USA > Iowa > Warren County > History of Warren County, Iowa : from its earliest settlement to 1908; with biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 35
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 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
Digizedby Google
348
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
W. G. Sandy and J. M. Blanchard were the first settlers in Union township. They entered their land in 1848 when the land was first put on the market. D. A. Felter and Philip Lambert were also early settlers.
Sandyville was laid out by W. J. Sandy in 1851. J. W. Sherman erected the first house. In 1855 the first store was opened by James Stafford and J. Moorman.
Directory. E. S. Heiney, general store; Ilicks & Sutton, general store; Will Greene, barber ; J. A. Greene, restaurant ; Joseph Knox, blacksmith ; M. D. Riddle, physician.
The postoffice was abolished abont a year ago and the people receive their mail on a rural route from Ackworth.
Sandyville was incorporated in 1905. The present city officers are. Joseph Knox, Mayor; Dr. M. D. Riddle, Clerk; Charles Carpenter, Treasurer ; Elmer MeRae, Marshal; James Brown, Bert Stone. E. Stanley. Elias Hicks, Henry Bassett and James Greene, Councilmen.
CHURCHES.
CHRISTIAN.
The Christian church was organized over fifty years ago. A very com- fortable church building has been erected, which was destroyed by the cyclone of July 4, 1876. The society was reorganized about 1890. The present building was erected in 1892 at a cost of $1.600. The present membership is seventy-five. A flourishing Sunday school and a Ladies Aid Society are well maintained.
METHODIST.
The first society of Methodists was organized in 1867 consisting of seven members. In 1873 they purchased a small church building of the "Seven Day Adventists" in which they worshiped until 1898, when the old building was wrecked and the present structure erected at a cost of $1,200. A Sunday school and Epworth League are maintained. R. G. Vanatta is the present pastor.
UNITED BRETHREN.
Otterbien United Brethren Church. Early in 1850, regular preaching was established in the home of T. J. Sinnard; later a log schoolhouse was erected in the community in which religious services were held. A society of United Brethren was organized by Rev. Corbin, which was finally disbanded because of deaths and removals, but was reorganized in 1878, by Rev. J. H. Young. The constitutent members were, S. A. Gose and wife, D. C. Pearson and wife, Richard Pearson and wife, Aaron Reeves and wife, Samuel Hagan and Alice Pearson. The present membership is twenty-five. A large number of pastors have served this society, some for a shorter, some for a longer period. In 1884, the society erected a commodious church on the corner of S. A. Gose's farm in section 2 in
Dlg zedby Google
349
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
I'nion township. At present the society is supplied with regular preaching
once in two weeks. Mrs. Henry Thompson is the superintendent of an excellent all-the-year-around Sunday school.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized in an early day. The church building was erected in 1855 at a cost of $1,500. A. F. Ferguson is the present pastor. A good Sunday school is superintended by John Glasgow. The church maintains a prosperous Missionary Society. Some of the leading men of the denomination have been connected with this society.
LODGES.
A. F. & A. M.
Sandyville Lodge No. 190. A. F. & A. M. was organized in the year 1872. with seven charter members. It now has a membership of twenty-two. The meetings are on Saturday night on or after full moon.
I. O. O. F.
I. O. O. F. No. 298 of Sandyville was organized in 1874, with fifteen mem- bers. It now has a membership of sixty-four, with the following officers: J. W. Parker. N. G .; William Pervill. V. G. ; J. F. Baugh, Secretary ; E. S. Heiney. Treasurer. Meetings are held Thursday night of each week.
REBEKAH.
Rebekah Lodge No. 357 of Sandyville, was organized in 1903, with fourteen members. There is now a membership of thirty-five, with the following officers : Mrs. Elizabeth Carter. N. G .; Mrs. Putnam. V. G .; Mrs. Goss. Secretary; Mrs. Greene, Treasurer. Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
VIRGINIA TOWNSHIP.
Virginia township is the same as township 74 north of range 25 west of the 5th P M. of Iowa.
