The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 86

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Company
Number of Pages: 915

USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

RICHARDS, CAPT. NATHAN-Farmer, Sec. 29, P. O. Otley. Was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, August 20, 1827. When three years of age he moved with his paaents to Seneca county, where he was raised and educated. Was there engaged in agricultural pursuits. In June, 1846, he enlisted in the Mexican War, company F, Third Ohio. Was mustered out in June, 1847, returned to Ohio and learned the carpenter and mill- wright trades. In the spring of 1850 he moved to Marion county, Ion where he was engaged at his trade until August 10, 1862, when he enlisted in company H, Forty-third Iowa. Was mustered in as captain, November 15, 1862, discharging his duties until March 20, 1864, when he was dis-

cor ren Par tw fe wh tw on int Th the

699

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP.

ged by his own request on account of impaired health, and returned to ion county. His landed estate consists of 119 acres. Has been twice ried; first, to Miss Patience M. Rea, of New Jersey, November 18, .. She died November 27, 1854. Had one child, Lucretia. His sec- marriage was to Miss Mary J. Harsin, of Indiana, December 11, 1856. died June 18, 1871, leaving five children: Bell, Elsie, John G., Patience ind Daniel G. Lost two.

OBERTS, S. S .- Farmer, Sec. 28, P. O. Otley. Is a native of Dauphin ity, Pennsylvania, and was born in Harrisburg, October 9, 1808. He ained in his native county until the age of ten years, when with his nts, he moved to Richland county, Ohio, where he remained until about ty-two years of age. Then went to Huron county, Ohio, where at the of twenty-one, he apprenticed himself to the carpenter trade, and in a years, in connection with this trade he learned the mill-wright trade sh he followed for a number of years, in various places. When about ity-eight years of age, he went to St. Louis where he purchased a patent mill wheel, and after canvassing the greater portion of Missouri in the rests of this enterprise, he returned to Huron county. Ohio, about 1842. fall of 1846 found him a citizen of Marion county, Iowa, being one of pioneers. He has been twice marrried; first, to Miss Elizabeth Conrod, tive of Middletown, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1844. She was born just 3, 1820, and died December 20, 1849. Had three children: J., . and Chas. Lost two. Miss Nancy M. Donnel, of Seneca, Ohio, became second wife, September 22, 1850. She was born February 12, 1829. y had ten children, eight of whom are living: Orren, Sabina, Eva, ie, Mary E., Sarah. Elsie and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members ne Congregational Church. Mr. R. is also a member of the Masonic ernity.

COTT, JOHN A .- Farmer, Sec. 26, P. O. Otley. One of the pioneers

of Marion county. we mention as our subject. He was born in Chester ity, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1804. Spent his boyhood days on a farm his parents, and remained in his native county until he attained the of fifteen years, when they moved to Belmont county, Ohio. There he le his home till about twenty-four years of age. In 1832 he moved to carawas county, Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits 1 1846. Then came west and located in Marion county. He came to county in very meager circumstances and now owns 440 acres of land. 3 married to Miss Maria Howell, of Belmont county, Ohio, January 8, 9. She was born May 14, 1807. They have eight children living: aham B., James L., Dossey W., Martha J. (now Mrs. Hevilin), Marga- et A. (now Mrs. Canin), John P., Malona I. (now Mrs. Dennis) and ph N. Lost three.

TIRNEMANN, JAKOB-Blacksmith, Otley. Was born. October 1, ), in Switzerland, and there grew to manhood and was educated. When Ive years of age he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade of his er. He came to the United States in 1867 and worked in various States I he settled in Otley in the fall of 1868. He engaged at his trade and given good satisfaction. Owns forty acres of land on Sec. 10, this aship, six lots in Otley, and has a nice residence. He married Miss, ia Carter, a native of Ohio, July 5, 1869. She was born January 24, ). Their family consists of three children: Minnie (born April 22, 2), John (born April 23, 1875) and Simon (born January 29, 1880).

