USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. I > Part 31
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The first wedding was over the marriage of Henry Adamson and Mary Jane Baker, February 10, 1853. The shoes worn by the bride were borrowed from Mrs. Rees ( shoes were scarce articles then in this township).
The first birth in the township is supposed to have been a daughter born to Thomas and Mary A. Rees, March 25, 1849.
The first death recorded was an infant son of the same family, July 26, 1854.
School No. I in the township was taught as a subscription school, in 1857. Hattie Bain was the teacher. The first public school was taught in the Wild Cat school house by Miss Eliza Henderson in the summer of 1858.
The first religious service was held by Rev. Thomas Merrill and Rev. Ami Shaffer, who conducted services at the school house last mentioned.
Palo Alto township sent forth twenty soldiers to the front during the days of the Civil war, a good record of patriotism.
INTERESTING PARAGRAPHIS. ยท 1
National Independence Day was celebrated in this township July 4, 1874. at or near the Presbyterian church in the native grove. An oration was lis- tened to by Hon. John Meyer, and responses to toasts by Capt. M. W. Atwood. Samuel Reasoner, William Brown, Rev. E. S. McMichael, Miss S. E. Hill and W. A. Livingston.
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By reference to the records of the county, made in 1878, it will be dis- covered that the total amount of personal taxes paid from this township in 1878 (for the previous year's taxes) was $69,193, including the items of 710 head of horses, 44 mules and 1,556 head of taxable cattle.
The total of personal and realty property taxes was $6,112, on a valua- tion of $318,467 in the township. Compare this with a table found in the chapter on County Government and see how the township has advanced finan- cially.
Quite a portion of this township is underlaid with paying quantities of an excellent coal which is being mined to a good profit to its owners. The chapter on the topography and natural features of the county will speak more at length of these mining interests.
THE TOWN OF REASONER.
Reasoner is a small village on the Newton & Marion railroad in the southern part of Palo Alto township, twelve miles due south of Newton. It takes its name from several large land-owners by that name in that immediate vicinity. Its plat was surveyed in the summer of 1877.
James Allen had constructed a building there before the town site stakes had been set. A dozen buildings sprung up as if by magic and two grain elevators, one by Arnold & Johnson and one by Mr. Adamson. Two general stores were at once opened up for trade and the station agent, James Allen, was the first to serve as postmaster. This place is in the heart of the coal district of Jasper county, yet surrounded by a rich agricultural country.
PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS.
In the month of April, 1911, the following persons carried on their respective business in Reasoner :
General Dealers-Hinshaw & Saunders, J. W. Edwards and F. J. Coffee. Meat Market and Lunch Room-B. R. Cardon.
Hardware Dealer-Frank B. Ross.
Farm Implements-Reasoner Implement Company.
Drugs-C. B. Walsh. -
Lumber and Grain-Denniston & Partridge.
Elevator, Poultry and Hogs-E. Bean.
Blacksmith-J. M. Carnahan.
Barber-Will Wasson.
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Boarding House-Mrs. Andrew French.
Stock Dealers-Coker & Warring. Justice of the Peace-Charles Saunders. Reasoner Savings Bank.
Reasoner Mutual Telephone Company.
The town has one of the finest mineral water flowing wells in the county. it gushing out near the center of the business part of the place.
The religious element is cared for by the Methodist Episcopal church. which denomination has a good frame building.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY.
An office was established here about 1879. In February, 1904, it was made a rural route station. The present carrier is J. E. Sipe.
Outside of the money order business, the receipts of the office in 1910 was six hundred and sixty-five dollars and eighty-five cents. There were during the same period sent out sixty-two pieces of registered mail matter. Two mails are received each way daily, north and south.
The following is a complete list of postmasters at Reasoner: James Allen, J. F. Wheeler, Will Caldwell, J. W. Edwards, 1894-97; James I. Wil- son, 1897-1907 : (Miss) Mary J. Wilson, 1907-07; (Miss) Fern Bean, 1908 and the present postmistress.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
NEWTON TOWNSHIP.
Newton township, in which the city of the same name is situated, is about in the geographical center of the county, and as now constituted comprises twenty-four sections of congressional township 80, range 19 west. At its north is found Malaka township, on its east is Kellogg, on the south is Palo Alto township and on the west is Sherman township. Cherry creek and smaller streams drain and water this part of the county. There are beautiful groves of native timber, once heavy, large forest trees in the west and north- western part of Newton township, but much has been cut off with the passing of years and the development of the county.
