USA > Iowa > Washington County > The history of Washington County, Iowa, its cities, towns, and c., a biographical directory of its citizens > Part 39
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Samnel Wood was born in Licking connty, Ohio, in 1824. He emi-
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grated to Iowa in 1845 and soon after settled in the vicinity of Holcomb's mill. He still resides in Marion township.
Wm. Scranton was born in Indiana in the year 1831. He came with his father to Washington county and settled in Marion township. He now re- sides in Clay township on a claim made by William Craven. He was vis- iting at the house of John G. Stewart, in Franklin township, in 1872, when his child was lost.
Early in January, 1841, a gentleman settled at Brighton by the name of I. H. Friend. He was a native of Massachusetts and had been bred a man of business. He was born in the year 1817, and, although a comparatively young man at the time of coming to Iowa, he had met with reverses in trade and came West to repair his fortunes. It was fortunate for the coun- try that such a man came at that time. He was not the first merchant of Brighton, but he was the first one of the county who threw enough enter- prise and energy into business to make a good home market for produce and at the same time establish a trade in this, as well as adjoining counties. After conducting business on a small scale for a number of years, in which he succeded far beyond his expectations, lie at length embarked in more daring and expensive operations. He erected a pork-packing establish- ment and began the business of buying and packing hogs. The packing establishment was located in the northeast part of Brighton near the pres- ent site of Edwards & Son's livery stable. He followed the business some five years, packing from six to seven thousand head annually. The prices paid ranged from $1.25 to $2.00 per cwt., net. During the latter part of winter the pork was hauled to Burlington in wagons and sleds, and in the spring was shipped to St. Louis and New Orleans. Mr. Friend also engaged in the grain trade heavily, and purchased as much as ten thousand bushels of wheat annually. Part of the wheat he had made into flour and shipped down Skunk river on a flat-boat and from there- on the Mississippi river to St. Lonis. Shipping produce on flat-boats down Skunk river was a very hazardous business. The first attempt in that line was made by Gilbert Lewell. In 1843 this gentleman rigged a boat and loaded it chiefly with beef and pork. The destination was St. Louis, and the boat with its cargo proceeded safely till arriving at Wilson's mill, when the boat struck the dam and went to pieces. The cargo was a total loss, the crew barely escaping with their lives.
The next attempt was made by William Compton, who constructed a boat and loaded it with corn and potatoes. His boat got through all right and the cargo was disposed of at the St. Louis market at a sufficient ad- vance to leave the shipper quite a margin for his venture. This was in 1844. The next year Mr. Friend and a man by the name of Heaton loaded up two flat-boats. Heaton's boat was loaded with a cargo of sixteen hun- dred bushels of wheat. Friend's cargo consisted of four hundred and fifty barrels of flour. Each craft had a crew of four hands beside a pilot. There were arrangements on the boat for boarding the crew and they were paid thirty-seven and a half cents a day and boarded. They jumped seven dams between between Brighton and the mouth of Skunk river and made the trip in safety, arriving at St. Louis where they disposed of their cargoes at quite a profit. It required three weeks to make the round trip. The trip required more time from the fact that they tied up every night for fear of accidents. The trip on the Mississippi was easy and comparatively free from danger, the chief difficulty being on the Skunk river in jumping the
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dams and eluding the snags which were numerons along that part of the route. In jumping the dam at Wilson's mill, where Lewell's boat went to pieces a few years previous, one of their boats came within a few inches of striking a corner of the mill, in which case the boat would have gone to pieces and the cargo would have been lost.
The last boating that was done was by G. M. Fisher and G. W. McCul- lough. They constructed a boat and having loaded it with corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, brooms, etc., set out for St. Louis; between Brighton and Deedsville, now Merrimack, their boat struck a snag and sunk; the cargo, valued at $2,000, was a total loss. In after years trips were freqently made to St. Louis in skiffs with little difficulty.
