USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 64
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There are now in the township eight school-houses, four churches, two grist-mills, one saw-mill; two iron bridges span North Skunk, one for wag- ons and one for railroad. There are two creeks, English and Sugar Creek, which empty into North Skunk.
The present township officers are:
Trustees-Riley Case, Samuel Garner, A. J. Binegar.
Justices of Peace-Thos. Applegate, Jno. Mincer.
Constables-Issac Brees, A. O. Huston. Assessor-Samuel Tuckham.
Clerk-Thomas Morgan.
SEARSBORO.
This little town is situated on the Central Railway of Iowa, near the northern border of Sugar Creek township. It contains a hotel, depot, elevator, corn-cribs, stock-yards, large school-house, two churches, wagon shop, livery stable, blacksmith shop, three dry goods stores and seven other stores representing various kinds of trade and business. There are at present residing here, two practicing physicians, one lawyer, two teachers and one minister. The surface of the ground is very rolling and broken. The school-building is situated to the northeast on the hill; contains two ·departments at present, but there will soon be an increase.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
M. E. CHURCH.
The Searsboro M. E. Church was organized in 1869, under the leadership of Rev. J. D. DeTarr with the following original members: H. W. Winder, Mary Winder, John Golden, Elizabeth Golden, Robert Mitchell. The present church edifice was built in the fall of 1877, and dedicated January 24, 1878. The dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. D. C. Smith, Presiding Elder Oskaloosa district, assisted by Revs. E. L. Briggs, L. O. Housel, S. R. Ferguson and the pastor, S. C. Smith. The church is an ornament to the little village, and source of pride to Christian people. It cost $1,000. Pastors have occupied the pulpit as follows: Rev. J. D. DeTarr, 1869; E. P. Mitchner, 1870; George Nulton, 1871 and 1872; S. R. Ferguson, 1873, 1874 and 1875; W. R. Stryker, 1876; S. C. Smith, 1877, 1878 and 1879. The conference year ends in September, 1880. The pres- ent condition of the church is prosperous. The present membership is eighteen. Searsboro was a part of Lynnville circuit till the fall of 1876, when it was organized into Searsboro circuit, being the headquarters of five appointments, viz: Searsboro, Blue Point, Ewart, Forest Home and Brown- town. Rev. W. R. Stryker was the first minister in charge of the circuit as it now is, and he remained one year. The present pastor has now com- pleted his third year, having accomplished great good.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
It was constructed in the fall of 1873, is situated on the hill overlooking the village of Searsboro. The membership is about 150.
THE WEST LIBERTY CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The church is situated on the road leading from Searsboro to Montezuma, at the eastern border of Sugar Creek township. The church was organized November 4, 1857, by Benjamin Lockhart with the following members: Sherwood Allen and wife, Jacob Rivers and wife, R. F. Steele and wife, John Holiday and wife, Isaac Holiday and wife, Lewis Holiday and wife, James Hyatt, John McIntire, George Holiday, Philip Will and Susan Will. The present neat little church was built in the spring of 1867, at a cost of $1,200, and was dedicated by A. Reynolds. The pastors have served as follows: Fielding White, A. Reynolds, who is present pastor, and G. T. Johnson, who preached only part of a year. First elders: Jacob Rivers, Sherwood Allen. Present elders: R. F. Steele, John Snyder, Jacob Rivers. Clerk: Jno. Steele. There is a burying-ground by the side of the church.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
This township corresponds with congressional township No. 81, range 14 west. It is situated in the north tier of townships in Poweshiek county. It has a great variety of surface and soil. Walnut Creek, a small stream, flows from west to east through the center. Originally, there was, probably, nearly as much timber as in any other township in the county; much has been destroyed. The present population is 805, and at the last. general election 173 votes were cast. It contains one good Methodist Church and eight school-houses. About two-thirds of the fencing is with wire. It contains no post-office or railroad, but the farms, dwellings and other buildings, show the great thrift and enterprise of its citizens. Mal- com and Brooklyn are the principal trading points and railroad stations for the people living in Madison.
The present township officers are:
Clerk-William Graham, Assessor-L. H. Cresler.
Justices of the Peace-Isaac Thompson, George McCall.
Constable-W. Z. Scott.
Trustees-Daniel Mayer, T. C. Squires, M. Carpenter.
Joseph Enochs was the first settler in the township; he came from Louisa county, Iowa, in the year 1852, and settled on section 24.
George Estlick was the next. He came from Ohio, in 1852, and built the first house on section 24. This first house in Madison township was built of logs, and still stands near the present residence of Daniel Mayer. George Estlick went to Nebraska.
