The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 99

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 99

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It was with stone posts, similar to six and a half miles northwest of these, but quarried, dressed and mark- Pocahontas and about the same dis- ed in England with the letters P. and tance from Laurens. It is centrally M. on their opposite sides, that located in a section of country that is Charles Mason and James Dixon in comparatively new but as rich and 1766-67 surveyed and marked the pre- productive as Ancient Egypt.

viously troublesome boundary line, Mr. Ware, owing to his absence on between Pennsylvania"and Maryland, the Pacific coast during 1900, did not now commonly called the Mason and plat his land at the depot until after Dixon line. They placed a stone thus his return the latter part of October. marked at the end of each mile, and In the meantime Aug. Hamfeldt, of

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

Ottawa, Ill., owner of several hun- it was incorporated by a board of dred acres in this vicinity, through directors consisting of Homer A. his agent, Paul Silberger, proceeded Miller, B. L. Allen, C. N. Carlson, M. to plat and build up the town on the T. Nilsson, C. S. Allen, and J. H. seł sec. 8, just north of the depot. He Allen, as the Ware Savings Bank of built several store buildings and Ware, with a capital stock of $10,000 dwellings in the fall of 1900 and they and under the following persons as were occupied as soon as they were officers: B. L. Allen, president; M. T. completed.

Nilsson, vice-president; C. N. Carlson, secretary. This bank enjoys the con-

The first buildings completed were the depot and the store of W. S. Cox, tidence of the community and, like of Havelock, both of which were open- the postoffice, supplies a long felt ed about Sept. 1, 1900, About Oct. 7, public want.

following, Leonard Sease was appoint- ed postmaster and opened the Ware postoffice in this store. Wheeler's

CREAMERY.

The creamery of J. L. Blunt & Co. was erected at a cost of $3,000 and elevator was then completed and opened June 18, 1902. The building is there were in progress of erection 20x50 with an addition 20x20, and it is several other store buildings, a two equipped with all the latest improved story hotel, Counselman's elevator, machinery for making the best qual- the Jenkins-Hesla lumber sheds, and a ity of butter. The patrons are sup-

number of cozy and comfortable plied with separators at their homes homes. No other town in the coun- and the proprietors of the creamery ty was growing so rapidly as Ware at have given a guarantee to pay them, this period, and the scene of so many for their butter, within five cents of new buildings springing up in a corn- the highest quotations of the New York market. This creamery was built at a time when many in all parts field was a very interesting sight to passengers on the passing trains.

Feb. 18, 1901, before six months had of the state, managed in the old way passed after the completion of the by separating the cream in the cream- first building, Hon. R. C. Barrett, ery, have closed or contemplate doing state superintendent, visited the so. The men who have taken the lead town and addressed the citizens of in this enterprise have shown much the community on the propriety of of pluck and energy, and are winning erecting a large central school build- their patronage on the principle of ing and consolidating the adjacent rural school districts.

merit. This is the basis of perma- nent success, the kind they hope to

The first public school was com- achieve, J. L. Blunt, the general menced in April, 1901, in the Ham- manager, is successfully operating feldt block by Olive Jones, of two other creameries in this section of the state. C. A. Vittum, secretary

Laurens.

The first religious services were of the company, is a graduate of the held about this time in the opera house dairy school at the Iowa State Agri- by Rev. C. W. Coons, of Havelock, cultural College and stands at the and a Sunday school was organized. head of his profession. Six thousand The Methodist Episcopal church was pounds of butter were made during built that fall.

SAVINGS BANK.

the first month. J. H. Springer, the senior member of the firm, is the in-

The Ware Savings Bank was open- ventor of the Springer cream separa- ed March 1, 1901, by the Allen Bros., tor and has improved other separators. fo Laurens. On July 17, following, His family arrived at Ware in 1902,

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SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.

from Norristown, Pa. They now live 7, 97; Norma L. Gilchrist, Nov. 7 to at Manson.

WARE IN 1902.

AGENT: C. R. I. & P. R'y; M. T. Rouse since Sept. 1, 1900.

BANK: Ware Savings, C. N. Carlson, cashier.

BARBER: L. Van Buskirk.

BLACKSMITH AND WAGONMAKER:

· John Dahl, successor of N. M. Hally.

CHURCH: M. E. built in 1901, dedica- ted Feb, 9, 1902 at a cost of $2600.

