USA > Iowa > Delaware County > The history of Delaware county, Iowa, containing a history of its county, its cities, towns &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers > Part 60
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The elective officers for 1878, are J. Cruise, Jr., W. M .; H. Nietert, S. W. ; J. Deiley, J. W .; W. W. Shaw, Sec .; Jacob Kleespies, Treas.
The present membership is about 40. Meet in Odd Fellows' Hall first Monday on or before full moon.
A. O. OF U. W.
Franklin Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 128 .- Instituted by W. H. Burford, D. D., in old Odd Fellows' HIall, August 8, 1877, with sixteen charter mem- bers, and the following officers: L. G. Hersey, P. M. W .; George Staehle, M. W. ; E. Healy, F .; G. W. Harper, O .; R. H. Van Wagener, Recorder ; I. E. Eldridge, Financier ; John Young, Receiver; II. J. Nietert, G. ; E. P. Gaines, 1. W. ; II. B. White, O. W. Membership for 1878, twenty-two. Officers : George Staehle, P. M. W. ; E. Hcaly, M. W. ; George W. Harper, F. ; S. Haskin, O. ; R. H. Van Wagener, Recorder; II. B. White, G .; I. E.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Eldridge, Financier ; John Young, Receiver; John Maack, I. W. ; A. Otto, O. W. ; L. G. Hersey, Representative to G. L. Meets first and third Tues- days of each month.
I. O. OF G. T.
Earlville Lodge, I. O. G. T., No. -.- Organized by W. G. Mclaughlin, Dept. W. G. C., with thirty-eight charter members, and the following officers : Robert M. Healy, W. C. T. ; Mrs. M. A. Wheeler, W. V. T .; Levi Douglass, Secretary ; Ida Coc, Assistant Secretary ; Mrs. L. G. Hersey, Treasurer ; Geo. W. Harper, Financial Secretary ; S. Knickerbocker, Chaplain ; E. L. Morton, Marshal ; Laura Box, Assistant Marshal ; Mrs. A. J. Harper, R. H. S .; Mrs. A. O. Healy, L. H. S .; J. R. Williams, L. D. The present (1878) officers are: W. H. Martin, W. C. T .; Ida Coe, W. V. T .; Charles Currier, Secre- tary ; William Crosby, Financial Secretary ; Jennie Keys, Treasurer ; Amand M. Hall, Chaplain ; Adam Schaller, M .; Eva Cummings, A. M .; Alice Bailev, I. G. : Augustus Jamison, O. G. ; Jessie Wheeler, R. H. S. ; Nellie J. Ketchum, L. H. S .; George Harper, L. D.
EARLVILLE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
Organized May 23, 1863. The affairs of this Association are managed by five Trustees, two of whom are elected annually. Originally, there were but three, as follows : F. W. Dunham, J. S. Harris, Josiah Deiley. The five now holding office are: L. G. Hersey, George H. Morisey, J. S. Harris, Josiah Deiley, Enoch Cummings.
The grounds of this Association consists of four acres, adjoining town plat on the east. For the purposes intended, a more desirable site would be hard to find. The inclosed land is situated on a slight eminence, and has been taste- fully laid out in lots, and adorned with evergreens and shrubbery, which makes what would be the otherwise unattractive final resting place an ornament to the town. Any one may become a member of this Association by subscribing to the articles of incorporation and purchasing a lot.
HOTEL.
The Earlville House was one of the first buildings erected in Earlville. It was built in 1857. Since then, there has been additions to the original struc- ture, so that now it is a commodious and well arranged hotel. The property is owned by Asa Wheeler and Mrs. M. A. Wheeler. The office is in charge of this amiable lady's nephew, Spencer M. Wheeler.
DELAWARE. (Oneida Township.)
The only town on the line of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, in Dela- ware County, in which the Iowa Land Company was not directly interested, is the little town of Delaware, in the southwest part of Oneida Township, on Sec- tion 32-89-4. The Davenport & St. Paul Railroad crosses the Dubuque & Sioux City road at this point. 1
The first settlements in this vicinity were made in 1852, when John Hefner, W. M. Hefner, J. P. Ball, John P. Fear and D. M. Smith, with their families, located in this part of Township 89-4, including in their purchases the future site of Delaware.
