USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 33
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Township Trustees : Hoyt Gates. Norwalk : A. M. Miller, Orillia; E. L. Willett, Norwalk.
Constables : Dan Cupp. Cumming ; Walter Vancil. Norwalk.
Township Clerk : H. G. Wykoff. Norwalk.
Township Assessor: W. T. Nickle.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund: Food and clothing. $48.75. Trustees Road Report :
Cash on hand January 1, 1907
$ 19.31
Received From County Treasurer
1.738.54
Received From Poll Tax 16.85
$1.774.70
Paid for Labor and Material
$1.450.62
Balance on Hand 324.08
$1.774.70
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's report of the public schools of Linn township for the year ending July 1, 1907 :
Linn township has eight independent rural school districts and eight school buildings valued at $5.400. It maintained school eight months of the year and employed twelve female teachers at an average compensation of $34.08 per month. There are two hundred and nineteen persons of school age in the dis- triets, and an average attendance of one hundred and ten. Cost of tuition per month for each pupil. $3.13.
NORWALK GRADED SCHOOL.
Norwalk has one school building valned at $5.000. and employs three teach- ers ; one male teacher at a salary of $55.00 per month. and two female teachers at an average salary of $46.94 per month. There are seventy-six persons of school age in the district, and an average attendance of sixty-eight. Average cost of tition per month for each pupil. $1.94.
MT. PLEASANT.
Mt. Pleasant has one school building of two rooms valued at $3,000, and maintains school nine months of the year. It employs one male teacher at a compensation of $48.00 per month, and one female teacher at a salary of $35
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
per month. There are sixty-three persons of school age in the district, and an average attendance of forty-four. Average cost of tuition per month for each pupil, $1.88.
Linn township is the northwestern township of the county, and occupies the divide between the Raccoon and Middle rivers. The soil is of the richest quality to be found anywhere in lowa. There is but little timber in this township and no stone. There are no coal mines, but for agricultural purposes there is no better township in central lowa. The Chicago Great Western Railway passes through this township from north to south. There are three stations on this road in the township, namely : Orillia, Cumming and Lida. The latter is not being used at present. The Des Moines and Osceola branch of the C. B. & Q. system curves into Linn township at Norwalk. The farms in Linn township are well improved, and as valuable as any in the county. Common farms in this township, range in price from $100 to $200 per acre. Two of Linn township's honored citizens served in the legislature; John Kern being a member of the senate in the Ninth General Assembly, and served also in the extra session of that body. George Wright represented Warren county in the Seventeenth Gen- eral Assembly. Both of these gentlemen were highly esteemed by their fellow citizens, and rendered acceptable services as legislators.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Samuel Crow located on North river in Linn township, in February, 1846; and William Crow was born there May 6, 1846.
The first postoffice was called "Pyra," and was established on the present site of Norwalk, in 1856; W. S. Glaze was postmaster.
The town of Norwalk was laid out by George M. Swan, and the name of the postoffice changed from Pyra to Norwalk.
The first house on the present site of the town was built by Samuel Snyder, iu 1852.
Dr. E. H. Carter was the first physician. A. N. Goode was the first merchant.
Jesse Black erected the first steam saw mill in the township on North river in 1857.
Norwalk is now one of the most attractive villages in the county. Its in- habitants are a wide-awake, intelligent, progressive class of citizens.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF NORWALK.
Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware and Harness: A. E. Easter.
General Store and Implements : C. F. Crow.
Drug Company : Dr. C. A. Willet and R. E. Beery.
Norwalk Bank: Simon Cassidy, president; J. S. Cassidy, cashier. E. M. Beery: Postmaster.
There are three rural routes connected with this office: the first was estab- lished in 1901; the second in 1903; and the third in 1906.
330
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
The Norwalk Free Press is owned and published by S. C. Cooley and V. R. Iluff.
William Dorsey: Station Agent.
Mrs. Phoebe Corbet : Hotel.
Bakery and Restaurant: W. R. Black.
Meat Market: Amon E. Young.
Barber Shop: Clyde James.
Lumber Yard, Builder and Contractor: C. F. Snyder.
Elevator and Feed Mill: J. M. Allison.
Dr. Welty located in Norwalk in 1876.
D. K. Brown has an apiary of two hundred colonies with probable produc- tion of $1,200 worth of honey.
Blacksmith: J. W. Kleinendorst.
Livery Barn: Bridgeman & Anderson.
Miss Josie Snyder : Millinery.
Auctioneer : Orin Crow.
Carriage and Repair Shop : F. E. Munsel.