Newton was organized in 1851 by County Judge Jesse Rickman, who de- cided the boundaries of Newton township should be as follows: "Commenc- ing at the northeast corner of township 81. range 18 west, and run twelve miles west to the northwest corner of township 81, range 19; thence south six miles to the southwest corner of said township and range; thence west two miles to the northwest corner of section 2, township 80, range 20; thence south to Skunk river; thence east to the range line 18; thence north to the place of beginning."
It will be seen that originally this township took in much more than its present territory, including Kellogg township of today. In 1857 it took its present form and size.
The population of this township, outside of the city of Newton, in 1905, when the state census was taken, was nine hundred and two.
At the presidential election in 1852, when Gen. Winfield Scott and Franklin Pierce ran for the presidency. Newton township gave the former sixty-eight votes and the latter thirty-two votes.
In April. 1855. in voting on the prohibition question. this township gave the measure of prohibition one hundred and eighty-eight votes and fifty- three against the measure.
In 1878 the records show that there was personal property valued at $22.308 in Newton township. outside the city. This included 324 head of horses, II mules and 274 head of cattle of taxable age.
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JASPER COUNTY, IOW.1.
At the above date the total valuation of property in the township was $252.425, on which was paid a total tax of $4.559.46.
For the first five or six years the history of Newton township is partly summed up by the following extracts from the records now on file :
1848-The record for this year shows that William M. Springer was sworn in as township clerk, by T. J. Adamson, a justice of the peace. William C. Smith was school inspector. The township trustees were Charles C. Thorp, Ballinger Aydellotte and Henry Hammer. In April the same year, Lewis Herron and James Pearsons qualified as fence viewers and overseers of the poor. In June, Moses Lacy was appointed constable, while in August, Hart Spring was made another constable for Newton township.
1849-The trustees were Evan Adamson, Seth Hammer and John B. Hammack. It was during that year that the township was divided into four road districts.
1850-The trustees ordered twenty-eight dollars and twenty-five cents to be paid for "the benefit of John Sewell." On March 30th the order read to "call out all the 'respectful' hands in the road districts, and open up the county road laid from Newton to the Marion county line, in the direction of Red Rock."
1852-Joseph Dodd and J. N. Edgar were elected justices of the peace ; Jesse Hammer and T. J. Densmore, constables.
1853-Three new road districts were established in this township. At the April election were elected Edwin White. Ezekiel Shipley and T. J. Allen as trustees. W. M. Springer was clerk and Lawson D. Sims, assessor.
1856-The sum of fifty-one dollars was voted to defray the sick and burial charges of Mary Jane McConkey, a pauper. William R. Davis was assessor that year. The same year ten dollars was allowed for defraying the expense of caring for Mary Johnson, a pauper, and a like amount for a "sick man."
The history of the city of Newton appears elsewhere in this work, it being given a chapter by itself.
CHAPTER XXXV.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Washington township, on the western border of Jasper county, the second from the south line, comprises nearly all of congressional township 79, range 21 west, and about two sections in its northwestern corner belonging in township 80 of the same range. Its total territory is about thirty-six sec- tions. The South Skunk river forms its northern border line. It is bounded on the west by Polk county, on the north by Poweshiek township, on the east by Mound Prairie and on the south by Des Moines township.
The Rock Island railroad crosses the township from east to west, enter- ing the township on section I and leaving it from section 7.
The old Des Moines Valley line (Des Moines & Keokuk railroad) passes through the southwestern portion of the township, traversing secions 18. 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, 34 and 35, with a station at Prairie City on section 36 of Des Moines township.
Squaw Creek and lesser streams, all flowing into the South Skunk river, are the streams of the township. Watkins creek takes its rise in section 20, of Washington township, and flows to the southeast. This is a prairie town- ship for the most part.
In the vicinity of Colfax the bituminous coal industry has come to be one of much magnitude in recent years.
The only town or city within the township is Colfax, mentioned at length in this chapter.
The population of the township in 1905, according to the state census, was eight hundred and fifty-two outside the city of Colfax, which had at that date about 2,600.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP.
Washington township was organized at the June session of the board of county supervisors, in 1861, upon a petition presented by the citizens of Mound Prairie township. The record of such proceedings reads as follows : "Commencing at the northwest corner of section 1, township 79 north, range 21 west, and running thence south on the line dividing sections 1, 2, II, 12,
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13, 14. 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, 36 until it strikes the southwest corner of section 36, in the same township and range, so that all west of said division line may constitute and become a new township for voting and school purposes, and to (lo and to transact all other business as required by law in such case."
