USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 33
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Waterman-L. B. Grout, appointed on August 2, 1871; P. II. Morris. December 9. 1878; J. A. Robb, May 24. 1881: L. B. Gront, July 14, 1884: L. W. Hockman, December 20, 1884: L. B. Grout. July 9, 1890. Discon- timed on August 9, 1900.
Woolstock-B. F. MeDaniels, appointed on April 16, 1868: Davis Hart, March 7. 1872; David Letts, December 7. 1874; F. G. Yeoman, November 5, 1875: Isaac McDonald, May 8, 1877; Ellen Evans, October 21, 1879; Elza E. Middleton, October 24. 1881; William Thompson, Jan- mary 19, 1887: Elza E. Middleton, May 14, 1889; L. W. Tyrrell, April 10, 1891; S. C. Gardner, August 21, 1893; Eliza H. Parrish, August 5. 1897; Sarah Parrish, June 15, 1898; Ada Lee, May 12, 1902; Nancy Pringle, June 23. 1903: Gertrude Risch, September 22, 1911 ; Letha Dough- ten, June 25. 1913.
366
WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
The above shows that there have been established within this county twenty-eight postoffices, with a total of one hundred and seventy-five dif- ferent postmasters, serving since the establishment of the first postoffice on March 14, 1856, at Fryeburg, near the present town of Rowan. The rural delivery of mail has caused many of these offices to be discontinued. leaving only the following postoffices at present : Belmond. Clarion, Dows, Eagle Grove, Galt, Goldfield, Holmes, Rowan, Woolstock.
A map of the county in 1875 shows Wright county's postoffices to have been at that date: Otisville, in section 25. Blaine township: Dry Lake, in section 16, Vernon township: Empire, in section 26, Lincoln town- ship: Fryeburg, in section 33, lowa township; Waterman, in section 29, Wall Lake township: Woolstock, in section 28, Woolstock township; Bach Grove, in section 10, Troy township: Luni, in section 7. Boone township; also Belmond and Goldfield ( then Liberty ).
PRAIRIE FIRES.
On October 26, 1877. the Belmond Herald, then edited by Frank Gates, carried the following concerning prairie fires in Wright county: "A terrible prairie fire swept east and west of town this week. At the Brandis farm six miles northeast, the fire had to be fought all night to protect property; and at Mr. Brauwer's it came up within a few rods of the house and was only stayed by hard fighting. Six stacks of hay went up in smoke; we did not learn the owner's name. The blaze swept over a large territory and was fully fifteen miles in length."
FARM NAMES.
Under a recent state enactment in lowa, the county recorder is pro- vided with a record-book in which the farm names of landowners may be recorded, for the nominal fee of one dollar per tract. Over forty farm owners have already named their farms in Wright county, no two being allowed to be the same. Those who have thus registered, giving owner's name, name of farm, location as to section, township and range, appear below-the owner and farm name only being given in this connection : "Ash Grove," B. M. Frybarger, 1914; "Ashton Place," O. P. Morton, 1914; "Boone Center," J. M. Overbaugh, 1913: "Edgewood." J. L. Brown, 1911; "Cedar View," C. M. Spangler, 1911; "Clover Crest Stock Farm," Joseph Fromm; "Cloverdale," Charles M. Overbaugh, 1914; "Sunnyside,"
367
WRIGHT COUNTY, IOW.A.
