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Full text of "History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, aborigines, French, English and American conquests, and a general review of its civil, political and military history"

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CHAPTER  XII. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Probably  no  county  in  the  West  has  paid  more  attention  to  the 
education  of  children  and' youth  than  that  of  Floyd,  and  probably 
no  newspaper  in  the  State  of  Iowa  has  taken  a  deeper  interest  in 
educational  matters  than  the  Charles  City  Intelligencer.  Mr.  Hil- 
dreth,  for  the  first  fourteen  years  of  its  existence  its  editor,  was 
for  six  years  also  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Education,  a 
body  having  legislative  powers,  and  existing  from  1858  to  1864. 
We  are  obliged  to  notice  here  some  of  the  prominent  measures  in- 
troduced in  that  Legislature  by  this  worthy  representative  of  Floyd 
County,  which  were  adopted  and  which  remain  on  the  statute  books 
to-day. 

In  December,  1858,  a  bill  was  introduced  before  the  State  Board 
'*  for  the  government  and  regulation  of  the  State  University  of 
Iowa."  On  the  23d,  Mr  Hildreth  offered  the  following  amend- 
ment to  give  equal  advantage  to  either  sex: 

Sec.  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  State  of 
Iowa,  that  the  object  of  the  State  University  of  Iowa,  established 
by  the  Constitution  at  Iowa  City,  shall  be  to  provide  the  best  and 
most  efficient  means  of  imparting  to  the  youth  of  the  State,  of  both 
sexes,  a  thorough  education,  and  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  dif- 
ferent branches  of  literature,  the  arts  and  sciences,  with  their  va- 
rious applications. 

Mr.  Hildreth  is  also  the  author  of  the  following  law:  "  That  the 
Bible  shall  not  be  excluded  from  any  school  or  institution  in  this 
State,  under  control  of  the  board;  nor  shall  any  pupil  be  required 
to  read  it  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  liis  parent  or  guardian." 

The  establishment  of  the  State  Board  of  Education  was  an  effort 
toward  eliminating  partisan  politics  from  the  educational  interests 
of  the  State;  but  as  it  failed  of  this  object,  and  as  two  co-ordinate 
legislatures  within  one  commonwealth  were  liable  to  conflict,  it  was 
desirable  to  abolish  the  educational  body  as  a  needless  expense. 
Accordingly,  in  1864,  Mr.  Hildreth  introduced  a  bill  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  "  to  abolish  the  State  Board  of  Education,  and  to- 

(577) 


578  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

provide  for  the  election  of  a  superintendent  of  public  instruction." 
The  bill  was  passed  in  the  House  by  seventy -nine  yeas  to  seven 
nays. 

Previous  to  1864  the  school  fund  was  loaned  by  the  county  su- 
pervisors, who  took  real-estate  securities,  called  "  school-fund  mort- 
gages."    The  stringency  of  the  times  caused  by  the  panic  of  1858, 
and  the  succeeding  war  of  the  great  Rebellion,  occasioned  the  debt- 
ors, and  consequsntly  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  to  be  considerably 
behindhand  with  the  collection  and  proper  disbursement  of  these 
school  moneys,  the  law  all  the  while  remaining  that  these  moneys 
should  be  kept   intact.     In  many  counties  of  the  State  the  arrear- 
ages were  considerable.     In  this  stage  of  aifairs,   Mr.  Hildreth,  in 
the  General  Assembly  of  1864,  introduced  "  a   bill  for  an  act  to 
provide  for  the  loan  of  the  permanent  school  fund,  and  fixing  the 
rate  of  interest  thereon,  and  limiting  the  price  at  which  school 
lands  may  be  sold,  and  for  other  purposes."     This  bill  required  the 
supervisors  to  collect  these  moneys  loaned,  by  foreclosing  the  mort- 
gages, if  necessary.      When  the  subject  came  up  for  discussion, 
Charles  Paulk,  of  Allamakee  County,  led  off  in  opposition  to  the 
bill.     The  fact  was,  from  $12,000  to  $20,000  were   loaned  out  in 
his  county,  a  large  portion  ot"  which  was  a  dead  loss.     Other  mem- 
bers of  the  House  then  followed  Paulk  in  the  opposition,  and,  on  a 
vote,  refused  to  pass  the  bill.     The  fact  was  developed  that  more 
than  half  the  members  of  the  Assembly  were  debtors  to  the  school 
fund.     They  passed  a  substitute,  in  regard  to  the  rate  of  interest. 
Mr.  Hildreth  followed  this  substitute  into  the  Senate,  and  had  three 
of  the  most  important  sections  of  his  bill  incorporated  in  it  as  it 
passed  that  body.     Being  chairman  of  the  standing  committee  on 
schools  and  the  State  University,  Mr.  H.  let  the  matter  lie  quiet 
until  near  the  close  of  the  session,  waiting  for  a  favorable  oppor- 
tunity to  call  it  up  in  the  House.     Accordingly  one  evening,  when 
the  members  felt  humorous  and  got  parliamentary   matters   into 
some  confusion,  Mr.  Hildreth  hinted   the  matter  to  the  Speaker, 
who  was  favorable  to  the  bill  and  who  promised  to  aid  in  its  pas- 
sage; and  in  due  time  the  bill  was  called  up,  when,  without  debate 
and  scareelj^  any  one  knowing  what  he  was  voting  on,  the  bill  was 
passed,  by  sixty-eight  yeas  to  four  nays! 

Mr.  Hildreth  was  also  instrumental   in  getting  "Webster's  Una- 
bridged Dictionary  supplied  to  all  the  schools  of  the  State  by  law. 

Many  other  men,  and  some  women,  have  also  been  prominently 
identified  with  the  progress  and  advancement  of  public  schools, 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  579 

and  their  names  appear  mostly  in  the  respective  township  and  city 
histories. 

The  County  Superintendents  of  Floyd  County,  as  near  as  can  be 
ascertained,  have  been  as  follows: 

J.  C.  Whitney,  four  years;  Hervey  "Wilbur,  two  years;  Horace 
Stearns,  two  years;  H.  O.  Pratt,  two  years;  J.  W.  Merrill,  two 
years;  Mrs.  Helen  K.  Duncan,  four  years;  G.  H.  Nichols,  four 
years;  H.  H.  Davidson,  the  present  incumbent. 

SCHOOL    PROGRESS    IN    FLOYD    COUNTY. 

The  winter  of  185S  a  new  school  law  was  passed,  providing  a 
complete  system  of  free  public  schools  from  the  primary  all  the  way 
up  to,  and  including,  the  State  Uuiversity  and  which  was  wholly 
substituted  for  the  old  system.  To  reap  its  advantages  required 
considerable  special  study;  and  of  course  many  stumbled  under 
it  before  tliej'  could  walk  perfectly.  This  law  was  expounded 
by  school  officers  and  educators,  until  the  machinery  got  to  moving 
well  throughout  the  country.  Meetings  were  held  of  township 
school  presidents,  where  they  instructed  one  another.  One  such 
meeting  was  held  in  Cheney  &  Brackett's  Hall,  Charles  City,  Oct. 
6,  1858. 

Like  all  the  "West,  the  first  schools  of  Floyd  County  were  of 
course  small,  and  were  kept  in  log  school-houses,  poorly  furnished. 
The  first  school  in  the  county  was  taught  at  Nora  Springs  in  1854, 
the  second  was  opened  at  Charles  City,  the  third  at  Floyd,  and  so 
on.  Twelve  years  from  that  time  the  number  of  schools  was  fifty- 
four;  children  of  school  age — males  1,305,  females  1,132;  number 
attending  schools,  1,786;  number  of  teachers — males  seventeen, 
females  eighty-one;  average  compensation  of  teachers — males  $6.- 
88,  females  $5.11,  per  week;  aggregate  amount  paid  teachers  for 
the  year,  $8,4.15.70;  number  of  school-houses,  forty-two,  of  which 
twenty-three  were  frame,  nine  stone,  nine  log  and  one  brick;  total 
value  of  school-houses,  $23,516;  amount  appropriated  for  building 
and  furnishing  school-houses  the  last  school  year,  $10,737.18;  value 
of  school-houses  in  the  several  townships,  as  follows:  Cedar,  $200; 
Floyd,  $750;  Niles,  $1,400;  Rlverton,  $1,930;  Ilo^k  Grove,  $3,425; 
Rockford,  $1,281;  Scott,  $400;  Union,  $2,550;  Ulster,  $980;  St. 
Charles,  $15,100;    Floyd,  independent,  $500. 

In  September,  1875,  there  were  100  school-houses  in  Flojd 
County,  118  teachers,  102  schools  and  4,917  children  entitled  to 
the  public  fund.     The  school-houses  were  thus  distributed:    St. 


580  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Charles  sixteen,  Floyd  eight,  Ulster  seven,  Rockford  eight.  Union 
ten,  Pleasant  Grove  eight.  Rock  Grove  eight,  Scott  six,  Niles  eight, 
Riverton  ten,  Rudd  five,  and  Cedar  six.  Number  of  graded  schools, 
five, — one  each  at  Charles  City,  Floyd,  Kora  Springs,  Rockford, 
and  Marble  Rock, — the  five  villages  of  the  county.  At  these 
schools  were  taught  all  the  branches  preliminary  to  a  collegiate 
education. 

SCHOOL    STATISTICS    OF    1880. 

The  number  of  districts  in  Floyd  County 11 

The  number  of  independent  districts  in  Floyd  County 14r 

The  number  of  sub-districts  in  Floyd  County 97 

The  number  of  ungraded  schools  in  Floyd  County 106 

The  number  of  rooms  in  graded  schools  in  Floyd  County ....      28 

Average  duration  of  schools  in  months 7.  9 

Number  of  male  teachers  engaged * 48 

Number  of  female  teachers  engaged 162 

Average  monthly  compensation  of  males $31   89 

Average  monthly  compensation  of  females.  . 24  65 

Number  of  male   pupils    between    the  ages  of   five  and 

twenty-one  years 2,644- 

Average  of  female  pupils  between  the  ages  of  five  and 

twenty-one  years 2,488 

Average  of  pupils  enrolled  in  public  scIjooIs 4,336 

Total  average  attendance 2,487 

Average  cost  of  tuition  per  month  per  pn])il 1  49 

Number  of  school-houses,  frame 102 

Number  of  school- houses,  brick 3 

Number  of  school-houses,  stone 10 

Number  of  school-houses,  log 10 

Total  valuation  of  school-houses $  105  310 

Yalue  of  apparatus 1  566 

Number  of  volumes  in  libraries 50 

SCHOOL-HOUSE   FUKU. 

DEBIT. 

On  hand  at  last  report I?     626  04 

Received  from  district  tax 2  045  97 

Received  from  other  sources 1  509  30 

Total  debit  and  credit 4  181  31 

CREDIT. 

Paid  for  school-houses  and  sites $2  194  56 

Paid  for  libraries  and   apparatus 50  00 

Paid  for  bonds  and  interest 424  46 

Paid  for  other   purposes 1  013  87 

On  hand 498  42 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


581 


EXAMINATION. 

MALES.      FEMAI.KS. 

Professional  certificates 3  2 

First  grade 5  35 

Second  grade 22  154 

Third  grade 

Total  number  issued 30  191 

OF    TEACHERS. 

MALES.      FE>IALES. 

Applicants  rejected 

Applicants  examined 30         191 

Certificates  revoked 

Average  of  applicants  ....•• 23  0        23  0 

No  experience  in  teaching 

Taught  less  than  one  year 

Holding  State  certificates 

VISITATION    OF    SCHOOLS,   APPEALS,  ETC. 

Schools  visited  by  county  superintendent 70 

Visits  made  during  the  year 70 

Educational  meetings  held 22 

CONTINGENT   FUND. 

DEBIT. 

On  hand  at  last  report $  5,148  32 

Received  from  district  tax 9,644  40 

Received  from  other  sources 638  10 

Total  debit $15,430  82 

CREDIT. 

Paid  for  rent  and  repairs  of  school-houses $  3,303  91 

Paid  for  fuel 3,498  11 

Paid  secretaries  and  treasurers 662  80 

Paid  tor  records,  dictionaries  and.  apparatus 150  42 

Paid  for  insurance  and  janitors 831  88 

Paid  for  supplies,  brooms,  chalk,  etc 1,111  91 

Paid  for  other  purposes 1,093  95 

On  hand 4,777  84 

36 


582  history  of  floyd  county. 

teachers'  fund. 

DEBIT. 

On  hand  at  last  report $15,527  93 

Received  from  district  tax 21,014  89 

Received  from  semi-annual  apportionment 5,763  19 

Received  from  other  sources 559  06 

Total  debit $42,861  07 

CREDIT. 

Paid  teachers  since  last  report $29,291  23 

Paid  for  other  purposes 233  88 

On  hand 13,335  95 

Cases  decided  by  the  county  superintendent None 

Compensation  for  official  services  from  Oct,  1,  1880,  to 

Oct.  1,  1881,  of  county  superintendent 929  00 

Number  of  private  schools 1 

Teachers  employed  in  private  schools 1 

Pupils  in  attendance  in  private  schools 52 

teachers'  normal  institute. 

The  Teachers'  Normal  Institute,  for  Floyd  County,  holden  at 
Charles  City  each  August,  commenced  August  15,  and  continued 
three  weeks.  There  were  30  males  and  134  females,  making  a 
total  attendance  of  164. 

THE   FINANCIAL    CONDITION. 

RECEIPTS, 

On  hand  at  last  report $340  11 

Examination  fees 221  00 

Registration  fees 164  00 

State  appropriation 50  00 

Sundries 

Total  receipts $775  11 

EXPENDITURES. 

Instruction '. $460  00 

Incidentals 89  20 

Unexpended 225  91 

Total  expenditures $775  11 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  583 

The  teachers  and  lecturers  were  : 

J.  C.  Yocum,  Conductor  ;  Instructors,  H.  H.  Davidson,  Hoss- 
feld,  Miss  M.  C.  Dixon,  Miss  Harbin,  Miss  E.  Knapp  ;  lecturers, 
C.  W.  von  Coelln,  S.  P.  Heland,  J.  Piper. 

The  graded  schools  of  the  county  are  in  the  following  towns,  all 
of  a  nine  months'  session  : 

Charles  City  has  one  male  teacher  and  thirteen  female  teachers; 
Floyd,  one  female  teacher;  Marble  Kock,  one  male,  three  female 
teachers;  Nora  Springs,  two  female  teachers;  Pockford,  onema^e, 
two  female  teachers;  Pudd,  one  female  teacher. 

teachers'  institutes  and  normals. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  winter  of  1859-'60,  an  educational 
convention  was  called  to  meet  in  St.  Charles  City,  February  4, 
to  examine  and  discuss  the  new  school  law  just  adopted  by  the 
State  Board  of  Education,  to  organize  a  county  teachers'  society,  to 
memorialize  the  General  Assembly  for  an  appropriation  of  money 
for  the  support  of  teachers'  institutes,  and  to  awaken  a  greater  in- 
terest in  educational  matters  generally.  The  call  was  signed  by 
Hervey  Wilbur,  Floyd  ;  Isaac  Teeple,  Union  ;  J.  C.  Whitney, 
Pockford  ;  A.  W.  French,  St.  Charles  ;  Fayette  Richmond,  Cedar; 
J.  Henry  Eaton,  Cedar  ;  John  H.  Aylsworth,  L.  T.  Patterson 
and  Charles  Wheat,  St.  Charles. 

At  the  appointed  time  a  good  number  were  in  attendance  and 
exhibited  a  high  degree  of  enthusiasm.  The  meeting  was  called 
to  order  by  Mr.  French,  and  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth  was  elected  Chair- 
man, and  Mr.  French,  Secretary.  A  committee  of  three,  appointed 
for  the  purpose,  reported  subjects  for  discussion  and  action;  name- 
ly, the  formation  of  a  teachers'  association  or  an  educational  society, 
teachers'  institutes,  and  union  or  graded  schools.  The  result  of 
their  deliberations  was  the  organization  of  the  "Floyd  County 
Educational  Society,"  to  admit  all  other  friends  of  education  as 
well  as  teachers.  A  preamble  and  constitution  were  adopted,  and 
the  following  officers  were  elected  :  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  President; 
]\Iaxwell  Ireland,  Vice-President ;  Asa  W.  French,  Secretary ; 
Hervey  Wilbur,  Treasurer  ;  and  Messrs.  Wilbur,  French  and  J.  C. 
Whitney,  Business  Committee. 


584  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY, 

On  motion  of  Mr,  Wilbur,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 
*' That  a  petition  to  the  General  Assembly  be  forwarded  to  our 
Representative,  Hon.  E,  G,  Bowdoin,  asking  an  appropriation  ot 
money  to  be  made  which  will  enable  the  teachers  of  this  county  to 
hold  an  institute  some  time  during  next  summer  or  fall,"  Mr. 
Ilildreth  was  appointed  the  committee  to  draft  and  report  a  form 
of  petition,  which  duty  he  performed. 

On  motion  of  Mr,  Aylsworth,  a  resolution  was  adopted,  request- 
ing the  county  superintendent  to  give  at  least  one  lecture  in  each 
township  on  the  subject  of  common  schools  and  also  an  explanation 
of  the  new  school  law,  as  soon  as  he  should  find  it  con venient  after 
the  law  had  been  acted  upon  by  the  General  Assembly. 

A  resolution  was  also  adopted  heartily  indorsing  the  late  amend- 
ment made  by  the  State  Board  to  the  school  law. 

Among  those  who  took  part  in  the  discussions  were  Dr.  Cort- 
right,  of  Rockford,  B.  F.  Cheney  and  Messrs.  Hildreth,  Wilbur, 
Alvsworth  and  Ireland. 

Adjourned  to  meet  Feb.  25,  following. 

The  next  meeting,  however,  did  not  take  place  until  April  5,  at 
Floyd,  where  it  was  called  to  order  by  the  secretary,  and  Rev. 
Thomas  Thompson  was  chosen  Chairman,  pro  tern.  Resolutions 
were  discussed  and  adopted,  recommending  the  Iowa  School  Jour- 
nal, urging  uniformity  in  the  text-books  as  recommended  by  the 
State  Board,  and  insisting  that  the  township  boards  establish 
graded  or  union  schools  in  all  sub-districts  where  the  situation 
and  number  of  scholars  would  justify  it.  An  animated  discussion 
took  place  upon  the  last  resolution,  in  which  Messrs.  Aylsworth, 
Wilbur,  Teeple,  Raymond,  French,  Thompson  and  Cook  partici- 
pated, although  the  resolution  was  at  the  last  unanimouslj^  adopted. 

Mr.  Wilbur  stated  that  the  position  he  occupied  in  relation  to 
educational  matters  had  been  changed  since  the  last  meeting,  he 
having  been  appointed  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  and  that 
though  the  law  limited  his  duties  to  tlie  office,  he  proposed  to  make  at 
least  one  visit  in  each  township.  In  conclusion,  Mr.  W,  moved 
that  as  the  ladies  had  not  assisted  in  speaking,  they  be  requested  to 
sing.  The  ladies  responded,  with  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Bissell,  by 
singing  "  Unity,"  whereupon  the  meeting  adjourned. 

May  3,  following,  Mr.  Wilbur,  by  notice  in  the  Intelligencer, 
called  for  correspondence  from  teachers  desiring  to  attend  an  insti- 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  585 

tute,  saj'ing  that  if  not  jwore  than  thirty  desired  it  they  had  better 
join  Mitchell  County  in  the  undertaking,  and  giving  notice  that 
the  State  would  bear  the  expense  of  normal  instruction  at  the  insti- 
tute. He  also  interpreted  the  new  law  as  requiring  the  sub-district 
to  meet  the  first  Monday  in  May,  instead  of  the  second  Monday  in 
July  as  before,  to  levy  a  tax  for  school-house  purposes.  In  the 
[ntelligencr  of  June  14,  this  indefatigable  school  superintend- 
ent kept  the  blaze  increasing  by  publishing  a  list  of  the  teachers  in 
tlie  county,  with  the  hope  that  they  would  all  attend  an  institnte  iu 
this  county,  and  announcing  that  the  session  would  continue  six 
days,  the  teachers  themselves  to  select  their  instructors  and  the 
place  and  time  of  holding  the  institute.  By  the  27th  of  August 
tiie  Superintendent  waseuabled  to  announce  that  a  sufficient  number 
of  teachers  had  promised  to  attend,  and  that  the  institute  would  be 
held  at  Floyd,  the  first  week  of  October,  Mitchell  County  teachers 
to  join. 

Monday,  Oct.  1,  arrived;  the  Floyd  County  Teachers' Insti- 
tute commenced  its  first  session  at  Floyd  according  to  arrange- 
ment. It  was  called  to  order  by  the  county  superintendent,  and 
J.  H.  Aylsworth  was  made  President  j9ro  tern.  Permanent  officers 
were  elected,  as  follows:  Hervey  Wilbur,  President;  J.  C.  Whitney 
and  J.  H.  Aylsworth,  Secretaries;  J.  H.  Aylsworth,  S.  P.  Bissell 
and  J.  C.  Whitney,  Financial  Committee;  J.  D.  Kust,  Chaplain. 

Instruction  was  given  during  the  week  by  Mr.  Wilbur,  on  Edu- 
cation and  its  Influences;  by  Asa  AY.  French,  on  the  Qualifications, 
Difficulties  and  Influence  of  Teachers;  by  John  G.  Patterson,  on 
the  General  Duties  of  Teachers;  by  Prof.  Wm.  Brush,  of  Upper 
Iowa  University,  on  the  True  Teachers;  by  Hon.  Oran  Faville,  on 
the  Study  of  the  Languages;  by  Rev.  Mr.  Paxton,  of  Osage,  on  the 
Origin  and  Destiny  of  the  English  Language.  A  splendid 
poem,  on  The  Teacher's  Mission,  wa?  composed  and  read  by  J. 
Cheston  Whitney,  of  Rockford,  and  subsequently  printed  in  the 
Intelligencer. 

At  this  institute  there  were  sixty-one  persons  in  attendance, 
thirty -eight  ladies  and  twenty-three  gentlemen, — and  the  session 
was  exceedingly  interesting  and  profitable. 

A  successful  teachers' institute  was  held  at  Charles  City,  com- 
mencing Sept.  30,  1861,  and  continuing  a  week;  thirty  ladies  and 
twenty-eight  gentlemen  were  in  attendance.    Instructors:  Dr.  J.  L. 


586  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Enos,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  and  Hervey  Wilbur,  of  Floyd;  Lecturers:  Dr. 
Enos,  Rev.  J.  E.  McClelland,  Hon.  E.  G.  Bovvdine,  of  Rockford; 
and  James  Jackson,  of  Charles  City.  The  last  named  delivered  a 
lecture  on  Architecture.  J.  Cheston  Whitney,  County  Superin- 
tendent, and  President  of  the  Institute. 

March  17,  to  April  7,  1862,  a  "  normal  school  "  was  successfully 
conducted  at  Charles  Cit}',  by  J.  C.  Whitney.  Fifty  were  in  at- 
tendance, and  much  interest  was  manifested,  notwithstandinor  the 
war.  Mr.  Whitney  was  an  efficient  institute  leader,  as  was  also 
Mr.  Wilbur.  The  former  left  this  county  in  1865,  to  edit  a  paper 
at  Hampton,  Franklin  County,  and  the  latter  is  still  a  resident  in 
Floyd.  In  1863  another  successful  institute  was  held  in  the  county, 
and  indeed  every  year  to  the  present  time.  Sometimes  they  were 
held  at  one  village,  sometimes  at  another.  In  1866  one  was  held 
in  Charles  City,  Oct.  15  to  20,  inclusive,  conducted  by  Hon.  G.  J. 
Tisdale,  of  Chickasaw  County.  Over  fifty  pupils,  all  young  ladies 
except  four  or  five,  were  in  attendance.  Horace  Stearns,  the 
County  Superintendent,  did  much  to  render  the  session  an  interest- 
ing and  profitable  one.  Oct.  27,  1870,  the  teachers  attending  an 
institute  at  Floyd,  made  arrangements  for  organizing  a  "'  teachers' 
association  "  for  the  county.  Feb.  18,  following,  they  held  their 
first  regular  meeting.  They  exchanged  views  on  all  educational 
topics  and  thus  practiced  mutual  instruction.  A  common  evil  of 
teachers'  "  institutes  "  in  early  days  in  the  West,  was  that  of  meet- 
ing without  a  programme  and  am  using  one  another  by  their  wit.  This 
cannot  be  asserted  of  the  institutes  which  have  been  held  in  Floyd 
County.  Here  they  have  always  had  zealous  and  competent  in- 
structors, so  that  no  time  has  been  wasted.  In  1874  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  appropriated  $175  for  the  benefit  of  a  normal  institute 
to  be  held  in  the  county  during  that  summer.  Since  then  the  Floyd 
County  "Normals"  have  been  self-sustaining  aside  from  the  State 
appropriation  of  $50;  and  have  been  held  annually  with  an  aver- 
age attendance  of  about  160  teachers. 

EDUCATIONAL    ASSOCIATIONS. 

About  1873  the  Shell  Rock  Yallej^  Educational  Association  was 
formed  on  the  west  side  of  the  county;  and  in  1876,  when  Mr.  J. 
C.  Yocum  took  charge  of  the  Charles  City  schools,  he  issued  a  call 
for  a  meeting  to  form  a  similar  organization  on  the  east  side  of  the 
county.  Mr.  Yocum's  communication  to  the  educational  public 
was  followed  by  others,  and  soon  a  meeting  was  called  for  Nov.  25, 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


587 


at  the  school-house  in  Charles  City.  At  this  meeting  an  organiza- 
tion was  effected,  and  the  first  regular  meeting  was  held  in  Charles 
City  on  Dec.  16,  of  the  same  year. 

Feb.  16,  of  the  following  year,  the  first  union  meeting  of  the 
east  and  west  side  associations  was  held  at  Charles  City.  Up  to  the 
present  time  (1882)  both  of  these  educational  associations  have 
maintained  a  vigorous  existence  with  monthly  meetings  from  Oct- 
ober to  May  of  each  year;  and  the  two  meet  in  joint  session  once 
each  year  at  some  convenient  point  in  the  county. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


LITERARY. 


As  Floyd  County  is  blessed  with  considerable  literary  talent,  we 
make  a  chapter  of  selections,  which  will  doubtless  be  highly  ap- 
preciated by  those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  parties,  and  even  by 
strangers.  And  as  good  prose  deserves  as  much  credit  as  good 
poetry,  we  give  two  or  three  short  selections  of  that  species  of  lit- 
erature, as  illustrative  of  Floyd  County  talent, — not  that  they  are 
the  best  that  can  be  produced  in  the  county,  but  as  good  composi- 
tions already  published  in  the  press. 

MK8.    PERSIS   A.    BEOWN. 

This  poetess,  who  has  written  over  the  nom  de  plume  of  "  Ruth," 
"Ruth  Rustic,"  "Ruth  Holmes,"  etc.,  is  a  resident  of  Ulster 
Township,  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  and  was  born  in  Halden,  Worcester 
County,  Massachusetts,  Sept.  8,  1807.  She  received  a  comraon- 
Bchool  education  when  young,  which,  together  with  her  constant 
habit  of  reading,  enabled  her  to  successfully  engage  in  school  teach- 
ing which  avocation  she  pursued  some  four  or  five  years  in  Hamp- 
shire County.  August  29,  1832,  in  the  village  of  Speedsville, 
Tompkins  County,  New  York,  she  and  Mr.  Edward  T.  Brown, 
were  united  in  marriage.  This  union  was  blessed  with  five  chil- 
dren. The  first  died  on  the  day  of  her  birth.  The  second  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty  months,  of  inflammation  of  the  brain  caused  by  a 
fall.  Eugene,  the  third,  is  still  living;  the  fourth  was  shot  through 
the  lungs  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862,  and  died  April 
10,  1862,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  and  two  months.  He  sleeps 
at  Fort  Henry,  Tennessee.  The  fifth  was  drowned;  aged  nearly 
four  years.  She  sleeps  at  North  Becket,  Massachusetts.  The  fam- 
ily, including  an  adopted  daughter  two  years  of  age,  left  Massa- 
chusetts Oct.  7,  1853;  resided  in  Geneva  and  Batavia,  Illinois, 
several  years.  In  1855  they  arrived  in  what  is  now  Charles  City, 
though  in  that  day  scarcely  worthy  of  the  name  of  a  village.  Since 
that  time  they  have  resided  in  St.  Charles  Township,  and  now  are 

residents  of  Ulster  Township. 

(588) 


HISTORY  OF  FLOTD  COUNTY.  589 

Aug.  29,  1882,  they  celebrated  their  golden  wedding,  on  which 
occasion  Mrs.  Brown  contributed  the  following  gem: 

Fifty  years  of  married  life 

Have  fallen  to  my  share; 
Fifty  years  of  toil  and  strife, 

Happiness  blent  with  care. 

What  hath  not  these  fifty  yoars 
Known  of  sorrow,  joy  and  tears — 
Births  and  deaths,  fearful,  even. 
All  hopes  wrecked,  save  those  of  Heaven. 

Tliis  half  century  of  years 
Bears  a  record  damp  wi^h  tears; 
War,  starvation,  prison-bars. 
Cursed  deeds  and  endless  jars. 

Retribution  will  ere  long 
Sift  the  good,  adjust  the  wrong, 
Bless  the  righteous,  lift  the  just 
'Bove  the  rubbish,  mire  and  dust. 

Still  I  lin.orer,  still  I  wait. 

Watching,  till  the  summons  come; 
May  no  drowsiness  o'ertake, 

Ere  I'm  bidden,  "Child,  come  home." 

The  scenes  that  called  forth  the  following  poem  transpired  long 
years  since  in  Massachusetts.     Mrs.  Brown  perhaps  is  not  alone  in 
such  trials.     We  dare  say  many  who  will  read  these  lines  can  tes 
tify  to  their  appropriateness  in  their  own  cases: 

I  had  a  little  son, 

A  son  just  three  years  old  ; 
His  face  was  lily  pale. 
His  hands  as  marble  cold. 

I  knelt  bebide  the  sleeping  thing. 

He  faintly  whispered  "  Sing,  ma,  sing." 

But  how  could  I  attune— 

My  heart  all  crushed  and  sad — 
My  voice  to  melody, 
And  bid  mine  eye  look  glad. 

Poor,  vain  attempt.     I  could  bu'  try 
To  sing  his  dying  lullnhy. 

Long  weary  years  have  sped 

Since  that  eventful  day; 
Still  lives  that  seeming  dead 
Now  absent,  far  away. 

The  battle-field,  the  fife,  the  drum. 
Give  forth  the  strains  arourd  him  sung. 


590  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Oh,  what  a  world  is  this, 

So  fraught  with  hopes  and  fears ! 
Events  at  every  step 
Requiring  smiles  and  tears. 

Constrained  to  sing  when  least  inclined, 
To  sing  or  weep,  howe'er  ill-timed. 

The  thousand  nameless  ills 

Which  cluster  in  our  path, 
Adown  life's  varied  track, 
Some  useful  lesson  hath. 

This  life  is  long,  and  ends  not  here; 
We  want  a  higher,  holier  sphere. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1863,  Mrs.  Brown  was  so  unfortunate 
as  to  have  her  house  and  its  entire  contents  consumed  by  fire.  She 
was  at  that  time  alone  and  a  cripple,  which  made  her  loss  a  still 
greater  calamity.  In  this  fire  she  lost  a  trunk  which  was  filled 
with  keepsakes,  relics,  and  all  her  early  literary  productions.  By 
request  of  some  friends  she  produced  the  following,  which  ex- 
plains itself: 

I  had  a  huge  trunk  all  battered  and  worn, 

Some  fifty  years  old  or  more ; 
Of  relics,  mementoes,  and  unique  things, 
It  held  a  curious  store. 

There  were  letters  and  books,  pen-holders  aad  wax, 

That  came  from  the  scene  ot  the  war ; 
A  jack-knife,  a  dirk,  an  old,  mouldy  shoe. 

That  had  traveled  o'er  lands  afar. 

Little  strings  of  beads,  a  thimble  and  comb, 

And  many  a  trinket  and  toy ; 
Many  locks  of  hair,  silver  spoons  and  cards. 

And  the  ball  that  killed  my  boy ! 

There  were  needles  and  pins,  a  tia  plate  and  cup, 

There  were  hard  tack  and  cartridges,  t  )o, 
A  teacup,  a  pitcher,  the  till  of  a  cheit; 

That  was  many  years  ago. 

A  worsted  satchel,  a  small  vas3  mat. 

Each  wrought  by  a  mother's  hind ; 
A  tiny  blue  dress,  a  collar  and  chain. 

That  need  not  a  magic  wand 

To  tell  as  plaintively  sweet 

As  ever  a  novelist  told ; 
A  whet  stone,  a  hair  brush,  a  china  vase. 

Of  value  more  than  gold ; 

A  soldier's  companion,  a  scnrf,  book  ani  key, 

An  album  and  poems  sweet; 
A  small  white  basket,  somj  Southern  fruit  leaves, 
I  think  my  list  complete. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  591 

A..  B.  F.  HILDRETH. 

The  author  of  the  following,  is  well  known  to  the  people  of 
Floyd  County.  A  biographical  sketch  is  given  of  him  in  Chapter 
XIY: 

"  I  SHALL  REST  TO-NIGHT." 
BY  A.  B.  F.  HILDRETH. 

A  morning  flower  plucked  for  heaven  was  the  writer's  little  daughter  of  six 
summers,  who  lately  passed  from  this  to  a  better  world,  there  to  bloom  forever  iu 
the  paradise  of  God.  While  upon  her  dying  couch,  and  shortly  before  her  de- 
parture, she  besought  her  wearied  and  grief-stricken  parents  to  take  repose,  say- 
ing— "I  shall  rest  to-night."  At  midnight,  Nov.  29,  1857,  she  closed  her  eyes  as 
if  in  a  calm  slumber,  and  in  a  few  minutes  was  indeed  "at  rest." 

"I  shall  rest  to-night."    Another  day, 
While  my  loved  flowers*  iu  breezes  dance, 

You'll  take  me  from  this  home  away  ! 
A  mournful  train  will  then  advance 

Up  through  the  long  and  silent  street, 

To  bear  me  to  my  lone  retreat. 

Oh,  there — it  matters  not — will  rave 
The  storms  and  blasts  of  wintry  weather, 

Above  the  narrow  new-made  grave, 
Where  de  ith  and  I  lie  down  together! 

Enough  that  /  s-hall  know  it  not. 

Within  that  lone  and  narrow  spot. 

For  I  shall  sleep.    As  sweet  a  sleep 

As  ever  blessed  a  child  reposing. 
Awaits  me  in  the  grave  so  deep, 

When  I,  my  weary  eyelids  closing, 
At  length  shall  lay  me  down  to  rest. 
Heedless  of  clods  above  my  breast. 

Asleep!     How  deep  will  be  the  "rest,'' 

Free  from  life's  turmoil  moving  wildly, 
That  when  is  passed  the  earth's  unrest, 

Its  bosom  shall  receive  me  mildly; 
For  not  one  dream  of  earth  may  come 
To  break  the  slumber  of  that  home ! 

Oh,  deep  reposel     Oh,  slumber  blest! 

Oh,  night  of  peace!  no  storm,  no  sorrow, 
No  heavy  stirring  in  that  "rest," 

To  meet  another  weary  morrow ! 
I  shall  heed  neither  night  nor  dawn, 
But  still  with  folded  arms  sleep  on ! 

"Weep  not,  dear  parents,"  more  for  me, 

But  live  as  all  true  Christians  should 
"I'm  not  afraid  to  die,"  you  see; 

"You'll  come  to  me,  if  you  are  good;"* 
Ere  long  we'll  meet,  forever  blest. 
Beyond  the  skies  in  endless  "rest." 


♦She  was  pasaloni-tjly  fond  of  floweie.       tHer  dying  words. 


592  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

FLORENCE    PERCY. 

This  is  the  nom  de  plume  of  Elizabeth  {nee  Chase)  Allen,  the 
author  of  "Rock  Me  to  Sleep,  Mother."  Her  compositions  were 
neat  and  beautiful.  A  further  notice  is  given  of  her  in  the  next 
chapter,  in  the  account  of  the  Intelligencer. 

J.    CHESTON   WHITNEY, 

well  known  as  a  former  Coanty  Superintendent  of  Schools,  man  j 
years  ago  contributed  the  following: 

THE  COUNTIES  OF  IOWA. 

Our  home  is  in  Iowa, 

Westward  toward  the  setting  sun, 
Just  between  two  mighty  rivers, 

Where  the  flowing  waters  run  ; 
It  has  towns  and  it  has  cities, 

It  has  many  noble  streams, 
It  has  ninety-nine  counties. 

And  we'll  join  to  sing  their  names. 

Lyon,  Osceola,  Dickinson, 

Where  the  Spirit  Lake  we  see ; 
Emmet,  Kossuth,  Winnebago, 

Worth,  with  its  Lake  Albert  Lea; 
Mitchell,  Howard,  Winneshiek, 

And  Allamakee  so  fine. 
Make  eleven  northern  counties 

On  the  Minnesota  line. 

Clayton,  Dubuque,  Jackson,  Clinton, 

Together  with  Scott  and  Muscatine, 
Lee,  Louisa  and  Des  Moines, 

On  the  eastern  line  is  seen ; 
Van  Buren,  Davis,  Appanoose, 

Decatur,  Ringgold,  Wayne  we  spy; 
Taylor,  Page  and  Fremont,  that 

On  Missouri's  border  lie. 

Pottawattamie,  Harrison,  Mills, 

Monona,  Woodbury,  Plymouth,  Sioux, 
Are  all  the  counties  that  around 

The  border  of  our  State  we  view. 
Next  we  point  you  to  O'Brien, 

Palo  Alto  too,  and  Clay, 
Hancock,  Cerro  Gordo,  Floyd, 

Now  see  Chickasaw,  I  pray. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  693 

Fayette,  Bremer,  Butler,  Franklin, 

Next  upon  the  map  we  see; 
Wright  and  Humboldt,  Pocahontas, 

Buena  Vista,  Cherokee, 
Ida,  Sac,  Calhoun  and  Webster, 

Hamilton,  with  names  so  rare; 
Next  is  Hardin,  Grundy,  B'ack  Hawk, 

And  Buchanan,  Delaware. 

Jones,  Linn,  Benton,  Tama,  Marshall, 

Story,  Crawford,  Carroll,  Boone, 
(Let  us  not  your  patience  weary, 

We  shall  have  them  all  told  soon,) 
,  Cedar,  Greene,  Johnson,  Iowa, 

With  Powesheik  by  the  same ; 
Here  is  Jasper,  Polk  and  Dallas, 

Names  of  Presidential  fame. 

Guthrie,  Audubon  and  Shelby, 

Cass  and  Madison,  Adair, 
Warren,  Marion  and  Mahaska, 

And  Keokuk,  too,  is  there : 
Henry,  Jefferson  and  Wapello, 

Monroe,  Washington  we  missed ; 
Lucas,  Clarke,  Union,  Adams, 

And  Montgomery  fills  the  list. 

ELIZABETH    J.    COLE 

In  early  days  contributed  more  poetry  to  the  Charles  City  Intelli 
gencer  than  any  other  person.     We  make  only  one  selection. 

COMING    HOME. 

I'm  coming  home  at  last,  mother. 

Home  to  your  arms  once  more; 
Methinks  their  fond  embrace,  mother, 

Would  soothe  me  as  of  yore. 

The  way  seems  long  and  dark,  mother. 

My  heart  is  yearning  so ; 
I  long  for  one  caress,  mother, 

The  kiss  of  long  ago. 

I  would  not  pain  your  heart,  mother, 

But  you'll  know  it  bye  and  bye — 
Your  boy  is  coming  home,  mother, 

Yes,  coming  home  to  die. 

I've  longed  to  breathe  the  air,  mother. 

Of  my  dear  mountain  home; 
And  feel  its  balmy  breeze,  mother, 

Among  my  tresses  roam. 


694  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Could  I  cool  my  parching  lips,  mother, 

And  lave  my  burning  brow 
With  a  draught  from  the  old  well,  mother, 

It  would  be  blissful  now. 

But  I'm  coming  to  you  now,  mother — 

You'll  not  be  waiting  long — 
But  not  as  when  I  left,  mother, 

Vigorous,  blithe  and  strong. 

Can  it  be  night  so  soon,  mother? 

'Tis,  oh,  so  dark  and  cold! 
Within  your  loving  arms,  mother, 
Tour  dying  child  enfold. 
Prairie  Glen,  Feb.  23, 1864. 

' '  lANTHE  " 

Contributed  a  great  deal  to  the  press  raany  years  ago,  both  poetry 
and  prose.     We  give  one  short  selection  : 

"maternal   AFFECTION. 

