USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 85
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ORGANIZATION.
In May, 1862, the voters of congressional township 79, range 11, peti- tioned the board of supervisors, to be organized into a civil township; whereupon A. J. Morrison, clerk of the board of supervisors, issued a war- rant to the voters of said territory to organize according to law and to ballot for the several township, county and State officers, on Tuesday, Octo- ber 14, 1862. Warrant was dated August 4, 1862.
The voters met on the day appointed at the house of Mr. Myers, and held the first election. J. B. Rowe, C. Myers and S. Carson were ap- pointed judges; G. C. Hamblin and Orin Bryant were appoined clerks of the election. There were thirty-two votes cast. The following persons were elected: Trustees, J. B. Row, O. Bryant and S. Carson; justices, George Colton and Samuel Carson; constables, B. L. Bean and W. Jack- son; assessor, Jacob Schultz. George Lotz and W. E. Morse each received the same number of votes for township clerk, and on December 19, 1862, they met at the clerk's house and drew cuts for the position, and George. Lotz was successful, and on December 27, he qualified for the office.
On January 10, 1863, George Lotz resigned the office of clerk, and on January 17, 1863, the trustees met and appointed G. C. Hamblin, township clerk. He served until August 29, 1863, when he resigned, and the trus- tees appointed Snowden Myers, who served the balance of the year and was. elected at the next election for the next term. At the next election there. were thirty-nine votes cast. At the election in 1880 there were 184 votes. cast. The township was named by Snowden Myers. The present officers of Pilot are:
Trustees-B. L. Bean, J. P. Smith and J. H. Edgington.
Justices-J. C. Springer and W. E. Morse.
Constables-J. S. Cafferty and C. N. Toland.
Clerk-A. J. Myers.
Assessor-A. P. McCallister.
G
SCHOOLS.
The first school in Pilot township was taught by Sarah Vandyke in C. Myers' smoke-house on section thirty-four at a salary of eleven dollars per- month for three months. She had an attendance of seven scholars. This. was before the year 1860. The first school-house was built in South Pilot district by Stahl & Boyd, at a cost of $400, in the year 1860. At present there are nine good schools in the township. School are in session seven
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
months during the year, and four gentlemen and ten lady teachers have conducted them during the past year. The average monthly compen - sation for the males was $30; for the females $20. Of school age there are 338 persons. The total enrollment was last year 285, and the average daily attendance was 181. The average cost for tuition, per month, for each pupil was $1.20. The nine frame school-houses are valued at $3,500. The names of the present teachers are: Center, Miss Mary Morse; Pilot Grove, Miss Mary McDermote; Maple Grove, Miss Mary Hanson; North Pilot, Mrs. David Hughes; Colton, J. W. Raffensperger; Omaha, Miss Ella Rock; South Pilot, Samuel Peterson; Rowe's Hill, Charles Cary; No. 7, Miss Mary O'Hair.
POST-OFFICE.
West Pilot post-office was established in 1872, when S. Myers was ap- pointed postmaster, but refused to serve and J. C. Springer was appointed, and has held the position since. This is in section fifteen, near the center of the township, at the store of the postmaster. Mr. Springer commenced merchandising here in 1874. He keeps a large general stock and does a good business. At this place there is a good blacksmith shop run by Paul Septer. Henry Moffitt has a blacksmith shop on section thirty-six.
A burying ground used for fifteen years is located on section twenty-four. It includes three acres and contains one hundred graves. A son of Francis Mc Allister was the first to rest there.
Mr. J. A. Myers has a creamery on section thirty-four. C. D. Vernon manufactures in a building constructed for the purpose in section five. He started the business June 1, 1880.
HURRICANE.
In June, 1871, a whirlwind passed over a portion of this township. It appeared to start in section eleven, and pursue a southerly direction. It struck the house of A. P. McCallister at about nine o'clock in the evening and completely demolished it. A part of the family had retired for the night. Mr. McCallister and wife, Elijah McCallister, a young son of the head of the family, and a young man by the name of Edward McDer- mott were in the house at the time. None were killed but all were more or less injured. The boy, Frank, received a serious scalp wound on the upper part of the forehead, which left a scar for life. One of the sills of the house was blown a distance of forty rods.
HAIL.
A destructive hail-storm passed over the township June 11, 1861. It came from the southwest and cut down all the crops in its course. Win- dows on west side of houses were all broken.
SOLDIERS.
