USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 88
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CHAPTER XII.
GREENE TOWNSHIP. 1
First Settler in the County-Edward R. Ricord the Veteran Pioneer-First Claim in the County-First House in Iowa County-Mr. Ricord's Family-His Present Home-Other Early Settlers-Early Experiences of the Settlers-First Death of a White Person in Iowa County -- First Marriage in the County-The Wicked Bridegroom-Learning the Marriage Ceremony-Schools-Churches-Cemeteries-First Store-Early Boundaries of Greene- Statistical-Old Man's Creek-Incidents -- One Hundred Dollars for Butchering a Hog- Biographical.
THE FIRST SETTLER IN IOWA COUNTY.
THE history of Iowa county properly begins with the history of Greene township, and the history of Greene township properly begins with Edward R. Ricord.
Nearly all published historical sketches of Iowa county attribute the first settlement to the vicinity of Iowa River. This is a mistake. Edward R. Ricord settled a little south of Old Man's Creek, within the present limits of Green township, in March, 1840.
This was the first settlement in Iowa county. When the general history of this county was compiled the exact date of the settlement of Mr. Ricord was in doubt; but since, one of our corps of historians has visited him at his home in Johnson county and obtained the facts. Many facts connected with not only his own settlement but also that of many others in Greene town- ship and Iowa county were obtained from Mr. Ricord, to whom acknowledg- ments are due.
Edward R. Ricord was born at Cape Henlopen (now Lewis), Delaware, February 17, 1814. At five years of age he removed with parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived till about eighteen years of age. He then removed to Fayette county, Indiana, where he lived about seven years. Mr. Ricord then being twenty-six years old and recently married, took a boat for St. Louis, and thence to Muscatine. He married Miss Jane Gillin, January 9, 1839. Leaving his family at Muscatine he journeyed afoot northwest till he came to Iowa City, there he rested a day or two then pro- ceeded on foot to Iowa county and made a thorough inspection of the land in the vicinity of Old Man's Creek. After he had become satisfied that this locality would please him he commenced to mark out his claim. As Mr. Ricord was settling his claim he met a man by the name of John Wy- koff who lived one-half a mile east of the Iowa county line. Mr. Wykoff had built a cabin in the fall of 1839 and lived in it together with his wife, two children and a brother.
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Mr. Wykoff and Ricord took a surveyor's chain and measured west from the county line to a point which they supposed would be the northwest quarter of Sec. 3. Here in Sec. 3, township 78, range 9 west of the fifth principal meridian, Mr. Ricord laid out his claim. He employed Mr. Wy- koff and his brother Samuel, with their two yoke of oxen, to help build a log house. In one week's time they had completed the first house built for or by a settler in Iowa county.
The house was one story, of logs hewn down on the inside, puncheon floor, roof of split clap-boards. Mr. Ricord then returned to Iowa City, purchased five yoke of oxen for breaking, a Virginia wagon, and went to Muscatine for his wife and two children. Here he purchased some provis- ions and bedding, took aboard his precious freight and returned to his cabin. He commenced breaking prairie about the first of May, 1840; this he did with his team of five yoke of oxen. This was the farthest west of any house in the Territory of Iowa.
An old man, whose name Mr. Ricord did not recollect, in the summer of 1840, settled upon Iowa River about twelve miles west of the present site of Marengo.
Mr. Edward R. Ricord reared a large and highly respected family, edu- cating the children at the University at Iowa City. The eldest, Mary Iola, died March 16, 1877; Ann died when small; Laura married Walter M. Stover, and now lives in Marengo; Addie married George W. Stover; Jennie married and removed to Kansas; Race died at the age of ten; Lee is now at Iowa University, Iowa City. Mrs. Ricord died March 11, 1877. Mr. Ricord married a second time to Almina Patterson, September 5, 1880. Mr. Ricord now lives only a short distance from Iowa county line in Wash- ington county. His post-office address is Amish, Johnson county. Mr. Ricord was for more than twenty-five years one of Iowa county's most prominent and enterprising citizens. Many of the first elections in Iowa county were held at his house. He took an active part in the organization of the county and township.
OTHER SETTLERS.
James McKray settled in the northeast corner of section 1, in the sum- mer of 1840. Mr. McKray came from the State of Pennsylvania. Misfor- tunes soon came upon him, the first of which was the death of his wife; fire then destroyed his fence and other property. He married and removed to Keokuk county, and there died about thirty years ago.