700

HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

T' ICE, ALLEN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. S, P. O. Monroe. His father was of German origin, born in South Carolina, in 1780. Left there for Virginia at an early age and when thirty-four years old he married Miss Jane Hall. He followed the cooper's trade and died at the age of ser- enty.eight. Allen was born March 25, 1820, in Montgomery county, Virginia, and when nine years of age accompanied his parents to Illinois where he was raised and educated in Menard county. He worked for his father until he was twenty-one, when he came to this township and worked a claim made by his brother David. Entered his present property in the fall of 1847; entered eighty acres and shortly afterward bought anothe eighty. Here he has since lived. He owns 200 acres in all, forty of which are in Red Rock township. The home farm is considered the best in the township, being subject to a larger tax than any other adjoining it. Mr. Tice was married in Red Rock township, October 21, 1854, to Harriet Buckhalter, who was born in Indiana, October 13, 1838, of Holland descent She died June 4, 1872, leaving seven children: Mary B., Flavius L., J. B. Cason A. B., Alice E. A., M. U. G. (deceased), and unnamed infant (deces ed). Mr. T. sometimes traveled to mill 100 miles, through snow and flood, to the so-called old purchase. One point was Bentonsport, and a trip to the latter place consumed a whole month. Once while returning from mil he came to a creek; the cattle being very thirsty, the leaders having crossed the bridge, rushed down the embankment, emptying the contents of the wagon into the water. On one day during the winter of '56, as many # fifty wolves were killed in their neighborhood.

TILLMA, M .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4, P. O. Otley. Is a native of the Netherlands, and was born March 4, 1831. His youth was that of a farmer boy. In the spring of 1852 he came to America, locating in Erie county, New York, and in the fall of 1855 became a citizen of Marion county. August 15, 1862, he enlisted in company H, Fortieth Iowa, for three years, but was discharged December 16, 1864, being disabled. His landed estate consists of 130 acres, 120 of which are improved, and ten acres of timber. Was married to Miss Annie Schregardus, of the Netherlands. December 7, 1853. She was born May 29, 1825, and came to America in 1849, settling in Lancaster, Erie county, New York. They have six chil- dren: Dowe, Michael, Catharine, Gertrude, Tennis and William. They lost one.

V AN IPEREN, KOEN-Farmer, Sec. 26, P. O. Otley. Is a native of the Netherlands, and was born August 25, 1825. He remained in his native country until the spring of 1856, when he had an attraction for America and crossed the briny deep. He located in Marion county, Iowa He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, having begun life very humble circumstances, and, by untiring industry and skillful management. has reaped that reward which invariably follows. His success in life mar be inferred from the fact that he now owns a farm of 130 acres, 120 of which are in cultivation, and on which is situated a brick residence, s model of convenience. He was married to Miss Julia Froeongen, of the Netherlands, in February, 1856. She was born in 1827. They have six children living: Cornelia, Otto, Catharine, Sarah A., Abraham and Wil- liam. They have lost one.

VEENSTRA, HENRY-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 27, P. O. Otley. Was born in the Netherlands, January 27, 1832, and remained in his native country until the year 1856, when he came to America, locating in Marion

701

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP.

inty, engaging in agricultural pursnits. He owns 217 acres of land, ich are well improved. He was married to Miss Helen Jelsma, of the therlands, Jannary 6, 1857. She was born November 27, 1837. They re seven children living: John (born March 11, 1859), Jake (born July

1863), Carrie (born January 3, 1866), Barbara (born May 11, 1869), nny (born November 10, 1871), Cattie (born December 27, 1847), Minnie rn June 4, 1878). Mr. Veenstra and family are members of the Reform urch at Otley.

VERDUGHT, W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 25, P. O. Otley. Was 'n in the Netherlands, February 6, 1837, and in the spring of 1845 came America, locating at St. Louis, where he remained until the spring of 16. Then located in Marion county, and is now the possessor of 220 es of land, which are pleasantly located. He was married to Miss Mary Jong, of the Netherlands, January 25, 1859. She was born June 15, :0, and came to America in the spring of 1855. They have eight chil- n: Mary, Liena C., Dirk, Peter, William, Cornelius, John, and Maggie. ey also have one adopted child, Nettie Verbertes.

VERHEUL, ARIE-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 24, P. O. Otley. Was 'n on the 27th of February, 1829, in the Netherlands, and was raised there gardner. Came to the United States of America in 1847, soon after the t Holland colony. He settled in New Jersey, and resided there nine rs, following gardening, then came this connty. He has a fine farm of y acres and good comfortable buildings. Has held the office of school actor several years. Commenced life poor, and has been the architect of own fortune, and belongs to lowa's army of self-made men. He mar- I Miss Martha Baker in Angust, 1854. She is also a native of the therlands, and was born on the 6th of December, 1830. By this union re are six children living: Mary, Henry, Jane, Kryn, Martha, and Fan- They lost two. Himself and wife are members of Bethel Church, which he holds the position of elder.

TIENEKE, G. A .- P. O. Otley, in which village he also resides, 7

and is at present engaged in the management of the Otley beer b. He was born in Almena, district of Varenleolz, Germany, under the gn of the Prince of Lippe Dedtmold, Angust 18, 1847. He was raised tly at Almena, where he attended public school. Hoping to better his unes he came to America early in life, and has not been disappointed. er varied business experiences in Illinois he finally adopted this State as home. He is now married and happily situated in his cheerful home- in Otley. He owns a block in Newton, and is a man of prosperity and uence.

