USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 76
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for the Mexican War and served until June 1847, when he was honorably. discharged. He received two slight wounds during his service. In. 1848 he came to Linn county, Iowa, and made his home there until 1854, then moved to Iowa county, where he has since made his home. In the sum- mer of 1862 he enlisted in company G, Twenty-eighth Iowa infantry and. was in the battles of Champion's Hill, Siege of Vicksburg, Sabine Cross- roads, Alexandria and others. Was mustered out in the autumn of 1865. He is now carrying on a wagon and general repair shop, as well as doing general carpentering and building. He has been twice married, but is now. a widower. He is in possession of some desirable town property in Wil- liamsburg.
HUGHES, JOHN, SR .- Farmer and plasterer, residence Williamsburg; P. O. Stellapolis. This pioneer of Troy township was born in Montgom- eryshire, Wales, March 4, 1821. He was married in his native place Feb- ruary 11, 1840, to Miss Susannah Price, a native of Montgomeryshire. April 7th of that year heemigrated with his young wife to America. They made their first settlement in Columbus, Ohio, where he made his home until 1857. In 1856 he visited Iowa county, remained a few months and returned to Ohio, and in the spring of 1857 he brought his family to his present location. He is in possession of a farm of 120 acres of cultivated land. . Is also engaged in the plastering trade. Has been postmaster here for seventeen years; was county supervisor four years; justice of the peace two years; and has held other township offices. His family consists of seven children: John, Jennie (wife of Charles Fletcher), David, Mary A. (now Mrs. Frank Lyon), Ida, Edward B. and George H .; they have lost two, Mary A. and Edward. TONES, JOHN, J .- Farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 5, P. O. Stellapolis.
Prominent among the business men of Troy township, is the subject of this sketch, who is commonly known as Delaware Jones. He was born in Wales, August, 27, 1818, and was married in his native country in 1842, to Miss Gwenllean Jones, a native of Wales. In July, 1856, he came to America and settled in Delaware county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming until 1864, when he came to his present location. Here he owns a nicely improved farm of 196 acres, and is extensively engaged in the stock business. His family consists of four children: John T., Ann, David J. and Sarah.
JONES, JOHN W .- Farmer, Sec. 18, P. O. Stellapolis. Was born in Wales, in September, 1827, and here his early youth was spent on a farm. In 1850 he came to America and made his first settlement in Oneida county, New York, and in 1857 moved to Iowa county, settling upon his present location. Here he is in possession of a nice farm of 140 acres of well improved land, with a handsome dwelling which cost about $1,300, and is surrounded with everything which should make his latter days com- fortable. He was married June 25, 1851, in Oneida county, New York, to Miss Martha Owens, a native of Wales. They have one child, Mary (now Mrs. David A. Jones, of Troy township).
JONES, THOMAS J .- Farmer, Sec. 4, P. O. Stellapolis. Was born in Wales, January 27, 1831, and there spent his days until the spring of 1861. He then came to America and settled in Delaware county, Ohio, where he made his home seven years. Then moved to his present location, where he has since lived. Owns a valnable farm of 240 acres. Was married in Wales, August 1, 1857, to Miss Ann Jones, a native of Wales. Mr. Jones
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
is a mau who is considered among the successful business men of Troy township.
JONES, REV. JAMES V .- Williamsburg. Was born in Carmarthen- shire, Wales, January 16, 1840. He learned the trade of a weaver when quite young, but in 1857 began his theological studies, and was ordained in 1864. He came to America in 1868. His first field of labor was at Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he remained until the autumn of 1869. He returned to Wales, and in the spring of 1870 came again to America and located at Summit Hill, Pennsylvania. In October, 1872, he went to Big Rock, Kane county, Illinois, where he remained about eleven months and then went to Rosendale, Wisconsin, remaining until 1879, when he came to his present location. He was married in Oneida county, New York, in 1871, to Miss Candace Laura Jones, a native of that county. They have one adopted child, Kate. Mr. Jones is of the Congregational faith, and is a zealous worker for the cause of Christianity.
JONES, W. R .- Farmer, Sec. 18, P. O. Stellapolis. This pioneer was born in Wales in 1844, and when about eight years of age his parents brought him to America. They settled in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1858, then coming to Iowa county. They settled in Troy township and here our subject has since made his home. He was married in this county in 1866, to Miss Mary Evans, daughter of William and Sarah Evans, who were among the first settlers of this township. He is now in possession of a valuable farm of 160 acres of cultivated land. His family consists of five children living: William Henry, Sarah Edith, David Aubrey, Mary Ellen and Albert T. Mr. Jones is now giving his attention to the raising of fine stock, and has been very successful.