Norwalk is an incorporated town. D. W. Yount, mayor; W. M. Dorsey, clerk ; I. I. Goode, treasurer.
LODGES.
M. W. A.
This lodge was organized in 1891. with thirteen members. It now has a membership of ninety-seven. Present officers: JJ. W. Goode, Counsel; C. B. Kern, V. C .; J. W. Cassidy, Banker; 1. A. Lierlie, Clerk. Meets the last Wed- nesday of each month.
YOEMEN.
This lodge was reorganized in 1903 with twenty-five charter members. Present officers: Mrs. Annie Me Williams, Foreman : Carrie White. Correspon- dent. It now has a membership of seventy-three.
CHURCHES.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian church of Norwalk, was organized in 1866, with a class of twenty members. The church building was erected in 1872, during the pastorate of Elder Gaston, and dedicated by Elder Neil Cheatham. Elder Wessel Stevenson is the present pastor. Present membership, one hundred and twenty- five. Raised last year for pastoral support, $800. This church has a Ladies' Aid Society of thirty members; Mrs. Stepheny, president. W. F. Dessenberg is the Sunday school superintendent. The school has an enrollment of one hun- dred and twenty. The annual incidental expenses of the church is $100. A C. W. B. M. of eighteen members, Miss Mande Thomas, president. This society gave to missions last year $100.
331
IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
METHODIST CHURCHI.
The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1856 with the following members: Benoni Black, Mary Black, Peter Black, Thomas M. Wilson, Eliza Wilson, Jane Onstott, Jesse Inff, Mary Huff, George Blosser, Dorcas Blosser, John Kern, and Miriam Kern. The first church was built during the pastorate of D. B. Clary, in 1868, at a cost of $3,600; and dedicated in 1869 by Rev. A. C. Williams. The present church building was erected in 1896, at a cost of $7,000, during the pastorate of A. A. Thompson. Present membership, one hundred and fifty. Raised for pastoral support last year, $650; missions and other benevolences, $300. The Sunday school has an enrollment of one hundred and fifteen ; C. B. Kern, Sunday school superintendent. Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Allen, president. Epworth League, Lester Cooley, president. W. F. M. S., Mrs. M. R. Harned, president. Board of Trustees, D. W. Yount, president. Present Pastor, M. R. Harned.
Norwalk circuit has long been considered one of the most desirable charges in the Des Moines conference; and some of the ablest pastors in the conference have served this charge.
WOMAN'S CLUB.
A Reading Cirele was organized in 1894, with twelve members. In 1897, the circle was reorganized and named the Norwalk Woman's Club. Its object is purely literary, at present pursuing the Bay View course of study. Present membership, seventeen. Present officers : Mrs. Margaret Dixon, president; Mrs. Birdie Guthrie, vice-president; Mrs. Minnie Cassidy, secretary; Mrs. Emma Arnold, treasurer.
·CUMMING.
II. M. Thatcher: Station Agent.
General Stock Merchandise: John Malone.
Druggist and Physician : Dr. Cochran.
General Stock and Merchandise: Cale & Misner.
Cummings Bank : Simon Cassidy, president ; William Glynn, cashier. Blacksmith : Cupp & Harless.
Barber: C. L. Huston.
Blacksmith: Thomas Tryer.
Harness Shop : D. K. Wagner.
Feed Mill : Haynes Bros.
Meat Market: John Fagon. Implements : J. J. Cahill. .
General Store: J. Gillespie.
Contractor: John Van Hinning.
Lumber Yard: L. Olive.
Postmaster: John Malone. One rural route established in 1903.
332
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
LODGES.
M. W. A.
This lodge was organized December 28. 1896, with thirteen charter mem- bers. Present membership. one hundred and three. Officers: George Aller, Con. ; T. J. Frazier, Adviser; D. W. Harless, Clerk ; Frank Patterson, Watch- man ; T. F. Doheny. Banker; Dr. Cochran, Physician.
CHURCHES.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church was built by Father O. O'Roronick in 1893, at a cost of $4,000, with sixty families in the parish. Present pastor, Father Gleason of Valley Junction.
FRIENDS' CHURCH.
This church was built in 1880, at a cost of $1,400, and the society organized with about sixty charter members. The parsonage is on the same lot with the church, and occupied by the present pastor, E. Loft. C. L. Jenks is the Sunday school superintendent. The enrollment is forty. Pastoral support last year, $300. Present membership, sixty-five.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The church building was erected in 1892. during the pastorate of Fred L. Stevenson, and cost $1,700. Lawrence Ivenson, Class Leader. Mrs. Fagan, Steward. Rev. M. R. Harned, Present Pastor. Paid last year for pastoral sup- port, $100; and for benevolences. $50.
