USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 63
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The first public religious service was held at the house of J. W. Sherman, July 18, 1858. Rev. Job Cushman, a Congregational minister from Mas-
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
sachusetts, preached to an audience of fifteen persons. In the summer of 1862 a Bible class and prayer meeting were organized in the "Samuel Hays house," on section 10. Rev. L. C. Rouse, of Grinnell, preached in the school-house during the summers of 1863-4. The Chester Congregational Church was organized June 25, 1865, with sixteen members, Rev. G. F. Magoun, D. D., conducting the services. Original members: William Sherman, Mrs. Mahala Sherman, Jason W. Sherman, Mrs. Laura J. Sher- man, Henry Sherman, Mrs. Almira D. Sherman, Wilson Sherman, Mrs. Sophronia A. Sherman, Wmn. A. Carter, Mrs. Cynthia M. Wheelock, Ed- ward Fisher, Mrs. Mary E. Fisher, John Lightner, Mrs. Cynthia M. Lightner, Mrs. Martha M. Carter, Miss Carrie A. Carter.
Since Revs. Cushman and Rouse, ministers have served as follows: Prof. S. J. Buck, Prof. C. W. Clapp, Prof. S. J. Buck, G. F. Magoun, D. D., and the present pastor, G. H. White. The present pastor commenced his labors here November 1, 1872, being the only regular resident and settled pastor. During the eight years of Rev. G. H. White's pastorate the church has enjoyed great prosperity, increase of members and influence. The church edifice is a convenient and neat structure, completed in the fall of 1868, at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated in January, 1869. It has a seating capacity of 200.
There are on the church roll 155 names. The present deacons: James S. Rutherford and Thomas Fuller. Church Clerk, Horace James. There is a flourishing sabbath-school, with Charles Fisher, Superintendent.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Chester township was organ- ized by the aid of Rev. Dennis Murphy, of Grinnell, March 18, 1867. We have been able to get the names of a portion of the original class and those identified with the early history of the church: Daniel F. Hays, Salvador Hays, Joseph Hays, E. E. Honn, Edwin Parish, Asbury Parish, Thomas Hays, Manda Thompson, Mrs. Jane Cotton, U. Granvill, B. F. Brownell, Mary Brownell. For a considerable time meetings were held in private houses and in the school-house; but in 1874 a fine new church was built at a cost of about $3,400. The church is 28 feet by 46 feet, with a spire 76 feet high, and has a seating capacity of 250. It was dedicated January 24, 1875, by Rev. John H. Clinton, of Marshalltown. Pastors: Revs. Dennis Murphy, J. D. DeTarr, Dr. I. N. Busby, James M. Coates, J. E. Corley, William H. Honn, E. P. Michner, J. W. Robinson, J. B. Brown, E. L. Briggs, O. Cessna, W. F. Cowles, R. Neilson, S. R. Ferguson, the present pastor. The present membership is forty. Only one resident member has deceased since the church was organized, Ellen Anderson, in January, 1880. Names of present trustees: D. F. Hays, E. Parish, B. F. Brownell, M. C.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Parish, T. H. Hays, Joseph T. Hays, Z. Smith. Steward: Joseph T. Hays. The sabbath-school numbers fifty. The Superintendent at present is J. W. Harpster.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Union township, the smallest in the county, is situated west of Jackson, east of Sugar Creek and on the north line of Mahaska county. Its terri- tory embraces twenty-four square miles, just one-half that of Jackson, being six miles north and south by four miles east and west. Some portions are very broken, and the roads are hilly. There is much timber, especially along the breaks and creeks. The principal streams of water are Buck and Moon Creeks, which flow south through the township. The central south- ern portion contains Union Prairie, an exceedingly fertile tract three miles north and south by two east and west. Large crops of corn and wheat are yearly harvested.
The population of the township, according to the census of 1880, was 790, with 144 voters. It contains two churches, five school-houses and five burying grounds.
Among the early settlers were R. B. Ogden, Richard Cheeseman, Daniel Satchell, Joseph Satchell, John Moore, Stephen Moore, Joseph Hall, Wil- liam Butt, Mahlon Woodward, Jacob Rivers and R. F. Steele.
R. B. Ogden came from Morgan county, Illinois, in 1842, and settled on section 29, just west of the present post-office of Forest Home. Joseph and Daniel Satchell came from Logan county, Illinois, in 1842, Joseph settling on section 28 and Daniel on section 34. The next year Stephen and John Moore came and marked out their claim.
