USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 18
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Value of apparatus 20
Number of pupils enrolled 18
Average daily attendance 12
Paid teachers since last report
FAIRVIEW. 307.50
Value of school building $1500.00 Value of apparatus 25
165
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Number of pupils enrolled 28
Average daily attendance 22
Number of volumes in library
50
Paid teachers since last report
318.90
GRAVEL POINT.
Value of school building
$400.00
Value of apparatus
IO
Number of pupils enrolled 8
Average daily attendance.
5
Number of volumes in library
IO
Paid teachers since last report
233.50
HOLT.
Value of school building
$400.00
Value of apparatus
40
Number of pupils enrolled 26
Average daily attendance I8
Number of volumes in library
50
Paid teachers since last report
211.25
HOLT CENTER.
Value of school building
$400.00
Value of apparatus IO
Number of pupils enrolled 28
Average daily attendance
I5
Number of volumes in library
IO
Paid teachers since last report
330.00
LINCOLN.
Value of school building
$600.00
Value of apparatus IO
Number of pupils enrolled
29
Average daily attendance
18
Number of volumes in library
5
Paid teachers since last report
292.50
MT. PLEASANT.
Value of school building
$1200.00
Value of apparatus 200
Number of pupils enrolled 28
19
Number of volumes in library
4
Paid teachers since last report
210.00
WINTERSETTE.
Value of school building
$600.00
Value of apparatus 100
Number of pupils enrolled
23
Average daily attendance
I3
Number of volumes in library
9
Paid teachers since last report 295.00
1
Average daily attendance
166
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
In wealth Holt is among the leaders, the assessed valuation being nine hundred and twenty-nine thousand, eight hundred and sixty-eight. The present township officials are : clerk. Louis Cotter ; trustees, William Irwin, Guy Leonard and N. C. Scott; assessor, J. M. Green.
PLATTE TOWNSHIP.
Prior to 1866, Platte township embraced its present limits and all the ter- ritory now known as Grant township. The East One Hundred and Two river rises in Platte township, its source being several small streams, which furnish excellent drainage. Platte township is very high, and excepting Creston, Lenox, which occupies the northwest corner of the township is the highest point be- tween the two great rivers. The soil here is very rich and productive and the surface is but slightly broken, so there is practically no waste land in the town- ship. It is a land of beautiful farms and prices have long been the highest of any place in the county. Platte has long been the leading township in the production of corn and back in the days when farmers sold most of their crops, Lenox was the leading shipping point for grain in the county. Now most of the grain produced is fed to stock as it is in all parts of the county.
It is claimed that John Kilgore broke the first prairie in the township in 1855. This was on section 12. The same spring, William Coplinger and James McVey began the improvement of their farms, which were located on sections II and 24. The first house was built by John Kilgore in 1856. Coplinger built the same fall.
The first election was held at the home of William Coplinger in 1857. Wil- liam Coplinger was elected justice of the peace, Oliver Jenks, township clerk and Oliver Jenks and S. W. Robinson, trustees. At this time every man in Platte township held an office with the possible exception of Mr. McDuffie.
The first postoffce in the township was established in 1857 and was located at the home of William Coplinger, and bore the very appropriate name of "Lone" because it was far away on the vast prairies.
The nearest mill to the settlers of Platte township, was in Madison county, or several miles southeast of Maryville, Missouri. The winter of 1855 and 1856 was unusually severe, and many hardships were experienced by these few hardy pioneers, but they survived them and lived to see the rapid development of the township, they had chosen for their home.
George Van Houten, now a resident of Lenox, came to the county in 1855, while a mere lad. Others were: N. Eggler, Henry Kilgore and J. M. Wilt.
The first marriage ceremony in the township was performed by Rev. James Wishard. The contracting parties being Abner Baggs and Miss Jane Geahan. The first boy baby born in the township was John McDuffie, whose happy parents were Greenbury and Martha McDuffie. This was in 1858. Belle Coplinger was the first girl baby. The first death occurred in the family of Dr. James McVey- a child, who was buried in Union county
Dr. James McVey, who came to the township from Missouri, was the first physician to practice among the settlers of this part of the county. Rev. James Wishard, of the Methodist Episcopal church was the first to proclaim the gospel
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
in Platte township. Services were held in a log house on section 12, and there, no doubt was laid the foundation for morality that has always characterized the people of this township.
