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 66
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The business mnen of Conway are substantial, and the trade they enjoy is simply wonderful. As a shipping point Conway has a " star " record. See report in the history of Taylor County Agricultural Society, elsewhere in this work.
MASON TOWNSHIP.
Thirty-five years ago this township was quite densely populated. It probably numbered more people than any other township in Tavlor county. But it was another race of beings, " the Indian of falcon glance and lion- bearing, the hero of the pathetic tale and touching ballad," who strode so gallantly along the classic banks of the West One Hundred and Two River, wooing some dusky maid. As yet white man's foot had not trod upon this soil that was sacred to Mr. Lo! But it was a beautiful country, rich and fertile, dotted with shady groves, abundant in proud oaks and stalwart elm and walnut, broad expansive prairies, and plentiful in all kinds of game. In short, it was a paradise for a hunter or trapper, and a desirable location for any one seeking a country of excellent agricultural capacity. Thirty- four years ago the Indian's solitude was broken upon. James Mason chanced to be in search of a home where white folk didn't " scrouge " each other. He found it in Mason township, and there he discovered a land more attractive to his eye than any yet seen. This was in 1847, and from this pioneer the township derives its name. James Mason, Jr., his son, yet lives in the township, on section 15, and is a prosperous gentleman. He is well and popularly known throughout the county.
Among the old settlers were Samuel Wineinger, Abram Hawkins, Kem- ber McKee, W. B. Snow, John and Abram Holliday, Mr. Dyche, Wood Daugherty, James Ross and R. F. Pace.
Rev. James M. Stockton, whose name so often appears in this work, was the first clergyman to preach in the township. Rev. Samuel Farlow, a pioneer Methodist minister, was the next one. He was among the earliest of that denomination in southwestern Iowa, and his work laid a broad and substantial foundation for the results that have since followed.
The early history of this township is considerable-if you could get at it. A pioneer furnishes some notes which, if printed here, would lead the reader of to-day to imagine himself in Dallas township. The early school history, the first teachers, and items innumerable belonging to Dallas town- ship, or at least the southern part thereof, are given to Mason township by
607
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
the intelligent old settler who furnished this historian with the facts for Mason. His recollection is poor, and his memory of present township lines is not the best. The best historian living can't write a good and correct history from imperfect facts. It can be said, however, that Mason town- ship is inhabited by some of the best people of Taylor county. There is John Lindsay, on section 8; Henry Raynor, on section 18; James Miller, on section 26; Samuel Gant, on section 33; T. A. Meredith, on section 26; Samuel Wineinger, on section 29; W. B. Snow, on section 28; Frances Lewellen, on section 10.
W. B. Snow is at present a member of the board of supervisors, and sev- eral years since was county superintendent.
Some of the finest farms in Taylor county are in Mason township. Some of its most successful stock-raisers live there. James Mason owns an ex- tensive tract of land, and so does Robert Timberlake. Joe Scott is an enterprising farmer, and has a fine residence.
In school history Mason township may be judged from the following report made by the county superintendent for the year 1880:
No. of subdistricts 6
No. of teachers employed
11
Salary per month-male $ 28.80
Salary per month -- female 28.80
No. of school months 6 9-10
No. of children of school age 340
No. of children enrolled in school.
227
Average daily attendance 147
Average cost of tuition per scholar $ 1.95
No. of school-houses (frame) 6
Value of school-houses
$2,600.00
Amount paid teachers during year 1,210.00
Amount expended for contingent expenses 400.79
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP.
When " Ret" Clarkson, the gifted editor of the Des Moines Register, was in New York he was asked how Iowa managed to roll up 80,000 Re- publican majority? to which he gave answer: "By building school-houses within a mile of each other." "And that's the truth," as the Burlington Hawk-Eye says, "Iowa is studded with school-houses as the sky is with the stars, and consequently her politics glisten as do the stars." This is well put, although it isn't the province of this work to have a political choice. But certain it is, that where a people are well educated, there will
608
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
be better and more enlightened politics. Nodaway township comes in this category. Its politics ought to be the very best if educational advantages are helps. Few townships in the State are better supplied with teachers and school-houses. Professor Jeffrey gave it the following report in 1880:
No. of subdistricts 9
No. of teachers employed 13
Salary per month-male. $ 23.92
Salary per month -- female 23.92
No. of school months
7
No. of children of school age 331
No. of children enrolled in school 258
Average daily attendance 151
Average cost of tuition per scholar
1.39
No. of school-houses (frame)
9
Value of school-houses
$4,675.00
Amount paid teachers during the year
1,340.00
Amount expended for contingent purposes 577.26
The first settlers of Nodaway township were John B. Henshaw, John B. West, Mr. Dodson, Washington Kinerick, James Foster, E. J. Spalding, Fletcher Brown and Peter Guerney.
