USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 89
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
H ARDIN, ELISHA-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4, P. O. What ing. One of the oldest and most respected citizens of Swan toms ship, as well as one of its most wealthy men, is the subject of this sketch He is a native of Washington county, Indiana, and was born February 14 1822. . In early, as in after life, he was engaged in agricultural pursuit,
come
day c from Sara Hatt
Bati histc azte1 male thore 800 : He i H
1817 farm grat to I. year mile ; code "NE : 0001
Wer In
788
SWAN TOWNSHIP.
times varied by teaching school. He came to Iowa on the 18th day of 1848, and settled in what is now known as Swan township. Ou the 15th f September, 1846, he was married to Miss Nancy K. Polson, and this marriage they have had ten children: John F .. Mary E., Martha E., A .; Susan C., Leander M., an infant son, Sephronia, Cora A., and ie J. Mr. H.'s father and grandfather were both named John. His ifather was a private in the war of the Revolution. His father was a e of North Carolina and emigrated to Indiana at an early day in the ry of that State. For a long time Mr. Hardin has been known as an sive horse-raiser, and during the war he raised a great number of B, which he sold at high figures. He is now engaged in raising ngh-bred Norman horses, of which he has a fine stock. He has about cres of good land, most of which is in a good state of cultivation. an energetic, business man, honest, practical and industrious.
INT, DANIEL-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20, P. O. Swan. Is a e of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and was born on the fifth of May, In early life he was a poor boy and made his living by working on a For years his wages were but ten dollars a month. In 1838 he em- d to Knox county, Ohio, where he remained until 1840, when he came wa. He first settled in Van Buren county, where he remained two . In the spring of 1843 he settled in Wapello county, about two from Ottumwa. He was a visitor at the Agency when the Indians I to the United States the country known for years afterward as the " Purchase." In the year 1847 he removed to Swan township, Marion y, and bought a claim on sections 16 and 21. At this time his means very limited. His family for a time was compelled to live on what is n as grit bread, an article of food well remembered by the old settlers. e year 1850 Mr. Hunt went to California, remaining three years with siderable degree of success. His landed estate consists of 983 acres. r. Hunt Marion county farmers are much indebted for introducing a reed of horses. Normans of as good a grade as the State affords, are D his barn. In the enterprise of stock-raising, as in many others, he hown himself to be a far-sighted man. His successful career'can be d upon encouragingly, by young men of the present day who are pull- ard against the stream. He has been twice inarried; first, in Janu- .844, to Miss Rachel Groom. By this union he had one son, John, who late war was a soldier in company G, of the Fortieth Iowa, and was I at the battle of Saline River. Mrs. H. died in the autumn of 1847. 54 Miss Caroline Vanderford became his wife. She is a native of Ath. ounty, Ohio, born May 7, 1831. Their family consists of seven chil- Emerson, Isabelle, LeRoy, Ann, Miranda, William and Este.
MES, C. E .- Physician and surgeon, Swan. The subject of this sketch is a native of Warren county, Iowa, and was born December 5,
He attended school for three years at the Des Moines University; hen in 1876 engaged in the drug business at Palmyra. Soon after this I the study of medicine. He attended lectures at Keokuk and grado- From the medical college at that place. Commenced the practice of sine at the village of Swan, in the summer of 1880. and has already a business and one that is constantly increasing. His father, S. V. R. 8, is one of the old settlers of Warren county, having gone there in He is still living, a respected and honored citizen. He is a native w York, and was born in January, 1812.
794
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
M ILLER, JOHN S .- Retired farmer, P. O. Pleasantville. Is a me of Greenbriar county, Virginia, and was born November 14, 15 In early life he was engaged in farming and boating on the Ohio Rne Came to Ohio at the age of ten years where he remained for thirty when he emigrated to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he remained he came to Swan township, Marion county, in 1854. He was married Miss Elizabeth Poor. in 1824. She was a native of Ohio, and was boni 1804. From this marriage he has four children living and five decesel Mr. Miller is a man respected and honored by all who know him.
MINER, W. H .- Farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Pleasantville. subject of this sketch is a native of Koscuisko, county, Indiana, and born on the sixteenth of August, 1840. In early life he. was engaged i farming, and during the winters attended school. After he was twet years of age he commenced teaching school, and in the year 1842 his father Adam Miner, came to Iowa and settled in Swan township, Marion county being one of the first settlers. He died in March, 1864, respected beloved by all who knew him. William H. Miner was the first mayor the town of Pleasantville, and was for a number of years engaged in th furniture business at that place. He was married on the twenty-fourth November, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Blivens, also born in Indiana. Fr this union they have five children: Walter S., Evermonte, Nora Bel Frederick, and Carroll O. (deceased). Mr. M. has the full confidence of the people and has been honored by varions city and township offices.