The first schoolhouse in the township was also built on section 12. The citizens built it of logs at a total cost of sixty dollars, and here Mr. Joe Lavely, the first teacher, labored for twenty dollars per month. Mrs. James McVey is credited with weaving the first cloth. She is spoken of as a woman of great strength of character and well calculated to endure the hardships incident to pioneer life.
A few Indians remained when the township was first settled, but these soon disappeared as the number of settlers increased and the fur bearing animals, along the Platte were trapped by the whites and the revenue derived from the sale of pelts, was about the only money of the first settlers for the first few years.
ยท All of the able bodied men of the township enlisted in the cause of their country at the breaking out of the war, and the hardships endured by the heroic women left behind, can hardly be understood by this later generation. Breadstuffs had to be brought from sixty to seventy-five miles by ox team, and the men left at home looked after this and to the hauling of wood for the families of men who were in the army.
In the year 1879, the Baptists of the township organized a church, known by the name of Bethel. 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 and their services were held in the schoolhouse in district No. 6. The church was reorganized in 1880, by a council composed of : Rev. P. Andrews and S. M. Osborne of Mt. Ayr; Rev. Golding of Bedford; Mr. R. M. Ray of Grant Center; Rev. H. S. Cloud and R. Bosists of Corning; and Rev. H. S. Cloud was chosen pastor.
The springing up of Clearfield, with the building of the Humeston and Shenandoah railroad, and its rapid growth into a town of seven or eight hun- dred, with all denominations represented by good churches, gave Platte town- ship on the south, church facilities, while Lenox did the same for the north, hence the township organizations were gradually absorbed, unless the one at Bethel is still maintaining an organization.
Platte township has eight school districts with buildings valued at four thous- and, two hundred dollars. Apparatus worth three hundred and forty dollars, with seventy-four volumes in the libraries. The schools have an enrollment of one hundred and sixty-four with an everage attendance of one hundred and four. The teachers in these schools were paid last year two thousand, one hundred and fifty-six dollars, and twenty-five cents. The assessed value of Platte township property is nine hundred and sixty-nine thousand, seven hun- dred and ninety-six dollars.
The present township officers are: Justices, J. J. Carey and G. L. Goodale ; constables, William Mullen and M. A. Simmer; clerk, J. N. Hughes; trustees, C. W. Ely, E. N. Beadle and Truman Cottrell; assessor, Frank Connor.
168
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
MASON TOWNSHIP.
This township being almost equally divided by the West One Hundred and Two river, which flows almost directly south through the middle of it, and which is or was well wooded, furnished an inviting retreat for game in the early days, and in consequence as a favorite hunting ground for the Indians. The rich prairie, abundance of water and close proximity to good timber, wooed the early settler also.
James Mason, "Uncle Jimmy," as he was familiarly called, chanced to come this way in 1847, and being delighted with the prospect settled on the farm which with additions, acquired from time to time, he owned and farmed until a few years ago, when he retired from active affairs and removed to New Market, where he died in 1908. He settled on section 15, and he has often told the writer that he had successively lived in three territories, two counties and three townships and had never moved from his original place of settlement. The township bears his name, which is a fitting tribute to his memory, as he was active in every movement for the promotion of the welfare of the town- ship and was famous for his hospitality during his long and active life.
Other old settlers were Samuel Wineinger, Abram Hawkins, Kember McKee, W. B. Snow, John and Abram Holliday, Mr. Dyche, Wood Dougherty, James Ross and R. F. Pace. Still later settlers, who could now be called old settlers, were John Lindsay, Henry Raynor, James Miller, Samuel Gant, T. A. Meredith, W. B. Snow, Francis Llewellyn, Robert Timberlake, Joe Scott, William Meikle, William Aiton, Thomas Harkness, Washington Hall, Ed. Wolverton, Swan Sherbeck, Arthur Wainright, the O'Dells, Hutchinsons, B. F. Kelso, the Millers, W. E. Woodyard, the Cavenders, Burnhams and the Marrs.
Owing to the fact that the township is about equally divided into two parts by the West One Hundred and Two River, the township is naturally divided into six school districts. This works a hardship on some families, but no other plan of districting is practicable. Her six school buildings are valued at three thousand dollars; school apparatus at ninety dollars. They have one hundred and ten volumes in the school libraries. The schools have an enrollment of one hundred and ninety, with an average attendance of one hundred and eleven and they paid teachers one thousand, eight hundred and eleven dollars and seventy-five cents last year.
