USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. I > Part 26
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FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
As has been well said by the efficient librarian of the splendid new public library of Newton, "Researches in the ancient history of Newton re- veals the fact that the first inception of the library idea was due to a Young Men's Christian Association at a very early date .* The history is not easily traced. The fact remains, however, that Newton counted the furnishing of good literature an important factor in the growth of a good town. Later the work was undertaken by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and was pushed with the public spirit and energy that characterizes that organi- zation. It passed through many vicissitudes, and only those of us who have given years of effort to initial .points of service, who have tasted the bitter- ness of seeming failure, relieved by transient gleams of success, can appre- ciate the patient labors of those days.
"The next step was the foundation of the Social Union, an enterprise in which many took an active part-indeed these faithful toilers builded better than they knew.
"In 1897 the city took charge of the library. In October of that year the present librarian was employed and the matter assumes the character of personal history."
Again, in 1910, Miss Belle E. Smith writes a short history of the in- stitution in which she says :
"Newton's free public library of four thousand thirteen volumes and sixty periodicals is the outgrowth of a library instituted by the ladies of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, in June, 1878. For seventeen years a handful of self-sacrificing women conducted a public library and reading room, supported by individual contributions of money and books and a few periodicals.
"In 1895 the Newton Social Union succeeded to the management of the library and was very influential in causing the citizens to vote in March, 1896, for the establishment of a public library, as authorized by law and for a levy of a tax for its maintenance. For three years the society labored to increase the number of books and when they last met, in October. 1898. the library contained one thousand eight hundred fourteen volumes. The or-
*Note .- This must be in error from the fact that an old record discloses the fact that the Newton Library Association was organized in 1859, prior to any Young Men's Christian Association work in Iowa. The first invoice of books numbered one hundred and thirty-two volumes. A. K. Campbell was librarian and the books were kept at the old court house.
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ganization of the new free public library, under the state laws, was com- pleted in July. 1896, by the appointment of nine trustees who were confirmed. In July, 1902. in response to a request from the trustees, Andrew Carnegie donated ten thousand dollars for a building, under the usual conditions in- posed by him. A large, attractive site was purchased and donated by public- spirited citizens. December, 1902, saw the library in its own building, the first time in its existence when it had no rent to pay.
This edifice is a two-story brick building, forty-seven by sixty-five feet. has a heating plant and is lighted nicely by electricity. The first floor is taken up by the library proper and five rooms-children's reading room, general reading room, reference library and toilet room. The second floor is used by the Woman's Club, library trustees, school board and other or- ganizations.
The number of visitors to the reading rooms are reported not long since as two thousand five hundred monthly. AAlready two townsmen have donated one thousand one hundred dollars toward the book purchasing fund. The library and reading room are open nine hours through the entire school year of the public schools of Newton, and six hours in summer time. The expenses are reduced some by having the magazines hand-bound by one of the women of the place."
The tax for library maintenance at the beginning of 1909 was two and one-fourth mills on the dollar, but in August that year was increased to three mills.
The present ( 1911) trustees of the library are : W. O. MeElroy, presi- dent : Mrs. O. C. Meredith, secretary : O. N. Wagley, Mrs. C. M. Campbell, E. J. H. Beard, Mrs. F. L. Maytag, E. C. Ogg, C. P. Hunter, Mrs. F. P. Gardner. Charlotte V. Bryant is the librarian and her assistant is Helen M. Taylor.
THE UNION CEMETERY.
The attention paid to the resting place of the departed dead in any given community speaks volumes for or against the character of the people of such section of the country. Indeed the mark between civilized and unciy- ilized life is found in this one feature. The city cemetery in Newton has . been frequently visited by many from other parts of Iowa, with the view of getting ideas as to caring for their own burial places.
