The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908, Part 30

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Des Moines : Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1010


USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 30


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295


IIISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


BAPTIST CHURCH.


The Baptist church at Carlisle was organized in February 1858 with the fol- lowing members: Malachi Adams, I. B. Chapman, Archibald Mount, James Mount, Daniel Stark, William Major, Henry Burgett, John Burgett, Ephraim Fisher, Thomas Alexander, Ollie Adkins, Nervine Chapman, Mary Pearson, Netty llargis, Sarah Stark, Susan Major, Jane Burgett, Amy Durvel, Roma Pearson, Eliza Hargis. B. B. Arnold was the first pastor. The church building was erected in 1865 at a cost of $2000. Arthur Owens is the present Sunday school superintendent. This society has had no preaching for two years and further data was not obtainable.


THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.


The Christian church at Carlisle was organized in 1868 with one hundred and ten members. The church building was erected in the same year at a cost of $2100. Rev. Bly was the pastor. Mrs. Sarah Reed is the only surviving charter member of this society. A. W. Rice is the Sunday school superintendent. There is a Ladies' Aid Society and a Christian Endeavor Society maintained by this church. The present membership is one hundred. Robert Wade of Drake University preaches each alternate Sabbath.


UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.


The United Brethren church at Carlisle was organized in 1868 with the following charter members: J. W. Patterson and wife, Thomas Patterson and wife. A. Marshall and wife, JJames Sanders and wife, Joseph Sanders and wife S. P. Thomas and wife, and Loren Thomas and wife. The church building was erected in 1872 at a cost of $2400. Miss Minnie Patterson is the present Sunday school superintendent. The young people maintain a Christian Endeavor Society. The present membership of the church is seventy-two. Rev. Emmerson, pastor.


LODGES.


The Yoemen. This lodge owns no property. The following are the officers : B. F. Clongh, foreman; II. L. Owens, master of ceremonies; L. L. Thomas. correspondent ; T. L. Ledlie, chaplin ; James Keeney, overseer; J. L. Webster. watchman; S. F. Cline, sentinel; E. P. Keeney, guard; Mrs. L. Beanchamp, Lady Rowena. The present membership is sixty-two.


Marble Lodge, No. 368, A. F. & A. M. This lodge was organized June 3, 1876. Present membership twenty-two. Meets the first Saturday on or before the full moon. F. C. Hall, W. M .; G. S. Utterson, Secretary.


IMPROVED ORDER OF REDMEN, BLACK HAWK TRIBE, NO. 103.


This lodge was organized March 20, 1902 with twenty-two charter members. It now has a membership of sixty-five. The present officers are: I. A. Ballard, Sachem ; B. F. Clongh. S. Sag. ; Pant Nicholson, J. Sag .: Bert Pierce. K. of W .; Edd HI. Young, C. of R .; HI. J. Marsh, prophet.


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


CARLISLE LODGE NO. 131, 1. 0. 0. F.


This lodge was organized April 12, 1861 with thirty-six charter members and now has seventy-eight members. A. J. Van Seoyk, N. G .; A. J. Humphrey, V. G .; W. F. Petrie, secretary ; E. E. Fields, treasurer.


REBEKAH LODGE.


The Carlisle Rebekah Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F., was organized October 20, 1898 with fourteen charter members, and now has thirty-five members.


G. A. R.


I. B. Sexton Post, No. 425 G. A. R., was organized March 31, 1887 with twenty-one charter members, and now has twenty.


M. W. A.


Maple Leaf Camp, No. 3216, was organized September 16, 1895 with seven- teen charter members, and at the death of J. C. Foulke was changed to the J. C. Foulke Camp. The membership is now about ninety. Edd HI. Young, V. C. ; Edd Grant, advisor; II. L. Owens, clerk.


CLARKSON.


K. D. Omer is the railway station agent. W. Il. Hartman conducts a general store. This village is on the Des Moines bottom, and is surrounded by as fine a farm region as can be found anywhere in the state of Iowa. A man who had traveled extensively in Enrope gave it as his opinion that there is some of the most beautiful farm seenery in the western part of Allen township he ever beheld.


SCOTCH RIDGE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.