W. E. Chapman, 1911 ; "Meadowbrook," W. E. Chapman, to11; "Grand View," W. E. . Chapman, 1911; "Maple Grove," W. E. Chapman, 1911 ; "Ever Green," C. W. Cooler, 1911; "Elm Crest," Rogers H. Paine, 1911 ; "Walnut Hill Farm," Walter G. Claude, 1912; "Edgewood," J. L. Brown, 1911; "Edenwold," R. W. Franks, 1911; "Ever Green," S. H. Williams. 1911; "Eagle Farm," J. P. Sherman, 1911 ; "Eagle Valley," John C. Peter- son, 1911; "Fairview," J. F. Wareham, 1912; "llillside," F. D. Fillmore, 1911 : "Lilac Lodge," W. D. Schleiffortle, 1912; "Lake View," 1. G. Hill, 1912; "Morning Side," J. C. Miller. 1912; "Maple View," Charles D. Nel- son, 1912; "Oakdale," Helmke Bros., 1915; "Pine Grove," John Kierstein, 1911; "Pleasant Hill," John Kierstein, 1911 : "Pleasant Hill Stock Farm," E. J. Palmer, 1911 ; "Plain View Farm," J .. T. Yow, 1911: "Plainview Stock Farm." E. G. Reed, 1913: "Riverside Farm," D. D. Paine, 1911; "River View Farm," Hans \. Hanson. 1011 ; "Riverside Dairy," France Warner, 1914; "South View Stock Farm," J. E. Johnson, 1911; "Shady Grove," Stephen Wilcox, 1912; "Strawn Farm," Zetta and Nellie Strawn, 1914: "Sunnybrook Stock Farm," Raymond Paine, 1914; "Walnut View," J. D. MeComber, 1911 : "Walnut Hill Farm," W. G. Clande, 1912; "Wall Lake Stock Farm," C. M. Haas, 1914: "Walnut Brook," F. L. Paine, 1915.
BOONE VALLEY OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
This society of pioneers of Wright county, which also takes in some of Humboldt county, was organized at Goldfield in September. 1904, when two hundred persons signed as having been residents of the county twenty years or more. The first officers were: O. C. McIntosh, president ; 11. W. Melntyre, secretary; J. M. Overbaugh, J. M. Montgomery and L .. 11. Nel- son, vice-presidents; J. M. Overbaugh, historian. \ number of speeches were made at the first meeting of the society, which met at Riverside park in Goldfield, where the association holds its annual meetings.
As early as September, 1886, what was styled the "Wright and Adjoin- ing Counties Old Settlers Association" was organized, with G. G. Pritch- ard, of Belmond, as president; T. A. Davenport, secretary. . VI paying fifty cents and stating that they had come to these counties prior to 1875 were eligible to membership. Several meetings of this society were held and greatly enjoyed by those participating.
The Boone Valley Old Settlers Association was presided over by its original president, O. C. McIntosh, until his death, when George Whyte succeeded him in office until 1913, when John H. Montgomery was elected,
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOW.A.
and is still holding that honorable position. Walter Palmer, who was the first secretary of the association, is still serving. J. M. Overbaugh has always held the important position of historian, and has been a valuable man in that important office, having been reared in the county from a mere youth, the son of the pioneer, C. N. Overbaugh, and having held county and township offices, he is preeminently fitted for this place.
At the annual gatherings of the association, always held at Riverside park, Goldfield, all present register their names and pay in a small amount to defray incidental expenses, such as advertising, purchasing roast beef and coffee, etc., while the ladies bring a picnic dinner, sufficient for all who may be present. It is always held on Saturday, but no fixed part of the month, that being settled a few weeks before the reunion each season. These gatherings have been full of interest Among the speakers on such occa- sions there have appeared Hon. William Squire Kenyon, United States senator from lowa: Hon. P. B. Birdsall, ex-congressman and judge; and lawyers and ministers of note, all filled with the fire of old-time friend- ship and who spoke feelingly of pioneer days in Wright county. Besides these have appeared local men, including C. N. Overbaugh, now deceased. These annual gatherings are befitting and full of general interest to the citizens of this county and eastern Humboldt county.
THE FARMERS INSURANCE COMPANY.