With the first settlement of Newton the burying ground was on the lots where now stands the new high school building. There the first pioneers of the place were laid away to rest. There they remained until Civil war
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days and a little later, when the association which had charge turned it over to the incorporated town of Newton. Many of the interments were moved to the new grounds. The deed record shows that the land where the present cemetery is situated, and which is known as the Union cemetery, was origin- ally owned by Jacob R. Guthrie, who deeded it to D. E. Longfellow, in Feb- ruary, 1860, for the consideration of $337. This tract contained eleven and one-quarter acres. Mr. Longfellow deeded the same to the incorporation of Newton, AAugust 23, 1866, for the consideration of ten dollars, the record reads. This cemetery is located to the northwest of the city and is a part of section 28, township 80, range 19. To this has been added two other small tracts, making the present size of the cemetery about twenty acres. There are numerous beautiful native trees growing here and there through- out the cemetery. In the nineties the sexton, Mr. Kuhn, found it necessary to have the ground re-platted, so a better account could be kept of the lots. At the northeast corner of the grounds is situated the four lots known as Memorial, or Soldiers', square, where with the return of each Decoration day the Grand Army and Relief Corps representatives, with other citizens. meet and have their own special ceremonies in honor of the fallen heroes, many of whom are sleeping their last sleep within this sacred enclosure. An- other feature of the cemetery is the chapel, erected in 19oo at a cost of seven hundred and eighty dollars.
In 19to a local company erected a large mausoleum having two hundred crypts for the burial of the dead above ground in sealed vaults. This struc- ture was made of cement block material and adds much to the beauty of the grounds. Only eight bodies are now resting in this place. After the build- ing was completed it was turned over to the city authorities with provisions that the city should maintain it and keep it intact perpetually. Since early in 1911 the city has cared for it.
THE BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
Being alive to every interest of a growing western city, the above as- sociation was organized in 1897 and now enjoys a membership of two hun- dred and four. Its first officers were H. M. Vaughan, president: A. E. Hindorff. secretary. The present officers are W. F. Johnson, president: E. E. Lambert, secretary. The association has been instrumental in inducing many industries to locate in Newton and are still reaching out over the country by means of literature and correspondence, through the various chan- nels of commerce, to make Newton well known abroad. From its circular
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issued in 1910 and freely distributed at the Iowa state fair that season, we quote the following :
"Newton is situated right in the center of the greatest consuming region in the world. Iowa is known the country over as being the best market in the west for goods of all kinds and being right in the center of the state, we are equally distant from four great states which bound Iowa on either side.
"Newton has one of the largest iron foundries in Iowa, and the only crucible steel foundry of any size west of Milwaukee. This is a great con- venience to small manufacturers who need castings in small quantities.
"For factories Newton offers a twenty-four-hour electric current for motors with as cheap rates as any city in Iowa, large or small. Our fac- tories are now using several hundred horse power daily from this plant, which is owned and operated by the city itself.
"Newton now employs between five and six hundred persons in her factories and has never had a labor trouble of any note in all the years of her factory history."
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CHAPTER XIX.
BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP.
Buena Vista township was organized in February, 1857, by the order of the then presiding judge. The record shows that the order was, that there be a new township formed by the name of Buena Vista, bounded as follows: "Commencing at the northeast corner of section 25, township 80, range 18; thence west on the section line to the northwest corner of sec- tion 30, same township and range: thence south on the range line to the southwest corner of section 30, township 79, range 18; thence east on the section line to the southeast corner of section 25, said township and range; thence north to the place of beginning by the range line."
This refers to original Buena Vista township. There have been some changes in its boundaries since then, however.
This sub-division of Jasper county derived its name doubtless from the Mexican city in which our American army entered in the war with Mexico that had just closed when this county had got fairly well organized and had among its pioneer band many who had taken part in that war.
It is situated to the south of Kellogg. to the west of Richland, to the north of Elk Creek and Palo Alto, and to the east of Palo Alto townships. this county. It is six miles square. Among its chief water courses may be named Little Elm creek. The northwestern portion of this township has, or did have at an early day, considerable natural timber. The population of the township in 1905, according to the Iowa state census reports, was 873. It is one of the most excellent farming sections of the county.
Its pioneer settlers were thoughtful and enterprising men and women whose characters have left their impress upon the present populace. Among the first persons to enter government land in this township were: William Smith, in the west half of the northwest of section 20. August 12, 1847; Evan Adamson, east half of section 18. August 14, 1847.