Edward and Erastus Convers came next, they settled in Sec. 2, township 78, range 9, what is now Greene township. Erastus had a wife and four boys; but Edward was a bachelor and by trade a mill-wright. Both came from Pennsylvania. Erastus died on his own place in the year 1858. Wil- liam put up many excellent mills through this section, for he was a good mechanic. He died in the year 1860.
The third settler was Henry Starry. He came from Ohio with Erastus Convers, and in 1840 settled in Sec. 34, township 79, range 9, what is now York township. He lived there about twelve years when he went to Mar- shall county.
Michael Roup came in the year 1841 from Pennsylvania and settled in section 4, Greene township. He removed to Missouri about the year 1867.
Charles Jones came in 1841 and took a claim in Greene. He was from Ireland, died about 1870.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
William Butler came about the year 1845 and still lives there.
Elisha and Jacob also came with their brother, Edward R. Ricord. Elisha took a claim near his brother in Sec. 3, but did not remain long. Jacob came at the same time, in 1840, but soon went to Iowa City where he still lives. Elisha went into Fillmore township, but now lives in Texa .
John Furlong came in 1841, originally from Ireland. He died about twenty years ago.
Edward Spratt came in the year 1844 and settled in section 1. He died in the year 1876, leaving a family to mourn the loss of a good man.
Thomas Boyle came from Ohio about 1848 and settled on section 5, where he still lives. He was in the Mexican War and with a "land war- rant" laid his claim. Mr. Boyle is a large land owner and one of Iowa county's best and most respected citizens. He ploughed prairie when he first came for three weeks without bread. He was originally from Ireland.
Reuben Smith came in 1843.
John Webster, a United Brethren preacher, came in a very early day and settled on section 1. He was a small man but could preach loud enough to be heard at least a mile. He came from Ohio and lived here until about 1875, when he died.
The very first settlers went to Johnson county to vote, for at that time Iowa county was a part of Johnson. The place where they voted was called "Fry's," and was about twelve miles west of Iowa City. Many of the early settlers, as also those at present residing in Greene township are of Irish descent. The first house was of logs, now many fine frame and brick houses are scattered through the township. The first death was that of the wife of James McKray which happened in the fall of 1842, and was buried just east of his house in section 1. With sad hearts the neighbors, few in numbers, gathered around the bereaved family, and with comforting words laid her body to rest. This was the first white person to rest beneath the soil of Iowa county. .
The first marriage in the township was that of William C. Carter to S. A. Tinkle, April 19, 1846, by justice of the peace Henry Starry, refer- ence to which is made elsewhere in the general history. This was the only official act of Henry Starry while he was justice of the peace. Young Carter turned out badly. He was, some fifteen or twenty years ago, con- victed of horse-stealing, and served a term of two and a half years in the State penitentiary. Before Starry undertook to perform the marriage he learned the marriage ceremony from Mrs. E. R. Ricord, and as he was very illiterate at that time he was a dull pupil.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in Greene township, as also the first in Iowa county, was kept in Edward R. Ricord's house, and taught by Miss Caroline Cole in the year 1844. She married a man by the name of Halsted and removed to Keokuk county. The first school-house in what is now Greene township as likewise the first in Iowa county, was built in section 3, township 78, range 9, by John Coulter, though E. R. Ricord was contractor. The first teacher in this new school-house was Emily Umphrey, she had twenty scholars, she received $12 per month and boarded around the district. This was in the year 1845-6. This lady afterward married Perry Youkum, and now lives in Butler county, Kansas.
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From such small beginings the school advantages of Greene township have grown into nine schools, which are in session six or seven months dur- ing the year. Seven males and eleven females have during the last year constituted the teaching force, the males receiving an average salary of $30, and females $20 per month. There are 396 persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years, 329 of whom were enrolled in the schools and 159 in average daily attendance. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil was $1.25. The present corps of teachers embraces the following names: Edward Mullin, Mary Hogan, E. M. Carner, Ida May Roup, Alice McIntire, Mary E. Love, J. D. Yoder, Sarah Hagaman and William Murrain.
CHURCHES.
Probably the first meetings for religious instruction were conducted by a man by the name of Patterson. He was a Methodist ininister and his services were held in the Ricord school-house about 1845-6.
