USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > The history of Keokuk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. : a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 65
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It was in the bounds of this township that Wapello died. Having re- turned with a number of his tribe, early in the spring of 1844, for the purpose of making maple syrup, there being splendid facilities for this business among the maple groves of Rock Creek, he became very much in- toxicated and in this condition he contracted a severe cold, which resulted in his death. After his death the remaining members of the tribe dis- patched a young warrior to Richland township for a coffin, which was brought by Mr. Samuel Hardesty in an ox-cart. Upon arriving with the coffin they prevailed on Mr. Hardesty to convey Wapello's body to Agency City, which he accordingly did. The entire expense of the coffin and the trip to Agency, amounting to some thirty dollars, was punctually paid, the young Indian who first employed Mr. Hardesty being particularly careful in looking after that gentleman's comfort during the trip and paying all the expenses before he left.
Such an excellent country as the Rock Creek district was known to be did not remain long without a large increase of population, and soon farms, cottages and school-houses were to be seen in all directions. For a long time the citizens experienced great inconvenience for want of a postoffice, and it was not till the fall of 1852 that a post-office was established in this township. It was kept at the house of Samuel Bowman, who was post- master. The name of the office was Olean, and in the fall of 1858 was re- moved to Ioka. There are at present three postoffices of easy access; one at Ioka in the southeastern part of the county; one called Walden, in sec- tion 18, and one in section 3, just across the river in Lancaster township.
Of churches there are quite a number of organizations and some very good church buildings. Rev. Mr. Spainhour, a Baptist minister was prob- ably the first of this denomination who preached in the township; he was
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
followed by Rev. Mr. Tanehill, who preached in the house of John Cox as early as 1843.
The Baptist church of Rock Creek was organized in 1844. The original members were Robert Scearcy, Mary Scearcy. William Scearcy, Sarah Scearcy and John Miller. In 1850 a frame church-building was erected at a cost of $750. It was dedicated the following year by Jacob Spainhour, who was the first man to preach in that neighborhood. John W. Talley, Amos Simmons, Cyphert Talley, Benj. Hollingsworth, Reuben Henderson, J. F. Walker, Stacy Rogers and Jesse Edwards have at different times been pastors of the church. The present membership numbers thirty-five. The church has had a varied career of prosperity and adversity; a short time after its organization there was an addition of one hundred and fifty-two members.
Hopewell church, located on section fourteen, belongs to the denomi- tion known as the Separate Baptists. It was organized in August, 1865. John W. Talley, Benjamin Hollingsworth, D. S. Hutton, D. Mullannee, Isaac Petree, Samuel Hutton, Mary Talley, N. E. Mullanee, Eliza Petree. Mary Hutton, Catharine Hutton, Phoebe M. Brown, Ruth S. McConnell, Lydia Nelson, Nancy R. Wood, Mary J. Miller, M. E. McConnell, Daniel Henson, Angelina Nelson and M. A. Hollingsworth were the original mem- bers. A frame church was erected in the fall of 1868 at an expense of $1,200. It was dedicated in the winter of 1868 by John W. Talley; John W. Talley, Benj. Hollingsworth, J. T. Walker, Chas. Lyon and Reuben Henderson have been pastors at various times. Jesse Edwards is the present pastor. The membership at present is twenty-two.
The first election was held in the township in April, 1844, which was the first election held in the county, this having been a separate election pre- cinct from the first. In 1850 the township had a population of 602, in 1856 it was 1,003, and by the census of 1875 it appears that the population was then 1,467. There were 269 dwelling houses and 275 families. The following are the officers of the township at present:
Justices of the Peace-D. C. Baker, who is also a member of the board of supervisors, and T. B. Meradith.
Constables-J. W. Reiner and Lewis Smithart. Clerk-W. B. Woods.
Trustees-Conrad Bender, W. C. Harris, Joseph Bush.
Assessor-T. B. Meradith.
