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 36
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William Winning, Buek Townsend and a Mr. Henton were among the first settlers.
Rev. Joseph Howard, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, preached the first sermou in the township in the home of Martin Willis, in 1847. Mr. Howard remained for some time in White Breast township, and then went to Marion county.
The first death in the township was the above named William Winning, which occurred in 1846. The next were A. Uleh and Mrs. William Willis.
The Indianola and Chariton branch of the C. B. & Q. system runs nearly through the center, from north to south, of White Breast township, giving the people excellent railroad facilities. This township has been recognized, in that two of its worthy citizens have been chosen to represent Warren county in the legislature. to-wit: John M. Lee was a member of the Fourteenth General As- sembly, and William J. Cochran of the Eighteenth.
Lacona, the only railroad station in the township, was laid out by Willis Clevenger and Samuel Myers in 1856.
At the last state census in 1905, it had a population of five hundred and fifty.
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's report of the public schools of White Breast township for the year ending July 1st, 1907.
LACONA GRADED SCHOOL.
Lacona has one school building of four rooms. erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. They employ one male teacher at a salary of $75.00 per month ; and three female teachers at an average salary of $38.88 per month. The school year consists of nine school months. There are in this district one hundred and fifty-five persons of school age. . The average attendance is one hundred and seventeen. The average cost of tuition per month is $1.47.
White Breast township, outside of bacona, has nine sub-districts. Each dis- triet has a schoolhouse, erected at an average cost of $544.44. The average num- ber of months taught, seven. One male teacher is employed at a salary of $33.33 per month; twenty female teachers at an average salary of $28.32 per month. There are two hundred and fifty-one persons of school age. The average attendance is one hundred and sixteen. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil is $1.90.
Lacona was incorporated December 5, 1881.
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The following are the municipal officers: A. F. Clevenger, mayor; G. F. Kilden, clerk; W. J. Shupe, treasurer; Otis Cooke, marshal; W. J. Thorn, assessor. Conneilmen : Sam Oxenrider. Joe Mills. Charlie Fantz, Elmer Rodgers and D. W. Stanley.
CHURCHES.
The Lacona M. E. church was organized April 13, 1884, by M. A. Castle, an evangelist, with the following members: Robert B. Burnett, class leader ; Levi Fisher, steward; Mary Fisher, Ed. Baldwin, Elizabeth Baldwin, S. D. Kirkhart. Amanda Kirkhart, P. P. Steaman, Hattie Steaman, Mary E. Williams, Joseph Purcell, Emily Hayes, Cora Gibbons, Mary Purcell and Phoy Bartman.
The present church building was erected in 1889, and dedicated May 25, 1890; probable cost, $4.000. Present membership, one hundred and seventy-seven. The following pastors have served this church: S. N. Matheny, 1884; Daniel Lamont and Elmer E. Willey. 1885; Jesse P. Evans and Ed. W. Bartholomew, 1886; Alfred Knoll, 1887 ; W. B. Cox and Alfred L. Bates, 1888; A. E. Slothower, 1889; Carl Brown, 1890; George H. Bennett. 1891 and 1892; Theo. P. Newland, 1893 and 1894; G. W. McCraeken. 1895 and 1896; C. Alfred Carlson, 1897; Roscoe B. Hughes, 1898; Thomas G. Aten, 1899; Samuel Krell, 1900 and 1901; Jas. F. Bingaman, 1902; Frank B. Dunn. 1903; C. C. Wilkins, 1904; A. D. Davis, 1905 and 1906; Louis Smith, 1907.
The Sunday school is in excellent condition, and has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty; W. H. Funk, superintendent. The Epworth League has a membership of thirty; Verna Shupe, president. The Junior League has a mem- bership of twenty; Alice Landis, superintendent. The Ladies' Aid Society has a membership of fifteen ; Mrs. J. W. Shupe, president. The current expenses of this church last year were $800, and $100 contributed to benevolences.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Was organized May 6, 1888, and their building dedicated December 16. 1888; M. L. Rose, pastor. C. H. Angle and wife. Dr. J. S. Starr, George Hayes and wife, James Lyons and wife and Evaline Starr were among those who organized this church. The parsonage was erected in 1904, at a cost of $850.00. This church has in active operation a Christian Endeavor Society and a Junior Endeavor Society, and a Ladies' Aid Society. The Bible School is in a pros- perous condition, and has a membership of one hundred and thirty.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Under the ministry of Rev. A. MeCartney, a United Presbyterian church was organized in Lacona in 1867. This society prospered until it had fifty-one members-erected a neat frame church building. and purchased ten acres of ground for a parsonage, all of which was paid for. Subsequently, because of deaths and removals, the society was so weakened that the members remaining decided to abandon further services. and sold their property.