The following comprises all the volunteer soldiery in the late war:
Private Salem L. Morse, company E, Twenty-fourth Iowa infantry; lost his right leg at the battle of Champion's Hill, Mississippi; came home and was appointed deputy treasurer of the county; took sick and soon after died.
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PILOT TOWNSHIP.
James M. Carson, private in company H, Fourth Iowa cavalry. Died at Richmond, in Libby Prison, May 30, 1864.
John C. Carson, corporal, company H, Second cavalry. He was killed in a skirmish at Blackland, Mississippi, June 4, 1862.
George Carson, a private in company G, Twenty-eighth Iowa infantry; was discharged February 27, 1863, and now lives at New Sharon, Mahaska county, engaged in the drug business.
Andrew K. Housden, a fifer, and George W. Housden, a sergeant, both of company I, Twenty-eighth infantry. They were discharged February 28, 1863, and both came home together, where they died a few weeks- later.
Rudolph Hilficker, private in company I, Twenty-eighth infantry, went through the whole war and returned home. He subsequently went to Texas, where it is supposed he died.
B. L. Bean, Nathaniel Boughman and F. McCallister served to the end of the war and returned.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
BROWN, H. A .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16, P. O. Genoa Bluffs. Was born in Rutland county, Vermont, July 15, 1840. His early youth was spent on a farm until his nineteenth year, when he came to Chi- cago, Illinois, and engaged in the commission business which he followed about three months. He then took charge of a stationary engine, and after about three months in that business he started on a trip through the Southern States, returning to Chicago in July, 1860. After a short stay, he went to Franklin county, Maine, and there made his home until May, 1862, when he shipped in the United States navy as chief engineer's clerk on board the ill-fated United States sloop of war, Housatonic. The Hou- satonic sailed from Boston in August, 1862, and was placed on the block- ade off Charleston, where she remained on duty, at one time defeating the rebel rams, and thus saving the blockade. On the 17th of February, 1864, she was sunk five minutes inby a rebel torpedo. The crew was rescued by the United States steamship Canindaigua. Mr. Brown came near losing his life here. In a few days he was ordered to United States steamship Commdore McDonough, and was promoted to engineer. In a few months was ordered to United States steamship Chatham, and finally he was or- dered to United States sloop of war Tuscarora, which convoyed the army transport steamer with Jefferson Davis and party on board to Hampton Roads. After two months, Mr. Brown was honorably discharged from the United States navy. He was married in Franklin county, Maine, June 14, 1865, to Miss S. H. Delano. In 1865 he came to Iowa and settled in Keo- kuk county, and in the spring of 1866 came to Iowa county. In 1874 he moved to his present location, where he owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres. His family consists of five children: Bertie, Minnie, Arthur, Elvin and Laura.
EWIS, LEVI-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4, P. O. Genoa Bluffs. L Was born November 11, 1835, in Rutland county, Vermont, and when about five years of age moved to Addison county, same State. There he was educated and raised, and was there married in 1861 to Miss Eliza Watteson. They have five children: Carrie E., Frank E., Bevie T., Flor- ence E. and Roscoe F. In 1865 Mr. L. came to his present location, where
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
he owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of well cultivated land. His buildings are among the finest in Iowa county.
cCALLISTER, G. W .- Farmer, Sec. 36, P. O. West Troy. Was
M born in Madison county, Indiana, in April, 1847, and is the son of Hugh McCallister, who was born June 14, 1792, in Kentucky. He served in the War of 1812 and was present at the surrender of Gen. Hull. He has been married three times, first to Miss S. Huss, January 15, 1815, and had by this union twelve children. He married for his second wife Mrs. Polly Lilly, by whom he had ten children. In 1854 he married Mrs. Catharine Hingham, whose maiden name was Lee, and is niece of Gen. Lee. Mr. McCallister, Sr., is still living. The subject of our sketch was married in April, 1879, to Miss Rebecca Lay, a native of Greene county, Indiana. They have one son, Hugh. His farm consists of forty acres.