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THE TOWN OF IOKA.
Ioka is located on section 28, about one mile from the Jefferson county line. It was at one time in the center of the business of the township, and is on the surveyed route of the Muscatine & Missouri Railroad. It was laid out in June, 1856, by Thos. E. Ashcraft, Jabez Shook, Paul Sherradin and D. H. Scisson. At the sale of lots, which occurred the following fall, lots sold at from ten to fifty dollars apiece. In 1856 the firm of Webb & Ashcraft carried on a dry goods business there; in 1857 the firm was suc- ceeded by Webb & Beardsley, which was then changed to J. Webb. Cran- dall & Disney established a dry goods store in 1857, which was afterward conducted by T. E. Ashcraft. Ruggles & Carpenter and G. M. Peters were also in business there about that time; A. Beardsley kept a boot and shoe store and afterward a hotel.
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
At present Ioka contains three dry goods stores, one drug store, one boot and shoe store, one tin shop and one hotel. There are four physicians to administer to the needs of the sick of the town and surrounding country: Dr. Mulhern, formerly of Sigourney, being the leading one; Dr. Rogers, formerly a practician of considerable note, has, on account of age, almost entirely retired from practice.
The town is beautifully located on the prairie, about one mile from tim- ber; contains about sixty houses and presents a neat appearance from any approach.
One of the chief features of Ioka is the Masonic lodge, which has a large membership and a creditable history. The following history of the lodge will be of interest to the members of the craft there and elsewhere:
Justice Lodge No. 230, A. F. and A. M., was organized under dispensa- tion from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, on the 9th day of February, 1868, with the following officers: W. H. Effner, W. M .; G. H. Smith, S. W .; J. H. Martin, J. W .; A. J. Porter, Treasurer; S. Rogers, Secretary; W. G. R. Talley, S. D .; David Cook, J. D .; E. P. Condreay, Tyler; W. J. Eff- ner, S. S .; and J. G. Smith, J. S.
On the 11th day of July, 1868, an election of officers was held, which resulted in the election of the following officers: G. H. Smith, W. M .; J. H. Martin, S. W .; J. B. Bell, J. W .; A. J. Porter, Treasurer; S. Rogers, Secretary; W. J. Effner, S. D .; W. H. Adams, J. D .; G. W. Lemmons, S. S .; W. G. R. Talley, J. S .; E. P. Condreay, Tyler.
On the 18th of July these officers were installed by W. M. Solon Gray, Ottumwa Lodge No. 16, and duly constituted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa as Justice Lodge, No. 230.
The second election of officers was held on the 24th of April, 1869, and resulted as follows: G. H. Smith, W. M .; J. H. Martin, S. W .; J. T. Walker, J. W .; W. G. R. Talley, Treasurer; J. B. Bell, Secretary; G. L. Rice, S. D .; W. H. Adams, J. D .; G. W. Leminons, S. S .; E. P. Condreay, J. S .; J. W. Carpenter, Tyler.
On the 14th of May, 1870, the following officers were elected: J. T. Walker, W. M .; G. H. Smith, S. W .; J. B. Bell, J. W .; W. G. R. Talley, Treasurer; S. Rogers, Secretary; J. H. Martin, S. D .; A. Myers, J. D .; W. S. Gaston, Tyler; A. F. Bean, S. S .; E. P. Condreay, J. S.
On the 29th of April, 1871, the following officers were elected: J. T. Walker, W. M .; Asa Myers, S. W .; S. Rogers, J. W .; W. G. R. Talley, Treasurer; A. F. Bean, Secretary; L. M. Nunnaly, S. D .; J. B. Bell, J. D .; W. S. Gaston, S. S .; W. Miller, J. S .; A. P. Black, Tyler.
On the 18th of May, 1872, the following officers were elected: S. Rog- ers, W. M .; W. D. Ingalls, S. W .; A. P. Black, J. W .; C. Bender, Treas- urer; J. C. Ruggles, Secretary.