The first polling place for holding elections was fixed by the board as at the Tyler school house.
In 1877 the township paid a total tax of $6.351, on an assessed valuation of $412,348.
In 1878 the abstract of assessment shows that the personal tax at that period was $58,105, including the items of 615 head of horses, 33 head of mules and 1,570 head of taxable cattle. These figures, compared with those found in the chapter on County Government, for the various townships in 1910 will show the progress and growth made by this township.
For the educational interests, as well as the church and lodge history of the township, the reader is referred to such topics found in the general chap- ters under proper index headings.
THE CITY OF COLFAX.
Colfax is known, far and near, as "Spring City," owing to its numerous mineral springs, which are of great medicinal virtue in the treatment of many diseases. It is situated on high rolling land for the most part and has many fine building sites and beautiful, well improved homes. Its abundant supply of excellent water, taken from the gravelly springs, affords one of the most delightful and healthful places in all lowa. Its beautiful groves of native timber, its large hotels and charming public park-grounds calls thousands here annually, for both pleasure and health. They come from all the states in the Union.
Its churches and schools are something to be proud of. The denomina- tions having comfortable, though not extravagant, edifices, are the Metho- (list Episcopal. Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian, Catholic and Christian Science.
The public school buildings-two large, fine, modern brick structures- are centrally located. The older was erected in 1896 and the last one in 1911. For more detailed account of churches and schools the reader is referred to chapters on these special topics elsewhere in this volume. For the history of the Masonic. Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias orders, see Civic Society chapter.
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JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
Colfax, named in honor of Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Vice-President with President Grant during his first term, is situated in section I of Washington civil township and near the edge of the bottom land through which meanders the waters of the Skunk river. It was platted in 1866 by A. Kimball, almost one year before the completion of the Rock Island railroad through Jasper county. In the autumn of 1866 Newton & Richey started in the dry goods trade at this point, while West & Kennedy opened a good sized general mer- chandise store. Mr. Parker opened the first grocery store in the place. In 1867 Dr. J. G. Ryan established himself in the drug business. Such was the be- ginning at Colfax which for many years has been well advertised and widely known as one of the fine towns of which lowa may well boast of many, where business, society, health-giving mineral waters and harmony prevail as elements sought by those desiding to lead a quiet life. It will be remembered that Colfax is but a short run on the steam or electric cars to Des Moines, hence the place is well patronized as a summer resort, owing largely to the surroundings and the fine spring water, with ample hotel accommodations.
It is a first class market point for a large and wealthy farming section. But perhaps its greatest natural advantage is derived from its famous springs and the numerous hotels and sanitariums using the medicinal waters which gush from the bowels of the earth at different points in and near the city proper.
The town was started solely as a railroad station of the ordinary charac- ter, but in the antumn of 1875 a mineral spring was happily discovered and samples of it were sent to James H. Blaney, a celebrated chemist of Chicago, who after testing its qualities, declared that it contained chloride of sodium, sulphate of soda, sulphate of potassa, sulphate of lime, sulphate of magnesia, bicarbonate of magnesia, bicarbonate of iron, alumina, silica, and only a small per cent. of organic matter.
It should be recorded that here, as in most cases, great things are the work of accident. for the water found to be of so much value to the public at Colfax was discovered by a firm who were boring for coal, and found the flow of water greatly hindering them, and while working the uneducated workmen quenched their thirst from this water and pronounced it fine water and the attention was called to it by others who believed it more than common spring water. Invalids soon began to seek it and finally a hotel had to be erected to provide entertainment. It was not long before the medicinal qualities of this water attracted large numbers from far and near and the name of "Colfax Springs" and "Colfax Water" was known from one end of the land to the other. A hotel was erected for the accommodation of guests and invalids in 1876 and in January, 1877, a three-story building was erected by Messrs.
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Dixon, Leighton & Gray, which was thirty-six feet by one hundred and fifteen feet in size. The main springs are a mile to the east of the city, proper, and there are a number of hotels both there and in the city, all having mineral water connected therewith. In the summer of 1901 there were seven hotels in Colfax and all well filled with people afflicted with various diseases, including rheumatism, dyspepsia. Bright's disease and other kidney complaints and digestive derangements. Immense amounts of this water are shipped to all parts of the United States in bottles, jars and casks. This is carried on largely by three bottling works which carbonate the water for shipping purposes. Two large coal companies have their headquarters in Colfax and their pay rolls are of great value, commercially. to the city.
