USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 75
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Joseph Hanson came to the township in 1849, John Hanson came in the fall of 1846, Edward Hanson in the spring of 1846, John Watkins, Richard Williams, and many others were also settlers in the years which followed the Evans and Hanson's arrival.
ORGANIZATION.
An order from court, dated February 26, 1856, described township 79, range 10, and named it Troy, and further ordered that the election be held in the school-house near the house of William Evans, on the first Monday of April, 1856. At this first election the following officers were elected: trustees, Henry Cook, Wm. Evans, Thomas Hanson; clerk, William Row- land; assessor, O. M. Kilbourne.
The first meeting of the board of trustees was at the house of William Evans.
PRESENT OFFICERS.
Trustees -- H. C. Evans, E. Boland, M. S. Anderson. Clerk-Thomas J. Evans.
Justices-George Fletcher, A. B. Ogden.
Constables -- (. A. Taylor, M. W. Lyon.
Assessor -- Thomas Ellis.
The Iowa county poor-farm is located in section 6. A large building and 327 acres of land are owned by the county.
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CHURCHES. :
Any community provided with good churches in which are well con- ducted services, is remarkably fortunate. A good Christian church is a bulwark that the influences of evil are unable to overthrow. Troy town - ship is provided with good churches and good schools.
American Congregational-This church was organized in 1857, with seventeen members, by the Rev. W. P. Gale, who was its first pastor, and who remained such to 1862. The church edifice was built at Williams- burg in the year 1871, at a cost of $1,200. The following named pastors have served the church: After Rev. W. P. Gale, came B. T. Jones, in 1862; Rev. Jones was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Patten in 1865; Rev. H. S. Clarke in January, 1869, who remained pastor till the time of his death, which occurred May 26, 1873. Rev. M. D. Archer was pastor in the
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
church for one year, from March, 1874; Rev. George Richie from July 7, 1876, to some time in 1879. The church was without regular religious ser- vices from this time to the last of June, 1880, when they employed W. R. Stewart, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Marengo, to preach for them in the afternoon of each Sunday, in the summer, and each alternate Sunday in the winter. The church has been particularly fortunate in se- curing the services of such an eloquent and able preacher and exemplary Christian gentleman. The number of the present membership is forty- four.
The Welsh Congregational-This church was organized on October 26, 1856, at the house of William Evans near Williamsburg. The names of the original members were: Evan D. Evans and wife, William Evans and wife, Richard Williams and wife, Levi H. Williams and wife, William Rowlands and wife, Mrs. John Watkins, Hugh C. Evans and David H. Williams, thirteen in all. The church was built in 1859, at a cost of about $1,000. This was a frame structure, and received an addition in 1871 which cost $800. The original structure was dedicated late in the fall of 1859 by Rev. Evan J. Evans. The church has enjoyed the pastorate of the following reverend gentlemen: Evan J. Evans, David Price, Morris E. Davis, James Velindre Jones, the present pastor. The present member- ship is 152. They held prayer meeting and sabbath-school from house to house. They were for four years without hearing a Welsh sermon. The first Welsh preacher who visited them was Rev. David Knowles of Long Creek, then Rev. George Lewis of Old Man's Creek, and Rev. Morris Jones.
The M. E. Circuit --- Williamsburg is made the headquarters of a cir- cuit embracing Zion Chapel, with a membership of forty, Champion Hills with fifty-three, Pilot Grove school-house, sixteen, South Ridge school- house nine, Hickory Grove school house, ten. The five charges are at pres- ent supplied by Rev. H. V. Tull as their pastor. They embrace a mem- bership of 118. Champion Hills church is about five miles southeast from Lytle City, and was built about the year 1860. Zion Chapel is about eight miles southeast of Victor, and it was built in the year 1875.
SCHOOLS.
What has been said in reference to churches as a defense against evil, may also be said about schools. No community possessing good schools can long remain in ignorance, and it is an established fact that where we find intelligence, there we find, also, good society.
