History of Taylor County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Taylor County, Constitution of the United States, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc, Part 63

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : State Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 868

USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Taylor County, Constitution of the United States, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 63

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A settlement was begun in Dallas township, near Memory, in 1846. Just who was the first settler we have been unable to find out. Alex. Dun- can came to the township in 1849, and settled on section thirty, where he now resides. At that time there were four families in the township; Samuel Scarlett's, Eli Pangburn's, Daniel McAlpin's and Mr. Prickett's. D. A. Thompson came from Clinton county, Ohio, to Dallas township in 1856, and located on section nineteen. Mr. Thompson still owns the same premises, although he is living at Hawleyville, just over the line in Page county. Pat Smith, a genial son of the Emerald Isle, sojourned on section nineteen at the time Mr. Thompson came. His quarter was the northeast, and Mr. Thompson's the southwest. The other settlers of the township then were Eli Pangburn, on the northwest quarter of section twenty; Alex. Duncan, the southwest of thirty; Jose Philpott, who is now in business at Buchanan, Polk township, southwest of eighteen; Daniel McAlpin, northeast of thirty; John McLain, southwest of twenty; Esquire Dunn, on section twenty-six; Jonathan Adams on section twenty-five; Luke Rawlings on section seven; Job Turner on section fourteen; Mr. Pointer on section thirty-one, and John Crout, also on the same. William Glasgow came in 1857, and located on section ten. Michael and James Judge settled in the township in 1856, and also Mr. Cade and Mr. McBride. David Hawkins settled on section

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

thirty-two. Then there was Nathan Helmick, who lived at Memory. He is now dead, but his children are living in this and Page counties.

The first Methodist service in the township was held at Mr. Helmick's residence by the Rev. Isaac Kelly, who, in the days of long ago, was well and favorably known in southwestern Iowa. In 1852, Rev. Samuel Farlow, a pioneer Methodist, began preaching at Byrkit Johnson's, who lived one mile and a half southeast of Hawleyville. There was also Methodist ser- monizing at the house of Samuel Scorlatt, who resided five miles southeast of Hawleyville.

The first religious services in the township were in the interests of the Cumberland Presbyterians. The Rev. J. M. Stockton, a resident of Dallas, has the honor of being the first man to talk God's immortal truths to the pioneers there, and elsewhere, in Taylor county. This good man, whom all loved with a veneration akin to worship, died in 1874. Judge T. R. Stock- ton, of Sidney, is a son of his. Another son resides in Ross township.

In 1856 or 1857 Rev. James M. Smith, a Baptist missionary from In- diana, held meetings in the township; but that denomination was without an organization there until the past summer.

The religious organizations of Dallas township are, the Cumberland Pres- byterian, in the center of the township, a congregation at the old town of Memory, the Christians at Prairie Gem school-house, M. E. Church at Dal- las Center school-house, M. E. Church at Memory, Free Methodists at Glasgow school-house, Free Methodists at the Valley school-house, and Bap- tists at Memory.

The Christian organization began in 1860. The original members were Thomas Prickett, Isaac Prickett, Hannah Prickett, Melinda Ray, Catharine Prickett, Hannah Ray and James Ray. The pastors have been the Rev. Hobbs, Dr. Baker, Rev. Peregrine, Rev. Cook, Rev. January, Rev. Warren and Rev. Dunlavy. The present pastor is Rev. Parkhurst, of Missouri. The membership is about sixty. Services are had at the Prairie Gem school- house, which is located on the west side of the township.

At the center of Dallas township the Cumberland Presbyterians have just completed a church edifice 32x44 feet at a cost of $1,500. The church was first organized in 1871 by Rev. J. M. Stockton. The first members of this organization were S. R. Jamison and wife, J. S. Taylor and wife, J. W. White and wife, I. W. Abbott and wife, William Taylor and H. A. Riggle. The pastors who have been in charge are Rev. J. M. Stockton, Rev. A. Rippstoe, Rev. W. C. Means and Rev. H. W. Zents. The present pastor is Rev. J. D. M. Buckner. The membership is thirty-five. The church has been in a constant state of growth, but its progress has been much hindered

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

by death of pastors and removal of members. The building of the church was the result of necessity.

