USA > Iowa > Van Buren County > The history of Van Buren County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c, a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest, history of Iowa &c > Part 60
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494
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
The saw and grist mill of Gwinn & Bott was erected in 1850. It was burned in the spring of 1854, and soon rebuilt. This, by the way, with the burning of John Barnes' house, was the only fire that ever occurred at Bir- mingham.
There was a cheese-factory put up in 1871, by C. L. Moss. This is still in successful operation.
Birmingham had a tannery in 1868, under the management of James Glanden, Joseph Porter, "Tanner " Ross and John Park. The tannery run one year, when Benjamin Smith took the building and converted it into a pork- packing house. He run it two seasons and then moved his business to Keokuk.
The only sensation ever occurring at this place was the suicide of William Winny in 1858. He was walking with his sisters one day, in the country, and, when near a clump of hazel bushes, he stepped behind them and shot himself. There was no cause assigned for the deed.
THE LODGES.
Birmingham Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F., was chartered October 27, 1852, W. H. Tuthill, G. M., and Joseph Bridgman, G. S. The charter members were Samuel Fasnacht, G. A. Chittenden, Samuel Taylor, Zion Rains and Jonathan W. Sage. The membership of the Lodge is about sixty. The pres- ent officers are John W. Ferrell, N. G .; J. S. Skinner, V. G .; William Hope, R, S .; D. C. Petit, P. S.
Birmingham Lodge, No. 56, F. g. A. M., was organized June 6, 1855, Simon Graham, W. M .; H. Huffman, Secretary. The charter members were Moses Bigford, J. A. Archer, J. L. Gwinn.
There is a membership of forty belonging to this Lodge.
The present officers are Simon Graham, W. M .; S. B. Shott, S. W .; C. L. Sheward, J. W .; J. S. Miller, Treasurer ; H. Huffman, Secretary.
IOWAVILLE.
The village of Iowaville was laid out by a company in 1838. The Sac and Fox Indians bad sold 1,250,000 acres of land in this vicinity, and reserved two years' time on the land, after which, James Jordan, William Phelps and John Tolman bought the Indians' time for $3,000. The sale of time was made in the fall of 1837, and. in 1838, the Indians vacated, and the spring of that year, the place now known as Iowaville was laid off. Black Hawk and a few Indians remained. Phelps and Jordan were the earliest settlers, they having come in the fall of 1837. Jordan had the first trading-post.
The next settlers to arrive were Joel T. Avery, John Newport, Job Carter and Crittenden Forquraen and their families, and Peter Avery, William Avery and William McMullen, bachelors.
William Avery was the first Postmaster, the mail being brought in on horse- back.
Lauson Smith, who came later, was the first physician.
The first blacksmith was Robert Rathburn.
The first boat up the river as far as this point was the " Pavilion," belong- ing to the American Fur Company. This boat was piloted up in the year 1838. Traders' kcelboats were sent down about this time.
The demise of Daniel McMullen was the first in the place.
Minerva Forquraen was the first child born.
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495
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
Tom Gardner and Cerilda Moody were the first couple to submit to the darts of Cupid to that extent which ended in matrimony.
William Avery was the first Justice and Bill Kirkham the first Constable. All now remaining of the once brisk village of Iowaville is a few houses and one or two stores.
An effort was made in 1841 to build a church here, but the object was never consummated. The first preaching was by a missionary, in 1834. He came, and promised an interpreter named Frank Lavish $50 to aid him. He preached three sermons, after which the Brave of the tribe ordered him to stop ; and he did. Rev. Mr. Rowlander, a Methodist, was one of the earliest ministers who came here. The village to-day has no church.
The educational plans of the neighborhood were first unfolded in 1843, the teacher being a Mr. Clark, who held forth in a log schoolhouse put up in the year mentioned. In 1857, the district became independent, and a new schoolhouse was built, which has served until the present.
INCIDENTAL.
James Jordon tells of a rain of seventy-two consecutive days and nights in 1831, when nearly all the soldiers and a great many Indians died of cholera.
