USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns &c., biographical sketches of citizens > Part 79
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South of the above is also the church of the Seventh-Day Baptists, on the northwest quarter of Section 15.
As their doctrines are somewhat peculiar, and it being the only church of this faith in this vicinity, the following history of their settlement as a col- ony and as a Church, furnished by their Pastor, is appended.
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH OF WELTON.
" Stephen Mumford was the first Seventh-Day Baptist that set foot on American soil. He came from London to Newport, R. I., in 1664. Six years after his arrival, several members of the First Baptist Church of Newport, embraced his views of the Bible Sabbath, and, on the 23d of December, 1671, they covenanted together and became a Seventh-Day Baptist Church.
"The Welton Church was organized on the 7th of January, 1855, under the officiating hands of Elders L. A. and John Davis.
" The following are the names of the constituent members : L A. Davis, Pastor ; John Babcock, Deacon; Leven Hurley, Clerk ; John Davis, Elder ; Elizabeth Babcock, Rebecca Davis, Marvel Davis, Mariah Davis, Permilla Davis, Anna Davis, Mary Ellen Davis, Sarah Davis, Martha Babcock, J. O. Babcock, Sarah Hurley, Uriah Davis, Vianna Davis, Luther Davis, Abel Davis, Permilla Davis, 2d, Gilbert Hurley.
"Some of the doctrinal points : They believe that the observance of the first day of the week as the Sabbath or a day of rest, is of Romish origin, and a direct violation of the fourth commandment; therefore they observe the sev- enth or last day of the week, believing it to be the only Sabbath or day of rest established by Jehovah or mentioned in any way in the Bible. They have no fellowship with persons who use intoxicating liquors as a beverage, nor with slaveholders and their abettors. Card-playing or gambling in any form is not countenanced by the Church.
" The names of the Pastors and their terms of pastorate are as follows :
"First-Elder Lewis A. Davis came to this county from Peoria County, Ill. Being a very conscientious man, he won the love of the Church under his care, and the respect of all with whom he came in contact. The epitaph on his monument emphatically expresses the truth, as follows :
' OUR PASTOR. ' Honest, Faithful, Kind and True.
' His first term commenced in 1855, and closed in 1861.'
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
" Second-Elder Charles A. Burdick was a young man from New York. He became at once interested in the young folks, and did much for their advancement. He served the Church from 1861 to 1864.
" Third-Elder Thomas A. Maxson was received by the Church as Pastor, in 1864, and remained till 1866. Many were added to the Church under his labors, but he became disaffected toward the Church, and joined the Free-Will Baptist, in the same neighborhood. Following him, the Church again employed Elder Davis from 1866 till his death, in 1867.
" Fourth-Elder Varnum Hull was secured as Pastor of the Church in 1868, and was released in 1875. He came from Milton, Wis. ; was a deep thinker, a thorough and clear reasoner. A part of the time he spent as a mis- sionary in this State and Nebraska, and was quite successful in his labors.
"Fifth-Elder Henry B. Lewis, of Albion, Wis. His labors began in December, 1875, and continued till May, 1879. After the first year. the Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society employed him half the time in differ- ent parts of the State. He was an earnest worker, strong in the faith, and devoted to the cause. He preached the practical duties of religion, and his untiring efforts were not in vain. Elder Lewis was the last Pastor of the Church up to this date, August 1.
" In the years 1853 and 1854, several families of the Seventh-Day Baptist faith emigrated to this county from Ohio and Illinois, with the intention. of securing homes ; and, being a religious people, they were wont to meet on the Sabbath Day and listen to the preaching of the word. As this was the first organization of the kind in the vicinity, and they not yet having built a church house, a schoolhouse near by was obtained for their use. But, through the workings of prejudice and jealousy, they were deprived of this accommodation, and were obliged to meet from week to week in the dwellings of the different families. In the spring of 1858, a Sabbath school was organized, and in the winter following, a church house was built.
" Two sessions of the Seventh-Day Baptist Northwestern Association were held with this Church-one in June, 1861, and one in June, 1869. Another and more commodious church building was erected in the spring before the last association.
" Twenty-two men from this society were soldiers in the civil war of 1861. Four died in the army, and three were maimed for life. The Mission Society and other benevolent institutions received liberal donations from the Church.
