The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 57

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 57

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*See Byrne, page 405.

da, lived there a number of years and then moved to Cherokee.

427

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

Mallison Joseph Captain (b. March At the close of the war he returned 14, 1842), resident of Fonda and vicin- to the home of his parents, who, dur- ity since May, 1870, is a native of ing that period, had removed to Fon- Dale, Wyoming county, N. Y. His dulac county, Wis. Thursday, Oct. 7, ` parents were William A. and Jane 1866, he married Susie H. Lingen- (Dingman) Mallison and he was felter, and after two years on a farm brought up on a farm. In 1861 at the at Brandon, moved to Hardin county, age of 19 he enlisted as a member of Iowa, and thence in 1870 to his home- Co. E, 105th N. Y. Inf., which, in the stead, the w+ sex sec. 20, Cedar town- spring of 1863, was consolidated with ship, known later as the Blakeslee the 94th, and he continued in the ser- farm. In 1873, having improved and vice until he was mustered out at secured the patent for the homestead Albany, July 18, 1865. When he ar- he moved to Fonda, where he en- rived at Washington, he was assigned gaged In the sale of implements elev- to the command of Gen. McDowell en years, and in the real estate and in- and remained in the Army of the Po- surance business since that time.

tomac. In 1862 he participated in the battles at Cedar Mountain, some- times called Slaughter Mountain be- cause of the great number that fell on both sides; Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, Chantilly, the second engagement at Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, and

Fredricksburg; in 1863 atChancellors- ville and Gettysburg, where he was in the Second Division, led by Gen, Rey- nolds, who fell on the first day.

On June 3, 1864, at the battle of Cold Harbor, seven miles from Rich- mond, he was wounded and taken prisoner. After a short confinement in Libby prison, he was held at Macon, Ga., two months; Savannah, six weeks; Charleston, S. C,, three weeks, and then at Columbia until the arrival of Sherman's army, when he was moved successively to Char- lotte, Raleigh and Wilmington, N. C., where he and 1200 other prisoners were released on parole, March 1, 1865.

At the battle of Gettysburg, he sav- ed the flag of his own regiment from capture and for this act of heroism was allowed to bring it home with him as a trophy of the conflict. This flag, which graced every patriotic occasion at Fonda, so that it had come to be regarded as the property the town,

was destroyed in McKee's Hall by the fire of 1883.

He participated in the organization of Cedar township, June 6, 1870, and served two years as its first assessor when it included Colfax; two years as township clerk, 1875 and '86; and as justice of the peace since 1893. He took an active part in the incorpor- ation of Fonda, was elected its first mayor in '79, and was re-elected in '84 '95 and '96. He was sheriff of Poca- hontas county, four years, 1880-83, and has been postmaster at Fonda since February 7, 1898.

He inherited a robust form, a fine voice and has enjoyed good health;

He was made a First Lieutenant in and these things, together with his December, 1863 and from the time he affable disposition and dignified man- received his commission was placed ner have made him a fine looking in command of the company and per- soldier and an acceptable command- formed duty as a captain until he was ing officer. He has proven himself to taken prisoner. He was exchanged be a capable and efficient public offic- six months after he was paroled and ial, and it is doubtful if any other one then found a Captain's commission has rendered so much service to the awaiting him. people of Fonda and vicinity, as a

428

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

director of funerals and other assem- hontas county, eleven years, '73-83. blies or more acceptably than he. He conducted a land agency at Fonda

His estimable wife has been asso- for many years and was well acquaint- ciated as a leader among the ladies, ed with not only the people but every in the promotion of the social and re- nook and corner of the county. He ligious interests of the community, was a man of unimpeachable integ- taking an active part in the organi- rity, modest, but persistent in his zation of the first Ladies' Aid Socie- efforts, loyal to his friends and con- ties of the Methodist and Presbyter- scientious in the administration of ian churches, the first Chatauqua cir- justice.

cle, Relief Corps, Eastern Star, etc.

In 1884 the board of county super- In company with her husband she visors, at the instance of the people, has visited northern and southern conferred a special honor upon him by California and Utah; and attended changing the name of Laurens town- the national encampments at Wash- ship to "Marshall," in recognition of ington in 1893 and at Buffalo, near his his long and efficient service as coun- old home, in '97.

ty surveyor.

