USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
The board of supervisors have had constructed, at county expense, a splendid cement bridge across Otter creek, at the Rock Island depot. This was a greatly needed improvement to lower Vine street, in that the old wooden structure which it supplanted was not suitable for the heavy traffic to and from the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul depot, the fair grounds, etc., or even the ordinary travel between West Union and Fayette, and the intermediate country districts. This and the other railroad and city improvements in that section, have given lower Vine street a decided city air.
As supplementary to the ever-present sprinkling cart, the council decided to test the merits of oil instead of water, and the summer of 1910 was their first experience in that line.
The Board of Trade, organized by the active business men of the town for the promotion of new enterprises, has been in existence for several years. and through their efforts the idea of oiling the streets instead of sprinkling with water was brought to the attention of the city council. This body also had much to do with introducing an annual Chautauqua entertainment which has proven so satisfactory as to encourage the incorporation of a company during the present year (1910), to promote a continuance of this literary festival.
REUNIONS.
The citizens of the town have always aided and encouraged the county reunions of the veterans of the Civil war, and, whether regimental or general, these annual meetings of the veterans have been as great a source of pleasure
(31)
482
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
to the general public as to the old soldiers themselves. These demonstrations have been held annually, and mostly at West Union, for the last thirty-four years. It seems to be the policy of the intelligent citizenship to vie with each other in the matter of general entertainment, supplying music and speakers, and in paying the legitimate expenses of the meetings.
Abernathy Post No. 48, Grand Army of the Republic, is the nucleus around which centers the executive features of the annual re-unions; and though the ranks are rapidly thinning and many of the most active members are gone, the remnant is still active and zealous in the promotion of anything calculated to enhance the interests and pleasures of the survivors. This post was organized in 1879, and named in honor of Col. Jacob Abernathy, a Fayette county soldier who lost his life in the Atlanta campaign. Dr. S. E. Robinson was the first commander and G. W. Fitch was the first adjutant and second commander. For many years this organization was the most popular and prosperous of any of the fraternities in West Union. It enrolled nearly every ex-soldier within a radius of ten miles of West Union, and seldom did any member fail to attend its meetings. It mustered in its palmiest days con- siderably more than a hundred members, and its meetings were always enthusi- astic, enlivened with speeches and old-time war songs, and frequently public entertainments and open meetings were held. But many deaths and some re- movals have depleted the ranks, while the decrepitude of old age has shorn the survivors of much of their former energy and activity. The trustees of the Universalist church have allowed the use of the parlor and dining room in the church basement for the general meetings of the post and Woman's Relief Corps, the latter being an enthusiastic body of loyal women (loyal to the old soldiers as well as to their country) whose helpful co-operation could not be ignored. The regular meetings of both bodies are now held on Saturday afternoon, on or before the full moon in each month. But this auxiliary to the "Grand Army of the Republic" is entitled to more than a passing notice. Their benefactions have reached nearly every poor family in the place, regard- less of soldier connections, and many a poor sufferer has had occasion to bless the existence of the Woman's Relief Corps.
BANKS AND BANKERS.
West Union was the first banking point in Fayette county. For a num- ber of years prior to the organization of the Fayette County National Bank, in 1872, S. B. Zeigler (lately deceased) was the proprietor of the Fayette
483
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
County Bank, the assets of which were transferred to the National Bank on the 5th of August, 1872, that being the date of formal organization. The sub- scribers to the capital stock, of fifty thousand dollars, were David Bell, of Dover township; C. R. Bent, Lewis Berkey, George Blunt, Joseph Hobson, H. B. Hoyt, Myron Peck, William Redfield, L. W. Waterbury, E. A. Whit- ney and S. B. Zeigler, of West Union; William Larrabee and B. H. Hinkley, of Clermont ; D. B. Herriman, Wadena, and J. K. Rosier of Dover township. (Of these original stockholders, but three are now living.) It was found that the stock subscribed for was nine thousand five hundred dollars in excess of the capital stock intended, and a readjustment was made in conformity with the original purpose.