McEUCHRAN, ROBERT-Farmer, Sec. 30, P. O. West Troy. Was born October 30, 1840, in Champaign county, Ohio, and while an infant was taken by his parents to Noble county, Indiana, where he was raised. During the late war he enlisted in company B, Thirtieth Indiana infantry and participated in some of the most severe battles of the Rebellion among which were Perrysville, Stone River, Chattanooga and Mission Ridge. He was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison five months and then was exchanged. He re-enlisted February 14, 1864, and passed all the various grades of promotion and was commissioned captain. He was wounded in the hip at Rocky Face, May 9, 1864, and was for a time disa- bled. After his return to the regiment he was taken prisoner but escaped and after two days was recaptured and made his escape a second time, while his captors were having their horses shod. This time he took to the moun- tains and after several days of hard travel he reached the Federal lines. He was mustered out November 25, 1865, and returned to Indiana, where he lived until 1868, and then came to Iowa county. His farm consists of 207 acres. He married Miss Bridget O'Hara in 1871. She was born in Ireland. They have five children: Mary J., James E., John F., E. H. and Anna M.
MORSE, SALEM L .- Was born in Southbridge, Worcester county, Massachusetts, April 15, 1838. Came to Iowa with his parents and broth- ers and assisted in opening up their farm. Deeply interested in the suc- cess of our civil war, he volunteered in company E, Twenty-Fourth Iowa infantry, August 15, 1862. At the battle of Champion's Hill, May 16, 1863, he was severely wounded in the right knee, requiring an amputation of the limb. After remaining in a temporary hospital for a few days (dur- ing which time he fell into the hands of the rebels and was paroled), he was removed to the Gayoso Hospital, Memphis, when it became necessary to amputate his limb again. He was discharged from the service Septem- ber 14, 1863, and remained at home during the winter and spring. Then he moved to Marengo, where he filled the offices of justice of the peace and deputy recorder and in January, 1866, he received the appointment of deputy treasurer. His health, which had been failing from the effects of his wound, became so poor that he resigned his office, returned home, was attacked with brain fever, and died March 9. 1866.
MORSE, WILLIAM E .- Farmer, stock-raiser and breeder of Short-Horn cattle, Poland-China hogs, etc. Is a son of Lovell Morse, who was born September 23, 1799, in Worcester county, Massachusetts. His wife, whose maiden name was Clara Mason, the mother of our subject, was born Octo-
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ber 16, 1801, in Massachusetts, and died on the 14th of December, 1876. W. E. Morse was born February 3, 1830, in Southbridge township, Wor- cester county, Massachusetts, and there was educated and raised. In 1855 he came to Illinois, where he lived one year, and in October of that year removed to this State and bought land. In January, 1856, he moved to his present location, where he owns a fine farm of 410 acres of good land. His marriage was on the 13th of July, 1859, to Miss S. A. Hostetter, a native of Ohio. The result of this union was three children: William L., George E. and Edward L. Mrs. Morse died January 26, 1867, and he was again married November 5, 1879, to Mrs. E L. Osborn, a native of New York. Mr. Morse has held many places of public trust. His brother S. L. Morse was born April 15, 1838. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company E, Twenty-Fourth Iowa infantry, and participated in the battle of Champion's Hill, May 16,1863, where he was wounded in the right leg, causing ampu- tation below the knee. Charles M. Morse was born January 28, 1835, and died April 22, 1866, in Iowa county.
MYERS, I. B .- Farmer, Sec. 15, P. O. West Pilot. Was born March 11, 1847, in Knox county, Ohio, and when he was about two years of age he came to this State with his parents and settled in Mahaska county, and when he was seven years of age he moved to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he lived until he was eleven years of age. He then moved to Dayton township, Iowa county, and in 1858 he came to Pilot township. He was married in 1870 to Miss Sarah A. Simpson. They have three children: Walter R., Raymond I. and Rena E. He owns a fine farm of 80 acres.
MYERS, A. J .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 10. P. O. West Pilot. Was born June 26, 1843, in Knox county, Ohio. When six years of age he moved with his parents to this State and settled in Mahaska county where he lived three years. He then moved to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he lived until the breaking out of the war, and then enlisted in the Thirteenth Iowa infantry, company I, in 1861, and served until March, 1862, and was discharged on account of ill health. He again enlisted in August, 1862, in company C, Twenty-Eighth Iowa infantry, and served un- til the end of the war. He was in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, and Champion's Hill, where he was wounded and laid up for one year. He was mustered out in August, 1865, and he returned to Poweshiek county. He came to this county in 1866. He was married in 1866 to Mrs. Catha- rine Coover and by this union have five children: Perry C., Emery E., Drusilla C. George W. and Jessie L. Mr. Myers has been township clerk for four years, and is elected for the two ensuing years .. He is a man who takes a warm interest in the welfare of the county. He now owns a fine farm of 80 acres.