Another feature by which the city is known is its beautiful Chautauqua grounds. the Epworth League Park, that is situated but a short distance from the eastern city limits. Here are assembled immense throngs with the return of each season to listen to the best talent in the country.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Colfax was incorporated as a town and its first council met September 9, 1875. when J. R. Rodgers took the oath as its first mayor; J. T. West its re- corder ; R. Price. R. F. Fullington, William Kelsey, John Logston and W. L. West its trustees: M. B. Coe, assessor. The town's first marshal was H .. Sumpter.
The first year's receipts in the incorporation was one hundred and fifty- four dollars; disbursements, one hundred and three dollars and twenty-five cents. It became a "city" in February, 1901. and contains one square mile of territory.
The following have served Colfax as mayors: J. R. Rodgers, 1875-6; P. H. Cragan, 1877; L. J. Labour. 1878: T. J. Doane, 1879: M. P. Doud, 1880; B. F. Sanders, 1881: H. L. Weston. 1882: F. W. Carey. 1883 to 1886; J. A. Mattern, 1886; W. T. Dart. 1887; H. L. Weston, 1888; J. A. Mattern, 1889 to 1892: G. M. Tripp. 1892; W. M. Croft, 1893: J. A. Mattern, 1894; P. H. Cragan, 1895; W. M. Croft, 1896; G. M. Tripp. 1897: P. H. Cragan, 1898 to 1901 ; J. B. Weaver, 1901 : J. H. Hahn, 1903 to 1909; M. E. Penquite, 1909, and is now on his second term.
The present officers are: M. E. Penquite, mayor: W. S. Cutler, clerk : E. F. Kendig, chief of police: O. Morgan, deputy police ; J. E. Penquite, water and street commissioner: Harry Noble was elected treasurer, but on account of leaving for another state, the council elected another in his stead
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in the month of May. The present ( 1911) council is as follows : Ray Lyons, N. T. Weston, J. H. Hahn, F. L. Evans, C. J. Burnett. The city assessor is W. B. Wells.
In the last two or three years the city has taken up the important matter of paving and sewerage. It now has eight miles and more of cement walks and is in all ways coming to the front as a small city. It has more than two thousand dollars invested in a public library and its furniture. It had in 1910 three and one-half miles of water mains, forty-three hydrants and many other lesser improvements.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department is such as is usually found in towns and citiesof this class in Iowa. It is provided with hose carts, hook-and-ladder appliances, engines, etc., and is manned by a volunteer fire company.
WATER WORKS.
The city is possessed of a most excellent water works system. It derives its water supply from a series of springs seated within a bed of gravel, and the purity of the water thus obtained is appreciated by the populace and by the stranger within the gates of the city. It is forced to the high water tower and tank on a very high eminence to the east of the city, proper, by means of steam pumps. The direct pressure from this elevated tank gives one hundred and twenty pounds down in the business center of the place-ample for all fire protection. The water rates are from ten to thirty cents per thousand feet. The water works fund is sustained by a five mill tax annually. These water works are valued at twenty-five thousand dollars.
POSTOFFICE IIISTORY.
The history of the Colfax postoffice dates from the construction of the railroad through the place. Its earliest history seems a little obscure in the minds of the present-day residents of the city. Among the postmasters who have served here are well remembered the following: William West, "Vance" Wilson, Jacob F. Weaver, Adella V. Weaver, J. M. Topper, H. W. Robinson, and the present incumbent, W. W. Hawk, who was commissioned in 1908.
In 1910 it was made a second-class office, having passed the eight thou- sand dollar mark of business transacted annually. It has two rural routes extending out from Colfax.
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JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
FIRST IMPORTANT EVENTS.
In the month of August, 1876, the town was provided with a suitable calaboose and about the same date the town voted on the saloon license ques- tion and it resulted in thirty-five votes being cast for license and thirty-two against it.
The independent school district of Colfax was organized in 1876 (see Educational chapter ).
The first religious society to organize in Colfax was the Presbyterian body ; their first action was taken April 6, 1868, and a church was erected in 1868 at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars.
A steam flouring mill was built here about 1877 and this drew trade from a large farming community.
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF 1910-1911.