VIELENGA, L. J .- Of the firm of Wielenga & Den Beste, dealers Iry goods and groceries, Otley. He was born in Kollnm, Netherlands, ruary 2, 1845, and was raised and educated in his native town. His oc- ation in that country was that of a sailor. In the spring of 1867 be le to America, locating in Marion county, and there engaged in agri- ;ural pursuits, which he parsned till 1879, when he engaged in the mer- tile business, and is now one of the leading business men of Otley. Mr. in 1875, took a pleasure trip to his native home, where he remained nt five months. He was married to Miss Jobanna Hoekstra, of the herlands, December 19, 1871. Six children were the fruit of this union: ah, Jake, Maggie, Henry, Lutecia and an infant.

702

HISTORY. OF MARION COUNTY.

WILLIS, HIRAM-Farmer, Sec. 26, P. O. Otley. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, and was born in Coshocton county, December 9, 1811, and spent his boyhood days on a farm with his parents. Was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native county until December, 1852, when he became a citizen of Marion county, Iowa. His landed estate now consist of 266 acres. He was married to Miss Christena Clark, of Coshocton county, Ohio, June 27, 1833. She was born October 17, 1811. They han one child living, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Thomas). She was born January 15, 1835. Hare lost one. Mr. W. is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 55.

WITZENBURG, M. A .- Farmer, Sec. 36, P. O. Pella. Was born in the Netherlands, August 2, 1820, and remained in his native country until September 22, 1849, when he sailed for the United States, locating in Ya rion county, Iowa. Is now considered one of her best citizens. His landed estate consists of 525 acres, well improved. Was married to Miss Lucy Jelsma, of the Netherlands, in May, 1845. She was born January 15, 1897 They have five children living: Seitsle M., Quna M., Rebecca M., Jell M., John M., and have lost five. Mr. W. has served as township truste two terms.

WOODY, JOHN-His ancestors were supposed to have come from In land. His father was a farmer in North Carolina, and married Sard Thompson. In this State John was born, December 27, 1806, and more with his father into Indiana, where he was raised and educated. In 1849 he came from Lawrence county to this county, and in May of that year en- tered eighty acres of the northeast quarter of section 6, and bought sixty. seven acres more of the northern part of the same quarter. Here he lived antil hie death, January 19, 1863. He had been a leading deacon in the Baptist Church for many years. Was married in Lawrence county, Indi- ana, January 1, 1829, to Miss Mary Horton, who was born in Tennessee, Jannary 17, 1813, of English parentage. Their children were: Joseph N. (married Louann Piper, and is living in Jackson county, Oregon), Jama F. (deceased), William H., Lucy A. (married J. A. Whilted and lives in Jasper county), John T. (married and lives in the same county), Ass N. Sarah E., Emily J. (married Ellis Gifford, living in Jasper county), Elia A. (married J. W. McCroskey, living in Sac county, Iowa), Nancy C. (de ceased), infant unnamed (deceased) and Leonard (deceased). Mrs. Woody died February 27, 1880. About $6,000 worth of property was left to the heirs. Mrs. W. had been a faithful member of the Baptist Church for forty years.

WOODY, A. N .- Farmer, Sec. 6, P. O. Monroe. Was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, April 12, 1841, and came to Marion county, Iowa, in the spring of 1849. Owns a farin of sixty-four acres. Was married to Mis Sarah C. Jarnigan, of Highland county, Ohio, December 29, 1867. She was born May 19, 1846. They have two children: Gustavus J. (born OF tober 6, 1868) and Geo. P. (born October 2, 1872). Has been school di- rector eight years.

WRIGHT, E. R .- Physician, Otley. Is a native of Union county, In- diana, born December 25, 1824, and was mostly raised there. When six. teen years of age he moved with his parents to Putnam county, Indiam, and in 1847 to Jasper county, Iowa, where he was principally engaged in teaching school. Has the name of teaching the first school in Jasper county. The fall of 1850 came to Marion county, where he was engaged in teaching and clerking in store. In 1859 he went to California, returning

703

RED BOOK TOWNSHIP.

in 1862. In May, 1864, he enlisted in company A, Forty-seventh Iowa, and was mustered out in October of same year. In 1872 he moved to Put- nam county, Indiana, where he remained, engaged in the practice of medi- cine, till 1877, when he returned to Marion county, Iowa. His landed es- tate consists of 103 acres in this county, and fifty-three in Indiana. Has been twice married; first to Miss Nancy A. Harson, of Vermillion county, Indiana, April 15, 1852. She was born September 17, 1827, and died June 17, 1858. Had four children by this union: Mary E., Martin G., Louisa J. and Luella M. Was married the second time to Miss Nancy F. Case, of Ross county, Ohio, January 17, 1863. She was born May 29, 1834.'