JONES, J. E .- Physician and surgeon, Williamsburg. Prominent among the medical practitioners of Iowa county is the subject of this brief sketch, who was born in Manchester, England, on the twenty seventhi of September, 1846. When about four years old his parents brought him to America and first settled in New York City, where they remained about four years; they then moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where he spent his days until 1859, then coming to Manchester, Iowa, with his parents. In 1863 he went to Chicago, Illinois, and engaged in the drug business as a clerk. in which line he continued until the spring of 1864. He then en- listed in company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois infantry; was honorably discharged in the autumn of that year, and re-enlisted in com- pany I, Second Iowa cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was acting hospital steward during his service. Was mustered out in the autumn of 1865, and came to the home of his parents which was in Will- iamsburg, they having moved here in the autumn of 1863. In the autumn of 1866 he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and entered the medical depart- ment of the State University, and at the close of the session was appointed hospital steward for the Dakota department of the United States army. He was quartered at Fort Stevenson, Dakota. This position he held until the' spring of 1870, when he again returned to Williamsburg, and after a stay of a few months entered the Rush Medical College of Chicago. He received a degree in the spring of 1871, and returned to Williamsburg, where he has since practiced. In the spring of 1880 he engaged in the drug and general merchandise trade, in company with Mr. Evans. The doctor has enjoyed a liberal patronage from the people, and has been very successful. He is of the regular persuasion; is secretary of the Iowa County Medical Society,
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TROY TOWNSHIP.
and also a member of the State Medical Society. He has been frequently appointed delegate to State and county Republican conventions; was a candidate for county clerk in 1875, and lacked but twenty-three votes of being elected. He was married in Iowa county, January 20, 1875, to Miss Jennie Evans, the only daughter of Evan D. and Jane Evans, one of the first settlers of Troy township. She was born in Troy township. They have two children living: Susie Grace and Roscoe Blaine. The doctor is very popular, and is possessed of that public spiritedness which is charac- teristic of the man of enterprise. He is always willing to lend his influence to all commendable enterprises, and is a zealous worker for the benefit of his fellow beings. He well deserves the esteem in which he is held by the people.
L ONG, WILLIAM R .- Carpenter. Was born in Columbus, Ohio,
September 1, 1856, and when about six years of age his parents brought him to Iowa county. They settled in Troy township, where our subject has since made his home. When about fourteen years of age he commenced the carpenter trade, and has since made it his business, except about two years, when he was engaged in farming. He was married in Iowa county, August 9, 1876, to Miss Clara S. Harber, a native of New- ark, New Jersey. By this union they have two children living: Albert Lewis and Carrie.
LYON, ISRAEL-Carpenter and builder, Williamsburg. Among the business men of Troy township is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Essex county, New Jersey, May 3, 1814, and there was educated and raised. When about sixteen years of age he began the carpenter trade and has since made it his principal occupation, although he has been interested in other lines of business. He was married in Rochester, New York, in 1836, to Miss Theodesa Van Dyne. She was born in New York City, Oc- tober 3, 1819. He returned to Newark, New Jersey, and after about one year went to New York City, residing there until 1843, when he moved to Newark, Ohio. There he remained about two years, when he moved to Co- lumbus, same State, and made that his home about nineteen years. Then, in the spring of 1864, he came to Iowa county, settling in Troy township and has since made it his home. He purchased a farm of 80 acres which he still retains. Mr. Lyon is a workman of more than average capacity, and has constructed many fine buildings in his time. He was identified with the building of the Ohio State capitol, several fine churches in New York City, the palatial residence of the Hon. B. F. Allen of Des Moines, Iowa, and many others. He has given architecture considerable of his at- tention, and is fully competent to superintend any class of work in his line. He was also concerned in the erection of Stover's Opera House, Marengo. His family consists of three children living: Mortimer W., Frederick A. and Frank T. Lost two: Theodore Augustus (died when about three years and five months old) and Ida Virginia (now Mrs. David E. Evans. She died September 30, 1877).
