USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 32
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Liberty township has eight independent rural school districts with a school- honse in each distriet, total value, $4,920. During the year there were employed four male teachers at an average salary of $32.59 per month; and seven females at an average compensation of $33.82 per month. There are in the independent districts a total of two hundred and eighty-five persons of school age. The average attendance was one hundred and fifty-three. The average cost of tuition per pupil per month was $1.85.
LIBERTY CENTER GRADED SCHIOOL.
Liberty Center has one school building of two rooms, valued at $1,000. It maintains eight months school during the year. One male teacher was employed at $50.00 per month; and one female teacher at $30.00 per month. There are thirty-seven persons of school age in Liberty Center. The average attendance was thirty ; and the average cost of tuition per pupil per month was $2.13.
Liberty is in the south tier of townships, and lies on the Ineas connty line. It is a township of excellent farming land. There are no coal mines in this township; much of the land lays well, and all of it is adapted to stock raising. There is no railroad in the township. It was not settled as early as some of the other townships in the county. Samuel James was probably the first settler, and came in the fall of 1850; soon after, Mark Williams came; Asa Mosher, J. P. Mosher and Robert Kester came in 1853. W. A. Story, James Coles, Joseph Hall and James Hall came in the early fifties.
Liberty Center postoffice was established in 1867, eight years before the town was laid out. Jeremiah Boston was the original proprietor of the town. The first schoolhouse in Liberty township was a log building, and stood near the south cemetery, not far from the present site of the Christian church. This schoolhouse was also used for church purposes. Susan B. Mosher taught the first term of school, in 1854. C. E. Ferguson is the postmaster. Stokesbury & Meeker have a general store. S. J. Shuipe, hardware and groceries.
CHURCHES.
In the fall of 1856. Rev. J. W. Todd, John and George Conrad, conducted revival services which continned at intervals far into the summer of 1857. A Methodist church was organized with the following members: Enoch and Polly Matson, John and Rachel Matson, Benj. and Julianna Matson, William and Mahala Berry. Sarah Coles, Mary and Sarah Berry. Polly and Ellen Coles were the first probationers; Joseph Michael. the first class leader; and Jacob Garbison, the first local preacher. When the period for probation for new members had expired, the membership was increased to eighty. and it was de- cided to seenre a building. Accordingly, in 1860, the original part of the building now occupied by S. J. Shupe's store was leased, and afterward purchased of Nathan Mosher, for a church. In 1870, during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Smith.
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the ori; inal part of the present church was erected at a cost of $2,300, and dedicated in 1871 by Dr. Burns, president of Simpson college. In 1906, the present structure was erected at a cost of $2,300, and all paid for, and dedicated October 21, 1906, by Rev. John F. St. Clair. The membership now numbers sixty.
FRIENDS CHURCH.
The Friends church was built in the fall of 1907, at a cost of $3,000. There is no permanent organization as yet, but preaching and Sunday school are held in this church every Sunday. The people who erected this church made a re- markable record, in that every bill in connection with the enterprise was paid and money left in the treasury before the time of dedication.
There is a Christian church a mile and a half south, and a half a mile west of Liberty Center, from which no data has been received.
LODGES.
Sena Lodge, No. 344, A. F. & A. M., was organized September 24, 1874, with fifteen charter members. The present membership is twenty-nine. The lodge owns a house and lot in Liberty Center, valued at $1,000. Meetings are held on Thursday night on or before the full moon. Present officers are: W. M., C. C. Edgerton; S. W., G. E. Wilson; J. W., H. A. Bryan; Treasurer, S. Chips; S. D., W. W. Burrus; J. D., T. Williams; S. S., H. C. Bradford; J. S., E. R. Chrisman ; Tyler, A. M. Flesher.
I. O. O. F.
Warren Lodge, 287, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 7, 1874, with five charter members. The present membership is fifty-three. The lodge owns a new two-story building, hall above, and a store room below, which cost about $3.000, and is one of the best lodge rooms in the county outside of Indianola. They also own a cemetery of three acres, about a half mile west of Liberty Center. The meetings are held every Saturday night. Present officers: Ray Bassett, N. G .; John A. Murphy, V. G .; II. A. Bryan, Recording Secretary : J. A. Jacobs, Financial Secretary ; G. E. Wilson, Treasurer. This is one of the most active 1. O. O. F. lodges in this part of the state.