At Memory there is a congregation of Cumberland Presbyterians of which Rev. H. W. Zents is pastor. It was organized November 24, 1878, with the following original members: H. W. Zents, Mary Zents, J. J. Craft, Almira Craft, J. D. Nelson, Jesse Hughes, John Weaver, Mrs. Weaver, Mrs. Davis, Laura Liggett, William Burlingame, Mrs. Burlingame and Mrs. Lamphart. The organization has now grown to a membership of thirty. One of its chief members, J. J. Craft, died June 15, 1880. Two have been dismissed by letter. The congregation has a steady growth and a good interest is manifested.

Dallas Center M. E. Church was organized in 1873. The first members were John C. Taylor, Jonas Williams and wife, L. A. McDonald and wife, and James Bramble and wife. The pastors have been Rev. Lovejoy, Rev. Farlow, Rev. Everly and Rev. Bishop. The present pastor is Rev. J. P. Evans. The membership is about thirty. A church will be built soon. The funds are now partly raised.

The Free Methodists are organized at Valley school-house. They com- menced in 1877. Rev. John Scott first preached there, and he was followed by Rev. Robert Scott. The organization numbers twenty members.

The Free Methodists are also established at Glasgow school-house, and have been preached to by the pastors above mentioned. The membership is fourteen.

The Baptists started a regular organization at Memory, began some time during the present year. There has long been Baptist preaching there, but no organization. They have thirteen members. The pastor is Elder Carmichael.

The Memory Methodist Church was organized more than twenty years ago. Isaac Damewood was the first class-leader; Rev. Blagrow, a local preacher, first expounder of the gospel. In 1879 a church building was erected, which is a very creditable one. It was dedicated under Rev. Carey's pastorate. Rev. J. Hildebrand was sent in charge by the late Des Moines conference. The church membership is about 150, and embraces many of the oldest citizens of that vicinity. A large and prosperous sabbath-school is connected with the church.

One of the institutions of Dallas township that deserves mention is the normal school of Rev. H. W. Zents, who is a teacher of twenty-five years' steady experience. He is thoroughly educated, and delights in preparing teachers for successful and popular results in the school-room. During the vacation months of the summer his normal is in session, and it meets with

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

marked encouragement. Hereafter the new railroad town will be the head- quarters for the professor's normals.

The first school-house in the township was erected in the fall of 1857. Its projectors were D. A. Thompson, A. Duncan, Eli Pangburn, Jose Phill- pott, Daniel McAlpin and Pat Smith. It took considerable planning, twist- ing and economy before their ambitions met with success. The size of the building was 18x24 feet. In those days it went by the name of the "Pang- burn school-house." To-day it is known as the "Prairie Gem." Ezra Quincy built it, contracting to do the work for $270. It is made entirely of native lumber. Here the township elections were held, and here the public business was transacted. Lately the old structure has been torn down, and a new and larger school-house stands in its place. The next school-house that was built was the " Dunn," in 1860. The first school Jane Farrens taught, and it was a good one. In fact, Dallas township schools have ever been good, ranking among the best in the county. The superintendent's report for 1880 presents the following showing:

No. of subdistricts. 9

No. of teachers employed 18

Salary per month-male. $ 27.50

Salary per month-female. 27.50

No. of school months

No. of children of school age 542

No. of children enrolled in school. 348

Average daily attendance. 196

Average cost of tuition per scholar

$ 1.65

No. of school-houses (frame)

Value of school-houses.

$4,000.00

Amount paid teachers during the year 1,852.50

Amount expended for contingent purposes 518.14

NOTE .- Twenty-seven Dallas township pupils are enrolled in the independent school dis- trict of Hawleyville, Page county, at a cost of $1.02 per scholar.

The township held its first election in 1857, at the residence of Michael Judge. There were about twelve votes cast, there being just voters enough to fill the township offices. Some declined to serve, and thus two positions were thrust upon one or more. D. A. Thompson was obliged to serve as justice of the peace and township clerk. His docket was a few loose sheets of foolscap paper, and his office was out on the prairie or under the shade of a tree. The litigants would gather, trade yarns and wait for the dinner- horn to sound. They always took dinner with the 'squire in those days;