The first marriage in the township was Jesse Shrader to Emma Newson, in 1848, the ceremony being performed by Rev. W. H. Barnes, at the house of the bride's father.
The first birth was that of Hannah A. Woodward, daughter of Mahlon Woodward, born in 1847.
Elias Dement died in 1847 or 1848, his being the first death in the town- ship.
Dr. C. C. Terrell, the present physician at Forest Home, was the first and only regular physician in Union township, coming from Ohio in the year 1857.
Rev. J. B. Hardy, of the M. E. Church, since a Presiding Elder, was the first regular minister of the gospel.
The first school-house was the Free Will school-house, built in the year 1849, on section 8. Some, however, think the first school-house was built
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
on section 28, in the year 1846. Both were built of logs by the neighbors without any pecuniary outlay.
James McIntire was the first teacher in the former, and received $15 per- month. There were about twenty scholars in attendance. Miss Sarah A. Moore was the first teacher in the one erected on section 28, and received $10 per month, and had twelve scholars.
The farmers sometimes went to mill in Jasper county, sometimes to. Whistler's mill, in Keokuk county, and sometimes to Oskaloosa, in Ma- haska county.
The early incidents and experiences of the settlers were varied and inter- esting.
The Cumquick tragedy, of which an account is given elsewhere, is still fresh in the memory of all. The tragedy occurred about the year 1856, and the bodies of Casteel and his wife were hid in corn shocks near the res- idence of Thomas Beason.
Forest Home is a pretty little village of twenty-six inhabitants, situated among the trees on section 29. It formerly contained a population of sev- enty or eighty, and a store, with a large trade, but many of the houses have been removed to neighboring farms, and the store burned. The hamlet now contains a post-office, M. E. Church, school-house, blacksmith shop, a store, and several residences.
Union township was organized in 1848, but the township as then organ- ized was not at all the same as it now is, either in population or geograph- ical extent. The first election was held at the house of Mahlon Wood- ward, in the month of August, 1846. This was prior to the organiza- tion of the county, and, of course, prior to the formal organization of the township. At the said election there were twenty-five votes cast.
Stephen Moore was the first township clerk and Martin Snyder the first justice of the peace. The present township officers are as follows:
Clerk-S. B. Walton.
Justices-Wm. Hudson and Jesse Hiatt.
Assessor-Thomas Beason.
The assessed valuation of real estate is $135,375.00; of personalty, $36,405.00. The entire tax levy for 1879 amounted to $3,273.18.
The following is a list of people in Union township, Poweshiek county, who are over sixty years of age:
Martha Allen, born in Virginia, January 1, 1798; is eighty-two years old. She is the mother of twelve children and has fifty grandchildren, and fifty-six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Her husband was a soldier in the War of 1812.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Gasper Bogard, born in Ohio, in November, 1800, and is eighty years old. His wife was born in Virginia, in May, 1808, and is seventy-two years old. They are the parents of fourteen children, twenty-seven grand- children and five great-grandchildren.
Wm. Butt, born in Virginia, September 25, 1804; is seventy-six years old. He has been married three times and is the father of seven children and has thirteen grandchildren.
Rodilla Beason, born in Ohio, in November, 1812; is sixty-eight years old, and is the mother of eleven children, thirty-five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Thos. McCoy, born in Virginia, in May, 1806; is seventy-four years old. his wife was born in Virginia, in 1802, and is seventy-eight years old. They are the parents of nine children and have sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Joseph Hall, born in Ohio, in 1816; is sixty-four years old. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, in 1810, and is seventy years old. They are the parents of ten children and have eight grandchildren.
Robert F. Steele, born in Kentucky, in 1817; is sixty-three years old. He is father of seven children. He was the third man to settle in Powe- shiek county, coming here in 1846, and has lived under two governments- Territory and State.
W. S. Saunders, born in Virginia, in 1808; is seventy-two years old. His wife was born in Ohio, in 1810, and is seventy years old. They had seven children, thirty-three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Joshua Jones, born in Maryland, in 1808; is seventy-two years old. His wife was born in Virginia, in 1817, and is sixty-three years old. They have traveled the journey of life together for forty years and have never known the blessing of little children.
John Farmer, born in Ohio, in 1815; is sixty-five years old. His wife was born in Ohio, in 1811, and is sixty-nine years old. She has been mar- ried twice and has nine children, twenty-six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Farmer is the father of three children but is not yet a grandfather.
HISTORY OF THE CEMETERIES IN UNION TOWNSHIP.