His family consisted of three chil-

Marshall William (b. 1837), one of the first residents and business men dren, two of whom are dead. Maude of Fonda, was a native of Yorkshire, and her mother live in Fonda, where England, where he learned carpentry they own a fine residence and other and cabinet making. After he be- city property. They also own 400 came of age, he went to London acres of land in this vicinity includ- where he married Jane Webster and ing the old home.

two months later came to the state of Martin Samuel S. (b. Nov. 24, New York. After a short residence 1855), owner and occupant of a recent- there and also in Illinois and Missou- ly improved farm on section 23, is one ri, he bought a half section of land of the leading and most successful in Bremer county, improved and farmers in Cedar township, He is a occupied it for several years. He native of Perry county, Ohio, and the then lived one year in Waverly and son of Thomas B. and Susan (Storrer) engaged in railroad building, taking Martin. At the age of seventeen, in a contract on the I. C. R. R., west of 1870, he accompanied his parents to Fort Dodge. In May 1870, he located Greene county, Iowa, and whilst he at Fonda, erected the first dwelling has always lived on the farm, yet for house in the town for which he haul- a period of five years, he was engaged ed lumber from Pomeroy. He estab- in boring wells, inserting pumps and lished the first lumber yard at this erecting windmills. He acquired place and afterwards the first store possession of a farm of 200 acres in for the sale of hardware and imple- Junction township, which he still ments. He also bought the ned sec. owns. In 1891 he bought and mov- 33, and planted a grove that is not on- ed to a farm on section 29, Cedar ly the largest, but contains more va- township; two years later on section rieties of valuable timber, including 13; and in 1900 on section 23, where he evergreens, than any other in this has just built a good barn and one of section. After the erection of good the finest farm houses in the town- buildings on it, he made his home on ship. He is now the owner of two this farm and died there Oct. 22, 1887. finely improved farms in Cedar town- He served as justice of the peace for ship, that with the one in Greene Cedar township ten years, 1872-74, '78- county aggregate 680 acres.

79, '83-37; and as surveyor for Poca-

He is a progressive and successful

WILLIAM BOTT Co. Supervisor 1880-82, 86-88.

R. F. BESWICK Fonda Creamery Co.

JOHN LEMP Farmer.

ED. B. TABOR Editor.

JAMES MERCER County Supervisor 1883 85 Representative 1890-97

MRS. JAMES MERCER

FRED SWINGLE

MRS. NELLIE R. SWINGLE

Fonda and Vicinity.

429

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

farmer. Having realized the conven- bought and began to improve the nw} ience and value of good improvements, sec. 35 Cedar township. The large he gives them his first attention. He and comfortable house, now occupied has learned also how to keep "the by his family, was built with his own cattle upon the hills" and to have hands in 1885, he having acquired a "the valleys (prairies) covered over practical knowledge both of carpentry with corn." His intelligence and ex- and masonry. His buildings are sur- cellent character as a citizen brought rounded by several groves of different him into favorable prominence dur- kinds of timber, of which the maples ing his residence in Junction town- were planted in 1877 and the ever- ship, and in Cedar he has served two greens in 1893. By subsequent pur- years as a justice of the peace, '93-94, chases his farm has been increased to and is now serving his second year as 400 acres and he is recognized as one trustee. He has also rendered efficient of the most thrifty and substantial service to the Presbyterian church, men in the community. as a trustee since 1895 and as an elder since 1897.

He has rendered an efficient public service, to all of which he has been

On Nov. 7, 1875, he married Anna called without having acquired the White, of Vernon county, Wis, and arts of the politician. He served as his family consists of five children: township clerk four years, 1879-82; one John Weston (b. July 25, '78), gradu- term as justice of the peace and has ated at Fonda in '97, spent one year been secretary of the school board at Fayette college and is now pursu- since 1890. He was a member of the ing his studies at the Iowa State Uni- board of county supervisors three versity. Olive M. graduated at Fon- years, '83-85. In '89, at Peterson, he re- da in '97 and is now a teacher. Dora ceived the Republican nomination E., Samuel G. and Otto Roy. and at the general election held that Mercer James (b. 1847), representa- fall was elected without opposition a tive from this district in 1890-91, is a member of the house of representa- native of Galt, Ontario, Canada; and tives of the 23d General Assembly of is a son of Andrew and Euphemia Iowa from the 77th district, composed Mercer, both of whom came from of Clay and Pocahontas counties. In Scotland. At the age of five years he 1895 while he was busy "earning his moyed with his parents to Cataraugus bread by the sweat of his brow" he county, N. Y., soon afterwards to La was nominated a second time for the Fayette, Ind., and in 1855 to Cascade, legislature and lacked only a few Dubuque county, Iowa. Here he votes of election. He has been a trus- grew to manhood and remained twen- tee and treasurer of the Presbyterian ty years. After attending the public church since the dedication of the school he spent two years in the building in 1887, and an elder and academy. On Oct. 24, 1864, at the age deacon since 1897.