In 1874 occurred the death of pioneer Henry Hammer, Sr., who settled in Buena Vista township in 1848. He was a native of Tennessee and reached the ripe old age of seventy-three years. He was an anti-slavery man all of his eventful life.
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In 1878 the records show that Buena Vista township had personal prop- erty to the extent of $82,718, including 670 horses. eighty mules and 1.780 head of cattle. In 1877 the books show that this township had property valued for assessment purposes to the amount of $336.000. The tax on this property brought to the treasury of the county $5.072. See Educational chapter for the public schools of this township.
CONCERNING THE SETTLEMENT.
A settlement was made on Elk creek, this township, as early as 1845 in what is styled the Hixon and Adamson groves. Moses Lacy, of Illinois. took a'claim in the southeast quarter of section 18. in March, 1845, built a cabin and later sold to Evan Adamson, who moved to the same in the spring of 1846. Adamson immigrated from Missouri.
Nathan Williams settled in the northwest quarter of section 20 in the autumn of 1845. sold to Bill Smith, known as "Fool Bill," in the spring of 1846. He sold to Enos Adamson, he to James Robb, and he in turn to William Robb, who owned the farm in 1900.
David Adamson took a claim in the northwest quarter of section 18. in March, 1846, and the following April sold to Abraham Adamson. He had seven sons and from this large family the grove took its name.
M. D. Springer took a claim later known as the Sam Squires farm, moving to the same in January, 1846. He sold to Elijah Hammer. On section 20. Ira Hammer claimed land and the date of this entry was 1846. There pioneer Hammer lived and died. Farther to the east. William Chen- eqoth, from Ohio, and later from Missouri, settled either in 1847 or possibly the year before. He died there ten years later.
Henry Smith claimed land in 1846 where John Wells lived a few years ago. He sold to Moses Darling in 1857.
On Elk creek Ballington Aydelotte claimed land in section 8, locating there in March. 1845. as an original entry man. In 1851 he sold to Samuel MeDaniel and later it passed to the ownership of Milton Vanscoy.
James Plumb. Jr., settled in a log cabin near where the J. W. Murphy residence now stands in 1848. In this rude cabin home the Rev. James Plumb first saw the light of day. Mr. Murphy purchased this farm in 1856.
John H. Franklin claimed land in the southeast corner of section 6, in the early days of the spring of 1845. His cabin stood near the present school building on section 5.
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William M. Springer took a claim on the northwest of section 7, in the fall of 1845.
David Edmundson settled exactly where now stands the county poor farm, in the spring of 1846.
Jacob Bennett took land in the northwest of section 6 in 1845: he kept a house of entertainment for travelers.
James Pearson settled in section 5. in 1845: this property a few years since was owned by Daniel W. Murphy.
Pioneer Pearson came into the county on foot, made a fire and prepared his meal and then laid him down to rest. for he was very weary. He slept by the side of a huge log. and when he awoke in the early morning he dis- covered a large wolf on the opposite side of the log and he too had been too weary to look for game or to molest the stranger. Both were surprised and alarmed-the wolf ran away and for the time Mr. Pearson forgot he had a gun and let the animal go. Pearson weighed fully two hundred and fifty pounds and it has often been related of him that when he viewed the beau- tiful prairie and forest landscape all about him, that he climbed a big, high tree and exclaimed in a very loud voice. "I pre-empt all the land in sight."
Between 1850 and 1856 the settlement was greatly augmented in this and many parts of Jasper county. Among those who entered lands in this township may be recalled now the names of: G. T. Saum, in section 1. in 1851 ; James Fenwick, in section 21, in 1852: Leonard Lickens, in section 27. in 1852 or 1853: Levi Cook, in section 3. 1854: he erected a frame house which for many years was known as the "steep-roofed house."
It was about this time that the first postoffice east of Newton, on the Iowa City road, was established. This office was kept on section 35 of what is now Kellogg township.
FIRST EVENTS.
It seems quite certain that the first child born in this township was Allie Springer, son of William M. and "Aunt Sally" Springer, he having been born in the winter of 1846-7.