The first church was built by the Catholics, a little frame structure erected near the present brick church, on section 5. The first Sunday-school was in the Ricord school-house, and Mrs. E. R. Ricord was the first super- intendent. A large brick Catholic church is on section 5; it is about ninety feet long and fifty feet wide and was built about the year 1868, at a cost $2,000. It contains many exquisite paintings and has a large membership. Father P. J. Sullivant built the church. He was a man respected and be- loved for his many noble, christian virtues, and the people, both Catholics and Protestants, were sorry to have him leave and his place supplied by another man.
A Methodist Episcopal Church stands near the center of section 20. The church is not large but is convenient. It was built about three years ago.
CEMETERIES.
The are several cemeteries, one of the oldest on section 3, called the "Ricord Burying Ground." Probably not over six or eight interments at this place.
Another cemetery at the M. E. Church. There have been about thirty interments, but the ground is not so old.
Another is located by the side of the brick Catholic church in section 5. This is the Catholic cemetery, and has been used for many years, and con- tains at least 250 interments.
In section thirteen there is another cemetery containing about twenty- five interments. Also on the east line of section twenty-one there are about fifty graves in what is known as the McArtor Cemetery.
The first store in Greene township was kept in 1849 by a man named Riley.
The first brick kiln was near the southeast corner of the township.
The first shipment of hogs was by E. R. Ricord in the winter of 1841-2. He drove them to Muscatine.
The first shipment of cattle was in 1860, after the Mississippi and Mis- souri Railroad was built above Iowa City.
Money was scarce after the first amount was spent. Settlers always have some money to begin with, but soon it is all gone and sometimes destitu- tion ensues.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The first post-office was called "Jones," and John Wykoff was postmas- ter, in 1860. The post-office was kept for a while by Mrs. Quinn at her store, section five, but it was finally discontinued. Mrs. Quinn now has a store near the Catholic church, and sells groceries and dry goods.
The township contains blacksmith shops, brick kilns, grist mill and stores.
Greene once included four congressional townships; viz., Troy, Fillmore, York and Greene. When the county was first divided into townships there were only four, Greene, English, Iowa and Marengo. The commissioners who fixed the boundaries were Thomas Hanson, Lewis F. Wilson and Mat- thew S. Cleveland. Each of these commissioners named a township. Thomas Hanson named Greene in honor of Gen. Greene of Revolutionary fame. Lewis F. Wilson named Marengo, Matthew S. Cleveland named Iowa, and the three named English. The present boundaries of Greene are: North by York, east by Johnson county, south by Washington county and west by Fillmore township. The area is a little over thirty-six square miles or, more exactly, 24,234 acres.
STATISTICAL.
The population in 1860 was 1,026. The number of cattle 1,537, horses 493, mules 36, sheep 316, swine 2,498. The value of realty $189,000, personalty $45,000. The total tax for the year, besides road tax, $3,749.
The historical Old Man's Creek just touches the northeast corner, and North English River just touches the southwest corner. The whole of the township, except a little land near the creeks, may be properly termed high prairie.
INCIDENTS.
When E. R. Ricord first came, in 1840, there was no post-office within twenty miles, and that was at Iowa City. The settlers on Old Man's Creek frequently walked the whole distance to get their mail, and then paid twen- ty-five cents to get a letter. Mr. Ricord has, in an early day, gone some distance into Johnson county to work out his road tax.
The Indians had very extravagant ideas about the price of labor. Mr. E. R. Ricord needed help in butchering a hog, and as neighbors were scarce, tried to hire an Indian to help him do the job. Mr. R. asked what his wages would be, and the red man replied that he should charge one hundred dollars. Though white men were scarce when Mr. Ricord came to this county, there were great numbers of Indians. Frequently encampments of 500 to 800 were made on Old Man's Creek. The purchase of 1837 ex- tended only a mile or two west of Mr. Ricord's house and from his settle- ment in 1840 till 1843 hogs or cattle that strayed west of that line were taken by the Indians and could not be recovered.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A RCHBOLD, BARTHOLOMEW-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Dublin, Ireland, in the year
1829. Lived there about twenty-two years and in 1851 emigrated to America and located on the farm on which he now lives. His elder brother
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Peter and his younger sister Ann came to America with him. Peter died November 15, 1860. Ann still continues to live with her brother Bar- tholomew and is his housekeeper. When they came to Iowa they had but little means, but now, by their industry and thrift, they have secured a fine home of 217 acres of land under a fair state of cultivation and well stocked. Mr. Archbold never had a lawsuit nor heard a trial in all his life. He lives a peaceful, quiet life, never having trouble with any one, and is spoken of as a kind and obliging neighbor. Although starting with but little, this brother and sister are now in a position to spend their days comfortably. He has seventy head of hogs, eleven head of horses and thirty-two head of cattle.
