The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 54

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 54

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Cartlidge John, president of the brought their stock of hardware to Fonda and began to occupy a room in Cedar township school board during the new brick block erected by J. N. 1894-95, was a native of England and McKee & Co. After the lapse of a at the age of twenty came to Vinton, year, Robert W. Russell, of Jones Iowa, where on February 14, 1873, he County, purchased the interest of his married Anna Eliza Goodwin. He en- partner and the new firm of Carpen- gaged in farming in that vicinity for ter & Russell continued until 1889. a few years and in the spring of 1884, During the next two years he was came to Cedar township, where he manager of the lumber yard of Wood- died September 9, 1897, in his 46th ford & Wheeler Co.

year, and his wife, October 31, 1899, in

In 1893, after a residence of six her 63rd year. They left one daugh- months in Bancroft, he resumed ter, Clara, who, July 26, 1896, married business in Fonda as a grocer, and William McIntyre; and an adopted daughter Mary, who resides in Fonda made her home with this family dur- residence in this county. while he dealt in groceries exclusively he was favored with the largest pat- with her aunt Sarah Morton, who ronage of any one in that line of busi- ness. With the increase of trade dry- ing their goods were added in 1897, and in 1900 He was a good farmer, a highly respec- the business was still further enlarged ted citizen and, while living on the under the name of Carpenter & Son, farms of non-resident owners, enjoyed by the additional use of an adjoining their confidence to such an extent as store room. His beautiful residence to be appointed their local agent. on Second street was built in 1895.

Conroy Frank Marion, (b. Oct. 30, By careful attention to all the details 1861), resident of Fonda, is a native of of his business and his manifest integ- Tyrone, Ireland, and came to America rity of purpose he has gained the re- in 1867, with his parents, Thomas and spect and confidence of all who Bridget, who located first in Wiscon- have ever dealt with him. He is a sin but six months later on a farm in' representative of our best citizenship Black Hawk county, Iowa. In the and lends a helping hand to every- fall of 1871 they located on a farm thing that is calculated to promote near Pomeroy and a few years later on the welfare of Fonda and vicinity.

an other one near Jolley where Thom-

He was a member of the city coun- as died October 14, 1890. On Septem-

407

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

ber 5, 1882, Frank M. married Jennie His elder brother, George Covey, M. Cahill of Fort Dodge, and they re- a carpenter and his wife came to Fon- sided near Jolley, until March 1891, da in 1876 and remained until 1887 when they moved to Fonda, erected a when they returned to New York.

two story brick block on the west Dart Amos Wilson, in February 18- 71, became one of the pioneer home- steaders of Cedar township, (e} než section 8) and was a resident of Fonda from 1876 to 1896, when he married Amy Smith and moved to Rolfe. He assisted in the organization of Cedar township, was the first of its citizens to perform the duties of constable and held that office for twenty years. In 1884 he was appointed deputy collect- side of Main Street and established a fine meat market and restaurant. When this building was destroyed by the fire of '91, they moved to their farm on section 30 Dover township, but af- ter two years returned to Fonda, kept a general store for two years and dur- ing this period built the fine residence on Franklin street that he has since occupied. He is the owner of several farms in this and Calhoun counties, or of this county, and held that office and is now engaged as a traveling for eleven years. He was a native of Vermont and at the age of fifteen, in 1830, went to Cresscott, Canada, and

salesman for the manufacturers of the Champion mowers and harvesters. His family consists of two daughters, four years later to Rochester, N. Y. Florence M., who received a medal in Here he learned the painters' art in a the county declamatory contest at chair factory. In 1850 he went to California, eleven years later Pocahontas in 1900; and Cecil, who is now nine years of age. to Boise City, returned to Vermont

Covey Frank Holley, cigar maker in 1869 and two years later came to and retailer, Fonda, was born in Pocahontas county. His first wife Duchess county, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1851. Caroline Hays died in 1849, leaving He grew to manhood at Hudson, two daughters, both of whom married where he learned the cigar manufac- and had children, but are now dead. turing business, and, afterwards for In 1871 he married Mercy, widow of several years, found employment in James Logan and she, as an invalid, the principal cities of the east, as a died in 1895. He died September 29, cigar maker. In 1877 he came to Fon- 1899 in his 85th year. During his da and continued to manufacture early life he became addicted to in- cigars until 1898 when his retail trade, temperate habits and they greatly an- commenced in 1894, began to occupy noyed him in his later years. During his whole time and attention. April his residence on the homestead he be- 22, 1884 he married Mary Belle Tuck- came an active member of the M. E. er and they have one son living, church and a few years later was ap- pointed the local agent of the Poca- Harry, now in his 11th year.

