USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > The History of Muscatine county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 72
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CORPORATIONS.
The Fire Department was organized May 15, 1877. The first officers were: Eb. Terry, Foreman ; John Rider, Secretary ; J. L. Giesler, Treasurer. The present officers are : Robert McGuire, Chief Engineer; W. H. Johnson, Foreman ; J. L. Giessler, Secretary and Treasurer. The present membership is forty. The Department is supplied with one hand-engine, one hose-carriage, and the necessary ladders, and have the reputation of doing efficient work in time of fire.
The Union Bank of Wilton was organized in June, incorporated August 19, and authorized to commence business September 13, 1878. The first officers were : L. L. Lane, President ; Samuel Wildasin, Vice President ; J. L. Giesler, Secretary ; S. C. Root, Henry Will, Peter Dant, C. B. Strong, D. W. McCroskey, George Frenzel and Thomas Kenna, Directors. Present officers : Samuel Wildasin, President; L. L. Lane, Vice President ; J. L. Giesler, Cashier ; S. C. Root, C. B. Strong, D. W. McCroskey, Henry Will, Thomas Kenna, W. H. Johnson, George Frenzel, A. N. Van Camp and Peter Daut, Directors. Authorized capital, $50,000 ; paid up, $25,000.
The Farmers' and Citizens' Bank was organized in May, 1874; incor- porated under the laws of the State, and authorized to commence business June 1, 1874. The first Directors were A. D. Crooks, C. E. Witham, Samuel Wildasin, L. Cotton, L. L. Lane, R. A. MeIntire, J. H. Pingrey, J. G. Lyford, John Wiley, F. Hinkhouse and F. Butterfield. Officers : Frank Bacon, President ; J. D. Walker, Vice President : J. E. Myers, Cashier. Pres- ent Directors : C. E. Witham, F. Hinkhouse, R. A. Melntire, Charles L. Peasley, A. A. Cooling and G. V. Scott. Officers : Frank Bacon, President ; J. D. Walker, Vice President : J. E. Myers, Cashier. Authorized capital, $50,000; paid up, $31,000 ; surplus, $20,000.
The Grange Co-operative Store of Wilton was organized March 4, 1872, and incorporated under the laws of the State for five years. Articles of incor- poration were renewed April 24, 1877, for ten years. The first officers and Trustees were : Thomas Root, President ; Jesse Piggott, Secretary ; A. J. Crawford and two others. Present Trustees and officers : Hon. J. Q. Tufts, President ; W. J. Breckon, Secretary ; Joel Clark, Manager ; W. S. Agnew, James Mason, Israel Piggott. Capital, $10,000.
The Grain-Shippers' Association was incorporated in August, 1875, under the laws of the State. The first officers and Directors were as follows: T. 11. Fishburn, President ; J. B. Laucamp, Secretary ; S. Agnew, Rufus Hink- house and M. G. Witmer. There has been no change in the officers or Direct- ors, except that Simon Schneider took the place of M. G. Witmer. Capital, $5,000.
The Wilton Seminary Association was organized in 1866, with the follow- ing Trustees: S. L. Lawrence, I. K. Terry. F. Butterfield, S. Wildasin, Will- iam McClain. A deed of the ground was given to the Trustees May 1, 1866, by Benedict and Elizabeth Maurer to be used for school purposes, the Trustees agreeing to erect a good Seminary building within one year. The Seminary was sold to the Free-Will Baptists of the State of Iowa, and let by them to Rev. O. E. Baker, who conducted the school for five years, at the expiration of which time, being in 1871, an association was formed under the title of the
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Wilton Collegiate Institute and the seminary changed to a college. The mem- bers of the association were: N. R. George, J. L. Collier, A. D. Sandborn, C. E. Witham, L. Davis, A. S. M. Ferrine, O. E. Baker, H. Blackmare, F. But- terfield, C. Toothaker. Articles of Incorporation were granted September 5, 1871, to the following incorporators and Trustees, viz., H. Blackmare, N. R. George, C. E. Witham, L. Davis, O. E. Baker, J. L. Collier, F. Butterfield, Charles Toothaker, A. D. Sandborn. About this time a boarding-house was built in connection with the Institute at a cost of about $12,000. A. D. Sand- born and J. L. Collier were engaged as the principal teachers of the college, aided by some others. At this period, an endowment fund of $2,500 had been raised by the financial agent, O. E. Baker, the college was patronized by 160 students, and was in a flourishing condition, but in the course of two or three years, difficulties arose, involving the Institute to some extent, and in July, 1872, the college-building was sold to F. Butterfield, who held it until 1876, when he deeded the same to the Institute and presented it with an endowment of $3,000. In the fall of 1878, the Trustees of the Institute deeded the col- lege property to the Trustees of the Free-Will Baptist Educational Society of Iowa. The donators of the Institute are numerous, among the number is Lyman Alger, who gave to the Institute and the building of the boarding-house the sum of $9,767, which will become the property of the Institute, if the school continues until December, 1879. F. Butterfield also contributed largely to the college. The school is operated at present by on ex-Board of Trustees consisting of Joel Clark, President; William Johnston, Treasurer, and A. O. Mudge, Secretary, who are appointed by the Educational Society, and have the general manage- ment and oversight of the school and property.