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LACONA BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Hotel : A. J. Rogers. Proprietor.
General Stores: J. A. Payne, E. S. Baker. C. Konrad & Son. Win. Kessler.
Meat Market : Scott Moon.
Restaurants : Dunshee & Son, F. E. Lott.
Blacksmiths : C. Konrad & Son. Frank Fahrer.
Livery Barns: Halton Bros., J. G. Gray, C. A. Coles.
Jewelry : R. S. Landes.
Railroad Station Agent : J. B. Alter.
Furniture: G. H. Ackors.
Hardware: Shupe Bros., C. L. V. Shupe.
Harness and Buggies : Lewis Hoffman.
Lumber: Stewart & Co., Keve Lumber Co.
Barber Shops: J. C. Jenkins, C. O. Shupe.
J. C. Jenkins, C. O. Shupe.
Elevator: Win. MeKinley.
Lacona Ledger: Mrs. Lottie M. Rodgers, Editor.
Poultry and Eggs: E. S. Chittenden.
Contractors: Parkins & Lyons. C. C. Clevenger & D. M. Cornell. R. E. Fogle & N. G. Coles.
Horse Buyers: T. II. Murray. Low Goode. Fletcher & Bassett.
Physicians : G. E. Hatfield. W. D. Stumbaugh, Jacob Starr.
Veterinary : H. L. Stewart.
Postmaster: Wm. Thorn.
There are five rural free delivery routes from Lacona, numbers one, two, three and four were established May 1st. 1902; and number five was established January 1. 1906.
J. A. Cleveland, of Lacona, was the first owner of an automobile in Warren county. Four other parties in Lacona now own and use automobiles.
LODGES.
Inter-Ocean Lodge No. 152. A. F. & A. M .. was granted a charter June 7. 1860. The name was at that time Newborn Lodge, and the lodge was located at Newburn. being moved to Lacona in 1880, and the name changed in 1882. The present officers are: G. E. Hatfield. W. M .; H. K. Bliss, S. W .; L. A. Byers. J. W. ; G. F. Tildon, S. D .; Robert McGee, J. D .; HI. M. Wilson, Secretary ; R. E. Rogers, Treasurer; C. S. Scott, Tyler ; S. F. Moon, S. S .; C. H. Oxenrider, J. S. The present membership is forty, and the lodge meets Tuesday evening on or before the full moon.
I. O. O. F.
Lacona Lodge No. 530. A charter was granted in October. 1891, to R. T. Elson. J. B. Alter. A. J. Higbee. F. D. Goode and C. W. Stanley. The lodge now numbers abont seventy members, owns property worth about $1.500. The present officers are: Loraine Goode, N. G .; Sanford Shields, V. G .; W. F. Clevenger. Secretary ; C. W. Stanley. Treasurer.
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G. A. R.
G. A. R. Lacona Post No. 309. Was organized sometime about 1888. The present membership is only about sixteen. The present officers are: W. F. Clevenger, Commander; Wm. Humphreys. Adjutant ; Simon Beaty, J. V. C .; C. S. Lott, Officer of the Day ; A. J. Rodgers. Quartermaster ; W. A. Willis, Chaplain.
YOEMEN.
Lacona Homestead No. 114, was organized October 22nd. 1902. with about thirty members. Present officers are: Wm. Oxenrider. Foreman ; John Bassett, M. of S .; Carrie Williams. Correspondent ; T. M. League. M. of A .; Mrs. John Shupe. Chaplain. Present membership. abont sixty-five.
EASTERN STAR.
Olive Chapter No. 269 Order of the Eastern Star, was granted a charter Jannary 9, 1900. The present officers are: Mrs. Carrie Funk, W. M .; H. M. Wilson, W. P .; Mrs. Eva Shupe, A. M .; Mrs. Sadie Goode, Secretary ; Mrs. N. B. Gray, Treasurer; Miss Belva Oxenrider. Condnetress; Miss Lela Fogle, Assist- ant Conductress. Meets Tuesday after the full moon.
REBEKAH.
Rebekah Lodge No. 277, was organized in 1896. It now has sixty-four mem- bers. Present officers: Julia Shupe, N. G .; Mary Fantz, V. G .; Mrs. C. W. Stanley. Secretary ; Mrs. Eva Shnpe, Treasurer.
