USA > Iowa > Polk County > The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 45
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There was an abundance of wild apple trees on Mr. Mitchell's claim and on this account it was named Apple Grove. Either solely for the accom-
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modation of travelers who passed along the solitary road, or as a business venture, or possibly from both reasons, Mr. Mitchell opened his newly con- structed cabin for the entertainment of guests. The Apple Grove Tavern was known far and wide and few persons passed that solitary cabin without partaking of its hospitality. Twenty-five cents for a meal and ten cents for lodging were the rates charged by the host and willingly paid by the guest. Not unfrequently it would happen that persons tired out and hun- gry and penniless would halt at this pioneer inn; none such were denied the needed rest and refreshment. In the early times, shortly after the Indians left and Fort Des Moines began to be something of a business point, a young man far from home, alone and on foot, with but ten cents in his pocket, stopped late one evening at the Mitchell tavern. As he entered the door the delicious smell of prepared victuals was inhaled by the tired and hungry lad, but the smell of those victuals was like the cup of Tantalus to the youth's senses, for he had no money to pay for a supper. Finding the host the young man engaged lodging and desired to be shown immediately to bed; Mr. Mitchell inquired if he did not wish supper; the lad said he was sick and could eat nothing; the former had his doubts about the truth- fulness of the reply, but at the earnest solicitation of the latter showed him to bed. In the morning the young man arose, dressed himself, passed through the house, and having paid for his lodging was about to depart when the host insisted on his remaining for breakfast; the young man again pleaded sickness and seemed anxious to be off; Mr. Mitchell was confirmed in his opinion of the evening before and was now certain that it was impecuniosity rather than indisposition which ailed the lad, so taking him by the hand he told him to wait for breakfast; that he was welcome though he had no money; the young man's sickness all vanished at this statement; he remained, ate a hearty breakfast, came to Des Moines, clerked in a store for a number of years; then he engaged in business on his own account and prospered; to-day he is one of the best known busi- ness men of Des Moines, and although Mr. Mitchell has doubtless long since forgotten the circumstance his guest has not.
During the exciting times when the settlers had their difficulties with the speculators Mr. Mitchell was an earnest and uncompromising advocate of the rights of the claimholders. He was one of the committee of five whom the settlers appointed to adjust difficulties and enforce the rights of the settler.
After the removal of the Indians in the fall of 1845 a few families settled in the vicinity of Apple Grove, but not many came till the spring of 1846. It was then that Lewis M. Burk came from Illinois and took a claim in section 33, township 79, range 22, and afterward entered the south half of that section. He continued to reside on his original claim till the spring of the present year, when he removed to section 34, where he now resides.
Prior to coming here, and since, his career has been beset with strange vicissitudes. He was born in Maryland in 1779, and in 1802 he removed with his parents to Pennsylvania. When yet a boy he went to learn the miller's trade, which occupation he followed until he became of age. He then engaged in wagoning, which, in connection with stage driving, he fol- lowed for fifteen years. In 1833 he removed to Zanesville, Ohio, but after remaining there a short time, went to Wheeling, Virginia, and again engaged in stage driving. In 1834 he went to Adams county, Illinois, and from there came to Polk county in 1846.
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[HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
In 1849 he bought a half-section of land of the Government, and in 1852 received a patent for it, and, after having had peaceable possession of it for more than thirty-four years, the River Land Company recently dispossessed him of the land. Few men now remain in any part of the county who were here when he came. Mr. Burk is the father of twelve children, eight of whom are living, and has been married twice.
I. A. Vice, although very young at the time, was one of the early in- habitants of this region. His parents located in Fort Des Moines when he was two years old, and two years afterward, in 1849, removed to section 33, the same where Mr. Burk resided, where he remained till 1870, when he removed to section 34.
In July, 1846, George Barlow, from Indiana, bought of Mr. Thomas Mitchell his claim and improvements, and, in connection with his brother Bluford, settled there. The former was accidentally killed in 1847, while the latter remained on the claim for some four or five years. In 1851, Mr. Green Wheeler bought of Barlow the old Apple Grove claim.
