USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
Many of the men whose names have been mentioned engaged in busi- ness at the county seat; others went on to farms and later retired to Ottumwa, where they engaged in business or other pursuits. Most of these pioneers, however, opened farms, cultivated the land, improved the farms by the erection of substantial buildings and remained upon them for the rest of their days, in the meantime raising large families, representatives of whom, in many instances, still remain either in the township or in other parts of the county. The history of Center Township is so closely related with that of the county seat as to hardly make it necessary to take up any further space in giving details.
CHAPTER XXV
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
This township is composed of congressional township 71, range 12. It . is situated in the southeastern corner of the county and has for its southern boundary Davis County; on the east is Jefferson County; on the north, Pleasant and Agency townships; and on the west, Keokuk and Agency townships. The prairie and bottom lands are both fertile and highly pro- ductive. They are drained by the Des Moines River, which cuts across the southwestern part of the township, and its tributaries. The Keokuk & Des Moines Valley and Chicago & Southwestern Railroads, both now parts of the great Rock Island system, enter the township on the east and west and leave it at the southeastern and northwestern corners, crossing each other at Eldon. Here abounds considerable coal and one of the largest mines in the county is at Laddsdale, on the Davis County line near the point where a branch of the Rock Island leaves Wapello County. The township has 10,911 acres of farm land, which produces large quantities of corn, oats, wheat and hay. Considerable cattle and hogs are raised for the markets.
Washington was the first township organized in the county. It was erected at the first meeting held by the County Commissioners' Court, May 20, 1844. The house of Thomas Ping was selected for the polling place and the judges were Reuben Myers, Robert Wright and Silas Garrison.
The settlement of Washington Township began with the coming of John B. Groover, a German, who located on the present site of Eldon in 1842, before the treaty had been signed by the original owners of the soil with the United States Government. Groover built a cabin near where the round house stands in Eldon, but was not permitted to remain unmolested, as he was a "squatter" and on the land illegally. He was driven off by Government troops but soon after the opening, in May, 1843, he returned and lived upon his claim about three years, when he died and was buried at a point in Eldon which happened later to be on the grade of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. In excavating for the road bed this pioneer's bones were brought to the light of day by a breaking plow.
The first sheriff of the county, Joseph Hayne, was one of the first set- tlers of the county and located here. Among others who came about the same time were John Priest, Gideon Myers, Joseph H. Flint, S. M. Wright, Thomas Ping, James Acton, John Acton, L. A. Myers, G. D. La Force,
277
278
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Demps Griggsby, Thomas Foster, Daniel Dennison, G. B. Savery, John Mael, Reuben Myers, Martin Fisher, E. Cummins and James H. Cartwright, who came to this township in April, 1843, bringing with him only one leg, as he had lost the other. Cartwright had the distinction of being the orig- inal of a justice of the peace, the central figure in John Mulvaney's cele- brated painting, "The Trial of a Horse Thief in a Western Justice's Court," which was valued in Chicago at $8,000, and occupied a place of honor in the gallery of the Lotus Club at New York City.
From a sketch prepared by a representative of the family it appears that William Betterton, who was born in Washington, D. C., came to Iowa in 1837 and settled in Wapello soon thereafter, locating in Washington Township. As the county was not then open to the settlement of "Whites," the query arises, "why was he permitted to remain?" However, the birth of Edwin Betterton, a son of William, is given as having occurred in Washington Township, January 3, 1840, so the family must have been here at that early day and before the county was legally given over to settlers. Of the Betterton family there were twelve children. The elder Betterton died in 1860 and his representatives give him the distinction of being the first white settler in this part of Iowa.
L. A. Myers was here in 1842 with a view of locating, but returned to his home in Indiana. He was back in 1844 and purchased a claim on section 15.
Reuben Myers settled in this township in 1843, coming from Indiana.
Thomas Foster was one of the original pioneers, who came in 1843 and located in this township. He married Miss P. J. Dennison in 1845 and reared a family of nine children. The Foster home was on section 8 and here the children were born. Mr. Foster was well known in the county as an influential citizen and a prosperous farmer. At one time he owned *1,000 acres of land.
May 1, 1843, S. M. Wright, one of many others, stepped over an imag- inary line in response to a signal that the "New Purchase" was open, and coming into this township, selected land for a farm. He was energetic and industrious and soon had to his credit 1,000 acres. Mr. Wright was Wapello County's first coroner. He also served the county as superinten- dent of schools and for a time was postmaster at Old Ashland.
