected Colonel of of the Tama County Veterans, and was re-elected in 1882. Mr. Mowry is a genial, open-hearted gentleman, and is respected by all who know him.
William Whitmore settled in Oneida township, in 1867, and made this his home until his death. llis son Joshua, a prominent farmer, is still a resident of the township. Joshua Whitmore was born in Oneida, Canada, November 13, 1851 His parents were William and Margaret Whitmore, the former a na-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
tive of Canada, the latter of Ireland. In 1865 the family emigrated to the United States, locating in La Salle county, III., where they remained until in November, 1867, at which time they came to lowa, and settled in Tama county, in Oneida township, where the parents lived until their death. They reared a family of eight children, six of whom are now liv- ing-Joshua, the subject of this sketch, Ellen, now wife of John Coutts, Esther, Edward, Margaret J., now Mrs. Lewis Barnes, and Martha Ann, now wife of Orin Hill. Joshua was reared on a farm, and February 5, 1878, was married to Miss Ann Eliza Cochran, daughter of A. C. and Nancy E. Cochran. Three children bless this union - Margaret E., George and Frank: Mr. Whitmore owns 160 acres of land on section 30. In politics he is a Republican and has held various local offices.
Another settler of 1867 was L. P'. Keith, a native of Madison county, New York, born January 17, 1815. Ilis parents were Mark and Louise (Trumbull) Keith, both of whom were natives of the Empire State. L. P., was reared on a farm, and was married January 3, 1838, to Miss Eliza P. Dickinsen, a native of Oneida county, New York. They have four children liv ing: Enos, Elihu, Erie and Emmett. Ifis wife was born in 1818, her parents being Enos and Lucia (Royington) Dickinsen. Mr. Keith followed farming in his native State until the fall of 1848, when he emi- grated to Dane county, Wisconsin. He lived in Wisconsin until 1864, when he came to Iowa, and in 1867 settled in Tama county where he purchased 480 acres of
land. He resides on section 25, in Oneida township.
Mr. Keith is a Republican, but does not take an active part in politics He is a member of the Baptist Church.
William Kinner settled in the township in 1867. Mr. Kinner is a native of York State, born in Seneca, now known as Tompkins county. His father settled on timber land in that county in an early day and cleared about thirty acres. The fa- ther was drowned in Cayuga Lake when William was but six years old. The sub- ject of this sketch made his home with his mother until he was twenty-three, when he went to Cattaraugus county, where he bought a farm and soon after married Miss Mary Pottman, daughter of Peter and Mary Pottman, who were the first settlers of llinsdale in that county. They lived there about eight years, then removed to Chemung county, locating in the town of Dix, where he bought a canal boat and operated on the Chemung and Erie canal. Mr. Kinner made Dix his residence until 1849, when he moved to Illinois and pur- chased a farm in Carroll county. He re- mained here until 1867, with the exception of one year spent in Crawford county, Wisconsin, and then came to Tama county, where he settled on section 36, of Oneida township, bis present home. Mr. and Mrs. Kinner have had eight children, seven of whom are now living: Jolin A., Peter P., Eliza V., James M., Rosanna, William II. and Charles E.
James M., third son of William and Mary (Pottman) Kinner, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, January 18, 1834. At twenty-three years of age he engaged with a daguerreian to learn
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the trade. Ile worked at this business one year and then resumed farming. He was married November 15, 1864, to Miss Chloe Woodin, a native of Connecticut. They have four children living: Kent. James, Mary Myrtle and Major Ransom. Mr. Kinner came to Tama county from Carroll county, Illinois, in 1867, and settled on section 36, in Oneida township, where he now lives. He is engaged quite extensive- ly in stock raising. He has taken quite an interest in public affairs, has been elected to various offices of trust in the township, and is at present a member of the board of Trustees.