This church is one of the most flourishing and efficient churches in this part of the state of lowa. It is seldom that an entire neighborhood is brought so completely under the influence of one church as in this case. The community is made up of enterprising farmers, who are loyal to their church and to every other public interest. It is seldom that a country church cau sustain a minister for so many years conseentively, as this church has done; and maintain a Sunday school and other church societies. The history of this church is a volume of praise, both to the church and to the Faithful ministers who have served the church. After fifty-five years of active organized life, this church still abounds in zeal and good works; but few of the first generation remain, but the work goes on with increasing vigor aud usefulness.


Scotch Ridge United Presbyterian church was organized August 3, 1853, with sixteen members as follows: Elders, Win. Vance. J. MeElroy. Andrew Hastie : Wm. Runciman, Elizabeth Runciman, Win. Hastie, John Wood. Mary Wood. Mrs. Wm. Vance, Mrs. JJ. Me Elroy, Wm. MeBride, Mr. Ray. Naney Ray, Margaret Ray. Josiah Hanby and Elizabeth Hanby.


Pastors and term of service: T. P. Dysart. 1863-67: Joseph Boyd. 1869-77;


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


T. B. MeKee, 1881-87; R. L. Welsh, 1890-93; J. E. Springer, 1900-02; J. D. Graham, 1904- The first church building was erected in 1857, at a cost of abont $1,000. This building having served its purpose gave way to a new and more commodions building in 1885, which cost $4,000. The latter building still answers a good purpose.


SOCIETIES IN CHURCHI.


This church has a first class Sunday school which is well attended, and bears good fruit. There is a Ladies' Missionary Society, a Young Women's Missionary Society, and a Junior Missionary Society all in active operation.


The current expenses for last year were $800; $650 was raised for benevo- lences, making a total of $1,450.


The present membership is eighty-five.


The Scotch Ridge church owns a good parsonage with three acres of land worth $1500. The parsonage is in Greenfield township, while the church is in Allen township.


The Indianola Avenue Women's Club, which is located at Scotch Ridge, was organized May, 1903, with twelve members. The following were the officers : Miss Agnes Ledlie, president; Miss Mary Schooler, vice president; Mrs. Will Cochran, secretary ; Miss Alice Schooler, treasurer. It was a study club and first took up American Literature. They are now studying English History. The present officers are : Mrs. Russell Bancroft, president; Mrs. Will Boyd, vice pres- ident ; Mrs. John McKee, secretary ; Miss Fannie Ledlie, treasurer. The present membership is twenty.


BELMONT TOWNSHIP.


Belmont township is the same as township 75 north of range 22 west of the 5th P. M. of Iowa.


TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.


Justices of the Peace: M. H. Wilson, Pleasantville, A. W. Mosher, Milo. Township Trustees: M. C. G. Burns, Milo, L. Melick, Milo, F. II. Starr, Milo. Constable : Henry Parker, Milo. Township Clerk: O. T. Winning. Milo. Township Assessor: C. H. Mears.


Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund :


Food and clothing. $ 63.72


House rent and fuel


81.15


Medieal aid 10.75


$ 155.62


Trustees Road Report.


Cash on hand January 1, 1907.


1419.03


Received from County treasurer.


1419.03


Received from town of Milo. 3.00


$1633.76


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


Paid for labor and material $1208.50


Balance on hand. 425.26


$1633.76


The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's Report of the Public Schools of Belmont township for the year ending July 1. 1907 :


Belmont township has eight independent rural school districts with a school building in each district, total value, $5,095. An average of seven and a half months of school was taught in the districts. There were three male teachers employed at an average compensation of $35.50 per month and fifteen female teachers employed at an average compensation of $30.00 per month. There were three hundred and twelve persons of school age in the districts and an average attendance of one hundred and forty. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil, $1.72.


MILO GRADED SCHOOL.


Milo has one school building of five rooms valued at $10.000. School was maintained nine months of the year. One male teacher was employed at a compensation of $85.00 per month and five female teachers at an average compen- sation of $43.50 per month. There were one hundred and eighty-three persons of school age in the district and an average attendance of one hundred and fifty- eight. Cost of tnition per month for each pupil, $1.91.


