USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. I > Part 57
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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
Section 18. Here again appear Alonzo Averill, Elmer Mulinex, Sidney Beckwith, A. B. Graves and Abigall Beeman. During the grasshopper scourge Sidney Beckwith drove his team over to Pierre, South Dakota, and hauled freight to the Black Hills until the distress here was over. He then returned to his claim and settled down to general farming and stock raising. As his stock increased he bought more land and waxed rich. Recently he re- tired from the farm and moved to southern California where he is enjoying life to the fullest, still holding his land. 1
Section 20. Here settled Edward Smith, J. H. Smith, Samuel B. Smith. John Tann, a brother-in-law of the Smiths, and Cornelius Collison. J. H. (37)
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O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
Smith is dead, Samuel B. Smith, at last report, was living in Minnesota. Edward Smith lived on his land until about twenty years ago when he moved to Little Rock and engaged in the hardware business and prospered. He bought more land and still holds it, but is now leading a retired life in Lit- tle Rock.
Section 22. Here settled M. D. Hadsell, John Joseph, J. H. Hart and John P. Hawxhurst. Of this number only Mr. Hawxhurst remained to make a permanent citizen and he early took up his residence in Sibley. He married Miss Thomas, a sister of Will Thomas. He was editor of the Sibley Gasette for many years and later clerk of the district court several terms. He was prominent in the Masonic order and died in Sibley a few years ago. He was a good and useful citizen.
Fred Attig and L. H. Morse each own a half section on 22 and were quite early settlers and first-class farmers and good money makers. They still live on their farms, both drive automobiles and appear prosperous and happy.
Section 24. Here was Lyman Clark, George W. Ketcham, Merritt R. Winchester, Jeremiah Burgh and N. Irwin Wetmore, all of whom remained long enough to be well known, but sold and left the country before realizing much benefit from the material prosperity of the country. Mr. Ketcham will be particularly remembered for his peculiarities and eccentricities.
Section 26. E. Headley did not become a permanent citizen. J. S. Patterson remained on his original claim until the time of his death a few years ago except two or three years in Sibley just before his death. He was an old soldier and a highly respected citizen. His widow survives him. Jackson Blair was a stirring and influential citizen who sold about twenty years ago and moved to Nebraska. He visited in Sibley during the summer of 1913 and is looking well and prosperous. Willis H. Gates lived on his claim until he was elected to the office of county recorder and then moved to Sibley and made a popular and efficient officer several terms. He died in Sib- ley a few years ago highly respected. His widow survives him and lives in Sibley.
Section 28. George Carew settled on this section, but early moved to Sibley and bought the Sibley Gazette and managed it many years. John P. Hawxhurst was his editor. Mr. Carew died in Sibley many years ago. David B. Wood also settled here. About thirty years ago he sold and moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he died recently. R. J. Willy was a transient. Hugh Jordon was an attorney in the early history of Sibley and, being an old soldier, filed on a quarter section for what there was in it, a customary
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procedure during those early times. Mr. Jordan remained in Sibley and practiced law until the time of his death many years ago. His widow sur- vives in Sibley. Henry Hall came so early he should be mentioned with the early settlers. He was street commissioner in Sibley for many years.
Section 29. J. P. Walbran settled on section 29 and engaged exclu- sively in general farming and has prospered.
Section 30. This section was settled by Henry Gresham, A. G. Van- blerscum, Charles Nulton and Theodore J. Stage. Mr. Stage proved to be the only stayer on this section. The rest were well known but could not stand the pressure of the hard times and sold for a trifle and left. Mr. Stage is now leading a retired life in Sibley and is a useful and respected citizen. Frank Chase should also be recorded among the early settlers of this sec- tion. He commenced working for Mr. Walbran when a mere boy and he proved to be a faithful farm hand. He married the daughter of Mr. Wal- bran and set out farming for himself on section 30 and now is one of the prosperous farmers and land owners of Viola township.