Uriah Jones was the third, and although he came in 1852, he did not. make a permanent settlement till 1853. He came from Clinton county, Indiana, and settled on section 20.
Moses Kent and C. N. Fuller came in the year 1853.
The first marriage was Joseph Kent to Eliza Enochs, in the year 1853 or '54, by Judge R. B. Ogden. The couple journeyed to Montezuma together, and when they arrived found Judge Ogden on the top of a hay-stack, in ragged clothes, but as soon as he learned their important mission he im- mediately descended, issued the license, and performed the marriage cere- mony.
The first child was born in the year 1854. His name was Bailey Kent.
The first death was that of Robert O. Jones, son of Uriah and Elizabeth
CelAdas
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Jones. He was two years of age and died in the spring of 1854, and was buried on section 16.
The first regular physician was Dr. Edward Barton, who resided in Brook- lyn. He commenced practice here in 1854, but now lives in Kansas.
The first regular minister was a Methodist, by the name of John Hest- wood. He preached at the house of Uriah Jones in the year 1854.
The first school was taught at Kent's school-house, either by Henry Heckman, of western Nebraska, or John Frazer, a respected citizen of the township. Wages paid, $8.00 per month. The neighbors built the school- house with logs, and its cost was just $25.00.
David Mayer was the first secretary of the school board in Madison town- ship; he also levied and collected the first school tax before the township was organized.
The township was organized in 1855, through the instrumentality of Uriah Jones, perhaps, more than any other person.
He was one of the men who believed it was a duty to exercise the right to vote, but got tired of taking a day's journey to reach the polls, and set himself about to remedy the matter, and the result of his labors was that township 81 north, range 14 west, was organized and named Madison.
The first election was held at Joseph Enoch's, in April, in the year A. D. 1855.
The following officers were elected :
Clerk-Joseph Enochs.
Assessor-Uriah Jones.
Trustees-C. N. Fuller, Silas Frank and Stephen Young.
Justices-Daniel Mayer and Archibald Johnson.
County Supervisor-Uriah Jones.
In the early settling of the township the pioneers had their share of hard- ships. The nearest trading place and mill was Iowa City, consequently they were often without bread to eat, and ate potatoes and stewed pumpkins instead.
The first grist-mill in Poweshiek county was built on section 13, on Wal- nut Creek, this township, in the year 1853. The mill was about sixteen feet square, and instead of the modern French bur, they used a " nigger head " rock, hauled from Anamosa, Jones county. This home-made bur was fastened to the upper end of the water-wheel shaft. It would grind about one bushel in an hour. Jacob Lockhart was the accommodating miller, and although long since dead, the people hold his name in grateful remembrance as a public benefactor.
37
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Such a thing as pork was unknown. One of the neighbors went to Iowa City, and Mr. Uriah Jones sent by him for some pork or bacon. He returned with word that he had been to every store and there was not a pound of meat in the place. Mr. Jones then sent to Rock Island and failed there, also, to get any meat to cook with his potatoes and green beans. Some days after- ward Mr. Jones, happening at Dr. Barton's, saw a large meat rind, about a foot square, which the Doctor had brought to the county with him. Mr. Jones asked him what he would take for it. The Doctor told him the price, which he cheerfully paid, and with the meat skin in his coat pocket, he went home. His wife washed it, and having some green beans, it was cut in strips and boiled with them. One who partook of the repast thus pro- vided says that it was relished far more than any beef-steak or mutton- chops. All the neighbors fared equally hard. They were all poor. Some had squatted on good land, though Mr. Jones had entered his, which is thought to be the first land entered in the township.
Money was fearfully close in the older neighborhoods (Snook's Grove, for instance), where only fifty or sixty cents a day was paid for harvesting. Deer were very plenty. Mr. J. W. Jones, while going from where 'Squire Mayer now lives to Jones' Grove, in 1853, counted forty-seven deer on the prairie.
As years crept by new settlers came in, until now the township is all set- tled, with the exception of two or three pieces of land.
BURYING GROUND.
There is a burying ground situated at Kent's Corners, on section 23, and contains about 100 graves. It was first used in 1859, and Mrs. Coulson was the first person buried there.
THE MADISON M. E. CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1856, with the following persons: Jacob Harman, Frances Harman, Jonas Harman, Elizabeth Jones, and J. W. Jones-all of whom still live. Meetings were held at Hickory Grove school-house, Fairview school-house, Bowen school-house, and some other places. The church was reorganized in 1875, after which time meetings were held at the church. The present church edifice was built in 1875, at a cost of $3,500, including the lot on which it stands.
