USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 30
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
286
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
CHURCHES
St. Aloysius Catholic Church was the first religious body organized in Eldon, this being about 1872. Building operations began upon a house of worship in that year, but before much headway had been made a high wind blew the incompleted structure to the ground. This was only the beginning of trouble in this regard. Before the church was completed, it was blown down a second time. The first church edifice stood one block west and one north of where the Methodist Church is located. The pres- ent structure succeeded the old one in a new location and was put up at a cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars. Father O'Brien, now deceased, was the first pastor. Father Hogan and others later served the church from Fairfield. Father M. W. Vaughn came here July 21, 1913 and is the first resident priest. He is now building a two-story frame rectory. This parish has a membership of thirty-five families. Services are held three Sundays in the month.
The Methodist Episcopal Church Society at this place was formed through the earnest efforts of Mrs. Henry Dornsife, mother of Mrs. Mur- ray, a present active worker in the church, who induced a number of the citizens to gather together in 1872 for the purpose of making a permanent organization. A meeting was called, which was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dornsife, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Shore, Mr. and Mrs. Ander- son Myers, Mr. and Mrs. George Knight, Mrs. L. M. Godley and Mrs. Maria Cross, and before adjournment the Methodist Episcopal Church of Eldon had taken on a permanent character. The society was incor- porated and after holding services in various places the society occupied a small frame building, which it erected in the spring of 1873. The building was enlarged and remodeled in 1884 and is still in the service to which it was consecrated. Rev. George H. Byrket was the first pastor to occupy this pulpit and remained in the charge two years. He was followed in 1874 by John Davis, whose pastorate also covered two years. Reverend Allender came in 1876 and among others of the early pastors were J. B. Hill, John Hackley and J. B. Hill for the second time. Rev. J. B. Kendrick succeeded Reverend Hill and was followed by Rev. J. D. Simmons, who took up the work on this charge in the year 1888. Then came Reverends Gardner and Patterson. Reverend Boydston began his pastorate in 1892 and remained two years. His successors were Rev. W. G. Barber, who was here two years; Reverend Beckum, one year ; F. T. Barker, six years; Reverend Styles, two years; Reverend Tuttle, two years; Reverend Cogshall, two years; Reverend Cummins, two years; and W. T. Selby, now in charge, in his second year.
About the Ist of September, 1879, Rev. A. S. Elliott, a home missionary, stationed at Belknap, Davis County, visited Eldon, and finding six or more persons members of Congregational Churches proposed to preach to
287
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
them occasionally. This was acceptable, and on Sunday, September 14th, he held services at the Methodist Episcopal Church and at the schoolhouse that same evening. Meetings continued to be held by Reverend Elliott, Reverend Hayes, a Baptist minister, and Reverend Adams, state super- intendent of Home Missions, until the evening of January 2, 1880, when a formal organization of the Congregational Church was perfected, with the following charter members: Charles A. Dibble, Mrs. Catharine Dib- ble, Miss Laura Dibble, Mrs. Cynthia Huston, Edward P. Howard, Mrs. Mary J. Howard, H. S. Fertney, Mrs. Amelia B. Fertney, Mrs. Charlotte Scheffer, T. C. Boorne, Mrs. Carrie Boorne, Mrs. Hannah Wright, Dr. C. Allen, Mrs. Emma Scheffer, Mrs. Emma Norton, Mrs. Francis Holsey, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Healy, Mrs. Frances Mosely, Mrs. P. L. Whitney, Mrs. Sarah Hoagland and William D. Hoagland.
January 14, 1880, T. C. Boorne and A. J. Scheffer were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions to secure a lot and to erect a church building. The house of worship was finished that year and on December 8th was dedicated. Rev. B. St. John occupied the pulpit and was the local pastor until 1883, when he was succeeded by J. O. Emerson. Those who followed were namely: Revs. W. M. Brooks, 1884; W. E. Holyoke, 1887; W. A. Black, 1888; E. E. Willey, 1890; J. G. Hodges, 1890; William Jones, January 1, 1892; S. A. Miller, October, 1893; George Marsh, December, 1898; J. R. Kaye, January, 1900; P. M. France, April, 1901 ; Edwin S. McClure, September 1, 1903; Marion D. Reed, 1906; and the pres- ent pastor, Rev. J. H. Skyles, who took charge in 1909.