John B. Henshaw and Mr. Dodson have long since gone to try their for- tunes in an unknown land. Isaac B. West died after a lingering illness of many months, during which he endured death hundreds of times. He was afflicted with " bone erysipelas " of the leg. His physicians tried to save it for him. His soul revolted against losing it. But amputation became so evident a necessity even to himself that he consented to the operation. The shock killed him. At one time he was very wealthy, owning a large tract of land in Nodaway township.
The first school taught in the township was at the Isaac B. West house, on section 7. James Foster was the teacher. A dozen years ago he was well known in this and adjoining counties. He is now a resident of Ne- braska.
The East Nodaway River runs down the west side of the township. It abounds in fish, and furnishes excellent water-power. Its bluffs are covered with timber. Coal beds are plentiful in sections 21 and 29. The veins are eighteen inches in depth, and are of the first deposit. Underneath lie in- exhaustible supplies which will be brought to the light of day ere many years. Thus far there has scarcely been an effort made to reach the deeper veins.
J. Twherry
,
609
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
From January 1, 1877 to January 1, 1880, Nodaway township furnished a member of the county board of supervisors in the person of Mr. John Reeves. He was a most excellent officer and discharged his duties intelligently, and was honest and incorruptible.
These are the three church organizations in this township-two Meth- odists and one Second Adventist.
The Western Methodist Church meets at district school-house number 6. It came into existence about the year 1870. Among the the original members were Mrs. Fletcher Brown, Mrs. James Gale, Mrs. R. V. Kelly and H. B. Hales and wife. Rev. J. P. Evans is the present pastor. In the past the church has been blessed with the faithful and energetic services of such men as Rev. Eberley, Rev. W. P. Bishop, Rev. Samuel Farlow and Rev. Kern. The church membership is forty, and it is aided by a thorough and efficient sabbath-school.
The Fairview Methodist Church was organized in 1874. Services are held at the district school-house number 8. The organization is about the same as the Western Church. It was started by a division of it. The membership is thirty-seven. A sabbath-school is connected therewith.
The Second Adventists have an organization at school-district number 9. Membership is twenty-five. It was organized in 1873. D. Q. Kent is the pastor.
PLATTE TOWNSHIP.
Prior to 1866 Platte township embraced its present limits and all that territory now known as Grant township. The East One Hundred and Two River rises in Platte township, its source being several small streams branching in various directions, and furnishing most excellent drainage. Platte township is very high, and excepting Creston, Lenox, the metropolis of the township, is the loftiest point between the two great rivers. Its soil is very rich and productive. Corn and flax are the chief products. The yield of corn on the average in Platte township is, perhaps, the heaviest in the county. As will be seen by a table which appears in a chapter on "The Taylor County Agricultural Society," Lenox is the leading grain shipping station in the county. In the number of car loads of corn sent out it is almost equals the number of shipments from both Bedford and Conway.
. It is claimed that the first prairie broken in the township for farming purposes was on section 12. John Kilgore was the gentleman who worthily bears this honor, and the farm is now owned by Mr. Chester. This was in 1855, and the same spring William Caplinger and James McVey com- menced to improve their farms in sections 11 and 24. The farm above
19
610
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
spoken of, which was formerly Mr. Kilgore's property, he sold to Mr. G. R. Duffie, who now lives in Union county. The sale was made soon after the improvements were begun. The first house built in the township was erected by Mr. Kilgore on the same land in 1856. Mr. Caplinger built on the farm he now occupies in the autumn following.
The first election in Platte township was held at the residence of William Caplinger in 1857. William Caplinger was elected justice of the peace, Oliver Jenks, township clerk, and Oliver Jenks and S. W. Robinson, trus- tees. At this time every man in Platte township, which then embraced Grant, held an office, with the possible exception of Mr. McDuffie.
The first post-office in the township was established in 1857, in December. It was located at the house of William Caplinger, and bore the very proper appellation of LONE, because it was far away on the vast prairies.
