USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 89
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
MURPHY, JOHN R .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 12, P. O. Wind- ham. Was born in Cakersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland, April 8, 1827. Lived there until twenty years of age, then came to America and lived one year in Vermont and four years in Virginia, and in 1852 came to Illinois, remaining one year, thence to Cedar county, Iowa, where he lived for thir- teen years engaged in farming, and August, 1865, located on the farm on which he now lives, and where he is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. Was married, in Lynchburg, Virginia, on the 1st of May, 1850, to Mary Lee. She was born in Parish of Moore, Kerry county, Ireland, on November 11, 1831. There have been ten children born: Mary (born January 23, 1851, and died July 11, 1851), Johanna (born No- vember 6, 1852), Margaret (born June 7, 1855), Mary (born May 23, 1858), Richard (born August 29. 1860), John (born January 6, 1863), Ellen (born September 7, 1865), Eugene (born February 22, 1868), William P. (born June 23, 1870), Ann (born December 6, 1873). The aged father and mother of Mr. Murphy came to Iowa with him and lived with him till their death, the father dying at the age of seventy-two and the mother at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Murphy has a choice farm of 195 acres, and is now comfortably fixed, with good buildings, and every necessary conven- ience, and all of it has been secured by the untiring industry and good management of Mr. Murphy and his family. He had a limited education, but by reading and observation, has taken a prominent place in society. On the farm where Mr. Murphy now lives still stands the old log cabin of Louis Yoakum, one of the first settlers in Greene township.
SI HERIDAN, BERNARD-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 18, P. O. Lytle City. Born in County Meath, Ireland, in September, 1833. Remained there until eighteen years of age, then emigrated to America in 1855. Lived in Orleans county, New York, for about eight years, then came to Iowa county in 1863. He married Catherine Butler February 23, 1865. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, July 15, 1844. They have six children: Thomas (born December 27, 1865), James (born October 30, 1867), William (born February 22, 1870). Edmund (born March 27, 1872), Ann (born September 18, 1874), and Mary (born August 5, 1877). Mr. Sheridan has served as township trustee and member of school board. Mr. Sheridan came to America without means or friends to aid him, but by in- dustry and economy he has accumulated a competency and owns one of the finest farms in Greene township of 240 acres. Mr. Sheridan is one of the solid men of the township and is a man of fine business ability.
SPRATT, JACOB-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 2, P. O. Windham. Was born in Philadelphia, May 1, 1837. Lived there until eight years of age. In 1845 his parents removed to this county. In April of the same year his father bought land and located on section 1, this township, where he lived till he died. He was married, January 25, 1863, to Mary Bradley, She was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, February 18, 1844. The family is composed of six children: William (born February 19, 1865), Susan (born April 18, 1867), Edward (born December 16, 1869), Mary (born Oc- tober 8, 1872), James (born July 28, 1874), and Cornelius (born August 22, 1877). Mr. Spratt commenced working out by the month when only fifteen years of age, and so worked until he was nineteen, paying his wages to his father for the support of the family. He then began to work for himself, with just fifty cents, and eighteen miles from home, and continued to work for five years in a brick yard in summer, and in winter walked two
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FILLMORE TOWNSHIP.
miles and chopped cord wood at sixty cents per cord, and boarded himself. From this beginning he has, at the present time with the aid of his worthy wife, become the owner of 380 acres of choice land, well improved, and clear of incumbrance. In the first seven years of his farming, besides his other work, he broke 1,500 acres of prairie. He has been prominently identified with the interests of his township, and held various offices, and is. entitled to the respect in which he is held by the community.
CHAPTER XIII.
FILLMORE TOWNSHIP.
The Name-Organization-Physical Features -- Early Settlers-Statistical-Schools -- Names of Teachers -- Lytle City-Town of Fremont-Incident.
THE NAME.
THIS township was named in honor of Millard Fillmore, President of the United States at the time of its organization. Millard Fillmore, it will be remembered, was elected in 1848 to the Vice-presidency, and Zachary Tay- lor to the Presidency, but at Taylor's death, which occurred July 9 1850, Fillmore became President and held that office till March 4, 1853. Fillmore township was organized in April, 1852, and in its name the settlers thought to perpetuate the memory of that great and good man. Previous to 1852 Fillmore township was a part of Greene township, as were also Troy and York. The boundaries were fixed to correspond with the congressional township No. 78 north, of range 10 west of the fifth principal meridian. It has Troy for its northern boundary, Greene on the east, Keo- kuk county on the south, and English township on the west.
ORGANIZATION.