"How  vast  its  import!  How  deep  its  fountain!  How  lasting  its 
duration!  What  weariness  is  not  endured!  What  untiring  effort 
is  put  forth  when  naught  but  the  alleviation  of  suffering  is  reason- 
ably expected ! 

"When  all  hope  has  fled,  and  the  pale,  emaciated  little  one  has 
become  a  lifeless  form,  so  unlike  what  it  was  in  health  as  scarcely 
to  be  recognized,  with  what  tenacity  and  affection  the  mother's 
heart  clings  to  it  still!  Its  little  fragile  form  is  laid  upon  the 
table,  clad  in  the  drapery  of  the  grave,  3'et  unceasingly  does  the 
mother  weep  by  its  side.  Its  tiny  hands  are  gently  folded,  its 
silvery,  clustering  curls  are  sweetly  parted  again  and  again,  to 
produce,  if  possible,  some  trace  or  resemblance  of  its  former  life 
and  beauty;  but  the  spirit  has  departed,  and  inanimate  clay  is  all 
that  remains.  'Tis  buried,  and  the  grave  closes  over  that  cher- 
ished, beautiful  object.  Oh,  the  sadness  and  desolation  that  now 
take  possession  of  that  mother's  heart!.  How  carefully  is  col- 
lected and  preserved  each  toy  and  garment  formerly  used  and 
worn,  as  memento  of  '  the  loved  and  lost! '  But  how  unavailing! 
Nothing  fills  that  vacancy  in  that  mother's  heart;  fhe  steel  hath 
entered,  and  the  wound  remains.  Time  may  produce  some 
change;  it  may  indeed  check  the  heart's  bleeding;  but  how  easily 
it  gushes  forth  again  like  some  long  pent-up  current.  Grace  af- 
fords the  best  remedy  for  the  sorrows  of  this  life,  and  yet  what 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COTJNIT.  595 

mother  ever  possessed  so  much  of  that  heavenly  virtue  as  to  be- 
come insensible  to  the  woe  or  weal  of  her  offspring.  But  no  less 
severely  is  her  affection  tested,  when  the  child  upon  whom  she 
liad  rested  all  her  future  hopes,  deserts  her  entirely,  disregarding 
alike  her  necessities  and  entreaties;  becomes  familiar  with  scenes 
of  vice  and  infamy;  yet,  if  detected  in  the  commission  of  crime, 
how  long  her  heart  seeks  to  believe  him  innocent,  and  if  con- 
victed, how  readily  she  forgives  and  also  ardently  prays  her  God  to 
forgive  him,  even  if  it  be  the  last  act  of  her  life!  Oh,  if  there  be 
aught  in  our  natures  uncontaminated  by  sin,  surely  it  is  this: 
A  mother's  love." 

W.   p.    GAYLORD. 

We  present  here  a  specimen  of  Mr.  Gaylord's  descriptive 
powers. 

THE  SENIOR  editor's  EXPERIENCE — Bobes  171  the  Hood — B.OW  it  goes 
to  raise  a  family^  and  how  a  family  goes  after  being  raised. 

"We  are  not  so  much  worried  over  what  will  become  of  our 
children  when  we  are  gone,  as  we  are  in  knowing  what  will  be- 
come of  us  when  our  children  are  here.  They  are  little  nuisances 
and  big  nuisances,  according  to  [their  age  and  size,  and  yet  we 
don't  know  how  we  could  keep  house  without  them.  Their  infer- 
nal noise  is  often  provoking,  but  we  have  heard  so  much  of  it  that 
we  begin  to  like  it.  We  could  not  smoke,  nor  read,  nor  write,  nor 
sleep  without  it. 

When  we  were  shown  our  first  baby,  and  were  informed  that  it 
looked  just  like  its  father,  we  thought  it  was  about  the  cutest  thing 
we    ever    saw;    but    afcer  a  little    observation    and  inquiry  we 
found  that  almost  everybody  else  had  the  same  opinion  of  their 
baby  that  we  had   of  ours,  and  the  older  we  grew  and  the  more 
babies  we  had,   the  more  we  found  out  that  the  mother  of  our 
babies  thought  a  great  deal  more  of  them  than  anybody  else   did. 
Women  with   their  children  used  to  come  to  our  house,  visiting, 
and  would  say  our  children  were  "  smart  and  good  looking,"  but  I 
noticed  that  all  such  women  paused  for  a  reply,   and  were  tickled 
amazingly  when  my  wife  would  return  the  compliment  by  saying 
the  same  thing  about  their  children.     We  have  some  knowledge 
of  camphor,   castor  oil,  soothing  syrup,  paregoric,  laudanum  and 
catnip.    We  know  something  about  jumping  up  in  the  night,  strik- 
ing our  head  against  the  door-casing,  peeling  our  shins  against  the 
stove  hearth,  stumbling  over  chairs  and  smashing  lamp  chimneys 


596  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

to  reach  tlie  match  box.  "We  like  the  interestmg  time  when  the 
measles,  mumps,  whooping  cough  and  prairie  itch  are  around;  it 
makes  things  lively. 

We  like  the  experience  of  that  hour  between  daylight  and  sun- 
rise, when,  enoring  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots  an  hour,  one  of  the 
little  "images  of  its  dad"  has  crawled  over  its  mother  from  the 
back  side  of  the  bed,  and  whacks  its  hand  right  into  my  face, 
punches  its  fingers  up  my  nose,  pulls  my  hair,  gives  my  lips  a 
gouge,  and  tries  to  play  with  my  ears, — all  of  which  was  as  good 
as  an  alarm  bell,  and  just  about  as  regular.  I  like  to  see  them 
coming  down  stairs  in  the  morning,  some  their  clothes  half  on, 
some  with  clothes  in  hand,  some  bare-handed,  bare-headed  and 
bare-footed,  with  their  hair  frizzled  over  their  heads  like  the  mane 
of  a  wild  mustang,  and  hear  them  sing  out  "  Mother,  where  is  my 
stockings?"  "Mother,  where  is  my  shoes?"  "Mother,  where  is 
my  garter?"  "Mother,  where  is  my  apron?"  "Mother,  where  is 
my  comb?"  "Mother,  where  is  the  wash-basin?"  "Mother  where 
is  the  towel?"     "Mother,  1  ain't  agoin'  to  school  to-day." 

And  now  comes  rattling  down  stairs  like  a  four-horse  wagon, 
Young  America, —  the  only  one  we  have  got  (and  we  are  not  yet 
sure  whether  we  have  got  him  or  he  has. got  us);  but,  like  a  good 
many  other  boys,  he  stays  with  us  over  night  and  runs  wild 
through  the  day.  He,  too,  has  to  dress  himself  in  the  kitchen;  his 
stockings  are  always  wet,  his  boots  are  always  run  over  and 
shrunken,  his  trowsers  always  torn,  and,  just  like  his  father,  he 
never  knows  where  to  find  hiB  hat.  Sometimes  I  have  a  notion  to 
lick  him,  and  we  suppose  he  sometimes  has  a  notion  to  lick  ns; 
but,  if  we  behave  ourselves  decently  well,  we  are  inclined  to  think 
he  will  let  us  board  with  him  till  he  is  twenty-one. 

The  family  menagerie  is  an  interesting  show.  There  is  some 
fun,  and  much  music  and  money,  in  bringing  up  a  family  of  ten, 
twenty,  thirty  or  forty  children. 

When  breakfast  is  ready,  the  children  are  never  ready  for  it. 
They  are  always  hungry  enough,  and  willing  enough  to  come 
forward  and  eat,  but  between  them  and  the  table  is  that  great  gulf, 
the  wash-basin,  so  that  those  who  would  come  up  with  unwashed 
hands  and  faces  as  black  as  the  ace  of  spades,  can  not.  Then  it  is 
interesting  to  see  three  or  four  of  them  washing  around  the  same 
basin  at  the  same  time,  some  washing  the  inside  of  their  hands, 
some  the  outside,  some  wetting  one  side  of  their  face,   some  the 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOB.   LENOX   AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  699 

other,  and  some  neither  side,  and  all  using  the  water  with  as  much 
economy  as  though  it  were  the  only  water  in  America. 

Then  comes  the  stampede  for  the  towel.  One  seizes  at  each  end  ^ 
another  the  middle;  one  twitches  one  wa}',  another  in  another 
direction,  and  another  sags  down  in  the  miiidle,  while  all  go 
weaving  to  and  fro  like  a  willow  hedge  in  a  thunder-storm,  and 
each  trying  to  wear  off  with  the  towel  what  they  ought  to  have 
washed  ofi  with  the  water.  Then  up  to  the  '  glass  '  they  come,  and 
of  course  all  want  the  same  comb  at  the  same  time.  One,  with 
tears  in  its  eyes,  is  trying  to  straighten  out  its  tangled  hair,  which 
was  welded  together  the  day  before  with  gum  and  molasses. 
Another  is  waiting  for  the  comb,  mad  because  it  can't  have  it, 
while  another  is  squalling  because  it  is  obliged  to  use  it. 

Around  the  table  they  come,  one  whining  because  it  "  hain't  got 
the  right  knife  and  fork,  "  another  taking  exception  to  its  plate? 
while  all  are  asking  for  something  at  the  same  time,  and  each  as 
mad  as  a  hornet  because  the  other  has  the  biggest  piece,  and  at  the 
same  time  sniffling  just  enough  to  get  another  unwanted  slice  from 
its  indulgent  mother.  Then  it  is  fun  to  see  the  little  two-year  old 
get  mad,  just  because  she  can't  have  all  that  is  on  the  table; 
refusing  to  eat  because  she  can't  have  her  cake  and  pie  and  nick- 
nacks  first;  then  to  see  her  try  to  have  revenge  on  her  mother  by 
throwing  her  fork  or  spoon  under  the  table,  just  to  show  her 
indignation  and  to  see  her  mother  pick  it  up, — which  her  mother 
always  does,  to  gratify  the  'poor  little  thing,  '  who  returns  her 
affection  by  throwing  it  down  again  in  such  a  provoking  manner 
as  to  bring  a  loving  mother's  cuffing  hand  in  red  hot  contact  with 
her  little  ears.  Then  comes  the  squall  of  bloody  murder;  then 
comes  the  crawling  down  from  the  high  chair  position;  then  the 
creeping  under  the  table,  where  she  flops  herself  face  downward  to 
the  floor,  just  to  show  her  mother  that  her  majesty  is  insulted,  and 
that  she  has  rights  which  her  mother  is  bound  to  respect;  and  there 
she  lies,  mad  as  a  wet  hen,  kicking  and  floundering  if  she  is 
noticed,  and  still  more  terribly  mad  if  she  is  unnoticed. 

While  this  interesting  scene  has  been  going  on,  the  other  children, 

who  are  older  grown,  have  taken  advantage  of  the  confusion  and 

have  it  all  their  own  way.      They  have  upset  the  coftee-cups  all 

over  the  table-cloth;  the  pies,  the  cake  and  the  nick-nacks,  have 

gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth,  and  the  sugar-bowl  stands  there  as 

a  monument  of  what  it  once  contained.     And  all  this  has  been  go- 
37 


^-'^6-3>, 


600  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ing  on  right  under  the  eye  of  their  father,  who  has   neither  seen 
the  sights  nor  heard  the  sounds. 

It  takes  a  veteran  mother  to  whitewash  and  rig  up  a  family  of 
fifteen  or  twenty  children  for  school.  One  wants  to  wear  her  "red 
frock,"  another  her  "  white  apron,"  another  her  "  best  gaiters," 
and  all  would  like  to  wear  their  best  hats,  with  feathers  fluttering 
in  profusion.  When  these  things  are  denied  thenx,  their  wrath  is 
red-hot,  and  "  'tis  music  in  the  sinner's  ears  "  to  hear  them  howl. 
One  declares  she  won't  go  to  school  to-day,  if  she  can't  have 
clothes  like  other  children.  Another  says  that  all  the  other  girls 
wear  better  shoes  to  school  than  she  has  for  Sunday;  another  in- 
sists that  there  is  not  another  hat  in  the  whole  school  as  liomely 
as  hers ;  while  another  declares  that  she  don't  see  why  her  father  can't 
get  nice  things  as  well  as  Smith,  and  Brown,  and  Jones.  Another 
is  bound  not  to  go  to  school  because  she  "hain't  got  no  books;" 
another,  because  the  other  children  made  fun  of  her;  another,  be- 
cause "the  teacher  ain't  good  for  nothing;"  another,  because 
some  one  has  been  exposed  to  the  measles  or  the  itch;  and  another 
because  she  is  sick,  when  the  fact  is,  if  she  were  allowed  to  rig  up 
in  her  best  clothes,  she  would  be  well  in  less  than  five  minutes. 

After  a  great  tribulation,  and  a, brief  discussion,  in  which  the 
switch  is  used  for  an  argument,  a  compromise  is  made  with  their 
mother,  by  the  terms  of  which  they  agree  to  go  to  school  on  the 
conditions  following,  to  wit:  1.  That  each  one  is  to  have  a  hand- 
ful of  white  sugar  before  he  or  she  starts.  2.  That  some  day  they 
shall  have  as  good  clothes  as  other  children.  3.  That  they  shall 
have  a  new  set  of  books  the  first  time  their  father  goes  to  town. 
4.  That  their  mother  shall  put  up  for  their  dinners  about  twice  as 
much  as  they  really  want.  5.  That  their  dinners  shall  consist  of 
cakes  and  pies,  and  pies  and  cakes,  with  a  little  more  cake,  and  a 
little  more  pie.  6.  That  they  may  come  home  at  recess  in  the  af- 
ternoon, and  especially  if  they  get  sick.  7.  That  they  needn't  go 
to  school  the  next  day  utdess  they're  a  mind  to.  8.  That  if  they 
go  to  school  to-day,  they  may  go  to  the  nigger  show  to-night.  9. 
That  when  they  get  a  little  bigger  they  shall  have  an  organ.  10. 
That  their  mother  shall  stay  at  home  and  that  they  may  go  to  tie 
next  "  Free  Methodist  camp-meeting."  11,  That  when  they  get 
to  be  "  young  women  "  they  needn't  mind  their  father — unless  he 
"  gets  his  dander  up."  12.  That  if  the  teacher  don't  behave  him- 
self, they  may  quit  the  schojl  altogether. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  601 

Thej  liavo    started    oft    to  school,    and  their   mother   strikes 

up, 

"  O  land  of  rest,  for  thee  I  sigh!" 

We  are  glad  to  get  rid  of  their  noise.  The  mother  says  t!ie 
teacher  is  paid  for  his  work,  and  he  may  as  well  liave  a  little  bother- 
ation with  them  as  to  throw  it  all  off  on  her.  None  are  left  at  home 
except  the  baby — and  here  she  comes,  bare-headed  and  bare-footed, 
yelling,  back  to  the  house,  because  the  older  children,  wlum  she 
has  tried  to  follow  oft,  have  driven  her  back.  Bat  a  handful  of 
sugar,  a  doll-baby,  and  her  father's  razor  to  play  with,  soon  takes 
the  pout  out  of  her,  and  the  business  of  the  day  begins. 

The  ftrst  exercise  is  to  whack  her  two  hands  into  her  mother's 
dough  ;  then  comes  the  knitting  needles  out  of  her  mother's  knit- 
ting ;  now  oft  goes  the  head  from  the  doll-baby  ;  then  the  wheel- 
barrow and  hand-sled  come  into  the  house  ;  now  the  contents  of 
the  trunks  of  the  older  children  are  inspected  from  top  to  bottom  ; 
then  she  tries  to  whittle  a  top  out  of  a  spool  with  her  father's 
razor  ;  and  now  the  old  cat  and  kittens  have  to  be  suspendad  by 
their  tails  till  their  patience  is  worn  out,  when  they  wheel  on. 
her  and  scratch  themselves  out  of  her  clutches,  and  another 
shower  of  yells  is  set  up,  which  are  quieted  with  another  hand- 
ful of  sugai',  and  a  complimentary  rag  is  tied  upon  the  wounded 
linger. 

CD 

These  interesting  scenes  are  interspersed  with  a  thousand  and 
one  questions,  among  which  is,  who  made  her?  and  when  she  is 
answered,  that  the  Lord  m^de  all  things,  her  inquisitiveness  is  ex- 
cited and  she  wants  to  know  who  made  the  Lord  ;  and  her  mother, 
tired  of  answering  her  questions,  tells  her  to  "  dry  up." 

And  so  it  goes  all  through  the  day,  till  here  they  come  rattling 
home  from  school  like  so  many  escaped  pigs  from  a  muddy  pen. 
Here  comes  one  with  the  handle  torn  oft  her  dinner-basket;  another, 
with  her  apron  in  her  hand  ;  another,  with  her  wet  feet ;  another, 
with  a  scratched  face,  while  Young  Am3rica  comes  with  his  trow- 
sers  legs  ripped  from  his  boots  to  his  knees  ;  one  goes  for  the 
sugar-bowl,  another  for  the  preserves  ;  another  for  a  loaf  of  bread, 
and  the  pandemonium  thus  illustrated  is  but  the  foreground  of  the 
hell  that  follows. 

Now  for  a  ride  on  the  wheel-barrow  and  the  hand-sled,  with  the 
"littlest"  always  in  front  as  a  fender,  and  down  the  hill  they  go, 
striking  the  trees  and  fences,  half  spilling  and  half  killing  the  little 
"  fellers,"  who  have  been  placed  in  front  by  the  more  crafty  ones 


602  UISTORV  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

of  experience.  Then  comes  music — sweet  chin-music  from  the 
whole  band,  while  up  the  hill  they  crawl  witli  tlieir  red  fingers 
and  earcs,  vowing  vengeance  each  on  the  other  as  they  come  up  to 
the  appellant  court  of  their  indulgent  mother  to  make  an  exhibit 
of  torn  clothes  and  heads,  and  ears  plastered  with  mud  and  snow. 
The  court,  after  patiently  listening  to  the  evidence,  tlireatens  to 
*'  skin  them  alive  "  if  they  ever  do  the  like  again  ;  and,  for  the  want 
of  a  whip  in  the  house  and  a  disposition  to  use  one,  the  case  goes 
up  to  the  supreme  court  of  their  father. 

Slipper  is  ready  and  but  one  or  two  respond.  They  had  too 
much  when  they  came  home  from  school.  After  supper  is  over, 
the  performance  begins  :  tops,  marbles  and  doll-babies  all  come 
around  in  turn.  Then  one  gets  into  the  rocking-chair,  and  all  want 
it,  roust  have  it,  can't  do  without  it ;  one  crawls  in  back  of  the  one 
in  front  ;  another,  still  behind  her,  and  so  on  till  the  chair  is  full  to 
the  top,  when  the  one  in  front  is  crowded  out  and  over  goes  the 
chair,  and  down  come  the  passengers,  and  another  singing-school 
is  begun,  where  all  the  key-notes  are  struck,  from  the  finest  treble 
to  the  coarsest  bass. 

The  evening's  entertainment  winds  up  with  a  ball — through  the 
window,  a  doll  all  gone  to  smash,  the  rocker  split  off  the  rocking- 
chair,  and  an  endless  variety  of  disputes. 

Bed-time  has  come.  There  lies  one  under  the  table,  fast  asleep, 
another  under  the  stand,  and  another  on  the  lounge.  On  being 
aroused  and  ordered  to  bed,  two  or  three  of  the  youngest  are  bound 
to  sleep  with  their  mother ;  another  will  go  up  stairs  for  five  cents  ; 
another  wants  a  handful  (<f  sugar;  another  a  stick  of  gum,  till  their 
mother,  provoked  beyond  endurance,  brings  out  the  album,  and, 
showing  them  the  profile  of  their  father,  tells  them  she  can  hear 
him  coming,  when  they  scamper  off  to  bed  in  quick  meter. 

Many  others  in  Floyd  County  have  contributed  able  poems  and 
prose  articles  to  the  newspaper  press,  but  mostly  under  initials  only 
or  fictitious  names  ;  a«,  -'Crispin,"  ••Meave,"  "il.  M.  C,"  etc. 
Also,  we  make  honorable  mention  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Smith,  Mrs.  Lida 
E.  E-einiger,  Miss  H.  F.  Brainard  and  W.  S.  Rider  (deceased). 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  PRESS. 

There  is  no  instrumentality,  not  even  excepting  the  pnlpit  and 
the  bar,  which  exerts  such  an  influence  upon  society  as  the  press  of 
the  land.  It  is  the  Archimedian  lever  that  ra  >ves  the  world.  The 
talented  minister  of  the  gospel  on  the  Sabbath  day  preaches  to  a 
few  hundred  people;  on  the  following  morning  his  thoughts  are 
reproduced  more  than  a  thousand  fold,  and  are  read  and  discussed 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  The  attorney  at 
the  bar,  in  thrilling  tones,  pleads  either  for  or  against  the  criminal 
arraigned  for  trial,  ofcen  causing  the  jury  to  bring  in  verdict  against 
the  law  and  the  testimony  in  the  case.  Plis  words  are  reproduced 
in  every  daily  reached  by  the  telegraphic  wire,  and  his  arguments 
are  calmly  weighed  by  unprejudic3d  m3n  and  accepted  for  what 
they  are  worth.  The  politician  takes  the  stand  and  addresses  a 
handful  of  men  upon  the  political  questions  of  the  day,  his  speech 
is  reported  and  read  by  a  thousand  men  for  everyone  that  heard  the 
address.  Suddenly  the  waters  of  one  of  our  mighty  rivers  rise, 
overflowing  the  land  for  miles  and  miles,  rendering  thousands  of  peo 
pie  homeless  and  without  means  to  secure  their  daily  bread.  The 
news  is  flashed  over  the  wire,  taken  up  by  the  press,  and  is  known 
and  read  of  all  men.  No  time  is  lost  in  sending  to  their  relief— 
the  press  has  made  known  their  wants  and  they  are  instantly  sup- 
plied. "Chicago  is  on  fire!  Two  hundred  millions  worth  of  prop- 
erty destroyed!  Fifty  thousand  people  rendered  homeless!  "  Such 
is  the  dread  intelligence  proclaimed  by  the  press.  Food  and  cloth- 
ing are  hastily  gathered,  trains  are  chartered,  and  the  immediate 
wants  of  the  sufferers  are  in  a  measure  relieved. 

The  power  for  good  or  evil  of  the  press,  is  to-day  unlimited. 
The  sliort  comings  of  the  politician  are  made  known  through  its 
columns;  the  dark  deeds  of  the  wicked  are  exposed;  and  each  fear 
it  alike.  The  controlling  influence  of  a  Nation,  State  or  county 
is  its  press,  and  tlie  press  of  Floyd  County  is  no  exception  to  the 

rule. 

(603) 


604  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

CHARLES    CITY   INTELLIGENCER. 

The  first  newspaper  printed  and  published  in  Floyd  County  was 
the  "St.  Charles  Republican  InteUigencer.''^  This  journal  was 
established,  printed  and  owned  by  A.  B,  F.  Hildreth  and  D.  D. 
W.  Carver,  both  experienced  newspaper  men.  Their  printing  ma- 
terial was  all  new,  purchased  in  New  York  City,  and  shipped  thence 
to  St.  Charles  in  the  spring  ot  18.56.  These  men  also  bought  in 
New  York  a  chest  of  carpenter  tools,  with  which,  and  with  their 
own  hands,  they  erected  in  St.  Charles  (now  Charles  City)  what 
has  ever  since  been  known  as  the  "  Intelligencer  Building,"  on  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Kelly  streets.  Much  of  the  lumber  for  this 
building  they  carried  on  their  backs  from  the  Kelly  saw-mill  at 
the  foot  of  Main  street. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1856,  the  initial  number  of  i\\Q  Litelligencer 
made  its  appearance.     It  was  a  folio  sheet,  well  edited,  handsomely 
printed,  and  contained  seven  columns  to  the  page.     It  ha^l  for  its 
motto  the  often  misquoted  words  of  Bishop  Berkley: 
"  Westward  the  course  of  empire  takes  its  way." 

The  news  spread  over  town  that  the  paper  was  about  to  appear, 
and  several  persons  desired  to  secure  the  first  impression.  As 
there  could  be  but  one  sheet  of  this  kind,  and  nearly  one  hundred 
people  had  assembled  in  front  ( f  the  printing  oflice,  all  eager  for 
the  news,  the  crowd  shouted:  "Set  up  the  first  paper  at 
auction;  we  will  bid  on  it."  This  request  was  complied  with,  after 
which  the  following  paragraph  was  promptly  inserted: 

"  We  stop  the  press  to  publish  that,  so  great  was  the  rush  and 
anxiety  among  our  friends  to  secure  l\\Qji7'st  copy  (irap.'-ession)  of 
the  St.  Charles  Bepublican  Intelligencer,  an  auction  was  proposed, 
when  Wm.  Spencer,  Esq.,  as  auctioneer,  struck  ofi"  the  same  to 
the  highest  bidder  for  the  handsome  sum  of  $20.  The  Jueky  pur- 
chasers were  Duncan  Ferguson  and  G.  B.  Eastman,  of  the  firm  of 
Ferguson  &  Eastman,  bankers,  dealers  in  exchange  and  land 
agents,  St.  Charles,  Floyd  County,  la." 

Mr.  Eastman  was  determined  tbat  the  first  impression  of  the 
first  number  should  not  go  out  of  town,  and  having  to  bid  against 
parties  from  Kockford,  111.,  who  had  interests  here,  the  price  ran 
up  to  t)ie  fabulous  sum  named  above. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  605 

At  the  close  of  tlie  sale  a  large  number  of  subscriptions  were  at 
once  handed  in,  and  the  demand  for  extra  copies  exceeded  any- 
thing of  the   kind  previously  experienced  by  these  enterprising 

pub 

During  the  first  year  of  the  publication  of  the  Intelligencer  its 
advertising  patronage  was  so  increased  that,  on  Oct.  7,  1857, 
it  was  enlarged  so  as  to  give  nine  columns  to  the  page,  or  thirty- 
six  for  the  whole  sheet.  It  was  also  given  a  new  and  beautiful 
heading.  For  this,  Mr.  Hildreth  designed  a  very  pretty  vignette, 
having  in  the  center  the  territorial  seal  of  Iowa  (a  hawk  with  an 
arrow  in  his  beak  and  a  bow  in  his  talons),  and  on  either  side  of  it 
emblems  of  the  settlement  of  a  new  country — the  emigrant 
wagon,  farming  tools,  sheaves  of  grain,  the  flowing  river,  flouring 
mill,  printing  press,  Indians'  tents,  and  the  red  men  gazing  in 
astonishment  upon  the  changed  order  of  things.  This  design  was 
engraved  in  Boston,  and,  with  the  entire  heading,  was  electro- 
typed  at  an  expense  of  $30. 

The  financial  crisis  that  came  upon  the  country  in  1857,  affected 
the  business  men  of  Floyd  County  as  well  as  those  of  the  Eastern 
States,  and  just  as  the  Intelligencer  had  enlarged  its  capabilities 
for  accommodating  the  business  of  the  county,  its  patronage  and 
support  began  to  decline;  but  the  size  of  the  paper  was  never  cut 
down,  nor  was  there  any  falling  off"  in  the  ability  and  interest  of 
its  editorial  columns,  as  was  the  case  at  that  time  with  nearly  all 
other  Western  newspapers.  To  maintain  the  present  size  and 
character  of  the  Intelligencer  required  economy  and  money,  and 
then  its  publication  could  only  be  continued  at  a  loss,  some  years, 
of  many  hundreds  of  dollars.  Fortunately  Mr.  Hildreth  had  the 
means  to  sustain  himself  in  the  arduous  avocation.  But  his 
partner,  Mr.  Carver,  became  discouraged,  and  Aug.  1,  1859,  sold 
out  his  interest  in  the  paper  to  Mr.  H.,  who  conducted  the  business 
thereafter  alone. 

In  January,  1862,  the  name  of  the  paper  was  changed  to  "Hil- 
dreth's  Charles  City  Intelligencer."  Business  revived,  and  the 
paper  prospered.  From  1860,  and  during  the  succeeding  nine 
years,  the  Intelligencer  was  appointed,  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment, as  one  of  the  papers  in  Iowa  in  which  to  publish  the  laws 
of  Congress.  It  also  had  the  printing  of  the  State  laws  during 
that  time.  A  review  of  its  columns  shows  that  it  had  an  able 
corps  of  correspondents,  in  Japan  and  on  the  continent  of  Europe, 
as  well  as  in  Washington,  New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Chi- 


606  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

cago,  and  other  parts  of  the  United  States,  Among  its  poetic 
contributors  were  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Akers  Allen,  of  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, better  known  as  "Florence  Percy,"  author  of  "Rock  Me  to 
Sleep,  Mother;"  W.  A.  Bacon,  of  Detroit,  Michigan;  Matilda 
Fletcher,  and  many  others  of  Iowa.  Its  regular  army  correspond- 
ence during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  was  full  and  of  the  highest 
character.  Among  the  latter  writers  was  Wintield  Scott  Rider, 
of  Floyd,  whose  army  letters  were  always  perused  with  deep 
interest. 

In  a  volume  entitled  the  "Yalley  and  the  Shadow,"  now  before 
us,  published  in  1868  by  J.  M.  Dixon,  formerly  associate  editor  of 
the  Iowa  State  Register  at  Des  Moines,  under  the  head  of  "Iowa 
Journalism,"  we  find  the  following: 

"Many  of  my  readers  have  noticed,  for  several  years,  a  sheet  oi 
elegant  appearance,  called  the  Intelligencer^  which  is  published 
in  Charles  City,  Floyd  County.  Hon.  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  its  owner 
and  conductor,  was  a  member,  several  years  since,  of  the  State 
Board  of  Education,  for  which  position  his  scholarly  habits  and 
tastes  clearly  adapted  him.  Subsequently  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Legislature,  giving  ample  evidence  that  he  was  as  proficient 
in  legislating  for  the  general  interests  of  Iowa  as  for  the  special 
interests  of  popular  education.  His  enterprise  and  his  admirable 
economy,  as  well  as  his  talent  in  editorial  management,  give  him 
the  ability  to  publish  one  of  the  finest  looking  weekly  papers  in 
all  the  Israel  of  Iowa.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  quick  conception, 
of  careful  but  not  hesitating  judgment,  passionate  in  his  love  of 
literature,  and  very  strong  in  his  general  attachments  and  pre- 
possessions. It  is  a  miracle  of  success,  that  he  never  was  com- 
pelled, through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  the  past  eight  years,  to 
reduce  the  size  of  his  very  large  paper,  or  to  make  any  radical 
changes  in  it  which  looked  to  diminution  of  weekly  expenditure." 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  all  was  smooth  sailing  and  an  open 
sea  in  the  management  ot  the  Intelligencer.  With  the  masses  of 
the  people  the  paper  was  always  popular,  but  with  certain  unwor- 
thy third-rate  politicians  the  case  was  different.  Men  of  this  class 
found  but  little  favor  in  the  columns  of  the  Intelligencer^  and  of 
course  they  were  not  pleased  with  it.  ^  These  "  political  paupers  " 
always  wish  to  ride  the  press,  but  are  never  known  to  pay  for 
riding.  When  their  "  claims  "  were  rejected,  and  coaxing  and 
flattery  would  effect  nothing,  threats  were  tried;  they  would  "kill  the 
paper  and  hang  its  liide  on  the  fence."  But  instead  of  the  "killing" 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  607 

the  paper  would  thrive  all  the  better  under  this  kind  of  opposition. 
The  common  people  are  honest.  They  like  a  bold,  faithful  leader, 
one  who  will  protect  their  interests  and  expose  corruption  ;  and 
when  men  set  themselves  up  for  office  who  had  never  shown 
capability  in  any  legitimate  business  of  their  own,  and  abused  the 
Intelligencer  because  the}'  could  not  control  it,  the  citizens  of  the 
county  would  ^ive  it  a  still  more  liberal  support.  The  paper  was 
always  Republican  in  politics,  and  "principles  rather  than  men" 
seems  to  have  been  its  guiding  sentiment.  Under  Mr.  Hildreth's 
management  it  always  maintained  a  high  moral  tone.  Ever}' 
parent  felt  safe  in  placing  it  in  the  hands  of  his  children. 
Specialist  medical  advertisements  were  scrupulously  excluded  from 
its  columns,  no  matter  what  the  money  temptation  might  be  to 
procure  their  insertion. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  1870,  after  a  period  of  fourteen  years' 
laborious  editorial  service  in  Charles  City,  Mr.  Hildreth  sold  the 
Intelligencer  and  his  entire  printing  establishment  to  Messrs. 
Dyke  &  Howell,  and  retired  permanently  from  the  field  of 
journalism. 

Mr.  Rowell,  who  had  been  for  a  number  of  years  an  employe  in 
the  government  printing  office  in  Washington,  not  taking  a  liking 
to  the  West,  sold  his  interest  in  the  paper  to  W.  H.  Leonard,  Feb, 
16,  1871.     In  October  of  the  next  year,  Mr.  Leonard  having  been 
offered  a  half  interest  in  the  Janesville,  Wis.,  Recorder,  on  very 
advantageous  terms,  sold  out  to  C.  L.  Dyke,  and  the  firm  name  of 
the  publishers  became  Dyke  Bros.,  the  same  as  to-day.      During 
this  year  Kev.  John  A.  Cruzan,  the  "  printer  preacher,"  edited  a 
religious  column,  which  added  much  to  the  value  of  the  paper, 
lie  was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church.      In   the    spring  of 
1874  the  publishers  were  taken  with  the  California  fever,  and   on 
the  first  of  May  sold  to  the  Owens  Bros.,  and  wended  their  way  to 
the  Eldorado.     In  July  of  this  year,  the  old  and  beautiful  heading 
was  changed  for  the  one  in  use  at  present,  and  the  page  head-lines 
were  dropped.     Feb.  25,  1875,  II.  L.  Owens,  who  had  become  sole 
proprietor  in  the  preceding  fall,  sold  to  C.  A.  Slocum,  who  in  turn, 
March  16,  1876,  sold  to  Dyke  Bros,,  who  had  returned  from  Cali- 
fornia, and  the  papej*  has  since  been  controlled  by  the  latter.     In 
1876-'7,  a  temperance  column  was  published,  with  Mrs,  E.  L,  Slo- 
cum, editor;  she  was  succeeded  by  Addis  Schermerhorn,  and  the 
column  was  a  feature  of  the  paper  until  after  the  passage  of  the 
amendment,  when  it  was  discontinued.      In  1878-'9,   a  teachers 


608  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

column  was  edited  bj  Capt.  G.  H.  Nichols,  County  Superintend- 
ent of  Schools.  The  Intelligencer  has  always  led  the  other  papers 
of  the  county  in  circulation,  and  since  1876,  when  Dyke  Bros,  last 
purchased  it,  has  run  up  its  list  from  less  tli*^n  800,  to  over  1,400, 
which  circulation  it  still  maintains.  The  office  is  one  of  the  best- 
equipped  in  Northern  Iowa,  It  has  a  ten-column  Campbell  press 
(without  tapes)  for  newsj)aper  work,  half  Nonpareil,  and  eight 
Peerless  presses  for  job  work,  Peerless  paper  cutter,  and  an  im- 
mense amount  of  material  of  all  kinds  necessary  for  a  first-class 
office.  The  power  is  supplied  by  wire  cable  from  the  Water  Power 
Company's  mill,  514  feet  distant,  and  is  carried  over  the  roofs  of 
several  high  buildings.  It  is  the  perfection  of  power,  safj,  steady 
and  reliable.  The  Dyke  Bros,  are  both  practical  printers,  and 
as  ready  with  the  composing  stick  and  rule  as  with  the  pen,  which 
accounts  something  for  their  success  in  the  business.  The  paper 
has  always  been  staunch  Bepublican,  and  is  the  recognize!  organ 
of  the  better  elements  of  the  party.  Its  proprietors  have  always 
carefully  refrained  from  surrendering  it  to  any  of  the  "isms" 
which  have  of  late  years  infested  politics,  consequently  it  has  the 
confidence  of  the  "bone  and  sinew  "  of  the  great  party  which  has 
ruled  Iowa  so  many  years.  It  has  often  had  bitter  political  fights 
on  hand,  but  these  have  usually  been  managed  with  such  consum- 
mate skill  as  to  secure  success  for  its  side  ot  the  contest.  Of  course, 
such  a  paper  has  enemies,  but  its  hosts  of  friends  outnumber  them 
a  hundred  to  one. 

The  general  style  of  tlie  paper  is  very  neat  and  tasty,  and  the 
editorial  work  and  make-up  and  press  work,  is  a  credit  to  Iowa 
journalism,  than  which  no  higher  praise  can  be  given. 

There  are  less  than  a  score  of  older  papers  in  the  State,  and  it 
has  never  changed  its  name  or  its  politics. 

E.  B.  Dyke  is  editor,  and  C.  L.  Dyke  business  manager. 

Azro  Benjamin  Franklin  Hildreth,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Charles  City,  was  born  in  Chelsea,  Orange  County,  Yt.,  on  the 
29th  day  of  February,  A.  D.  1816.  His  father,  Daniel  Hildreth, 
was  born  in  Pepperell,  Middlesex  County,  Mass.,  in  1783,  and  at  an 
early  age  removed  with  his  parents  to  Vermont.  James  Hildreth, 
father  of  Daniel  Hildreth,  and  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  of  the  old  Puritan  stock,  and  of  English  origin. 
Richard  Hildreth,  the  progenitor  of  all  the  Hildreths  in  America, 
came  with  a  small  colony  of  Puritans  from  the  north  of  England, 
about  twenty  years  after  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  on  Plymouth 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  609 

Rock,  and  settled  in  Woburn,  near  Boston.  The  mother  of  Daniel 
Hildreth,  and  wit'L!  of  James  Hildreth,  was  Esther  Fletcher, 
daughter  of  Lieutenant  Timothy  Fletcher,  of  "Westford,  Mass.,  a 
gentleman  of  some  note  at  tlie  time  of,  and  previous  to,  the  Revo- 
lution, and  whose  family  name,  as  well  as  that  of  Hildreth,  has 
been  somewhat  distinguished  to  the  present  day.  Daniel  Web- 
ster's first  wife  was  of  that  family,  and  their  oldest  son  bore  the 
cognomen  of  Fletcher  Webster. 

The  mother  of  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth  was  Clarissa  Tyler,  daughter 
of  Jonathan  Tyler.  She  was  born  in  Piermont,  Grafton  County, 
N.  H.,  July  5,  1794. 

History  informs  us  that,  in  the  year  1682,  a  family  of  emigrants 
arrived  from  England,  bearing  the  name  of  Tyler.  The  father's 
christian  name  is  not  given.  His  sons  were  Daniel,  David  and 
John.  Daniel  settled  in  Connecticut,  David  in  Massachusetts, 
anl  John  in  New  Jersey.  The  families  of  the  first  two  passed  up 
the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  River,  and  located  in  Piermont, 
N.  H.,  while  the  New  Jersey  branch  wandered  southward  to  Yir- 
ginia.  To  the  latter  branch  belonged  John  Tyler,  who  was  at  one 
time  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  wife  of  Jonathan  Tyler,  son  of  Daniel  Tyler,  was  Sarah 
McConnell,  to  whom  he  was  married  shortly  after  settling  in  Pier- 
mont, when  she  was  of  the  tender  age  of  twelve  and  one-half  years. 
She  was  of  Scotch  origii),  of  far  complexion,  and  her  beauty  so 
won  tlie  affection  of  young  Tyler  that,  young  as  she  was,  he  was 
induced  to  propose  marriage,  and  was  accepted.  She  was  the 
mother  of  thii'teen  children,  and  died  in  1815,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-three  years,  beloved  and  lamented  by  all  who  knew  her. 
Her  husband,  Jonathan  Tyler,  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  nine- 
ty-six years,  and  died  in  1818,  at  Piermont,  N.  H.  He  was  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812-'15. 

Daniel  Hildreth  and  Clarissa  Tyler  were  united  in  wedlock  at 
Piermont,  X.  H.,  Jn.ie  9,  1814,  and  immediately  rem3ved  to  their 
new  home  in  Chelsea,  Yt.  A  farm  had  been  purchased  in  that 
new  locality,  and  here  they,  with  toil  and  patience,  m  ide  them  a 
home  which  in  time  afforded  many  of  the  comforts  and  even  lux- 
uries of  life.  There  were  born  to  them  twelve  children,  six  sons 
and  six  daughters,  of  whom  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth  was  the  oldest. 
Daniel  Hildreth,  the  father,  died  on  the  old  homestead,  in  1858, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years  and  six  months.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  a  little  more  than  eleven  years,  and  died  in  1870,  aged 


GIO  HISTORY  or  FLOYD  COUNTY'. 

seventy-five  years  and  nine  months.  Both  were  members  of  the 
Congregational  church,  and  died,  as  they  had  lived,  sincere  and 
devoted  Christians.  Agriculture  was  their  principal  avocation 
through  life.  In  the  business  of  stock  raising,  horses  ani  cattle, 
and  especially  in  wool-growing,  the  frimiiy  were  quite  successful, 
and  enjoyed  a  fair  share  of  this  world's  goods. 