As the outgrowth of the old Farmers Alliance, which organization existed many years ago in Wright county, as well as all over lowa, there was formed, at the suggestion of O. P. Morton and a few more, what is known as the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Wright and Adjoin- ing Counties. This organization, for the sole purpose of insuring farm buildings and live stock from fire, lightning, etc., in this territory, was perfected in 1890. J. G. Mechem was president from the time the com- pany was formed until its reorganization a few years ago and never missed a meeting of the directors and officers in all the twenty years of his service. The members of the company presented him with a beautiful gold-headed cane not long since, which he highly prizes. The first secretary was T. W. Smith. In 1802, when two years okl, the company was carrying 531 poli- cies and $400,000 in risks. In 1906 its officers reported $1,726,113 in risks and all losses paid and the treasurer had on hand $2,428. The losses that year amounted to twenty-three.
There is a board of trustees, or directors, one from each township in
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
this county, each of whom acts as an agent for his township, and usually attends to the matter of adjusting losses that may occur. The company's statement for Jannary 1, 1915, shows the following: Risks in force, $2,616,660; risks written in 1914. $760,964; risks cancelled in the year, $86,321 ; net gain for 1914, $349,610. Total losses paid since organization, $55,589; losses in 1914 ( forty), $9,504; assessment for last five years (per year ), two mills on the dollar; assessment for the last twenty-five years ( per year ), two and eight-tenths mills on a dollar. The rates charged do not cost the policy-holder more than one-third the amount charged by the "old line companies".
When the company was reorganized under its present charter, in 1910, G. T. Mack was elected successor to President Mecham, and is its present president. The three secretaries have been T. W. Smith, W. W. Sheplee and E. B. Whyte, who commenced his term on January 1, 1908. The 1915 officers are: G. J. Mack, president ; S. D. Kennedy, vice-president; E. B. Whyte, secretary; Thomas Wallace, treasurer. The directors are as fol- low: G. J. Mack, Lake township; M. Dawson, Grant township; Harry Summers, Dayton township: O. P. Morton, Lincoln township; G. G. Rankin, Vernon and lowa townships; E. P. Inghram, Blaine township; Thomas Wallace, Wall Lake township; M. D. Sulliven, Pleasant township; A. C. Hlinman, Belmond township: Wiert Johnson, Norway township; R. W. Frank, Boone township; W. C. Moseley, Liberty township; S. D. Kennedy, Eagle Grove, Troy and Woolstock townships.
POPULATION OF THE COUNTY.
In 1856 the population of Wright county was 427; 1860, 653; 1863, 693: 1865, 908; 1867, 1,332; 1870, 2,392; 1875, 3,234; 1880, 5,662; 1885, 9.380: 1800, 12,057; 1895, 16,024; 1900, 18,227; 1905, 17,629; 1910, 17,951: 1915, 19,500.
Given by townships and precincts, the county's population for the last three United States census periods is as follows :
1910
1900
1890
Belmond township, including part of Belmond city
775
785
625
Belmond city (part of )
160
158
81
Total for Belmond city in Belmond and Pleasant township
1,224
1,224
803
Blaine township, including part of Dows town
1,440
1,413
865
(24)
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WRIGIIT COUNTY, IOWA.
Dows town (part of ), balance in Franklin county
685
626
Boone township
504
554
348
Clarion township, coextensive with Clarion city.
2,065
1,475
1,07I
Clarion City
2,065
1,475
744
Dayton township
525
653
520
Eagle Grove township, including Eagle Grove city and part of Goldfield city
3.923
4,129
2,355
Eagle Grove city
3.387
3,557
1,88I
Total for Goldfield City in Eagle Grove and Liberty townships
618
628
343
Grant township
184
474
Iowa township ( including Rowan town )
878
787
537
Rowan, town of
256
Lake township
586
646
376
Liberty township, including part of Goldfield
1,230
1,335
828
Goldfield city (part of )
612
620
520
Lincoln township
590
679
520
Norway township
774
756
452
Pleasant township, including part of Belmond
1,716
1,807
1,240
Belmond City (part of)
1,064
1,076
722
Troy township
544
687
603
Vernon township
5,56
612
541
Wall Lake township
517
512
+18
Woolstock township, including Woolstock city
864
923
758
Woolstock city
264
274
Totals
17,95I
18,227
12,057
POPULATION BY NATIONALITY.