When the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad was completed through the county. in 1859, for the accommodation of the people of Delhi, the company established
526
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
a station here, provided the people would furnish depot ground and build the depot, and the town of Delaware was laid out by Frederick B. Doolittle, John Hefner, J. P. Ball and Geo. Watson. The surveying was done in the Fall and Winter of 1859-60, and the plat was recorded March 10, 1860.
W. M. Hefner was first Station Agent at Delaware, and opened the first store in the new town. probably in 1860, using a part of the depot building for store purposes. The first house on the town plat was built by Hefner & Ball, in the Winter and Spring of 1860. and opened as a hotel by Mr. Ball, under the name of the " Delaware Centre House." The house is still standing, and is now known as the " Ames House.
For a year or two, the town increased rapidly, but attained nearly its pres- ent size in 1862-3. The Davenport & St. Paul Railroad, built in 1872-3, crosses the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central at this point, but has not proved to be of any material advantage to the town, the connections between the roads being very remote.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The first elevator in Delaware was erected by R. Boon and F. B. Doolittle, in 1864. Its capacity is about 4,000 bushels. Mr. Boon is now the sole owner.
About 1870, Mr. Boon built another and larger elevator, having a capacity of abont 8,000 bushels.
Stores were started at various times by various parties, among whom Al. Thorpe, J. Deiley. I. E. Eldredge and R. Phelps, and about 1873-4 the Dela- ware County Grange Company opened a variety store. In 1878, the business interests of the town are summed up as follows :
Druys and Sundries-Stringham & Carlin, 1872.
Hotel-Ames Ilouse ; N. O. Ames, Proprietor, 1874.
Physician-H. H. Pierce, M. D., 1876. Millinery-Miss Benson, 1878. Shoemaker-B. M. Gardner, 1867.
Livery Stables-C. S. Austin, 1877 ; Moses Benson, 1877. Creamery-Moore & Session.
EDUCATIONAL.
Prior to 1863, a small building east of the town was used for school pur- poses, but in that year a small frame school house was built on Lots 307 and 317. by T. F. Horton and Gilmore Engle. The first school in the new school house was taught by Mr. J. D. Eddy.
RELIGIOUS.
First Baptist Church .- This church was organized in January. 1865, at the house of D. Greaves, by Rev. J. Carrington. Its membership was as follows : Francis Robinson, George Chamberlain, Mercy Chamberlain, Clarissa Wood, Mary Phillips, Marcella C. Boon, D. M. Root. Soon after, twelve more were received, and Joseph S. Hunt and Richard Boon were elected Deacons. In 1866, the Society determined to erect a church building, and appointed R. Phillips. D. Greaves and George Chamberlain a Building Committee. The building was completed and dedicated as a house of worship in 1867, the dedi- catory services being conducted by Rev. Milton Whitehead. The present Pas- tor is Rev. H. D. Weaver : Deacons, J. S. Hunt and Richard Boon ; Directors, R. Boon. C. S. Harvey and Delos Gillespie.
WAT Martin HOPKINTON
529
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- Organized in the school house with seven members, in 1866, by Rev. Mr. Thompson. The first class leader was R. Gould ; Trustees, D. M. Smith, President; J. Meader, Secretary, and C. S. Austin. The Methodist Church was erected in 1876; dedicated March 18, 1877, by Rev. D. Sheffer, D. D. Present Pastor, Rev. E. Ketchum ; Trus- tees, D. M. Smith, J. Meader and B. Enos. Membership, thirty-five.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Delaware Grange, No. 930, P. of H., organized Feb. 24, 1873. Charter members, C. S. Austin, Wm. Horsnell, K. W. Kingsley, J. S. Hunt, Delos Gillespie, M. F. Hunt, L. E. Beebe, William Ball, C. B. Lont, R. Boon, Mrs. M. A. Boon, Mrs. C. D. Kingsley, Mrs. M. F. Gillespie, Geo. W. Long, Mrs. Mary Hunt, Mrs. Harriet Lont, M. Pierce, S. Horsnell, E. Mandeville, John Meader, Mrs. Jane Horsnell, Mrs. Cornelia Hunt, Mrs. Belinda Austin and Mrs. C. S. Beebe. The officers were elected as follows: Master, William Ball; Overseer, L. E. Beebe ; Lecturer, K. W. Kingsley ; Steward, M. Pierce ; Treasurer, R. Boon ; Secretary, C. B. Lont ; Ceres, Mrs. C. S. Beebe ; Pomona, Mrs. C. D. Kingsley ; Flora, Mrs. Mary Hunt.