Mr. Wheeler was for many years, till the time of his death, October 10, 1876, one of the leading citizens of that part of the country, and a more ex- tended account of him is proper at this place. Mr. Wheeler was born in Kentucky in 1820; he came to Polk county in 1848, and first located near Rising Sun, in Four Mile township, where he resided till he purchased the old Mitchell claim. On the death of Mr. Wheeler, his wife, to whom he had been married in 1844, took charge of the farm, where she still lives, and which, in connection with her children, she still continues to manage.
The claim which Mr. Mitchell first took was south of the Wheeler place, where Mr. Keeney now lives. When he sold that he moved across the creek and then to the Wheeler farm, and again then to the vicinity of his present residence. It will be seen that Mr. Mitchell has changed his loca- tion three times, each time going further north, the last when he disposed of his claim to Mr. Barlow, and went where he has extensive possessions, in the northeast corner of Beaver Township, near where is the enterprising town bearing his name, and where he continues to reside in affluent circum- stances, respected and honored by all who know him.
Canfield is another name which has for thirty years or more been famil- iar with the settlers of the Camp Creek neighborhood. Elijah Canfield lo- cated to the south of Apple Grove, in what is now Camp township, in the fall of 1845. Shortly prior to the coming of Mr. Canfield, a man by the name of Patrick Kelley, long since dead, built a cabin and moved his family into it. Among others who came during the fall of 1845 were David Ridge- way and Edwin Martin. The latter was one of the first County Commis- sioners.
The following spring William Wallace, R. Porter, and James M. Mont- gomery settled in what is now Camp township; Mr. Wallace emigrated to Missouri where he still resides. Thomas Black, a member of the second Board of County Commissioners came at an early day; he died some years since.
Among the early settlers who are still living are James Miller and Elijah Nicker, who came in the spring of 1846. Some time later came Calvin Brockett, Z. M. Brockett and Jonathan Hauser. Arch. Everett came in the fall of 1849. In the fall of 1849, John Warren and Rhoda Canfield were married. This was the first marriage which occurred in that neighbor- hood.
LAMark
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
Elijah Canfield was born September 8, 1807, Susquehanna county, Penn- sylvania, where he continued to live till 1845, when he located in Mahaska county this State. During the fall of the same year he came to Polk county and took a claim in section 5, west of Camp Creek, near the north boundary of Camp township, where he lived for three years. From there he moved to section 36 of an adjoining township. After leaving there about two years he removed to his present location, in section 32 Clay township. On first settling in Polk county he found nothing but a wild wide prairie, but by economy and industry he prospered, and has lived to see the wilder- ness changed to a garden. His home has ever been the resort of newcom- ers, and the stranger ever found in him a hospitable and accommodating neighbor. He has successfully held the office of justice of the peace, member of the county board, assessor and township treasurer, which latter office he now holds; there has seldom been a time since he became a resi- dent of the county that he has not held some office, and few trials incum- bent to pioneer life which he has not experienced; few persons who were residents of the county when he came now remain, some having moved away and others having died. He was present when the Allen & Parmelee mill was first put in operation, and saw the first bushel of grain which was ground in this region of the country changed from corn to cornmeal. He says that when the mill was completed Parmelee sent word to all the set- tlers, informing them that the mill was ready for business and inviting everybody to be present and witness the great event; he also gave notice that he would be provided with a ten-gallon jug of whisky and would treat all his visitors. Mr. Canfield says, that although he was on the ground early he was too late for the treat, as the jug had already been emptied, and he had to be content with a smell.
Mr. Canfield organized the first school district in Camp township, and helped to build the first school-house in Four Mile township, which was located on section 36; this latter event occurred in 1847. The material for the school-house was provided by the settlers of the school district, each one furnishing two logs. In 1845 he was present and helped organize the first church, in the south-eastern part of the township. It was a Methodist church, and the exercises were conducted at his house on section 5, town- ship 78, range 22. Rev. Mr. Russell officiated, and Rev. Mr. Rathbun afterward preached there at regular intervals.
Mr. Canfield has the oldest orchard in the township where he lives.
J. F. Oglevie was another early settler in this neighborhood. He came to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1843, and in the spring of 1847 removed to Polk county, locating in section 35, township 79, range 23, where he has remained constantly ever since. When he first moved to his present farm he lived in a shanty which was ten by twelve feet, and was built by plant- ing four posts in the ground, upon which were nailed boards; these boards were just from the saw-mill and were made from green logs; the floor was also constructed from the same kind of lumber.