M. W. A.
Granes Camp, No. 7940. M. W .A., was organized April 13, 1900, with twenty-nine charter members. The present membership is twenty-eight. This lodge meets the last Wednesday in each month. Present officers are: I. E. Meeker, Couneil; S. MeKinney. Adviser; J. A. Murphy, Banker; S. J. SImpe. Clerk ; Roy Bassett, Escort ; F. G. Reese, Watchman ; S. Gilliland. Sentry.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
BROTHERHOOD AMERICAN YOEMEN.
Liberty Center Homestead, No. 177, Brotherhood American Yoomen, was organized April 4, 1900, with thirteen members. Present membership is forty-two. Present officers: J. N. Coles, Foreman; E. R. Blattenburg, Corres- pondent. This lodge meets the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month in the Odd Fellows' hall.
VERBENA REBEKAH LODGE, NO. 503.
Verbena Rebekah Lodge, No. 503, was organized April 26, 1906, with twenty- seven charter members. At present there are sixty-two members. Meets the first and third Tuesday in each month. The present officers are: Mrs. Linnie Thompson, N. G .; Mrs. Hettie Marsh, V. G .; Miss Katherine Tussing, Recording Secretary ; Miss Ollie Peebler-Perm, Secretary; Mrs. Nellie Murphy, Treasurer; Miss Cora MeLean, Chaplain; Miss Carrie Brebner, Warden.
Green Plain M. E. church has already been mentioned in connection with the Milo charge.
Liberty Center has but one physician, Dr. Ira Curtis Taylor, a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.
HISTORICAL AND PIONEER SKETCH OF LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
The first white people to visit Liberty township were trappers and traders who came from 1843 to 1846, to trade with the Indians and become acquainted with the New Purchase, as the country was known, which had been purchased of the Indians, and which they were to occupy for three years, or until 1846.
These people made no permanent settlements until one Adam Sees, built a rabin and located with his family near a spring just south of Lawrenceburg, in 1847. Sees seems to have been a man who was "anything for the coon." for in 1848. James Bales came in and bought the cabin and right of location of Sees, and soon occupied the site as the second settler of Liberty township. Mr. Sees and his daughter, Eva, then went to Fairfield, where he entered the same piece of land in the name of his daughter, paying for the same with the purchase money obtained from Bales. Upon returning, he soon after dispossessed Bales without compensation, and while Bales was looking for a new location, stole and removed all the provisions Bales had in stock, consisting of "jerk" or dried venison, and the breasts of many prairie chickens, which were cured in the same manner. The trouble between Bales and Sees continued until it led to a personal encounter, for which they were arrested by P. P. Henderson, who was then sheriff. and taken before Squire Haworth. Both men plead guilty to assault and battery, and were fined one dollar each. Bales soon after located in Otter township. He was first to introduce hogs and sheep in Liberty township.
J. P. Mosher relates that he once went to purchase some sheep of Bales, and observed that each sheep had a stick tied to its tail. He asked Bales the purpose of the device. when he was told that it was to keep them from jumping over the fence. Mosher seemed to think the precaution was taken at the wrong end of the sheep, when Bales replied that: "Any fool ought to know that a sheep
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
always takes a few paces backward before he can jump a fence." The stick was to prevent the backward movement on the part of the sheep.
Mark Williams was the third settler and located north of the Sees place. The first recorded entry of land in Liberty township was that of John Williams. June 29. 1849, entry made after the land office was established at Chariton. Sammel James, Robert Kester and James Coles made settlements further sonth on Otter creek. and Asa Mosher settled near Liberty Center in 1853. being the seventh family to locate permanently in the township. Other early comers were James and Joseph Hall. Joseph Michael. Henry Shaver. James Williams and others. The township was organized and named Liberty, because many of the early settlers were abolitionists, and some had left their eastern homes because of the contention over the rights of the slave. James Coles, who named the township, was known to be very much opposed to the fugitive slave law and assisted more than one slave to escape into Canada. The sincerity of these people was demonstrated a few years later. when they gave up their sons to die for the Union.
The first death was Mary Ann Kester, wife of Robert Kester. She was the first to be buried in the south cemetery near the Christian church. JJohn N. Coles taught the first school. and J. P. Mosher marked out the first public high- way with a breaking plow and ox team ; this was the old Chariton and Indianola state road. Josiah Hall was the first road supervisor. The roads at first were mere trails across the prairie. Joseph Michael was the first mechanic, having opened up a blacksmith shop near the present site of Green Plain schoolhouse.
