USA > Iowa > Mahaska County > The history of Mahaska 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 > Part 64
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Eliza Holman. Aug. 5,
Fielding Betz Sep. 15, 66
9 and 17
James L. Warren 66
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John Woods. . 66 66
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B. H. Lonsberry Oct.
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On Skunk river, in this township, are located the Huron Mills. These were built in 1857 by Morris Bros., at a cost of from $5,000 to $6,000, and at that time containing but one run of stone. In 1868 the mills were bought by Messrs. Reynolds & Bowdel, who remodeled the same and put in an additional pair of burrs, making the whole cost about $10,000. In October, 1870, they were purchased by Parker & Cramer, who are the pres- ent proprietors. These gentlemen do a general custom, and some merchant trade. Their local market includes Pella, New Sharon, Oskaloosa, Leighton and Peoria. They ship some flour to St. Louis.
Leighton is a neat and comparatively new village located in the township on the Keokuk & Des Moines Valley Railroad. It is on the north side of the track, and stands on a sort of eminence from which can be had a good view of the surrounding country. Leighton was laid out February 9, 1865, upon land formerly owned by B. F. Roberts. The projectors of the town were Win. Leighton and John W. Carver, of Keokuk. The town was named in honor of the former gentlemen, at that time one of the lessees of the Keokuk & Des Moines Road, which was built through Mahaska just before the town was platted.
Of those who first cast their fortunes with those of the new station, we are informed of J. B. Fleck, David L. Bowman, S. B. Beere and Adam Hoover.
The town in 1878, contains two general stores, one boot and shoe store, a drug store, harness and two blacksmith shops, a hotel, flouring mill, saloon, meat market and wagon shop. The population of the village is not far from two hundred and seventy-five.
The K. & D. M. R. R. have built at this point a neat little depot, and have found Leighton a good shipping point. The town also supports a grain elevator-quite a convenience for shippers.
As worthy of special mention we note the steam flouring mill, built by N. S. Stein in 1870, at an outlay of $12,000. This is a two and one-half story frame building, and has three run of stone. Does both custom and mercantile work.
The First Presbyterian Church of Leighton was built in 1875, at an ex- pense of upward of $2,000. The congregation was organized with ten members as follows, Christian Hoover, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Scott, David Young, Thos. J. Henderson and wife, Wm. H. Barber and wife, John Kol- ler and wife.
The first pastor was Rev. John Fisher, who was succeeded by Rev. S. M. Keir. The present minister is Rev. A. A. Mathes. The membership (1878) is twenty-eight.
Leighton also has an Old School Baptist Church.
The present township officers of Black Oak are:
Justice-Otto Pothoven.
Trustees-John Funston, Madison Tice, David L. Bowman.
Clerk-Chas. Stoddard.
Constables-Ed. McCabe, Jas. H. Irvin.
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
Road Supervisors-1st District, John S. Koller; 2d, Samuel Miller; 3d, John H. Smith; 4th, Wm. Thomason; 5th, Tie; 6th, A. Shelley.
From Donnel's "Pioneers of Marion County" we learn that among those who settled in this township at a very early date, was Dr. James L. Warren, who died at his residence, near Peoria, Mahaska county, January 18, 1870, age 69 years. He was born in Green county, Tenn., July 1st, 1801, immi- grated to Iowa, and settled in Lee county in 1841. He made his first elaim in Mahaska county, where he cut some logs and employed a man to put them up in the shape of a cabin. But he afterward abandoned the idea of settling there, and made a elaim about three miles southeast of where Pella now is, where he sneceeded in planting about twenty aeres of corn and wheat in the spring following. He returned to Mahaska county in 1847-8.
Those who came up at the same time, and helped to found a settlement, were John B. Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Harry Miller, Green T. Clark, and Henry McPherson; on their way up the Dragoons refused to let them pass Libertyville with their wagons, so they packed on horses what provi- sions they thought would last them till after the first of May, and proceeded. Approaching an Indian village near the present location of Oskaloosa, the Doctor, who had some practical knowledge of military taeties, called a halt and suggested that they march through the town in military order.