The Free Methodist Church was organized at Eldon in 1887, with Cyrus Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. Alman, Lizzie Haines, Ruth Shunterman, Independence Hollen, Ida Hollen and Sadie Hollen, charter members. The church building, a frame structure, was erected in 1887, and cost $1,000. The pastors have been the following named: 1887-90, S. S. Stew- art ; 1890, J. P. Doud; 1891, George J. Cameron ; 1892-4, J. M. Lute ; 1894, S. S. Stewart; 1895, George J. Cameron ; 1896-8, L. A. Bishop; 1898-1900, W. E. Ambrose; 1900-1902, W. A. Whitlock; 1902-1904, J. M. Lute; 1904, E. J. Fish; 1905-1907, John Booton; 1907, L. S. Gilkison; 1908, William Hager; 1909-12, B. H. Beahner; 1912, L. S. Gilkison, 1913 to the present time, S. S. Stewart.
J. J. Ritz came to Eldon about 1888 and soon after with Thomas Sheets canvassed the town and got names of all who had been members of a Christian Church elsewhere. He then issued a call for a meeting, which was attended by the following persons, who afterwards became members of the local Christian Church : J. J. Ritz and wife, Thomas Sheets, Elizabeth Johnson, Mrs. Gus Alford, Mrs. George Rock, Mrs. Box, wife of the doctor of that name, and Mrs. Beard. This meeting may be con- sidered the beginning of the Christian Church here. For a year there- after prayer meetings were held every afternoon at the Ritz home. In the
288
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
meantime Mr. Ritz secured a minister from Pittsburg, who held services in the schoolhouse, the G. A. R. Hall and homes of members. Later a room was rented over Trott's Store and used by the society, which finally bought the old schoolhouse and moved it to the site of the present church building. Previous to this, however, a lot had been purchased in another part of town but it was sold and the site on which the church now stands was purchased. The schoolhouse was remodeled as it now appears. The present pastor is Rev. C. H. Clark, who took charge early in the year 1914.
The Baptist Church was organized about the year 1893 and had for its first pastor, Rev. Jacob Cornelius. A church building was erected in 1894, which cost about two thousand, five hundred dollars. There are now about seventy members.
The Church of Pentecostal Nazarenes was organized in the year 1913 by Rev. F. C. Behner and Reverend Flanery. Reverend Behner was the first regular pastor. He was succeeded early in the year 1914 by Reverend J. R. Yount. The church has a Sabbath School and Young People's Society. As yet it has no church building. The meetings are held in a hall south of the depot.
For some years past a Christian Science Church has been established here.
SOCIETIES
At the town of Black Hawk, Van Buren County, opposite Iowaville, Pulaski Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F., was established August 18, 1850, with twelve members. In 1852 the lodge was taken to Iowaville, and the name changed to Iowaville Lodge, No. 28. From 1863 to 1872 the lodge was dormant, but on May 26th of the latter year it was revived with thirteen members, namely : W. H. Cross, J. D. Alverson, B. F. Welch, T. M. Taylor, T. P. Kelley, T. Barnes, T. B. Allen, E. T. Roland, D. Yeoder, J. C. Nelson, J. W. Nicholas, and W. H. Nicholas, of Magnolia Lodge, No. 24, Agency City, who were granted the privilege of removing the lodge to Eldon and changing the name to Eldon Lodge, No. 28. The charter in accordance with the above was granted October 17, 1872, and on the 27th of December fol- lowing, the removal was made. About 1891 the lodge erected a brick build- ing on Elm Street, two stories in height, and in 1913 built the east half of it. The ground floor has two business rooms, while the upper floor is taken up by the lodge.