Daniel Elliott settled in Brighton township in 1846. He visited the county the year previous and bonght the claim then held by Jeremiah Gor- don. He resided on that claim until about ten years ago when he removed to Brighton, where he now resides. Mr. Elliott is a native of Ohio and is nearing his three score years and ten. With him came to the county quite a number of individuals from the same neighborhood, among others, J. P. Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton and David Robertson; some of them still live in the vicinity of Brighton.
William B. Lewis was born in Kentucky in 1806; made a trip to Iowa in 1840 and visited the Brighton neighborhood. He made the entire dis- tance of four hundred and fifty miles on horseback in ten days. After looking at the country he returned to his home in Kentucky where he re- mained for a number of years. In 1844 he came back to Iowa, this time to stay. He bought a claim in Brighton township, north of Skunk river, and the following year moved his family on it, where he still resides.
Mr. Lewis has been quite an active and influential citizen of the county. In 1860 his fellow-citizens honored him with the office of State senator. He served ont his term of office with satisfaction to his constituents and credit to himself. He has also served his township by discharging the du- ties of various offices to which he has been elected. On the 25th day of November, 1878, he celebrated his golden wedding. There were about one hundred and fifty guests present and the occasion was one of great enjoy- ment.
The following also settled in and around Brighton between 1840 and 1846: S. G. Rhodes, settled in 1843; R. S. Mills, in 1841; Jacob Dillon, in 1843; J. R. Shields, in 1844; D. B. Dey, in 1845; J. E. Hoagland, in 1843; James H. Smith, in 1846; James Frederick, in 1841; W. D. Hoag- land, in 1840.
One of the most enterprising and talented citizens that has settled in the southwestern part of the county settled on Dutch creek in 1844, and after living there about one year removed to Brighton, where he now resides. Reference is had to the Honorable O. H. Prizer. He was born in Pennsyl- vania in the year 1815, and is a fair representative of a certain class of men who, borne forward by a restless spirit of enterprise, left the well-improved country of the East where they were in comfortable, if not affluent circum- stances, and pushed out into the almost untrodden wilds of the West to found homes and win fortunes. In 1850 Mr. Prizer joined the innumerable caravan which moved to the golden sands of the Pacific and after spending some two years returned to his former home at Brighton. It may be said that, notwithstanding his brief absence in California, for thirty-five years, Mr. Prizer has been a resident of Washington county and acted a leading
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part in its history. He was chosen at the election of 1879 to represent the county in the State senate and those who know the gentlemen best have the greatest confidence in his ability to make a brilliant record in the coun- cils of the State.
Joseph Keck, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Iowa in 1843, and set- tled in Washington. Some time previous Norman Everson settled in Washington. Like Mr. Prizer, these men came West, not because they failed to find employment for their varied talents amid the busy scenes of their Eastern homes; such rare talent for business as they possessed finds ready employment anywhere. They came West because they believed that there was a better opening in the new and rapidly developing country west of the Mississippi. It was well for this country that such men did come. Amid the stirring, active and almost reckless push of business speculation every community needed just such enterprising yet safe men of business, with cool heads yet active brains who could safely pilot the finances over this stormy sea of speculation and yet keep up with the onward march of improvement. Mr. Keck began as a cabinet-maker; Mr. Everson started a school teacher. The former after successfully passing through the vicis- sitndes of every business enterprise in which he embarked at length ar- rived at a position at the head of one of the most substantial and popular financial institutions in the State; the latter having entered one of the most honored of the learned professions in which lie was more than usual- ly successful, and having done probably more than other man to improve the city has in late years abandoned the practice of law in order to accept the position made vacant by the retirement of the former to private life.
The name of Chilcote is familiar to any one who has long been a resident of Washington county. Representatives of this family came to the county in 1843. They were from Ohio and came of a thrifty and active line of an- cestors. Some of them settled in the town and some in the country, and all have taken an active part in all the enterprises which constitute the history of the county.
