USA > Iowa > Dallas County > The History of Dallas County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 59
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Ira A. Smith was the postmaster all the time the office was at Wiscotta.
Mr. M. C. Thomas, the deservedly popular postmaster and citizen, has retained the position for some time, and was among the early settlers in Redfield. To him, W. H. H. Brown, I. D. Redfield and others, we are in-
480
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
debted, in a great measure, for the particulars regarding the early settlement and business matters of the town.
CHURCHES.
The Christian church have a neat frame building in the northeast part of town, situated on block 4, Hain's addition, built some years ago, and com- fortably fitted up for purposes of public worship, it being the only church building in the town. Elder O. H. Derry is their present pastor, and has just lately commenced his labors among them.
We are unable to give a sketch of this church, as the necessary items regarding it were not furnished us.
The Methodist Episcopal church have a small organization in town, and occasional services, but no church building. Rev. Mumford is their pastor, who includes this organization with others in his charge. They hold ser- vices generally in the Christian church.
Rev. Alvin Chase, a "Newlight " minister is also a resident of the town, and preaches occasionally at different points.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The public school-house is a frame two-story building, about 30x40 feet, situated on lots 1, 2 and 3, block 17, in the northeast part of town.
It was built in 1867, at a cost of about $3,200.
There are two large rooms in the building, one in each story, and two teachers are employed.
Principal-Miss Ida Twichell; Assistant-Miss Maggie Mitchell.
About 85 pupils are in average attendance, and the school is in a prosperous condition, and is well sustained by the citizens.
MASONIC.
Wiscotta Lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M .- The Charter for the organiz- ation of this Lodge was granted June 8, 1860, and the following are the names of the Charter members, as kindly furnished us by T. C. Chance, W. M .: J. W. McPherson, Abe Smith, Collen Marshall, John Puffer, M. J. Marshall, T. E. Harbour, J. M. McLucas, Wm. Thornburg, Elwood Linley, M. L. Mills, E. A. Barnett, and Ira Barnett.
The first officers of the Lodge were: J. W. McPherson, W. M .; Collen Marshall, S. W .; John Puffer, J. W.
The present officers are: Thomas C. Chance, W. M .; John H. Mills, S. W .; Thomas Hoyt, J. W.
The membership at present numbers fifty-nine, and there are eight whose dues are remitted by reason of old age.
They have a good hall of their own, well fitted up, in which they hold their regular meetings Saturday evenings on or before the full moon in each month.
This is one of the early chartered lodges in Dallas county.
481
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Col. James Redfield was born in the State of New York in the year 1824. He graduated at Yale College in 1845, when about twenty-one years of age, and was for sometime afterward clerk in the office of the Secretary of State, at Albany, New York. In 1855 he came to this State, and settled as above described in Dallas county, purchasing the large tract of land and site of New Ireland (now Redfield) from the Cavenaughs, in connection with his brother and Mr. Moore, who afterward became his father-in-law; and together they accumulated a large amount of valuable property.
Colonel Redfield married Miss Achsah Moore, May 7, 1856, and lived in Wiscotta for a number of years as a highly respected and valuable cit- izen. He was a great public benefactor, a man of more than ordinary energy and enterprise, and is most highly spoken of by those who knew him. He was popular, and figured prominently in the public affairs of the county, receiving several important offices and positions of public trust by the popular vote during his residence in Dallas county. In the fall of 1861 he was elected State Senator from the senatorial district comprising Dallas, Adair, Cass, Guthrie, Audubon and Shelby counties, and thus became a member of the State Senate in the Ninth General Assembly, which convened at Des Moines January 13, 1862, and adjourned April 8, 1862.
He only served this one session of his senatorial term, however, when he received the appointment as Lieutenant-colonel of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and entered the army in response to the call for 300,000 more by the President in 1862. He was wounded at the battle of Perkins' Cross Roads, and afterward was killed at the battle of Altoona, .Georgia, October 5, 1864. He was a brave and efficient officer during his entire military career, and for his worthy conduct as a brave soldier he received important notes of commendation by his superior officers in all the official reports of battles in which his regiment was engaged, and especially so of his conduct in the battle in which he was killed.
His brother, Luther Redfield, died in New York State in September, 1878, and his father-in-law, Mr. Moore, died in Oskaloosa, Kansas, sev- eral years ago. His brother, I. D. Redfield, now lives in the town of Redfield, and to his kindness we are indebted for the principal facts regard- ing his brother's life and career.
WISCOTTA.