The present township officers are: L. F. Creitz, C. W. Derby and Dennis Mahanna, Trustees; Theo. Bentley and George M. Frenzel, Justices of the Peace; Beecher Chatfield and Charles Lautry, Constables; A. N. Van Camp, Clerk ; Mark D. Allen, Assessor.
We desire here to state, that much of our information concerning Wilton has been gathered from the files of the Exponent, by the kind permission of Mr. J. M. Rider, its courteous editor.
NICHOLS.
This town was so named by Benjamin F. Nichols, in honor of his father, Samuel Nichols, who subscribed liberally for stock to the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company, and donated to them the right of way through his land, in consideration that they build at this point a depot on land also presented by him for that purpose. It is situated in the center of what was once known as Elephant Swamp. To speak more properly and be explicit, it is located in Section 15 of Pike Township, on the line of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad and a branch thereof, called the Muscatine & Western. The lots were surveyed by George Bumgardner, County Surveyor, and the plat was filed for record June 22, 1871, by Benjamin F. Nichols, owner of the town site. Several small buildings were erected and some moved into the place prior to the recording of the town plat. The first building of any pre- tensions was constructed in 1871, by Dr. S. H. Smith, and used by him as a drug store and dwelling. The first house built on the survey was owned by William Schelpaper and rented to James Carney, who kept in it a general stock of goods. On the night of carnival, 1871, through the careless handling of a lamp near powder, the entire building was blown to atoms, though the inmates
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
escaped uninjured. When the Muscatine & Western Railroad was finished to this point in 1873, the company laid out an addition to the town and called it the Railroad Addition. In 1875, a second addition was made by T. Nichols. A commodious depot has been erected at the junction of the two railroads, and a good stock-yard built by the B., C. R. & N. R. R. The post office was estab- lished at Nichols, October 14, 1870, and Benjamin F. Nichols, appointed Post- master, which office he still retains. Previous to this period, the office had been kept in Samuel Nichols' house, and was called Lacy; it was the first one in Pike Township and had been in the same family for over twenty years, when the change of location and name was made. To-day Nichols Station is a flour- ishing town of over three hundred inhabitants, doing an extensive country and large stock and grain shipping business. It can boast of several fine brick business blocks, a good school and four substanstial church edifices. It also enjoys the reputation of being a well-regulated place in all respects, though it has never been incorporated. The surroundings consist of beautiful rolling prairie and rich bottom land, with soil as rich and fertile as any in Muscatine County. Just one-half mile east of town the little stream of Jordan meanders southeastward, emptying into Wapsinonoc Creek, which flows into Cedar River. An elevator was built in 1872, and a flouring-mill in 1876, by Nichols & Bro. The business of the place is represented as follows, viz .: Two general stores, two drug stores, one physician, one steam manufactory of wagons, pumps, churns and broom-handles, one saw-mill, two blacksmith-shops, two shoemaker-shops, two millinery establishments, one harness-shop, one bakery, one meat-market, two hotels and one livery-stable.
SCHOOL.
Nichols belongs to Pike Township School District No. 6. The present fine two-story brick schoolhouse was built in the summer of 1872. The lower story was occupied the following winter as a school, which was taught by Miss Mollie Billick. The graded system was introduced in the fall and winter of 1875-76, and has proven both satisfactory and successful. Since its introduction, both stories of the school-building have been used. The present attendance aver- ages seventy-four scholars. The present teachers are Franklin Gilbert and Mary E. Gilbert, the former's wife. The first log schoolhouse in Pike Town- ship was built in 1849, and taught by a Mr. Hart, from Ohio.
CHURCHES.
The Christian Church was organized as an independent society in the fall and winter of 1873-74. The present house of worship was erected in the summer and fall of 1874. Previous to this time, the congregation worshiped in schoolhouses, and were preached to by Rev. John Powell, of Columbus City. The first resident minister was Rev. J. H. Painter. The Church is now with- out a Pastor ; its present membership is about forty.