CREAMERY: Springer and Blunt, 1902.

DRUGGIST: E. B. Pohle, Dr. Heath- man.

ELEVATORS: Wheeler Grain and Coal Co., Daniel Davis, mgr .; Charles Counselman & Co , C. W, Miller, mgr.

GROCERIES, flour and feed: C. Dexter successor of R. E. Nibel, M. A. Smith. HARDWARE: Johnson & Son.

HOTEL: Ware Hotel, H. W. Herring- ton, successor of Henry Bourett and A. W. Hilton.

IMPLEMENTS. W. L. & E. C. Boyd; Kuhn & Schmidt; Hamilton & Duna- hue.

LIVERY AND DRAY: Charles Mc- Clurg, successor of A. D. Barrick.

LUMBER AND COAL: Jenkins-Hesla Lumber Co., J. C. Herrington, succes- sor of J. B. Harris, manager.

MERCHANTS: C. 'Dexter, M, A. Smith.

PAINTER: George Sanders.

POSTMASTER: Crolis Dexter, June 24, 1902 successor to Leonard Sease.

REAL ESTATE: Bash & Bourett,-suc- cessors to J. W. Carson.

TEACHER: May Russell, successor of Olive Jones.

TELEPHONE: The Northern, E. B. ton township. Pohle, agent.

Clifton, Charles Wesley, Rev. (b .- PUBLIC OFFICERS, 1841) owner and occupant of 183 acres Sherman township has been repre- on sec. 3, is a native of Gilead, Miami sented by the following county officers: county, Ind., the son of Nathan and SUPERVISOR: J. W. O'Brien, 1884- Mary Smith Clifton. In 1843 he moved with his parents to Marshall

SUPERINTENDENTS: Fred C. Gil- county, Ind., where he grew to man- christ, '90-91; Clel Gilchrist '92 - Nov. hood and received his education, which 86.

Dec. 31, '97.

LEADING CITIZENS.

Barnes, Jeremiah (b. 1812) was a native of Pennsylvania. About 1845 he married Margaret Jane Hogg. He rendered military service as a soldier during the civil war. In 1875, accompanied by his wife and four of his six children, Albert, Milton, Sarah Jane and Elizabeth, he located on the east } of sec. 8, Sherman town- ship, which he was the first to occupy and improve. He served as one of the carly trustees of the township. He died at 75 in the year 1887. In 1894 the family moved to Eddyville, Ore- gon.

Boyesen Boy E. (b. 1861), owner and occupant of a farm on sec 14, since 1883, is a native of Germany and a stepson of Hans Tychsen, with whom, coming to America in 1875, he located in Clinton county, Iowa, and in. 1883 in Sherman township this county. He was the pioneer occupant of the first 160 acres of this farm. He has improved it with ample build- ings for taking care of a large amount of stock and has been quite successful, having increased the farm to 440 acres. He is one of the leading stock men in the township.

In 1885 he married Betty Fallmer, and she died in 1895 leaving three children, Harry, Andrew and William. In 1896 he married Mary Marholz and their family consists of one child, Louie.

Hans Tychsen (b. 1845) his step- father is now a resident of Washing-

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

consisted of a course in the public and the salary was fixed at $400. He schools and two years in the college at preached five years before he enjoyed Valparaiso. In May 1865, after teach- the privilege of serving a field that ing four terms he enlisted as a mem- had in it a church building. Al- ber of Co H, 138 Ind. Vol. Inf., and though his salary was small and he served nine months. In 1866 he mar- seldom received all of it, he always ried Adaline Cole (b. 1847) and the made it a rule to live within his means next year located on a rented farm near Lake City, Jowa.

and pay as he went. He was frc- quently offered homesteads during

In 1869 he acquiesced in a request to the period of his ministry but he al- enter the ministry of the M. E. ways declined them because he wished church on account of the lack of to be a man of one work. He greatly missionaries, left the farm and was enjoyed his work as a missionary and assigned the Peterson circuit in Clay endeavored to do it well, because he county, which he served two years. was laying foundations. He united In 1870 he became a member of the with the church at thirteen and Des Moines and two years later of the has made a life long record of faith- North West Iowa conference when it ful and efficient service in the Master's was formed in 1872. During the vineyard.

twenty-five years of his ministry he served the following fields: Peterson, Havelock, which he purchased in 1881 two years; Smithland, Sac City, New- at $4.50 and $5.00 an acre, the funds ell and Fonda, Goldfield, Irvington, for this investment having been rea- lized from the sale of his stock when

In 1895 he located on his farm near

Primghar, each one year; Old Rolfe, Rutland, Luverne, Hull, Ruthven, he quit farming in 1869. He has im- and Lake Park, each two years; Ash- proved this farm with neat and cozy ton, Akron and Inwood, each one buildings and after the lapse of year.

