The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 22

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 22

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At twenty he married Rachel Vaughan, a cousin, and during the next five years worked at his trade during the winter and on the farm uring the summer. He then mnoved of keeping the record:

Clinton county, N. Y., and in 1846 re- turned to Summit county, Ohio. The next move was to Michigan, and in 1852 he came to Clinton county, Iowa, where he remained until the time of settlement in this county in 1858.

His next move was to Washington Territory, where his three sons-Oscar married to Julia Towslee, Orlando married to Harriet Halstead and Ed- inond married to Ellen Savage-still reside. He died there June 30, 1884. His daughter, Mrs. R. B. Fish, resides at Rolfe.

At the time of the organization of this county, David Slosson had the honor to be chosen the first County Judge and served in that capacity from March 21st, the day he qualified, to Dec. 31, 1859. The duties devolving upon this officer were those that are now performed by the Board of Coun- ty Supervisors. As there was no pub- lic building in the county his cabin, which was somewhat central in the Des Moines settlement, became the seat of government for the county, and the public records were kept there until the erection of the first court house, in the fall of 1860.

swamp lands of the county that they might be given in payment for the public building and bridge.

The following item from the record is of interest as showing the salary of the Judge and his systematic method

177

FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

STATE OF IOWA, { Pocahontas Co., ( SS.

COUNTY COURT,

July 9, A. D. 1859.

stance they were sufficient to reverse the decision of the home vote.

Perry Nowlen and Julia A., his wife, who now reside at Rolfe, in March, 1858, came to Des Moines

On this day, I, David Slosson, Coun- ty Judge of said county, drew a war- rant for $12.50 for one (the first) quar- township and pre-empted the SW} ter's salary fee. DAVID SLOSSON, County Judge. Sec. 12, 160 acres, making the entry Aug. 20, 1860, and receiving the patent April 1, 1861. They occupied and im- proved this claim until 1894, a period

The law creating the Board of County Supervisors was enacted in 1860, and in 1861 he had the honor to of 36 years, when they moved to Rolfe. serve as a member of the first Board They still own it and at the present of County Supervisors. Healso served time it is a source of pleasure to them on this Board during the years 1863 to to know that no mortgage was ever '67, 1870 to '71 and 1874 to '79, making allowed to be filed against this claim a period of nearly thirteen years that he served in this capacity, the longest of any incumbent in that office.

around which cluster so many and va- ried experiences of pioneer life. They came to this claim with hands that were empty, but willing to work, and with heroic spirit they encountered

John A. James, who came in 1858, located on the SE} Sec. 36, Des Moines township. On April 18, 1864, he enter- and overcame the trials and privations ed as a homestead claim lots 7 and 8 incident to a settlement in a new and E} of this section, containing 172 country. Their pioneer home has acres, and received the patent for it been improved with fine buildings, June 1, 1866. He was the second to groves and orchard, and they have hold the office of County Judge. For made other purchases in addition to this office he qualified Jan. 3, 1860, and the home in town, so that they are continued to serve until May 6, 1861, now the owners of 315 acres of land when he resigned. His first act was and are in very comfortable circum- the appointment of Oscar Slosson, stances.

Jan. 9, 1860, the second Assessor for Mr. and Mrs. Nowlen have had a the county and on the same day he ap- trying experience with hard times, pointed David Slosson a Justice of the grasshoppers and the like, but they Peace. At the time of the organiza- achieved success in spite of these evils tion of Clinton township in the fall of by their persistent industry, economy 1860, his home being included therein, and skill in farming. During seven he was chosen Clerk and also a Justice out of nine years the grasshoppers of the Peace of the township. He made greater or less havoc of their served as Clerk of the township three crops. On one occasion from ninety years, and subsequently served as acres of promising wheat he harvested Trustee and Assessor. At the general not a sheaf. They survived the period election held in the fall of 1863 on the of hard times by making cheese. As home vote he was declared elected to soon as they were able they purchased the office of Sheriff for the county by a few cows, keeping usually fifteen to a majority of two votes. But when eighteen, and these became the prin- the soldier vote was received and a cipal source of their income. Mrs. new canvass made, about one month Nowlen was a skillful hand at making later, Abiel Stickney, the rival candi- butter and cheese and they made but- date, won the office by a majority of ter in the cooler and cheese in the two votes. There were but four sol- warmer weather. By this arrange- dier votes returned, but in this in- ment they had a marketable product

