USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 28
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The Holmes postoffice, established in January, 1885. has had the fol- lowing postmasters: Isadore Gooder, appointed on January 26, 1885: David Mowers, May 24, 1887: I .. C. Spangler, May 2, 1891 ; I. . \. Stroup. March 3. 1806: Oscar Ulstad. May 27. 1807; \. O. Weeks, December 1. 1914. Mr. Weeks conducts the office in his large general store.
LAKE TOWNSHIP FAIR.
In order to demonstrate that the people of this part of Wright county are of the sturdy, enterprising character that blesses any community, it only need be said that five years ago the citizens of Lake township carried to a successful end a township agricultural fair of their own. The Monitor's account of this novel affair was as follows: "One of the most novel and significant events ever hell in a rural community was the Lake Fair. hekl in District No. 6, of Lake township, Friday, October 14, 1910. The com- mittees in charge of the several departments did their work well in every division of the big exhibit, which was complete and well cared for and very interesting to all.
"R. W. Breckenridge and family won the C. L. Speight buggy, which was awarded as the grand champion sweepstakes premium of the fair. The winners made forty-six entries to the fair and won sixteen first premiunis, eleven seconds and contributed $16 toward the cash donations for expenses of the fair. Five other families in the district were close seconds. The Lake Agricultural club, together with Miss Elfson and the school chil- dren, deserved special credit for the eminent success of this event."
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LAKE TOWNSHIP'S AVIATOR.
One of the distinctions granted to Lake township is the fact that it was the home of Elling Weeks, one of America's most successful aviators. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Weeks, and is among thie youngest airship men in the country. At the age of twenty-one years he made, in 1912, during sixty days, seventy flights, without a mishap. In 1911-12, he made flights in Chicago, in New York, and in other large eastern cities. His first flight was made in a machine which he constructed himself.
CHAPTER XXIX.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Liberty township is now comprised in congressional township No. 92, range 26, west, and lies south of Boone township, west of Lake township, north of Eagle Grove township and east of Humboldt county. It is tra- versed by the waters of Boone river, in the western part, and Otter creek. diagonally from northeast to southwest, making a junction with Boone river near Thrall, a station point on the Chicago & Northwestern railway. In 1910 Liberty township had a population of 1,230, including a part of the town of Goldfield. It is an excellent agricultural district and land has gone to high prices during the last decade. The towns of Goldfield and Thrall are situated in Liberty township. The railroads of the township are the Chicago & North Western and the Chicago & Rock Island lines. For accounts of the churches, lodges and schools, see separate chapters on these subjects. It was in this township that the first seat of justice of Wright county was located-Liberty, now Goldfield, being the site until the county seat was removed to Clarion after the Civil War period.
.An old settler, who was too modest to sign his name, wrote on early- day history of this township in 1877 for the Belmond Herald, that article being reproduced in full below. It will be observed that this article was writ- ten while Liberty yet contained the present territory of Lake township. which was detached in 1879:
"Liberty comprised of township 92, range 26, and all of township 92, range 25, except sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36, the nine south- eastern sections. It was watered in the eastern part by Eagle creek and in the west by Boone river and Otter creek. The Boone river is timbered throughout its course in this township; and Otter creek for the last three miles of its course has a good supply of timber on its banks. Eagle creek is without timber where it passes through this township. With the excep- tions of the land near the streams this township is better adapted to graz- ing than grain growing-a fact which the inhabitants are beginning to learn, hence they are availing themselves, with profit, as witness the droves of cattle which went from here last week, and the large amount of stock
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owned in the township-a greater number than are found in any other township in Wright county. The low prairie being a natural pasture or meadow, hay is abundant and easily procured, while the pasture land is almost unlimited.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
"On the IIth day of August, 1854, Major Minter Brassfield, accom- panied by his family, arrived where he now lives in section 32, township 92, range 26, and at once built him a log house which had puncheon floors and doors made from the same style of lumber. It had shake roofing. Into this rude house he moved his family, he being the first settler in the township and among the very first in Wright county -- the Stryker, Wilcox, Middle- ton settlement in Troy township, with possibly two others on the east side along the lowa river, only preceding him. However he had lived as a hunter and trapper here as early as 1853. Major Brassfield lived in this cabin home until late in the fall, when he changed his location to a point some fifty rods further up the river, on account of a fine spring he had dis- covered; and to save time and trouble in moving his house, he built another of the same kind, except that it had hewed logs. The house is still stand- ing [1877] as a monument of pioneer days.