Although Behnont township is one of the very best agricultural townships in the county, it was not settled as early as some others. Indeed, it has been difficult to ascertain, who were the first white settlers in the township. James Ball is said to be one of the first ; yet, he did not come into the township until the early "fifties." After settlements began in Belmont, the population increased rapidly. Many of the early settlers, perhaps a majority of them, were from Belmont county, Ohio. From this circumstance the township took its name. From the first, the people of Belmont township have been noted for their religions zeal and enterprise. It contains more churches than any other town- ship in the county outside of Indianola. Owing to changes that have taken place. some of the early churches have been abandoned, and others removed. The inhabitants of this township continue to take a deep interest in both churches and schools. The characteristics of the first settlers of a township usually remain and are transmitted for an indefinite period. The glow of religions fervor in Belmont township is perhaps as great today as it was forty years ago. The liberality of the people exhibited in the erection of churches and maintaining societies has been marvelons indeed. Their Christian liberality has by no means hindered their secular prosperity. for Belmont township is one of the most prosperous in the county. There is no coal mining in the township worthy of


note, and no manufacturing. The people rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits. There is but one railroad in the township. the Indianola and Chariton Branch of the C. B. & Q. System ; and this road passes along the western side of the town- ship. The wagon roads in this township are better than in most of the other


299


IIISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


townships of the county ; owing to the fact, that there are no largo streams, the smaller streams being easily bridged. There is very little timber, but the land lays unusually well.


From the best information obtainable. Daniel and Francis Monroe were the first settlers in Belmont township. Joseph Wilson, John Duncan, Morris Thompson, and a Mr. Chapin were among the first settlers, and took part in the early organization of the township, they having come from Behnont county. Ohio. Joseph Alexander and Jackson Allen were also early settlers. The first school was taught in Behnont schoolhouse at Hickory grove.


MILO.


Milo was laid out in 1878 by S. H. Mallory, who built the railway from Indianola to Chariton. When the railway was transferred to the C. B. & Q. Co .. Mr. Mallory retained Milo. It is one of the most beautiful, attractive and pros- perous villages in the county. At the last census, in 1905, Milo had a population of five hundred and sixty-seven. It is the only town in Behnont township. absorbed the town of Hammondsburg in Otter township, and Schonburg in Belmont. Its business, schools, churches and newspapers are well sustained.


BUSINESS DIRECTORY.


O. S. Hatcher is Railway Agent; S. J. Milliean, Postmaster. Rural routes No. 1 and 2 were established in 1902, and No. 3 in 1903.


Physicians : P. F. Price, Mark Hickman, J. G. Davis, Dr. Maulsby. Veterinary: A. Goode.


Lumber : J. M. Harlan Lumber Company ; Sigler Lumber Company.


Milo Mill : J. J. Steele & Son.


General Merchandise: A. E. Van Sove & Son, N. B. Jacobs & Son, R. B. MeClelland & Son, J. M. Emmons.


Hardware and Furniture: E. B. Pritchett, Smith & Son.


Restaurants : A. J. Murdock, T. C. Hollingsworth, C. W. Hicks. Hotel.


Meat Market : J. B. Walker.


Harness : E. C. Polson.


Jewelry : J. T. Erwin. Livery: N. N. Hieklin.


Implements : W. H. Spohn.


Fine Horses : F. O. Nutting & Son.


Milo Telephone Company: Independent Company. have one hundred and fifteen phones in town and four hundred and fifty in the country, and connects with the Hawkeye at Indianola.


Barbers: Frank Caldwell, Richard Smith.


Real Estate : G. W. Burgess & Son.


Milo Land Company composed of D. W. Summers, Lew Dunn, I. C. Walker, and C. C. Briggs.


Druggists : E. Fellows, Maulsby & Son.


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


Millinery : Mrs. Milton Smith.


Second Iland Store: A Benge.


Blacksmith : D. D. Hunt. Wagon maker: C. B. Hall. Contractor: W. T. Motherhead.


There are two automobiles in Belmont township: one owned by JJ. Sandy and the other at the Livery of N. N. Ilieklin.


Milo is an incorporated town. Present officers: C. C. Briggs, Mayor; Fred Smith, Clerk; J. N. Goode, Treasurer. Council : George Fridley, B. A. Manley, George Clever, J. II. Niles, J. M. Kinzey, and C. B. Millican. Pastors : R. J. Tennant, M. E. Church; W. R. Coventry, Presbyterian Church; N. G. Gordon, Pastor of two Christian Union Churches in the township.


CHURCHES.


