USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 91
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WEST, ABRAHAM-Farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. North English. Was born in Schenectaday county, New York, March 27, 1820. Lived there till he came to Iowa, March 24, 1855. Was married to Maomia Proper, Febru- ary 24, 1844. She was born in Schenectaday county, New York, Septem- ter 27, 1824. By this marriage they have three children: William H. (born December 5, 1846), Sarah E. (born November 18, 1848) and Ellen
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IOWA TOWNSHIP.
V. (born April 10, 1852). Mrs. West died April 12, 1856. Mr. West was again married to Barbara Garver, of Johnson county, Iowa, on the 1st day of June, 1860. She was born December 3, 1837. By this marriage they have nine children; Isaac (born January 18, 1861), Mary O. (born Janu- ary 8, 1862), Peter (born September 10, 1863), Delia F. (born February 15, 1866), Albert (born March 2, 1869), Samuel (born December 19, 1870), Emma (born January 17, 1873) and Carrie (born August 11, 1877). Dolly died October 5, 1878. Mr. West came to Iowa in its early days without means and now owns a farm of 212 acres.
WIGGINS, REUBEN-Farmer, Sec. 13, P. (). Lytle City. Born February 6, 1819, in Oxford county, England. Lived there till 1837, then went to London, where he served as private watchman till 1848, when he emigrated to America and farmed in New York State and the State of Illinois till 1868, when he came to Iowa and located on farm, on which he now resides and has been engaged in farming and fruit culture. He has served as justice of the peace for eight successive years and for quite a number of terms as school director. Was married May 3, 1840, to Martha A. Bourd, of London. Marriage ceremony was performed at St. George's Church. By this marriage seven children have been born: Har- riet (born January 12, 1843), William (born June 26, 1846), Martha (born December 12, 1848), Levina (born May 17, 1852), Sophronia (born March 4, 1856), Clara (born November 21, 1862) and Catherine (born January 20, 1842, and died December 12, 1851). Mr. Wiggins is extensively engaged in fruit culture and has one among the first orchards planted in Iowa county.
CHAPTER XIV.
IOWA TOWNSHIP.
" Iowa," the " Beautiful "-Position-Physicial Features-Early Settlers-Homestead- Churches-Schools-Incidents-Drunken Child-Suicide-Crushed to Death-Killed in, a Runaway-Improved Condition of Society-Biographical.
THE NAME.
" Iowa, the beautiful." A beautiful township in a beautiful county in a beautiful State. It is said that a view of the land in this township led the beholder to name the county "Iowa." "Behold the land," is also another interpretation of the word Iowa. In the month of May the red men saw these beautiful rolling prairies, and exclaimed: "Behold the land!" The first white man who came here to look for a habitation, in the spring saw these blooming acres and inspired by the scene, forthwith exclaimed, " Oh! the beautiful!" This is the oldest township in the county, and though the first election was not held within the present limits of Iowa township, it was held in what was then known as Iowa precinct. Iowa precinct then included all the territory in Iowa county settled along Iowa River. It, in fact, included all the county except Old Man's Creek precinct. Gradually townships were cut off from Iowa till it was brought within its present limits.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
POSITION.
It included for a long time all the townships north and Hilton on the west. At present it is bounded north by Amana, east by Johnson county, south by York and west by Hilton township. Technically described, it includes all of congressional township number eighty, range nine. Its area is a little more than thirty-six square miles; more exactly, it contains 23,- 529 acres. The population in 1880 was 1,049. The number of polls is 223. The presidential candidates, November 2, 1880, received the fol- lowing number of votes: James A. Garfield 82 votes, Winfield S. Han- cock 72 votes. The number of cattle in the township is 1,724, horses 509, mnles 25, sheep 32, swine 2,905. The realty is assessed at $135,000, personalty $70,000. The tax for the same year (1880) for all purposes, ex- cept road tax, was $5,260.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
: Rolling prairie is the prevailing feature of the surface. Clear Creek is the only creek in the township. There are a few runs of water which dur- ing a portion of the year augment Clear Creek, but during the dry season very little water is seen on the surface except in Clear Creek. This stream; appropriately named "clear," rises in the northwest and flows southeast into Johnson county, thence into Iowa River at Icwa City. The north part of the township slightly descends toward . Iowa River, while all the rest of the surface, including at least three-fourths of the whole area, gently slopes toward the southeast. There are four little groves in the township, Kin- nie's Grove, Hackberry Grove, Walker's Grove and Newkirk's Grove. With these exceptions, the land in its natural state is entirely destitute of trees. Brush Run heads in the extreme north and flows into Iowa River. Though Brush Run is scarcely any run at all, it is noted in history. No creek or flow of water in Iowa county has witnessed so many deeds of love and hate, so many scenes of joy and sorrow, so many drunken revels and fights, so many suicides and murders. What Red Rock, in an early day, was to Marion county, Brush Run was to Iowa county, the headquarters of drunkards and cut-throats.