The 1905 Iowa state census book gave Wright county the following paragraph concerning the nationality of its people: Total number of native born of native parents, 8,864; total number of persons native born of for- eign parents, 6,212; total number of persons foreign born, 2.545.
The number of colored people in Wright county in 1905 was 8.
The number born in Iowa was 9,904; born in Illinois, 2,180; born in Ohio, 396; born in New York, 468; born in California, 10. The remain- der represented almost every state in the Union and every country in the world.
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
TIIE 1915 STATE CENSUS.
Iowa takes a census every ten years (alternating with the United States census ). The last United States census was in 1910, while the last state census is being taken the present year-1915. This enumeration shows the population of Wright county to be, by townships and incorpo- rations, as follows :
Townships-Troy, 529; Eagle Grove, 513; Liberty, 600; Boone, 562; Norway, 730; Pleasant, 680; Iowa, 603; Blaine, 573; Vernon, 558; Wall Lake, 443; Woolstock, 587; Dayton, 558; Grant, 478; Lake, 656; Lin- coln, 561.
Towns and Villages-Clarion, 2,552; Belmond, 1,418; Eagle Grove, 3,940; Dows, 998, including portion in Franklin county; Woolstock, 387; Rowan, 284.
DAYS OF MOURNING.
Following the death of President William McKinley, in September, 1901, there were memorial services held in Belmond and Clarion and other points in Wright county. At Belmond the places of business, stores and offices, were closed the entire day of the services. The town was draped in mourning and a speech was delivered in eulogy of the deceased Presi- dent by Rev. Frank L. Loveland, of Vinton, Iowa, whose words will never be forgotten by those who were present. The bells in Belmond rang from 2:30 to 2:45 in the afternoon.
In Clarion great preparations were made for the services, which were held in the opera house. The building was heavily draped and decorated with befitting emblems of mourning. Many flowers were in evidence. On one side of the stage was a picture of Lincoln and on the opposite, one of Garfield; while a large portrait of Mckinley, displayed in the center, was surrounded by beautiful flowers, which in color were in keeping with Mr. Mckinley's favorite colors. The music was very impressive and included "Lead, Kindly Light," Mckinley's favorite, and his death-cham- ber hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." Mayor White presided over the memorial meeting, and introduced the speaker of the occasion-Ilon. B. P. Birdsall, of Clarion. Other addresses were made by Reverends Beach and Johnson. The address of Mr. Birdsall was published in the Monitor in full, and contained many fine sentences, touching the memory of the lamented President. . Among these the following paragraphs are here quoted :
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
"January 29, 1843, September 14, 1910. Between these dates lies the record of a human life; a birth and death, a promise and its fulfillment ; a baby's smile, a mother's joy; youth's ambition and manhood's achieve- ments, labor and its reward, to close with a tragedy so dark and deep that it shook the world. Only a few days since from that beautiful city by the inland sea whence has been gathered all that was best in science, art and mechanics, was flashed the intelligence that our beloved President had been assassinated. With the wings of lightning it flew from city to town and hamlet, even to the remote parts of earth. A few days elapsed, days of alternate fear or expectation, responding to favorable or unfavorable reports from his bedside. Hope grew strong as day after day we received assurance that he would live; when, of a sudden, as hope had grown almost to a conviction, comes the news flashed on the wings of speed, that the President is dying. Vain our hopes, vain our tears, vain our prayers, as the President is dead! William Mckinley is no more; the dates are complete, the kind husband, the valiant soldier, the superb representative of Ameri- can citizenship has gone to his reward. The nation mourns, the public are in tears; while the world's pulse, beating in mournful unison, pays reverential homage to our illustrious dead.
