The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 108

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 108

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At the meeting held Aug. 26-27 1897, J. C. Strong presided, and addresses the following officers: J. C. Strong, were delivered by Swan Nelson, C. M.

president, E. A. Donahoe, secretary, Saylor, James Henderson, J. W. Car- A. J. Stover, treasurer, and a vice- son, Ex-Governor C C. Carpenter of president from each township. In Fort Dodge and Major Bailey of Prim- the evening a camp fire was conducted gar. A large tent was secured for by Dr. David Nowlan, commander. this occasion. Music was furnished The barbacue was prepared and serv. by a drum corps and the Folian ed by Frank Stott, assisted by J. W. Warblers of Humboldt. J. W. Carson and W. J. O'Brien. O'Brien superintended the barbecue One cannot but admire the courage and even the neck of the ox was de- and perserverance of those who licious. The sports arranged for the settled in the north part of this coun- next day were prevented by the rain. ty in the early days of long distances

At the third annual meeting, Sept. and of exposure to hard winters and 14, 1898, J. C. Strong presided, Mayor stormy blizzards. When looking S. H. Gill delivered the address of across the prairie they saw the smoke welcome, and County Attorney, Will- and heard the whistle of the locomo- iam Hazlett, the response. Rev. Jesse tive, their loneliness departed and a Cole delivered the principal address. new impetus was given the work of Others that participated were j. W. improvement. . Their perseverance Carson, James Rodda of Co. K. 52 during the period, when they had to. Iowa (just returned from Chicamauga) make bricks without straw, was the A. H. Hancher and Frank L. MacVay. harbinger of their greater success The last speaker, as a barefooted boy after the dawn of the new era. had herded cattle on the prairies now

The grateful sentiment prompting occupied by the towns of Havelock, these reunions was neatly expressed Rolfe. Plover, and Curlew, remember- in an address of welcome by S. II. ed when the ox teams in Powhatan Gill out-numbered the horses, when John

"The younger generations realize

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

what they owe to the pioneers whose endurance of hardships opened the way for the grand possibilities that have been abundantly improved. We

whom at eleven, he moved to Wapello, Iowa. After completing his studies also recognize the debt of gratitude in the high school in 1878, he learned we owe the old soldiers whose valor the tinner's trade. In 1882, he en- gaged in the hardware business at Humboldt and remained until 1889, when he located at Havelock. Here he established a large hardware store and SOOU afterwards bėgan to on the battlefield made the blessings of freedom and the continuance of an undivided county, the best on the globe. On behalf of the citizens of Havelock, we greet all who have as- sembled to keep green the memory of those who have done so much for the country aud extend to you all a hearty welcome."

In a response William Hazlett Esq. said:

"The old settlers and old soldiers find added pleasures each year in these re- unions and I have the honor of ex- pressing to the people of Havelock the hearty thanks of the pioneers and veterans for your welcome and the freedom of your city. I speak also for others, the newer settlers and the younger generation-those who have never gone to war or made a county. We take great pleasure in this day, be- cause we honor the men who saved the freedom and liberty of this coun- try and the men and women who wrestled this beautiful country from the wilds of nature. We like to sit at their feet and learn the wisdom of the past. The old settlers tell us of the hardships of leaving the old home, their aged fathers and mothers; their coming to a new country far from a railroad, crossing unbridged streams and undrained swamps, taming the wild soit through years of privations and how they made Pocahontas coun- ty productive and pri sperous-an Eden with rapidly growing towns, val- uable farms, beautiful groves and comfortable homes

"When we, the younger generation, see what has been done for us, and hear of the hardships endured to do it, we say, 'All honor to the old set- tleis who wrought and made a county for themselves, their children, their children's children, and the stranger within their gates ' It is well to meet with them and hear their stories,

that with them we may appreciate native of Niagara, Co., N. Y. In the fruits of their labors. "

LEADING CITIZENS.

Chapman and Rebecca Cox, with

maintain branch stores at Plover and Mallard, In 1896, he disposed of all his interest in the hardware business and in 1897, resumed business at Havelock as dealer in general mer- chandise. In the fall of 1900, he erect- ed the first building and opened a store in the new town of Ware. He was appointed and served as the first postmaster at Ware, from Oct. 7, 1900, to Dec. 1. 1901, when he relinquished his interests there and built a large brick store room at Havelock to meet the demands of his growing business at that place. This new building is one of the best store rooms in the county ; it contains 8,200 feet of floor space, is finished in oak and heated with steam. The stock includes dry- goods, groceries, shoes, hardware, furniture and undertaker's supplies. He; is the owner of considerable land in Iowa and Minnesota, and a leading stockholder in the Havelock Tele- phone Company. He is an enter- prising and successful business man and stands ready to promote any en- terprise that will prove a permanent benefit to the town of his adoption.

