The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 87

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 87

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China hogs and Plymouth Rock chick- ens. During the last twenty years he has always kept some registered stock for the improvement of his herds, but has never undertaken to raise fancy stock. He has found the dairy very profitable and has done his own churning. In 1897 he and Calvin be- as the Duchess and retain its flavor

He has recently offered a reward of $500 to any one who will give him a hardy apple tree for this section that will produce fruit as fine for cooking till March.

The Concord is his standard grape, and his method of treatment during the winter is to cover the vines with earth during the first three years and, after that period, with hay.

He has learned how to make home- county, and the success that has since life on the farm a source of real en- attended his efforts has caused him to be recognized as one of the most successful fruit growers in Pocahontas county.

In 1871 he planted 30 apple trees of ment, yet as his sons have grown up different varieties and six of them, he has sent them away to school or namely, one Haas, two Saps of Wine college. Having acquired a good edu- and three Duchess,-all that were cation they have been content to planted of these three varieties,-are settle on farms near the old home, as- still living and bearing fruit. He has sured of finding pleasant and profit- planted trees of these varieties since able employment and the most inde- and they have proved hardy. Other pendent road to success. varieties that have proved hardy are,

In 1902 he retired from the responsi- for summer use,-the Tetofsky, Sweet bilities incident to the personal care Russet, Whitney No. 20, Boorsdorf, of so large a farm, and rented it to and Blue Pearman (large); for late Calvin.

In taking this step he very fall,-Plum's Cider, Wealthy and prudently decided not to move to Borvinka (large); for winter,-Long- town where he would prove a stran- field, Waldbridge, Minnesota

and ger, but to remain on the farm amid Northwestern Greening; crabs -the the associations that have been near- Early Strawberry, Florence, Comical, est and dearest during the active part Byersweet and Beechersweet.

of his life.

One tree of the Duchess in 1900 He has been president of the Poca- yielded 18 bushels. The Longfield is hontas County Fire and Lightning also a good bearer and promises to be Insurance Association since its organ- the most popular winter variety for ization in 1890. He is an enthusiast this section. All crabs should be for this form of mutual protection on marketed the same or the next day the part of farmers, because it is after they are picked or they will "cheap, safe and sound;" and by his show injury from handling. The fidelity and zeal has contributed Early Strawberry crab is a prolific greatly to the success of this organiza- bearer, and the Soulard will keep till tion. May, but the quality is not very good. He has always been a republican.

gan to use cream separators on their farms, and these were the first ones introduced into the township.

He has also been a successful fruit grower. He acquired some practical knowledge in this line by working a short time in a nursery in Blackhawk

joyment as well as profitable employ- ment. Every part of his large farm exhibits the indications of thorough cultivation and energetic improve-

648

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

He participated in the organization of Lucas, a teacher, and locating on a the township and has been intimate- farm of 80 acres improved and occu- ly identified with the management pied it until 1902, when he returned of its public affairs, serving as the to the old homestead in order that his first teacher, the first township clerk, venerable parents might enjoy some and then successively as secretary, respite from toil and care.

president and treasurer of the school board.

William J. in 1897 married Ida Crummer and occupies a farm of 80

His parents were Mennonites, but acres on Sec. 29.

since his marriage he has been a faith- Herbert B. is pursuing a scientific ful, liberal and honored member of course in Morning Side college pre- the M. E. church, serving many years paratory to the study and practice of as superintendent of the Sunday medicine. In 1893 after an illness of school and a trustee and treasurer of fifteen months from appendicitis, his the church, since public services were life was saved by the removal of the established in Lincoln township. vermiform appendix, by Dr. Senn, at

His family consists of three sons, the Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago. Calvin, William and Herbert.

Calvin B. in 1887 married Jennie . V. in 1873 ..

Sanford, the second son, died at four

RESIDENCE OF CHARLES ELSEN, Lake Township. County Supervisor, 1897 .- Date.

BARN OF ALEXANDER PETERSON Colfax Township.

RESIDENCE AND FAMILIES OF CARL STEINBRINK AND SON-IN-LAW, Lizard Township. County Supervisor 1878-1883.

1. Augusta. 2. Mary Onken.

3. Emma. 5. Lizzie Onker.

4. Mrs. Steinbrink.

6. Mrs. Onken.

7. Mr. Steinbrink.

8. Wm. Onken.

9. Henry Onken.

10. John.

11. Carl F. 12. Rudolph.

XXII.

LIZARD TOWNSHIP.