The neat little frame church was dedicated on September 12, of the same year, by Rev. F. W. Evans, assisted by Rev. R. J. Kenyon. The amount subscribed on dedication day was over $1,200.
599
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
The following ministers have preached for the church: Revs. John Hest- wood, Geo. Bamford, A. C. Barnhart, P. F. Brasee, Casebeer, F. M. Slusser, J. R. Carey, J. T. Simmons, E. Happy, John Armistead, J. Rankin, I. N. Busby, J. M. Coats, J. E. Corley, D. C. Bevan, R. J. Kenyon. After re- organization, came W. G. Thorn, A. V. Kendrick, J. B. Hardy. There was a large revival under direction of Rev. J. B. Hardy, in the winter of 1878-9, when many were added to the church. The Sunday-school meets every sabbath morning, with an average attendance of sixty, there being one hundred members. G. D. Wilkinson, superintendent; G. T. Stone, secretary. The first public religious services in the township were by a minister from the United Brethren Church.
INCIDENTS.
A child of John Ward fell into a slough in 1874, and was drowned.
Till the year 1865 the two political parties were about equal, but since that time the Republicans have outnumbered the Democrats.
Archie Graham's house was struck by lightning on May 23, 1880. It was considerably damaged.
Leonard Spauldin had a corn-house and considerable farm machinery burned in the spring of 1876. The loss was estimated at $1,200.
O. H. Woodruff's house was burned in April, 1871, and everything de- stroyed.
In 1858 George McCall, living on section 5, township 81, range 14, went to the center of township 81, range 15, to work out his poll-tax, a distance of ten miles.
DEEP RIVER TOWNSHIP.
Deep River township is situated in the southeast corner of Poweshiek county, and is one of the most fertile and well cultivated in this region. Deep River, a small well timbered creek, flows through the northern part, and numerous streams rise near the center and flow south.
The farms are under excellent cultivation, raising abundant crops of corn and wheat. The population, according to the census of 1880, was 1,109, and there were 207 votes cast at the last general election in 1879. There are three churches, nine school-houses, two post-offices, one saw-mill, two ministers, three doctors, one lawyer, and three burying grounds.
Dresden was surveyed and laid out in June, 1856, by A. L. Morgan. This little village is situated near the northwest corner of section 10, and con- tains 140 inhabitants. The post-office is called " Deep River." This is one of the oldest trading points in the county, a store having been kept by
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Whitney Bros. as early as 1856. It now contains three stores, two black- smith shops, one hotel and livery stable, one church, one school-house, one wagon shop, one harness shop, one drug store, one tin shop, and twenty- eight dwelling-houses.
Near the southwest corner of the township, in section 29, there is another post-office, and it is named "Tilton," through respect for Mr. J. H. Tilton, postmaster at Montezuma.
The reason of its receiving the name "Deep River " was that the bed of the stream lay deep between the banks. The township was named after the stream. John Sargood entered land in Deep River in the year 1848, in sections 10, 15 and 16. This is said to be the first land entered. He came from Ohio. He still lives in section 10, an old, though mentally vigorous, man of eighty-one years.
Robert Taylor and A. L. Morgan each built a house in 1848, and these houses built of logs were the first in the township and among the first in the county.
In the year 1852, only ten voters resided in the present township limits. In early times supplies came from Keokuk and other distant points on the Mississippi River. For a long time they were obliged to go twenty-five or thirty miles to mill, spending two days and sometimes more on the trip.
The first blacksmith's anvil used in the township consisted of an iron crank to a large water-wheel, which was brought by Robert Taylor, and is now at the house of his son H. R. Taylor.
The first marriage in the township was W. H. Palmer to Nancy Taylor, by Rev. W. H. Barnes.
The first white child born was George Light, son of James and Elizabeth Light.
The first death was that of a young man by the name of Cohoe, in the year 1855. He was interred one mile south of Dresden.
Lewis Mayo was the first regular physician, but Dr. Timothy Parker had rendered some medical service before.
The first resident minister was Rev. W. W. Correll, a preacher in the Methodist Protestant Church, who came in the year 1853.
The first public religious services were held in the house of Mr. Robert Taylor, in the year 1850, by a Methodist Episcopal minister.
The first school was taught in the private house of Timothy Parker, two and a half miles east of Dresden, in about the year 1854, by Miss Mary Robinson. She had twelve pupils in her school, and received $8 per month and board.
601
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
The first school in the log school-house was taught by James M. West- brook.
The first weaving was done by Mrs. Nancy Palmer.