He tells of the "roll-call" of 1846, when, every morning, the "grand round" was made to ascertain if any of the settlers had been kidnapped, or deserted. He says the roll always began with "Robert Rathburn," and the " R's" were rolled out like the long beat of the snare drum.
There were no mills in those days, and for a year the settlers ground their buckwheat in a coffee-mill. This continued for a year or more, when the incon- venience was relicved by the putting-up of & corn-cracker and the flouring-mill by Samuel Clayton, near the mouth of Chequest Creek, and Foster's mill on Lick Creek.
THE LODGES.
On the 18th day of August, 1850, at the town of Black Hawk, on the Des Moines River, opposite Iowaville, in Van Buren County, Pulaski Lodge, No. 28, was instituted, with twelve charter members.
The location remained here until October 27, 1852, when it was removed to Iowaville and the name changed to Iowaville Lodge, No. 28.
It remained in active operation here until September 27, 1863, when it sus- pended work and remained in this condition until May 26, 1872. Then thirteen members-W. H. Cross, J. E. Alverson, B. T. Welch, T. M. Taylor, T. P. Kelley, T. Barnes, T. B. Allen, J. Beatty, E. T. Roland, D. Yeoder, J. C. Nelson, J. W. Nicholas and W. H. Nicholas-of Magnolia Lodge, No. 24, located at Agency City, on petition, were granted the privilege of removing the Lodge to Eldon and changing the name to Eldon Lodge, No. 28.
The charter, in accordance with the above, was granted on the 17th of October, 1872; and, on the 27th of December, 1872, the Lodge was removed to Eldon, where it occupied a rented hall until 1876, when it built a hall, which, with the fixtures, is valued at $1.400.
Since the removal of the Lodge to Eldon, members have withdrawn to start Floris Lodge, No. 272, and Van Buren Lodge, No. 350.
The Lodge now has a membership of ninety-five, all in good standing; and has paid out in benefits $1,586.65, and has buried three of its members.
On the 19th of October, 1876, Rebecca Lodge was organized, with a mem- bership of eleven, and now numbers thirty-one members.
496
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
PITTSBURG.
The village now known as Pittsburg was formerly called Rising Sun. This place was laid off in March, 1839, by Ephraim Warner, A. B. Williams and John Groom. In the vicinity at that time, lived John Spencer, James Duffield, Elisha Morris and Samuel Clayton.
John Purdham had made the first claim in this region, and sold to Peter S. Wood, John Goodwin and D. A. Ely.
A. B. Williams kept the first store, and Cyrus Gibson was Postmaster.
The first blacksmith was Frank Mauk.
John Groom was the first Justice, and Gain Robinson the earliest physician. James Hanshaw made the first wagons in the place.
The first death was Mrs. Goodwin, daughter of Elisha Purdham. David Deffenbaugh and the widow Judd were the first couple married. The husband was a farm hand of Samuel Clayton ; the lady was a Mormon. After the mar- riage, the couple went West and joined the Mormons.
The first child born in this town was Ed. Janney, who is still living there.
There have been several efforts made to force manufacturing interests into the throat of Pittsburg, but without success. The only business now done in the place is by one flour-mill and one store.
Samuel Clayton built the first flour-mill ever put up in this vicinity, in 1836 and 1837, near the mouth of Chequest Creek. A steam mill, by William Funk, followed in 1854. In 1860, a saw-mill was added to the enterprise; and in 1875, Mr. Funk rebuilt the mill throughout.
In 1861, William Funk erected a distillery, which run three or four years, and was then closed.
The following bill will serve to revive old memories :
An Act to allow John Godden, Samuel Clark, John Groom, Archibald McDonald and P. M. Jan- ney, of Van Buren County, further time to construct a dam and lock across the Des Moines River, at Pittsburg, in the above-named county.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, That John Godden, Samuel Clark, John Groom, Archibald McDonald and P. M. Janney be and are hereby allowed two years' additional time to complete a dam and lock as above specified, and a required in the sixth section of an act entitled " An act to authorize John Godden, his heirs and assigns, to build a dam across the river Des Moines."
