USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 26
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CITY OFFICIAL ROSTER.
The following is a list of officers for the municipality of Eagle Grove since its incorporation :
1882-83-Mayor, E. M. Scott; recorder, C. A. Schaffter; trustees, J. J. Andrews, J. S. Baker, John Bowes, W. C. Chapman, G. Hutchings, H. C. Mahanna.
1883-84-Mayor and council, same as above mentioned.
1884-85-Mayor, S. T. Chase, H. Hodge; trustees, J. J. Andrews, John Bowes, R. C. Wright, George Wright, C. F. Lindley, W. C. Chapman.
1885-86-Mayor, C. O. Bailey ; recorder, M. T. Heath; trustees, W. C.
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Chapman, J. J. Andres. G. F. Lindley, George Wright, John Bowes, Luke Flynn.
1886-87-Mayor, G. E. Boynton; recorder. C. A. Schaffter; trustees, W. C. Chapman, George Wright, L. Flynn, G. F. Lindley, Thomas Keefe, J. S. Keith.
1887-88-Mayor, E. A. Howland; recorder, C. A. Schaffter; trustees, W. C. Chapman, Luke Flynn, George Wright, I. A. Miller, J. S. Keith, W. H. Jacobs.
1888-89-Mayor, D. C. Filkin; recorder, C. A. Schaffter; trustees, H. A. Miller, J. S. Keith, L. Flynn, O. A. Young, George Wright, W. H. Jacobs.
1890-91-Mayor, D. C. Filkin; recorder, C. . \. Schaffter; trustees, L. Flynn, A. G. Brennecke, O. . \. Young, George Wright. R. O. Packman, James Mulligan.
1891-92-Mayor, F. W. Pillsbury; recorder, C. A. Schaffter ; trustees, R. O. Paekman, George Hutchings, James Mulligan, M. Armbruster, George Wright, A. G. Brenneck.
1892-93-Mayor, F. W. Pillsbury; recorder, C. A. Schaffter; trustees, M. Armbruster, James Mulligan, George L. Webster, G. Hutchings, G. H. Carlton; George Wright.
1893-94-F. W. Pillsbury; recorder, C. A. Schaffter; trustees, George Wright, John K. Uhr, James Mulligan, G. F. Lindley. A. N. Odenheimer, R. O. Paekman, J. S. Fort, J. C. Heckart.
1894-95-Mayor, F. W. Pillsbury; recorder, C. A. Schaffter and Eu- gene Schaffter; trustees, John K. Uhr, Godfrey Nelson, .A. N. Odenheimer, T. B. Cowan, R. O. Packman, G. F. Lindley, J. S. Fort, S. C. Graham.
1895-96 (Changed to higher class of city)-Mayor, G. Hutchings; clerk, J. W. Henneberry ; councilmen, A. Yearous, G. Nelson, James Mul- ligan, T. B. Cowan, H. A. Miller, G. F. Lindley, G. E. Howell, S. C. Graham.
1896-97-Mayor, G. Hutchings; clerk, William Southwell. Porter Don- ley; council, A. Yearous, G. Nelson, James Mulligan, T. B. Cowan, S. G. Graham, Bert Doran ( resigned). W. F. Insel ( took Doran's seat ), H. . 1. Miller, G. E. Howell.
1897-98-Mayor, J. S. Fort; clerk, Porter Donley ; council, A. Year- ous, G. Nelson, James Mulligan, T. B. Cowan, W. F. Insel, H. A. Miller, G. E. Howell, S. C. Graham.
1898-99-Mayor. J. S. Fort; clerk, Porter Donley; council. . \. Year- ous, G. Nelson, James Mulligan, T. B. Cowan, Guy Carlton, H. A. Miller, G. E. Howell, Charles Hanchole.
FAGLE TROVIE IOWA
PANOMAMA OF EAGLE GROVE IA
PUBLIC LIBRARY
WEST SIDE GRADED SCHOOL. EAGLE GROVE.
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1900-01-Mayor, J. S. Fort; clerk, Porter Donley; council, .\. Year- ous, K. A. Ersland, James Mulligan, T. B. Cowan, G. Carlton, W. C. Hal- sey, J. M. Rudy, Charles Hankole.
1901-02-Mayor, Eugene Schaffter; clerk, Porter Donley; council, A. Yearous, R. Richardson, M. K. Donovan, A. H. Barnes, J. W. McGrath, J. W. Porter, J. M. Rudy, M. Armbruster.