It has been impossible to obtain the names of all the first officers with a degree of certainty. Chancy Clothier was elected justice of the peace at the first election, which was held on the first Monday of April, 1852. At the same election Mathew Hall was elected clerk, John Davis, Floriand Gowey and Curtis Sears trustees. The trustees were qualified before Mathew Hall at Clothier's house, on April 20, 1852. Hall and Cloth- ier were qualified for their respective offices on the 19th day of April, 1852. There has been no record of the election of constables till 1857, when we have the names of L. D. Little and E. C. Bratton as per- sons elected to that office. Duey Welsh was elected assessor in 1858. John Burk was the first road supervisor. At the election in 1852 there were fifteen votes cast. The present township officers are:
. Trustees-A. D. Rock, J. H. Kelly, Benjamin Swope. Justices-Reuben Wiggins, Patrick Ryan. Constables-H. L. Hunt, A. O. Butler. Assessor-Benjamin Swope. Clerk-Frank Organ.
718
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
North English River is the principal stream of water, It enters the township from the west in section 7 and thence flows southeast through the entire township, sections 18, 20, 28, 27, 35 and 36. North English River rises in Poweshiek county and after passing through Lincoln and English townships, enters Fillmore as stated above and finally empties into the Iowa River in Washington county. Middle English and Gritter Creek unite in English township and flowing east the water is discharged into North English River in section 20, Fillmore township. There is a little timber in the northeast and a great deal in the south. Along the borders of North English good timber is found in abundance. The best timber in Iowa county is found here. In the north and center we fine high rolling prairie of unsurpassed agricultural capacity.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Soon after settlements began on Old Man's Creek, here too, the white man sought a habitation. Probably no seltter came into what is now Fill- more previous to 1843, for up to that time the Indians held undisputed sway over these lands and creeks, but subsequently to 1843 this land was opened up for settlers. Nearly all the earliest settlers have either moved away or died and many choice facts in the history of Fillmore are lost for- ever.
William Popham came as early as 1855 from Indiana and still lives on sec- tion 12. Patrick Ryan was born in Ireland and came to this place in an early day. Chancy Clothier came from New England in 1849, and took a claim in the south part of the township, he removed to Kansas in 1870. Abraham Hall was one of the early settlers.
John Phillips came from Illinois in about the year 1855, and settled on section 13.
Nicholas Carey came from Ohio in 1847 and settled on section 1 and still lives there.
Matthew Gray came from Ireland in 1850 and settled on section 1, where he still resides.
Matthew Newcomb came from New York about 1852 and settled on sec- tion 2. D. Callan, Thomas Callan, Edd Carney and many others came in a very early day. There are many Irish, but they have made worthy citi- zens and their quiet, law abiding disposition does not disturb their neigh- bors nor cause the county expense.
These early settlers used oxen more than horses in farm work. They sometimes in early days had wagon beds so constructed that they would serve as a boat when the river was too high to ford. The first nursery in the township was kept by Hermon Berry, planted in the spring of 1858, section 13. Nearly all the orchards in Fillmore township were set from these trees. Osage orange and locust trees are used for fencing. Mr. Berry went to Kansas about the year 1860.
STATISTICAL.
The population, according to the United States census of 1880, was 1,169, in the year 1870 it was 1,004, making an increase of 165 or over 16 per cent.
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FILLMORE TOWNSHIP.
The number of polls 229, the number of votes cast at the Presidential elec- tion, November 2, 1880, was 188. In the township there are a little over 36 square miles area or more exactly 24,691 acres. The realty is assessed at $161,000; personalty $46,000. Cattle on hand 1,336, horses 619, mules 45, sheep 65, swine 2,580. The wealth and business of the township has been gradually increasing, till now a majority of the farmers are free from debt and accumulating wealth every year. Raising cattle has become quite a business, the township being well adapted for it.
SCHOOLS.
Much honest pride is taken in her ten good schools, which run six and a half months in a year. Five male and fifteen female teachers have taught in the several schools in the past year. The men receiving an average sal- ary of $27 per month and the women $25 per month. There are of school age 305 males and 240 females. The total enrollment for the year ending September, 1880, is 431, and the average daily attendance for the same time is 259. One dollar is the average cost of tuition per month for each pupil. The school-houses are valued at $3,400, and the teacher's fund for the sup- port of instruction amounts to $327. The first school in Fillmore town- ship was taught in the Messenger school-house.