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

from their dairy when butter was only native of England, where he was born ten cents and not in demand. During Jan. 11, 1832. After coming to Amer- one year, not counting what was used ica he located first in Illinois and later in the family or fed to the pigs, the at Dyersville, Iowa, where on May 25, manufactured product of butter and 1858, he married Mary Tilley, (b. June cheese sold averaged $37.00 and during 19, 1839) and accompanied by his broth- the year 1864 $44.00 to each cow. For er William Jarvis, they came to Poca- a considerable time Fort Dodge, forty hontas county and built a log shanty miles distant, was the nearest post- in the Des Moines settlement, on the office and for many years the nearest NW} Sec. . 24, in which for several months they lived together.

market, and many a time did Mr. Nowlen take his night's rest under

Both of them selected pre-emption the wagon while making this trip, claims. Henry, on Sept. 20, 1859, en- which always required two days.

Mr. Nowlen was the first farmer in the north part of the county to en- gage in raising flax. He obtained his seed from New York state and re- ceived $2.00 a bushel for all he sold from the first two crops. He was also the first bee-keeper in the north part of the county .. His first crop of tim- othy seed, raised on nine and one- half acres of breaking, brought him $244.00.

tered his claim for lots 2, 3 and 4, 60 acres, on Sec. 24, Des Moines town- ship, and received the patent April 5, 1862. On June 10, 1864, under the homestead law, he filed a claim for lots 7 and 8, Sec. 25, 115 acres, and re- newed this claim May 5, 1870. In 1894, he purchased some land near Rolfe and building thereon, moved to town where he and his wife still re- ' side. Their family consisted of eleven children, two of whom died young and

Mr. Nowlen is a native of Allegheny George, the eldest, after his marriage. county, Maryland, where he was born Henry Jarvis was the second sheriff Oct. 31, 1823. He was the son of Sam- in Pocahontas county, and he served uel and Rachel Nowlen and his mar- in that capacity 1860 to 1863 and 1865 riage occurred in New York state, Ju- to 1867. His cabin was the polling ly 24, 1853. He has always been a re- place in the Des Moines settlement publican but has never taken any par- for the first three elections held in the year 1859, and the fourth one, on Nov. 19, was held at the home of his brother William Jarvis. ticular interest in politics, preferring to be a practical and successful farmer. He has one son Charles, who is still at home.

William Jarvis pre-empted the SE}

Perry Nowlen, at the first general Sec. 14, Des Moines township, 160 election, held Oct. 11, 1859, was eléct- acres, making the entry Sept. 20, 1859, ed Superintendent of the Public and receiving the patent Sept. 15, Schools of the county, but did not 1861. He was born in Somersetshire, qualify. On Oct. 8, 1861, he was elect- England, Jan. 4, 1829, and married ed and on Jan. 6th, following, qualified there Sarah Sandy, March 26, 1856. as County Judge but resigned the of- Three weeks later they came to Amer- fice after the lapse of five months. ica and after one year spent in Illinois, He who would succeed in this life, Must have an abundance of pluck; No one can win in the strife they came to Dyersville, Iowa. From this place they came to the Des Moines settlement by ox-team, in the By trusting to what is called "luck. " spring of 1858. The weather was wet,

Henry Jarvis, whose home near Old the streams and sloughs were full and Rolfe, became the first voting place in frequently they had to make their the north part of the county, was a own road. On their arrival they

179

FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

erected a log shanty 16x24 feet, with were thus called upon to leave the two rooms and began farming opera- pleasurable scenes and employments tions with the oxen, having brought of an older and more cultured society with them a year's supply of provis- in an eastern town for the sparsely ions. Mr. Jarvis was a good feeder, settled settlement on the frontier, did and turning his attention to raising not see another woman's face during cattle and hogs, he soon acquired a the first six months of their residence considerable fortune. After occupy- in Clinton township. To say that ing their first residence fifteen years, this experience was to them a lonely they returned to England, and after one only moderately expresses the three years they located in the town situation.

of Old Rolfe, and now reside at Rolfe.