On the 12th of April, 1873, the following officers were elected: G. H. Smith, W. M .; J. H. Martin, S. W .; W. G. R. Talley, J. W .; C. Bender, Treasurer; John C. Ruggles, Secretary.
The minutes do not show who the officers were for the year 1874 further than G. H. Smith, W. M .; J. H. Martin, S. W .; and J. B. Bell, Secretary.
On the 17th of April, 1875, the following officers were elected: W. D. Ingalls, W. M .; J. M. Richardson, S. W .; W. S. Gaston, J. W .; J. B. Bell, Treasurer; J. T. Walker, Secretary.
On the 8th day of April, 1876, the following officers were elected: J. T.
Daniel Dodge.
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Walker, W. M .; J. C. Ruggles, S. W .; J. M. Richardson, J. W .; G. W. Russell, Treasurer; G. H. Smith, Secretary.
On the 23d of April, 1877, the following officers were elected: G. H. Smith, W. M .; W. D. Ingalls, S. W .; J. B. Bell, J. W .; G. W. Russell, Treasurer; J. M. Richardson, Secretary.
On the 15th of April, 1878, the following officers were elected: W. D. Ingalls, W. M .; J. C. Ruggles, S. W .; C. Bender, J. W .; J. W. Carpenter, Treasurer; J. M. Richardson, Secretary.
On the 31st of March, 1879, the following officers were elected: J. M. Richardson, W. M .; J. C. Bell, S. W .; C. Bender, J. W .; J. W. Carpenter, Treasurer; F. M. Israel, Secretary ;- but, owing to the officers-elect failing to be installed, the old officers hold over.
There are quite a number of successful farmers who, in addition to the regular work of the farm, deal extensively in stock. Among others, D. C. Baker, W. G. R. Talley and Wm. Scearcy may be mentioned. Wm. Fye formerly was the most extensive farmer in the township.
George Cypert Talley, who was killed at South English during the excite- ment of war-times, an account of which is given elsewhere, was a resident of this township at the time of his death. He was buried near Ioka, and on a tombstone erected to his memory is the following inscription:
" George Cypert Talley died August 1, 1863, aged 29 years, 5 months and 27 days. Died a martyr to his religious and political opinions; shot down by highwaymen at South English, Keokuk county, Iowa, while bravely defending the same."
STEADY RUN TOWNSHIP.
This township corresponds in the main with the congressional township No. 74 north, range 12 west. The north boundary is Sonth Skunk river, which makes the northern boundary irregular, and cuts off from the con- gressional township about four sections, which are attached to Lancaster township.
The first settlers of the township made their claims on the day the In- dians left, May 1, 1843. The following are the names of the original set- tlers, with the statement, so far as we are able to arrive at them, of the facts regarding their subsequent career: Cornelius Hurley, went to Ne- braska and afterward died; John Lavemore, died a few years since at his home, on original claim; David Howard, returned to Illinois; Wm. Hut- ton, found dead near Skunk river; Henry Barrith, returned to Illinois; . Andrew Taylor, one of the first county commissioners, now lives in Wayne county; Madison M. Harmare, died last winter at home on his original claim; Francis Brittain, gone to Missouri; also John Hooker; James M. Brown, moved to Oregon; John Hurley, died in Nebraska; Charles Moore, died on original claim in 1846; Jesse Shoemaker, now lives at Grand Island, Nebraska; Enos Darnell, died in 1846; Wm. Stinson, removed to Appanoose county; Thos. Gaskell, died in 1859; Alexander Jones, com- monly known as Gen. Jones, lives on his original claim; most remarkable man in the county; was a playmate of Andrew Jackson; was instrumental in having Andrew nominated and elected President; removed from Ten- nessee to Indiana, where he made over a million rails; came to Keokuk county, Steady Run township, at an early day; never chewed tobacco, nor
34
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
drank whisky; has teeth as white as an infant, and, although about seventy years old, is still one of the " boys"; Moses McConnell, still lives in the township; Josiah Burrows, returned to Illinois; James Raser, run off with two women, and, in all probability, is dead; Anson Richardson, lives in Lancaster township; Thomas Richardson, died in 1872; John Garrett, the blacksmith of the first settlement, gone to Missonri; R. B. Whited, started to Oregon in 1851, stopped at Council Bluffs, where he remained a couple of years; afterward went to Texas, and became a colonel in rebel army; Benjamin Hollingsworth, still lives in the township; Joel Skinner, now lives at Creston, Iowa; B. F. Weller, the first school-master of Steady- Run township, and now the enterprising grain-buyer of Sigourney, still lives, and long may he live to recount the trials and triumphs of former days. Wm. Hutton was the first justice of the peace, and Christopher M. Wood was the first constable.
