USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 87
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The township had an enviable notoriety for many years on account of the many disturbances which occurred within its borders, and the many crimes which were there committed. These things have been briefly narrated in our chapter on crime. The local press a few years since contained the fol- lowing account, which we deem proper to insert at this place:
"In a Cave .-- Several months ago we mentioned the fact that up in the west part of Red Rock township there was a man living, with his family, in an open rail pen, in the midst of the timber. We have now further word from him, from Capt. Blain of Union township, to whom, as a member of the county board of supervisors, the facts were stated last week. The man's name is Martin. He is now living in a cave or hole in the side of a hill, and is so ill, with typhoid pneumonia, that he cannot be moved at present. The neighbors have fitted up the cave as comfortable as possible. Martin's wife died some time ago. He has three children, from seven to thirteen years of age. The two younger ones live with him in the cave, and the other one lives with some family near. Martin is abjectly poor, and has been ill or ailing for some time. The county will extend relief we suppose There's certainly something queer about this case, for there can be no no- cessity for any man's living in such a manner any length of time in this country."
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RED ROOK .TOWNSHIP.
The officers of the township are as follows:
Clerk-A. E. Stevens.
Assessor-J. F. Browning.
Trustees -- Geo. Sellers, D. M. Barr. Harrison Carter.
Justices of the Peace-J. D. West, F. M. Mullen.
Constables-M. S. Johnson, S. S. Petty.
THE TOWN OF RED ROCK.
This town was laid out by the firm of Bedell, Drouillard & Harp, in April, 1847. This was before the land in that congressional township was sectionized, and it was necessary to re-survey it afterward.
Robert D. Russell, who was the first justice in the township, lived a short distance above the town plat, both before and after it was surveyed. He was also postmaster for a short time previous to that event, after which James Harp was appointed, with Dr. Reuben Matthews and I. N. Crum as his bondsmen. Rev. M. J. Post, an early citizen of Pella, now deceased, carried the first mail to this office, from Fairfield, by way of Agency, Ot- tumwa, Eddyville, and from here to Fort Des Moines, making the trip once a week.
The first physician resident of Red Rock was Reuben Matthews, and O. M. Gilky and J. W. McCully were the next.
In 1847 and 1848 many additions were made to the population of the vil- lage, and several frame and respectable log houses were built, giving it a thriving appearance. Indeed, the prospect seemed favorable for its ulti- mate expansion into the proportions of a city. Situated on a stream already navigable for steamboats during high water, with the promise of being ren- dered constantly so by addition of dains and locks, and surrounded by a rich farming country, rapidly increasing in population, the citizens of Red Rock could justly anticipate a prosperous future for their yonng city. In view of these natural advantages over any more inland locality, some effort was made to get the county seat there; but all hope of success vanished with the sweeping flood of 1851. This memorable event occurred in June, a season unusual for such freshets, and the people were not prepared for it. It had been raining for some time and the water was high, but few expected the overflow that occurred during the night, when the people were nncon- scions of it till the alarm was given. Finding the lower rooms of their houses deluged, and the water perceptibly growing deeper and deeper. the excitement grew almost to a panic.
There was a general moving up-stairs by all who had such departments to their houses, and the cry of help came from all parts of the town. All the canoes and boats which could be procured were pressed into the service of rescuing the unfortunate people.
The water had risen to such a depth in the lower story of a certain house as to float up the bedstead lately occupied by a dying child, which, being tossed up and down by the undulations of the swelling flood, struck against the upper floor with a heavy, thumping noise, peculiarly startling; and no one could restrain a fear that the flood might reach a depth sufficient to float the building, or throw it down. Of course a sleepless night was passed, and when the more than welcome day at last dawned help came, and they were all taken over the river. The sick one was taken to a house
TOS
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
near the sugar grove, northeast of town, where it died soon after. Next day the abandoned house fell.
During that night and the day following, most of the people got out of town, and prepared themselves for a temporary stay on the bluffs. With as much of their clothing as they could secure undamaged by muddy water, and as was indispensable to camp life, they spread their tents and proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit, thinking that in a few days at most the water would abate enough to perinit them to return to their houses. But a few days passed, and a few more, and yet the dry land did not appear.
