USA > Iowa > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 83
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" A committee from the Vermilion Monthly Meeting arrived at Salem on the Ist day of the sixth month, 1838. A preparation meeting was held on the 7th, and the first monthly meeting on the 8th of the tenth month, 1838. Stephen Hockett, Jr., and Henry W. Joy were appointed overseers to look after the welfare of the Society. Henry W. Joy died at his home in Salem, Nov. 25, 1883, aged seventy-five years. lle was the last survivor, who was then the head of a family, of the original members of the first monthily meeting. His wife died Nov. 8, 1877. A meeting-house of suitable capacity was built in 1840, and the society rapidly increased in membership.
" About 1843 a division occurred through the agitation of the slavery question. As is well known, the Friends were all Abolitionists in principle, but a
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minority comprising the more ultra ones were dis- posed to undertake aggressive measures in the in- terest of the slaves and in violation of existing laws. They established stations where runaway slaves were to be secreted until they could be forwarded to Canada by what was known as the " underground railroad." Large numbers of slaves were enticed from their masters and helped to Canada in that manner. A majority of the Friends, while they would not refuse shelter to an escaped slave if ap- plied to, did not believe it right to go about to vio- late the laws of the land in the manner of the more ultra ones. They claimed to be a law-abiding peo- ple and were opposed to the lawless acts of their more hot-headed brethren. The result was the active abolition members withdrew from the meet- ing and erected a meeting-house of their own, which they occupied a few years and then leased it to the village for school purposes and returned to the original meeting.
" The Society erected a brick meeting-house in 1853, which they occupied until 1867, when it was ntilized as a part of the Whittier College, and the college Board of Trustees erected a new meeting- house for the Friends, which building served the Society until 1876. At that time the present frame meeting-house was erected. Later, the older and more conservative members became alarmed at what they felt to be a disposition on the part of the younger members to deviate from the old established customs, language and maxims of the Society. The younger and progressive party proved the more numerous, and after the lapse of a few years the conservatives withdrew and erected a new meeting- house, where they met and proceeded to re-organize the Salem Monthly Meeting on the basis of the old principles and maxims of the Society as given by Fox and Penn. Those most prominent in effecting a separation were Peter Hobson, Wilham Savage, C. J. Poulter, Wythe Elliott, David Parkins, Thomas Nicholson, George Stephenson and their families. The re-organized monthly meeting was held June 3, 1879, since which time they have maintained their separate meetings. The Progres- sive or Fast Friends as they are termed, have main- tained the original organization, and being largely in the majority hold the Society property.
VILLAGE OF SALEM.
6 SITE village of Salem was laid out in 1839 by Aaron Street, Jr., and Peter Boyer. Among the first to settle at this point were R. W. Joy, R. F. Joy, Peter Boyer, Aaron Street, Jr., Isaac Pidgeon, William Pidgeon, G. W. Henderson, J. Il. Pickering, William Leewelling, Ilenderson Leewelling, Peter Hobson and John W. Frazier. The town rapidly increased in population, and in 1840 was duly incorporated. A post-office was established soon after the first settlement was made. and Aaron Street, Jr., was commissioned Postmaster. John Bell started the first store and Peter Boyer kept the first hotel.
After a few years the village made no special increase in population, and to-day numbers but lit- tle over 600 people. During the past few years it has been visited by two or three destructive fires, which has retarded its growth somewhat. With commendable enterprise, the burned places have been generally rebuilt, and those who were able to sustain the loss have prospered. It can- not be denied, however, that the fires in a commer- cial way have injured the place. 'The first of the series of fires occurred Dec. 4, 1885, when Whittier College was burned, proving a total loss to the Society. The origin of the fire is unknown. The most disastrous fire of the series occurred on the evening of June 26. 1886, and originated in a hard- ware store in the rear of the post- office, adjoining Union Block on the west. The fire was soon be- yond control and spread to the Union Block, a large wooden structure, containing five stores on the first floor, a dwelling, and large hall, known as Union llall, above. This block with its stocks of goods was entirely consumed, while a dwelling belonging to Wythe Eliott, and a couple of small buildings, one used as a barber shop, and the other as a junk shop, completed the row burned. The fire crossed the street to the south, and caught the large hotel owned by William Kittle, which, together with most of its contents, was destroyed. Next south- ward came Jolm Collat's tinware and stove shop and a crockery store. Then W. B. Donaldson, drugs, J. W. Fisher, general store, A. W. Fisher. restaurant, J. C. Reeves, drugs, and J. M. Triplet, general store. The aggregate number of buildings
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burned was fourteen, while the estimated loss was $50,000. This fire was supposed to be the work of an incendiary, and swept a large part of the busi- ness portion of the town, taking the entire west side of the public square, except Dr. Evans' place, and the south side of the block lying north and west of the square.