Methodist Episcopal Church. Soon after the town began to grow, the Methodist people organized a society, which has kept pace with the town and surrounding country. They have a neat frame church, valued at $2,500; and a parsonage, valued at $1,500; also the charge has a church at Green Plains, five miles south which is in a flourishing condition. The Sunday school at Green Plains is well patronized. The Milo charge now numbers two hundred members. The Sunday school of the two churches have an enrollment of one hundred and seventy-five. The benevolences of the two societies, Milo and Green Plain, are computed together, and reached a total last year of $215. The amount raised for ministerial support was $940. The following pastors have served the Milo charge. The dates given below indicate when the pastor began his services, he continues until his successor is appointed. 1879, M. R. Harned; 1880, B. B. Kennedy; 1883, S. Farlow; 1884, J. L. Johnson; 1886, C. D. Fawcett; 1887, D. S. Main; 1888, T. P. Newland; 1893, S. L. Cummer; 1895, A. L. Bates; 1898, C. C. Culmer; 1901, John Harned; 1903. Alfred Knoll; 1905, J. L. Johnson; 1907. R. J. Tennant.


The usual societies are organized and in active operation in this church,


THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MILO.


This church was organized February 24, 1891, with the following members: John Bryant, M. Tusing, Mrs. Annie Tusing. John Pennington, Robert Me Clelland, Mrs. Martha JJ. MeClelland, William C. Wilson. Mrs. Hannah M. Wilson, Edwin M. Wilson, Walter Waugh, Mrs. Elma B. Waugh, Edwin Pennington, D. B. Paxton, Mrs. Mattie E. Paxton. H. F. Schrader, Mrs. Ama E. Schrader, George Nolte, Mrs. Angustie Nolte, Mrs. Debora Smith, Mrs. Ruth A. Emmons, J. S. Fry. Mrs. Maggie E. Fry, Mrs. Jane C. Hines, Robert W. Graham, Miss Lillian A. Curd, Mrs. Ama E. Tidball. Dr. A. M. Hooper. Mrs. E. B. Hooper, Mrs. Margaret Bryant, Mrs. Emma Hunt. Mrs. Mary A. Davey, Miss Mintie Emmons, Mrs. Sarah A. Nemeyer, Mrs. Cora P. Stewart. Mrs. Marilla Trotter, Frank O. Nutting, Mrs. Maggie J. Nntting, Miss Sarah Notting. William P. Nutting. Mrs. Catherine Nutting, Herbert W. Nutting, Miss Nellie A. Nutting. Mrs. Isabella Amsberry, Miss Mary Williamson.


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301


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


The church building was erected in the fall of 1891.


The following Pastors have served this church: J. A. Stewart. 1891; JJ. C. Gilkerson, 1892; J. M. Wiggins, 1896; H. S. Condit, 1903; J. A. MeKay, 1905 to 1907; and the present Pastor, W. R. Coventry, came May 2, 1908.


The present membership is sixty-two. This church has an interesting Sunday school, an active Christian Endeavor, a Ladies Home Missionary Society. a Ladies Foreign Missionary Society, and a Ladies Aid Society.


As the above organization indicates, this is one of the most liberal and energetic churches in the county.


LODGES.


Milo Lodge No. 409. A. F. & A. M. was organized under a dispensation of December 21. 1881. with eighteen members. The present membership is twenty-nine. Present officers are: J. D. Smith, W. M. ; William McNeil, S. W .; Fred Smith, J. W. ; E. Richmond, secretary ; R. B. MeClelland, treasurer ; H. N. Reed. S. D .; W. M. Farley. J. D. ; Louis Daugherty. Tyler. This lodge meets every Wednesday on or before the full moon.


THE EASTERN STAR.


The Eastern Star was organized October 22. 1902, with twenty members. It now has a membership of twenty-eight. Present officers : Isabella Adamson, W. M .; Il. M. Reed, W. P .; Fannie Daugherty, A. M .; J. N. Goode, secretary ; Mary E. Adamson, treasurer.


ODD FELLOWS.


Milo Lodge No. 413. I. O. O. F. was organized October 21, 1880. It now has a membership of ninety-eight. £ The present officers are: E. J. Burgess. N. G .; J. E. Clayton, V. G .; W. A. Steele, Secretary; John Ilook, Permanent Secretary ; Asa Mosher, P. G .; Walter Kimzey, Warden.


ENCAMPMENT NO. 159.


Milo Encampment No. 159. Walter Kimzey. C. P .; A. W. Mosher, S. W .: D. F. Crabb, HI. P .; M. D. Vernon, Secretary ; J. W. Clark, Treasurer.


