USA > Iowa > History of western Iowa, its settlement and growth. A comprehensive compilation of progressive events concerning the counties, cities, towns, and villages-biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with an authentic history of the state of Iowa > Part 28
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I. Cummings, dealer in groceries and provisions, was born in N. Y. in 1844: removed to Fremont county, Ia., in 1855; thence to Chicago, Ill., in 1871, where he remained five years, and located in Onawa, Ia., in 1877. In 1881, engaged in the present business, by buying out J. R. Thurston.
John Douglas, jeweler and music dealer, was born in Scotland in 1851; came to America in 1872, and settled in Neb .; moved to Onawa in 1876, and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1876, and has two children-Mary, and an infant daughter.
W. J. Eva, harness manufacturer, was born in Wis. in 1847; removed to Worthington, Nobles county, Minn., in 1872; thence to Onawa. Ia., in 1876, and engaged in his present business in 1878. He was married in 1875 to Lucy Manning, and has three children.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
B. D. & Chas. Holbrook, proprietors of the bank at Onawa, came from Pa. to this city in 1857, and engaged in the law, loan and real estate business, until 1865, when they opened the bank. H. E. Morrison is cashier of the bank.
A. G. Hurst, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Ind. in 1832; removed with parents in 1836 to Ill .; thence to Newton, Ia. In 1855 came to Ashton, near Onawa. He enlisted in March, 1862, in Co. K., 17th Ia., and' re-enlisted as a veteran in the same com- pany. He was taken prisoner with the rest of the regiment and confined at Andersonville one hundred and eighty-five days; was discharged at Davenport, Ia., June 16th, 1865, and returned to Monona county, and engaged in farming and dealing in stock. He was married in 1859, to Julia Brink, and has ten children.
W. H. Kelsey was born in N. Y. in 1841. He enlisted in Co. B, 64th N. Y. Vol., in 1861, was discharged in 1862; re-enlisted in the 13th N. Y. Heavy Art. as a veteran, and was again discharged in 1865. He was one of five brothers, who enlisted; two were killed and the others disabled in the service. He came to Onawa in 1865. He was married in 1877.
D. B. Kenyon, miller and grain dealer. was born in N. Y. in 1845; removed to Wis. in 1856, and from there to Onawa in 1872, and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1869 to N. F. Freeland. They have one son and two daughters.
C. G. Perkins, postmaster, and dealer in general merchandise, was born in Rockingham county, N. Y., in 1830; removed to Wis. in 1855, and engaged in farming. He enlisted in 1862 iu Co. G, 19th Wis., and was discharged in 1865; then came to Onawa, and engaged in farming four years. He was then elected county recorder; resigned in 1872. He was a member of the 14th assem- bly in 1872-3; engaged in his present business in 1873. He was married in 1853 to R. S. Stearns, and has three children-C. W., Mary W. and Addie M.
P. Sawyer, proprietor of city blacksmith shop, was born in Ox- ford county, Me., in 1846. He eplisted in 1862, in Co. D. 28th Me. Vol .; was discharged in 1863, and went to Concord, Mass .; thence to Onawa in 1865. He was married in 1867, to M. T. Cun- mingham. They have four children-Edwin E., Altha M., Earl, and Margie.
John W. Somers, druggist, was born in N. C. in 1834; removed to Champaign county, Ill., in 1843 and was clerk of the courts for several years. He enlisted in 1862 in the 76th Ill. Vol. as a pri- vate; was promoted to commissary sergeant, then to first lieuten- ant, and regimental quarter-master; left the army in 1865, and re- turned to Ill. He engaged in the drug business in 1867 at Urbana, and in 1879 removed to Onawa, and again engaged in the drug business. He was married in 1858 to Sarah J. Fitzgerald. They have one son and one daughter.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Richard Stebbins, M. D., and druggist, was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1824. He was educated for a physician; removed to Council Bluffs in 1857, and engaged in the practice of medicine; remained there six months; removed to Onawa, and continued the practice of his profession, and engaged in the drug business in 1864. He was married in 1859 to Mary J. Billings, and has a son and a daughter.
J. R. Thurston, proprietor of the Onawa House, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1833; removed to Cass county, Ia., in 1856; thence to Onawa in 1860, and engaged in farming, until 1877, when he engaged in the mercantile business, which he sold in 1881, and engaged in his present businees. He was married in 1855, and has five children.
T. C. Walton, proprietor of the Walton House, was born in Somerset county, Me., in 1829; removed to Wis., in 1854, and re- mained two years and returned to Me. In 1864 he again removed to Wis., settling in St. Croix county, and engaged in the drug business. In 1869 he came to Onawa, Ia., and in 1871 built the hotel he now occupies. He has been twice married, and has four children-Lona, Ida, Geo. and William.