The German Evangelical Protestant Church was organized by Rev. K. F. Obermann, in 1874, with the following heads of families as members : Nich. Lentz, John Schomberg, Nich. Scheuermann and others. The church-build- ing was erected in 1876, and is valued at $1,500. The congregation at present consists of twenty families. Connected with the Church is a flourishing Sun- day school, with an average attendance of fifty. After two changes in the pastorate, Rev. Obermann has returned to the charge.
The Roman Catholic Church was built in 1874, and was attended to by Rev. Father Nicholas Dugan, of Wilton, until February, 1877, since which time Rev. Father William Purcelle has been its resident Priest. It is a fine
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
brick building, 32x50 feet, and 25 feet high. It is one of the ornaments of the town of Nichols, as well as of religion. The present membership is 109. The Church property, including the Priest's residence, is valued at $4,350.
The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1875, with the follow- ing original members, viz., William Vantuyl and wife. Miss Jennie Worden, Arnold Bliss and wife, Amos Ames and wife. The first Pastor was J. A. Bolton. The house of worship was built in 1875, under the direction of Will- iam Vantuyl, who contributed more than all others to the success of the enter- prise. The church-building cost $2,500. The congregation at this writing consists of thirty-five members. William Swain is the present Pastor. He is also Pastor of a flourishing church five miles north of Nichols, known as South Prairie Chapel, erected in 1862. Among its earliest members were, and are yet, Pliny Nichols, Ira Nichols and wife, John Purvis and wife, Stephen Chase and wife, now living. Rev. William Purvis, first a member and after- ward Pastor of this Church, is deceased. The present membership is fifty, and the value of church property $1,800. Connected with both this Church and the one at Nichols, are large and interesting Sabbath schools.
The Temperance Reform Club of Nichols was established February 22, 1878, with about one hundred members. Its first officers were Benjamin F. Nichols, President ; John Hooley, Secretary : M. Rummery, Treasurer. The present officers are Benjamin F. Nichols, President ; Frand Ronimouse, Secre- tary ; Sidney Mansfield, Treasurer. The present membership is about two hundred and forty. The Club holds its meetings in the Methodist Church.
LODGE.
. Nichols Grove, No. 7. of the United Ancient Order of Druids, was insti- tuted by dispensation July 24, 1876, and chartered June 12, 1877, with the following charter members : William Schelpaper, L. Kern, F. Hager, J. Eis- man, A. Schmidt. William Ditrich, William Loeb, H. F. Clausen, William Bauer and C. Weisfulg. The first officers were J. Eisman, E. E .; II. F. Clausen, U. E .; William Schelpaper, Treasurer ; F. Hager, Secretary. The present officers are William Schelpaper. E. E .: H. F. Clausen, U. E .; John Eisman, Secretary : L. Kern, Treasurer. This is a German Grove, wherefore the official positions are abbreviated according to the German acceptation. The present membership is eighteen. The Grove meets in Druid Hall every first and third Monday in each month.
INCIDENTS.
In the fall of 1838, Samuel Nichols and II. II. Winchester came from Ohio to what is now Pike Township, on a prospecting tour, and bought a claim of a party named Carother, who, with his family, consisting of nine persons, was undoubtedly the first settler in Pike Township, and built there the first log cabin, which still stands, in Fred Hetchtner's field, about two and a half miles east of Nichols. After entering one-half section of their claim, located in the Dubuque District, and which came into market in 1838, our two prospectors returned to Ohio.
The following spring, 1839, Gamaliel Oles, Dr. B. S. Oles and H. H. Win- chester, and their families, emigrated from Ohio to this point, coming by boat, and arriving at Bloomington, Muscatine Co., June 3, 1839, while Samuel Nichols, whose wife had died in Washington County, Ohio, leaving him with five young children, came alone, on horse-back.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Gamaliel Oles bought a claim of John M. Kidder and built upon it a log cabin, into which he moved his family in July, although it had no floor and was only partially roofed.
Dr. B. S. Oles went to Bloomington after one year's sojourn here. There he practiced medicine until 1849, when he left, in company with Judge Hast- ings, for California, and died in Washington Territory in 1865, while surgeon in the United States service.
Gamaliel Oles states to the writer that at the time of his coming only four families lived in Pike Township, namely, two called Carother, one Adams and one Kidder.
During the first four years the township did not increase in population ; some moved away, so that only four families remained.
Mr. Oles says Rev. Mc Vay organized a Methodist class in his (Oles') house in 1844, and preached there the first year, to a membership of eight. After the log schoolhouse was built, in 1849, religious services of all denominations were held there.