John A., eldest son of William and Mary (Pottman) Kinner, was born in Cattarau- gus county, New York, on the 17th of November, 1826. He attended school in his boyhood and assisted his father on the farm. At seventeen years of age he en- gaged to learn the carpenter's trade, serv- ing as an apprentice for three years, then worked for another three years as a jour- Heyman, after which he engaged in busi- ness as carpenter and builder in York State until 1849. At this time he came west o Wisconsin and worked at his trade in Roek county until 1864, when he moved to Illinois, locating in Carroll county, where he remained for three years and in 1867 came to lowa. Ile came at once to Tama county and purchased land on section 26 of Oneida township, where he now lives. Mr. Kinner was married in .849, to Miss Lucy A. Clarke, of Allegany county, New York. They have been blessed with seven children, four of whom are now living: Emory E., Emily E., George C. and Samuel M
William R. Williamson became a resi- dent of Oneida township is 1867. He is a native of Ireland, born in the county of Derry, September 8, 1838. When four- teen years of age he started out for him- self, came to America, landing at New York and went at once to Cincinnati, where he was employed in Shreeve & Steele's iron works. After working here eighteen months, he went to Will county, Illinois, where he was engaged at farming until 1867, then came to Tama county, and purchased land on section 35, of Oneida township. He at once began making im- provements; built a frame house and set out forest and fruit trees. He has now a large variety of plum, apple and cherry trees, and also many different kinds of berries. In 1883 he erected a frame house 18x27 feet with twenty feet posts and an ad- dition 15x20 feet. Mr. Williamson was mar- ried December 9, 1858, to Miss Margaret Williamson, a native of the county of Antrim, Ireland. They have two children -Lillie Belle and Maggie May.
Mathias Matthiesen settled where he now lives on section 10, Oneida township, in 1872, but first became a resident of the township in 1870. Mr. Matthiesen was born in Schleswig, Germany, August 25, 1826. Ile was united in marriage to Miss Magdelena Peterson, and in 1860, emigra- ted to the United States. Mr. Matthiesen first located in Scott county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming untll 1870, when he came to Tama county. He has resided in this county ever since, with the excep- tion of one year spent in Benton county. Mr. and Mrs. Matthiesen have been blessed with eight . children-Catherine, born April 6, 1850; Claus, born June 4, 1852,
-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
HIans, born July 23, 1353; Christ, Septem- ber 1, 1859; John, December 17. 1861; Mary, June 1, 1864; Theodore, March 5, 1865; and Fred, born March 20, 1869. In politics, Mr. Matthiesen is a Democrat; in faith, a Lutheran. He now owns a fine farm of 360 acres.
Frank Meggers came to Tama county in 1873, first locating in Clark township; but since 1877, has been a resident of section 6, Oneida township. Mr. Meggers was born in Germany, September 12, 1846, his parents being Frank H. and Mary Meg- gers. Mr. Meggers remained in his native land until June, 1870, when he came to the United States. For the next three years he lived in Michigan, then went to She- boygan county, Wisconsin, and there re- sided until coming to Iowa in 1873. Oc- tober 1, 1873, Mr. Meggers was married to Miss Paulina Holst, a native of Germany. They have four children-Mary, born Sep- tember 17, 1874; Alvina, born February 15, 1876; Frank, born January 17, 1878; and William, born January 11, 1881. In politics Mr. Meggers is a Republican, and has held the offices of Township Trustee and Clerk. He is a member of the Enth- eran Church.
H. C. Burris located in Oneida town- ship in 1882,and purchased 160 acres of land on section 14. Mr. Burris is a son of Wil- liam and Ann (Busland) Burris, the for- mer a native of Vermont, the latter of Ohio. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, May 7, 1855. The family came to Iowa and located in Benton county in 1871, and there lived until 1882, when the par- ents went to Nebraska, and II. C. came to Tama county. There were eight children in the family-Sarah R., now Mrs. Charles
Jackson, of Howard county, Nebraska; Christa A., now wife of Solomon Thomp- son; W. E., II. C., J. E., Jennie L., now Mrs. J. C. Bergen, and Charles A. In 1875, Mr. Burris was married to Miss Maggie J. Byam, daughter of W. A. and Annie (Leveland) Byam. They have one daughter-Luhui Blanche. Mr. Burris is now engaged in farming and improving his land, and has one of the finest farms in the township.
HISTORICAL ITEMS.
Thefirst marriage in this township was H. Hull to Miss E. J. Kerns, in 1857. J. C. Vermilya, County Judge, performed the ceremony.
The first school house in this township was built in 1859, and was located on the northeast quarter of section 36. Ruth LeRue was the first teacher. This school building is now attached to a dwelling house and is used as a kitchen. There are atpresent ten school districts in the town- ship with a school house in each.