Under these privations their educa-

William Jarvis, in 1860, served as tion and culture prepared them as it coroner and drainage commissioner were to extract sweets from the many for the county. At the first election rough experiences they were called for the township he was chosen one of upon to endure as early pioneers. the trustees for Des Moines township These lonely experiences were endured and served in that capacity from 1860 not only without a murmur of com- to 1872, when he returned to England, plaint but were oftentimes turned a period of thirteen years.

into pleasurable enjoyments. It

Ora Harvey accompanied by O. F. must be remembered that there were Avery hisson-in-law, and their families only three other homes or cabins built came to Pocahontas county and locat- in the township at that time and ed on the NEI Sec. 10, 92-31 (Clinton what is now the populous and flourish- township). The family of Ora Har- ing township of Clinton was then a vey consisted of himself, wife (Eliza vast expanse of wild prairie. Marcy) and younger daughter, Helen

Ora Harvey, on April 22, 1862, was M., who later became the wife of W. appointed Superintendent of the Pub- H. Hait. The family of O. F. Avery lic Schools of this county and served consisted of himself, wife (Jennie S. in this capacity until Jan. 7, 1863. At Harvey) and one son, Eugene.

the first election held in Clinton town-

Mr. and Mrs. Ora Harvey were na- ship in the fall of 1860, he was chosen tives of New Hampshire but had spent a member of the first Board of County the early part of their lives in the Supervisors and, for eight successive town of Weathersfield, Vermont, years, 1861 to 1868, was continued a where their two daughters were born member of that Board. At their first and grew to womanhood. Both Ora meeting held Jan. 7, 1861, he had the and his wife had received and appre- honor to be chosen its first Chairman, ciated the value of a good education and as long as he was continued a mem- and they provided for both of their ber of this Board that honor was an- daughters the opportunity of taking a nually accorded to him. This privi- complete academic course before leav- lege of serving as Chairman of the ing that place. Board of County Supervisors for a per-

It was the 7th day of November, iod of eight successive years was an 1859, when they arrived upon their unusual distinction and reveals the purchased frontier home in Clinton confidence reposed in him and the es- township. The winter following was teem in which he was held. Though extremely mild and by early spring modest and unassuming, he possessed they had a small house built that they an unusual tact in managing his polit- were only too glad to occupy. The ical opponents and those who differed mother and her two daughters, who from him in judgment. He was one

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

of Nature's noblemen, gentle in man- it the ensuing summer occupied it ner and brave in action. He was a nearly twenty years. During this man whom his friends delighted to period he and his family experienced honor; and during those eight years of some dark and also some bright and public service, though many import- happy days-the former to be forgot- ant items of business came before the ten, the latter to be remembered and Board, no consideration sufficed to cherished while life has its claim on sway him from an honest course and this planet. Engaged in the real es- no event occurred to lessen the confi- tate and lumber business he now re- dence of the people in the integrity of sides in one of the largest and most his purpose. Mrs. Harvey died July beautiful homes in the city of Hum- 4, 1880, and his death occurred at Hum- boldt and has become one of the most boldt.

prominent and influential citizens of

Oscar F. Avery was born in Herki- that county. His wife (Jennie S. Har- mer county, New York, July 20, 1833, vey) died August 24, 1892, leaving one and after attending public school un- daughter who still resides with her til he was sixteen, enjoyed the ad- father. Her portrait and also those vantage of one term at Fairfield Acad- of her sister Mrs. Hait and their pa- rents, Ora and Eliza Harvey, may all be seen in this volume.

emy. After teaching public school in his own county four winters he spent one and one-half years in the State

James Edelman was a trapper, and Normal School at Albany, N. Y., though on June 12, 1859, he entered as where he graduated in January 1856. a pre-emption claim, lots 1 and 2 and He continued to teach school during the next three years, teaching one year in Michigan and the next in Wisconsin. His marriage occurred a

the SW} SW} Sec. 36, 93-31, (Des Moines township) 134 acres, he sold it before the patent was received after a residence of one year in the county.

short time after he graduated and his His claim joined that of Edward Ham- last term of school was taught in Po- mond on the north. At the first elec- cahontas county during the winter of tion held March 15, 1859, he was elect- 1860, making him one of the first three ed Drainage Commissioner for the teachers of the county. This school county but was not called upon to per- was taught in the log house built by form any official duties in that capac- W. H. Hait that stood upon the ground ity. occupied by his present residence on Section 26, Des Moines township.