Troy is noted for its good schools. The moral, religious and educational sentiment of the people is good. The township furnishes more teachers than any other in Iowa county. Several young men have graduated from Iowa State University: one, Mr. W. D. Evans, now practicing law in Hampton, Iowa, took the honors of his class. There are at present eight school-houses and nine schools, the one at Stellapolis having two rooms. schools in this township are in session on an average, seven months during the year. During the past year, ending September, 1880, five gentlemen and eleven lady teachers have been employed in the several schools as teachers, the gentlemen receiving an average salary of $28, and the ladies $25 per month. Of school age there are 200 males and 172 females, and the total enrollment for the year ending September, 1880, was 334, with an
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average daily attendance of 192. The average cost of tuition per month . for each pupil is $1.37. The school property is valued at $4,500. The present teachers are as follows:
. No. 1, Williamsburg, Mrs. Bevie A. Clark, Miss Leora Taylor; No. 2, J. R. Miller; No. 3, Katie Tiernan; No. 4, Hattie Talbott; No. 5, Ida . M. Hughes: No. 6, D. M. Evans; No. 7, Katie Frawley; No. 8, Sarah White- hill.
The first school was kept in the log house of Wm. Evans after he had re- moved to his new log house, in the winter of 1850-1.
WILLIAMSBURG.
This little village, situated on the west bank of Old Man's Creek, is also called Stellapolis. The post-office is known by the latter name. It was laid out by Richard Williams, May 20, 1856, in the southwest quarter of section 10, and southeast quarter of section 9, township 79, range 10, and was named Williamsburg in honor of its founder. Mr. Williams died in the year 1860. The present population is 130. It contains several stores, churches and private residences.
Post-office -- W. R. Evans, P. M. Drugs and groceries-J. E. Jones.
Groceries -- George Fletcher.
General store -- Roger Jones.
Blacksmiths-W. E. Evans, C. R. King.
Wagon repair shop -- W. W. Hastings. Shoemaker -- W. M. Davis.
Milliners-Mrs. A. E. Hall, Mrs. T. H. Watkins.
The following have acted as postmasters at Stellapolis: John Hughes, appointed under Frank Pierce, W. G. Fletcher, three years, 1877-80, W. R. Evans, appointed April 1, 1880.
MASONIC.
Organized November, 1878, with sixteen charter members. Their hall is above W. R. Evans & Co's store and is 24x44. James A. Wilson was the first W. M. Meetings are held on Saturday evening of each month, on or before the full moon. The present membership is twenty-six. The or- der is in a flourishing condition. Present officers: J. E. Jones, W. M .; Perry McAllister, S. W .; Thomas Ellis, J. W .; D. E. Evans, secretary ; Frank McDermot, treasurer; Charles Fletcher, S. D .; James Cashman, J. D.
LEGION OF HONOR.
This society was organized in 1880, with twenty-four charter members. They now number over thirty. W. H. Chase is commander and J. M. Williams, secretary.
CEMETERIES.
There is an old Indian burying ground in section fifteen. It was used
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
by the aborigines in an early day, and as far as can be judged there were at least thirty braves buried there.
Oak Hill Cemetery-Is also in section fifteen. Reference has already been made to this burial place, and some of those interred there have been mentioned. There are at least fifty graves.
West Troy is the name of a post-office kept by Ed. Dill at his house in section nineteen, near the Pilot township line.
In an early day there was a saw-mill in Williams' Grove, on section ten, run by Richard Williams and William Rowlands. Mr. Rowlands is now practicing law in Missouri.
In April, 1862, a severe wind swept across sections thirty-four and thirty- five uprooting and carrying everything before it. It completely demol- ished a house, and although the family were at the time within, none of them were hurt.
THE LAW OF BORROWING .-
Among other valuable information which Mr. Thomas Hanson has fur- nished your historian, we give the following in his own words, showing one feature of his early experience:
" My brother Stephen and myself traveled from Ohio by wagon. I had a wife and two children. Stephen was lately married and this was his wed- ding tour west. We arrived on the 1st of May, 1845, on section 23, town- ship 79 north, range 10 west, now Troy township. We had no houses, but encamped in wagons until we could put up a log cabin. We cut and hauled logs, but to make clap-boards we needed a cross-cut saw. We did not know where to find one. I saddled a horse and started to hunt a saw. The first man I met was Charles Gillin. I asked him if he could tell where I could find a saw. He replied that the man breaking prairie for him had a saw. That man's name was Charles Jones. I went to him and asked him if he had a saw, and he answered he ought to have one, but did not know where it was, if I would find the last house that was raised I might get the saw. ' Well,' said I, ' I am as bad off as ever; where will I find that house?' He said the last raising he was at was a stable for Erastus Con- verse. I then inquired how far that was and he replied that it was only a little way, four or five miles, and gave the directions. Meeting Charles Jones and not knowing where he lived, I asked him where I should return the saw when I was through with it. He said: 'Keep it till the next man wants it.' 'Look here,' he continued, 'everything in this country is public property; you must loan anything you have and never carry back anything you borrow.' I replied, ' You are a man after my own heart. I shall observe that law.' In this neighborhood this law is kept to this day. To show how well that law has been kept, I will state the following fact: Seventeen years after the above law of borrowing and lending was passed, I loaned a fanning mill to a neighbor. When I wanted to use it I was compelled to go six miles for it. The borrower excused himself for not bringing it home, but I immediately told him that it was all right, that if he had returned it he would have broken the law. That law was made by Charles Jones and approved by Thos. Hanson May 7, 1845, on the land where Jones was breaking in section 31, township 79, range 9, now York township."