"In a time of peace and prosperity, the hand of the assassin, in the name of liberty, is raised against the constitutional head of the republic; against the very embodiment of liberty itself, and the President's life is sacrificed. But why question? Life is a mystery deeply woven in the warp of fate. That gentle soul, breathing the very spirit of our divine Master, could say, while yet the red blood was oozing from his breast, "God forgive him." That faithful, trusting Christian, when about to undergo the sur- geon's knife, found strength in the whispered words, 'Our Father, who art in Heaven,' when the mists of death were falling fast, saw then, with even brighter vision, he answered us, 'God's will, not ours, be done.' In life and in death the same sweet, loving soul, whose private life was stain- less as a star ; whose public work illumined the whole world. President William MeKinley crossed the great river made wider by our affection and deepened by our tears. He was tenderly borne on the wings of hope to life's goal, gently laid in the arms of his fellow martyrs, Lincoln and Gar- field. Bid an affectionate farewell and goodbye. The world is poorer by his going and Heaven has a new attraction for us all."
373
WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
GRANT MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Upon the death of President U. S. Grant, in July, 1885, the Clarion post, Grand Army of the Republic, held memorial services at the opera house. The services were of a very impressive character. Short speeches were made by Ben Entrikin and Messrs. Nagle, Ladd, Birdsall and Gibbs, all uniting in paying the deceased general and President tributes of praise, from various viewpoints, some stating that his deeds and character as an American citizen would make a more lasting impression than those of any man excepting possibly Washington and Lincoln.
EAGLES DESTROYED.
For twenty-two years prior to May, 1877, a pair of eagles had made their nest with each recurring season, near Horse grove, this county. But during that month they made their last nest, the hand of man having been raised against them. A man living in Belmond killed the old eagles and captured a pair of young ones. The young and greedy little creatures did not mature. This was a very wicked act upon the part of the man who killed the eagles, when it is considered how rare these "emblems of liberty" have come to be in this country.
RELIEF FOR RUSSIANS IN 1892.
During the awful famine in Russia, in 1892, the farmers of lowa were called upon to aid the sufferers in that far-away country. Wright county was canvassed hurriedly and her people sent corn, or its value in money, with much liberality. The banner township was what is sometimes, or was at an early date, known as "the state of Wall Lake." Through the efforts of Messrs. John Fagan and Charley Birdsall three car loads of corn were collected, which was sent from Clarion to Miss Clara Barton, of the Amer- ican Red Cross Society. The county was represented by township work as follows: Vernon, $38; Blaine, $54; Eagle Grove, $61; Lincoln, $35; WVall Lake, $60; Clarion, $55. In all, $470 was raised and sent to aid the unfortunate Russians.
THE 1882 PROHIBITORY AMENDMENT VOTE.
June 27, 1882, there was held a special election throughout the several connties of lowa to determine whether the state should have a constitutional
374
WRIGIIT COUNTY, IOWA.
amendment to forbid the sale of alcoholic liquors, including ale, wine and beer. It carried in the state by thirty thousand majority, but was subse- quently declared unconstitutional, on technical grounds, and hence was not made a part of our constitution. The vote in Wright county gave the fol- lowing majorities for such amendment: Clarion township, 85; Belmond, 50; Pleasant, 65; Blaine, 58; Vernon, 19; Woolstock, 4; Dayton, 3; Lib- erty, 52; Eagle Grove, 68; Lake, 9; Wall Lake, 1; Norway, 19; Iowa, II; Troy, 39; Boone, 15; making 494 majority for the measure in this county.
AIDING SAN FRANCISCO SUFFERERS.
In the spring of 1906 Clarion raised two hundred and forty-seven dol- lars for the earthquake sufferers in San Francisco.
AUTOMOBILES IN WRIGHIT COUNTY, 1914.
In 1914 there were listed for taxation in this county seven hundred and fifty-six automobiles. These were distributed over all parts of the county, and many were owned in the rural sections of the county. The "Ford" was perhaps the leading machine in use.
A LATE SNOW STORM.
On April 13, 1892, occurred the commencement of one of the latest snow storms ever seen by Wright county residents. It continued for thirty hours and there were fully ten inches of snow on the level when the storm ceased. It was the making, however, of a large small-grain crop. After a day or two the snow rapidly disappeared and spring came in earnest. Again, on May 22, the same year, there came an eight-inch fall of snow to the north and west of this county.