It  will  bs  seen  from  the  above  that  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth  wa^  born 
and  bred  a  fanner.  He  early  manifested  a  fondness  for  books  and 
soon  acquired  a  good  common-school  education.  When  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  he  taught  a  district  school  in  Pierraoat,  New  Hamp- 
shire. The  present  companion  of  his  declining  years  was  then  a  pupil 
in  his  school,  and  gave  him  the  cognomen  of  "  The  beardless  school- 
master. -''  For  several  years  he  was  accustomed  to  toil  upon  his 
father's  farm  during  the  spring  and  summer  months,  attend  a  fall 
term  at  the  academy,  and  teach  a  school  in  the  winter. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  years  Mr.  Hildreth  obtained  the  consent  of 
his  parents  to  go  out  into  the  world  and  seek  his  fortune.  He 
soon  found  himself  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  obtained  employ- 
ment therein  the  house  of  a  book  publisher.  The  next  spring,  1837^ 
he  was  thrown  out  of  business  by  the  failure  of  his  employer,  who 
went  down  in  the  terrible  financial  crash  that  year.  His  preserva- 
tion from  vice  or  crime,  while  in  that  city,  may  be  attributed  to 
the  excellent  moral  and  religious  training  which  he  had  received 
from  his  parents. 

Eeturning  to  the  old  home  in  the  Green  Mountain  State,  and 
loving  literature  better  than  farming,  he  accepted  a  position  in  the 
newspaper  and  job  printing  establishment  of  Wm.  Hewes,  in  his 
native  town,  where  he  gained  a  knowledge  of  the  art  of  printing 
and  the  profession  of  a  journalist.  In  1839  he  located  in  Lowell, 
Mass.,  and  established  himself  in  business  as  printer  and  publisher. 
His  publications  there  were  the  Daily  Morning  News,  the  Lit- 
erary Souuenir  (weekly),  and  the  Ladies'*  Literary  Repository 
(semi-monthly). 

After  a  few  years  Mr.  Hildreth  sold  out  his  business  in  Lowell 
and  removed  to  Boston,  but  was  soon  induced  to  enter  the  field  of 
journalism  again,  in  Bradford,  Vt.  Here,  in  1843,  he  opened  a 
newspaper  and  job  printing  establishment,  and  began  the  publica- 
tion of  a  weekly  newspaper  called  the  American  Protector,  a  high 
tariff  or  protectionist  paper,  which  advocated  the  election  of  Henry 
Clay  for  President  ;  and  a  monthly  magazine  known  as  the  Oreen 
Mountain  Gem. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  611 

With  the  defeat  of  Henry  Clay  subsided  the  hopes  and  energies 
of  the  protection  or  Whig  party  in  Vermont.  The  publication  of 
the  Protector  was  discontinued,  and  in  its  place  was  issued  the 
Yermont  Family  Gazette,  a  weekly  literary  and  family  news- 
paper. This  latter  journal  soon  became  popular  throughout 
Vermont,  had  a  good  circulation,  and  in  connection  with  the 
Green  Mountain  Gem,  gave  its  enterprising  publisher  a  hand- 
some support.  After  continuing  the  printing  and  publishing 
business  in  Bradford  some  ten  years,  a  returned  Californian,  with 
his  pockets  full  of  gold,  came  along  and  bought  out  the  entire 
business,  leaving  Mr.  Ilildreth  free  to  seek  new  fields  of  labor. 

While  living  in  Bradford,  on  the  21st  day  of  October,  1844, 
Mr.  Ilildreth  was  married  to  Liveria  Aurette  Knight,  of  Frye- 
burg,  Oxford  County,  Maine,  a  lady  of  education  and  refinement. 
Her  father  was  Josiah  Knight,  then  proprietor  of  the  celebrated 
Oxford  House,  the  popular  stage  hotel  at  that  place,  on  the  route 
from  Portland  to  the  White  Mountains;  and  for  tlie  last  twenty-five 
years  he  was  a  venerable  citizen  of  Charles  City,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Knight  was  a  son  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Knight,  and  was  born 
in  Westmoreland,  N.  H.,  March  8,  1792.  He  died  at  Charles 
City,  Iowa,  March  16,  1882,  aged  ninety  years  and  eight  days. 
His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Betsey  Dudley,  who  was  born  at 
Harvard,  Mass.,  Oct.  31,  1761,  and  died  in  Pierraont,  N.  H. , 
May  8,  1866,  at  the  remarkable  age  of  103  years  and  6*  months. 

The  mother  of  Mrs.  Hildreth,  and  wife  of  Josiah  Knight,  was 
Betsey  Joslin,  daughter  of  Peter  Joslin,  who  married  Sarah  Kid- 
der in  Wincliendon,  Mass.,  June  1,  1785.  Mrs.  Knight  was  born 
in  Wincliendon  Jan.  1,  1789,  and  died  in  Charles  City,  la., 
Dec.  25,  1858,  aged  sixty-nine  years.  She  was  a  most  estimable 
woman. 

Mrs.  Hildreth  was  born  in  Surry,  N.  H.,  June  11,  1817.  Her 
<^»n1y  child  was  Mary  Liveria  Aurette  Hildreth,  born  at  Bradford, 
Vt,  June  23,  1851,  and  died  in  Charles  City,  Iowa,  Nov.  30,  1857, 
aged  six  years,  five  months  and  seven  days.  She  was  a  precocious 
child.  In  her  birth  many  hopes  were  centered — in  her  death  all 
these  were  forever  blasted. 

After  closing  up  his  business  in  Bradford,  Vt.,  Mr.  Ilildreth 
removed  to  Holyoke,  Mass.,  in  January,  1853,  and  engaged  in 
mercantile  business.  Not  many  months  elapsed  before  some  of 
the  leading  citizens  there,  induced  him  to  relinquish  his  store  and 
once  more  engage  in  the  work  of  newspaper  printing  and  publish- 


612  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ing.  In  this  he  was  very  successful.  His  newspaper  was  called 
the  Holyoke  Mirror.  He  conducted  the  business  until  Novem- 
ber, 1855,  when  he  sold  out,  and  in  the  spring  of  1856  removed  to 
Charles  City,  la. 

At  that  time  Floyd  County  was  a  new  country,  and  many  hard- 
ships and  privations  were  to  be  endured.  Here  was  opened  a 
broad  field  for  enterprise  and  usefulness.  How  unlike  the  old 
overcrowded  towns  of  Eastern  States,  where  business  is  overdone 
and  competition  crowds  out  or  crushes  under  every  new  comer, 
who  is  looked  upon  as  an  interloper.  In  the  great  and  growing 
West  men  are  wanted  and  are  welcomed.  In  those  days  Charles 
City  contained  a  population  of  only  a  few  hundred.  Kot  a  dozen 
frame  houses  were  to  be  seen  in  the  whole  town,  the  others  being 
built  of  logs.  Provisions  were  very  scarce,  and  could  only  be 
obtained  at  high  prices.  The  few  settlers  who  had  come  into  the 
county  during  the  previous  year  had  raised  but  a  small  quantity 
of  farm  produce,  not  nearly  enough  to  supply  the  rapidly  increasing 
demand  of  the  new  settlers  who  succeeded  them.  There  was  no 
time  for  idleness. 

Mr.  Hildretli  erected  a  two-story  frame  building,  the  lower  story 
for  a  store  and  the  upper  story  for  his  printing  office,  and  had  i 
ready  for  occupancy  in  June,  and  before  cold  weather  came  he  had 
also  built  a  comfortable  dwelling-house. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1856,  he  issued  the  first  number  of  his 
newspaper,  the  Bepuhlican  Intelligencer.  It  contained  sev 
columns  to  the  page,  was  handsomely  printed,  and  furnished  much 
interesting  and  valuable  reading.  The  advent  of  this  journal  in 
this  then  new  town,  was  an  event  of  much  importance  to  settlers, 
and  the ^n'^  5/^(?e^  struck  off  was  sold  at  auction  for  $20.  During 
the  day  and  evening  a  large  number  of  subscriptions  was  handed 
in,  and  three  editions  of  the  paper  of  1,000  each  were  printed  be- 
fore the  demand  could  be  supplied.  The  Intelligencer  grew  to  be 
a  power  in  the  land.  Before  the  year  closed  it  was  enlarged  to 
nine  columns  to  the  page.  When  first  started,  the  politics  of  the 
county  were  controlled  by  the  Democrats.  This  was  soon  changed. 
The  Republicans  came  into  power  and  have  held  control  of  the 
county  ever  since. 

In  1858  Mr.  Hildretli  was  elected  as  a  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Education,  representing  a  district  composed  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Allamakee,  Winneshiek,  Howard,  Mitchell,  Floyd,  Chicka- 
saw, Fayette,  Clayton,  Bremer,  and  Butler.     This  board  held  its 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUMTY.  633 

biennial  session  in  the  Capitol  at  Des  Moines,  and  had  control  of 
all  the  educational  interests  of  the  State,  except  private  or  secta- 
rian institutions.  As  a  member  of  this  board,  Mr.  Hil- 
dreth  held  a  prominent  and  leading  position,  and  the  impress 
of  his  mind  and  acts  is  still  left  upon  the  educational 
laws  and  institutions  of  the  State.  Among  the  more  impor- 
tant results  of  his  legislative  efforts  in  behalf  of  education  was 
a  law  requiring  the  State  University  at  Iowa  City,  to  be  opened  to 
3'oung  ladies  and  free  alike  to  them,  as  well  as  young  gentlemen. 
This  measure  met  with  considerable  opposition,  both  from  the  peo- 
ple and  the  press  of  the  State — it  being  the  popular  opinion  that 
it  would  never  do  to  educate  the  sexes  together.  What  an  absur- 
dity !  As  if  men  and  women  were  not  created  for  each  other's 
society.  The  law  prevailed,  providing  that  the  State  University 
shall  be  for  the  free  education  of  the  youth  of  Iowa  of  hoth  sexes 
upon  equal  terms  in  all  respects  ;  and  to-day  no  legislator  dare 
raise  his  hand  or  voice  in  favor  of  its  repeal. 

A  few  years  later,  when  Mr.  Hildreth  was  a  member  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  he  was  appointed  by  that  body  as  chairman  of  a 
select  committee  to  investigate  and  report  upon  the  affairs  of  the 
university.  He  has  said  that  one  of  the  proudest  days  of  his  life 
was  when  he  was  permitted  to  stand  up  in  the  university  chapel, 
in  the  presence  of  more  than  two  hundred  young  lady  students, 
and  nearly  as  many  young  gentlemen  students,  and,  in  the  course 
of  an  address  requested  by  the  President,  explain  how  it  happened 
that  those  young  ladies  were  permitted  to  enjoy  such  exalted  edu- 
cational privileges.  When  the  exercises  had  closed  the  grateful 
thanks  tendered  him  by  those  young  ladies  for  his  efforts  in  their 
behalf,  repaid  him  a  thousand  fold  for  all  that  he  had  done  for  them. 
The  officers  and  professors  of  the  university  assured  him  that  the 
plan  of  the  co-education  of  the  sexes  was  working  well.  A  spirit 
of  emulation  and  rivalry  was  awakened  which  was  profitable  to 
both,  and  there  was  no  difficulty  in  regard  to  morals  or  general  de- 
portment. 

In  the  spring  of  1861,  immediately  after  the  war  of  the  Rebell- 
ion, Mr.  Hildreth  was  appointed  Draft  Commissioner  for  Floyd 
County,  by  Gov.  S.J.  Kirkwood,  since  known  as  Iowa's  "war 
governor."  Every  able-bodied  citizen,  liable  to  bear  arms,  was 
promptly  enrolled  and  held  subject  to  draft  whenever  a  draft 
should  be  ordered.  This  difficult  and  delicate  business  was  trans- 
acted faithfully  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  conperned. 


614  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

In  the  fall  of  1863  Mr.  Hildretli  was  elected  to  represent  the 
Fifty-fourth  District  of  Iowa  in  the  Tenth  General  Assembi3^  As 
a  legislator  he  acquitted  himself  with  much  credit  and  to  the  gen- 
eral acceptance  of  his  constituents.  He  was  appointed  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Schools  and  State  University,  and  was  also  a 
member  of  the  Committee  on  Banks  and  Banking,  and  of  the 
Committee  on  Printing.  Any  one  at  all  familiar  with  the  work  of 
legislation  can  readily  understand  that  these  were  very  important 
committees,  and  that  the  amount  of  labor  incumbent  upon  them 
was  necessarily  large. 

Mr.  Hildretli  was  very  successful  in  carrying  through  the  Legisla- 
ture whatever  measure  he  was  interested  in.  Among  the  more 
important,  and  one  that  proved  of  lasting  benefit  to  his  part  of  the 
State,  was  a  memorial  to  Congress  asking  for  a  grant  of  land  to 
aid  in  tbe  construction  of  a  railroad  on  or  near  the  forty-third  par- 
allel of  north  latitude,  and  passing  from  McGregor,  on  the  Missis- 
sippi River,  westward  through  his  own  town  of  Charles  City. 
Repeated  efforts  had  been  made  by  others  to  obtain  this  land  grant 
and  secure  the  building  of  this  railroad,  but  all  had  signally  failed 
until  the  enterprise  was  taken  hold  of  by  Mr.  Hildreth. 

A  copy  of  the  memorial,  above  referred  to,  maybe  found  in  this 
volume  in  that  portion  of  the  chapter  on  railroads  which  pertains 
to  the  McGregor  &  "Western  Railroad,  now  known  as  the  "  Iowa 
&  Dakota  Division  of  the  Chicago  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Rail- 
road. 

Hon.  James  Harlan,  then  a  member  of  the  United  States  Sen- 
ate, introduced  a  bill  in  the  Senate,  making  a  grant  of  lands  as 
prayed  for  in  the  memorial,  which  became  a  law,  and  as  a  result 
the  railroad  was  built  and  operated  within  a  few  years  thereafter, 
greatly  to  the  convenience  and  benefit  of  the  settlers  along  the 
line  of  the  road. 

Mr.  Hildreth  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  Congregational 
society  of  Charles  City,  of  which  church  his  wife  was  a  member. 
He  is  somewhat  liberal  in  his  religious  views,  and  inclines  to  the 
sentiments  of  the  Unitarian  wing  of  the  JSTew  England  Congre- 
gationalist?,  who  are  a  very  numerous  and  influential  body  of 
Christians  in  New  England.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  constant 
attendants  and  supporters  of  the  Congregational  church. 

On  the  first  of  October,  1870,  Mr.  Hildreth  sold  the  Intelligen- 
cer newspaper  and  his  entire  printing  establishment  to  Messrs. 
Dyke  &  Rowell,  and  retired  from  active  business.     Having  only 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY,  615 

himself  and  wife  to  provide  for,  lie  believed  he  had  acquired  a 
competency  for  their  remaining  years.  They  have  a  pleasant 
home,  surrounded  with  many  attractions  and  pleasing  associations. 
Here  they  are  enjoying-  the  fruits  of  an  industrious  and  useful  life 
in  the  perusal  of  a  well  stocked  library,  and  in  social  intercourse 
with  neighbors  and  friends. 

In  the  spring-  of  1871  the  First  National  Bank  of  Charles  City 
was  organized.  In  this  enterprise  Mr,  Hildreth  took  an  active 
part.  From  the  beginning  he  has  been  one  of  its  directors,  and  a 
part  of  the  time  vice-president. 

On  the  25th  of  August,  1873,  the  Floyd  County  Savings  Bank, 
at  Charles  City,  was  incorporated.  In  this  institution  Mr,  Hil- 
dreth has  ever  been  a  stockholder  and  director.  At  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  board  he  was  elected  its  president  and  has  held  that 
office  to  the  present  time. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Hildreth  has  been  a  member  of  the  School 
Board  of  Charles  City,  and  much  of  the  time  has  been  its  presi- 
dent, which  office  he  now  holds.  His  well  known  educational 
tastes  and  proclivities,  as  well  as  business  tact,  admirably  fit  him 
for  that  position.  He  was  never  an  office-seeker,  and  it  is  said  that 
he  was  never  known  to  ask  a  man  for  his  vote.  His  idea  of  pro- 
priety in  such  matters  is,  that  the  office  should  seek  the  man  and 
not  the  man  the  office.  As  a  business  man  he  has  the  confidence 
of  all  who  know  him,  and  no  one  can  gainsay  his  integrity. 

Eugene  B,  Dyke,  editor  of  the  Intelligencer,  was  born  in 
Parish,  Oswego  County,  N,  Y.,  Jan.  11,  1842.  He  is  of  pure  New 
England  stock,  and  his  ancestors  on  both  sides  date  back  of  the 
Kevolution,  in  which  his  great-grandfathers  served  as  patriot  sol. 
diers.  He  came  west  with  his  parents  in  1854,  settling  in  Wal- 
worth County,  Wisconsin.  Here  his  life  was  passed  upon  the  farm 
until  1861,  when  he  entered  the  freshman  class  in  Beloit  College. 
He  was  absent  from  school  during  a  part  of  his  coarse,  serving  as 
a  soldier  in  the  Union  army,  in  Company  C,  Forty-seventh  Iowa 
Infantry.  Keturning  to  Beloit,  he  graduated  with  honor  in  the 
class  of  1865.  The  next  fall  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in 
the  office  of  Sanders  &  Ludington,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  April,  1877.  The  next  year  was  spent  in 
legal  study  with  the  late  Judge  Knowlton  of  Chicago.  Then  for 
two  years  he  occupied  the  position  of  superintendent  of  the  graded 
schools  of  Rockville,  Ind.,  which  position  he  resigned  in  1870  to 
38 


616  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

come  to  Charleii  Citj,  where  he  had  purchased  the  Intelligencer  ol 
its  founder,  Hon.  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth.  Since  that  time,  except  the 
years  1874-'5,  which  he  spent  in  California,  his  fortunes  have  been 
identified  witli  those  of  his  paper,  which  is  among  the  oldest  and 
most  influential  in  the  State.  In  December,  1873,  Mr.  Dyke  was 
married  to  Miss  Emily  C.  Gilbert,  eldest  daughter  of  Milo  Gilbert, 
Esq.,  of  Charles  City.  They  have  two  children,  Harry  N.,  and 
Eva  J.,  aged  nine  and  six  years  respectively.  Politically  Mr.  Dyke 
is  a  radical  Republican,  and  conducts  his  paper  on  that  basis;  but 
at  the  same  time,  no  man  is  more  free  and  independent  in  criticis- 
ing and  censuring  what  he  believes  to  be  the  faults  and  mistakes 
of  his  own  party.  He  has  always  had  pronounced  views  on  all 
public  questions,  and  has  been  free  and  fearless  in  expressing  them. 

THE   FLOYD  COUNTY   ADVOCATE. 

The  JBloyd  County  Advocate^  was  established  in  Charles  City  by 
Valentine  Baltufi^,  and  first  number  sent  out  on  Friday,  Nov.  20, 
1868,  as  a  staunch  Republican  eight-column  folio,  half  co-operative. 
On  Tuesday,  June  22,  1869,  he  commenced  issuing  a  semi-weekly, 
»  continuing  until  Jan.  1, 1870,  then  discontinuing  it  and  returning  to 
the  weekly.  On  the  1st  of  April,  1873,  C.  A.  Sloane  bought  the 
paper,  material  and  good-will  of  the  ofiice,  and  on  the  lith  of 
May,  same  year,  with  new  presses,  new  type  and  steam-power 
issued  the  Advocate  with  all  home  print  and  the  largest  paper  in  the 
county,  establishing  temperance  and  religious  departments,  which 
have  been  maintained  ever  since.  Jan.  1,  1879,  P.  M.  Wilbur 
was  associated  as  partner,  continuing  until  Oct.  1,  1881,  when  he 
retired  and  Mr.  Slocum  managed  the  paper  alone.  Through  the 
campaign  of  the  Prohibition  amendment,  the  ^6^(9m^e  was  earnest 
and  diligent  for  its  adoption,  but  remaining  firm  in  its  allegiance 
to  the  Republican  party.  It  represents  the  highest  moral  tone  of 
the  community,  having  a  principle  to  maintain  in  all  its  efforts. 

Yalentine  Baltuff,  founder  of  the  J^loyd  Cuunty  Advocate^ 
and  grocer,  Charles  City,  was  born  in  New  York  City,  Jan.  1, 1834; 
his  parents  were  Peter  and  Mary  (Griffin)  Baltuft'.  The  former 
was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  came  to  America  when  a  young 
man,  locating  in  New  York  City,  and  engaged  in  merchant  tailor- 
ing. He  was  a  member  of  the  German  Methodist  and  she  of  the 
Episcopal  church.  They  had  a  family  of  four  sons  and  one  daughter. 


HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  617 

Valentine,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  eldest.  When  three 
years  of  age  his  father  moved  to  Watertown,  JSTew  York,  and  Val- 
entine attended  school  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned 
the  printer's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  in  jN'ew  York,  Wisconsin, 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Missouri.  At  Lodi,  Wisconsin,  he 
published  a  paper,  the  Lodi  Herald^  and  the  Columbus  Tran^ 
script^  at  Columbus,  Wisconsin.  In  1868,  he  sold  out  here  and 
came  to  Charles  City  and  established  the  Jbloyd  County  Advocate^ 
and  conducted  this  until  1878,  when  he  sold  out  on  account  of 
poor  health.     In  1879,  he  purchased  his  present  grocery  store. 

Mr.  Baltuff  married  Miss  M.  LibbieMcCall,  at  Waukesha,  Wis. 
Sept.  26,  1859.  She  was  born  at  Rushford,  Allegany  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Aneil  and  Mary  E.  (Griffith)  McCall. 
Mrs.  Baltuff  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Baltuff  have  had  seven  children,  viz. :  Harry  A.,  born  July  21, 
1860,  foreman  of  the  job  room  of  the  Advocate  in  Charles  City  ; 
Cora,  Charles,  Guj'-,  Irvie,  Kellie  and  Joseph,  residing  with  their 
parents.  Mr.  Baltuff  is  a  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  No.  141,  and  of  Almond  Chapter,  No.  52. 
^C.  A.  Slocum  was  born  in  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  21, 
1836.  Was  reared  in  Edmestun,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  village  schools  and  New  Berlin,  N.  Y., 
Academy.  In  April,  1855,  he  came  west  to  Wisconsin  in  company 
with  three  other  young  men.  He  there  worked  at  and  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade.  February,  1859,  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  working 
at  his  trade  until  October,  1860,  when  he  went  to  Madison  Parish, 
La.,  to  work  on  plantation  buildings,  arriving  there  October  22, 
and  remaining  until  April  22, 1861,  after  the  Rebellion  had  become 
very  exciting,  and  came  to  St.  Louis  on  the  last  steamer  north 
from  Vicksburg.  After  one  week  in  that  city  of  excitement  came 
to  Charles  City,  arriving  May  7,  working  at  his  trade  through 
the  summer,  and  in  the  following  winter  teaching  the  higher  of 
the  two  town  schools,  Miss  Ellen  S.  Wilbur  (whom  he  married 
Aug.  26,  1863),  teaching  the  primary.  In  August,  1862  with  E. 
A.  Reiniger  commenced  to  raise  a  company  for  the  Iowa  Volun- 
teers. At  its  organization  he  was  elected  Captain,  The  company 
was  made  "  G  "  Company  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infontry, 
and  rendezvoused  at  Dubuque,  la.;  mustered  in,  Oct.,  3,  1862. 

The  regiment  had  a  varied  experience  in  Northern  Minnesota 
first,  then  in  the  South  and  West,  participating  in  many  hard  fights 
and  terrible  battles.     He  was  wounded  April  9,  1864,  with  a  piece 


618  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

of  shell  at  Simmesport,  La,,  in  the  last  battle  of  the  Ked  River 
Expedition.  Came  home  in  the  spring  of  1865.  Jan.  1, 1866,  went, 
into  County  Treasurer's  office  as  deputy.  Remaining  six  years 
Jan.  1,  1872,  was  inaugurated  County  Auditor,  holding  the  office 
until  April,  1875,  when  he  resigned,  that  he  might  give  more  time 
to  the  Charles  City  Intelligencer  which  he  purchased  in  February, 
1875.  His  health  becoming  poor  from  overwork,  sold  the  Intelli- 
gencer in  March,  1876.  For  two  years  after  he  devoted  his  time  to 
a  large  real  estate  business  which  had  been  growing  from  1867. 
In  April,  1878,  he  bought  the  Floyd  County  Advocate^  for  the 
purpose  of  advancing  if  possible  the  cause  of  Prohibition,  and  at 
the  same  time  establishing  himself  in  business  which  was  to  his 
taste.  He  was  an  ardent  champion  for  the  Amendment  in  the 
Republican  party,  and  holds  fast  to  the  moral  vantage  gained.  For 
more  than  fourteen  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  and  Sunday-school.  Three  times  he  has  served  on 
the  Iowa  and  City  Council,  and  in  1865  and  1866  was  a  member  of 
the  Township  School  Board.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Slocum  have  four  chil- 
dren, three    bovs    and    one    girl — W.    Erskine,    aged  nearlv    six. 

/  *J  C*  I  CD  </ 

teen;  Gurnsey  M.,  aged  twelve;  Horace  W.,  aged  nine,  and  Faith 
A.,  aged  seven, 

SHELL  KOCK  VALLEY  GUAED. 

This  was  a  small-four  page,  seven-column  weekly,  started  in 
1872  by  Edward  "Wood  &  Co.  The  paper  was  kept  up  for  nearly 
three  years,  the  latter  part  of  the  time  by  Mr.  "Wood  alone.  It 
was  at  first  Republican  in  politics.  After  a  time  Mr.  Wood  was 
coverted  to  the  Democracy,  and  the  paper  also  became  of  that 
faith.  Mr.  "Wood  then  moved  himself  andpaj)er  to  Decorah,  Iowa. 
He  is  now  editing  a  paper  in  Fremont  County.  The  Guard  was 
published  in  the  old  Masonic  building,  and  was  the  precursor  of 
the  Rockford  Reveille. 

EOCKFOKD  REVEILLE, 

The  Beveille  was  started  at  Nora  Springs,  Thursday,  Feb.  5, 
1 874.  The  proprietors  were  H.  Gage,  "W.  P.  Gaylord  and  R.  E. 
Robinson,  the  last  two  of  whom  acted  as  editors.  It  appeared  as 
a  four-page  weekly,  twenty-eight  inches  long,  and  eight  columns  to 
the  page.  It  showed  in  its  first  number  evidence  of  Mr.  Gay- 
lord's  editorial  ability,  and  the  editorials  were  from  the  first  spicy 
and  vigorous.  "We  give  a  few  extracts  from  Mr.  Gaylord's 
salutatory.  •  • 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  619 

"  Impelled  by  considerations  of  a  higher  and  more  inspiring 
character  than  those  of  private  revenge  or  pecuniary  gain,  we 
have  determined  to  edit,  print  and  publish  a  newspaper  at  Nora 
Springs,  Iowa.  "With  us  this  is  an  experiment  untried.  To  succeed 
we  are  aware  that  it  will  require  patience  and  energy,  wisdom  and 
wit,  time  and  cash,  and  a  decent  respect  for  the  opinions  of  man 
kind.  Whether  we  possess  any  or  all  of  these  qualifications  will 
be  for  a  discerning  public  to  decide  after  we  have  had  a  fair  trial 
and  have  made  a  full  exhibit.  In  politics  we  are  Republican.  In 
religion,  liberal.  We  shall  be  radical  in  all  things  and  neutral  in 
nothing;  at  all  times  avoiding  an  unjustifiable  war  on  individuals 
or  combinations;  but  when  assailed  without  cause  or  provocation, 
we  shall  endeavor  to  leave  the  imprint  of  our  teeth  on  our 
assailant. 

"We  propose  to  receive  blows  as  well  as  give  them,  and  our  col- 
umns shall  be  ever  free  and  our  types  ever  ready  to  apologize  or 
explain. 

"  Relying  with  unshaken  confidence  on  the  progressive  intelli- 
gence and  appreciative  characteristics  of  a  Western  people,  and  on 
the  continued  and  rapidly  increasing  prosperity  of  Nora  Springs 
and  its  beautiful  surroundings,  we  have  selected  a  press  and 
material  inferior  to  none  in  this  region,  and  intend  to  use  them  for 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  mankind. 

"We  have  been  told  that  one  paper  in  a  town  like  this  is  enough. 
So  is  one  merchant,  one  lawyer,  one  doctor,  one  teacher,  and  one 
wise-phool;  but  if  others  choose  to  '  cast  in  their  nets,'  we  know  of 
no  law  this  side  of  the  Mosaic  code  to  prevent  it. 

"We  have  been  told  that  the  sheritf  will  sell  us  out  in  less  than  a 
year  ;  and  that  may  be  true,  but  if  he  advertises  his  '  sale  '  in  the 
paper  that  has  the  '  largest  circulation,'  we  shall  know  all  about 
it,  and  shall  be  there  in  person  or  by  legal  representatives.  We 
have  been  told  that  there  is  not  news  enough  in  a  town  like  Nora 
Springs  to  make  a  paper  interesting.  Of  course,  we  do  not  expect 
all  the  first-class  sensations  that  horrify  towns  of  older  and  larger 
growth,  but  our  friends  should  remember  that  Nora  Springs  is 
rapidly  growing,  and  as  it  grows  older  it  will  grow  more  and 
more  wicked,  and  wickedness  is  one  of  the  elements  of  journalism. 

' '  Should  these  fruitful  sources  fail,  then,  as  a  dernier  resort^  we 
shall  fall  back  on,  and  turn  our  attention  to,  prophesying. 

"  If  astronomers,  after  having  suveyed  the  face  of  nature,  can 
predict  with  accuracy  what  the  weather  will  be,  then  why  cannot 


620  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

editors  survey  the  face  of  men,  and  correctly  prophesy  what  the 
news  will  be  ?  News  is  what  we  must  have,  and  if  events  do  not 
transpire  rapidly  enough  for  our  use,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  draw 
largely  on  the  imagination,  so  that  if  we  should  fail  as  editors  and 
proprietors,  we  may  succeed  as  prophets." 

The  Reveille  bore  from  its  first  issue  till  that  of  May  23,  1878, 
a  very  appropriate  motto:  "  Superior  to  adversity,  equal  to  pros- 
perity." It  was  discontinued  by  Robert  Eggert  at  the  same  time 
that  he  enlarged  the  paper. 

Jan.  1,  1875,  important  changes  were  made  in  the  management 
of  the  Reveille.  The  paper  was  removed  to  Rockford,  and  its 
name  changed  to  the  Rockford  Reveille.  R.  E.  Robinson  was 
the  publishex',  and  Gaylord  &  Robinson's  names  appeared  as 
editors  still.  Mr.  Robinson  removed  to  Rockford  with  the  paper, 
and  edited  the  local  columns,  and  Mr.  Gaylord  remained  at  ISTora 
Springs,  sending  his  editorials  by  mail  each  week.  This  removal 
to  Rockford  seemed  to  be  the  best  thing,  under  the  circumstances, 
as  the  Reveille  had  an  active  rival  at  IS^ora  Sj^rings,  in  the  shape  of 
the  Floyd  County  Press,  while  Rockford,  a  place  of  about  the 
same  size  and  prospects  as  JS^ora  Springs,  had  no  paper  at  all,  the 
Shell  Rock  Valley  Guard  having  been  discontinued. 

In  April  of  the  same  year  Captain  Orlo  H.   Lyon,  of  Rockford, 
purchased  a  one-half  interest  in   the  Reveille,    and  his  name  ap- 
peared as  one  of  the  editors.     In  August,  1876,  Mr.  Robinson  re- 
tired   from    the   paper,  having  accepted  a  position  in  California. 
Captain  Lyon  was  then  sole  proprietor  until  July  26,  1877,    when 
he  sold  to  Robert  Eggert  and  H.  B.  ]Nies,  the  latter  of  whom  had 
been  for  some  time  foreman  in  the  office.     Captain  Lyon  was,  until 
this  time,  also  the  actual  editor,  though  until  May  24,  1877,    Mr. 
Gaylord's  name  was  inserted  as  associate  editor  and  he  kept  up  a 
department  on  the  second  page  headed  "Nora  Springs."     Captain 
Lyon  had  bought  the  paper  when  it  was  a  losing  concern,  and 
during  his  connection  with  it  had,  by  energy  and  industry,  converted 
it  into  a  paying  paper.     He  had  undertaken  the  work  for  the  sake 
of  Rockford,  believing  that  the  town  needed  a  paper  and  could  sup- 
port it,  and  he  deserves  great  credit  for  his  success.     A  fall  biog- 
raphical sketch  of  Captain  Lyon  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 
Eggert  and  Nies  then  conducted  the  Reveille  until  April,  1878, 
when  Mr.  Nies  retired,  leaving  Mr.  Eggert  sole  editor  and  proprie- 
tor.    He  enlarged  the  paper  to  nine  columns  to  the   page,  May  23, 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  621 

of  the  same  year,  and  continued  in  charge  of  the  paper  until  July, 
1882,  when  he  sold  to  F.  L.  Whitney  &  Co. 

F.  L.  Whitney,  editor  and  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Reveille, 
was  born  at  Eockford,  April  10,  1861.  His  parents  were  Lewellyn 
and  Pamelia  (Otis)  Whitney,  the  former  a  native  of  Maine,  being 
born  at  Corinna  in  that  State,  and  the  latter  of  New  York,  born  at 
Potsdam.  Mr.  Whitney  was  a  millwright  by  occupation.  He 
was  married  March  25,  1852,  at  New  Haven,  Conn.  He  re- 
moved from  there  to  Morrisania,  N.  Y.,  and  from  there  in 
March,  ISJrT,  to  Rockford,  Floyd  County,  Iowa.  Mr.  Whitney 
has  since  been  engaged  in  various  pursuits,  and  still  resides  at 
Eockford,  with  Mrs.  Whitney.  Mr,  Whitney's  parents  still  live, 
at  an  advanced  age,  at  Hampton,  Franklin  County;  and  Mrs.  Whit- 
ney's parents  are  also  both  alive,  at  Eochelle,  111. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitney  have  had  six  children  born,  of  whom  four 
are  now  living — Ella  Jeannette,  was  born  Nov.  1, 1854,  and  died  Oct. 
12,  1855.  Adella  L.  E.,  was  born  Nov.  5,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
six  years.  Mar}^  Estella,  was  born  Dec.  3,  1858,  and  was  married 
to  Edwin  C.  Hazlett,  March  25,  1878.  Francis  L.,  our  subject, 
was  born  April  10,  1861.  George  F.,  was  born  March  22,  1864, 
and  resides  at  home.  John  B.,  was  born  March  16,  1866,  and  is 
also  at  home. 

Francis  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  passed  his  early  life  in 
Eockford,  receiving  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  by 
select  reading  at  home.  Aug.  9, 1876,  he  went  to  Hampton,  Frank- 
lin County,  Iowa,  and  entered  the  office  of  his  uncle,  John  C. 
Whitney,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Hampton  Chronicle.  Here 
he  remained  nearly  six  years;  three  years  as  apprentice,  and  three 
as  foreman.  He  is  naturally  devoted  to  the  business,  and 
his  experience  derived  in  his  uncle's  office,  together  with  his  na- 
tural capacity  and  and  energy,  are  the  best  assurances  of  his  suc- 
cess in  his  new  undertaking,  the  management  of  t\\Q  Reveille.  He 
bought  this  in  partnership  with  his  father  in  the  early  part  of  July, 
1882,  of  Eobert  Eggert,  and  his  first  number  was  issued  July  13. 

MAKBLE  ROCK  WEEKLY. 

The  southwestern  part  of  Floyd  County  supports  a  newsy,  read- 
able paper  of  the  above  name  at  Marble  Eock.  It  was  established 
at  Marble  Eock,  in  1875,  the  first  number  being  issued  Aug.  12. 
The  proprietor  and  editor  was  L.  J.  Keyes.  formerly  of  Waverly, 
Bremer  County,  now  well-known  as  the  editor  of  the  OddFellows' 


622  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Monitor,  published  at  ISTora  Springs,  in  this  county.  The  paper 
when  started  was,  as  now,  a  four-page  weekly,  the  inside  printed 
on  the  "co-operative"  plan,  and  containing  the  usual  miscella- 
neous reading,  and  the  outside,  or  first  and  fourth  pages,  contain" 
ing  the  editorials  and  local  items.  There  was  a  good  showing  of 
advertisements,  almost  all  of  them  of  firms  in  Marble  Rock, 
showing  that  the  merchants  of  the  village  were  sensible  of  the 
necessity  for  cordially  supporting  a  home  paper,  in  order  to  build 
up  their  already  flourishing  place. 

The  Weekly  was  at  first  20  x  32,  six  columns  to  the  page.  In 
187T  it  was  enlarged  to  seven  columns  to  the  page,  and  after  a  short 
time  it  was  again  enlarged,  this  time  to  eight  columns  to  the  page, 
the  sheet  being  24x36.  The  publishers  at  this  time  were  George 
H.  Mchols  &  Co.  Nov.  9,  1876,  Mr.  Keyes  sold  an  interest  in 
the  paper  to  George  H.  Nichols,  who  had  taught  school  the  year 
previous  at  Marble  Rock,  but  was  formerly  from  Cedar  Rapids. 
The  firm  name  then  became  Nichols  &  Keyes;  Mr.  Nichols 
assuming  the  editorial  management  of  the  paper,  and  Mr.  Keyes 
confining  himself  to  the  mechanical  part  of  the  paper,  and  to  job 
work.  The  firm  placed  a  motto  at  the  head  of  their  sheet — "With 
malice  toward  none,  and  charity  for  all."  This  motto  has  been 
keyjt  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Nichols  was  a  writer  of  some 
ability,  and  a  ready  thinker.  His  "editorial  bow,"  which  ap- 
peared in  the  first  number  after  he  assumed  charge,  is  here  given: 
"  Here  I  am,  five  feet  ten  in  my  stockings,  a  native  of  the 
Empire  State.  I  was  born  pretty,  but  I  lost  my  i'ront  teeth  at  an 
early  age,  and  never  fully  recovered  from  the  deformity.  My  run- 
ning weight  is  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds  avordupois,  and 
chuck  full  of  newspaper  grit,  but  veiy  modest.  I  don't  know 
enough  to  write  as  funny  as  '  Orpheus  C.  Kerr '  and  '  Artemus 
Ward,'  and  after  much  study  I  am  forced  to  the  conclusion  that 
'Nasby's'  early  education  has  been  neglected;  in  fact,  he  can't 
spell,  and  of  course  won't  do  for  a  model,  so  our  readers  will  have 
to  take  it  my  way.  Politically,  we  shall  ever  pin  our  faith,  to  the 
principles  pi^omulgated  by  the  Republican  party,  and  while  we 
may  admit,  that  the  party  has  been  guilty  of  errors,  we  can  never 
forget  that  its  party  work  has  been  grand  and  triumphant.  It  has 
broken  the  shackles  of  four  millions  of  human  beings.  It  has 
gi^en  us  the  best  currency  in  the  civilized  world.  It  has  proven 
that  international  arbitration  is  productive  of  better  results  than 
court  chambers.     That  the  declaration   of  independence  made  by 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  623 

our  forefathers,  was  no  idle  boast.  It  has  promptly  brought  to 
justice,  without  regard  to  rank  or  station,  all  who  would  be  leeches 
upon  the  country's  revenue,  and  '  with  malice  toward  none,  and 
charity  for  all'  we  will  stand  by  the  principles  so  ably  expounded 
by  our  martyred  President.  To  the  press  of  northern  Iowa  we 
would  say,  that  it  is  with  no  small  degree  of  hesitation,  or  light 
estimate  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  us,  that  we  assume  this  po- 
sition. It  has  been  truly  said,  that  as  is  the  press  so  are  the  peo- 
ple. Tliat  Iowa,  so  young  in  years,  takes  front  rank  with  older 
States  in  commerce,  agriculture  and  education,  is  largelj'  owing  to 
the  fact  that  her  press  has  been  backed  by  men  with  grit  and  brains • 
Men  who  know  the  right;  and  dare  to  do  it.  May  our  "Faber" 
never  do  aught  to  tarnish  Iowa  journalism.  To  our  immediate  pat- 
rons, we  would  say,  that  the  generous  manner  in  which  you  have 
given  your  influence  and  money  in  support  of  the  Weekly^  proves 
that  you  have  intelligence  to  appreciate  a  good  thing,  and  the  grit 
to  hold  on  to  it.  We  shall  strive  to  keep  it  up  to  its  present  standard. 
"We  propose  to  give  you  a  newsy  paper,  '  red  hot,  and  a  heatin' ' — 
of  course  you  furnish  the  fat.  We  will  ever  be  found  pushing  to 
the  front  home  men,  and  local  interests;  always  striving  to  be  on 
the  side  of  right,  for  righteousness'  sake.  G.  IT.  Nichols." 