In the meantime many persons suffered considerable loss in the destros- tion of property. Hogs and cattle were drowned, fences swept away, corn- fields, lately planted, were ruined ty the washing current, or covered by the debris of the flood. At length, at the end of about two weeks, the water went down, and there was apparent safety in returning to the town, and soon the camp was gladly deserted. But the deposit of mnd in the houses rendered them unfit for occupation till they were cleaned out, which took considerable time and labor, and when this was done, and the citizens had fairly got settled in-doors again, the swelling flood made a second raid upon the town, forcing the people to take refuge on the bluffs, where they were compelled to stay a fortnight.
There was a damage wrought by this flood that was irreparable to the village of Red Rock; to-wit, its reputation as a safe and therefore snit able place of business. All hope of obtaining the seat of justice wa swept away. And who cared to purchase property subject, even at remote periods, to such destructive inundations.
Yet for a time one hope sustained the place, which was the promised Black water navigation. But this soon vanished, and gave. place to that of railroad connection, that was entertained for several years with some appar ent certainty, and finally expired with the location of the Des Moines Val- ley Road up the prairie. This was the last hope.
The place also became the frequent rendezvous of the rougher portion of the settlers, and others whose character classed them with adventurers and desperadoes: and as a natural result of such a fusion of spirits, inspired more or less by the ardent, fights were of frequent occurrence. It is a fact worthy of note that Red Rock, though a comparative small place, has been the scene of several assassinations, shooting and stabbing affrays, and law- less caronsals, the details of which are not pertinent to this history. But for the sake of more fully illustrating the moral status of her society at an early date, we may relate a few anecdotes.
It is not to be supposed that the place was wholly destitute of moral in- fluences. A few professors of religion lived there and in the neighbor- hood, but their examples in righteous living were either in a measure wanting on their part or wholly disregarded by others.
On the occasion of religious services held in the village, by an itinerant Methodist preacher, on his first round, it was a question among the few brethren of the place who of them he would be likely to call upon to pray in closing the meeting. As the preacher was not personally acquainted with any of them, there was no certainty to whom the request might be directed; and, as praying was an exercise so little practiced by them, no one really desired a call to such a performance publicly. Here, then, was a hazard-something to bet on. So, just before meeting, some of the
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brethren and others took counsel together, and agreed that whoever should be called upon to pray, in case of failure to do so, should pay a gallon of whisky. But fortunately for all, the preacher did his own praying, thereby relieving so:ne trembling brother froin the conflicting emotions resulting from the danger of being compelled to make an awkward, spiritless prayer, or pay for the liquor.
Among the more important enterprises established in Red Rock village and in the neighborhood, were four saw-mille and one flouring-mill. The first was a saw-mill, built by Osee Mathews, junior, in 1846, on Mikesell's Creek, about three-fourths of a mile northeast of town. The next was by Daniel Hiskey, in 1848-9, on the same stream, about two miles north of town. In 1854 two more were erected near town, to run by steam. The one on the east side of town was built and owned by Wilson Stanley; that on the west side by J. D. Bedell.
Only one of these mills-that of Mr. Bedell-is still standing. A few remains of those on Mikesell's Creek are still visible; bnt of the Stanley mill, which was of a rather temporary construction, nothing remains.
The flouring-mill, built by S. B. Mathews, in 1854. stood in the north- west quarter of town. It was owned and run by Mr. M. till it was bought by Talbott & Setzer, who moved it to Otley, Summit township, in the fall of 1869.
An anecdote is related in connection with the erection of the mill at Red Rock. It was at about the time it was finished, and preparations were be- ing made to start it. The morning was calm, clear and frosty, and all sounds were conveyed through the air with comparative distinctness; when the settlers for miles around were suddenly startled by a terrific and pro- longed scream that seemed to fill all space, and reverberated far away. Then it would cease in a sort of die-away wail, till it would seem to recover breath, then peal forth in another unearthly scream, or succession of short, violent yells, totally unlike anything that had ever been heard in that region.
A young man, an odd genins, named Joe Copher, who happened to be in the timber, somne distance from home, hunting horses, when he heard the frightful voice ran home with all his speed and reported a panther or some other wild beast in the forest. The panther proved to be the new steam whistle.
The first regular school-house in Red Rock was built in 1854, but soon after burned down. Some time after a commodious two-story school-house was erected. The school is divided into two departments, which are pro- sided over by A. F. Conrey and Miss Hattie Starr respectively. There are eighty pupils enrolled in the schools.
The town has a population of about 125.