This village is situated a short distance south of Redfield on the flat, near the junction of the Middle and South Raccoon rivers, on sections 4 and 5-the line dividing the two sections passing through the town east and west.
It was laid out by Col. Redfield, being located on the Redfield property before the other tract of land was purchased of Cavenaugh, and some spirit of rivalry was shown in attempting to build up the two towns so close to- gether, and at one time Wiscotta was quite a flourishing little town, until about 1864. When the great rush of emigration pressed through here along the main thoroughfare from Davenport to Council Bluffs, and on to Montana and Idaho, the little town of Wiscotta was almost deserted, and the stores and business houses were all moved to Redfield.
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482
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
A number of stores and business houses had been started and were quite flourishing until the wreck came.
Col. James Redfield, Mr. Wright, Noel & Lyon, Chance & Miller, and perhaps others, had mixed stores, carrying a general stock, and were doing a good business. Peppard & Leeper had a chair factory. Thomas & Smith had a blacksmith shop, and other places of business were established and moving along prosperously when the sudden reverse came, and all the business places were moved up to Redfield, and since that time the place has scarcely been known as more than a resident village. No business houses are there at all now. There are about fifteen or twenty residences, and some very good ones. The village has a good school-house, a one-story frame, about 24x70 feet, which belongs to school district No. 6, Union township, Jonathan Peppard, director, and a good school is taught in the house. There are two rooms in the school-house, both on the first floor, and two teachers are employed: Principal-Miss Lucy Shephard; Assist- ant-Miss Dora Sales. About eighty scholars are in average attendance.
THE FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE
Is located just at the east side of the village, on David Bowles' land. It is a frame structure, about 24x35 feet, and was built some nine or ten years ago. We regret that we have been unable to get the full particulars of this society, but have failed in several attempts to do so.
HORNER'S MILL
Is also situated a short distance east of the village, an account of which is given under the history of Union township. And for the history of Wis- cotta post-office see Redfield sketch.
The town has a beautiful location, and will eventually be united with Redfield, and both constitute a lovely town site.
VAN METER.
This town is a station on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and is something of a mining town. It is situated on the northwest corner of section 27 and the northeast corner of section 28, and is therefore within a mile of the center of Van Meter north and south, and about in the exact center east and west. Its site is in the valley of the main Raccoon river, and being thus on low valley land, it is surrounded with high hills and woodlands, which afford some attractive natural scenery.
This main railroad passing through it makes it an important shipping point, not only for stock and general farm produce, but also for wood and coal, there being an abundance of timber in that vicinity, from which the railroad company and various prairie towns along the road obtain large amounts of cord-wood. There is also a good coal mine opened and in good working order at that point, the largest in the county, which makes pretty large shipments and sales of coal each year. The account of this mine is given in full under " Coal Mines," in the first part of this work.
Considerable wood is being delivered to the railroad company, and a con- tract of about 1,500 cords of wood is now being filled.
483
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The town was laid out about 1869, and the land on which it stands was formerly owned by Mr. Wilson. Clayton's addition was afterward made.
The first house in the town was built by Mr. Wilson, the former owner of the land, and this house was perhaps built before the town was laid out.
E. D. Smith kept the first store in the town, and carried a mixed stock of goods.
The first postmaster was W. H. B. Wilson, and the present one is W. H. Jennings.
The town now has about 300 inhabitants, and is surrounded by a rich country and thick settlement of well-to-do, thrifty farmers.
The town of Van Meter was incorporated a little more than a year ago. The petition for incorporation was granted June 1, 1877, and was filed for record December 28, 1877. J. R. Van Meter, T. E. Moore, G. C. Briggs, W. H. Jennings and B. F. Goar were duly appointed as commissioners on corporation and corporation elections. We have not been able to ascertain who were the first town officers elected, nor the date on which the first elec- tion was held, but it was not long after the petition of incorporation was granted by the court.
The following is a list of the present officers:
TOWN OFFICERS-1878.
Mayor-H. A. Bullis. Recorder-M. A. Little. Treasurer-Phillip Hunt.
Councilmen:
J. R. Van Meter,
C. K. Smith,
Samuel Drew,
Silas Parker,
C. W. Bogue.
Marshal-E. D. Akers.
Justice-J. W. Welch.
Constable-J. B. Lemans.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL-BUILDING
In the town is a two-story frame structure, of two rooms. It was built about 1870, and a good school is taught in it, with quite a large number of pupils in attendance. There are two teachers employed. Principal-J. F. Curren; Assistant-Miss Hoover.