"11. W. Montgomery arrived with his family, October 4. 1854, and about the same time John Boyles. The former settled four miles up the river in section 17, township 02, range 26, where he still resides. The lat- ter built a cabin in section 28, about a mile northeast of Brassfield's farm, on what was later known as the Barnes farm. All the log houses built that fall were of the very primitive construction, as. was Major Brassfield's, and were entirely innocent of windows. It was inconvenient to have the doors open, so light was admitted through the roof by moving a 'shake,' thus making a real 'sky light.' An ample fire-place, built of sticks and plastered with clay. furnished the heating apparatus-rude but comfortable, as the writer knows from experience.
".At that time, Homer, forty-five miles distant, was the nearest post- office. The nearest mill was at the mouth of the Boone, five miles beyond Homer; and Boonesboro, distanced sixty-five miles, was the nearest market town. Luckily the winter was a mild one and, as the woods fairly swarmed with game,-elk, deer and buffalo-these three families got through the winter without suffering any great hardships.
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FIRST CHILD BORN IN COUNTY.
"March 21, 1855, a new stranger came to reside with Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Montgomery-a daughter, Amanda by name, who was the first child born in Wright county.
"Later in the season the little settlement was reinforced by the arrival of several families, among them being Nelson Usher, James Franks, Emery Barnes and others.
"The village of Liberty, comprising the southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of section 33, township 92, range 26, was laid out during the summer of 1855, by Major Brassfield; and the same year the pioneer store of Wright county was opened in section 28, township 92, range 26, by Nelson Usher and James Franks, who soon afterward laid out a rival town on that section, calling it 'Sheffield,' which however, died a natural death and the town plat was afterward vacated.
"1855 was indeed an eventful year for Liberty. The organization of the county was effected in August and Liberty was the place selected for the county seat. Anson Brassfield was chosen county treasurer and recorder ; Scott Crapper, sheriff; David Dean, county judge; N. B. Paine, prosecut- ing attorney, and C. 11. Martin, clerk of the court. H. W. Montgomery was also elected school fund commissioner.
"The same year. Major Brassfield built a saw- and grist-mill which did not prove to be a paying investment on account of the uncertain stage of the water in Boone river.
"The first marriage in the township was solemnized on December 27. 1855. by Judge Dean, Alexander Usher and Louisana Brassfield being the high contracting parties.
"In 1856 a log school house was built in the village of Liberty, and in it was taught the first school in the township, in the summer of 1856, by Mrs. Doctor Skinner. The first frame building in the new village was erected by Doctor Skinner that year. During that season quite a number of settlers found their way into the township, among the number being William Melrose and O. C. McIntosh.
"In 1857. among others who settled there, was C. N. Overbaugh. It was during that year that the village of Goldfield was laid out by O. W. McIntosh, G. W. Hanna and William Melrose. The village comprised a hundred and forty acres and was laid out on the northeast and west sides of the present town.
1.
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SETTLERS IN NEEDLESS PANIC.
"In 1857 occurred the great Spirit Lake massacre, when the women and children were hustled down the river to Webster City, the most of the men remaining in the school house, which they converted into a fort. No Indians appearing-indeed there were no hostile Indians within the limits of the state at that time-the settlers returned in a few days and resumed their occupations. During this year was sown the first wheat in the township. The next year, 1858, is known as the 'wet year' and not much was raised.
"About this time a steam saw-mill was out in operation at Liberty. which materially assisted the settlers in procuring lumber.
"J. J. Moore kept the first hotel in a farm house adjoining Goldfield, on the west, and Wellington Neese the first regular hotel in the village.
"In June, 1857, John Melrose came from Black Hawk county, lowa. with a stock of goods and opened a store in the new village of Goldfield. This gentleman has erroneously had the credit of being the 'pioneer mer- chant' of Wright county, though he himself laid no claim to such honor. The village of Liberty continued to increase in size and importance till the transfer of the county seat to Clarion, which occurred in 1866, since which time it has been at a standstill, but being backed up by a good farming country, it is a place of considerable trade. It had in 1877 three stores, a hotel, second to none in the county, shops of the ordinary kind, the larg- est school house in the county, while the residences of William Melrose, O. C. McIntosh, Dr. A. B. Brackett and C. E. Agard would be a credit to any village.