The first board of directors was David Bell, George Blunt, D. B. Herri- man, Joseph Hobson, H. B. Hoyt, William Larrabee, Myron Peck, E. A. Whitney and S. B. Zeigler. Joseph Hobson was elected president, S. B. Zeigler, vice-president, E. A. Whitney, cashier, and E. B. Shaw, teller. These officers held the positions to which elected for about ten years, when Mr. Whitney resigned and Mr. Shaw became the cashier, with C. W. Lathrop as teller. Two or three years later, Mr. Hobson was compelled to resign the presidency by reason of failing health, and did not survive but a few years. Mr. Zeigler was elected president and held the office until his death in 1909, when Dr. G. D. Darnall (who had become a stockholder and director) was elected president, and so continues. In the meantime Mr. Shaw was elected United States bank examiner, and resigned his office as cashier to accept the higher and bet- ter-paying position. (While engaged in this work he died suddenly when away from home.) Frank Camp, who was serving in the office of county treasurer, was called to the place made vacant by the resignation of Mr. Shaw, and is the present cashier. The capital stock of this institution has been in- creased to eighty thousand dollars. In 1874 the Bank block was completed and the bank was moved into its present commodious and handsome quarters, where it has installed all the paraphernalia for the protection of itself and its patrons, and prosecutes a general banking and exchange business on the con- servative basis which has always characterized its business transactions. Con- nected with it, yet apart from it, is the Fayette County Savings Bank whose nine directors, aside from John Owens, were chosen from the stockholders of the National Bank. The business of this institution is mostly transacted through the National Bank, where its deposits and securities are held.
These have been very helpful institutions in the community, and the wreck of many a business man has been averted by the timely aid of the Fay-
484
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
ette County National Bank and the co-operation of the Savings Bank. The deposits in these banks are as great as that of any monetary institution in the county, and their careful and conservative management has inspired the people with confidence in their stability and business capacity.
The Bank block, to which reference has been made, is the location of the only opera house in the town, and the home of the Hoyt hardware business since the completion of the building in 1874. Several other store and offices are located in this building, which for many years was the best building in the town and compares favorably with the best at present. It is located on the west side of Vine street, between Elm and Plum streets.
The Bank of West Union was incorporated March 12, 1883, and the cer- tificate of the auditor of state issued on the 10th of July following. It con- tinued to do business under this name until February 7, 1898, when its articles of incorporation were amended to comply with a change in the law and the word "State" was prefixed to its name and it has since been known as State Bank of West Union. Its original incorporators were A. Rawson, John Jami- son, G. H. Thomas, J. H. Lakin, J. B. Green, William A. Hoyt, William Lar- rabee, F. Y. Whitmore and O. B. Dodd, and these gentlemen constituted the first board of directors. John Jamison, William Larrabee and F. Y. Whit- more have continuously served upon the board until the present time and O. B. Dodd with the exception of one year. The present board consists of William Colby, O. B. Dodd, Mark Gilbert, H. P. Hancock, John Jamison, William Larrabee, J. K. Montgomery, W. B. Thomas and F. Y. Whitmore. Others who have served upon the board being Jay M. Stevenson, W. B. Steven- son, James Graham and George Blunt.
The first officers were: President, John Jamison; vice-president, J. H. Lakin ; cashier, F. Y. Whitmore, and there have been no changes in the offices of president and cashier. Mr. Lakin sold his interest in the bank in 1890 and G. H. Thomas was elected to succeed him and filled such position until his death in 1902, when W. B. Thomas was chosen, who has served until the pres- ent time. The management has always been in strong hands, who have conduct- ed its business along conservative lines, and has had the entire confidence of the community. Its second certificate for doing business extended the life of the organization until January 1, 1923. Its present capital is ninety thousand dollars fully paid, its surplus fifteen thousand dollars and its deposits nearly three hundred thousand dollars. The present working force of the bank con- sists of F. Y. Whitmore, cashier, A. J. Gurney, assistant cashier, and F. W. Kingsbury, teller.