Masters, William Ball, 1873-4-5; C. B. Lont, 1876-7-8 ; Overseers, L. E. Beebe, 1873; C. B. Lont, 1874-5; M. F. Hunt, 1876 ; C. T. Fitzsimmons, 1877-8.
The officers for 1878 are: Master, C. B. Lont : Overseer, C. T. Fitzsim- mons ; Lecturer, George H. McKee ; Steward, M. Pierce; Assistant Steward, R. Lampson ; Chaplain, J. S. Hunt ; Treasurer, J. G. Angell; Secretary, Wm. Ball ; Gate Keeper, William Horsnell ; Ceres, Mrs. C. B. Lont ; Pomona, Mrs. C. T. Fitzsimmons ; Flora, Mrs. Wm. H. Long ; Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. Jane Horsnell. Present membership, thirty-four.
I. O. OF G. T.
Delaware Lodge, No. 229, I. O. of G. T., was instituted December 14, 1877, in the Methodist Church, by Rev. S. Knickerbocker. with thirty-eight charter members. The first officers elected and installed were: Rev. H. D. Weaver, W. C. T. ; Mrs. M. A. Chapel, W. V. T. ; H. A. Hollister, W. R. S .; Miss Rosa Austin, .W. F. S. ; M. F. Hunt, W. T. ; II. I. Wasson, W. M. ; Mrs. R. Phelps, W. C. ; Miss Libbie Collins, W. I. G. ; C. M. Austin, P. W. C. T. ; Wm. Wasson, W. L. D. The officers, May, 1878, are Rev. H. D. Weaver, W. C. T. ; Mrs. M. Chapel, W. V. T. ; George W. Hunt, W. R. S .; Rosa Austin, W. F. S. ; M. F. Hunt, W. T .; Mrs. R. Boon, W. C .; George D. Farmer, W. M. ; Miss Flora Kratzer, W. I. G .; Wm. Thompson, W. O. G. Present membership, sixty-three.
A. O. OF U. W.
Oneida Lodge, No. 59, A. O. of U. W., was instituted March 27, 1876, in Boon's Hall, by W. H. Holman, with twenty-four charter members. First officers were: I. A. Stringham, M. W .; David Greaves, P. M. W .; J. S. Knowles, F. ; William W. Hefner, O .; Joseph Simons, Recorder ; Charles Carlin, Financier; D. Brown, Receiver; C. P. Dunton, G. Present officers : W. M. Hefner, M. W .; I. A. Stringham, P. M. W. ; A. Knicker- bocker, F. ; J. F. Sisson, O. ; F. Marshall, Recorder : J. S. Knowles, Receiver ; D. J. Paris, Financier ; Hiram D. Brown, G.
M
530
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
The Delaware Cheese Company was organized April, 1866, William M. Hefner, President : A. A. Enos, Vice President ; J. A. Garfield, Treasurer ; K. W. Kingsley. Secretary. A large building was erected and the factory was successfully operated by the company until 1871, when it exchanged the property for a farm, and James. P. Ball became proprietor, who continued the business about a year, when the building passed into the ownership of J. S. Knowles and was converted into a stable.
The Delaware Manufacturing Company organized July, 1866, with a paid- up capital of $4,000, for the purpose of erecting a planing-mill. The manage- ment of the affairs of the company was vested in a Board of Directors, of which L. E. Beebe was President ; J. S. Knowles, Secretary, and R. Boon, Treas- urer. Town Lots 280 to 286 and 522 to 540 inclusive were purchased ; the mill was built and commenced operation January 1, 1867. In 1870, the experiment was pronounced a failure, and the property was sold to L. E. Beebe. In March, 1875, Mr. Beebe removed the machinery and converted the building into a creamery, at an expense of about $1,400; and during that year, 14,000 pounds of butter were made by John Stewart and L. E. Beebe. In 1876-7, Mr. Beebe managed the business alone; but in 1878, leased the premises to Messrs. Moore & Sisson.