Maj. George E. Warner, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Sullivan county, N. H., in 1843. He went to Boston. Mass., at the age of twelve to learn the dry goods business. In 1862 he enlisted in the 6th Mass. battery, and at the end of six months, entered the 10th U. S. colored corps as first lieutenant: was promoted to Major, and discharged in that rank in 1867; came to Onawa, Ia., and engaged in his present business. He was mar- ried in 1868 to Mollie E. Morrison, of Onawa, and has one child, a daughter.
N. A. Whiting, dealer in general hardware, was born in N. Y., in 1823; lived on a farm until eighteen years of age; then learned carriage making, in which business he was engaged for fifteen years in O. and Ala. He came to Onawa, Ia., in 1857, and the following year engaged in his present business. He was married in 1853, and has three children- Eva, Charles and Estella. Chas. is engaged in the banking business at Mapleton, Ia.
W. G. Woods, dealer in grain, enlisted in 1864 in Co. E. 48th Wis., and was discharged in 1865. He was married in 1873, to Ma- tilda Barber, and has one son and one daughter-Arthur and Zellie.
MAPLETON.
J. Q. Adams, proprietor of the Mapleton dray line, was born in Franklin county, Me., in 1837; moved to Iowa in 1854. He moved to Onawa in 1858, and engaged in farming. He engaged in his present business in Mapleton, Jan. 25th, 1881.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
G. H. Butler, of the firm of G. H. Butler & Co., furniture deal- ers, was born in Ind .; moved to Ia. in 1856, and engaged in mill- ing. He moved to Monona county, Ia., in 1865, and engaged in farming, and in 1878, engaged in his present business.
J. R. Cameron, dealer in general merchandise and grain, is a native of Ohio; came to Ia. in 1852, and engaged in the land busi- ness. He came to Monona county in 1878, and engaged in the grain and land business, and, in 1880, added the mercantile busi- ness. He was agent for the railroad company for three years.
J. R. Chapman, dealer in lumber, coal and builders' supplies, is a native of N. Y .; moved to Ohio when young, and to Scott county, Ia., in 1860. He came to Mapleton, in 1877, and engaged in his present business.
J. Garrison, hardware dealer, was born in Ill .; moved to Iowa in 1873, and located in Calhoun county, and engaged in farming. He moved to Dunlap, and engaged in the mercantile business; thence to Mapleton, in the autumn of 1877, and built the first store in the place, and entered the mercantile business.
Porter Hamilton, of the firm of Hamilton Bros., dealers in farm machinery and lumber, was born in Ill .; moved to Cedar Rapids, Ia., in 1872; thence to Mapleton in the autumn of 1877. and en- gaged in his present business. During 1881, his sales of farm ma- chinery amounted to $25,000.
Samuel Holliday, proprietor of the City billiard hall, was born in Muscatine county, Ia., in 1842, and engaged in farming, until entering his present business in 1880.
T. Martin, proprietor of blacksmith and wagon shop, is a native of Ill .; moved to Ia. in 1880, and engaged in his present business.
M. Morgan, of the firm of Butler & Morgan, grocers, was born in Scott county, Ia., in 1846. He enlisted in May, 1864, in the 44th Ia. regiment, and was discharged in autumn of the same year. He re-enlisted in Jan., 1865, in the 20th, Ia., Co. G; was transferred to the 29th Ia. regiment, and in Sept., 1865, returned to Iowa, and engaged in farming. He located at Mapleton in 1879, and entered his present business in Jan., 1881.
J. D. Rice, attorney at law; is a native of N. Y .; moved to Marshall, Ia., in 1874; thence to Mapleton in 1878, and engaged in the practice of the law. He is a member of the school board.
W. E. Roberts, agent for the C. & N. W. R. R., is a native of England; came to America when quite young, with parents, and settled in Wis .; moved to Tama county, Ia., in 1868. He after- wards moved to Battle Creek, as agent for the railroad company; thence to Mapleton in Nov., 1880.
W. F. Scott, of the firm of Scott Bros., dealers in general mer- chandise, is a native of W. Va .; moved to Clinton county, Ia., in
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
1864, and to Denison in 1871, and engaged in the mereantile busi- ness. He came to Mapleton in 1877, erected a large store building, and engaged in his present business. He was appointed postmaster in Dec., 1881, and is also express agent.
B. B. Snyder, proprietor of the Stowell House, is a native of Pa .; came to Logan, Ia., in 1876, and engaged in the hotel busi- ness. He erected one of the first hotels in Mapleton, and opened his present house in 1881, which is in charge of his son, James S. Snyder.