The town has no lawyers and no saloons, rather singular coincidents, especially for a mining town; but the people are generally peaceable and prosperous, and go forward industriously in the even tenor of their ways.
There are two churches in the town, each well finished, comfortable frame buildings. The United Brethren Church, Rev. S. E. Dennis, pastor, and the M. E. Church, Rev. Osborn, pastor, each having a large membership for the size of the town.
We would be glad to give a more complete sketch of each of these churches, but cannot, as the material is not at hand. A request was made for each party to send in the statistics, but they have not come; hence the omission.
484
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The following is a list of the business houses and firms as they stood at the beginning of the year 1879, as nearly as could be ascertained:
Dry Goods .- W. H. Jennings, dry goods, groceries and general stock; Goar Brothers, dry goods, groceries and general stock.
Hardware .- C. W. Bogue, general stock.
Drug Stores .- M. A. Little, J. B. Rubinson.
Restaurant .- H. A. Bullis.
Notion Store .- Richard Graham.
Millinery Store .- Charles Linthurst.
Blacksmith Shops .- Samuel Hobaugh, McNair Brothers, blacksmith and wagon shop.
Carpenters .- Alexander Logan, A. C. Akers.
Physicians .- Dr. C. M. Dodge, Dr. C. K. Smith, Dr. Kirk Woodruff.
Harness Shop .- S. L. Doty.
Meat Markets .- W. T. Clayton, Welch & Hunt.
Shoe Shop .- L. S. Thomas.
Express Agent .- M. A. Little.
Station Agent .- Charles Linthrust. His son is the telegraph operator. Hotel .- Graham House, Richard Graham, proprietor. The property and building are owned by C. McCoy.
Boarding Houses .- H. A. Bullis, proprietor; C. M. Dodge, proprietor. Flouring Mill .- J. R. Vanmeter.
Grain Dealer .- Samuel Cook.
Elevator -Owned by W. B. White, of Des Moines. It was built by Miles White, being the first and only one in the town. It is a large one well fitted up, and through it is shipped a great deal of grain annually.
LODGES.
'Coon Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 257 .- This lodge was organized by grant of charter in 1871, with five members, whose names are as fol- lows: Stephen Adams, Shubal Ellis, S. L. Doty, William Hoffstott and J. D. Ellis.
The first officers were: Stephen Adams, N. G .; William Hoffstott, V. G .; Shubal Ellis, Rec. Sec .; J. D. Ellis, Treasurer. They hold their meetings every Saturday night.
The present officers are: L. W. Clayton, N. G .; S. B. Kenworthy, V. G .; F. M. Ross, Rec. Sec .; Philip Hunt, Perm. Sec .; William Hoffstott, Treas- urer.
The ex-officers just retiring are: J. S. Hall, N. G .; L. W. Clayton, V. G .; H. R. Van Meter, Rec. Sec .; Philip Hunt, Perm. Sec .; William Hoff- stott, Treasurer.
The present membership numbers 26. The lodge was at one time much more prosperous until about three years ago last fall when another lodge at Booneville, called "Forest Lodge," was organized by grant of charter from this lodge, which greatly reduced the numbers and strength, taking at one time 16 members from this lodge. But they are now regaining from this embarrassment and are increasing gradually in growth and influence.
Rebecca Lodge .- This lodge was organized in October, 1874, by grant of charter from the 'Coon Valley Lodge, and for a while was quite flourishing;
485
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
but of late it has been neglected somewhat, and during the past year have held no regular meetings. The object was a benevolent one and while in working order the designs were effectually carried out by the members.
The charter members were, as nearly as we can ascertain, as follows: Mrs. William Hoffstott, Mrs. William Shull, Mrs. A. M. Logan, Mrs. S. Parks, Mrs. J. J. Smith, Mrs. J. D. Ellis, Mrs. S. L. Doty, Mrs. F. M. Evans and Mrs. A. Pearse.
MINBURN.
This town is a station on the Des Moines and Fort Dodge railroad, situ- ated on sections 7 and 8, in Sugar Grove township, and is the only town in the township. It is situated in the midst of a good farming community, and surrounded with a class of active enterprising, well-to-do farmers. It is a prairie town, and the bountiful products from the rich broad prairie flow into it abundantly, making it one of the best shipping points for grain and stock and other agricultural products, of any town of its size and age on this railroad.
The town was laid out in 1869, by J. B. Hill and D. F. Rogers.
The first house was built by F. H. Baker, who was also the first mer- chant and postmaster of the town.
POST-OFFICE.