In 1886 he married Cora M. Potter, of Rolfe, and his family consists of four children, Eva, Warren P, Sam- uel W. and Eldon.

Demaray, Theron G. (b. 1866), cashier of the Bank of Havelock, is a 1870, he came to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he lived on a farm till 1885, when he commenced working for

Cox, Willett S. (b. 1862), merchant, Havelock, is a native of Oquawka, Morgan & Faneghill and was with Henderson county, Ill., the son of them till 1892, when he came to Have-

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

lock. After serving nine years as Norman heroism, their three oldest assistant, in 1897, he was appointed sons to go forth and battle for the cashier of the Bank of Havelock. He home of their adoption, during the is a republican and has served as war of the Rebellion; and under the chairman of the county central com- good providence of God, all returned mittee. In Havelock he has served home; but one of them contracted as recorder and mayor, each two years, seeds of disease that have made his as a member of the council five years, subsequent life one of constant suffer- and is now serving his third year as ing. Their three youngest sons have clerk of Washington township. He is been prominently identified with the also a mem'er of the Havelock school business interests and history of Have- board.

lock, since that town was founded.

In 1894 he married Mattie, daught- "He builds the state who to that er of Charles J. Gill, and has two task children, Ruth and Richard.

Brings strong, clean hands and purpose pure,

Gill, Samuel Henry (b. 1850), bank- er, Havelock, is a native of Ogle Who wears not virtue as a mask; county, Ill., the son of Thomas and Charlotte Plane Gill. His father (b. 1809; d. 1890), was a native of Nor-

He builds the state that shall en- dure. "

Samuel H. Gill was born and raised folk, England, and in 1836, emigrated near Byron, Ogle county, Illinois. In to Nova Scotia, where, later that year 1869, he came to Fort Dodge, preced - he married Charlotte Plane, (b. 1820; ing his father one year. In February d. 1899), who was also a native of Nor- 1872, having spent most of the pre- folk. They located first at Geneseo, vious year in Pocahontas county, he N. Y., and in 1842, at Byron, Ogle located, temporarily, on sec. 24. Colfax county, Ill , where they remained un- township. That fall he married Ida til 1870, when they came to Fort D., daughter of Gad C. Lowrey, and Dodge, Iowa. In 1882, they accom- in 1874, secured the homestead of panied their sons, Samuel and Os- Wm. R. Owen, brother of Mrs. Wm. borne W., to the ne v town of Haye- Brownlee, on the ng swi sec. 18, Bell- lock, where he died at 81 in 1890. ville township. He occupied this After his decease, Charlotte, his wife, farm three years, spent two in Pom- lived with her sister, Sarah, widow of eroy, and then returned to the farm. Benjamin Gill, who died at Havelock, When the tornado of April 21, 1878, in 1891. She died at 79 in 1889, and came one year later, destroying his was buried beside her husband at house and -causing the death of Fort Dodge. Their family consisted his wife (p. 359), he returned to Pom- of fourteen children, ton of whom are eroy. During 1879, he was engaged at still living, namely, Mrs. W. B. Fonda and the next two years at Fort Harris, Jolle, ; J. B. Gill, Fort Dodge; Dodge.

Mrs H. A. Schoonmaker, Vincent; T. B. Gill, Byron, Ill .; R P. Gill, Port- land, Oregon: Mrs. J. W. Donald

In January 1882, soon after its sur- vey, he came to the new town of Havelock, and, in partnership with Fort Dodge; Mrs. Charlotte (Wright) his brother, Osborne W., erected a Wolrod, Callender; Samuel Charles J., and Osborne W. Gill, store in the town. He continued a Havelock.

H., building and established the first partner in the store until 1887, when,

Three children died in infancy and in partnership with John C. Potter, he one son at sixteen at Fort Dodge. founded the Citizen's Bank of Have- They encouraged, with unflinching lock, an institution with which he is

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

still identified as president and prin- building, the upper story of which is cipal proprietor. He is the owner of a used as a town hall. Here they have fine farm of 360 acres adjoining Have- a splendid location and one of the best department stores in the county. lock.

He has taken the lead in the devel- He served as president of the Wash- opment of other important interests ington township school board in 1890 and the next two years as the first president of the Havelock school board.