The earliest marriage was that of Jesse Rickman (later a judge ) and Nancy Pearson. At the same time, and both ceremonies being performed at the cabin of Thomas Pearson, were united for better or for worse. John Wilson and Josie Pearson, Ballinger Aydelott tying both marriage knots. - This was in March. 1847. The wedding supper consisted of corn bread, crabapple pie. crabapple sauce. roast chicken (both prairie and tame). cab- bage, slaw. roast pork and vegetables.
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The first sermon preached in Buena Vista township was that delivered by Joab Bennett, a Methodist minister, in March, 1846. Five persons made up his audience. In the autumn of 1846 William Ferguson formed a Chris- tian church society at the house of pioneer Ballinger Aydelott. and this was doubtless the first of this denomination in Jasper county.
WILD TURKEYS.
It has been related of pioneer Jacob Bennett's good wife that she met with the following fate by a wild turkey: In the spring of 1845 Bennett planted a patch of corn in the edge of the brush; in the fall he cut and shocked it up. The wild turkeys proposed to get a share of his labor, so they came to pick corn. Mrs. Bennett proposed to be their equal, so she hid herself in a shock. A large turkey gobbler climbed on the shock she was in. She caught him by the leg. held hint fast and he lacerated her hand terribly with his spurs, but she took him in and cooked him.
VILLAGE OF MURPHY.
In 1890 there was a postoffice established at this point, the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 17, township 79, range 18, but it was discontinued January 15, 1911. J. W. Murphy, an old pioneer, was the only person who ever served as postmaster. The business of 1910 only amounted to about forty dollars. Three mails were received each way daily while the office was in existence. The people of the vicinity are now sup- plied with mail by the rural free delivery from Newton route No. 7. There is a small store located here, but aside from its being a station point on the railroad, there is no business transacted there.
VILLAGE OF KILLDUFF.
The only real village in this township is Killduff, located on section 35, ten miles to the southeast of Newton, on the Iowa Central railroad. It had in 1900 about eighty inhabitants, a postoffice, two good stores, a lumber yard and a blacksmith shop. It had a population of one hundred and fifty. Its business in 1910 consisted of the following: The live-stock dealer was Henry W. Ager: blacksmithing, by O. H. Carnahan; hardware and hotel were being conducted by William B. Coe; barbering, William Harvey ; gen- eral dealer in merchandise and banking in a small way, Frank W. Swearingen ;
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA. 289
restaurant, by. William C. Korff, who was the postmaster at the date given above.
There are two churches. the Methodist Episcopal and the Reformed; the latter denomination have no regular pastor at this writing.
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CHAPTER XX.
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP.
This township lies on the south line of the county and west of Skunk river, hence is of an irregular shape, conforming as it does on its eastern border to the meanderings of that stream. It is bounded, or rather sur- rounded by four townships and one county line. It has two steam railroad lines, both entering the only town in the territory. Monroe, situated on the south line of the township and county. Marion county is just to the south of Fairview township.
Being one of the original precincts of Jasper county, it was organized May 14, 1846. The order which made it a civil township read as follows : "Ordered that Fairview precinct be bounded on the northeast by Skunk river, on the south by the county line, on the southwest by Des Moines pre- cinct, and on the west by said county line to the said Skunk river."
This is numbered among the oldest and richest portions of Jasper county and within its borders are to be seen many valuable and highly cultivated farms, producing their annual harvest of valuable crops, which have en- riched the owners.
Among the first entries of government land in Fairview township may be mentioned Manly Gifford, on the northwest quarter of the southeast quar- ter of section 36. January 16, 1848: Joel B. Worth, the west half of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 34, also the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of the same section, on October 10, 1848.
In the extreme southeastern portion of the township is found a large body of natural timber, as well as some in the southwestern part.
It was in this township that the original settlement of Jasper county was effected and here the first Methodist services were held at the home of pioneer Adam Tool early in 1844: a Sabbath school was organized the same year at the cabin home of Joel Worth, three miles southeast of the first pio- neer settlement in the county. The first store selling general merchandise in the south part of the county was in Fairview township. It was the property of Robert Moore and brother, in 1848. they having purchased the claim taken by Mr. Fish.