The last assessor's report gives for Mason township a valuation of nine hundred and fifty-two thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four dollars. At pres- ent Mason seems to be so law abiding she has no justice of the peace. Charles Skinner and J. E. Fuller are constables ; A. T. Aiton, clerk; G. H. Mathes, W. A. Miller and Fred Miller, trustees ; and J. O. Anderson, assessor.
From the assesed valuation it will be seen that Mason township ranks well in material wealth with any of the townships, although divided by the largest stream in the county. The two parallel ridges comprises the best farm land to be found in the county. The east ridge, familiarly known as "Scotch Ridge," has furnished homes for some of the largest landholders of the county. William Marr and brothers, William Meikle, William Aiton and Anderson brothers all have large well improved farms. Samuel Gant and sons, Samuel Weininger, the
169
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Raynors, Burnhams, Hutchinsons and others have long kept the west ridge up to the highest standard in agriculture and stock raising.
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
Probably no more beautiful section of country can be found in Iowa than that comprised in the townships of Gay, Grant, Platte and Grove. In traveling through them one sees a succession of rich, well-improved farms, and the topogra- phy is such that the view is enchanting. To look at these townships now one can believe that T. J. Potter, many years ago general manager of the Burlington rail- road, spoke words of prophecy when he said, "The time is not far off when Iowa, with its rich soil, immense coal fields and thrifty character of its people, will be capable of sustaining parallel lines of railways, twelve or fifteen miles apart, across the state. People do not comprehend the possibilities of Iowa." Iowa has indeed come up to prediction above given as the awards on farm products, taken at great exhibitions, testify.
Grant township is crossed by one of the lines of road foretold by Mr. Potter. This line, formerly known as the Humeston and Shenandoah, now the Keokuk and .. Western, and part of the Burlington system, was built in 1881, and enters Grant township on section one and here one of the thriftiest and handsomest towns in the county was laid out, which will be spoken of more fully in another chapter.
The first settlers of Grant township were Oliver Jenks and Seth W. Robinson. Mr. Robinson was the father of Squire and Salem Robinson, for many years iden- tified with the township.
Jenks and Robinson settled on section 2, in 1855 and in 1857 were the only -
families in the township.
Squire Robinson was the first one married in the township and Esquire David Johnson performed the ceremony. The first boy born was a son of Oliver Jenks. The first girl was Louisa C. Robinson, daughter of Squire and Mrs. Robin- son. She was born in November, 1858, but lived but a short time, being the first in the township to die.
Some of the later settlers who may now be classed as old settlers, were George W. Dean, John Cooper, S. F. Bowen, the Greens, Haneys, and others, who have helped make the township what it is. The first schoolhouse erected in the town- ship was called the Robinson, and a Mrs. Lucas was the first teacher.
At this schoolhouse the first religious services in the township were held, Rev. Faucett and Rev. T. C. Eaton being early preachers there. Rev. Faucett is credited with preaching the first sermon in the township.
The Methodists organized at Grant Center, in 1870, with George W. Dean, James Walker and wife, A. Smith and wife, Mary J. Benedict, Thomas Leonard, Sophia Knox and J. O. Eastman and wife, were charter members. They later erected a church building and for many years held regular services. Many of the members, however, have been absorbed by the church at Clearfield. Various pastors have been Rev. Nye, Rev. Avery, Rev. Potts, Rev. Dunbar, Rev. Hooton, Rev. Mitchell, Rev. Randolph, Rev. Welch and Rev. Plumb.
The Baptists had an organization at Grand Center as early as 1876, with, the
170
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
following original members: J. H. Jones, Ellen Jones, Campbell Robinson and wife, Jarvis Lovett, Ada Dean and George W. Green and wife.
The early pastors were Rev. D. T. Smith, Rev. William Golding and Rev. I. M. Seay. The greater part of the membership united with the church at Clear- field.
The last assessment gives the valuation of Grant township property at nine hundred and ninety thousand, nine hundred and forty-eight dollars.
The township has eight subdistricts with buildings valued at three thousand, six hundred dollars. The number of schools is one hundred and twenty, with an enrollment in the schools of one hundred and fourteen.
Last year the teachers of the township were paid two thousand, two hundred and eighty-seven dollars. The number of books in school libraries is one hundred and twenty-three.
The present township officers are : justice, J. A. Wyant ; constable, C. J. Har- vey ; clerk, C. C. Carlton ; trustees, Joe Cooper, J. E. Cameron and John Knox, and assessor, J. E. Powell.