He became identified first with this county in the fall of 1873, when, has been a republican since he was in stationed at Newell he supplied Fon- the army in 1864, and in 1887 lacked da and occasionally preached at Sunk only 61 votes of being elected auditor Grove. He came to this field just of this county.

after the grasshoppers had cleaned out everything on the few and widely

twenty years it is worth ten times what he originally paid for it. He

Adaline Cole, his estimable wife, was raised on a farm near Walkerton, separated farms, and received only Indiana, and in 1867, the year after $350 of the $400 pledged. Unable to their marriage, came with him to Iowa supply himself with overshoes and an in a lumber wagon. She has cheerfully overcoat until near Christmas, he shared his itinerant experiences on protected himself with quilts while the frontier, living often in log cabins driving over the country.

before the day of comfortable parson-

He became a resident of the county ages. From her scanty store she has first in 1878, when he was assigned to ministered to the wants of many the old Rolfe circuit, which included weary heralds of the cross of all de- Rolfe aud Coopertown in Des Moines nominations. She left others, whom township, the appointments at the she believed could do it better, to Strong and Heathman schoolhouses meet the demands of society. She has in Powhatan and at the Hamble and endeavored to make the home happy J. C. Strong schoolhouses in Washing- and comfortable, and her children ton townships. There was not a "arise and call her blessed, her hus- church building on this mission field band also and he praiseth her." She

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SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.

loves the farm, and is much attached in the educational work of that coun- to it and now devotes considerable ty. time to cultivating flowers and rais- In 1871 he accepted an invitation to aid in the organization and establish- ing pure bred poultry.

His family consists of five children. ment of a State Normal school at Mary, in 1889, married C. M. Ather- Fairmount, in the new state of West ton, a farmer, lives near Sheldon and Virginia.

has a family of five children.

In 1872, in accordance with an oft

Lulu Ines, a deaconess, located first expressed wish, he came to Iowa and at Falls River, Mass., and is now at became superintendent of the public Omaha, Neb.

schools in Mason City. He introduc. Alvah Nathan, is the owner of a ed the schools into the elegant build- ing, then completed, and systema- tized the educational work in that rapidly growing city.

farm of 240 acres in Monona county.

Charles Cole, a butter maker, is at Luana.

John Eltsie, is at home.

Gilchrist, James C., Prof (b. May 20, 1831; d. Aug, 12, 1897), founder of the Iowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls, and owner of a farm in Sherman and Washington townships, since 1884, was a native of Allegheny, Pa, the son of James Cleland Gil- christ, who was of scotch descent. In his boyhood and youth he acquired the discipline of hard work incident to farm life and at nineteen, to satisfy his thirst for knowledge, he became a student at Mahoning Institute, Po- land, Ohio, where he remained, teach- ing at intervals during the next three years. In 1854 he entered Antioch college, Yellow Springs, O., of which llorace Mann, the celebrated educator was president. After his graduation he served successively as superintend- ent of the schools at Republic and Marlboro, O , and New Brighton, Pa.

In June 1876 he was elected presi- dent of the Iowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls, for the establishment of which he had previously taken the lead in having the General Assembly of Iowa that year make its first appro- priation. This institution was organ- ized under his personal direction, and, during the ten years that he continu- ed at the head of it, it developed so rapidly as to become one of the most important educational institutions in the state and rank among the best Normal Schools in the country.