The winter of 1855-6 was severe throughout the United States and the Canadas. It was unusally so, and, perhaps, has never been equaled, unless it was by the winter of 1880-1. Of course it must have fallen heavily upon the settlers of Platte township, where there were neither hills nor trees to protect shivering man from the biting blasts of an unrelenting storm of sleet and snow. In that winter the mercury fell to forty degrees below zero in places. So it will not be hard to picture the perils and sufferings endured by pio- neers on the pathless prairies of Platte township. Their nearest mill was on Middle River in Madison county, or in Missouri, several miles southeast of Maryville. Breadstuffs were scarce and high, and could only be obtained by great toil and expense. In fact, all supplies were brought from a dis- tance. A sufficiency of grain was not yet grown to meet the wants of the pioneers. There was no surplus to draw upon as occasion might require The severe winter found them wholly unprepared for it. Their houses in some cases were built of small poles from four to six inches in diameter, and could not be laid close enough together. Put them tightly as they might, the wind would find plenty of crevices through which it would hurry the snow and sleet. Perhaps, and which was often the case, when one of those terrific storms would come, the husband and father was sixty or seventy miles distant, with an ox team after the necessaries of life for his little brood. This required an absence of many days, and to gather the wood that warmed them from under the drifts of snow, and care for the stock was an under- taking that would make the pampered and delicate woman of to-day shiver.
Among the other early settlers is Mr. George Van Houten, who came to the county in 1855, while a mere lad. Then there are N. Eggler, Henry Kilgore and J. M. Wilt. Mr. Wilt came in 1861, and lives on section 12. George Van Houten resides on section 19. These gentlemen have witnessed
611
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
the wonderful growth of a most wonderful country. When they came to Platte township, and Taylor county, an improved farm wasn't worth much more than a song, and was unsalable. Now farms are more valuable than the most sanguine could have hoped for, and prairie lands cannot be bought for less than twice the amount the early settler thought his improved farm would be worth.
The following table will show the prices of improved and unimproved lands in Platte and other townships of Taylor county, also the number of acres unimproved :
No. of acres unimproved.
Price of unimproved. $ 8 to $20
Price of improved.
Nodaway
4,000
$15 to 25
Holt.
4,000
8 to
20
15 to 25
Grove
6,000
8 to
15
15 to 25
Platte
4,500
10 to
20
20 to 30
Dallas
5,500
6 to
12
15 to 25
Washington
.4,000
8 to
15
18 to 30
Marshall
6,000
8 to
18
16 to 30
Grant
8,000
8 to
18
15 to 30
Mason
2,000
6 to
12
15 to 25
Benton
2,500
12 to
20
20 to 30
Clayton
. 5,000
8 to
15
15 to 25
Gray
6,500
8 to
15
15 to 25
Polk
.2,000
6 to
12
15 to 25
Ross
5,000
8 to
15
15 to 20
Jackson
4,000
6 to
12
15 to 25
Jefferson
. 6,500
6 to
12
15 to 25
The first marriage ceremony in the township was performed by the Rev. James Wishard. The contracting parties were Abner Baggs and Miss Jane Geahan.
The first male child born in the township was John, whose happy parents were Greenbury and Martha McDuffie. He came to gladden their hearts in 1858. Belle Caplinger was the first dainty girl baby.
The first death was in the family of Dr. James Mc Vey-a child who was buried in Union county.
The first physician was Dr. James McVey, who came from Missouri.
The first preaching in the township came from the lips of Rev. James Wishard, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His services were held in a log hut on section 12. He accomplished much in the way of good, and laid solid the foundation for the piety and morality that is so
612
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
characteristic of the people of this township. The first resident minister was the Rev. John S. Dean.
A log school-house on section 12 witnessed the first educational efforts in the township. The sum of twenty dollars per month was allowed the teacher, who was Mr. Joe Lavely. Frequently he had but one scholar, and that one he carried upon his back to and from the school-house. The build- ing we are speaking of was the first school edifice in the township. It was built by the citizens at a cost of $60, and was by them sold to the district. Since then the educational interests of Platte township have grown remark- ably, as the following table taken from the superintendent's report for 1880 will show:
No. of subdistricts 8
No. of teachers employed 14
Salary per month-male. $
30
Salary per month-female. 27.89
No. of school months
8% No. of children of school age
261
No. of children enrolled in school
197
Average daily attendance. 112
Average cost of tuition per scholar
$
2.69
No. of school-houses (frame)
8
Value of school-houses
. $4,475.00
Amount paid teachers during the year
2,082.09
Amount expended for contingent purposes 647.37
Add to the above the report of the the independent school-district of Lenox, which appears in its proper place, and Platte township presents a case that is strong, and will be hard to beat in any county in Iowa.