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TROY TOWNSHIP.
TERRIBLE PRAIRIE FIRE.
: The following account of being overtaken by a furious prairie fire is well authenticated by all the early settlers and many others who have often seen the scars made upon the persons of Evan D. Evans and his wife, Jane Evans.
Mrs. Evans having occasion to go to the house of her nearest neighbor then eight miles away, had it understood by her husband that he should, on the next day, meet her at a certain place on her return. The neighbor to whose house she went for butter and some other articles was the family of Edward Ricord, then living near the Johnson county line, in Green township. The distance was too great to return the same day, so having made the visit and obtained the articles, among which was a cat given her by Mrs. Ricord, on the second day met her husband near the present Green township line. They were cheerfully returning together, carrying the but- ter, cat and other articles, when, in the distance, beheld a prairie fire. The smoke rolled up in clouds, and as the brisk wind swept across the ridges, they could see the red-tongued fire leaping across the tops of the tall wild grass. They thought there was nothing serious for them to experience in the near future and nothing to fear. Neither of them had seen a prairie fire, for it was the next fall after their arrival here. They did not under- stand the terrible fury with which fire sweeps across the prairie when the tall grass is dry and the fire agitated by a fierce wind. They observed that the fire came nearer and they hastened their footsteps, as if by premonition of the fate that awaited them. The fire gained upon them, leaping across slough and footpath with equal facility. Mr. Evans lighted a fire to burn a little spot in which they might take refuge, for before he left Cincinnati and even in England he had heard of this mode of procedure when in dan- ger from fire on the plains. This afforded them no relief, for before their set fire had sufficiently cooled down, the awful deluge came upon them. They ran to the first tree, which fortunately had boughs near the ground, and Mr. Evans, after aiding his wife to climb, passed up the articles they were taking home, including the cat. Scarcely had he time to grasp the first limb to ascend the tree when the fire struck them. It blazed many feet high in the air, as if an angry beast leaping up to devour them. For a few moments they were completely enveloped in the flames, whose angry billows reached far above their heads. They were suffocated and crazed by the blistering heat, and as if with the grasp of death, still clung to the tree. In a few minutes the raging, crackling monster had passed and left the choking smoke which was driven before the wind. They descended the tree and made haste to reach their hut and obtain relief, for cold night was coming on and they were fearfully burned. Finally, with great diffi- culty, they reached their cabin and received such attention as could be given them by William Evans and family. Mr. Evan D. Evans wore se- vere scars on both sides of his face, and carried a deformed hand to his death, which were only slight marks compared with the intense suffering he experienced in that terrible fire. Mrs. Evans was badly burned and al- though it was thirty-five years ago when this happened, she still bears marks of these burns. The woolen' clothing which they wore somewhat protected their flesh, except hands and face, and was the means of saving their lives. It may be remarked that the butter was melted, and the cat, never after heard of, doubtless became a " singed cat."
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A NDERSON, M. S .- Farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 8, P. O. Stellapo- lis. Prominent among the business men of Troy township is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 4, 1850. When about five years of age his parents brought him to Lexington, Richland county, same State and there he spent his days until the autumn of 1864, when he again moved with his parents and settled in Iowa county, in his present location. His father, Rev. James Anderson, died in 1869. Our subject has since conducted the business of the farm and is now in possession of 160 acres of well improved land, and is numbered among the prominent stock-dealers of the county, having built up a large and profitable business in that line. He was married in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1871, to Miss M. M. Duncan, a native of that county. They lost their only child. Mr. Anderson is a man who is closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Iowa county and is numbered among its successful, en- ergetic business men. He has been township trustee for the past six years and has always taken a warm interest in promoting the social well-being of the county.