The Delaware Improvement Company was organized March 14, 1874, with a paid-up capital of $4,000, for the purpose of developing the resources of the town. The corporators were : Richard Boon, J. S. Knowles, I. E. Eldredge, B. M. Gardner, J. P. Ball, Ira Mallory, J. W. Bateman, J. H. Brown, C. Nietert, Wm. M. Hefner, T. F. Horton, D. Greaves, L. E. Beebe, J. S. Paris, William Ball, E. L. Meader, William Horsnell, William Wasson, Mary Hefner and Ann M. Wilcox.
The first Board of Trustees were : L. E. Beebe, Josiah Deiley and R. Boon. J. II. Brown. Secretary and Treasurer.
The company built a two-story brick building, in which the Grange store was opened on the first floor, with a hall in the second story, now known as " Boon's Hall." The present members are : R. Boon, Rev. W. M. Hefner, L. E. Beebe : J. H. Brown, Secretary and Treasurer.
GREELEY. (Elk Township.)
The date of the first settlements made in Township 90, Range 4, are some- what uncertain, but from the best and most reliable information now accessible, it appears that Richard T. Barrett was one of the first to locate in this township, on the prairie on the east side of the township, prior to 1842. He was one of the first tax-payers in 1842, and paid $4, indicating that he had been here some time when the tax was assessed. 'Squire Stancliffe was among the earliest settlers. Hle located on Section 1. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace in the township. as was also Benjamim Laken.
About 1846, James Stalnaker and - Mclain located on Section 29. Stalnaker built a log cabin nearly half a mile east of the present town of Greeley, on the old Territorial road from Dubuque to Camp Atkinson. These men remained but a short time, and in 1847 sold their claim to Samuel Longh. Grant Stebbins and - Balch located here about the same time. Afterward, Elias Hutton settled near Lough on the same section, near a spring which is one of the sources of Plum Creek, hence called Plum Spring.
531
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
October 30, 1844, a post office was established at this point, called Plum Spring, and Elias Hutton appointed Postmaster. The office was kept in a building now removed, which stood a little south of the town plat.
In the Fall of 1854, Charles S. Taylor built a house about half a mile east of Mr. Lough's, it is said with the understanding that a town was to be laid out there. This was the first house erected on the town plat, which was surveyed March 24, 1855, by J. A. Marvin, Samuel Lough proprietor. Mr. Lough was an ardent admirer of Horace Greeley, and named the new town in honor of the 'Tribune philosopher. At this time, the question of locating the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad through the county was agitating the people, and the founder of Greeley hoped that if Delhi should lose it the road might be located further north, near the line of the military road, and that the incipient town of Greeley might become a station for that railroad.
Early in March, William Cattron purchased Taylor's house, and took a deed of Lots 5 and 6, Block 1, from Mr. Lough, which was the first sale of lots in the new town. The Taylor House was on Lot 5, and Mr. Cattron built a store on Lot 6, immediately after his arrival, and opened a stock of goods in it as soon as it could be finished.
Next after Mr. Cattron, J. B. Taylor, H. C. Drybread, Miss Lizzie White and others, built houses on this plat.
In 1863, the name of the post office was changed to Greeley. The town, however, did not increase in population very rapidly for some years, until the location of the Davenport & St. Paul Railroad was made, in 1870-71, passing about fifteen rods south of the original town plat. The railroad was completed in 1873. In 1872, Horace White built the White House, the first hotel in Greeley ; but for several years previous to this time, Abram Parliman had kept tavern at his farm house on the Lough farm, east of the town. In 1873, Dr. M. Blodgett built the Blodgett House.
The completion of the railroad was of material advantage to Grecley, gave it a new impetus, and it is now a thriving village of several hundred inhabitants.
EDUCATIONAL.
A school house was built by subscription on the southwest corner of north- east quarter of Section 30. This is said to have been the first school house in the township. The first school in this house was taught by Emma Wood. The first school house in Greeley, then Sub-district No. 2, was built by C. S. Taylor, contractor, on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 29, and was completed in the Spring of 1857, and the first school was immediately commenced by This building is still standing, but is unused.
April 11, 1875, the Independent School District of Greeley was organized. The officers then elected were H. C. Drybread, L. H. Keyes, George Griffith, Directors. At the meeting of the Board, held on the same day, H. C. Dry- bread was elected President; L. H. Keyes, Secretary, and James Wilson, Treasurer. Soon after, plans and specifications by B. F. Morgan, for the new school house, were accepted, and the contract for its erection awarded to Jerome Baker July 4, 1875, who completed it that Fall. School was opened the same season, with two teachers, D. A. Ham, Principal, and Jennie R. Carter, Assist- ant. The present teachers are G. H. Odell, Principal, and Alice L. Waite, Assistant.