"Hail to the hardy pioneers! The men that cleared the forests, And built log cabins rude; The wives that shared the hardships Of toil and solitude."

"Though the old folks talk of the good old times When land was plenty and cares were few; Yet the young folks listen with doubtful smiles, Convinced they were not as good as the new."

When the author visited Lizard township to gather the materials for its history he found that no early records of any sort were available for refer- ence. When John M. Russell, the clerk at that time, perceived. our embar- rassment, he volunteered to gather the facts and prepare a correct general history of its settlement and the succession of its officers, as far as possible. Having a just appreciation of its future value, he entered upon this under- taking with considerable enthusiasm, bestowed a large amount of labor upon it, and after the lapse of several months, sent us a very complete history of the township, all of which has been embodied in this work and most of it in the general part of this chapter. The author gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance thus rendered by John M. Russell.

GENERAL FEATURES.

IZARD township (90- its banks are several groves of natural 31) is located in the timber that contained about 200 acres, southeast corner of of which the one on Sec. 24, known as the county and is the "Collins grove," contained 70 acres, and the one on the farm of Nicholas Nolan (Sec. 4) was called "Camp grove." The soil is a rich black loam underlaid with a subsoil of clay. It is very productive and the running water in its shady streams make it splendid for raising stock. traversed by both the north and south branches of Lizard creek. Whilst the latter has considerable resemblance to a slough, its bottom being covered with grass, cane, rushes and flag, the former, though shallow, has a gravel The Sioux name for Lizard creek bottom and a lively current. Along was "Was-sa-ka-pom-pa," the river

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650

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

with lizards. The propriety of this had located near them in Jackson name also appears in the extreme sin- township and Caspar H. Brockshink uosity of its course, which doubles up- in Lake township. These were the on itself so frequently as to give it families that composed the Lizard the appearance of the tortuous trail settlement at the end of 1856, and of a lizard. The Des Moines river, in- most of their first houses were built of logs from the natural timber along the north branch of Lizard creek.

to which it empties at Fort Dodge, was originally named "Moingonan" by the Algonkins, "Moingona" by Char- levoi and "Eah-sha-wa-pa-ta" or Red Stone river by the Sioux.

1857. In 1857 there arrived the families of John Quinlan, James Gor- man, Patrick McLarney, Thomas

Lizard township was established Crowell, Patrick Collins and Edward Feb. 19, 1859, by an order of Luther L. Bradfield. Pease, county judge of Webster coun- 1858. In 1858 there arrived Mrs. ty (p. 196), and it then included the Bridget Vahey, Thomas Quinlan, Thomas Prendergast and a few others.

four townships in the southeast part of the county. June 4, 1861, its bound-

An account of these early pioneers ary was changed so as to include the will be found on pages 155 to 165. Af- four townships in the south row of ter 1858 there were no arrivals worthy the county and the south half of Grant of mention until the close of the civil and Dover (p. 194). Subsequently Lake war. and Lincoln townships were again at-

This "Lizard Settlement" was the tached and it was not left in its pres- first one west of the Des Moiner river ent form until Lake was detached, in the vicinity of Fort Dodge, and all June 5, 1877.

in it were pre-emptors. That some of

All the territory included in it form- them were deprived of their first loca- ed one road district until Oct. 1, 1866, tions is not a surprise, when it is re- membered that the act of Congress, when it was divided into two, in 1868 into three, and in 1869 into four granting the alternate sections to the road districts. In 1874 the township, Dubuque & Sioux City R. R. Co., was as now constituted, was divided into not approved until May 15, 1856. and nine road districts of four sections the lands were not certified to that each, and soon afterward the same ter- company until Dec. 23, 1858. The ritory was organized into eight inde- homestead law went into effect July pendent school districts as at present. 4, 1862.

PIONEER SETTLERS.

SEVERITIES AND HARDSHIPS.

The first settlements in this county The development of a new country always involves a vast amount of hard work and it has to be performed at a were made in this township in 1855 and 1856. The first settlers were James Hickey (single), Michael Col- great disadvantage. This Lizard set- lins, Michael Broderic (single), Charles tlement was founded on the frontier Kelley, John Calligan, Patrick Calli- in the expectation of immediate rail- gan (single), Roger Collins, Walter road facilities, but the panic of 1857 Ford, Dennis Connors, Philip Russell, followed by the civil war in 1861, put John Russell (single), Patrick McCabe, a sudden and absolute check on all James Donahoe, Michael Walsh and such enterprises and left them unex- their families.

pectedly without money or help twen-

A few others, consisting of Hugh ty miles from Fort Dodge, the nearest Collins, Patrick Forey, Edward Quinn, trading point, which was then noth- Michael Morrisey, James Condon, ing but a deserted soldiers' barracks Michael Donavan and Thomas Ellis, that was often in need of provisions

. 651

LIZARD TOWNSHIP.

sufficient to meet local demands. the storm and the weird howl of the There were no grades or bridges, and prairie wolf at times caused the brav- the sloughs and streams were impass- est adventurer to pause, and filled able a great part of the year except in with terror the heart of the belated wayfarer. skiffs or dugouts.