The present teachers are: Lytle City, Katie Flannagan; Union school, Sarah Brown; Tyrone, Kate Warren; Cross Roads, Ira P. Smith; Hickory Ridge, Kate Tiernan; Locust Grove, Mary Flannagan; Oak Ridge, John Adams; Yankee Point, Rosa Carter.
LYTLE CITY. ยท
This little village was laid out June 23, 1857, by Robert B. Lytle, on sw qr of ne fr qr, and nw fr qr of ne qr of section one, tp 78, r 10. It covers an area of about 160 acres. Lytle City now contains:
General store-Grimes & Kelly. Post-office-M. J. Kelly, postmaster.
Hotel-Mrs. Julia Dunn.
Physicians-Welsh & Jennis.
Blacksmith shop-Mike Dwyre.
Wagon shop-James Kimey. Carpenter-T. H. Noone.
Shoemaker-James Eggleston.
Mail agents -- Joe Jones, John Laport.
School -- Miss Katie Flannagan.
There are only a few houses besides those spoken of. The place is of far less importance than it was several years ago.
FREMONT.
This town of name rather than reality was located by one Fouand Gowey, September 26, 1857, on the nw corner of ne qr of se qr, section 23, tp 78, r 10. There are many persons living in Fillmore township, and even within the immediate vicinity of its location and still have never
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
heard of it. It is, however, regularly laid out, platted and recorded, with the same legal formality as that of Marengo, Victor or any other town.
Hinkle Town, in the extreme south, has a store kept by Frank Lytle, and a brick-kiln by W. Watkins.
There are three post-offices in this township. In addition to those al- ready mentioned there is one kept by George Knipfer, south line of section 20, close by the grist mill.
INCIDENTS.
There have been many instances of horses and cattle being killed by lightning. In a few instances persons have been killed. Probably the first death of a grown person was that of Patrick McManaman, in the spring of 1856. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery. The people who knew him say that he was the strongest man who ever lived in Fillmore town- ship. It is said that he split 1,200 rails and 400 posts without a maul or wedge. On retiring for the night, after he had returned from his labor, he became sick and before help could be procured he was dead.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
B ERRY, F. M .- Farmer, Sec. 25, P. O. Foote. Was born December 19, 1832, in Monongahala county, West Virginia; lived there till the spring of 1865, and in April, 1865, located on the farm on which he now resides. Received his education in the common schools in West Virginia. Was married on the 7th day of October, 1852, to Margaret Lemley, of Monongahala county, West Virginia. She was born October 7, 1832. Eleven children have been born to them, eight of whom are still living: James A. (born August 1, 1853), Elizabeth J. (born May 21, 1855), Thomas M. (born February 18, 1857, and died December 5, 1866), Mary C. (born February 1, 1859), John W. (born January 21, 1860, and died September 14, 1865), Samuel C. (born November 5, 1862), George (born January 21, 1865, died May 5, 1866), Silas E. (born April 14, 1867), Harriet (born July 1, 1869), Dora E. (born September 22, 1871), and Ada (born October 21, 1874). He has acted in the capacity of school director almost continuously since he has been a resident of the State, and the excellence of the school in his district is greatly due to his labors. He owns a farm of 164 acres.
BRANDON, J. G .- Farmer, Sec. 29, P. O. North English. Was born September 22, 1816, in Warren county, Ohio, and remained there until four years of age, then went to Darke county and lived there until twenty- two years of age, and received his education at the common schools in Darke county. He then moved to Chickasaw, Mercer county, and lived there about nine years. Left there in September, 1848, and went to Jefferson, Wisconsin, and remained there until the spring of 1849, then moved to Iowa and remained in Iowa City two summers; thence to Iowa county in the fall of 1850. Was married to Abigail Statler September 12, 1839. She was born February 6, 1806. Three children were born of this marriage: W. A. (born July 1, 1840), Catharine (born January 20, 1843) and Thomas J. (born September 22, 1846). Mrs. Brandon died February 25, 1873. Mr. Brandon was again married June 14, 1875, to Mrs. Lucinda Ferris, of Keokuk county. She was born February 23, 1828. Mr. B. came to this county very poor and when he got into a house and commenced living he had just seventy-five cents. He now has a well improved farm and very
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nicely fixed. He has served as justice of the peace for a number of years, and for two years as county school fund commissioner. His son, Thos. Jefferson, served as a member of company I, Twenty-eighth Iowa volunteer infantry. While on the Red River expedition he left the regiment and was taken to Marine Hospital, New Orleans. Mr. Brandon was the fourth settler in the township, and he and family enjoy the esteem of all their neighbors.
