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 76
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Allen township is most favorably situated in every respect. In the first place it is half surrounded by the Des Moines river which affords the best water facilities, while it scarcely ever overflows it banks so as to interfere with farming operations. In the second place it is located just near enough
622
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
to the great central markets of Des Moines for the ready marketing of all kinds of produce without suffering any of the inconveniences of being too near a great city. In the third place it has a railroad passing through the center, with depot, side track and all the facilities for shipping stock to the Chicago markets. This railroad has done much to assist in the devel- opment of the county, and in the building of a second road during the past year stock raisers and shippers have the advantage of the low rates which are alone brought about by competition. In the fourth place the township is most favorably situated with regard to the surface of the land, there be- no bluffs, swamps or gorges occasioning mnuch waste land. Owing to the desirability of the land there was a great competition for claims in early days, and here was the claim concerning which arose the Flemming and Per- kins dispute. Flemming is said to have been the son of a minister, and of course had some support from among the members of the church of his faith, while Perkins had some friends who said that Flemming was in the wrong because he claimed more than three hundred and twenty acres. The. particulars of this difficulty are fully narrated elsewhere.
AVON.
Avon station and the original town of Avon must not be confounded. The latter was first laid out in August, 1855, and is situated about a mile north- west of the station. It is located on the southeast quarter of section twenty- nine, township seventy-eight, range twenty-three, and was laid out by Charles Keeney. Prior to the building of the railroad the town of Avon was quite a trading point, and was in a very flourishing condition. The building of the railroad and the establishment of a station so near by, and yet far enough off to be another place, had the effect to injure, to some ex- tent, the growth of the town. However, Avon to-day is a very beautiful country village, and has a future. In early days this town of Avon was the center of educational and religious influence for that whole section of country, and to a certain extent still remains so. The first school house in Allen township was built in Avon during the year 1856, or at least so the oldest settlers aver, although it would seem strange that no school-houses were built prior to that time; J. P. Deaton and S. G. Munn were the con- tractors, and the building cost four hundred and twenty-five dollars.
U. B. CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1856. Jacob Krysher, Elizabeth Krysher Levi and Margaret Krysher, J. D. and Elizabeth Mills, David and Sophia Maubeck, John and Catharine Bender and Benjamin Maubeck and wife were the original members. A church edifice was erected in 1862 at a cost of twelve hundred dollars, which was dedicated the following year by Bishop- Markwood. The membership at present numbers about thirty.
The first election in this township occurred April 5, 1853, at which time- the following officers were elected :
Trustees-J. P. Deaton, John Watts, James S. Mills.
Clerk-Henry O.McBroom.
Assessor-Chas. B. Flemming.
The first meetings of the board were held at the house of J. D. McGloth- len.
623
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
The last real estate valuation returned amounted to the sum of one hun- dred and twenty-four thousand six hundred and thirty-eight dollars; that of personalty was forty-two thousand five hundred and sixty.
The present township officers are:
Justice of the Peace-A. S. Rice.
Trustees-A. Warnock, A. Perley, W. J. Baker.
Clerk-J. R. Warnock.
Assessor-F. D. Kenworthy.
CAMP TOWNSHIP.
When the county was first subdivided into election precincts the south- eastern part of the county formed a precinct which was called Camp, and the place of voting was at the house of Thomas Mitchell. When the county was subdivided into civil townships the year following, it was ordered that Camp township consist of congressional township number seventy-eight, range twenty-two, number seventy-nine, range twenty-two, and so much of number seventy-seven, range twenty-two as lay northeast of the Des Moines river. The place designated for holding elections was at the house of Pat- rick Kelley. Camp township subsequently lost nearly half of its territory upon the organization of Beaver township, after which it was left with substan- tially the same territory as it now is composed of, viz: Township seventy- eight, range twenty-two, and that part of number seventy-seven, range twenty-two which lies north of the river.
The township was named after the creek which rises in the northern part of the township, as originally constituted, and flows southward through nearly the entire extent of the township.
This is a densly settled township with a general distribution of timber and rolling prairie.