At an early age he began to partici- hontas county Bible society. His ex- pate in various amateur plays on the hortations in religious meetings stage and soon after his location in were earnest and often deeply impres- Fonda, he had thirteen of the "old sive. One who heard him conduct a timers" join with him in rendering, service in the Warner school house in "Among the Breakers." It was the May 1881 was induced to express principal event of that season and by his remarks in poetic form and the reason of the admirable manner in opening lines are as follows:

which he represented a negro charac- ter called "Scud" he has been gener- ally known by that name ever since.

"I am the door; come knockand I will open, None ever sought for entrance here

408

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

in vain; Come boldly forward, this shall be thy token,

The Lamb was slain.

1 I'll nourish, cherish and at last re- ceive thee

a two years' course of legal studies in the Iowa State University at Iowa City.

I am the vine; come and I will engraft thee, Dunn Alexander, a justice of the peace in Cedar township since 1895, A faithful off-shoot from the pa- was born in Manahan county, Ireland, rent tree; in May 1832, and in 1857 married there Margaret Mills. In March 1860, with wife and two children, he came to To bloom eternally." -Shabbona, in THE TIMES, June 9, this country and located on a farm 1881.

near Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1864 he en-

Davis Arthur W. came to this listed as a member of Co. D. 153rd county in the fall of 1895 and served Ohio Volunteers and participated in two years as principal of the public several skirmishes with the confed- schools in Fonda. His excellent erates along the railroads in Virginia work in the school room and in the and at Chambersburg, Pa. In 1872 he teachers' institutes brought him into located in Cass Co., Iowa, in 1882 such favorable notice over the county on section 20 Williams township, and that in the fall of 1897, he was elected in 1893 on his present farm in Cedar to fill the office of County Superin- township, which he was the first to tendent. At this election he received occupy and improve. Few men have 121 votes more than any other candi- been more highly honored by their re- date on the winning ticket in this election to the office of Justice of the county, and a majority of 373 over his Peace than Squire Dunn. He filled opponent. His administration of the this office three terms, or six years, in educational interests of this county Cass county, two terms in Calhoun county, and is now serving his third

was vigorous, impartial and exception- ally fine. Although he is still pursu- term in Cedar township.

ing his education, he has already de-

His first wife died near Cincinnati, veloped considerable ease and grace as November 20, 1870, leaving three an orator and, on several important children: Mary Elizabeth, proprietor public occasions, addressed large as- of a hotel at Elkhorn, Colorado; Alex- semblages of the people in different ander, who is engaged in the Cripple parts of this county. He possesses the Creek gold region; and John, who in genius of tireless energy, the genius 1897 graduated in the law department that achieves, and has a bright future of the Colorado State University at . before him.

Denver. In 1871 he married Mrs.

He was born in Fayette county, in Josephine Crozier, of Claremont, Ohio, the early seventies, received his pre- and the children of this union still paratory education in the high school living are, Mary, wife of Charles at Fayette, and, as a Bachelor of Wood, Frank, Thomas, Arthur, Char- Science, graduated at the college in les and Clarence.

that place in 1893. During his college Dorton George Madison (b. July course he worked on the farm and 4, 1836-d. September 2, 1880) in the taught school to meet his expenses. spring of 1871, accompanied by wife At the time of his graduation he was and seven children, located on a home- elected principal of the public schools stead of eighty acres n± ne} section 32, at Montour, and a little later accep- known later as the Smeaton farm, in ted a similar position at Rock Rapids, Cedar township. He planted the where he continued until he located beautiful maple grove, that now sur- at Fonda in 1895. He is now pursuing rounds the buildings, and remained

MRS. J.B. MACKEY.

JOHN B. MACKEY

JOSEPH HAWKINS,

ED. L. BEARD.

SAMUEL S. MARTIN.

-MR. & MRS. GODFREY PFEIFFER-

JAMES A. CARROLL.

GEO. M. DORTON.

JOHN DETWILLER

FONDA AND VICINITY.

James B.Weaver

D.M. Woodin

Harvey Eaton

J.R.Johnson

Amos Dart

Peter 6. Ibson

Wm Lynch

Henry Schoentahl

Mrs.W! Lynch

FONDA AND VICINITY.