EARLY SETTLERS.
This section was the earliest settled of any in the county, except Old Man's Creek. Settlements commenced along the Iowa River, and where Homestead now stands as early as 1841-2. Only one man preceded these settlers, Edward Ricord, who settled in what is now Greene township in 1840.
Lineas Niles and John Burgett were the first in this vicinity. Up to this time no inhabitants had ventured to dispute the universal sway of the red man.
. O. B. Bolton, John McCoy, Wm. Spicer, Thomas Sherlock, Hugh Kil- gore, I. Hibbard and many others came here at an early day when the county and State were young.
O. B. Bolton was born in New York April 18, 1799. His father died while he was young. Mr. Bolton came to Iowa about 1853. In February, 1856, he came into Iowa county, Iowa township, and located on section twenty-six, where he still lives. When Mr. Bolton came and settled there
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were no neighbors within five miles, although in the north part of the township settlers had resided for at least twelve years. He located the lands in 1853 and paid $800 in gold for the same. Mr. Bolton and his son, who resides in Marengo, operate a large farm of over two hundred acres where they first located. .**
: John McCoy, an old sailor, came from Illinois about the year 1852. He lived just east of Homestead, where he died in September, 1880. He was buried in the little burying ground near at hand.
William Spicer came in an early day. He was born in New York and came to this township about 1852. He was a justice of the peace in an early day. The east part of Homestead belonged to his father.
These early settlers went to Iowa City to mill till the colony established one.
1 . In 1845 the legal voters of Iowa voting precinct met at the Old Trading Post and held the first election in the county. Much that pertains directly to the early history of Iowa county, applies also to this township, and that has already been given in the general county history. In, or near the pres- ent boundaries of Iowa township, popular elections have been held every year from that time to this.
The present township officers are:
Justices of Peace-Wm. Moershel, Jasper Cotant. Trustees-Gerd. Maas, C. P. Newmire, Henry Bayer.
Constables-John Newkirk, Godfrey Fels.
Assessor-Robert Reed.
Clerk -- Theobald Guth.
HOMESTEAD.
This little railroad town was laid out by Henry Sprague on sw qr of sec- tion 3, tp 80, r 9. Settlements, as has been said, were commenced here at about the earliest date of any in the county. The business and most of the property in and about the little town of Homestead, is owned by the Amana corporation, mention of which will be found in the history of Amana township. The railroad came to this point in October, 1860, and at this time business took an advanced step. This was certainly the second post-office, if not the first, in Iowa county. The first postmaster was J. A. Hunter, then followed John A. Hibbard, John McCue and William Moer- shel, the present postmaster. Mr. Moershel was appointed to the office in the fall of 1860. Mr. Moershel came to this place in 1855, the year the colony was located here. The business interests of the place are repre- sented as follows, and though the colony corporation operates everything, there are heads of departments:
Wholesale store-Frederick Moershel, Sr. Retail store -- Jacob Moershel.
Depot -- William Moershel, agent. Hotel-William Fitz.
Wagon shop -- Theobald Guth. Tin shop-Peter Wust. Bakery-A. Hegewaen. Grain elevator-Frederick Moershel.
Blacksmith-Adam Kippenhan.
1
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
German Lutheran Church-Is situated on the sw hf of nw qr of sec- tion 22. It was built the year 1870 and cost about $3,500. It is a neat frame structure, having a steeple, bell and organ. The bell is a good one, and can be heard far and wide over the township. The church has a large membership and a good, prosperous Sunday-school. The other places of sacred worship are principally confined to Homestead, and the services are conducted by elders of the Amana colony. The colonists hold meetings in their house of worship at Homestead in the same manner that they do in the other colonies. It is said that the first public religious services in Iowa township were conducted by a Methodist Episcopal minister.