The first tannery erected in the township and probably the first in the county was erected by R. B. Whited in 1845. A. M. McNutt was the first white man buried in the township and Elder Kirkpatrick preached the first sermon. A Baptist church was organized in the spring of 1846 at the house of C. M. Wood, who lived where Daniel Hutton now lives. The first members of this church were Anson Richardson and wife, Thos. Rich- ardson and wife, Wm. Hutton and wife and James Hutton, who was baptized at this time, it being necessary to cut a hole in the ice in order to perform the ceremony. Stephen Fowler and Widow Hardesty were the first couple married. The first burying place was the Skinner graveyard, which has been suffered to revert to its original uses, and the original graves are now scarcely recognizable. Cornelius Hurley and Benjamin Hollingsworth erected the first flouring mill, it was started with one run of burrs in the spring of 1846, and is now known as the " Old Clapboard Mill." The mill now known as the Wheelock mill was started as a saw-mill in 1856. It was afterward repaired and numerous improvements made, in- cluding all the modern machinery for making flour; it is now one of the best mills in the county.
R. F. Weller was the first school teacher; he started for Iowa in early times and falling sick in Illinois did not reach Keokuk county, the place for which he started, for nearly a year afterward. When he did arrive he was without money and scarcely able to work. He had never taught school and had not attended school much, but at the solicitation of the settlers he undertook to teach a winter school. He was to receive $1.50 per pupil for a term of three months, and two-thirds of his wages was to be paid in rails at sixty-five cents per hundred. Although the school-house was poor, the wages scant, and the teacher had no experience and little learning, he succeeded so well that he was employed to teach the next school and got the contract of building a new school-house, which was to be a " good school-house and not cost more than $50."
The first sale of lands in Steady Run township occurred at Fairfield in 1846. Six parcels, each containing eighty acres, were bonght at that time by the following parties: C. M. Wood eighty acres; Joel Skimmer eiglity acres; Andrew Taylor eighty acres; Zebedee Botkin eighty acres; Frank Brittain, eighty acres; Jesse Brown, eighty acres. There was a bidder ap- pointed by the township to bid off all lands sold, and it would have been dangerous business for any one to have bid against himn.
This township was named after a stream of water which flows through
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
that portion of country and empties into Skunk river. The stream re- ceived its name from the fact that the country is comparatively level, and the current is never strong. It is a very fine region of farming lands and contains some of the most prosperous farmers in the county. In 1850 it contained a population of 467; in 1856 the population amounted to 694, and in 1875 it was 948. The present township officers are as follows: Jus- tices of the Peace, Samuel Dinsmore and W. F. Morgan; constables, J. S. Hawk and Perry Crocker; clerk, A. Glass; trustees, W. C. Lotsprech, N. Ogden, Benj. Parrish; assessor. G. F. Horton.