The  Weekly  was  continued  by  Nichols  &  Keyes,  until  April  3, 
1877,  when  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  and  L.  J.  Keyes  alone 
published  the  paper  during  the  month  of  April.  May  3,  how- 
ever, another  change  was  made.  Messrs.  Nichols  &  Keyes  formed 
another  partnership,  and  arranged  to  carry  on  two  papers — the 
WeeJdy,  at  Marble  Rock,  under  the  firm  name  of  George  H. 
Nichols  ifc  Co.,  and  the  Telcjyhone^  at  Nora  Springs,  under  the 
firm  name  of  L.  J.  Keyes  &  Co.  Mr.  Keyes  then  went  to  Nora 
Springs,  and  Mr.  Nichols  remained  at  Marble  Rock.  After  a 
short  time  this  arrangement  was  discontinued,  and  each  became 
sole  proprietor  of  the  paper  of  which  he  was  editor.  From  the 
issue  of  May  3,  1877,  the  following  valedictorN'  of  Mr.  Keyes  is 
taken,  and  also  the  spicy  salutatory  of  Mr.  Nichols  : 

"It  will  be  seen  by  this  issue  of  the  Weekly  that  we  have  surren- 
dered the  editorial  chair  to  Professor  Nichols  and  expect  soon  to 
'  take  up  our  bed  and  walk.'  Flattering  inducements  have  per- 
suaded us  to  this  move,  and  though  much  we  regret  to  leave  our 
present  location,  we  feel  it  an  urgent  duty,  and  reluctantly  say  the 
words  commonly  used    by   friends   at  parting,    'good-bye.'     We 


624  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

shall  ever  look  back  to  Marble  Rock  with  pleasant  recollections, 
trusting  that  we  go  with  the  best  wishes  of  many  friends.  Pro- 
fessor Kichols  will  again  enliven  the  pages  of  the  Weekly  with 
spicy  editorials,  and  with  his  business  qualifications  will  extend 
the  circulation  much  beyond  its  present  limits. 

"  Respectfully,  L.  J.  Keyes." 

"  With  this  number  of  the  WeeJchj  we  again  take  up  the  pen  edi- 
torial, and  we  propose  to  do  our  level  best  to  make  the  Marble 
Rock  Weekly  a  credit  to  our  town,  and  an  honor  to  the  press  of 
Northern  Iowa.  We  don't  propose  to  tell  why  we  severed  our  con- 
nection with  the  Weekly  a  few  months  since,  nor  why  we  now  re- 
turn to  its  sanctum^  as  we  don't  consider  it  anybody's  business. 
We  do  intend  to  give  our  many  patrons  the  local,  state,  national 
and  foreign  news,  fresh  and  sparkling.  To  war  against  wrong 
and  fight  for  the  right.  "  The  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  num- 
ber" will  be  our  motto.  In  taking  the  chair  so  long  and  so  faith- 
fully  occupied  by  Brother  Keyes,  we  realize  that  we  have  work  to 
do,  if  we  would  retain  the  prestige  for  the  Weekly  it  has  so  hon- 
orably gained  under  his  management,  but  our  trust  is  in  G-od,  and 
our  faith  in  the  good  people  of  Marble  Rock  and  vicinity  is 
unbounded.  We  ask  and  expect  the  continued  support  that  has 
been  so  generously  given  to  its  former  management,  and  with  it, 
we  will  ever  labor  to  make  the  Weekly  a  welcome  visitor  to  our 
patrons." 

Mr.  Nichols  continued  in  charge  of  the  Weekly  until  July  11, 
1878,  when  he  retired,  on  account  of  being  elected  County  Super- 
intendent of  Schools.  He  served  in  this  capacity  four  years,  and 
was  then  appointed  Deputy  State  Superintendent  of  Public  In- 
struction. He  is  now  at  Des  Moines,  in  his  official  capacity.  Mr. 
Nichols  made  the  Weekly  much  more  of  a  success,  financially, 
than  it  had  been  before.  He  increased  considerably  the  circula- 
tion of  the  paper,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the  popularity  which 
has  been  so  steadily  maintained  since  by  Mr.  Nies,  his  successor. 
Mr,  Nichols  said,  on  leaving  the  Weekly: 

"With  this  number  of  the  Weekly  we  sever  our  connection  with 
it  as  editor  and  proprietor,  which  has  existed  so  pleasantly  for  the 
past  eighteen  months.  To  the  business  men  of  Marble  Rock  I 
would  say  that  for  the  generous  manner  in  which  you  have  aided 
me,  I  shall  ever  feel  grateful.  To  the  hundreds  of  subscribers, 
with  whom  my  relations  have  been  pleasant,  I  would  say  that  I 
shall  ever  look  back  to  the  times  that  I  have  talked  to  you  through 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  625 

these  columns,  with  a  consciousness  that  I  did  the  best  I  coiild 
under  the  circumstances,  and  that  when  I  erred,  it  was  an  error 
of  the  head  and  not  of  the  heart.  Mr.  Nies,  mv  successor,  whose 
paper  you  now  hold  in  your  hand,  needs  no  introduction  from  me. 
He  has  been  for  years  a  resident  of  your  county.  He  is  by  choice 
and  profession  a  printer,  and  as  such  has  labored  among  you  for 
the  past  ten  years.  It  will  be  his  ambition  to  do  for  you  what  I 
would  have  wished  to  do, — give  you  a  paper  that  will  be  second  to 
none  in  the  Shell  Rock  Valley.  In  closing,  I  would  bespeak  for 
him  the  same  courtesies  that  have  so  kindly  been  bestowed  upon 
me.  George  H.  Nichols." 

Mr.  Henry  B,  Nies,  the  present  editor  and  proprietor,  was  born 
near  Frankfort  on  the  Maine,  Germany,  Feb.  1,  1854.  His  pa- 
rents were  George  and  Barbara  (Winkler)  Nies,  natives  of  the 
same  place.  His  father  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  emigrated 
to  this  country  in  1864,  settling  at  Rockville,  Conn.,  with  his  wife 
and  four  children.  The  family  resided  there  about  four  years,  and 
then  moved  westward,  locating  at  Charles  City.  Here  Mr.  Nies 
lived,  following  his  regular  occupation  as  shoemaker,  until  the  fall 
of  1877,  when  he  again  removed  to  Dallas,  Texas.  Here  he  died, 
after  a  week's  illness,  July  31,  1878.  Mrs .  Nies  still  lives  at  Dallas. 
They  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Of 
these,  the  second,  George  E.  Nies,  is  at  Waco,  Texas;  a  telegraph 
operator  by  occupation.  He  was  married  May  3,  1882,  to  Dora 
L.  Blandin,  of  Fort  Worth.  Anna,  Lizzie,  Leopold  and  Carrie  L. 
are  all  at  home  with  Mrs  Nies,  at  Dallas. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir,  Henry  B.  Nies,  is  the  oLlest  of  th  e 
family.     He  attended  the  public    schools  in  Germany  four  years, 
coming  with  his  parents  to  America  at  the  age  of  ten.     At  Rock- 
ville,  Conn.,  he  attended  school  for  a  while,  and  then  was  employ- 
ed in  woolen-mills  until  the  family  came  to  Charles  City,  in  1868. 
Here  he  entered  the  ])ublic   schools  for  a  few  months,  and   then 
entered  the  office  of  the  Floyd  County  Advocate^  just  started  at 
Charles  City  by  Valentine  Baltuff.   With  Mr.  Baltuff  he  remained  as 
apprentice  two  and  a  half  years,  and  then  attended  a  normal  school 
at  Galena,  111.,  for  a  year.     Thence  he  went  to  Albert  Lea,  Minn., 
and  was  employed  as  compositor  in  the  office  of  the  Albert  Lea 
Enterprise.     In  August,  1872,  he  became  a  partner  in  this  paper, 
with  which  he  was  connected  about  nine  months.     The  Enterprise 
proved  a  failure,  financially,  and  soon  after  Mr.  Nies  sold  his  in- 
terest, the  paper  was  sold  under  foreclosure.     Mr.  Nies  says  that 


626  HisTOKY  OF  FLOYD  coin?rrY. 

from  his  notes  and  debts,  which  accumulated  during  these  nine 
months,  he  finally  realized  "a  jack-knife,  three  books  and  a  rubber 
ball." 

Tlience  he  went  to  Wells,  Minn.,  where  he  had  charge  of  the 
Wells  Atlas  for  six  months.  The  next  office  in  which  Mr.  Nies  was 
employed  was  that  of  the  Nora  Springs  Reveille,  with  which  he 
became  connected  soon  after  it  was  started,  in  the  summer  of  1874. 
He  was  at  first  foreman  in  this  office;  bat  when  O.  H.  Lyon  sold  the 
paper  (which  had  been  moved  to  Kockford,  and  was  now  the  Rock- 
ford  Reveille),  in  the  fall  of  1877,  he  became  a  partner  of  Robert 
Eggert  in  the  management  of  that  weekly.  The  firm  of  Eggert  & 
Nies  continued  until  May,  1878,  when  Mr.  Nies  sold  his  interest  to 
Mr.  Eggert,  and  went  into  the  patent  right  business.  This  did  not 
prove  a  fortunate  investment,  and  in  July,  1878,  he  bought  out 
George  H.  Nichols  becoming  sole  proprietor  and  editor  of  the  Mar- 
ble Rock    Weehly. 

Mr.  Nies  was  married  Sept.  4,  1875,  to  Elizabeth  O.  Knapp, 
a  daughter  of  Wm,  B.  Knapp,  of  Rockford.  They  have  been 
blessed  with  three  children — Frank  K.  born  June  6, 1876;  George 
E.,  born  Feb.  1,  1878,  and  Harriet  Blanche,  born  Sept.   13,  1879. 

Mr.  Nies  is  an  earnest  Republican,  politically,  and  freely  works 
for  that  party  in  political  campaigns,  with  the  columns  of  the 
Weekly.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  and  is  also 
an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  Iowa  Legion  of  Honor. 

NORA   SPRINGS    TELEPHONE.  ' 

This  paper  was  started  in  the  spring  of  1877,  the  first  number 
appearing  May  31.  The  publishers  were  L.  J.  Keyes  &  Co.,  and 
L.  J.  Keyes  and  W.  P.  Gay  lord  were  the  editors.  The  Telephone 
was  a  four  page  weekly,  eight  columns  to  the  page,  the  page  being 
26  X  19  inches  in  size.  The  editorials  and  selections  appeared  on 
the  first  page;  the  locals  on  the  fourth.  The  columns  show  a 
goodly  supply  of  advertisements,  mostly  of  different  business 
houses  in  Nora  Springs.  The  motto  at  the  head  of  the  sheet  was 
"  Equal  to  our  business,  but  not  above  it,"  which  motto  appeared 
regularly  until  April  14,  1881,  when  it  was  discontinued.  The 
following  salutatory  set  fourth  the  principal  on  which  the  Tele- 
phone was  started: 

The  goddess  of  fortune  who  leads  men  on  to  their  destiny,  has 
whispered  in  our  ears,  and  in  compliance  with  her  mandates  we 
find  ourselves  located  in  the  thriving  town  of  Nora  Springs.      We 


HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  627 

are,  in  a  measure,  among  strangers,  who  will  intelligently  judge  us 
by  our  works,  and  upon  which  foundation  we  establish  or  destroy 
our  reputation.  The  full  force  of  this  statement  is  strongly  im- 
pressed upon  our  mind  as  we  take  up  the  pencil  to  introduce  our- 
selves to  the  public  in  the  capacity  of  a  newspaper  publisher.  We 
shall,  in  our  editorial  labors  at  this  place,  aim  to  strengthen  the 
bonds  of  friendship  between  neighbors;  more  strongly  establish  the 
reputation  of  our  business  men;  encourage  the  orderly  and  good 
in  their  task  of  improving  the  morals  of  our  community;  take  a  deep 
interest  in  the  educational  afl'airs  of  our  town  and  surrounding-  coun- 
try;  discountenance  wrong  in  any  form;  collect  and  publish  the 
current  events  of  the  day,  and  ever  seek  to  elevate  the  high  repu- 
tation Nora  Springs  has  already  established.  We  are  not  here  for 
the  purpose  of  "running"  any  person,  or  using  any  "foul"  means  to 
deprive  them  of  the  fruits  of  honest  toil.  We  court  peace  and 
friendship  with  all  mankind,  believing  that  our  short  lives  can  be 
spent  to  better  advantage  than  in  quarreling  with  our  neighbors. 
With  this  view  we  shall  endeavor  to  exclude  from  the  columns  of 
the  Telephone.,  so  far  as  possible,  anything  of  a  personal  character 
that  will  have  a  tendency  to  mar  the  harmony  of  friendship.  We 
shall  try  to  so  represent  Nora  Springs  through  the  columns  of  this 
paper,  that  people  in  the  East  who  are  desirous  of  seeking  homes 
in  the  West,  may  be  induced  to  settle  among  us  and  enjoy  the  ad- 
vantages of  our  town  and  county.  Our  interests  are  here,  our  prop- 
erty is  here,  and  we  expect  to  make  and  spend  our  money  here;  to 
live,  enjoy  life  and  be  one  of  the  citizens.  The  town  is  fast  in- 
creasing in  population,  and  business  rapidly  growing;  in  fact,  it 
presents  more  life  and  activity  than  any  town  we  have  visited  west 
of  the  Mississippi.  With  these  facts  before  us,  we  shall  labor  for 
home  interests  and  make  the  Telephone  an  instrument  for  convey- 
ing the  credit  Nora  Springs  deserves  to  a  great  distance.  Politi- 
cally, we  are  extremely  radical  only  when  the  honor  and  reputation 
of  our  great  nation  is  endangered.  We  shall  adhere  to  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Republican  party,  and  yet  feel  it  our  duty  to  work 
against  corruption  and  frauds  that  may  be  resorted  to  by  unprinci- 
pled politicians  of  any  party.  We  invite  you  to  call  at  our  office 
and  get  acquainted  with  us;  our  latch  string  is  always  on  the  out- 
side, and  the  Keyes  on  the  inside. 

In  April,  1878,  Dr.  S.  G.  Blythe  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the 
Telephone,  after  which  time  the  names  of  Keyes  and  Blythe  ap- 
peared as  editors  and  proprietors.     The  paper  was  published  regu- 


628  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

larly  until  Jan.  5,  1882,  on  which  date  the  last  lelephone  was  issued. 
The  following  valedictory  gives  the  reasons  for  the  discontinuance 
of  the  lelephone^  and  the  establishment  of  the  Monitor'. 

This  number  of  the  Telej^hone  will  be  the  last  of  its  publica- 
tion. It  only  remains  for  its  editors  to  say  farewell  to  its  friends 
and  well-wishers  of  the  past  four  years,  and  good-bye  to  its  enemies. 
The  former  we  regret  to  sever  our  relations  with,  for  they  have  been 
most  pleasant;  the  latter  we  leave  without  malice  or  ill-will,  for  at 
most  our  enemities  have  amounted  to  but  little  more  than  differ- 
ences of  opinion,  which  men  ought  to  be  able  to  tolerate  without 
personal  quarrels. 

Our  exchanges  we  part  from  with  deep  regret,  for  they  have 
become  a  part  of  our  every-da}^  life,  and  we  shall  miss  them  as  we 
would  absent  friends.  For  one  and  all  we  have  kind  thoughts  and 
wish  them  God-speed. 

The  causes  that  led  to  a  suspension  of  this  publication  are 
manifold  and  some  of  them  purely  personal.  Two  of  them  only 
shall  be  named,  and  these  will  suffice  to  prove  our  action. 

First,  we  suspend  publication  for  lack  of  support.  As  is  well 
known  by  any  who  have  experimented  in  this  direction,  the  sub- 
scription list  of  a  country  paper  does  not  amount  to  much  in  a 
compensative  way,  and  in  a  community  where  tradesmen  and  business 
men  do  not  appreciate  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  liberal 
advertising,  a  local  paper  cannot  live.  We  have  no  disposition  to 
publish  a  paper  at  a  loss.  Indeed,  without  remunerative  patron- 
age the  incentive  to  make  a  paper  worthy  is  wanting. 

Second,  we  suspend  publication  because  a  more  favorable  pros- 
pect opens  before  us  in  another  direction.  The  office  will  not 
leave  Nora  Springs.  With  added  material  and  facilities  for  doing 
first-class  work,  we  remain  and  invite  those  who  desire  iob  work  to 
call  and  examine  our  facilities  and  prices. 

On  January  19  will  be  issued  from  this  office  the  first  number 
of  the  Odd-Fellows^  Monitor^  a  paper  which,  while  specially  in 
the  interest  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  will  be  made 
a  good  family  and  general  newspaper.  Each  subscriber  of  the 
Telephone  will  receive  a  sample  copy  of  the  new  paper,  and  while 
we  do  not  expect  an  extensive  local  patronage,  we  shall  be  glad  to 
welcome  any  of  our  old  friends,  who  incline  to  subscribe  for  the 
Monitor. 

And  now  a  word  further  :  All  persons  who  have  overpaid  on 
the  Telephone  beyond  Jan.   1,  1882,   will,  on  application  at  this 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  629 

office,  receive  every  cent  that  is  due  them.     All  persons  indebted 
to  the  Ttleplione  must  call  and  settle,  or  pay  costs  of  collection. 

Good-bye  and  farewell  I 

The  Monitor  is  now  issued  regularly  every  Thursday,  as  an  eight- 
page  weekly,  devoted  entirely  to  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Its 
circulation  extends  to  nearly  every  part  of  Iowa.  In  its  present 
organization,  L.J.  Keyes  and  S.  G.  Blythe  are  the  publishers  ;  S. 
G.  Blythe  is  the  editor,  and  E-ev.  B.  F.  Snook,  of  Cedar  Rapids, 
associate  editor.  J.  L.  Wallace  is  also  on  the  staff  of  the  mechani- 
cal part  of  the  work, 

Luther  J.  Keyes  was  born  in  De  Kalb,  St.  Lawrence  County, 
N.  Y.,  April  17,  1S39.  His  parents  were  L.  H.  and  E.  A.  (Phelps) 
Keyes,  the  former  a  shipbuilder  by  occupation.  He  resided  in 
New  York  until  1S50,  when  he  removed  to  La  Porte,  Ind.  Here 
he  remained  two  years,  following  the  trade  of  cabinet  making,  and 
then  removed  again  to  Sycamore,  111.  At  Sycamore  he  resided 
six  years,  as  carpenter  and  joiner.  From  thence  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Beloit,  Wis.,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then 
lived  in  Durand,  111.,  for  the  next  five  years.  Thence  he  removed 
to  AVaverly,  Iowa,  where  he  died,  in  1871.  His  wife  still  lives, 
being  now  at  Darlington,  Wis.,  with  her  oldest  son.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Keyes  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  now 
living.  Josiah  E.  lives  at  Darlington,  Wis.,  and  is  a  millwright 
by  occupation  ;  has  had  three  children.  Esther  M.  was  married 
to  Hiram  Humphrey,  and  lives  in  Minnesota  ;  has  five  children. 
Emily  C.  was  married  to  John  L.  Hastings,  and  lives  in  Pecaton- 
ica,  111.;  has  four  children.  The  fourth  of  the  family  is  Luther 
J.  The  fifth,  Warren  W.,  lives  at  Darlington,  Wisconsin  ;  is  a 
carpenter  by  occupation,  and  has  a  wife  and  two  children.  Sarah 
A.,  the  next  in  order,  was  married  to  Lewis  Norton,  and  lives  at 
Durand,  111. ;  has  six  children.  David  B.,  the  seventh,  is  a  farmer 
at  Laona,  111.;  has  been  married,  and  has  two  children.  The 
youngest  of  the  family,  Frederick  D.,  is  a  farmer  at  Davis,  111.  ; 
has  a  wife  and  one  child. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  was  of 
age,  attending  the  common  schools  of  the  various  places  in  which  the 
family  resided,  and  the  high  school  at  La  Porte,  Ind.  At  the  age 
of  fourteen  he  engaged  as  a  cabinet-worker,  which  he  followed 
two  years.  He  then  worked  for  a  time  as  carpenter  and  joiner,  at 
Sycamore,  111.,  and  as  painter,  at  Beloit,  Wis. 


/ 


630  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

In  1S61  he  enlisted  at  Durand,  111.,  in  Company  C,  Fifty-fifth 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  throasrh  the  war.  Durino:  the  four 
years  of  the  Rebellion  he  served  in  every  important  battle  in  which 
the  Western  array  was  engaged,  and  was  under  fire  one  hundred 
and  twenty  days.  Enlisting  as  a  private,  he  was  steadily  promoted 
until  when  mustered  as  a  veteran,  he  held  the  rank  of  Second  Ser- 
geant. Shortly  after  re-enlistment  he  was  promoted  to  the  First 
Lieutenancy  of  his  company,  and  placed  in  charge  of  Company  D, 
which  he  commanded  until  within  three  months  of  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  was  then  appointed  Quartermaster,  in  which  capacity  he 
served  until  mustered  out,  Aug.  24,  1865.  During  the  time  he 
was  in  command  of  Company  D,  he  was  recommended  by  his  Colo- 
nel, T.  J.  Andres,  for  a  Captain's  commission  in  said  company, 
which  was  refused  by  Governor  Oglesby  on  the  ground  that  he 
could  not  transfer  a  man  from  one  company  to  another,  to  be  the 
commander  of  the  latter.  The  recommendation  had  been  made  in 
accordance  with  a  custom  of  the  preceding  Governor,  Richard 
Yates,  to  allow  Colonels  to  recommend  any  promotions  and  dis- 
tributions of  officers  which  they  deemed  best  for  the  good  of  the 
service  ;  but  this  rule  Governor  Oglesby  did  not  recognize. 

On  returning  from  the  war,  Mr.  Keyes  worked  at  cabinet-mak- 
ing at  Waverl}^  Iowa,  until  the  fall  of  1875.  He  then  removed  to 
Nashua,  Chickasaw  County,  and  had  charge  of  a  furniture  store 
for  some  ten  months.  He  removed  next  to  Marble  Rock,  Floyd 
County,  and  established  the  Marble  Rock  TF^^Hy,  a  sketch  of  which 
paper  is  given  on  another  page.  He  remained  at  Marble  Rock, 
with  that  paper,  until  the  spring  of  1877,  when  he  again  removed 
to  N^ora  Springs,  and  established  the  Nora  Springs  Telephone.  He 
has  continued  in  the  newspaper  business  ever  since,  all  through  the 
career  of  the  TelepJtone,  and  is  now  working  as  hard  as  ever  on  the 
Monitor. 

He  was  married  Dec.  25,  1875,  at  Durand,  Illinois,  to  Miss 
Esther  A.  Lancaster,  of  that  place.     They  have  no  family, 

Mr.  Keyes  is,  politically,  a  Republican.  He  has  always  been  a 
temperance  worker,  and  in  the  spring  of  1882,  took  a  decided  stand 
in  favor  of  the  prohibitory  amendment.  He  is  a  member  and  a  P. 
G.  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  and  the  G.  A.  R. 

NORA    SPRINGS   ADVERTISER. 

This  is  a  lively  little  sheet  at  Nora  Springs,  issued  every  Tues- 
day by  F.  M.  Hubbard.     It  was  started  in  the  summer  of  1882, 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  631 

the  first  number  appearing  July  4.  The  sheet  is  in  size  sixteen 
by  twenty-two,  four  pages,  four  columns  to  the  page.  The  paper 
has  already  achieved  a  remarkable  success,  and  is  soon  to  be  en- 
larged. Mr.  Hubbard  is  a  man  of  energj-,  and  whatever  he  takes 
hold  of  is  bound  to  succeed. 

THE   MONTHLY    GEOLOGIST. 

This  little  sheet  was  started  at  Hampton,  Franklin  County,  la., 
by  Whitney  Bros.,  in  October,  18S1.  It  was  then  nine  inches  long 
and  six  inches  wide,  four  pages,  two  columns  to  the  page.  Three 
numbers  were  published  at  Hampton,  and  then  its  publication  was 
continued  at  Rockford  in  an  enlarged  form.  It  is  now  four  pages, 
three  columns  to  the  page,  and  each  page  is  eleven  inches  by  seven 
and  a  half  inches.  It  appears  about  the  middle  of  the  mouth,  and 
its  subscribers  are  in  such  institutions  as  the  School  of  Mines  at 
Golden,  Col.,  Iowa  State  University  at  Iowa  City,  and  other 
schools  in  the  country.  The  paper  presents  a  very  good  appear- 
ance, and  is  a  credit  to  the  young  men  who  manage  it.  They  have 
a  geological  cabinet,  and  exchange  specimens  with  all  who  are  in- 
terested in  this  beautiful  science. 

FLOYD    COUNTY    PRESS. 

In  the  spring  of  1872  a  Milwaukee  job  printer  concluded  to  see 
what  there  was  "beyond  the  Mississippi,"  with  the  double  object 
of  visiting  friends  and  seeking  a  location  for  a  newspaper.  Riding 
or  walking,  for  printers  sometimes  do  ride,  he  reiclied  Nashua,  in 
Chickasaw  County.  Leaving  there  in  the  morning,  he  walked  to 
Marble  Rock,  and  took  the  cars  to  Nora  Springs. 

That  day,  in  the  latter  part  of  May,  was  an  eventful  one,  in  the 
history  of  one  town  at  least.  Soon  after  leaving  Nashua,  a  light, 
drizzling  rain  set  in,  gradually  increasing,  until  the  printer  was 
soaking  wet,  and,  to  use  his  own  expression,  on  reaching  Marble 
Rock  he  ''leaned  against  the  depot  to  let  the  water  drain  ofi"." 
At  Nora  Springs,  with  the  help  of  a  partial  suit  in  his  traveling 
bag,  and  some  clothing  borrowed  from  boarders,  he  was  made 
more  comfortable  outwardly,  and  added  to  his  inward  comfort  by 
a  meal  at  tlie  "Rock  Grove  House,"  while  his  clothing  was  drying 
beside  the  kitchen  fire. 

The  next  morning  he  "  talked  paper  "  to  some  of  the  few  business 

men   of  the  town,  and  went  farther  west.     Returning  soon  after, 
39 


632  HISTOKY  OF  FLOID  COUNTY. 

ie  found  that  a  subscription  list  had  been  started  to  raise  funds 
with  which  to  guarantee  a  year's  support  for  a  paper;  and  he  re- 
turned to  Milwaukee  with  the  understanding  that  he  would  be  on 
hand  as  soon  as  possible,  after  the  proper  sum  was  pledged. 

On  the  18th  of  September,  1872,  he  returned  to  Kora  Springs, 
built  an  office,  14x16  feet  in  size,  mostly  with  his  own  hands,  and 
in  the  first  week  of  the  following  month  issued  the  first  paper  ever 
printed  in  the  town.  In  size  it  was  a  four-column  quarto,  the  in- 
side being  printed  by  the  Chicago  Newspaper  Union,  and  contained 
four  pages  of  home  matter.  In  1874  the  paper  was  enlarged  to  a 
six-column  quarto,  which  size  it  still  maintains.  The  motto  of 
the  paper  is:  "It  takes  Grit  to  run  a  Newspaper,"  and  it  is  still 
published  by  the  same  party,  and  on  the  same  ground  as  the  first 
number. 

NOEA   SPRINGS    REPUBLICAN. 

This  paper  was  started  in  the  summer  of  1871  by  Mr.  H.  J. 
Stalker  and  was  printed  a  part  of  the  time  at  Mason  City  and  part 
of  the  time  at  Algona.  Without  means  to  put  in  a  press  and  ma- 
terial, the  gentleman  found  the  patronage  insufiicient  to  meet  the 
expenses,  and  abandoned  the  enterprise  after  a  few  mouths. 

THE  FLOYD  COUNTY  STANDARD 

Was  first  started  at  Rockford,  la.,  in  January,  1881,  by  J.  B. 
Adams,  its  present  editor  and  proprietor.  It  is  an  eight-column 
folio.  The  paper  and  office  were  removed  to  Charles  City  in  Febru- 
ary, 1882,  and  occupy  the  upper  floor  of  Mahara's  Building.  It 
has  a  good  job  office  in  connection. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Adams  was  born  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  June  17,  1851; 
son  of  N.  M.  and  Emma  A.  (Child)  Adams^  the  former  a  native  of 
Maine,  and  Mrs.  Adams  from  Massachusetts.  When  our  subject 
was  one  year  old,  his  parents  removed  to  Rocklord,  111.,  remaining 
one  year.  Then  went  to  Mason  City,  la.,  where  they  still  reside. 
Mr.  Adams  received  his  education  in  Iowa,  having  attended  the 
university  at  Grinnell  and  the  State  University  at  Iowa  City.  He 
was  married  in  November,  1872,  to  Miss  "V .  O.  Pushee,  of  Wis- 
consin. Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  paper  is  conducted 
on  the  principles  of  that  party. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


633 


WESTERN    PATRIARCH. 

This  paper  made  its  appearance  at  Charles  City,  Oct.  9,  1873, 
under  the  management  of  C.  S.  Otis  and  S.  P.  Leland.  The  latter 
sold  out  to  Charles  McDonnell,  and  Mr.  Ottis  suddenly  and  mys- 
teriously disappeared,  and  the'paper  fell  into  the  hands  of  A.  P. 
Holmes,  who  in  turn  sold  to  John  Bradley.  It  was  a  handsome 
six-column  folio,  edited  with  fair  ability,  in  the  interest  of  the 
Odd  Fellow's  order.     Its  existence  lasted  but  a  few  years. 


CHAPTEE  XV. 


EMINENT  DEAD. 


Some  account  of  the  most  noted  citizens  of  this  county,  who 
are  now  deceased,  will  be  expected  in  this  volume.  The  most  ot 
such  are  noticed  in  other  parts  of  the  work,  especially  in  the  chap- 
ter entitled  "The  Courts  and  the  Bar;"  others,  whose  sketches 
could  not  well  be  otherwise  classified  in  this  volume,  we  give  some 
account  of  in  this  chapter. 

HON.    W.    p.    GAYLORD. 

The  ancestors  of  the  Gaylord  family  originated  in  Normandy, 
France.  The  first  name  appears  in  Johnville's  memoirs  of  Louis 
IX,  in  the  thirteenth  century.  Some  of  the  Gaylords  moved  to 
England  in  1550  or  '51.  AVilliam  Gaylord  was  a  native  of  Exeter, 
England,  and  came  to  Massachusetts  in  the  ship  "Mary  and  John," 
arriving  in  Boston  Bay,  May  30,  1630,  and  settled  in  Dorchester. 
He  died  in  1673.  Then  followed  four  generations,  thus:  Walter, 
Joseph,  Joseph,  Jr.,  and  Samuel,  W.  P.'s  great-grandfather, 
born  in  1709,  who  had  a  son  Agur,  a  grand-father  born  1730,  died 
1818,  aged  88  years,  and  who  settled  in  IS'orfolk,  Conn.  His 
brothers  and  sisters  were  Justus,  Anna  Mamre,  Joseph,  Thankful, 
Samuel,  Timothy,  Giles,  and  Esther. 

Agur  Gaylord  had  two  wives,  had  two  daughters  by  his 
first  wife,  and  then  married  a  widow  Jerome,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children,  namely:  Sarah,  Esther,  and  Samuel.  The  latter 
was  born  Jan.  6,  1786,  in  Norfolk,  Conn.,  and  died  in  summer  of 
1861,  aged  75  years.  His  wife's  mother's  maiden  name  was  Betsey 
Jackson,  born  in  Brookfleld,  Conn.     She  died  in  July,  1859. 

Samuel  Gaylord's  children  were  eight  in  number,  as  follows: 
Jane,  Lyman,  J.  Jay,  Wilberforce  P.,  Ed  son,  Jackson,  Harriet 
and  Johnson.     Deaths — Harriet,  Jane,  "Wilberforce. 

"W.  P.  Gaylord  was  born  in  New  Milford,  Conn.  Sarah  Eliza- 
beth, his  wife,  was  born  in  Stillwater,  New  Jersey.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  Buena  Yista,  born  Jan.  9,  1847,  in  Sussex 
County,  N.  J.,  died  Sept.  25,  1849,  in  Green,  N.  J.;  Mary  E.,  born 

Feb.  18,   1850,  in   Green,   N.    J.,   died   Sept.    29,  1871,  in  Nora 

(634) 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  635 

Springs;  Harriet  Anrelia,  born  Dec.  25,  1853,  in  Frelin^huysen, 
N.  J.  Buena  Vista  2cl,  born  Feb.  22,  1856,  in  Kock  Grove, 
la.  Laura  A.,  born  July  23,  1858,  in  Rock  Grove,  la,  died 
Jan.  15,  1865,  in  Rock  Grove.  George,  born  Feb.  25,  1861,  in 
Rock  Grove;  Chloe  Irena,  born  Feb.  21,  1863,  in  Rock  Grove. 
Jennie  Bell,  born  Aug.  19,  1865,  in  N'ora  Springs.  Minnie  Eliza- 
betli,  born  June  27,  1869,  near  Kora  Springs. 

Mrs.  W.  P.  Gaylord's  father's  name  was  Joseph  Slater,  born  in 
Sussex  County,  IST.  J.,  September,  1803,  and  died  March  1,  1869. 
Her  mother's  maiden  name  was  Eliza  Primrose.  They  had  five 
children — Harriet,  died  ^Dec.  2,  1877;  Sarah  E.;  James  Britten; 
George  A.,  died  July,  1869;  Sylvesta  J. 

In  the  spring  of  1854  he  came  to  Floyd  County  stayed  until 
early  in  the  fall  when  he  went  to  Wisconsin,  returning  again  in 
about  a  year.  December  5,  1855,  he  was  joined  by  his  wife  and 
family,  whom  he  had  left  in  New  Jerse}',  and  who  catne  to  share 
with  him  his  Western  home,  and  the  vicissitudes  of  pioneer  life  in 
the  wild  region  of  Northern  Iowa. 

He  located  on  the  Shell  Rock,  near  where  Nora  Springs  now 
etands.  Soon  after  settling  there  he  commenced  the  practice  of 
law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Mason  Citv  about  the  time  ot 
the  organization  of  Cerro  Gordo  County.  He  was  always  a 
prominent  actor  in  nearly  all  the  history  of  the  county.  Being  a 
man  of  great  activity  and  perseverance,  he  was  ever  one  of  the 
foremost  men  in  all  matters  affecting  his  county  and  its  welfare. 
During  the  early  days  of  the  county  a  very  bitter  county-seat  war 
was  waged  between  the  east  and  west  sides.  Prominent  among 
the  leaders  was  Mr.  Gaylord  in  the  interest  of  the  west  side. 
After  they  had  gained  the  victory,  a  celebration  of  the  event  was 
held  at  the  geographical  center  of  the  county,  to  rejoice  over  the 
event.  The  speech  of  congratulation  by  Mr.  Gaylord  was  oue  ot 
the  wittiest  and  best  of  his  life.  So  good-humored  and  jolly  was 
the  speech  that  it  tended  largely  to  disarm  those  of  the  other  side. 

Mr.  Gaylord,  in  his  business  life  and  relations,  held  a  high  posi- 
tion.    In  social  life  he  was  always  the  center  of  admiring  friends. 

In  many  respects  he  was  peculiar  and  odd,  and  yet  in  all  his 
composition  and  nature  he  was  the  type  of  a  true  man.  Noble- 
hearted  and  kind  in  his  nature.  Beneath  his  everyday  life  lay  a 
substratum  of  good  humor  and  love  of  jollity  that  bubbled  out  in 
all  his  writings  and  conversation.  He  was  a  good  judge  of  human 
nature,  and  always  formed  an  opinion  of  a  person  at  the  first  meet- 


636  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COTJNTT. 

ing.  Last  winter,  while  discusaing  physiognoiny,  he  remarked 
that  he  rarely  had  occasion  to  change  first  impressions  of  a  person. 
His  firmness,  when  he  believed  he  was  right,  amounted  almost 
to  dogmatism,  and  yet  no  man  was  more  ready  to  yield  to  the 
proof  of  a  fallacious  position. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Eleventh  General  Assembly 
for  Floyd  and  Cerro  Gordo  counties,  and  of  the  Twelfth  for  Floyd 
— the  Eleventh  Assembly,  re-districting  the  State,  severing  Cerro 
Gordo  and  Floyd  counties.  Of  the  Thirteenth  General  Assembly 
he  was  enrolling  clerk.  For  several  years  he  was  Postmaster  at 
!Nora  Springs,  resigning  the  office  to  accept  the  position  of  State 
Senator  for  the  Forty-sixth  District  in  the  Eighteenth  General 
Assembly,  where  he  served  one  session,  with  great  credit.  The 
bills  which  he  originated  and  sustained  to  a  passage,  and  the  posi- 
tion which  he  promptly  took  on  the  woman  sufi'rage  question  made 
his  name  familiar  throughout  the  State,  and  the  strictures  of  his 
brethren  of  the  press  on  the  latter  point  were  boldly  and  ably  met, 
and  in  a  tone  which  promised  animated  discussion  had  he  lived  to 
again  meet  that  subject  in  the  Senate.  At  the  re-assembling  of 
the  Senate,  resolutions  of  respect  and  condolence,  in  honor  of  his 
sterling  merits,  were  offered  by  Senator  Wholey,  as  follows : 

^^  Resolved,  That  this  preamble  and  resolutions  be  spread  upon 
the  journal;  that  the  secretary'  of  the  Senate  be,  and  is  hereby, 
directed  to  forward  a  copy  of  the  same  to  the  family  of  the  de- 
ceased; and 

"  Resolved,  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  deceased  Senator^ 
the  Senate  do  now  adjourn." 

In  all  assemblies  or  gatherings,  when  present,  he  would  draw 
about  him  throngs  of  eager  listeners  to  his  fund  of  stories  and 
anecdotes.  Among  his  neighbors,  he  was  a  leader  who  was  ever 
regarded  as  a  safe  counselor  in  matters  of  law,  business,  public 
policy  and  politics.  For  the  past  ten  years,  he  has  been  connected 
with  the  newspapers  of  his  county,  either  as  editor  or  proprietor. 
For  the  past  three  or  four  years,  he  occupied  the  position  of  ed- 
itor of  the  Kora  Springs  Telephone,  not  for  a  salary  or  pay,  but 
because  he  loved  the  work.  His  pen  was  racy,  spicy  and  vigorous. 
When  he  applied  the  lash  to  an  opponent,  there  was  always  a 
sting  to  it,  and  yet  so  tempered  with  good  nature  that  he  rarely 
made  an  enemv  of  his  adversary.  He  was  also  correspondent  for 
the  Advocate,  .ind  Intelligencer,  of  Charles  City,  the  Kockford 
Reveille  and  other  papers.    In  style  he  was  easy  and  direct.    Fear- 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  637 

less  in  his  criticism,  severe  in  his  denunciation,  but  always  fair 
and  just  as  to  the  rights  of  persons — always  condemning  wrong 
and  applauding  right. 

It  is  not  known  at  exactly  what  date  Mr.  Gaylord  conceived  the 
idea  of  publishing  a  history  of  Floyd  County,  but  it  is  certain  that 
he  had  for  ten  or  twelve  years  previous  to  his  death  been  interested 
in  the  early  history  of  the  county,  and  that  he  spent  much  of  his 
leisure  time  during  these  years  on  the  work.  He  also  wrote  many 
detached  sketches,  some  of  which  were  published.  October  16, 
1874,  he  announced  through  the  columns  of  the  Reveille,  of  which 
he  was  then  editor,  that  in  the  next  issue  he  would  begin  the  pub- 
lication of  a  history  of  Floyd  County.  He  did  so,  giving  a  briet 
sketch  of  Rock  Grove  Township,  and  then  a  sketch  of  the  early 
settlers  of  the  township.  His  history  ran  along  through  eight  or 
ten  numbers,  but  included  only  matter  pertaining  to  that  one  town- 
ship. He  was  dissuaded  from  publishing  any  more  in  the  papers, 
on  the  ground  that  it  would  be  better  arranged,  and  more  highly 
prized,  if  he  would  give  his  whole  energies  to  completing  the  his- 
tory, and  then  have  it  published  in  book  form. 