The next fire was that of the grist and flouring mill of Fullenwilder & Elder, which burned Dec. 12, 1886, the fire being thought accidental. The loss was about $6,000.
Following that of the burning of the gristmill came the fire of July 27, 1887, which originated in a little building situated near the Congregational Church, owned and occupied by Arthur Honnieutt as a meat market and grocery. In addition to Mr. Honnieutt's building there were consumed Collins' confectionery and dwelling-house, the Congrega- tional Church and John Steinmetz' Hotel. This fire was supposed to be of incendiary origin. A little later the fire fiend again showed his hand by the burning of a large and fine dwelling on West Main street, owned by James Leach, and which had been unoccupied for several days. His loss was about $6,000.
Another supposed ineendiary fire was started Nov. 21, 1887, in a dwelling occupied by R. Latty, situated in the southern part of town. The fire was ex- tinguished before much damage was done.
Prior to the burning of Whittier College the vil- lage had been very free from such experiences, no fire of consequence having occurred for several years. The burnt distriet was largely rebuilt, and business is fast settling back into its former chan- nels, and the good people of Salem are looking for- ward to a season of increased business activity and safety. In proportion to its size Salem has suffered more by fire in a given time than any town in Iowa, but her people are bound to stay, and the rapid progress already made in rebuilding speaks well for the future.
The village is represented religiously by the Friends, Congregationalists, Baptists and Meth- odist Episcopal, the first being the strongest, men- tion of which has already been made.
The first regular appointment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, that included Salem, was in
1840, when Rev. T. M. Kirkpatrick was appointed to Mt. Pleasant, sinee which time preaching has been regularly continued, the greater part of the time in connection with Hillsboro. In the Salem and Hillsboro charge there are nearly 300 members.
The Congregational Church of Salem was or- ganized about 1854. Rev. J. C. Cooper was the first pastor. A house of worship was erected soon after the organization of the society. It was a brick structure, the estimated cost of which was $1,500. For a period of thirty-three years this house re-echoed the songs of praise that were therein sung, but on the 27th of July, 1887, it was totally destroyed by fire. At the present writing the church has seventy-nine members, with Rev. D. D. Tibbetts as resident pastor.
The schools of Salem rank high. The first schools were held in private houses in 1839. In 1853 the distriet rented the Friends' meeting-house, which they used for three years, when a brick school-honse was erected, and used till 1864, when a briek dwell- ing, two and a half stories in height, was purchased and remodeled for a school building, and is used to this day.
A private academy was built in 1845, by Reuben Darling, who in 1854 sold it to Leonard Farr, who continned the school until 1860.
Whittier College is an institution in which the citizens take special pride. a full history of which may be found under the head of " Educational," in another part of this work.
The various secret and benevolent societies are here represented by the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the G. A. R.
The earliest records of Salem Lodge No. 17, A. F. & A. M., show that a regular communication was held Jan. 28, 1852, at which the Worshipful Master (not named) presided, and that the following- named brothers filled the positions named : A. II. Pickering, S. W .; G. Mershon, J. W .; L. J. Rogers, Treasurer; Thomas A. Marvin, Secretary ; E. Cook, S. D .; Lewis Taylor, J. D .; Lewis Brown, 'Tyler. Several brothers were admitted by card and initiation that evening. This lodge is there- fore thirty-six years old. It has had a successful career, and its membership now numbers thirty- nine, having at present writing, in November, 1887,
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the following-named officers: J. T. Ingram, W. M .; W. A. Wilmeth, S. W .; D. J. Jones, J. W .; J. B. Ross, Secretary ; William Matthews, Treasurer; Dr. J. M. Evans, S. D .; J. R. Matthews, J. D .; Robert Russell, Tyler. The lodge owns the hall in which it meets, which is well furnished, and has been occupied for some years.