WHITING.
Cassady & Whiting, dealers in general merchandise, located in Whiting in June, 1880. Mr. Cassady is a native of O .; moved to Ia. in 1867, and settled near this place. W. C. Whiting is a native of Monona county, and has always resided in it.
Koon & Dimmick, dealers in general hardware, established busi- ness in Dec., 1SS1. Mr. Koon came to Mills county, Ia., in 1868, from Ill .; thence to Monona county in 1873. Mr. Dimmick is a native of Pa .; moved to Ashton, Ia., in 1856; thence to Whiting in 1881.
D. Rust, M. D., of the firm of Rust & Morley, druggists, was born in Ill .; moved to Fremont county, Ia., in 1876. He estab- lished his present business in Whiting in 1879, and in 1880 L. A. Morley became a partner. They do a general drug business, and deal in paints, oils, etc.
Lyman Whittier, the pioneer merchant of Whiting, was born in Essex county, Mass .; came to Ia. in 1870, and located at Mis- souri Valley and engaged in the mercantile business; removed to Whiting in 1873, and built the first store and started his present business. He enlisted in Oct., 1862, in the 1st battery of Mass. heavy artillery, and served until June 1865. Mr. W. traveled ex- tensively through Europe during the year 1879. He was appointed postmaster of Whiting in 1873, and has held the office ever since.
A. G. Wight, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Ohio; moved to Ia. in 1865, and settled in Monona county in 1867. In 1875 he moved to Whiting and engaged in the hotel and livery business which he still continues, and in 1876 engaged in the mer- cantile business.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHEROKEE COUNTY,
If there is any one class of men who deserve more than another to have their names perpetuated in history, it is, perhaps, the hardy pioneers who left their homes of comfort and luxury in the old Eastern States, and, voluntarily abandoning all the comforts of home and civilized life, plunged boldly into the unknown and lim- itless prairies that spread out beyond the great Father of Waters, to explore the mysteries of this mighty region, and to open up new fields of industry for themselves and their posterity. To the his- torian, no more delightful task presents itself, than to recount their deeds of daring, to chronicle their persistent self-sacrificing efforts, to recite their marvelous achievements, to tell of the in- domitable pluck, energy and determination that characterized their movements, and then to make the wonderful transformation all this has effected in one of the grandest countries the sun ever shown down upon. To the individual who visits this section to- day, these recitals seem like fairy tales. He cannot comprehend, as he sits in his elegant palace coach, and is whirled from one city and village to another, almost with the speed of the wind, or skims along the iron track through waving fields of the richest grain, that a few short years ago this section was tenanted only by wild animals and the equally wild and savage red-man; and his wonder is still further increased, as he notes, on every hand, the commo- dious and even elegant farm buildings, and sees the innumerable herds of fine cattle grazing on the nutritious grasses. The transi- tion has indeed been wonderful, but probably nowhere more marked than in Cherokee County, where, a trifle over thirty-six years ago, no sign of civilization could meet the eye throughout its entire length and breadth. But a country of such surpassing beauty and unequalled richness could not always be given over to painted sav- ages, albeit they alone had enjoyed its fair skies and beautiful scen- ery for so many years.
Cherokee County was formed in January, 1851, at which time most of her sister counties were located and their boundaries de- fined. In January, 1853, it was attached to the county of Wah- kan-now Woodbury-for revenue, election and judicial purposes. At this time, however, it was a county in nothing but name; for its fertile prairies, beautiful rivers and clear, sparkling brooks had as yet failed to attract the attention of the "vanguard of civiliza- tion." Finally, in the Spring of 1856, Robert Perry, a hardy pio- neer from the eastern part of the State, visited this section and stopped for a short time near what is now known as the city of
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Cherokee. The solitude proved altogether too unattractive, and he soon took his departure for another and more thickly settled portion of the State.
In the early part of the same year, a number of hard-working, intelligent men in Milford, in the old commonwealth of Massachu- setts. became fired with a desire to visit this wonderful Eldorado, about which they had heard so much, and if possible, to secure for themselves homes here. Under the leadership of Dr. Russell, a prominent citizen of Milford, a joint stock company, known as the "Milford Emigration Society," was formed, consisting of fifty-five members, twenty-four of whom were heads of families, the design being to find homes somewhere in Western Iowa. Just prior to the formation of this company, Carlton Corbett and Lemuel Park- hurst, both stalwart, daring young men, had been sent out by the citizens of Milford to explore this portion of the country, and se- lect a suitable location for colonists. Twenty persons. under the auspices of the Milford Emigration Society, started on February 11th, 1856, for northwestern Iowa, intending to meet Corbett and Parkhurst at Sioux City, that being the objective point of the col- ony at that time.