BURNS, W. H .- Farmer, Sec. 28, P. O. Carter. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, November 27, 1844. Lived there four years, then re- moved to Howard county and remained seven years, then came to Iowa and lived in Keokuk county until 1866, and thence to Iowa county. Was mar- ried to Catharine C. Brandon April 21, 1867. She was born January 20, 1843. By this marriage three children were born: Wm. W. (born Febru- ary 4, 1868), Thomas J. (born January 1, 1871) and A. J. (born January 7, 1873, and who died in infancy). Mrs. Burns died January 11, 1873. Mr. Burns was again married, to Ida E. Lewis, January 14, 1874. She was born July 17, 1855. By this marriage they have three children: E. J. (born August 11, 1875), C. M. (born September 10, 1877) and M. M. (born January 3, 1880. Mr. B. started a poor boy, but by his industry he has a good home of 1182 acres of land well improved, with good buildings and orchard, etc. He enlisted January 18, 1863, as a member of company G, Eighth lowa volunteer infantry, and served till May 7, 1866. Was in all the various engagements in which the regiment participated after his enlistment. At Spanish Fort, Mobile, on April 7, 1865, he was severely wounded, having a part of his skull taken out.
HAPMAN, HENRY-Farmer, Sec. 34, P. O. Foote. Was born Jan-
O uary 11, 1825, in Upham, Cambridgeshire, England, and lived there till thirteen years of age. Then he went to London, where he resided six years and there learned the shoemaker trade. He returned Cambridge- shire and lived there till 1851, when he emigrated to America and for four years was located in Ontario county, New York. In 1855 he moved to Iowa and settled in this township near where he now lives. Was married to Mary A. Salmons of Cambridgeshire, England, December 24, 1846. She was born Mav 5, 1827. Six children were the result of this marriage .. Charles H. (born August 27, 1848), Benjaman S. (born March 28, 1850), Frederick O. (born June 6, 1854), Alfred S. (born August 4, 1857), Emma J. (born December 25, 1860) and Joseph S. (born March 28, 1865). Mr. Chapman was one of the earliest settlers in Fillmore township, and although he came without means, still by his care and industry he has secured for himself and family a good home of 119 acres of land. He has frequently served his township in the capacity of road supervisor and school director, and has always taken an interest in the promotion of education. His eld- est son, Charles H. Chapman, served for four years as a member of company G, Eighth Iowa infantry ..
CRONIN, CORNELIUS-Restaurant and saloon keeper, Lytle City. Was born in May, 1854, in County Cork, Ireland. Lived there until nine- teen years of age, then emigrated to America and for three years lived in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, then came to Iowa and located in Maren- go, Iowa county, and in the fall of 1880 moved to Lytle City, Fillmore township and engaged in his present business. Mr. Cronin is a young man of good business ability.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
D OUGALL, GEORGE-Farmer, Sec. 33, P. O. Foote. Was born on October 30, 1838, in Schenectady county, New York. Lived there until the spring of 1872 engaged in farming, then moved to Iowa and lo- cated in this township on the farm on which he now resides. Was mar- ried January 4, 1864, to Parthenia McGee of Schenectady county, New York. She was born October 11, 1842. They have four children: Jen -- nie (born April 27, 1867), Mary (born December 13, 1868), Marcia (born January 20, 1873) and Maggie (born July 22, 1880). He is a man of fine business ability and is well posted in the current events of the day.
DOWER, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 14, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in the County Waterford, Ireland, in 1827. When twenty years of age he came to America and resided in the Eastern States until 1851, and then came to Chicago and worked on the C., R. I. & P. R. R. until 1860, when he settled on his present farm in Fillmore township. Was married to Elizabeth Ward of County Cavin, Ireland, November 25, 1855. She was born in December, 1827. Six children have been born to them: Mary A. (born January 15, 1857), Margaret (born October 19, 1858), Ellen (born January 7, 1860), Kate (born October 19, 1862), Thomas (born October 1, 1864) and James (born February 27, 1868). Mr. Dower, while engaged on the C., R. I. & P. R. R., was fireman on the first engine running west of Chicago to La Salle. Mr. Dower endured all the privations of a pio- neer's life and suffered greatly by loss of stock and crops for the first few years of his residence.
DOYLE, PATRICK-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 9, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Carlow, Ireland, on the 25th of November, 1825. He lived there until about twenty years old, when he emigrated to America and resided in Pennsylvania and Ohio for a number of years. In February, 1853, he came to Iowa and lived in Johnson county until 1875, when he came to Iowa county. Was married April 12, 1855, to Anna Powers, a native of County Waterford, Ireland, born in 1832. Eight children have been born to them: Mary, Catharine, James, Lizzie, Ann, Willie, Charles and Maggie. Mr. Doyle owns a very fine farm of 80 acres, all well im- proved and stocked. Himself and family are respected by all who know them.