Old settlers of the township tell of a strange animal that was seen in an early day. It was called the white lion. Some who saw it say it had the build of a lion, had a mane and a bushy tail, and that it was as large as the largest dog. Its tracks were seen in places by a few persons, who said they were as large as those of a horse, and the marks showed toes like a dog's. Another strange feature was that the animal was pure white. A man once met it in the road and was forced to go around, as it showed fight. At one time, when Mr. Fowler, an early settler, was away from home, the beast came near the house. Mrs. Fowler took an ax and was
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
going to brain the brute; but it crouched and showed its teeth and growled in such a fearful way that her courage left her, and she fled into the house, piling table and chairs against the door to keep the terrible lion ont. Finally, it disappeared
altogether, and now the old settlers look upon the affair as more of a scare than anything else. Some think it was a white bear; others, a panther; but these are mere conjectures, nothing definite being known as to what it really was.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This is a full Congressional township, | southeast corner of section 29. It is an comprising all of township 83 north, range west of the fifth principal meridian, containing an area of about 23,040 acres. It is bounded on the north by Carroll, on the west, by Toledo and Tama, on the south by Richland, and on the east by York township.
It is watered by Otter creek and its nu- merous small tributaries, the main stream entering in two branches at the northwest corner, one on section 5, the other on sec- tion 6, making confluence near the center of the latter section; then flowing in one stream in a southeasterly direction, pass- ing through sections 7 and 18, the south- west corner of 17, then through 20, touch- ing 21 and 29, then through 28,a corner of 27, making exit on 34.
The Chicago & Northwestern railroad touches the southwest corner and the Chi- cago, Milwaukee and St. Paul traverses the township from the southwest toward the northeast. On the latter road there is a station called Gladstone located in the
| agricultural township having no town within its borders. The bottom lands of Otter creek comprise abont one-fourth of the township, the soil of which is as good and as productive as any lands in the county. The remainder of the township is about equally divided between high rolling prairie and bluff land-the latter having considerable timber. On these uplands the soil is much lighter, yet it is prodnetive and abounds with many ex- cellent farms and the township is one of the best in the county. The improve ments are excellent and the farmers are an industrious, enterprising class, and as a rule are steadily adding to their wealth.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
How many recollections cluster around this branch of history, reminisences of by gone days, remembrances of joy and sor- row, of prosperity and adversity. It would seem sometimes that the present happy and comfortable homes have been purchased at a cost beyond estimation,
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
yet there is always a feeling of satisfac- tion, in the thought of a competence hon- estly gained, a home fairly won by the toil and labor of pioneer days.
The first settlement here was effected by Amos B. Hancock, on the northwest quarter of section 36, in the spring of 1853 .. Ilere he resided three or four years then removed to Salt Creek township, where he died. He was a native of Con necticut, brought up on a farm, married Miss Stewart and reared a family of chil- dren in his native State, and moved to lowa, as above stated. He was a great lover of his country and a strong aboli- tionist before the war. In 1862, although over sixty years old, he enlisted in the 37tlı Iowa or "Gray Beard Regiment, " with which he served faithfully until the close of the war. He also had one son in the service, who fell while carrying the colors of his regiment and now fills a soldier's grave. Mr. Hancock, after being mustered out of the service, returned to his home and spent the remainder of his days tilling the soil. His widow yet survives and resides in Salt Creek township.
The second settlement was effected in November, 1853. On the 14th of that month, there halted at the house of Amos B. Hancock, six wagons drawn by two span of horses and four yoke of cattle, containing the following named persons- Abram Tompkins with his wife and eight children; John Bishop, with his wife and daughter; Le Roy Olney and wife and Alexander La Dow, with his wife and seven children. Two days later, this party with the exception of Mr. La Dow and family located on the right bank of Otter creek, on the northeast quarter of section
29, which land had been entered by Mr. Tompkins during the preceding August. Here they stretched a carpet over some poles to serve as a tent until a rude log cabin could be erected for winter quarters. Fortunately there was no high water that season, but Mr. Tompkins has often since seen the place then occupied by the cabin covered with water to the depth of three feet. In the spring of 1854, Mr. Tomp- kins erected a house farther from the creek, where he removed his family. He broke one hundred acres the first season, and in the spring of 1855, sowed it with wheat-the first in the township. The crop raised was threshed by Chester Rus- sell, who run the first threshing machine in this vicinity. The yield was an aver- age of eighteen bushels per acre. Mr. Tompkins hauled the wheat to Wood- bury's mill, in Marshall county, where he exchanged the same for flour, giving two pounds of wheat for one of flour. The flour he sold at Toledo, where he found ready sale at the rate of four dollars per hundred.
