USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 93
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747
DAYTON TOWNSHIP.
divided his time between agricultural pursuits and school teaching. During the war he was enrolling clerk in Noble county, also held different town- ship offices during his sojourn. In 1864 he emigrated to Iowa, locating on his present farm, which consists of 350 acres. Mr. Tilton is a self made man, commencing life in meager circumstances. He is a man of clear judgment and has a well-stored mind. He has identified himself with Iowa county ; is a public official of more than ordinary ability. In 1879 he rep- resented Iowa county in the Legislature to the satisfaction of his constitu- ents. He was married November 17, 1848, to Miss Mary A. Jordan, a native of Ohio. They have a family of ten children: David W., Catharine W., James E., Elijah L., Grant N., William, Mary, Emina and Eliza. Lost one.
W ALTER, M. M .- Farmer and blacksmith, Sec. 5, P. O. Deep River. Was born September 23, 1847, in Wyoming county, Ohio. En- listed July 10, 1863, in company D, Thirty-fifth New Jersey volunteers. Was at the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and others; mustered out July 19, 1865; returned to his home and learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1867 he came to Illinois, where he resided for one year, after which he came to Iowa and settled in Iowa county. He was married December 24, 1871, to Miss Catharine Tilton, a daughter of Hon. Elvin Tilton. She is a native of Ohio. They have four children living: Zoa E., Bertha A., Orin James and Ida. Lost one, Ada. Mr. Walters has a farm of 53 acres. .
WAGNER, THEODORE-Farmer, Sec. 26, P. O. Millersburg. Was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1845. There he spent his days until about nineteen years of age. His father was engaged in the lumber business and our subject's early youth was spent in attending school and helping his father in lumbering. In 1865 he came with his parents to Iowa county, where he has since resided. In April, 1869, he was married to Miss Susan Mclaughlin, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They have three children: John, Herman and Charles. Mr. Wagner owns a farm of 80 acres.
WILSON, W. M .- Farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 1, P. O. Millersburg. The subject of this sketch is the second son of William and Parmelia Hart- sod Wilson. His father was a lineal descendant of Benjamin and Margaret Wilson, who came from Londonderry, Ireland, to Londonderry, New Hamp- shire; moved to Ackworth, of the same State, in 1774. The subject of this sketch was born July 20, 1832, in Washington county, Ohio, where he was raised until sixteen years of age. He then came to this State and settled in Washington county, where he lived four years, after which he returned to Ohio, where he engaged in a store as clerk. He was married April 19, 1855, to Miss Margaret Ann Morrison, a native of Ohio. They have four children: Sherman B. (born July 11, 1856), Florence W. (born October 14, 1858), Frank J. (born March 20, 1862) and Charles W. (born in July, 1864). Mrs. Wilson died in September, 1866. He was again married to Miss Jennie M. Pollock December 24, 1867. She is a nalive of Noble county, Ohio. By the latter union have four children: Fred C. (born October 2, 1868), Grace Edith (born January 27, 1871), Truman P. (born April 29, 1873)and Seymour L. (born September 27, 1879.) In 1855 he came to this county, locating in Dayton township, where he has since made his home. He is a man who is virtually self-made and self-educated. He began busi- ness for himself without any appreciable means and through his habits of continued industry and well directed efforts he is now in possession of a
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
valuable farın of 632 acres of well cultivated land, as well as 160 acres in Nebraska.
WILSON, W. W .- Farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 25, P. O. Millersburg. Born in Frederick county, Maryland, January 10, 1838. He there resided until he was about twenty years of age. When quite young he learned the blacksmith trade and followed that as his avocation during his resi- dence in that State. In the autumn of 1858 he came to Iowa county. He owns a farm of 200 acres of well cultivated land. In 1861 he was married in this county, to Miss Sarah Smith, a native of Michigan. She died in. February, 1874. He was again married in April, 1878, to Miss Harriet Sinith, a native of Michigan. By the first union he has two children: Elsie G. and Charles W. Lost one, Margaret A. From this last union they have two children: Henry M. and Fossie L.
WILSON, ALBERT-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 11, P. O. Millers- burg. Was born May 7, 1840, in Harrison county, Ohio. When he was an infant his parents removed to Noble county Ohio, where he was educated and raised to manhood. In 1865 he came to this county and settled on his present farm. He was married in 1863 to Miss Rachael Stelm. By this union they have nine children living: Mary, John, Joe, Ida, Frank, Clara, J., William, Florence and Roley. Mr. Wilson has a farm of 160 acres of well cultivated land.