Mr.  Gaylord  was  always  frank  in  avowing  his  opinion  upon 
mooted  questions,  even  at  the  risk  of  losing  in  popularity.  In  re- 
gard to  his  religious  views,  he  was  equally  honest;  and,  however 
much  others  may  differ  from  him,  they  must  credit  him  with  being 
perfectly  conscientious  in  his  belief.  To  show  his  stand  on  certain 
points,  the  following  is  condensed  from  an  editorial  in  the  jSTora 
Springs  Reveille,  Sept.  11,  187-1,  at  which  time  Mr.  Gaylord 
was  connected  with  that  paper  as  editor: 

"  Last  Sunday  morning  and  evening,  we  heard  two  most  extra- 
ordinary and  impressive  sermons,  from  Rev.  H.  W.  Bennett,  of 
the  M.  E.  church.  In  the  morning  he  welted  and  whaled  the 
church  members  over  the  head  with  the  gospel  cudgel,  till  there 
was  not  a  spot  as  big  as  one's  hand,  where  a  blow  had  not  fallen. 
"We  should  suppose  that  the  members  and  backsliders  would  after 
a  while  learn  to  dodge  the  blows  aimetl  at  their  heads  ;  but  prob- 
ably each  for  himself  thinks  the  language  used  applied  to  the  others, 
and  probably  eacli  to  himself  says:  'How  Brother  Bennett  gives 
it  to  the  hypocrites  and  backsliders  over  in  the  other  corner  of  the 
house. ' 

"But  none  of  these  admonitory  thunderbolts  are  ever  aimed  at 
our  heads.  We  don't  belong  to  that  class  of  sinners  spoken  of  in 
the  words  of  the  text.    It  is  our  neighbor.     It  is    that  old   gray- 


638  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

headed  sinner  over  in  the  corner  ;  that  woman  over    yonder   with 
pendants  swinging  in  her  ears,  and  streamers  flying  from  her  bonnet. 

"  From  all  the  preaching  we  have  heard  from  our  boyhood,  we 
conclude  that  'faith'  is  an  essential  article  to  have,  and  we  some- 
times wish  we  had  it  in  larger  quantities.  We  are  willing  to  be- 
lieve everything  for  the  sake  of  eternal  happiness,  but  we  find  it 
very  difficult  to  believe  anything  of  which  our  judgment  is  not  con- 
vinced. We  may  shut  our  eyes  and  wish  it  were  so  ;  we  may  even 
say  we  believe  it  is  so  ;  and  yet  there  is  something  that  silently 
says  to  us,  'I  doubt  it.'  We  would  give  all  the  old  clothes  we 
have,  and  divide  the  new  ones  with  any  one  who  will  instruct  us 
how  to  believe  whatever  we  desire  to  believe.  It  matters  but  little 
whether  what  we  would  believe  is  true  or  false,  so  long  as  it  brings 
peace  and  contentment.  That  is  what  we  are  after.  To  be  a  hypo- 
crite we  cannot.  To  say  we  believe  what  does  not  seem  to  us  to 
be  true,  we  cannot.  To  pray  when  we  have  no  faith  that  our  pray- 
ers will  be  answered,  we  cannot.  The  future  to  us  is  still  a  mys- 
tery.    We  wish  it  were  otherwise,  even  were  it  a  delusion." 

Another  extract  from  Gaylord's  writings,  showing  his  religious 
position,  is  taken  from  the  Telephone'. 

"  We  would  not  give  a  dollar*to  better  know  that  there  is  a  God; 
a  supreme  ruler;  a  designer;  a  God  infinite  in  power,  and  wisdom, 
and  goodness,  and  perfection,  for  we  believe  that  now;  but  we  will 
give  one  hundred  dollars  to  any  one  who- will  convince  us  that  there 
is  or  is  not  an  individual  hereafter  for  man;  a  hereafter  where  we 
shall  know  ourselves  as  we  know  each  other  here.  To  accomplish 
this,  we  are  willing  to  read  any  reasonable  amount  of  books,  and 
listen  to  any  argument  in  or  out  of  the  pulpit.  We  want  to  believe 
this,  and  have  tried  to  believe  it  from  our  childhood,  but  our  faith 
does  not  grow  stronger  with  our  years,  and  we  cannot  avoid  it. 
However,  we  advise  others  who  can,  to  so  believe  and  act  as  though 
they  were  in  earnest.  This  saying  that  we  believe  there  is  a  God, 
a  devil,  or  a  legion  of  devils,  a  heaven  and  a  hell,  and  then  acting 
as  though  there  were  neither,  will  bring  remorse  sooner  or  later. 
When  we  are  true  to  ourselves  and  our  neighbors  we  shall  be  true 
to  God." 

He  frequently  discussed  death  and  the  future.  Often  did  he  say 
that  the  only  thing  he  feared  or  dreaded  was  death.  The  future 
was  a  mystery  to  him,  one  of  which  he  could  not  form  a  satisfac- 
tory opinion.      His  idea    was  that  God  is  a  part  of  man  and  man 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  639 

is  a  part  of  God.  So  closely  connected  that  neither  can  get  along 
without  the  other.  He  was  a  very  decided  believer  in  the  pre-ex- 
istence  of  man  and  at  death  he  will  return  to  his  former  habitation 
of  the  realms  of  God. 

His  death  was  almost  instantaneous  and  probably  painless.  In 
the  quietude  of  his  home  and  the  bosom  of  his  family  the  dread 
an_;^el,  who  must  sooner  or  later  visit  all  mankind,  came  unannounced 
and  unheralded.  He  was  in  robust  health  up  to  the  very  moment 
of  his  decease.  In  the  midst  of  the  strength  and  vigor  of  man- 
hood, and  in  the  rapid  development  of  an  onward  and  upward  ca- 
reer, was  he  cut  down. 

On  that  day  of  his  death,  in  his  usual  off-hand,  friendly  manner, 
he  was  meeting  his  associates,  throwing  a  jest  at  one,  wrestling 
with  another,  and  exhibiting  a  vitality  unequaled  by  most  men. 

During  the  evening  he  was  as.  well  as  usual,  and  at  about  half 
past  nine  o'clock  retired  for  the  night.  In  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes 
Mrs.  Gaylord  also  retired.  Soon  after  getting  into  bed  she  dis^ 
covered  that  something  unusual  was  the  matter  with  Mr  Gaylord. 
Before  she  could  procure  a  light  and  call  for  help,  he  was  dead.  An 
autopsy  on  the  body  by  Drs.  S.  G.,  and  T.  D.  Blythe  showed  that 
the  cause  of  death  was  heart  diseasS. 

Senator  Gaylord  was  a  self-made  man,  he  was  of  the  people,  vvit  h 
the  people  and  for  the  people  in  every  enterprise,  improvement 
and  measure.  His  record  we  are  not  writing  for  the  benefit  of  the 
living ;  it  is  engraved  on  the  hearts  and  memories  of  all  his  fellow 
citizens.  Like  every  public  and  prominent  man,  he  had  his  friends, 
and  he  had  his  opposers — the  latter  on  political  grounds.  To  the 
former  he  was  ever  faithful,  and  the  latter  he  fearlessly,  and  gen- 
erally successfully,  met. 

A  New  Englander  by  birth,  he  was  oi  that  stock  from  whose 
loins  came  the  sturdy  race  who  are  the  natural  frontiersmen.  As 
has  been  fitly  said  by  Senator  Hoar,  the  eminent  statesman  from 
Massachusetts,  on  a  recent  occasion:  "  It  is  no  race  of  boors  that 
has  struck  its  axes  into  the  forests  of  this  continent.  These  men 
knew  how  to  build  themselves  log  houses  in  the  wilderness;  they 
were  more  skilled  still  in  building  constitutions  and  framing  stat- 
utes; slow,  cautious,  conservative,  sluggish,  unready  in  ordinary 
life;  their  brains  more  quick,  and  as  sure  as  their  rifle's  flash,  when 
great  controversies  that  determine  the  fate  of  States  are  to  be  de- 
cided, when  great  interests  that  brook  no  delay  are  at  stake,  and 
great  battles  that  admit  no  indecision  are  to  be  fought." 


640  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

As  a  pioneer  he  understood  all  the  hardships  of  a  frontier  life, 
but  his  rugged  honesty  and  close  application  to  business,  enabled 
him  to  cultivate  his  mind  and  qualify  himself  for  the  various 
walks  of  life.  We  find  the  language  of  another  extolling  the  mer- 
its of  one  most  lamented  citizen:  ''  It  is  one  of  the  most  beneficent 
results  of  our  American  institutions,  tliat  we  have  ceased  to  speak 
of  poverty  and  hardships,  and  the  necessity  for  hard  and  humble 
toil,  as  disadvantages  to  a  spirit  endowed  by  nature  with  a  capacity 
for  generous  ambition.  "When  labor  is  honorable  and  where  every 
place  in  social  or  public  life  is  open  to  merit,  early  poverty  is  no 
more  a  disadvantage,  than  a  gymnasium  to  an  athlete,  or  drill  and 
discipline  to  a  soldier." 

All  he  had  was  the  fruit  of  his  own  labors,  and  the  result  of  un- 
tiring industry  and  honorable  frugality  practiced  through  a  busy 
life.  He  had  a  good  farm  and  a  pleasant  home  that  he  had  put  in 
excellent  shape  in  which  to  enjoy  his  declining  years.  But  such 
was  not  to  be  his  pleasure.  And  as  we  write  vve  are  reminded  of 
the  frailty  and  weakness  of  even  the  strongest  and  the  wisest.  Life 
is  indeed  a  panorama;  men  are  the  flitting  object,  death  is  the  end 
of  the  scene,  and  eternity  the  great  circle  to  which  all  feet  are  hast 
ening. 

"We  can  close  our  sketch  of  Wilberforce  P.  Gaylord  with  no  more 
appropriate  and  merited  words  than  were  uttered  by  Senator 
Waley  preparatory  to  his  offering  resolutions  of  condolence  and  re- 
spect at  the  second  session  of  the  Eighteenth  General  Assembly  at 
Des  Moines.  The  able  Senator  said: — In  his  death  his  family 
mourn  the  loss  of  the  kindest  of  husbands  and  fathers.  His  friends 
and  neighbors  mourn  a  kind,  accommodating,  courteous  and  ever 
genial  friend.  The  farmers,  lawyers,  and  editors,  each  feel  that 
they  have  lost  a  representative  man  from  their  profession  and  ranks. 
The  country  and  district  mourn  the  loss  of  one  whom  they  have 
often  honored.  In  the  person  of  "W.  P.  Gaylord  this  Senate  Cham- 
ber, and  the  State  of  Iowa,  have  lost  an  able,  prudent  and  wise  leg- 
islator. His  dust  has  returned  to  dust,  and  his  spirit  to  the  God 
who  gave  it.  Though  he  responds  to  the  call  of  the  Senate  roll 
no  more,  yet  may  we  not  trust  his  name  is  enrolled  in  the  Lamb's 
book  of  life,  and  while  we  mourn  our  deceased  friend,  may  we  be 
able,  when  we  are  called  from  the  stage  of  action,  to  feel  that  we 
have  done  our  duty  as  faithfully  and  as  well. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COTTNIY.  641 

COLONEL    DAVID    RIPLEY 

Was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  the  year  1798 ;  came  to 
Gallia  County,  Ohio,  when  a  young  man;  married  in  the  year 
1819;  visited  this  county  in  1852-'3,  settling  here  in  1854,  during 
which  year  he  had  the  courage  to  follow  the  Indians  into  Minnesota 
alone,  when  nearly  all  other  settlers  were  frightened  out  of  the 
country.  He  located  on  or  near  section  12,  of  township  94,  17.  In 
1862  he  visited  Colorado,  where  he  enlisted  to  fight  the  Indians 
and  had  a  number  of  remarkable  experiences.  After  making  a 
short  residence  in  this  county  again,  he  went  to  Missouri,  then  to 
Fremont  County,  this  State,  then  to  Decatur  Count}^  and  finally 
back  to  RivertDn  Township,  where  he  died  July  26,  1881.  During 
his  life  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  Legislature  both  in  Ohio  and 
in  Colorado,  and  was  County  Judge  of  Floyd  during  the  exciting 
times  of  the  great  county-seat  contest.  His  son,  Sanford  Ripley, 
whose  sketch  appears  more  in  full  elsewhere,  resides  in  Riverton 
Township.  The  four  daughters  left  by  the  deceased  are  Mrs.  W.  B. 
Carter,  Mrs.  James  Wood,  Mrs.  John  Allison  and  Mrs.  Henry  Allen. 

WINFIELD  SCOTT  RIDER, 

A  young  man  ot  more  than  ordinary  promise,  died  at  Wav- 
erly,  la.,  Aug.  17,  1865,  aged  twenty-five  years.  His  death 
resulted  from  injuries  caused  by  a  steamboat  explosion.  While 
the  boat,  "Joseph  Pierce,"  was  taking  on  board  the  Sixty- 
fourth  U.  S.  Colored  Infantry,  Colonel  Meatyard  command- 
ing, her  starboard  boiler  exploded  with  terrible  force,  after 
she  had  been  lying  at  the  bank  about  half  an  hour,  blowing  away 
fifty  feet  of  the  center  of  the  boat.  Hundreds  were  blown  into  the 
river,  but,  strange  to  say,  the  loss  of  life  was  very  small.  About 
twenty  miles  below  Vicksburg  this  catastrophe  occurred,  and  July 
31,  1865.  Among  the  victims  was  Mr.  Rider,  who  was  thrown 
out  upon  the  land,  and  seriously  injured  internally.  He  set  out 
for  home,  and  arriving  at  Waverly,  was  unable  to  travel  further. 
His  brother  from  Floyd  went  down  August  15,  to  that  place,  with 
an  easy  carriage,  bedding,  etc.,  to  bring  him  home;  but  he  was  too 
late,  and  Mr.  Rider  died  as  before  stated. 

His  remains  were  taken  to  Floyd,  where,  at  the  Methodist  chapel, 
the  Friday  following,  a  large  concourse  of  people  assembled  to 
pay  respect  to  his  memory.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Bronson.  Many  citizens  from  Charles  City  attended  the 
funeral,  including    the   Charles    City    Cornet   Band,  and   soldiers 


642  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

under  arms,  many  of  them  compatriots  with  the  deceased  through 
long  years  of  bloody  war.  The  coffin  was  richly  ornamented  with 
silver  trimmings  and  over  it  was  thrown  the  U.  S.  flag,  that  ban- 
ner which  in  life  young  Rider  had  loved  so  well  and  had  so  nobly 
defended  on  many  a  field  of  battle  The  burial  took  place  under 
military  honors. 

Mr.  Rider  was  best  known  to  the  citizens  of  Floyd  County,  as 
the  army  correspondent  of  the  Charles  City  Intelligencer^  although 
he  had  also  contributed  poetic  compositions  and  articles  of  other 
description.  In  the  war  he  was  for  some  time  clerk  in  the  Quarter- 
masters' Department  at  Yicksburg,  Postmaster  of  the  Sixteenth 
Army  Corps,  and  enjoyed  to  the  fullest  extent  the  confidence  and 
friendship  of  Major  Gens.  Sherman,  Mc  Pherson,  Logan  and  others- 
He  had  a  warm  genial  heart,  full  of  generosity  and  frankness,  ever 
grateful  for  favors,  and  overflowing  with  kindness  toward  others. 

Roswell  Rider,  father  of  the  deceased,  sent  four  sons  to  the  war: 
two  of  whom  lost  their  lives  in  their  country's  service,  and  the 
other  two  were  several  times  seriously  wounded. 

CHESTER  BUTTERFIELD, 

For  many  years  one  of  the  most  influential  men  in  Floyd  County, 
and  for  a  time  Chairman  of  tbe  Board  of  Supervisors,  was  a 
native  of  Vermont;  and  spent  the  middle  part  of  his  life  in 
Lake  County,  111.,  near  Waukegan.  He  came  to  Floyd  County 
in  the  winter  of  1855,  settling  near  the  village  of  Floyd.  He 
was  a  zealous  and  exemplar}'-  member  of  the  M.  E.  church, 
and  some  times  occupied  the  pulpit  as  a  preacher.  Some  years 
ago  he  emigrated  to  Kansas,  where  he,  in  the  summer  of  1881, 
attended  a  camp  meeting,  and  was  taken  sick.  He  died  Aug. 
22,  aged  seventy-five  years.  His  diseases  were  tyj)hoid  fever 
and  a  bowel  complaint,  and  his  sufferings  were  severe  and  pro- 
tracted.    He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him. 

J.    W.    LEHMKUHL, 

A  thorough  business  man  and  public-spirited  citizen  of  Charles 
City,  died  in  Bremen,  Germany,  Oct.  6,  1880.  He  was  born  at 
Delmenhorst,  Oldenburg,  Germany,  March  20, 1830.  In  1850  he 
came  to  Ohio,  and  in  1855  to  Waverly,  la.,  where  he  formed  a 
partnership  in  business  with  Theodore  HuUman;  but  in  June  of 
the  same  year  a  new  partnership  was  formed,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Rumpf,  Lehmkuhl  &  Co.,  the  senior  member  having  been  a 
fellow  clerk  with  Mr.  Lehmkuhl  in  Bremen.     Mr.  Lehmkuhl  then 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  643 

came  to  Charles  Cit}',  and,  assisted  by  Wm.  Hausberg  as  clerk, 
built  and  opened  a  store  of  general  merchandise  on  the  site  of  the 
present  store  of  Haasberg  &  Holbrook.  Here  Mr.  Lehmknhl  con- 
tinued in  business  until  March,  1877,  when  he  sold  out  to  Mr. 
Hausberg.  During  a  part  of  this  time,  he  had  an  interest  with 
Mr.  H.  in  a  branch  store  at  Floyd,  and  also  with  W.  Schmedes,  in 
a  store  at  Osage,  Mitchell  County.  In  the  fall  of  1877,  Mr.  Lehm- 
kuhl  sailed  to  Europe  for  recreation  and  visiting  friends  and  inter- 
esting localities  on  the  continent. 

He  was  a  bachelor  until  June,  1880,  when  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Grelle,  of  Bremen.  He  and  his  wife  spent  tlie 
summer  in  Switzerland  and  Italy,  stopping  some  time  at  Lake 
Como.  In  September  he  returned  to  Bremen,  suffering  from  a  cold. 
Soon  his  symptoms  assumed  the  form  of  gastric  fever,  inclining  to 
typhoid  fever,  from  which  he  did  not  rally,  but  died  at  the  home  of 
his  sister,  in  Bremen. 

Mr.  Lehmkuhl  was  prominently  identified  with  many  of  tlie 
liberal  and  philanthropic  enterprises  of  Charles  City  and  vicinity, 
and  his  death  caused  a  very  large  community  to  mourn. 

NATHAN    H.    PALMER,    M.    D., 

Was  born  in  Vermont,  in  1797.  He  graduated  from  a  "  York 
State"  medical  college  when  in  his  twenty-seventh  year,  and  up  to 
the  date  of  his  death  practiced  in  his  profession  the  greater  portion 
of  the  time.  For  several  years  he  lived  in  Ohio,  moving  from 
there  to  Rockford,  111.,  then  a  new  settlement.  In  the  fall  of  1854, 
bo  came  to  Charles  City.  He  married,  for  his  first  wife,  Samantha 
Blair,  Nov.  17,  1825.  Their  children  were  Margaret  (now  Mrs. 
Milo  Gilbert),  Martha  and  Mary.  His  first  wife  died  in  January, 
1835.  He  married,  for  his  second  wife,  Miranda  F.  Isbell,  Nov. 
19,  1835.  Their  children  were  named  Melinda,  Amanda,  Elston 
A.,  Miranda  and  Olive.  But  two  are  living  to-day — Elston  A.  and 
Melinda,  the  latter  having  the  honor  of  having  taught  the  first 
school  in  Floyd  County.  His  second  wife  died  April  8, 1848.  For 
his  third  wife,  Mr.  Palmer  married  Deborah  Rhodes,  April  29, 
1849.     By  this  wife  he  had  one  child,  named  Ellen. 

DR.    E.   J.    WILLIAMS 

Was  a  resident  of  Charles  City  from  1870  until  the  time  of  his 
death  in  February,  1881,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  intellect,  high  honor  and  thoroughly  devoted  to  his  pro- 
fession.    He  was  also  a  zealous  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 


CHAPTEK  XYl. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

In  this  chapter  we  place  those  accounts  which  are  too  brief  to 
make  full  chapters  separately;  and  the  material  affonded  us  by  the 
history  of  this  county  results  in  giving  us  for  miscellany,  first,  the 
Temperance  cause.  Celebrations,  Marriages,  Postoffices  and  routes, 
Bridges,  Miscellaneous  organizations,  Anecdotal,  etc. 

TEMPEBA^S^CE. 

The  citizens  of  Floyd  County  have  been  as  active  in  the  cause 
of  temperance  as  those  of  any  other  part  of  the  State,  if  not  of 
the  West.  While  every  one  advocates  "  temperance,"  one  class 
are  in  favor  of  prohibitory  law,  and  the  other  opposed.  The  pro- 
hibitionists do  not  regard  moderate  drinkers  as  thorough  enough 
in  their  temperance  principles.  It  is  not  temperance  in  the  sense 
of  moderation  that  the  temperance  party  is  working  for,  but  total 
dbstinence — from  a  poison  that  may  enslave.  Hence  a  continual 
warfare  between  the  two  classes,  especially  in  the  villages,  where 
the  moderate  drinkers  and  their  license  friends  are  always  more 
numerous.  We  are  careful  in  our  wording  of  the  phrase  "  moder- 
ate drinkers  and  their  license  triends,"  who  are  all  "  license  "  men? 
while  real  drunkards  are  as  apt  to  be  prohibitionists  as  license  men. 

This  county  was  not  in  existence  in  the  early  days  of  the  "Wash- 
ingtonian "  movement,  the  Sons  of  Temperance  and  the  Good 
Templars,  though  each  of  these  in  later  times  have  had  a  history 
in  Floyd  County. 

During  the  winter  of  1856-'7,  a  Washingtonian  pledge  was  cir- 
culated through  the  village  of  St.  Charles,  and  about  150  persons 
signed  it.  The  "  St.  Charles  Temperance  Association  "  was  soon 
organized,  with  constitution,  by-laws  and  ofl&cers,  to  aid  in  enforc- 
ing the  State  law.  This  presentation  of  a  formidable  front  so 
quelled  the  devotees  of  darkness  that  little  remained  to  be  done  in 
the  way  of  prosecution. 

In  1858  temperance  meetings  were  revived,  earnest  pleas  made 

both  in  public  and  private,   pledges  circulated,  etc.     About  this 

(644) 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  645 

time   the   Order  of  Good  Templars  established    societies  in   this 
county,  which  flourished  for  years  afterward. 

By  way  of  anecdote  we  may  relate  here  that  during  the  summer 
of  1859,  a  man  in  St.  Charles  City  joined  the  Good  Templars,  de- 
termined that  his  wife  should  know  nothing  about  it.  He  was 
quietly  admitted  and  the  night  fixed  for  his  initiation.  So  far,  so 
good.  But  his  wife  suspected  something  of  the  kind  going  on,  and 
contrived  a  pleasant  sort  of  surprise  for  him.  He  kept  "  mum," 
and  she  kept  'Mnum-er," — he  haiipy  in  blissful  ignorance  of  his 
wife's  knowledge,  and  she  "laughing  in  her  sleeves"  to  think  how 
easy  men  are  cheated.  The  expected  evening  came,  and  our  hero 
presented  himself  at  the  ante-room  and  was  admitted.  His  aston- 
ishment can  better  be  imagined  than  described  when  the  first  voice 
to  welcome  him  was  that  of  his  "  own  dear  and  thrice  happy  wife!" 

The  initiatory  movements  already  mentioned  are  only  represen- 
tative of  the  temperance  work  which  followed  in  this  county  until 
1874,  when  the  temperance  "crusade," as  it  was  called,  which  orig- 
inated in  Ohio  that  year,  struck  this  community,  and  shortly  after- 
ward organizations  were  effected  among  the  women,  auxiliary  to 
the  State  and  National  "Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union." 
The  one  in  Charles  City  edited  a  temperance  column  in  the  Intelli- 
gencer., where  they  made  pretty  lively  reading  under  what  to  the 
license  people  seemed  a  very  dull  heading.  Although  this  move- 
ment commenced,  as  new  parties  always  do,  with  considerable 
noise  and  public  demonstration,  it  soon  quietly  solidified  down 
into  beautiful  crystals,  thus  becoming  permanent  and  therefore 
effective  against  the  enduring  appetites  of  weak  men.  How  much 
the  late  prohibition  victory  in  Iowa  is  due  to  their  quiet  work,  no 
one  can  tell. 

The  next  and  the  last  great  temperance  wave,  which  rolled  over 
Floyd  County,  is,  for  short,  called  the  "Amendment"  move,  being 
an  effort  to  incorporate  info  the  organic  law  of  the  State  a  section 
prohibiting  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  as  a 
'beverage.  This  wave,  which  ultimately  covered  the  State  and 
proved  victorious  at  the  polls,  was  greatly  aided  by  the  Charles 
City  Postmater,  B.  F.  Wright.  When  Mrs.  J.  Ellen  Foster  was 
lecturing  on  temperance  in  this  place  in  1879,  Mr.  Wright  proposed 
that  all  the  temperance  efforts  in  the  State  unite  on  a  movement 
to  place  a  prohibitory  clause  in  the  Constitution.  She  at  first 
thought  it  was  too  soon  to  inaugurate  such  a  measure,  but  some 
time  subsequently  she  clianged  her  mind,  and  joined  the  move- 


646  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ment.  Further  particulars  may  be  found  in  the  biographical 
sketch  of  Mr.  Wright,  in  the  history  of  Charles  City,  on  a  subse- 
quent page.     We  make  here  one  extract  from  his  argument: 

"  The  public  policy  of  prohibiting  saloons  receives  its  strongest 
argument  of  opposition  in  the  assertion  that  it  will  injure  the  com- 
merce of  a  town  or  State.  Is  it  not  singular,  indeed,  that  men  who 
are  skilled  in  all  the  craft  and  drive  of  trade  should  believe  that  a 
traflSc  which  simply  steals  away  the  muscle  and  brain  of  men,  can 
contribute  to  that  market  out  of  which  honest  profits  are  gleaned; 
increase  the  physical  endurance  and  prowess  of  an  army  by  im- 
poverishing its  health,  breaking  a  large  percentage  of  its  legs  and 
arms;  increase  the  trade  of  a  town  by  upholding  a  business,  which 
results,  year  by  year,  in  crippling  every  man  who  is  its  patron, 
and  makes  their  families  public  beggars! " 

The  license  party  claim  that  while  prohibition  harasses  the 
legitimate  liberty  which  every  one  should  enjoy,  it  does  not  pre- 
vent drunkenness,  and  that  prohibitory  laws  prevent  the  immigra- 
tion of  Germans  and  others  who  are  good  citizens. 

In  the  winter  of  1878-'9,  a  large  and  strong  temperance  organi- 
zation was  efiected  in  Charles  City  under  the  name  of  the  "  Tribe 
of  Jonathan,"  with  an  elaborate  constitution,  by-laws  and  many 
signatures  to  the  same.  This  organization  is  said  to  have  been 
started  by  Captain  Curtis,  of  Waterloo,  la.  Under  the  auspices  of 
the  "Tribe,"  branch  organizations  were  formed  in  this  and  adjoin- 
ing counties,  mass  meetings  held,  and  much  efficient  aid  rendered 
to  the  cause  of  temperance.  A  small  periodical  campaign  sheet 
was  started  in  the  winter  of  1880-'!  of  four  twelve-inch  columns, 
and  edited  by  Mr.  Wright.     It  was  named  "The  Amendment." 

On  the  other  hand  the  license  men^formed  a  few  organizations, 
and  worked  against  the  amendment.  In  Charles  City,  for  exam- 
ple, the  Deutscher  MaessigJceitsverein  (German  Temperance  Union) 
was  organized,  also  in  the  spring  of  1881,  with  constitution, 
by-laws  and  officers,  to  work  against  the  proposed  amendment. 

The  following  is  the  wording  of  the  amendment. 

Section  26.  No  person  shall  manufacture  for  sale,  sell  or  keep 
for  sale  as  a  beverage,  any  intoxicating  liquors  whatever,  including 
ale,  wine  and  beer.  The  General  Assembly  shall,  by  law,  pre- 
scribe regulations  for  the  enforcement  of  the  provisions  herein  con- 
tained, and  shall  thereby  provide  suitable  penalties  for  violations 
of  the  provisions  thereof. 


A: 


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C>MOc^Aj 


TH£  ffEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR.  LEKOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIOWS 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  649 

The  vote  on  the  above  was  taken  on  the  27th  of  June,  1882, 
with  the  following  result  in  Floyd  County: 

Township.  For.    Againef 

St.  Charles 365  448 

Floyd  143  77 

Ulster 83  65 

Niles ...  37  127 

Pleasant  Grove 50  65 

Rudd 70  75 

RockGrove 93  181 

Union 131  134 

Scott 42  78 

Rockford 159  144 

Riverton 121  64 

Cedar 79  19 

1,373       1,457 
Majority  against  the  amendment,  84. 

The  majority  in  the  State,  however,  was  about  30,000  in  favor 
of  the  amendment,  and  the  victory  was  celebrated  in  public  meet- 
ings, where  speeches  were  made,  etc.  A  grand  celebration  of  this 
kind  was  held  in  the  public  park  in  Charles  City  on  the  14th  of 
July. 

CELEBRATIONS. 

The  people  of  Floyd  County  are  eminently  social  and  have 
always  had  great  respect  for  days  made  prominent  in  history  by  a 
great  and  good  act.  This  regard  they  have  shown  by  holding 
appropriate  exercises,  which  have  generally  been  well  and  peacea- 
bl_y  attended.  We  arrange  here  the  most  prominent  of  them  chron- 
ologically. 

The  4th  of  July  celebration  in  St.  Charles  City,  in  1857,  passed 
off  quietly  and  pleasantly,  excepting  a  single  accident.  The 
weather  was  remarkably  fine.  At  noon  the  people  assembled  iu 
the  grove  above  the  Square,  where  the  Declaration  was  read  by 
"W.  B.  Fairfield,  of  St.  Charles,  and  an  oration  delivered  by  D.  W. 
Poiudexter,  of  Mitchell,  succeeded  by  remarks  from  Moses  Conger, 
of  Floyd,  and  Mr.  Fairfield.  Dinner  was  enjoyed  at  the  St. 
Charles  Hotel.  Sociability  was  extended  and  cultivated,  and  in  the 
evening  were  fire- works,  and  a  ball.  The  accident  referred  to  hap- 
pened to  John  Hill,  who  resided  about  two  miles  above  town.  He 
charged  the  eye  of  a  sledge  hammer,  piled  anvils  upon  it,  and  ap- 
plied a  match,  when  the  hammer  burst  and  carried  away  the  most 
of  his  leg.     The  accident  cast  a  gloom  over  the  people  the  rest  of 

the  day. 
40 


650  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

July  4,  1858,  a  splendid  celebration  in  St.  Charles  City,  Floyd, 
and  other  places  .  In  St.  Charles  a  grotesque  procession  was  made 
by  the  "St.  Charles  Invincibles,"  who  closed  their  part  of  the 
day's  programme  with  a  mock  oration  at  the  public  square.  The 
speech  contained  many  good  hits,  and  created  much  merriment. 
The  St.  Charles  Cavalry  were  early  on  the  ground,  and  with  their 
neat  and  tasteful  uniforms,  noble  horses  and  good  discipline,  pre- 
sented a  fine  appearance.  Major  D.  Allen  was  the  orator  of  the 
day,  who  surpassed  all  expectations.  I.  W.  Card  read  the  Declara- ' 
lion  of  Independence.  Eighteen  toasts  were  introduced  and  re- 
sponded to,  and  the  day  was  unmarred  by  accident.  E.  P.  Harring- 
ton made  an  exhibition,  in  the  Cedar  River,  of  the  celebrated 
"  Diver,  "  a  sort  of  armor  to  be  used  in  diving  into  water. 

Similar  programmes  were  carried  out  at  the  other  places.  At 
the  "geographical  center,"  of  the  county,  on  this  day,  a  grand 
celebration  was  had  by  the  friends  of  the  removal  of  the  county 
seat  to  that  place,  who  had  just  carried  the  county  in  favor  of  their 
proposition,  by  a  majority  of  nineteen.  A  full  account  of  this  is 
given  in  Chapter  III. 

The  Good  Templars  took  the  lead  in  celebrating  upon  the  4tli 
of  July,  1860,  in  St,  Charles  City.  The  day  was  beautiful,  and 
the  attendance  large.  Early  in  the  morning,  the  stars  and  stripes 
were  floating  from  many  a  flag  staff  and  edifice,  and  at  the  ap- 
pointed hour  the  marshals,  mounted  on  beautifully  caparisoned 
horses,  formed  a  procession  in  the  following  order:  Music;  citizens 
generally,  both  ladies  and  gentlemen ;  Worthy  Master  and  "Worthy 
Deputy  Master;  male  initiates;  female  initiates;  banner;  male 
degree  members;  female  degree  members;  oflicers  of  the  lodge; 
officers  of  the  grand  lodge;  vice-presidents  of  the  day;  reader 
and  chaplain;  president  and  orator.  The  procession  was  a  long 
one,  and  presented  a  gay  and  lively  appearance,  A  large  number- 
of  banners  were  borne  in  the  procession,  several  of  which  were  rich 
and  elegant,  and  had  various  appropriate  mottoes  and  devices.  A 
procession  so  attractive  and  imposing  had  never  before  been  seen  in 
Floyd  County,  possibly  in  the  State. 

On  arriving  at  the  grove,  a  scene  of  beauty  and  enchantment 
burst  upon  the  vision,  due  in  most  part  to  the  skill  of  woman's 
fairy  hand.  The  grounds  were  arranged  in  the  order  of  a 
lodge  room,  and  were  well  furnished  and  ornamented.  At  this 
place  the  order  of  exercises  were:  Martial  music;  prayer,  by  the 
Chaplain,  Rev.  A.  D.  Bush;  singing,   by  the  entire  audience;  the 


HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  651 

opening  ode  of  the  Good  Templars,  "  Friends  of  Temperance, 
welcome  here,"  to  the  tune,  "Watchman,  tell  us  of  the  night;" 
reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  by  James  Jackson ; 
the  national  hymn,  "America,"  by  the  entire  audience;  oration, 
by  John  G.  Patterson;  martial  music;  temperance  addresses,  by 
J.  Q.  Detwiler;  sentiments  by  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  and  responses 
by  the  audience  as  follows. 

1.  The  Day  we  Celebrate:  Glorious  in  the  past,  honored  in  the 
present,  may  its  luster  brighten  in  the  future.  Response  by 
James  Jackson. 

2.  The  Memory  of  our  Revolutionary  Farthers:  Let  it  be  enbalmed 
in  the  hearts  of  posterity.     A  silent  response. 

3.  Wasfiington:  God  caused  him  to  be  childless  that  a  nation 
might  call  him  father.  Response  by  L.  L.  Huntley  singing  the 
song  entitled  "  The  Death  Bed  of  Washington,"  and  preforming  an 
accompaniment  upon  the  seraphine. 

4.  The  Presidency  of  the  United  States :  The  noblest  office  in  the 
world;  its  occupant  should  be  one  of  the  noblest  of  men.  Re- 
sponse by  Dr.  J.  W.  Smith. 

5.  The  Order  of  Good  Temjplars:  An  invading  "cold  water 
army,"  at  whose  command  the  hosts  of  King  Alcohol  ever  sur- 
render at  discretion.     Response  by  J.  G.  Patterson. 

6.  The  Ladies:  Gentle,  patient,  affectionate  and  ever  zealous  in 
a  good  cause;  without  them  our  men  would  be  savages  and  our 
prairies  deserts.     Response  by  Dr.  E.  Cortright. 

7.  The  Musicians:  Without  the  harmonious  strains  the  celebra- 
tion could  not  go  on.  Response  by  Mr.  Huntley,  singing  a  comic 
song. 

8.  Our  Common  Schools:  Caskets  containing  the  jewels  of  our 
country;  we  expect  the  teachers,  as  artisans,  will  see  that  they  are 
rightly  set.  Response  by  Mr.  Wilbur,  the  County  Superintendent. 

9.  The  Farmer:  One  of  nature's  noblemen.  Response  by 
Gen.  Wilson,  of  Des  Moines,  Secretary  of  the  Agricultural  Col- 
lege and  Farm. 

10.  The  Clergy:  Patient  defenders  of  the  Cross;  may  their 
reward  be  "manifold  more  in  this  present  time,  and  in  the  world  to 
come  life  everlasting."     Responded  to  by  Rev.  A.  D.  Bush. 

11.  St.  Charles  Lodge,  No.  62,  /.  0.  of  G.  T.:  A  moral  reformer 
whose  services  are  invaluable.  Responded  to  by  G.  B.  Eastman, 
W.  C.  T.  of  the  lodge. 


652  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

12.  The  Benevolent  Societies  of  the  Day:  Their  "secrecy"  is 
the  tie  that  unites  their  members  in  the  work  of  social  reform. 
Response  by  E.  A.  Teeling. 

13.  Manual  Labor:  The  stepping  stone  to  virtue,  health,  happi- 
ness and  independence.     B.  F.  Cheney  responded. 

14.  Iowa,  the  Home  of  our  Adoption:  May  sbe,  like  Cornelia, 
point  to  her  sons  and  say,    ''  These  are  my  jewels."  Reply  by  I. 
W.  Card. 

15.  The  Ofjioers  of  the  Day:  Well  have  they  discharged  their 
duties,  and  the  thanks  of  the  audience  are  theirs.  Response  by 
Judge  Wiltse,  President  of  tlie  Day. 

After  listening  to  martial  music,  the  closing  ode  of  the  order 
was  sung, — "Heavenly  Father  give  thy  blessing," — to  the  air, 
"Sicilian  Hymn." 

The  marshals  then  formed  a  procession  of  nearly  all  who  were 
upon  the  ground  and  conducted  them  to  the  lodge  hall,  whence 
the  people  dispersed  for  dinner. 

No  accident  or  blunder  occurred  to  mar  the  perfection  of  the 
day  and  every  person  went  home  happy. 

Dec.  27,  1860  (St.  John's  Day),  was  celebrated  by  the  Masonic 
fraternity  at  St.  Charles  City  in  magnificent  style  with  music, 
speeches,  toasts  and  sujjper.  A  full  report  was  given  in  the 
Intelligencer,  occupying  live  columns  of  its  issue  of  Jan.  3.  1861. 

July  4,  1861,  celebrations  of  independence  at  St.  Charles  City, 
Floyd,  Rock  Grove,  Nashua,  etc.,  all  of  which  passed  off  credit- 
ably and  satisfactorily.  Much  emphasis  was,  of  course,  laid  upon 
the  duties  of  the  hour,  mingled  with  fears  and  hopes  concerning 
the  future  of  the  nation. 

July  4,  1863,  the  grandest  celebration  ever  before  known  in  this 
part  of  Iowa,  notwithstanding  the  great  burdens  of  the  war.  It 
was  estimated  that  4,000  people  were  present  in  Charles  City. 
D.  M.  Fergason  was  Marshal  of  the  day,  and,  with  an  impromptu 
horse  company  under  command  of  Rev.  E.  Gr.  O.  Groat,  accom- 
panied with  music,  escorted  the  several  delegations  into  town.  A 
full  order  of  exercises  was  carried  out.  J.  G.  Patterson  read  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Witted  delivered  the 
oration.  There  were  also  a  magnificent  dinner,  spirited  songs, 
toasts  of  loyalty  and  patriotism,  etc.  Hervey  Wilbur  read  a  long 
but  interesting  response  to  the  toast,  "  The  President's  Proclama- 
tion of  Emancipation,  and  the  Year  1863, — the  Edict,  and  the  Year 
of  Jubilee  to  the  Bondmen  of  America." 


HI8T0KY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  653 

July  4,  1865,  a  grand  and  successful  celebration.  The  war 
ended,  and  the  Union  saved,  the  people  felt  as  if  they  had  a  glori- 
ous nation  to  shout  for.  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Fairfield  was  President  of 
the  day;  Capt.  R.  G.  Reiniger,  Marshal;  J.  Cheston  Whitney, 
Reader  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  II.  O.  Pratt,  Or- 
ator. Music,  toasts,  etc.,  added  to  the  interest  of  the  beautiful 
day. 

July  4,  1866,  at  St.  Charles  City,  a  successful  and  satisfactory 
celebration,  winding  up  with  a  grand  ball  in  the  evening,  at  Hol- 
comb's  Union  Hall.     Tliere  was    also    a   splendid   celebration  at 
Floyd,  at  which  place,  after  sundown,  was  a  parade  of  the  "Ante 
diluvians." 