The following season ( 1854) J. M. Hayes and C. E. Ilayes came to this town- ship, also A. L. Russell, Calvin Powell, Hiram Riddle and Robert Carter.
In 1855, the settlement was increased only by a few persons, among whom were S. M. Harris, Benjamin Hayes and A. J. Tyler.
C. E. Hayes was born in Orange county, Vermont, May 28, 1828. ITis father, Sam- uel Hayes, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and still resides in Vermont, being eighty-one years of age. llis grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. C. E. received a common school education and
V
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
helped his father on the farm until 1851, when he concluded to try his fortune in the far west. lle therefore moved to Illi- nois, but after residing in that State for some time, he determined to push farther westward. Accordingly, in January, 1854, he came to Iowa and purchased 540 aeres of land in Tama county, spent the ensuing summer in Illinois, and, in December, accompanied by his brother, J. M. Hayes, came to Iowa and settled where he now resides. They commenced keeping bache- lor's hall, J. M. serving as head cook and housekeeper. Mr. llayes hired two men and began making improvements as fast as possible. In January, 1856, he was married to Miss Annette Patterson, a native of Vermont. Mr. Hayes has met with marked success in his farming opera- tions, and now owns 780 acres of land, besides a third interest in twenty-six lots in Tama City. He is one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of Tama, and has served as one of its Directors for many years. He also owns a fifth interest in the Tama water power, of which he is a Director. Mr. Hayes has given his attention largely to stock rais- ing, and, for the last few years, has also engaged quite extensively in buying and selling live stock. It is impossible to do the subject of this sketch justice in so brief a biography ; but it can honestly be stated, that he is one of the most promi- nent and influential farmers of Tama county. lle is a Republican and has held various local offices, but is kept so busy watching his various interests, that he cannot take an active part in polities. Ile also served as postmaster at Tamaville for many years. His religious connections are
with the Free-will Baptist Society. The children are named as follows : Justin B., Lelah R., Cora L. and Charles II.
J. M. Hayes came to this county with his brother, C. E. Hayes, December 24, 1854. He at first assisted his brother, who had previously bought land, and in 1855, purchased eighty acres of his pres- ent farm. In 1857, he went back to Ver- mont and married Miss Lucy Patterson. Hle then returned to his home on the frontier and commenced keeping house in a building 16x22 feet, covered with shingles made by Mr Hayes partly on moonlight nights. He has been successful as a farmer, and now owns 440 acres with good improvements. Ilis wife died April 14, 1872. He was married the second time, in March, 1873, to Miss Lucy Swi- gert. She died in August, 1876, leaving one son, Cyrus S. In 1877, Mr. Hayes married Miss Libbie Swigert, a sister of his second wife. Mr. Hayes was born in the state of Vermont, June 3, 1832. His parents were Samuel and Sally (Brown) llayes. He resided in his native State until he came to Iowa, in 1854. Mr. Ilayes is a Republican and has held various local offices.
A. J. Tyler came to this county in the spring of 1855, at which time he purchased 180 acres of land on section 35. He was a single man and therefore boarded, with C. E. Hayes and John Voorhies. During this time he improved his land and erect- ed a house. Mr. Tyler was married December 8, 1858, to Miss Margaret Voorhies, daughter of John Voorhies. She died October, 2, 1880, leaving four children: Emma A., Isaac Elmer, Frank L. and Nora. Mr. Tyler has made a suc-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
cess of farming and now has a farm of over 800 acres. He has, for several years, been quite extensively engaged in buying and selling live stock, and also in stock rais- ing. He is one of the founders of the First National Bank of Tama City, and is at present one of its Directors. He is also one of the Directors of the Tama water power, of which he is a stock holder. In polities, Mr. Tyler is a Republican, and has held several local offices, but has always had too much business of his own to attend to anything else. He is always prompt in the fulfillment of his obligations and is highly respected as a citizen. He was born in Vermont, March 13, 1828. His parents were Asel and Ruby (White) Tyler. He received a good common school education, remaining in Vermont from 1840 until 1854, taking care of himself, his mother baving died. In 1854 he was in Boston, and came to Iowa in 1855.