There is a good large cemetery at the Lutheran church, and in it are about fifty graves. It is said that the graves in section 4 are the oldest in the township and that those in section 1 are next.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house in Iowa township was built on section 1. It was built of logs, and men were taxed for defraying the expenses, who lived five and six miles away. There is a large school-house near the Lutheran church, in section 22, where both German and English are taught. Mr. E. H. Doescher is teacher. The number of schools in the township is 11, two of which are graded, having two departments each. Eight months is the average length of the school year. Five male and six female teachers, with $30 as the average monthly salary for the gentlemen, and $26 for the ladies. There are 344 persons of school age, and 331 enrolled in the schools. The average daily attendance is 162. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil $2.14. There are six frame and three brick school- houses, and their whole value is estimated to be $5,150.
The roads are unusually good and there are few hills to annoy the team- ster or traveler. Fences and houses are kept in good repair. A post-office was established in the southeast part of the township about the year 1868, and Mr. Bolton was commissioned as postmaster, but after its continuance for about five years, Mr. B. desired to be relieved, and it was discontinued. The population of Iowa township is now largely German.
INCIDENTS.
Two highly respected families in this vicinity have an exceedingly in- teresting and romantic history. In the early days of the county when the Mormons passed through, two young men of Iowa county became enam- ored of two Mormon girls, whom they chanced to meet at the Mormon camp. The young men's love was reciprocated, and by stealth they left the camp of the "Saints " at night, were married, and now each couple has a large and highly respected family. These parties live near the east line of Iowa township. " Brush Run against the world," was a familiar expres- sion in those days when Brush Run was in its glory. This place, which never was more than a mere settlement, was as has been said, the toughest place in Iowa county. They drank whisky, gambled, and murdered. There was no sabbath and no security for life or property. In the summer of 1875 one Schmidt was murdered in bed by Charles Reed at Brush Run.
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IOWA TOWNSHIP.
DRUNKEN CHILD.
A child six years of age was attacked with delerium tremens one day in November, 1857, at Brush Run. The father was in jail at Iowa City for selling whisky, and the mother, in a fit of drunkeness had recently fallen and killed herself.
There were several murders and suicides at Brush Run of which we have not attempted to make mention. John Donaldson, living near Homestead while crossing the Rock Island at Brush Run was struck by the engine and terribly wounded and broken, but the team of horses which he was driving, strange to say, escaped unhurt. This occurred February 12, 1865.
SUICIDE.
Dedrick Holscher, living on the branch of Cedar Creek, committed sui- cide by hanging, July, 1879. He suspended himself to a cross-beam in his granary. Trouble, with drink and his own wife, led him to commit this rash act.
Frank Northrop, living with his father on section 21, cut his own throat with a razor. Temporary insanity was the cause.
An old German and his wife were crushed to death by the falling of a large row of brick.
In the year 1879, near the Lutheran church, Mrs. Thomas Sherlock was killed by being thrown from a wagon in a runaway.
Although the first settlers along the section of country where Brush Run is were very depraved, the condition of society there and everywhere in Iowa township, the people to-day are quiet and .law abiding. No better and more strictly moral class of citizens can be found in the country.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
B OYD, DANIEL D .- Sec. 31, P. O. South Amana. Was born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 18, 1840, where he spent his boyhood with his parents until he was twenty years old, when he came to Iowa and stopped in Johnson county. In 1861 he enlisted in company F, First Iowa cavalry, and served during the war, participating in twenty-eight bat- tles and skirmishes, the most important being the battles of Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Lone Jack, Black Water, Little Missouri, Springfield and Wilson Creek. Being discharged in 1866 he returned to Johnson county and farmed, as a renter, until 1868, when he went to Iowa county and worked by the month until 1869, when he bought the farm he is now liv- ing on, consisting of 160 acres. In 1874 he married Mary Anthoney, of Johnson county, by whom he has three children: Julia Jane, Edith Amelia and Wyly Anthoney. He has made all the improvements on his farm, excepting the breaking of fifty acres that were broken when he bought it in 1869, and he has raised the present year, 3,000 bushels of corn, 700 bushels of oats, 200 bushels of wheat, and thirty bushels of timothy seed. He has a tasty house, and his place shows that he is industrious and ener- getic. He is Republican in politics. Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Con- gregational Church.
D OESCHER, E. H .-- Sec. 16, P. O. Homestead. Was born in Han- over, Germany, August 10, 1845. He came with his parents to the
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HISTORY OF IOWA . COUNTY.