M. W. A.
Lacona Camp, No. 6166. M. W. A .. at Lacona, was organized in 1899, with eleven members. The present membership is eighty-three. This lodge meets the second and fourth Saturday evening in each month. The present officers are: V. C., J. J. Kessler; W. A., W. W. Sones ; Clerk, L. L. Williams; Banker, R. E. Rodgers; Escort, W. A Oxenrider; Watchman, A. K. Jones; Sentry, H. R. Kessler ; Managers, Harry Bliss. H. M. Wilson and W. J. Shupe.
The following interesting article appeared in the Lacona Ledger :
WHITE BREAST IN 1843.
Interesting sketch of old times by W. A. Willis.
"My father. William Willis, and his brother, Martin Willis, were the first settlers in White Breast township; having made a temporary settlement in the year 1843. They were here again in 1844, and again in 1845, making them possibly the first white men in the county, although Mr. Parmelee is acknowledged to be the first ; he also made temporary settlement in the county in 1843.
They removed with their famiiles from Davis county, Iowa, in the year 1846, before I was quite two years old, fifty-three years ago this spring; my uncle and grand-father arriving soon after this, making the first settlement in 1846, in this, White Breast township.
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The nearest neighbor we had was on the Des Moines river ten or twelve miles east of where Knoxville is now located. There were also a few settlers in the neighborhood of where Hartford is now located, but neither settlement knew anything of the location of the other, we were, therefore, of no benefit to each other in the way of neighborship.
During the summer of our first settlement Nicholas Helms came from the settlement Bellfountain, in the east part of Marion county, settling in Dallas township, two miles from our settlement. he believing that he was the only white settler that far west of the Des Moines river. One day soon after, while in pursuit of a deer. he heard persons chopping in the timber west of him. he followed in the direction of the sound, and soon came to where my grand-father and sons were clearing a field. He rejoiced to find he was in a neighborhood, and a warm friendship was kindled from that day. that continned as long as they lived.
The first contracting parties for matrimony were Uncle Fielden Willis to Miss Lucinda Helms. daughter of the above named Helms, which took place the next year. 1847. the license being proenred at Oskaloosa, if I am not mistaken. During this year my brother Henry II. Willis, was born on March 4th, being the first child born in the township. and about the fourth in the county. During these years of early settlement, I remember of my father occasionally going with a team of oxen to Missouri to mill. a distance of over one hundred miles.
But during the winter of 1847 and 1848. which was the winter that all of us old settlers remember as the deep snow winter. we grated corn for bread and made hominy during the winter. The snow was nearly four feet deep on the level. I remember during the winter of deep snow that the wolves became so hungry they would catch a pig when my father would be throwing clubs at them. The wild turkeys would come from the timber and eat with the hogs as regularly as we fed. I remember on one occasion my father killed a large gobbler with a club, but it was too lean to eat. I also remember during the deep snow of a man who was eanght in the storm in the vicinity of where Afton is now located, and undertook to get back, and if possible find a settlement. He finally came to White Breast ereek somewhere in the neighborhood of where Ineas now is. and he traveled down the stream on the ice, trusting to find a cabin. and after four days and nights he heard Ell Myers driving his cattle. He had made, he thoughtc. about the last hunan effort, pushing his way in the snow. Mr. Myers took him into his eabin and found that he was badly frozen. He said he killed a turkey with his cane during his wanderings and ate it raw. Mr. Myers kept him a few days and then brought him to the home of my grandfather; Unele Greenbery Willis took him to the next settlement east of Knoxville. I think his home was in Illinois.
The settlers were never too busy to go from three to ten miles to help raise a cabin. A general good feeling existed. There was seldom a lawsuit those days. but if there was one every man went. On one occasion, a certain man swore out a warrant for the arrest of one Isaac Myers, now an honored citizen of Laeona. for assault and battery. It became the duty of father. he being constable. to arrest Isaac, so he repaired to where he was at work in a field. and as they journeyed toward Squire John Willis, two miles east of Lacona, they met the
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late E. G. Bartlett. Father deputized Bartlett to assist and told him that he thought he could see it in Isaac's eye that he intended to try to make his escape when he reached the timber. Bartlett also thought he could see that he intended to make an effort to escape, so when they arrived at the timber they peeled bark and tied Isaac's hands behind his back, and tied bark to each arm, and each one holding the bark on either side-my father being on a horse and Bartlett on foot -and in this way they delivered him to his majesty, Sqnire Willis' court. Every man in the county was already on hand when they arrived. The Squire made an examination of the papers, and said he found no canse for action, and would therefore release the prisoner. I think it was Bartlett who cut the bonds that bound the prisoner. Thus yon see in those days they enjoyed sport more than to fine a man for small and trivial offenses.