The first burying place was north of S. A. Allen's residence, in section 20. The next on the farm now owned by Dr. J. W. Smith, in section 28. The next near Browntown, Sherman Beverly Sheeley's farm, in section 34. Next on C. W. Terrell's land, west of Forest Home, on section 27. Next on Wm. Beason's land, on section 29. Next on R. F. Steele's land, section 8.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Next on W. F. Hayes' land, in section 5. Next on Thos. McCoy's land, in section 15.
The ones in sections 15, 20 and 28, contain but few graves. The parties were among the earliest settlers and were very old. For correct information concerning them see Thos. McCoy, S. A. Allen (A. J. Bine- gar, of Searsboro), and R. Hoit.
The cemetery at Forest Home: This cemetery is located in section 27, one-fourth mile west of the village; was located in 1859, on land then owned by Irvin Farmer and Elias Williams. Mr. Farmer's wife was the first person buried there, which was sometime during the winter of 1859-60. Two twin boys, children of John S. Allyn, were the next, and Elias Wil- liams the next, they being interred during the fall of '60 and winter of '61. In September, 1862, John S. Allyn was buried there. Oliver P. Maxon, M. D., C. C. Terrell, and another whose name we have forgotten, were trustees.
M. E. CHURCH OF FOREST HOME.
The church was organized in 1844, and among the original members were John Moore, Conrad Newson, Daniel Satchell, Joseph Satchell, Nich- olas Moore and Stephen R. Moore. The present church edifice was built in the summer of 1870. It is a frame and cost $3,000. The building was dedicated by Bishop E. G. Andrews. There have been the following pastors over this little flock: Rev. W. H. Barnes, Rev. Brooks and Rev. S. C. Smith, present pastor, living at Searsboro. The present membership is twenty-five.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF FOREST HOME.
This church was organized February 11, 1877, with the following mem- bers: Samuel A. Allen, Sarah J. Allen, D. M. Valentine, Jasper N. Marsh, Nancy N. Marsh, Jacob Hilderbrand, Frances Hilderbrand, Wm. T. Allen, Hannah E. Allen, Anna Hesley, G. L. Hilderbrand, W. T. Walcott, Mary Walcott. The membership is now forty-seven. The meetings are at present held in the M. E. Church at Forest Home and in the school-house. There is, however, some prospect of a new church edifice. Only two members have died since the organization. The church is sometimes known as the New Light Church. They are strictly orthodox. The essentials are faith and repentance. They do not insist on any particular mode of baptism, nor do they consider it a saving ordinance. The usual mode of baptism is by immersion. Rev. J. H. Darner, and the present pastor, A. S. Culbert- son, have been their spiritual advisers.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
UNION TOWNSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH.
The church was organized during the summer of 1855, with the follow- ing persons as original members: Claiborne Hays and wife, Solomon Wat- son and wife, Joseph Applegate and wife. The first church was built in 1856, and was burned in 1863 and rebuilt in 1872. The cost of present structure was about $1,200. Those who aided in its dedication were Rev. J. M. Wood, Rev. G. M. Vallandigham and Rev. Martin Greyson. The following pastors have served the church: Revs. A. N. Atwood, M. Grey- son since 1857, except a short time when Wm. Elliott supplied the pulpit, also one year by G. M. Vallandigham, and a short time by A. Reynolds. The present pastor, Rev. M. Greyson, has served in that capacity nearly all the time for twenty-four years. The present membership is seventy-five. Wm. F. Hays, Amos Greyson and Virgil Johnson and others have been very active in the interests of the church.
SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP.
This township corresponds to congressional township No. 81, range 15. It is bounded on the north by Tama county, on the east by Madison town- ship, on the south by Malcom, and on the west by Chester.
This portion of the county was but sparsely settled until recent times, and this township was among the last to be organized. It furnishes another example of the many townships organized since the War of the Rebellion named in honor of some illustrious military chieftain.
The township is subdivided into nine independent school districts and the same number of road districts. The valuation of the real estate of the township is $229,843; of personality, $40,379. The population of the town- ship, according to the census of 1880, was 726, and the number of voters was 167.
The first house built in the township was by Jonathan Boyl, on section 24, in Hickory Grove, in the year 1854. Mr. Boyl came from the State of Indiana.
Jacob Harman was probably the first settler. He settled on section 23, in April, 1855, where he has since resided. He came from the State of Missouri.
In the year 1856 B. Kearney settled on section 26.
Other early settlers were Conrad Reidash, Henry Schultz, Hiram Win- chelle, John Rabah and F. L. Orcutt.
