USA > Iowa > Jones County > The history of Jones County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 55
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Burns Lodge, No. 173. A., F. & A. M .- Instituted, U. D., January is. A. D. 1865, A. L. 5865, and organized under charter of Grand Lodge of Iowa, June 21, 1865, A. L. 5865, at Monticello, Jones County. First officers-Brothers Il. D. Sherman, W. M .; M. R. Gurney. S. W .; C. E. Wales, J. W .; H. Rosa, Treasurer: J. A. Chandler, Secretary ; E. T. Mellett. S. D .; S. R. Howard, J. D .; Simon Morton. Tiler. The Lodge was organ- ized under favorable auspices. the members contributing 8375 to furnish hall. ete. M. M. Moulton was the first to receive the Master Mason's degree in this Lodge, April 12, 1865. The Lodge has continued to prosper, and, up to the 1st of November, 1879, had conferred the degrees upon eighty-three persons.
The first death in the Lodge was that of Brother S. Hopkins, an old veteran Mason, in March, 1867, next followed in the same month Brother C. McClosky. then Brother H. Bledsoe, the first petitioner for Masonic Light in Burns Lodge. Rev. R. H. Northrop died of consumption and was buried in Burns Lodge Lot in Monticello Cemetery. Brother Peter Karst died of cancer at Sand Springs, Iowa. Brothers David S. Dreibblebis and Hugh L. Matthews · were young Masons and lived but a short time to enjoy the benefits of the Order. Worshipful Master P. H. Babcock is the only presiding officer lost by death. Brother Sandford Jacobs died after a long and lingering illness.
The Lodge has been liberal in its benevolent expenditures, and continues in good working condition and shares a large measure of prosperity. The officers for the year 1879 are as follows : Brothers Luther Foster, W. M .; B. D. Paine, S. W .; W. A. Holston, J. W .; John O. Duer, Treasurer; S. L. Gardiner, Secretary ; George L. Lovell, S. D. ; Joseph E. Nye, J. D .; Samuel Kahn, S. S .: Clark Byam, J. S .; M. M. Moulton, Tiler.
The history of Burns Lodge and Trinity Commandery was furnished by Sir Knight S. L. Gardiner. though we give it much abridged.
Monticello Chapter, No. 42, R. A. M., U. D., instituted March 2, 2398. A. D. 1868, and organized under charter of the Grand Chapter of Iowa October 16, 2398, A. D. 1868. This Chapter was the parent of the Anamosa Chapter. Among the first petitioners for the degrees in this Chapter were MI. R. Gurney, S. R. Howard and Joseph E. Eaton. Up to that time there were but six Roval Arch Masons in Monticello.
First Officers-II. D. Sherman, E. H. P .; G. W. Miller, E. King ; M. M. Moulton, E. Scribe; S. L. Gardiner, Secretary; W. P. Crowly. C. H. : P. Stone, P. S. ; O. T. Richmond, R. A. C .; W. L. Winter, Third Vail ; R. C. Shinn, Second Vail; J. C. Huntoon, First Vail ; J. P. Embree, Tiler.
The Chapter is in good condition, financially and otherwise, with a member- ship of thirty-four. Officers for 1879-M. R. Gurney, H. P .; W. W. Calkins. King; Samuel Kahn. Scribe; R. P. Smith, Secretary ; John O. Duer. Treasurer ; B. D. Paine, C. HI .; Luther Forster, P. S .; S. R. Howard. R. A. C .; J. A. Chandler. G. M. Third Vail; H. M. Wright, G. M. Second Vail ; Isaac Rigby. G. M. First Vail ; M. M. Moulton, Tiler.
Trinity Commandery, No. 16. Monticello, Iowa .- This Commandery is the parent of the Commandery at Manchester, Delaware County; Patmos Commandery, at Marion, Linn County, and the Commandery at Anamosa. Trinity Commandery started out with an expensive outfit, said to have been the best in the State. costing about $500.
The funds were loaned by charter members, and were paid back to them in about a year from the time of organization, December 9, 1869. It is now
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
self-sustaining, its money at interest and annual dues more than meeting current expenses. This Commandery donated 825 to the yellow-fever sufferers in 1878. Hard times has temporarily checked the growth of the Commandery. There has been but one death in this Commandery in the ten years of its exist- enec -- Sir Knight Porter H. Babcock, a good officer.