B AIR, DAVID-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1, P. O. Windham, Johnson county. Born in Harrison county, Ohio, November 29, 1819. Lived there until six years of age, then moved to Holmes county, Ohio. He learned the blacksmith trade at Millersburg, and then traveled as a journeyman blacksmith in western Ohio and southwestern Indiana. In the fall of 1840 he located in Knox county, Ohio, where he followed his trade for fourteen years, when he removed with his family to Iowa and lo- cated on the farm which he now owns. While at blacksmithing in Ohio he ironed eighty-nine wagons, besides doing an immense amount of other work. On the 17th of May, 1840, Miss Rhoda Bybee became his wife. She was born in Barren county, Kentucky. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living: Uriah (born July 21, 1841, and died February 23, 1880), Isaiah (born September 21, 1843), Mary E. (born November 1, 1845, and died October 10, 1846), Sarah E. (born November 13, 1847), Byron (born December 11, 1849), David W. (born May 27, 1852), John L. (born April 28, 1854), Charles H. (born April 23, 1858) and Harvey G. (born May 13, 1864). Mr. Bair is prominent in all matters pertaining to the best interests of his township. He came to Iowa with but little, draw- ing out of the Mount Vernon Bank of Ohio the sum of $500, this being all of his capital, but before reaching Iowa found it to be almost worth- less, only realizing about ten cents on the dollar therefor. He started a blacksmith shop under a shade tree, and in this way began his Iowa life, but by honest toil and industry and the united labors of his excellent wife and family he has secured a fine home of 360 acres of very choice land, well improved with good buildings and well stocked and the entire family en- joy the high esteem of all.
BOYLE, THOMAS-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 5, P. O. Lytle City. Was born April 10, 1830, on Cooley Shore, Ireland. Emigrated with parents in 1835 to America, and located in Ross county, Ohio, lived there till 1847, and then enlisted as private in company K, Second Ohio infantry, and went to the Mexican War where he served one year. He received a land warrant from the government for 160 acres, and in 1849 located the same upon the quarter section, on which he now lives, and there at that early day as an incident of pioneer life he says that for three weeks he broke prairie, and in the same time never broke bread but lived on grated corn. February 4, 1857, he was married to Ann Carney, of Iowa county, who with her parents had emigrated from County Dublin, Ireland. By this marriage there were born eleven children, four of whom are still living: Bridget (born April 20, 1860), Ann (born July 8, 1864), Josephine (born August 2, 1871) and Mary (born October 22, 1874). Mr. Boyle has almost continuously served his township as justice of the peace and in other official
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capacities. He is noted for public spiritedness and is an ever earnest worker in educational matters. He is a member of the National Association of Vet- erans, and carries a badge of the said association made from a piece of a brass cannon that was taken at Chepultepec Castle, two miles from the City of Mexico. He owns a farm 400 acres, well improved and stocked. His father and mother both lived with him till they died; his mother- dying at the age of 72 and his father at the age of 93 years.
BUTLER, EDMOND-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6, P. O. Lytle City. Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, September 10, 1820, lived there until February, 1833, emigrated with his parents to America, and landed at New Orleans. Located at Louisville, Kentucky, and lived there until 1845, when he removed to this county, near the present site of Lytle City, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. Mr. Butler was one of the earliest settlers in Iowa county, having been here now over thirty- five years. Was married in Iowa City, to Margaret Gray, in February, 1851. She was born in County Waterford, Ireland, in the year 1822. To this family two children were born, both died in infancy. When Mr. Butler landed in Iowa, he owned a horse and $75 in money; he now has a fine farm of 280 acres, all well improved and stocked, and supplied with good houses, barns, etc. Mr. Butler and his worthy wife have secured their prop- erty by their united labor and industry, and richly deserve their comfort- able home. Mr. Butler has served as township trustee for a quite number of years and enjoys the confidence and respect of all his neighbors. When he settled in Iowa county, the first house west was at Snook's Grove, in Poweshiek county. The town site of Marengo was located after he came to Iowa, and the first court he attended was held at the old trading house, near the present site of South Anama.