It will be interesting in future years to look back to this page and note who was engaged in the various business and professional callings in Colfax in the years in which this history is being compiled. The list is as follows :
Agricultural Implements-Lovolleus & DeLong, A. A. Penquite Hard- ware Company.
Banks-Citizens' State, First National.
Blacksmiths-Ball & Hibbs. D. D. Briggs.
Books and Stationery-H. W. Wood.
Boots and Shoes-H. E. Gould & Company.
Brick & Tile Co .- Colfax Brickyard Company.
Clothing-The Bargain Store, Davis & Davis, H. E. Gould.
Dentists-F. G. Blake, W. P. Cain.
Druggists-F. A. Marquis, C. G. Weirick, HI. A. Weirick, N. T. Weston.
Dry Goods-Colfax Mercantile Company.
Flour and Feed-S. H. Dunton, James E. Goodman.
Furniture-The Forsythe Hardware Company, A. A. Penquite Hard- ware Company.
General Dealers-Ed. Bellehoefer, Colfax Mercantile Company, W. E. Fenner.
Grain Dealer-S. M. Brown & Son.
Groceries-W. L. Porter. C. E. Sullenberger, Walter Thompson, George 11. York and Luther Brothers.
(23)
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Hardware-A. A. Penquite Hardware Company, Forsythe Hardware Company.
Hotels-European, Grand Hotel, Colfax, Mason House, Mills House, Oriental, Victoria, Sanatorium House.
Ice Dealer-George Myers.
Jewelry-W. S. Johnson, H. W. Wood.
Laundry-Colfax Steam Laundry.
Lawyers-P. E. Johannsen, James B. Weaver, Trip & Trip and Cragan Brothers.
Live Stock-George W. Kintz.
Livery-Main & Robinson, C. C. Plummer, Star Livery.
Lumber -- S. M. Brown & Son, Colfax Lumber Company.
Meats-Colfax Mercantile Company, Sharp & Tespstra.
Millinery-Miss K. G. Mahoney, Miss Emma Wheeler.
Newspapers-Colfax Tribune, Baptist Messenger (monthly ) and the Clipper.
Photographs-Robert Dawson.
Physicians-Drs. R. G. Anspach, Frank E. Boyd, T. A. Burke, J. C. Corselius, Alex. Hall, W. W. Hawk, M. M. Knowles, F. W. Stewart, J. E. Traister, Alice Turner, L. C. S. Turner, H. A. Weirick, N. T. Weston.
Sanitariums-The Centropolis, Grand Hotel and Mineral Springs, Vic- toria, and Rest House.
Undertakers-W. S. Cutler & Company.
Colfax, in no large sense, can be styled a factory town. It has, how- ever. three extensive bottling works which sterilize the mineral spring waters and ship in all sorts of packages to distant points in the United States. These concerns work full time and usually ship a carload apiece each twenty-four hours.
The electric light plant has long been in operation. It is owned by pri- vate individuals and beautifully illuminates the city and environments.
The latest industry in Colfax is one of its best in many ways, for it has established a factory the product of which will certainly be in great demand as the years come and go. This is the plant that manufactures the "Close To Nature" incubator and brooder and kindred goods employed in the arti- ficial hatching of chickens and the care of the same. Its factory is near the depots and is good sized and well regulated. It has its base in the invention patented by its manager. W. H. Monroe, who several years since invented a line of devices for the purposes already stated and then formed a stock com- pany of chiefly Colfax men. It is known as the "Close To Nature" Manu-
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facturing Company. In the incubator which they make warm water is em- ployed for heating the machine. They also manufacture an improved "green feed" producer, by which green wheat, oats, corn, etc., may be quickly brought forth in mid-winter and early spring for feeding poultry. These goods find ready sale in all sections of the United States and the enterprise is constantly spreading out with its increase of orders.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.
Sherman township, in the northwestern quarter of Jasper county, is lo- cated to the south of Independence township, to the west of Malaka, Newton and Palo Alto townships, to the north of Mound Prairie and Fairview town- ships and east of Poweshiek township. For the most part the western border line is the meanderings of Indian creek, a branch of the Skunk river, which also forms the southwestern line of the township, thus making the township one of wedge shape. It contains about forty sections of land. This town- ship is somewhat broken, with numerous small creeks and a lake within its borders. The natural groves are confined to the banks of these streams. Highways run on almost all section lines, however, and the township is one of much value, lying near to the county seat as it does. There are no towns or villages within its borders.
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