The first marriage was John Rabah to Susan Harman, in the spring of 1859.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Sheridan township was organized September 5th, 1866, and the first rec- ord in the books found with the township clerk, bears the date of Jannary 1,1867.
H. J. Davis was the first township clerk, and E. E. Cleveland was the first assessor. The first meeting of the township board of trustees was held at Hickory Grove school-house, located on Walnut Creek. This school- house was the first one erected in the township; it was erected by Uriah Jones during the year 1856.
The following are the present officers of the township:
Trustees-E. C. Graham, N. Shafer and Albert Mehlin.
Justices of the Peace-J. S. Brown and B. Ruff.
Clerk-J. B. Baldwin.
Assessor-John Goodfellow.
The Sheridan M. E. Church was organized in the spring of 1868, with the following members:
Samuel Snyder and wife, Morris Snyder and wife, Harry Cobun and wife, John Poster and wife, Edward Snyder, Mrs. Margaret Coulson, and Wesley Cobun.
A church building was commenced in 1875, and was dedicated on the 6th day of May, 1877. The church is a neat structure, and cost $300.
The dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. A. V. Kendrick, and Presiding Elder D. C. Smith, of Brooklyn.
The following ministers have supplied the pulpit: I. N. Busby, James Coats, J. E. Corley, W. H. Honn, E. P. Michener, A. V. Kendrick, S. R. Furgeson, and J. G. Barton, the present pastor.
There are at present about twenty-five members.
The sabbath-school meets every week, with an average attendance of thirty.
CHURCH OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
This religious organization, known as the Mormon Church, believes in direct revelations from God to the spiritual head of that body, but denounce polygamy and many other practices of the Utah church.
It was organized in March, 1879, with about ten members, and now numbers forty-eight. Their meetings are held in the school-house, about two miles east of the M. E. Church of Chester township. R. Goreham is their president and priest.
On section 9, just across the road from the M. E. Church, was located a burying ground in the year 1875. It now contains about twenty-five graves. Rufus Congor is present sexton.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
OTTAWA CITY.
This is also sometimes called "Humbug Town." It was laid out into lots and sold by a swindler from the East. The man who laid out the lots is 'said to have been J. M. Pattee, and George T. Perry made the transfer. The land was the west half of section 1, and north half of the northwest quarter of section 12, township 81, range 15 west, and contained 400 acres. The lots were mostly 50 feet, north and south, by 100 feet east and west. This city plat was recorded June 9, 1859. The lots were advertised and sold in Eastern States and elsewhere.
There was a cut representing the city laid out with streets, adorned with business blocks and residences, and a navigable river flowed through the midst of it, bearing steamers and other boats for trade and commerce. It was an unmitigated fraud. There is no navigable river within ninety miles, and the land had no more the appearance of a young city than any other wild prairie. J. F. Head, of Montezuma, was their attorney-in-fact.
Many persons, after having purchased lots, have written to parties there inquiring into the business prospects of the town, or probable value of the real estate. Some have actually come more than a thousand miles to per- sonally inspect their investment. One man came from Missouri on foot, and carrying a gun, to see his property and erect a blacksmith shop thereon.
Most of the land has been sold for taxes, and farmers now till the land as their own; but in a few instances non-resident parties pay taxes and still hold a legal title to the property.
In the fall of 1854, the same year in which the first settlement was made at Grinnell, two men, Jonas Harman and Emlin Coulson, plowed a furrow from Hickory Grove to the present site of Grinnell. The furrow was to. guide travelers, and was fourteen miles long.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
This township corresponds with congressional township No. 79, range 16 west. It is bounded on the north by Grinnell, on the east by Pleasant, on the south by Sugar Creek, and on the west by Jasper county.
Formerly Washington township embraced a strip of territory extending the whole length of the west side of the county and six miles wide. Ches- ter, Grinnell and Sugar Creek have been set off from it.
There is a belt of timber extending from northwest to southeast through the township, and in this portion the land is considerably broken and hilly. Both the north and south portions of the township are more level and better adapted for farming, though there is very little waste land.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Oak Grove is the only post-office, situated near the center of the town- ship, on the Central Railroad.
The Central Railroad of Iowa runs north and south through the center of the township. The Montezuma Railroad runs through the northeast corner,
This township was settled among the first in the county. It now con- tains a population of 802, and the legal voters number 154.
It contains three churches, three burying grounds, nine school-houses and five road districts. Some of the farms are large and well tilled, and many of the farmers are in independent circumstances. The intelligence and thrift of the citizens is above the average.