Mt. Zion Church was organized in the fall of 1854. The original mem- bers were, J. D. Williams, Jacob Bottorff, Philip Henninger, Andrew Taylor, Benj. Hollingsworth, Joel Skinner, Benj. Parrish, Thomas M. Thompson, James McCreery and James Cowger. A frame church-build- ing was erected in 1854, at a cost of $400. The church was never dedica- cated, as it was built by general subscription, and was open to all denomi- nations, the Methodists seemingly having a prior clain to all others. The present membership numbers about forty, and there is a flourishing Sun- day school with about fifty pupils.
The Presbyterian church of Martinsburg was organized in 1859, by Rev. D. V. Smock. The original members were, James D. Bryson, Adeline Bryson, Henry H. Landis, Catharine Landis, Mary Marshall, Eliza Calson, Snsan Burris, Ann Ardery, Robert S. Antrobus, Robert E. Doak and Mrs. Doak. In 1858 a frame church-building was erected at a cost of $2,500, which was dedidated the following year. The pastors of the church thus far have been A. A. Mathews, J. C. McElroy, David Brown and George B. Smith. The present membership is about seventy-five.
TOWNS.
Elizabethtown was laid out in 1845. It was located on section 15, and although at that early date it was a town of great expectation, it never prospered to such an extent as to meet the expectations of the least san- guine of its projectors. Most of the present generation of American citi- zens are ignorant of the excellence of said town, and it is donbtfnl whether or not the original lot-owners, were they to arise from the dead, could lo- cate their former sites for a prospective remunerative business.
Martinsburg was laid ont and the town plat recorded November 11, 1854. It is located on sections 28 and 33, less than one mile from the Wapello county line. Like Ioka, it is located on a projected line of railway, and at one time bid fair to become a central shipping point for the surplus agri- cultural products of that region; but, alas! for the expectations of those early times! the Muscatine & Missonri Railway got no further than paper, and Martinsburg still remains a quiet country village, supporting a post- office, hotel, some prosperous business houses and a flourishing lodge. The only post-office in the township is at Martinsburg, but three others are of easy access: Walden, in Jackson, Hayesville, in Lancaster, and Slagle, in Benton.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in the southwest corner of the county, contains all of congressional township 74 north, 13 west, and the greater part of five sec- tions in 75 north, 13 west. It is well watered, and, with the exception of
558
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
two other townships, Lancaster and German, contains more well cultivated and well improved land than any other township in the county. This township was settled as soon as was allowed by the stipulations of the treaty of 1842, D. P. Helm, J. W. Palmer, Tinley Brooks and Messrs. Hel- lery, McCoy, Brown, Cheek and Trimble being the first settlers. That portion of the township bordering upon South Skunk, and extending south- ward, is broken and brushy; many years ago it received the name of " Crackers' Neck," by which it is still known. In 1850 it had a popula- tion of 435; in 1856 it was 850, and in 1875 the population was 1,199. At the same time there were reported 220 dwellings and 224 families in the township. There are few, if any, houses of worship in the township; what religious service there is being held in school-houses, and here those who believe in going to church attend, or else go to adjoining townships. The schools were early established, and are considered among the best in the county.
There are two post-offices, one at the northern part of the township called Slagle, and Butler, located on section 27. Benton township has no towns at present, although it at one time did boast of one bearing the pre- tentious name of West London. It was located on section 18, and was laid out in 1847, the town plat being recorded in October of that year. The proposed line of the Ottumwa & Cedar Rapids Railway lies through this township, and the citizens are hopeful that it will be built within a few months. Quite a number of the more influential people are now using their best endeavors to further this enterprise. As the road-bed and many of the bridges have already been completed, it is not at all probable that the people of that productive country will long suffer in their material in- terests for lack of communication with the outside world; and when this is accomplished Benton township will have a town of its own, and a business town, too, for it has the men and the capital.
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The present township officers are as follows:
Justices of the Peace-Lewis Pfeffer and John Mack.
Constables-M. N. Alderman and R. G. Wilcox. 1
Clerk-James L. Reinhart.