1902-3-Mayor, Eugene Schaffter; clerk, Porter Donley; council, A. Yearous, R. Richardson, M. K. Donovan, A. H. Barnes, J. W. McGrath, J. W. Porter, J. M. Rudy, M. Armbruster.
1903-04-Mayor, M. K. Donovan ; clerk, L. J. Clarke ; council, A. Year- ous, R. Richardson, A. H. Barnes, C. F. Hayor, J. W. McGrath, J. W. Por- ter, J. M. Rudy, M. Armbruster.
1904-05-Mayor, M. K. Donovan; clerk, L. J. Clarke; council, J. M. Rudy, A. Yearous, R. Richardson, J. W. Porter, M. Armbruster, C. F. Hoyer.
1905-06-Mayor, M. K. Donovan; clerk, H. B. Hallock; council, W. R. Blake, M. Armbruster, J. M. Rudy, R. Richardson, A. H. Barnes, J. K. Baker, Atwood.
1907-Mayor, M. K. Donovan; clerk, H. B. Hallock; council, J. K. Baker, A. H. Barnes, J. M. Rudy. B. Williamson, O. F. Gunderson, - Mulligan.
1908-Mayor, A. Yearous; clerk, Samuel Middleton ; council, S. Lalor, J. K. Baker, B. Williamson, Peters, McVicker, Garlock.
1909-Mayor, W. R. Blake; clerk, Samuel Middleton; council, J. H. Martin, H. Schoonover, W. W. Waddell, H. E. Boughton, S. Lalor, O. F. Gunderson.
1910-Mayor, W. R. Blake; clerk, Samuel Middleton ; council, S. Lalor, H. E. Boughton, H. Schoonover, W. W. Waddell, J. H. Martin, O. F. Gun- derson.
1911-Mayor, W. R. Blake; clerk, Samuel Middleton; council, G. W. Baker, H. E. Boughton, S. Lalor, M. D. Braden, W. W. Waddell, C. F. Gunderson.
1912-Mayor, W. R. Blake; clerk, Samuel Middleton ; council, S. Lalor, C. F. Gunderson, G. W. Baker, M. D. Braden, H. E. Broughton, W. W. Waddell.
1913-Mayor, W. R. Blake; clerk, Samuel Middleton; council, M. D. Braden. G. W. Baker, J. K. Baker, R. Comstock, A. A. Smith, F. G. Bris- bin.
(19)
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1914-Mayor, W. R. Blake; clerk, Samuel Middleton ; council, G. W. I Baker, F. G. Brisbin, R. W. Comstock, M. D. Braden, A. A. Smith, J. K. Baker.
.. 1915-Mayor, J. S. Fort; clerk. Samuel Middleton; council, J. K. Baker, J. L. Nott, Ole Hobbett, R. W. Comstock. A. Banks, Frank Mulli- gan; C. Christensen, treasurer: J. W. MeGrath, solicitor; P. F. Bates, engineer : Luther H. Gray, superintendent of the waterworks; Frank Fisher. chief of police; Henry Warren, night watchman; George Schoonover, chief of the fire department.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY.
A postoffice known as "Eagle Grove, Wright county, lowa," was estab- lished in Eagle Grove township, near the present city of Eagle Grove, long before railroad days -- in the summer of 1801 -- and when the town started the postoffice was moved to the new hamlet. The following have served as postmasters: S. B. Hewett, appointed on June 18, 1861 ; Abbie S. Ilewett, wife of Judge Hewett, April 28, 1875; George Wright, March 4. 1884: J. S. Howell, October 6, 1885; O. II. Brooks, February 11, 1890: J. 11. Howell, November 4, 1895: F. J. Will. November 5. 1807: John Buchanan, August 17, 1900; Henry A. Cooke, July 15. 1913.
Eagle Grove is now a second-class office, with five rural free delivery routes, with carriers as follow : James McCurry, James M. Rose, Charles II. Warren, Peter Hoveland, Carl W. Thorpe, rural carriers; Zola B. Stew- art. Benjamin Bowung. E. F. Maloney ( extra ), city carriers.
The office force consists of Postmaster Cooke, L. E. Wilson, assistant postmaster. R. W. Vaughn and H. Roseland, clerks.
The amount of savings deposits on hand on July 1. 1915, was five hun- dred and eighty-eight dollars and two cents. Amount of business transacted last year, aside from all money order business; approximately twelve thou- sand dollars.