O GDEN, H. T .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 30. P. O. West Troy. Was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1842. His parents brought him to Dubuque county, Iowa, when about seven years of age, and there, he made his home until the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the autumn of 1861 in company A, Ninth Iowa infantry. Was in the battle of Arkansas Post, and Siege of Vicksburg, and there he was wounded by a bullet in the right shoulder. He was kept in hospitals there and at
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Memphis, and St. Louis until January, 1863 when he was discharged. He returned to his home in Dubuque county, and in 1864 moved to Jones- county, where he remained until 1868, then moved to his present location. He is in possession of a well cultivated farin of 210 acres. Is extensively engaged in stock-raising, and everything about his place marks the man of industry and enterprise. He was married in Dubuque county in 1864, to Miss Augusta J. Smith, of Muscatine county, Iowa. Their family consists of five children: Addison Lee, Edward Elmer, Vernon L., Florence L. and Alice Leon. Mr. Ogden has held the office of county supervisor one term and justice of the peace for several years.
OGDEN, A. B .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 30, P. O. West Troy. Is a prominent farmer, who came to Iowa county in the spring of 1868. Was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 4, 1845, and when about four years of age his parents brought him to Iowa, locating in Dubuque county. There he spent his days until the spring of 1864, when they moved to Jones county, residing there until he came to Iowa county. His occupation has been that of a farmer, although he has taught school for several terms. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace, and has since held the office, al- ways discharging its duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is now in possession of a well improved farm of 150 acres. His stock sales for the past year will exceed $2,500. Mr. O. was married, in Iowa county, in 1871, to Miss Mary A. Davis, a native of Wales. Their family consists of four children: Minor B., Edna M., Raymond D. and Henry A. They lost one.
THRASH, D. B .- Carpenter and farmer, Sec. 2, P. O. Stellapolis. Was born in the town of Liberty Hill, Dallas county, Alabama, in the year 1834. His early youth was spent on a plantation. In 1855 he engaged in the mercantile business and followed it until 1874, when he came to Iowa county and engaged in his present line. He is now conducting a farm of 80 acres, and is engaged in building in connection with his farm duties. He was married in Oneida county, New York, in the year 1856, to Miss Jennie Thompson, a native of that county. His family consists of three children: Charles W., Ed. M. and Caro Madge. They lost four: George Fletcher, Frank, Jennie and an infant.
CHAPTER V.
ENGLISH TOWNSHIP.
Geographical and Statistical -- Early Settlers -- Organization-Original Entries-Physical Features-Schools-Millersburg-Present Condition-Millersburg in 1857-Business Di- rectory -- Churches-Methodist Protestant-Christian-Methodist Episcopal-Cemeteries -Schools -- Secret Societies-Masonic-V. A. S .- I. O. O. F .- Post-office-Hotels-North English-Whirlwind-Change of County Line-Fenian Meeting-Lincoln-Biogra- phies.
GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL.
THIS is one of the four oldest townships in Iowa county. In 1847, with the formation of Greene, Iowa and Marengo, English took definite form, but included more than four times as much territory as it now contains. This township was named "Englishi" by the three commissioners, Thomas Hanson, Lewis F. Wilson and Matthew S. Cleveland, but why they named
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ENGLISH TOWNSHIP.
it English is not known. As now formed it is bounded north by Pilot, east by Fillmore, south by Keokuk county and west by Dayton township. It corresponds with the regular congressional township 78 north, range 11 west, and consequently contains a little more than thirty-six square miles of area, more exactly 24,283 acres. The population according to the United States census of 1880, was 1,696. It will be seen by comparison with the other townships, that it has a population greater than any except Marengo. It contains over a hundred more that Hartford and sixty-three- more than Amana, but within the last decade the per cent of increase has been much less than either. The percentage of increase in Hartford has been twenty-one, that of Amana thirteen and that of English only four.
The realty in English is assessed at $198,000; personalty, $81,600. There are 362 polls. At the presidential election, November 2, 1880, James A. Garfield received 156 votes, W. S. Hancock 76 votes and James B. Weaver 97 votes. The personal property of the farmers for the year 1880, included the following live stock: horses, 794; cattle, 1,956; mules, 20; sheep, 454; and swine, 3,406.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Robert and Samuel Miller were probably the first settlers who came into. what is now English township. They settled on the Keokuk county line in the year 1844, and a portion of Robert Miller's farm was in Keokuk county. Both were natives of Kentucky. Robert died there on his farm in the fall of 1864. Samuel went to Missouri in 1855. William K. Miller settled about the same time and took a claim in section 29. He moved to Millersburg in the summer of 1854 and died in the spring of 1880. Reu- ben Miller came from Illinois, originally from Kentucky, and in the year 1845 settled on section S. He afterward laid off the burg which bears his name, June 28, 1852. He was a prominent man in this section of country, built several mills and houses and aided in pushing ahead the interests of the pioneer settlers. He now lives in the western part of this State.