The early settlers were patrons of the Parmelee mill. near Carlisle, and when corn was searee, they were supplied by William Pierson, of Palmyra township, a kind old Qnaker, who had known most of them in Ohio, and now opened his eribs to them in time of need. without compensation. During one period of high waters caused by the excessive spring rains, the settlers on Otter creek were without meal for six weeks, and lived mainly on "hominy" or boiled corn. Of course there was plenty of wild game. A mill was soon after con- trived by James and Benjamin Coles, which proved to be a great convenience for the settlers.
Corn was first raised by "axing" it in the sod. As the prairie was turned over by the plow. it lay in long parallel furrows, and the planter followed every second or third furrow, splitting in with an ax and dropping from three to five grains of corn in hills about three feet apart. The corn was then con- sidered planted aud usually received no further attention until gathered.
The first mail was brought from Red Rock by private carriers and dis- tributed among the settlers. The first merchandise was brought in by peddlers seeking to trade for furs and the skins of animals. Clothing was often made at home of flax or wool, as the home became the manufactory of every necessary article.
The first religions meeting was held in the cabin of Sammel James while some Friends or Quakers were visiting the family from the more easterly set- tlements.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
The first church organization was the Methodist, organized by Reverends Todd and Conrad, at the log school house which stood near the present site of the Christian church. The third was the New Light, or Christian church, or- ganized by Rev. J. Lamb of Carlisle, who built the present church, near the south cemetery.
Camp meetings were frequently held in groves and attended by people who came many miles and remained until the meetings closed. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Michael, James Hall and Mrs. Lyda Coles, who were great shouters, and who were zealons in church work, helped to give enthusiasm and fervency to these gatherings. They are remembered by many of the younger people. Mrs. Michael in partienlar, is remembered for her great vigor in dealing with sinners. On one occasion she found Mr. Alex. Benge quietly leaning against a sapling in the rear of the camp, while others were at the "mourners' bench." After pounding him on the back to remind him that the judgment day is coming, she seized him by the shoulders and exclaimed: "Mr. Benge, I am looking for sinners." Without the least concern, and in the most composed manner, pointing to a man across the camp, Benge replied : "Well, Mrs. Michael, there is Goosie by that tree, he is the worst sinner I know anything about."
When the war for the preservation of the Union came ou, Liberty township did her full duty in sending men to the front. Nearly every family was rep- resented by enlistments for their country's service. The following are those who were either killed in battle or died in the service during the war: Joshua Coles. David Coles. Benjamin Coles, Barton Coles, Robert Blythe, William Clapp. Riley Ilall, Silas Hall, George Hall, Isaac Wright, Bennett Gunsawles. A. J. Ruble, Abel Edwards, David Michael, Henry Michael, Barak Morris, Ruphus Massey. Thomas Rogers and George Shaver.
Besides this roll of the honored dead, many others enlisted and were hon- orably discharged. Some had received wounds in battle and otherwise displayed their valor upon the firing line in many a desperate battle. As the war pro- gressed, a company of home gnards consisting of most of the men and larger boys remaining at home, were organized with Henry Shaver, captain; S. K. Hall. first lieutenant ; and J. P. Mosher, second lientenant. This company drew their arms and were ordered to be ready to move at a moment's notice, but fortunately they were never called ont.
Liberty township has been peenliarly free from bad men and desperate deeds of violence. But one murder case of any notoriety has ocenrred in the township. GEORGE L. MATSON.
Joseph Michael referred to in the above article, lived to be nearly one hun- dred and two years old. His friends arranged an all day religions service on his one hundredth birthday anniversary, which was held in the park in Milo, August 19. 1905. John Goode preached from the text: "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." W. C. Martin preached from the text: "How old art thou." The congregation was large and attentive. Mr. Michael occupied a seat on the platform, and at the close of the last sermon, arose and made some very appropriate remarks, which thrilled the audience. Perhaps not one present had ever heard a centenarian speak in public before. It really seemed as a voice from the spirit-world.
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IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
Lincoln township contains abont seventy-two square miles, nearly in the center of the county.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justices of the Peace: W. W. Marshall, Summerset; A. C. Iliatt, Ack- worth.
Township Trustees: O. T. Smith, Ackworth; W. C. Pitman, Indianola; J. W. Hickman, Indianola.
Constable: Frank Laverty, Summerset.