In 1842 Henry Parr, John Vincent, Thomas Vincent, Robert Allen and William Robertson settled in Washington. They were from Pennsylvania and came by boat from Wheeling to Burlington. They all became promi- nent citizens of the county. Vincent afterward moved to a farm in the vicinity of Brighton where he still resides. Allen remained in Washing- ton for a short time and then took a claim some three miles southwest of town. Here he erected a commodious house where travelers were frequently entertained, and which was for years known as the Allen House. He now resides near Brighton, and is a part owner of the Brighton Mills.
Daniel Yockey was born in Pennsylvania in 1818. He came to Washing- ton in 1842. Afterward he embarked in the Inmber trade, in which he is still engaged in Brighton. Mr. Yockey was an active anti-slavery agitator in early days, and relates some interesting incidents transpiring in the county during the time when the underground railroad was in operation. John Kilgore, who settled in the county in 1845, also assisted runaway slaves to make their escape. Some interesting incidents relating to this matter will appear in a subsequent chapter. Mr. Allen and his brother erected the old court-house on the public square in Washington. He was also for some years engaged in the marble business, and put up the first tombstone in Washington cemetery; it was erected for R. R. Walker, one of the first merchants of Washington.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
About the year 1840 a family by the name of Anderson settled in the vicinity of Washington. The head of the family was Baalam Anderson, who was born in Virginia in 1793. He served under Gen. Harrison during the war of 1812. He was a tanner by trade and until coming to Washing- ton followed that business. When he came to the county he bought a claim of Presley Saunders, of Mt. Pleasant, for which he paid two hundred dollars. Several of his descendants have been leading citizens of the county, some of whom still reside here; his widow Willmine Anderson still resides in the old neighborhood; she is now approaching her ninetieth anni- versary.
Clark Alexander settled in Washington in 1845. He was employed for some time in the various offices of the county; he died in 1853. After the death of Alexander, his widow married James McKee, an early settler. Mr. McKee died in 1873 and his widow, Mrs. Sarah McKee, still resides in Washington.
William Corbin was born in Kentucky in 1805. He came to Iowa and settled four miles southeast of Washington in the year 1841. Mr. Corbin was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and many exciting events which occurred in that war are still fresh in his memory. He still lives on the claim which he originally took southeast of Washington.
Mrs. Jane Curry is still living in Washington. Her maiden name was Mitchell. In company with her husband, Moses Curry, she came to Washı- ington in 1842. Her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Anderson, was born in the year 1844, and she is probably the oldest native of Washington still residing in the town. Mr. Moses Curry helped to lay the foundation of the first church built in town. It went by the name of the Seceder Church. Mr. Curry died in October, 1844.
Robert McConnell is a native of the Emerald Isle and one of the early settlers of the county. He first settled in Pennsylvania. From there he came to Iowa and settled in Washington county in 1845. For one year he lived on a farm belonging to Mr. Kilgore. The next year he moved on the land previously purchased about three miles southeast of Washington, where he still resides.
Whoever lived in Washington county in early days knew of a man by the name of Basil Williams. He came to Washington in 1844. He was deputy sheriff for a number of years. During his connection with the sher- iff's office William McCanley was arrested for murder, and owing to the in- secure condition of the jail it was no small matter to answer for the security of prisoners. Mr. Williams also for a number of years was engaged in teaming. He made regular trips from Washington to Burling- ton and return.
Fred. L. Rchkopf is a representative of that class of emigrants, who next to native born Americans have done most to develop the material resources of the country. He was born in Germany in 1819. He first went to New Orleans, then came to Washington in 1843. After being here a short time became discouraged and removed to Memphis, and after a residence in the latter place of some ten years he again returned to Washington, where he still resides.
Samuel Conner, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Washington in 1844. He first was employed by Mr. Samuel H. Joy, who had the contract of building the old Seceder Church. The church had been completed one story high the previous fall, but the persons having the matter in charge
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concluded to add another story for school purposes. Mr. Conner is still a resident of Washington.
The town of Washington presented quite an animated appearance during the years 1841 and 1842. At this time numerons buildings were in conrse of erection. B. P. Baldwin, who came to the town in 1841 and who is a carpenter by trade, could probably tell more about such matters than any other man now living at the county-seat. Among others who settled in and abont Washington, during the period now referred to, the following are worthy of mention: James Lemon, Richard B. McMillan, Wm. Benson, Samnel B. Coulter, and Andrew Spillard.