George Miller came from Illinois; was born in Kentucky. He came with his brother Reuben, but took a claim in section 30, northwest quarter. He removed to Washington Territory in 1867.
Martin Ballard came from Illinois, and in 1845 settled on the northwest quarter of section 30. He went to Nebraska about twelve years ago and now lives in the town of Blair, where he is engaged in the practice of law. He built the first steam saw mill in English township at Millersburg. He preached the gospel, pleaded law, filled the office of justice, school fund commissioner, operated a steam saw mill, lost his wife and married again, was postmaster, juror and township trustee, all while he lived in this town- ship.
Aaron Cheeney came from Illinois, originally from New York, and in the year 1845 settled on section 20. He still lives in this township. The first marriage in this township was Christopher Tinkle to Susanna : Coover, by justice of the peace A. H. Akers, in the year 1851 or 1852.
The first physician was H. B. Linch, who practiced medicine as early as 1852. He came from the State of Ohio. He enlisted in the army and died on his way home.
The first lawyer was John Miller, who was admitted to the practice of his- profession when he was but nineteen years of age. He afterward ran for prosecuting attorney for Iowa county and when told that he was elected to.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
that office, immediately left the neighborhood and has not been heard of since.
The first grist mill was commenced in 1856 by John Akers, but a firm called Sharps, Davis & Bonsell bought it and operated it for about three years and then sold it to S. J. Sweet, who removed it in the year 1870 to Valley Junction, Polk county.
The first saw mill was run by horse-power. It also contained a corn- bur for custom grinding. This was owned and run by Reuben Miller in 1852.
Most of the early settlers have either died or moved away. Mr. A. H. Akers and J. P. Sivard were among the early settlers. They still live at Millersburg enjoying good health and the use of active and retentive mem- ories. Many facts recorded in this brief sketch of English township and Millersburg were communicated to the compiler by these gentlemen. Mr. Sivard is proprietor of the Millersburg hotel.
ORGANIZATION.
It has already been stated that English was one of the four original townships and that several others have been cut off from it. Dayton was cut off in 1857, Pilot became organized in 1862, and Lincoln, which was a part of Dayton, was set off in 1860. Exactly who were the first officers is not known. Jesse A. Scott was justice of the peace in 1853 and J. J. Hick- man in 1854. J. S. Grimes was justice among the first and Martin Bal- lard, township clerk. John Dennis and Martin Ballard were justices of the peace, while Thomas Dedmore was clerk and Asher Biddlecum and Jona- than McNeil were constables. The present.officers are:
Trustees-O. P Whitson, J. Johnston and Daniel Southerland.
Justices-William James, Jr., and R. B. Reed.
Constables-Preston Markwell and Elza Harber.
Assessor-A. Owen.
Clerk-Joseph Geiger.
ORIGINAL ENTRIES.
John Miller, June 6, 1848; e hf sw qr sec 19, tp 78, r 11. A. C. Car- son now owns this property.
Alexander Young, May 8, 1846; e hf ne qr sec 35, tp 78, r 11.
George Miller, May 30, 1848; nw qr ne qr sec 30, tp 78, r 11. Mr. I. C. Hall now owns this property.
John Dillin, June 6, 1849; se qr nw qr and w hf ne qr, and ne qr of ne qr of sec. 32, tp 78, r 11. He still owns it but lives in Keokuk county.
Mary S. Legaire, August 16, 1849; w hf ne qr and , e hf nw qr sec. 34, tp. 78, r 11.
Reuben Miller, March 12, 1851; w hf sw qr and sw hf nw qr sec S, tp 78, r 11. Dr. J. S. Watts now owns 40 acres of this purchase.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
North English, Middle English and Gritter Creek are the principal streams of water. North English River rises in Poweshiek county and flows in a southeasterly direction and empties into the lowa River below Iowa
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ENGLISH TOWNSHIP.