I remember at another time my father and mother went to Unele John's to spend the evening, and put ns children to bed with orders to go to sleep. Dur- ing their absence two of our cows got into the cabin and chewed the blankets and quilts that covered us. Not being satisfied with what they had done they got the lid off of a box of elothing. chewing everything that came in their way. Among other things they got hold of a cotton handkerchief that had two twenty dollar gold pieces in it. It was too many for them. They spoiled the handkerchief. but when they struck the gold they spit it out. and from that time to the pres- ent I have been in favor of a gold standard.
I will add further that Indians were numerous up and down the stream of White Breast and ever and anon could be seen the blue smoke as it went curling heavenward from their wigwams, or could be heard the war ery of some Camanche brave, or with bow and arrow he would put a stop to the speed of an antelope or deer that was seen senrrying across the hill tops.
I served in the army under Colonel P. P. Henderson, one of the earliest settlers of the county, and am one of four ont of fourteen who survived the tortures of a rebel prison. But those days have long since gone. Instead of the smoke and din of battle. we now have the noise and hustle of commerce; instead of the smoke of the wigwams, we see the villages blooming as the rose; and instead of the deer and antelope, we see the cattle on a thousand hills Let us all be glad for the extremely favorable conditions of today."
WHITE OAK TOWNSHIP.
White Oak township is the same as township 75. north of range 24. west of the 5th P. M. of Iowa.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 190S.
Township Trustees: C. W. Cox, Indianola : Samuel Speer. Indianola.
Township Clerk : W. O. Friar. Indianola.
Township Assessor: Frank E. Willsey.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund: None.
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Trustees Road Report :
Cash on Hand January 1st, 1907 $ 13.41
Received from County Treasurer 906.59
$920.00
Paid for Labor and Material
$919.42
Balance on Hand .58
$920.00
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's report of the public schools for White Oak township for the year ending July 1, 1907 :
White Oak township has six sub-districts with a schoolhouse in each dis- triet, total value. $5,900. School was maintained during eight months of the year. Two male teachers were employed at an average compensation of $38.99 per month, and nine female teachers were employed at an average compensation of $37.63 per month. There were one hundred and eighty-seven persons of school age in the districts, and an average attendance of one hundred and nine. Average cost of tuition per month for each pupil, $2.02.
White Oak township stands by itself in this: it has no village within its borders, and but one church. The people generally have done their trading at Indianola. While this is not the best township in the county, it is by no means the poorest. There are many excellent farms, and judging from the appear- ance of the farms, the people are as prosperous as any in the county. The land averages well in fertility and is adapted to both grains and grasses. It is believed by some experts that there are large coal interests in this township, but they have never been developed. The township is almost entirely drained by South river. The bottom lands on South river, like those . on Middle river and North river. are generally low and are subject to over- Hows. Throughout the township the land is generally undulating and in some places quite hilly, but averages well. In an early day a part of this township was called "Hoosier Row," owing to the fact that many of the settlers came from the "Hoosier" state. But a more enterprising and public spirited class of people cannot be found in central lowa. than the inhabitants of White Oak township. It is a little strange that there was no sufficiently ambitious man among the early settlers to engage in town making: but it seems the people were contented to go to the county seat or to other points to do their trading. There are some very large land owners in the township, among them is Harrison Ogle and T. K. Long. The farmers of White Oak township have given large attention to raising fine horses and blooded cattle. They early learned that the prosperous farmer must keep a large part of his land in grass. Some of the leading men of Warren county today. are natives of this township. It is quite noticeable that not only in Warren county, but throughout the state of Iowa, the farmers who have stayed by their farms and used ordinary diligence and industry, have ar- cumulated a competence. The old adage. "A rolling stone gathers no moss." is as applicable today as it ever was; that other saying. "Three moves are equal
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to a burnout," contains a practical lesson. Some years crops are poor; other years they are bountiful. The rainy seasons are interspersed with dry seasons. The man who expects continued ideal weather is bound to be disappointed; to take the average season in Warren county, the soil responds to the husbandman's touch in such a measure as to insure prosperity. From the first settlement in White Oak township, the inhabitants have been noted for their high regard of law and good order. Crime and contention have not flourished in this community. No perplexing lawsuits have agitated the people, but good citizenship has been the ideal to which the rising generations have been pointed; and these qualities of character have contributed to the well being of society in all the past history of this people. All lovers of rural life will find White Oak township a desirable place to live, especially is this true since the introduction of the telephone and the free delivery of mails. The northeast corner of this township is within one mile of Indianola, and the west line is within three miles of a railroad; hence, the township is not inconveniently situated so far as a trading point is concerned. James Langley, Andrew Reed, Daniel Brancht and John A. Jamison were among the first settlers in this township. In 1851, the Randolphs, the MeClures and the Parks came. The first school was taught in the winter of 1852-53, in a log cabin, by Elijah Bilbo. Mr. Bilbo is now residing in Indianola, a frail, but cheerful old man, waiting patiently for the final summons.