On entering the place they found the inhabitants engaged in worship in consequence of which they paid little or no attention to this mock military demonstration. The men were collected in a large tent, seated in a circle singing in a monotonous drawling tone, to the equally musical rattle of beans in gourds, that they shook up and down as an accompaniment to their voices. The door of the tent was closed against intruders, but Robert Hamilton, having an ungovernable curiosity to witness the performance raised the tent wall near the ground and peeked under. Not one of the solemn-faced worshipers took the least notice of this breach of good man- ners, nor did they for an instant seem to permit their attention to be di- verted from their devotions; but an old squaw, who seemed to be standing guard without, noticed the intruder, and indignantly ordered him away. Not being instantly obeyed, she took hold of Robert, gave him a violent pull, uttered the word "Manitou " (God) as an explanation of the sacredness and privacy of the place and performance, at which he deemed it advisable to desert. On the 26th of April they reached the present location of Pella, and contemplated taking claims there. But, owing to its distance from tim- ber, they thought it very probable that it would be many years ere much improvement could be made there, and the land become valuable; so they made choice of the timber about three miles southeast. But ere the time came for them to get their wagons, and the remainder of their provisions, what they had brought with them began to come short. As soon as possi- ble Green T. Clark was sent for the wagons, and some of the others resorted to hunting as a means of economizing the scanty remainder of bread stuffs. But the bread finally quite gave out, and hunting, even in those early days, was not so reliable a means of supporting the demand for food as some might suppose. It is said that game was plentiful, which was generally true, but like fishing, the taking of it depended upon skill and good luck. An instance is related of an old settler named Cunningham, who lived in Mahaska county, who by hunting maintained a half-starved existence for for eight or ten days, on his claim near Oskaloosa, not daring to leave it lest it should be "jumped." Our settlers now found it necessary to use
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
energy and skill, or starve. Hunger already incited them to do their best. Robert Hamilton shouldered his rifle and went in search of a turkey, or any thing else he could find that would do to eat, whilst Henry Miller went in search of a bee tree. Both were successful, and what added much to their good fortune, their wagons came the next day, bring breadstuffs and other conveniences.
Dr. Warren was among the first ministers of the M. E. Church who preached in the county, and organized the first class west of Libertyville. He was licensed as a local preacher in 1828; ordained deacon at Oskaloosa in 1852, and was ordained an elder by bishop Ames in 1863. He also commenced the practice of medicine in 1831, which he continued till a short time before his death. In this he was very successful during his res- idence in this county, especially in the management of the miasmatic dis- eases, to which the early settlers were subject, and his field of practice often extended from Oskaloosa to "Tools Point," now Monroe, Jasper county, and over a large territory north and south of this route. Over this wide field he ministered both in spiritual and temporal things. He was a man universally loved and respected by all who knew him. Many instances illus- trative of his charitable nature, and many acts of kindness performed by him, have been related to us, and are well remembered by many who have shared the privations of pioneer life with him.
PLEASANT GROVE.
This township is the northeastern township of Mahaska county, and was included in the township Survey made by Alvin Burt in July, 1843. It was laid out into sections and quarter sections by Samnel C. Wiltse, in the fall of 1844. This township was named from a fine grove of timber which it contained. Its timber land is generally valuable, and a portion still remains. The eastern half of this township is, fine agricultural land, set- tled by an industrious class of people. The western half of this township is light soil, and contains considerable timber. The bottom lands are sub- ject to overflow, which decreases somewhat their value as farming land, but they are regarded as fine pasture lands. The north and western por- tions of the township are ordinary prairie; in the township there are about two thousand acres of open prairie, good for pasture. The chief mineral products of this township are coal and limestone. There has been opened up quite a fertile coal mine by G. S. Feirling and H. S. Morrow on section 20; the shaft is 9x42} feet, the depth is 80 feet, the coal vein is from 4 to 5 feet, and of a very good quality. When in full operation the proprietors can turn out from 700 to 800 bushels per day.
This township was first settled about 1850. Among the earliest settlers were Mr. Amos Holloway, Somerel Whitaker, Noah Van Winkle, William Hambleton, John Wymore, John Wyat, John Whitehead, Benjamin Mur- rey. These gentleman erected the first houses that were built in the town- ship. These early settlers left their homes in Ohio and Indiana, filled with the spirit of enterprise, and soon after they had established their new homes they set to work to provide schools and churches for their families. In the winter of 1853 the first school was taught by Richard Mayberry, in a log cabin, on the farm now owned by Isaac McCartney; but this was a private enterprise, and in the fall of 1855 the schools were organized by
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
law, and three houses were built. But these buildings are now among the things that were but are not. They have given place to eight fine school- honses with all the modern equipments, supporting a good class of teachers.