Section 32. George S. Downend was a prominent man in public af- fairs and an able county supervisor several terms. Some twenty-five years ago he sold and moved to southwestern Iowa and later to Missouri where he still resides.
George W. Turk died early and his family are scattered. One of his sons lives in Little Rock. Abram Shapley filed as an old soldier on the southwest quarter of this section and early bought the northwest quarter. The last year of the grasshopper scourge he had nearly all of this half sec- tion in flax. About the time it was all up and looking fine the hoppers hatched out on the whole half section so thick that the ground was literally alive with them. Of course that looked extremely discouraging and Mr. Shapley spent considerable time and money trying to sell at ten dollars an acre. He had a fine grove started and good buildings and although his offer was very cheap yet he could not find a buyer. Fortunately as soon as the hoppers gained a little strength they hopped off without doing the crop very much damage and Mr. Shapley harvested his flax and realized the ten dollars per acre for all his land. He kept the land until it brought a good price, when he sold it and retired to Sibley, where he died a few years ago.
P. L. Piesly was a hard worker and for many years was the principal stock buyer and shipper in this vicinity. He died on his home farm some years ago. His widow now lives in Sibley and his son manages the farm.
Section 33. Peter Rhemes is on section 33.
Section 34. J. F. Bough and M. M. Horton did not stay long. William
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E. Ripley was an old soldier and received a liberal pension on account of his defective vision, incurred as a result of the service, and shortly after prov- ing up moved to Sibley where he died many years ago. His widow still re- sides in Sibley. John F. Stamm held the office of sheriff three terms and made a faithful officer. He also was an old soldier and died in Sibley a few years ago. His widow survives him and resides in Sibley. James F. Van- Emburg left early.
Section 36. Charles C. Torry was a carpenter and early moved to Sib- ley and worked at his trade a few years and left the country. Joseph Ferrin lived and worked his claim a good many years, but about thirty years ago sold out and moved to Wisconsin where he died two or three years ago. He was a single man and farmed at a disadvantage. David Watt was a transient and little known. Levi Shell, being a veteran of the Civil War, filed on a quarter of this section and still owns the same. It is now a well improved farm worked and managed by Mr. Lehman, a son-in-law of Mr. Shell. Mr. Shell was one of the first lumber merchants of Sibley and still resides in Sibley and is the senior member of the Shell Lumber Company, which is do- ing an extensive business in building material and cement.
Among the more recent arrivals of prosperous farmers are H. C. Con- radi, J. G. Groenewald, Thomas Giken, S. Gardas, E. A. D. Nachtigal, H. J. Onken, Henry, John J. and Peter J. Onken, C. H. Slocum, and C. C. and William Truckenmiller. William Truckenmiller is building in Sibley this. year preparatory to living in town. There are many other thrifty farmers in this township but space will not permit mention of them all. Viola town- ship is one of the garden spots of the county. The land is good and it is. thoroughly handled.
This township supports six public schools and there is a German church on section 22. The present township officers are Herman Groth, John Onken and E. A. D. Nachtingal, trustees; Lamber Duis, clerk: M. F. Olson, con- stable and Jake Redinius, assessor.
WEST HOLMAN TOWNSHIP.
Section 1. Among those who came later after the hard times were about at an end we find, on section 1, Andrew Rahfeldt, who has succeeded with cattle and hogs principally, although he sells some grain each year. He raises Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is a good farmer and successful business man and is doing well.
Section 2. Here was Girard Post and David Bushel, both transients.