F ARLOW, F. C .- Farmer and carpenter, Sec. 29, P. O. North English. Was born in Howard county, Indiana, March 25, 1832. He lived there about twenty-two years then came to Iowa and located at North En- glish, Iowa county. He attended the first school taught in Fillmore town- ship in 1855. Was married September 18, 1856, to Miss Mary A. Gordon born January 11, 1838, in Wayne county, New York. They have seven children: Charles A. (born August 13, 1857), William L. (born Septem- ber 20, 1860 and died February 6, 1865), Clarissa R. (born March 8, 1863, and died June 13, 1865), Mary A. (born October S, 1867), Francis S. (born November 21, 1870), Cynthia C. (born October 18, 1873) and John B. (born September 7, 1876). He enlisted July 27, 1862, in company B, Eight- eenth Iowa infantry volunteers and was mustered out June 6, 1865. His estate consists of 80 acres.
G ARVER, PETER-Farmer, Sec. 28, P. O. Carter. Was born in T Hamilton county, Ohio, January 4, 1811. He lived there until 1849, and was there raised to manhood and educated. He was married in Ham- ilton county, Ohio, to Jane Sheldon on the 25th day of December, 1832. She was born in Nova Scotia, April 9, 1813. They have had eleven chil-
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FILLMORE TOWNSHIP.
dren: Catharine J. (born December 4, 1833), Sarah A. (born July 9, 1835), Barbara (born December 3, 1837), Mary (born June 3, 1840), Wil- liam S. (born June 10, 1842), Peter (born February 5, 1844), Abraham (born September 12, 1846), Sarah A. (born July 7, 1849), Rebecca A. (born August 30, 1854), Benjamin (born October 8, 1857). Sarah A. died Sep- tember 7, 1835, and Abraham died May 20, 1872. In 1849 he removed to Decatur county, Indiana, residing there eight years, then removed to Washington county, Iowa, and lived there sixteen years; thence to Iowa county. Mr. Garver has worked against adverse circumstances in loss of stock and land but still he has stuck bravely to the work and now has a comfortable home of 80 acres. Mr. Garver had three sons in the Union army, all of whom served faithfully through the war, two of them having been severely wounded.
GIBLIN, THOMAS-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. Lytle City. Was born May 3, 1841, in County Galway, Ireland. When fourteen years of age emigrated to America with his parents and located in Monmouth county, New Jersey, lived there twelve years, then moved to Fillmore town- ship, Iowa county, Iowa. Was married on March 2, 1862, to Mary J. Gallagher who was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, March 28, 1843. There are nine children in the family: Ella (born December 4, 1862), John (born November 30, 1864), Celia (born October 16, 1866), Michael (born September 1, 1868), Mary C. (born March 20, 1871), Bridget (born November 20, 1872), Patrick (born March 6, 1875), Margaret Ann (born April 16, 1877) and Jennie (born April 14, 1879). He has a well stocked farm. He takes an active interest in having good schools, and is highly respected in his neighborhood as a man of strict integrity.
GRIMES, ROBERT-Merchant, Lytle City. Was born March 12, 1816, in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, moved with his parents to Ohio, and lived in Belmont, Wayne, Coshocton and Knox counties until the spring of 1850. At the age of twenty-one was married to Mary P. Butler of New- castle township, Coshocton county, Ohio. In 1850 he went to California and remained until the spring of 1853, when he returned to Ohio. In the fall of 1853 he moved to Iowa and located in Washington county, the spring of 1855 he moved to Iowa county and located near Lytle City. For a number of years he was engaged in farming, but for the last twelve years has been engaged in the mercantile business in Lytle City, and is now the senior member of the firm of Grimes & Kelly, doing a large and lucrative business. He has had a family of five children: Hettie E. (deceased), L. R. (eldest son, served three years a member of the Twenty-second Iowa infantry), B. F. (the second son was a soldier of the late war), Alwilda, R. L. Mr. Grimes was an honored and efficient member of the board of su- pervisors of Iowa county for six years. Has filled the office of justice of the peace for two years. Has served for a number of terms on the school board in his township, and has always been an energetic worker in every- thing pertaining to the advancement of the interests of the people of his town and county. He was a man of limited means when he commenced as a pioneer in Iowa, but has gained a competency and is now considered one of the "solid men" of Iowa county.
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