485
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Mr. Gurney has been with the bank since early in 1885 and has done much for the prosperity of the institution. Mr. Kingsbury is now serving his fourth year, and, like other members of the force, is deservedly popular with the community. The bank owns its own building which is one of the best business locations in the city, and has never passed but one semi-annual dividend to its stockholders, which was during the panic of 1893 when it was considered that the protection of its depositors was paramount to dividend payments to its stockholders, and after the money stress was over resumed its usual payments.
Like Rome, West Union was not built in a day. The pioneers had to deny themselves some of the luxuries which today might appear as neces- sities ; nevertheless, they were just as ambitious, contented and happy under the circumstances then existing as we of today. And the few old pioneers who remain enjoy living over again in their vivid imaginations the never-to-be-for- gotten past ; and as the memories of thrilling incidents and loved ones long de- parted pass in a grand procession before their vision, their eyes, now dimmed with years, kindle anew and sparkle with old time brilliancy. Then it was that brain, muscle and courage were in the ascendency, and by these powerful elements homes, secure and blessed, were founded for their loving families. The same deeds and requirements did not characterize a hero then, but every human being who gave up the friends and home of his youth, braved the west- ern wilds, and endured the privations of that early period, to carve out a home and future, well deserves the name of hero.
There may be some of our readers who exhibit a careless indifference regarding the history of their forefathers, counting as naught the privileges they have gained at the sacrifice of others. As it were, they almost scorn the round on which they stand, when the next seems within their easy grasp. To them stepping stones are useless, when once they are passed. But to the in- telligent and more thoughtful, we feel that this brief history may be followed with interest, appreciating the fact that the joys and luxuries they are per- mitted to enjoy in the present, have been bought with the life blood of human- ity ; and that the least we can offer in return is to perpetuate the memory of their honest lives, and that their great and heroic deeds may be incentives to the rising generations, and their names be enrolled in the hearts of the people.
Reference is made to the origin of Union township in the beginning of this chapter, and it now remains to complete its history. But West Union township, from which this was organized in recent years, contains most of the
486
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
story pertaining to Union township. The topography of the territory, its present state of development, schools, etc., will constitute the subject matter of this article.
NATURAL FEATURES.
The land in this township is mostly rolling-in a few places quite rough and broken, while in other localities are comparatively level farms. The soil is universally fertile where arable, and the amount of waste land is small. Otter creek passes through the township from west to east, and along this stream are the bluffs and hilly land, which were originally covered with heavy timber, much of which still remains. The varieties of timber which prevailed were the various species of oak, hickory, alder, black walnut, ash, cherry and large groves of sugar-maple. The latter were utilized by the pioneers, and to some extent at present, in the making of large quantities of maple sugar and syrup, the equal of which in palatableness has never been approximated by the ingenuity of man. But the maple groves, because of the value of the timber for various purposes, have mostly disappeared under the inspiration of the woodman's axe.
EARLY MILLS.
Along the course of Otter creek were erected in early times, several mills, some for sawing and others for grinding grain. The Otter was admirably adapted to these purposes, the fall in some places between West Union and Elgin being one hundred feet to the mile. Cyrus Gurdy, an early pioneer, owned and operated a flouring mill on the Otter for a great many years. William Alvey's and the Higgins mills were also early industries along this stream. Cyrus Gurdy was a familiar figure about West Union for many years after his retirement, and died in that city. His son, Seth, who still re- sides in West Union, operated the mill and farm after his father discontinued active business.
EARLY-DAY CITIZENS.
One of the pioneer home-makers in Union township was James Holmes, not previously mentioned in this chapter, though he is elsewhere. He came to the township in 1850, and is credited with doing the first extensive job of breaking land in the township. He first settled in what is now Dover town- ship, but soon moved to West Union township, where he opened up an ex- tensive farm, and lived upon and cultivated it until a few years before his
487
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
death, when he retired to West Union, and died there. The farm, a mile south of the county seat, is still in possession of his widow and other heirs.