Some of the later settlers of the township were S. F. Bowen, a prominent citizen and large land holder ; John Cooper, a large land holder and stock raiser, who is now in the banking business at Conway ; the Bruners ; George W. Dean ; the Green brothers ; Fred L. Rood, a breeder of fine hogs ; the Duncans, who bred fine stock, both cattle and hogs; Joseph Doubet, a democrat so popular that he was elected a member of the board of supervisors in spite of a republican majority of several hundred in the county. The Haynies; Lock Campbell; Ab. Cooper ; J. J. Knox ; J. A. Mckinstry ; the Powells, Carl Wackernagel, and others we do not now recall.
In 1855. the flow of immigration to the county began. About this time, or possible a little earlier, W. H. Allison and J. Majors laid off some town lots in the southwest corner of what was later Marshall township, and called the to-be village, Lexington. For a time it presented strong opposition to Bedford, claim- ing the right to the county seat, because of closer proximity to the geographical center of the county. Considerable business was done at Lexington for several years, but as the settlements were principally south, Lexington gradually died out and the erection of the courthouse in Bedford in 1864 extinguished its last hope. The town site later became part of the farm of Rev. C. B. Pershim. The county poor farm was located near it.
The first Presbyterian church in Taylor county was organized at Lexing- ton, June 27, 1857, Rev. L. G. Bell, a missionary of domestic missions, being the organizer. The society was placed under the care of the Council Bluffs Pres- bytery, and called the One Hundred and Two River church. The organization was merged into that of the Bedford Presbyterian church in September, 1860. The original members of the church at Lexington were James Mitchell, Mary J. Aikin, J. C. McCandless, Sinah McCandless, J. Gavin and Eliza Gavin. The Rev. Mr. Stryker was the first regular pastor.
Among the early settlers of Marshall township was P. H. Nelson who came in 1858. He was the father of N. P. Nelson, Conway's banker for many years, and now a resident of Los Angeles, California. Simeon Wright came in 1857. G. W. Wallace in 1856, William Schwemley in 1856, N. P. Nelson in 1858, Josiah Litteer, 1854.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Some of the present well-known citizens are : James E. Anderson, W. M. Bam- son, William Cooper, J. H. Dolts, Ginn brothers, Dennis Hamblin, F. L. Hamblin, Jones brothers, E. Lewis, J. A. Lambly, F. J. Nendick, John Nugent, S. E. Robin- son, William Rutledge, D. M. Woodfill, P. C. Miller, and many others.
This township has the advantage of two railroads, the Burlington, built in 1871, and the Humeston and Shenandoah, built in 1881.
It has two towns, Conway and Sharps. Conway, built with the advent of the Burlington and Sharps, on the north, after the building of the Humeston and Shenandoah.
Marshall township has always had good schools, and numbers among its early teachers such men as J. S. Boyd, who taught the first school, and was the second county superintendent, or really the first county superintendent and N. P. Nelson, who quit teaching to enter the banking business at Conway.
Following is the last report on the schools of the township: Number of sub- districts, seven, with buildings valued at two thousand, three hundred dollars, They have on hundred and sixty-nine children of school age, with an enrollment of one hundred and forty-five. They had eight months school last year and paid teachers two thousand, one hundred and four dollars. They have two hundred and fifty-nine volumes in the school libraries. The valuation of Marshall town-' ship property is seven hundred and thirty-three thousand, six hundred and fifty-six dollars. The present county officers of the township are : justice, J. L. Matthews ; constable, N. L. Carmichael ; clerk, F. C. Cooper ; trustees, G. W. Hough, W. E. Weller and D. A. Brown ; assessor, S. E. Robinson.
CLAYTON TOWNSHIP.
This township was settled almost as early as Jackson township. Stephen H. Parker, father of Marion and Stephen Parker, at present residents of Bedford and W. H., better known as Henry, for many years a business man of this city, settled in this township in 1845, and his son, W. H., was born October 27, 1846, and is claimed to be the first white male child born in the county. For several years Mr. Stephen H. Parker was the wealthiest man in the county. The first house with a shingle roof was built by him in 1852. He brought the shingles by wagon from St. Joe, Missouri. Mr. Parker also built the first barn in the county. The land where these buildings were erected, is about a quarter of a mile east of Honey creek, on the Platteville road and was later owned by B. F. Martin, and is owned at present by a Mr. Jarvis.