The main thoroughfare, called the State Road, from Iowa City to Des Moines, ran directly through Dresden.
Deep River township was organized in the year 1856, embracing the fol- lowing territory: The whole of township number 78, range 13, and the south half of township number 79, same range.
The first township election was held under the organization, April, 1857, when the following officers were elected: Trustees, Ephraim Cox, Asa Cohoe, John Morgan; clerk, Myron Whitney; justices of the peace, L. Mayo, C. M. Wolcott; constables, H. Armstrong, C. Barber; road super- visor, James Hillman.
The first meeting of the board of trustees was at Whitney's store in Dresden, in April, in the year 1857.
There are nine road districts, and in 1879 the levied rate of road tax was four mills. The real estate is valued at $203,000, of personalty $69,781. The whole amount of taxes for all purposes in 1879, was $4,120.30, and the aggregate levy in the township was fourteen and two- thirds mills.
The present township officers are:
Clerk-W. N. Sargent.
Assessor-F. M. Smith.
Justices-D. K. Sargent and John G. Correll.
Constables -- Wm. Law and E. S. Nagle.
Trustees-Allen Stackhouse, Wm. Butcher and J. M. Sowles.
DEEP RIVER POST-OFFICE.
The first post-office was kept by Robert Taylor, about 1852, and the mail was carried to and from Montezuma in " saddle bags." It is now a money order office, and there is a mail three times a week each way, on two routes. The second postmaster was Timothy Parker, who received his appointment in 1856; third, Myron Whitney, appointed in 1857; fourth, D. K. Sargent, appointed in 1858; fifth, J. S. Sargent, appointed in 1865; sixth, Jesse Axtell, appointed in 1869; seventh, H. G. Armstrong, appointed in 1879.
MASONIC.
Perfect Union Lodge of Deep River, No. 277, was organized in February, 1869, with thirteen charter members. The first W. M., Mr. D. K. Sargent. Present W. M., Mr. John Molyneaux.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1872, and among the original members were: Wm. Cochran, S. Tibbals and wife, E. Cox and wife, Mar- garet Cox.
The present frame structure was built in the year 1866, at a cost of $2,250. It will seat about 300, and has a good bell.
It was dedicated in June, 1866. Rev. Silas Johnson, now pastor at Leon, preaching the sermon, and assisted by Rev. R. B. Farrar. Pastors have supplied the pulpit in the following order: Rev. B. Benn, R. B. Farrar, Wm. Young, C. E. Spinning, E. A. Walker, and James Butter, who is their present supply.
The present membership is sixty. From its completion to the year 1872, the church building was occupied one-half the time by other denominations. The Sunday-school has average of about 100, and Geo. Ely is superintend- ent, and Miss Hannawalt, secretary.
There were union meetings during the winter of 1871-72, conducted by Rev. Silas Johnson, in which many professed conversion.
A Presbyterian Church was organized in 1871 at New Center, Tilton P. O., in the southwest portion of the township, with twelve members. The pastor in charge of the Dresden Presbyterian Church supplies the pulpit.
There was a Baptist Church organized in the year 1861, with the follow- ing persons among its first members: John Morgan and wife, O. B. Run- dle and wife, John Hillman and wife, Mrs. E. M. Couch, Mrs. J. L. Cook. Rev. J. M. Miles was their first and only pastor. Nearly or quite all the members have either moved away or united with the Presbyterians. .
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1860, with the follow- ing-named persons among its first members: W. C. Light, Matthias Light, John Burnes, Eliza Burnes, Joseph Crone, Jane Crone, Maria Harris, A. C. Armstrong, D. K. Sargent.
In 1872 they erected a good house of worship, at a cost of about $2,000, and used it until May 29, 1879, when it was struck by lightning and con- sumed by fire. Insurance expired a short time before its loss. Since that time they have held meetings in the Presbyterian Church. The present membership is about forty.
Among the ministers serving this church are the names of Revs. Mr. Holland, F. M. Slusser, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hawn, Mr. McFarland, Mr. Sam- son, Mr. Kenyon, Mr. Shelton.
The German Baptist Brethren, or Dunkards, organized a church in the year 1849, which is one of the oldest church organizations in Poweshiek county. The first members were: Robert and Mary Taylor, Joseph and
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Nancy Hall, Martin and Mrs. Snyder. Before the church was built meet- ings were held in a shed in summer and in school-houses in winter. Their present neat frame house of worship was built in the year 1875, at a cost of $1,333, and was dedicated in the fall of 1875, by William Palmer and Isaac Funk. The names of pastors in order are: John Cassidy, Alfred Ogle, William Palmer, J. S. Snyder, Isaac Funk and the present pastor, Rev. S. P. Miller. The church membership is forty. The Presiding Elders have been: Revs. David Brower, Taswell Gray, David Brower, Jacob Brower, Samuel Garber and J. S. Snyder.