City. It touches the township line first at the northwest corner, then fol- lows in a meandering course directly east till it reaches section 4. Here it enters the township, passes through sections 3, 2, 1 and 12; thence into Fillmore. Middle English River rises in Poweshiek county, flows east through Dayton, entering English in section 19, and pursuing an easterly course, unites with Gritter Creek in section 25. Gritter Creek also rises in Poweshiek county, flows east through Dayton, entering English in sec- tion 31, and forms a junction with Middle English in section 25. The surface in places is considerably broken, and considerable timber abounds along the numerous creeks. No township in the county is better watered than this. The " divide" which extends from northwest to southeast, on which Millersburg is situated is the very best of land. For a township having so many creeks the surface is well adapted for agricultural pur- suits.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was in 1854, on the northeast quarter of section 8. There were twenty scholars. It was taught by a young man from the East. From that day to the present schools have multiplied and the general interest of the people has increased. At present there are eight ungraded schools and one graded in the township. There were nine male and eight female teachers in those schools last year; the males receiv- ing an average salary of $35, and the females $21 per month. The youth of school age number 707, 650 of whom are enrolled in the schools and 333 in average daily attendance. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil is ninety-five cents, the lowest of any township in the county. Eight of these school-houses are frame and one brick; they are valued at $10,200. Among the present teachers we find the names of Miss Porter, William Gamble, Viola Donaker, Mrs. N. Williams, Emma Hickman, Anna O. Hair, C. L. Jarvis, Lizzie Morris, S. S. Gillespie and George Mullin.
MILLERSBURG, PRESENT CONDITION.
Reuben Miller laid out the town which still bears his name, in the spring of 1852. The original plat was on nw qr sw qr section 8, township 78, range 11, and the plat was recorded June 28, 1852. It has been a town of considerable importance and even now does a large mercantile trade. There are now several general stores, two hotels, a drug store, hardware and fur- niture stores, a restaurant, saloon, harness shop, meat market, barber shop, millineries, blacksmith shops, wagon shops, shoemakers, churches, schools, livery, lawyers, ministers, physicians, teachers and all other classes neces- sary to make a lively little western village. Let the reader compare an ac- count written nearly a quarter of a century ago with what Millersburg is to-day.
MILLERSBURG IN 1857.
We paid a short visit to Millersburg a week or two since and received social and kindly attention from M. Ballard, Dr. Linch, A. J. Morrison, Mr. Skelington and others. It was on the occasion of a political 'meeting and there were quite a number of people gathered together, which gave the town a lively and animated appearance. Millersburg is delightfully loca- ted on a high rolling prairie, about two and a half miles south of English
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
River, and is surrounded with excellent farms, in a good state of cultivation, well fenced, and several of them having young orchards growing on them. The town is in a prosperous condition, having already many well finished frame houses and several others in progress of completion. There is in the place an excellent steam flouring mill, five dry goods stores, a hardware store, groceries, a clothing store, kept by our friend Skelington, a drug store, kept by A. J. Morrison, besides two excellent hotels. We only became ac- quainted with one of the dry goods merchants, M. H. Moore, who appeared to be doing a flourishing business. Our friends in Millersburg should be satisfied; they have a growing town and fine country around it, which must necessarily keep up a good local trade. May Millersburg progress till it becomes a city.
The above was written by Clinton Edwards, editor of the Iowa Weekly Visitor.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The following will furnish a more satisfactory estimate of the present business:
General stores-Cover & Baird, J. Donaker & Son, A. W. Young,
J. C. Kennedy.
Drug stores-J. V. Hatter, Gawes & Cary.
Hardware-F. Merck.
Furniture-A. A. Cary.
Restaurant-J. W. Wilson.
Harness shops-L. Debolt, William Young.
Meat market-Van Horn & Hatter.
Barber shop-A. Van Horn.
Milliners-Mary Schleiter, Mrs. E. R. Rankin, Mary Fite. Blacksmith and wagon shops-Wade & Foss.
Blacksmith and plow shop-J. S. Parks.
Blacksmith-A. Elder.
Wagon shop-A. H. Akers.
Jeweler-Jacob Fox.
Shoemaker-Robert Hoffeth.
Photographer-E. K. Rankin.
Hotels-J. P. Sivard, H. A. Taylor.
Livery-H. W. Hatter, C. W. Morey.
Lawyer-T. N. Rankin.
Physicians-J. S. Watts, H. O. Bates, G. W. C. Gamble.
Teachers-Miss Porter, William Gamble, Viola Donaker. Ministers-J. E. Rouze, O. C. Shelton.
The population of Millersburg, according to United States census of 1880, was 294.
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