The auxiliary lodge, Rachel Chapter, No. 77, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized October 19, 1876, with thirty-six charter members.
The Masons have a strong lodge here but no details can be given as to its organization, owing to lack of data. The Order of Eastern Star, Grand Hope Chapter, No. 66, which is auxiliary to the A. F. & A. M., was organ- ized September 13, 1888, with thirty charter members.
Baptist Church
-
Methodist Episcopal Church
Christian Church
Catholic Church
A GROUP OF ELDON CHURCHES
289
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Vorhies Post, G. A. R. was organized in the '8os, and the Woman's Relief Corps, No. 43, was organized October 19, 1885, with sixteen charter mem- bers.
Advance Lodge, No. 97, Knights of Pythias, was established October 7, 1884, with the following charter members: William Huston, R. W. Huston, E. T. Roland, M. J. Pusey, J. A. Broconfield, B. O. Foss, J. M. Dodge, W. H. Hyde, A. S. Craig, W. S. Stone, J. D. Renfrew, J. M. Schee, F. J. Milks, O. J. Garriott, C. A. Simmons, E. C. Nichols, C. W. Nicklin, I. M. Burgess, D. O. Drake, L. B. Carl, T. J. Knouse, D. W. Drake, L. E. Courtney, J. A. Northrop, C. J. Stevens, J. W. Whitmore.
Eldon Camp, No. 553, M. W. A., organized May 13, 1888, with O. J. Garriott, J. S. Barley, J. R. Patterson, Mark Hillis, W. H. Bierce, R. W. McEldery, A. C. Mowery, A. Schunterman, J. A. Trott, J. E. Bates and M. Whitmore as charter members.
Riverside Camp, No. 4225, Royal Neighbors, organized June 2, 1905, with twenty-four members.
Other societies established here are Eldon Lodge, No. 1033, Royal Order Moose, organized June 21, 1912, with forty members; Eldon Lodge, No. 291, A. O. U. W., organized April 24, 1890; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Order of Railroad Conductors, Order of Railroad Trainmen, Order of the Maccabees.
The ladies of Eldon have been quite active in the formation of societies peculiarly their own, among which may be mentioned the Fortnightly Club, organized in the '70s; the Four M Club, the P. E. O., the Thimble, the L'Regene and the Bay View clubs.
BIG FOUR DISTRICT FAIR ASSOCIATION
An organization that has attracted considerable attention to this section of the county is the Big Four District Fair Association, which was formed in the fall of 1890. The first officials of the enterprise were W. G. Crow, president ; R. Ritz, vice president; Mark Hillis, treasurer; H. R. Baker; secretary. The association bought thirty-one acres of land lying along the river and Rock Island tracks, upon which were erected necessary buildings. The first meeting was held in the fall of 1891 and since that time annual meets without any cessation have drawn crowds to exhibitions of a high order. The present officials are: Dr. D. A. Jay, president ; J. W. Hall, vice president ; H. R. Baker, secretary.
Vol. 1-19
.
Wagon Bridge, Des Moines River Soldiers' Monument, City Park Flood Scene, 1903 Walnut Street
High School
SCENES OF EDDYVILLE
CHAPTER XXVI
COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP
Columbia Township comprises all of congressional township 73, range 15 west, except sections 34 and 35 and those parts of 23, 25, 26 and 36 which lie southwest of the river. Des Moines River enters Wapello County at the northwest corner of the township and flows in a southeasterly direction. Its principal tributary in the township is North Avery Creek, and these streams water and drain a fine body of prairie land which is very productive. Underneath the soil lay coal and limestone in large quantities.
Columbia is bounded on the north by Mahaska County, on the west by Monroe County, on the south by Polk and Cass townships and on the east by Richland Township. It was organized June 4, 1844. The first election was held at the house of David Meigs, and the judges were Walter Clement, John Miller and Jacob Burgett.