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While the schools, churches and lodges will be mentioned at length in general chapters on these subjects, it may be stated here that in March, 1855, the amount of school fund apportionment for Fairview township was eight dollars and twenty-nine cents.
At the presidential election in 1852, when Scott and Pierce were the can- didates for the presidency, the result of the election in Fairview township was twenty votes for each candidate: Gen. Winfield Scott, however, carried this county.
In 1855 the temperance question was voted on in Jasper county with the following results in Fairview township: Votes for prohibition, fifty-three, and against the measure, forty-nine.
In 1878 the total personal property of Fairview township amounted to $82,680, including the items of 941 head of horses, 122 head of mules and asses and 2,155 head of cattle.
The records show that in 1877 the total value of all property in this township was $423.876 and the taxes paid into the treasury was $6,554.35.
The first business transacted in Fairview township, of which there seems to be any record extant, was that of March 7. 1853, when William DeLong and Newton Wright met and divided the township into two road districts.
October 4. 1853. John E. Teeters had his stock mark recorded, which was "a swallow fork in the point of each ear."
In April, 1854. Daniel Harcourt and Jacob Kipp were elected justices of the peace: Ezra Woody and Jesse Seay, constables : Theophilus Bethel, assessor: William Highland. Nimrod Cope and William DeLong, trustees ; Martin Rogers, clerk.
According to the state census reports for 1905, the population of Fair- view township in that year was 1,258.
(For an account of the proposed state capitol in this township, at "Mon- roe City." see index of general chapters. )
THE TOWN OF MONROE.
Monroe was laid out by pioneer AAdam Tool, in the spring of 1851, the first platting being under the name of Tool's Point. It was changed a year or two later to Monroe.
The first house erected on the plat was by James A. Tool. The same season buildings were erected by Mrs. Mary S. Fleenor, William DeLong, Daniel Hiskey. Dr. J. E. Teter, Hugh Patterson. William Peg and J. Kipp. The building erected by Mr. Hiskey was used by him for store purposes.
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Mr. Peg was the first "village blacksmith." These structures were all of the frame type. Hosea Matthews had constructed a saw mill on Mikesell creek, just north of Red Rock, and lumber could be obtained at low figures. Most of the buildings had the old style, heavy frames mortised together and fast- ened with hardwood pins. Only three were ventured on the "balloon" frame plan. The timbers were hewed out, studding and all. The siding was black walnut. the floors of oak, and the doors and window casings were of walnut. Long shingles were used, being split and dressed by hand.
Late in 1851 a school house was built in the town.
The first child to see the light of day here was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hill. She was christened Anna and became the wife of Stephen Shel- lady, Esq. The eldest child of the Hill family was born in Des Moines in 1846 at the old fort, and was the second child born in the fort, the date of its birth being the 9th of January, 1846. Had the child been a son, it was the intention of Mr. Hill to name him Andrew Jackson, as its father was a rock- rooted Democrat.
The first lawyer to hang out his shingle in Monroe was S. N. Lindley, who did not remain long, however, but moved to the new town of Newton. In the county seat Mr. Lindley became a successful lawyer and judge of much note.
Monroe grew steadily until 1857, when it had reached about four hun- dred population and was the center of a good business territory. The Des Moines Valley railroad entered the town in the month of November, 1865, and on the 24th of that month the first freight was unloaded from a car.
During the Civil war days Monroe was a lively place and it sent forth its full share of men, as will be seen by reference to the War chapter.
In 1876, the Newton & Monroe railway entered the place and this gave new life and encouragement to the town. The first road charged very high rates for freight and caused the dealers at Monroe to lose heavily, especially about 1871-2, but when connection was made at Newton with the great Rock Island system, Chicago and all eastern rates were materially reduced. Many of the Monroe dealers exchanged goods for time checks of laborers who did the railway construction work for the Iowa, Minnesota & Northern Rail- road Company, but were great losers in the end, as such paper proved almost worthless.
INCORPORATION HISTORY.
Monroe became an incorporated town in December. 1867. but the final legal papers were not properly completed until the autumn of 1868. The records do not show the result of the first town election, but it is quite certain
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