BI RIGHAM, J .- Farmer, Sec. 20, P. O. Stellapolis. One of the early settlers of Iowa. Was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1829. There he was educated and raised until he attained his twentieth year, when he went to Cincinnati, where he remained until the spring of 1849. He came to Johnson county and settled about six miles west of Iowa City and after about two years returned to Ohio and remained about one year and six months. Then came again to Johnson county and after about one year he moved to Iowa county and settled in his present location, where he has since made his home. His success in life has been very marked, as he is virtually a self-made man. He is in possession of a well cultivated farm of 120 acres. Has been township trustee for three terms ; member of school board for several terms and has held other township offices. He was married in Johnson county, in 1852, to Miss S. J. Gilliand, who was born in Pennsylvania. She died in 1854, leaving one child, Myron, who resides with his father. He was again married in Williamsburg, in 1856, to Miss Mary V. Remley, a native of West Virginia. By this union they have six children living: William, Mary E., Alice, Clara, Annie and Elsie. They lost two, one an infant and Cora.
D AVIES, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16, P. O. Stellapolis. Was born in South Wales in 1828, and there spent his early youth in the pursuits of agriculture. In 1852 he came to America, and remained in New York State, in different counties, until the autumn of 1854, when he made a trip through the Western States, coming to Iowa county in 1864. He settled upon his present location, where he owns a well improved farm of 120 acres, a very beautiful location. He was married in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1859, to a widow Jones. By this union they have four chil- dren: Thomas E., Sarah, Margaret and Samuel. They lost one, Ida Ann. Mr. Davies is a warm friend to all churches. He is of the Congregational faith; has been trustee of the church for eight years, and is a liberal contrib- utor.
E VANS, W. E .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. Stellapolis. Prominent among the early settlers of Troy township is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Wales January 23, 1833. There he spent.
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his days until about seventeen years of age, and there learned the black- smith trade. In the summer of 1850 he came to America, locating first in Rome, New York, where his avocation was blacksmithing for about four years. He then came to Chicago, Illinois, where he followed his trade - un- til 1858, when he moved to La Porte, Indiana, and there resided about one year and five months; then came to Iowa county and settled in Troy town- ship. He was married in Rome, New York, January 24, 1855, to Miss Ann Williams, a native of Wales. Their family consists of four children liv- ing: William H., Edward W., Martha and Annie. They lost three: Mary Ann (wife of W. G. Fletcher), Cornelius A. and Cornelius A. Mr. Evans is closely identified with the development of Troy township, and is con- sidered among its most successful men. He is now in possession of three farms - 404 acres in all. His buildings are fine and comfortable. His an- nual stock sales will average more than $3,000; and he has accumulated all by his own industry and persistent efforts. -
EVANS, W. R .- Merchant and postmaster, Williamsburg. Was born in Williamsburg on the 8th of October, 1854. He is the son of Evan D. Evans, one of the first settlers of Troy township. The most of his early youth was spent in acquiring an education and teaching school. He at- tended the Iowa College at Grinnell three terms and in March, 1880, em- barked in the mercantile business, in company with his brother-in-law, Dr. Joseph E. Jones. The firm is known as W. R. Evans & Co. They are carrying on a drug and general merchandise business. Mr. Evans was ap- pointed postmaster in April, 1880, and is the present incumbent.
EVANS, THOMAS J .- Teacher. One of the noble sons of Troy town'- ship. Was born in Williamsburg in 1854. He was educated in the com- mon schools of the county, principally at Williamsburg. Has been en- gaged in teaching since he was about eighteen years of age. His early youth was spent in the pursuits of agriculture. In 1879 he was elected township clerk and is the present incumbent. He is now principal of the Williamsburg school and is an able and efficient instructor.