"In the last ten years, at least half the membership have sold their posses- sions here and emigrated to Nebraska and Tama County, in this State, and joined churches there. In October, 1874, the Tama County and Welton Churches established a yearly meeting, to be held with the churches alter- nately. At present, there are only fifty-eight members in the organization. There are two hundred and twenty-three names on the list, and there are but three of the first members now belonging to the Church.
" The Church is stronger, spiritually, than ever before."
ORANGE TOWNSHIP.
At the January session of the Board of Commissioners, in 1846, the town- ship of Olive was divided, the line running north and south 160 rods west of the range line, between Ranges 2 and 3; the eastern part to be called Union Township, and, in July, 1854, the name was changed to Orange. This town-
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
ship contains the four west tiers of sections in fractional Townships 80 and 81 north, Range 3 east, and the east half of the first tier of sections west of range line, between Ranges 2 and 3. It is bounded on the north by De Witt, Welton and Berlin Townships, west by Olive Township, on the south by the Wapsipin- icon River and on the east by De Witt Township.
The North-Western Railway passes through the township from east to west, north of its center, and Barber Creek waters a portion of its southern territory, and on this stream is located the grist mill of George W: King, which was built some ten years since. The township is mostly level prairie, except along the Wapsie, where it is liable to overflow, and is used for grazing purposes. It was well timbered all along the Wapsie, but the balance of the township was open prairie. Among the old settlers may be named Hiram Brown, Richard H. Dawson, Sr., the Lowreys, A. Barber. George W. Pascal, A. S. Allison, D. Dwire, the Suitors, William Lawton, the Pearsalls, A. J. Smith, D. Names and others.
This is a fine farming township, and the land is mostly divided into small farms. Orange Post Office is situated in the southeastern portion of the town- ship. Grand Mound, a village and station on the North-Western Railway, is located on Section 18, near the west line of the township, and north of the center. It was an outgrowth of the railroad, is surrounded by a prosperous farming community. and is quite a point for trade and shipments of grain and stock.
The "oldest inhabitant" is Mr. John R. Merrill, who is comparatively a young man. He settled here in 1862, at which time there were but two houses near. He was the station agent, the first Postmaster, represented the town in the Board of Supervisors and has held other offices. In 1867, he, with Claus Weise, built the store now occupied by G. R. Nowels, and put in a stock of general merchandise, and dealt also in grain, continuing in this business until 1873. In 1873, Roger Kelsey removed from De Witt, and engaged in busi- ness here, dealing in groceries, boots and shoes, grain and cattle, building up a large and lucrative business.
The present business houses are: J. R. Merrill, general merchandise ; Roger Kelley, groceries, boots and shoes ; Kahler Bros., extensive dealers in general merchandise, grain and live stock; M. Bricken, hotel and livery ; Muhs & Co., saddlery ; Claus Weise, agricultural implements ; M. H. Merrill, grain-dealer ; H. D. Miller, Postmaster and drugs and books ; Jones & Jensen, general merchandise ; Tuttle & Sunderlin, hardware; Sunderlin & Hansen, bakery and confectionery; G. R. Nowels, general merchandise ; Miss B. E. Kelley, millinery ; Utof & Hahn, carpenters and wagon-makers ; G. W. Ingram, blacksmith ; E. L. Barnes, Justice and harness shop ; Harmon & Twiss, wagon and carriage builders ; W. J. Bonesteel, physician ; J. A. Carson, homoeopathic physician ; Lewis Artis, Phenix House.
The Methodists are the oldest organized Church at Grand Mound. In 1869, a neat frame church was erected 20x34 feet in size. For some years previous, their services had been held in the schoolhouse. Rev. G. M. Hedges was the first Pastor. The membership is about thirty. A Sabbath school, numbering about eighty, meets each Sunday at 12 o'clock.
The Baptists had also an organization. The inauguration of this Church enterprise was by Rev. Mr. Fish, an Evangelist, and services were continued for a period, but were some time since discontinued.
The United Presbyterians have also a Church here, resulting from the labors of Rev. D. Nichol, of De Witt, who preaches here every alternate Sabbath,
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
and who has a large and increasing congregation. This society have recently purchased the schoolhouse, which they will remove to another lot and convert into a chapel.
The Catholic Church, of SS. James and Philip, is a fine edifice 36x60 feet in size, with a spire 82 feet in height. This was erected in 1876. The first mass was celebrated here on the 17th of April, 1876, by Father Brady, of De Witt, and, the same day, subscription books were opened for the erection of this Church, and, on the 16th of July following, the first services were held in it, although it was not consecrated until in the fall. The building cost $3,000. The Catholics have a large and wealthy society here, a considerable number of the membership being Germans. Father McCormick officiates here each Sun- day.
