USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 46
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Mr. and Mrs. James Nelson, of Den- school fund nine years, 1883-85 and mark, came to this country in 1877 1894-99. He was a justice of the peace and bought the farm of Fred Weigert, sixteen years, 1883-98, and a member on Sec. 4, Bellville township. Their of the board of County Supervisors family consisted of one son, Rasmus, six years, 1885-1890.
and two daughters, Maggie and Car-
In all his official acts he has mani- rie. Rasmus in 1889, married Mary fested an integrity of purpose that Hanson, and they now own and occu- has won for him the confidence and py his father's farm. Maggie became esteem of his fellow citizens, and the the wife of John P. Peterson and Car- orderly arrangement of everything at rie the wife of Charles Kelso, a car- penter, and they reside at Palmer.
. his home found its expression in an honest effort to proceed according to
Nils Anderson, a native of Sweden, law in the administration of every (b. 1836) on Sept. 5, 1869, entered a public trust committed to him. He homestead of 80 acres on the St Sec. never sold any grain, but fed it to 18 and secured the patent for it June cattle and hogs, and much of his suc 15, 1875. In 1869 he built a small cess as a farmer is to be attributed to frame house and occupied it alone that year. In 1870 his wife arrived with their family of five children-
a careful observance of this funda- mental principle of agricultural pros- perity. After a few years of hard Turina, Christina, August, Euphemia labor and successful achievement he and Emma, the last then four years of age. In 1876 his wife, Kizer Olsen, has retired from the farm with well earned laurels to spend the rest of his died, and two years later he married days in comfort and luxury.
Emma Olsen, (no relative of Kizer) of
On August 22, 1869, he married Celia Sioux City. They continued to occu- Nelson, (b. Sept. 6, 1835) a native of py the old homestead till the spring Sweden, and their family has consist- of 1896, when they moved to Pomeroy. ed of three sons and one daughter- Turina Henricks, the eldest, (b. March Nelius Moonat (b. May 4, 1870), August 30, 1850, d. May 2, 1899) was a step- Leonard (b. Oct. 8, 1871), Mollie, So- daughter of Mr. Anderson, and in phia and Axel Emil, who on Jan. 4, 1875 became the wife of Frank Peter- 1899 married Selma Christina Petrie, son, of Colfax township; Christina in now occupies the old home on the 1872, married John A. Johnson, of
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
Colfax; August Anderson (single) is seven years as a trustee of Bellville mining gold in Colorado; Euphemia township. He has returned to Ger- in 1895, married Nils Walleen and many twice during his residence in they reside in the state of Washing- this country and now resides on the ton; Emma in 1887, married Wm. farm with his son. He has been an Johnson, and they reside in Colorado; ardent democrat and an active mem- Betka, a native of Pocahontas county, ber of the German Evangelical church is still residing with her parents. of Pomeroy. His family consists of Nils Anderson was a good farmer and two daughters who died young in Ger- for many years has been an active many, and two sons. member and liberal supporter of the
(1) Frederic W. Behrens (b. 1866)
Swedish Mission church of Colfax in 1888 married Eliza Neetting and township. they located first at London, Iowa,
Peter Anderson, (b. Oct. 17, 1856) where in partnership with his broth- the pioneer owner and occupant of er-in-law, they owned and operated a After creamery for several years.
the SEt Sec. 7, is a native of Sweden and a son of Frank B. Anderson, of short residences in Ft. Wayne, Mich- Grant township. He came to Poca- igan and Ohio, they are now owning hontas county in 1880 and lived three and operating a creamery in Missouri, years with his father. In. 1886 he and have a family of four children- married Christine Youngren, also a Emma, Anna, Lily and Frederic. native of Sweden, (b. Oct 4, 1862) and Two others died young.
since that date they have lived on (2) Henry B. Behrens, (b. 1868) the
their present farm. Their family present owner of his father's farm, in consists of seven children-Ida, Oscar, 1888 married Annie Albright, and they Elmer, Frederick, John, Nellie and erected a fine barn 56x70 feet, and May. Mr. Anderson was township a large addition to the old home, clerk in 1896, and president of the which is protected by a beautiful. school board three years, 1891-92 and grove. Their family (one child died 1897.