United States in 1854. After their arrival at New York he was left at Williamsburgh, New York, with an uncle, and his parents went to Indiana, where he joined them two years later. In 1861 he came with them: to Iowa, locating in Johnson county. He is closely identified with the ed- ucators of the county, having been engaged in teaching for a number of years. In 1873 he married Kate Rees, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, by whom he - has three children: Emma, John and Ida. He and his father own a farm în Iowa township on which he works during the farming season. He is the inventor of an ingenious clock attachment which he calls the Amateur Fire-lighter. It is very simple in its construction, consisting of a simple little machine placed in front of or under the stove grate, connected to the clock by a string, and can be so regulated as to ignite the fire any day or hour. It is used by teachers, and by it their fire is ignited on Monday morning, they not being in the room since the previous Friday evening, the only motive power being an ordinary eight day clock. For daily use in families the machine is more simple and can be had at a trifling expense. Himself and wife are members of the St. John's German Lutheran Church of Iowa township. He is a Democrat, and has held several offices in his town- ship.
DONALDSON, JOHN-Sec. 8, P. O. Homestead. Was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1830. When he was young his parents moved to Wayne county, Ohio, where he lived with them until he was twenty years of age. In 1850 went California, returning to Ohio the same year; came to Iowa in 1853, and located in Johnson county where he followed farming until 1858, when he came to Iowa and purchased 640 acres of uncultivated land, and his present estate. He has an orchard of 400 bearing fruit trees and a vineyard of half an acre. His farmn is well stocked. In 1852 he married Sarah Weiker, of Morgan county, Ohio, by whom he has six children: Eliza Jane (wife of Henry Newmire), Andrew J., Cordelia, James M., Viola and Clinton S. living at home. He is a Dem- ocrat, and has held many positions in his township, holding the office of township clerk for ten years.
TONES, HENRY-Sec. 18, P. O. South Amana. Was born at Glan- morganshire, Wales, September 1, 1846. When he was very young came with his parents to the United States and settled at Pottsville, Penn- sylvania, where he lived until he was fourteen, when he came to Iowa. In 1861 he began to learn the trade of brick-making under Thomas Sherlock, of Homestead, and for whom he worked until 1864, when he went as a teamster in the Union army, serving until the close of the war. Returned to Homestead and engaged in brick-making for a time. In the winter of 1865-6 he attended school. In 1867 he purchased 160 acres of land in this township, the farm which he now owns. During the winter season, since 1867, he has followed school-teaching. In the autumn of 1880 commenced a course in Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, to prepare himself for en- tering the State University at Iowa City. His farm is now all under cultivation with a neat and comfortable house, which his mother and the younger portion of the family are enjoying with him, his mother being his only housekeeper. He and three younger brothers are farming 360 acres. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a staunch Republican. In 1880 he was appointed enumerator and took the census of Iowa town- ship.
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. IOWA . TOWNSHIP.
M OUNT, RICHARD-Sec. 18, P. O. South Amana. Was born in . Yorkshire, England, December 13, 1827. After he had attained his majority he worked for his father as a farm hand until 1852, coming to the United States in August of that year with an importation of thorough- bred Short-Horn cattle sent by the Madison County Importing Company of Ohio. After prospecting through Indiana and Illinois, he returned to England in November, 1853. In February, 1856, he married Ann Haw- ley, of Wortley Bank, Yorkshire, England, and in 1858 came to the United States. He settled in Madison county, Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 1860, when he came to Iowa county. In 1861 he bought his first farm of eighty acres, and has since increased it to one hundred and twenty acres. In 1865 he bought another farm of one hundred and twenty: acres which is the farm he is now living on. He has made both his farms from the raw prairie. ' Is among the solid farmers of the county.