The first religious exercises were held in the house of Dr. Fisher, and led to the organization of and building a house of worship. Following the teaching of Alexander Campbell, in 1854, a Christian church was organ- ized in Agricola by Rev. Mr. White. Since then the church has passed in the hands of the New Lights. The organization at present has a fair church, with a membership of abont one hundred and twenty. The pres- ent pastor is the Rev. A. S. Culbertson. A Baptist church was organized and a church built in 1866. These churches are located in Agricola, a village situated about the center of the township. It was laid ont in 1854 by David Santee. Present inhabitants number about one hundred. As its name indicates it is a farmer's village; it contains two stores, kept by J. H. Hutchison and Mr. Sarvis, also two blacksmith shops.
The Justices of the Peace are J. H. Hutchison and William Smith.
The other township officers are:
Trustees-C. S. Ruble, Thos. Lyons, Win. Smith.
Clerk-Jackson Sarvis.
Assessor-J. G. Wymore.
Constable-Wm. A. Likens.
UNION.
At the first formation of this township it comprised five congressional townships, being what is now included in Union and Pleasant Grove in Mahaska and Union, Jackson and Deep River townships, in Poweshiek county. These last three were detached before the time of organization of Poweshiek. Pleasant Grove was formed into a separate township in Jan- uary, 1850, leaving Union an ordinary sized township, with thirty-six square miles, known as township No. 77 north, of range 15 west, of the 5th prin- cipal meridian. The township lines were run by Alvin Burt, in July, 1843; the section lines were run by Stiles C. Carpenter, in October, 1847.
This township is broken and rolling in marked contrast with its sister township Prairie, on the west, yet it contains some of the finest farms and best developed country coal banks in the county. It is crossed by the North Skunk.
Among the first settlers within the present boundaries of Union, were John Morrison, Nathan Brown, John Widows, Jacob Dalby, and Isaac N. Griffith. These lived near the county line. In the southern part were the Bradshaws, Jacob Klinker, John Graham, Jesse Moon, Robert Telford, John Deardorf, Daniel Rodgers, John McMaines, Benjamin Groves, An- derson James, Fred. Weimer, and others. John Morrison, Jesse Moon, and Jacob Klinker, were of the very first.
From an examination of the book of original entries we find the first lands purchased from the government, in this township, were as follows: October 9, 1848, by Simeon Johnson, a part of Sec. No. 1; same date, by R. B. Ogden, a part of Sec. 4; October 12, Joshua Gorsuch, in Sec. 11; same date, Robert Tedford, Sec. 12.
The first school was on section 11, in a log school house, taught by Mrs. Fry. The next was at Union Mills.
The last named place was laid out by Jacob Weimer, at quite an early
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
day, and called Middletown, it being a sort of half-way place between Oskaloosa and Montezuma. It is now a collection of half broken down houses and is most forlorn looking. A post-office was established here in 1855, with Pleasant Carver as postmaster. It still is maintained, and is on the mail route between New Sharon and Indianapolis.
The mills known as Union Mills, were located on the north side of the river at this point, but have fallen into decay years ago. A new mill was built by a man named Kaggy, some six years ago, but its owner died be- fore completing it. It is about to be mantled, and a dam is to be built for its operation by J. W. Braden, who purchased it recently.
A frame church building stands on an eminence near Union Mills. It was built by the Methodists, abont 1864, but never dedicated by them. A Christian church, organized at this point about twelve years ago, purchased the building in 1872, and now occupies it.
In the northern part of this township was organized an M. E. Church, some fifteen years ago, which held its meetings for some years past at Brooks' school house. This congregation have recently purchased a five acre grove in the northwest quarter of section 11, which is called Bethel Grove, and where, next summer, they hope to crect a Bethel Grove M. E. Church. Here a camp-meeting was held in August, 1877, conducted by W. E. Stryker, then pastor of the church. A meeting was held during the week, beginning August 14, 1878, conducted by Revs. D. C. and T. C. Smith, and Rev. Schaine, of Montezuma. The attendance on both occa- sions was quite large.
The present membership of the church is near 30; their minister, Rev. Phillips. The trustees, J. S. Chew, Joshua Gorsuch, John Latchem, Al- bert Latchem, and J. E. Ogborne.
A Sabbath-school is connected with the church, superintended by James Chew.
About ten years ago a Protestant Methodist Church was organized at Brooks' school honse. They have just built a church building at Brown- town, on the county line, at a cost of near $700. This society is about the same size as Bethel Grove congregation. The minister in charge is Rev. Hazelett.