409

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

there until December 1878, when he The first improvements consisted of a moved to Fonda and conducted a board shanty, 12x14 feet, a stable and flour and feed store in connection with some breaking; and these were located a collection agency, until the time of according to some breaking previously his decease. He taught school in his done by one who was a practical youth and two terms in the Hersom surveyor. Wishing to know exactly district. He was elected Justice of where his homestead was, he then had the Peace in the fall of 1872, and held it surveyed by the county survey- that office three successive terms. He or and was surprised to find that his was one of the census enumerators in buildings were along the center of 1880 and a member of the town coun- the highway and that a considerable

cil in 1879-80.

After the death of his father in In- diana, he came with his mother to Ottumwa, Iowa, and on April 19, 1859, married Mary Kerlin, of Chilicothe. After two years they moved to Adams county, and three years later, to Mar- shall county, where they remained until the time of settlement on the homestead. His family consisted of seven children all of whom, and their mother, are still living except Alice F. who Sept. 12, 1889, married John W. Willis, a hardwareman, of Chadron, Neb., and died Nov. '93; Perry, in 1892, married Dora Hughes, resides in the State of Washington, and has one child, Guy: Anna, in 1888, married Clarence Harding, a general agent for the D. M. Osborne Implement Co., re- sides at Dubuque, and has three child- ren, Chauncey, Fern and Marie. Don- na, in 1885, married Charles Roberts, a blacksmith, lives at Jolley, and has four children, Frank, Haydee, Charles and George: Henry, manager of the Lee & Jenkins lumber yard, at Fonda, married Catherine Fitzgerald and has one child, Veronica; Theresa, in 1887 married Charles Nichols, a carpenter Fonda, and has three children, Glad- dis, Glenwood and Clark; John, the youngest, is an employee of the North- ern Telephone Co.

portion of his breaking was on three adjoining farms, two of which were in Grant township.

He has been very successful as a farmer, and is now the owner of 640 acres of land (160 acres in Nebras- ka) and a two story brick block in Fonda. He believes he worked harder and endured more hardships to secure the homestead than any of the sub- sequent purchases. In 1873, when the grasshoppers robbed him of every- thing on the homestead, he took his family in a prairie schooner to Sac City, erected a cabin for their com- fort, worked on the railroad till spring and then traded the cabin for a cow.

Both of his farms are finely improv- ed and the buildings are kept neatly painted. The house on the home- stead was built in 1887 and he con- tinued to live there until 1893 when he bought and moved to the farm of A. B. P. Wood, near Fonda, for the better education of his large and industrious family.

In 1898, he built a two story brick building on the West side of Main street, Fonda, known as the Eaton block and later bought another store on the same street. Few men have met with better success on the farm and it has been achieved by attend- ing strictly to it.

Eaton Harvey (b. Dec. 6, 1846),own- er and occupant of the set Sec. 28, He has been the owner of some of Cedar township, came to Pocahontas the finest specimens of cattle, hogs county with wife and one child and horses ever brought to this vicin- June 1, 1871, and secured a homestead ity and has paid fancy prices for on the net Sec. 36, Dover township. some of them. He has shown a prefs

410

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

erence for the Shorthorn and Gallo- W. Norton and died in 1896 leaving way cattle, and for the English two children, Ray and Viola. Mary draught horses.

Jeanette married George Dickson, He is a native of Cataraugus Co., N. Superintendent of the Boone Co. coal

it, where his father, Hamilton mines at Ineline, and has live child- Eaton, died in 1847, the next year ren, Pearl, Irene, Alpheus, Leveta after his birth, leaving four sons and and Royal. Minnie Myrtle married one daughter, namely: Henry, resi- in 1896 Charles Cheney, a farmer near dent of Ripon, Wis .; Mary and Al- Newell, and has one child, Ethel. bert, both dead; William and Harvey, Jennie M. a Fonda graduate in 1897, residents of Fonda. In 1848 his and Ezra Albert are at home.