SEC. 2. That the eighth section of the above named act, to which this act is amendatory, is hereby amended so as to constitute the said John Godden, Samuel Clark, John Groom, Archibald McDonald and P. M. Janney tenants in common, and vest in the said tenants in common, their heirs and assigns, an equal undivided interest in said dam, and the privilege thereto appertain ing.
SEC. 3. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved 13th of February, 1844.
The earliest school taught at Pittsburg Subdistrict No. 2, was in 1842, by George N. Rosser. The place was a round log cabin, and after one term a brick schoolhouse was put up, which served until 1854, when the present frame building was erected.
The first minister in this vicinity was Rev. Newton Smith, a Methodist mis- sionary. Rev. Mr. Summers was the first Presiding Elder of this circuit. There is but one society here -- Methodist. It was formed in 1838. The schoolhouse was used as a house of worship until 1871, when the church was built, the Pastor at that time being Rev. Mr. Thomas. The present Pastor is Rev. Jesse Craig.
There are no secret orders at this village. A Good Templar lodge was organized in 1855, but, after three years, it became defunct.
497
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
MT. STERLING.
Mt. Sterling, with its 300 people, keeps alive four dry goods and general stores, one harness-shop, one hotel, one shoemaker, two blacksmiths, one wagon- shop, a lumber-yard and a hoop manufactory.
The village is universally known as Dogtown, and the inhabitants relate how it gained its name. They say that shortly before 1840, the first arrivals in the (now) village were Horace and George Wood, who saw in the distance the rapid growth of a town, and they therefore built a saw-mill and corn-cracker near by, and awaited the result. Horace had three hounds that would devour the meal as it came from the buhrs. Nearly every man who came to mill brought two or three dogs with him, and the result was a row. At the height of a dog rumpus one day, before the town had been named, a stranger rode in. "What do you call this place ?" he asked. "It has no name," was the reply. " I think it is dog town," came the self-answer. And by that name it has gone ever since, although an attempt was once made to name it " Wood's Mill," then " Union Corners," and later, "Mt. Sterling."
A steam saw and flour mill was put up in 1855 by Hayes, Kirlin & Kirk. The mill run until 1861, when it was torn down and the works taken to Keokuk.
Henry Lockhart built a distillery and saw-mill in 1851, and, after operating four years, tore the building down.
A barrel-hoop manufactory was started at Mt. Sterling two years ago by J. Holingshead, and has prospered since that time.
The first store at this place was kept by a man whom customs had nick- named "Yankee" Andrews; and, although the last name was correct, the man's first name was never known.
George Wood, and Mary, his sister, were keepers of the first inn.
George Wood was also first Postmaster. The present one is H. E. Bradford. The first blacksmith was Reuben Pfoutz.
M. C. Thatcher was first Justice. James A. Alcorn is the present one. Parnic George was the first wagon-maker.
The first child born in the town was in the family of Dr. Joel Knight.
And this same Joel Knight was the first physician who came to town. He put up in a bark tent down in what is now Thatcher's pasture. He had a "specialty " with him which he advertised as the panacea for all diseases. The medicine in question he labeled "Dr. Joel Knight's celebrated Screw Auger Pills, one hundred in a box, one dollar per box."
I. B. Thatcher had the first lumber-yard in the place.
THE SCHOOL.
Mt. Sterling began to educate its young in 1841, when Freeman Spaulding taught the first school in Carnes' log cabin, in (now) Sample's field. The next school was in a log cabin one mile southeast of town. The next was in a private cabin in town. Then one was taught on (now) James Cavitt's place, one and a quarter mile northeast of the place. The next step was the build- ing of a log schoolhouse in 1850, Harry Hill being teacher. This house was burned in the winter of 1855-the fire said to have resulted from an over- heated stove, while "the boys" were playing poker. School was afterward kept in private houses until 1861, when the house now standing was built. Carlos S. Baker was the first teacher in this house.
498
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
THE CHURCH.