WILSON, JAMES-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 10, P. O. Millersburg. Was born March 20, 1842, in Noble county, Ohio, and was there educated and raised to manhood. He has followed the pursuit of agriculture since his early life. In 1865 he came to this State and settled in his present location. He was married in 1865 to Miss Mary Etta Muturfee, a native of Iowa. They have five children living: Ada O., Clara J., Ora Otis, Eva and Eda; lost one, Etna J. Mr. Wilson owns a fine farm of one hundred acres of land. IMMERMAN, JOHN-Farmer, Sec. 24, P. O. Millersburg. This old
Z settler was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, November 20, 1812. There he spent his days on a farm until the spring of 1835 when he moved to Hancock county, Ohio, where he was married the same year to Miss Catharine Heistand, a native of Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1855 he came to Iowa county and settled in his present location. His farm consists of two hundred and ninety acres. His wife died in Hancock county, in 1849, leaving a family of eight children, six of whom are now living: Joseph, Nancy, Catharine, Elizabeth, Sarah and John; Mary and Henry deceased. He was again married October 9, 1849, to Miss Catharine Mil- ler, a native of Germany. By this union they have six children living: Amanda J., Martin, Martha, William Freeman and Annie.
CHAPTER XVI.
HILTON TOWNSHIP.
Introductory-Position-Boundaries-Area and Population-Physical Features-Early Set- tlers-First Marriage, Birth, etc .- Original Entries-Organization-First Election-Pres- ent Officers-Lutheran Church -- Cemeteries-Schools-Incidents-Harvesting for 373% Cents per Day-Teaming with Calves.
INTRODUCTORY.
THE townships which are near Marengo link much of their early history with the earlier and larger place. Hilton, though near to Marengo, was
749
HILTON TOWNSHIP.
not much settled till 1854 and 1855. It is a good township, but according to the popular notion that land was worthless if it furnished no timber and was distant from a stream, these broad and fertile prairies were left open for many years after the land on the creeks was taken up. The boundaries of Hilton are very irregular. It is bounded north by Marengo and Amana; east by Amana and Iowa; south by Troy, and west by Pilot. It includes all of township 80, range 10, except sections 1, 2, 6, the north half of 7, the northwest quarter of 8, and the west half of 5.
AREA AND POPULATION.
It contains an area of a little over thirty-one and one quarter square miles, more exactly, 20,400 acres. The population in the year 1880 was 862, an increase during the last decade of 53 per cent. There are 172 polls and at the presidential election November 2, 1880, there were 144 votes cast, of which number James A. Garfield received 86, and W. S. Hancock 58 votes. The personal property is assessed at $42,000, and the realty at $157,000. Among the personal property we give the following: cattle 1,646, horses 565, mules 29, sheep 23, swine 3,780.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
Hilton Creek is the only stream of water in the township. No other township in Iowa county has so few runs of water. Hilton Creek rises near the center of the township and flows north, emptying into Iowa River three miles east of Marengo. This creek is historical. It has witnessed many strange and interesting scenes. At one time it rose suddenly, came out of its banks and swept to death two members of a family who were flee- ing from the fearful flood. Within its banks robbers and horse-thieves have hid themselves during the day. Its friendly waters slaked the thirst of the weary Mormons who encamped on its banks. Near its mouth once an Indian chief held a council of war with his braves upon its banks. It was one of the indications of distance to the traveler on the State road; when he came to this he knew how far he was from Marengo, Homestead or Iowa City.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Samuel Thornton came from Virginia and settled in section 5, near Hil- ton Creek, in the year 1851. He was the first settler in the township and owned a quarter section. He owned two yoke of oxen and two cows; with the oxen he did the first breaking of prairie in what is now Hilton town- ship. This clever old man belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, attending regularly to his religious duties at Marengo. He died twenty-one years ago, and was buried in the Old Marengo Cemetery, two miles south- east of Marengo. His son John succeeded to his father's estate; was fond of hunting, and shot many wolves and deers. John died about two years ago. The first settler lived here three years before the next came.
The second settler was John Brown. Brown was a native of Ohio; came to Johnson county, Iowa in 1852, and to the very section where his son, S. G. Brown, now resides in the year 1854. John Brown brought with him a family of eight children and a wife. He died December 31, 1859.