The present township officers are as follows : Samuel E. Walcott and Aaron Canott, Justices : A. J. Stafford and John Miller, Constables ; J. B. Horton, Assessor ; James Ryan, Clerk ; Benjamin Black, M. L. Corner and A. Hie- bing, Trustees.
John M. Kidder was appointed the first Justice of the Peace in Pike Town- ship by the Governor, and Gamaliel Oles was the first one in the township elected by the people.
MOSCOW.
We are indebted for the following facts regarding this town to Mr. S. W. Stewart, who was among the early settlers of this neighborhood, coming in the spring of 1838. At present, he resides at Wilton, just three miles distant, and states that without doubt Mr. Webster, accompanied by Charles Drury, were the first settlers and pioneers of this vicinity, coming in 1836, from Indiana. The same year, there were the following other arrivals : William Leverich, T. T. Clark, Luke Cunningham, Thomas McConnell, Erving Reynolds, David Reynolds, Mr. Kilgore, Martin Baker. Mr. Comstock, Harvey Hatton, Mat. White, Harvey Mathews and Friend Johnson.
In the fall of 1836, Webster and Drury staked off town lots on their claim, located on the banks of the Cedar River, and now situated on the south side of the railroad track. Most of the old town is below the present railroad bridge, and forms a part of what is known as Biglow's Addition. Some of the claims to the lots spoken of were sold as high as $175. William Hendrickson, the first blacksmith in the place, paid that price for a corner- lot
Mr. Mitchell opened the first store in the settlement, in a log building, late in the fall of 1836. trading to such an extent with the Indians, and becoming so noted as an Indian trader, that to-day many later settlers have the impres- sion that Moscow was once a regularly-established trading-post, which is, how - ever, a mistake.
At this time, an Indian fort, built by LeClaire, of Davenport, stood here, and traces thereof were visible as late as 1838. A man named Alex. Ross came also in 1838, and opened a store, where more whisky than other staple goods was sold. Ross afterward murdered an unoffending Indian, and was obliged to leave the country. In another part of our work, we have given the details of this tragedy, and the subsequent lamentable consequences.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
The years 1837 and 1838 brought William White, William Reynolds, Daniel Healy and George W. Hunt. In 1839 came William Gatton, whose widow still lives on the old homestead.
Friend Johnson took up the claim now occupied by that part of Moscow which lies north of the railroad track.
The first ferry on the Cedar River at this point was run by William Hen- drickson.
In early days Moscow was quite a business center, full of life and activity, although it bore the reputation of being a hard place. Regularly every Satur- day, either a horse-race or a shooting-match took place, the premium being, invariably, from one to three or more gallons of whisky, which. according to rule, was drunk on the ground, or, in case of a superabundance, the balance was reserved for a rainy Saturday. Fights were an every-day occurrence, and several of the best men, physically, in the neighborhood used to make it lively for strangers if an opportunity presented itself.
The first railroad-train passed through here in 1854, in which year a bridge was built across the Cedar River which was replaced in 1876 by the present iron railroad bridge. Daniel Henderson laid out the new town, and filed the plat for record August 18. 1853.
The first sermon was preached by Martin Baker, in 1838, in a frame build- ing formerly occupied by Ross as a store.
The first school was taught by a Miss May Comstock, in a portion of a double log house, the other part being occupied by a family. The present two- story frame schoolhouse was built in 1867. One of the earliest teachers was the late Judge Bissell, of Tipton, Cedar Co., who, in those days, wore a buck- skin suit throughout.
The first building devoted to religious purposes was a dwelling-house, bought of the members of the Christian Church, about 1845. They afterward built a good church edifice. The Lutherans, also, have a good house of worship, but there is no minister of any denomination residing in the town. The Methodists have a class at Moscow, but no house of worship.
The first tavern in the town was kept by Mr. Mitchel. The first death was that of Mr. Webster.
The dam across the Cedar River was built in 1866, and the mill in 1867, by the Moscow Mill and Dam Company. A chain ferry runs across the river, conducted for many years by Henry Lang.
The business of Moscow is represented by two stores, two physicians, two blacksmith-shops, one harness-shop and four taverns.
The present Postmaster is Robert Chase. The first Postmaster was a Mr. Rea.
STOCKTON.