Y TOWELL, M. W .- Farmer. Sec. 30, P. O. Otley. Was born in Cul- pepper county, Virginia, Jannary 13, 1823, and was there raised and educated. He followed farming till 1848, when he moved to Fayette county, Ohio, and remained about six years. Then moved to Iowa and located in Marion county. His estate now consists of 142 acres of land, 136 of which are well improved. Was married to Miss Susan E. Colvin, of same county as himself, October 13, 1847. She was born December 27, 1822. Have seven children living: John W., C. W., A. J., Francis M., Eliza J., Homer E. and James K. P. Lost two.

CHAPTER IV. RED ROCK TOWNSHIP.

Township of Red Rock-Town of Red Rock-Biographical.

RED Rock township consists of all of township 77, range 20, north of the Des Moines River. It is bounded on the north by Jasper county; on the east by Summit; on the south by Union, with the Des Moines River as its boundary line; and on the west by Perry. Most of the township is well timbered, though in the northern part, approaching the upland prairie, the timber scatters into separate groves, that margin the small streams. The principal streams that course through it, running sonthward, are Calhonn and Miksell's creeks, each large enough to afford saw-mill water-power three or four months of the year. Coal exists in many places, but has not been so extensively mined as in some other parts of the county, fuel being abun- dant and coal market rather distant.

Red Rock township, as first organized, Jannary 6, 1847, included, besides its present territory, all of township 77, range 19 (Summit); all of town- ship 76, range 19, north of the river (now a part of Polk), and all of town- ship 77, range 20, south of the river (now belonging to Union). The place of holding elections was at the house of Benjamin Bowman. Only a part of the territory that is now known as Summit; all of Polk north of the river; and so much of the present township of Red Rock as lies east of what was known as the "old Indian boundary line," a short distance west of the present site of Red Rock village, first belonged to what was called " Red Rock precinct"; and the remainder of the township, lying on the west side of said line, including all of the present township of Perry, be- longed to Gopher Prairie precinct.

On the eighth of January, 1850, the township was extended so as to in- clude sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, of town-

704

HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

ship 76, range 20. This took the remainder of the present township d Union, and one tier of sections now belonging to Knoxville: but by the organization of Union and Summit in 1850 and 1852, the township were duced to its present size and shape.

We have been unable to obtain a full list of the officers elected 10 this township, both before and after its township organization, but we have the name of Robert D. Russell as justice of the peace, and John Tallmaa ss constable, as early as 1845. Jolin D. Bedell was first justice after its or- ganization.

With Mr. Bedell's settlement in Red Rock begins the history of the town ship and village; and we shall therefore introduce the history by a brief sketch of his life up to time of its location.

Mr. B. was born in Bath county, Kentucky, September 25, 1817, froa whence he emigrated to Montgomery county, Missouri, in the fall of '2%: from thence to Clark county, same State, in the fall of '30, and from these to Van Buren county, Iowa, in the fall of '42, and made a claim near the present site of Farmington, and erected a cabin. Two weeks after making this claim he sold it and returned to Missouri. But early in the spring d '43 he returned to Iowa, and at Iowaville met and formed the acquaintance of a Frenchman named Lewis Leplant, who could converse in the Indias langnage, with whom he forined a sort of copartnership in an expedition into the new purchase in quest of a location for a settlement.

He then went to Agency, and applied to Captain Allen, who had con- mand of the post there, for permission to pass the line. But the captais refused, adding that he had no authority to grant such a privilege, but he could take it at his own risk, only being careful to avoid discovery by the dragoons, who sometimes amused themselves by persecuting the white who could show no legal anthority for their presence in the territory.

Mr. Bedell assumed all responsibility and went forth to possess the land. On taking a survey of the locality, he thought the beautiful plat partly walled in by hills would make a good place for a trading house and a town. So he iminediately decided to locate there so soon as it should be practicable to do so, and in order to effect a sort of preliminary cstabliat- ment of his claim, he " blazed " a tree that stood on the bank of the river. a short distance below where his store now is, and from thence blazed a line northward, taking in not only the whole town plat, but a considerable tract of land besides.