There is but one church-building at Mt. Sterling. This was erected jointly by the Methodists and United Presbyterians in 1870. There had been preach- ing long before this. Rev. Newton Smith and Rev. Daniel Lane, the former a Methodist, the latter a Congregationalist; both preached at an early day, but there is no record of the date of society organization, and it is supposed these were the pioneer representatives of their respective denominations. Sermons were preached in the private house, since a hotel. but now used as a blacksmith- shop. The Rev. Mr. Smith was the first Methodist Pastor in the new church. Rev. Father Amos Yeager is the present Pastor.
The United Presbyterian society was organized in 1861. Rev. James Bovce being first Pastor. The Church has no Pastor now.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
The largest lodge of Good Templars in the State of Iowa is located at Mt. Sterling. There are 550 members on the roll. The society was organized December 19, 1873. the originators being John A. Alcorn. John Gwinnup. Isaiah Pedat. A. H. Thatcher. D. W. Furgeson. The first President was Mr. Pedat ; Ferguson. Vice President. and Alcorn, Secretary.
The officers now are: Elisus Bee, President : James A. Alcorn. Vice Presi- dent, and Mattie Gwinnup. Secretary.
INCIDENTAL.
Horace Wood has the credit of being a peculiarly liberal man. He would refuse to supply a man with meal, who offered or had money to pay for it: but a poor man. who had none, would receive all the meal he wanted. for the mere asking.
ONE MURDER.
There was but one murder ever committed at Mt. Sterling. That was in 1873. the winter of which Morgan Rupe was killed during a drunken row. James Algire was arrested for the crime. but fled before the trial came off. Thus the crime was never avenged.
TRADING WIVES.
" Peter Wood was a peculiar man," remarked a citizen of the Mount, one day, while conversing over old-time matters. "In the year of 1840," he con- tinued, " Peter Wood and John Scalf traded wives. or. rather, Wood got rid of one of his. Wood had brought with him another man's wife from Illinois (a Mrs. Annie Tyrrell), and, after the first two, came Wood's first wife. Scalf was a single man. and for the consideration of $200 in lands. Wood induced Scalf to take Malinda. his (Wood's) first wife. off his hands."
MILTON.
This place was settled by Dr. Logan Wallace in 1847. The town was laid off' in 1851. For years the place consisted of a post office, dry goods store, blacksmith-shop. shoe-shop and hotel. It was not until 1865 that the town took a start, and. in 1872. the extension of the Burlington & Southwestern Railroad to this point gave it another impetus.
499
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
There was a Fourth of July celebration at Milton in 1854. Judge Hos- kins and Dr. Elbert were the orators. The music consisted of a drum and violin.
C. Wandel and Levi Hayes are both claimants for the honor of having kept the first store at Milton.
H. D. Wallace was the first Postmaster.
Logan Wallace was the first physician, and Thomas Hollinsworth was the first Justice.
The first marriage contract was performed between Richard Abernathey and Ann Cassaday.
Milton has now two drug stores, five dry goods stores, three hotels, one grocery store, one hardware store, one cabinet-shop, one harness-shop, one shoe- shop, three wagon and three blacksmith shops.
C. Wandel was the first cabinet-maker here.
C. Feath established a successful wagon and carriage factory at this city in 1872. The capacity is about one hundred vehicles per year.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Milton is an incorporated city, and has been since the summer of 1878. The first Council are now serving their term of office. The Mayor is Freeman Bell ; the Recorder is R. M. McNeal. The Council is composed of five Trust- ees-A. W. Carr, J. C. Hegler, H. M. Dysart, E. Campbell, Z. Cannon and H. D. Wallace.
THE CHURCHES.
Rev. Mr. Post, the Baptist itinerant missionary, was the first to preach at Milton. But the Methodist society was the first organized. in 1840. The name of the first minister is uncertain, although Rev. Mr. Bryant was among the earliest who came. The Methodists built a church in 1867. at which time Rev. Mr. Coddington was Pastor. The present minister is Rev. William Patterson.
The Baptists organized their society in 1841, Rev. Mr. Post officiating. Their first regular Pastor was Rev. Calvin Daughters. They built a church in 1866, and have worshiped there ever since, although they have no Pastor now.