N TYE, J .- The subject of this sketch is the senior member of the firm d Nye & Rees, merchants, of Swan. He is a native of Koscich county, Indiana, and was born on the sixth of October, 1839. In early ld he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and obtained a good common sebed education. He engaged in business in 1879, and now has a good trade. B has a good reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and the business is co- stantly increasing. Mr. Nye is the present postmaster of the town. E was married March 5, 1868, to Miss Sarah E. Rees, daughter of Thous Rees, an old settler of Union township. They have six children: Lillin Avery, Mary D., Mabel, Beatrice and Orville T. On the fourteenth dayd July. 1862, he enlisted in company A, of the Seventy-fourth Indiana volm teers. Was engaged in seventeen battles and was with Sherman in li celebrated " March to the Sea." He was discharged January 26, 1865. P
ALMER, W. H .- Farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Swan. Among the earliest settlers of Swan township, the subject of this sketch deserves special mention. He is a native of Kennebec county, Maine, and was born Febr- ary 18, 1819. In early life he was a farmer and came to Iowa iu 1839, while this State was still a Territory. First settled in Van Buren county. Here he became well acquainted with Keokuk, the celebrated Indian chief, and soon after Black Hawk was buried made a visit to his grave, about tw miles above Iowaville on the banks of the Des Moines River. Mr. P. remained in Van Buren county till 1845, then came to Marion county in company with James Crabb. These two were the first white men that settled in this township, and the county owes a debt of gratitude to such sturdy pioneers as William H. Palmer. He participated in all the vicissitudes dangers and toils of the early settlers, was an active member of the vigilance committee that drove the notorious Casners from the country and in every way identified with every good enterprise in the new land to which he had come. Married to Miss Martha J. Thomas, December 9, 1846, "
725
SWAN TOWNSHIP.
Estive of Pittsburgh, born in 1829, and a daughter of Mr. Chas. M. Thomas, Fanative of Pennsylvania, a soldier in the War of 1812, and one of the oldest ttlers of Swan township. The family consists of ten children: Emma J., barles, Adaline, Melissa, Iva, Ira, Lina, William, Sam. and John.
PHILLIPS, DAVID-Farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Pleasantville. Was Born in Ross county, Ohio, September 26, 1823, and when a mere lad his Ather removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana. In the spring of 1851 he came Marion county. He was married January 14, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Metcalf, a native of Fayette county, born January 12, 1833. The family con- ists of ten children living and two dead: Martha (now Mrs. Williams), Farah, John W., James H., Prudence, Chas. M., Mary M., Arletta, Anna Jeceased), C. W2(deceased), Chester D. and Marvin E. Mr. Phillips is -jne of the most respected citizens of Swan township. Coming to this county „with very limited means, by industry, economy and foresight he has become pne of the most prosperous men of the township.
R
EES, W. M .- Of the firm of Nye & Rees, merchants, Swan. Is a na- tive of Highland county, Ohio, born February 20, 1848, and is a son Thomas Rees, one of the old settlers of .Union township, who came to cowa in the year 1851. In early life he was engaged in farming and was Educated in the common schools and the Central University at Pella, Iowa. On the nineteenth of September, 1869. he was married to Miss Isabelle Miller. This union has been blessed. by four children: Frankie (born November 1, 1872), Oral (born June 12, 1875), Walter G. (born January 8, 1880, died July 18, 1880), Charles B. (born July 22, 1870, died January 7,1874).
ROUZE, A. W .- Fariner and school-teacher. One of the most respected citizens of Swan township. Is a native of Champaign county, Ohio, and was born July 25, 1830. He was the son of poor but honest parents, and his opportunity for attending school was confined to a few months each winter for six years. At the age of sixteen he attended school for a few months at the Urbana Academy. His father and mother both died about this time, and Mr. R. commenced teaching school, and it is a remarkable fact that he has taught school every winter since, covering a period of thirty years. He received as a remuneration for teaching his first school $12.50 per month. A short time after this he heard of the school at Ober- lin, and resolved to avail himself of its advantages. He walked there, a distance of forty miles, and with very limited means commenced his studies, and remained three years, excepting while teaching during the winter months. In 1855 he left Ohio to come to Iowa, stopping a short time in Illinois, where he married Miss Sarah Kavanaugh. He came to Pleasantville in 1856, and took charge of the school in Wheeling. It is an admitted fact that he has proved himself an excellent educator. After the organization of the Republican party he was one of the first to receive the nomination for the State Legislature, and he has held various township of- fices, and his honesty and integrity have never been questioned. He was a soldier in the late war, and enlisted in the Forty-seventh regiment, com- pany A, Iowa volunteers, under Capt. J. L. Cormack. Mr. and Mrs. R. have four children living: Horace (born July 4, 1856), Homer (born April 13, 1858), Stella (born May 14, 1860) Sibyl (born April 7, 1862). Lost two: William (born April 7, 1865, died April 4, 1880), Albert (born April 7, 1868, died February 14, 1869).