The Citizens State Bank erected a brick postoffice building in 1901. on Lucas avenue, and leased it to the government. A bill is now before Con- gress for a new, large, modern postoffice building. There are now twenty- six mail trains (thirteen each way ) daily. The office became of the second class in 1909.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Eagle Grove is fortunate in having a fine public library, toward which Andrew Carnegie donated ten thousand dollars. It was opened to the pub-
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lic in 1903. It is situated on Broadway and Iowa avenue, and has on its shelves two thousand six hundred and seventy-two volumes. The spacious library basement is partly occupied by one of the clubs of the city.
Following is a list of the first officers of the library board : John R. Smith, president ; Engene Schaffter, secretary; J. H. Howell, A. H. Barnes, George H. Carlton, Mrs. Doctor Morse, Mrs. O. A. Young, Mrs. E. D. Mineah, Mrs. C. E. Hanson, trustees.
The present ( 1915) board is composed of: A. H. Barnes, president ; Eugene Schaffter, secretary; J. H. Howell, Mrs. J. W. Henneberry, Mrs. J. S. Keith, Mrs. R. M. Smallpage, Mrs. Ida Holman, Mrs. Ida Fisher, E. C. Platt, trustees. The first librarian was Mrs. B. Y. Miller, and the present librarian is Elsie B. Donn.
PIONEER MERCHANTS.
The following were among the pioneer dealers in Eagle Grove: Pack- man Brothers, Robert and Joe; F. E. Edwards & Company, a year later, also Andrew Wright & Son. Cox & Ingalls were first in the hardware and imple- ment business; B. F. Miller started the first banking house in March, 1882, the dealers above all having located prior to that year. Homer .A. Miller. now of Des Moines, succeeded his father and created a large banking house within a few years. Miller & Packard started a drug store, a branch of their store at Webster City, from which place most of the first dealers came following the building of the railroad. Three lumber dealers hurried to this location in 1882-83. Cross & Company, Worthington & Fitzmaurice and Nelson & Company. The first physician was Doctor Morse, still in practice. The first attorney of the town was D. C. Filkins, who located there in 1882.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN 1915.
In the summer of 1915 the following persons and firms constituted the business interests of Eagle Grove-the largest town in Wright county :
Attorneys. S. Flynn, Eugene Schaffter. A. Yearous, James W. Henne- berry, J. W. MeGrath ; automobile dealers, Weeks-Larson Anto Company, Middleton Anto Company, Porter Auto Company, William Fletcher, Shreulesir Brothers; aviator, Elling O. Weeks, licensed pilot and manufac- turer of German taube biplane ; banks, Citizens State, Security Savings, Mer- chants National; bakeries, City bakery, Eagle bakery; barber shops, J. L. Nott, Anderson Brothers, D. T. Steen, Harry Meade, William Orr; black-
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smith shops, Andrew Christensen, Roy Comstock; confectionery, Bostonia, J. J. Kist, proprietor, Eagle Grove candy kitchen; clothing, Gilder Brothers & McCarty, Leuthold & Hinkley; cement-block works, Eagle Grove Cement Product Company, V. P. Mcintyre; creamery, Fountain creamery, W. E. Mann, proprietor ; drugs, Smallpage & Indra, O'Toole & Parker, Wasem & Morse, T. H. Kenefick ; dray lines, A. H. Waddell, None Thorne, Chester McVicker, B. H. Clarke; dentists, H. V. MacGregor, C. H. McConaughy, J. E. Long, H. R. Norris, R. L. Martin; dry goods, R. A. Baker & Sons, C. H. Deur; elevators, Farmers Co-operative, Independent Grain and Lumber Company, F. M. Joyce, manager ; electric shop, Foll & Gubderson; furniture, Eagle Grove Furniture Company, F. & A. Kubitschek; groceries, Schoon- over Brothers, J. H. Martin, F. A. Maier & Company, Christensen & Jen- sen, Peoples Co-operative Store; hardware, Roper Hardware Company, Waddell hardware store, Hull's hardware, W. W. Frakes, A. L. Yearous, R. W. Merriam; harness shop, R. W. Merriam; hotels, Occidental, Grove House, Morgan House; hospitals, Eagle Grove Hospital, Drs. W. C. Mc- Grath and C. H. Morse; implement dealers, Mulligan & Miller, W. W. Frakes; jewelers, K. K. Keith, H. E. Boughton; light, heat and power, Citizens Light, Heat and Power Company; livery, J. W. Rose, B. H. Clarke, WV. A. Brisbin ( feed barn) ; lumber, W. R. Blake, Fruden Lumber Com- pany, Chapman Lumber Company ; millinery, Mrs. Mary