John Straight was a brother-in-law of Perry Nowlen. He came here from

O. F. Avery by appointment of Wisconsin and located on the SEt Sec. County Judge, John A. James, served 35, Des Moines township where he re- as the first Superintendent of Public mained several years and then return- Schools of this county from March 20, ed East.

1860 to May 6, 1861 when he resigned Hank Brown selected the NW}, Sec. the office. On December 24, 1860 he 34, Des Moines township as a pre-emp- received $6.00 for his services rendered tion claim and partly erected a log as County Superintendent from the cabin on it, but afterward abandoning time of his appointment until that it without entry, in 1865 Wm. D. Mc- date, a period of nine months. He is- Ewen entered it with a land warrant. sued certificates to Helen M. Harvey, Ellen Condon and one or two others.

In the fall of 1860 he selected a claim of 170 acres just across the line in Humboldt county and, moving upon

"His happy home A cabin in the grove, Seat of contentment, Gratitude and love. "

W. D. McEwen in July 1857 engaged

C.F.Garrison

PHOTOGRAPHER

BRICK BLOCK OF C. F. GARRISON, PHOTOGRAPHER, AND S. A. BRIGHT, GROCER, ROLFE.

STATE SAVINGS BANK, ROLFE, W. D. MCEWEN, PRESIDENT.

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM D. McEWEN, Eso , ROLFE.

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FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

in carpenter work at Fort Dodge and proved by the Board of Supervisors, in the spring of 1858 walked from that they passed a resolution expressing place to the home of Robert Struthers, their sincere thanks to him for the his brother-in-law in Des Moines kind, gentle and manly manner in township for the purpose of locat- which he had filled the office of County

ing a pre-emption claim. But find- Treasurer so long, and presented him ing that another man had taken the with the gold pen he had used, as a claim he had in view he returned to memento of the office. As a public Fort Dodge, and remaining there dur- officer he was uniformly courteous and ing that winter and the year follow- considerate, and kept the records ing, was a frequent visitor to his in a plain, neat and methodical man- friends in the pioneer settlement in ner. in the northeast part of the county. In 1859 he returned to the east and spent several years in school. In 1865 he located permanently at Old Rolfe the first county seat and commencing an official career as Superintendent of the Public Schools of this county in 1866, he continued in the public serv- ice until Dec. 31, 1887, a period of 22 years. The offices filled were Co. Superintendent, 2 years, 1866 and '67, Clerk of the District Court six years, 1867 to 1872; County Judge in 1869, the last incumbent of that office; Clerk of

He has been a loyal and ardent re- publican, was personally and very fa- vorably known to every voter in the county, and no one could say aught against his qualifications or honesty. On one occasion near the close of his public career, having received the nomination for County Treasurer about the fourth time, one of his friends very wittily remarked that the only exception his opponents could take to him as a candidate, was that expressed by the young man who, be- ing present at a wedding in a New the Board of Supervisors three years, England town, when the minister

1867 to 1869; County Auditor four years, 1870 to 1873, the first incumbent of that office; and County Treas- urer twelve years, 1874 to 1883 and 1886-87. In 1876 he was the Commis- sioner from this county to the Centen- nial at Philadelphia.

asked if any one objected to this man marrying this woman, interrupted the ceremony by stammering out, "I want her myself." So with his political op- ponents, they have been chiefly those who wanted the office for themselves.

"Pay as you go" has ever been a car- dinal business principle with him and finding the county $20,000 in debt when he became Auditor, he began to use his influence to protect the credit of the county and maintain its war- rants at par value. Before the close of his public career he had the pleas- ure to see every vestige of indebted- ness removed. Few men enjoy the privilege of rendering so long a period of public service or of receiving so many proofs of appreciation from the people whom he served as W. D. Mc- Ewen. On Jan. 12, 1884, when his final accounts for the first ten years of serv- ice as treasurer were audited and ap- that has been continued until the

He has been a persistent friend of progress and aided greatly in the de- velopment and upbuilding of the in- terests of this county. In 1867 he as- sisted in the publication of a pam- phlet giving a description of Pocahon- tas county and inviting immigration, of which hundreds of copies were dis- tributed in the East. In 1869 he com- menced the publication of the Poca- hontas Journal, the first paper pub- lished in the county, but as it could not be made a financial success it was discontinued in 1872. In 1875 he pub- lished a map of the county, and in 1876 he resumed the publication of a county paper, the Pocahontas Times,