Cumming, located on the Chicago Great Western Railway, was laid out by Frazier Callison in 1888.
The first house was built by George Bowers. A. E. Cross was the first merchant.
ORILLIA.
Orillia, a station on the Chicago Great Western Railway, was laid out in 1887. on land belonging to James Melain, who was one of the early settlers of Linn township, locating there in 1852, on government land.
Station Agent : J. Rockefeller.
General Store and Implements: J. Rockefeller.
Postmaster: J. Rockefeller. One rural route established in 1902.
1. 1. Miller: Stock Dealer. Ships about fifty ear loads of cattle per year.
333
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
M. E. CHURCH.
The Orillia M. E. church was formerly called Pleasant Ridge, and was organized in 1873 with John Thompson and wife, Hiram Baker and wife, M. A. Bently and wife, Philip Hull and family, Mr. Clark and wife, J. W. MeClain and wife as original members. During the pastorate of J. A. Smith the first church building was erected, and dedicated by Bishop E. G. Andrews. The building cost $1,500. There is a Ladies' Aid Society and a Sunday school con- neeted with the church. Current expenses last year, $60; benevolences, $75; ministerial support, $200. The church is being repaired at the present time, and will shortly be reopened. Present pastor, J. D. O'Dell. A large number of pastors have served this society, among whom have been some of the ablest in the Des Moines conference.
OTTER TOWNSHIP.
Otter township is the same as township 75, north of range 23, west of the 5th P. M. of Iowa.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Township Trustees : Jos. Clmumbley, Indianola; Sherman Guy, Milo; Wil- liam Clark, Indianola.
Township Clerk : Fred O. Nutting, Indianola.
Township Assessor: Elbert Woods.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund, none.
Trustees Road Report :
Cash on Hand January 1st, 1907 $ .54
Received From County Treasurer 1,082.89
$1,083.43
Paid for Labor and Material
$1,074.79
Balance on Hand 8.64
$1,083.43
The following is condensed from the county superintendent's report of the public schools for Otter township, for the year ending July 1st, 1907.
Otter township has eight independent rural school districts and eight school buildings valued at $5,250. School was maintained on an average of seven and one-half months during the year. One male teacher was employed at a compensa- tion of $37.90 per month, and seventeen female teachers were employed at an average compensation of $31.20 per month. There were two hundred and twenty- one persons of school age in the district, and an average attendance of one Indred and fourteen. Average cost of tuition per mouth for each pupil, $2.53.
Otter township received its name from that very interesting little animal-
334
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
the otter. To the people of today, it seems almost incredible that the otter was an inhabitant of this part of the country. But the old settlers aver that there is no mistake, that the little animal really occupied a place in Otter township in considerable numbers. As a fur producer it has no superior in this region. The otter is very choice in its food, subsisting almost entirely on fish. It catches a fish, brings it to land, takes the fish between its forepaws, begins at the head and proceeds to devour toward the tail, rarely, if ever, eating the tail. The reason that present day people are somewhat skeptical in reference to the otter ever having been a resident of this part is, feeding as it does upon fish, it usually burrows in the vicinity of large streams. Perhaps there was a sufficient amount of fish in Otter creek and South river to justify a colony of them to make Otter township its headquarters. The Otter spends a considerable part of its time in play. Selecting a suitable place-a steep hill-side, it slides down and walks back and slides down again, and thus continues the sport. Ages before the Canadian young people engaged in tobogganing, the otter had enjoyed the sport in all continents, for it is a world-wide settler. It is well that its name should be preserved in the name of one of Warren county's townships. The names of towns and places are not only signifieant and serve to designate and give indviduality, but often are historical and perpetuate a historical item in a way that cannot otherwise be done. So Otter township will ever bring to mind the wild, timorous, little animal, so rich in fur-bearing as to be sought by people of all regions.