THE PLEASANT HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1852. The Randolphs, the MeClures and the Bilbos and others took part in the organization. At first they worshiped in private houses, and later in a schoolhouse. The first pastor was E. L. Briggs, who made his headquarters at Indianola. At an early date this became a very prosperous and interesting society. The society continued to worship in the schoolhouse until 1871, when a church building was erected at a cost of $2,000 during the pastorate of Michael Sheets. The appointment was sometimes in one circuit and sometimes in another. For the last fifteen years it has been in Spring Hill circuit.
In 1901 the church was rebuilt at a cost of $2,000. It is a very neat and comfortable building, and answers the purposes for which it was erected. W. 0. Friar is the Sunday school superintendent. The Sunday school enrollment is seventy. The current expenses of the Sunday school, $30. The Epworth League has an enrollment of twenty-three, with Miss Nellie Sayre, president. Mrs. Emma Hntt is president of the Ladies' Aid Society. During the year past this society has raised over $150. The present membership of the church is ninety-five. The incidental expenses of this church for the last year were $127. The benevolent collections amounted to $150. Paid on pastor's salary last year. $195. The present pastor is Benjamin R. Van Dyke.
JOHN W. KERN.
In the spring of 1854. while pioneer enstoms were still lingering, and the large majority of the prairie lands lay ndisturbed by the white man's plow,
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Dr. Jacob H. Kern, of Alto, Indiana, cast his lot with the early settlers of White Oak township, many of whom had known the doctor in Alto, where he had been their family physician. For ten years he farmed and practiced medicine. The people were glad to have their old doctor among them. His distinguished son, who is now (July, 1908,) the candidate for vice president on the democratic ticket-the running mate of W. J. Bryan, was then five years old. He attended the public schools during the winter seasons, such as other boys did. Several of his schoolnates still reside in the county, and well remember their school asso- viation with young Kern. Hle was a slender figure with a large head. A glance at him was sufficient to impress one with the positiveness of his character. He was noted for his excellent memory. At fourteen he had a reputation for spell- ing and declaiming. The readiness with which he committed poems caused his school fellows to stand in awe before him. However, there was nothing in his boy-life that brought out any special prophecies of his future greatness. Mr. Kern is now regarded as a very learned man in the law, but whatever his scholar- ship, the foundations of his education were laid among the "Hoosiers" in White Oak township. Dr. Kern was the best educated man in the community; he took newspapers and magazines, and had the largest library among the settlers, and both he and his wife up to the time of her death, gave John the best instruction they were capable of, and omitted no opportunity to push him forward and show him off to the best advantage. They believed in John, and did not under- estimate his possibilities. They expected him to become all that he is. John W. Kern's contact with the sturdy pioneers, and with nature herself, and with the processes of planting civilization, were superb environments for the development of the choicest qualities of an American citizen. During the doctor's residence in Iowa, the mother of the now noted John W. Kern, died and was buried in what the people call "Hewitt's graveyard." Since John W. reached his majority, he has twice visited his mother's grave. Those who accompanied him the last time to the tomb say his remarks were touching and beautiful. The man who stands at his mother's tomb twenty-five years after her demise and weeps, is human, and in that act gives the best possible proof of the presence of divinity in humanity.
GREAT CHANGES.
Changes are constantly taking place in all parts of the country, in all things material. Many of these changes come so gradually that they are scareely per- ceivable. It is ouly by taking a period in the past, say ten, twenty or forty years ago, instituting a comparison between that period and the present, that one can fully appreciate the changes that have taken place. Mention has already been made in this history of the changed methods of farming. The chief busi- ness of the farmer a few years ago, was to raise and market grain. When the first railroads were built through Warren county, at every station, elevators were erected, and grain buyers were on hand to purchase and ship corn and small grains. Today. at most of these stations. the elevator has been torn away or stands unoccupied. Farmers have learned by experience, that stock raising is much more profitable than grain raising; and that the grain makes a heavy
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