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MAP OF WEST HOLMAN TOWNSHIP, OSCEOLA COUNTY
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O'BRIEN AND. OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
James K. Shaw entered a quarter section on this section. Mr. Shaw did a prosperons land business in Sibley several years. Finally he and his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he now resides and is quite prosperous. A. H. Agar now owns and lives on the Shaw farm and is one of our most successful and enterprising farmers. Moses V. Beede entered the southwest quarter of this section and lived on his claim many years. He lived in Sibley for several years, and from there moved to Ellsworth. Iowa, where he died poor. He was most prosperous while living on the farm, but was discon- tented. He labored under the delusion that he was cut out for a business career. A. H. Baade owns and occupies the northeast quarter of this sec- tion and has a fine home. He came from Parkersburg, Iowa. He and his son Fred are prosperous and happy. Leroy Phillips located on this section. but remained only a short time. A. H. Baade came from Parkersburg. Iowa, where he had been working a large dairy farm, and bought his present farm at twenty-six dollars per acre and built a good house and barn. Now his land is worth one hundred and fifty dollars an acre, but is not for sale. His son, Fred, works with him and they are successful and contented. Bert Agar, after being here a few years, thought he could find some place that would suit him better, so he sold and looked around one season, but finding no place that looked as good to him he bought back at an advance, it is said. of two thousand dollars and has ever since been contented. He has put up a fine set of buildings and bought another eighty, so his home farm now consists of two hundred and forty acres. He is a successful corn raiser and cattle and hog feeder.
Section 4. Robert Stamm settled here and stuck to his claim until the time of his death, a few years ago. He was always active in all farmers' meetings. B. A. Stamm later moved to Sibley, where he died recently. Orrin W. Towner and Bela Churchill were transients. W. H. Morrison, who started the first nursery in this county, located on this section. The grasshoppers were so hard on his young trees that he became discouraged and gradually worked out of the nursery business and moved to Sibley. where he conducted a jewelry store. He was for many years treasurer of the township. Later he moved to Kettle Falls. Washington, where he died. His widow still resides in Kettle Falls.
Section 5. W. L. Taylor came from Wisconsin with his brother. John Taylor. John became discontented, sold and moved to South Dakota. but W. L. remained and has succeeded to a marked degree. He is not only a thorough farmer but a good stock raiser. He believes in mixed farming and keeps cattle, hogs and sheep successfully. He worked hard and steadily
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and now has a fine farm. J. Moet is also on this section and is an excellent farmer. He always has something for the market at the proper time.
Section 6. On this section settled J. C. Irwin, Milton Irwin and Gar- rett Irwin, the latter being the only one of these Irwins left in the county. Here was Archel Tyler, long since dead. Charles A. Sawyer, who was Sibley's first grain buyer and coal dealer, soon moved to California and was lost sight of. James Baily was doing well here, but thought he could better his condition and prospects by selling and buying east of the Ocheyedan, where land was cheaper and settlers not so thick and where he would have a better chance to raise cattle. He undertook to move in the early spring and was drowned while crossing the Ocheyedan river during a time of high water. The proverb about a contented mind might apply in this case.
Section 7. Dick Meyers, who bought on this section, made money and got ahead a little each year. A few years ago he went to Germany on a visit and died suddenly on his return trip and was buried at sea. His widow is conducting the farm and doing well.
Section 8. This section was entered by Preston Bushel, Albion C. Sparine, Newton Richards and Charles H. Call. These men left no foot- prints. O. J. Ackerman is a thrifty farmer and doing well. J. Frey owns land on sections 9 and 17, and is a prosperous farmer. He is one of the in- fluential farmers of West Holman. He has a large family and is prosperous. He is always a good friend to have in time of need.
Section 9. C. N. and G. W. Flower are prosperous farmers on this section. They do not strive for leadership, but are at their job every day in the year and are making money. R. Fruhling bought the old Captain Riley place and handled it successfully until land was pretty well up in price, when he sold and moved to Sibley, where he engaged in the stock business. He is now with Frank Kennedy, and they are the principal stock buyers and shippers in Sibley, doing a safe and profitable business.