Fairview M. E. Church was established at Union Mills about January, 1863. In 1872, a church was built on the northwest quarter of section 33, known as Fairview M. E. Church. This building cost about $1,000.
The society was organized by B. F. Wright, with about eighty members. The present membership is not far from 100. The congregation maintains a good Sabbath-school, conducted by David Upton. The church is on what is known as Sharon Circuit. The minister is Rev. -- Ferguson.
The present officers of Union township are:
Trustees-John McMains, J. A. Bonewell, Charles Reed.
Clerk-Paul Caster.
Assessor-A. B. Reed.
Constables-Thomas Wymore, Josiah Hollingsworth.
PRAIRIE.
This was originally a part of Madison township, and was not organized into a separate town until in 1856. It was one of the latest settled parts
Haram Jice
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HISTORY OF MAIIASKA COUNTY.
of Mahaska county, although one of the best townships in the same. Ilowever, it did not contain a quarter section of good timber, and the early settlers were slow to go out upon the open prairies, which cover its entire surface in gentle rolls or level fields. The soil is rich, and in a high state of cultivation. Middle creek and other small streams drain it. Prairie township contains no stone, either loose or in available quarries.
In regard to the early settlement we quote as follows from the New Sharon Star of August 21, 1878:
"John Hiler, a half-blooded African, moved his family from Indiana, and settled on the northwest quarter of section three, in the year 1844, and was the first settler of Prairie township. When the writer hereof moved to this place, this cinnamon-colored descendant of two nationalities was yet a resident. We recolleet him as a bony, muscular fellow, full six feet high, and of about one hundred and eighty pounds, every ounce of which he proudly denominated ' fighting material.' It cannot be truthfully said that he was a quarrelsome individual. On the contrary, he was peacefully disposed, neighborly to those who treated him as he considered he deserved. But when his rights were invaded, he was quick to resent, and his powerful muscle at once became his refuge and defense. For a number of years he was decidedly troublesome as a vendor of poor whisky to the Indians, who were abundant at that time. Numerous efforts were made to arrest and bring him to trial for this offense against the dignity of law and order, but generally he evaded capture by hiding in the groves and dense hazel thick- ets with which the neighborhood abounded. He was a hunter of some skill, and many a fleet deer and savage wolf went down before his rifle. His success as a hunter, combined with the profits of his clandestine traffic with the Indians, afforded him such means of subsistence as satisfied his meager wants, and he seldom resorted to a diet of steady labor, and never with success. Finally he left the State. One night in the summer of 1875 he packed his traps and family into a wagon, and, like a man who was leav- ing some debts behind which he desired to not pay, he quietly stole away in search of a new home in the less crowded southwest. His present where- abouts is a matter of conjecture. The next resident was a man named Wallace, who came from Indiana, and settled on the northeast quarter of section four, in 1845. He remained but a short time, and we know noth- ing further of him.
The next settler was Alexander Stewart, who turned his back upon the luxuries of a Pennsylvania home, and, following the 'star of empire' in its western way, selected his future home on the southeast fourth of the north- west quarter of section three, in the spring of 1847. For one year he re- mained alone upon his claim, built a snug cabin, and in the spring of 1848 moved his family thereto, and there he still resides.
Next came A. C. Doze, from Dark county, Ohio. He arrived here June 1, 1848, and located on the northeast quarter of section twelve, now famil- iarly known as the ' Cobb place,' but owned at present by Charley Miller. He now lives in Union township, east of Fairview church. Next came Jacob Bartlett, who left his home south of South Skunk river, and settled on the farm now owned by William Burks, in the northwest quarter of section twenty-nine. Years ago he passed on through the valley and the shadows. In the following year numerous settlers appeared and chose lo- cations, mostly in the northern sections."
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
The first election was held at the residence of Jesse Grace, on the south- east quarter of section eight, where J. S. Clements now resides. At this election Alexander Stewart and T. B. Campbell were elected justices.
Probably the first wedding held in the township was that of Jared Rock- well to Nancy Winder, in the town of New Sharon, in 1860. This wed- ding was noted for some years on account of the big charivari which fol- lowed the ceremony. Weddings were an uncommon thing in those days, and " the boys" believed in making them events not soon to be forgotten.
The history of the first schools and churches has been given under the history of New Sharon.