young) consists of four children-
Heilert W. Behrens (b. Nov. 1827) Minnie, Marie, Elizabeth and William. is a native of Germany, where, in the Mr. Behrens is a very highly re spring of 1852, he married Marie Hed- spected citizen and has served as trus- den (b. 1827) and in May, 1870, they tee of Bellville township ten years. and their two sons, Frederic and Hen- During the past sixteen years he has ry, arrived in Pocahontas county. served as organist for the German After a residence of three months in Evangelical church of Pomeroy. Dur- Lizard, they bought and began to im- ing the first three years of this period prove the NW} Sec. 32, 160 acres, he missed only three Sabbaths, and as Bellville township. A few years later a grateful recognition of this unusual additional purchases were made until fidelity received in 1886 a gold watch. they owned 500 acres. Subsequently He has also served several years as he sold 400 acres constituting the collector of the church funds.
home farm, to his second son, Henry Maurice Clancy, of Canada, visiting B., and made investments in real es- this county in 1874, bought 240 acres tate in Pomeroy. His wife died in of land on Sec. 29, Bellville township. August, 1892, and is buried at Pom- In 1875 he and his wife (Catherine eroy. In 1893 he married Mrs. Jose- Crowley) and their two sons, John and phine Dibbert, but secured a divorce Patrick Clancy (and wife) came to in January, 1897. He served two this county, settled on this land and years as a justice of the peace and began the work of its improvement.
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BELLVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Maurice and his wife were both na- (b. July 3, 1863, Canada) is the pres- tives of Ireland. He died in 1889 at ent owner and occupant of the old the age of 75 years and his wife in 1891 homestead. On April 12, 1893, he at the age of 70 years; and both were married Mary E., (native of Canada) buried in the Catholic cemetery at eldest daughter of Patrick Quinn, and Pomeroy. Their family consisted of they have a family of two children, four sons and two daughters, two of Thomas Joseph and Rose Mary. Mr. whom settled in Canada. Michael and Mrs. Enright have rendered long was drowned in Lake Winnepeg, at and efficient service as public school the age of 26 years, while engaged as teachers, and their portraits may be a surveyor in Dakota. John bought a seen in the group for Lizard township portion of his father's farm in Bell- and vicinity.
(2) John Enright, (b. 1865, Can.) on and then going further west, sold it Sept. 23, 1896, married Margaret Mas- to his brother Patrick, three years later.
Patrick Clancy (b. 1845) is now the Lizard township, but in 1898 moved to owner and occupant of his father's Clinton township, where she died Dec. (Maurice) farm in Bellville township. 29, 1899, leaving an infant son.
He has increased its size to 360 acres and provided it with fine improve- eling in the west.
(3) James Enright (b. 1867,) is trav-
ments. He is a native of Canada and married there in 1872 Elizabeth Mc- F. Quinn, and they reside on a farm Alpin, a sister of Mrs. John O'Brien. in Bellville.
He is a sturdy, hard working man, a teemed citizen. He was treasurer of
(4) Mary A., in 1891 married John
(5) Cecilia in 1892 married Patrick successful farmer and a highly es- A. Quinn, and they reside at Pomeroy.
John G. Lampe (b. 1806 ?) is a na- the township school fund five years, tive of Germany, and coming to this 1889-93. His family consists of five country in his youth, located first near children-Michael, Catherine (a teach- Galena, Ill., where he married Cathe- er) Mary, John, Bridget A. and Thom- rine Nundar. After a few years they as Michael.
moved to Potosi, Wis., where they re-
Patrick Enright (b. 1833, Ireland) mained until the fall of 1868, when came to America in 1857 with a couple they came to Pocahontas county with of his brothers and, locating with a family of four children-Henry, them in Canada, married there Cecilia George, Mary and Frank-and located Flynn, in 1861. In 1869 they came to on a farm in Lizard township. Soon Pocahontas county and located on a afterward he and his two sons, Henry homestead of 80 acres in Bellville and George, and also his son-in-law, township, W+ SE} Sec. 12, which they E. K. Cain, located each a homestead improved and increased by purchase on sections 4 and 6, Bellville township, to 160 acres. His wife died in 1876 and for which their claims were filed June his death occurred Oct. 28, 1898, after 12, 1869. When they began to break a residence of 29 years on the old the prairie sod on these homesteads homestead. He was a good farmer the only other residents of the town- and both he and his wife are grate ship were Wm. Bell, Niels Hanson fully remembered as good citizens and and Philip Myers. The sod house on good neighbors. Both are buried in the homestead was their humble hab- the Lizard Catholic cemetery. Their itation during the year 1869. The family consisted of five children. next year Mr. Lampe and his son-in-
(1) Thomas Enright, the eldest, law, E. K. Cain, built a frame shanty
ville township, occupied it two years
terson, (b. Dec. 26, 1872, Ill.) and they located first on a farm of their own in
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
(4) Frank Lampe married Kate
on the line between their adjoining claims and both families occupied it. Condon and they are located on the At the time this building was de- NE} of section 9, Bellville township. stroyed by the tornado of April 21, They were the first to occupy and im- 1878, it was owned by Aultman & Tay- prove this land and are now in very lor Co. and was vacant. Mrs. Lampe prosperous circumstances. died in April, 1873, at the age of 74 Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Lungren, years, and was buried in the Catholic (b. 1853) owners and occupants of a cemetery at Pomeroy. Mr. Lampe is farm of 240 acres on Sec. 2, are natives still living with his son, Henry Lampe. of Sweden. During the second year He is the oldest inhabitant in the after their marriage they came to township and, according to the date this country and secured as a home- usually assigned for his birth, 1806, he stead the N± NW} Sec. 2-80 acres- is probably the oldest inhabitant in Bellville township, which they have the county. His three sons, Henry, finely improved and increased by two George and Frank, have fine farms ad- additional tracts of 80 acres each. joining each other, improved with They are now in good circumstances large and beautiful buildings and they and have raised a family of eight chil- are rated among the most prosperous dren. Hildah, the eldest, in 1896 mar- farmers of the township.