A new school building is being erected to accommodate the increasing popu- lation, at a cost of $1,500.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Liberty Township comprises Congressional Township 82 north, Range 1 east, and is bounded, north by Sharon ; west by Cedar County ; south by Spring Rock, and east by Berlin.
The township was organized at the October session of the Board of Com- missioners in 1844, and the first election held at the house of R. Bagley.
Among the early settlers of this township were the Cortrights, Robert Smith, the first Justice of the Peace, R. Bagley, Whipple and Barnes, who broke prairie together, Alanson Dickerson, Burgoyne, the Shoemakers, G. W. Thorne, Jesse Stine, James Devitt, Mr. Rea, Mr. Priest, John R. Wolfe, James McAndrew, the Kanes, P. More, and others.
The main line of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad passes through this township northwesterly, entering the southern boundary about midway, and, curving to the west, passes out of the township about midway on its western boundary.
The Wapsie runs diagonally through the township, running southeasterly. The surface along the Wapsie is somewhat broken, but after leaving the stream the land is fine rolling prairie.
The population of this township is largely Irish farmers, like Washington Township. The last of the Government lands in the county were in this town- ship, and were largely entered in and near 1850. The land is now mostly held in small farms of eighty to one hundred and sixty acres, there being but few large land-holders in this township, and almost every farmer is in comfortable circumstances. The largest land-owners are John R. Wolfe, who formerly owned 1,100 acres and who now holds 840 acres ; Morris Wolfe, who owns 640 acres, and James Devitt, who has 550 acres.
This township escaped the draft, having furnished its full quota by volun- teers.
There are good schoolhouses throughout the entire township, and all of them comparatively new ones.
The post office is Toronto, on the Wapsie, and also a station on the railroad. Toronto is an old settlement, and has been a smart business point. In 1848, George W. Thorne built a saw-mill at this point, and, in 1850, a grist-mill. In 1853, a carding-machine was put up, being run by the mill-power, by Jacob and Francis Ellis Mr. Thorne also kept a general stock of merchandise. In
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
1852, Jesse Stine, Esq., now of Wheatland, entered the employ of Mr. Thorne, and, in 1854, became his partner, and continued in business with him until 1865. During this period, they used to sell $40,000 to $50,000 worth of goods per annum. Mr. Thorne still continues in business there, and is the Post- master, having succeeded Mr. Stine in 1862.
In 1854, the Cortright Brothers opened a store here, which they continued until 1869, when they sold out to Hoskin & Dickinson, who failed after about two years.
In 1856. B. A. E. Davidson opened a store here, but was unsuccessful, and, after about three years, failed.
In 1867, Hugh Forbes established himself here as a merchant, and is still in business herc.
E. P. Simmons is a prominent man in this locality, and is the Justice of the Peace.
In 1853, John P. Ackerman opened a blacksmith-shop and has continued it until the present time. He also keeps a hotel and a livery stable, and does quite an extensive business.
A Mr. Jenks opened the first hotel in 1853, and continued it for a number of years, but sold out and the building is now occupied by Mr. Thorne for his store.
In 1860, the Catholics of this vicinity erected a neat frame church at Toronto, under the pastoral charge of Father Scallan. He was succeeded by Father Ezecle, Father Rice and Father Murphy, the present incumbent.
SHARON TOWNSHIP.
Sharon Township is the northeast township in the county, and comprises Congressional Township 83 north, Range 1 east, and is bounded on the north by Jackson County, west by Jones County, south by Liberty Township, and east by Brookfield Township. This township was organized in April, 1851, at which time it is ordered that this territory "be cut off from all or any townships to which it may have been attached," an unnecessary order, as it had, as yet, been nowhere attached. This would, however, save the officer the trouble of investigating that fact, and give a clear record. The first election was held at the house of Luther Teeple. The settlers did not locate in Sharon at so early a date as in many of the other townships, probably from the fact that in consequence of the absence of streams through this section, there was little or no timber except occasional oak openings. The land in the south and east is fine farming land, but the northwest part of the township is somewhat broken and rough.
Among the early settlers of this township are named David Smith, George Lillie, Arthur Lillie, Henry Armstrong, Luther Teeple, J. B. Current, John Wilcox, James H. Porter, the Gruvers, Jacob Burwell, George C. Read, D. D. Comstock, the Batchelders, Platt Armstrong, the Sandersons and others.
