USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 78
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A militia company was organized at Paris in February, 1877, under Capt. Thompson and Lieuts. John Stevens and J. H. Davis, with forty members.
Mills & Johnson put up the first saw-mill in the township of Jackson, in 1855. They sold it to Mr. Clark. It was finally sold and removed to Cedar Rapids.
In 1855, Josiah Plank built a saw-mill at Paris. It was washed away in 1860.
A stone grist-mill was erected on the Buffalo, on the present site of Green's mills, by William Bruce, in 1858.
PRAIRIEBURG. (Bowlder Township.)
This is comparatively a village of recent growth. A market place was required on the northeastern side of Buffalo Creek, and the village of Prairie - burg has resulted.
The earliest settler now living there is William Wagner, who settled one mile southwest, in 1851.
Silas Edgington, one mile west, was the next settler. He soon sold to William McQueen the farm now owned by James McQueen.
Henry Ward settled one mile east, in 1856. At that time, B. Harrison lived one mile east ; H. B. Brown, now at the mills, lived one-half mile north ;
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Frank Cooley, one-half mile southeast; John Wagner, J. Barnhardt, Col. J. Q. Wilds, in the vicinity of the town site. The latter sold to F. Crouch, in 1863.
The first house in town was built by Joseph Barnhardt, about 1853, now the log barn of Henry Klein. The second house was that of Neeley Parsons, which afterward burned down. The third building was the store room of Henry Wayne, now deceased, who opened a store there in 1856. This is now contin- ued by Reuben Welch, on the south side of the road.
In 1856, William Wagner moved to the village site and built a house, the fourth, where he began boot and shoemaking. He was also Justice of the Peace, and still continues to dispense justice and boots alternately.
The frame grist-mill on Buffalo Creek, one and a half miles southwest, was erected in 1853-4, by John McQueen. R. E. Burns, of the Central City Mills, soon became associated with Mr. McQueen ; then N. Parsons and Joseph Whitney became proprietors, followed by J. W. Gift and the present proprie- tors, William Hill & Bro. They have ample facilities for turning out the best class of work.
The formation of a town at the settlement was definitely proposed in 1865, and, accordingly, Henry Ward moved to the site of the present store and built a store room and liouse. He had kept the post office at his house since 1861, and then moved it to town, and opened a stock of notions and drugs in connec- tion therewith. The office had been named by him Prairieburg, and hence the town received its name.
The village was laid out July 30, 1867, by G. A. Gray, Surveyor, on part of Sections 21, 27 and 28, Township 86, Range 5, belonging to Neeley Par- sons. Mary Parsons, D. G. W. Stickney, Allen H. Savage, D. B. Long, E. L. Long, George Ferguson, William Wagner, D. L. Brisbine and R. McNary. De Wolf Addition has since been made.
At that time Henry Wagner had died, and there was but the store of Henry Ward. Menzo Burnside succeeded him as Postmaster, and was followed by the present Postmaster. Neeley Parsons.
W. W. Crouch established the next store ; and about 1867, A. H. Savage opened another.
The first blacksmith shop was by H. J. Stickney, and was succeeded by the present ones by Johns & Abbey and by Trepz Brothers (who also do wagon work).
Mr. Crouch sold to R. M. Welch, and H. Kline established another store. Another shoe shop has been opened by D. Bailey. Flora Ford has the only millinery store. The first and only harness shop is that of M. C. Walker.
B. F. Ward & Brother built the " Eagle House," in 1869. It is now operated as the Bowlder House, by Warren Appleby. Mrs. Percy has since established the Farmers' Home.
The village has two physicians, Dr. Charles Challand and Mrs. Dr. Percy.
Within the past four years there have been four fires-Swengler's and Holub's saloons, a saloon barn and the City Hall, built by D. G. W. Stickney. There is now left but one saloon, the " Stone Jug " of Anton Howard.
Huston & McLeod have recently established a creamery.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was situated one mile east and a half mile north. Later a school was established one mile east until 1872, when the present two-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
story frame building was erected at a cost of about $2,000, in which Prof. Edward Ford first taught for two Winters, then Miss Thompson, L. C. Brown and others ; Warren Whitney and Miss Effie Fields taught last Winter, while Mary E. Hudson now teaches. There are about sixty pupils.
RELIGIOUS.
The Methodists organized a class in 1857, under the charge of Rev. John Bell, at the school house one mile west. The first class consisted of Wm. Mc- Queen and wife, Mrs. Mariah Mayley, Henry Ward and others. Services were held for some time in the school houses until the Baptist Church was erected, since when this church has been used on alternate Sabbaths. Among the officiating pastors have been Revs. Burch, King. Black, Brown, Bargildt, Wells, Sanford, Bentley, Ricker, A. King and Beardsley ; the two last-named being now there.