The history of Columbia Township begins with the advent of J. P. Eddy, an Indian trader, who made his appearance here in 1841, bringing with him a government grant to 640 acres of land (section 6), upon which he estab- lished the town bearing his name. Mr. Eddy bartered and traded with Hard Fish's band of Indians and cultivated the land upon which he settled with his family and about a dozen artisans he brought with him from Warren County, Ohio.
James Benedict arrived in the township in 1843; also E. D. Fish, Rich- ard Butcher, Walter Clement, Nicholas Scribner, J. T. Wiley, Scott Steele, Jacob Burgett, John Miller, Martin Tucker, Doctor Ross, Homer D. Ives. Mr. Benedict located about four miles above Eddyville, where he built the first sawmill in that section of the country. He became a prominent factor in this new county and was the first justice of the peace in the township and performed the first marriage ceremony here in 1845. The couple he united was James Wilson and Catherine Steele, daughter of Scott Steele.
The first white child born in the township was George Caldwell, son of J. W. Caldwell, and a daughter of this pioneer family, Clara, was the first person to be buried in the settlement.
William A. Roberts came to this township in 1844 and located on a farm in section 29, which his father entered. He married Amanda Stuber, born in Wapello County in 1854.
Joseph Gardner was a native of Ireland, who came to America at the age of fifteen. The year 1844 found him in Iowa and a settler in Colum- bia Township. He purchased a farm and died there many years ago.
291
292
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Washington Olney, a native of Ohio, removed from Illinois to Iowa in 1844 and located in Wapello County, selecting a farm in this township on which to live.
W. L. Palmer was brought to Eddyville by his parents in 1845. He was then three years of age. He served in the Civil war and became editor and proprietor of the Eddyville Advertiser.
Silas Warren settled here in 1845 and Amos West in 1855.
John Kavanagh entered a tract of land in section 4, Columbia Town- ship in 1845 and took up his residence there. He had a fine farm in a few years and became one of the solid men of Columbia.
Samuel Fish moved to Eddyville from Van Buren County in 1846 and there lived in retirement from his medical practice. A son, Eras- mus D. Fish, with Doctor Ross and and J. P. Eddy, helped lay out the town of Eddyville. Doctor Fish died in 1849. Erasmus Fish opened a store in Eddyville in 1843, which was purchased by his brother, John M. Fish, in 1846. John M. Fish, however, did not locate in Eddyville until 1852, when he formed a partnership with - Dunlap. Selling out to the latter in 1856. John M. Fish purchased the land at what is now known as Fishville, situated about seventeen miles from Eddyville. This property he leased to outside parties on a royalty of one cent per bushel of coal and realized handsomely on his venture. Later, the property was leased to various persons and companies.
Dr. James Nosler was one of the pioneers of Columbia Township, locating with his family at Eddyville in May, 1846. His son, Henry C. Nosler, was three years of age when he arrived here. This son went into the Civil war when a boy. He made a good record and returning home worked for the United States Express Company, finally becoming its agent at Ottumwa, and is now, 1914, a justice of the peace.
Leonard Knox came to Wapello County in 1847 and became one of the industrious farmers of the community.
Homer D. Ives located in Eddyville at an early date, after graduating from the law department of Yale College. Here he practiced law and became well known among the legal fraternities of Wapello, Monroe, Marion, Appanoose, Mahaska and Keokuk counties. He at an early period purchased lots in Eddyville and from time to time as he became able, increased their value by erecting on them buildings. He was the agent of Berdan, who bought of J. P. Eddy the original town plat of Eddyville. Mr. Ives was a public-spirited man and a successful financier. He died sud- denly in Keokuk, October 14, 1867.
Arnold Johnson came to America in 1847, landing at New Orleans. Coming up the Mississippi to St. Louis, he soon reached this section of Iowa and settled on a claim in section 7, Columbia Township. He built a a log house and began the improvement of the farm which in later years was enlarged by the acres Mr. Johnson added to it. In 1892 he sold the
293
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
place to his son, Arnold E. Johnson, who was born there and in May of the same year the pioneer passed to his final rest.