The third settler was Christopher Engebret. He is a Norwegian by birth, having come to this country settling in Illinois in an early day. In
750
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
the year 1854 he came to Iowa and settled on the northeast quarter of northwest quarter of section nine, this township. Mr. Engebret is a hard working, good citizen, now about sixty-five years of age and a member of the Lutheran Church.
Then came Richard Nelson and Levi Nelson, settling in the summer of 1855 on section three. They came originally from Norway, and both were - Lutherans. Levi died November 1, 1880, but Richard lives there still.
Nelson Nelson came next, and in 1856 settled on section four, where he still lives.
James Conroy came in 1856 and settled on section ten.
Michael McNorton, Peter White and others came about the year 1856.
The first marriage was John Thornton to Sarah Weddle by Judge Wal- lace, of Marengo, in the year 1855. John Thornton was the son of Samuel Thornton, the first settler in Hilton. The bride of this first marriage lives at Millersburg.
The first white child born in what is now Hilton was Jefferson, a son of Christopher Engebret, born in 1856, and died when about one year old.
The first death was Cornelius Nelson, who died about the year 1856, and was buried in the old Norwegian cemetery, sometimes called the "Nelson " burying ground, and was the first person buried there. The first physician was Dr. Grant.
The first religious services were held at John Brown's house by a Baptist minister by the name of U. P. Gale. In. these early times there were no roads and S. G. Brown, who did most of the hauling for his father's family, could drive in any direction four or five miles before he came to any road.
ORIGINAL ENTRIES.
The first land in Hilton bought from the U. S. government was east half of southeast quarter, section 5, township 80, range 10, January 7, 1852, by Samuel Thornton.
The second land entered was in section 3, northwest fractional quarter northeast quarter, November 16, 1853, by Jefferson Miles.
More land was entered in 1854 than during any other year. Why this fine high prairie was so long left unoccupied it is difficult to state. During the year 1854 and 1855 what then remained was all taken up.
ORGANIZATION.
Hilton was organized October 12, 1858, the order for the same hav- ing been given on the 22d day of September previous. It had been a part of Marengo for ten years. The first officers were: . Trustees, Chris- topher Engebret, T. Nelson and Samuel Thornton; justices, A. Ward and Warren Lincoln; constable, Amos A. Ward; assessor, Warren Lincoln; clerk, John Brown.
The first election was held at the house of A. Ward, and when the elec- tion was over it was found that all the voters in the township except two held office. The present officers are.
Trustees-Martin Hanson, Robert Powell, Andrew Jacobs.
Justices-S. G. Brown, J. C. Engebret.
Constables-Hans Engebret, A. J. Gullett.
Assessor-J. W. Carmichael.
Clerk-Ira W. King.
751
HILTON TOWNSHIP.
There are seven road district; also the same number of independent school districts.
LUTHERAN CHURCH.
There is only one church that being of the Lutheran denomination. It is situated in the west part of section 10. It is a neat little structure, costing about $1,500; built in the year 1877, and now has about thirty members.
CEMETERIES.
The burying ground on the north side of the road opposite the church has about a dozen graves; grounds recently laid out. The Nelson burying ground, section 3, is the oldest in Hilton, now contains about forty inter- ments. The Scotch cemetery, in section 12, next to the oldest in Hilton, contains about sixty graves.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught on the farm of Samuel Thornton in a small log hut by Mary Thornton, grand-daughter of Samuel Thornton. She had an attendance of eight scholars, and received for her services $8 per month. There are now seven schools taught seven months in the year. Four male and eight female teachers have been employed during the past year. The males receive an average salary of $36 and the females $23 per month for teaching. Of school age there are 147 males and 142 females. The total enrollment for the year ending September 1, 1880, was 268, and the aver- age daily attendance is 152. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil is $1.35. The houses are valued at $4,000. Among the pres- sent teachers we have the following names: Mary Conroy, John N. May, Mary Brown, Jennie Scott, Frankie B. La Dow, Laverna Hall, Laura Hal- lowell. The first school-house in the township was built by Warren Lin- coln and David Dunbar in the year 1859. This was on section 9.
INCIDENTS.
In the early days when none were here except a few of the first families money was very scarce, there were whole households without a dollar for weeks together.
In the summer of 1854 Samuel Brown raked and bound behind the cradle all through harvest for the sum of thirty-seven and one-half cents a day.