The Baptist Church was organized by Elder D. Rowley, December 9, 1867, at the school house, one mile east of Prairieburg. The church was erected in 1868 at a cost of $1,800. It is a large frame edifice with bell cupola, and was dedicated January 24, 1869, by Elder John Fulton, assisted by Elder J. F. Childs.
Elders Rowley, Cay and Zimmerman had held services there before organ- ization, and Elder Rowley preached for two years after that time. Then fol- lowed Elders Abbott, two years, West, Rowley, John Thompson and Rev. L. H. Thompson, who has officiated since 1875.
A Union Sabbath school has been sustained with good membership since the church was built. S. D. Barker is at present Superintendent.
Mr. Flavel Crouch has been prominent in Sabbath school and temperance work.
Reformed Congregation of Bowlder .- This congregation is situated in the northeastern portion of the county. The original members came from Fairfield and Pickaway Counties, Ohio. These were visited by the Rev. F. C. Bauman, of Dubuque County, as early as 1857. In 1858, after preaching for them a number of times, he organized them into a congregation in August of that year, twelve persons entering the organization. In 1859, Rev. J. Riale took charge of the congregation as the first regular Pastor. Since then, Revs. Geo. Weber, D. S. Fouse, D. P. Lefevre and J. A. Smith have been Pastors successively. Rev. J. A. Smith is the present Pastor. The members are generally an honest and upright people, and have been blessed with a good share of this world's goods. The congregation now numbers about one hundred and twenty bap- tized and confirmed members. Connected with the congregation is a prayer meeting and a Sunday school. In 1860, the congregation erected a house of worship. It is a neat and substantial frame structure, and cost at that time about $1,500. Upon the whole, the congregation is in a flourishing condition.
I. O. G. T.
Prairieburg Lodge, No. 43, was organized September 7, 1875, and is now in active operation for the improvement and elevation of society, with the fol- lowing officers : A. C. Welch, Lodge Deputy; Sylvester Ary, W. C. T .; Annie Challand. W. V. T .; May Field, W. Sec .; Kate Batie, W. F. S .; J. W. Long, W. T .; Emerson Dalrymple, W. M .; Albert Johnes, W. Sent .; Libbie Reed, W. I. G .; Samantha Long, W. C.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
WALKER. (Grant Township.)
This prosperous little village is an outgrowth of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. A dozen years ago it was a wild prairie with no house in sight. Eleven years ago, three houses might be seen. Walker Pur- viance lived one-half mile south ; James North lived one-half mile north ; Will- iam Moses lived one and a half miles west.
It is a distance of five miles east to the Wapsipinicon timber, and six miles southwest to the Cedar timber.
Walker was laid off on Section 4, Township 86 north, Range 8, by C. G. Johnson, Surveyor, July 8, 1873, on the land of the B., C. R. & M. R. R. (by George Green), Edward Latham and George W. Wilson and named in honor of W. W. Walker, then Chief Engineer. afterward Superintendent and Receiver of the railroad.
The present depot was the first building to be erected. B. C. Fahr was the first and present Station Agent. The second building was a two-story frame house and store on Green street, built in June, 1863, by J. K. Hotchkin, who soon opened a store, and received the appointment of Postmaster, which he still retains. The next building was a two-story frame grocery store erected by Theo. Hamlin, on Rowley, near Green street. This was followed by the store of Fred. Hoffman in 1874, on Rowley street, which has been occupied by Spen- cer & Gitchell to the present time. Next, A. W. Manchester built and opened the first drug store, which is now occupied by J. Cleghorn, with a general stock, while O. Barnes continues the drug business. Michael Klietsch operated the first saloon. R. T. Hamilton operated the first blacksmith shop, while the next was the large wagon and blacksmith shop of H. C. Winsor. J. C. Mc- Queen's wagon shop has since been established. Hight & Edwards are the first and only carpenters. The next business house was the agricultural imple- ment depot of J. H. Nietert, with the Town Hall in the second story. Then the Continental Hotel was built in 1876 by W. S. Graves and is now operated by N. S. Gardner. Next was the American House, by P. Hoy, and then the Farmer's Home. Then the hardware store of Theo. Hamlin and cabinet shop of H. C. Toley were established. John Snow was the first shoemaker of Walker, while H. Schroeder followed in that line. The harness shop of Potter & Barry, now operated by Mr. Barry alone, is the only one which has been opened in the village; while the following firms are the only ones of their kind : Meat shop, by E. Ary; millinery, by Mrs. Hunt ; lawyer and banker, J. S. Sniffin ; jeweler, Mr. Chase ; physicians, Drs. A. W. Manchester and W. W. Nutting. P. D. Potter opened the livery stable now operated by A. L. Hutchins.