Peter Knox left his native Ohio for Iowa in 1847 and located on sec- tion 21, in this township. He held several important offices, among them being county treasurer and recorder, supervisor and member of the Legis- lature.
John W. Nye was born in Cass Township in 1848 and in 1869 removed to a farm in this township on section 33.
David Brown, a Virginian, moved to Indiana and from there to Mis- souri. In 1846 he began a residence of two years in Mahaska County, Iowa, and from there removed to Wapello County in 1848, locating on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he entered from the Government. In time Mr. Brown became one of the wealthiest men in the township. His death occurred in 1900. His son, William A. Brown, may be considered a pioneer of Wapello County, as he was born in Columbia Township in 1849.
One of the first lawyers to locate here was R. W. Boyd, who removed from Des Moines to Eddyville in 1848 and began the study of law two years later. He held the offices of mayor, city attorney and justice of the peace.
Caleb Heacock immigrated from Ohio to Wapello County in 1849 and entered 160 acres of land in this township.
Thomas J. Newell came to Wapello County in 1849 with his parents, who located on a tract of land in section 15, this township. The elder Newell died within one year after his arrival, and for forty-six years their son lived on the place. At the time of his death, August 9, 1900, he had acquired 679 acres of land.
John B. Miller settled on section 23, Columbia Township, in 1850.
David Cook, Sr., entered land on section 2, this township, in 1850, and became a leading citizen.
William Bolibaugh was born in Columbia Township in 1853. His father, Aaron Bolibaugh came into the township from Indiana in 1851 and began farming 134 acres of land, which he had entered in 1848. The Bolibaughs were frugal and industrious, which means they became valued citizens of the community.
Peter Kurtz, a Pennsylvanian, settled here in 1852.
John Burgess commenced farming in Columbia Township in 1853.
James Anderson began farming on section 19, Columbia Township in 1853 and became one of the influential men of the community.
Samuel Shawver was born in Ohio and when a young man came west. The country in and about Wapello County looked good to him and he was induced to settle with his family in this township in 1853. He purchased a farm, raised a family of children and added gratifyingly to his worldly possessions.
294
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
William J. Bower was one of the early boot and shoe merchants of Eddyville, opening a stock of goods here in 1854.
Peter Francis became a citizen of Eddyville in 1855, where he worked most of his time as a wheelwright, his work being of the best, as it was done by hand. He was a skilled workman and an article turned out by him was always noted for its excellence.
John H. Gish, Sr., was a pioneer settler of Eddyville, coming here from Indiana in 1856. He was a man of importance locally.
EDDYVILLE
The Town of Eddyville was laid out in 1843, on section 6, by its owner, J. P. Eddy, who gave the place his own name with the addition of ville thereto. It is on the east bank of the Des Moines River and corners on three counties-Wapello, Monroe and Mahaska. Here the Indian trader built a log structure, which he stocked with general merchandise, over which he placed Richard Butcher, a young man, who had worked for Eddy on the farm. This was the first building in Eddyville and the first store, the stock having been transferred to it from the farm house, where the trader had bartered with the Indians the preceding two years. Mr. Eddy was familiar with the red man's habits and tastes and kept on hand, among various other articles, saddles, bridles, calico, beads, coffee and sugar. He kept an account book, one of which fortunately, is preserved and is now one of the historic treasures of the Ottumwa Library. That the reader may gain an insight into the dealings of this trader with his red brothers, when the latter pre- vailed here, a reproduction is here given of a page taken from the day book of J. P. Eddy, kept by him in 1841.
Mr. Eddy left the town he founded in 1844 and spent the remainder of his days at St. Louis. A daughter, however, remained in Eddyville for many years thereafter and lived to see it grow into an important trading point. Before his departure, however, Eddy built a frame schoolhouse, possibly the first in the county, which was used for various purposes-school, relig- ious, political and amusement. The last vestige of this building disappeared in the early '80s.