The first officers were: Sir Knight II. D. Sherman. E. C .; Sir Knight Sam- uel L. Gardiner, Gen .; Sir Knight Charles E. Wales, C. G .: Sir Knight Isaac L. Sinnington, Prel .; Sir Knight James Davidson, S. W .; Sir Knight F. C. Brown, J. W .; Sir Knight Thomas R. Ercanbrack, W .; Sir Knight Jona- than Piper, Treas .; Sir Knight M. M. Moulton, Recorder.
The officers for 1879-Sir Knight Silas M. Yoran, E. C .; Sir Knight Samuel L. Gardiner, Gen .; Sir Knight S. R Howard. C. G .; Sir Knight C. E. Wales, Treas .; Sir Knight M. M. Moulton. Recorder: Sir Knight R. P. Smith, S. W .; Sir Knight D. E. Pond, J. W .; Sir Knight S. S. Farwell, St. B .; Sir Knight E. T. Mellett, S. B .; Sir Knight James Davidson, Warder ; Sir Knight H. D. Sherman. Sentinel. Continuation of membership-1875, M. O. Warriner. Justin Shapley, Luther Foster : 1876, Edwin Blakslee, H. V. White, C. E. Merriam, D. A. Peet. C. N. Dietz, F. B. Bonniwall.
William Tell Lodge, No. 391, I. O. O. F .- Organized April, 1879, and works in the German language. The officers and charter members were: Sam- uel Kahn, N. G .; Emil Schneider, V. G .; John Wybel, Treas .; John Grum, Sec .; J. Snyder, Warden ; G. Snyder, Conductor: Geo. Shaffer, R. S. N. G .; H. W. Baade, L. S. N. G .; A. Guler; R. S. V. G .; J. Snyder, L. S. V. G.
Monticello Lodge, No. 43. A. O. U. W .- This Lodge was duly organized January 15, 1876, with the following charter members : Dr. I. II. Phillips, Wilson Jenkins, G. W. Miller. J. R. Stillman, G. W. Garlock. S. F. Bentley. J. Q. Wing, John Blanchard, N. W. Austin. W. E. Herrick and O. B. Rundle. Number of members at present writing, seventy-five. The object of the organ- ization is co-operative life insurance. The Lodge has lost three members since it was organized, and paid in each case $2.000. Weekly benefits have been paid to those who were entitled to the same, and the Lodge kept in a good, prosperous condition.
The present officers are: N. W. Austin, P. M. W .; S. G. Harris, M. W .: C. A. Whiting. Foreman : H. C. Suhr, Overseer; J. B. Smith, Recorder : J. R. Stillman, Financier: W. W. Calkins, F. S.
Monticello Lodge, No. 14, of the Iowa Legion of Honor .- The object of this organization is quite the same as that of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, only that the work of the Legion of Honor is confined to the State of lowa. This Lodge was organized on the 8th of May, 1879, with forty-two charter members. The present officers are: J. B. Smith, President; S. G. Harris, Vice President : J. R. Stillman, R. S ; M. M. Moulton, F. S .; II. Suhr, Treas .: G. W. Miller. Doorkeeper ; Fred Simons, Sentinel. The Legion of Honor may pay at the death of a brother $4,000. if there is that number of members in that class, while the Ancient Order of United Workmen jay only $2,000. The Legion of Honor pays no sick benefits.
ASSOCIATIONS.
Monticello Ladies' Library Association .- The circulating library associa- tion, under the auspices of the ladies of Monticello, was organized in 1967, with the following officers :
Mrs. S. Y. Bradstreet, President : Mrs. W. H. Proctor, Vice President : Mrs. G. W. Miller. Treasurer; Mrs. S. Langworthy, Secretary.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
The following were the charter members : Mrs. Maria Bradstreet, Mr -. Stephen Langworthy, Mrs. William H. Proctor, Mrs. G. W. Miller, Mrs. James Davidson, Mrs. W. H. Walworth, Mrs. C. E. Wales and Mrs. F. S. Dunham.