In 1885 he and several of his associate instructors, retired from this institu- tion, and he established the Upper Iowa Normal at Algona, where he re- mained until 1890. During that year the Northwest Conference of the M. E. church, proposing to found a uni- versity at Sioux City, elected him and he began to fill the chair of Didactics. When the financial panic came, two

He then became principal of the or three years later, and caused the Seminary at California, Washington temporary suspension of this enter- Co., Pa. At the end of five years of prise, he retired to his farm, in ih's prosperous labors he projected the county, which had been in charge of plan and successfully converted this Cleland, his oldest son, since the time institution into a State Normal of its purchase in 1884. He died at School. He continued at the head of 67, August 12, 1897.

it during the next six years. He serv- He was a member of the M. E. ed as Superintendent of Washington church, received ordination as a min- county during three years of this ister and preached to scores of congre- period, and, under his leadership, gations, but preferred educational there was developed a general revival work to a local pastorate. He was a

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

life member of the National Educa- had opportunity of perceiving the tional Association and was president meed of praise and honor that a of the Normal School section of it at grateful people stood ready to bestow the meeting in Chatauqua, N. Y., in upon him, "whose meritorious servi- 1890. His services were in great de- ces to the state entitled his memory mand at teachers' institutes, and he to perpetual recognition."

served as an instructor or lecturer at more than a hundred of them, includ- ing at least one in every county in Iowa, He wrote a number of articles for educational periodicals, and in 1888 a work entitled, "Iowa, Its Geography, History and Resources," that was published by G. G. Merrill, St. Paul. He left the manuscript for another volume, entitled, "Education. Its Principles and Practice. " This was intended to be a text book for the use of Normal schools, institutes and private students.

He was an ambitious and indefatig- able worker. He did not stand around with his hands in his pockets, as if appalled at the magnitude of an undertaking, but with a faith that removed mountains pushed on to the successful achievement of the object of his ambition. He might over esti- mate his resources or ability to put a mountain behind him, but having launched an enterprise he turned nei- ther tothe riglit or left hand, and look- ing to God for results, pressed on with a super human energy, until he over came the most serious obstacles. During the early days of the Iowa State Normal he made large contribu- tions out of his own pocket to supply equipment that could not otherwise

Dec. 23, 1897, a special service was held in his honor at the Iowa State Normal School, Cedar Falls, at which his successor, President Homer Seer- ley, presided and memorial tributes were rendered by Hon. E. H. Thayer, of Clinton, Prof. D. S. Wright, of the "Normal School and Hon. Henry Sab- in, of Des Moines.

The story of his struggles to secure an education is eloquent with inspira- tion and encouragement to every youth similarly situated. He never lacked encouragement at home, but that was all he could there expect. Having to depend on his own re- cources while pursuing his studies in the academy, he did not hesitate to work in the harvest fields during va- cation, or to serve as janitor and teach occasional classes in the academy, in order that he might supplement the meager savings received from teach- ing country schools. In pursuing his collegiate studies at Antioch, he al- ternately taught a village school and resumed his place in that institution, where he seemed to have reached the summit of his educational ambition, when he sat at the feet of Horace Mann, America's greatest teacher. "

He was principal, at the inception be provided. After he became the of seven important educational in- head of educational institutions, not stitutions, three of which were State a year passed that he was not a Normal Schools. It was his mission benefactor of one or more young in life to lay foundations rather than people, who, under adverse circum- to rear superstructures. This feature stances, were endeavoring to obtain of his life's work requiring frequent an education. There were times when changes of location, brought him in ha'f h's income was used in this way. contact with multitudes of teachers He was ceaseless in his labors for the and pupils, that he could not have institutions he represented, and reached in any single institution. He found a cordial cooperation in his inspired, with the force of his own estimable wife who, surviving him, unique personality, a vast army of

PROF. JAMES C. GILCHRIST, 1831-1897.

FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE IOWA STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, 1876-1885.

RESIDENCE OF CHARLES S. ALLEN, LAURENS.

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SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.

pupils that numbered tens of thous- the boys and girls in our public ands.

schools are not properly taught how

He possessed strong convictions as to think. They are left to solve the to the value of professional training problems in the text book by the for teachers, and was an eloquent author's rules and no hint is given champion of the State Normal School. them that original thought is either Heartily endorsing the American sys- a possible or desirable accomplish- tem of public schools, he insisted the ment. It is a great thing, an in- Normal School was a necessary ad- estimable privilege to teach another, junct to it. He regarded teaching as but it is a grander thing to inspire a learned profession and exalted learn- him to be, to do, to think.