N TEWMIRE, C. P .- Sec. 13, P. O. Homestead. Was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 13, 1820. His father dying when he was twelve years old, he lived with his mother for one year, when he was thrown upon the world to care for himself. Until he was eighteen years old he worked as a farm hand in Knox county, the first year receiving his board and clothing for his services. In 1838 he hired out to Warner & Co., of Newark, Ohio, to drive stage from Mt. Vernon and between New -. ark and Zanesville, being in their employ two years. In 1840 he was em- ployed by Neal, Moore & Co. to drive stage between Columbus, Ohio, and Wheeling, Virginia, remaining in this position until 1850. In January, 1845, he married Elizabeth Harner, of Cumberland, Ohio. In February. of that year he went to California, and after his arrival tried to work in the mines, but that not agreeing with his health, he went to the San Jose val- ley, where he was employed as a stage-driver until April, 1851. Then re- turned to Jacksontown and was soon after employed on his old stage route between Columbus and Wheeling. There he continued until the fall of 1855, when he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county. In 1857 he came to Iowa county and purchased forty acres of land in this township, which he improved and sold in 1865, and soon after bought eighty acres, the farm on which he is now living. He has an orchard of one hundred and thirty bearing fruit trees and forty-five bearing grape vines. He has nine children: Henry (of Audubon county), Jacob (in the employ of the railroad company at Muscatine), John (in Johnson county), Harriet (wife of George Crissinger, of Iowa county), Mary (wife of W. A. Morgan of Johnson county), Charles, Sarah, Frank and Ella May. His politics are Republican and he has held several positions in his township.
NEWKIRK, H .- Sec. 28, P. O. Homestead., Was born in Hanover, Germany, July 10, 1834, and when three years old his parents came to the United States, shipping on board the Atlantic, a sailing vessel, at Bremen, and landing at Baltimore after an eight week's, voyage. From Balti- more they went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and soon after to Dearborn county, where they lived until 1845. Then moved to Franklin county, where he lived until he became of age, and there learned the trade of blacksmithing. September 14, 1855, he married Sophia Bush, and the same year rented his father-in-law's farm, which he farmed until 1865. Then came to Iowa and settled in Iowa township, Iowa county, buying 160 acres of land with a few acres improved, and since then he has added to it so that his farm now con- tains 410 acres, and with one of the best residences in the township. He
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
has raised the present year 9,000 bushels of corn, 600 bushels of wheat, 750 bushels of oats, 225 bushels of barley, and forty bushels of timothy seed. At the time of his marriage his whole capital was $150, and all he now owns he has accumulated since that time. He has ten children: F. Henry, George, Lizzie, John, Emily, Christian, Mary, Dorie, Louie and Minnie. He is Democratic in politics, and has held some township office nearly every year. Himself and family are all members of the German Lutheran - Church.
SI HERLOCK, LUKE-Sec. 5, P. O. Homestead. Was born in Rosson, Derbyshire, England, October 6, 1818, and when thirteen years old was thrown upon the world to care for himself, working the first year for a sovereign ($4.84), and his board. In 1832 he went to Cheshire where he worked on a farm, returning in 1833, where he worked in different avoca- tions. In 1845, he married Elizabeth Smith, and came to America in 1848, shipping from Liverpool to New York on the William Vail, a sailing vessel, being fifty days on the voyage. On his arrival in the United States he settled in Erie county, Ohio, where he worked as a farm hand until 1853. Then came to Iowa and settled in this township, buying 110 acres of wild land. He was one of the first settlers in the township. There is now only one of the old settlers who was here when he settled, and he is William Spicer, near Homestead. Mr. S. now owns two farms in the township containing 432 acres. He has acquired all his property since coming to America in 1848. He has four children: Stephen (living on one of his father's farms in Iowa township), John Henry, Arthur and Sarah Elizabeth (living in Nebraska). His wife died March 20,1878. On his farm near South Amana, he has a substantial brick house, with good barn and outbuildings, and an orchard of 400 bearing trees, with shade and ornamental trees.
V OSBURGH, J. H .- Sec. 32, P. O. South Amana. Was born in Wood county, Ohio, September 15, 1837, and there lived until he was of age. In 1860 he went to Wisconsin where he spent one summer, returning to his native town in the fall. In 1861 he enlisted in company H, Forty- ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served three years, participating in many battles and skirmishes; Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Murfreesboro, Chickmauga, Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Rocky Face, Resaca and Pickett's Mills, being wounded at the latter May 27, 1864, in consequence of which he lay in the hospital until the 16th of September following, when he was dis- charged from the service. Then returned to Ohio, where he was laid up with his wound until March of 1865, and during that year began farming. He married Lucinda Locey in November, 1865, and in the spring of 1867 went to Michigan and bought a farm where he remained until 1870, when he sold out and came to Iowa, and engaged in farming as a renter until 1874, when he bought the farm on which he is now living. He has five child- ren: James Harry (born November 1, 1866), Rilla D. May (born October 1, 1868), Charles Henry (born November 17, 1870), Richard Nye (born Oc- tober 11, 1875) and Melville (born July 23, 1880). He is Republican in politics and has held the office of justice of the peace for three years.
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