Mrs. James Mc Vey wove the first cloth. She was a woman of great strength of character and was well calculated to endure the hardships inci- dent to the life of a pioneer. After her came other women who distin- guished themselves in all the branches of industrial domestic labor.
When the township was first settled a few Indians remained. But the whites soon drove them away, and their trapping places were used by the "pale-faces" for five or six years, with good success.
During the war all the able-bodied men in the township were giving their energies to their country and risking their lives on sanguinary battle-fields that the government of their fathers might be perpetuated and treason be wiped from the land. During all these troublous days milling was done with cattle and the wood hauled for the families of those who were in the army.
613
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
The Baptists have a church organization known by the name of Bethel. It was first organized November 15, 1879. The original members were Mr. and Mrs. William Winkley, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. S. O. Chester, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Waters, Mrs. Jennie Brown, Belle Franklin, Veachel Franklin, Marion Franklin and J. W. Franklin. The church has no build- ing. Its services are held in district number 6 school-house. The church was reorganized January 17, 1880, by a council composed of Rev. P. An- drews and S. M. Osborn, of Mt. Ayr, Rev. Golding, of Bedford, Mr. R. M. Ray, of Grant Center and Rev. H. S. Cloud and R. Bosisto, of Corning, Since the reorganization the church has had but one pastor, Rev. H. S. Cloud, who is still serving there in that capacity. The membership is twenty-two.
Perhaps the most desirable institution of Platte township is the nursery owned by George Van Houten. It is the largest and most complete in southern Iowa. Mr. Van Houten understands his business as thoroughly as the schoolmistress the A B C's she teaches her pupils. He owns, also, a nursery at Grant City, Missouri, at Blanchard, Page county, at Essex, Page county, and one at Bedford, with Thomas Potter, Esq. As a tree-grower few men in Iowa are better or more favorably known.
LENOX.
In 1870 the wisest man living in all of Taylor county had not dreamed of such a place. In November, 1871, the Creston branch of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad was completed through Taylor county to the Missouri line. The plat of Lenox was then surveyed and recorded. In Feb- ruary, 1872, the first permanent settlements were made thereon. N. J. Al- len, A. S. Beymer and G. L. Brooks at this time located within the town limits, and others came afterward. During its first year the town labored under quite a disadvantage, being resurveyed and relocated to some extent. This necessitated the removal of the buildings to the west side of the rail- road track that had been erected on the east. From that time until the present Lenox has had a wonderful growth, which has been steady and healthy. Some of its buildings would be a credit to towns much larger and more pretentious. In May, 1874, the Lenox House was built. During the September following the school-house was erected; then the township con- tained but fifteen scholars; in 1876 it had 150. In 1880 the number had grown to 213, which is an increase very flattering. In 1880, in his report of schools, the superintendent gives the following account of the Independ- ent school-district of Lenox:
-
614
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
No. of rooms in graded school.
3
Average number months taught
9
No. of teachers employed
3
Salary per month -- male
$ 44.16%
Salary per month -- female.
30.00
No. of children of school age 213
No of children enrolled in school
194
Average daily attendance 124
Average cost of tuition per scholar $ 1.03
No. of school-houses (frame)
1
Value of school-houses
$2,050.00
Amount paid teachers during the year
983.23
Amount expended for contingent purposes 412.31
What is now known as the independent school-district of Lenox was organ- ized in 1873 as subdistrict number three, of the district township of Platte, with an area of two miles square. The district then had fifteen scholars, as has been elsewhere stated. The school-house before mentioned was two stories high, twenty-four by thirty-six, wood structure, and erected on lots sixty- one, sixty-four, sixty-five, sixty-eight and sixty-nine, of the northwest quar- ter of section eight. The first school was taught in the summer of 1874, by a Mr. Cole. The average attendance was about twenty-five, several pupils coming from outside the district. The following fall and winter term was taught by G. W. Howe, Esq. He had an average attendance of forty-seven, with an enrollment of sixty-two. G. L. Brooks was subdirector from its organization until 1875. March 18, 1878, the district was made independent by a vote of its electors. The first school-board under the new organization consisted of Hon. N. S. Hornaday, L. B. Wilson, H. S. Woods, J. T. Wherry, W. A. Scott and John Baxter. At the organization of the board H. S. Woods was chosen president; J. W. Barnes, secretary, and G. L. Brooks, treasurer. In 1881, April 11, voted to issue bonds in the sum of $5,000 for the erection of a new school-house, forty by seventy feet, two stories and basement, brick structure, and containing four rooms. June 10, 1881, the contract for building the school-house was let to J. W. Combs, of Bedford, for $7,789. It is now under process of erection. The present . school-board is composed of Hon. N. J. Allen, Hon. N. S. Hornaday, E. D. Kepner, J. W. Barnes, J. W. Maher and H. F. Howard. The school-officers are Hon. N. J. Allen, president of the board; G. W. Howe, secretary, and A. D. Harlan, treasurer.