A Constitution and By-Laws were adopted for the government of the Asso- eiation, and the society began its work without a dollar in the treasury.
Festivals and other means were improvised from time to time, and the pro- eeeds used in the purchase of books. Through much that was discouraging the Association has passed, and. at present writing, secured for the use of those willing to pay the trifling sum of $1 per year, a good library of about seven hundred volumes. There are a goodly number of standard works in the library, and the Association is now in a more prosperous condition than at any previous time. An examination of the books warrants the belief that they are well eared for, and that a goodly number are read by appreciative readers.
The Association is a valuable auxiliary to the educational forces of the city. and the ladies of Monticello deserve especial commendation for their literary taste and perseveranee in a cause so meritorious.
The present officers are: Mrs. F. S. Dunham, President; Mrs. S. R. Howard, Vice President ; Mrs. J. R. Stillman, Secretary ; Mrs. G. W. Miller, Treasurer.
Monticello Cemetery Association .- This Association was organized as an incorporate body on the 20th day of June, A. D. 1866. The following are the names of the incorporators : E. P. Kimball, M. M. Moulton, W. H. Wal- worth, D. T. Gardner. S. R. Howard and J. P. Sleeper. M. M. Moulton, W. H. Walworth and E. P. Kimball were elected the first Trustees of the Associa- tion ; Mrs. B. A. F. Kimball. Treasurer.
On the 24th of June, A. D. 1866, the Trustees purchased for the Associa- tion, of Mrs. George George and husband, two acres of land, and Mrs. George donated an acre, the whole to be used for cemetery purposes, and the one acre donated by Mrs. George is always to be held for the free use of the poor. The land is situated about a mile east of the city of Monticello, on the main road leading to Scotch Grove.
At a meeting of the Association on the 20th of December, 1866, the Treas- urer made the following report :
Amount collected. 8283.15. Paid for land. 8150 ; for lumber, $105; for nails, $8; for work, $7.50; for deed, ete., 85.50.
The first officers continued to act until the 25th of June, 1873, when the following were duly elected : Trustees, II. D. Sherman, Samuel G. Gardiner. M. M. Moulton and C. E. Wales; Treasurer, John O. Duer. Cash capital. $61.69.
The work of improving the cemetery was now commenced. The grounds were surveyed. lots properly dividel, the whole newly fenced, the streets and alleys graded, and an evergreen tree planted at the corners of each lot, making a living corner-stone. From that time forward, the grounds have been kept in a neat and tasty manner, much to the eredit of the Board of Trustees.
The money to purchase the land, improve. etc., was raised by subscription. largely through the efforts of Mrs. B. A. F. Kimball and Mrs. Fred Grass- meyer. The subscriptions were in sums varying from 50 eents up to $25. donated by Joseph Baker. M. L. Carpenter gave 820; Il. Rosa, $16; F. Grassmeyer, 812. and many others donated liberally.
Monticello Union Park Association .- On the 13th day of April, 1874, a meeting was held at the office of C. W. Gurney, in Monticello.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
and the following Articles of Incorporation were adopted and an organization effected :
Articles of Incorporation of the Monticello Union Park _Association :
I. We, the undersigned, hereby form ourselves into a joint-stock company for the purpose of purchasing forty acres of land in the town of Monticello, county of Jones and State of lowa, fencing and fitting the same for the purpose of a driving-park and fair-grounds.
II. This company shall be known and designated at the " Monticello Union Park Associa- tion," and its principal place of business shall be at Monticello, Jones County, Iowa.
III. The business to be transacted shall be the holding of fairs and exhibitions, and leasing of said grounds to such other societies and for such other purposes as the Executive Committee shall determine.
IV. The capital stock of said company shall consist of $3,000, to be divided into shares of $100 each ; each share to be entitled to one vote in the election of officers and the transaction of other business of the company. Said stock to be paid in on call of the President.