Salem Lodge No. 48, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 26, 1853. The charter members were C. V. Arnold, N. G .: J. L. Chambers, V. G .; Richard Spurrier, J. L. Chambers, William Johnson, Samuel Smith, C. M. McDowell and J. S. Bartruff. The lodge has had a very successful career, and while many of its old members are scattered throughout the country it yet numbers sixty-one active mem- bers. The lodge owns the hall which it occupies, and has a fine library. In the fall of 1887 the following named were the officers: O. H. Cooke, N. G .; R. II. Dawson, V. G .; N. Cammack, Treas- urer; C. A. Stevens, Secretary.
In connection with the lodge there is Salem Chap- ter No. 66, I. O. O. F., which was organized in 1874, and is also quite prosperous.
Adam Kimpel Post No. 245, G. A. R., was or- ganized Nov. 9, 1883, with twenty charter members. Dr. J. M. Evans being the first Commander. The present roster shows a membership of forty, with J. T. Ingram, Commander; George Cramer, Adju- tant; L. B. Culver, Quartermaster; Dr. J. M. Evans, Chaplain. The post is strong, and is doing good work.
Monarch Lodge No. 143, K. of P., was instituted July 15, 1884, with nineteen charter members. It has been very successful since its organization, and comprises some excellent material.
The Bank of Salem was organized as a private bank in the spring of 1881. It does a general banking business, and has the confidence of the community in general as regards its stability. George W. Tyner is the President, and W. Il. Bliss, Cashier.
The citizens of Salem and vicinity maintain an agricultural society, besides which there is also an Old Settlers' Association, and in both of these organizations they take a lively interest.
Scott Township
COTT TOWNSHIP is situated in the north- east corner of the county, having in it the village of Winfield, now one of the most enterprising of all the towns in the county. This township was first settled in 1836, B. Hoch- reiter having the honor of being the pioneer. It is principally prairie, the natural timber being found only along Crooked Creek. The soil is good and all the cereals suitable to the latitude can be grown here.
The town of Winfield was laid out in 1852 by Asbury Porter. This was long before the days of railroads, three years before one had crossed the Mississippi River, and the town grew but slowly. The town and township were named in honor of Gen. Winfield Scott, and as the former was laid out when Scott, the last Whig candidate, was running for the Presidency against Franklin Pierce, it is reasonable to suppose that Mr. Porter was a Whig. The first store was established by Mr. Porter, who placed it in charge of Jacob Palm as manager. It was subsequently purchased by George Hoover, who has been given the credit of being the first merchant in the place.
At a later day, William T. Clayton came to Win- field, purchased property in the vicinity and em- barked in the mercantile business. He was a very enterprising man, and was quite successful in busi- ness, accumulating in comparatively a short time about $25,000, the greater part of which he subse- quently invested in town lots in the village of Burris, that was to be a station on an air-line rail- road between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The road was never built, the city failed to mater- ialize, and Mr. Clayton lost heavily.
The first stores in the place were those known as general stores, in which every conceivable article in demand was supposed to be kept, but as the town grew, and the country around it prospered, trade began to divide. John Stewart, of Craw- fordsville, came to the place and opened the first drug-store, and was followed in due time by Frank Matthews. Branager & Co. were the first to engage in the hardware business. Kirkpatrick & Jackson were the pioneer furniture dealers, JJ. B. Lynch kept the first hotel, Charles Deyarman ran the first
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livery, Charles Craven was the first wagon-maker, Bridges & Smith ran the first gristmill, George Sales & Ross were the first lumber dealers. The first blacksmith-shop in the township was started by John L. and Michael Myers, in 1852, on the place where Wesley Myers now lives, one-half mile west of Winfield. At that time there was no village here, and the shop was carried on in connection with farming. After the village was laid out, Ilerman Bowers commenced here the business. He eame from Wayne Township, and later moved to Missouri. The second shop was opened by William G. Lauder, now deceased. In 1870 Mr. Myers moved into the village, where he has since been engaged in the business, and is the oldest blacksmith in the north part of the county. The first physician here was Dr. Martin, who came from Keithsburg, Ill., and who later moved to Kansas.
Soon after laying out the village, a post-office was established here, and George Iloover was com- missioned its first Postmaster. He held the office but a short time and was sueceeded by William T. Clayton. In 1857, shortly after Buchanan was inaugurated, J. H. Goodspeed was appointed, and for twenty-seven years faithfully discharged the duties of the office. During his administration a money order department was attached, and on the 2d of July, 1877, the first order was drawn in favor of William L. Miller, Geneva, Kan. Up to Nov. 4, 1887, there had been drawn 6,363 orders. Mr. Goodspeed was succeeded by Dr. J. W. Hanna, who now holds the commission of "Uncle Sam" as his duly authorized agent.