Grain store houses have been erected by Gitchell & Hoffman and by the Patrons' Joint-Stock Company (now owned by Gilchrist & Co.) There are two stock buyers, two lumber dealers and two grain dealers.
The Walker Creamery Company have recently established a creamery in the eastern part of town, with new and convenient rooms, containing a steam engine, six vats, churns, etc., under the management of J. G. Cherry. Seven thousand pounds of milk are received there per day, and three thousand pounds at a branch creamery at Spencer's Grove. The officers of the company are : President, Charles Gitchell ; Vice President, John Gitchell : Secretary, N. A. Bushnell ; Treasurer, John S. Sniffin.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS.
A Methodist Episcopal class was organized in the Spring of 1876, by Rev. L. S. Keagle, who was followed as Pastor by Rev. Wm. Cummings. There are twenty-two members and services are held every other Sabbath in the Town Hall.
The Wesleyan Methodist Society was organized in 1875, by Rev. F. C. Balch. In the Fall of that year they erected a frame church edifice 30x40 feet in size, at a cost of $1,100. Their Pastor during 1877 was Rev. Wm. Cum- mings, now of the M. E. Church, while their present Pastor is Rev. Preston.
The Free Methodist society was organized in the Fall of 1877, by Rev. V. Dick, their present Pastor. Services are held in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, alternately with that society.
A Union Sabbath school is held regularly, with Mr. H. Booth as Super- intendent.
TROY MILLS. (Spring Grove Township.)
Among the early settlers of this vicinity are J. H. Walton, Thomas Ward, David Fay, J. C. Dudley, J. S. Long, Jacob Eastman, H. H. Fay, Dr. Wil- son, A. V. Dix, Charles Hoover and Mr. Buckingham.
Though an old settlement, it is of recent formation as a village.
The flouring-mill, which was built many years ago by William Bruce, and known as the Hoosier Mills, is a good three-story frame building, with saw-mill attached, having three runs of stone, operated by water power from the Wap- sipinicon River. Mr. Bruce sold to George Stowell ; he to Ward & Fairchild. The latter sold his interest to J. M. Carson, and Frederick Dubbs afterward purchased that interest. Mr. T. R. Ward is now the sole proprietor. Being situated in the midst of a rich farming section, the mills are prosperously conducted.
When a mail route was secured through this locality, the name was changed to Troy Mills. The stage line runs from Marion, through La Fayette and West Prairie, and from Troy north to Quasqueton. Good's were first sold by Mr. Bruce.
Though a village was not contemplated until 1869, a store was established there by J. S. Long, about 1865. He still continues business in partnership with his son. This store was followed by that of John E. Atwood and Isaac Holdman, which was transferred successively to P. K. Diltz, J. Booth & Son, Joseph Barnhill, and after several other changes, is now operated by Long & Brothers. The next store was established by J. G. Cherry, who sold it in 1878 to Keyes & Parkhurst, of Marion, who now conduct it as a branch store.
Troy Mills was laid off in the Spring of 1870 by T. R. Ward.
The first hotel was by J. G. Cherry, in 1871; the Troy House, now the Eagle House, by Snyder Dubbs, and the National Hotel, by Reuben Church, are conducted there. Mr. Cherry also opened the first saloon, followed by James Ringer. Mr. Cherry was also first to begin shoemaking there, in 1869, being followed by Lewis Shulme and Ed. McCool.
Until the Fall of 1871, the nearest school was one mile south. In that year a frame building, 24x30 feet in size, was erected in the village, and first taught by Isaac Booth. The present teacher is Mary Allen.
The first drug store was opened by Dicks & Downs, in 1872, followed by Salmon & Beach, the present druggists.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
A hardware store has been established by H. H. Fay. who is now Postmaster. A livery stable is operated by Henry Long; a millinery shop by Mrs. E. J. Salmon ; attorney at law, E. J. Salmon ; harness shop, by John Stevens, 1878. Mr. E. D. Wilson was the first physician, in 1868, followed by Dr.J . A. Dix, 1872. There are now three blacksmith shops, by Jacob Eastman, William Buckingham and John E. Atwood ; a wagon shop by M Payton ; two carpenter shops, by Philo Chester and D. S. Fay.