D. B. Oglevie, who now lives in section 35, located at Rising Sun in 1846, and from there moved to where he now lives. He thinks that he and his brother are the oldest settlers in the township.
G. P. Canfield came to Polk county with his father in 1846, being but three years old at that time. He has clung to the county through all of its varying fortunes, never for once losing faith in its future prosperity. He
27
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
is now one of the most prosperous farmers in the county, having a well im- proved farm of two hundred and eighty acres.
Mr. Harvey is another early settler of this part of the county. Among the pioneers, who, through privations and hardships, manfully endured and patiently borne, who deserve to have a prominent place in the history of the county, there are none more deserving of mention than Mr. Harvey. Mr. Harvey came from Shelby county Indiana, and located near where he now resides on section 34, township 79, range 23. He has contributed much to the development of the material resources of the county, and every enterprise calculated to advance the moral and intellectual condition of the people has ever received his cordial support. He erected a saw-mill on Four Mile in 1854 which aided the settlers much in their efforts to build houses and establish comfortable homes. He was largely influential in or- ganizing a religious association, and the public religious services were, for several years, held at his house. Jacob Butts, a young exhorter of the Methodist denomination, divided his time between preaching and teaching a singing-school at his house. Mr. Harvey, now well advanced in years, is enjoying the peace and quiet of his country home, respected by all that know him, and honored by many who have never seen him but who have heard of his active and heroic life.
Lysander Harvey, who resides on section 5, township 78, range 23, is a son of Mr. Samuel Harvey, with whom he came to the county in 1848 when but fourteen years of age. The history of the older men who came at an early time is one of hardship and intense activity; and that of the younger men, who were mere boys when they came, is not less so. His father, Mr. Samuel Harvey, died when forty-two years old.
The early settlements which began on Camp Creek rapidly grew in extent if not in density, and soon extended to Four Mile Creek. It is therefore, unavoidable that our account of the settlements in the Camp creek neigh- borhood should blend with those in the Four Mile valley.
Growing out of the Camp Creek settlement, but more properly belong- ing to that of Four Mile, was the settlement of C. D. Reinking, who first stopped in Fort Des Moines, and afterward moved to a farm in section 34, township 79, range 23. While in Fort Des Moines he followed the cabinet- maker's trade and probably manufactured the first furniture made in Des Moines. He says that furniture of his make was shipped to Iowa City and Burlington, and he furnished all the coffins used for twenty miles around. When he arrived at Des Moines he had but ten dollars in his pocket, and half of that he had to pay to the government, as an entrance fee on two land warrants which he held. Mr. Reinking had the industry and business sagacity, which in a new country go far to make up for a lack of capital; these, in fact, formed the chief capital of all the early set- tlers who have achieved success. As a result of his enterprise and good judgment he has accumulated considerable property; he has a great deal of land and beside this owns a valuable business house in the capital city, known as the Reinking Block.
Among other early settlers in this region, we mention the following: John S. and James H. Dean, David Hughes, L. Stuart, J. W. Stuart, B. Stuart, A. B. Sims and L. D. Sims. Further south and east were Joseph Kintz, Patrick Kelly, the Garretts, Wm. Sweeney, the Plummers, the Stewarts, David Johnson, Mr. Woodward, Montgomery McCall, Abel Fouts, Joseph Langdon, Mr. Robertson and Miss Lavina Hendricks. Mr.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
Woodward and the latter were united in marriage shortly after their ar- rival, Squire Fouts officiating. Montgomery McCall afterward removed to Boone county, and became one of the most prominent among the organ- izers of that new county.
SKUNK RIVER SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlements made in this locality were by Eli Trulinger and Michael Lavish. A small stream flows in a northeastern direction empty- ing into the Skunk river in section 23, township 80, range 22. Along this stream in sections 26, 27, 34, and 35 there was originally a wide belt or "point" of timber. In April, 1846, Eli Trulinger took a claim and began a settlement in the southwestern part of the belt of timber in section 34. He having been the only settler in that locality for a number of years, the belt of timber took his name and the place is still known as Trulinger's Grove. This was a very desirable location in early days and the country became rapidly settled up, especially such portions as were well supplied with timber. Farther to the northwest, following the general course of the Skunk river, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, was originally quite an exten- sive belt of timber. In May, 1846, Michael Lavish took a claim there and the place is still called Lavish Grove.