V. This Association shall commence on the 13th day of April, 1874, and shall continue twenty years.
VI The officers of this Association shall be one President, one Vice President, one Secre- tary, one Treasurer and three Directors, which three, together with the President and Secretary, shall constitute an Executive Committee. The annual meeting of said Association shall be held at Monticello on the second Monday of April in each year, at which time all the above enumer- ate.I officers shall be elected, to hold their offices for one year, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
VII. The indebtedness of this Association shall at no time exceed $1,000.
VIII. No private property of stockholders shall be liable for corporate debts.
IX. The Executive Committee shall have power to make all by-laws and regulations neces- sary for the government of the Association.
Dated at Monticello the 13th day of April, 1874. Filed for record December 26, 1874.
Names of stockholders : M. L. Carpenter, S. C. Langworthy, Hiram Tarks, G. S. Eastman, George Stuhler. Birdsall & Acker, Joseph Clark. L. Waushura, John Lorentenzen, M. M. Benediet, S. S. Farwell, Philip Kuhns, George Haines, J. W. Skelly, G. W. Lovell. C. E. Wales, Theodore Soetje, William Schoddy, Fred Grassmeyer, Gill & Noyes, S. R. Howard, N. M. Smith, John O. Duer, P. O. Babcock, A. J. Monroe, Gurney & Davidson, Henry Babbe, M. A. Rice, F. M. Hicks.
The following Board of Directors were elected for that year (1874) : John O. Duer, P. O. Babcock and Joseph Clark. C. E. Wales was President, and C. W. Gurney, Secretary.
The present officers are : M. M. Benedict, President; G. S. Eastman, Vice President; John O. Duer, Secretary and Treasurer. Directors-G. Haines, M. Noyes and S. R. Howard.
The Association has purchased forty acres near the city of Monticello. The grounds are well fitted up for the use of the Association. The entire cost of purchase and preparation has been about $3,000. The estimated value of the property of the Association at this time is 84,000.
JONES COUNTY MILITIA COMPANY. 1
Company D, of the Ninth Regiment Iowa National Guards. was enlisted at Monticello on the 17th of June, 1878, under the Military Code of the State. It has always been a maximum company from the first, composed of sixty- seven men. J. Q. Wing was unanimously chosen Captain ; Ed M. Thompson. First Lieutenant, and Dugal MeDugal, Second Lieutenant. These officers were commissioned by Gov. Gear on the 23d day of July, 1878. Dugal MeDugal was dismissed the service, and William C. King elected Second Lieutenant in his stead.
Capt. J. Q. Wing was elected Colonel of the Ninth Regiment on the 16th of Angust, 1879. and Lieut Thompson took command of Company D. It is
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
expected that Lieut. Thompson will be promoted to the captainey, and that other promotions will be made in regular order.
Company Dis armed with the best breech-loading needle guns, and neatly uniformed.
In 1878, Company D was called upon to unload a ear load of tramps that had taken possession of a train on the Davenport & Northern Railroad. The work was well accomplished in a short time, although the company had been organized but a short time. The company is one of the best drilled in the military service of the State. A number of the old veterans of the late war are members of the company.
JONES COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Jones County Agricultural Society owns property, in the way of build- ings, to the amount of about 81,500, on the grounds of the Park Association.
The present Agricultural Society was organized at Monticello in the year 1874, with the following officers : S. S. Farwell, Monticello, President : E. V. Miller, Viroqua, Vice President ; C. W. Gurney, Monticello, Secretary : A. M. Loomis, Wyoming, Treasurer.
It is proper to state that an Agricultural Society was organized many years ago, and the meetings were held on the grounds near Anamosa. For a number of years the Society was a success, but, for some reason, the interest abated, and finally the Society failed to hold annual meetings, and virtually ceased to exist.
The present Society began without a dollar in the treasury, and now owns property to the amount of about $1,500, on the grounds of the Monticello Union Park Association. The meetings of the Society have been a success thus far, and a liberal amount of premiums have been paid at the annual exhi- bition.
The following are the officers for the year 1879: Wm. M. Starr, Castle Grove, President ; S. L. Gilbert, Onslow, Vice President ; S. M. Yoran, Mon- ticello, Secretary ; F. O. Ellison, Wyoming, Treasurer.
THE PRINCIPAL FIRES.
The first fire was that of D. S. Dewey's two-story frame saw-mill, at East Monticello, in March, 1855 ; loss, 84,000, no insurance.