Township Clerk : Ed. Conant, Indianola.
Township Assessor: C. E. Deets. Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund :
Food and Clothing $ 51.00
House Rent. and Fuel
60.00
Medical Aid 3.00
$114.00
Trustees Road Report :
Cash on Hand January 1. 1907
84.08
Received From County Treasurer 2,875.07
$2,959.15
Paid for Labor and Material
$2,885.80
Balance on Hand 73.35
$2,959.15
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's report of the public schools for Lincoln township for the year ending July 1, 1907.
Lincoln township has fourteen independent rural school districts with a schoolhouse in each, total value, $7.550. One male teacher employed at a salary of $30.33 per month, and twenty-five female teachers employed at an average sal- ary of $34.98 per month. There are four hundred and seventy-five persons of school age in the fourteen districts. The average attendance is two hundred and forty-six. The average cost of tuition per pupil per month is $2.24.
Ackworth. Ackworth has one school building valued at $600, and employs one male teacher at a salary of $40.00 per month. for eight months in the year. It has forty persons of school age, and an average attendance of thirty. The average cost of tuition per pupil per month is $1.33.
Summerset. Summerset has one schoolhouse vamed at $800, and maintains a school nine months in the year. One male teacher employed at a salary of $10.00 per month, and one female employed at a salary of $43.00 per month.
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IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
There are fifty-eight persons of school age in the district, and an average at- tendance of thirty-one. The average cost of tuition per pupil per month is $1.86.
Lincoln township is the big township of the county, containing about seventy- two sections of land. One of the first settlements of the county was made at Ackworth, in what is now Lincoln township. The people began to pitch their tents in that vicinity as early as 1846. The first settlers were Quakers, a class of people that would be a good acquisition in any community. This township surrounds Washington township, which now constitutes Indianola. It has a great variety of farming land. originally contained a large quantity of forest timber, and today, furnishes the best quality of coal being mined in the county. It is drained by Sonth and Middle rivers. As a farming district, it averages well with other parts of the county. Lincoln township exerts a large influence in the affairs of the county, owing to its size and its contigoity to the county seat. The early history of Lincoln township is a large part of the early history of Warren county. When it began to settle, the land was rapidly taken up. It contains many large and valuable farms, many small and desirable homes ; especially in the vicinity of Indianola. In the neighborhood of Indianola, there are many splendid openings for small fruit and vegetable farming. Lincoln, being outside of Indianola, has had its full share of county honors. James Barnett served in the senate in the Twenty-second and Twenty-third General Assemblies. George E. Griffith represented the county in the Eleventh General Assembly, and also was senator in the Twelfth and Thirteenth General Assem- blies. S. B. Lindsay represented the county in the Tenth General Assembly. James H. Millen represented the county in the Twentieth General Assembly. A. II. Swan represented the county in the Thirteenth General Assembly.
The first marriage in Lincoln township and in the county, was that of P. P. Henderson and Martha Haworth, on the 16th of December. 1847. He proenred his license at Fort Des Moines. The first marriage license issued in this county was on the 30th of October. 1849, to Franklin Benge and Arena Bales. Miss Martha Haworth taught the first school in Lincoln township.
SUMMERSET.
There was a mill and a store at this point in an early day, but the town was not laid ont until 1872. after the Rock Island road was built. Coal was mined at this point as early as 1870. For many years the mill did a good business, but is now numbered with the things of the past.
DIRECTORY OF BUSINESS.
Postmaster: LeMar Adams.
Railway Station Agent : W. H. Neades.
General Store : J. T. Hemphill.
Contractor : A. H. Dye.
Blacksmith : R. S. Utterson.
Hotel : J. A. Cowey.
Stock Buyer: W. A. Hanby.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
The following coal mines have been operated in the vicinity of Summerset : Joseph Neades, John Davis. Eli Overton. Shackley & Lawrence.
CHURCHES.
BAPTIST CHURCHI.