F LETCHER, GEORGE-Justice of the peace and merchant. Resides at Williamsburg, P. O. Stellapolis. Was born in the town of West- ern, Oneida county, New York, September 13, 1808, and there was edu- cated and raised. His father, Charles Fletcher, was born in Boston, Mas- sachusetts. His mother's name was Barbara Swan and she was born in Hillsborough county, New Hampshire. Our subject was brought up on a farm and received a liberal education in the common schools. He was mar- ried in his native county, in 1834, to Miss Mary Grems, a native of Oneida county. She died in 1841, leaving two children: Emily and George. George is now deceased. Mr. F. was again married in 1842, to Miss Helen Jane McAlpin, a native of Boonville, Oneida county, New York, born September 8, 1821. By this union they have two children living: Charles and Willard G. Lost one, Cynthia. In the autumn of 1857 he came to Iowa City, where he remained until the following April, when he came to Iowa county and has since made it his home. He has been justice of the peace for eighteen years during his residence here and six years in Oneida county, New York. He was also postmaster in his native county six years and is a man who is very popular with the citizens of Iowa county.
G ALE FAMILY, THE-Came to Iowa, August 10, 1855. Their an- cestors came from England. Bartholemew Gale came from England to Boston. He had two sons: Jacob and Daniel. Captain Daniel Gale,
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
son of Jacob Gale, Esq., of Kingston, New Hampshire, born September 2, 1739. One of his sons, Stephen Gale, born April 10, 1774, was the father of REV. W. P. GALE, who was born in Gilmanton, New Hamp- shire, February 24, 1806, and graduated at Gilmanton Theological Semi- nary, August, 1841. He married Louisa Patten, of Kingston, New Hamp- shire, whose ancestors also came from England. After preaching three years in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, he was ordained in Thornton, New Hampshire, January 1, 1845 .. He preached in Deering and Nelson, New Hampshire, coming to Iowa county in 1855, where he labored under the auspices of the A. H. M. Society for some fifteen years. He was the first home missionary in Iowa county, organizing the first American Congre- tional Church in the county in Williamsburg. He was from the first a strong Abolitionist and an active agent of the underground railroad and lived until he saw the consummation of the principles which he so ardently desired, in the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln. He took a deep interest in all educational matters and by his exertions succeeded in having a school building erected in Williamsburg, where for many years a larger part of the school teachers of Iowa county were educated. He died on Sunday, April 14. 1872, aged 65 years. W. A. GALE, only son of Rev. W. P. Gale and Louisa Patten, was born in Gilmanton, New Hamp- shire, September 26, 1838. He came to Iowa county, August 10, 1855. Was appointed A. A. Paymaster U. S. Navy in 1865 and assigned to duty in the Mississippi Squadron, where he served until after the fleet was dis- banded. He was married October 4, 1868, to Cynthia Fletcher, daughter of George Fletcher, Esq., of Williamsburg, in this county. They had three children: Annie Louisa (born October 19, 1869), Mary Ellen (born June 8, 1871,) and Willie (born January 30, 1873, who died August 30, same year). His wife, Cynthia Fletcher, died January 30, 1873, aged 25 years, 1 month and 27 days. The following tribute to her memory was written by her pastor, Rev. H. S. Clarke: " As a faithful wife, a devoted and tender mother, a kind and affectionate daughter and sister and a ge- nial, unselfish friend, she had a warm place in the hearts of all who knew her; ever pleasant and kind, ever forgetful of self and thoughtful of others, we may truly and heartily say ot her, none knew her but to love her, none named her but to praise."
H ANSON, THOMAS-Farmer, Sec. 23, P. O. Lytle City. One of the oldest living settlers in Troy township. Was born in Westmeath county, Ireland, May 25, 1809. He there followed the pursuit of agricul- ture until the spring of 1831, when he came to America and made his first settlement in Ross county, Ohio, which was in 1837. In 1845 he came to- Iowa county, by team, and settled upon his present location; was among the first settlers in his neighborhood and has witnessed nearly its entire growth and development. He is now in possession of a good farm of 350 acres. Was married in Troy, New York, in 1837, to Miss Bridget Meagher, a native of Killkenny, Ireland. She died in 1878, leaving a fam- ily of six children: Michael, John, Hugh D., Stephen B., Thomas M. and Edward.
HASTING, W. W .- Carpenter and wagon-maker. Was born in London, England, in 1827. His parents brought him to America when a mere infant and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. There he attained his tenth year and then moved to Stark county, Ohio, where he reached his nine- teenth year. At that age he enlisted in company K, Third Ohio infantry
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