In April, 1864, the two-story shop and horse-stable of N. W. Austin, was burned. Loss on building, 8500; contents, horse, $100; tools, hay and grain. $100; one horse belonging to Mr. Ketchum, $100. Total, $800. No insur- ance. The fire was the work of an incendiary. Mr. Austin had been pros- ecuting witness in a certain liquor suit, and is supposed to have lost his shop and barn as a result.
In May, 1:64, the frame stable of G. Slade was destroyed by fire. It was Sunday evening, just after services had commenced at the M. E. Church, that the fire was discovered. Several prosecutions had been commenced against the saloon keepers for the illegal sale of intoxicating beverages.
Some parties had hid a keg of whisky in the stable, where it was found by some boys, who had been taking a " nip " from it daily, and they coneluded to take a swig before attending church, and, as it was dark, lighted a match that they might see ; the mateli fell into the dry hay, and the building was in flames in a moment. Loss on building. $500; contents. $100; one span of horses. $200. Total, $500. No insurance.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
July 5, 1864, the restaurant and saloon owned and kept by J. P. Sleeper. was destroyed by fire, and was a total loss of about 82,000; no insurance. The fire is supposed to have been caused by fire-works on the 4th.
A fire occurred on the 26th of July, 1868, and was supposed to be an incen- diary fire. The following buildings were totally destroyed : M. M. Moulton's two story building on Lot 503; loss, 82,000. Loss to Odd Fellows' Lodge, 8200; loss of Good Templar's Lodge, 8200. Insurance, $500; II. D. Sher- man's butter in the cellar. 8500 ; no insurance.
H. M. Wright's bookstore; loss on building and contents, $2,000; fully insured.
C. A. Whiting's barber-shop ; loss on building and contents, 82,000, also fully insured.
October 12, 1869, occurred another incendiary fire, and four buildings were destroyed, viz .: W. E. Berry's saloon, loss 82,000, insured, the building was occupied by Warriner & Monroe, loss to them, 8200; no insurance.
McCormick & Kennady's store and contents, loss 82.500 ; fully insured.
N. M. Smith's drug store; loss on building and contents, $2,500; no insurance.
The building owned by Dr. Smith, occupied by J. Davidson with post office ; loss on contents, $200 : no insurance.
Gardiner & Dunham's building, damaged to the amount of $1,000; fully insured.
December 9, 1869, a partial loss by fire of C. A. Whiting's drug store ; loss on building, 8500; fully insured.
C. J. Conley's loss on contents, $1,000. This fire was supposed to be the result of incendiary causes.
January 23, 1870, C. E. Wales' residence was damaged about $1,000 : fully insured.
April 14, 1870, Mr. Reiger's building was damaged by fire about $800; insured.
Damage to the Hany Building and contents (grocery), $1,400; insurance, $450.
Meat market of William Peterson, building and contents, $1,000; no insurance.
W. Stambaugh's hardware store; loss on building, $1,000; loss to M. Haran on contents. 85.000 ; fully insured.
December 12, 1871, E. E. Burdick's tenement house at East Monticello ; loss, $800 ; insured.
February 11, 1872, loss by fire of Hibbard, Frost & Wood, of frame flouring- mill, $14,000; no insurance.
Dexter Page's foundry and machine-shop building; loss, $1,500; no insurance.
E. B. Kinsella's warehouse burned ; loss, $500. Loss to Pat Hopkins on contents, $150; fully insured.
John Kinsella's warehouse ; loss, $500; also insured. Langworthy & Holt, contents in same, 81,500: insured.
Pat Washington's warehouse; loss, $700; no insurance. Hake & Rohn, grain in same, $1,000; fully insured.
A. J. Monroe's barn ; loss, $150; not insured. ·
B. Stuart's barn ; loss, $100; insured for $50.
W. E. Herrick's tools in mill ; loss, $100. E. Grissenger's tools in mill, loss, 8100. The mill was set on fire in the night.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
March 28, 1872, A. J. Monroe's barber-shop and law office; loss, $500 ; insured.
April 23, 1872, D. L. Norcross' dwelling-house ; loss, $800; insured.