The post-office was established the same year (1869). In all it has had three postmasters since its establishment. A. C. Nims succeeded Baker, who kept it but a short time, and was followed by the present incumbent, John Warford.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
This town has two general stores, John Warford and A. J. Knowles. Two hardware, G. F. Brayton & Bro. and Jesse Pilbean.
Drug Store .- William Seidler.
Physician-E. R. Aiken.
Restaurants .- Joel Cushman, William Mitchell.
Blacksmiths .- Frank Edmunson, V. W. Beeson, Brown & Gosselin. Livery Stable .- John Oklund.
Hotels .- Frank Knowles and John W. Gillan.
Grain Buyer .- M. W. Gribben.
Saloon .- M. M. Maurer.
They also have a Cornet Band, conducted by William Osborne.
The population of the town is about 300.
They have shipped from this point during the year 1878:
Corn. 110,000 bushels.
Oats 25,000
Wheat 4,000 66
Hogs
7,500 head.
Horses 18
Butter and Eggs
35,000 pounds.
486
. HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
STEAM SAW MILL.
This mill is owned by Osborne Bro's. It was formerly set up on the North Raccoon river, and moved to its present location three years ago. It has a capacity of from 3000 to 6000 feet.
The same firm have also a planing mill and lumber yard in connection with their saw mill, and are also contractors and builders, at which business they have quite an extensive custom.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Minburn is an independent school district, and has two frame buildings devoted to school purposes, one room each.
There are eighty-three pupils enrolled, and the schools are in good con- dition.
Two teachers are employed: Principal-S. H. Lauder; Assistant- Sophie Burnett. The principal receives $42.50 per month, and the assis- tant $30 per month. The present principal has been in charge of the school for two years.
THE M. E. CHURCH
Of Minburn was organized first at a school-house near Minburn, in the year 1859. When the town was laid out the place of meeting was moved to Minburn, in the year 1870. In the summer of 1869 Rev. J. Hestwood, pastor at Adel, preached at Minburn and organized a small class, consisting of the following named persons: Rhoda A. Hill, Minnie J. Knowler, Ab- bie Baker, Mark J. Newley and Margaret Newley. These two organiza- tions were united in the year 1870, and known as the Minburn Society.
The following pastors have served the society: Rev. I. Mershon, in 1870; Rev. W. C. Smith, in 1871-2; Rev. D. Lamonte, in 1873; Rev. J. R. Os- borne, in 1874; Rev. B. F. Shetterly, in 1875; Rev. Wm. Abraham, in 1876-7, and Rev. W. C. Smith, returned in 1878, and is the present pastor, to whose kindness we are indebted for these statistics.
One of the first officers in the church was Edward P. Vail. The present officers are: Mathew Crawford, Albert Birdsall, George Blackman, William Mortimer, Rhoda A. Hill, and Lizzie Minnis. The present membership is fifty-three.
The society is in a prosperous condition, growing encouragingly, and is free from debt.
The church building is a neat, substantial, frame structure, erected in 1877, and dedicated in February, 1878. It is 30x48 feet, cost $1,400, and will seat about two hundred and twenty-five persons comfortably.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Of Minburn, was organized in August, 1869, in a log school-house, two miles south of the present town site, before the town was laid out.
The church was organized by Rev. Wmn. Campbell, formerly of Adel. The names of the original members are William Luellen-to whose kind- ness we are indebted for these particulars-Eliza Luellen, Lizzie Luellen, Ruth D. Rogers, J. M. Porterfield, Clara Porterfield, and William McFar- land, making six in all.
487
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The names of the various pastors and stated supplies who served this church, are as follows: Rev. H. H. Kellogg, Jr., 1869, who served the church one year.
During the year 1870 the church was supplied only occasionally. In 1871, Rev. George K. Smith supplied for four months, and in the fall of the same year, Rev. Wmn. Reed commenced his labors with it, and served until the spring of 1873. In December of the same year, Rev. P. H. Ja- cobs was employed, but only preached two Sabbaths, when he was suddenly stricken down with a stroke of paralysis, and the church remained without regular preaching until July, 1874, when the Rev. W. H. Goodison com- menced his labors with it and continued with them for four months, when it was again left vacant until May, 1875. On the last mentioned date, Rev. J. M. Smith served as a stated supply for four months, and then returned to the Theological Seminary, finished his course there, and returned to the church in May, 1876, continuing with them as a stated supply until May, 1877, when he was ordained and installed as their pastor, and remained as such until the fall of 1878, on account of ill-health. The pastoral relations were dissolved, and since that the church has had only occasional services.