On the other hand the freshness and salubrity of the air on a summer's

These early pioneers were not a peo- ple on whom the goddess of fortune and luxury immediately smiled. The morn, the sweet singing of the birds, the cooing of prairie chickens and the quacking of wild ducks animated one with delightful aspirations. The wild roses in June covering the banks of the streams lent their fragrance to the air and gave a lovely enchantment to the scene, which was heightened by the beautiful, billowy blending of the high and low lands, clothed with their virgin robe of summer verdure. Along the Lizard plumps of wild fowl, such as wisps of snipe, flights of plov- ers, bevies of quail, coveys of part- ridges and harrows of wild geese abounded, and occasionally a few deer would be seen browsing on the out- skirts of the timber as if paying a farewell visit to their old and familiar haunts, which they were loath to abandon.

young farmer and his wife had to do all their own work and in the rud- est or most primitive way. Mowers and reaping machines had not yet been invented. A plow that would scour in this black loam existed only in the imagination, and no one dream- ed of such inventions as the present binders, threshers and corn harvest- ers. All grass intended for hay had to be cut with a scythe, and other crops with a corn cutter, sickle or grain cradle. The use of overshoes not having extended to this section, the common cowhide or kip boot was the only protection for his feet, and an overcoat was a luxury. They were beset on every side with innumerable obstacles of time, distance and lack of means:

Let not ambition mock their usefnl toil,

FEAR OF INDIANS.

One of the terrors that harrassed Their homely joys, their destiny ob- the early western pioneer was the con- scure, stant fear of a savage incursion by the Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile The short but simple annals of the poor. -Gray. Indians. These pioneers on the Liz- ard served their time as "sentinels" of the commonwealth or "pickets on duty," guarding the frontier of civili- zation. They endangered their lives in preparing the way for succeeding generations. The pioneer, armed with the plowshare and the implements of

Neither let modern presumption mock their bent form, or unsteady step from wearied heart and limb, nor cast a single glance of aspersion on the noble work they have done.

The natural appearance of the coun- peace, led the van of progress and civ- try to them was weird and romantic. ilization on these western wilds with The prairies in summer were covered personal peril, as certainly as the sol- with a thick growth of heavy blue dier who offers his life for the perpet- joint and wire grass, and the bottoms uation of the government, andis armed with the weapons of war. waved beneath a luxuriant growth of coarse grass so tall that a man of or- On one occasion when Wm. Walsh was in Fort Dodge there came to him dinary stature could scarcely be seen walking through it. In winter the the word that a band of Indians had deep snows covered the prairies and camped on his farm after his depart- filled the ravines. The wild roar of ure, and had taken some of his shoats.

652

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

The next morning, accompanied by articles. When Brockshink returned the sheriff of Webster county and a and learned what the Indians had lot of armed men from Fort Dodge on done, he hastened to Fort Dodge and, wagons, he started home expecting to returning with a posse of armed horse- have a pitched battle with the In- men, he surprised the settlers consid- dians. When they had traveled about erably but found no other traces of ten miles the Indians were seen com- the Indians.

ing over a little hill a short distance Ordering a halt, the sheriff

Just after harvest in 1858 a traveler before them, all mounted on ponies. spread the word that a band of Sioux and warriors, armed with guns and wear- Mr. Walsh advanced to them and ing red shawls, had been seen engag- meeting the old chief he showed them ing in a "wild grass dance" and were his passport written on a large sheet approaching from the west. This of paper. As a result of the parley was soon after the Spirit Lake massa- the Indians were allowed to continue cre and the news so alarmed the set- their journey and the armed wagon tlers that they were afraid to sleep in train soon afterward returned to Fort their cabins and sought resting places Dodge.

at night under the shocks of grain.