There is one hotel, one general merchandise store, one drug and book store and one church, which is a
Methodist Episcopal Church -- The building. was erected in 1855. It is of brick and cost $1,000. The church has a membership of thirty, and a Sunday-school with an attendance of sixty. E. R. Wright is superintend- ent of the Sunday-school and E. E. Brown secretary.
A post-office was established at Red Rock in 1847. The following have been the postmasters: J. W. Harp, S. G. Compton, Nathan Shannon, J. H. Johnson, Martin Hollingsworth, Isaac Shannon, Renben Core, Jasper Nye, J. F. Browning, who was commissioned in August, 1879.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
B EDELL, J. D .- Farmer, Sec. 35, P. O. Red Rock. One of the first, if not the very first, white person to settle in Marion county was the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in Bath county, Kentucky, on the 25th of September, 1817, and lived there until thirteen years of age, and wu then taken by his parents to Montgomery county, Missouri, and after a residence of two years in the State, emigrated with his parents to Clark connty, Missouri, settling on the Des Moines River. He first set his feet on Iowa soil on the 19th of September, 1830, having crossed the river where Oroton is now situated, in order to cut a bee tree. In 1830 he erected a log cabin in Lee county, which was the second dwelling in this part of the county. The next fall he sold his house and returned to Missouri, and ca the 20th of March, 1843, came to this county and settled at Red Rock, and was the founder of the town, and had it platted in 1845, and for some year was engaged in the grocery business. This business he disposed of and bonglit a steam saw-mill in 1855, and continued this business for s long time. He then engaged in general merchandise, and continued this business, with satisfactory results, until 1876, and then removed to his pret ent farm, which contains 300 acres, well improved, and his land in a good state of cultivation. When Mr. Bedell came to this county he had an In- dian pilot him to the place where Red Rock is located, and there staked out his claim. The whites were not allowed to come in until the 1st of May, 1843. Mr. B., however, remained until that time to establish his claim. No man has experienced more of the hardships of pioneer life, and his early reminiscences would till a volume, but many of them will be found in other parts of this work, for which due credit is given. He has been permanently identified with the growth of the county, and is known by reputation to al most every man in it. He is a man of strict integrity, his word being good as a bond. In his social relations he is kind and warm-hearted as s friend and an outspoken opponent, and his character as a business inan may be inferred from the success which has attended his career. He married Miss Rachel Collins, December 28, 1848. She was a daughter of Eli Col- lins, Esq., and was born in Warren county, Ohio, September 28, 1896. They have five children living: John W., Marietta, Delila A., Amy H., Celestie P., Ina B. Lost one.
C' LARK, W. P .- Merchant, Red Rock. Was born in Knox county, Ohio, August 1st, 1829. In 1836 he moved with his parents to Missouri, where he was raised on a farin. From there moved to Warren county, Iowa, and continned farming until 1850. Then went to California, remaining for a period of four years. Returned to Red Rock, and in 1858 again went to California, returning in a short time to Red Rock and em- barked in the grocery business. He has built up for himself an enviable reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and justly merits the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his patrons. He married Miss N. E. Wil. liams. January 13, 1868. She is a native of Indiana, born in Morgan county. By this union they have two daughters: Mintie D. and Mary W.
CORE, I. N .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36, P. O. Red Rock. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, Angust 24, 1832, and was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He emigrated to Iowa in the fall of 1854, and lived for some time with his father on the farm. He owns 160 acres of land upon which is one of the finest sugar orchards in the State. It
i
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RED ROCK TOWNSHIP.
anmbers 225 straight, tall, beautiful trees. His land is well improved and has good substantial buildings. He married Miss Ruth Wilson on the thirteenth day of February, 1859. She is a native of Ohio, born June 19, 1837. Their family consists of seven children: Gregory W., Alice J., Wmn. S., Edwin H., Nellie, Jessie and Howard.
G REGORY, JOHN-Fariner and mechanic, Sec. 36, P. O. Red Rock. Was born in Gifford county, North Carolina, in 1830. When a small boy removed with his parents to Indiana, living there until grown to man- hood. He then came to Iowa in the spring of 1850, locating at Indianola, where for a time was engaged in the cabinet-maker's business. From this place he went to Red Rock, then to Colorado, and returned to Red Rock the same year, resuming his former business and continued to follow this business until 1874, when he moved on to his present farm containing 140 acres of land well improved, with good buildings. Mr. G. is a quiet, un, assuming man, as a citizen is highly respected and has been closely identi- fied with the interests of his community. His reputation for honesty and integrity stands unquestioned. He married Miss Elma Ray August 21, 1857. She is a native of New Jersey, a lady of culture and fine domestic habits. The family consists of seven children: Luella M., J. W., Lotta, Julia, Sherinan, Libbie and Roy.