Mr. Eddy, in 1844, sold his stock of merchandise to E. D. Fish; in 1846, Richard Butcher, erstwhile clerk for Eddy, formed a partnership with Wil- liam Cox and began a rivalry with the pioneer store established by Eddy.
The town of Eddyville was practically in existence at the time the county was opened to settlers and thus preceded the county seat in the order of birth. For a while, therefore, there was no question of rivalry between the two towns, but Ottumwa soon began to gain importance, being the seat of justice, overtook Eddyville in the struggle and passed on, leaving her in the distance. But Eddyville continued to grow. A weekly mail was established in 1844, a school and church were in existence, the merchants were getting busier daily.
Topo Cous
134 1840 1 July 12 To 30 Mich Sinnew
ing faring)
40
14 00
Flannel
100
1/2 Ble Filow
800 400
5 Mds Calico
-
40
200
1 00
18
Jugar 1.00- 18 Shoes 112 "
$ 30.92
July 15" " 1 Bridle by Head man
250
Thread y Mede Cinnew
--
40
280
212
A PAGE FROM INDIAN TRADER EDDY'S JOURNAL
295
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
In 1844 Martin Tucker began feeding travelers at his hotel established in an abandoned Indian wigwam made of bark. Not long afterward William Dunlap and Nicholas Scribner opened taverns.
The first blacksmith shop in Eddyville was built and conducted by J. W. Caldwell and J. T. Wiley, in 1844, and in 1847 the town had a pottery, which was started that year by J. H. McNamee.
By the year 1847, Eddyville had a population of about twenty families, among whom were J. T. Wiley, Nicholas Scribner, Walter Clement, William Dunlap, B. H. Palmer, David Campbell, Robert Akins, James Amos, Rich- ard Butcher, Doctor Fish, Milton Fish, W. T. Caldwell, Doctor Nosler, Doctor Ross, Homer D. Ives, William Cox, Martin Tucker, John B. Gray, Joseph Roberts, and R. W. Boyd.
Roberts brothers carried the first mail and a man by the name of Martin ran the first ferry.
Tradition has it that J. P. Eddy and his wife, Elizabeth, could not agree as to what the town should be called. They thereupon drew cuts to deter- mine the name. The head of the house was successful in the game of chance and favored his own name. His his wife won, the town most likely would now be known as Elizabethtown. Walter Clement, who afterward became county surveyor, ran the border lines of the town and laid off the lots. He was the first school teacher at Eddyville and in the township.
Dudley Barker was also a pioneer pedagogue and maintained a private school. Among his pupils were children of Scott Steele.
A woolen mill was built by James Brady in 1851, and operated by ox power. In 1855 Benedict and Vance also engaged in the business; in 1858 Mr. Benedict operated a mill on his own account and in 1862 took a Mr. Wilmot into partnership, which lasted until 1866. A new mill was erected by a Mr. Stanley in 1867, which went into the control of John M. Fish in 1873 and was operated by him until 1877. The old brick woolen mill remains standing to this day-an old brick structure that would indicate from the black spaces on its walls that it had at one time been used as a schoolhouse.
The first wagon making establishment in Eddyville was opened by Joseph Perry in 1853.
Isaac Riggs began the milling business in 1865 and the mill is still run- ning. In 1867 John M. Fish, Robert Cooper and George Bliss & Company built the Star Mills at a cost of $29,000. Manning & Caldwell ran a pork packing house from 1865 until 1875 and B. Waltz started a brewery in 1868. These two latter industries long since have been out of existence.
THE EDDYVILLE BRIDGE
In 1855 a number of enterprising citizens inaugurated the Eddyville Toll Bridge Company, and $30,000 was subscribed in stock. A contract was let but before the completion of the bridge, all but eight of the original stock-
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.