In the northwestern portion of the township at an early day, a large num- ber of Swedenborgians located, known as the Church of the New Jerusalem. They are ministered to spiritually by Rev. Prof. Stephen Wood. Their former place of worship was at Burgess.
In the northeastern portion of the township, many German Dunkards, a Baptist sect, settled. They are a most worthy, industrious and peaceful people,
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
having some marked peculiarities in custom, dress and religious rites, but are thriving and successful farmers.
There are two post offices in the township. Burgess, situated in Section 17, where also is a store, blacksmith-shop, etc., and where, for a time, there prom- ised to be a business point, but the opening of the Sabula, Ackley & Dakota Railroad which passes through the town from east to west along the southern part, has transferred the business point to Lost Nation, a station in the south- east, and where quite a thriving little village has sprung up. The legend is that its name is acquired in this wise : A German named Balm was searching for some relatives near this point, while the country all about him was an unbroken prairie, and the prairie grass was man and horse high. He was asked whe e he was going, and in reply, said he was looking for the "Lost Nation."
Lost Nation is fast growing to be an important station on the S., A. & D. Railroad. It has a population of about three hundred, and, being surrounded by a class of able farmers, does a large business in handling grain, cattle, hogs, butter, etc.
There are two church organizations, both occupying the Union Sabbath School Church, in which a union Sabbath school is held each Sabbath. The Methodists occupy the church two Sabbaths in each month, and the Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) has services once a month.
Comstock & Wood are a leading firm, carrying a general stock. The senior member is D. D. Comstock, who formerly was established at Burgess, and who removed here after the opening of the railroad. He is well known throughout the county, having represented Sharon for years in the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Wood is the Postmaster.
Beckon & Page also carry a general stock of merchandise. The following are the principal business establishments at Lost Nation :
Clark & Skiff, general merchandise ; E. P. Gillette, hardware ; E. R. Dutt, cattle and grain dealer ; J. E. Gable, lumber and coal dealer; Dr. J. R. Boyd, druggist and physician ; Mrs. M. H. Boyd, millinery ; Ludwig Balster, furni- ture ; H. Steiniger, Garden City House ; P. J. & J. D. Jenkins, house and sign painters ; Robert Appleton, butcher ; J. G. Stettler, dentist ; C. C. Rug- gles, agricultural implements ; C. F. Hedager, Simon Johnson and J. W. Cramer, harness work; H. Hagadorn, shoemaker; J. Jorgensen, builder ; Buck & Weldon, W. J. Martin, blacksmiths and carriage shops ; L. H. Peck, restaurant; Scott & Tufts, Lost Nation Hotel ; Myers & Mewes, grain-dealers.
BERLIN TOWNSHIP.
Berlin was formerly included in the township of Olive, and was erected into a new township in February, 1856. The first election was held on the first Monday in April, 1856, in Spark's Schoolhouse.
Berlin comprises Congressional Township 82 north, Range 2 east, and is bounded on the north by Brookfield Township, west by Liberty Township, south by Olive and Orange Townships and east by Welton Township. In the northeastern portion of the township arc edges of groves, extending in from Brookfield Township on the north and Welton Township on the east. The northern portion of the township is prairie land, some of which, however, has more or less of sand hills. The eastern portion of the township is high prairie land and is very fine, but as the township slopes to the southwest, the land becomes lower and has some wet lands. In this portion of the township are
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
some of the heaviest ditches made by the county, which greatly improved the character of the land and reclaimed a large area of swamp lands.
Among the oldest settlers of this township may be named Thomas Flathers, the oldest settler, who resides in the northeastern part of the township. Mr. Flathers has been County Surveyor and has represented the township in the Board of Supervisors. Michael Hughes and his sons Richard and Michael L., Joseph Russell, Matthias Hoffman, who was recently killed by the overturning of his wagon while returning to his home from Magnoketa, Charles L. Sherwood, who filled the important office of Drainage Commissioner for one or more terms and did much for the township in the way of county ditches. He has removed to Sac County, Iowa. W. Hiersche and his son Rudolph, G M. Gohlmann, the largest resident land owner in the township, having entered and now owning Section 13. An amusing story is told of the trip to Iowa City, where this entry was made. Mr. Gohlmann and Mr. Henningsen, the present County Treasurer. left Sabula for Iowa City to enter land, and the strife was who should first reach the land office. The Gohlmanns had a crack team, while our county official had a poor plug of a horse. Before reaching Tipton, the Gohl- manns were far in advance and stopped for the night, thinking the race was won. Mr. Henningsen, however, nothing daunted, pushed on through the night, and when the Gohlmanns reached the land office they met their com- petitor coming away from the office, having secured his entry. It is pleasantly told further that Mr. Henningsen, knowing the section they desired to enter, made choice for his friend of another section, having the pleasure of beating them in the race without prejudice to them.