M. W. A.


This lodge was organized May 25, 1888, with sixteen members. It now has a membership of one hundred and twenty. Present officers are: G. W. Nolte. Counsel ; J. E. Clayton. Clerk ; J. Il. Niles, V. C .; Henry Parker, Banker.


M. B. A.


Dewey Lodge No. 318. M. B. A. was organized April 5, 1897 with. eleven members. The present membership is thirty-six. Present officers: George Nolte, President ; Mrs. George Nolte, Vice President ; Mrs. M. Wright. Chaplain ; Henry Parker, Treasurer; Hamon Nolte, Cond .; A. Smith, Secretary.


This lodge meets the third Wednesday of each month.


302


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YOEMEN.


Brotherhood of American Yoemen Oaks Homestead No. 276 was organized February, 1901, with eleven members. Present membership thirty-six. Present officers: P. F. Price, Foreman ; D. W. Summers. 'Correspondent; R. B. Me- Clelland. M. of A.


MILO MOTOR.


The following items concerning the Motor and the early business of the town were furnished by J. C. Cook. The Milo Motor was established May 11, 1883, by R. T. Elson as editor and publisher, who conducted the paper for several years and then sold to Clint L. Price, who in time sold to J. D. Haworth. In 1902, W. Waugh became the editor and proprietor. Ile sold to W. E. Lucas, who sold to J. A. Bacon, who sold to G. L. Minkler & Son, 1907.


March, 1908. George Stafford, the present editor and publisher. bought the entire plant from Minkler & Son. Mr. Stafford is an experienced newspaper man ; has not only made some important changes and increased the capacity of the plant, but, has put into the publication a new life. a snap and vigor which makes it one of the leading papers of the county. Mr. Stafford has been con- nected with the publishing business nearly all his life and is not only thoroughly experienced in newspaper work, but has a skillful knowledge of job work, and is fast building up a trade in that line that bids fair to tax the capacity of the plant.


From Volunne 1. No. 2 of the Milo Motor, 1883, we take the following names of men doing business in Milo at that time.


General Merchandise: Burgess & Ficht, P. Smith & Co., Goode & Higbee, S. J. Spaulding.


Undertakers and Hardware: Squires & Son.


Blacksmith: Henry Giles.


Meat Market: W. R. Dennis.


Livery and F ed: J. F. Irwin.


Carpenter and Builder: H. F. Schrader, Henry Russell.


Wagon Maker: C. B. IIll. F. C. French.


Harness Maker: J. McConnell.


Barber and Jeweler: Isaac Bingley.


Plasterer: John Pennington.


Shoemaker: M. Tussing.


Physicians: W. D. Kelley. S. A. Cooper, T. MeNanghton.


Bankers: Nathan Schee & Co.


Farm Implements : Valentine Warner.


There were doubtless other men in business in Milo at that time, but they were of the kind that did not advertise, so it is difficult to know much about them : and besides. the world is not much interested in persons who lack the enterprise


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


or disposition to help sustain, by their patronage, a home newspaper, and it is generally found that such persons do not add materially to the prosperity, development and growth of a town or community.


COUNTRY CHURCHES IN BELMONT TOWNSHIP.


Motor church was organized in 1869 with abont twenty constitutent mem- bers. The following pastors have served this church: Mary Trueblood, Anna Trueblood, Catherine Smith, Nathan Armstrong, Joseph Blackledge, Benjamin Neval, Benjamin Hiatt, Edgar Requa, Levi Marshall, James Picard, Florence Baker, William Figgie, and T. C. Perishu. The church building was erected in 1870, at a cost of abont $1200. This church answered the purposes for


which it was erected for a full generation. The second church building was erected in 1907. at a cost of $2500. The society owns a neat parsonage, with one and a half acres of ground worth about $1800. This church has an excellent Sabbath school, a Missionary Society and a Christian Endeavor Society. The amount raised last year for incidental expenses, $100; for benevolences, $60. At present there are one hundred and fifty members.


PLAINVILLE CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCHI.


Plainville Christian Union Church. This society was organized in 1863. The following have served as pastors: Eli Oliver, J. V. B. Flack, Theo. Stone, Joshua Wilson, K. D. Wolf, Benjamin M. IIntchins, C. A. Fair, N. D. Gordon and F. Dowell. O. B. Walcott is superintendent of the Sunday school. There are forty scholars enrolled. Board of Trustees: J. E. Hollingsworth, J. N. Goode, and Roy Town. The church building was erected in 1867, at a cost of $1500. The current expenses last year were $200.