Joseph H. Flint, who came into Wapello County in 1843, was one of the men to whom can be ascribed the title of pioneer. That was the year when Wapello County was given over by the Government to the white man and Joseph Flint was one to take advantage of the homestead law. His claim was one-half mile east of Eldon, where he lived until 1866 and then bought what was known as the Knight farm in Washington Town- ship. Here he resided until his death, May 22, 1871. Rev. Flint was a minister of the Baptist Church and followed his vocation most of his active life. This hardy settler also served in the State Legislature in 1846 and was
279
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
county judge from 1858 to 1862. A son, Isaac Flint, attended a district school of Washington Township, and the school year of 1857 in Ottumwa. For a number of years he was identified with newspaper work, part of which was on the Ottumwa Democrat, Ottumwa Times and El Paso Times. In 1899 he returned to farming in this township.
J. W. Acton belongs in the class of 1843, coming that year into the county from Van Buren County. He was a native of Ohio. Mr. Acton entered land in Washington Township soon after his arrival and followed farming until his death in 1875. A son, James J. Acton, was born on the homestead in 1848. The Actons figured largely in the history of this community.
D. P. Cremer may be classed among the first settlers of Wapello County, as he was here as early as 1844 and located in Washington Township. Mr. Cremer's daughter, Rebecca, married Richard Cremer, who was one of the pioneers of this county, his parents bringing him here when a child.
William Strickland, with his seven-year-old brother, Marshall W. Strickland, came from Illinois to Wapello County in 1844 and located on section 10, Washington Township. He remained here several years and then removed to Missouri. Marshall became a resident of Agency City in 1851 and for three years ran a blacksmith shop. In 1854 he returned to this township and began farming on a tract of land lying on sections 2, II and 12, which was his home for many years.
Enos Moore, of Ohio, settled in the county in 1845 and for many years was known as one of the staid and reliable men of Washington Township. For years he served faithfully and well as justice of the peace.
Henry Kuhns came to Wapello County' in 1846, and in 1867 he moved from his former farm to section 26.
Z. T. Knight was born in Wapello County in 1847. He married Susan Flint, who was also a pioneer, her birth taking place in Wapello County in 1853.
D. Newell was one of the men who located in the township in 1847 and acquired large tracts of land before his activities ceased. T. B. and John D. Newell both were born here, the former in 1856 and the latter in 1852. L. F. Newell came with his parents. The Newells were of the salt of the earth and were valuable additions to the community. John D. Newell married Ida M., daughter of Dr. Weir. She was born here in 1852.
Elijah Johnson, born in Indiana, came to Wapello County with his parents, Nicholas and Diadama Johnson, in 1848, the journey being made by wagon in two weeks. The family settled in Washington Township. In 1863, Elijah located on section 24, in Agency Township, and acquired sev- eral hundred acres of land by industry and superior judgment.
Jesse Hodson, an Indianian, removed to Wapello County from Henry County in 1848 and settled in Washington Township in 1849. Here his son, Reuben Hodson, was born March 4, 1849. The elder Hodson was a
280
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
good farmer and also followed the occupation of a miller. His death took place in 1857.
Vincent Vass, a blacksmith by trade, began his farm life in this town- ship in the year 1849. John C. Vass, a son, was then a lad of seventeen summers, who assisted his father in turning the virgin soil into a highly cultivated and productive farm, which eventually became his property through purchase.
Washington J. Warren located in this township and at once began the life of a farmer, in which he made a success. His record as a soldier in the Civil war was worthy of every commendation.
J. A. Israel located on section 3, in this township, in 1853. He was sent to the Legislature in 1877.
Patrick Henry immigrated from Indiana to Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1838, and to Wapello County in 1854, locating on section 2, Washington Township.
Leonidas M. Godley became one of the residents of this township in 1854, coming from Jefferson County. Mr. Godley was a veteran of the Civil war. In 1864 he was elected clerk of the courts and held the office fourteen years.
Moses C. Israel was born and lived in Ohio until six years of age, when he moved with his father, Thomas Israel, to Indiana. He came to Wapello County in 1854, locating on a farm in this township, in section II.