mother, Ruth, became the wife of Edgar David William, M. D. (b. Warner Gorton who died in Green August 24, 1845), resident of Fonda Lake county, Wis., in 1886 leaving two since April 2, 1881, is the oldest res- children, Nancy married to William ident physician in Pocahontas county. Sweet, and Amos H. Gorton whose He is a native of Wisconsin and the wife and two children were killed in son of Williamand Charlotte (Tibbals) the cyclone of '93, also a resident of Edgar, with whom he remained on Fonda. After the death of her second the farm until he was 23 years of husband she made her home with age. In September 1868, he came to Harvey and died in 1893 in her Waverly, lowa, where he taught 78th year. Harvey came to Buchanan school and studied medicine two and county, Iowa, in 1867, the next year one half years under Dr. J. G. Smith. married Mary B. Thompson, of Inde- In the fall of 1871, he entered Rush pendence, and three years later came Medical College, Chicago, and gradu- 10 Pocahontas county. His family ated March 17, 1874, having spent a consists of eleven children: Almira, a portion of the intervening time on teacher, and Adelia together had the farm and in teachingselect school. charge of a grocery store in Sioux He loented first at Monroe, Wiscon- City two years and in Fonda one year; sin, but after six months went to Jennie, married to John W. McCul- Dayton, where he remained until loch, Pomeroy; Amos, Cora, a graduate November 1, 1889, when he came to from the Fonda schools in '99 and a Gowrie, Iowa,and five months later to teacher; Jessie, Martha, Wallace, Fonda. Pearl, Gertie S. and Harry.

He came to this community very

Eaton William II. (b. Jan. 19, 1841, highly commended, and during his N. Y.) in 1859 married Hannah Bar- long residence in it, he has been held rett in Green Lake county, Wis,, and in high esteem as a physician, has en- engaged in farming there until 1880 joyed a very lucrative practice and when, with a family of eight children proved himself a publie spirited citi- he came to Dover township, and eight zen. He was an efficient member of years later to Fonda. His family con- the town council eleven years, '87-97, sists of eight children: Francis II. a member of the school board a num- Fonda, married Alma Cullen who died ber of years and president of it in 18- in 1888 leaving one son, Roy; and 92. He is now the owner of an im- in 1893 he married Maggie Olkjer, proved farm of 100 acres in Calhoun who has one child, Lee. William Os- County, and several valuable proper- car married Anna Olkjer, lives at ties in Fonda.

September 1, 1890 he married Anna

Sloux Rapids and has two children, Cecil and Ray. Lucy died in her 23rd Lourinda Dixon, then teaching school year, Ruth Viola married Stephen in this vicinity; and their family con-

411

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

sists of two children, David Dixon, had been a soldier in the civil war, se- and Mary Charlotte. cured a homestead of 160 acres on the

Ellis Gilbert H. (b. Sept. 21, 1821), net section 8. He was a native of resident of Fonda since 1879, is a native New York, where in 1849, he married of Canton, Oxford county, Maine. In Harriet Graham, who is still a resi- 1843 he married Phoebe W. Griffith, dent of Fonda. In 1862 he enlisted (b. March 20, 1819) and lived there un- for three years as a member of Co. K. til 1851, when he moved to Boone Co., 85th, New York Infantry, to render Ill, where he remained until 1879. service as a musician. Ile belonged The period of his active life was spent to the army of the Potomac under on the farm and he owned a good one, Mclellan, lost his health in the

near Fonda, until 1890. He has been swamps along the Chicamauga, and a total abstainer, an carnest advocate after the lapse of fifteen months, was of prohibition and was a member of honorably discharged for disability. the Fonda town council, in 1881. His In February 1865 he moved to Floyd estimable wife died December 16,1888. county, Iowa, and seven years later to

HIc raised a family of four sons and the homestead in Pocahontas county, one daughter, three of whom were where he died September 30, 1874. Ile born in Maine and the others in Illi- was serving as one of the trustees of nois. 1. Elisha Osro (b. Feb. 4, 1845), Cedar township at the time of his a mason and plasterer, on July 3, 1867, death. His family consisted of six married Elvira Leach, of Manchester, children: 1. Frank in 1874 married Ill., came to Fonda, in 1879, and raised Jennie Ferguson, resides in Webster a family consisting of Frederick, a county, and has a family of eight printer, resident of Los Angeles, Cal., children, Olgie, Mina, Richard, Ar- where October 11, 1896, he married thur, Frank, Jennie, Ralph and Guy; Kittic Griffen; Lulu, June 19, 1896, 2. Eugene in 1876 married Nora Say- married Fred J. Kenning a hardware- res, who died in 1894 from the effect man, Fonda, and they have two child- of being enveloped in the flames of ren Grace and Mabel; Earl, Jesse, the gas that filled the room, while Glenn, Florence and Mazic. 2. Ed- she was cleaning grease spots on the ward R. (b. June 14, 1848) resident of carpet with gasoline near a hot stove; Fonda since 1875 and Mayor two years she left four children, Aaron, a Fonda 1898-99, on Nov. 15, 1871, married