This was the Johnnie Green tribe of When the word reached Fort Dodge the Pottawattamies (p. 135) and they another party of mounted citizens set had indeed stopped at the home of out to meet the menacing foe. Hast- Wm. Walsh, very much to the annoy- ening through the Lizard settlement ance of his wife. The squaws looking they found no trace of any Indians, and an investigation disclosed the fact that the spectral foe was merely a

through the open window of the log cabin and seeing a little baby began to shout, "Pap-oose! pap-oose!" there- flock of sandhill cranes that had been by awakening fears that they were seen at a distance enjoying a "wild going to take it with them. Happily grass dance," the frolicksome flapping a couple of neighboring women arriv- of their wings creating the impression ed and repeating the words, "White that they were waving red colored men coming! white men coming!" the shawls.

Indians were induced to leave the premises.

A number of Indian families con- tinued their trapping excursions for their camp in the most sheltered and

On another occasion two braves that several successive autumns, locating that had been trapping around Lizard Lake came to the home of John Calli- comfortable places along the north gan at a time when he and his wife Lizard, which in those days abounded were in the field, and Ellen Broderic with small fur bearing animals such (Mrs. Philip Russell) and Mrs. Dennis as muskrats, mink and beaver. The Connors were in the cabin. Edward, early settlers frequently visited their the oldest of the children, was sent camp, having an eager curiosity to see to the field for Mr. Calligan and when the quaint appearance and habits of he arrived they signified by various life of this strange, nomadic race that gestures that they wanted something occupied this land long before the to eat, Corn bread and meat was very

children of the pale face had ever freely served them on chairs outside heard of the New World. On these the cabin.

occasions the reflection often forced

Then they went to the home of itself, that at the springs along the Henry Brockshink where they fright- streams the swarthy maiden filled the ened the women folks, shot the dog and stole a blanket and several other

family water pail with sparkling water, on these prairies the ruddy In-

653

LIZARD TOWNSHIP.

dian youth chased the deer and buffa- substitute. The log cabin was warm lo, and beneath the smoky rafters of and substantial, but nearly all of them the wigwam the old chief talked at have long since given place to larger night about the brave deeds of his and more elegant residences. Michael tribe and the Great Spirit.

Donavan was the first one in the settle- ment to replace the log cabin with a

THE LAND AND SETTLERS.

This is but a brief description of the good frame house.

region that awaited development The early settlers of this township, with a few exceptions, were natives when these first settlers "drove their stakes and fastened their cords" in of the Emerald Isle, who, like the Pocahontas county. It was an arena New England pilgrims, longed to en- that presented both possibilities and joy more tolerant laws and more hope- impossibilities-an opportunity for ful prospects. Wafted on the wings successful achievement and also of of destiny they came to America in failure; a basis for hope, the bright the vigor of their youth and rested star in the firmament of the future not until they located on "the Liz- that lures the brave, and also for dis- ard." They were good representatives. may. The land in its primeval state, of a hardy, robust race that had been blocming as a paradise of pleasure, inured to hardship and possessed great seemed as if it would satisfy the fan- power of endurance. Though passing cied imagination of the most queru- rapidly from the stage of action they lous homeseeker, but as an unsubdued leave behind them the footprints of wilderness, it was destined to test the hard labor and noble endeavor.

tenacity of the stoutest hearted of her adopted sons. It devolved upon The first five children born in Liz- them to change the wilderness from ard township were the first ones born in Pocahontas county. They were; (1)

savage to civilized life, and to trans- form the haunts of the deer and buf- Rose Ann Donahoe, now Mrs. Patrick falo into luxuriant pastures for sheep, Crilly, born Feb. 23, 1857; (2) Maggie hogs, horses and cattle.

Calligan, born Aug. 11, 1857; (3) Annie

The story of the log cabin which Collins, born March 10, 1858; (4) Mary was usually nestled within or located Walsh, born April 10, 1858; (5) Charles on the sunny side of a grove of timber J. Kelley, born May 6, 1858. He was is not one of princely castles, or of the first boy born in the county.

halls hung with tapestry and gold. When the logs of oak, ash and hickory Calligan in August, 1856.

The first death was that of Patrick

were ready a day was appointed for a The first fields were enclosed in 1867 hauling and building bee. These by Michael Collins, Charles Kelley, raising bees attracted all the neigh- John Calligan and Michael Broderick. bors in the vicinity and often develop- The first quarter sections were en- ed a large amount of amusement, es -. closed by Michael Walsh and Hugh pecially after the rafters were laid. Collins in 1870.