One of the hardships was going to mill to Iowa City, a distance of thirty miles, on horseback to get corn-meal on which to subsist. The way young S. G. Brown went to mill was with a yoke of yearling calves. It took four or five days to make the trip: when night came on he turned the young steers loose to graze while he ate his piece of corn-bread; when it became dark, he tied the calves to the wagon and laid himself underneath it to sleep. Thus he made the trip without any pecuniary outlay.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
B ROWN, S. G .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. Marengo. Is a native of Guernsey county, Ohio. Born July 12, 1835, and when
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
quite young went with his parents to Jackson county. After finishing his education he engaged in farming, and in 1852 came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, where he resumed his former occupation. This he con- tinued till near 1854, when he came to Iowa county, and in the fall of 1872 settled where he now lives, and owns 120 acres of improved land. He enlisted at Marengo February 2, 1864, in company B, Fifth Iowa cavalry, and served nineteen months, being in many engagements, among which were, Atlanta, Franklin and Selma, Alabarna. He is the present justice of the peace, and has been constable ten years; has also filled other positions of trust in the township. He was married September 4, 1858, in this county to Miss Jane Ward, a resident of Hilton township, and a native of Ohio, born in 1841. They have five children: John Henry, James D., Robert Vinton, Edward A. and Alfred F.
ARMICHAEL, J. W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. South
C Amana. Was born in Morrow county, Ohio, March 11, 1843, and attended school there till 1852, at which time he, with his parents, came to Iowa and settled in Scott county for a few months. In the spring of 1853 he moved to Rock Island county, Illinois, where he lived the life of a farmer boy, attending school in Port Byron, where he resided a part of the time while in Illinois. In the fall of 1855 he came to Iowa and settled in Keokuk county, where his father entered the last 200 acres of land to be had of the government in that county, and there they engaged in the man- ufacture of brick. In the fall of 1858 they moved to Linn county, where they continued brick-making, and in 1859 his father and two of his broth- ers went to California. In August, 1862, the subject of this sketch en- listed at Shueyville, Johnson county, in the Twenty-second Iowa and served three years, being in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River, Vicksburg, where he received a flesh wound in the thigh, and while in the field was wounded in his head, being detained in consequence nine months from his regiment. Then returned and took part in the bat- tle of Winchester, Virginia, where he received a wound in left hand. Was at the battles of Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek and many minor engagements. After receiving his discharge he came to Iowa county and settled where he now lives and owns eighty acres of improved land. He was married in April, 1867, in Iowa county, to Miss Ellen Castle, a resident of Iowa county, and a native of York State. They have one son, Harry D., and have buried one son and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Free Will Baptist Church of York township, of which he was one of the original members and is now its clerk.
CONROY, JAMES-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 23, P. O. South Amana. Was born in Ireland September 20, 1829, and attended school there till his sixteenth year, when he came with his parents to the United States, and settled in La Salle county, Illinois. In 1855 he came to Iowa and engaged in farming in this township. In 1868 le settled where he now lives, and owns 580 acres of improved land, having ,upon it a good residence and barn. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors for two years past, and he was supervisor two terms under the old system. Has filled other positions of trust. He was married in La Salle county, Illinois, in May, 1854, to Miss Ellen. Sullivan, a native of Illinois. They have eleven children, all living.
E
NGEBRET, C .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 9, P. O. Marengo. Is a native of Norway. Born in 1818, and after finishing his educa-
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HILTON TOWNSHIP.
tion, he engaged in farming and fishing till 1850. Then came to the Uni- ted States and settled in La Salle county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and carpenter work. In 1854 he came to Iowa and settled where he now lives, and owns in three pieces 350 acres of good, well improved land. . He is an honorable, kind and obliging neighbor and friend, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him. Has filled the offices of school and township treasurer and many other positions. He was married in March, 1846, in Norway, to Miss Ellen Olson, a native of Norway, born in 1826, and by this union they have eight children: Ole (married and lives in Hilton township), John C. (married and lives in Hilton), Hans B. married and lives in this township), Jefferson J., Christ. W., Catharine, Ellen and Louis E. Have lost two: Jefferson J. and Hannah. His wife died December 4, 1874.
ENGEBRET, OLE-Farmer, Sec. 27, P. O. Marengo. Was born in Norway May 3, 1846. In 1850 his parents came to the United States and located in La Salle county, Illinois, and there lived until 1854. They then came to this county, and have been respected residents of the county ever since. Our subject was married in this county to Miss Martha Martenson October 13, 1875. She is also a native of Norway, and has been a resi- dent here about eight years. Family, two sons: Charles H. and Martin A. Mr. E. has a nice farm of eighty acres, well improved, in Hilton town- ship.