726
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
S' HOOK, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 18, P. O. Swan. Om of the oldest settlers of Swan township is the subject of this skete Is a native of Stark county. Ohio, and was born September 25, 1814 h early life he was a farmer, in which occupation he has been principally gaged in ever since. His father's name was Michael Shook, a natined Pennsylvania, born in the year 1788. died in the month of October, 18% His wife's maiden name was Miss Eva Failor, to whom he was marriedi the year 1811. She is a native of Pennsylvania, born July 20, 1792, andi living with her son in Swan township. Mr. Shook lived in Ohio med 1849, when he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Marion county, where i has'ever since resided. He has been twice married. His first wife was Room Gates, a native of Ohio, born August 18, 1815. Her father, Gipson Gata, was one of the old veterans of the War of 1812, and was a native of Cm necticut. He died a few years ago in Clarke county, Missouri. Mr. S' first wife died January 4, 1868, leaving eight children, seven of whom dead: Gipson G., Michael, Catharine, Almon, Albert, John C., and an infant son. The one child living is Eva Ann (Dow Mrs. Edmund Bulkley). T sad death of Gipson G. Shook occurred April 11, 1867. He was murdered for his money and then thrown into the Des Moines River. The ones who perpetrated the horrid deed have never been discovered. He was a pro- ising young man, the idol of his bereaved parents, and one respected by d who knew him. Mr. Shook was again married February 4, 1868, to M Henrietta Gates, a native of Summit county, Ohio, born February 92, 1844, The family consists of two children: Chick and Burr. He owns a fm farm of 542 acres in good cultivation.
W ALKER, FRANCIS M .- Farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 32, P. O. Swan. Is a native of Parke county, Indiana, and was born on the seventh day of December, 1835. He came to Marion county in 1847, pal settled in this township in November of that year. He served in the late war, enlisting in August, 1862, in company G, Fortieth lowa volunteer infantry, and participated in some of the most hotly contested battles of the campaign. He was married April 10, 1866, to Miss Mary F. Harrison, ! daughter of John Harrison, of Montgomery county, Indiana, a relatived Gen. Win. H. Harrison. They have three children: . Jesse (born May", 1867), Minnie (born February 7, 1872), James W. (born October 18 1873).
CHAPTER VII.
PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP.
Early History and Incidents-Town of Pleasantville.
THE history of this township is partly compiled from a manuscript pre- pared by Miles Jordan, E. Williams and Joachim Spalti, in 1876.
The township was originally surveyed by John Ball in 1846, and subdi- vided by Jesse Williams into sections in September, 1847.
Wm. D. Haulsey was the first man who settled in the township, in the fall of 1845, in section 21, whose original claim is now owned by C. Bare Mr. Haulsey emigrated from the State of Ohio. He was a bachelor, and a worthy citizen, and died April 27, 1855, aged forty-six years. He died at the residence of Lewis Reynolds and was buried in the Pleasantville comt- tery, and a gravestone marks his last resting place.
787
PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP.
During the years 1845-6 the following named persons settled in this township: Win. D. Haulsey, G. P. Logan and family, Lewis and Treanor Reynolds and families, John P., Win. S. and Samuel Glenn and families, Richmond Miller and family, David Vancil and family, Wm. M. Young G. B. Greenwood, John Lewis, David Shonkwiler, Samuel Tibbot, Benjamin Lyon, Win. Henry, H. Hall and their families, R. M. Logan, Yost Spalti, Bradley Arthion, Harrison Logan, Isaac Pitman, Daniel Grant and Thomas Haley and their families.
Gilmore P. Logan was born February 17, 1820, in the State of Ken- tucky, Montgomery county, and settled in this township February 20, 1846, and located on section 16.