For many years the village was "left out in the cold" by the various railroad companies that had built their lines of road through this section of country. It was not until the centennial year that the efforts of its citizens met with success in con- necting the town with the outside world by iron bands. At that time the Burlington & North- western Railroad was completed from Burlington to this place. Subsequently the road was extended to Washington, and another company aeting in connection built from here the Burlington & Western, with Oskaloosa, Iowa, as its terminal point. The Central lowa, about the same time the latter was built, completed its line from Oskaloosa
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to Keithisburg, so that to-day Winfield has superior railroad facilities, and in respect to freight has just competition. While its growth has not been phe- nomenal, or as great as its friends desired, yet a good, solid business has been done by its merchants, while the place itself shows evidence of thrift.
Immediately on the heels of the railroad came the newspaper press, that herald of universal prog- ress. On the 27th of June, 1876, the Winfield Press, with H. G. Rising as editor and proprietor, made its appearance. But it came too soon, the people were hardly ready for it, and in one short year its light went out.
Burlington, Mt. Pleasant and Washington afforded the only banking facilities to the citizens of Win- field till 1883. In September of that year, a pri- vate bank was started with H. C. Weaver as cashier, and having as its backers E. L. Penn and Charles Snider, of Mt. Pleasant, and Henry Clark, now President of the First National Bank of Creston. After running for about two years its affairs were wound up, it not proving a paying investment for those interested. During this year, however, B. B. Lindley established the Bank of Winfield, which has since been in successful operation. This bank does a general banking business, with the First National Bank of Chicago, and Gilman, Son & Co., New York, as its correspondents. The Bank of Winfield has a fireproof vault.
The religious interests of Winfield are guarded by the United Presbyterians, Presbyterians and Methodist Episcopal.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest organization in Winfield, dating back to the win- ter of 1848-49, when a elass was organized in the house of Thomas Alexander, with six or eight mem- bers. The first meetings were held from house to house, and later in school-houses. Sometime in the sixties a frame church building was ereeted, since which time the society has had a home. The church has usually been in a prosperous condition, spirit- nally and otherwise, and never more so than the present time, when it has a membership of 200, with a live Sunday-school from which to draw re- eruits from time to time.
The United Presbyterian Church was organized Oet. 16, 1865, by Rev. A. Story, of Columbus City,
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with eleven members. The first service was held at the house of 1. P. McCulley, and Robert Walker and J. P. McCulley were elected and ordained as Ellers. The first regular pastor was Rev. J. M. Henderson, from Portland, Ohio, an earnest and faithful worker in the Master's cause. He was in- stalled in April. 1866. During that year a good substantial church building was erected, 36x60 feet in size. Rev. Thome succeeded Mr. Henderson, and at present tills the pulpit. The present mem- bership of the church is seventy-four, and it is in a good, healthy condition.
The Presbyterian Church of Winfield was origin- ally organized under the name of Round Grove Presbyterian Church (Old School) in 1856, by Rev. Thomas H. Dinsmore, with twenty-one mem- bers. Rev. Francis B. Dinsmore was its first pastor. Hle was succeeded by Rev. McBride, and in turn by Revs. D. T. Campbell. 11. M. Corbett, L. K. Ber- ridge, J. R. Brown. A. W. Ringland. G. W. Hays, Joseph Dickey. D. T. Campbell. J. B. Butler. The present house of worship was commenced in t865, completed the next year, and dedicated in 1867, Rev. George D. Stewart, D. D., preaching the dedi- catory sermon. The present membership of the church is 100. and it is in a flourishing condition, spiritually and financially, with a good Sunday- school.
The Masonic fraternity is represented by Good Faith Lodge No. 230. A. F. & A. M., instituted June 2, 1869, with George Ilammond, W. M .; R. C. Jackson. S. W .; George W. Brewington, J. W. The lodge is in good financial condition, and is com- posed of many of the best citizens of Winfield and vicinity. Its lodge room is well furnished. The following named comprised its officers in November, 1887: T. Rn-sell. W. M .: Caleb Russell, S. W .; Alex Wiley, J. W. ; J. C. Green, Secy. ; J. T. David- son, Treas. ; Jacob Renshaw. J. D. ; W. 11. Wise, S. D).
Tippecanoe Township.