Patrick Kelley, whose house was designated as the place for holding the first election after the organization of the township, came in 1848. The Garrets came in 1850, and there were so many of them that the region where they settled was called the Garret neighborhood, which name it still retains. Wm. Sweeney settled in the township in 1849 or 1850; and about the same time some families by the name of Plummer settled there. James Steward, George M. Steward and Elijah Canfield were among the first, and , came in 1846. In 1847 J. M. Montgomery, Rev. Mr. Russell, David John- son, Mr. Woodward, Montgomery McCall, Abel Fouts, Joseph Langdon, L. M. Burke, Mr. Robinson and Miss Lavina Hendricks settled in this favored region. Mr. Fouts was one of the most influential citizens of the township during the early times; he was elected member of the Board of County Commissioners, and was likewise civil magistrate for the bailiwick of Camp. He officiated at the celebration of the first wedding in that neighborhood, the parties being Mr. Woodward and Miss Hendricks. The marriage ceremony was performed at the residence of Mr. James Stewart. During the year 1847 J. B. Hempstead, Creth Renfrow and a man by the name of Flemming, came to the township. James N. Stewart was elected to the office of justice of the peace in 1847, and continued to hold that of- fice for a number of years.
It is said that in early days wolves and rattlesnakes were very numer- ous in this township, and it is related that one day when Mr. Canfield's children were on their way to school they were met by a huge timber wolf
624
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
which had long been a terror to the community. The children made a hasty retreat and escaped, and a few days afterward Mr. Canfield succeeded in killing the noxious animal. The wolf was two and a half feet in height and of corresponding length and strength.
An important road passed through this part of the county during the first settlement of the country. It was called the Lower Des Moines trail, and led from Des Moines to Red Rock, the pioneer town, which for three years, from 1842 to 1845, was the extreme border town of civilization. As in other parts of the county, the ague was prevalent here when the county was yet new and the settlements were in their infancy. Though the vic- tims of this scourge, many of the first settlers continued their work of im- provement, putting in some telling blows between shakes.
Camp township is more than average in size, it containing some five sec- tions more than a congressional township. It is also above the average in point of wealth an population. According to the last valuation of personal property, the following were returned:
PERSONALTY.
Number
Value.
Horses
680|$ 31,880
Mules
76
4,600
Cattle
1,308
19,652
Sheep
226
339
Swine
2,185
6,817
Vehicles
61
2,145
Merchandise
435
Money and credits
43,272
Furniture
640
Other articles
2,281
Total
4,536 $112,061
Camp township has had its share of towns, but owing to the peculiar lo- cation of all the railroads which have been built across that part of the county, the towns which have been laid out have not prospered.
LAFAYETTE.
This town was laid out by Charles Freel shortly after the first settlement of that part of the county. It was located on the north side of the Des Moines river, on sections 3 and 10, of township 77, range 22. It will be seen from this that it was near the south line of the county. It was a lively place in 1849 and 1850. Dr. Hull and numerous relatives arrived there at that time, and the town, for a time at least, was a place of great expectations. The approach of a steamboat on its way to Fort Des Moines was of no frequent occurrence, but when it did occur all Lafayette turned out to behold it. Lafayette is no more, but there are persons still living who well remember the place as it was in its years of prosperity and the sociability and hospitality of its people.
625
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
ADELPHI.
This is another extinct town. It was laid out in May, 1856, by Valerius Young. It was located on section 30, township 78, range 22. The term extinct should possibly not be applied to Adelphi, as it still has a location and a name on modern maps. The better way of expressing it would be to say that it is afflicted with premature old age, and has not accomplished nearly all the career which was marked out for it by its founders and builders.
SCHOOL-HOUSES AND CEMETERIES.
The Camp township cemetery is situated a little north of the center of the township, in the northwest part of section 15.
There are nine school-houses, situated as follows: South part of section 5; north part of section 10; southwest corner of section 1; south part of section 17; north part of section 22, near Mud Creek; near the center of section 23; southwest of Adelphi in section 29; southwest corner of sec- tion 34, and in southwest corner of section 36. These school-houses are of the modern style of architecture, are in a good state of repair, and have the best of modern furniture. They are all located on county roads and are situated with a view to the convenience of the school children.
Camp township is not very well supplied with church buildings, but this is no evidence that the people do not attend church. Public religious ser- vices are occasionally held in the school-houses, while many of the citizens of Camp township attend church at the neighboring villages.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP.