Otter township is drained by Otter creek, which runs through the entire township from south to north, and by South river flowing through its northern portion. There is some rough land in this township, but the most of it lays well. It contains many choice farms. Originally there were considerable quantities of native timber in this township. but the woodman's axe has not left much of it. No coal mines have been developed in this township. The Indianola and Chariton railway branch eurves into this township for a short distance. There are no villages in the township. In an early day Hammonds- burg, in this township, bid fair to be a prosperous town, but when the railroad was built and Milo located, a large part of Hammondsburg was moved to the Milo site. A small portion of Milo is in Otter, so that the people of this town- ship have the advantages of the town of Milo. The northwest corner of Otter is within a mile of Indianola, and Ackworth station is within two miles of the township, thus transportation facilities for the people of this region are fairly good. Levi Hollingsworth, the Baleses. R. M. Hightower and Alfred Clark were the first settlers in Otter township. R. M. Hightower came in the spring of 1846, and lived for more than a generation on the same farm. According to his statement, there were but three families in the county south of the "strip" when he settled in Otter township: these three families lived north of Sandy- ville. Mr. Hightower voted at the first election held in the county at the Ginder schoolhouse east of Ackworth. He helped to organize the township, and did his part in the development of the county. Alfred Clark came abont the same time and settled in section 11, and entered his land when it came into market, and
335
IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
still resides upon it. Ellen Graham Richardson, a daughter of James and Mary Graham, was born in this township, in 1849. There were several other births in the township earlier than hers.
The Christian Union church in Hannnoudsburg, was organized October 10, 1889, with twenty members. The church building was erected in 1874, repaired in 1890 at a cost of $400. There is a Sunday school in counection with this church. The current expenses of the church are about $150. At present there are seventy members. The following pastors have served this church: C. G. Hollingsworth, oue year; Joseph Griffin, one year; K. D. Wolf, one year; W. D. Pond, four years; C. S. Fair, seven years; Andrew Dorrel, three years; N. D. Gordon, one year.
There is a Methodist Episcopal church, called Brown's Chapel, located on section 19, in this township. At present there is a membership of eighty-five. This church sustains an interesting Sunday school ; W. F. Butler, superintendent.
PALMYRA TOWNSHIP.
Pahuyra township is immediately south of Richland and Allen townships.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justice of the Peace: H. E. Woods, Palmyra.
Township Trustees : Richard Butcher, Indianola ; E. E. Gardner, Indianola ; T. J. Nicholls, Palmyra.
Township Clerk: J. A. Morris, Carlisle.
Township Assessor : William Dillon.
Warrants Drawn on the Poor Fund :
Food and Clothing
$192.89
House Rent and Fuel
9.00
Medical Aid 10.00
Burial Expenses
11.50
$223.39
Trustees Road Report :
Cash on Hand January 1st, 1907
$ 129.57
Received From County Treasurer 886.73
$1,016.30
Paid for Labor and Material
$ 839.22
Balance on Hand 177.08
$1,016.30
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's report of the public schools for Palmyra township, for the year ending July 1. 1907.
336
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Palmyra township has six independent rural school districts with a school honse in each district, the total value of which is $3,400. School was maintained seven and one-half months during the year. There were eleven females employed at an average compensation of $33.50 per month. There are one hundred and ninety-seven persons of school age in the districts. The average attendance dur- ing the year is one hundred and teu. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil is $2.05.
PALMYRA INDEPENDENT DISTRICT.
Palmyra has one school building of two rooms valned at $1,400, and main- tains school nine months of the year. It employs one male teacher as a compen- sation of $46.00 per month, and one female teacher at a compensation of $40.00 per month. There are sixty persons of school age in the district; average at- tendance, forty-three. Average cost of tuition per month for each pupil, $1.80.
Palmyra township in boundary, is one of the most irregular in the county. The townships in the north half of the county, excepting the two western, are all irregular in boundary. A student looking on the map can conceive of no reason why the boundaries have been fixed as they are. Perhaps the first set- tlers who determined these boundaries, had good and sufficient reasons for the same, which have not been handed down to the present generation. Palmyra township contains as many good farms and as little waste land as any township in the county. It has long been noted for its excellent farm improvements, and for the fine herds of blooded cattle, owned by the farmers. Some of these herds are not only equal to any in the state, but to any in the west. The farms are generally well improved and are in an excellent state of cultivation. The history of Palmyra township begins with the history of the county. Part of it was in the "strip" about which so much has already been said. It was settled by white men while this part of the country was still in the hands of the Indians. Wil- liam Mason located in this township in 1845. and it is generally conceded that he plowed the first furrow in Warren county. The Myricks, Henry James, Obadiah Iligby and the Farleys were among the early settlers. Matt Farley was born near Palmyra, November 10, 1846, and was one of the first white children born in the county. There is no railroad in this township, and but one village, Pal- myra. The town of Palmyra was laid out by John Farley and J. F. Moorman.
Directory : II. E. Woods, variety store; W. R. Schooler, general store; G. C. Gillette, blacksmith ; JJ. E. Reed and J. D. Blake, physicians; James Myrick. harness shop ; Silas Igo, auctioneer. The people of Pahnyra get their mail on a route from Carlisle. The township is without a postoffice.