"One word in regard to fruit and I am through. Experience, the sweet guide, has demonstrated that apples can be grown in this township at least. and their culture be made profitable. Besides the orchard of C. N. Over- baugh, we wish to mention that of O. C. MeIntosh, in the village of Gold- field, who last season gathered over twenty-five bushels from trees of his own planting; and he informs us that he has raised for a number of years enough to supply his family. If anyone desires knowing his methods. wrought with such success, Mr. McIntosh will take pleasure in answering their questions and imparting any information he can to them."
Other pioneers were H. B. Martin, Nelson Usher, M. Barnes, W. Neese and Fred Kelling.
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FARM CREAMERIES.
In the late seventies and early eighties, many well-to-do farmers who had not been receiving a sufficient price for their home-made butter, owing to the system that prevailed at that date of allowing as high a price for poor butter as for good (and paid for, usually, in trade, at that ), the better class of farmers purchased their own butter-making machinery and made their own butter and shipped it themselves. Among such enterprising farm- ers may be recalled Messrs. II. W. Montgomery, J. II. McCurry, Welling- ton Neese, and the Overbanghs, all of whom operated small creameries of their own. By this method they obtained from twenty to thirty cents for butter, instead of from eight to fourteen cents of the dealers at Webster City and Fort Dodge. But it was not many years before the butter-making system was all changed and now the cream is sold to regular cream gath- erers, who take it to large, well-planned creameries.
PIONEER POINTERS.
Stephenson's pamphlet history of Wright county, written in 1870, gives the following facts concerning some of the farms in Liberty town- ship in 1869-70:
"We beg to be excused if we become a little personal and say that the farm of N. Barnes constitutes one of the beauties of the Boone, and the number of fruit trees he has set out, while budding, blossoming and bearing, constitutes one of its finest features.
"Adjoining this, is that of Nelson Usher, which presents an appear- ance of great comfort, and shows that the hand of industry has not been idle.
"A little farther up the river is that of C. N. Overbaugh, containing some three hundred acres of as beautiful land as lies beneath the sun, all well improved. We found this gentleman engaged in making preparation to build a large and splendid residence, which, when completed, will add greatly to the beauty of his place, and be quite an ornament to the township. "Next is that of W. H. Montgomery and the state of perfection to which he has brought his place, indicates years of hard toil and labor.
"Like other settlers making for themselves homes on the frontier, the early settlers of this township had to haul their supplies a distance of from sixty to one hundred miles, but a few years of industry and prosperity rendered this no longer necessary, and instead of depending on others to be supplied, they are in a condition to supply. There are four school
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houses in the township, which shows the facilities the youth have for acquir- ing knowledge and education. Its present population numbers about three Imindred."
The population of Liberty township in 1910 was 1,230, including that part of Goldfield within the township. The census of 1800 gave it only 828. (For a history of the schools and churches of this township, see special general chapters on these topics elsewhere in this volume. )
THE CITY OF GOLDFIELD.
Goldfield, the chief town in Liberty township, was platted in sections 33 and 34 of township 92, range 26, February 5, 1858, by William Melrose and wife, George W. Hanna and wife, and O. W. McIntosh. It is beauti- fully situated on the banks of the gently-winding Boone river, and is the crossing point of the Chicago & North Western and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railways. The corporation runs to within two miles of the western line of Wright county, the river making a horseshoe bend at that point. The county seat was first located at Goldfield, and was kept there until about 1866, when it was changed to Clarion, in the exact center of the county. Just to the north of Goldfield was old "Liberty" postoffice and store, mention of which is made elsewhere. Goldfield is within the famous "flowing-well belt" of lowa, and one of the faithful "gushers" has been running, at the depot, in Goldfield many years. Thousands of railway passengers and citizens of the county have quenched their thirst from this clear, pure water, the flow of which, like Tennyson's brook, "goes on forever." AAnnually, in September, the Old Settlers Picnic Association assembles at the beautiful public park, where thousands of pioneers and their children and grandchildren gather to recount the days of long ago, when hardships were the rule rather than the exception. The population of Goldfield in 1905 was placed by the state census compiler as being 594. and the United States census for 1910 gave 618, these figures including the parts of the plat in both Eagle Grove and Liberty townships.