M. B. Myers came west from Indiana in 1834 and finally settled in Wapello County in 1855. He first began clerking in Thomas Ping's store at Ashland. After several removals he returned to Wapello County and entered the grocery business. Later he was a member of the railroad con- tracting firm of Gray, Baker & Madison. He was elected county auditor in 1875 and 1877.
William J. McCarroll was born in Ohio. He came to Wapello County in 1856 and settled in Washington Township. Mr. McCarroll removed from his farm to Ottumwa in 1871, where he opened a hardware store.
Alfred Carr came from England in 1857 and took up farming in this township the same year. Their son, Alfred, was born here in 1859 and became one of the well-to-do and influential men of the locality. The par- ents both died within a few years after taking up their residence here.
George W. Creath was a "Buckeye" by birth. He came to Wapello County in 1858 and located in Washington Township and lived for a long period of years on a farm he had purchased. His Civil war record was a good one and as a citizen he stood well. Mr. Creath married Melissa J. Myers, whose father, Reuben Myers, settled in this township in 1843.
Hiram J. Israel, a son of Thomas Israel, was born in Washington Township in 1859. At the age of twenty-two years he purchased a tract of forty acres of land in section 10, in this township, and as the years accumulated added largely to his possessions.
281
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Moses C. Isreal was an early settler of this township, entering a claim and improving his land holdings, which made him a prosperous and influ- ential citizen.
S. L. Hearn was one of the very early settlers in the county, coming a year before the opening of the "New Purchase." His home was on sec- tion 35. Mr. Hearn entered land and by his industry accumulated several hundred acres in Washington Township.
Washington Township was organized into four school districts in 1844, each district being three miles square. The first schoolhouse was built that year in the northwest district and taught by John H. Nicholas. Thomas Foster was the school director and G. B. Savery, secretary. There are now nine school buildings in the township.
Thomas Ping was the first justice of the peace in the township and John B. Caldwell the first constable; S. M. Wright was the first coroner.
Silas Garrison took the initiative in religious matters and discoursed the first public address on biblical topics given in the township. Reuben Myers and Enos Moore organized the first Sabbath school in the first schoolhouse built here.
Washington Township has its "deserted village," which in early days was a thriving little trading point and the literary center of this part of the county. One of the pioneer teachers of Ashland, to which reference has just been made, has written of the past glories of the old place and given its history in detail, which is here reproduced :
OLD ASHLAND
The village of Old Ashland, in Washington Township, was once a pros- perous place of several hundred inhabitants. Thomas Ping laid out the town, kept a large hotel and entertained the travelers. The state road passed through Ashland and was the stage coach route across the state. "Stage drivers," as they were called in those days stopped at the Ping Hotel. Mr. Ping also kept a large barn for the stage coach horses and here the drivers would change horses before going on. They drove from four to six horses at a time, owing to the condition of the roads and number of passengers.
At one time Ashland had four stores of merchandise, a bank, the Good Templars Hall, a sawmill and brick yard and the postoffice, with a daily mail.
Ashland schools were good, students coming from all the adjoining towns as far as Burlington, Oskaloosa, Albia, Fremont, Drakesville and Brookville. The school building was a two-story brick, two rooms below. The upper story was left in one large room and was used for religious pur- poses until the Methodist Episcopal Church was built. At first the school was called Ashland Seminary; this was during the '50s. Some of the
282
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
teachers who taught during those years were Miss Ann Frizzelle, Messrs. Dwight, Dawson, Nelson and Fish. About 1860 the school board hired Professor Hull and sister to take charge of the school. Then students paid tuition. Professor Hull changed the name of the school from seminary to Ashland Academy. His wife taught music and drawing.
Gov. F. M. Drake had two sisters who attended school at this time. In 1862 Professor Hull resigned and enlisted in the Seventeenth Iowa Infan- try as lieutenant of Company E. Professor Shelton and sister took charge of the school for a while. Afterwards Miss Everett and Miss Ward had charge. Professor Hull resigned and came home from the army. In the fall and winter of 1863-4 he had what he called a "select school," kept up by tuition, in the upper room of his residence. Beside the schools already mentioned, there was a public school which was well attended.