"Think for thyself; one good idea, known to be thine own,

ing, including didactics, as a prerequi- site to filling the teacher's desk, The true teacher must be profoundly Is better than a thousand gleaned versed in his subject and know the from fields by others sown.". most approved methods of instruction. As an educational thinker he was He who would train the minds of conservative, rather than radical. children and youth must know some- Convinced that some things were thing of the character and qualities essential and constant, he abomina- of mind; he who would shape the des- ted fads that would displace them. tiny of others should have some ade- When the Quincy methods became quate conception of what that means to the individual.

the fad he did not hesitate to pro- claim publicly as well as privately, "new education" that was really new. That the maxim "Learn to do by do-

He entertained exalted ideas of the that there was nothing good in the mission of the teacher, on account of the potent influence the teacher wields over the minds of youth. ing" had been the guide of every true Believing the teachers in our free teacher and of every successful learn- schools wielded a power so great, that er from the days of Comenius (1592- they might justly be made responsible 1671), the Slavic educational reform- for the principles that should underlie er. He believed in toiling hard for this government in the 20th century, knowledge and that the educational he embraced every opportunity of im- discipline that results from thorough pressing upon parents the fact, that study is one of the best things acquir- ed by the student.

the teachers had more to do in moulding and forming the mind, In 1858 he married Hannah Cramer, character, disposition and ambition a teacher in the schools of Warren, O. of the child than they themselves. She is now a resident of Laurens, Six "He often spoke of the dignity of the of their family of ten children are teacher's work, emphasizing the fact living.

that, his influence was never-ending. It is seen in the results of education- Cleland (b. 1860) became a resident of Pocahontas county in 1882 and en- grand men and women-and in the gaged in teaching and farming. He rewards that lie beyond. In his public addresses he emphasized the need of managed the affairs on the farm, while his father and other members good citizenship, salvation from sin of his family pursued their education- and a godly life; and declared failure al work or studies elsewhere. He served as secretary of the school board

in these things a calamity."

He was preeminently a thinker, de- of Sherman township and five years lighted in abstruse investigation and and ten months(1892-97)as superinten- often expressed the conviction that dent in this county, when he resigned

742

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

active candidate, he received the vote of all, the delegates on the first ballot and thus became the republican nom- inee for the legislature. This unex- engaged as a carpenter and contractor. pected nomination, which was intend-

Maud, a teacher, has given special

ed to harmonize the factions that had attention to the Natural sciences, arisen that season in this senatorial having prosecuted her studies in district, was a very high compliment. these branches in the schools of His election that fall was a natural America and Europe. She has held

sequence to the unanimity ex- the chair of Natural science in the pressed at the time of his nomination.

Iowa State Normal School at Cedar He is an attorney of ability and Falls, has been professor of Botany in promise. Asan advocate of republi- Wellesley, College, Mass., of which in- can principles and policies, he has

stitution she is a graduate, and Lady Principal of the Illinois Female Col- lege. She is now Dean of the woman's 13, 1902, when the pioneer lawmakers department of the State Agricultural College at Lansing, Michigan. won the gratitude of his friends and respect of his opponents. On Feb. were the guests of the House, he made one of the principal addresses. Charles Willard, (b. 1866), a sales- During his service in the legislature man, is a resident of Havelock. In of 1902 he was several times called to 1890 he married Florence Hinkley, a the chair by Speaker Eaton and made daughter of a Pocahontas county an impression so favorable upon the pioneer, and has a family of six chil- dren: James, Charles, Pierre, Claude, frequently referred to as a good can- Richard, and a baby girl. members of that body, that he was didate for the speakership in the

Fred C. Hon., (b. June 2, 1868), is a next Assembly.

In 1896 he married Ella Hurley and

native of Washington county, Pa. but has grown to manhood in Pocahontas has three children: Francis, Fred Cle- county. He is a graduate of the Iowa land and Mavis,

State Normal and of the law depart- ment of the State University.

Grace G., a graduate of the Iowa After State Normal and a teacher, in 1899 teaching in the rural schools and serv- married Joseph H. Allen, a banker, ing as principal at Laurens one year and lives at Pocahontas.

two years, 1890-91, and was the young- and at Rolfe two years, he was, on reaching his majority in 1889, elected

Norma L., a teacher, while teaching at Pocahontas, Nov. 8, 1897, was ap- superintendent of schools in this pointed superintendent of the schools county. He served in this capacity in this county. in place of her brother

Cleland, who resigned, and filled that est official of the kind in the state. office during the next two months. In 1892 he handed this office over to She has since spent much time in pur- Cleland Gilchrist, his oldest brother, suing special studies in Oberlin and Wellesley Colleges. Her home is with

and turned his attention to the study of law. Upon receiving his degree in her mother at Laurens.

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 99

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