The Protestant Methodist society was organized in 1870, by Rev. J. S. John- son. They use the Baptist Church to hold service in. Their Pastor is Rev. A. W. Williams.
THE SCHOOL.
The first school taught at Milton was in a log cabin owned by L. Wallace. The teacher was Miss Susie Chittenden. A schoolhouse was built in 1849, and, in 1867, the house was moved back and a larger building put up. The district became independent in 1867.
There is a flour-mill at Milton, in connection with a saw-mill. C. Miller is the proprietor. He came in 1852, and erected a corn-eracker and saw-mill. and, in 1873, he built a large flour-mill with three runs of buhrs.
The only notable crime ever committed here was the shooting of Charles Brewer by Garrett Thompson, in November. 1856 or 1857. The affray grew out of a debt. Thompson had dunned Brewer, and the latter, becoming incensed, fol- lowed him, and Thompson shot him, claiming self-defense. He was sentenced to a term of years in the State Prison, and. after serving six months. was par- doned by the Governor. Thompson was hanged a few years after that in Monroe County, for horse-stealing.
500
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
THE LODGES.
There are five secret Orders at Milton. The oldest Order is that of the Masons. The Lodge was organized at Mt. Sterling, and was known as Mt. Sterling Lodge, No. 50. The charter was granted June 6, 1855. Henry King was W. M. ; W. J. Clark, S. W. ; J. W. Kirk, J. W.
On October 3, 1857, the order was moved to Niles.
February 16, 1867, the Lodge was again moved, this time to Milton, where it has since remained. The charter officers were : James McCance, W. M. ; A. Holder, S. W .; H. T. Patten, J. W. ; J. Cassada, Treas. ; Ed. Hillis, Sec.
The present officers are as follows : J. C. Holland, W. M. ; J. Q. Hargrove, S. W. ; S. L. McClean, J. W. ; J. W. Carr, Treas. ; R. A. McNeal, Sec. ; C. Bauch, Tiler.
There is a Good Templars' Lodge at this place. It was organized Septem- ber 20, 1872.
Jackson Lodge, No. 28, K. of P., was instituted in March, 1875. The charter was granted February 8, 1876. The charter officers were Z. Cannon, P. C. and D. D. G. C .; William Gnash, C. C .; S. L. McClean, V. C .; J. D. Wallace, P. ; Conrad Feath, M. of Ex. : William Murry, M. of F .; W. B. Flemming, K. of R. S .; R. A. Gibson, M. at A .; V. Wescott, I. G .; Will- iam Crockett, O. G.
The present offibers are Z. Cannon, D. D. S. C .; L. F. Lummen, P. C .; R. A. Gibson, C. C .; V. Wescott, V. C .; S. L. McClean, P .; George Pen- nington, M. of Ex .; W. B. Flemming, M. of F .; Z. Cannon, K. of R. S. ; S. W. Cooper, M. at A .; C. Feath, I. G .; L. F. Summers, O. G.
The members of the Lodge number about forty.
Milton Lodge, No. 155, I. O. O. F., was chartered October 17, 1867.
The charter members were A. E. McNeal, N. G. ; William Matthews, Jacob Miller, Joshua Marsan and William Gnash.
The officers at present are A. Smith, N. G .; G. R. Graves, V. G .; N. Henthame, Sec. : G. A. Pittman, P. S. : T. Bell, Treas.
The Order of the Daughters of Rebekah was organized here on October 27, 1874. The Order are occupying the I. O. O. F. Hall.
CANTRIL
is one of the most sprightly towns in Van Buren County. Its appearance is bright and speaks of life and vigorous push. It was laid out partially in November, 1871, and finished in the spring of 1872, L. W. Cantril being the proprietor.
It is the smallest incorporated city in the county, numbering but 210 inhab- itants, yet having been under city legislation four years. It is the oldest new town in Southern Iowa.
L. W. Cantril kept the first store here, the first bill of goods ever sold in the place being January 31, 1872. L. W. Cantril was also the first Postmaster.