Virginia is the southwest township of the county and the last one settled. The early settlers in central Iowa clustered around Fort Des Moines and pushed ont from that point. Naturally the north part of Warren county was settled first. Richland township was settled by J. D. Parmelee in 1843, hence we see that the northeast township in the county was the first settled and the southwest the last. The township was named Virginia because a large portion of the early settlers came from Virginia. George Richards took up his residence in Virginia township in May, 1853. but it seems quite certain that William Conner settled in
Dioned by Google
350
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
the township in 1852, and built a eabin. Abraham Felton was an early settler. Thomas Proudfoot and his sons, together with the Reeds and Knottses were early settlers. One reason for the delay in settling this township was the scarcity of timber. South river is the largest stream in the township. The land is partly rough, yet some of it lays well. It is adapted to hay and bluegrass, consequently the farmers from the beginning have engaged in stock raising. There is one railroad in the township, the Des Moines and Osceola branch of the C. B. & Q. system, a road for tortuosity not equaled in the state. It enters the township on the west, south of the center, meanders to the north until it reaches the center. of the township and then turns south. The people of this township have prospered about as well as those of the other townships. The early settlers were a good class of people and gave much attention to moral and intellectual improve- ment. Many of the young people have sought and obtained a college education. The present prices of land vary from $50 to $100 per acre But one citizen of this township, Samuel Irwin, has represented Warren county in the Legislature, he being a member of the Sixteenth General Assembly. The citizens have not been noted for office-seeking but have given attention to business, to the development of the country, to the intellectual and religious culture of the people. The first child born in the township was Hester Felton, daughter of Abraham Felton. Iler birth dates June, 1855. The first school was taught by Samantha Sigler in 1857. Joel Mason was the first merchant and erected the first store building. There is one town in this township, New Virginia, which was laid out in the spring of 1856. John Felton, F. H. Reed. Absalom Knotts and Joseph Knotts were the original proprietors. It is now one of the most prosperous towns in the county.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justice of the Peace: L. E. Shane, New Virginia.
Township Trustees : W. G. Taylor, New Virginia ; J. F. Hylton, New Vir- ginia; A. E. Sayre, New Virginia.
Township Clerk : Theodore Irwin, New Virginia.
Township Assessor: W. H. Keiser.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund. None.
Trustees Road Report :
Cash on hand January 1, 1907
$ 303.24
Received from the County Treasurer
1140.32
Received from poll tax 5.31
$1448.87
Paid for labor and material
$ 945.29
Balance on hand
503.58
$1448.87
The following is a condensed report of the public schools of Virginia town- ship, taken from the County Superintendent's Report for the year ending July
Ulgiced by Google
351
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
1, 1907. Virginia has eight independent rural school districts and eight school buildings valued at $3,850. Thirteen female teachers were employed at an average compensation of $31.90 per month. An average of seven and three- fourth months of school was held in the districts. There were one hundred and eighty-two persons of school age in the districts with an average attendance of one hundred and nine. Average cost of tuition per month for each pupil, $2.52.
NEW VIRGINIA GRADED SCHOOL.
New Virginia has one school building of three rooms valued at $6,500. Nine months of school was maintained during the year. One male teacher was em- ployed at a compensation of $70 per month and two female teachers at an average compensation of $38.75. There were one hundred and forty-seven persons of school age in the district with an average attendance of ninety-three. Average cost of tuition per month for each pupil, $1.58.
DIRECTORY OF BUSINESS.
General store, M. M. Van Scoy and A. J. Coltrane; hardware and imple- ments, H. C. Van Scoy ; farm machinery, H. M. Mullen ; dry goods, groceries and novelties, R. K. McGee; variety store, O. W. Woods; lumber, Leacham Brothers; hardware and implements, W. R. Mitchel; livery barn and feed store, S. D. MeClintock; blacksmithing, G. W. Frazier; harness shop, J. R. Stroam; real estate and insurance, W. J. Davidson ; painters, L. D. Van Scoy and John Hamilton ; P. M. Fee and C. H. Mitchel, physicians; J. A. Ackerman, veterinary ; Cottage hotel, Mrs. M. C. Ralston; Hotel Purdue, John Purdue; harness shop, J. Kramer; feed, flour and coal, Zachariah Felton; restaurant, W. D. Vertdz; stock buyers, Coltrane & Freeman, also Thomas Queen; auctioneer, L. E. Frederick ; poultry and eggs, John Felton; jewelry, A. L. Freeborn; furniture and undertaking. G. W. Moore; millinery and dressmaking, Mrs. Bolyard and Miss Stickle; O. Stansel, barber shop; drug store, J. H. Wilson ; meat market. E. G. Porter & Son; brickyard, with annual output of 100,000 bricks, Kramer; blacksmithing, LeRoy and Harsh ; drug store, Edd Coy. The "New Virginian." a weekly paper, was established in 1895. by L. E. Shane, editor and publisher ; present subscription five hundred. J. W. Harsh was the first postmaster in New Virginia. J. T. Strock is the present postmaster. There are five rural routes going out from this office. Two were established in 1902 and three in 1903. New Virginia is the most important town on the Des Moines and Osceola branch in Warren county. S. A. Powers is the railway station agent.