Among the early settlers in that neighborhood were Nathan Webb, Ezekiel Jennings, Joseph Jones and a son of Michael Lavish. This was a favorite resort in early times for trappers and hunters; game of all kinds abounded in the timber and region round about, while fur-bearing ani- mals and fish, for which Skunk river has always been famous, were easily taken in great numbers. Wandering bands of Indians belonging to the peaceable Pottawattamie tribe, and a remnant of the Musquakie, who re- mained long after the stipulations of the treaty of 1842 went into effect, made this region a favorite resort. The Musquakie band originally lived on the south bank of the Iowa river, near where is now the western boun- dary of Tama county. They were removed west with the other Indians in 1845-46, but many of them wandered back to their old hunting grounds. For a time the government declined to allow them a pro rata share of their annuity unless they would return to their reservation. They, how- ever, persisted in remaining, and from time to time acquired the title to several tracts of land, amounting to over four hundred acres, when the government changed its policy, paying them their proportion of the an- nuity, and allowing them to remain. There a remnant of the tribe still lives, cultivating a portion of the land, and as a rule, behaving themselves in a becoming manner. During certain portions of the year they leave their home and visit other portions of the State, either on hunting excur- sions, or to dispose of the pelts they have already taken. The Indians who are frequently seen in Polk county, belong to that band. During the early settlement of Polk county, they frequently visited this locality, and espe- cially to the settlers along Skunk river they were a familiar sight. The few families of early settlers were seldom molested by these roving bands of savages, although they were frequently very saucy and threatening. These roving bands were more numerous in the Skunk river settlements than any other part of Polk county, owing to the splendid facilities for hunting and fishing. It was no unusual occurrence for as many as fifty deer to be found in one drove in the Lavish settlement. Wolves also were
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
very numerous and troublesome. It is said that in the winter of 1846-47 a pack of these noxious animals attacked a man by the name of Elliott; he was on horseback and was compelled to flee for his life; the wolves pur- sued him a distance of eight miles.
Further to the northwest was Corey's Grove, named thus in honor of Walker Corey who settled there in 1846; John Fisher also settled there at an early time and these two were the only settlers who lived in that neigh- borhood for some time. This settlement was the farthest north in the Skunk river valley, and the two solitary settlers had many harships to en- dure. They, however, aided each other. When there was no flour, as was frequently the case, they used bran and when this was gone they ate cakes made of pounded corn.
Christopher Birge located in the vicinity of Lavish Grove in 1846, and in the fall of the same year he was prostrated by an attack of malarial fever, from the effects of which he died during the winter. Mr. Birge had previously lived in Fort Des Moines and it was his daughter, Miss Elvira Birge, a young woman of eighteen years, who became the wife of Benja- min Bryant, on the 11th day of June, 1846, being the first marriage in the county. Mr. Turrell, in his reminiscences, says: "The ceremony was performed by Aaron D. Stark, Esq. It was also Squire Stark's first essay at performing the marriage rite, and he is said to have introduced some va- riations from the ordinary ritual."
INDIAN CREEK SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlements along Indian Creek, in the northeast corner of the county, were not made until 1852. At that time Aaron Pearson, Elkanah Pearson and Abel Pearson settled in sections 2 and 12, on the east side of Indian Creek. They were from Henry county, Indiana, and came in June.
John K. Hobaugh came in 1853 and located on section 1, in the extreme northeastern part of the county. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, in the year 1820. At the age of 15 years he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and after having learned the trade, followed it on his own account till the year 1835, when he moved to Indiana and engaged in farming. In 1853 he emigrated to Iowa, and located on section 1, where he still resides. He was elected justice of the peace when Washington township was organized in 1856, and held the office for five years, when he resigned, because the duties of his office conflicted with his business. He was elected from Washington township as a member of the Board of County Commissioners in 1862 and held the office for two years. In 1863 he was elected school treasurer and held the office for six years. Mr. Hobaugh has been one of the most prominent citizens of the Indian Creek country from the very first.