Keith, Mrs. Mary Quint ; meat markets, F. E. Cole, Olson & Fisher, Smith Brothers; marble works, Dodge & Baker; music, Middleton Music House; newspapers, the Eagle and the Times-Gasette; physicians, C. H. Morse, W. McGrath, T. J. O'Toole, L. D. McNaughton, J. R. Christensen, P. O. Trooien, R. J. This- sen, C. F. Kuehne, Middleton & Reinertson; plumbing, Charles Odgers, Roper Hardware Company; produce buyers, W. E. Mann, Frank Shoen- hair ; photographers, C. P. Myklebust, Baldwin Studio; "pantatorium," Lee Parker, C. Elliott ; restaurants, Eagle cafe, Boston lunch, Princess cafe, W. J. Cotton, R. L. Prehm; stock buyers, Cowan Brothers, M. D. Braden, F. G. Brisben; sporting goods and pawnshop, A. L. Yearous; second-hand goods, A. L. Yearous, H. W. Waddell; shoe repairing, Watne; shoe store (exclusive), C. Christensen, L. D. Fothergill; theaters, Princess, Eagle; tailors, F. De Witt, C. Elliott; veterinary, B. E. McCulloch; five and ten- cent store, The Fair, D. H. Price.
IIEAT, LIGHT AND POWER.
The Eagle Grove Electric, Gas and Power Company was organized in 1894, by J. A. and George Innes, and was reorganized in 1903. The first
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officers were J. A. and George Innes, Sr., and the present officers are R. M. Smallpage, George Wright, J. A. Innes and Charles Honkole, the present stockholders being R. France. R. M. Smallpage, Melbourne Smallpage, M. Armbruster, C. E. Platt, George Wright, Charlotte Wright, Eugene Schaff- ter, Charles Honkole and J. A. Innes.
Gas was first installed in 1905, but the electric system had been installed years before, in 1894. The meter system is employed. For the last seven years this plant has pumped the water for the city waterworks. There are now forty-six electroliers on the streets, the same having been in operation since 1914. The plant is run by a five-hundred-horse-power engine. Gold- field also receives its illumination from this plant. The gas plant has a capacity of eighteen thousand cubic feet of gas. There are eleven men employed about these works. All in all, this is a very successful plant, suits the people and is a paying proposition for the stockholders.
MILITARY COMPANIES.
This will treat of the national guard and the recently organized machine- gun company, whose headquarters are at Eagle Grove.
The accomplishment of any great public enterprise or improvement must be backed by worthy, enterprising citizens; hence in the beginning of this article it should be stated that had it not been for the zealous efforts put forth by such vigorous men as J. H. Henneberry, Doctor McConaughy and Dr. F. J. Will, especially the first two mentioned, Eagle Grove would not have been selected as the headquarters of a military company of which the Northwest is justly proud today.
In the nineties the Eagle Grove opera house, a frame building to be used for an opera house and public hall combined, was erected on West Broad- way. It was built by a stock company and, as is usually the case, had not been profitable as an investment. While a new opera house was needed, it was difficult to engage capital. Finally this building burned. It was then seen that the city must provide a public hall. Several plans were suggested and numerous mass meetings of the citizens were called, but nothing re- sulted ; finally, however, Mr. Henneberry and Doctor McConaughy con- ceived the idea of trying to secure a company of the Iowa national guard for the city, the thought being that since the state paid a reasonable rental for an armory, if there was a vacancy in the national guard, and if a company could be organized in Eagle Grove, the rental would form a basis of income and this income, together with the earnings of an opera house, would assure
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a reasonable interest .on the necessary investment. Mr. Henneberry origi- nally conceived of this plan, and a letter of inquiry to Col. W. T. Chant- land, at Ft. Dodge, brought the information that there was a vacancy in the Fifty-third Regiment, together with the suggestion that the matter be taken up with Adjutant-General Thrift, at Des Moines. A that time Frederick J. Will, a former physician and resident of Eagle Grove, was located at Des Moines and was surgeon-general of the lowa national guard. Colonel Will was interviewed, and he immediately joined hands with citizens of Eagle Grove in their efforts to secure a company.