ANCIENT RELICS.
The August 12, 1882, issue of the Webster City Freeman had the following account of a Wright county curiosity: "At Head Grove (the Jim Anderson farm), Wright county, on Eagle creek, there has been found by a plowman many curious pieces of old-time relics, among which are parts of two gun barrels and an English make of hatchet, both too badly rusted to give any intelligent idea as to their age or manufacture, except their size and general form. They were found about fifteen inches below
375
WRIGHIT COUNTY, IOWA.
the surface, and have every evidence of having been there long years. If their true history were known it would doubtless be of great interest. In the same field have been found several strangely fashioned stone hammers of exceptionally large size and of a peculiar shape. Friend Anderson sup- poses that Head grove was at one time a camping ground and perhaps burial place of some of the pre-historic race. These implements would denote another race than the Indian, but here must be drawn the curtain, leaving all to only conjecture."
WONDERFUL MIRAGE.
Editor Hathaway, of the Monitor of February 9, 1874, wrote of this pleasing and strange phenomenon as follows: "The people of this section were treated to one of nature's rare and free exhibitions yesterday morn- ing in the shape of a mirage which showed miles of prairie and timber that was in reality far below the horizon. We could count the houses in Lib- erty, ten miles to the west, follow the windings of the Boone as far as Rock creek and to far below Webster City; look way over into Humboldt county and see the farm homes, stock sheds and tall columns of smoke arising from hundreds of chimneys on the prairies for miles southwest and northwest. We gained a more thorough knowledge of the course of rivers and creeks, the location of the groves and timber and the direction of towns and villages than by studying the map of Iowa. This delusion appeared about two hours. The cause of the phenomenon is the unequal refraction of the light in the atmosphere."
INTERESTING PARAGRAPHIS.
In 1880: "John McAlpin of Belmond had on hand ten thousand muskrat hides, and is counted the 'boss ratist' in Wright county."
March, 1875: "Prairie chickens have been decidedly familiar of late, hundreds having been driven into the settlements yards and into town on account of the ordinary feed being all covered with deep snows. They are seen each morning about the houses and yards in Clarion."
PRAIRIE FIRES.
An item in the W'right County Monitor in the month of October, 1873, read as follows: "The present fall has been one of unusual dryness and as an inevitable consequence prairie fires have been disastrous. The grass
376
WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
was very heavy and the hard frosts of two weeks ago made the prairie a huge tinder-box, that once started with fire no power could stop till the prairie was all burned over. Hi Lane of Hancock county had $4,000 worth of property destroyed. Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Humboldt and Wright counties, with parts of Webster county, have all been greatly dam- aged. Hay, grain, sheds, machinery, houses and household goods have been destroyed in all of these counties. Wright county has had a very severe season of fires. Reports of loss and damage are coming in every day, and scarcely an acre of prairie remains unburned between this place and the Boone river. The cattle must now be taken up to feed and, as much hay is burned, a hard winter will be a rough thing on the cattle in many sec- tions. We are unable to make an estimate at present of the loss, but it will be way up in the thousands of dollars."
In January, 1880, during the hard snowy winter, a dozen or fifteen Indians had quarters on the Iowa river near Fryeburg. Four of the squaws hired out to settlers to cut wood for them, while the "braves" busied them- selves at begging, and hunting rabbits and trapping. These were from the Tama county Indian reservation.
MARKET QUOTATIONS AT VARIOUS PERIODS.
The earliest quotations accessable at this date, for articles used among the pioneers of Wright and Hamilton counties, are the following, which constituted a bill filled at Webster City, in 1856, for Josiah Davidson, of Goldfield postoffice, Wright county, Iowa :
Webster City Iowa
November 24, 1856
Bot. of W. H. & D. O. Laughlin
31/2 Yds. White Flannel @@: 40€ $1.40
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