graduate in 1896, Emmet a graduate Sophia Riford (b. Aug. 8, 1848) at in 1900, Ray and Jay. 3. Alice in 1877, Waukesha, Wis., and she died Jan. 15, married Fillmore Miller, a book-keep- 1898, leaving one daughter, Maude, a er, lived at Webster City, and died in teacher. 3. Frank R. a farmer, in 1889 leaving two children Harriet and 1879 married Alice Comstock, re- Benjamin. 4. Elmer, a well driller, sides in California and has three lives with his mother. 5. Mary in children. 4. George R. a farmer, in 1883, married Harry Bailey a carpen- 1891, married Mary Murray and has ter at Fonda, and has three children, three children, Gilbert, Rozella, and Augusta, Charles and William. 6. Frank. 5. Augusta Lcon Nov. 11, William, a well driller, in 1893 mar- 1882, married William Chiquet, a ried Mary McGrevy and has one child, printer of Fort Dodge, where she Max.

. died January 8, 1900, leaving three

Fairburn George. The carly set- children, Luzerne, Flossie and Gilbert. tlement of north-west Iowa, meant

Evans Orange C. (b.1826) with wife not only the development of a country and six children came to Cedar town- of inexhaustible resources, but also ship in 1872 and, in view of the fact he the development of men who were

412

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

ready to enter this new field of effort, year," because he believed a crop of take advantage of its manifold oppor- that sort would prove a disastrous, tunities and grow up with the coun- rather than a profitable investment. try. One of those who have achieved While in the general railroad office a high degree of success, as financiers, at Dubuque, he was afforded the op- is George Fairburn, whose settlement portunity either to remain there or to at Fonda was co-incident with the take charge of one of the new stations establishment of regular train service established between Fort Dodge and by the Illinois Central R. R. Co., in Sioux City, except LeMars. After October 1870. making a tour of inspection over the

He began his career April 19, 1850, entire line and signifying a preference near Kelso, Scotland, and is the son of for Marvin, now called Fonda, he was Archibald and Janet (Aitchison) Fair- appointed the station agent for this burn. In 1860, at the age of ten, he place and at the age of twenty, Oct. came with his parents to America, 15, 1870, located at Marvin making and located at Dubuque, Iowa, where his home in the depot. The town he remained during the next ten had been platted only a few days pre- years. Here he worked on the farm vious and a few little shanties, pro- in summer and attended the Academy miscously located on the prairie near at Cascade in winter, for several years; the depot, were the visible indications and then became an assistant in the of the future city. On November 1, office of his uncle, D. A. Mckinlay, 1877, after a serious illness of three secretary and treasurer of the Dubu- months and seven years of continuous que and Sioux City R. R. Co. His service as station agent, he resigned uncle was remarkable for his method- that position in order that he might ical manner and business sagacity;and give his undivided attention to his under him he received an excellent own rapidly developing business in- business training.

terests, having proved himself one of the most competent and trustworthy

During this early period of his life he endeavored to make a profitable agents the I. C. R. R. ever employed. investment of a part of each month's He began his business career at earnings, and made himself so useful Fonda, by ordering, soon after his ar- to his employers that his meager rival, a car load of soft coal, ten tons, increased annually. and storing it for sale in the west end wages were

That load of coal sup-

During the last two years his spare of the depot. moments were occupied in reading plied the local demand during all that law, Senator Wm. B. Allison, whose winter and, as it was sold, it was office was in the same building and weighed on the little scales in the de- opposite that of his uncle, having ac- pot. This was the beginning of the corded to him the courtesy of the use coal business at Fonda. He also sold that season a number of twisters for of his library for that purpose.

At this early date, and by reason of twisting hay so it could be used for the facts just stated, he gave promise fuel. of his subsequent, successful business

The first act of public charity by career. It was not the amount he the citizens of Fonda and vicinity earned, but what he saved and judi- was made in response to his personal ciously invested that became the ba- appeal. It consisted of a lot of flour sis of his present wealth;and the results and clothing sent to Chicago the next of his youthful efforts at self improve- day after he received the message, ment make him a good illustration of announcing the great fire there in one who did not "sow wild oats this October 1871, accompanied with an

413

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

appeal for supplies. During one of with the development of this new set- the snow blockades of 1880 the supply tlement. He is at present the owner of flour in Fonda became exhausted. of nearly 3,000 acres of land in Poca- On this occasion he got a horse, rode hontas and adjoining counties. to the home of James Mercer and ob-

In 1889 he purchased a fine resi- tained a part of a sack of flour to dence in Des Moines and moved to supply the pressing needs of his own family. that city for the better education of his family, having disposed of his in-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 54

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