Ashland is justly proud of her past record, when we remember such men as Dr. D. A. La Force and L. M. Godley, at one time county clerk of Wapello County ; P. I. B. Ping, state senator of Kansas; Andrew Israel, now of Denver; Judge George W. Nimocks, of Great Bend, Kansas; Rev. T. J. Myers, of Mount Pleasant ; Ira A. Myers, and others who have gone from Old Ashland to be a blessing to the world. The church and the school buildings were built of brick that were made and burned in the brick yard south of the school building. The old style manner of making brick was by mixing the clay by hitching a horse to a rude looking hopper and grinding until of the proper consistency, then molded and dried in the sun until ready for the brick kiln.
The mail came to Agency after the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road passed through the country, and there was no more need of the stage coach. Ashland still had daily mail but it had to be carried from Agency.
Latham Searle, father of Dr. W. B. Searle, was postmaster during the Civil war and was always on time with the mail. People knew just when to expect their mail and all rushed to the postoffice to hear the latest news from the enemy. Who was killed? Who taken prisoner? Who missing? Where was the latest battle fought? Who of the Ashland boys were among the killed and wounded? Such were the questions asked in those days, while the postmaster was distributing the mail. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad passed north and the Keokuk & Des Moines south ; the Rock Island came from the northeast and crossed at Eldon and all left Ashland to one side. A number of Ashland people bought lots in Eldon known then as Ashland Crossing, and moved, until now there are only a few houses left that were here in 1860. Ashland still has good schools, employs good teachers, has Sunday school and preaching every Sunday. Our forefathers have laid a good foundation, the young and ris- ing generations are following in the way that makes for peace and happi- ness here and the promise of eternal life hereafter.
283
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
ELDON
Eldon is situated on the north bank of the Des Moines River, in sec- tions 26 and 27, and was laid out in 1870 by J. M. Love, George Gillaspy, Edward Johnston, William Leighton and George Williams. O. Baldwin, of Keokuk, did the platting. Among the first to locate in the new railroad town were James Bradley, Peter Mulvaney, Martin Dooley, W. H. Cass, Ed Dibble, Patrick Russell and J. C. Nelson. The inception of the town was by reason of the site being made a station, on the line of the Keokuk & Des Moines Railroad, now the Rock Island, and named Ashland Crossing ; later it was called Williamsburg and eventually, Eldon.
The land on which Eldon stands attracted William Riordan, John Flynn, Timothy Ryan, Jere Keefe and a few others, in 1861, as a desirable place in which to live and here they erected modest homes, which became the nucleus of the future town. William Flint built a sawmill, which was kept busy supplying lumber to others desiring to build; and the place grew. It is now a division point of the Rock Island Railroad and the Southwestern branch of that road crosses here. The population is about two thousand and the town is centrally located between Ottumwa, Keosauqua, Bloomfield and Fairfield. It has a municipal electric light and waterworks system, many churches, two good school buildings, library, opera house and holds yearly the splendid "Big Four" fair.
The town of Eldon separated from Washington Township in 1872 and was incorporated. The first officials were: D. K. Taylor, mayor ; Ed Dibble, recorder; Peter Mulvaney, treasurer ; A. L. Irving, Adam Blair, J. C. Nelson, F. X. Kaffer, trustees.
THE POSTOFFICE
Ashland was laid out on section 9, by Thomas Ping in 1844, and was one of the leading trade centers in the county. Here the mother church of the Methodist Society in Wapello County was organized by Rev. Thomas Kirkpatrick in 1843, and Thomas Ping was made the first postmaster in the township, in 1844. The office was discontinued in 1868, when the place was deserted for Eldon the more fortunate new town, which had secured a railroad. The Eldon office was first known as Williamsburg, and was established March 2, 1868. B. D. Loftus was the first appointee, but remained in the position of postmaster only a short time. His successor, Bradford C. Wicks, was commissioned August 27, 1868. E. I. Cummins was the next postmaster, his commission being of date October 22, 1868. In 1871 the name of the office was changed to Eldon and E. I. Cummins was the first one to serve the new town in the capacity of postmaster. His successors were: E. T. Roland, June 26, 1871 ; William Houston, July 22, 1885; John J. Croddy, January 13, 1888; E. T. Roland, March 25. 1889;
284
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Edmond J. Bradley, September 21, 1893; William G. Crow, September 17, 1897; E. T. Roland, March 1, 1902.