G. W. Hobaugh settled in section 1 in 1853; he was also from Indiana, Grant county.
In 1854 James Randal and David Randal, from La Grange county, In- diana, located on section 10.
The first marriage in that neighborhood was that of Isaac N. Alderman to Elizabeth Pearson, in 1853. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Mr. Corey at the house of Aaron Pearson. The first birth was that of Sarah Jane Alderman, daughter of Isaac N. Alderman and Elizabeth Alderman, the first couple married there. The first deaths were those of Zenas Pear-
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
son, in September, 1853, and G. W. Hobaugh in October, 1856. They were buried in section two, where there was a cemetery laid out in 1853, which is still used for burial purposes. Seth Pearson died in 1856, who was also buried in that cemetery.
Peoria City, a village bordering on the Story county line, was laid out at the time settlements were first made in that part of the county, and Mr. J. K. Hobaugh, with a number of his relatives, were the first residents of the place. The fact that Peoria City had a population of two hundred, two years after it was first laid out, shows that the settlement of that part of the county was very rapid.
Dr. John W. Rawls, from DeKalb county, Indiana, located in that neighborhood in June, 1854; he was the first physician who located there. In the spring of 1861 Dr. Rawls returned to Indiana. Religious services were held at the house of Aaron Pearson in 1853, conducted by Dr. Jessup, of the Christian Church.
THE BEAVER CREEK SETTLEMENT.
After the country was thrown open for settlement the country east of the Des Moines river, and west of the Des Moines and south of the Raccoon, filled up rapidly. There was not so much disposition manifested by early settlers to locate west of the Des Moines and north of the Raccoon. We have already seen, however, that as early as 1848 the McLeans, Fouts, Hunt and others, settled within the bounds of Jefferson township between Beaver Creek and the Des Moines river.
W. H. McHenry, one of the early mayors of Des Moines, and at present (1880) Judge of the District Court, settled on Beaver Creek at a very early day. He was one of the most active members of the claim club, and did much to protect the settlers of his neighborhood in their rights. He says that the people were a law unto themselves, and in 1848, when he first set- tled on Beaver Creek, it was no unusual thing for Judge Lynch to assume jurisdiction, and thus make up for the lack of the imperfectly executed civil law. He states further that the club laws were drafted by Thomas Baker, Mr. Watts and himself, and that it was made his duty to attend the land sales at Iowa City. From this we are led to conclude that the set- tlers in the Beaver Creek neighborhood organized a claim club of their own as the club which was first organized at a general meeting of the settlers of the county, held at Des Moines, was held in April, 1848, probably before Judge McHenry came to the county; the persons who drafted the resolu- tions were Winchester, Mitchell, Scott, Sypher, and Saylor, and Mr. Tidrick was appointed bidder.
A man by the name of Doggett laid out a town in this neighborhood at an early day; another village called Lovington was laid out at the mouth of Beaver Creek in December, 1854.
A family by the name of Murray, consisting of the parents and seventeen children, located in the Beaver Creek settlement about the year 1850.
WALNUT CREEK SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement in this locality was made in 1846, by a gentleman named Towne Hall. He settled early in the year, and his claim included the Presley Bennett farm. Soon afterward came Samuel Shaw, and during
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
the same spring John Jordan settled in what is now called Hiner's Grove. A Mr. Hinton lived where Mr. Clegg now resides. Jacob Lion settled on a claim where the Crow farm is now located. This region of country grad- ually, but not very rapidly, settled up, and in 1846 Mr. J. C. Jordan located a claim near the west part of the county between Raccoon and Walnut. His claim was in section 16, township 78, range 25. The lumber which he used in the erection of his house he procured at the Parmelee mill. Mr. Jordan, in the course of time, acquired considerable property and the repu- tation of being one of the first citizens of the county. His rude cabin, con- structed of logs and green boards, has long since been replaced by a com- modious and elegant residence. For some time after locating on his claim, Mr. Jordan's nearest neighbors were in Dallas county. A Methodist preacher, by the name of Raynor, preached in Mr. Jordan's house as early as 1849.
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