F RAWLEY, M .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 9, P. O. Marengo. Is a native of Ireland, born in February, 1820. After finishing his education he there engaged in farming until the spring of 1849, when he came to America, by way of Quebec. Stopped in Boston a short time, then went to Albany, New York, where he engaged to work on a farm, con- tinuing the same for one year. In 1851 came to Chicago, remained a short time, then went to Rochester, New York, and worked for a short time. He engaged in farming again until the fall of 1856, when he came to Iowa, locating in Iowa City, and there worked in the printing office of the Re- porter. In 1861 he bought and settled where he now lives, owning 280 acres of well improved and stocked land, with a good residence upon it. Mr. Frawley was married September 25, 1854, in Danville, New York, to Miss Elizabeth Beady, a native of Ireland. They have five children liv- ing: John, Kate, Maggie, James and Mary. Three of them have gradu- ated from school.
H TAKES, ELLIS-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32, P. O. Marengo. Was born in Brown county, Ohio, in August, 1838, and in 1844 he, with his parents, moved to Peoria county, Illinois. After finishing his ed- ucation he engaged in farming, and in August, 1862, enlisted in the Sev- enty-seventh Illinois volunteers, at Peoria, served about two years, then was discharged on account of disability contracted in the service. Was in all of the engagements of the regiment up to the time of his discharge. In the spring of 1865 he came to Iowa and bought land and engaged in farming in various places in this county, and in 1870 settled where he now lives. He owns 240 acres of land with first-class improvements. Has a large amount of fruit, including 400 bearing apple trees. He was awarded the second premium for the best display of apples at the Iowa county fair of 1880. He is dealing largely in cattle and owns some thorough-bred Short-Horns, choice grades, and has 124 head of thorough-bred Poland- China hogs. He owns a fine residence and four lots in Marengo, where he
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
lives a part of the time. Is a stockholder in the savings bank, also in the First National of Marengo; is also member of the agricultural society of Iowa county. He was married in December, 1864, in Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Sarah Smith, a native of Ohio. They have one daughter, Eva. Have lost a son, Leonard, and a daughter, Melissa.
HAKES, B. H .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32, P. O. Marengo. Is a native of Peoria county, Illinois, born February 1, 1846, and after finishing his education he engaged in farming. In the spring of 1865 he came to Iowa and engaged in breaking prairie in Troy township, Iowa county, and in the fall of 1869 settled where he now lives, and owns 160 acres of choice farm land, on which he now has 65 head of good graded cattle, also 100 head of thorough-bred Poland-China hogs. In the fall of 1867, in Ma- rengo, he married Miss Elizabeth Remley, of Troy township, a native of Virginia. They have four children: Annie E., William R., Mary D. and an infant son.
HAMMELL, GEORGE-Farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Marengo. Was born September 24, 1847, in Newark, New Jersey. In 1853 he went with his mother to Sussex county, New Jersey, where, after finishing his education, he engaged in farming till the spring of 1868, when he came to Iowa county. In 1869 he settled where he now lives, and owns 160 acres of well improved land. He was married in December, 1870, in Muscatine county, to . Miss Sarah Rayner, a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, born in August, 1847. They have two sons: Wesley and Thomas; buried one son, Joseph, in 1874.
HARRIS, BENJAMIN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 35, P. O. Stel- lapolis. Was born in Wales August 5, 1834, and after finishing his edu- cation engaged as clerk in a general store. Continued the same for six years, and in the summer of 1853 he, with his mother, came to the United States, his father having died in 1852. They settled in Ironton, Ohio, where he clerked in a general store until 1855, then went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he engaged in the grazing business, and continued the same till 1857, when he came to Iowa and settled in Troy township. There en- gaged in farming, and in the spring of 1870 sold his farm in Troy and bought and settled where he now lives. He owns 240 acres of improved land, with a good residence; also has the farm well stocked with good grades, and deals extensively in thorough-bred Poland-China hogs. He is a kind and obliging friend and neighbor, hospitable and generous, just to all, and has the respect and esteem of those who know him. He was mar- ried December 12, 1857, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Miss Gwenllian Jones, a native of Wales. They have three children living: Ivor, Williard and Mary. They have buried four: Sans John, Lincoln and two infant sons, each named Alfred.
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