S' EPTER, PAUL-Blacksmith, Sec. 15, P. O. West Pilot. Was born October 28, 1850, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and when he was six years of age he came with his parents to this State and settled in Davenport, and remained there one year. In 1866 he came to his present location and in 1875 he engaged in his present line of business and is se- curing a large patronage. He was married in 1877 to Miss Annie Hibl, and by this union they have two children: William H. and Annie M. He owns a farm of 40 acres.
SPRINGER, JONATHAN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P. O.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
West Pilot. Was born December 15, 1832, in Ill., where he was raised until' he attained his eighteenth year, he then went to California and engaged.in mining for a short time. He then went to farming and stock-dealing which he followed fourteen years. He was married in 1858 to Miss A. V. Allison, a native of Illinois, and by this union have eight children: John W., Eu- gene A., L. B., Margaret M., Jonathan R., George E., Sarah V. and Lewis D. Lost two: Dennis and Arvilia V. He returned to Illinois in 1867, and settled in De Witt county where he remained for six years, he then went to Missouri and lived there two years. Thence to this State and settled in Iowa county where he owns a farm of 160 acres.
SPRINGER, JOHN C .- Merchant, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. West Pilot Prominent among the many pioneers of Iowa county who have a reputation for business capacity is the subject of this sketch. He was born January 19, 1845, in Macomb, Illinois, where he lived until eleven years of age. He then came with his parents to this county where he was raised. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in company I, Twenty- eighth Iowa infantry, and served until March 31, 1863, when he was dis- charged on account of disability. He returned to Marengo and placed him- self under the care of a physician. He was then appointed deputy clerk of the court of Iowa county, and held the position four years. He owns an improved farm of 170 acres and his improvements are among the best in the township. He was married November 4, 1866, to Margaret E. Lortz. By this union they have three children: William G., Lizzie B. and Clara F. Lost one, an infant. He was appointed postmaster in 1873, of West Pilot, which office he still holds; in 1874 he engaged in the mercan- tile business and is now doing a large and profitable trade. He served as township clerk four years; assessor three years and holds the office of jus- tice of the peace.
V AN VALTENBURG, O. W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 17, P. O. Millersburg. Was born in Delaware county, Indiana, on the 29th day of July, 1842, and lived there until he was fifteen years of age when he came to Iowa and settled near Wyoming, in Jones county, remaining one year and then removed to Linn county and settled near Mount Ver- non, and thence to Edgington, Illinois; from this place he returned to Jones county, Iowa, and lived until 1860, excepting a short time in Cedar Rapids, and then came to this county. From this county he went to Nebraska City, and made a trip overland to Denver in the freighting business. In the fall he returned and made another trip on the plains to Fort Bridger on the Salt Lake route. And on his return he came to southern Iowa, where he enlisted in company D, Fourth Iowa infantry volunteers and joined his regiment in Arkansas, and was with Gen. Curtis in his Mis- souri and Arkansas campaign, but owing to failing health he was discharged from the service. He made two trips over the plains for his health. In 1866 he engaged in the building of the Union Pacific Railroad and re- mained on this road and its different branches until the fall of 1869, when he came to Davenport, Iowa. He then took a run up the Mississippi River to Minnesota, and returned to Davenport, where he was married to Miss Minerva Hessleton, and came to this county. He owns 160 acres of land in Sec. 17. He has three children: William R., Jacob G. and an infant son not named.
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YORK TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER X.
YORK TOWNSHIP.
The Name-Location-Area-Population-Physical Features-The Farmer's Paradise- The "Historic " Creek-Early Settlers -- Model Farm-Original Entries-Organization -Order for an Election-Presidential Vote in 1880-Present Officers-Valuation of Pro- perty -- Stock on Hand-York Center-Churches-Baptist Church-Welsh Presbyterian -Cemeteries-Schools -- Wages Paid Teachers-Number of Pupils -- Excitement about Coal-Biographical.
THE NAME.
York is the name of many counties, cities and post-offices in the United States, England and the Dominion of Canada. A county bears that name in each of the following States: Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Car- olina, and Nebraska. York is the name of a county in Ontario, Canada, and one of New Brunswick. The city of York, Pennsylvania, is the county-seat of York county. It contains a population of 13,000, and is one of the handsomest cities in the Union. York, the capital city of York- shire, England, contains a population of 45,000. Yorktown, on the York River in Virginia, is chiefly noted for the surrender of Lord Cornwallis to General Washington. New York City, situated in the State and county of the same name, is the most important place in the world bearing the name of York. This great metropolis, according to the United States cen- sus of 1880, contains over one million two hundred thousand inhabitants. Without prolonged mention of applications of the name of York, it may be interesting to state that there are in the United States twelve post-offices named York, ten named Yorkville, six Yorktown, and two York Center, one in Steuben county, Indiana, and the other in York township.