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

and after their stomachs were filled they felt melted toward each other. They could see no sense in " lawing," and straightway would compromise, thus cheating the justice of his fees, as well as cansing him the expense of their dinners. So it is reasonable to presume that 'Squire D. A. Thompson didn't get rich as a justice of the peace of Dallas township. In this con- nection it will be proper to remark that the 'squire himself once liad a law- suit. He had bought a lot of fine hogs in Cincinnati, Ohio, and had them shipped to Dallas township, or as near there as the express ran. They were fine ones, and were the first brought to Taylor county. At the fair that year they attracted much attention, and went home the winners of the first premiums. The male hog when dressed and ready for the " brine " weighed 445 pounds. Well, an accident, or misfortune befell this wonderful porker, and the 'squire went to law to secure compensation and his rights. He employed Hon. N. B. Moore, then a citizen of Bedford, to prosecute his claim. The trial was begun, and somehow the 'squire got it into his head that Moore was going to lose him his case. So he dropped it and paid the costs, which amounted to $30. This he did against Moore's earnest protest. This being Moore's first case in the county his feelings were much disturbed, and he could see nothing but ruin staring him in the face, so he persuaded 'Squire Thompson to let him open hostilities again, which he did. The re- sult was a judgment of seventy-five dollars for his client. From that day N. B. Moore had a reputation as one of the best attorneys in the State.

In the fall of 1851 Erastus Thompson and Jane Farrens were married. This was the first ceremony of the kind in the township. In November, 1855, Jolın Townsend and a daughter of Matthew L. Davis were united in wedlock. This was probably the second wedding. One Sunday in 1858 'Squire Thompson was called upon to marry William Coker and a sister of Alex. Duncan. The entire people of that vicinity gathered to witness the ceremony. The 'squire got through with it, but how he doesn't know. He can remember only the phrase, " I pronounce you man and wife."

At an early day a son of Mr. Thomas killed himself and was buried at Hawleyville. John Paris lost two children and they were buried at the Pangburn school-house. These were the first deaths in the county.

The winter of 1856 and 1857 was remarkable for its severity and length. It brought hard times to the settlers of Dallas-times harder by far than the hard-times' croakers of to-day have ever dreamed of. When the spring- time came in 1857 there wasn't a bushel of corn in Dallas township. The crops of 1856 had been light, especially wheat, and an early frost nipped the corn before it had ripened. Cattle suffered, and many died of starvation. Some were kept alive by elm trees, which were cut down, the cattle eating

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

the bark off them. Many were without provisions. Money was scarce, and teams were so poor and haggard from hunger that a journey was al- most an impossibility. But the enterprising pioneers managed to gather up and get down to "Egypt," as they called Missouri, to buy corn. They had to go seventy miles, and corn cost them one dollar and twenty- five cents per bushel. This was in the ear, and laid cross-ways, so that the purchaser really didn't get more than a bushel measure three-quarters full. Flour . was as scarce as corn and was worth seven dollars per hundred pounds, and seventy miles to travel to get it!

The first wheat raised in Dallas township was threshed by being tramped out on the ground by the feet, and was winnowed with a sheet. This ex- perience was that of all early settlers in Dallas and other townships. After their harvests were threshed in this manner the people of Dallas hauled their wheat to Hawleyville, and had it " cracked " at Uncle Tommy East's mill. It was then bolted by hand. Yet the people of those days were happy in a genuine and honest way. Those of them who are now living, and are wealthy, often sigh for those good old times when it was a struggle to keep the wolf from their doors.

Amanda Duncan, daughter of Alex. Duncan, was the first female birth in the township. This was May 20, 1850. Joseph Pointer was the first male child. He was born in 1852.

The nearest flouring-mill was nine miles southeast of Maryville, and thither were the grists hauled to be ground. Later, however, a mill was erected at Hardeyville, which saved many a long and tedious journey.

GAY TOWNSHIP. 1

This was among the last townships organized in Taylor county. Prior to September, 1869, it formed a part of Jefferson township. At the session of the board of supervisors in the month and year above stated, Captain John Flick, representing Jefferson township as a supervisor, had it set off and given the name of " Gay." Gay Street school-house was named as the place for holding elections, and there the voters have annually assembled ever since.

The first settlers of Gay township were William King, J. C. Smalley and Hawker H. Wintermute.

The first school-house built in the township was on Platte Branch. Hon. L. W. Hillyer is an old settler. He came to the township long before its organization. In 1863 he was elected a member of the State senate. This district embraced the counties of Taylor, Page, Montgomery, Adams, Ring- gold Clark and Union. His record at Des Moines was satisfactory to his con-

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

stituents, and he could have been returned had he so desired. His daughter is Mrs. P. C. King, whose husband is the efficient county treasurer.