Shortly before the matter was taken up, Dr. C. H. McConaughy, who had had considerable experience as a guardsman, and who was an enthus- iast in military affairs, had located at Eagle Grove, and he heartily gave his time and influence to the enterprise. There was much to be overcome; there was no home for the company, if one should be assigned to the city; there was no assurance that one could be maintained if it were organized. In fact, so many objections were raised that the project at times seemed impossible. Doctor McConaughy and Colonel Will were, however, quite equal to the emergency which presented itself ; every objection advanced by those in authority at Des Moines was met and overcome, and finally a pledge was secured that a company might be organized on condition that a suitable home was provided within a given time. When this news was brought to Eagle Grove, a meeting of interested citizens was called, committees were appointed to investigate and take action in the matter and in a remarkably short time the necessary funds were raised and plans perfected. A splendid brick building, fifty by one hundred and forty feet, rose out of the ashes of the ruins of the old frame opera house, and across the front, in letters of gold, the words "Armory-Opera House" proclaimed to the world the birth of a military company in the city of Eagle Grove. But, alas, the first work had all to be done over again. On the afternoon of April 30, 1913, fire destroyed the handsome armory-opera house building, and the entire equip- ment of Company K, Iowa National Guard, was burned. Eagle Grove was again without an opera house-Company K without a home, and the city was again confronted with the armory-opera house proposition, but under vastly different conditions.
During the years since the installation of the national guard, Eagle Grove had enjoyed a rapid, prosperous and consistent growth. Company K had become an indispensible factor in social and civic life-it had become a permanent institution. The beautiful Princess theater-a modern, up-to- date opera house-devoted exclusively to theatrical and amusement enter-
1
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prises, was erected on the site of the armory-opera house, and two enter- prising citizens, Thomas H. Waddell and William F. Insel. gladly furnished the money for the splendid armory which now graces Broadway and which is devoted exclusively to armory purposes under control of Company K. Its cost was $12,000.
ORGANIZATION OF MILITARY COMPANIES.
Company K, above referred to, was organized on April 8, 1908, as one of the companies of the Fifty-third Regiment, Iowa National Guard. The following is the original roster of men and officers of Company K: C. 11. McConaughy, captain ; M. E. Sargent, first lieutenant ; William F. Bellman, second lieutenant : P. J. Miller, first sergeant ; Howard Schoonover, quar- termaster sergeant; Charles Warren, sergeant ; George Shaunce, sergeant ; Henry Sauer, sergeant ; J. D. Springer, sergeant ; R. E. Ensey, corporal ; C. B. Cotton, corporal; Roy Comstock, corporal; Charles Merrill, corporal ; Milton Jones, musician; Louis Orr, musician; privates, Carl Baker, J. E. Breggs, Frank Brown, Martin Cleveland, Clarence Ennis, Thomas B. Gard- ner, J. 11. Humphrey, W. S. Inman, Carl Jensen, Eher Johnson, Ed B. Kirk. J. J. Kist, A. G. Lukensmeyer, Dwight Mathews, Owen MeGrann, Il. D. Nelson, Clarence Nichols, Frank H. Ohlsen, Morris Packman, Walter Porter, James Renne, Lysle Renne, A. Shillinger, Il. Shrigley, Dora D. Steen, William Tuefle, Roscoe Vaughn, Carl Veile, O. L. Weeks, Lewis E. Wilson and Milo Yearous.
The company has been served by the following captains: C. Il. Me- Conaughty, M. E. Sargent, J. D. Springer, Charles Merrell and II. L. Tait. The present ( 1915) officers are: Major. C. II. McConaughy, quartermas- ter corps, First Brigade, Iowa National Guard; captain. H. I .. Tait; second lieutenant. George Shaunce.
Under the reorganization of the Iowa National Guard, to comply with the orders from the war department, Company K was transferred to the Second Regiment ( formerly the Fifty-sixth ), under Colonel Hiatt, and was reorganized as a machine gun company, being equipped with four machine guns of the latest patterns of the United States army. In such a company there are only two officers, captain and second lieutenant. The regulation number of men for such a company is fifty.
Upon the dedication of the first armory in Eagle Grove, AAttorney J. W. Henneberry and wife were accorded third place in the parade and at the banquet given on that occasion, on account of his having originated the
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idea of organizing a company. Every since that time Mr. Henneberry has been known as "The Father of Company K." At the opening he was pre- sented with a magnificent gold-headed cane, which he truly appreciates.