In the way of harvests, politically, Lenox has reaped quite abundantly.
615
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
In 1875 Hon. John Madden, one of its most prosperous business men and best citizens, was elected to the legislature. In 1876 G. L. Brooks was a delegate from the Eighth congressional district of Iowa to the Cincinnati Republican convention, which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes for presi- dent. In 1879 Hon. N. S. Hornaday was chosen to the legislature. He made a member of whom his constituents are justly proud.
The institution of Lenox is its flouring-mills. It was completed in 1875 by M. M. Bechtell, who now resides at Harlan, the shire town of Shelby, county. These mills are now the property of Allen & Co., who are, also extensive grain-dealers. In reputation few mills in southwestern Iowa ex- cel that of Allen & Co. They are experienced men and their employés are none but first-class workmen. Several neighboring towns are supplied with flour from their mills and the demand upon them exceeds the mills' capacity.
The Lenox Time Table is almost as old as the city of its birth. A com- plete history of this journal will be found in the chapter entitled "The Press of Taylor County." .
Some of the citizens of Lenox are interested in Colorado mines at Ko- komo. They are E. D. and John Kepner, D. J. Spear and William Pig- gott. It is the impression that they have a " bonanza," the truth of which would be gratifying to all who know them.
Of the first business men of Lenox, G. L. Brooks is in California, N. J. Allen still at Lenox, and A. S. Beymer at Randolph, Fremont county, Iowa.
A copy of the Time Table of July 4, 1876, contains the advertisements of fifteen business houses, as follows: F. S. Winkley, painter; J. H. Humphrey, livery stable; H. B. Hansen, boots and shoes; Morrell & An- derson, grocery and restaurant; M. M. Bechtell, Lenox Mills; Osborn & Brooks, hardware; Tyler & Howell, real estate; Harlan & Saunders, hard- ware; A. C. Woodard, meat market; G. E. Norwood, implements; J. W. Maher, real estate; A. O. Brice & Co., undertakers; Humphrey & Co., druggists; Allen, Spear & Layne, dry goods and implements, and John Madden, general merchandise. Mr. J. W. Maher, John Madden and H. B. Hoffman, we believe, are the only ones of these gentlemen who are yet pur- suing the same business. The changes that have been made will at once be noted by the following list of the present business men of Lenox.
Lenox Mills, Allen & Co., and grain-dealers.
Fuller & Co., agricultural implements.
L. E. Mercer, carpenter and builder. Dunbar, Gitt & Adams, builders.
616
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
H. H. White, carriage-maker and blacksmith.
L. A. Lain, carriage and repair shop.
W. R. Harlan, blacksmith. G. W. Howe, attorney and justice of the peace H. Lupton, postmaster.
M. A. Lunn, real estate and loan office.
L. S. Brooks, banker. Johnson Brothers, clothing. Woods & Pennell, livery stable.
John A. Rogers, agricultural implements.
Chambers & Ennis, lumber.
W. F. Thompson, furniture. James Kingan, grocery. John Finn, grain-dealer.
William French, grain-dealer.
G. W. Ferris, grain-dealer.
W. V. Leuson, grain-dealer. Hallowell & Wooster, meat market.
William Pheny, saloon.
Wilson & Parks, hardware and grain-dealers.
C. W. Wilson, grocery and restaurant.
Ridgeway & Son, lumber.
Barnes & McGregor, Lenox Time Table.
G. L. Goodale, jeweler.
W. P. Norman, jeweler.
C. W. Brokaw, cabinet-maker.
Morris & Kafka, carpenters.
Montgomery & Abbott, carpenters.
Meagher & Maloney, general merchandise and grain-dealers.
Hornaday & Scroggs, druggists and physicians.
B. Woolridge, clothing, boots and shoes.
H. B. Hansen, boots and shoes.
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