This township was once the scene of battle, in a celebrated and rather Indicrous lawsnit. The contest was over a single hog, and between two neighbors named Mitchell, who, though of the same name, were not kins- men. The suit commenced before a justice and was carried into the courts, the costs finally amounting to some hundreds, we believe upward of one thousand dollars. Quite a good joke is told in connection with this case on a certain ex-judge in pleading this case. The facts were that the hog had been shut up in a pen belonging to one of the Mitchells. The other claimed it, and it was proposed to let the hog out, and discover which home he preferred. Judge C., in pleading the case, argued upon the intelligence and the domestic habits of the hog, in support of his client. When he had done, the opposing counsel (since lientenant-governor) arose. Addressing the jury he said he was compelled to admit his opponent's authority on the hog question. There was reason to believe the gentleman was posted, for he was generally admitted to be the biggest "bore " in Mahaska county. This brought down the house, but we did not learn whether the joke won the case for the wag or not.
The present officers of Prairie township are:
Justices-J. M. Hiatt, Osman Watland.
Trustees-E. Munsill, S. Janey, O. G. Knudson.
Clerk-F. W. Hoen.
Assessor-Oliver Wildman.
Constable-Ezra Smith.
RICHLAND.
This township is in the northwest corner of the county, and thoughi further removed from the point where the tide of immigration struck the county, it was not the last to be settled. The township was surveyed as congressional township No. 77 north, of range 17 west of 5th principal meridian, in August, 1843. The section lines were run by James Grant, and sub-survey made in September, 1845. 'In the draft of this survey we find located the claims of Geo. Buckley, who was the first settler in the township and built the first cabin, about one mile west of the present town of Peoria; that of Mr. Leaden, about one mile north; also those of J. E. Godby, L. Miller, and J. James.
Thompson Baldwin came to this township in 1846. Among the other early settlers are Moses Wassom, Lauren Osborn, Powell Bush, and Wil- lianı Lawrence.
Probably the first justice in the township was Moses Wassom, who held that office in 1846.
The first school in Richland was taught in the winter of 1847, in a log
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OSKALOOSA CITY.
his father's bank in Iowa City, and was afterward connected with the management of the gas com- pany there; he came to Oskaloosa in July, 1875, and became inter- ested in the Mahaska county sav- ings bank, and was elected assist- ant cashier, and since then has held that position.
Clancy, J. R., laborer.
COFFIN, Dr. J. L., physician, Oskaloosa; born in Warren coun- ty, New Jersey, April 17, 1817, and received his education there. In 1843 he removed to Pennsyl- vania, and after two years, re- moved to Elmira, New York. He studied medicine and graduated in 1854. He came to Columbia, Wisconsin, and practiced medi- cine there until 1870, and then came to this city and has been practicing here ever since; he married Hannah Westfall, from Sussex county, New Jersey; she died, November 14, 1868. They had five children, only two living, Carrie C., and Judson A. One son was killed while in the army, at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. He married his pres- ent wife, Hannah Hicks, from Ver- mont, in Angust, 1869. Cogley, Aurelia A.
COOK, LEVI, blacksmith and wagon maker, Oskaloosa; born in Rensselaer county, New York, Nov. 11, 1832; he was brought up there and learned the trade of lioe and fork manufacturer. He came to Muscatine, Iowa, in the fall of 1854, and came to Oskaloosa in the spring of 1855, and engaged in blacksmithing, and since then has been engaged in that business and manufacturing agricultural implements. He has held the of- fice of city marshal, and is engi- neer of the city fire engine. He married Miss Mary E. Hart, from Ohio, near Columbus, in August,
1856; they have two children, Nelson J., and Edward M. Coleman, Andrew, minister.
COLLINS, GEORGE E., firm of Johnson & Collins, Novelty Foun- dry, Oskalosa; born in Troy, Ohio, July 10, 1849, and when seven years of age, came to Iowa, and came to Oskaloosa in 1860. He learned his trade here and in Ot- tumwa. In 1875 he associated with Warren C. Johnson in their present business.
CONE, C. P., firm of Cone Bros., attorneys, Oskaloosa; born in Ma- haska county, March 27, 1845, and was brought up in this county and has lived in this county thirty- three years. Is one of the earli- est native-born settlers now liv- ing here. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Febru- ary, 1876, and since then has prac- ticed his profession at Albia and in this city; he married Miss E. J. Shuck, from Jefferson township, in this county, in 1864; they have two children, Addie B. and Mar- tella L.
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