July  4,  1867,  was  celebrated  in  a  lively  manner,  at  Floyd  and 
Marble  Rock.  At  Charles  City  there  was  no  formal,  public  pro- 
gramme, except  a  church  picnic,  but  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning 
the  '•  boys  "  created  a  great  lire  alarm  by  a  big  bonfire  on  the  pub- 
lic square.  Half  attired,  the  citizens  commenced  running,  with 
buckets,  etc.,  in  hand,  and  were  much  disgusted  when  the  boys 
revealed  the  true  state  of  the  affairs  by  their  loud  huzzas.  In  the 
morning,  the  streets  were  found  barricaded  with  vehicles,  farm 
machinerv,  etc. 

Decoration  day,  1868,  was  observed  in  magnificent  style.  The 
weather  was  fine,  and  many  were  in  attendance.  This  day  is  gen- 
erally observed  in  Floyd  County. 

The  Centennial.  U.  S.  Grant,  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  having  recommended  that  the  history  of  the  townships 
and  counties  in  the  Union  be  written  and  read  on  this,  the  centen- 
nial 4th  day  of  July,  1876,  and  his  Excellency,  Samuel  J.  Kii-k- 
wood,  having  indorsed  that  recommendation,  the  people  of  Floyd 
County,  irrespective  of  locality,  creeds  or  party,  forgettini;  the 
rivalries  of  the  past,  assembled  at  Charles  Ci^y  on  that  dav,  to 
again  pledge  their  fealty  to  the  strong  and  generous  Government, 
which  they  protect,  and  by  which  they  are  protected.  The  Hon. 
John  G.  Patterson,  a  radical  Republican  and  prominent  attorney, 
of  Charles  City,  jn-esided  over  the  assemblage.  J.  Strong  Root, 
Esq.,  a  radical  Democrat  and  prominent  attorney,  of  the  same 
place,  delivered  an  eloquent  oration.  W.  II.  Gaylord,  of  Nora 
Springs,  read  a  condensed  history  of  Floyd  County.  The  cornet 
band  of  Nora  Springs,  consisting  of  thirteen  members,  under  the 
leadership  of  Professor  Israel  Turner,  together  witli  ])romiscuous 
martial  bands,  furnished  the  music,   enlivening  and  grand.     The 


654  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Eev.  A.  Miner,  of  Charles  City,  prayed  for  tlie  future  Jife  and  en- 
during prosperity  of  the  l^ation,  and  all  true  men  and  women 
everywhere,  regardless  of  party  or  persuasion,  will  cheerfully  re- 
spond, Amen. 

July  4,  18S2,  was  made  prominent  by  the  prohibitionists,  who 
celebrated  their  great  victory  at  the  polls  throughout  the  State, 
in  favor  of  the  late  Constitutional  amendment. 

MARRIAGES. 

For  the  first  five  years  after  men  and  women  began  to  marry  in 
Floyd  County,  the  following  licenses  were  issued  by  the  recorder. 

1855. — Feb.  6,  Wesley  Ames  and  Delilah  Castleman;  Feb. 21, 
Marvin  L.  Heath,  Lucy  A.  Smith. 

March  3,  Chauncey  Lyard,  Florilla  Morris;  March  30,  "Wm.  H. 
Welch,  Susan  Border. 

May  7,  Henry  F.  Rice,  Mary  A.  Cook;  Charles  S.  Stevens, 
Permelia  Greenwood;  May  23,  Henry  Green,  Lydia  Bhmt. 

June  2,  Jacob  Beeler,  Huldah  J.  Downer;  June  28,  Charles 
Lutes,  Martha  Ann  Long. 

July  3,  Lester  Place,  Carolina  L.  Wright;  July  7,  Sanders  M. 
Howard,  Frances  P.  Bennett;  July  12,  Peter  Parish,  Harriet 
Blanchard;  July  23,  Pyton  Brentner,  Eliza  Ann  Harvey. 

Sept.  8,  Joseph  Wright. 
.  Kov.  3,  Ambrose   Baker,   Catharine  E.  Little;  Nov.  9,   Samuel 
Niverson,    Elizabeth    Polfe;    Nov.     28,    Jacob    Johnson,    Susan 
Cochran. 

1856. — Jan.  9,  Isaiah  M.  Rogers,  Elizabeth  Strawn. 

March  19,  C.  T.  Ferris,  Harriet  McKinley. 

April  3,  Wm.  R.  Cave,  Floretta  Goodhue;  April  23,  Luke 
Johnson,  Kancy  Baltimore. 

May  4,  Sidney  S.  Smith,  Margaretta  T.  Horr;  May  20,  Edwi  n 
Klinetop,  Emma  Bassett;  May  24,  James  D.  Gilpin,  Mary  Jane 
Hogan. 

June  5,  E.  Lynn,  E.  Roscile  Scott;  June  16,  Jerome  McKinley, 
Mary  A.  Hart;  June  26,  Samuel  Hayes,  Lucy  Jane  Young;  Wm. 
Dean,  Harriet  A.  Gaylord;  June  28,  Wilbur  Closson,  Lucretia 
Johnson. 

Julyl,  Amos  McKinley,  Catharine  Johnston;  July  1,  John  W. 
Buckley,  Azubah  E.  Hoi  brook. 

Aug.  4,  Samuel  M.  Goldsburg,  Rachel  Jane  Wells. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  655 

Oct.  6,  Richard  H.  Jones,  Caroline  Hubbard;  Oct.  13,  J.  Tay- 
lor, Sally  Spafford;  Oct.  20,  Charles  H.  Towner,  Louisa  Bennett; 
Oct.  30,  Sylvester  Rice,  Mary  Ann  Henry. 

Nov.  10,  Alex.  Gale,  Yiola  Lyon;  Nov.  22,  Joshua  A.  Ripley, 
Huldah  S.  Sutton. 

Dec.  6,  Christian  Kulin,  Anna  Bloom;  Dec.  17,  Levi  Shepard, 
Jr.,  Mary  E.  Johnson. 

1857. — Jan.  15,  James  H.  Pitcher,  Frances  L.  Dutcher. 

Feb.  4,  Abrara  R.  Foster,  Amelia  Free;,  Samuel  Sours,  Anna 
M.  Rex;  Feb.  11,  Egbert  Davis,  Fanny  M.  Ackley;  Feb.  17, 
George  Collett,  Emily  Balch;  W.A.  L.  Dayton,  Elizabeth  Chatman; 
Feb.  18,  John  C.  Holland,  Melinda  A.  Palmer. 

March  5,  John  Taylor,  Lovey  Ann  Hudson;  March  11,  Nathan 
A.  Palmer,  Jane  L.  Holland;  March  20,  ZeibaE.  Jackson,  Melinda 
Carr;  March  26,  Egbert  Sandford,  Lydia  Allison. 

April  8,  James  M.  Cooper,  Sarah  A.  Womsley;  April  15,  Wilder 
Rutherford,  Eleanora  Hotchkiss;  April  18,  George  F.  Hubbard, 
Vienna  Burroughs;  April  22,  Israel  W.  Snyder,  Reggirma  Carsner; 
April  27,  Samuel  Riddill,  Sarah  J.  Griffith;  April  28,  James 
Bernham,  Louisa  Paddock;  April  30,  George  Robertson,  Charlotte 
Brooks. 

May  13,  "Wm.  Bunny,  Sarah  Cassaday. 

June  11,  L'a  Harrison,  E.  Louisa  J.  Dean;  June  17,  Joseph  Looley, 
Ursula  Hunter;  June  2J,  Calvin  B.  Douglass,  Nancy  Y.  Under- 
wood ;  June  30,  Sidney  D.  Skelton,  Mary  Bell. 

July  25,  George  Hauk,  Louisa  Scott;  Josiah  G.  Quimby,  Edith 
Knouse;  A.  D.   Babcock,  Sarah  E.  Biglow. 

Aug.  10,  Geo.  W.  Bensley,  Eliza  I.  Smith;  Aug.  11,  Wra. 
Wagner,  Elizabeth  Rex;  Aug.  13,  Seth  Terry,  Laura  Coon;  Aug. 
15,  Wm.  W.  Dickman,  Jemima  J.  Workman;  Aug.  19,  Hiram 
Smothers,  Sarah  E.  Cooper;  Aug.  26,  George  N.  Johnson,  Anna 
Brooks;  A.ug.  31,  W.  A.  Austin,  Lucinda  A.  Butterfield;  Silas 
Stewart,  Martha  M.  Niles. 

Sept.  3,  Jos.  P.  Cook,  Mary  M.   Story;  Sept.  12,  James  Tatura, 
Jr.,  Lucinda  Hazzard;    Sept,   16,  Henry  Green,  Eleanor  Nitcher; 
Sept.  21,  Lorenzo  D.  Gardner,  Sarah  A.  Sherman;  Sept.  23,  Henry 
F.  Allison,  Lovina  Dawley. 

Oct.  7,  Charles  W.  Atkinson,  Anna  R.  Jackson;  Oct.  31,  John 
Farer,  Elizabeth  Hill. 

Nov.  7,  Wm.  Henry  Welch,  Angeline  Scott ;  Winfield  D. 
Bryant,  Eliza  J.  Walling ;    B.   F.    Russell,    Rosanna  M.  Bryant; 


656  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Rodney  S,  Baker,  Nancy  A.  Wray;    Thos.  W.  Hemphill,  Leah 

Knouse. 

Nov.  24,  Orlando  McEwen,  Phffibe  Crowell;  Nov.  27,  Jeremiah 

Rider,  Mary  A .  Hill. 

Dec.  8,  Emiri  Abbott,  Lamira  Abbott;  Dec.  14,  Wra.  S.  Ray- 
mond, Abigail  Crowell;  Dec.  30,  Russell  Arthur,  Augusta  Grow; 
"Wm.  H.  Coffin,  Amanda  E.  Allen;  Dec.  31,  L.  Henry  Hunn, 
Harriet  Patton. 

1858. — Jan.  9,  Maurice  S.  Cole,  Mary  A,  Ingram;  Jan.  11,  John 
M.  Parsons,  Harriet  M.  Condill;  Jan.  21,  Peter  AVarburton,  Mary 
Cassady. 

Feb.  16,  Ransom  Knapp,  Mary  Dunham;  Feb.  25,  Jacob  Bas- 
sett,  Mary  A.  Jolly;  Jan.  26,  John  S.  Lefever,  Florilla  Brayton. 

April  7,  Joel  Johnson,  Mary  Powers;  April  15,  John  D.  Yoder, 
Malvina  Lyon. 

May  5,  Samuel  Mitchell,  Mary  Tague;  J.  Y.  W.  Montague, 
Martha  Jackson. 

June  9,  H.  I.  Miller, ;    June  12,  Seth  Richardson, 

Catherine  Defield. 

Aug.  2,  Matthias  Cramer,  Catherine  Snick;  Aug.  7,  Philip 
Moore,  Sarah  Richardson;  Aug.  24,  James  M.  Newton,  Francis 
P.  Howard;  Aug.  21,  H.  O.  H.  Yinton,  Maria  E.  Hedges. 

Sept.  1,  Yalentine  Bogle,  Malinda  Searls;  Sept.  13,  Hiram  F. 
Lambert,  Harriet  Greenwood. 

Oct.  6,  Barney  Corby  Numday;  Sept.  13,  Franklin  F. 
Thomas,  Mary  Mansfield;  Oct.  23,  Henry  Bumgardner,  Ruth 
Ann  Yoder;  John  McHenry,  Sarah  C.  Yoder. 

Nov.  9,  James  Morrison,  Jane  Shaw;  Giles  W".  Mead,  Caroline 
Powers. 

Dec.  13,  Jasper  Gregory,  Effa  Ann  Powers;  Dec.  18,  George 
Harshey,  Susan  Ball;  Dec.  22,  A.  M.  Slutter,  Lyndia  E.  French; 
Dec.  30,  Hiram  S.  Smith,  Ruth  A.  Raymond. 

1859.— Jan.  10,  Hugh  O'Donnell,  Elizabeth  Carrell;  Jan.  10, 
Jackson  Wood,  Helen  L.  Taylor. 

April  1,  Geo.  W.  Stannard,  Elizabeth  Wilson;  April  8,  James 
Jackson,  Mary  J.  Clark;  April  25.  Alex  B.  Warren,  Elmira 
Crowell;  Charles  E.  Biglow,  Hewwira  Jackson. 

May  5,  Daniel  Perrin,  Emeline  P.  Harrison;  May  9,  George  C. 
Ball,  Mary  L.  Cory;  May  23,  Daniel  M.  Dean,  Elmira  Knouse; 
May  25,  James  Choate,  Esther  Miller;  May  27,  Charles  H.  Hart, 
Sarah  E.  Howard. 


HISTOEY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


657 


June  14,  Titus  Wray,  Catherine  Cassadj. 

July  14,  Nathan  J.  Robbins,  Eiith  Ann  Whitney;  July  22, 
Amos  Pettit,  Matilda  R.  Young. 

Sept.  1,  Hiram  Losee,  Fhebe  Smith;  Sept.  5,  Philip  Shafer, 
;  Solomon  J.  Askely,  Emily  Rex. 

Oct.  14,  Samuel  Rex,  Jane  Askely;  Oct,  15,  Jared  H.  Lowder, 
Emeline  L.  Hutchins. 

JSTov.  17,  Thompson  Halsted,  Antinetta  Kinney. 

Dec.  3,  Harrison  Ganett,  Elizabeth  E.  Ready;  Dec.  31,  Wm. 
Christner,  Mary  Jane  Halsted. 

The  number  of  marriag-e  licenses  issued  for  the  several  years 
from  1855  to  September,  1882,  inclusive,  is  as  follows: 


Tear.' 
1855  . 
1856.. 
1857. . 
1858. . 
1859.. 
1860. . 
1861.. 
1862.. 
1863.. 
1864.. 


No. 
..17 
..25 
..57 
..27 
..45 
..14 
..16 
..29 
..35 
..25 


Year. 

1865. 

1866 

1867. 

1868. 

1869. 

1870. 

1871. 

1872. 

1873. 

1874. 


No. 
.  49 
.  88 
.  69 
.  81 
..96 
.118 
.111 
.120 
.119 
..127 


Year. 

1875. 

1876.. 

1877. 

1878. 

1879. 

1880.. 

1881. 


No. 
.114 
.141 
.136 
.141 
.132 
.114 
..113 


1882,  to  Sept.  7 91 

Total 2,250 


POSTOFFICES   AND    POSTAL    ROUTES. 

The  first  postoffice  in  the  county  was  established  in  Freeman,  in 
August,  1854,  and  the  first  postmaster  was  Robert  L.  Freeman,  who 
kept  the  office  in  his  store  on  lot  JSTo.  1,  block  G,  in  precisely  the  place 
where  since  has  stood  the  dwelling-house  of  C.  W.  Leaman.  In 
1855  Freeman  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  mercantile  business 
to  S.  C.  Goddard,  who  then  became  postmaster.  The  same  year 
John  Blunt  was  appointed  postmaster,  who  transferred  the  office 
into  his  store,  that  of  Blunt  &  Collins,  on  the  northeast  side  of  the 
river,  described  elsewhere.  This  office  retained  the  name  of  Free- 
man instead  of  St.  Charles,  as  the  latter  was  also  the  name  of  a 
postoffice  in  Madison  County,  this  State,  lliis  was  the  first  post- 
office  northwest  from  Bradford,  and  to  it  people  came  from  Mitchell 
and  Cerro  Gordo  Counties,  and]even  from  Southern  Minnesota.  J. 
I.  R.  Frost  claims  to  have  been  postmaster  in  Union  in  1855. 

Daring  the  year  1856  postal  routes  were  established  running 
from  West  Union  to  Freeman  by  way  of  Bradford,  from  Freeman 
to  Shell  Rock  Falls  by  way  of  Rock  Creek,  and  from  Freeman  to 
Mitchellville  by  way  of  Floyd,  Gihnantown  and  Cora. 


65  8  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

M.  O.  Walker,  in  1856,  ran  a  daily  line  of  four-liorse  coaches 
from  McGregor's  Landing  through  "West  Union  and  Bradford  to 
St.  Charles,  and  a  tri-weeklj  line  from  St.  Charles  to  Mitchell  Cen^ 
ter.  Distance  from  McGregor's  to  St.  Charles,  about  ninety  miles; 
fare,  $6.50;  from  St.  Charles  to  Mitchell,  twenty-three  miles;  fare, 
$1.75.  The  stage  from  Dubuque  intersected  with  this  line  at 
West  Union.  This  contractor  proved  to  be  negligent,  and  a  Mr. 
Sharpe,  in  ]  859,  commenced  also  to  operate  as  mail  carrier. 

In  October,  of  this  year,  D.  D.  W.  Carver,  of  the  Intelligencer^ 
was  appointed  postmaster  at  St.  Charles  City.  About  this  time  a 
postoffice  was  established  at  Watertown,  near  the  northern  line  of 
the  county,  in  Floyd  Township,  but  was  soon  discontinued  in  1869' 
the  mails  for  the  people  in  that  vicinity  to  be  sent  to  Orchard, 
Mitchell  County.  Flood  Creek  postoffice  was  discontinued  in  1861. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  winter  of  1860-'l,  a  short  time  before 
Dr.  Smith  was  appointed  postmaster,  many  of  the  citizens  of 
Charles  City  concluded  to  choose  a  man  to  present  to  the  General 
Department  for  appointment  as  postmaster.  Hand-bills  were  cir- 
culated, calling  for  a  mass-meeting  at  Cheney  &  Br  ackett's  Hall, 
March  2.  In  taking  the  vote,  E.  A.  Teeling  and  R.  G.  Reiniger 
were  appointed  tellers,  who  used  a  hat  for  a  ballot-box.  Mr.  Teel- 
ing noticed  that  one  man  deposited  more  than  one  ballot,  where- 
upon a  discussion  arose  which  soon  ended  in  a  real  row,  the  fisting 
and  cuffing,  for  a  rarity,  commencing  around  the  ballot-box  (hat) 
at  the  secretary's  table,  and  proceeding  like  a  wild  contagion 
toward  the  rear  of  the  audience.  During  this  melee  the  lights  were 
put  out,  or  went  out.  Sundry  non-resistants  perched  on  window- 
sills,  or  took  points  of  observation  in  other  out-of-the-way  place  s, 
and  looked  on  as  witnesses.  The  whole  situation  was  about  as 
amusing  as  it  was  serious.  The  only  declaration  of  the  result  of 
this  "election"  ever  known  was  this:     A  citizen  met  one  of  the 

candidates  next  morning  and  said,    "Good   morning,   Mr. ; 

what  was  the  result  of  the  postoffice  caucus  last  night?"    "G —  d — 
it !  what's  that  to  you,  young  man?"  was  the  reply. 

Concerning  this  meeting,  the  Intelligencer  has  the  following  : 

"  The  impression  prevailed  that  more  or  less  'packing'  had  been 
done,  and  there  was  a  determination  on  the  part  of  some  of  the 
citizens  that  that  process  of  carrying  nominations  should  be 
stopped.  The  meeting  organized  by  electing  Milo  Gil  bert  for 
Chairman  and  R.  G.  Reiniger,  Secretary.  An  informal  ballot  was 
o  rdered,  and  resulted  as  follows  :  D.  Davidson,  twenty  ;  G.  B. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  659 

Eastman,  nineteen  ;  A.  W.  French,  fourteen  :  J.  Y.  W.  Montague, 
ten  ;  J.  AV.  Suiitli,  two  ;  E.  B.  C.  Wright,  two  ;  Y.  W.  Baker, 
two  ;  S.  Wiggin,  one.  A  direct  ballot  was  now  ordered.  To  shut 
off  Democrats,  it  was  decided  that  none  but  Republicans  should  be 
allowed  to  vote.  Soon  our  late  Democratic  postmaster  offered  his 
vote,  and,  being  refused,  insisted  that  he  was  a  Republican, — a  new 
convert,  and  a  most  zealous  one, — and  in  proof  he  shouted  'Hurrah 
for  old  Abe.'  His  vote  was  received,  double  and  treble  voting  was 
noticed,  crimination  and  recrimination  arose,  and  soon  a  half  dozen 
quarrels  were  in  full  blast  in  various  parts  of  the  hall.  The 
chairman  sought  in  vain  to  keep  order,  and  at  length  declared  the 
meeting  adjourned  sine  die.  The  hall  was  then  cleared  by  putting 
out  the  lights.  " 

The  above  instance,  however,  does  not  show  that  the  citizens  of 
St.  Charles  were  any  more  riotous  than  the  best  of  communities 
anywhere,  but  the  attempt  to  choose  postmasters  by  popular  vote 
under  our  system  of  government  must  always  lead  to  bitter  per- 
sonalities. 

In  September  of  this  year  (1861),  the  name  of  the  postoffice  at 
St.  Charles  was  changed  to  Charles  City,  and  the  Intelligencer' 
changed  its  heading  accordingly. 

Mail  "facilities"  having  been  for  a  long  time  very  far  from 
"facile,  "  a  meeting  of  many  of  the  leading  citizens  and  business 
men  of  Charles  City  was  held  March  5,  1862,  for  the  securing  a 
more  prompt  and  faithful  transportation  of  the  mails.  A.  B. 
F.  Hildreth  was  Chairman  of  the  meetino:.  For  two  weeks  there 
had  been  no  mail  via  Dubuque.  The  following  preamble  and 
resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

Whereas,  Since  the  transfer  of  mail  route  No.  11,013  (leading 
from  West  Union  via  Nashua  to  Osage),  from  Joseph  Sharpe  to 
M.  O.  Walker  as  contractor  or  carrier,  the  mails  north  of  Brad- 
ford have  been  carried  in  an  inefficient  and  exceedingly  irregular 
manner, — the  drivers  often  changing  the  running  days  each  way 
without  authority,  thus  losing  time  and  failing  to  connect  with 
other  mail  lines  ;  and 

Whereas,  There  has  been  no  mail  received  since  February  28 
(although  many  teams  have  since  passed  daily  over  the  route), 
whereby  over  20,000  inhabitaTits,  who  are  principally  supplied 
through  this  channel  with  their  mail  matter,  have  been  deprived 
of  the  same,  to  the  great  detriment  of  the  business  interests  of  this 
region  of  country  ;  therefore 


660  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Resolved,  That  we,  together  with  all  citizens  residing  together 
in  the  valley  of  the  upper  Cedar  River  and  its  tributaries,  labor 
under  serious  disadvantages  in  the  transaction  of  our  business,  and 
our  grievances  are  just  cause  of  complaint. 

Resolved,  That  past  experience  justifies  us  in  using' our  influ- 
ence with  the  proper  authorities  in  requiring  the  present  mail 
contractor  to  transport  the  mails  over  the  route  above  specified 
according  to  the  terms  of  this  contract,  or  that  he  be  promptly 
removed. 

Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  protest  against  any  person  receiv- 
ing, in  future,  a  mail  contract  who  has  repeatedly  and  persistentl}' 
proved  his  faithlessness  in  former  contracts  ;  and  we  will  use  our 
influence  in  withholding  public  patronage  from  such  individual. 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  [of  this  meeting,  Geo.  C.  Dean]  be 
and  is  hereby  instructed  to  forward  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  to 
the  Contract  Office  of  the  General  Postoffice  Department  at 
Washina^ton,  and  to  cause  the  same  to  be  published  in  the  Charles 
City  Intelligencer. 

This  movement  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  Messrs.  Nichols 
&  Co.,  as  mail  contractors,  who  proved  faithful  to  their  trust. 

In  1866  A.  E.  Haskell,  of  Fort  Dodge,  obtained  the  contract  for 
carrying  the  mail  tri- weekly  between  Charles  Cify  and  Calmar, 
to  which  latter  point  the  McGregor  Western  Railroad  had  been 
completed.  A  semi-weekly  mail  was  carried  between  Charles  City 
and  Clear  Lake,  by  J.  C.  Stearns,  of  Charles  City. 

Soon  after  this  period  the  railroad  was  built  through  this  county, 
and  the  principal  points  supplied  with  daily  mails. 

BRIDGES. 

These  are  almost  as  great  a  necessity  to  the  progress  of  a  com- 
munity as  the  roads,  of  which  they  are  often  an  essential  part;  but 
as  they  are  comparativel}''  costly,  pioneer  settlers  cannot  aftord  to 
build  them,  especially  reliable  ones,  and  hence  a  great  privation 
has  to  be  sutiered,  for  many  long  years.  Temporary  bridges  are 
built  at  first,  ot  logs,  boards  and  brush,  to  be  carried  away  by  the 
first  freshet.  The  experience  of  Floyd  County  of  course,  has  been 
no  exception  to  the  general  rule.  Tlie  first  wagon  road  to  become 
well  marked  by  travel,  was  that  up  the  Cedar  River  on  the  west 
side,  from  Cedar  Falls  and  Nashua  (or  Bradford),  to  Floyd  and 
Osage. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY.  661 

In  pursuance  of  notice  the  citizens  of  Flojd  County,  met  at 
Cheney  &  Brackett's  Hall,  St.  Charles  City,  June  8,  1859,  to  de- 
vise ways  and  means  to  build  bridges  in  the  county.  S.  Hackey 
was  appointed  Chairman  and  R.  G.  Reiniger,  Secretary.  After 
some  remarks  from  gentlemen  in  difterent  parts  of  the  county,  it 
was  thought  advisable  to  give  the  voters  a  further  opportunity  to 
consider  the  matter;  and  that  the  subject  might  be  more  tally 
presented  to  them,  the  chair  was  instructed  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee of  three  in  each  township,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  call  a 
meeting  of  the  voters  of  their  respective  townships  to  discuss  the 
propriety  of  laying  a  tax  on  the  property  in  the  county  for  the 
purpose  aforesaid,  and  to  see  that  the  several  townships  are  fully 
represented  at  the  next  convention,  agreebly  to  which  the  chair 
appointed  the  following  committee: 

Rockford^A.  R.  Prescott,  George  "Wyatt  and  Horace  Stearns; 
Floyd — Moses  Conger,  Chester  Bntterfield  and  H.  Wilbur;  River- 
ton — S.  Clark,  Charles  Young  and  Jacob  Beck;  Union — D.  Ripley, 

Isaac  Teeples  and  John  Wallace;  Niles — Kewman  Dntcher,  

Rowe   and  J.   B.   Dawley;   Rock  Grove— T.   T.  Gilbert,  W.  W. 

Roberts  and  J.   Hemphill  ;    Ulster — John  Ball, Welch  and 

John  Chapman;  Cedar — D.  Crawford,  W.  B.  Howard  and  Isaac 
Kadin;  St.  Charles — M.  Gilbert,  R.  W.  Humphrey  and  J.  Blunt. 
Adjourned  to  Jnly  2. 

At  the  meeting  July  2,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain 
where  public  bridges  were  necessary,  and  tlie  amount  to  be  ex- 
pended upon  each  bridge;  and  they  resolved  that  812,500  should 
be  raised  by  tax,  to  be  expended  as  follows:  At  St.  Charles, 
$3,000;  Floyd,  $3,000;  Rockford,  $2,000;  Rock  Grove,  $2,000; 
Union,  $2,000;  Cedar,  $200;  on  the  main  road  leading  from  St. 
Charles  to  Marble  Rock,  over  Flood  Creek,  $100;  on  Flood  Creek, 
near  John  Balls,  in  Ulster,  $100;  atid  on  Flood  Creek,  on  the 
county  road,  west  of  Abram  G.  Shroll's,  $100.  A  committee  was 
appointed  to  draft  a  petition  to  circulate  and  present  to  the  County 
Court.     Adjourned  sine  die. 

An  editorial  appeared  in  the  next  issue  of  the  Intelligencer.,  ad- 
vocating the  issue  of  county  bonds,  on  the  ground  that  the  people 
were  apt  to  be   too  loth  to  vote  a  direct  tax  upon  themselves. 

Others  advocated  the  issue  of  county  warrants,  which  would  be 
receivable  for  taxes;  but  warrants  were  more  liable  to  depreciate 
than  bunds,  and  the  idea  of  issuing  them  was  abandoned. 

The  iron  bridges  in  the  county  are  noticed  in  the  sketches  of 
the  respective  towns  or  townships  where  they  exist. 


662  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

UPPER  CEDAR  VALLEY    MEDICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Aug.  11,  1871,  a  call  was  issued  for  a  meeting  of  physicians  in 
Charles  City,  to  organize  a  "Medical  Association."  It  was 
signed  by  Drs.  J.  W.  Smith,  L.  P.  Fitch,  J.  W.  Nabersburg  and 
E.  J.  Williams,  all  of  Charles  City.  In  pursuance  of  this  call  a 
meeting  was  held  Sept.  23,  in  the  Odd  Fellows  Hall  in  Charles 
City.  Present :  Drs.  S.  B.  Chase,  of  Osage,  a  graduate  of  Bow- 
doiu  Medical  College,  1849;  J.  W.  Smith,  of  Charles  City,  Tale 
Medical  College,  1850;  Wm.  S.  Pitts,  of  Fredericksburg,  Rush 
Medical  College,  1868;  Henry  W.  Turner,  of  Osage,  Ohio  Medi- 
College,  1861;  J.  W.  Nabersberg,  of  Charles  City,  Iowa  Uni- 
versity, 1865;  J.  K.  Gardner,  of  Lawler,  Michigan  University, 
1870;  E.  W.  Wilbur,  of  Rocljford,  Philadelphia  University,  1870; 
A.  H.  Wight,  Dover,  University  of  Michigan,  1870;  J.  L.  Whitley, 
of  Osage,  Rush  Medical  College,  1869;  John  G.  Ogden,  of  Mason 
City,  New  York  City  University  Medical  College,  1847;  and  L.  P. 
Fitch,  of  Charles  City,  College  ol  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  New 
York  City,  1864. 

A  preliminary  organization  was  effected,  with  Dr.  Chase  as 
Chairman,  and  Dr.  Fitch,  Secretary  J9r6>.  tern. 

After  remarks  upon  the  advisability  of  organizing  a  district 
medical  society,  by  Drs.  Smith,  Chase  and  the  other  gentlemen 
present,  it  was  resolved  to  organize  a  district  medical  society. 

The  chair  appointed  Drs.  Smith,  Turner  and  Pitts  a  committee 
on  Permanent  Organization. 

The  committee  presented  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  which 
were  adopted  by  the  society.  The  name  of  the  society  to  be 
"  The  Upper  Cedar  Yalley  Medical  Association,"  and  that  it 
includes  the  counties  of  Floyd,  Mitchell,  Howard,  Chickasaw, 
Bremer,  Butler,  Franklin,  Cerro  Gordo,  and  Worth. 

The  following  officers  were  then  chosen:  President,  Dr.  S.  B. 
Chase;  Yice  President,  Dr.  J.  W.  Smith;  Secretary,  Dr.  L.  P. 
Fitch;  Treasurer,  Dr.  Wm.  S.  Pitts. 

Regular  annual  meetings  to  be  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  of 
June;  a  semi-annual  meeting  has  also  usually  been  held  in  Decem- 
ber; each  to  be  held  at  such  place  as  the  society  shall  direct. 

Since  the  organization,  the  following  have  become  members, 
viz.,  from  Floyd  County: 

*Dr.  E.  J.  Williams,  Charles  City;  Dr.  M.  M.  Grannis,  Charles 


*Dcceased. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNXr.  663 

City;  Dr.  Irving  W.  Smith,  Charles  City;  Dr.  S.  Kiddill,  Nora 
Springs;  Dr.  C.  C.Birney,  Nora  Springs;  Dr.W.  A.  Clayton,  Marble 
Kock;  Dr.  J.  D.  McKenzie,  Floyd;  Dr.  W.  H.  Nichols,  Kocktbrd. 

From  Chickasaw  Count}-:  Dr.  S.  S.  Troy,  Nashua;  Dr.  C. 
Billings,  Nashua;  Dr.  PI.  M.  Mixer,  New  Hampton  ;  Dr.  A.  Bab- 
cock,  New  Hampton;  Dr.  F.  O.  Sherwin,  Lawler. 

From  Mitchell  County:  Dr.  A.  H.  Moore,  Osage;  *Dr.  Elmer 
Nichols,  Osage;  Dr.  S.  A.  Curvath,  Mitchell;  Dr.  Harris  Fellows, 
Kiceville;  Dr.  John  S.  Wells,  Riceville. 

From  Cerro  Gordo  County:    Dr.  A.  A.  Noyes,  Mason  City. 

From  Breraer  County:    Dr.  H.  Nichols,  Plainfield. 

From  Worth  County :     Dr.  N.  L.  Kean,  Northwood. 

At  this  meeting — 1882 — the  association  numbers  about  twenty- 
five  members;  holds  regular  meetings,  and  includes  most  of  the 
physicians  of  Floyd  County.  In  professional  ability,  and  the 
interest  of  its  proceedings,  it  compares  favorably  with  other  sim- 
ilar societies. 

The  annual  meeting  of  1872  was  held  at  Osage;  all  other  meet- 
ings have  been  held  at  Charles  City,  as  the  most  central  place. 

FLOYD    COUNTY    SABBA.TH-SCH00L   ASSOCIATION    OF    IOWA. 

This  association  was  organized  July  16,  1867,  in  Charles  City. 
A  constitution  was  adopted,  and  R.  B.  Clarke,  of  Charles  City, 
was  elected  President;  Yice-Presidents,  E.  C.  Chapin,  Charles 
City;  H.  W.  Bronson,  Floyd;  J.  S.  Childs,  Rockford;  Secretary, 
Rev.  D.  N.  Bordwell,  Charles  City;  Treasurer,  David  Pettit,  also 
of  Charles  City.  The  present  officers  are,  A.  Schermerhorn,  Pres- 
ident; Dr.  E.  W.  Wilbur,  Wesley  Brownell  and  W.  E.  Holbrook, 
Vice-Presidents;  C.  A.  Slocum,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  This 
organization  has  been  kept  alive,  and  itsefficiency  has  been  marked 
in  advancing  Sunday-school  work  in  all  its  branches  and  in  all  the 
churches.  By  the  by-laws  its  regular  meetings  are  held  annually, 
from  place  to  place  but  the  county  is  now  divided  into  three  dis- 
tricts, wherein  meetings  are  to  be  held  every  month  or  so.  This  is 
one  of  the  permanent  organizations  of  Floyd  County. 

»  THE    DRIVE-WELL    SWINDLE. 

A  meeting  of  citizens  interested  was  held  at  the  council  room  in 
Charles  City,  Feb.  8,  1879,  to  devise  means  for  resisting  what  is 
know  as  the  '*  drive-well  swiiidle."  Hun.  A.  B.  F.  Ilildreth  was 
chosen  Chairman  and  E.  J.  Gilbert,  Secretary,  and  a  committee 


*  Dece'isf  (1. 


QQ4:  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

apj)ointed  to  confer  with  the  well  agent.  They  made  him  these 
two  propositions:  1.  Each  man  having  a  drive  well  to  deposit 
$10,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  owners  of  the  patent,  provided  the 
cases  then  in  litigation  should  be  decided  in  their  favor  by  the 
United  States  Supreme  Court.  2.  If  the  owners  of  the  patent 
would  take  $5  royalty  and  give  twenty  days  for  payment  from  date 
of  publication  of  notice  to  that  effect,  no  resistance  to  be  made. 

The  agent  said  he  bad  no  authority  to  make  concessions,  but  the 
propositions  struck  him  as  fair  and  business-like,  and  he  would 
consult  with  his  superiors. 

A  permanent  organization  was  effected,  with  the  following  offi- 
cers: A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  President;  A.  G.  Case,  Yice-President; 
Y.  G.  Barney,  Treasurer;  E.  J.  Gilbert,  Secretary.  Membership 
fee,  $1.  A  large  number  of  letters  were  written  to  parties  in  dif- 
ferent States,  making  inquiries  as  to  progress  in  pending  suits. 
But  this  association  soon  disbanded,  as  it  was  ascertained  that 
pending  litigation  began  to  result  in  favor  of  the  proprietors  of 
the  patent.  The  people  using  the  drive  well  had  all  to  pay  the 
$10  royalty. 

In  April  following  news  came  from  New  York  City,  that  Judge 
Blatchford,  of  that  place,  had  rendered  a  decision  invalidating  the 
drive-well  patent;  but  it  seems  that  the  claims  of  the  patentee  were 
finally  sustained.  In  some  of  the  States  the  claims  of  Greene  are 
successfully  resisted, 

FLOYD    COUNTY   BIBLE    SOCIETY. 

This  association  was  organized  many  years  ago,  and  while  kept 
alive  did  a  fair  proportion  of  work.  In  the  career  of  such  a 
society  there  are  no  marked  features  to  form  pabulum  for  history, 
and  at  present  the  Floyd  County  Bible  Society  is  "  resting  on  its 
oars,"  probably  waiting  for  the  contemplated  universal  canvass 
proposed  by  the  American  Bible  Society. 

ANECDOTAL. 

The  tedium  of  heavy  history  is  often  relieved  by  a  comical  or  a 
peculiar  incident;  and  while  most  such  events  in  this  county  are 
related  in  connection  with  the  respective  village  and  township 
histories  in  this  volume,  or  in  the  general  chapters,  a  few  unclassi- 
fied anecdotes  we  publish  in  this  place. 


HISTORY  OF  Ff.OYD  COUNTY.  665 

Pressing  for  Music. — A  young  man  from  the  country,  one 
evening  in  1860,  about  to  call  on  some  musical  young  ladies  in 
a  Floyd  County  village,  was  told  that  he  must  ask  them  to  sing, 
and  that  if  they  refused,  he  should  press  them.  Accordingly,  he 
commenced  by  requesting  Miss  Mary  to  favor  him  with  a  song. 
She  gently  declined,  saying  she  had  "  a  cold,"  etc.  "  Well,  then, 
Mith,"  said  our  hero,  "  thuppothe  I  thqueethe  you;  don't  you 
think  you    might  thing  then?  " 

Poor  Smitten  Pedagogue! — In  1860  one  of  the  fairest  and 
plumpest  girls  in  a  Floyd  County  school  was  called  out  upon  the 
floor  one  day  for  violating  one  of  the  master's  rules.  After  inter- 
rogating her  a  few  moments,  the  master  exclaimed,  "  Will  you  give 
me  your  hand?  " — "  Yes,  sir,  and  ray  heart,  too,"  replied  the  girl, 
as  she  presented  her  hand  and  eyed  him  rather  bewitchingly.  Per- 
fect silence  reigned  for  a  moment,  and  a  tear  was  seen  to  glisten 
in  the  teacher's  eye.  The  ferule  was  laid  upon  the  desk,  and  the 
blushing  girl  was  permitted  to  take  her  seat,  after  being  directed 
to  tarry  when  school  was  out.  As  a  sequel,  it  was  understood  that 
a  wedding  was  agreed  upon. 

A  Negligent  Wife. — In  1858,  a  Floyd  County  man  being  about 
to  start  on  a  journey  to  Chicago,  his  careful  wife  exclaimed, 
"  Don't,  Charles,  go  off  with  that  hole  in  the  elbow  of  your  shirt; 
for  if  the  cars  should  run  off  the  track  and  you  should  be  killed, 
people  would  think  me  a  very  negligent  wife."  Husband  (button- 
ing up  his  coat) — "Ahem!  yes,  I  dare  say  they  would." 

No  Gods  in  Iowa. — A  schoolmaster  in  Floyd  County,  just  from 
the  East,  asked  one  of  his  pupils  how  many  Gods  there  were.  The 
boy  scratched  his  head  for  some  time  and  replied,  "  I  don't  know 
how  many  Gods  you  have  East,  but  we  have  none  in  Iowa." 

Loved  her  a  Cow's  Worth. — In  one  of  the  western  towns  of  the 
county,  in  1867,  a  young  man  sought  the  hand  of  a  certain  young 
lady  in  matrimony.  She  evaded  an  affirmative  answer  for  two 
years,  and  then  went  East,  where  she  soon  received  a  letter  from 
him,  stating  that  he  had  consulted  a  lawyer,  and  ascertained  that 
he  could  recover  from  $200  to  $500,  but  that  if  she  would  give 
him  an  order  for  the  possession  of  a  cow,  which  she  owned,  he 
would  consider  the  matter  settled. 

A  Matrimonial  Dance. — A  woman  was  divorced  from  her  hus- 
band in  the  county,   in  May,  1865.     Shortly  afterward  she  mar- 
ried another  man,  and  went  to  Idaho.    In  a  short  time  she  became 
41 


666  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

dissatisfied  with  him,  deserted  her  new  home,  camo  to  Franklin 
County,  this  State,  where  she  married  a  third  time.  In  a  few 
weeks  she  deserted  husband  number  three,  and  returned  to  this 
county,  where  she  commenced  again  to  live  with  her  first  husband, 
who  had,  in  her  absence  in  the  West,  married  a  second  wife  and 
deserted  her. 