Gay township has another distinguished citizen in the person of W. D. Blakemore, who has been supervisor from his township, and who is now the Republican candidate for that place. The Bedford Argus unhesitatingly says that he is the best the county has ever had. Mr. Blakmore is a gentle- man of much more than ordinary intelligence and is very successful as a farmer and stock-raiser.

Another Gay township gentleman deserivng of mention in these pages is Mr. John Hunter, than whom Taylor county can produce no better speci- men of true manhood. Mr. Hunter is intelligent, delights in farming and makes it pay.

John Hartley, a Pennsylvania school-teacher, and as true a disciple of Jimmy Buchanan as ever lived, is one of the men of Gay township. He is enterprising, he is informed, and he succeeds.

Danial Propst, another splendid man came to the township in 1856. He resides on section 30.

S. B. Hickenlooper located in Gay township in 1858, and lives on sec- tion 33.

The soil of Gay township is a dark sand loam of great fertility, rich in deposit, producing in abundance, and adapted to all the crops raised by the western farmer. It is loose, is not liable to bake, and rests upon a sub- stratum of joint clay several feet in thickness, which during the dry season is filled with innumerable cracks and crevices. In wet weather the water percolates through the soil above and enters this body of clay, which acts as a reservoir, and stores up vast quantities of water in season for the next drought.

This pecularity of the soil enables the farmers of Gay township, and nearly all of Taylor county as well, to raise good crops when other parts of the West fail entirely. In pleasing landscape Gay township cannot be surpassed.

The Methodists have an organization at Gay Street school-house. It has seen many years-some of them not as promising as they might have been. The organization is now in a healthful condition and numbers 50 members. Rev. T. P. Newland is the pastor. Connected with the church is a floursh- ing Sunday-school.

The citizens of Gay township get their mail matter at Platteville or Mormontown, in Jefferson township.

Platte Branch rises in Gay township, and it is bordered with some timber. As it approaches Mormontown it swells into most excellent water-power.

In the way of reminiscence Gay township isn't as rich as some of the

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

others. It isn't as old, for one reason. But it has a little romance all its own. Senator Hillyer had a very pretty and amiable daughter, and there was a young man very much in love with her. Congressman Kasson se- cured his admission to West Point. Our hero went there full of dreams of military glory. He was going to be a hero like Grant, or Sherman, or the grand president who died Monday night, September 19, 1881, at 10.30 o'clock. He entered upon his career, and the days were not many when the dear eyes out on the big Taylor county prairies were more to him than a soldier's glory. So he returned home and married her, and gave himself up to love and happiness. He has had no reason to regret it, if one may judge from a happy looking household of boys and girls, and a father and mother whose looks are indicative of complete joy and contentment. This man who preferred a woman's love to the plaudits that ring around the warrior's name, was Peter C. King, treasurer of Taylor county, whose life is marked by daily successes, and whose friends are as numerous as Taylor county is populous.

In educational matters Gay township ranks well. It appears as follows in the superintendent's report for 1880:

No. of subdistricts

No. of teachers employed .

Salary per month-male. 29.29

Salary per month-female. 25.91

No. of school months. 71-5

No. of children of school age

221

No. of children enrolled in school

286

Average daily attendance.

188

Average cost of tuition per scholar

1.14

No. of school-houses (frame) 6

Value of school-houses.

$ 2,400.00

Amount paid teachers during the year

1,269.04

Amount expended for contingent purposes. 350.03

GRANT TOWNSHIP.

A few years since, Mr. T. J. Potter, general manager of the Chicago, . Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and a gentleman who has done more for Iowa than any man in the State, and who is a hero and a prince in the esteem of all Iowa people, said:

" The time is not far off when Iowa, with its rich soil, immense coal fields, and thrifty character of people, will be capable of sustaining parallel lines

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

of railway, twelve or fifteen miles apart, across the State. People do not comprehend the possibilities of wonderful Iowa.".