RELIGIOUS.
The Universalist Society was organized Dec. 28, 1865, at the residence of J. Baker. C. S. Taylor was elected President ; L. H. Keyes, Clerk ; J. S.
532
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
Drybread, W. D. Jenkins, T. J. Armstrong, Lemuel Parker and Joseph Vaughan, Trustees ; M. Jenkins, Collector. The society built a church in 1868; C. S. Taylor, contractor. The present Trustees are J. S. Drybread, J. Baker. Benjamin Pinkley ; C. S. Taylor, Clerk; James Pinkley, Treasurer. Rev. Joy Bishop was the first Pastor. The pulpit is now occupied every alter- nate Sabbath by Rev. J. N. Hicks, of Strawberry Point.
Christian Church .- This church is older than the town of Greeley, having been organized at the "Cooper School House," two miles east of the town, June 15, 1851, Rev. John Martindale, Pastor, and members as follows: Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Drybread, James Roe, Mrs. J. Roe, David Martindale, Robert Overocker and Job Gildersleeve. After some additional members had been admitted, Job Odell and John Fosselman were chosen Elders, and E. Hutton and S. Talcott, Deacons. The services of this church were held in school and private houses until 1867, when the society erected the church building it now occupies. The Rev. and venerable John Martindale, after over twenty-five years of faithful service and devotion to the interests of the church, was 'at last compelled by the infirmities of age to resign his position. Since then the pulpit has been occupied in turn by Rev. W. M. Roe, John Eucell, and by Rev. John Smith, the present Pastor. The present Elders are Job Odell, John Fosselman and Augustus Davis ; Deacons, H. C. Drybread, Dr. M. C. Cannon, Elias Way, David Martindale and L. B. Sargent.
The Catholic Church at Greeley was built in 1874. The first services were held by Rev. M. Quirk, May, 1875. Father Quirk remained until October. when he was succeeded by Rev. B. Coyle, who continued until the Winter of 1877-8. Rev. John Hackett is the present officiating Priest.
MASONIC.
Tadmer Lodge, No. 325, A., F. and A. M., was instituted U. D. November 15, 1867, by P. M. W. H. Neitert, in Baker's Hall. Charter granted June 3, 1868. The first officers elected and installed were J. H. Neitert, W. M. ; W. D. Jenkins, S. W .; John Drybread, J. W. ; John Corell, Treas. : Luther H. Keyes, Sec. ; Jerome Baker, S. D. ; Timothy Baker, J. D. ; Lewis Wells, Tyler.
Officers for 1878 : H. R. Lillibridge, W. M. ; A .. L. Baldwin, S. W .; James Fowler, J. W. ; John Edmunds, Treas. : C. Engel, Sec. ; J. M. Jen- kins. S. D. ; B. Pinkley, J. D. ; S. H. Seeley, Tyler. Present membership, 44.
A. O. OF U. W.
rt. Greeley Lodge, No. -. A. O. of U. W .- Instituted April 28, 1876, by W. II. Holman, D. D., in Redden's Hall, with twelve charter members. The first officers were L. H. Keyes, M. W .; Charles Taylor, P. M. W. ; J. Baker, F. ; James Wilson, O .; C. Engel, Rec. ; J. M. Potts, Financier ; William Red- den, Receiver ; J. P. James, G. ; J. Martin, I. W. ; A. Alamand, O. W. Meetings weekly in Masonic Hall since May, 1877.
Present officers : C. Engel, P. M. W .; W. C. McCannon, M. W .; J. P. James, F. ; T. B. Campbell, O .; J. Baker, G .; S. B. Gilmore, Recorder ; J. Wilson, Receiver.
BUSINESS OF 1878.
General Merchandise .- S. B. Gilmore & Bro., 1877; Drybread & Co., 1875: James Wilson, 1873.
533
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
Hardware .- J. P. James, 1876.
Boots and Shoes .- Jenkins & Burbridge, 1878.
Druggists and Apothecaries .- L. E. Ward, 1872: J. B. Robison, 1875.
Agricultural Implements .- James & Vaughn.
Meat Market .- E. L. Sweet, 1873.