The place was styled "Fort Parker" and was a rendezvous for the settlers, when the Indians were reported to be on the war path. In pioneer times Mr. Parker's home was headquarters for everyone, in times of peace or danger. More, than once did the settlers flock there and adopt plans of defense against the Indians. For seven years after Mr. Parker came to the county, not a single rod of land was surveyed, and to secure a little timber he was obliged to enter seven hundred acres. For his fireplace and chimney, Mr. Parker obtained brick three miles east of Maryville. For their flour they went to St. Joe. If a horse needed shoeing, Maryville was the nearest place he could get the work done. Between St. Joe and Mr. Parker's place there was not a single bridge. Often in crossing streams they were compelled to take their wagon in pieces and float them
172
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
over in what were called "dug outs," which were canoes hollowed out from logs. The first plows used were the traditional wooden mould boards with shares of inetal.
Twelve families were living in the county at this time, according to Mr. Par- kers' report several years ago. Isaac Guyll, whom Mr. Parker accredits with being the first settler; Matthew Hindman, Mr. Foster, James Ross, Jacob W. Ross. Jacob Miller, Brice Summers, John and Gideon Dougherty, Amos Lowe and John Dailey. Amos Lowe lived west of Bedford on what is known as the A. N. Dougherty farm. Daily went to California, amassed considerable money, and while on his way home was robbed and murdered. John Dougherty married Mr. Dailey's widow. One of Mr. Parker's daughters married Captain Joe Park, who came to the county to start a woolen factory for eastern parties. The mill was never built but, instead of returning to Philadelphia the captain fell in love with Mr. Parker's daughter, married her and settled in Taylor county. He later went to Mexico where he was interested in mines. One of his sons, Samuel, remembered by many Bedford people is heavily interested in the lumber business in Texas and is reputed to be a millionaire. Mr. L. Mohler, of Bedford, was another old settler of Clayton township. He built the first schoolhouse there in 1856, near where Mr. C. C. Mohler, his son, now lives. In 1855 Mr. Mohler paid three dollars per bushel for corn. In 1856 the families living in Clayton township were: J. C. Meehan, L. Mohler, Frederick Cox, William Cox, Stephen H. Parker, John C. Ray, John Gruson, Woodford Dale and William Huddleston, Frederick Cox died in Taylor county and was buried in the Mohler cemetery. William Cox died in Missouri and was buried there.
In these days of which we write, Indians were quite numerous here. In 1850 they left the county, the government having provided reservations for them in Kansas, but they came back to hunt at intervals for many years and occupied their old camping grounds as of yore. A favorite rendezvous was on the One Hundred and Two river, south of the Mohler bridge. Quite a number always gathered where the Platteville road crosses Honey creek. Upon the East One Hundred and Two river, near Conway, was a favorite camping ground, as hunt- ing was good there. . Usually there were from three to five hundred in the county after the government removed them to Kansas. As a rule they were quiet and peaceable. In the early part of 1855, a man was killed in Ringgold county. It was charged to the Indians, although many thought the deed was done by white men. But it created great commotion in the different neighborhoods and the citizens put themselves as soon as possible in an attitude of defense, but this pre- caution was unnecessary as the Indians disclaimed responsibility for the murder, and continued on good terms with the whites. Buffalo had gone from this sec- tion at the time of settlement by the whites, but deer were plenty. Wolves were numerous and bold. It is told that one night a wolf sought to take Mrs. Woodford Dales' child from her arms in Mrs. Mohler's dooryard. Mr. Mohler at one time was attacked in his wagon by a black wolf or timber wolf as they were called.
Rattlesnakes were plentiful and bites were frequent, and whiskey was the unfailing antidote. The first girl baby born in the township was Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Meehan. Colonel Means, famous as a rebel sympathizer
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
in the first days of secession, is said to be the first man to preach the gospel in Clayton township. Rev. J. M. Stockton preached in the township a little later.
Daniel Greeson is said to have taught the first school. For many years the Baptists held services in schoolhouses in the township but a few years ago they built a neat church on section 24, on the state road and have a large membership, with regular services, and carry on the various departments of church work. The Methodists had an organization at the Beall schoolhouse, soon after the war, with a membership of twenty-five or thirty. The meetings were later held at the Bower's schoolhouse, Adam Wood and M. L. Payton being among the original members. Rev. Martindale was one of the early pastors, Rev. W. M. Van Vleet was later in charge. Rev. Hanshaw at one time preached to them, but for some time no regular organization has been kept up, the various members affiliating with churches in nearby towns.
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