of sixteen he became a member of Co. The highest practical objects of M. 6th Iowa Cavalry and spent one human attainment, such as the en- year fighting the Indians on the fron- joyment of a happy home, the educa- tier (see page 46) in Minnesota and tion of his children, the ennobling the Dakotas, which did not then have privileges of the church, together a settlement beyond Yankton. After with the profitable cultivation and his return from the army he found improvement of his farm, have been employment in the furniture business the praiseworthy ambitions of his and three years later commenced life. He has always been a total ab- farming. In the spring of 1875 he stainer and a practical prohibition-

430

PIONEERHISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

ist. His steadfastness of purpose and Namara. He then located on a farm successful achievements have won for in that vicinity, in 1869 moved to him a public confidence, recognition Webster county and in 1871 to the sw} and honor that only a few usually sec. 3, Cedar township. He was the enjoy. In his youth he acquired the first to occupy this farm and im- habits of industry and economy, and proved it finely. The first house adopted the principles of integrity built in 1881, 14x18 feet, in 1876 be- and honor, that fit every one for noble came an attachment to a large and

achievements. He is a splendid comfortable one. A fine grove of for- representative of the sturdy yeomanry est and fruit trees was planted, and that have developed her resources and by subsequent purchases the original made Iowa great. farm was increased, previous to his

On Nov. 14, 1872, while living at death in 1887, to 540 acres and since Cascade he married Anna, daughter that date to 930 acres, all of which. of William and Anna (Brown) Stew- are occupied by the younger members art, of Ontario, Can., who has proven of his family.

a wise counsellor and a faithful help-

He was president of the second er to him in all his endeavors. His board of trustees of Cedar township family consists of seven children: in 1872, president of the school board Effie M., a graduate of the Normal in 1873 and treasurer of the school school at Shenandoah and a teacher funds in 1874. He was a member of for two years at Sac City, two at Plov- the board of county supervisors three er and three at Pocahontas, in 1900 years, 1874-76, when the county seat married Thomas W. Tarr, of Cedar was at Old Rolfe.

He was a good farmer, a man of

township. Nellie A., who enjoyed three terms at Buena Vista College noble principles and exerted a strong and three terms at the Iowa State influence in establishing and sus- Normal at Cedar Falls, has been taing Catholic worship in the vicin- teaching since 1896. Cilena G., a Fon- ity of Fonda. In the pioneer days he da graduate in'94, graduated from the was recognized as a wise and prudent State Normal in '97, then engaged in leader in politics and religion. In teaching and in June 1900, completed matters of charity, he was always the fourth year course at the State ready to respond to the call of the Normal. May B., a Fonda graduate needy, who never left his door with- in '97, graduated at the State Normal out assistance. His wife, a woman of in 1899 and is engaged in teaching. more than average intelligence and Cora L., a Fonda graduate in '99 and loved by all who knew her, died June winner of the medal in the County 11, 1898.

Declamatory Contest at Havelock that year, is also a teacher. Rollo C. ren, ten of whom survived him: and Ralph J. are at home.

He was the father of thirteen child- 1- Thomas F., county auditor seven

Mc@artan Bernard (b. Oct. 31, years, 1886-92, (see below); 2-Susan 1826), who died in Cedar township E., on May 19, 1895, married Ed. Oct. 2, 1887 in his 61st year, was a na- O'Donnell, Fonda; 3-Mary E., Oct. 5, tive of Down county, Ireland, the son 1897, married John Lilly, owner and of Bernard and Ann (Brush) McCar- occupant of a farm of 80 acres on sec. tan. In 1845 with his parents he 21, Dover township; 4-John J., born came to America and found employ- July 7, 1873, in April 1892 married ment in the lead mines at Dubuque, Katie L. Haggerty and lived four where he married Mary, daughter of years in Dover township, then en- Roger and Margaret (Baldwin) Mc gaged in the abstract business for the

431

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

Bank of Pocahontas in '97-98, and with E. A. Blackington that lasted since as manager of the Shull Bros. five years, and then with Rufus C. lumber yard, Fonda; he has three Potter under the firm name of J. N. children, Austin R, Mary F. and McKee & Co In the spring of 1881 Regina; he was secretary of the Cedar he brought their stock of goods to Fonda, Iowa, where he bought and began to occupy the two store rooms in the Guyett block. At the time of the fire, Oct. 15, 1883, he sustained a township school board two years, '88-89 and assessor in Dover township 1894-95; 5-Arthur A., born Oct. 3, 1865, is manager of the home farm; 6-Bernard E., born Nov. 25, 1867, loss of $25,000, on which the insurance has taught school four years and is was $6,000; but he cleared away the now at Davenport; 7-Joseph H. at ashes of the wooden building and in home; 8-Maggie T. on August 28, its place, in 1884, erected a double 1899, married Anton J. Sauter, a two story brick block that has been carpenter, and resides at Fonda; 9- the pride of the town ever since. He continued in business here until the

Katie and Roger, also at home.