Methodist preaching had been held in the vicinity for many years before the organization of the village. Since that time the Pastors have been Rev. Mr. Belt. 1869, Rev. Mr. Young. Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick, Rev. James Schull, and at present Rev. Mr. Belt officiates. Services are held in the Congrega- tional church.
The Congregational Society was organized about two years before the village was laid out, by Rev. Mr. Spell, who was succeeded as Pastor by Rev. E. C. Downs, then Rev. Mr. Frye, then Rev. Mr. Lockridge, the latter of Center Point, while the former Pastors lived at Paris.
A Union Sabbath school is held in the church.
The Christian denomination have one of the oldest societies in the vicinity. They. however, have never erected a church, but hold services in the Congre- gational church.
An Odd-Fellows Lodge was organized there in the Fall of 1876.
LA FAYETTE. (Otter Creek Township.)
The original claimant to the site of this hamlet, which is located in Section 28. in Otter Creek Township, was Jolin Nevins, who built a saw-mill on the stream, above the present mill-site, in 1845.
In 1849, John H. Yambert purchased the mill and about thirty acres of land, of Nevins, and 200 acres of the Government. He moved the mill to where it now stands.
In 1875, Frederick Notbohm built a grist-mill on the power, and is still operating it.
The first store was opened in 1853, by Harrison Metcalf; the second, in 1868, by Richard Lanning ; the third. by G. W. Fry.
In 1867, the Church of Christ was established by Rev. N. A. McConnell. The leading men of the society were James, William and John Fleming, George Cochrane, J. B. Greene, George O. Smith, James Hasty, Henry Harris, and others.
A Farmers' Club Hall was built in 1866, with L. F. Dance, James H. Mason, John Lanning, Charles Weeks, A. F. Yambert, Amos Brenamen and . others as influential members of the society. The hall is 26x40 feet in size, and is used for public meetings.
The post office was located at the village in 1851. with Richard Lanning, Postmaster. The office called La Fayette was opened at a much earlier day, at Brown's mill, but, after several removals, it was settled permanently in the vil- lage. The Postmaster is one of the oldest officers, if not the oldest, in term of service in the county.
The first school house was erected in 1856, and John Russell chosen teacher. The present building was put up in 1874, and is a credit to the place. Samuel Armstrong was the last teacher.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
A nursery and fruit farm is maintained by William Kolb & Sons, who do a good business and supply the entire neighborhood with fruit trees, shrubs, etc.
The leading industry of the place is the "Twin Brothers' Creamery," the third of the chain of Crawford Bros. dairies. It is now making about 1,000 pounds of cheese and 200 pounds of butter daily, with a capacity of using 25,000 pounds of milk. The business is but just established, and has already secured more milk than was pledged before the works were erected. The Craw- ford Bros. have two other creameries, one at Waubeck and one at Central City.
Dr. Stevens is the resident physician.
To the northeast of La Fayette, about five miles distant, lies the little post- village of Flemingville; while south of the former, on the creek, is situated a grist-mill belonging to A. Habitzel.
This section of country is destined to become a rich dairying and hog- growing region. It is well watered, well shaded in convenient localities, and has a rich soil.
SPRINGVILLE. (Brown Township.)
Nathan Brown, after whom Brown Township received its name, was an old Revolutioner, who came West and settled one mile southwest of the village site in 1839, where he lived until his death. His son, Horace N. Brown, still resides on the old homestead.
In 1840, Isaac Butler, generally known as " Col. Butler," with his family, including sons A. M. S. Butler, now in Missouri, Joseph S. Butler, and step- son, Calvin Newman, settled near the village site. Joseph Butler now resides adjoining town on the south, while the farm of Mr. Newman bounds it on the north.
In 1842, the first post office was established in the township, by Col. Butler, being the third office in the county, under the name Springville, from the large, sparkling springs which are peculiar to this locality. Mail was received on horseback weekly.
Many settlers soon filled up the fertile prairies in the vicinity. Among them were J. M. Oxley, 1844, now living west of the village; Hosea White, Moses P. Wynans and J. P. Hoffman.
The three latter, together with Joseph S. Butler, had the village laid off, March 22, 1856, by Samuel W. Durham, surveyor, on the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 28, and the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 29, Township 84, Range 5, on the south side of the creek.
Col. Butler acted as Justice of the Peace, and kept a small store in an addi- tion to his house, from about 1845. He moved to Tama County in 1854.
In that year, A. P. Risley opened a store at Springville, before the village had been laid out, and became Postmaster.