During his residence at Fort Dodge dent of it. He was the first post- he married Anna, (b. 1854), daughter master of Havelock, March 1, 1882, to of A. W. and Cornelia Kingsley, and June 1886, and served a second term, his family consisted of four children. March 1, 1889, to May 1, 1893. He was Mattie (b. 1874) in 1894, married assessor of Washington township Theron G. Demaray, (see Demaray.) 1885-'88, four years, served five years William (b. 1873), a druggist, in 1900, married Bertha Geise, lives at Terrel as a member of the first council in Havelock and four years as mayor of and has one child, Foster.

the town, 1898 to 1901. In 1883, as an

Emma, a Havelock graduate in 1897, independent republican candidate he and a teacher, in 1899, married Clar- lacked only five votes of being elected ence Lighter and lives at Rolfe.

sheriff of this county. He has dis- covered himself to be a broad minded,

Carl, a druggist, lives at Terrell.

Gill, Osborne W. (b. Ill., 1855)

public spirited citizen, and has met junior member of the firm of Gill with good success in his business en- Bros., in the spring of 1882, came to terprises.

Havelock and at once became a mem- In 1884, he married Minnie Perry, of ber of the firm of Gill Bros., general Marshalltown. His family consisted of two children, both by his first mar- H., being the other member of the riage. merchants, his older brother, Samuel · firm during the first six years or un- Viola C. in 1890, married Arthur F. til 1888. He then engaged with his Clarke, eleven years station agent at brother, Charles J., two years in the IHavelock and vice-president of the hay business, and then, resuming with Citizen's bank since 1899. They have him his place and interest in the store, two children, Maud and Beth.

Etta J. in 1892, married John C. time. Barth, a livery man, Havelock, and has one child, Carl S.

Gill, Charles J. (b.Ill., 1854), senior member of the firm of Gill Bros., came to Iowa in 1873, and located at

has continued in it until the present

In 1883, he married Mary Jane Portz, of Fort Dodge, and has two sons, Earl and Brooks.

He was mayor of Havelock in 1902.

The other children of Thomas and Fort Dodge where he found employ- Charlotte Gill were John B., who mar- ment with the Fort Dodge Coal Com- ried Mary J. McClain, merchant, Fort pany five years, and then in the trans- Dodge; Thomas B., who married fer business. In 1890, he and his Agnes Barry and is engaged in the younger brother, O. W., became deal- furniture business at Barron, Ill .; ers in general merchandise, occupying Robert P. at Portland, Oregon, mar- the first year their mother's building, ried Maggie McClain; Kate married Wm. B. Harris and lives at Jolley; on the west side of Main street. In 1891, at the north end of Main Sarah E. married Henry Schoonmaker street, they erected a two story frame and lives in Webster county; Ida M.

at Havelock. He has been principal shipper of live stock and in 1892, when the Havelock co-operative creamery was established, he was chosen pres :-

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

married Joseph Donald, Fort Dodge; Havelock and in 1902, to Long Beach Charlotte married S. P. Wright, who near Los Angeles, Cal. served as railroad agent at Tara eight-

He was a very highly respected citi- een years and afterwards died at Call- zen and participated in the organiza- ender. In 1899 she married Jesse Wol- tion of Washington township. He rod, a farmer, and still lives at Callen- served as the first clerk of the town- der.

ship, as the first president of the

Hamble, Philip (b. 1832), one of school board in 1877, and later four the early pioneers of Washington years as a trustee. He rendered cor- township, is a native of Hamilton dial co operation in the maintenance county, Ind., the son of Anthony and of public worship and in efforts to pro- Elizabeth (McPeek) Hamble; who mote the moral and educational inter- were natives of Virginia and New ests of the community.

Jersey respectively. In 1854 he mar-

His family consisted of three chil- ried Amanda Jane Burns and located dren all of whom were born during on a farm.

His father was a soldier in the war with him to the frontier in 1873.

Margaret Elizabeth, Dec. 18, 1872,

of 1812, and Philip, enlisting in 1862 at Nashville, as a member of com- in Dubuque county, married Jason pany A. 5th Ind. Cavalry, served in N. Russell, (see Russell). the Civil war until its close, June 29,

Delilah, a teacher, married Alexan- 1865. His first engaem ent was with der McEwen, (see McEwen).

Morgan's raiders at Buffington Bar, William Franklin, a carpenter, in Ohio, and the next were Blountville 1883, married Lulu C. Blake and lo- and Rheatown, Tenn. At Knoxville cated on a farm of 120 acres on sec. 33. the regiment was dismounted and In 1892, he moved to Havelock. His sent back across the mountains afoot family consists of four children, Earl,

through Cumberland Gap to Mount Philip Sterling, Ky., where it was remount- ed. It then passed with Sherman's army to Atlanta and Macon, Georgia, owner

W., Medorah Vashti, and Amanda Eleanor.