Mc@artan Thomas F. (b. Oct. 19, fall of 1896 when he moved to Washta 1854) is a native of Dubuque county and in 1900 to Britt, Iowa. In part- and came with his parents to Cedar nership with his son Frank P. McKee township in 1871. He was clerk of a clothing store was maintained sev- Cedar township in 1878 and secretary eral years at Fonda and, in connection with it, a tailoring establishment, McKee & Ehline, that employed a a half dozen workmen. During the of the school board in 1883. He serv- ed as Auditor of Pocahontas county seven years, 1886-92, the law of 1890 changing the election of county offic- period of his residence at Fonda he ers to alternate years having added carried the largest stock of general one year to his third term. He has merchandise in this vicinity. been a resident of Pocahontas since He was not a politician but was one £ 1886; and as a stockholder and cashier of the most public spirited citizens of the Bank of Pocahontas has been that Fonda has ever had. He was engaged in the banking and real chosen a member of the town council estate business since 1893.

the next spring after his arrival and continued a member of it until the time of his removal, a period of fif- teen years, 1882-96. He was president

On May 17, 1886, he married Ella, a daughter of Roger and Margaret Collins, formerly of Lizard township, and has a family of six children, of the Fonda school board five years, Clement B., Tessie, Theo. F., Myrtle, 1884-88. Monica and Arthur Thomas.

On Dec. 20, 1864, he married Louise,

McKee Jonathan Neff (b. Feb. 9, daughter of Rufus C. and Hannah 1837), manager and principal proprie- Potter. His family consists of four tor of the general merchandise firm children, one having died young. of J. N. McKee & Co. Fonda, 1881-96, Frank P. now a traveling salesman, is a native of Blair county, Pa., and married Hettie, daughter of John B. the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Mackey, lives at Sioux City and has (Neff) McKee. In the fall of 1860 he one child; Mabel E. married Guy S. found employment at Belvidere, Ill., Robinson, Fonda, county treasurer, as a clerk in the store of A. T. Ames, and has one child, Lorna E .; Earl who, two years later, sent him to Potter, a traveling salesman; and Cherry Valley to sell out a stock of Louisa. goods at that place. In 1864 at this Nichols John Clark (b. May 23, place he entered into a partnership 1343), who died on his farm on sec. 7,

432

PIONEERHISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

Cedar township, Jan. 23, 1899, was a from 1873 to 1892, was a native of native of Scott county, Iowa, the son Carroll, Indiana. In 1856 he moved of William and Laura Nichols, both with his parents to Waverly, Iowa, of whom died in his early days. On where Dec. 28, 1863, he married Matil- August 22, 1862, in response to his da Etta Busby (b. May 21, 1839, N. Y.) country's call he went to Davenport of Dubuque and engaged in farming. and enlisted as a member of Co. K., In 1870 he moved to Plainfield, Butler 20th Iowa Inf. and continued in the county and engaged in the mercantile service until July 1865. His regiment business. In 1873 he located on a became a part of the army on the homestead in Williams township, frontier under Gen. Schofield and passed through Missouri, Arkansas,

Calhoun county, Iowa, and in 1881 moved to Fonda, where he engaged Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, first in the livery business, then for and Florida, traveling 6,350 miles by three years owned a half interest in the Fonda Grist Mill, which seriously steamboat, 2,400 miles by steamship, 1,300 miles by rail and 2,100 on foot, embarrassed all who invested in it. making an aggregate of 12,150 miles He then decided to engage in the ho- or half the circumference of the earth. tel business and, serving as proprietor He participated in the engagements of the Central House, Fonda, one at Prairie Grove, the siege of Vicks- year, in 1892 moved to Meriden and burg, the capture of Fort Morgan and two years later to Cherokee where he Blakely near Mobile, April 9, 1865, the has since had charge of the Cherokee same day that Lee surrendered. House. As a hotel keeper he has be- He was a man of courage and did not come quite popular with the travel- hesitate to face danger when duty ing public and has met with good called. On the return of his regi- success.

ment a lady of Davenport very ap- propriately wrote:

"Ring out a welcome; lo, they come! efficient workers in the Methodist

Our heroes from the war; They bear their banners seamed and rent,

They wear the victors' scar."