Beaver township continued to be a part of Camp township for a number of years, and its early history is a part of that of Camp township. When Beaver township was first organized it consisted of just one congressional township, and, therefore, was six miles square, and contained just thirty-six sections of land. In June, 1878, a strip two miles wide was taken off from the west side of the township, which became a part of the new township of Clay, and thereby left Beaver but four miles wide, by six long, and contain- ing but twenty-four sections. This is the size of the township now. The highest point of land in the county is in this township, and according to the railroad measurements it lies just half way between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The surface is rolling and well watered by Mud Creek and Camp Creek, both of which streams have their source in this locality.
626
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
According to the assessor's return last spring (1880) there was at that time in the township the following personality:
PERSONALTY,
Number.
Value,
Horses
412|$18,560
Mules
16
905
Neat cattle.
711
9,208
Fat cattle
127
2,455
Sheep
55
82
Swine
1,880
4,955
Vehicles .
43
1,640
Money and credits
8,725
Furniture.
710
Other matters
779
Total
3,244 $48,040
The first settlement made within the bounds of this township was by Thomas Mitchell in April, 1844. His original claim comprehended parts of sections 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. William Duncan settled on section 28 during the year 1847. George Barlow took a claim in 1846.
The first marriage was that of Lewis Burke and Mrs. Maria Vice, on April 6, 1848. The ceremony was performed by Wm. A. Meacham, of Fort Des Moines.
In the month of September, 1847, was the first birth which occurred in the township; it was that of James Burk, son of John and Susan Burk.
The first death was that of a young man named Lathrop, who died in the spring of 1846. He was buried in the Spring Creek graveyard in Camp township.
The first regular practicing physician was Dr. J. E. Whartman, who came from Cedar county in 1858. He now resides in Colorado.
The first preaching in Beaver township, and probably the first in Polk county, outside of Des Moines, was at the residence of Thomas Mitchell, during the summer of 1844. The preacher was a traveling Methodist min- ister by the name of Pardo.
The first school-house erected within the bounds of Beaver township was built on section twenty-five. It was a log building, and was erected by Mr. Mitchell, without the assistance of any one else. Not only was the first school-house a private enterprise, but also was the first school, which was taught by Miss Lucia, now Mrs. William Hibbs, who was employed and paid by Mr. Mitchell; the compensation was two dollars per week.
This township is peculiarly well situated as regards the railroads thus far built. It is traversed by two railroads, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Keokuk & Des Moines. Nobleton is the station on the latter, and Mitchelville on the former thoroughfare. While these roads were under separate management the producers and shippers had the advan- tage of competing lines. These roads are now under one management.
627
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
MITCHELLVILLE.
In July, 1856, Thomas Mitchell, Milton Ferguson, and Wilson Jones, laid out a town on section two, township seventy-nine, range twenty-two, and called it Mitchellville. In May, 1867, the new town of Mitchellville was laid out by Thomas Mitchell, on the northwest quarter of section twelve. This town was made a station on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad. Its growth has been steady and its career has been marked by a gradual and healthy prosperity, until the present time, when it has become something more than simply a country trading point. Business houses representing every branch of trade have been established and are in a healthy condition. The following houses are the more important ones: Valentine & Sherwood, general merchandise.
George D. Moore, dry goods.
Isaac Henshie, dry goods and drugs.
S. S. Moore & Son, dry goods and groceries.
J. H. Jones, clothing.
G. D. Barkalow, Flower & Hecox, and Mrs. Southerland, groceries.
D. H. Reichard, drugs and books.
E. B. Hagaman and L. W. Cannon, hardware and agricultural imple- ments.
M. T. Russell, and McCrary & Heald, grain dealers. Each firm has an elevator for the purpose of handling grain.
Kimball & Mitchell, lumber.
James Andrews, flouring mill.
Shantz & Warner, flax mill.
Humphrey House, kept by P. H. Humphrey, and the Hoxie House, kept by D. R. Hoxie.
S. J. Oldfield keeps a store of general merchandise, and is at present the postmaster.
Mrs. H. Sternberg, bakery and confectionery.
A. D. Coleman and Frank Anshutz, watch-makers and jewelers.
Charles E. Lee, C. K. Patterson, H. W. Halderman, and T. Seems, physi- cians and surgeons.