Lewis Reynolds was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, and settled in this township on the 3d of April, 1846, and located on section 15. He is now sixty-two years old. The first sermon was preached at his cabin in May, 1846, by Benjamin Russell, of the M. E. Church-text: Prov., chap- ter 14, verse 32. The congregation consisted of twelve perrons.
Richmond Miller. was born in the State of North Carolina, and emi- grated to this township on the 1st of March, 1846, and located on the north- west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 17.
The three last named persons are the only pioneers who were beads of families, and located in this township during the years 1845-6, and still re- main in the township.
The first child born in the township was Jonathan A. Glenn, son of Sam- nel and Elizabeth Glenn, on section 9, on the 4th of June, 1846.
The first death was an infant of Wm. S. and Maria Glenn, in 1847. The first adult died in August, 1849, whose name was Maria Glenn, and mother of the above named infant.
Jesse V. Glenn and Sarah Johnson was the first couple married. The nuptials were solemnized by Miles. Jordan, a justice of the peace, on the 4th of October, 1848.
The first school taught was in a cabin owned by G. P. Logan, located on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter section 16, in the spring of 1847, for the term of three months, twenty scholars at 82 per scholar, and was taught by David Shea.
The first school-house was built in the fall of 1847 in the southeast quar- ter of the southeast quarter of section 16, and the first school taught in it was by Miles Jordan in the winter of 1847-8. Was a subscription school for the term of three months at $2 per scholar, with an attendance of abont twenty-five scholars.
The first acting justice of the peace was John P. Glenn, and he was com- missioned by the governor.
The first election held wae in August, 1846; John P. Glenn, Wm. M. Young and Wm. S. Glenn were judges of election, and Jesse V. Glenn, and R. M. Logan were clerks; at which election John P. Glenn was duly elected justice of the peace, and Thos. Haley, constable.
John P. Glenn was the first minister of the gospel who located in the township. He was a member of the Christian Church.
The first church organized was at the cabin of Samuel Tibbot in the fall of 1846, under the auspices of the M. E. Church.
The first church house was built in 1852 in Pleasantville by the Congre- gationalists under the pastoral charge of James Woods.
--
788
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
The first Christian Church was organized where Pleasantville is now b cated, in the year 1849.
A lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was chartered by J. R Hardsock, grand master of the grand lodge of the State of Iowa, on the ond of June, 1858. Its first officers were A. D. Wetherell, worshiptd master; Wm. Covington, senior warden; Harrison Jordan, junior wurde; and at this time numbers seventy-five members, and owns property to the amount of $1,500, with money at interest.
At this time there are ten school-houses in the township worth, in th aggregate, $10,000.
There are two churches in the township, both located in Pleasantvil and were erected and dedicated in the fall of 1872. One of them is ovad and occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church, and cost about $3,00 The other is owned and occupied by the Christian Church, and cos $3,050.91. They have Sunday-school at each church.
The original survey of the town of Pleasantville was made by Stanford Doud, county surveyor, on the first day of August, 1849, on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 15, at the request of Wesley Jordan, who built the first house on lot 5, in block 2, of said town. He was also first postmaster and first merchant.
The first hotel in the town was kept by Win. H. H. Alley, on lot & block 4, and on this same historic ground the first child in the town d Pleasantville was born on the nineteenth of December, 1851. His name is · Milton T. Glenn.
The town of Pleasantville was incorporated on the eleventh of June 1872. First election for town officers was held on the sixteenth day d July following, at which election Wm. H. Miner was elected mayor, T. J. West, recorder, and Miles Jordan, David Hockert, Elias Williams, Christian Pentz and Solomon L. Hart were elected town council. There were fifty- five votes cast.
The following are the officers of the township for 1880:
Clerk-C. M. Isham.
Assessor-F. F. Spalti.
Trustees -E. Johnson, W. R. Jordan, B. F. Iddings.
Justices-Wm. Miner, G. F. Pitman.
Constables-S. H. Logan and Wesley Vernon.
At the general election in 1880, there were cast in the township 349 votes.
In addition to the few biographical sketches already given of early set- tlers, the following is of sufficient general interest to be preserved.
Daniel Shea was a warm-hearted, visionary Irishman, once a flourishing merchant in Montreal, Canada. Came to this country in 1846 or 1847. He taught the first school taught in Pleasant Grove township. The school- house was a log cabin owned by G. P. Logan, situated on the northwest quarter of southwest quarter section 16. This was in the spring of 1847. The number of pupils in attendance was twenty .. Many are the in- teresting anecdotes related by the old settlers of this generous Irishman. At this time he was about thirty-four years of age; his body was light, his hair of a sandy shade, squeaky voice, etc. It is said that hewas a fine scholar, a good mathematician, and an honest man. Rather than see harm come to others he would suffer it himself.