Not  '■^Aul  Hefers." — A  Floyd  County  constable  being  directed 
to  serve  an  execution,  was  told  that  the  property  to  be  levied 
upon  consisted  of  three  heifers,  and  that  after  taking  charge  of 
the  same  he  must  indorse  a  return  describing  the  property.  With 
a  view  to  be  entirely  correct,  and  not  finding  "aul  hefers,"  he 
specified  as  follows:  "I  went  to  level  on  the  three  hefers  l)utt 
they  want  aul  hefers  onely  wun  was  A  shee  hefer  the  uther  was  a 
mooley  bull,  and  the  uther  wun  was  a  bulley  mule." 

A  Motley  Squad. — In  August,  1870,  a  band  of  Indians  (or  gip- 
sies), claiming  to  be  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  visited  Charles  City 
and  probably  other  points  in  this  section  of  the  county,  mainly  for 
the  purpose  of  selling  certain  medicines,  as  there  was  a  "medi- 
cine woman"  among  them.  There  were  ten  or  twelve  of  the  party, 
including  papooses.  Two  were  young  ladies  (?)  and  adepts  at 
horseback  riding.  One  young  man  in  Charles  City,  desiring  to 
take  a  ride  on  horseback  (or  pony-back)  with  one  of  these  copper, 
colored  maidens,  was  refused  at  first,  but  insisting,  she  very 
politely  told  him  in  plain  English  to  "  go  to  hell, "  The  filthy 
stuff  they  sold  for  medicine  may  have  been  nothing  more  than  a 
decoction  of  old  soup-bones  and  rotten  wood.  They  sold  $40  or 
$50  worth  during  their  short  stay  here.  A  number  of  young  men 
endeavored  to  outwit  them  with  reference  to  their  medical  skill, 
but  received  more  than  they  sent.  These  rovers  could  not  all 
have  been  Indians,  as  some  had  light  colored  hair,  blue  eyes  and 
a  fair  skin;  and  they  could  speak  English,  German  and  French. 
They  had  four  covered  wagons,  but  no  tents. 

FLOYD  COUNTY   MAP. 

A  very  reliable  map  of  this  county  was  drafted  an  published 
in  1878  by  Warner  &  Foote,  of  Red  Wing,  and  now  of  Minne- 
apolis, Minn.  It  is  drawn  on  the  scale  of  one  and  three-fourths 
miles  to  the  inch.  It  was  a  subscription  work  and  sold  for  $12 
per  copy. 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


667 


RELIEF  TO  WKSTERN    SUFFERERS. 

During  the  year  1874  a  large  section  of  Nortliwestern  Iowa  was 
afflicted  with  a  total  failure  of  the  crops  from  the  locusts,  and  the 
people  became  dependent  upon  the  public  for  the  necessaries  of 
life.  In  response  to  their  wants  the  citizens  of  Floyd  County 
responded  not  only  liberally  but  promptly. 

Also  in  the  spring  of  1882,  when  Grinnell,  la.,  was  devastated 
by  a  cyclone,  the  citizens  of  this  county  maintained  their  prestige 
in  prompt  and  liberal  contributions  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  iit 
that  point.  The  unparalleled  alacrity  with  which  the  people  of 
this  county  flew  to  the  aid  of  Chicago  during  the  great  fire  of  Oct. 
9  and  10,  1871,  was  incredible.  Within  twenty  hours  after  that 
fire  broke  out,  and  before  it  had  done  more  than  half  its  work, 
the  citizens  of  Charles  City  met  and  made  arrangements  for 
contributions. 


^^A 


TOWNSHIP  HISTORIES. 


CHAELES  CITY. 

THE  BEGINNINGS. 

Joseph  Kelly  was  the  first  white  settler  within  the  present 
bounds  of  Charles  City.  For  a  full  account  of  his  location  here, 
and  particulars  concerning  other  early  comers  to  this  point,  see  the 
introductory  portion  of  the  first  chapter.  Mr.  Kelly  chose  this 
spot  for  the  eligibility  of  its  situation  and  the  water-power.  The 
river  crossing  here  was  known  as  the  "ford"  of  the  Cedar,  and 
had  been  the  location  of  a  Winnebago  village.  Jerome  Watson 
came  with  Mr.  Kelly,  but  did  not  like  the  place  so  well,  and  went 
down  the  river,  purchasing  near  Bradford.  After  entering  his  land 
here,  Mr.  Kelly  returned  to  Wisconsin  to  make  preparations  for  a 
permanent  location  the  following  spring.  Accordingly,  in  the 
spring  of  1851,  he  returned  to  this  place;  but  his  family  did  not 
come  until  1854,  when  they  erected  a  cabin  on  the  spot  where  the 
Christian  church  now  stands. 

During  this  year,  1852,  about  twenty-five  families  arrived,  among 
whom  was  John  Blunt,  who  built  the  first  house  on  the  east  side 
of  the  river,  raising  it  on  the  10th  of  June.  This  was  at  what  is 
now  the  west  corner  of  Hulin  and  Joslin  streets,  where  the  cellar 
may  yet  be  seen.  Others  were  Edward  Haskell,  Horton  Mande- 
ville  and  Dr.  Robert  L.  Freeman,  who  erected  a  log  house  on  the 
west  side  and  used  it  for  a  store. 

FreeTTian. — This  was  the  first  village  plat  laid  out  in  the  present 
county  of  Floyd,  the  date  being  April  8,  1854.  The  county  was 
not  then  organized.  This  village  was  on  the  southwest  side  of  the 
river,  and  a  copy  of  the  plat  was  recorded  in  Chickasaw  County,  by 
order  of  James  H.  Lyon,  Judge.  In  said  order  it  appears  that  Dr. 
Freeman  and  Mr.  Mandeville  acknowledged  that  the  disposition 
of  the  land  as  shown  by  said  plat,  was  "with  their  free  con- 
sent and  in  accordance  with  their  desire."      The  surveyors  certifi- 

(668) 


CHARLESjciTY.  669 

cate,  made  by  Seth  Richardson,  Surveyor,  states  that  the  situation 
of  said  plat  is  on  the  south  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  12,  township  95,  16;  and  that  the  streets  running  north 
and  south  are  sixty-six  feet  wide,  and  those  east  and  west, 
sixty  feet  wide;  that  the  blocks  are  300  feet  north  and  south,  by 
320  east  and  west,  with  an  alley  of  twenty  feet  running  through 
the  middle  of  each  block  north  and  south.  The  blocks  are  indicated 
on  the  plat  by  letters;  to  wit,  from  A  to  S,  inclusive,  with  block  J 
omitted,  and  in  lieu  thereofa  block  marked  "  Public  Square,"  now 
occupied  by  the  Fourth  Ward  School  building. 

St.  Charles. — The  original  town  plat  of  St  Charles  was  dedicated 
by  Joseph  Kelly  and  Melinda  Kelly,  his  wife,  in  an  article  dated 
Sept.  22,  1854,  which  article  was  acknowledged  before  B.  Dunn- 
widdie,  Notary  Public,  with  a  certificate  attached,  signed  by  David 
Wiltse,  Prosecuting  Attorney,  acting  Judge,  in  the  absence  of  the 
county  judge,  stating  that  he  was  satisfied  that  the  requirements  of 
the  code  of  Iowa  had  been  fully  complied  with.  This  certificate 
was  signed  Jan,  18,  1855.  Said  plat  was  situated  upon  a  portion 
of  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter,  and  the  south- 
east quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  1,  and  the  north 
hall  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  12,  in  township  95 
north,  range  15  west  of  the  fifth  meridian.  The  streets  are  at 
an  angle  of  north  32  *^  east,  so  as  to  be  at  right  angles  with 
the  streets  parallel  with  the  river.  The  plat  consists  of  eighteen 
square  blocks,  264  feet  square,  and  six  half-sized  blocks  on  the 
north  side.  Block  nine  of  the  plat  was  dedicated  as  a  public  square, 
and  is  still  so  used. 

When  Mr.  Kelly  settled  here,  he  brought  with  him  his  son 
Charles,  then  a  lad  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  and,  thinking 
that  a  boy  courageous  enough  to  go  out  thus  into  an  unknown  and 
an  unbroken  land  ought  to  be  remembered,  he  called  the  -'ford" 
Charlestown,  in  his  honor.  But  in  the  course  of  time  it  was  found 
that  there  was  another  Charlestown,  in  this  State.  The  name  ot 
this  place  was  then  changed  to  St.  Charles;  but  the  fates  were  still 
against  them,  for  there  was  another  St.  Charles  in  the  State; 
namely,  in  Madison  County.  Hence,  in  1860,  the  postofiice  was 
changed  to  its  present  name,  Charles  City.  The  name  of  the 
original  town  has  never  been  formally  changed.  In  1857  Dr.  N. 
H.  Palmer  laid  oflFan  addition  on  the  east  side,  with  the  streets 


670  HISTOEY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

corresponding  with  the  cardinal  points  of  the  compass,  and  called 
the  plat  "  Charles  City." 

During  the  latter  part  of  February,  1857,  St.  Charles  was 
incorporated  by  the  Legislature  as  a  town  or  village,  changing  th 
name  to  "St.  Charles  City,"  and  the  ^^ /St.  Charles  RepubliGan 
Intelligencer^^  forthwith  for  one  issue  changed  its  name  to 
^'■Charles  City  Republican  Intelligencer^''  considering  the  "St." 
superfluous.  The  result  accorded  with  the  Intelligencer'' s  sugges- 
tion, both  city  and  postoflfice  being  since  known  by  the  pretty 
name  of  "Charles  City." 

This  year,  1854,  the  village  grew  rapidly,  the  county  was  organ- 
ized, by  the  election  of  officers  in  August,  and  St.  Charles  was 
selected  as  the  county  seat.  Freeman's  was  the  first  store  in  the 
place,  and  the  first  hotel  was  that  of  Gilbert  &  Pooler,  opened  the 
previous  year. 

A  company  of  capitalists  from  Rockford,  111.,  afterward  bought 
up  a  large  interest  in  the  town  from  Mr.  Kelly,  so  that  in  1855  the 
proprietors  of  the  town  were  Joseph  Kellj',  Duncan  Ferguson,  R. 
M.  Waller,  Milo  Gilbert,  Wm.  Hulin,  Luke  Joslin,  R.  M.  Brant- 
ingham  and  William  Spriggs.  Lots  were  for  sale  by  Wiltse  & 
Fairfield. 

Dr.  Freeman  was  the  first  postmaster  at  this  point,  the  office 
being  in  his  store  on  the  west  side.  He  was  succeeded  in  1856  by 
John  Blunt,  who  of  course  had  the  office  in  his  store  on  the  east 
side.  The  next  postmaster  was  S.  W.  Stanberry,  the  next,  Dr.  J. 
W.  Smith,  who  was  succeeded  in  1869  by  B.  F.  Wright,  the  present 
incumbent.  In  the  chapter  of  Miscellaneous  items  a  further 
account  is  given  of  the  post-offices  and  post  routes  of  the  county, 
with  anecdotes. 

Kelly  &  Co.'s  Addition  to  St.  Charles  was  made  May  29,  1857.  It 
consisted  of  eighty-two  full  and  fractional  blocks,  lying  on  all  sides 
of  the  original  plat  of  St.  Charles,  and  was  platted  by  Joseph  and 
Miranda  Kelly,  Milo  and  M.  C.  Gilbert,  R.  M.  and  E.  J.  Waller, 
R.  M.  and  J.  Brantingham,  William  Hulin,  Luke  Joslin,  George 
E.  and  E.  B.  D.  Woodward  (by  their  attorney,  Duncan  Ferguson), 
and  Duncan  and  Agnes  M.  Ferguson.  The  dedication  was  duly 
acknowledged,  at  the  above  date,  and  approved  before  J.  V.  W. 
Montague,  County  Clerk. 


CHARLES    CITY.  671 

Gilbert's  Addition  consisted  of  twelve  full  and  four  half  blocks, 
being  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  12, 
township  95,  16.  The  streets  are  with  the  cardinal  points  of  the 
compass,  those  running  east  and  west  being  a  continuation  of  the 
streets  of  Freeman,  sixty  feet  wide,  and  the  streets  north  and  south 
sixty-six  feet  wide.  The  plat  was  dedicated  by  Truman  T.  and  Almira 
Gilbert,  June  20,  1857.     This  addition  was  named  "  Charleston.'' 

Kelly's  Addition  to  St.  Charles  was  made  only  four  days  after- 
ward. It  consisted  of  two  blocks,  numbered  27  and  28,  and 
were  dedicated  to  the  county  of  Floyd,  block  28,  to  be  occupied 
by  the  court-house  and  grounds,  and  block  27,  to  be  disposed  of 
as  the  county  authorities  saw  fit.  This  subdivision  was  surveyed 
by  Ronaldson  &  Lee,  Surveyors. 

"Charles  City"  is  a  small  plat  as  an  eastern  suburb,  consisting 
of  four  full  and  four  half  blocks.  It  is  the  southwest  quarter 
of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  6,  Township  95, 15,  and  was 
made  by  Dr.  N.  H.  Palmer,  April  3,  1858,  the  dedication  being 
acknowledged  on  that  day  before  Wm.  B.  Fairfield,  Notary  Public, 
and  approved  by  David  Ripley,  County  Judge. 

Lane's  Addition  to  the  City  of  St.  Charles  consisting  of  seventy- 
four  full  and  fractional  blocks,  was  duly  dedicated  by  Robert  T. 
and  Mary  Lane,  Dec.  22,  1864,  before  Duncan  Ferguson,  Notary 
Public,  and  approved  by  Abner  Root,  County  Judge.  It  was 
surveyed  and  platted  by  David  Wiltse,  Surveyor.  It  lies  on  all 
sides  of  the  previously  platted  St.  Charles  and  additions,  and  squares 
the  city  out  to  the  Government  survey  of  the  land.  It  does  not 
extend  over  into  any  other  section  except  No.  6,  township  95,  15. 

Holcomb  &  Ferguson's  Subdivision  of  lots  15  and  16  in  block 
139,  of  Lane's  subdivision  of  St.  Charles  was  made  June  9,  1869, 
on  Park  street  and  joining  the  west  of  Iowa  street. 

Taylor's  Subdivision  of  lots  17  and  18,  in  block  131,  of  Lane's 
Addition,  was  made  May  2,  1871,  at  the  corner  of  the  county 
and  the  town  line  roads,  by  Charles  M.  Taylor. 

The  manner  in  which  Main  street  came  to  be  located  where  it  is, 
is  somewhat  interesting.     In  the  fall  of  1853  John  Blunt  proposed 
to  A.  L.  Collins  to  build  a  store  in  partnership.     The  latter,  accept- 
ing, cut  and  hewed   out   some   logs   during   the  ensuing    winter. 
Employing  a  man  to  haul  them  in  the  spring,  the   teamster   asked 


672  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

him,  "  Where  shall  I  unload  the  logs?" — "  Oh,"  replied  Collins, 
"  any  where  over  there  [pointing]  where  you  can  find  a  stake." 
No  thought  was  then  entertained  of  any  importance  in  laying  out 
streets  or  the  precise  location  and  situation  of  a  building.  Main 
street  was  for  many  years  known  as  "  Mill  street." 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

Of  the  fathers  of  Charles   City,  several  remain   here  or  in   the 
county  to  this  day,  as  Joseph  Kelly,  A.  L.  Collins,  Milo  Gilbert, 
G.  B.  Eastman,  S.  B.  Starr,   R.    M.    Waller,   A.   B.   F.    Hildreth 
Sanford  Harwood,  B.  F.  Cheney,  Dr.   J".  W.  Smith,  and  others, 
who  are   therefore    well    known    to    the    public.      Biographical 
sketches  of  these  veterans  of  Floyd  County  history   appear  else- 
where in  this  volume,  as  in  the  chapters  on  the    Courts   and   Bar 
the  Press  etc.     Luke  Joslin,  R.  N.  Brantingham  and  Wm.  Hulin, 
although  among  the  original  proprietors  of  St.  Charles  City,  never 
resided  here,  but  rather   at  Rockford,  111.,  where  they   have   long 
since  died.     Jackson  Spriggs  died   in   Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Freeman 
was  here  but  a  short  time.       After  selling  a  few  lots  in  his  plat,  he 
sold  all  his  land  here,  about  1855,  and  removed   to   Elkadar,  Clay- 
ton County,  la. 

Duncan  Ferguson  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  in  1809,  and 
came  to  America  in  1851.  Being  an  engineer  and  surveyor  he 
was  always  in  public  positions,  and  made  for  himself  a  good  name 
as  a  railroad  engineer.  Government  surveyor  or  banker.  In  1856 
he,  with  others,  came  to  Charles  City,  and  laid  out  the  village.  He 
resided  here  two  years,  doing  a  banking  business  in  company  with 
G.  B.  Eastman,  and  returned  to  Rockford,  111.,  where  he  died  in 
May,  1882. 

CITY    OFFICERS. 

Charles  City  was  incorporated  as  a  city  in  the  early  part  of  1869. 
The  first  meeting  of  the  City  Council  was  held  June  9,  1869,  the 
members  thereof,  and  the  other  city  officers  having  been  elected 
on  the  eighth  of  June.  The  first  act  of  the  council  was  to  adopt 
a  motion  made  by  C.  A.  Slocnm,  to  the  effect  that  the  Mayor 
should  appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  prepare  by-laws  and  ordi- 
nances for  the  consideration  of  the  council.  Mayor  Gilbert  ap- 
pointed C.  A.  Slocum,  J.  S.  Root,  and  S.  G.  Bryant,  who  reported 
at  the  next  meeting  of  the  conncil  a  set  of  ordinances,  which  were 


CHARLES  CITY.  673 

all  adopted.  In  March,  1871,  Charles  City  was  ascertained  to  be  a 
"city  of  the  second  class." 

The  officers  elected  each  year  since  the  incorporation,  have  been 
as  follows: 

1869. — Mayor,  Milo  Gilbert;  Eecorder,  A.  W,  French;  Marshal, 
Charles  P.  Collins;  Treasurer,  Wm.  Hausburg;  Street  Commis- 
sioner, A.  L.  Collins;  Councilmen,  S.  G.  Bryant,  William  Haus- 
burg, J.  S.  Root,  S.  M.  Wilson,  C.  A.  Slocum. 

1870.— Mayor,  Milo  Gilbert;  Recorder,  A.  W.  French;  Mar- 
shal, L.  G.  Burroughs;  Treasurer,  Wm.  Hausburg,  Street  Com- 
missioner, J.  M.  Miner;  Councilmen,  Jackson  Wood,  E.  A. 
Teeling,  William  Hausburg,  Sanford  Harwood,  J.  R.  Waller. 

1871. — Mayor,  C.  S.  Otis;  Recorder,  George  P.  Morris;  Mar- 
shal, J.  L.  Ferris;  Treasurer,  H.-C.  Baldwin;  Street  Commissioner, 

H.  H.  Case  (resigned),  S.  G.  Bryant  (unexpired  term);  Councilmen, 

E.  Andrews,  Dr.  J.  W.  Smith,  Charles  A.  Slocum,  John  Kuck,  Dr. 

W.  L.  Palmer. 

1872.— Mayor,  D.  W.  C.  Duncan;  Clerk,  Eugene  B.  Dyke; 
Marshal,  S.  O.  Page;  Treasurer,  J.  W,  Lehmkuhl  (resigned),  H. 
C.  Baldwin  (unexpired  term);  Solicitor,  J.  Evans  Owens;  Street 
Com'r.,  S.  O.  Page;  Councilmen:  1st  Ward,  C.  W.  Fletcher,  J.  G. 
Patterson;  2d  Ward,  Sanford  Harwood,  Frank  Burnhain;  3d  Ward, 
C.  K  Clark,  F.  T.  Swift;  4th  Ward,  J.  N.  Parsons,  John  Howard. 

1873. — Mayor,  J.  E.  Owens,  Clerk,  Eugene  B.  Dyke;  Marshal, 
George  Leaman;  Treasurer,  H.  C.Baldwin;  Solicitor,  J.  Evans 
Owens;  Street  Commissioner,  George  T.  Leaman.  Assessor,  A.  W. 
French;  Conncihnen:  1st  Ward,  J.  G.  Patterson,  C.  W.  Fletcher; 
2d  Ward,  Frank  Burnham,  Sanford  Harwood;  3d  Ward,  F.  T. 
Swift,  A.  H.  Brackett;   4th  Ward,  J.  N".  Parsons,  N.  Phelps. 

1874. — Mayor,  J.  E.  Owens;  Clerk,  Eugene  B.  Dyke  (resigned), 
E.  J.  Gilbert  (unexpired  term);  Marshal,  L.  M.  Loper;  Treas- 
urer, Morton  Wilbur;  Solicitor,  A.  M.  Harrison;  Street  Commis- 
sioner, J.  C.  Stearns;  Assessor,  A.  W.  French;  Councilmen:  1st 
Ward,  C.  W.  Fletcher,  L.  J.  Waller;  2d  Ward,  Frank  Burnham, 
John  Howard;  3d  Ward,  A.  H.  Brackett,  Ira  K.  Lee;  4th  Ward, 
J.  N.  Parsons,  N.  Phelps. 

1875.— Mayor,  W.  D.  Balch;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal, 
L.  M.  Loper;  Treasurer,  Morton  Wilbur;  Solicitor,  A.  M.  Harri- 
son; Street  Commissioner,  J.  C.  Stearns;  Assessor,  A.  W.  French; 
Councilmen,  1st  Ward,  L.  J.  Waller,  John  Ferguson;  2d  Ward, 
John  Howard,  Frank  Burnham;  3d  Ward,  Ira  K.  Lee,  A.  H. 
Brackett;  4th  Ward,  N.  Phelps,  T.  W.  Clapp. 


674  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COtJNTY. 

1876.— Major,  C.  W.  Fletcher;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal, 
B.  M.  Loper;  Treasurer,  Morton  Wilbur;  Solicitor,  S.  P.  Leland; 
Street  Commissioner,  J.  C.  Stearns;  Assessor,  A.  "W".  French; 
Councilmen:  1st  Ward,  John  Ferguson,  CarlMerckel,  Jr. ;  2d  Ward, 
George  P.  Morris,  John  Howard;  3d  Ward,  A.  H.  Brackett,  E. 
G.  Barney;  4th  Ward,  T.  W.  Clapp,  A.  M.  Thomas. 

1877.— Mayor,  C.  W.  Fletcher;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal, 
L.  M.  Loper;  Treasurer,  W.  D.  Balch;  Solicitor,  S.  P.  Leland; 
Street  Commissioner,  J.  C.  Stearns;  Assessor,  A.  W.  French; 
Councilmen:  1st  Ward,  Carl  Merckel,  Jr.,  John  Ferguson;  2d 
Ward,  John  Howard,  George  P.  Morris ;  3d  Ward,  E.  G.  B'arney, 
A.  H.  Bracket;  4th  Ward,  A.  M.  Thomas,  Charles  A.  Slociim. 

1878.— Mayor,  C.  W.  Fletcher;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal, 
Ira  K.  Lee;  Treasurer,  Morton  Wilbur;  Solicitor,  A.M.  Harrison; 
Street  Commissioner,  J.  C.  Stearns;  Assessor,  A.  W.  French; 
Councilmen:  1st  Ward,  John  Ferguson,  Carl  Merckel,  Jr. ;  2d  Ward, 
George  P.  Morris,  John  Howard;  3d  Ward,  A.  H.  Brackett,  J.  E. 
Eich;  4th  Ward,  Charles  A.  Slocum,  Y.  E.  Bort. 

1879. — Mayor,  A.  E.  Spriggs;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal,  Ira 
K.  Lee;  Treasurer,  S.  F.  Farnham;  Solicitor,  A.  M.  Harrison; 
Street  Commissioner,  T.  C.  Bumgardner;  Assessor,  A.  W.  French ; 
Councilmen:  1st  Ward,  George  E.  May,  Eli  Brownell;  2d  Ward, 
John  Howard,  T.  A.  Hand;  3d  Ward,  J.  E.  Eich,  O.  Pomeroy; 
4th  Ward,  Y.  E.  Bort,  N.  Phelps. 

1880.— Mayor,  Carl  Merckel,  Jr.;  Clerk,!.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal, 
L.  M.  Loper;  Treasurer,  George  P.  Morris;  Solicitor,  A.  M.  Har- 
rison; Street  Commissioner,  T.  C.  Bumgardner;  Assessor,  Eli 
Brownell;  Councilmen:  1st  Ward,  Eli  Brownell,  George  E.  May; 
2d  Ward,  John  Howard,  M.  Martin;  3d  Ward,  O.  Pomeroy, 
George  P.  Smith;  4th  Ward,  N.  Phelps,  Y.  E.  Bort. 

1881.— Mayor,  P.  W.  Burr;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal  L. 
M.  Loper;  Treasurer,  George  P.  Morris;  Solicitor,  A.  M. 
Harrison;  Street  Commissioner,  T.  C.  Bumgardner;  Assessor,  Eli 
Brownell;  Councilmen:  Ist  Ward,  George  E.  May,  C.  M.  Carr; 
2d  Ward,  M.  Martin,  J.  E.  Owens;  3d  Ward,  George  P.  Smith, 
Carl  Merckel,  Jr.;  4th  Ward,  Y.  E.  Bort,  E.  A.  Teeling. 

1882.— Mayor,  J.  S.  Trigg;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Bradley;  Marshal, 
George  T.  Leaman;  Treasurer,  W.  E.  Holbrook;  Solicitor,  P.  W. 
Burr;  Street  Commissioner,  Charles  Inglehart;  Assessor,  Eli 
Brownell;    Councilmen:   1st  Ward,  C.  M.  Carr,  W.  A.  G.  Tripp; 


CHARLES  CITY.  675 

2d  Ward,  J.  H.  Elliott,  M.    Martin;  3d  Ward,  Carl  Merckel,  Jr., 
W.  A.  Fairbank;  4th  Ward,  E.  A.  Teeling,  D.  H.  Ferguson. 

Sometimes  the  city  has  elected  a  board  of  officers  and  aldermen 
in  favor  of  license,  sometimes  a  board  opposed  to  it,  and  occasion- 
allj  some  of  both  parties  at  the  same  election.  This  year  (1882) 
the  whole  board  is  "no-license." 

BUSINESS   MEN    IN   EARLY    DAYS. 

It  will  be  interesting  here  to  glance  at  the  business  directory  of 
St.  Charles  from  1856  to  1860,  as  appeared  by  the  business  cards 
and  advertisements  in  the  Intelligencer  during  thos  e  years. 

General  Stores — Blunt  &  Collins,  John  Ferguson  &  Co.,  Wright 
&  McNabb,  Wright  &  Bro.,  Cheney  &  Brackett,  Montague  &  Co., 
Rumpf,  Lehmkuhl  &  Co. 

Boots  and  Shoes — Ferguson  &  Sampson. 

Hardware — Gilbert  &  Waller,  Ferguson  &  Stanley  ("Mill  street, 
opposite  the  new  hotel"). 

Drugs  and  Books — A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  Hildreth  &  Carver  (books, 
wall  paper,  lands,  marble  works,  etc.),  Fessenden  <%  Montague, 
Smith  &  Atkinson. 

Blacksmiths — Wm.  M.  Langstaff,  Levi  Schermerhorn,  C.  E. 
Bigelow,  K.  D.  &  C.  E.  Bigelow  <fe  Co.,  Franklin  R.  Wooley, 
Woo  ley  &  Snyder. 

Architects  and  Builders — Theodore  Mix,  James  Jackson,  Cole 
<fe  Jackson. 

Carpenters — Lutz  &  Terry. 

Cabinet  Maker — John  Howard. 

Painters — Heath  &  Atkinson,  John  Heath. 

Tailor — T.  Donohue. 

Clocks,  Watches  and  Jewelry — D.  Gilbert,  Haskins  &  Sawyer. 

Harness  and  Saddlery — Pettit  &  Ferguson. 

Livery — J.  N.  Montgomery. 

Baker — John  Muir. 

Shingles — Uzziel  Weeks. 

Real  Estate — A.  L.  Collins,  Abner  Root,  Patterson,  Lee  & 
Honaldson  (land  agents,  surveyors  and  civil  engineers). 

Law  and  Real  Estate — Samuel  B.  Starr,  G.  G.  Reiniger. 

Law — A.  K.  Eaton,  T.  D.  Pooler,  Wm.  H.  Sawyer,  French, 
Wiltse  &  Fairfield,  G.  G.  Reiniger,  L  W.  Card  &  R.  G.  Reiniger, 
H.  C.  Stinson,  D.  W.  Poindexter,  J.  G.  Patterson. 

Justice  of  the  Peace — Joshua  Jackson. 


676  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Physicians — J.  W.  Smith  (Eclectic),  W.  A.  Fessenden,  S. 
Kiddill. 

Bankers — Ferguson,  Eastman  &  Co. 

Insurance — Wm.  B.  Fairlield. 

Hotels— Joseph  Kelly  ("  St.  Charles  Hotel"),  Christopher  Mar- 
tin (leased  the  former  in  February,  1857),  Smith  &  Goddard  (opened 
a  new  hotel  Jan.  1,  1857,  called  the   "  Magnolia  House"). 

Miller — Joseph  Kelly. 

Nursery — Geo.  E.  Dunbar. 

Sugar  Mill — Sanford  Howard.    (Probably  the  first  in  the  county). 

Newspaper — St.  Charles  Intelligence?',  started  July  31>  1856, 
the  first  number  of  which  was  sold  at  auction  for  $20.  A  full 
account  is  given  in  the  chapter  on  the  Press. 

We  now  reach  a  point  in  the  growth  of  Charles  City,  where^ 
according   to   the  law  of  divergence  of  functions,    as   taught    in 
modern  scientific  works  in  connection  with  evolution,  material  and 
moral  interests  difierentiate  into  distinct  departments,  as  business 
associations,  factories,  banks,    schools,   temperance   organizations, 
military  afiairs,  railroads,  churches,  clubs  and  a  great  variety  of 
other  movements  ;  and  while  most  of  these  are  treated  to  some 
extent,  and  some  of  them  thoroughly,  iu  more  appropriate  chap- 
ters in  this  work,  it  is  our  duty  here  more  fully  to  detail  those 
things  which  in  their  bearings  are  confined  almost  or  quite  exclu- 
sively to  Charles   City.     Our   order  will    be,   first,    factories   and 
banks  ;  then  churches,  secular  societies,  educational    affairs    and 
miscellaneous. 

MANUFACTORIES,   ETC. 

Water-Power. — A  log  dam  was  first  built  at  St.  Charles  in 
1854,  by  Joseph  Kelly,  the  original  owner.  The  same  year  and 
the  year  following  he  started  a  saw-mill  for  an  upright  saw,  and 
also  the  foundation  of  a  flouring  mill  ;  and  in  the  summer  of  185 
he  entered  into  contract  with  Col.  John  P.  Knight,  to  start  a  three- 
run  flouring  mill.  This  was  built,  and  put  in  operation  in 
February  1856  ;  and  at  that  time  it  was  the  only  mill  in  Floyd 
County,  or  indeed  in  all  this  part  of  the  country,  the  nearest 
neighboring  mill  being  at  Cedar  Falls.  It  was  known  as  the 
frontier  mill,  and  for  many  years  it  alone  held  sway  throughout 
this  region,  patrons  coming  even  from  Minnesota, — from  as  far 
north  as  Blue  Earth  County.  This  mill  was  operated  until  1875^ 
when  it  was  torn  down  to  make  room  for  the  present  structure. 


CHAELES  CITY.  677 

The  Charles  City  Water-Power  Company  was  organized  in 
Marcb,  1875,  with  Milo  Gilbert,  President  ;  John  G.  Patterson, 
Secretary  ;  and  "W.  D.  Balch,  Treasurer.  The  Board  of  Directors 
comprised  the  above  named  men  and  F.  T.  Swift,  John  P.  Taylor, 
E..  G.  Reiniger  and  A.  R.  Spriggs.  There  were  seventy-two  stock- 
holders, subscribing  from  $250  to  $8,000  each  in  $25  shares, 
making  a  total  of  $100,000.  They  immediately  assessed  ten  per 
cent,  on  the  stock  and  proceeded  to  build  a  new  dam. 

March  4,  1876,  the  water-power  was  conveyed  to  this  company, 
the  deed  filed  for  record,  and  the  keys  to  the  grist-mill  given  up 
to  President  Gilbert,  who  employed  E.  A.  Teeling  to  take  charge 
of  the  same.  Mrs.  Kelly  carried  out  her  verbal  agreement  to 
the  letter  and  subscribed  $4,000  stock.  She  also  yielded  the  claim 
for  rent  against  the  lessee  of  the  mill  property.  She  sold  the 
power  for  $25,000,  after  she  had  been  previously  offered  $50,000, 
and  $70,000,  so  desirous  was  she  to  revive  business  and  property 
value  in  Charles  City. 

The  board  immediately  took  possession  of  the  old  mill  which 
stood  upon  the  water-power  erected  in  1855  by  Joseph  Kelly,  Sr., 
and  operated  the  same  until  some  time  in  July  following,  when  it 
was  taken  down  to  make  room  for  the  present  mill  and  improve- 
ments then  being  made  by  the  company  ;  and  the  erection  of  the 
dam  and  the  digging  of  the  race  through  the  solid  rock  for  the 
present  flouring  mill  power  continued  until  the  south  side  basement 
was  built.  The  present  mill  was  put  in  operation  in  February 
1876,  and  the  Water- Power  Company  has  continued  to  operate  it 
until  the  present  time.  It  is  now  under  the  management  of  H.  C. 
Ireland,  Superintendent,  who  has  had  charge  of  all  the  matters 
pertaining  to  the  company  for  the  last  three  years.  The  company 
at  present  is  officered  by  Milo  Gilbert,  President  ;  J.  P.  Taylor, 
Yice-President ;  S.  F.  Farnham,  Treasurer ;  and  Alexander 
Spriggs,  Secretary. 

The  works  consist  of  a  flouring  mill,  with  a  capacity  of  200 
barrels  of  flour  per  day  ;  one  sixty-inch  turbine  wheel,  under  a 
nine-foot  four-inch  head  of  water,  being  ec[ual  to  about  sixty-five 
horse-power.  It  has  a  full  set  of  Stephens  corrugated  rolls,  and  all 
modern  machinery  of  a  first-class  flouring  mill.  The  brands 
manufactured  here  are  the  "  Directors',  "  "  Fancy  Patent,  "  "  Min- 
nesota Patent,"  "Straight"  and  "Family."  The  structure  has 
also  attached  to  it  a  feed  mill  for  wheat,  rye,  buckwheat  and  corn, 
consisting  of  two  run  of  stone,  propelled  by  a  Leffel  turbine  wheel 


678  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

affording  an  eighty-five  horsepower.  A  portion  of  the  power  is  now" 
being  attached  to  the  plow  factory  in  process  of  erection   by   tlie 
Charles  City  Plow  Company.     The   presses   of   the   Intelligencer 
office  are  also  run  by  this  power,  communicated  by  cable  over  the 
tops  of  the  intervening  buildings. 

This  great  flour  manufactory  is  called  the  "  Centennial  Mills,  " 
in  honor  of  the  year  it  was  put  in  operation.  Much  of  the  time  it  is 
run  night  and  day,  and  the  products  are  marketed  mostly  at  home 
and  in  Dakota. 

The  present  dam  is  substantial  and  neat,  permitting  a  beautiful, 
sheet  of  water  to  fall  over  its  crest  and  slide  down  an  apron  at  an 
angle  of  forty-five  degrees,  thus  afibrding  a  pleasant  and  attractive 
scene  to  all  passers  by  upon  the  bridge  a  few  rods  below.  A 
remarkable  feat  is  performed  here  occasionally  by  some  young  men 
which  we  ought  not  to  leave  unnoticed.  Undressed  they  proceed  out 
to  near  the  middle  of  the  dam,  and  slide  headlong  down  the  apron, 
a  distance  of  about  twelve  feet,  into  the  depths  below,  sometimes 
upon  their  hackstand  sometimes  with  their  faces  downward.  Like 
loons  they  emerge  in  the  distance  unharmed  and  happy. 

Charles  City  Plow  Fadtory. — This   institution  had  its   origin 
in  the  efforts  of  its  present  senior  proprietor,  F.  R.  Wooley,  who  in 
1856  commenced  blacksmithing  here  in  a  small  way,  and  in  1859 
commenced  the  manufacture  of  plows  in  this  place,  which  were 
superior  to  those  of  Eastern  make.     In  1862  he  built  a  factory 
which  he  conducted  until  1876,  where  the  present  shop  stan  ds, 
opposite  the  east  corner  of  the  public  square.     The  business  so  in- 
creased that  this  year  (1882),  the  company  erected,  across  Main 
street  from  the  Centennial  Mills,   a  three-story  brick  building, 
34x80  feet,  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,500,  with  power  derived  by  shaft 
and  pulley  from   the  mills  just  mentioned,    equal  to  twenty-five 
horse  power,  leased  for  ten  years.     The  machinery   and   other 
works  are  of  course  not  included  in  the  above  estimate  of  cost 
The  company  is  about  to  be  formed,  or  re-organized,  on  the  stock 
principle,  and  will  manufacture  plows  for  all  grades  of  farm  work; 
breaking,     riding,    sulky,    corn   plows,   etc.,    and  make   repairs. 
They   use  patent  steel,   branding  their  plows  alter  the  name  of 
the   city,  and  contemplate  extending  their  trade  over  the  broad 
prairies  of  the  North  and  "West. 

'"'•Boss  Harrow''''  Company. — The  initiatory  of  the  business  of  this 
company  is  given  in  the  biographical  sketch  of  H.  S.  Howard,  in 
a  subsequent  portion  of  this  work.     The  harrows  made  by  this 


CHAKLES  CITY.  6 

company  were  patented  by  John  E.  Perkinson,  of  Wisconsin,  and 
introduced  here  by  Mr.  Howard.  In  the  winter  of  1877-78, 
Messrs.  Howard  and  Gulchers  made  120  of  these  harrows  and 
began  to  wholesale  them.  They  sent  a  few  to  Fargo,  Dakota,  and 
Lake  Park,  Minn.  The  winter  of  1878,  300  were  manufactured, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Quinby  &  Howard,  and  they  extended 
their  trade  to  a  number  of  points  in  Minnesota,  Dakota,  and 
Iowa. 

In  1879-'80,  Mr.  W.H.  Davis  purchased  Mr.  Quinby's  interest, 
and  the  firm  became  H.  S.  Howard  &  Co.,  and  they  manufactured 
600  harrows.  The  winter  of  1880-'81,  Mr.  Howard,  W.  H.  Davis, 
and  Walter  Davis  from  Wisconsin,  manufactured  2,000  harrows, 
and  built  a  small  factory  near  Mr.  Tait's  Tow  Mill  in  Charles  City, 
using  Mr.  Tait's  power.  In  July,  1881,  H.  C.  Raymond,  of  Charles 
City,  became  a  partner  in  the  business,  furnishing  one-half  the 
cash  capital;  and  the  fall  of  1881  and  spring  of  1882,  the  company 
manufactured  between  3,000  and  4,000  harrows.  The  spring  of 
1882,  Walter  Davis  retired  from  the  firm,  and  W.  H.  Davis  and 
H.  C.  Raymond,  deciding  that  the  business  demanded  new  shops 
and  better  facilities  for  manufacturing,  built  their  present  shops, 
adding  improved  machinery,  and  an  engine.  They  now  occupy  a 
building  250  feet  long  by  24  wide,  and  give  direct  employment  to 
sixteen  men.  This  factory  ie  one  of  the  leading  manufactories  of 
Charles  City. 

The  Charles  City  Furniture  Manufactory,  by  Stevens,  Hering 
&  Co.,  was  established  in  April,  1870,  under  the  firm  of  Elkins  <k 
Hering.  In  1872  the  firm  became  Stevens,  Hering  &  Co.,  the  par- 
ties being  B,  W.  Stevens,  W.  C.  Hering  and  E.  J.  Fisher;  the  lat- 
ter is  manager  of  the  factory.  This  institution  gives  employment 
to  twenty-five  men,  who  make  fine  furniture  of  all  kinds,  bank 
and  store  counters,  church,  office  and  lodge  furniture,  shelving, 
etc.  This  stock  is  sold  both  by  wholesale  and  retail  at  their  store 
on  Main  street.  This  building  is  twenty-two  feet  front  by  ninety 
feet  deep,  and  two  stories  high.  One  man  is  employed  as  a  travel- 
ing agent.  This  is  one  of  the  leading  business  institutions  of 
Charles  City. 