This town was first called Farnham by the old settlers, but really known as Fulton, which name the railroad company still retains for the station, although the post office is named Stockton, is situated in Section 4, in the northern part of Fulton Township, near the Scott County line, on the C., R. I. & P. R. R., sur- rounded by a magnificent and rich farming country, barley, wheat and oats being the principal products of the soil. although corn is raised in great abun- dance. The vicinity is especially noted for its fine short-horn and other superior classes of cattle, as well as for its fine-bred hogs. At one time, the place was known as Prairie Mills, owing to the fact that Burrows & Prettyman had a steam-mill on the prairie, which has since been demolished and the lumber used
585
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
in the construction of an elevator, built by Hetzel & Haller, now doing a large grain business, shipping on an average 300 cars per year. From ninety to one hundred cars of stock are shipped from this point per annum. The town lots were surveyed by Jonathan Parker, and the plat was filed for record Sep- tember 14, 1855, by A. C. Fulton, J. M. Burrows, N. Feyervary, J. M. With- erywase and R. M. Prettyman. The post office was established in 1855, with Mr. Chapman, clerk. for Burrows & Prettyman, of Davenport, who opened the first store, in charge. As there was already a town called Fulton in the State, the post office was named Prairie Mills. In 1866, W. J. Speer was appointed Postmaster, which position he still retains, conducting, also, a general store. Owing to the fact that a bill of goods shipped to him, addressed Fulton, was sent to the town of that name in Jackson County, he used his influence and succeeded in having the name of both the town and the post office changed to Stockton.
The first building in the town was a large hotel, still standing, erected by A. C. Fulton. The first death in the place was that of Thomas Barron. The schoolhouse of Township District No. 1, located here, was built in 1856, and an addition made to it in 1875, when the graded system was introduced. The business of Stockton is represented by two general stores, two hotels, one black - smith-shop, one wagonmaker's shop, two shoemaker's shops and one grain estab- lishment.
The Farmers' Club was was organized in the spring of 1872. The officers are Aug. Ruge, President, and E. F. Jockehk, Secretary. Connected with the Club is a library, of which the Secretary of the Club is Librarian. The object of the Club is to discuss the political topics of the day, to debate and advance new ideas in the science of agriculture ; also, to entertain its members in vari- ous ways. The present membership is eighteen. The Club supports a Sunday school ; and it was through the influence of its members that an elevator was built at this point.
Among the first settlers in Fulton Township were J. C. Newell, Andrew Smith, John Barron and Thomas Brickley.
The present township officers are : Jos. Kiegel, Milton Persons and David Brown, Trustees ; James Raab and Charles Hetzel, Justices ; William Chris- man and H. C. Higley, Constables ; P. G. Brown, Assessor : A. A. Brown, Clerk.
CONESVILLE.
Conesville is located on the line of the B., C. R. & N. R. R., in the center of Orono Township, in Section 17, and named after its founder, Beebe S. Cone. The lots were surveyed by J. E. Lyman, Assistant Engineer of the B., C. R. & N. R. R. in March, 1870. In consideration that the railroad company build a depot at this point, B. S. Cone donated to them 200 feet of ground for that purpose. In July, 1870, Alexander McCurdy erected a fine dwelling-house- the first building on the town site-which was destroyed by fire in October, 1875. He also opened the first general store in the town. The post office was established in the spring of 1870, with B. S. Cone as Postmaster. Mr. Cone disposed of $3,200 worth of stock for the B., C. R. & N. R. R., for the pur- pose of grading and tying the track from Todd's Ferry, Iowa River, to north line Pike Township. The town plat was recorded by B. S. Cone, November 26, 1870. George Bumgardner, Surveyor, divided the property of H. Rick- etts' heirs into three eighties, and laid out town lots on their property at the same time. The plat was filed for record the same month, under the name of
-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Orono, by Byron, Martha Jane and Robert Ricketts. These lots are located on the west side of the railroad track, where most of the business and largest part of the town is situated. Deeds for lots on this property are made out under the name of Orono: but the post office is called Conesville, while the railroad company have adopted the name of Cone for the station. On the 18th day of May, 1878, the entire settlement was regularly incorporated as a town, and called Conesville. An addition was laid out by B. S. Cone, and surveyed by Peter Houtz February 11, 1876. The first town officers elected were : J. Calhoun, Mayor ; J. K. Hill, John Barrett, Thomas Tipton, John McLeod, Daniel McCurdy, Trustees ; S. D. McCurdy, Recorder; John Gay, Marshal ; S. H. Wolford, Treasurer. The present officers are : John McLeod, Mayor ; John Barrett. Thomas Tipton, M. L. Brockway, A. McCurdy, S. H. Wolford, John Gunderson, Trustees ; S. D. MeCurdy, Recorder; John Gay, Treas- urer ; R. R. Wolford, Marshal. The present Postmaster is Mason Brockway.
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