Situated in a real natural garden. spot, surrounded by thrift and con- tentment, sustained by the best soil in the country, this town has come to be thoroughly modern in its make-up, and is steadily forging its way to the front among other towns of the "Kingdom of Wright," of which it used to be the capital.
As to the beginning of things at Goldfield, the article on the early settlement of Liberty township has covered almost every point connected
FIRST WRIGHT COUNTY COURT HOUSE AT GOLDFIELD.
OLD SETTLERS' MEETING AT GOLDFIELD.
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with the first events in the place. It may be stated, however, in brief, that the first hotel on the platting proper was conducted by Wellington Neese. John Melrose, so well known to all early settlers, opened his store in June. 1857. Goldfield held the county seat from 1855 to 1865, and secured her first railroad in 1880-81. It was made a postoffice point in May, 1856, and its postmasters have been: John B. Skinner, appointed on May 27. 1856; A. D. Brassfield, November, 1856; H. N. Crapper, May, 1859; John Mel- rose, April, 1861; J. W. Parmelee, March 22, 1871 ; J. S. Braden, January 13, 1876: P. K. McMurty, January 11, 1886; S. M. Huyck, August 26. 1889: S. C. Farmer, December 24, 1890; John Sill. June 15, 1893; George B. McMurty, March 10, 1894; S. T. Campbell, February 11. 1898; Eva Keith, January 4, 1900.
GOLDFIELD'S BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The business interests in sprightly Goldfield, in the spring of 1915. were as follow: Agricultural implement dealers, Whyte & Son, Moseley Brothers and James Campbell; banking, the Citizens Savings bank and the Farmers Savings Bank: brick and tile factory, Conger & Whyte; barber shop, John Atteberry; blacksmith shop, Matherson Brothers; cement work- ers, E. O. Shoen ; creamery, once a successful plant, is now idle; drugs, Dr. A. S. Cunningham and A. E. Elliott ; dentist, C. C. Baldus ; dray line. Donaldson Brothers: elevators, Farmers Co-operative Company, Goldfield Lehman & Company; garages, Whyte Auto Company, Blewett Auto Com- Grain Company; furniture dealers, Whyte Brothers and Braden Hardware Company : general dealers, Harry Moore & Company, C. B. Jones, J. D. pany, .A. W. Moseley & Company; hotel, Hawkins & Son; harness, James Smith : hardware, Whyte & Son, Braden Hardware Company; jeweler. F. G. Taylor ; lumber. Farmers Co-operative Company, Jones Lumber Com- pany : livery, Barney Jones ; meat market. Stephenson & Eckles; millinery, Agatha Cameron : moving picture show, "The Cosmos," by R. A. Hawkins ; newspaper, the Chronicle; "pantatorium," Charles Pinkham; phone com- pany, L. A. McIntyre, secretary and manager ; physicians, A. S. Cunning- ham, E. N. Zinn, J. L. Pepper ; produce dealers, A. W. Moseley & Company, butter, eggs and poultry ; restaurants, Hawkins & Son, E. N. Newton; stock dealers, Stephenson & Eckles; shoe store, James Smith ; veterinary surgeon, Dr. T. S. Leith ; wagon and tub factory, Walter Sawin.
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BRICK AND THE FACTORY.
The leading industry of Goldfield, a brick and tile factory, is one of great value to the town and surrounding counties, and produces a large quantity of superior drain tile and building brick. The plant was estab- lished in 1891 by J. A. Conger, and is now the property of Conger & Whyte. This firm owns twenty acres of land, beneath the surface of which is found an excellent quality of clay for brick and tile purposes, and the annual out- put of this plant is about ten thousand dollars' worth of clay products, ten men being employed in the manufacture of brick and tile in these works. The product is largely consumed by local farmers, but some is shipped to other counties. Both steam and gasoline are used for power purposes. Of the twenty-acre tract of land mentioned, two and one-half acres are used for the factory, proper, while the remainder is used for yard and piling facilities, large stocks being carried for fall and winter trade. The factory is two hundred feet long and two stories high, with a tile elevator. The machinery includes tile mill, boiler, engines, clay elevator, automatic tile and brick cutter, etc. Carts are used for drawing the clay from the clay-pit and for drawing coal from the railroad tracks, there being a spur from the Chi- cago, Rock Island & Pacific line. The upper Boone valley farmer may feel elated over the fact that he can procure good drain tile and building brick so near his home, thus saving much on freights. The tile product is about ninety-five per cent. of the total product of this factory.