On arriving at the mouth of the Big Sioux River, Messrs. Cor- bett and Parkhurst discovered, much to their disappointment, that others were in advance of them. Mr. Parkhurst remained here, but Mr. Corbett pushed on up the country for a distance of fifty miles above Sioux City. Not finding what he considered a desir- able location, he again turned south with the determination of ex- ploring Cherokee County, of which he had heard very favorable reports from Mr. Perry, who was then located at Sioux City. A thorough exploration of the county convinced Mr. Corbett that it was altogether the finest section of country he had yet visited. Hastening to Correctionville, he met the Milford colony, and had but little difficulty in inducing that party to locate here. They proceeded up the Little Sioux River, until they reached Cherokee County, where all were amazed at the magnificent panorama na- ture had spread out, seemingly for their benefit. The weary com- pany arrived at a point on the Sioux, near the present site of Cher- okee, on a beautiful May morning. The river danced and sparkled in the sunlight, as it dashed along its pebbly bed; the birds sang sweetly as they flitted from bough to bough, through the thick growth of timber that then skirted the high river banks at this point; the view on either hand was the most enchanting mortal eyes ever beheld, and to the weary wanderers, many hundred miles from home, and over one hundred miles from any settlement, it seemed that all nature was bidding them "welcome" to the peerless county of Cherokee.
On every side were moderately high bluffs, beyond which, stretch- ing away for miles upon miles, was the rich rolling prairie-land, of which they had so long been in search. The entire company cor
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
sisted of twenty persons, some of whom are still living in the county.
The colonists, among whom were G. W. Lebourveau, Carlton Corbett, B. W. Sawtell, Lysander Sawtell, Robert Hammond, Al- bert Simonds, Asa Slayton, were undaunted by the fact that there was no friendly roof to afford them shelter, and believing that a bright and prosperous future awaited them if only the necessary pluck and muscle were exercised, they immediately commenced the construction of a log house, 17 by 18 feet, near the present site of Mill Creek Mill, and for some time this small building, the first ever erected in Cherokee County, afforded shelter and a home to the entire colony. The two teams belonging to the colony were immediately put to work, and 150 acres were broken for a crop, of which about thirty acres were planted with corn. They also raised 200 bushels of excellent potatoes and a large quantity of small vegetables. During the season four more houses were built, one by G. W. Lebourveau, one by the Sawtell brothers, one by L. Park- hurst and one by William Holden, the two latter and Albert Phipps having joined the settlers later in the season. The post- office and the nearest trading point were sixty miles from the set- tlement, and nearly all merchandise had to be hauled from Council Bluffs, 130 miles distant.
During the Summer, a village was planned; 320 acres were sur- veyed into town lots, and all the land adjoining the village plat was made into twenty-acre lots, though a few contained as many as sixty. The lands selected were principally west of the Little Sioux River, and south of Mill Creek, and located near the center of the county. An unusually severe winter followed, the snow at one time lying three feet deep on the level prairie, and the colo- nists suffered not a little.
On the 18th day of June, 1856, another colony from Hardin county, Iowa, consisting of G. W. Banister, John Banister, John Moore, Charles Moore, Alfred Moore, Jacob Miller, T. Lane, Mar- vin Alison and Martin Burns, arrived at this place, and immedi- ately started a settlement seven miles below the Milford colony. Enoch Taylor and three others met with poor success in attempt- ing to start another settlement in the northern part of the county. Cold weather was now coming on, and Mr. Corbett and L. Sawtell made a trip to Council Bluffs, with ox teams, to procure winter provisions for the colony.
Thus far the Cherokee colony had been favored with uninter- rupted prosperity, but an Indian out-break in February, 1857, threatened for a time to overthrow all the bright hopes of the set- tlers. In this month a party of Sioux Indians passed down the river, but as they appeared very friendly to the Cherokee settlers, no uneasiness was felt. 'At Smithland, the whites took the arms away from the Indians, which so enraged the latter that they started back up the stream, vowing vengeance on all the whites they should meet. They entered every house on their way back,
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
appropriating everything in the way of fire-arms they could lay their hands on. With the arms thus obtained they arrived at Cherokee, and scattered the settlers and captured their arms, pro- visions and other articles. Cattle were stolen, provisions seized, and the unfortunate settlers forced to cook them at the muzzle of a gun in the hands of an Indian who seemed more anxious to shoot than otherwise. The savages remained three days, during which there existed a regular reign of terror. On the night of the third day, Messrs. Lebourveau and Parkhurst returned from a trip to Sac City, and the Indians, thinking they had come from Smith- land, and that the armed citizens of that place would follow, left the next morning in great haste. Hurrying to Spirit Lake, they massacred the entire colony, men, women and children.