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

present time, though for two years county he taught school at Old Rolfe under a new name-The Fonda Times. in the winter and worked at his trade In 1878 he issued a second advertising in the summer. In his youth he rec- pamphlet of the county and in 1881, ognized the importance of getting a 15,000 copies of another one entitled, good start in life; he was never idle The New Home, all for free distribu- and on several occasions, carrying his tion.

tools on his shoulder, he walked eight

W. D. McEwen was born in Chateau- miles (once barefooted) in order to as- gay county, Canada, July 9, 1838, and sist where he was needed.

was the son of William and Margaret McEwen both of whom were natives

On November 18, 1885, he married Jennie Matson, a lady who, like him- of Scotland and came to the Province self, was also of Puritan descent, a of Quebec in 1820. He attended pub-

resident of Des Moines township and lic school until he was fourteen years one of his own pupils when he taught of age and then learned the carpen- at Old Rolfe. She was the daughter ter trade during the next three years, of William and Mary (Baxter) Matson, working chiefly at bridge building. who located at Old Rolfe in 1867. This was his employment while he re- They have one son, Donald, who is in mained in Fort Dodge from July 1857 his thirteenth year. They are still to the fall of 1859 and again in 1864 residents of the county and live at when he returned and completed his Rolfe, where he is engaged in banking citizenship at that place. When he and occupies one of the finest resi- visited the Des Moines settlement in dences in the county.

1858 he found it a boundless wilder- ness and as the times were dull and his expected claim taken he decided

LIZARD AND DES MOINES SETTLERS.

These were the first settlers in the in the fall of 1859 to enter Hunting- Lizard and Des Moines settlements, don Academy in the Province of Que- which were the first in the county. bec and complete his education. He remained at this institution until the death of his father, who appointed him executor of his estate. As soon as the affairs of his father's estate had been settled, he arranged to return to the land of his adoption with the $5,000 that fell to his share.

It may be observed that those in the Lizard settlement were all of Irish descent; most of them being na- tives of Ireland, who had lived a few years in the coal regions of Pennsyl- vania. In religious belief they were devout Catholics and as early as 1857, when a private house large enough for

In the spring of 1865 when he locat- the purpose was erected in the east- ed permanently in Pocahontas county, ern part of the settlement in Webster Robert Struthers, his brother-in-law, county, public worship was estab- was County Recorder. Having a farm lished that resulted in the organiza- and family to look after, W. D. Mc- tion of the Lizard Catholic parish in Ewen at once became his deputy and 1870, and the erection of the Lizard the work of the Recorder's office was Catholic church in 1871. All of them, turned over to him. As the work of with a single exception, favored the this office was not very exacting nor principles of the democratic party, and very lucrative, he worked at his trade under these conditions the colony was during the day and on the public rec- united and disposed to share each ords in the evening. Frequently the other's hardships during the period of records of the entire week were writ- hard times.

ten on Saturday night. During the Those in the Des Moines settlement, 3 first three years of his residence in the on the other hand, were nearly all of

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FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

Scotch descent and had come either from Canada or New England. Most of them were Presbyterians in relig- ious belief, and as early as 1859, under the ministry of Rev. David S. McComb, united to form the Unity Presbyteri- an church, the first church organized in the county. They were practical farmers and a large number of them had received a liberal education. These circumstances were of great ad- vantage to them, enabling them to act as leaders in the organization of the county and to secure for them- selves some special benefits during the first few years of the county's his- tory. Their political faith was, for the most part, Republican.

City and by means of a line of daily stages, that became a great thorough- fare of travel for western emigration. The route to the northwest was along the west branch of the Des Moines river. Early in the sixties a postoffice was opened in Des Moines township, and in 1865 a mail route was estab- lished from Fort Dodge to Spirit Lake via Old Rolfe.

During the years 1856 to 1858 no crops were raised in the county except a little sod corn and a few potatoes, the whole amount of breaking not ex- ceeding about thirty acres. The set- tlers had to live on what they brought with them or bought. The winter of 1856-7 was very severe and noted among the early settlers for its deep snows, terrible blizzards and extreme cold; but the winter following was comparatively mild.

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 22

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