New Virginia was incorporated in 1901. The first mayor was II. C. Van Scoy, and J. F. Fulmer was clerk. The present mayor is L. E. Shane, and J. I. Mills, clerk.
CHURCHES.
In June, 1855, Jesse Sherwood, a pioneer Methodist preacher. held a service under a tree in the door yard of John Felton, at the close of which he organized
Dionted by Google
352
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
a society consisting of John Felton and wife, William Reed and wife, Absalom Sayres and wife, Julia Knotts, Matilda Strock and Nancy Felton. After this there were regular preaching services in the neighborhood. The first M. E. church building was erected in New Virginia during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Knotts in 1863, at a cost of $2500. The first parsonage was erected in 1875, during the pastorate of Geo. Clammer. In 1903, during the pastorate of J. L. Boyd, a new briek church was erected at a cost of $8000, and dedicated by 1. B. Wickersham. In 1906, during the pastorate of L. B. Carpenter, a new parsonage was erected costing $2200. A plat of two acres of land is owned by the society and occupied by the church and parsonage. The present membership of the church is two hundred and twenty. A. J. Irwin is Sunday school super- intendent. The school has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty. Fred Foreman is president of the Epworth Leagne. Mrs. W. G. Frazier is president of the Ladies Aid Society. This church pays annually $700 for pastoral support. $240 for benevolences, $50 for Sunday school expenses and $200 for incidental expenses. The following pastors have served this charge: A. Lawback, J. R. Cary, Samuel Jones, Joseph Knotts, John Hestwood, John Daley, M. Sheets, A. .J. Smith, George Clammer, A. Murphy, M. R. Harned, W. C. Smith, H. C. Preston, Elliot Voorhees, M. S. Stryker, B. A. Fassett. A. E. Slothower, J. D. DeTarr, J. I. Farley, J. C. Hall, C. H. Flesher, J. L. Boyd. A. E. Foutch and L. B. Carpenter.
The Christian church was organized in 1894 with twenty-five members, and erected a church building at a cost of $1000 during the pastorate of H. F. Morrison. E. E. Stringfellow is the present pastor, and the society now numbers one hundred and eight. Miss Gertie Wilson is the Sunday school superintendent, and the school has an enrollment of seventy. Mrs. L. A. Stansel is the president of the Ladies Aid Society. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor is presided over by Miss Gertie Wilson, and the junior society is superintended by Miss Linnie Moore. This church pays $300 annually for pastoral support, Sunday school expenses $30. benevolences $50. incidental expenses $25.
The German Baptist Dunkard Brethren was organized in 1870 with the following members: Joseph Schutt. Sallie Black. John Field and wife, T. J. Thomas and wife. Eliza Keffer and William Goosbeck. For fifteen years the society held its services in the schoolhonses. In 1891 the present church building was erected at a cost of $1000. The present pastor is Sadie Gibbons. The present membership twenty-eight. Isaac Thomas. a local minister of New Virginia, is the leading member of this church especially in financial support.
Y. M. C. A.
The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in New Virginia in 1904 with thirty-five members. Fred Foreman president.
Dionred by Google
-
353
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
LODGES.
A. F. & A. M.
Neophyte Lodge No. 301 was organized June 1871 with I. F. Honnold, N. E. Wilson, D. F. Schultz and others. Present officers, J'. H. Fuher, W. M., H. C. Van Scoy, secretary. This lodge meets every Saturday night on or before the full moon.
Eastern Star was organized October 28, 1897 with Mrs. Ray P. Dean, W. M., and Mrs. E. E. Jones, A. M., and eighteen charter members. The present offi- vers are, Mrs. S. E. Coltrane, W. M., and Theo. Irwin, secretary.
The New Virginia Lodge No. 564, I. O. O. F., was organized October 19, 1893, with nine charter members. Smith Heaton was the first N. G. This lodge meets on Wednesday night of each week. The present officers are, A. J. Proctor, N. G., L. E. Shane, secretary. It now has a membership of fifty.
The Rebekah Lodge was organized in 1905 with fourteen charter members. Mrs. Mary Coltrane, N. G.
B. A. Y. The New Virginia Homestead Lodge, No. 139, B. A. Y., was organ- ized in 1898 with twenty charter members. The present membership is forty- four. This lodge meets the first and third Saturday nights in each month. Mrs. C. C. Ray, HI. F., and L. E. Shane, correspondent.
M. W. A. Bethany Camp, No. 3291. meets the first and third Friday even- ings of each month. L. D. Foreman, V. C., and George Braucht, clerk.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
In 1894 the Samuel Irwin W. R. C. was organized with twenty-seven mem- bers. Mrs. Minnie Sayre. president ; Mrs. Mamie Anderson, secretary ; present officers, Mrs. L. E. Frederick, president ; Mrs. Effie Huckaby, secretary.