Masters, William Elmers (b. 1862), and occupant of než sec. 33, where it was surrounded and captured. 1890 to 1902, is a native of Buchanan After their return a number of the county, the son of David and Ellen men, including Philip, were dismount- Gates Masters. In 1890, he married ed and sent to the command of Gen. Lucy R. Hovey, and located in Poca- Thomas at Nashville. He spent the hontas county. He was very success- remainder of his time in the vicinity ful in raising hogs and succeeded of that place, Ptouaski and Louisville. finely on the farm. He was an active

At the close of the war he returned member of the M. E. church and en- to his farm in Hamilton county, Ind. joyed

the good esteem of the com- In 1868, he located in Dubuque coun- munity. In 1902, he moved to Bu- ty, Iowa, and in 1873, on the sw} sec. chanan county. 33, Washington township. At this

His family consists of four children, date there were only three other fam- Charles Roy, Nellie F., Fannie E., ilies in the territory now included in Lewis David.

Washington township, He and his Mather, Benjamin (b. 1820; d. 1888), family lived in their wagons and a pioneer, Washington township, was among their neighbors until their a native of Darbyshire, England. He house was completed. He improved was bereft of his mother in infancy his farm with good buildings and oc- and of his father in childhood. At 15 cupied it until 1901, when he moved to he came to Dubnque county, Iowa,

his residence in Indiana and came

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

with an uncle and aunt, In 1845, he three years and three months in the married Mary Spensley (b. Eng. 1829; army on the frontier, along the Miss- d. 1888) and located on a farm. All issippi, under Gen. John C. Black. He the members of his large family were participated in the siege and capture born and raised in Dubuque county. of Vicksburg, and the battles at In 1875, he located on sec. 30, Wash- Prairie Grove and Pea Ridge. He was ington township, Pocahontas county.

a member of the first G. A. R. Post, Here he spent the remainder of his which was organized at Galva, Ill., in

days. He died at 68 in 1888 and his 1866, and on coming to this wife at 59 one month later. He par- became a member of the Andrew county, ticipated in the organization of Wash- Mills Post at Rolfe. ington township in 1876, and served as one of its first trustees.

In 1867, he married Mary C. (b. Ohio 1849), daughter of Alonzo Smead, M. His family consisted of thirteen hood. D., of Fon du Lac, Wis., and located children, four of whom died in child- at La Fayette, Ill. In 1873, he lo- cated at Pomeroy, lowa, and two

Jemima, in 1869, in Dubuque coun- years later in Jasper county, where he ty, married Morah F. Russell (p. 744). completed a course in medicine under Richard S. (b. 1849), in 1878, married Dr. C. C. Smead. his brother-in-law. Ellen Watson, daughter of Robert In the . Struthers, and located on a farm near medical diploma from the State Board Rolfe. His family consists of seven

spring of 1876. he received a of Examiners and began the practice children, William, Susan E , Mary C., of medicine at Rensnor, Jasper coun- Robert B., James A., Margaret J., and ty. Helen Jemima. James Thomas

In June, 1882, he located in the (b. the new town of Havelock and very 1851), in 1892, married Louise Ludwig. soon secured a lucrative practice. He He is engaged in the livery business has served as a member of the town council of Havelock, and has been in t Laurens and has two children, Edith and Clarion. William R. (b. charge of the post office there since 1860), in 1886, married Emma Bohn. Oct. 13, 1897. There are few men in He owns and occupies a farm of 160 the town or township that have lived acres near Laurens and has three so long in it or become so widely and

children, Ray, Benjamin and Elva favorably known. He received a good May. John (b. 1862), lives at Laurens. education in his youth, and heartily Emma K. (b. 1864), in 1897, married supports the principles of the repub- Dena Siemring. He isengaged in the lican party. He is also an advocate and' has of total abstinence and woman suffer- livery business at Laurens two children, Helen and Rex. Frank age. B. (b. 1866), in 1892, married Florence His family consisted of two chil- Wells and lives at Laurens. Walter dren: M. (b, 1869), in 1890, married Pearl Brete Cassius (b. 1878), after gradu- Ellis, lives at Laureus, and has two ating from the Havelock high school children, Grace and Laurel.