Franklin Bishop was a well-known character among the early pioneers of this township, and lived to a ripe old age. One of his sons still lives in the community where the family first settled. N. C. Spencer, familiarly known as "Nels," was another early settler in Union township, and still lives there on his splendid farm. He married Cassie Brewer, daughter of J. S. Brewer, who, in company with Henry Wimber, was running a blacksmith and wagon shop in "Mechanics' Row," West Union, in very early times. James B. Green, who was a pioneer thresher, owned a large and valuable farm in this township, and was one of the progressive men of his day. Being a bachelor, his land descended to his heirs of the second generation, and is now the property of M. W. Grimes, who came from Indiana to occupy it about twenty-five years ago. This is a splendidly equipped farm, and Mr. Grimes is a thorough- going business man and prominent citizen in his adopted locality. The Crowe family, and the Frisbies, were also early pioneers in Union, and whose pos- terity are numbered among the successful people of today. In this list are also included the Wilburs, Harrisons, Dullards, Meskels, T. D. Mabb, William Kinsey (who was reared in Illyria township), George W. Gilbert, S. D. Row- land, T. D. Reeder, William Alcorn, William Wade, Matthew Wells, John Shroyer, T. C. Barclay, Philip Barnhart, R. M. and D. M. Hoyt, Rev. Enoch Fothergill, George Blunt, W. C. Montgomery, William McClintock, the numerous families of Smiths, the Butlers, Saltsgivers, William Barnhouse, Glovers, D. W. Hall family, Buntons, Souths, the House family, the Hoyers, J. A., C. C. and George. All these, and many others, owned farms in Union township in early days, and became identified with the early history of this locality. See West Union township for additional names and history. It is not assumed that the list is a complete representation of early- day citizens, and we are sorry that such is the case. But it is hoped that the generous reader will realize that we are now far removed from the pioneer period, and that memory is treacherous, even when stimulated by nearly half a century of association and observation.
STATISTICS.
The taxable valuation of property in Union township exceeds that of any other rural township in the county, when it is remembered that it has several sections less than a full congressional township, these sections being detached in the formation of West Union township. The total assessment
488
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
valuation for 1909 was three hundred and eleven thousand and fifty-four dol- lars. This includes thirty-seven thousand four hundred and thirty-six dollars, valuation of nine and one-half miles of railroad ; seven hundred and sixty dol- lars valuation of telegraph lines, and one thousand eight hundred and eighty- four dollars assessed valuation of the forty-three and one-fourth miles of telephone lines traversing the township.
EDUCATIONAL.
The early school history is coincident with that of early West Union, where the first school was opened in 1850. As settlements were formed out- side of the village, schools were provided until there are now eight sub-dis- tricts in the district township, and schools were taught seven and nine-tenths months during the school year of 1909. One male teacher was employed, and seven females, the salary of the former being thirty-eight dollars per month. The female teachers received an average compensation of thirty-six dollars and two cents per month. The school enumeration for the district township shows one hundred and eighty-eight persons of school age, whose total average daily attendance was one hundred and seventeen. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil was one dollar and ninety-six cents. The estimated value of the eight school houses is two thousand four hundred and thirty-five dollars, and of school apparatus, two hundred dollars. There are four hun- dred volumes in the school district libraries. Since the sub-division of the township, elections are held in a country school house, and as West Union is located interiorly, it necessarily follows that some inconvenience is met in passing through the town to reach the voting place. This is more keenly felt by those whose habit has been to spend election day around the polling place.
There are no churches in Union township, convenience to the city of West Union rendering their existence in the adjacent country impracticable. In cases of necessity, as for instance the holding of funeral services at Pleasant Grove cemetery, in the east part of this township, the school houses are utilized, as in the olden time.
The farmers of this township are rich and prosperous, and are generally well-equipped for the diversified farming and stock raising which is their prin- cipal employment. A few of them deal quite extensively in buying, fitting and shipping stock, particularly cattle. The Blunt brothers (Jesse, John and James) have been quite extensive stock dealers, besides operating their large farms ; but Jesse is dead, John has retired, and lives in West Union, and James H. is operating in the Hawkeye country, to which he has transferred his resi- dence and a large share of his farm interests.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP.