LOCATION.
This is perhaps the most favorably situated, all things considered, of any township in Iowa county. The geographical boundaries of York township are: north by Iowa, east by Johnson county, south by Green, and west by Troy township. Its technical position is all of that territory corresponding to congressional township number 79 north, range 9 west of the fifth prin- cipal meridian. The area is a little over thirty-six square miles, or exactly 23,940 acres. The population, according to the United States census for the year 1880, is 812. In 1870 it was 554, showing an increase for the last decade of 250, or 46 per cent.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
Rolling prairie is the prevailing feature, though in the south it is con- siderably broken. The north half is unsurpassed, and scarcely equaled by any land in this part of the State; splendid farms under excellent cultiva- tion, supplied with all the appurtenances thereto, meet the eye of the be- holder on every hand.
There is very little timber and scarcely a foot of waste land. It is the unbiased opinion of the writer of this monograph that after visiting every township in this, and many other counties of central Iowa, he has seen
43
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
nothing that could be more truly terined the "Farmer's Paradise." There are only two creeks worthy of mention, Old Man's Creek and Convey Creek. Old Man's Creek has figured largely in the history of York township and Iowa county. Near this stream the first white settler in Iowa county built his cabin. Not far from its banks Michael Duffy, Henry Starry and John Convey, the first settlers of York, staked out their claims and made them- selves homes there. This old historic creek flows through the southern tier of sections and proceeds on its ceaseless journey into Johnson county and thence into the Iowa River. Convey Creek rises in the north part of York, flows south through the center of the township and unites with Old Man's Creek in section 35. Springs of never failing, pure water come to the surface from many a hillside, and on the more level tracts good wells can be easily dug. Surface and soil have combined to render this superior for stock and agricultural purposes.
EARLY SETTLERS.
In. 1840-1 the first settlements were made in sections 34 and 35 by Henry Starry, Michael Duffey and John Convey. Michael Duffy is a good type of an Irishman. He came from the Emerald Isle, and still lives in southeastern York. John Convey came from Springfield, Illinois, originally from Ireland. He died about the year 1875. The south part of York was settled first and it belonged to what was known as Old Man's Creek set- tlement. The north part was settled at an entirely different period. Chas. Gillin was another early settler in the south of York. He came from Pennsylvania soon after Ricord, the first settler in the county. He lived there many years and died about the year 1876. John J. Hanson came from Ohio in 1845 and settled in section 19. Thos. Hanson, son of Thomas Hanson of Troy township is one of the prominent settlers in section 19. Orson Harrington, Horace Seymour, Thomas Collingswood, Ira Mason, George House, Henry Cook, Orrin Castle, and several others were early and prominent settlers.
Orson Harrington, who now owns and improves one of the best culti- vated and furnished farms in the State, came from Chenango county, New York, in December, 1859, and settled where he now lives, on the east part of section 10. His residence, barns, fine stock and crops, attest the thrift which has acquired such merited competence. Mr. Harrington has a large and highly respected family.
ORIGINAL ENTRIES.
The first land lying in what is now York township, bought from the government, was s fr hf sw qr section 31, township 79, range 9, by Elisha H. Ricord, entered January 27, 1846.
The next was entered by Lambert Lamberts, February 27, 1846, and de- scribed as the east half of the southwest quarter section 34, township 79, range 9.
The third piece was entered and bought by Henry Starry, nw qr se qr sec. 34, township 79, range 9, December 16, 1846.
The fifth piece of land taken up in this township was by Clark Jones, March 27, 1848, the sw qr sw qr section 36, township 79, range 9.
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YORK TOWNSHIP.
The fourth forty acres was by Michael Duffy, January 7, 1848, ne qr ne qr section 35, township 79, range 9.
ORGANIZATION.
The following order by Judge William H. Wallace will give the reader the exact dates of organization:
" To Edward Blasier, Esq .:- You are hereby notified that congressional township number seventy-nine north, of range nine, in Iowa county, has this day been established as a civil township to be known as York township, and that the first election therein is hereby directed to be held at the East Ridge school-house, in said township, on the 6th day of November, A. D., 1860, for the election of township and other officers.
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