1894, and teaching five terms of in

Nowlan, David, M. D. (b. 1842), school, in 1900, graduated from the post master at Havelock, is a native Electrical Engineering department of the Iowa State Agricultural College

of Toulon, Stark county, Ill., the son of Michael and Florence Nowlan, who at Ames. Since that date he has been raised a family of ten sons. He grew in the employ of the Western Elec- to manhood on the farm and at nine- tric Company of Chicago, and is now teen, in 1861, be enlisted as a member at Fargo, N. D. of Co. B. 37th Ill., Inf., and spent Edward R. (b. 1881), a Havelock

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

graduate in 1898, after completing the ter, who served fifteen years as pastor course in Electrical Engineering at of the Baptist church at Monticello, Ames in 1902, also entered the employ Wisconsin. He moved with his par- Wisconsin, of the Western Electric Co., and is ents to Ohio and later to

where he grew to manhood on the now at Denver, Colorado.

'Brien, John W. (b. 1848), Have- frontier. In 1880, he married Lucy C. lock, is a native of White Oak Springs, Marshall and located on a farm near Albany, Wis. In 1882, he came to Po-

Wis. His father died when he was fifteen. This event caused an unusual cahontas county, Iowa, and located on responsibility to fall on his youthful a farm of 200 acres on sec. 3, Washing- shoulders, that of providing a home ton township, that he was the first to and support for his mother, eight occupy and improve.

sisters and one brother. His mother died when she was 74. In 1879 he married Alice Noonan and lived two years on a farm near Shullsburg, Wis. In 1881, he came to Pocahontas coun- ty, and located on the net sec. 9, Sherman township, which he improv- ed and occupied until 1890, when he moved to Havelock, where he has since been engaged, first as a coal dealer, and then as a contractor and builder. He built many of the fine residences and store buildings in Havelock and others in its vicinity.

He has taught school many winters, and is now serving his eighth year as secretary of the Havelock school board and fourth year as a member of the town council. During his residence in Sherman township he served three years as a member of the board of county supervisors, 1884-'86, one year as assessor, and several terms as a justice, and also as treasurer of the school board. In 1886, he was the democratic nominee for the office of county recorder.

His family consisted of seven chil- dren, two of whom died in childhood. Michael S. (b. 1880), a teacher, is clerking in a general store at Pocahon- tas. John F., Clara, Neal, and Mary Theresa are at home. John F. has been the carrier on the Havelock R. F. D. No. 2 since its establishment Jan. 1, 1903.

CLINTON FARM.

At the time of his arrival he had formed a partnership witb James Campbell (called R. R. Tim) of Madi- son, Wis., owner of 280 acres on sec. 3, for the purpose of raising stock 011 these lands. In 1883, Mr. Campbell died and his interest passed to his daughter, Charlotte, wife of G. O. Clinton, formerly a superintendent of

the C., M. & St. P. Ry., and now a resident of Joliet, Ill. The partner- ship was continued and J. C. Potter continued in charge of it six years. During this period the farm was increased to 1,000 acres, splendid build- ings were erected and the Clinton stock farm became the most prominent one in the township. During the next seven years it was managed by Mr. and Mrs. G. O. Clinton, who were rep- resented on the farm by their son, O. A. Clinton, in 1888-'89. In 1890, they located on it. In 1895, it was divided into four farms and three other sets of farm buildings were erected.

In 1887, J. C. Potter moved to Have- lock and became associated with S. H. Gill in establishing the Citizens Bank. He continued in the banking and real estate business until 1899, when he relinquished his interest in the bank to engage again in raising stock on his own farm east of Have- lock.

Potter, John Calvin (b. 1855), bank- He served six years as a trustee of er and farmer. Havelock, is a native the township, '83-88, and in Havelock of New York, son of Rev. W. A. Pot- three, each as a member of the town

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

council, treasurer of the school fund Col. Clendenning, was assigned to the and president of the school board. work of guarding Washington City

His family consists of six children, and watching the movements of the one of whom, La Verne, was born and guerrilla forces under Moseby and raised in Wisconsin, the others, Wini- White.

fred, Pearl, Lona, John C., and Mar- shall, in Pocahontas county.

After the war he returned to De- Kalb county, Illinois, and in 1884 lo-

After the death of his father in 1880, cated on his present farm on section his mother, Mrs. Harriet Capon Pot- 19, 640 acres, which he purchased from ter, came to this county and lived Frank, a son of D. C. Williams, the several years in Havelock. She then nurseryman. The small house and

returned to Wisconsin and died in barn that had been erected on this 1894, leaving one son, Elmer, who lo- farm have been greatly enlarged, so cated at Monticello, Wis .; and three that they are now among the largest sons and two daughters, who are lo- in the township.

cated in Pocahontas county, namely, John C., Havelock; Juliette, who mar- ried Ross Dennis, a painter, Rolfe; Cora, married W. S Cox, a general merchant, Havelock; Frank A., who is in the grain business, Rolfe; and William A., the deputy sheriff of this county, Havelock.

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 108

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846 Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058