Trustees-Lewis Reinhart, Miles Abraham and C. Lentz. Assessor-Clark Cook.
WARREN TOWNSHIP.
This township corresponds in the main with congressional township No. 75 north, 13 west. South Skunk, which forms the southern boundary, cuts . off' about five sections, which for municipal purposes are attached to Ben- ton. North Skunk runs diagonally across the township, thus dividing it into two water-sheds. The natural drainage is excellent; the supply of timber, stone, coal and water is abundant. So diversified are the natural resources of this region that it has always been considered one of the favor- ite spots of Keokuk county. Originally it was a part of what is now Washington township, and together with it formed what for a long time was known as Cedar Creek Precinct. The first settlement was made on the 3d of May, 1843, by A. J. McNabb and T. J. Hicklin-the former on sec- tion 2, and the latter on section 3. McNabb plowed the first furrow in the township and planted potatoes. Four days after, Maxon Randall took a
ยท
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
claim and settled near the same place; he plowed the second piece of ground which was broken in that part of the county. McNabb and Ran- dall were very successful in their farming operations, and by sticking to their first claims, by industry and economy, have become among the wealthiest citizens of the county. McNabb still resides on his original claim; Randall remained on his claim till a short time since, when he dis- posed of his extensive domain and removed to Sigourney, where he now resides. T. J. Hicklin also was still found on his original claim after the lapse of thirty-three years. John Hasty and several others settled in War- ren township in the spring of 1843. In 1844 Jacob Kinsler began to build the first saw and grist-mill, on North Skunk, west of range 12. The town- ship was surveyed in 1845, and in 1846 the land was offered for sale. At that time most of the land was claimed, and the entire amount of money in the township was about one thousand dollars. At the first sale of lands there were ten parcels of eighty acres each sold.
The first couple married were Robert Munn and Susan Pence. The li- cense was procured at Washington, Keokuk county at that time being a part of Washington, and John Ellis, justice of the peace, pronounced the ceremony. This marriage was soon followed by three or four more in quick succession. Mr. Thomas J. Hicklin was chosen to be the father of the first child born in the township. Squire Ellis, who for many years after the or- ganization of the county was the law giver of Cedar Creek precinct, had his seat of justice at Springfield, now in Washington township; and after Warren township became a municipality separate from Washington, Squire Keith became thie Lycurgus of those regions. Already, in 1845, the pio- neers of Warren had a school-house; and Rev. Mr. Tannehill, who ex -: pounded the gospel on Sundays, here wielded the birch and expounded Murray during the week. Mr. Tannehill organized a Baptist church in 1844, Squire Keith and family being among the first members.
A Frenchman, who lived in the McNabb neighborhood in early days, while out hunting discovered coal, which afterward proved to be the out- croppings of extensive deposits, which are how being mined by Mr. Dunn, of Delta. As the report goes, the Fenchman after discovering the coal, went after a shovel, and returning, covered up all signs of the coal, hoping to be able in a few years to purchase the claim. But before he accumulated enough money to buy the claim, he was prostrated on his death bed, and just before dying revealed the facts of his discovery to a friend. However, his description was not definite enough, and the concealed treasure could not be found. The land where the coal was concealed was the northwest quarter of section thirteen, and northeast quarter of section fourteen. This and finally became the property of Maxon Randall, and was regarded by him as very good sheep pasture, and from appearances probably contained some good building stone. Wishing to quarry some stone to be used in the foundation of a barn, he accompanied some others to the identical place where the opening to the coal mine now is, and probably the same place where the Frenchman had used his shovel a quarter of a century before. After digging for some time and finding no stone, Mr. Randall went else- where for his building stone, and a few years afterward sold the land to J. A. Dunn. It may be remarked here that Mr. Randall, while prospecting for stone, came so near the coal that had he gone one foot further he would have come upon it. Mr. Dunn became owner of the ground in 1872, and in 1875 discovered the coal. The vein is from four to six feet deep; the
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