OHNSON, A. G .- Farmer, Sec. 7, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in Bath, J Grafton county, New Hampshire, December 16, 1819, lived there till thirteen years of age, then moved with his parents to Peoria county, Illinois, and lived there till he moved to his present home in Iowa, in the spring of 1856. Was married in Peoria county, Illinois, to H. C. Kellogg, October 18, 1848. By this union there were eleven children: Richard (born Febru- ary 14, 1851, died in infancy), Emma (born July 21, 1852), Eva (born March 1, 1854), Elizabeth (born December 25, 1855), Rebecca (October 12, 1858), Thomas (born September 2, 1859), Sherman (born September 14, 1861), Albert (born December 16, 1863), Adda (born November 12, 1865), W. P. (born January 21, 1867) and Charles (born May 13, 1869). Mr. Johnson relates as an incident of pioneer life that while living in Peoria county, Illinois, he had to haul wheat 160 miles to Chicago, that being the nearest market. Has served his county and township one term as member of board of supervisors; justice of the peace sixteen years; almost con- tinuously as a member of the school board; and as township trustee and township assessor for a number of terms. Mr. Johnson came to the State in an early day and settled in a sparsely inhabited neighborhood, but now lives in a well settled and prosperous community, where he has accumu- lated a competency and secured a desirable home. He is a man who en- joys the esteem and confidence of all his neighbors and has always been an earnest worker in educational matters. 1 M cCUNE, CARWICK-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Fermanaugh, Ireland, in March, 1806, lived there forty years, then emigrated to America, located in Westchester
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county, New York, for three years, then moved to La Salle county, Illinois, and worked on railroad for a short time, then came to Iowa City, Iowa, thence to Louisiana for one winter and returned to Iowa City, where he lived until 1858 when he moved to Iowa county, where he has since resided engaged in farming. He was married in Ireland, to Ellen Rooney, in 1834. She was born in 1817. There are six children: David (farmer in Troy township), Mary (married), John (farmer in Greene township), Margaret (married), Michael (attending school in Iowa City) and Ellen (learning dress-making). Mr. McCune had but two sovereigns when he landed in America; he now owns 346 acres of choice land, all improved and stocked, which they accumulated by the industry of Mr. McCune and family within a few years.
MAULE, JOSIAH-Farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Foote. Was born January 1, 1810, in Malmsburg, Wiltshire county, England. Lived in England till 1849. Then emigrated to America and settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Came to Iowa in 1855 and located on farm on which he now resides. Was married to Mary Burwood, of Bristol, England, at Parish Church of St. Philip and St. Jacob. She was born June 24, 1800. They have one son, Edward (born at Bristol, England, November 30, 1834). Was mar- ried June 17, 1860, to Emilda Moffit, of Greene township, Iowa county; she died September 7, 1879. By this marriage there were nine children: Elizabeth B. (born April 16, 1861), Mary S. (born January 15, 1863), Josiah J. born May 30, 1866), Charles (born March 18, 1868), Isaac (born March 24, 1870), Edward (born March 14, 1872), Daisy (born February 6, 1874), Ermilda (born August 3, 1876) and Thomas (born April 8, 1878). Edward enlisted in company I, Twenty-second Iowa infantry, August 11, 1862. Served with his regiment for three years, and was mustered out - at Savannah, Georgia, at expiration of term. Has served as assessor and a member of school board, and is noted for his untiring labors in building up good schools in his neighborhood. Mr. Maule has one of the finest orchard in Iowa county.
MOFFIT, JOHN-Farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Foote. Born February 28, 1815, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Moved from there when five years of age, with his parents, and located in Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, and lived there twelve years. Then moved to
Richland county, Ohio, and attended school in an old, unhewn log school-house with puncheon floor and seats, and greased paper for windows, and the teacher was the Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood. In 1853 moved to Iowa and lived in Scott county for about two years, and on February 27, 1855, he landed in Iowa county, on the farm where he now lives, and which he en- tered from the government. On the 24th day of February, 1840, he was married to Eliza Berry, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1824. By this marriage they have twelve children living: James (born July 26, 1841), Henry (born September 4, 1842), Emilda (born July 27, 1844), Hugh (born April 26, 1846), William (born April 23, 1848), George (born August 16, 1850), Bruce (born October 1, 1852), Mary E. (born December 24, 1854), Artemus (born February 14, 1857), R. L. (born Sep- tember 23, 1858), Margaret J. (born July 24, 1862), Edward E. (born May 8, 1864), Michael (born December 23, 1865), Alice C. (born February 6, 1868). Mr. Moffit, although of limited means when he arrived in this county, has by his industry, and the assistance of a noble family, secured a desirable home in which to pass his remaining days.
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