ried Alfred Olson, and they reside in (1) Henry B. Lampe (b. Sept. 14, Grant township. Ellen, the third 1845,) on Nov. 12, 1872, married Joanna daughter, married Charles Olson and Kreul, and they are residing on the they also reside in Grant township, homestead he selected in 1868. His farm contains 240 acres and is finely
where they own a farm of eighty acres. Clara, Jennie, Martin, John, Albert improved. Their family consisted of and Mollie are still at home. Mr. and thirteen children, four of whom died Mrs. Lungren are members of the young. John Lampe, his son, May 6, Swedish Lutheran church of Colfax 1896, married Christina Niehous, and township. they live in Lincoln township; Mary, John O'Brien, (b. March 31, 1849,) on May 18, 1897, married John Schwa- owner and occupant of the S} Sec. 17, dy and they also live in Lincoln town- (90-32), 360 acres, is a native of Can- ship; William, Kate, Gertrude, George, ada, and married there Bridget Mc- Maggie, Minnie and Edward are at home.
Auliff, (b. 1854) on Feb'y 3, 1879. One month later they located on their (2) George Lampe is also occupy- present farm and began the work of ing the homestead on section 4, that its improvement. He is a man of he selected in the fall of 1868, but it large stature and the possessor of has been enlarged to 200 acres. His great muscular strength, which he family consists of six children-Anna, has always endeavored to use for some Mary, Kate, Lizzie, Henry and Rose, good purpose. He is a man of noble one having died in childhood.
principles, pacific in spirit, a consist-
(3) Mary Lampe in 1869, while they ent member of the Catholic church lived in Lizard township, married and highly respected by all who know Elisha K. Cain. They located first on him. He has raised a family of ten the homestead in Bellville, and in the children, all of whom are at home, cabin of Mr. Lampe, that same year, namely, William, Mary, Jane, Rich- he taught the first school in the town- ard, John, Margareta, Thima, Thom- ship. Their family consisted of thir- as Michael, Anna Winnifred, Eliza- teen children and they now reside in beth Catherine, Alice, Martin Edward Minnesota.
and George Emmet.
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BELLVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Patrick Quinn (b. March 25, 1825,) twenty-seven years of his residence in is a native of Ireland, and when quite this section he has never seen a fail- young came with his parents to the ure of crops on the farm. province of Ontario, Canada. Here
A family of fourteen children has he grew to manhood and on April 15, grown up around him and, taking a 1856, married Bridget Guilteman (b. laudable interest in extending to them 1834), also a native of Ireland. After the opportunities for receiving a good marriage they engaged in farming in education, he has had the unusual that timber district until the year pleasure of seeing as many as seven of 1872, when, with a family of ten chil- them, as they became old enough, en- dren-Andrew, Thomas, Bridget, Pat- gage in teaching public school. The rick, John, James, Martin, Michael family consists of eleven sons and and Maggie, they came to this coun- three daughters.