The following thrilling incident was published in the Indianola Herald :
LITTLE BREECHES.
A true history of the incident which caused John Hay to write the poem. as told by Solomon Van Scoy, father of the boy who was taken care of by Angels.
There has been so many versions published as to the origin of the poem "Little Breeches" especially since the death of Secretary Hay that we concluded to have our old friend Solomon Van Seoy, the one person of all others knowing all about the incident, tell it in his own way, which he does withont us changing a word of his manuscript.
For the information of readers outside of Warren county, we will say that New Virginia is located in the southwest part of the county, about twenty miles from Indianola, and in 1864 was surrounded with but few settlements. The night was intensely dark, and it has always been a mystery as to how Mareus, the four year old child, got into the field and to the cabin, one hundred and forty rods dis- tant from where he was thrown out of the wagon, and how he got into that cabin
Digized by Google
354
IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
when it required the strength and mind of a man to open the door. But Hay explains by saying "Angels." and there the matter rests. It is stated on author- ity that Rev. Ileacock was preaching on the special providences of God, when the incident was told by him in the hearing of John Hay. The following is the letter :
New Virginia, Ia., July 17th, 1905.
(T. T. Anderson. )-Old Friend: Your letter of the 13th received. Will say I was present when "Little Breeches" took his fast ride in March, 1864. There was being held a ministerial association at New Virginia, and at the time, Robt. Clelland, a big hearted man, and a good friend of ours, lived in New Virginia and tanght our school. He and his good wife invited Father ond Mother Proudfoot and my wife and self to take supper with them. We accepted and went, so I did not unhitch my team from the wagon, but hitched them to the board fence in front of Clelland's house with the hitch reins and intended to stay for preaching; but about meeting time we saw a dark cloud fast coming over from the west, and decided to start for home. I went out and unhitched the team, but while I was unhitching. "Little Breeches" came out and crawled into the wagon and sat down on some hay. By this time, it was getting dark and raining a little. So just as I got the team unhitched. something scared them, and they made a quick turn and I made a grab for the lines, but missed them, then, as the team came around on the turn, I made another grab for the reins, but they were too quick for me .. As the wagon passed me I caught the boy by the arm but failed to get him ont. The whole thing occurred very quick. Then I ran to the schoolhouse and gave the alarm. Preacher Heacock was just giving out the hymn; the meeting closed in a hurry -- no time for doxology or benediction. We soon had all the lanterns in the town and torches, and the preachers and all took a hand in the hunt for "Little Breeches." About a half mile southeast of town we found the team and wagon, with one horse on his back in a deep ditch. the other horse standing on the bank and one front wheel of the wagon down in the ditch. We found the boy's hat about one rod or more in front of the wagon. About one hundred rods farther on, and thirty or forty rods off the road. in a field. stood a log cabin in which Jesse Read had a lot of ewes and lambs to be sheltered from the storm. We traveled around over the prairie in groups in the search, and a few of us went to this old eabin to get boards to make torches; and Jeff Thompson, a young man, climbed np on the honse to the gable end and began tearing off boards. Jeff said, "He is here; I hear him call. 'Pa.'" But we all thought he was mistaken. But he said "Pa" again in a low tone. Then we made a rush for the door which was almost closed. and hard to open, but Jesse Read pushed it open and the little fellow was standing on one of the old sleepers that had been left in the cabin, with the ewes and lambs bleating all about him, for the house was abont full of them. Jesse Read mounted a horse and took the boy ; and in a few minutes had him back to Bob Clelland's and in his Ma's arms. Elder Winings was with us at the house and sang ont in the darkness and rain : "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow." Others also joined in the song. It was a tonching seene never to be forgotten.
Preacher Heacock told the incident in a sermon in Illinois and Ex-secretary John Hay heard him and wrote the poem. "Little Breeches." The boy's name is
Digazed by Google
355
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Marens James Van Scoy, and he was between four and five years old at the time he got his fast ride that dark rainy night. A few years after I kept a flock of sheep and Marcus herded them on the prairie, and I have seen him driving them in with a helpless lamb under each arm. Your obedient servant.
SOL. VAN SCOY.
"LITTLE BREECHES."
I don't go nich on religion,
I never ain't had no show ; But I've got a midlin' tight grip, sir,
On the handful o' things I know,
I don't pan out on the prophets, And free-will and that sort of thing :
But I b'lieve in God and the angels
Ever since one night last spring.