Between the years 1840 and 1846 there was a heavy immigration into the north part of the county. There was probably a larger per cent of increase in that section during that period than in any other part of the county.
William M. Gwin, who settled in the vicinity of Richmond in 1843, still resides on his original claim. He has probably lived in the State longer than any other inhabitant of the county, he having come to Des Moines county in 1835. Mrs. Mary Bear, Mrs. Martha Snyder and Mrs. Elizabeth Adams, sisters of Mr. Gwin, are also very early settlers, they having come to the connty abont the same time. Absalom Bush settled on a claim one mile west of Richmond in the year 1846; he says there were but three houses in the town at that time.
J. F. Hamilton was born in Western Virginia in 1805. He settled in sec- tion 4, township 77, range 7, in 1844. He still resides on his original claim.
Ephraim Adams came from Ohio in 1842 and settled in the north part of the county near the Johnson county line, in the region at one time called "Snake Hollow." He still resides at the same place.
Eli H. Adams came in 1840. He still resides a few miles west of Rich- mond, where he first settled.
John S. Maple was born in Pennsylvania in 1810. He visited the connty in 1845 and while here bought a farm of a gentleman by the name of Wright, some three miles west of Richmond. The next year he moved to the claim. He now resides in Lime Creek township where he is engaged in farming and milling. Upon moving to the county he brought with him . a son, named Simon G., then two years old, who still resides in the same neighborhood.
Presley Figgins was born in Ohio in 1805. He removed to Iowa in com- pany of T. B. Davis and settled on a claim near Richmond. When he set- tied in that neighborhood there were but six families living south of Eng- lish river; they were the families of Gideon Bear, "Paddy Connelly," Elijah Lander, John Hobbs, John Oloughlin, and George Oloughlin.
Peter Sharp settled southeast of Richmond in 1846. He afterward re- moved to Richmond, where he still lives.
Thomas B. Dawson came to the county in 1840, and bought a claim of one Hill, giving for it a horse, saddle and bridle, valned at $75. This claim included the land upon which Richmond is located. He laid ont the town during the first year of his residence in the county, and since then has laid ont two additions to the town.
Leander C. Dawson came to the county with his father, and settled some distance east of Richmond, where he now resides.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
William S. Britton settled in the northwest part of English River town- ship, in 1842. He still resides on the original claim.
Michael Ween was born in Germany in 1815; came to the United States of America in 1836. After roaming about for some time he settled in the northwest part of the county in May, 1841. He has followed the black- smithing business a large portion of the time since coming to the county.
John Shilling, a native of Alsace, France, settled in Iowa township in 1842. He afterward moved to English River township.
Brantley Bray settled in the northeast part of the county in 1843. He has lived on the same spot of ground ever since coming to the county. Austin Bray and Madison Lander settled in the same county the same time.
PIONEER LIFE.
Upon the admission of the State into the Union the county had closed the first decade of its history, and entered upon the second decade with most flattering prospects for the future. With a population of about 3,500 at that time it has grown until the population exceeds 20,000. The devel- opment of material resources, and the progress of religions and educational enterprises, have fully kept pace with the increase of population, so that those promises of the future have been fully kept, and those who were citi- zens of the county at that time and are now residing within its bounds can say that their most sanguine expectations have been more than met.
During the decade which comprehended the first ten years of its history, the settlement of Washington county was in its earliest stage of pioneer life. All that can be known of this period must be drawn chiefly from tradition.
In those days the people took no care to preserve history-they were too busily engaged in making it. Historically speaking, those were the most important years of the county, for it was then the foundation and corner- stones of all the country's history and prosperity were laid. Yet this period was not remarkable for stirring events. It was, however, a time of self- reliance and brave, persevering toil; of privations cheerfully endured through faith in a good time coming. The experience of one settler was just about the same as that of others. They were almost invariably poor, they faced the same hardships and stood generally on any equal footing.