Twelve years ago the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad had not crossed the entire State. To-day Mr. Potter's predictions are being veri- fied. At a distance of not more than fifteen miles south of the great line that he manages, and which he constantly seeks to make conform to all reasonable demands of the people, a line is now being constructed, and which will be in operation after the first of January, 1882. Mr. Potter has not exaggerated, but he clearly foresaw all the grandeur in store for this Commonwealth. At the centennial exposition we carried off the gold and silver medal award for the best butter. At the St. Louis fair in 1878 Iowa won the first prize on the best cheese. At the international dairy fair in New York, in December, 1879, we won the first premium for gilt-edge butter over ninety competitors. At the millers' international exhibition at Cincinnati, in 1880, Iowa was awarded the diploma for the first merit for the largest and finest exhibit of flour, grains and seeds. At the St. Louis fair, in 1880, Iowa carried off the first prize for the largest and finest dis- play of vegetables from a northern State. At the Chicago fat stock show, in the fall of 1880, we secured the first premium for the best thorough-bred steer, such as George Dean and others of this township are capable of rais- ing, and which they often do raise. George Dean, especially, is very suc- cessful. Some of his Chicago shipments have been rarely equaled. At the centennial exposition, Iowa received the highest award on an exhibition of three hundred and forty-two varieties of apples. At the centennial our State Historical Society received four highest awards, and individuals of the State received nine on apples and pears. In 1879, at the convention of the American Pomological Society, held in Rochester, New York, the Wil- der medal, the highest award, was given to the Iowa Horticultural Society, for the largest and best exhibition of apples. This was in a contest with twenty different States. Grant .township is a part of this glorious Iowa, and it has the good fortune to be crossed by a leading line of railway, fall- ing directly in the way of one of them foretold by Mr. Potter. There is no better land in all Iowa, and in Taylor county there is nothing superior. Nature has furnished Grant township with fertile lands and charming land- scapes, and thrift is building for the farmers cheerful homes.

The new line of railway, the Humeston & Shenandoah, enters the town- ship from Ringgold county, in the northeast corner, in section one. Here a town has been platted, lots have been sold, and business houses and resi- dences are being built. It will make one of the handsomest and best towns in the county. Its name is auspicious of success and growth. It is called

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

Clearfield, and a clear field it will have. The nearest railroad point in any direction will be ten miles distant. Situated thus, in such a country, the beauty and fertility of which all praise, what is to hinder Clearfield ranking among the best of Taylor county towns? It was born September 26. At once a lumber yard was opened, two drug stores put under way, and some establishments of general merchandise. Dr. Swoope has hung out his shingle for the benefit of the ailing, but he has struck a bad locality. Thereabouts people will never need a pill or powder, excepting it be from a benevolent feeling toward a peddler of those nostrums. A church organi- zation has already been effected, with a membership of ten. They are of the Baptist persuasion, and come from the Grant Center Church by letter. Elder I. M. Seay will be the pastor for the present. He will be successful. Even now they are talking of a church building, and Mr. Seay will suc- ceed in getting one soon.

The first settlers of Grant township were Oliver Jencks and Seth W. Robinson. They commenced improving a farm on section two, in 1855. Both these pioneers are dead. Mr. Robinson died in 1877, and Mr. Jencks some years before. Two sons of the former gentleman, Squire and Salem Robinson, are prominent and influential citizens of Grant township. In 1857 these were the only families in the township.

Squire Robinson was married in the township by Esquire David Johnson. It was the first ceremony. The first child born was a son of Oliver Jencks. The first girl that put in an appearance was Louisa C., daughter of Squire and Mrs. Robinson. She was born in November, 1858. Louisa C. Robin- son was the first to die. She was buried in the northwest of section twenty. Dr. Wolf, of Red Rock, came at an early day to cure the ills of the few settlers there. What became of him we do not know. Robinson school- house held the first audience assembled for religious purposes. Rev. Fau- cett talked to his few hearers simply, but with effective pathos, of God's great love for his earthly children. This was the first sermon. The next clergyman was Rev. T. C. Eaton, a Universalist, who afterward became a land speculator in Kansas.

The first school-house erected in the township was the Robinson. It cost five hundred and fifty dollars. The first school was taught here by Mrs. Lucas. To-day it has school-houses in abundance and thorough teachers. The superintendent's report for 1880 is as follows:

Number of subdistricts. 9

Number of teachers employed. 9

Salary per month-male $ 27.50

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

Salary per month-female. $ 27.50

Number of school months. 8

318

Number of children of school age.

Number of children enrolled in school. 236

Average daily attendance. 162

Average cost of tuition per scholar. 1.50

Number of school-houses (frame) 9

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Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Des Moines : State Historical Co. Number of Pages: 868

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : State Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 868