M. L. & A. H. Aiken, millinery.
As a shipping point, Mitchellville is a place of no small pretensions. During the past year there have been shipped over three hundred thousand bushels of corn and one hundred thousand bushels of wheat.
THE MITCHELLVILLE NEWS.
This paper is published by E. T. Cressey, by whom it was established about two years ago. It was at first a six column folio, and last December it was enlarged to a seven column paper. The paper is deservedly very popular and goes into every township in the county. It has enjoyed a gradual and constant career of prosperity from the time it was first estab- lished, and is now considered not only a permanent institution, but one whose prosperity and that of the town are identical.
MITCHELL SEMINARY.
This institution was founded in 1872, and was named in honor of the Hon. Thomas Mitchell, by whose enterprise and liberality it was founded.
628
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
The corner-stone was laid July 4th, 1872, and it was opened for school in September, 1873. The building is three stories high, with a mansard tower, and the building, in connection with the land which belongs to it, cost about $40,000.
While this institution was in operation it was under the control of the Iowa Universalist convention, but it was non-sectarian in its management. The school was very prosperous for a time and was self-sustaining. The building, however, was not fully paid for, and the debt which had been in- curred was a continuous burden to the persons who originated and carried forward the enterprise. During the former part of the present year it was sold to the State for the sum of $20,000, and is now used as a girl's de- partment of the
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
The Reform School was removed to its present location in May of the present year, and after about one month's trial it has been found to be very well adapted for the purpose for which the State purchased it. The follow- ing is a brief account of the Reform School from the time of its first estab- lishment:
In 1866 the Legislature leased the property known as White's Manual Labor Institute, a farm of fourteen hundred acres in Lee county. After five years the boys' department was removed to Eldora, in Hardin county. A home for the girls was then opened at the White farm, and was contin- ued until the expiration of the lease. In May, 1878, the school was re- moved to Mt. Pleasant, and located in a building which was leased for five years. The lease expired during the early part of the present year, and the school was removed to Mitchellville, as already stated.
We will give a brief synopsis of the manner in which the school is gov- erned. A record book is kept, and upon the entry of each girl her name, age and parentage are recorded. A careful training is given, and if the conduct of the pupil is perfect she gets a grade of 100. If her conduct will warrant 60, she is credited for the whole month. When she shall have gained twelve of these monthly grades of 100 she is entitled to a leave of ab- sence. The system begins with 60 and grades up so that the last month in school must warrant her 95 in order to have a perfect record. She is then granted a leave of absence and if she conduct herself in conformance with the rules of society, the grant is made permanent; but, in case of mis- behavior, she will be subjected to a second ordeal, and she will then have to be on her good behavior for thirteen months before she is granted an- other leave of absence.
The following is a brief synopsis of a late report made by Superintend- ent Lewelling:
Whole number of girls received since the opening of school 84
Attained majority and discharged 12
Granted leave of absence. 22
Eloped . 8
Total 42
1
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
629
Remaining
42
Returned from elopment. 8
Returned from leave of absence 3
Total
53
Of this number, the several counties sent the following:
Polk
19
Pottawattamie
Lee
9
Wapello
6
Benton
5
Mahaska
4
Mills
3
Clinton
3
Henry
2
Jackson.
2
Washington
2
Dubuque
2
Jefferson
2
Nativity.
Iowa
44
Missouri 12
Illinois
6
Sweden
2
Germany
1
Canada
1
Parentage.
American 40
German 13
Irish
12
African
10
The girls were committed by the following tribunals:
Supreme Court 3
District Court 36
Circuit Court
31
14
Causes of Commitment.
Incorrigibility 31
Vagrancy .. 17
Manslaughter .
1
Disorderly conduct.
13
Larceny .
11
Police Court
630
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
Keeping brothel 1
Prostitutes
.. 10
Ages.
Five years.
1
Seven years
3
Nine years
3
Ten years
2
Eleven years
Twelve years.
Thirteen years
2 4 4
Fourteen years
14
Fifteen years.
26
Sixteen years.
15
Seventeen years
8
Eighteen years
2
Social Condition.
Lost father 23
Lost mother
11
Parents separated
7
Parents living together.