Philip Russell was regarded as the

Each builder made his own shingles, riving them out of a straight grained finest scholar and best penman.

oak or ash log. The flooring and fin-

Michael Collins, who acquired two ish lumber was made from logs drawn sections of land and considerable to Hinton's saw mill near Fort Dodge. money besides, was considered the After the walls were chinked and wealthiest man.

mortared they were plastered with Charles Kelley, a careful and thrifty lime and sand, although yellow clay farmer, ranked second in wealth. The and water were sometimes used as a elections and meetings of the town-

NOTES ON THE PIONEERS.

654

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

ship officers were held in his home Maxwell on 34; Archibald, Ethan and from March 15, 1859 until the end of Henry A. Brown on 36.

1864.

1867. In 1867 there arrived Wm. Michael Walsh accumulated consid- W. Westlake (28), Joseph Breitenbach erable wealth by honest labor and (28), John H. (22) and Gerhard B. Cars- good management. tens (30), John O'Niel, John Rickles

John Calligan accumulated as much and Bernard McDermott.

from raising stock on free pasturage as from the proceeds of his farm.

1868. The new arrivals in 1868 were Carl Redman (6), Edwin V. Brown

Edward Calligan, 6 feet 2 inches in (12), August Mullen (22), William Fish- height and weighing 240 pounds, was er, Abner D. Moore, Arndt E. and the largest man raised on the Lizard. Benjamin Rost on 24; Robert Brown

Patrick Forey was regarded as "Liz- (26), John Julius (28), Fred W. Vetter (30), Thomas Brennan (34) and James N. McCormick on 36.

ard's most famous politician."

SETTLERS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

1869. The new arrivals in 1869

1865. There were no new arrivals during the last seven of the ten years were Patrick and Michael J. Crahan that passed after the first settlements on 8; Henry Steckelburg (14), Wm. were made. The era of the second Tobin, Michael and Gerd Renkin on immigration began with the year 1865, 20; Jeremiah Hallahan, Patrick and at the close of the civil war. So great John Riley on 18; John Everwine (20), was the number of new settlers that James C. Carey (26), Henry Heilmick came at this period that the popula- (28), John Corcoran and Robert Dick- tion of the township was nearly doub- son on 34; Joseph Osburn, James led at the end of the first year of this Dempsey, John and Charles Oison and Daniel Messinger. new era.

Among those that came in 1865 were Christopher (Sec. 3) and Nicholas (Sec. 4) Nolan, John Henrichs (4), Michael O'Shea, David Miller, George Spragg and Wm. W. Stenson on 14; Jacob 1870-79. Only a few additional persons located in the township dur- ing the 70's, and most of them came in 1870, namely, James Sinnott, Carl Rodman and Wm. Godfrey on 6; Mar- Carstens and Ferdinand Zanter on 22; tin A. and B. B. Moore on 25 and Ren- kin J. Weber on 34. Those that Wiese, Adolph Fetterbaum, Rosina came later were John M. and his sons Orville and Clayton Brown, Fred Hoeting, M. E. Owens, Daniel Fitz- gerald, Carl F. Kenning (29) and Wm. Schroeder.

William and George Price on 24; John Vilhaber and Russell L. Sherman on 26; John Donahoe and his four sons, Michael, John, William and Wallace; Wm. G. Wiese (27); John F. Hintz and Henry Heilmick on 28; Geo. W. Coop- er and Adam H. Van Valkenburg on 36.

During the early 80's John Christof- fers and Eimo Hendricks located on Sec. 4, Otto Siebels and Herman Jans-

1866. In 1866 there arrived Gar- sen, the latter a blacksmith as well as ret Schoonmaker and his son, Alonzo, a farmer, on Sec. 5.

on Sec. 4; James J. Bruce, David and John W. Wallace and Henry Shields on 8; John H. (Squire), Isaac W. and

NOTES ON THE HOMESTEADERS.

The new immigrants or later set- tlers were homesteaders, and like Daniel Johnson on 10; J. D. and Died- their predecessors, the pioneers, were erick Hoefing on 22; Fred Kelsow (26), industrious, frugal and social. The Carl Steinbrink (27), William Boyd earlier ones of them had to endure (28), Harvey B. Vaughn (30), Michael many privations and secured their Wiese, Peter Wagner and Mrs. Jane present acquisitions by much hard

655

LIZARD TOWNSHIP.

labor. They enjoyed unreserved free- date on which the county was organ- dom in raising cattle, and their herds ized. At this election Michael Collins, roamed over the prairies many miles Patrick Forey and Charles Kelley in every direction until 1875. They served as judges, Walter Ford and became planters of artificial groves, Philip Russell as clerks, and eleven their predecessors having secured all persons voted. The first set of county the groves of natural timber. Many

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 87

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