This done, he and Leplant returned to Missouri for provisions. These they brought on horseback, arriving abont the last of April, 1843. On the first of May a house was built. It was a light pole cabin, fourteen fee: square, covered with bark, and stood about twenty steps from the river bank, near where stands the old frame building built and formerly owned by James Harp. Their only assistant at the raising was John Jordan, who. as we have heretofore stated, kept a trading house on the other side of the river, and they finished the building ready for occupation by three o'clock in the afternoon.

About two weeks after this Mr. Bedell, in company with John Jordan. went to Keokuk and purchased a keel boat and loaded it at Alexandria with about ten tons of such merchandise as was needed to stock a frontier trad- ing house, and hired it pushed up the Des Moines to their settlement.

The first person who succeeded Mr. Bedell as a settler there, was Amos Shaw. He built a cabin in which he also traded till he died, come time is

705

RED ROOK TOWNSHIP.

1845 or '46. In the spring of 1844, Ray Alfrey and wife moved in and occupied the cabin of Mr. Bedell, he boarding with them.

Red Rock township, as originally constituted, was the most populous in the county.

At the April election in 1846, Red Rock township polled 46 votes, to 26 in Knoxville township, and 22 in Lake Prairie.

The election referred to was the first spring election held in the township. It was held at the house of Robert D. Russell. The judges were Robert D. Russell, James Chesnut and Claiborn Hall. J. . D. Bedell and J. W. Hart were the clerks.

No better evidence of the number and names of the first settlers of the township is attainable than that found in the names of voters in the poll book of said election. They are as follows:

John Ross, Joseph S. West, Josiah Fair, Elisha Hana, Nathan Coleman, Benjamin McConnell, John W. Alley, Isaac Metcalf, C. S. Mitchel, Pharies Gooden, Claiborn Hall, James Chesnut, Robert D. Russell, Theodore Can- non, Michael S. Maas, John H. Bass, Hiem Pew, John D. Bedell, James W. Harp, David Ray, William Cannon, Simon Drouillard, George Billaps, James Stevenson, George Willson, John Toleman, Freman Willson. James Madison Williams, Thomas H. Morgan, Edward Drouillard, Richard Bil- laps, J. Bell, Alexander S. Caton, John Williams, Wm. M. Blankinship, Andrew Stevenson, Robert Stevenson, Ruben Matthews, Edward C. Steven- son, Rufus Lucas, John Mikesell, James Price, Isaac Cruin, James Count, David Tice, Fleming Tice.

According to the assessors' returns the following has been the valuation of the property in the township at various times in the past:

1855.

Real estate

$ 742.31

Personalty 497.43

Total

$ 1,239.74

1870.

Real estate

$ 97,765.00

Personalty .

42,079.00

Total

$139,844.00

1879.

Real estate

$159,689.00

Personalty. 41,802.00

Total

$201,491.00

From which it will be seen that while the increase of valne in real estate has been gradual and continnous, the value of personal property diminished from 1870 to 1879.

The population of the township increased some from 1870 to 1875, and

706

HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

from 1875 to 1880 again decreased. The population given at these re- spective periods is as follows:

In 1870 1,334

In 1875

1.445

In 1880.

1.237

The township is subdivided into eight independent school districts and seven road districts. Last year there was levied a tax of five mills on the dollar for school purposes, and the same amount for road purposes.

The township received its name from a high bluff of rocks of a peculiar red color, and the old Indian boundary line received its name from the same reason. In the Knoxville Voter of September 8, 1870, was the following in reference to these rocks:

"The remarkable ledge of red rock which gives the name to one of our townships has been an object of curiosity ever since the county was first settled. We had an opportunity of going to see it the other day for the first time. It is about a half mile up the river from the town of Red Rock and on the same side of the stream. The rock cannot be described as grand in any way for it is not high enough for that; but it certainly makes s pleasing bit of scenery. The Des Moines River has here in its ages of ceas- less flowing wasted away a portion of the bluff that at this point forins its bank, and thus exposed and cut away from the red sandstone of which the bluff is here composed. We should guess the height of the ledge at from sixty to eighty feet from the level of the river. The stone is very coarse friable, easily cut with the knife. The prevailing color is red of various shades, mingled with yellow in places. The entire bluff is covered with trees. Iir the good old days when boats used to run up the Des Moines, it must have been pleasant to view this point from the deck of one. The le gend of the place is, that once upon a time, ages ago, when all the forest was in its primeval simplicity, when the birds sang ceaselessly in the tree tops and the river murmured in its rocky bed, etc., a man from Red Rock lit his pipe and went out there to dig some stone, and dug it. That's all."

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The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 86

Author: Union Historical Company Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Company Number of Pages: 915

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Company
Number of Pages: 915