FIRE OF APRIL 30, 1913.
At two-thirty o'clock on April 30, 1913, fire was seen issuing from the old armory building, and as a result there was the greatest conflagration Eagle Grove has ever had. Among the buildings lost were the Wells-Hord grain elevator and coal sheds; A. D. Waddell's hay barns; Frank Pohlman's barn and F. H. Zeh's barn; F. B. Andrews' real estate office and M. D. Whitney's "smoke parlors." W. F. Insel lost heavily and the Princess theater lost all, amounting to about two thousand five hundred dollars; but heavier still was the loss of the military company, the loss of the armory building and equipments amounting to ten thousand dollars. The Odd Fel- lows lost all, but they were well covered by insurance. The Quaker Oats mill lost ten thousand dollars, and the "candy kitchen" was a heavy loser.
The tornado of June, 1884, destroyed more than ten thousand dollars' worth of property, including the wrecking of twenty-seven buildings, includ- ing churches.
ICE-SKATING RINK.
In the winter of 1892-93, Eagle Grove had an ice-skating rink. It was provided by J. Yearous & Son, and was sixty by one hundred and forty feet in size. It was open to the public both afternoon and evening. The prices charged were ten cents for spectators and twenty-five cents when skates were used.
CHAPTER XXVI.
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
This township, one of the central townships in Wright county, is second from both the north and east part of the county, with Iowa township on the east, Lincoln on the south, Dayton on the west and Belmond on the north. It comprises all of congressional township 92, range 24 west, except sec- tions 30, 31, 32 and a part of section 29, which odd tracts belong to present Clarion township. The lowa river flows in a semicircle through its eastern sections, bowing to the west, while immense drainage ditches have been excavated here and there throughout its borders. Its railroads are the two lines of the Chicago Great Western system-one from Clarion to Mason City and the other from Clarion, east, to Hampton, the Chicago line. The one running to Mason City, by way of Belmond, enters the township in section 1, and runs diagonally to section 31, with a station siding at Lake Cornelia. The east and west line has a station known as Solburg, in sec- tion 36.
The only native timber is that found growing along the Iowa river.
The population in 1900 was 474; in 1910, 484, while the state census of 1915 gives it as 456.
ORGANIC.
Grant township was made a separate sub-division of Wright county in April, 1898, at the spring session of the board of county supervisors. It was organized so as to include all of congressional township 92, range 24, except that part included in the town corporation of Clarion, a few frac- tional sections in the extreme southwestern corner. Its territory was at one time within parts of Iowa and Clarion civil townships. It was named for Gen. U. S. Grant, probably suggested by the fact that Clarion (city) was at first named "Grant" and changed by the early officers, including the Fast- man family, who preferred the name Clarion, as there was already a Grant City in Iowa.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
C. W. Hill, who now, in his okl age, is living retired at Clarion, located in what is now Grant township in 1861. He rented the Rev. W. F. Harvey
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farm for a dozen or more years, then moved to his own selection in section 26, where he farmed in a successful manner until the time of his retirement to Clarion. He saw many early-day hardships in Wright county. About the time he came, possibly a few months before, came in Pioneer Meeker, who has been numbered among the deceased pioneers for many years. E. C. Blackburn settled, as did all who will here be named, prior to the organiza- tion of the township-when most of the territory was included in Iowa town- ship. Blackburn later removed to Nebraska. Others of the pioneer band were the families of John D. Brooks, James Berry. William Dawson, A. C. Sheplee, the Goslins, John Burns and the Jemisons. Mr. Jemison came in as a stock buyer and also farmed in Grant township. He was a first-class busi- ness man and had much to do with the early-day business of this part of Wright county. Very few of the first settlers of Grant township are now living. The first school meeting was held at the house of John Burns. Mr. Ilill was among the first township assessors.
The territory of this part of Wright county has been cut up into dif- ferent civil precincts, having been at one time included in Clarion township, and the settlement, other than that here given, is intermixed with that, hence will not be traced in detail in this connection. Until the establishment of Clarion as the county seat, there were no settlers, to speak of, in this or any nearby townships. Beyond Pioneer McCormick's place, at the south of the present city of Clarion, no one resided in the north part of the county-all was wild, untouched prairie lands, roamed over by herds of cattle. After Clarion (or Grant, as first styled ) sprang into existence, settlers flocked in quite rapidly and it was not many years until the wild lands were taken up by actual settlers and wrought into well-tilled farms.
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