All the experience of the early pioneers of this county goes far to con- firm the theory that, after all, happiness is pretty evenly balanced in this world. They had their privations and hardships, but they had also their own peculiar joys. If they were poor they were free from the burden of pride and vanity; free, also, from the anxiety and care that always attend the possession of wealth. Other people's eyes cost them nothing. If they had few neighbors, they were on the best of terms with those they had. Envy, jealousy and strife had not crept in. A common interest and a com- mon sympathy bound them together with the strongest ties. They were a little world to themselves, and the good feeling that prevailed was all the stronger because they were so far removed from the great world of the East.
There was a peculiar sort of free-masonry among the pioneers. New- comers were made welcome, and ready hands assisted them in building their homes. . Neiglibors did not even wait for an invitation or request to help one another. Was a settler's cabin burned or blown down? No sooner was the fact known throughout the neighborhood than the settlers
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assembled to assist the unfortunate one to rebuild his home. They came with as little hesitation, and with as much alacrity, as though they were all members of the same family, and bound together by ties of blood. One man's interest was every other man's interest also. Now this general state of fecling among the pioneers was by no means peculiar to this country, although it was strongly illustrated here. It prevailed generally through- ont the West during the time of the early settlement. The very nature of things taught the settlers the necessity of dwelling together in this spirit. It was their only protection. They had come far away from the well-estal)- lished reign of law and entered a new country where the civil authority was still feeble, and totally unable to afford protection and redress grievances. Here in Washington county the settlers lived for quite a time before there was a single officer of the law in the county. Each man's protection was in the good will and friendship of those about him, and the thing any man might well dread was the ill will of the community. It was more terrible than the law. It was no uncommon thing in the early times for hardened men, who had no fears of jails or penitentiaries, to stand in great fear of the indignation of a pioneer community.
Owing to the fact that some of the early settlers were energetic mill- wrights, who employed all their energy and what means they possessed in erecting mills at a few of the favorable mill-sites which abound in the county, yet going to mill in those days, when there were no roads, no bridges, no ferry-boats, and scarcely any convenience for traveling, was no small task, where so many rivers and treacherous streams were to be crossed, and such a trip was often attended with great danger to the traveler when these streams were swollen beyond their banks. But even under these cir- cumstances some of the more adventurous and ingenious ones, in cases of emergency, found the way and means by which to cross the swollen streams and succeed in making the trip. At other times, again, all attempts failed them, and they were compelled to remain at home until the waters sub- sided, and depend on the generosity of their fortunate neighbors.
An interesting comparison might be drawn between the conveniences which now make the life of the farmer a comparatively easy one, and the almost total lack of such conveniences in early days. A brief description of the accommodations possessed by the first tillers of this soil will be now given. Let the children of such illustrious sires draw their own compari- sons, and may the results of these comparisons silence the voice of com- plaint which so often is heard in the land.
The only plows they had at first were what they styled " bull plows." The mould-boards were generally of wood, but in some cases they were half wood and half iron. The man who had one of the latter description was looked upon as something of an aristocrat. But these old " bull plows " did good service, and they must be awarded the honor of first stirring the soil of Washington county.
It was quite a time after the first settlement before there was a single store in the county. Rude fire-places were built in the cabin chimneys, and they served for warmth, cooking and ventilation.
The first buildings in the county were not just like the log cabins that immediately succeeded them. These latter required some help and a good deal of labor to build. The very first buildings constructed were a cross between "hoop cabins" and Indian bark huts. As soon as enough men could be got together for a " cabin raising" then log cabins were in style.
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Many a pioneer can remember the happiest time of his life as that when he lived in one of these homely but comfortable and profitable old cabins.
A window with sash and glass was a rarity, and was an evidence of wealth and aristocracy which but few could support. They were often made with greased paper put over the window, which admitted a little light, but more often there was nothing whatever over it, or the cracks between the logs, without either chinking or daubing, was the dependence for light and air.
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