The following officers were elected at the time of organization :
Elder-William Luellen.
Trustees-William Luellen, Samuel Edmundson, William McFarland. March 24, 1875, J. A. Thompson was elected an elder.
Joseph A. Thompson was elected trustee in the spring of 1871, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Wm. McFarland out of the bounds, and in 1875 D. F. Rodgers was elected, vice S. Edmundson, resigned. The above constitutes all the officers up to the present date.
The present membership is twenty-three; the number deceased, one; the number dismissed by letters, five.
The church, at present, though without any regular preaching, carries on a good Sabbath-school, which has been kept up all winter with a good aver- age attendance.
The building was erected the summer of 1871, at a cost of $2,000, and has never yet been dedicated. It is a frame structure 28x42 feet, and will seat one hundred and seventy-five persons comfortably.
BOONEVILLE.
This village is a station on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, being the second station west of Des Moines. It is situated in the valley of the main Raccoon, in the bend of the river, on section 29, township 78, range 26, and is therefore near the southwest corner of Boone township.
Though it is the only town in the township, it is so near Des Moines, and so completely surrounded with other towns that its chances for growth have not been very favorable, and as a consequence it has never attained any very great size. It has good facilities for shipping by means of the important railroad passing through, and considerable grain and stock are shipped annually from it, being brought in from the surrounding country, as the most convenient point at which a good many extensive farmers in Dallas and Madison counties can reach this through line to the eastern market; but on account of the small scope of country it commands and the limited amount of trade it receives because of its proximity to other towns
488
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
in more favorable situations, its first flush of prosperity has not been very permanent, and its growth has been hardly perceptible during the past few years.
The land on which Booneville is now located was formerly owned by Mrs Susannah Boone, wife of the William D. Boone whose name appears fre quently in the early history of the county. The township in which thi village is situated also derived its name in the same way, as Mr. Boon owned a large property within the township bounds which fell to his widow and family after his death; and he was also among the first settlers in th township, settling at first near the present site of Booneville, where he die some years ago.
The town of Booneville was laid out in 1871, A. J. Lyon, surveyor, an the plat was filed for record June 6, 1871. The first house in the town wa built by George Baldwin, on the same site on which W. H. Baldwin's stor now stands. Other dwelling houses and store-buildings were soon afterwar erected, and places of business were opened, until the place became quite village, and for a time it showed fair prospects of an even race with it neighbors; but of later years its prospects of becoming a city have no been so favorable.
The town has never been incorporated, and therefore there is no list town officers to be herein recorded; but before another decade shall hav passed, it is to be hoped that Booneville will have reached that position dignity, and become numbered with the incorporated towns of Dalla county.
Booneville has a number of business houses of which we note the fo lowing:
W. H. Baldwin, general stock of merchandise, also keeps the post-offic J. Winter, drugs, groceries and notions.
Dr. Tidball, physician and surgeon; Dr. Morgan, physician and surgeon Mr. Jones, proprietor of hotel.
S. H. Benson, stock-dealer.
S. M. Cook, blacksmitlı; Jones & Baldwin, wagon and blacksmith shop J. V. Pace, wagon-maker; S. M. Cook, blacksmith shop and farming imple ments.
I. O. O. F.
Forest Lodge, No. 292, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was organized unde charter, October 14, 1874, with eleven charter members whose names are a follows: L. Lambert, O. Gurnsey, S. S. Parker, Adam Heck, F. M. Evan J. B. Harper, H. McConnell, Joe Winter, D. H. Fitch, E. Treefry and I M. Flinn.
The first officers were: L. Lambert, N. G .; S. S. Parker, V. G .; J Winter, Secretary.
The present officers are: Simpson Flinn, N. G .; S. M. Cook, V. G. William Hoeye, Secretary.
The present membership is thirty-eight or forty. They hold their regt lar meetings every Saturday evening, in "Grange Hall." The charter wa granted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
The lodge is reported as being now in a prosperous condition.
We are indebted to Mr. W. H. Baldwin of Booneville, for the above sta tistics regarding the lodge.
489
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
WAUKEE.
This town is a station on the Des Moines and Fort Dodge railroad, sit- uated on the north half of section 33, township 79, range 26. It is a prairie town, surrounded by a broad scope of farming land, and about fif- teen miles from Des Moines. The junction of the Des Moines, Adel and Western railroad with the D. M. & Ft. D. R. R. is made at this point, which affords excellent advantages for shipping, and when the Narrow Gauge is extended on westward, it will make Waukee an important point as the junction of the two roads so near the Capital city.
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