Section 10. Here was Elbridge Morrison, who died in Sibley recently. Jacob C. Miller did not remain long. John Beaumont was an Englishman and quite active in getting out among his neighbors. He was the first sec- retary of the school board of Holman township and a loyal supporter of the gang of get-rich-quick fellows. This gang rewarded its supporters. While Beaumont was secretary of the school board a new school house was to be built in the Beaumont district and it was proposed to give him the old school house, which would make a very good addition to his homestead shack. A resolution was passed granting Beaumont an advance of twenty- five dollars in salary, and at the same meeting another resolution was passed
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and recorded to accept the Beaumont offer of twenty-five dollars for the old school building. That building is still a part of the house on the Beat- mont farm. Here was the claim of Captain D. L. Riley, who was for many years a lumber merchant in Sibley and one of the board of supervisors. Osceola county owes much to Captain Riley for being redeemed from the gang and the business of the county placed on an honest and economical basis. William E. Rose left no mark.
Section II. A. W. Garberson came from Wall Lake, Iowa, and bought section II and has made extensive improvements on it. He secured it at a bargain and now it is very valuable. He rents the farm and has a fine residence in Sibley, where he lives.
Section 12. William A. Laughrey was hardly known. Here was Ed- ward Shufelt, who got big prices for painting school houses and other public buildings for the gang. He died in Canton, South Dakota, recently. Leon- ard Chamberlain held his claim as long as he could as a homestead and then surrendered his certificate and re-entered it as a tree claim under the timber culture act. He thus kept it off the tax list about fifteen years. The prin- cipal mark he left is the fine grove on the "Ash Hill" or Person farm, one- half mile north of Sibley. Mr. Chamberlain died in California. John D. Blake, Warren B. Lathrop and Frank Stiles were other settlers. The Stiles eighty was bought by Captain R. J. Chase, platted into lots and blocks and called Chase's addition to Sibley. These lots were all sold and now con- stitute quite a portion of the town. Stiles was one of the gang. He was the first sheriff and his wife the first county superintendent of schools. Both were found dead in a hotel in North Dakota a few months ago. They were asphyxiated. The southwest quarter of section 12 was always considered as the claim of J. H. Winspear, who was the head and furnished the brains of the grafter gang. In fact. he was the only one of the gang who left the county with any money. Winspear built the house on this quarter. This house was later sold to Ted Baker, a mason, who moved it to its present location and it is now a part of the Rustin residence. The quarter was en- tered by John D. Blake and Warren B. Lathrop, who transferred it to Shuck and Deland. Shuck was one of the early lumber merchants of Sibley and got into all kinds of financial difficulties. The consideration was one hundred and twenty-seven dollars for each eighty. It is now worth about twice that amount per acre. Lance Polley now owns and resides on the east eighty. John D. Blake and Warren B. Lathrop were either dummies or straw men. People who were here all through those early days knew of no such men. The Winspear residence and the Stiles residence were just
-
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O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
across the railroad track fom one another. Lance Polly now occupies one location and W. J. Miller the other. David Littlechild boarded with Stiles and worked more or less for Winspear, planting trees and otherwise improving the place. Winspear always called it his claim. It is looked upon as one of the "ways that are dark and tricks that are vain" and hard to un- derstand. Another remarkable circumstance about it is that it should be sold so cheap. But Winspear was at the end of his rope in this county and thought best to get away quickly. While Winspear furnished the brains, "Old Stiles," as he was called, supplied the gall in abundant quantities. May their souls rest in peace.
Section 13. E. N. Person bought the old Chamberlain claim, the north- west quarter of this section, and engaged in the dairy business until he worked off the indebtedness on his farm. He then quit his dairy business, but continued to keep cows and hogs until he accumulated enough to buy a comfortable home in Sibley. His son having married, he retired last year and left the management of the farm to the young man.
Section 14. Henry L. Baker was a brother-in-law of Captain R. J. Chase. Baker was Sibley's first milkman, but sold to H. L. Emmert before land became very valuable. Thomas Parland, a cranky old Englishman, also sold early to Mr. Emmert. W. W. Crum was a brother-in-law of Parland and many years a prominent citizen here. Mr. Cram is now living in Sioux City. His son, Frank Cram, lives in Sibley and for many years has been the county bridge builder. Myron Churchill also had a claim here and in a few years sold to Mr. Emmert and moved to Sibley, engaging in the grocery business. Later he moved to Kettle Falls, Washington, where he now re- sides. H. L. Emmert secured possession of all this section and converted it into a model stock farm. He sold it recently at a good price. H. L. Em- mert, Sibley's first banker, bought, piece by piece, all of section 14. The people who entered section 14 owed him and he reluctantly bought their farms to save himself from prospective loss. He made a model farm of it and recently sold it at about one hundred and thirty-five dollars per acre. He (lid not buy it as a money making proposition, but to save himself.