(1) Andrew G. Quinn in Nov., 1888,
ty and bought the homestead of Philip Myers, on W+ NW} Sec. 28, married Eva Howe, of Illinois, and Bellville township. On their arrival they own and occupy a farm of 240 they found a little shanty 12x14 feet. acres in Colfax township. They have The first work of improvement was a family of five children-Mary B., its enlargement so as to meet the Edward, Francis, George and Gene- wants of his rapidly growing family. vieve Ann. He was township clerk Four acres of forest trees and one of and secretary of the school board of fruit trees were planted that very Bellville township in 1887. (2) Mary soon developed into a shady grove and E., married April 12, 1893, Thomas a fruit-bearing orchard; but the long Enright. She taught school thirteen continued drought of 1894-95 caused years previous to her marriage. They the loss of some varieties of trees live on Sec. 12, and have two children, and injured others. As a farmer Mr. Thomas and Rose. (3) Thomas B. Quinn has been eminently successful. Quinn Nov. 27, 1896, married Gene- He has made six additional purchases vieve Whaley and they reside in Tex- . of land on the adjoining sections as as. (4) Bridget C. is at home. (5) the years have passed, so that he is Patrick A. Quinn Dec. 6, 1892, mar- now the possessor of 720 acres. The ried Cecilia Enright and they own a fine improvements erected at the old farm of 160 acres in Bellville town- home consist of a large, two-story ship. They reside at Pomeroy, where dwelling house built in 1884, a cow he is engaged as a teacher and carpen- barn 52x82 feet, a large horse barn and ter. Their only child died young. another one for sheep, a large pig (6) John F. Quinn in Feb'y, 1891, house and another one for poultry, a married Mary Enright. They own machinery hall, three granaries and and occupy a farm of 160 acres in Bell- two double corn cribs. He aims to se- ville township, which they have im- cure a thorough cultivation of the proved with good buildings and a fine soil, the application of all available grove. They have three children- manures and a proper rotation of Mary E., George J. and Cecilia F. (7) crops. He has been a large and suc- James D. Quinn Nov, 24, 1896, mar- cessful feeder of cattle, hogs and ried Mary Campbell. They own a sheep. He has been accustomed to farm of 160 acres in Sherman town- change the strain of his stock nearly ship which they were the first to oc- every year, often paying high prices cupy and improve. (8) Martin B. for what he wants, and has a decided Quinn completed the business course preference for the Shorthorns, Poland- in Highland Park college in 1892 and Chinas and Cotswolds. During the is now in a railroad office in Arkansas.
·
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
Michael, Maggie A., Joseph, Paul, Ed- homestead on section 4 which he im- ward and Walter (twins) are at home proved. After seven years he sold it when not pursuing their studies or to James, the father of Erasmus Nel- son its present owner, and bought the engaged in teaching.
Patrick Quinn was president of the farm of A. Cady on section 24 which school board in 1879, justice of the he still owns. Later he increased the peace two years, 1885-86, and a trustee size of this farm and finely improved of the township fifteen years, 1879-93. it. In the spring of 1897 he and his
Andrew Reedland, a native of Swed- wife, aged 73 and 65 years respectively, en, in 1873 with wife and three child- moved to Manson where they now re- ren came to Bellville township and side. Their family consisted of two
homesteaded the S?SE} Sec. 32. He sons and one daughter. Herman, the improved and occupied this home un- eldest, in 1888 married Louisa Wei- til about 1889 when he moved to Col- gert (no relative) and bought the SW} fax township and a few years later to Sec. 16, Lake township which he has Kansas.
improved and still occupies. Augusta
John O. Schon, who on September in 1884 became the wife of George, a 23, 1886 was killed by Otto Otten, son of Peter Peterson and they reside came to this township about 1876 and on section 10, Bellville township, located on section 23. He and his where they have a large farm. Frede wife came from Illinois empty handed rick Jr., in 1897 married Maria Kelso but in ten years through careful and and they occupy his father's farm in economical management he was the Bellville township. owner of 200 acres of land on which Peter Wendell (b. April 7, 1842) is he erected a good residence. He was the son of Peter and Caroline Wendell one of the original members and sup- both of whom died at Cincinnati, porters of the Emmanuel German Ohio, six months after his birth, from church of Bellville township .. His the terrible scourge of cholera that brother. M. B. Schon is the owner and visited that and many other cities of occupant of the N} of section 19. His this land at that time. An elder
murder was effected by shooting brother is still living in Ohio. In his through a window while seated at the childhood and youth he was cared for supper table and it was wholly un- by his Uncle John Rice, and at the
provoked. Otten was a young Ger- age of ten came with him to Iowa. man, a neighbor and intimate friend At Guttenberg, August 2, 1862, at the of the family. When arrested, he age of eigliteen years, he enlisted for confessed his guilt and received a three years as a member of Co. D. 27th sentence of imprisonment for life in Regiment Iowa Infantry. This com- the penitentiary at Anamosa. pany was first sent to guard Fort
Joseph Strong in January 1871 se- Snelling against the Indians in Min- cured the homestead claim forfeited nesota and remained one year in the by Isaac Tappee on section 34. He frontier service under Gen. A. J. was a young man, a brother of Mrs. Smith. Then, becoming a part of the John Christmas with whom he made 16th Army Corps under Gen. Sherman, his home. After a few years he sold he passed through the states of Ar- his homestead to Swan Nelson and kansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and went to Colorado.