OHNSON, P. M .- Physician and surgeon. Born in Highland county, J Ohio, February 3d, 1817, and was raised on a farm. He began the study of medicine under Dr. McGarangh, of Fayette county. He com- menced to practice at Port Williams, Clinton county, following it success- fully for ten years. He came to Iowa in 1855, locating in Richland, Keokuk county, and from there removed to Poweshiek county, thence to Jasper county, thence to Red Rock, Marion county. He has been married four times; first, to Miss Nancy Lenord, in 1839 ; second, to Catherine Fitz, in 1852 ; third, to Miss Elizabeth McCay, in 1854 ; and fourth, to Isabelle Seaton, in 1860, a native of Pennsylvania. Has had the following children: by the first, four; by the second, three; by the third, none; and the fourth seven. As a practictioner, Dr. Jolinson has attained considerable reputa- tion, and he is classed among the leading physicians of the county.
INART, SAMUEL-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 13, P. O. Mon- K roe. Was born in Richland county, Ohio, November 5th, 1846, and removed with his parents to Iowa, where he has been reared to man- hood and educated. Ile owns 211 acres of land, well improved. As a farmer he is a success. His lands are principally underlaid with the best of coal. This of itself is worth thousands. He married Miss Sarah C. Harris December 18th, 1856. She is the daughter of Mrs. Francis Harris. They have six children: Alfred E., Ann E., Ida B., James F., John A., William A.
L EGRAND, J.W .- Farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 24, P.O. Monroe. Was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 9th, 1846, and removed with his parents to Appanoose county, Iowa, in the fall of 1855, and was raised on a farm. From this county he moved to Marion county, locating in Red Rock township, where he has since made his home. He commenced life in very meager circumstances, and now owns 260 acres of land. well improved. His stately residence is one of the finest in the township, being built of the best material and of a very substantial character. He married Miss Martha Carr on the 7th day of March, 1867. She is a native of
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
Marion county. Their family consists of seven children, Mary J., Send E., Elvira B., John W., Nellie, James F., Newton.
ARSHALL, GEORGE-Coal operator, Sec. 13, P. O. Monroa
M born in Scotland, June 4, 1836. At the age of seventeen jean came to the United States, landing in New York City in 1854. From thi place he came to Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, thence to the Rocky Mon tains where he engaged in prospecting and mining in Colorado. In 150 be returned to Iowa and settled in Monroe, Jasper county, engaged in minin coal and for a time was very sccessful. Selling out his interest in this moved on his present farin, at the same time opening a coal bank which is has operated since that time. Mr. M. has had many ups and downs in lin but, as a rule, has been fairly successful in most of his enterprises. Hisfun is nearly all underlaid with coal of a very superior quality. On the twenty. seventh of October, 1864, he married Miss Lyda M. Pendroy, . danghter of Jaines Pendroy. Esq. The family consists of eight children: Robert J, Mary S., George B., Einma G., Betsy R., Thomas E., Meek W. and J. B.E
MULLINS, G. L .- Farmer, stock-raiser and dealer, Sec. 23, P. O. Rd Rock. Was born in Graves county, Kentucky, May 4, 1823. Came a Iowa with his parents in the fall of 1846, and engaged in agricultural par- snits with good success. In 1856 he went to Kansas, remaining four yen Moved back to Marion county in the fall of 1859, settling on the farm now occupies which contains 240 acres of land well improved, with good buildings. He is one of the leading stock-feeders of his neighborhood. B married Miss Nancy Corson in February 1856, a native of Logan comt. Ohio. By this union they have eleven children: Lora M., Edward, Id Delbert, Mary B., Sherman, Willie, Thomas, Pleasant, Martin and Mintie R EED, MRS. S .- Sec. 20. P. O. Red Rock. Widow of John Reed. W. born in Delaware county, Ohio, October 19, 1826, where she mu raised and married John Reed, November 12, 1848. They moved to low in 1854 and settled in Marion county on a farm, which business she fu lowed until his death, which occurred November 10, 1868, by accidently shooting himself. He left nine children: Mark L., C. M., S. H., Angosta J., Estella U. F., Lemm H., Mary A., Addie M., and Emma D. Asm agriculturalist and stock-raiser he had few equals, and was an honest upright citizen, highly respected by all who knew him.