729
PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP.
He had many eccentricities, and was a man of very strong impulses. A strong man in some things, he was a very child in others. Subject to abstractions of thought, it is said that some times in going out for a bucket bf water he would get to thinking about something and on his return was just as apt to set the bucket down upon the bed as anywhere else.
A very peaceful man he was, but when aroused his Irish blood was hot. 'After leaving Marion county he went to Colorado, and while there a big John Bull began to bully the little man. He stood it manfully for a time, but at last knocked the man down and belabored him unmercifully. So well whipped was he that he was unable or unwilling to arise. Said the Irishman, raising him in his arms, now behold the generosity of an Irish- man. Some one in the crowd suggested that he ought to kick the bully out of town, and Daniel, being a man of impulses, immediately commenced to act upon the suggestion and actually kicked the man out of town. At house-raisings and all such gatherings of the early settlers, no man was more prompt, willing and useful than Daniel Shea. The butt of good na- tured fun, bis Irish wit never deserted him, and many a keen thrust par- ried only by the good humor or dulluess of his opponent, is now forgotten never to be retold. Always in for big speculation.
THE TOWN OF PLEASANTVILLE.
The facts in relation to the laying out of this town have already been given. It remains to speak of its present municipal officers, business, schools and churches.
The present officers are as follows:
Mayor-M. K. DeWitt. Recorder-F. M. Shadle. Treasurer -- C. M. Isham. Marshal-H. N. Oliver. Assessor-B. F. De Witt.
Pleasantville has always been a flourishing trading point, but since the completion of the A., K. & D. Railroad to Des Moines, it is assuming such proportions as to be something more than a country trading point. The following are the principal business enterprises:
Grain elevator-C. M. Jaques & Co. Grain house-C. H. Baker. Lumber yard-Bellamy & Isham.
General merchandise-W. Jordan & Co., Joseph Johnson & Son, A. J. Kerr and Lewis Ramsey.
Dry goods-M. K. De Witt. Groceries -- F. M. Shadle and Shoemaker & Watkins.
Hardware-Isham Brothers and Haynes & McDaniel.
Furniture-W. A. Covington.
Drugs-A. N. Litchfield and B. F. Erb.
Grist mill -- George Foreman.
The shipment of corn amounts to 180,000 bushels, or 360 cars annually; wheat, 40,000 bushels, or eighty cars; oats, 30,000 bushels, or forty-five cars; cattle, 765 head, or forty-five cars; hogs, 12,240 head, or 180 cars.
780
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public school at Pleasantville consists of two departments. R. G. Mulky is principal, and Miss Callie Clark assistant. The schools have a average attendance of 120. The school building is a substantial brick whid was erected in 1868 at a cost of $7,000. The present building is too and to accommodate the rapidly increasing generation of youth, and arrange ments are being made to erect a larger one the ensuing year.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal-This church was re-organized in January, 1872, 4 which time a frame church building was erected at a cost of $3,257. Th members number thirty-seven and the Sunday-school has an average atteri ance of thirty-five.
Christian Church-This church. was organized in 1849. John P. Gka and wife, James W. Gill and wife, Wm. F. Jordan and wife, Isaac Metal and wife, Adam Miner and wife, Miles Jordan, Wm. K. Elder and wik were the organizing members. In 1871 a frame church was erected ats cost of $3,050.91.
The present pastor is W. D. Swain; there is a membership of 150. Th Sunday-school has an average attendance of eighty. P. H. Davis is supa intendent and Eldon Wilson secretary.
THE PLEASANTVILLE NEWS.
This sprightly journal was established by R. T. Elson in 1877. Afte publishing the paper for three years Mr. Elson published the following card:
"To the patrons of the News. For three years I have labored to make the News worthy a place in every family of the town and vicinity. My judgment may have been at fault, many of my acts may be blameworthy, but I have always been actuated by motives as pure and unselfish, as era lured a man toward the future. I have long felt the need of a strong hand to help uphold the enterprise, knowing as well as others that it was far from perfect. Offering such indncements as I felt able to, I have succeeded in associating with myself Mr. Geo. W. Bell, whose learning and experience the readers of the News, will not fail to appreciate. He comes among us a stranger, but the press of his own State bears flattering testimonials of his merits as a writer, as a lawyer and speaker. With new press, new material, with a complete change of form and policy, we start on the new volume with fairer prospects and brighter hopes than ever cheered us since the be- ginning of our editorial experience."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.