The first settler who located in this township was Franklin Wilcox, who came from Illinois, with other members of the Wilcox family, and built a house on section 32, some time during the year 1840. There were several of the Wilcox brothers, some of whom lived in the home of Franklin, at times; but the others being unmarried, and somewhat transitory as to habitation, Franklin is recognized as the first actual settler in Fayette county, though Robert Gamble accompanied him to this county, from Ead's Grove, in Dela- ware county, and located in Center township. There a postoffice was estab- lished in 1851, and known as "Gamble's Grove," with Thomas Woodle as the postmaster. This office was soon discontinued, and the name of the locality changed to Dunham's Grove, as now known. Gamble removed from the county after two years' residence here.
The Wilcox house-a double log structure-was the first house erected within the boundaries of Fayette county ; and after the removal of Mr. Wilcox to another location in 1843, it became a sort of asylum for many of the new- comers to that locality, during the time they were selecting their land and building their houses thereon. It was occupied as a temporary home by the Hensley family, by Van Dorns, P. F. Newton, James and Samuel Robertsons. It was in this house that the Van Dorn child was born-the first birth of a white child in Fayette county.
Soon after the arrival of Franklin Wilcox, with his wife and small daugh- ter, James Beatty and William Orrear came and located a short distance south of Wilcox, their location being just over the line in Smithfield township. They built their cabin in the spring of 1842; and on the 25th of February, 1844, William Orrear and Miss Angelina Wilcox were married, the Rev. D. Lowry, of Fort Atkinson, officiating. Soon after his marriage Orrear bought Beatty's interest in the claim which they had occupied jointly, and established quite an extensive dairying business, which he and his wife conducted success- fully for a number of years. They used the product of twenty to thirty cows in making butter and cheese, which they marketed, mostly at the fort, where
490
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
several hundred soldiers and officers were anxious to secure these "delicacies," as viewed from a soldier's standpoint. This couple led the vanguard in be- ginning the dairy business in Fayette county, an industry which has revolution- ized the profits of general farming, as compared with wheat growing in early days. Beatty located a mile and a half north, on section 29, in Westfield township, and erected a house in what became the early-time village of West- field. But this was several years before that village was laid out.
EARLY LAND VALUES.
Westfield township was not surveyed, hence the land was not subject to entry, until 1848. But the earliest settlers occupied their lands under what is known as "squatter's rights," which, among friends and neighbors, were almost universally respected. When the land came into market, the govern- ment price was one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, at which price a person could buy an unlimited number of acres. Many speculators who had means availed themselves of this privilege, and bought up thousands of acres of desirable land, without the remotest idea of ever making a home upon it. But after the land had been open to entry for a certain length of time without being sold, the price was reduced to seventy-five cents an acre, and so re- mained until sold: A number of early settlers in Westfield township procured their land at this price. This land coming into market soon after the close of the Mexican war, some returning veterans were able to procure their land on land warrants, granted to them for military services. These warrants were negotiable, and some were sold by soldiers who did not wish to use them. They guaranteed full ownership of one hundred and sixty acres of the govern- ment domain.
LAND ENTRIES.
Robert Alexander made the first land entry of record in Westfield town- ship, this being on the 9th of July, 1849. But there 'were several other en- tries made on the same date, probably by non-residents, and John W. Lane and Horace Andrus made entries during the year 1849. On the 8th of October, 1850, the board of county commissioners created, by proclamation, the election precinct of Westfield. This included, for election purposes, the townships of Smithfield, Center and Westfield, the election to be held at the house of Stephen Ludlow, and Michael Hinman, Stephen H. Ludlow and Andrew Hensley were appointed judges. The first election was held in April,
491
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
1851, and the August election which followed, the same year, was held at the home of Clark Newcomb. It seems that the development of this town- ship commenced simultaneously, at Westfield village and Lima -- the latter also called "Lightville" and "Volga City" in early days.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.