In 1855, Horace Medcalf of Anamosa, with William Sterling as manager. followed Mr. Risley in the store room which had been built by him. This build- ing was purchased by J. S. Butler when the town was laid out, and is now standing unoccupied on the south side of town and east side of Main street.
New Linden .- In the mean time, Mr. Risley opened a store one mile east, where, April 6, 1855, he and A. E. Simpson had a village named New Linden laid out on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 28, and
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 27, Township 84, Range 5, by P. S. Embree, Surveyor. A post office was established and New Linden began to assume the proportions of a village. A blacksmith shop was opened by Jacob Shadle, and a hotel by Isaac Pherrin, but the village was "killed by the railroad "-a verdict which must be rendered of many towns- as the road was secured by Springville, and New Linden gradually yielded up the ghost, like Goldsmith's Deserted Village-
But now the sounds of population fail, No busy murmurs fluctuate the gale, No busy steps the grass-grown footway tread, But all the blooming flush of life is fled.
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One only master grasps the whole domain,
And half a tillage stints the smiling plain.
Mr. Sterling succeeded Mr: Risley as Postmaster at Springville.
The second building was built by J. S. Butler, as a residence, and is now occupied by George W. Wilson.
John Hoffman succeeded Mr. Sterling as storekeeper, Postmaster and Jus- tice of the Peace.
About the time the village was laid off, Harvey Bruce built the Bruce Hotel, and has continued to operate it successfully to the present time. In the same year, Edwin Branch put up a residence and John W. Tailor established the blacksmith shop which is now operated by Bishop & Wilson.
The next store was operated by Joseph Hunt, who died two years later and was succeeded by Huff & Henry. In the mean time, James Freeman opened a store, and in 1862 John Christman first began business at Springville, under the firm name of P. & A. Christman.
Springdale had 101 inhabitants in 1860.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was a small log building built in 1842. This was used until 1855, when a one-story frame house was built on High street, in which Miss Rhoda Thompson first taught. This building is now used as a dwelling. Soon after New Linden was established, the Springville school house was moved three-quarters of a mile west by action of the school district, and a new school site was located at New Linden, leaving Springville without educational facilities. In 1865 the present two-story brick school house was erected on the east side, at a cost of $1,200.
NORTH SPRINGVILLE.
In 1862, the Dubuque, Marion & Western Railroad was projected through Brown Township, and considerable controversy arose as to the question of its location through New Linden or Springville. By the energetic efforts of some prominent residents of the latter place, $6,500 was pledged, and the railroad thereby secured. Its route, however, passed on the north side of the creek and a quarter of a mile from the original village. Accordingly, "Jones & Co.'s addition to the town of Springville " was made by Anson Jones, Joseph S. But- ler and Peter Christman, June 13, 1866, being surveyed by P. Embree.
Upon this portion of the town plat the great growth has occurred. A good depot was built, with William House as agent, followed by John Smead and the present station agent, - Morton, who is also telegraph operator and express agent.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Springville was the western terminus of the railroad for four years, during which time the village enjoyed a rapid growth. A wooden bridge connected the two divisions of the village until 1877, when a fine iron structure was erected.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
One mile west of the village, a large frame flouring-mill, with stone base- ment, having two runs of stone, moved by water-power from Big Creek, has- been in successful operation for the past eighteen years. Its proprietor is Mr. Zephney Stone.
A steam saw-milll was built two miles south of the village by Mark Reeves, and is now operated by Mr. Waters.
Six months since, the Steam Bracket Works were established in the village. Messrs. Willard, Carlisle & Perkins manufacture a general assortment of agents" supply goods in their department, and sell only through agents. They have a planing-mill, jig saws and all necessary machinery for rapid and first-class work.
The Springville Butter and Cheese Factory is the most important industrial element of the town. Three years ago, William Hill & Son, of New York, established this enterprise at Springville, and erected a large building near the creek, that the water from the spring might be utilized. The building is at least one hundred feet in length, having commodious rooms for vats, propelling engine, all necessary machinery, and a well-ventilated second story for storing the green cheese. It is estimated that there are 50,000 pounds now in stock. The price paid to the farmers for milk, during the month of June, 1878, aver- ages about 70 cents per 100 pounds.
In 1878, this firm have erected two additional factories, one on Crab Apple Creek, three miles west, and another at Viola, five miles northeast. In connection with the main factory at Springville is the churn department, operated by steam power. Cream is here churned from all three factories, and large quantities of butter are daily prepared for market. These gentlemen have placed a large amount of capital in this business, and deserve the patronage of the entire vicinity.
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