BELMONT ZION CHURCH.


Belmont Zion (Christian Union). This society was organized in 1889. The following have served as pastors: K. D. Wolf, B. M. Hutchins, C. S. Fair, A. F. Dorrell and N. D. Gordon. The Sunday-school superintendent, B. S Reynolds. Sunday school enrollment sixty-five. President of the Board of Trustees. John Long. Current expenses last year, two hundred dollars.


ROSEMOUNT CATHOLIC CHURCH.


Rosemount Catholic church has for many years been one of the most prosper- ons Catholic churches in the county. The organization was effected about thirty-seven years ago. The ch wych building was erected in 1872, at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. Later a school building was erected and a parish school has been maintained for several years. There are about forty families in the parish.


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IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.


TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.


Justice of the Peace: E. J. Yount, Spring Hill.


Township Trustees: J. C. Higens. Spring Hill; W. R. Dickson. Norwalk ; W. R. Hall, Indianola


Township Clerk : B. P. Schooler. Norwalk R. F. D. No. 2.


Township Assessor: W. II. Boyd.


Warrants drawn on the poor fund :


Food and clothing $ 14.83


Medical aid


37.50


Received for old road grader


5.00


$ 52.33


Trustees' Road Report


Cash on hand JJanuary 1, 1907


$ 158.26


Received from County Treasurer


1720.87


Received from old road grader


5.00


$1884.13


Paid for labor and material


$ 1525.25


Balance on hand


358.88


$ 1884.13


The following is condensed from the county superintendent's report of the public schools for Greenfield township for the year ending July 1, 1907.


SPRING IHLL GRADED SCHOOL.


Spring Hill has one schoolhouse of two rooms, valued at one thousand dollars. They are now building a house, which will cost over three thousand dollars. They employ one male teacher, at a salary of sixty dollars per month ; and one female teacher, at a salary of thirty-five dollars per month. The school year consists of nine months. Spring Hill has ninety-three persons of school age. The average attendance is forty-five. The cost of tuition per pupil per month, two dollars and eleven cents.


Greenfield township has, outside of Spring Hill, eight sub-distriets, with a schoolhouse in each, valued at five hundred and sixty-three dollars cach. There was an average of eight months of school during the year. Sixteen female teachers were employed, at an average salary of thirty-five dollars and eighteen cents per month. There are two hundred and eighty-three persons of school age in the eight distriets. The average attendance is one hundred and forty three. The average cost of tuition per pupil per month, two dollars and six cents. Greenfield township is a part of the "Strip." lying between Polk county


307


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


and Middle river, although a small portion of the township lies south of Middle river. £ It is drained by North and Middle rivers. It is an excellent township, and has furnished some of the largest stock dealers in the county. The people of the township, from the early days of its history, have taken great interest in stock. The land generally lays well, is of good average fertility. There are large coal mining interests in this township, which have not been developed. In the early days. it contained much excellent timber, and this attracted settlers, because in those days, settlements had to be made in or near the timber. When farms had to be fenced with rails, timber was a greater object than it was after railroads came and shipped lumber into the country, and wire fences were in- troduced. Settlements began in Greenfield township as early as 1845. The elderly people take pleasure yet in recounting the fact that Jno Rufe and Noah Reeves were among the first settlers ; that b. F. Bedwell and others came in 1846. The records show also that the first marriage was Daniel Howard to Miss Johns- ton ; Sammel Crow solemnizing the same. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1851, and a sawmill about the same time on North river, operated by water power. Greenfield township contains, perhaps more bottom land than any other township in the county a great part of which overflows in time of high water. Its proximity to the city of Des Moines makes it a desirable place for farming and increases the value of the land. Fort Des Moines being located just across the county line from Greenfield township, furnishes an excellent market for the surplus raised by the farmers in this township. The Rock Island Railroad passes through the township from east to west, giving the people excellent rail- road facilities. C. B. Jones, of Greenfield township, represented Warren county in the Sixth General Assembly. The patriotic spirit ran high in the time of the Civil War in this township. as will be seen by T. T. Anderson's article on, "Greenfield Township in the Civil War."




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