Among the early settlers were Robert Carpenter, John McNabb, George Beeler, William Prosser, James Wood, Daniel Prosser, P. S. Pearce and Dr. Willis.
In an old township clerk's book, marked "Records of Washington Town- ship, Poweshiek County, Iowa," we find the following interesting records of the way they distinguished their stock in those early days:
"James F. Roberts' ear-mark is a swallow fork in each ear. September 12, A. D. 1852."
" Samuel Favours' ear-mark is a crop and under bit in the right ear. September 18, A. D. 1852.
"Daniel D. Prosser's ear-mark is crop off of each ear and a split in the left. March 7, A. D. 1853.
"Daniel Vantrees' ear-mark is a crop off the right ear and a split in the left. March 7, 1853."
At an election held on the 3d day of May, A. D. 1852, Peter S. Pearce was elected a justice of the peace to serve two years from the first Monday in April (1852) last past; Robert C. Carpenter, justice of the peace; Albert H. Carpenter and David M. Rutlege constables; Daniel D. Prosser, George M. Beeler and William McNabb trustees; James F. Roberts, township clerk.
The present township officers are:
Assessor-William Garrett.
Clerk-W. A. Taylor.
Trustees-James D. Evans, John S. Beeler, Thomas Keenan.
Justices of Peace-W. A. Taylor, B. Jenkins.
The Friends' meeting-house is at the Jasper county line, on section 19. The house was built a long time ago. There is a burying ground near it.
The M. E. Church is situated at what is called Blue Point, on section 23, and Rev. S. C. Smith is the present pastor.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
There is another church near this one, occupied by the Protestant Metho- dists. It was built by the Christian Union denomination.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated in the southwest corner of the county, and com- prises an area of thirty-six square miles. The north fork of Skunk River flows through the township, entering the west side at about the middle and pursuing a southeasterly course, passes out at its southeast corner. This 18 the largest stream in the county, and furnishes water power for several good mill sites. Some portions of the township are extremely broken, yet it is fertile and good farming land.
The first settlement was made in 1846. James McDowell, William English and Conrad Swaney were the first settlers, coming directly from Ohio, originally from Pennsylvania. Mr. McDowell took a claim on sec- tion 26, Mr. English on section 23, and Mr. Swaney on section 21. For several years few settlers resided here, and when trial came it was met heroically. On one occasion death entered a family, and the father, leaving the heart-stricken mother with the remains of her dear one, started out to inform their nearest neighbor, who lived over two miles away. Their cof. fins were made from basswood, and stained with elderberries. Supplies were obtained, many times, a hundred miles distant on the Mississippi River. Snow fell three feet deep during the winter of 1847-8, and all roads were completely blockaded, producing great distress among the set- tlers.
The first marriage was Charles Russell to Miss Mary Casteel, in 1853, by Joseph Robertson, justice of the peace.
In the year 1847 occurred the first death. The body was interred in the Sugar Grove burial ground, in the south part of the township. The place where these first burials took place is now in the center of a large corn- field.
The first school was taught by the neighbors, in turn, two weeks each, in a private house situated on section 22, near the center of the township. William English, however, was the first teacher, and his pupils numbered fourteen. Mr. English died in 1880.
The first school-house was built on section 22, by the neighbors, without expense.
The first regular physician was Dr. Thompson, who came from Scotland, but he has moved to Fremont county, Iowa.
The first minister was a Methodist, by the name of Chrill, who held meetings in his own cabin.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
The first weaving was by Mrs. Permelia Orcutt, with a kind of loom yet used in the neighborhood.
The township now has a population of 1,165, with 255 voters, according to the United States census of 1880.
It has one cheese factory, situated four miles southwest of Searsboro, and two flour mills, both situated on Skunk River, one owned by J. H. Fish, on section 19, the other owned by C. C. Robinson, on section 35.
Searsboro is the only independent school district. There are seven sub- districts.
The first election held within the bounds of what is now Sugar Creek township, was at the house of Alfred Reynolds, on the 2d day of April, 1849. There were twenty votes cast. James McDowell, Thomas Rigdon and Richard Cheeseman were elected trustees; Richard B. Ogden, treasurer; E. J. Williams, clerk; William H. Palmer and David M. Rutledge, consta- bles. It seems from the records of that election, that Chas. B. Rigden was acting township clerk. The poll-book was certified by Thomas Rigden, Nathaniel Lattimer and James McDowell as judges of election.
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