RIDENOUR, S .- Teacher and tanner, Sec. 2, P. O. Monroe. Was bon in Franklin county, Ohio, August 28, 1823, and was raised in Licking county, Ohio, on a farm. He received a liberal education in the schools d his native State. In 1864 he came to Iowa and settled in Marion county. where he has since been engaged in farming and teaching. Few men us the county have had more years of experience as an educator and with mon satisfactory success. He has held various township offices, and as a mes- ber of the board of county supervisors he made an efficient and faithfui public servant. Was county superintendent of schools. He married Min Louisa Shull, March 2S, 1850. She was born in Franklin county, Ohio, sod is the daughter of Solomon Shull, Esq. They have a family of six chil- dren: Mary H., Marshal, Howard, Charles H., Martha J., and Ella M. They lost three.
S' IIRADER, J. A .- Physician and surgeon. Was born in Washingte county, Ohio, May 27, 1842. His youth was spent on a farm. do commenced the study of medicine at Logan, Ohio, under the direction& Dr. H. J. Schruder. He took his course of lectures at the State Univeris
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RED ROCK TOWNSHIP.
of Iowa, graduating in the spring of 1865, then went to Kansas, locating at Anbarn, where he commenced the practice of his profession, continuing for two years, then returned to Iowa, locating at Red Rock, Marion county, where he has succeeded in establishing a good practice. Has been twice married. Has three children: Fred L., Clinton V., Grace I.
T HOMASON, RICHARD-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 10, P. O.
Monroe. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 28, 1826, and was raised there. In 1855, he emigrated to Iowa, and now owns 540 acres of land. His educational advantages were very limited, but he has made the best use of his advantages and acquired by observation and experience good business qualifications. He came to this county in very limited circumstances and commenced digging coal, and after providing for his family had saved enough to purchase his first forty acres of land. He married Miss Sarah Roush, Angust 1, 1847. She was also born in High- land county, Ohio. They have a family of nine children: Lewis, William, John, Eliza J., Henry, Catharine, Benjamin F., Jaines F., and Lucy E. They lost one.
W ILSON, GAVIN-Farmer, Sec. 4, P. O. Monroe. He was born in Lanark, Scotland, June 29, 1831. When seventeen years of age came to the United States, landing in the city of New York, stopping for a period of four months, then went to La Salle, Illinois, and engaged in mining coal. From here went to Wisconsin, thence to Monroe, Iowa, in 1860, and for a time operated a coal mine. Then moved on to his present farm. He owns 160 acres of land well improved, with good substantial buildings. He married Miss Jane Nemins March 6, 1853, a native of Scot- land. The family consists of ten children: Margaret, Ann, Jenette, James H., J., Willie G., Dolla, John C., David C., Gevanie.
WILLIAMS, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29, P. O. Red Rock. Among those who made their home in Marion county at an early day, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Morgan county, Indiana, Feb- rnary 13, 1821. He owns a good farm of 243 acres and has made a specialty of raising fine horses and hogs, and his colts are among the finest in the county, and as a good agriculturist he is a success. He is fond of hunting and fishing, but not to the neglect of his farming interests. He married Miss Lucinda Mullins March 17, 1853. She is a native of Tennessee, and was born December 25, 1831. They have two children: Henry C. and James M.
YOUKUM, ISAAC-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 3, P. O. Monroe. Among the old settlers and pioneers of Marion county who have en- dured many hardships and privations, may be mentioned Mr. Yokum. He was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 1, 1822, and was raised on a farm. He removed to Marion county, Iowa, in the spring of 1849, and settled on the open prairie and commenced making his farm. He married Miss Catharine Wiseman, December 14, 1842. She is a native of Indiana. Born in 1822. They have ten children: Martha E., Francis H., Julia E., Mary J., Russell C., Lonisa, Harriet C., William F., Isaac N., Linda E. and George T. Mr. Yokum commenced life very poor, but by energy and industry has accumulated a reasonable competence. He owns 644 acres of land, well improved, and has one of the best orchards in the township.
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