Oct. 5, 1871, he married Laura Seekins and located on a farm at Red . Oak, where he remained until 1886 when he came to Cedar township. He experienced considerable inconven- ience from defective hearing after he returned from the army, but was a good farmer, kept his improvements in fine condition and was highly res- pected as a citizen and neighbor. At the time of his death he was the own- er of 200 acres of land.

His family consisted of one daugh- ter who, May 1, 1892, married Jas. M. Borders and lives on the island at Sunk Grove.

Both he and his excellent wife, ear- ly in life, became active members and church, and in Fonda, he filled for a number of successive years the re- sponsible positions of treasurer, steward and superintendent of the Sunday school. He has always been a staunch friend of the temperance cause and a leader in movements for the suppression of the saloon.

His family consists of five children, Carrie, the second, having died in in- fancy, Jennie V., an early teacher in the Fonda schools, on March 17, 1887 married Calvin B. Saylor and lives in Lincoln township; Mabel C., a teacher in the Fonda and Rolfe schools, on June 30, 1891 married George H. Bush and lives at Fonda; Eben Parker mar- ried Claudia Myers and they both be- long to the theatrical profession; Howard Harlan, a graduate of the Cherokee high school in 1899 is now

Lucas David Crystle (b. Jan. 17, filling a lucrative position in that 1842) resident of Fonda and vicinity city.

433

CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

Olson John (b. 1825), owner and oc- taught school in the vicinity cupant of the set sec. 33, Cedar town- of Fonda, pursued a course of study ship from the spring of 1870 to '85, at Battle Creek, Michigan, graduated was a native of Denmark. He mar- from the California Medical College ried there Mary Jensen and in 1867 in 1895 and since that date has been with her and a family of three child- practicing medicine in San Diego. ren, Henry, Lawrence and Sophia, all Her portrait appears in this volume. of whom were called Johnson after Osburn Benjamin Franklin (b. the first name of their father accord- March 25, 1837), a pioneer of Cedar ing to the custom of their native township 1870 to 1885, was a native of land, came to Michigan and three Tioga county, N. Y., where he grew years later to Pocahontas county, to manhood and in 1859 married Iowa. He planted a beautiful grove Delilah B. Reed. August 10, 1862 he of maples, walnuts and other trees enlisted in the 137th N. Y. Inf. as an and erected the house and other orderly sergeant, was made first lieu- buildings occupied by Mr. and Mrs. tenant May 25, 1865 and was honor- John Detwiller and completeiy des- ably discharged at Elmira, New York, June 9, 1865. In 1867 he troyed by the cyclone of 1893.

On Oct. 6, 1883 his mother, Margar- and his family moved to Waterloo, etta Olson, died at his home and was Iowa, and in the spring of 1870 pur- buried on a slight elevation near the chased the sw} sec. 25, Cedar town- south west corner of this farm. At ship which he improved and occupied the time of her death she lacked only until the time of his death which oc- two months of being 94 years old, and, curred at Adel, Sept. 11, 1885. While so far as known, was the oldest inhab- returning from the State Fair at Des itant of Pocahontas county. She was Moines, he endeavored to pass along a native of Denmark, lived at Zea- a railing used for that purpose on the land until 1870, then at Aalborg until outside of the baggage car, and when 1877 and then at the age of 87 years the train entered the bridge at Adel emigrated to the home of a son in Ced- its timbers striking his head inflicted ar township. She possessed a remark- fatal injuries and caused him to fall able constitution and always enjoyed from the car in an insensible con- the best of health. Her eyesight was dition. not diminished by advancing years,

He was a fine looking soldier and she never wore spectacles and was one of the bravest of the brave. He able to read fine print even in her old participated in twenty seven battles age.

including Lookout Mountain, Gettys-

In 1885, John Olson and family burg and other decisive ones, and was moved to San Pasqual, in southern promoted for his skill and courage.

His family consisted of two children:

California, where they still reside. His son, Henry Johnson, taught May, who married Fred Opperman, school in the vicinity of Fonda, in a mail agent, and died in 1885; Bert, a 1878 married Florence White, daugh- book keeper and clerk, married Becca Pfeiffer and located at Sioux City where his mother resides with him.

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 57

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