The Baptist church of Summerset was organized November 16. 1878. with the following constituent members : J. B. Hicks, Ruth A. Hicks. Able Edwards, Eliza Edwards. James Loyd, Susan M. Loyd. John Loyd. LeMar Adams, Jennie E. Adams, Mary Welch, Angie Turnipseed. Phebe Holberry. The following pastors have served this charge: Thomas Miller, one year ; F. R. Still. one year ; W. A. Cain. five years ; T. S. Bovell. five years : F. M. Gaines, one year; J. E. Trelvor. three years; F. M. Tull, three months; W. A. Terry. two years; Henry Froning. three years; E. P. Bartlett, two years. The present pastor is C. T. Illsley. The first church building was erected in 1882. as a cost of $1.400. A Sunday school. Ladies' Aid Society and a Baptist Young People's Union are maintained in this church. The current expenses were $300. Present member- ship. sixty.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
B. F. Wadsworth and wife, I. L. Surber and wife and Mrs. Peter Thompson were constitutent members of this society which was organized abont forty years ago. The present church building was erected in 1881, at a cost of $1.800. Since the erection of the church, students of Simpson college have supplied this ap- pointment with preaching. John M. Hillis is the present pastor and receives $150 per annum for his services. The present membership is forty-five. The Sunday school is superintended by Edgar Thompson, and has an enrollment of eighty-five. The Ladies' Aid Society has fifteen members : Mrs. May Kennedy. president. The collection for benevolences last year was $60.
ACKWORTH.
Ackworth was laid ont by J. M. and J. H. Hayworth in an early day. An academy building was erected in 1869. and opened in 1870. by the Friends church. The town was named in 1874. and incorporated Time 1. 1881. The city officers are: J. W. Short. mayor: J. T. Vincent, treasurer : Elmer Ginder. clerk ; William Williams, Fred Sexton. Clarence Fowler. William Keller, Thomas Putnam and William HTowe. councilmen.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Lumber and Grain : IIngh Williams & Son. Postmaster: J. T. Vincent. General Store: J. T. Vineent. One rural route was established in June. 1903.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
CHURCHES.
The Free Methodist church was erected about fifteen years ago. The cou- stituent members were: Frank Roberts, Unice Roberts, J. H. Farley, L. J. Farley, Milton Minor, Margaret Minor, and Nettie Farley. The present mem- bership is twenty-two. This church maintains a good Sunday School, Ladies Home and Foreign Missionary Society. The church building cost $1,100. The pastors who have served this church are: J. Q. and Ettie Murray, W. E. Bogar, W. C. Honts, William Van Horn, J. B. Newell, W. E. D. Harper, J. H. and Phoebe Grovier, Luke Scriptnr, W. C. Karns, Albert Helsel.
ACKWORTH FRIENDS CHURCH.
This church was organized in June, 1852, and called Sonth River, forming with Middle River. the "Three River Monthly Meeting." There were about forty members in the organization. In the early times they did not have regular pastors. D. B. Cook is the present pastor : Rhodema Newlin was the first pastor ; between these about twenty others have ministered to the church. The first church building was erected during the early "fifties." The second was the academy building, erected in 1869, and cost $7.000; remodeled and refurnished for church purposes in 1908 at a cost of $2,800. The Bible School was organized soon after the meeting was established. The present enrollment, including Home Department and Cradle Roll, is one hundred and fifty. The church maintains a W. F. M. S .. also a Christian Endeavor Society. Amounts raised last year : Ministerial support, $225; incidentals. $80; Sunday school, $33; missionary $28. E. M. Heffley, Sunday school superintendent; Eliza Hiatt, president of W. F. M. S .; Clay Clark, president of Christian Endeavor.
As early as 1852 this church began to look after educational interests, which resulted in the establishment of the Aekworth academy. the influence of which has extended far beyond the community.
COUNTRY CHURCHES.
Farmers church is five miles northeast of Indianola. This society was organized almost forty years ago. It has been served by the pastors of the Carlisle circuit. The present church building was erected in 1894, at a cost of $1,500. This church maintains an excellent Sunday school. The present pastor is W. B. Reed. The current expenses last year were $353. The present member- ship is ninety-three.
The Center Chapel M. E. church, four and one-half miles west of Indianola, was organized in 1894, during the pastorate of H. C. Preston, and erected a church building at a cost of $2,000. J. C. Morton is the Sunday school super- intendent ; present enrollment, sixty ; enrrent expenses, $24. Mrs. Mc Adoo is the president of the Ladies' Aid Society; this society collected from all sources last year. $150. The present membership of the church is forty-nine. This church is served by the pastors of the Spring Hill circuit. B. R. Van Dyke is the present pastor.
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IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
LINN TOWNSHIP.
The boundaries of Linn township are the same as township 77, north of range 25, west of the 5th P. M. of Iowa.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justices of the Peace: Perry Turner. Orillia : Frank Snyder. Norwalk.
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