In September, 1877, Rev. Isaac Funk, then pastor, was instantly killed by falling from a stack of hay on a sharp stake.
There are three burying grounds in the township. The Rundle family burying ground, in section 3, contains about eight graves. The Light family burying ground contains about twenty-five graves. The Dresden Cemetery, situated in the exact center of section 15, about a mile and a half south of the village. It was surveyed and laid out into lots in the summer of 1862, by Charles Cox. It contains an acre and a half of ground, and about 270 graves. The first remains deposited there was a child of Michael Funk, in the year 1856. Many persons have brought the remains of their deceased friends from other townships to have them buried in the Dresden Cemetery.
A lodge of Good Templars was organized in Dresden with fifteen charter members, and afterward at one time numbered 137. Mr. D. K. Sargent was the first Worthy Chief Templar.
The first school, as stated elsewhere, was at a private house, the next in a log school-house. This first school-house was erected just a mile and a quarter east of Dresden, on section 11, and was built by eight persons, seven of whom sent children to school and the eighth a bachelor. It was composed of logs, with wooden hinges for the doors, and plank seats.
There are now nine good frame school-houses, with modern furniture and other conveniences. The names of the teachers in the different schools in 1880 were as follows:
No. 1, W. G. Inman; No. 2, Miss Sarah Johnson; No. 3, Frank Light; No. 4, Clara Pugh; No. 5, T. Hatch; No. 6, Miss E. J. Myerly; No. 7, David Gordon; No. 8, Clara Hannawalt; No. 9, L. K. Cunningham.
INCIDENTS AND EXPERIENCES.
In the fall of 1856 the steam boiler in the saw-mill of Mr. Ephraim Cox burst, instantly killing Samuel Cox, aged twenty-six. He was blown
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
through the roof of the mill, and his clothing entirely stripped off. This occurred one-half mile east of Dresden.
During the winter of 1848 deep snow fell, and for a time prevented all travel. Provisions became scarce, and the family of Mr. Robert Taylor subsisted for a considerable time on corn grated on a stove pipe which had been pierced with holes.
The first political speech delivered in the township was by C. J. L. Fos- ter, of Montezuma, in the fall of 1857, he being a candidate for member of the State Legislature.
The first preliminary examination was before Justice C. M. Wolcott, in 1858. Wells Craig was charged with assault on John Parker. Attorney for the State was A. T. Crose, and for defendant, Reuben Mickel. The de- fendant was acquitted. The trial was held in Tim. Parker's house.
The first civil prosecution was in 1857, at the residence of L. Mago, J. P., Joseph Farmer, plaintiff, and O. B. Rundle, defendant.
In June, 1857, Mr. George S. Barber was kicked by a horse so severely in the abdomen that death occurred in thirty-six hours. A short time before his death he made a will, and by its conditions a sum of money was given to the Presbyterian Church, and the present bell was purchased with it.
July 8, 1861, a fearful tornado, or hurricane, passed over the township from northwest to southeast, causing considerable damage to buildings, fences and crops. Several houses were moved from their foundations, some buildings totally demolished. A log house, occupied by R. L. May and family, in which eighteen persons took refuge from the storm, was unroofed and top course of logs removed, but, strange to say, no one was hurt.
George Taylor, in December of the year 1875, shot three women, among them his wife, Sarah, with a revolver, all mortally, and shot himself with the same weapon and then cut his own throat with a razor. He was sentenced to the penitentiary for eight years and now is serving his sen- tence.
Three farm houses have been burned since the first settlements. One owned by Robt. Hastings, on section eleven, and loss about $200; no insurance.
Another, in the fall of 1870, John Nagle, on section 24, loss about $350; insured for $600; all of which was recovered.
The last dwelling-house burned in the township was owned by Aaron Stonehocket; loss $500. Compromised insurance for $150.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
HORSE-STEALING, LOVE AND ELOPEMENT.
The oft-repeated assertion that " truth is stranger than fiction," was fully verified in the following " romance in real life," which occurred during the summer of 1864, in the beautiful but unpretentious village of Dresden:
Thomas Neal had been a soldier, and received an early discharge from the federal army, on account of the loss of a leg, and at the time was draw- ing a small pension, and was living with his mother, just south of Dresden.
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