CITY HALL
For many years Eldon had no town hall, but rented rooms for the council. About the year 1899, a one-story brick building was erected, cost- ing probably two thousand dollars. The front room is used for meetings of council and the mayor's office. A central room is devoted to the volun- teer fire department and apparatus, consisting of hose cart and hose. In the rear are iron cages for the unfortunate ones falling into the hands of the marshal, who represents and is the whole police force of the place.
WATERWORKS
A good system of waterworks has been in operation here since 1893, when the city built the waterworks. The aqua pura is obtained from two large wells and is pumped to a reservoir on top of a hill 190 feet high. This affords a pressure of about eighty pounds, which is more than suffi- cient to throw a stream of water over the highest building.
ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT
The streets, public places, business houses and residences of Eldon are furnished lights by a municipal plant which was built out of funds on hand in 1897. The dynamos and other apparatus are installed at the water- works pumping station, where power is furnished for generating the invisible power. The power house is one story in height and was built of brick and cement. Eldon also has a sanitary sewerage system over a small part of the city. A movement is now on foot for its extension.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Through persistent and strenuous efforts of a coterie of energetic and high-minded women of Eldon, sufficient funds were collected through con- tributions of citizens and entertainments of various descriptions to establish a library in 1906. A room was secured in the Hunnell Building which, after about 1,000 volumes had been collected, was thrown open to the public every afternoon. The innovation was heartily appreciated by many patrons and the promoters were greatly encouraged in their enterprise. In 1908 the library association was incorporated under the state laws and at that time support was secured from the city for the maintenance of the institu- tion. Some time thereafter correspondence was begun with Andrew Car- negie, the Iron King, for the purpose of securing a donation from him
HILL SCHOOL, ELDON
SOUTH SIDE OF ELM STREET, ELDON
PUBLIC LIBRARY, ELDON
285
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
with which to erect a library building. The effort was successful and $7,500 was obtained. A splendid little brick building was erected on Elm Street on a lot purchased from St. Mary's parish, for $700. On Friday evening, May 9, 1913, this splendid benefaction was opened to the public, after dedicatory exercises had been observed at the Christian Church.
The first permanent officers were as follows: Miss Blanche Norton, president ; Mrs. E. E. Hillis, vice president ; Mrs. C. E. Abbott, secretary ; Mrs. J. O. Hunnell, treasurer ; Mrs. N. I. Wilson, Mrs. J. E. Varnum, Mrs. Henry Vass, Mrs. E. E. Finney, Mrs. W. O. Bagley, Miss Blanche Norton, Mrs. E. E. Hillis, Mrs. C. E. Abbott, and Mrs. J. O. Hunnell, directors ; Miss Jessie Alford, librarian, and she is the present incumbent.
FINANCIAL
Eldon has two banks, the first of which, the Eldon Savings Bank, was incorporated June 5, 1895, with a capital of $10,000, by WV. G. Crow, George Earhart, H. C. Mason, S. H. Sawyers and J. E. Varnum.
The first officials were: W. G. Crow, president, and George Earhart, vice president, both of whom are now deceased; and J. E. Varnum, cashier.
The bank began doing business in a brick building on Elm Street and later removed to its present home in a building which was formerly the home of the Bradley Bank. The present officials are: Dr. S. H. Sawyers, president; J. W. Hall, vice president; J. E. Varnum, cashier. Capital, $10,000; surplus, $5,000; deposits, $90,000.
The First National Bank began doing business under its charter in 1900. This institution grew out of the private bank of William Bradley and until 1907 occupied the building where the Savings Bank is established.
D. C. Bradley was the first president of the First National, and in June, 1909, retired in favor of his brother, James A. Bradley, both of whom are residents of Centerville. J. O. Hunnell is vice president ; C. W. Finney, .cashier ; and K. C. Finney, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $25,000; surplus and undivided profits, $6,000; deposits, $167,000.
SCHOOLS
The first school in the Township of Washington was built at "Old Ash- land" in 1844, and taught by John H. Nicholas. This school was near Eldon and the children of that vicinity attended there. In 1872 Eldon was made an independent district and on April 23d of that year E. H. Kaffer was elected president and J. E. Alverson, secretary of the first school board. Soon a school building was erected and some years later a high school building. The town has always felt a just pride in its educational advantages, which equal any in the county, as its high school is an accredited institution, with all the modern systems and appliances required for turning out graduates fit to matriculate in colleges of the land.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.