I come into town with some turnips, And my little Gabe come along-
No four-year-old in the country
Could beat him for pretty and strong, Peart and chippy, and sassy,
Always ready to swear and fight-
And I learnt him to chaw tobacker Just to keep his milk teeth white. The snow come down like a blanket, As I passed by Taggert's store,
I went in fer a jug of molasses And left the team at the door. They seared at something and started-
I heard one little squall, And hell-to-split over the prairie
Went team, Little Breeches and all.
Hell-to-split over the prairie ; I was almost frozen with skeer: But we rousted up some torches, And searched for 'em far and near,
At last we strnek horses and wagon, Snowed under a soft. white mound, Upset, dead beat-bnt of little Gabe No hide nor hair was found. An' here all hope sonred on me, Or my little fellow-critter's aid- I jest flopped down on my marrow-bones, Crutch deep in the snow and prayed. By this the torches was played out, And me and Isrul Parr
Dig zedby Google
356
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Went off for some wood to a sheepfold That he said was somewhar thar. We found it at last, and a little shed Where they shut up the lambs at night, We looked in and seen them huddles thar, So warm, and sleepy, and white, And thar sot Little Breeches and chirped, , As pert as ever you see,
"I want a chaw of terbacker,
And that's what's the matter of me."
Ilow did he git thar? Angels. Ile could never have walked in that storm. They jest stooped down and toted him To where it was safe and warm,
And I think that savin' a little child,
And fotching him to his own, Is a durn sight better business Than loafin' around the throne.
-JOHN HAY.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Washington township embraces the city of Indianola.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justices of the Peace: E. W. Hartman. Indianola. J. R. Howard, Indianola.
Constable : T. N. Mckenry. Indianola.
Township Assessor: W. K. Crabbe. Indianola.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund :
1 .. E. Hliatt, Committee on Poor
$ 11.30
Food and Clothing 323.60
Honse Rent and Fnel 396.55
Medical Aid 112.35
Burial Expense
55.00
$898.80
Washington township was the largest in the county, containing seventy-two sections. Sometime ago, it was divided and the city of Indianola was made to constitute Washington township, and the remainder was named Lincoln township.
Dhi zed by Google
357
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
WHITE BREAST TOWNSHIP.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justice of the Peace: W. F. Clevenger, Lacona.
Township Trustees : C. S. Cochran. Lacona; R. A. Goode, Lacona; J. J. Kessler, Lacona.
Township Clerk : R. E. Rogers, Lacona.
Township Assessor: E. E. Johnson.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund :
Food and Clothing $138.35
House Rent and Fuel
73.84
Medical Aid 5.50
Burial Expense
$217.69
Trustees Road Report :
Cash on Hand January 1st, 1907
$ 147.17
Received from County Treasurer
1,125.44
Other Sources
6.35
$1,278.96
Paid for Labor and Material
$1,209.70
Balance on Hand 69.26
$1,278.96
White Breast township, the southeast township of the county. is drained by White Breast creek. The surface is usually rough and broken; but most of the land is susceptible of cultivation. Indeed, some of the farms in White Breast township are equal to any in the county.
There is considerable coal in this township. The quality is equal to, if not superior, to any in the county. The vein is about two feet thick. An ex- perienced Welsh miner said: "The coal deposits in this part of Iowa are in pockets, or oblong channels, and are usually found near the larger streams. Going out on the divides between the streams, there is seldom, if ever, any coal found, especially none of the first vein; and the first vein in Warren county is seldom more than two feet thick. Approaching the divides, that is moving away from the streams, it gradually becomes thinner until it is finally exhausted. It is the opinion of experienced coal men, that there are other and better veins of coal lying below the first vein, which is the one that is being worked at present."
The chief business of the inhabitants of White Breast township is agricul- ture, stock raising, grain raising and fruit growing.
Martin and William Willis were the first settlers in White Breast town- ship, arriving in 1846. Henry H. Willis was the first child born in White Breast township, and the fourth born in the county. His birth was March 4,
Dig zed by Google
358
IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
1847. John W. Oxenrider taught the first school in the township in a log cabin. prior to 1855. The first schoolhouse was creeted on the southeast corner of section 28, in 1855, and Mr. Oxenrider was the first teacher to ocenpy the new schoolhouse. Anderson Willis, who still resides at Lacona, came to the township with his parents in 1846, when but two years of age.
The township was organized in 1851.
The first election was held at the home of John Willis, who was elected justice of the peace : William Willis, clerk ; Henry Willis, constable; James Pur- cell, Joseph Howard and Anderson Willis, trustees.
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.