When the horrible tale of the Spirit Lake massacre reached the Cherokee settlers, they became thoroughly alarmed, and by the ad- vice of friends in other settlements, they abandoned their settle- ment entirely in the latter part of February, some going to Ash- land, some to Smithland and others to Onawa.
As no further outbreak took place, the fears of the settlers grad- ually subsided, and in the following May most of the settlers re- turned and put in their crops.
The first school was taught during the summer in the old log house called the Cherokee House, by Mrs. Parkhurst, the funds for its support being sent from Milford, Massachusetts. Among those who attended that school, are Clara, George and Thomas Brown; John, Frank and Addie Phipps, all of whom were long residents of this county. Miss Phipps afterwards taught school herself in this county, and was considered one of the most successful teach- ers in the county.
Up to this time, Cherokee had remained attached to Woodbury County for judicial, election and revenue purposes. Sergeant's Bluffs was then the county seat of Woodbury County, and as all business for Cherokee County had to be transacted at that place, and as the distance was great, the inconvenience became so serious, that, in August, 1857, the county was completely organized, and its independent political life fully inaugurated by a special elec- tion. Twenty-three votes were cast, and the following officers elected: County Judge, A. P. Thayer; District Clerk, B. W. Saw- tell; Prosecuting Attorney, C. Corbett; Recorder and Treasurer, G. W. Lebourveau; County Sheriff, S. W. Haynes; Coroner, G. W. Banister.
Early in 1858, the first tax was levied, amounting to twelve and a half mills on the dollar. The total valuation of property was $97,820. The first county warrant ever issued in Cherokee County was drawn October 2d, 1858, for $4.30, payable to D. N. Stoddard, on account of services as chainman on Road No. 1, to Plymouth County line, and is signed by A. P. Thayer, County Judge. The
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
first bridge over the Sioux was built by Mr. Blair, he receiving there- for $1,600. To pay this, the people voted a seven-mill tax, four- teen votes being cast for the tax and one against it.
In the fall of 1857, a number of the colonists left, carrying with them dismal stories of the rigorous winters and terrible Indians, and from the year 1858 to the year 1863, there was but little cheering in the history of Cherokee County.
Isolated from all the privileges, comforts and conveniences of old communities, Cherokee County became a little world of its own, albeit a rather gloomy one. A land grant, made in 1856. had led the settlers to hope for an early completion of the Du- buque & Sioux City Railroad, but as time passed on without other prospects of the road being built, the hopes of the settlers were extinguished, and a general feeling of despondency took possession of all.
In the month of November, 1859, occurred the first marriage in the county, that of Carlton Corbett, and Miss Rosabella Cummings.
For three succeeding years but little occurred in the county worthy of record. In 1860, the population of the county was fifty- eight, but in 1863, this had decreased to fifteen. In 1862, the In- dian outbreaks assumed such formidable proportions that the set- tlers were once more compelled to flee from their homes and seek safety at other and better protected places. Mr. Corbett returned in the fall, and he was followed by O. S. Wight, J. A. Brown. and Robert Perry, all of whom were accompanied by their families.
During the civil war, Cherokee County furnished more soldiers in proportion to her population than any other county in the Un- ion. Among those who enlisted from this county were G. W. Lebourveau, Silas Parkhrrst, Joel Davenport, and Albert Phipps. Eight in all entered the army for the Union, leaving but five men in the entire county.
In 1863, a court house was built at the cost of $1,900, and this building is yet being used by the county. In 1865, the first saw mill was erected on the site now occupied by the Bliss mill. This year the population of the county was but sixty-four, and the cen- sus of 1865 returned nine residents, with a population of fifty-two, twenty-nine males and twenty-three females. There were twenty- one horses and ninety-eight cattle, and only eighteen acres of spring wheat were sown, twenty-three acres of oats, seven of barley, and thirty-eight of potatoes.
For some years, prior to 1866, the settlement had a monthly mail, which was carried between Cherokee and Sioux City. Dur- ing the year 1860, a weekly mail was established, which was con- sidered a wonderful step in advance, and then for the first time the settlers began to realize that they were really a part and parcel of the civilized world. Early in this year, G. W. Lebourveau, G. W. Banister and Silas Parkhurst, three of the original settlers, re- turned to Cherokee county. The developments of the county from
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