GOLDFIELD TELEPHONE COMPANY.
This enterprise was established in 1903 by a few stockholders. At present there are four hundred and fifty instruments in active daily use in the system. The line reaches Owl Lake, the Crill ranch, Thor and Hardy villages. The line is grounded. Two families operate the plant. The num- per of poles in use is two thousand, and seventy-five miles of wire are strung. The original capital stock has been doubled and twenty-one dividends have been declared, mostly all of which have been ten per cent. The first officers were: D. M. Stevens, president ; Charles Bowers, vice-president ; B. W. Mellhaney, treasurer; W. V. Palmer, secretary. The directors, aside from the officers given, were H. Crill, J. M. Montgomery, L. A. Mclntyre.
The present ( 1915) officers are: C. Troyer, president ; J. M. Montgom- ery, vice-president; B. W. Mellhaney, treasurer ; L. A. Mcintyre, secretary.
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WRIGIIT COUNTY, IOWA.
TOWN INCORPORATION.
Goldfield was incorporated on March 24, 1885. Its. mayors have been in about the following order of administration: O. C. McIntosh, J. R. Griffin, Brue Riley, O. C. McIntosh, George Bleuiett, J. M. Montgomery. The town recorders, or clerks, have been as follow: John Sill, George Whyte, D. G. Keith, B. W. Agard, T. R. Beveridge, B. W. Agard, Robert Keith.
The town officials in 1915 were: John M. Montgomery, mayor ; coun- cilman, George H. Whyte, John Matheson, Eli Axon, H. C. Wiser, N. W. Freeman ; treasurer, W. K. Blackwell; clerk, Robert P. Keith.
The town is supplied with electric lights from the Eagle Grove plant. which also extends out into the farming district adjoining Goldfield. The corporation of Goldfield bonded itself in the spring of 1915 for twelve thou- sand dollars for the purpose of constructing a system of modern water- works.
THIRALL.
This is a station point on the Chicago & Northwestern railway, situated just north from Goldfield, in section 28, Liberty township. It was platted by the company and Alex Owens, and a station was kept up there until recently. A postoffice was established in 1882, soon after the railroad was built through. The first postmaster was D. B. Myers, appointed on Jan- uary 30, 1882, who was succeeded by Alex Owen on December 22, 1884. The office was discontinued on November 30, 1907. Mr. Owen at one time conducted a large general store and bought both stock and grain at Thrall, but today the business has gone down.
A Centennial celebration was held at Belmond on July 4, 1876, at which J. Q. Hanna delivered an oration and J. M. Overbaugh read the Declaration of Independence. Pioneer N. B. Paine read an original poem, of his own unique production, and C. N. Overbaugh spoke on the "Patriots of 1776."
The local press of April 23, 1883, mentioned the fact that "most of the town's people here turned out to fight prairie fire last night."
Goldfield, having struck a number of fine flowing wells in the early eighties, was styled "Flowing-Well City," by which it is sometimes still known. In 1883 mention was made, in the Clarion Monitor, of Charles Arthur's extensive creamery at Goldfield. His churns and other butter- making machinery were all run by water power obtained from a flowing well. That year the fifty by fifty-four-foot, two-story school house was erected-
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one of the largest in Wright county. Also a ten-thousand-dollar flour-mill was constructed that year.
In 1890 it was stated that the Fountain Creamery, owned by Charles Arthur, was producing two thousand pounds of fancy butter daily at Gold- field.
CHAPTER XXX.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
Lincoln township was one of the last sub-divisions in the county to be organized, not being made a separate township for civil purposes until in 1883. It comprises congressional township 91, range 24 west, except sec- tions 5 and 6 and parts of sections 7 and 8, which are a part of the present irregular township of Clarion. The record (board session of April, 1883) says concerning the formation and boundary lines of the township: "It is hereby ordered that the following shall constitute the civil townships of Wright county (including the new township of Lincoln) :
Township 90, range 23, shall constitute Vernon civil township.
Township 90, range 24, shall constitute Wall Lake civil township.
Township 90, range 25, shall constitute Woolstock civil township.
Township 93, range 23, shall constitute Pleasant civil township.
Township 90, range 26, shall constitute Troy civil township. Township 93, range 24, shall constitute Belmond township. Township 91, range 26, shall constitute Eagle Grove civil township.
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