Among the settlers during 1856 were William Meeker, Lathrop Meeker, D. C. Lamb, Alexander Johnson and others.
William Meeker, who is a native of New Jersey, was born in 1807. His par- ents moved to Ohio when he was but seven years old, and there engaged in farming. During their stay in Ohio, William was married to Miss Patience Mount. In 1856, he came to Iowa, spent the first winter near Indiantown and then located on section 28, Otter Creek town- ship, where he still resides. Mr. Meeker is seventy-six years of age and his wife is seventy-three. There were thirteen chil- dren in the family, eight of whom are now living: Lathrop, Amos M., Samuel, Sarah, Jane, Lewis, Clark and David.
Lathrop Meeker came to Iowa with his brother, Samuel Meeker, in May, 1855, settling for a time in Indiantown. In the fall of 1856, he went back to Ohio, and prevailed on the balance of the family to come with him to Iowa. In 1860, he mar- ried Miss Sophrona Tompkins, daughter of Abram Tompkins, and has since been a resident of Otter Creek township. He settled on section 32, in March, 1863, and now has a farm of 270 acres of land. Mr. Meeker was born in Warren county, Ohio, April 13, 1833, his parents being William and Patience (Mount) Meeker. Lathrop made his home with his parents until coming to Tama county. Their children are: Emma, George T., Bertha A., Mil. ton C., Walter A., Fay E., Ralph S., Elma and Elmer (twins), and Albert W.
D. C. Lamb resides on section 13, where he settled in April, 1856. He has given his attention to farming and now owns 870 acres in one body, and 320 in other parts of the township. Mr. Lamb was born in Ohio, March 4, 1820, his parents being William and Catharine (Cupp) Lamb. He assisted his father in business and attended school until he reached his majority. He then attended school at Grandville, Ohio, thus obtaining a good education. He subsequently taught school for several years and in 1844 married Miss Rebecca Walters. She died in 1863 leaving six children-Maggie, now Mrs. E. W. Hodson; Jacob W., William, Almi- ra, now Mrs. Wm. Garrettson; Ada, now Mrs. Isaac Bunce, and Rebecca. In 1866 Mr. Lamb married Miss Mary Shinholdt. and by this union six children were born -Christena, Catharine, Lizzie, George, Charles and Fred. Mr. Lamb takes but
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
little interest in polities and does not ad- here to any party, but always votes for the man he deems best qualified for the office.
Alexander Johnson came to Tama county in the spring of 1856, and first located in Indian Village township, where he worked at his trade as carpenter. In 1860 he was joined in marriage with Eliza Jane Meeker, daughter of William and Patience (Mount) Meeker. In 1862, he removed to Tama, remaining there a year, and then came to Otter Creek township, where he located on section 31. He still lives there and has a good farm of 100 acres. Alexander was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1833. ITis parents were David and Margaret (Walker) Johnson. He learned his trade and re- sided in his native State until he came to Iowa, in 1856. The children are-Wil- liam, Maria, James, Amanda. Eva, Mary, Nelson and an infant. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and has held several local offices.
This township settled slowly at first, but after the close of the war the settlers crowded in and soon took all the Govern- ment land. Among those who came early during the decade between 1860 and 1870, and are now prominent citizens may be mentioned: A. W. West and Sylvester Wilcox-later followed by his son, George L. Wilcox.
Alexander W. West first came to Tama county in 1834, at which time he pur- chased 303 acres of land, but did not become a resident of the county until 1862, since which time he has resided in, Otter Creek township. IIe has purchased more land and now has a farm of 487
acres. Mr. West was born in'Muskingum county, Ohio, December 16, 1831. His parents were Philip P. and Paulina (Roberts) West, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylva- nia. He was reared on a farm and re- sided in his native State for a number of years, and then came to Jackson county, Iowa, from there he came to Tama county, where he still resides. On December 31, 1856, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Sarah C. Sherrock. She died in 1863, leaving three children, two of whom are now living-Isaac and Paulina. In 1864, Mr. West was married to Miss Mary Feelay. She has borne him eight children, tive of them now living-Saralı C., Lydia E., Lily F., Alexander W. and Amos M.
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