C HARLES DAWSON has the honor of be- ing the pioneer in Tippecanoe, which com- prises all of township 71, range 7 west. lle located on section 1 in 1834, and the year after sold his claim to William B. Lusk, who also makes
claim to being the first permanent settler in the county. While one or two others came in before him and made claims, Mr. Lusk came to stay, and yet remains an honored citizen of the townshipand county. Among others who came in an early day were William Hockett, T. Wright, Linus Fairchild, William Il. Lyon. Thomas Grant and Charles Max- well. The Skunk River enters this township on section 3, and after running southwest about a mile and a half, touching scetion 5, it takes a southeast- erly course and passes out from seetion 24. With its tributaries, this stream affords an abundance of water for stock and mill purposes. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad passes through the northern part of the township, having one station, Rome.
Rome was first laid out in 18.46, the original town site being on the west side of the river. William Seott was the proprietor of the town site, and in company with James Strong kept the first store. Prior to this, in 1812, Mr. Knight kept a black- smith-shop here, and Mr. Scott had a hotel.
In 1856. D. C. Whitwood, who probably knew of the proposed location of the railroad, came here and bought t60 acres of land on the north side of town, twenty-five of which he laid out in town lots, to which he gave the name of Chicauqua, the In- dian name of Skunk River. In 1866, O'Loughlin & Baker purchased of Whitwood the land origin- ally purchased by the latter, and in that same year the two towns were incorporated as one under the name of Rome. James Gallagher was the first Mayor of the village.
Rome has had its ups and downs in common with all other towns, but is withal a pleasant place to live in.
Trenton Township.
IIE first settlement made in this township was in 1836, and among the first settlers were Michael Crane, ton. James C. Green, James McPheran, J. 11. MeP'heran, George Miller, Joseph, Jacob and Perry Morrison, Isaac Jordan, I. and B. B. Allender, Absalom Leeper, John Kephart and A. Updegraff. Among all these Mr. Green, it is believed, is the only one left in the township.
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Michael Crane came in the spring of 1836, made claim to the site of the present village of Trenton, laid out a village and called it Lancaster, after the place of the same name in Pennsylvania. In 1837, Samuel Brazleton, Col. Porter and George Miller bought the claim, had it resurveyed, and at the suggestion of James C. Green named it Trenton, after the capital of New Jersey. Some two or three years later George Miller purchased the interest of Col. Porter, and Mr. Brazleton and Mr. Miller be- came sole proprietors.
Soon after laying out the town a post-office was established here, with Samuel Morrison as the first Postmaster. The first merchant in the place was Timothy Gaskell. The first physician was William Finley, while A. Updegraff was the first Justice of the Peace, James Conner kept the first hotel.
Deprived of railroad facilities, Trenton has not been able to keep pace with the rest of the world, though it has tried hard. For many years Joel Turney ran a wagon-shop here, and did an excel- lent business, but being compelled to haul material from the railroad station, and to haul back such material as he made up that was not taken by citi- zens, he finally removed to Fairfield, where he has the benefit of competing railroads.
The village has a school building worthy of a more pretentious place, and its educational facilities are second to none. The Presbyterian Church of Trenton was organized July 17, 1811. Previous to 1868 the congregation worshiped in a buikling erected many years previous, but being too small to accommodate the growing society, a new church was erected during the summer of that year and finished 1 and dedicated Sept. 19, 1869, by Rev. Mcclintock, then of Mt. Pleasant, but now of Burlington, lowa. Rev. Hl. M. Corbett served the church as pastor for some time after the new church was built, after which the pulpit was supplied irregularly until June. 1885, when Rev. C. C. Humphrey organized a Congregational society.
HENRY COUNTY INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE.
Trenton Township possesses an institution of which she may well be proud in the above-named society. In 1869 George Miller, then a resident of the village of Trenton, conceived the idea of donat- ing a library and a place for social meetings to his
home. Ile at once began the erection of a building in Trenton, which was barely finished when his death suddenly occurred before it was transferred. His relatives in Pennsylvania carried out the wishes of the donor, and the building was completed and made over to the Trustees whom he had selected. It is a large, square brick building, two stories in height. well lighted and conveniently arranged. The main floor is devoted to the library which contains over 1,200 volumes, which are added to every year, a fund being raised for that pur- pose. Meetings are held on the first Saturday in every month, at which questions of social and political economy are discussed. The influence of the institute is all for good, and it has done a good work in the northern portion of Henry County, giving to its people an opportunity to meet and talk over those problems of life which should be the study of every good citizen.
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