18
Parents unknown
4
The following remarks as to results are from a statement recently made by Superintendent Lewelling:
" It is an opinion too prevalent that the result of our labors here are not sufficient to justify the expense incurred by the State in maintaining such an institution, but it must be borne in mind that many of these girls come from the slums of the cities and almost all from broken homes, where the sweet, quiet influence of love is never known. It is a remarkable fact that in almost every case either the father or mother is dead, frequently both parents, or if living, they are separated, or living together unhappily. Of course the progeny of such homes, and such circumstances are often shift- less, incorrigible and vicious, and from such homes and such circumstances, come the boys and girls of the Reform School.
" It becomes, therefore, the duty of such institutions as ours to restrain and reform such characters as these, and it can scarcely be hoped that all will have amended their lives. It can positively be shown, however, that as many as seventy per cent of those committed to the institution return to their homes reformed in purpose and conduct, and that few of them lapse into their vicious habits.
"Subjoined are a few extracts from letters written by girls who have graduated out of the school. The first is from the first girl discharged four years ago:
"' WASHINGTON, Iowa, Sept. 20, 1878.
".Mr. & Mrs. Lewelling : * I am doing better every year. * * "' Dear Friends- *
I go in good society, better than I ever did before. I may thank you for
Lost both parents 21
631
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
all that. Often do I think of that. Think of me as often as you are thought of. Yours in love,
"' OSCEOLA, Iowa, Sept. 28, 1879. "' Mrs. Lewelling: "' Dear Friend-I feel quite ashamed of myself for not writing to you sooner. My sister has been quite sick, is somewhat better now. I am trying to get a place to teach school, do not know how I shall succeed. If I do not, I shall come back there and go to school. I am doing a great deal of fancy work now, and am doing quite well. * * Am making a carriage robe for which I shall receive five dollars.
"' With love,
"' KEOKUK, Iowa, Aug. 23, 1879.
"'Mrs. Lewelling:
"' Dear Friend-It has been some time since I have had a letter from you. I am trying to do right, and the folks are so good in every way to help me. I don't think that any of them look down on me, and I have many friends to help me to do right. I am living with the same family yet; have been here eleven months. I want to see you all so much. Re- member me to all the folks. I hope to hear from you soon. """" As ever,
"' KEARNEY, Neb., June 23, 1879. "' Mrs. Lewelling:
"'Dear Friend-I received your kind, welcome letter and hope to hear from you often. I am enjoying myself well, attend Sunday-school every Sunday. Am going to help at a church festival next week. I do most of the work. I practice on the organ every spare moment. A friend brought me a nice piece of music to-day. Hoping to hear from you soon, I am your friend,
" The following letters are from other parties and explain themselves: "' MT. PLEASANT, Iowa. "' Mrs. Lewelling:
"' Dear Friend-I just received a letter from my son. He says the girl seems to like her home, and they are well pleased with her. She is taken with the children and they like her so much. I am glad she is there for she will have a good home and I think she will always stay.
"' Your friend, LOUISA BERRYHILL.
"' DUBUQUE, Iowa, March 26, 1879. "' Mr. L. D. Lewelling :
"' Dear Sir-I have made inquiry of several people of the neighbor- hood concerning Miss -- , and all agree in saying that the girl has a good reputation, is moral in character, industrious in habit and deserves to be in a better situation. Her mother is intemperate, but works hard at times at washing, etc. I saw her a few days ago. She says the girl often speaks of you and Mrs. Lewelling, and esteems you as great friends, and would be glad to be with you again. . Yours truly,
""'N. W. BOYES.'
"(Mr. Boyes is the County Superintendent of the schools of Dubuque county.)
632
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
Mr. Lewelling is the executive head of the establishment; while upon Mrs. L. devolves the domestic government of the household and care of the children. She is the central planet of a system governed by the law of at- traction. There is no coercion, no jar, but all moves smoothly and in will- ing obedience to the governing law. . No sign of the penal nature of the in- stitution is anywhere visible. For the long winter evenings, select readings, literary exercises and dramatic entertainments pass the time and employ the minds of sixty-five girls who are the inmates.
There are, in addition to the Superintendent and his amiable wife, three assistants; one of whom has charge of the school which is in session eight hours each day; one has charge of the laundry and the third superintends the sewing department.
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