Section 15. George DeVries, Henry Reinsma and W. J. Johnson are all prosperous farmers on this section and all have fine improvements. Ed. Rahfeldt came some ten or twelve years ago and built a large feed barn in Sibley, where farmers can drive in and have a warm, dry place for their teams while in town, for ten cents. The barn was a success, but as Mr. Rahfeldt had a growing family, he traded his barn for a quarter section on
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O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
section 16, owned by Daniel Fox, who was getting too old to conduct farm- ing operations. Mr. Rahfeldt is now a prosperous farmer.
Section 16. J. C. Fox bought two hundred and forty acres on section 16 about twenty years ago at twenty-two dollars an acre. He and his chil- dren have worked the farm successfully and his land is now worth one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars an acre. James A. Park also bought two hun- dred and forty acres about the same time and at the same price. He fenced and put up a full set of farm buildings. He has recently rented the farm and bought and moved to a nicely improved five-acre tract near Sibley. He would not sell his farm for one hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre.
Section 18. Here was Miles A. Hamlin, who was a soldier in the Civil War, and drew a small pension. He built a house on his claim and put the land in cultivation, then borrowed two thousand dollars on the farm and retired to Sibley. Being a single man he boarded at the hotel. When his loan became due he increased the mortgage and used the cash he re- ceived to eke out his pension for a living. The third and last loan was for four thousand dollars. When that cash was all gone he sold the farm and lived for a time in the Old Soldiers' Home, at Hot Springs, South Dakota. and later moved to California, where he is now living. That was his way of making his claim support him. When he dies there will be no estate to settle. Thomas S. Brennon and John Brennon were never actual settlers here, but lived in Sioux City, where John Brennon edited a Roman Catholic paper. He will also be remembered as an eloquent and patriotic speaker. David Whitney still resides on his original claim. He bought more land and is now quite wealthy.
Section 19. A. Klaasson bought a quarter of section 19 and made money. In 1913 he bought a good home in Sibley and retired.
Section 20. P. Herron has a half section farm on section 20 and has been getting rich. He owns another good farm in Minnesota. John Cough- lin settled on this section. He was always quite poor while he lived here, but reared a large family and finally got enough together to make a first mayment on a larger farm in Clark county, South Dakota. at just the right time and has since prospered. He is now in comfortable circumstances. Edward Lind- sey was always very poor. He was one of the homesteaders who had to have help. One winter he and his family camped in the court room of the court house at the county's expense. He died long ago. F. M. Palmer left early. C. M. Bailey soon moved into Sibley and was the village blacksmith many years. Later he secured an appointment under the state auditor, who was
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one of his old army comrades, and moved to Des Moines, where he died several years ago.
Section 22. George F. Nixon died in Sibley last year, aged ninety- three years. Edward Carnes was section boss on the railroad and, being a good, intelligent and temperate man, was raised to roadmaster. He died in Worthington, Minnesota, several years ago. A. W. Mitchell was Sibley's first furniture dealer and undertaker. He sold his business to the Walton Brothers and was one of the rural mail carriers several years. He died re- cently and his widow and two of his daughters still live in Sibley. Thomas Heck left no tracks. Patrick Larkin was a railroad section boss. William Gache bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 22 about eight years ago, soon paid for it, then bought another eighty acres on the same section, soon paid for that, last year purchased still another eighty just across the road from his first quarter at one hundred and thirty-five dollars per acre and is now paying for that. His experience shows what a good farmer who has a good working family can do with land in this country.
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