Alabama; and participated in eighteen
Frederick Weigert, a native of Ger- battles including those at Pleasant many, in the fall of 1870, accompanied Hill, Little Rock, Tupelo, Old Town by his wife, Mary, and two children, Creek, Nashville and Holly Springs. Herman and Augusta, secured a At Town Creek he was severely
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BELLVILLE TOWNSHIP.
wounded, the ball passing through distance of four or six miles. The the left lung and fracturing five ribs. Shorthorn is his favorite and he aims His comrades drew a silk handker- to keep enough of them to eat all the chief through the wound and he sur- grain raised on the farm. He served vived. He received an honorable as township clerk in 1874 and later as discharge at Memphis, Tenn. May 25, a justice of the peace.
1865.
On Nov. 25, 1865 he married Ame- lia Munch, widow of Christoff See- mans, who died soon after his return from the war. They first located at Guttenberg, Iowa, where he found employment as a butcher. After six months they moved to Cassville, Wis., three years later to Dyersville, Iowa, and in the spring of 1871 to the home- stead on section 22, Belleville town- ship, on which they still reside. It in- cluded 120 acres which was all on that section that was not listed as swamp land, and it had previously been en- tered by Fred B. Olson and Thomas Faherty. He is now the owner of 200 acres and the fine improvements erected thereon have called forth the admiration of many observers. He takes a commendable pride in the neatness and order of his farm and all its appurtenances. His house looks home-like, and his barns, sheds
The family of Mr. Wendell consisted of seven children, one of whom, Ed- ward died at the age of 19 in April 1888. William in 1887 married Folena Schon and resides at Fonda, where during the ten years previous to March 1, 1900, in partnership with his brother George, he was pro- prietor of a meat market. He has a family of five children, Harrison, Clarence, Gilroy, Pearl and Adelia. George, in 1896, married Lizzie Griffin, resides at Fonda and has one child. Albert married Anna Wendell and lives at Marietta, Ohio. Lillie married Charles Kennedy and he is proprietor of a barber shop at Gilmore City. Ida has achieved a high degree of merit as a teacher in the public schools of the county. Emma, in 1898, married Benjamin Kidd and they live on a farm in Lake township.
More of the early settlers of this and stables are conveniently arranged and the adjoining township of Colfax for the, care of a large number of came from Sweden than from any cattle and horses. An unfailing sup- other country, although Denmark, ply of water is furnished by a deep Germany, Ireland and Bohemia were well and windmill. The water, after also represented. That the Swedes passing through the milk tank, finds naturally become attached to the its way into the stock yards where the "old homestead" and flourish finely cattle and hogs, even in the pastures, may quench their thirst at any hour approval, in this soil and climate is
when transplanted, with their own apparent to any one who makes a tour
of the day. Long racks for hay en- circle the yards so that all the cattle of these townships and sees their cul- can be supplied with food on the tivated fields, improved farms, beau- arrival of the first storm. All the tiful homes and well furnished church- buildings are encircled with a dense es. They did not disdain the humble grove, that breaks the fierceness of and uncertain comforts of the sod the winter's storm and provides a cool house, when these were the best this retreat from the summer's heat. The section afforded, and when it became buildings are located on a plat of possible to enjoy more of the comforts ground that is elevated considerably of life they have adapted themselves above the surrounding country so to the new order of things by enlarg- that they can be easily seen at a ing and beautifying their homes and
356
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
adding many additional acres to the probably the largest in North- old homestead. west Iowa, is located in the southeast COUNTY OFFICERS. corner of Bellville township and William Brownlee, of Bellville, was known as the Blanden Farm. In 1876 county treasurer during the two years, Gen. Leander Blanden, of Fort Dodge, 1884-85. The township has been rep- purchased section 25 from Henry resented on the board of county su- Steckelburg, and other lands from pervisors by Wm. Brownlee, eight others (unimproved) as follows: The years, 1876-1883; and by Swan Nelson SE} Sec. 23, SW+ Sec. 24, the SE} and six years, 1885-1890. NĮ of Sec. 26 and all of Sec. 35. Soon PALMER. afterward he bought section 36 in
In August, 1899, the Rock Island Bellville, and section 31 adjoining it railway company having completed in Lizard township, making a farm of the survey of their line through this 3,460 acres of choice land located prin- county. bought of Niels Hanson twen- cipally on five adjoining sections. ty-five acres on the northeast corner
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