D. D. Wilburn was the first and R. D. Wilburn is the present Justice.
A child of William Drew was the first born, and also the first to die. Iola Nagle and Andrew Reed were the first couple married.
C. L. Crooks was the first physician. His child was the one-hundredth born in the city.
W. J. Price was the first Constable.
501
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
The place now contains three dry goods stores, one grocery store, three drug stores, two millinery establishments, one harness, one shoe, two wagon, one tin and two blacksmith shops, one hardware store, one butcher-shop, two hotels, one restaurant, three agencies, one barrel-hoop factory and one lumber-yard.
The first blacksmith in the city was Joseph Boyer.
Cantril has one graded school. The first schoolhouse was built in 1873, with Oscar Cooley as teacher. But the district began to grow and the demand for nore room had to be supplied. Hence. in 1878, a commodious house was erected at an outlay of $1,700. The district has 100 scholars. The present cachers are Mr. McLane and Ella Stonebreaker.
THE CHURCHES.
The first sermon preached was by John Sexsmith, a Protestant Meth- odist.
However. the Methodist Episcopal Church society was organized first of all, in 1872, and a church built. Rev. John Orr was the first Pastor of the Church. Rev. Mr. Patterson is the present.
The Protestant Methodist society has disbanded, but while they lasted used the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Presbyterians organized a society in 1875, under the Rev. Mr. Van Ammond. They have no church, although preparations are being made to build one. The present Pastor is the Rev. Mr. Young.
A corn-grinder and saw-mill combined is the only form of milling done at Cantril. This was built in 1873, by E. E. Cantril.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Cantril was incorporated April 16. 1874, and the first election was held May 20, of the same year. For the years since the incorporation the official roster has run as follows :
1874-Mayor, E. E. Cantril ; Recorder, Dr. C. L. Crooks ; Marshal, F. M. Lanam. Trustees-L. W. Cantril. A. F. Holder, C. Isenhour, N. Pritchet, C. L. Crooks.
1875-Mayor, E. E. Cantril : Recorder, W. M. Robertson ; Marshal, F. M. Lanam. Trustecs-A. F. Holder. W. J. Price. L. T. Holder, J. H. Will- iams, L. W. Cantril.
1876-Mayor, M. R. Hosick ; Recorder, W. O. Brooks: Marshal, J. II. Beuchler. Trustees-A. F. Holder, E. E. Cantril, J. Beuchler, L. T. Holder, C. K. Ilall.
1877-Mayor. F. L. Frazey : Recorder, John D. Swartz : Marshal, M. A. Miller. Trustees-N. Pritchet. W. J. Price, A. J. Smith, J. E. Johnson, R. L. Wilbourn.
1878-Mayor, E. E. Cantril : Recorder, J. R. Stevens : Marshal, M. A. Miller. Trustees-C. M. Gray, G. L. Norris. A. Cassada. William Price, J. M. Linn.
Prairie Gem Lodge, No. 288, I. O. O. F., was organized and the charter granted August 21, 1874. The charter members were D. H. Kettle, W. J. Price, J. R. Gray, J. M. Hosick, F. M. Lanam, J. Holland and C. K. Hall.
The charter officers were C. K. Hall, N. G .: W. J. Price, V. G .; J. R. Gray, Secretary ; F. M. Lanam, Treasurer.
The present officers are R. L. Welbourn, N. G .; A. Cassada, V. G .: W. H. Creath, Secretary ; E. F. Cheadle, P. S .; E. E. Cantril, Treasurer.
502
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
INDEPENDENT
is commonly known as " Stumptown." This from the fact that George Stump was proprietor of the place. It was laid out in the fall of 1851.
The old settlers were Capt. Miller, John Sommerlot, John Saylor, William MeHue, Jerre Black, John Black and Samuel Black.
George Stump kept the first store in the place.
The first blacksmith was Alex. Nedrow.
Ely, a son of Adam Young, was the first child born : George Stump, a son of Frederick, was first to die, and the first marriage contract was between Rob- ert Gardner and Rachel Kempson.
George Stump was the first Surveyor and the first Postmaster.
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