L
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
In the spring of 1852. John Kitchell organized a class of Methodists, com- posed of the following members: John Kitebell, Esther Kitehell, Ley Am Kitehell, Sylvester Farley, Elizabeth Farley. Jane Farley, Lucinda Paul, Eri W. Fonts, Filethe Fonts, Phebe Fonts, Smith Parker, Mary Parker and Imeinda Lundy. John Kitehell, class leader. Eri Fonts, steward. The religious services
337
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
were held in the schoolhouse. The first board of trustees were: E. W. Fonts, John Kitchell. Sylvester Farley, John Morris and Michael Laverty. E. L. Briggs was the first pastor. In a short time there were added to this class seventeen members. The first church building was commenced in 1855, and completed in the early part of 1856. In fourteen years it became necessary to have a church of larger dimensions. In 1870 the present church building was erected with a seating capacity of 500. For many years it was the largest church in Warren county.
FRIENDS' CHURCH.
The first Friends' church in Palmyra township was organized about the year 1849; one among the first religions organizations in the county. The con- stitnent members were: Thomas Rees and family, Robert Rees and family. Solomon Kight and family. A. Johnson and family, Charles Hinshaw and family. Rhodema Newlin and husband were pastors of this church in an early day. The first ehnreh building was erected in 1849. It was a log building, erected by the members of the church and the neighbors, and was used for both school and church purposes. Later a frame building was erected and paid for by sub- scriptions, and this building was also used for both school and church purposes. Later, another church building has been erected by a branch of the Friends' church, known as the Progressives.
Philo G. C. Merrill of Palmyra township, was a member of the senate in the Tenth General Assembly, and John II. Miller, who still resides in the township. represented Warren connty in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly.
LODGE.
The Palmyra Lodge, No. 146. I. O. O. F., was organized in October, 1867. with fourteen charter members. Present officers: Walter Tallboy, N. G. ; Samnel Garrett, V. G .; D. A. Craig. Treasurer ; G. Epps. Secretary ; J. W. Bruce, War- den. Present membership, twenty-nine.
RICIILAND TOWNSHIP.
Richland township is the northeast township in the county, and is bounded on the north by the Des Moines river; on the west by Allen and Palmyra town- ships ; on the sonth by Union township ; and on the cast by Marion county.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justices of the Peace: W. H. Robertson, Carlisle; Earnest Shepherd, Hartford.
Township Trustees: A. Myrick, Ford; Geo. Patterson, Carlisle; Sanford Wilson, Hartford.
Constable : E. W. Canady, Carlisle.
Township Clerk : Ed Owens. Hartford.
Township Assessor: W. W. Gninn.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund.
338
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Food for clothing $122.40
Medical Aid 206.25
$328.65
Trustees Road Report.
Cash on hand January 1. 1907 $ .39
Received from County Treasurer 863.02
Received from A. W. Freel 2.25
$865.66
Paid for labor and material
$812.42
Balance on hand 53.24
$865.66
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's Report of the Public Schools for Richland township for the year ending July 1. 1907.
HARTFORD GRADED SCHOOL.
The independent district of Hartford has one school building of two rooms. vahied at $1,100. It maintains a school for eight months of the year. There was one male teacher employed. at a salary of $40 per month ; and one female teacher. at a salary of $32.50 per month. There are sixty-seven persons of school age in the district. The average attendance for the year forty-six : average cost of tuition per pupil per month $1.57.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP SUB-DISTRICTS.
Richland township has nine sub-districts with a schoolhouse in each, the total value. $2.675. The schools taught in the year average eight months. There were four male teachers employed, at an average salary of $32.55 per month ; and fourteen female teachers, at an average salary of $31.24 per month. There are two hundred and eighteen persons of school age in the township sub- districts. The average attendance, one hundred and five : average cost of tuition per pupil per month, $2.87.
Richland township is one of the smaller townships in the county. containing less than thirty-six sections. It is the northeast township of the county. the first settled. contained probably more timber than any other township in the county. Indeed, if the timber had been properly husbanded, it would have been sufficient to supply the wants of the entire county. It was in this township that the Government saw-mill was erected by Captain Allen and John D. Parmelee. and here the first destruction of Warren county timber began that was so ruth- lessly carried forward until the native timber has almost entirely disappeared. There were groves of magnificent walnut trees. Some of them were made into rails, and some sawed into boards, and the large limbs were left to rot or be burned on the ground. Many of those trees would today be worth $100 cach possibly more, but they are gone. On the hills there were beautiful oak trees.
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