Harness Maker .- Thomas Evans, 1874.
Cabinet Maker .- Jerome Baker.
Blacksmiths .- D. Ferguson, 1876; N. G. Wells, 1876.
Hotels .- Greeley House. M. Blodgett, proprietor, 1873: White House, H. White, proprietor, 1872.
Elevator .- Greeley Elevator, H. C. Drybread, proprietor, built 1872; capacity, 12,000 bushels.
Brass Band .- Greeley Cornet Orchestra, George Drybread, Leader; organ- ized 1878.
Notary Public .- M. Blodgett.
Physicians .- William F. Davis, Dr. McCannon.
COLESBURG AND COLONY. (Colony Township.)
The early history of the " Colony," which for years was one of the most important points in Delaware, is included in the General History of the County and need not be repeated here, save to record some additional information re- ceived since that portion of the work went to press.
There is a tradition that years before Gilmore, Moreland and others came, in 1839, some hunters and trappers named Van Sickle, had a trapper's cabin on or near the present sites of the towns of Colesburg and Colony. It is said that the Van Sickles lived among the Indians and one of them had an Indian wife, which was not an unfrequent occurrence among the early trappers. Nor would it be strange if this were true. Julien Dubuque settled near the mouth of Catfish Creek in 1788, and it is but reasonable to suppose that white trappers and hunters traversed these prairies long before the first settlements were made. It is also stated that when Mr. Moreland's colony came, in 1839, there came with him, besides McMullen, McQuilkin and Reckner, three Bedford families, but they did not remain long. «
Lawrence McNamee came in 1842, and purchased the claim of Wellington Wiltse, on Section 4, Township 90 north, Range 3 west. This is said to have been the first transfer of real estate in the township. The price paid was $1,000, a large price for forty acres, when land equally as good could be bought for $1.25 per acre, but it was the only land that could then be bought near which there were school advantages.
Elizabeth Landis died in February 1843, and was the first death in this settlement. The first white child born in the Colony settlement was Annis L. Mallory, daughter of Horace Mallory, October 5, 1839, but this was in Clayton County.
In 1846, Colony post office was established and David Moreland appointed Postmaster.
August 15, 1848, the town of Colesburg was laid out, consisting of thirty lots. The proprietors were Lawrence McNamee and Hiram Cole ; James Cole, Surveyor ; and the plat is recorded " Cole's Burgh." The town is located on the northeast quarter and part of the northwest quarter of Section 4. Directly south of Cole's Burgh, and adjoining it, the town of Colony was laid out in
534
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
1851, by David Moreland. These, although legally two towns, are practically but one, the main street running through the center of each. But the post office has been changed several times from Colony to Colesburg and vice versa.
It is stated that in the early years of the Colony settlement, David More- land had some traps stolen by a squad of scalawags from Clayton County. Moreland and Missouri Dickson started off in pursuit and succeeded in overhauling the thieves. Before reaching the gang. however, Missouri told Moreland he wanted to settle with the gang himself, and that if Moreland interfered, he should be under the necessity of thrashing him. Missouri got the traps.
The first building erected on the site of Colesburg was built by Hiram Cole in 1846, in which he opened the first store after Beerer, who had then left.
Mrs. Bliss says that Mr. John Bliss tracked three animals, he supposed were bears, into a cave north of Colesburg, in 1849. He boldly entered the cavern, but instead of bears found three panthers. "He was mad," says Mrs. Bliss ; "he had bargained the bears for $15.00 and he could not bear the disappoint- ment." He killed the panthers, however, and received his pay all the same.
About this time, Drake Nelson was found dead on the upper part of Elk Creek.
In 1851, Jacob B. Moreland erected a building in Colony and opened a store in 1851. He kept a full assortment of all kinds of goods wanted in the country. He built up a large trade, which he continued to hold for many years, until he became tired of being so closely confined to business and sold out and retired to his farm, where he would have little to do but oversee his place and enjoy the wealth with which he had been so bountifully blest, and doing what he could to make others happy.
Mr. P. C. Bolsinger opened a general store in 1852, and is still in business.
John V. Watson was the first lawyer to settle at Colesburg, date unknown.
Samuel G. Knee located here in 1855 and engaged in business as a carpen - ter and builder; enlisted as a private in the war of the rebellion ; came out Lieutenant Colonel and engaged in trade.
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