September 29, 1877, a dwelling that belonged to the estate of David Young ; damaged by fire, $500; insured.
February 27. 1879, stone flouring-mill of II. S. Pope & Bro .; loss, $8,000 : insured for $5,100.
March 28, 1879, brick residence of D. S. Kinsella; loss, $3,000; insur- ance, $2,500.
June 5, 1879, tin-shop of F. S. Dunham ; damage to building, $500 ; damage to contents, 83,000 ; fully insured.
Dr. Myrick's office contents ; damages, $50. Dr. Henry's office contents ; damages, $50; no insurance.
Damage to Mrs. Derbin's dwelling, $100 ; damage to contents, $400; fully insured.
August 15, 1879, damage to James Young's residence, $100; insurel.
There have been a few other losses by fire, but the dates and amounts we were not able to get.
The above facts and figures were furnished us by M. M. Moulton, Esq.
WYOMING TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated in the southeast part of the county, north of Oxford, the southwest township. The most of the surface is rather broken : there is a strip of prairie on the south side, and some prairie land in the north- west corner, which is level or beautifully undulating. A ridge, commonly known as the Brainard Ridge, runs through about the center of the township from west to east. along which there are fine farms and good substantial build- ings. The northeast corner is principally timber-land, with an occasional slope of prairie interspersed among it.
The farms, buildings, orchards and other improvements in the township, indicate a thriving and industrious people.
The thriving town of Wyoming is situated in the southwestern portion of the township, and a portion of the town of Onslow is situated in the northeast, four miles from the city of Wyoming.
EARLY REMINISCENCES OF WYOMING AND VICINITY.
BY DR. M. H. CALKINS.
[The following in reference to the early history of Wyoming and vicinity was prepared and read by Dr. M. II. Calkins, during the " Wyoming House Lecture Course," in April, A. D. 1878. The corrections necessary, owing to the changes that have taken place since that time, have been made by the Doctor, also, so that the statements are reliable and trustworthy. We are thus placed under obligations to Dr. Calkins for one of the most valuable and entertaining chapters in the history of Jones County. We regret to be obliged to somewhat abridge this portion of the early history for the want of space. Mueh that would be very entertaining is necessarily omitted ; but we have endeavored to retain all the historical facts. The Doctor, whose biography appears elsewhere, is a
.
M. H. Calkins M. D.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
strong and vigorous writer, and. at times, expresses himself with much rhetorical effect. From the fact that the important faets of history of the schools and churches are given by Dr. Calkins, no separate history of them will be given. -EDITOR.]
" The early history of any community is seldom preserved for posterity. A generation lives, aets its part, passes away, and little is known of the details of the operations by which grand results were reached. Every generation views the results of the preceding one in their totality and condemns in jobbing lots, or at wholesale lauds. Could we have access to that book where time records the aets of men, it would be an easy task to write the history of the past. But when, in antiquarian research. we are compelled to rely upon the treacherous memory of the living whose knowledge is often derived from tradition, it becomes an arduons task and is often inaccurate. In my search for items of early his- tory, I have not found a man who has kept a record of the passing events in which he was engaged, and which so often interest posterity. Memory alone has been relied upon, and hence some of the statements I shall make may be incorrect. Memory cannot always be relied upon, particularly in reference to dates. The young look forward, and time seems long. The old glance baek- ward and time seems short, and the date of interesting oceurrenees is often mis- placed. This arises from the fact that no record is kept. * *
-x- *
" Nearly four decades have passed and have been marked on eternity's dial, during which the events I am about to relate, have transpired.
"The first decade began in 1839, and could be easily summarized. It was a noble struggle of a few men for homes. The second decade, begun in 1849, was filled with stirring events and noble progress. The third was nobler still, for to the victories of peace were added the laurels of war for our nation's life, in which the citizens of this township aeted a noble part. Nine-tenths of the . fourth deeade have fitted away with progress marking every step, and every step keeping time with improvement's rapid march. To-day I must speak of these different epochs as a single group in Time's great calendar. If I shall succeed in resening from the fast receding past some incidents con- nected with the early history of this township, my objeet will have been accom- plished.
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