There were Mr. Correll and his sons Abraham and Daniel, the latter of whom lost his arm at Arkansas Post, and who has been County Recorder for the last two terms; James R. Risley, who has represented the county in the Board of Supervisors ; John Hyde, Governor Nowels, and others.
The lands are now mostly owned in small farms, and are occupied by an intelligent and thriving community of farmers. The market place of this town- ship has been divided between Maquoketa and De Witt, although now Grand Mound comes in for a portion.
The schoolhouses in this township are excellent, and much attention, given to the education of their children. Indeed, this has become a stereotyped state- ment in writing of the townships and cities of Clinton County, where, as one man expressed it, after having made a tour of the South, he would "bet that there were more square feet of floor-room to educate children on in Clinton County than in the whole State of Georgia."
HAMPSHIRE TOWNSHIP.
When the early settlers began to locate in this county they passed over Hampshire and sought, as they then supposed, more desirable localities. This, probably, arose from a comparative scarcity of timber and water. But future developments show the error into which they were led, for to-day there is not a township of finer farming land within the limits of the county than Hampshire. The land is all, or nearly so, fine rolling prairie, without waste, and is all under cultivation, there being only 2,692 acres of unimproved land reported by the census returns of 1875, and which number has been largely reduced since that time.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Hampshire Township was organized on the 20th of February, 1857, and the first election thereafter was held at the Hess Schoolhouse on the first Mon- day in April, 1857.
Hampshire comprises Congressional Township 82 north, Range 6 east, except the south half of the southern tier of sections which are included in Clinton and Lincoln Townships. It is bounded north by Elk River Township, west by Center Township, south by Lincoln and Clinton Townships, and east by Lyons Township.
Among the first settlers of Hampshire may be named Robert Horner, Charles Finch, J. J. Determan, Henry Determan, John Hamilton, B. McLaughlin, Mr. Lillie, G. W. Creveling, George Pearce, E. Albright, A. J. Albright, Samuel Albright, Albert Hammond, Asa Hammond, Mr. Blessington and his four sons, the Mannings, Mr. Bouck, the Keelers, Mr. Ryder, the Diercks. Nicholas Schwartz, the Stuedemans, George and Chester Baker, James Dolan, Martin Dolan, James Rogan, Mr. Kessler and others.
This township would have been bisected by a railway had not the old "Calico " road failed ; but-having no railway through its territory, nor mill sites, and being contiguous to Lyons and Clinton, which are its market towns- no villages have sprung up within its limits. On Section 17, at the residence of Mr. J. C. Teitjens, is a hamlet, and some manufacturing of wagons, etc., is carried on. Ennis & Patton's extensive nurseries are also in this township in the southeastern part.
The township is largely settled by German and Irish farmers, and, with few exceptions, the farms are moderate in area, and are under an excellent state of cultivation.
The schools are numerous, and school buildings good.
In the northeastern part of the township on Section 7, the Catholics have a neat church called the " Prairie Church," which is under the pastoral care of Father Gaffney, who also is in charge of Center Grove Church.
Old Mr. Blessington, whose name is mentioned among the early settlers in Hampshire, used to relate of himself that he commenced the world for himself in Wisconsin, where he purchased 40 acres of land, and borrowed the money to pay for it at 40 per cent interest. In three years, he had extinguished the debt. He then sold out for $800, and came to this township and entered a half- section.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The financial annals of the county and the cities within its borders are essentially the same as of the Northwest. Three periods are tolerably well defined. The first was one of slow, steady and rather crude development, by the arrival and settlement of pioneers, poor in nothing but financial resources. H'or some years, they were too few to inaugurate any scheme for public improve- ments. Though, as previously noted, the necessities of life were abundant, money, for almost indispensable luxuries, were lacking. Then in the later forties and earlier fifties, began the period of activity, based partly on capital and more largely on credit and discounting a rather indefinite but rosy future.
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