£lm  Springs  Creamery. — This  is  a  new  and  rapidly  growing  in- 
stitution, located  about  twenty  rods  below  the  bridge  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  where  there  is  a  large  spring  of  perfectly  pure 
water,  shaded  by  a  noble  elm.    The  original  building  is  two  stories, 


680  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

with  basement  24^x40  feet  in  size,  for  a  clieese  factory,  and  a 
wing  18  X  36  for  a  creamery,  two  stories  high.  The  lower  floors 
are  in  a  quarry  where  stone  has  been  dug.  One  basement  floor  is 
of  wood,  with  a  drain;  the  other  is  flagged  with  smooth  lime- 
stone. In  one  corner  of  the  cheese  factory  is  the  boiler  room,  for 
furnishing  steam  to  heat  the  milk  from  which  the  cheese  is  made. 
This  room  is  so  close  that  no  heat  gets  through  the  partition  or 
emerges  through  the  door;  so  the  only  heat  which  gets  there 
must  come  through  the  steam  pipes  into  the  milk  vats.  A  stone 
vault  or  sub-cellar  is  cut  off"  from  the  creamery  of  the  basement, 
where  the  finished  butter  is  kept  before  shipping.  In  the  main 
butter-room  are  water  reservoirs,  where  the  cream  is  raised  or 
cooled  before  churning. 

On  the  second  and  third  floors  we  find  the  storage  for  cheese 
while  in  process  of  curing,  and  another  room  for  receiving  the  milk 
and  cream  daily.  One  churn  changes  cream  into  160  to  250  pounds 
of  butter  at  a  churning. 

During  the  season  of  1882,  a  large  addition  to  the  south  side  of 
this  building  has  been  made,  one  story  and  a  deep  basement. 

The  present  proprietors  are  Burt  White,  J.  S.  Trigg  and  H.  C. 
Kaymond. 

G.  H.  Bennett,  in  the  spring  of  1863,  put  in  operation  a  good 
carding  machine  in  Charles  City.  Mr.  Rider,  of  Floyd,  a  disabled 
soldier  and  an  experienced  workman,  was  employed  to  superin- 
tend it. 

Ireat  c&  Klepper^s  Marble  Works  are  located  on  Main  street  near 
corner  of  Water  street.  These  works  were  first  established  by 
E.  B.  Moore  some  ten  years  ago.  Six  years  since  Mr.  Treat 
bought  out  the  yard  and  conducted  the  business  alone  until 
August,  1882,  when  the  present_copartnersliip  was  formed.  They 
turn  out  first-class  work. 

W.  Winternik  started  the  first  marble  works  in  the  county  eighteen 
years  ago.  At  that  time  there  were  but  two  marble  yards  in  the 
State — one  at  Dubuque  and  a  small  shop  at  Cedar  Falls.  His 
works  are  located  on  Main  street,  near  Kelly  street.  He  works  all 
kinds  of  marble,  granite,  etc.,  and  has  a  good  custom.  He  formerly 
worked  in  Chicago,  commencing  there  thirty-five  years  ago. 

Quarries. — The  Cedar  River,  near  Charles  City,  is  lined  with 
good  building-stone,  and  several  quarries  have  been  worked.  A 
number  of  beautiful  buildings — in  fact  all  the   best    of  them — are 


CHARLES    CITY.  681 

built  of  this  etone,  as  the  Union  Houoe  block,  Dr.  Smith's  busi- 
ness block  and  residence,  the  two  school-houses,  two  churches,  etc. 
Some  of  this  stone  is  capable  of  receiving  a  very  high  polish,  and 
hence  has  been  called  "  St.  Charles  marble."  One  species  has 
been  used  for  grave-stones  but  for  this  purpose  it  is  not  very 
durable. 

IMPROVEMENTS    GENERALLY. 

In  the  winter  of  1871-'2,  the  enterprising  citizens  of  Charles 
City  began  to  feel  that  special  efforts  should  be  made  to  secure 
manufactories  and  public  institutions,  as  additional  improvements 
to  their  beautiful  town.  Accordingly  Feb.  3,  1872,  a  meeting  was 
held  and  an  executive  committee  appointed  to  forward  the  interests 
of  the  place.  Feb.  10  a  mass  meeting  was  held  at  Raymond's 
Hall,  where  Judge  Reiniger,  being  called  upon,  stated  the  object 
of  the  meeting.  He  said  that  Charles  City  had  attained  its  full 
growth  unless  something  be  done  in  the  way  of  public  improve- 
ments; that  there  were  projects  for  securing  a  State  Normal  School, 
manufacturino:  establishments  of  various  kinds  and  for  the  location 
here  of  the  machine  shops  of  the  I.  &  D.  division  of  the  M.  &  St.  P. 
R.  R.  After  remarks  were  made  by  several  gentlemen  respecting 
normal  schools,  Hon.  J.  G.  Patterson  offered  the  following  reso- 
lution which  was  adopted:  "  That  Hon.  R.  G.  Reiniger,  Prof.  I.Shep- 
ard  and  Mr.  J.  F.  Spaulding  be  appointed  a  committee  to  correspond 
witli  our  Representatives  in  the  Legislature  on  the  subject  of  the 
passage  of  a  normal  school  bill;  that  they  select  in  or  near  Charles 
City  a  suitable  site  for  such  a  school,  ascertain  for  what  it  can  be 
purchased,  and  learn  from  the  citizens  individually,  as  far  as 
possible,  what  can  be  relied  on  in  the  way  of  money  and  means 
as  a  donation  to  secure  the  location  of  such  a  school  at  this  place. 

The  question  of  asking  for  the  location  of  railroad  shops  here  at 
this  time  was  a  delicate  one,  as  the  county  had  been  so  backward 
in  paying  up  its  railroad  tax.  After  considerable  discussion,  it 
was  agreed  to  ask  the  railroad  company  how  much  bonus  they 
would  require,  over  and  above  the  unpayed  taxes  due,  to  induce 
them  to  locate  their  machine  shops  at  this  place. 

Mr.  Taylor,  from  the  committee  on  manufactures,  reported  that 
$250  had  been   subscribed  for   buying   a   lot  for  Stevens,  Elkins 
&  Co.,  to  build  a   furniture   factory   upon,  and  asked   for   further 
time;  which  was  granted. 
43 


682  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

The  water-power  question  again  came  up,  and  after  some  deliber- 
ation a  committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain  the  terms  for  which 
the  water-power  could  be  bought  or  leased,  and  to  ask  Mr.  Joseph 
Kelly,  the  proprietor,  how  much  he  would  help  the  enterprise. 

Another  committee  was  appointed  to  look  after  the  manufactur- 
ing interests  of  Charles  City  generally.  Milo  Gilbert,  K.  G. 
Reiniger  and  J.  P.  Taylor  constituted  this  committee.  Messrs. 
Patterson,  Mahara  and  Boulton  offered  donations  of  ground  for 
manufactories.  It  was  stated  that  during  the  preceding  year 
$20,000  worth  of  plows  had  been  sold  in  the  city,  which  could  just 
as  well  have  been  manufactured  here. 

Meanwhile  the  Intelligencer  was  working  industriously  to  ad- 
vance all  these  local  interests. 

At  the  next  meeting,  one  week  subsequently,  most  of  the  com- 
mittees reported  progress,  and  were  continued  in  duty.  On  the 
water-power,  the  committee  reported  Mr.  Kelly's  terms,  and  were 
continued.  Subscriptions  were  taken  for  this  enterprise  to  the 
amount  of  $7,000,  and  the  committee  instructed  to  raise  this  to 
$10,000,  as  a  bonus  to  any  company  that  would  purchase  and  im- 
prove the  water-power.  The  enterprise  of  Stevens,  Elkins  &  Co. 
was  reported  as  makinoj  progress,  a  respectable  subscription  was 
raised  "  on  the  spot,"  and  the  committee  instructed  to  "  push 
things."  At  the  next  meeting,  Feb.  24,  $600,  the  amount  required, 
was  raised  for  the  furniture  factory.  A.  R.  Spriggs,  A.  G.  Case 
and  J.  G.  Patterson  were  appointed  a  committee  to  secure  the 
services  of  a  competent  engineer  for  examining  the  water-power 
and  determining  its  capacity. 

In  March  a  letter  from  Mr.  Lawler  was  published,  informing  the 
citizens  of  Charles  City  that  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  R.  R.  Co., 
being  embittered  against  the  county  for  its  dilatoriness  in  paying 
the  tax  it  had  agreed  to  pay,  peremptorily  declined  to  locate  their 
shops  at  this  place. 

June  1  the  committee  on  the  water-power  reported  that  they  had 
entered  into  a  contract  with  Mr.  and  Mr^?.  Kelly,  whereby  they  had 
the  refusal  of  the  power  for  forty-five  days  for  any  company  or 
corporation  that  might  be  organized  to  purchase  the  same,  at 
$40,000,  payable  $4,000  in  cash,  and  the  balance  on  or  before 
ninety-nine  years  from  date,  with  interest  at  eight  and  three-fourths 
percent.,  payable  semi-annually.  The  committee  was  instructed 
to  proceed  with  the  raising  of  subscriptions  as  speedily  as  practi- 
cable. 


CHARLES  CITY.  688 

The  idea  of  levying  a  tax  was  auvaiiced,  but,  after  some  discus- 
sion, was  abandoned.  Then  the  plan  of  raising  stock,  in  $100 
shares,  was  proposed  and  adopted.  A  committee  was  appointed  to 
draft  articles  of  incorporation,  and  all  hands  resolved  to  rush 
business. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  Christian  cluirch,  April  30,  1881,  to 
encourage  the  proposed  railroad  and  locnl  enterprises  generally, 
F.  A.  JRoziene,  H.  C.  Raymond,  A.  R.  Spriggs,  V.  G.  Barney, 
J.  P.  Taylor  and  Milo  Gilbert  were  appointed  a  committee  to  pre- 
pare a  constitution  and  by-laws  for  a  board  of  trade,  with  power  to 
correspond  with  railroad  companies  and  capitalists  in  relation  to 
any  of  the  interests  of  Charles  City,  to  call  a  meeting  to  receive 
their  report  and  for  organization.  May  17  following  this  company 
organized  as  the  "  Charles  City  Improvement  Association,"  with 
constitution  and  by-laws,  and  by  the  election  of  the  following  of- 
ficers: F.  A.  Roziene,  President;  H.  Raymond,  Vice-President; 
D.  Townsend,  Secretary;  W.  D.  Balch,  Treasurer;  A.  R.  Spriggs, 
V.  C.  Barney  and  Dr.  J.  W.  Smith,  Executive  Committee.  Ar- 
ticle II  of  the  constitution  states  the  object  of  the  association  to  be 
''  to  promote  manufacturing  industries  now  located  or  to  be  located 
here;  to  encourage  the  development  of  desirable  enterprisi^-*  of 
whatever  character,  looking  to  the  material  advancement  and  im- 
provement of  our  city."  The  constitution  was  signed  by  nearly 
or  quite  all  the  business  men  of  the  city,  who  took  hold  in  "'solid 
earnest."  The  present  officers  are  the  same  as  at  first  elected. 
The  association  is  now  watching  for  opportunities. 

THE   BRIDGE. 

A  bridge  across  the  Cedar  at  Charles  City  that  would  withstand 
wind  and  flood  must  necessarily  be  expensive,  and  the  early 
settlers  needed  such  a  bridge  as  much  as  do  the  people  at  the  pres- 
ent day;  but  they  had  not  the  means  for  building  it.  llence 
much  exercise  of  patience  was  required,  in  waiting  for  means  to  be 
accumulated  sufficient  to  construct  a  reliable  bridge,  A  part  of 
the  season  the  river  could  be  "  forded,"  and  the  rest  it  could  gen- 
erally be  ferried,  except  when  flood-wood  or  ice  or  high  water  alone 
prevented.  Ferry  charges  were  often  higli,  and  the  indignant 
citizens  would  make  up  a  little  fund  and  run  a  free  ferry  for  a  time. 

Dec.  19,  1857,  a  bridge  meeting  resolved  to  proceed  at  once. 
Mr.  Applebee  presented  a  plan.  On  the  23d,  S.  Wiggin's  plan 
was  adopted.     Bridge  to  be  on  Mill  street.     Committee  on  build- 


684  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ibg— Milo  Gilbert,  Ira  Brackett,  P.  C.  Turner,  D.  W.  Poiudexter, 
K.  M.  Waller,  Sarnnel  Hacklej,  I.  K.  Lee  and  R.  W.  Humphrey. 
$2,200  was  subscribed,  and  contract  let  to  Mr.  "Wiggin,  to  be  as- 
sisted by  P.  C.  Turner.  Length  195  feet;  estimated  cost  $2,086.50. 
It  seems,  however,  that  the  work  did  not  go  on,  until  in  January, 
1858,  when  it  was  started,  but  was  carried  away  in  the  flood  of 
that  year.  It  was  a  huge  wooden  arch,  with  a  curve  of  ten  or 
twelve  feet. 

Dec.  11,  1860,  a  meeting  was  held  to  take  into  consideration  the 
practicability  of  erecting  a  bridge  across  the  Cedar  at  that  place. 
Plans  were  submitted  by  O.  D.  Spaulding  and  O.  Allbee,  and  a 
committee  appointed  to  inspect  them  and  report  at  the  next 
meeting,  December  22,  at  the  Stone  Hall.  This  meeting,  how- 
ever, was  held  a  week  later,  when  a  plan  was  submitted  by  F.  W. 
Crosby,  of  Tama  County,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  raise  funds. 
But  little  was  done  for  some  time.  Other  meetings  were  held, 
and  the  work  dragged  along,  and  the  bridge  was  not  really  com- 
pleted until  March  28,  1864.  In  1866  the  most  of  the  bridge  and 
one  pier  were  swept  away,  and  a  new  wooden  bridge  was  put  up  in 
its  place,  being  completed  the  last  week  of  March,  1867. 

In  1870  a  beautiful  and  substantial  iron  bridge  was  completed 
at  this  point.  It  is  of  the  ''  L.  E.  Truesdell  patent,  "  an  iron 
double  truss,  240^  feet  in  length,  two  spans,  respectively  123^^  and 
117  teet,  with  a  roadway  eighteen  feet  in  the  clear,  and  sidewalks 
five  feet  in  the  clear.  Tiie  bridge  is  all  of  iron,  except  the  floor 
beams  and  planking. 

By  contract  the  bridge  was  to  cost  $45  per  lineal  foot,  or 
$10,822.50  for  the  whole  structure,  to  be  paid  for  in  "Floyd 
County  Bridge  Warrants,  "  bearing  ten  per  cent,  interest.  W.  H. 
and  L.  E.  Truesdell,  of  Belvidere,  111.,  were  the  contractors. 

The  stone  work  is  substantial  and  well  finished,  and  cost  $3600. 
It  was  built  under  the  supervision  of  Col.  J.  P.  Knight  and  Judge 
A.  L.  Collins. 

This  bridge  was  completed  June  8,  following,  and  a  test  of  its 
strength  and  solidity  instituted  which  satisfied  all  parties.  In  1882 
it  was  replanked  and  repainted. 

CHARLES    CITY    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 

For  most  of  the  following  history  we  are  indebted  to  the  p  aper 
prepared  and  read  last  year  by  Miss  Willian  Knapp, of  Charles 
City,  now  Mrs.  Charles  Dexter,  of  Minneapolis,  Minn. 


CHAKLE8  CITY.  685 

In  1855  there  were  very  tew  families  in  Charles  City,  but  those 
lew  were  an  enterprising  people.  They  mnst  have  a  school,  and 
they  did.  A  small  house  18  x  20  ieet,  built  and  owned  by  San- 
ford  Harwood,  and  located  about  where  Judge  Reiniger's  resi- 
dence now  stands,  was  rented,  Miss  Melinda  Palmer  engaged  as 
teacher,  and  the  little  school  quietly  opened.  In  the  following 
winter  Dr.  J.  M.  Parsons  assumed  the  title  of  teacher,  and  gath- 
ered his  little  flock  in  a  building  situated  not  twenty  feet  from  the 
center  of  this  room,  or,  to  be  m^re  exact,  on  the  present  site  of 
the  Savings  Bank, 

The  next  summer  Miss  Palmer's  name  appeared  again  as  teacher. 
This  was  the  summer,  1856,  when  the  first  school-house  was  built. 
Mr.  Sanford  Harwood  had  the  contract  and  erected  a  frame  house 
26  X  30  feet  in  size,  on  the  block  since  occupied  by  our  High 
School  building.  Eleven  years  it  was  a  shelter  and  a  second  home 
for  th«  children,  and  when  it  could  no  longer  hold  them,  it  was  sold 
and  removed  to  lots  back  of  Woolley  &  Snyder's  foundry. 

In  the  summer  of  1827  Miss  L.  £.  Raymond,  now  Mrs.  Mc- 
Kinley,  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  school,  which  she  tells  us 
then  numbered  sixty  pupils.  She  describes  it  as  a  happy,  profit- 
able term.  She  was  succeeded  in  the  winter  by  J.  M.  Brainard, 
a  gentleman  who  is  described  as  possessing  a  violin  and  a  lovely 
little  wife. 

The  season  of  1857  was  one  of  great  prosperity,  and  an  "  acad- 
emy "  was  started  in  Charles  City,  May  -1,  by  J.  M.  Brainard, 
teacher.  '•  Ainsworth's  Academy,"  at  present,  is  a  select  school  of 
fifty-two  pupils,  taiight  by  Mrs.  Miner. 

This  closes  the  first  period  of  development.  Up  to  this  time  the 
school  was  supported  by  a  pro  rata  tax,  each  man  paying  according 
to  the  number  of  children  he  sent,  thereby  exempting  all  the  old 
bachelors  and  bald-headed  men,  but  now  a  new  law  revolutionized 
matters.  It  was  provided  that  each  civil  township  should  become 
a  township  district,  to  be  divided  into  subdistricts  each  of  which 
must  have  a  school  at  least  twenty-four  weeks  in  the  year.  One 
director  elected  from  each  subdistrict  formed  a  board  of  directors, 
who  should  organize  and  have  charge  of  all  the  schools  in  the 
township  district.  It  was  also  provided  that  the  schools  be  sup- 
ported by  a  tax  on  all  assessed  property.  In  accordance  with  the 
new  law,  the  people  of  St.  Charles  Township  elected  a  board  of 
directors  in  the  spring  of  1858.  May  15  tliose  gentlemen  met  at 
the  otiice  of  Dr.  J.  W.    Smith,  organized,  and  elected   Dr.  J.   M. 


686 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


Parsons,  President ;  Harvey  Kellogg,  Vice-President  ;  and  Dr.  J. 
W.  Smith,  Secretary  ;  at  that  time  the  most  important  office.  The 
other  directors  were  A.  W.  French,  R.  W.  Humphrey  and  William 
Harvey,  all  active  men  and  willing  to  work  for  the  public  good. 

With  the  organization  of  this  board,  a  new  impetus  was  given  to 
the  growLh  of  popular  education.  Soon  after,  the  board  fixed  the 
boundaries  of  six  subdistricts,  that  part  of  Charles  City  lying  west 
of  the  Cedar  River  becoming  District  No.  2,  and  on  the  east  side 
District  No.  3.  We  shall  confine  this  history  during  the  second 
and  third  periods  to  the  latter. 


CHAIiLES  CITY  PrBLIC  SCBOOL. 


Nov.  1,  1858,  we  find  it  recorded  in  Dr.  Smith's  well  known 
hand:  '■  B.  T.  Catlin  i>  e:nployed  a^  teacher  in  Subdistrict  No. 
3  at  $35  per  month,  "  and  aldo:  "Voted  that  twenty-four  days  be 
considered  a  month.  "  Mr.  Brant  Tecuraseb  Catlin  is  described  as 
a  young  man  of  fine  education  and  gentlemanly  bearing.  He 
passed  away  from  these  scenes  years  ago,  and  now  lives  in  one  of 
the  Eastern  St  ites. 

In  the  spring  of  1859  we  pause  to  record  the  election  of  Mr.  A.sa 
W.  French  as  Secretary  of  the  School  Board,  an  office  which  he 
continued  to  hold  for  twenty  years.     During  tliis  summer   Miss 


CHARLES  CITY.  687 

Marj  D.  Cheney  was  installed  as  school-ma'am  over  the  large 
tangle  of  children.  In  September  it  is  recorded:  "Voted,  that  if 
the  director  can  hire  a  room  for  $3  per  month,  and  a  teacher  for 
$3.50  per  week,  we  support  two  schools  in  Subdistrict  No.  3  the 
coming  winter."  For  two  or  three  years  previous,  Misses  Olive 
and  Mary  Cheney  had  taught  a  select  school  in  a  small  building  on 
the  lots  back  of  what  is  known  as  the  Ely  House  barn.  This  room 
was  rented  of  them  for  the  winter,  afterward  bought  and  repaired 
and  the  school  was  divided,  Miss  Betsey  Hunter,  now  Mrs.  Atkins, 
of  Decorah,  selected  as  teacher  of  the  primary  department,  and  Mr. 
A.  W.  French  placed  over  the  higher  school.  Mr.  French's  report 
at  the  close  of  the  winter  term  is  the  oldest  in  existence. 

The  two  departments  were  continued  during  the  summer  follow- 
ing under  Miss  Mary  D.  Cheney  and  Miss  Ellen  L.  Wilbur.  In 
the  winter,  Mr.  E.  J.  McClelland  took  Miss  Cheney's  place  in  the 
higher  school,  the  primary  having  no  change.  He  continued  at  the 
head  of  the  school  one  year,  when  he  went  into  the  southern  part 
of  the  State,  and  word  has  since  been  received  that  he  is  dead. 

Feb.  23,  1861,  a  school  meeting  was  held,  when  the  principal 
business  was  to  devise  means  for  baildmg  a  union  school-house. 
For  this  purpose  it  was  desired  to  unite  Subdistricts  Nos.  2  and 
3,  but  a  majority  of  the  residents  were  opposed  to  union;  some 
were  opposed  conditionally.  A  resolution  was  adopted  for  locating 
the  school  building  on  that  side  of  the  river  where  the  largest  sub. 
scription  should  be  raised.  Estimates  of  cost  of  the  building  were 
submitted. 

About  this  time  0.  A.  Slocum  was  engaged  as  principal. 

Next  follows,  in  the  summer  of  1862,  Wm.  N.  Witted  and  Miss 
Katie  Wright,  and  in  the  succeeding  winter  the  same  gentleman 
and  Mrs.  Alma  L.  Bennett.  Nothing,  save  the  names,  has  been 
learned  of  this  year's  labor. 

In  the  summer  of  1863  Miss  Ellen  L.  Wilbur  entered  the  higher 
school,  was  married  in  August,  and  signs  her  report  with  the  name 
of  Ellen  L.  Slocum.  Miss  Olive  O.  Cheney  was  engaged  in  the 
primary  school  the  same  term,  and  continued  there  three  years  and 
a  half,  with  the  exception  of  one  term.  In  the  winter  of  1863  and 
1861:,  Mr.  Wm.  N.  Witted  returned  and  continued  in  the  school 
during  the  summer  of  1864.  Mr.  Witted  is  spoken  of  highly  as  a 
very  good  teacher.  We  have  learned  that  after  leaving  Charles 
City  he  went  to  South  Amarica,  and  there  died  of  yellow  fever. 


688  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNIT. 

Miss  Matilda  Smith  took  his  place  in  the  school,  and  Miss  O. 
O.  Cheney  having  gone  East  for  the  winter,  Miss  Lida  Peters  was 
engaged  for  the  little  people.  This  brings  us  to  the  spring  of  1865. 
The  school  law  of  1858,  previously  mentioned,  had,  with  a  few 
changes,  become  established  beyond  the  fear  of  a  repeal.  Good 
houses  were  built  in  nearly  all  the  subdistricts,  for  which  the 
township  district  had  paid.  The  increased  number  of  children 
demanded  a  new  school-house  in  No.  3.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Directors,  Dr.  Smith  being  President,  the  people  of 
Charles  City  asked,  through  him,  for  a  house  not  costing  less  than 
$8,000.  "  You  can't  have  it,  "  said  the  board.  "  We  must,  "  said 
Dr.  Smith.  After  much  skirmishing  it  was  finally  voted  to  build 
a  stone  house,  50  x  60  feet  in  dimension,  two  stories  high,  each 
story  to  be  fifteen  feet  in  the  clear,  basement  eight  feet  ;  we 
quote  from  the  record.  Limited  by  these  instructions,  which  the 
Doctor  dared  not  ask  to  have  changed,  he  went  to  Chicago  and. 
procured  the  plans  and  specifications,  which  were  afterward,  with 
a  few  alterations,  accepted  by  the  board.  Bonds  bearing  ten  per 
cent,  interest  were  readily  taken. 

ST.    CHARLES    GRADED    SCHOOL. 

Probably  the  first  instance  in  the  State  of  Iowa  where  a  town- 
ship established  a  graded  school  under  the  general  school  law,  was 
the  building  of  the  magnificent  school  edifice  at  Charles  City  in 
1865-'66;  and  for  its  erection  and  completion  great  credit  is  due  Dr. 
J.  "W.  Smith,  then  President  of  the  School  Board  of  St.  Charles 
District  Township.  Besides  devoting  much  of  his  time  to  the 
work,  he  advanced  $1T5  from  his  own  pocket  for  plans  and  specifi- 
cations from  Bloomington,  111. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  district  township  in  March,  1865,  it 
was  voted  that  a  school-house  be  built,  to  cost  not  less  than  $8,000; 
and  the  contract  for  its  erection  was  made  shortly  afterward.  Then 
the  difficult  question  arose,  how  shall  the  money  be  obtained  to 
pay  the  contractors  ?  The  treasury  contained  less  than  $1,400,* 
and  the  law,  which  limited  the  levy  of  taxes  to  five  mills  on  the 
dollar,  would  give  less  than  $2,000  per  annum  for  school-house 
purposes  in  the  entire  township  district ;  and  out  of  these  funds 
two  other  school-houses  were  to  be  built  in  other  parts  of  the  town, 
ship.  These  latter  houses  were  built,  one  of  stone,  22  x  32  feet 
on  the  ground,    and   fourteen    feet    in    the    clear,  at  a   cost    of 


CHARLES  CITY.  689 

11,400  ;  the  other  of  wood,  20  x  30  feet  on  the  ground 
and  twelve  feet  in  the  clear,  at  a  cost  of  $900.  These  were 
built  at  the  same  time  that  work  on  the  larger  structure  in  the 
village  was  going  forward.  The  financial  problem  was  solved  by 
issuing  warrants  upon  the  treasury  from  time  to  time,  bearing 
interest  at  ten  per  cent.,  payable  annually.  These  warrants  were 
cashed  at  par  by  various  citizens  friendly  to  the  enterprise,  and 
thus  the  means  were  provided  to  carry  forward  and  complete  the 
work. 

Joseph  Johnson,  of  Cedar  Falls,  was  awarded  the  contract  to  do 
the  mason  work  on  the  large  house  in  the  village.  The  work  com- 
menced June  28,  1865,  but  the  contractor  did  not  proceed  as 
rapidly  with  it  as  was  expected,  and  winter  came  before  the  walls 
were  up.  He  concluded  his  bid  was  too  low  and  went  to  Kansas. 
His  bondsmen,  however,  made  good  the  contract,  probably  at  a 
slight  loss. 

The  carpenter  and  joiner  work  was  done  by  Robinson  &  Elliott, 
of  Cedar  Falls. 

The  building  was  completed  by  Jan.  1,  1867.  It  is  50x60 
feet  on  the  ground,  and  three  stories  high.  The  lower  rooms,  in 
the  basement,  are  ten  feet  in  the  clear,  and  the  second  and  third  stories 
are  each  fifteen  feet  in  the  clear.  The  house  is  surmounted  by  an 
exceedingly  tasteful  tower,  or  belfry,  which  gives  the  whole  struct- 
ure a  beautiful  and  commanding  appearance.  The  material  of 
which  the  walls  are  built  is  a  handsome  gray  limestone,  quarried 
near  town.  The  windows  are  large,  arched  and.  elaborately  finished. 
The  plastered  walls  are  all  hard-finished,  smooth,  and  white  as 
snow.  The  wood-work  is  all  grained  in  imitation  of  oak.  There 
are  six  large  rooms,  each  capable  of  seating  from  seventy-five  to  one 
hundred  pupils.  The  seats  and  desks  were  purchased  in  Chicago. 
They  are  made  of  cherry,  and  are  of  two  kinds, — one  the  combina- 
tion seat  and  desk,  and  the  other  the  collegiate  desk  and  chair. 
Each  room  is  slated  entirely  around,  for  black-board  work.  The 
reception  room  is  situated  between  the  termini  of  the  two  opposite 
flights  of  stairs  in  the  second  story.  Ventilation  good,  closets 
large  and  commodious,  and  all  the  work  well  done. 

The  contract  price  of  the  house,  for  mason  and  joiner  work,  was 
$10,661.67,  which  does  not  include  the  furnishing  bill.  The  amount 
paid  for  stoves  and  desks  and  placing  the  same  in  the  difl*erent 
rooms  ready  for  use,  was  $l,29tl-.35,  making  the  total  cost  $11,956.02. 


690  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Daring  the  building  of  this  house  labor  was  dear,  new  stone 
quarries  had  to  be  opened,  and  nearly  all  the  lumber  had  to  be 
hauled  from  Cedar  Falls  or  Waverl  j,  a  distance  of  thirty  to  forty- 
five  miles. 

The  opening  of  the  first  term  of  school  in  this  building  was  form- 
ally announced  for  Monday,  Jan.  21,  1S6T,  with  D.  W.  C.  Dun- 
can, A.B.,  as  principal,  assisted  by  a  competent  corps  of  teachers. 
The  school  opened  with  four  departments, — primary,  intermediate, 
grammar  and  high  school, — the  latter  comprising  spelling,  algebra, 
natural  philosophy,  chemistry,  geology,  astronomy,  higher  niathe 
matics,  physical  geography,  languages,  bookkeeping  and  analysis. 
Tuition  free  to  all  students  residing  within  the  township,  and  $5  to 
$8  per  term  to  others, 

GENERAL    SCaOOL    HISTORY   RESUMED. 

4 

During  the  summer,  while  the  work  of  the  new  school-house 
was  going  on.  Miss  Matilda  Smith  continued  in  the  higher  school, 
but  in  the  following  winter  Miss  Shepardson  took  Miss  Smith's 
place.  In  those  days  they  fastened  the  school-house  door  with  a 
piece  of  bark,  and  drew  close  about  the  fire  on  cold  mornings.  It 
is  also  related  that  at  noontime  the  children  might  often  be  seen  flying 
out  of  the  house  pell-mell,  behind  them  appearing  John  Chapman, 
wildly  flourishing  a  broom.  The  door  would  close  with  aloud  bang, 
and  when  the  bolder  ones  crept  softly  up  to  the  window,  behold 
John  setting  before  the  tire,  poker  in  hand,  enjoying  himself  alone. 
Miss  Shepardson  was  a  fine  teacher  for  such  a  turbulent  school.  In 
the  summer  of  1866,  Miss  Mary  E.  Stearns,  now  Mrs.  John  R. 
Waller,  taught  the  higher  department,  Miss  Cheney,  as  before 
mentioned,  having  charge  of  the  primary.  These  were  the  last 
schools  in  the  old  houses,  and  brings  us  to  the  close  of  the  second 
period. 

Again  we  turn  to  the  record — Oct,  6,  1866:  "  On  motion  of  Mr. 
AUbee,  it  was  voted  to  employ  D.  W.  0.  Duncan  to  teach  and  have 
supervision  of  the  graded  school  in  Subdistrict  No,  3,  at  $1,000 
per  year.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Humphrey,  $16  per  week  was  allowed 
to  procure  assistants,  and  it  was  provided  that  the  principal  should 
be  consulced  in  the  choice  of  assistants."  We  call  attention  to  this 
because  it  is  the  first  time  the  word  prinjipil  is  recorded,  and  in- 
dicates a  new  dignity. 


CHARLES  CITY.  691 

Under  Mr.  Duncan's  supervision  five  trades  were  established, 
taught  by  different  teachers,  wli)se  names,  had  we  spice,  we  would 
gladly  give.  Yon  will  recall  a  few  of  them,  viz:  Miss  Louisa 
Kobinson,  Miss  Ruth  Woodin,  Miss  Grace  Davidson,  Miss  Helen 
Smith,  Miss  Laura  Warn. 

Mr.  Duncan  remained  two  years,  when  in  the  fall  of  1868,  S,  F. 
Wood  was  employed  as  principal,  at  a  salary  of  SSOO  p3r  annum. 

He  was  followed  by  G.  W.  Bennett,  novv  editor  of  the  Mitchell 
County  News. 

Then  came  James  H.  Magoffin,  in  the  spring  of  1870.  Many 
pleasant  and  a  few  amusing  incidents  are  told  of  his  work  here. 
We  must  beg  leave  to  give  one.  It  happened  one  afternoon  as  a 
young  lady  lifted  the  lid  of  her  desk  she  discovered  a  litter  of  little 
pink  mice.  Of  course  a  suppressed  scream  and  a  chorus  of  giggles 
followed.  Tnis  called  for  an  investigation  on  the  spot.  "  Who  did 
that  ?  Who  put  those  mice  in  Miss  A's.  desk  ? "  and  the  gentle- 
manly teacher  looked  sternly  at  the  had  boys,  revolving  in  his 
mind  what  appropriate  punishment  he  should  inflict.  There  was 
dead  silence  in  the  room,  when  slowly  arose  a  studious  youth,  who 
had  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  good  ones,  and  in  the  low, 
measured  tones  of  Irving  Smith  came  the  words,  "Professor,  I  did." 
Mr.  Bennett  was  taken  wholly  by  surprise. 

Mr.  Magoffin's  work  closed  here  soon  after  the  formation  of  the 
independent  district.  With  that  organization  began  the  last 
period  of  our  history,  which  must  be  passed  over  rapidly. 

Charles  City  was  set  off  as  an  independent  school-district,  taking 
in  something  more  than  sub-districts  two  and  three,  in  the  spring 
of  1871.  The  first  Board  of  Directors  for  the  district,  organized  at 
the  council  rooms,  March  20th  ;  members,  J.  S.  Root,  President, 
F.  Burnham,  Henry  Pettit,  Dr.  J.  W.  Smith,  F.  T.  Swift,  J.  W. 
Lehmkuhl.  The  school  could  now  advance  without  hindrance. 
A  new  stone  house  was  erected  on  the  west  side  of  the  river, 
but  was  burned  when  nearly  completed.  About  half-past  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Dec.  13, 1871,  the  fire  was  first  discovered, 
And  then  it  was  under  full  headway.  The  loss  fell  upon  the  con- 
tractors, principally  Mr.  Bridge,  contractor  for  the  wood-work,  who 
had  an  insurance  of  $1,400  upon  it.  Chris.  Kuhnlee,  contractor 
for  the  mason  work,  had  no  insurance.  The  total  loss  was  $2,573.96. 
The  origin  of  the  tire  is  a  mystery.  The  next  year  it  was  rebuilt, 
and  is  now  the  best  one  in  the  district.  It  is  two  stories  high, 
built  of  beautiful   dark  gray  limestone,  with  which  the  county 


692  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

abounds,  painted  with  black  cement,  and  the  corners  finished  off 
with  light  yellow  stone.  It  is  surmounted  with  a  handsome  bell  tower. 
There  are  two  school-rooms,  each  24  x  35  feet,  having  forty  desks, 
iron  frame,  wood  work  of  oiled  cherry.  The  rooms  have  large 
blackboards,  ventilators,  etc.  The  wood  work  is  handsomely 
grained,  the  work  of  Taylor.  The  lower  room  is  fourteen  feet  from 
floor  so  ceiling,  the  upper  fourteen  and  one-half  feet.  The  halls 
are  commodious,  and  the  stairway  wide  and  roomy.  The  building- 
is  in  every  way  superior  to  the  one  burned  some  time  before,  and 
is  a  splended  advertisement  for  the  mechanics  who  have  had  charge 
of  building  it,  and  an  honor  to  the  School  Board  that  have  gone 
forward  with  this  good  work,  though  they  may  have  had  opposition 
and  grumbling  to  contend  with.  A.  L.  Collins  was  contractor  for 
the  whole  job  ;  George  Craig  the  stone  work,  and  did  it  in  his  best 
style  ;  W.  W.  Dennis  put  many  neat  touches  on  the  wood  work. 

In  the  fall  of  1871,  Irwin  Shepard,  of  Chelsea,  Mich.,  was 
employed  as  principal  of  the  schools.  He  planned  the  High 
School  course  to  extend  four  years  of  ten  months  each,  making  a 
sum  total  of  forty  months  ;  the  requirements  for  entering  the 
High  School  were  as  high  then  as  they  have  ever  been  since.  In 
1878  the  school  year  was  reduced  from  ten  months  to  nine,  thereby 
reducing  the  course  to  thirty-six  months.  In  1879  two  terms  were 
taken  from  it,  making  it,  as  it  now  stands,  thirty  months  long,  or 
but  three-fourths  of  the  old  course  of  study. 

Mr.  Shepard  remained  four  years,  taking  the  class  of  1875 
through  the  work  he  had  planned.  He  then  went  to  Winona, 
Minn.,  as  principal  of  the  High  School  there,  was  promoted  to  the 
superintendency  of  the  city  schools,  and  in  1879  became  principal 
of  the  First  State  Normal  School  of  Minnesota,  a  position  which 
he  now  occupies. 

Prof.  Shepard  was  followed  by  S.  F.  Farnham,  of  Oldtown,  Me., 
who  remained  in  charge  but  one  year,  when  he  became  cashier  of 
the  Charles  City  Bank,  and  dwells  in  Charles  City  to-day.  Then  a 
call  was  sent  to  Mr.  J.  C.  Yocum,  of  Boscobel,  Wis.  He  came  in 
the  fall  of  the  centennial  year,  and,  happily  for  the  citizens,  has 
remained  even  to  this  day.  Under  Mr.  Yocum's  tuition  a  second  class- 
of  three  members  graduated  in  1878,  a  third  class  of  six  members 
in  1879,  a  fourth  class  of  seven  members  in  1880,  and  a  fifth  and 
crowning:  classof  fifteen  members  in  1881. 


CHARLES  CITY.  693 

Three  years  ago  by  the  advice  of  Prof.  Yocum,  an  association 
"was  formed  of  tlie  alumni  of  the  school.  This  society  last  year 
numbered  thirty-four  members. 

At  the^commencement  exercises  of  June  17,  1S81,  Hon.  A.  B. 
F.  Hildreth  delivered  the  address  before  the  graduating  class, 
which  we  would  gladly  put  here  in  print  had  we  space. 

PRESENT  STATUS  OF  THE  CHARLES  CITY  SCHOOLS. 

Buildings. — These  are  six  in  number.  The  principal  building 
•on  the  east  side  of  the  Cedar  River  is  of  stone,  two  stories  in  height 
with  a  basement.  It  contains  five  commodious  school -rooms,  one  rec- 
itation room  and  the  superintendent's  office,  all  of  which  are  heated 
by  furnaces  placed  in  the  basement.  It  accommodates  the  high 
school,  two  grammar  schools,  and  two  primaries.  It  is  provided 
with  physical  and  chemical  apparatus,  an  herbarium,  a  cabinet  of 
minerals,  a  small  zoological  collection,  and  a  good  outfit  of  maps, 
globes,  and  other  appliances  for  succcessful  teaching.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  play-ground  containing  eight  city  lots.  On  the  same 
grounds  is  a  two-story  frame  house  containing  two  rooms,  each 
accommodating  sixty  primary  pupils. 

There  is  a  commodious  frame  house  in  the  Third  Ward  which  will 
seat  fifty  pupils.  In  the  eastern  part  of  the  independent  district, 
-and  belonging  to  the  city  system,  there  is  a  new  school-house,  the 
seating  capacity  of  which  is  about  thirty. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  river  are  two  school-houses.  The  prin- 
cipal one  is  of  stone  two  stories  high  with  two  rooms,  seated  for 
^bout  sixty  pupils  each.  It  is  well  furnished  and  commodious  and 
is  warmed  by  a  furnace  placed  in  the  cellar.  Its  grounds  com- 
prise an  entire  block,  handsomely  fenced  and  containing  an  abun- 
dance of  fine  shade  trees.  In  one  corner  of  these  grounds  is 
located  a  one-^tory  frame,  seating  sixty  primary  pupils. 

All  of  the  buildings  are  well  supplied  with  black-boards,  maps, 
globes,  charts,  etc. 

Course  of  Study,  Enrollment,  etc. — The  course  of  stuiiy  covers 
a  period  of  twelve  years,  including  the  high  school,  and  differs  in 
no  material  respect  from  the  courses  found  in  all  well  organized 
city  schools. 

For  several  years  the  annual  enrollment  of  pupils  has  averaged 
about  800,  with  an  average  daily  attendance  of  nearly  600,  and  a 
record  of  91>.7  per  cent,   in  punctuality.      During  the  year  just 


694  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

closed  (June  25,  1882),  the  entire  enrollment  has  been  809  with  an 
attendance  of  seventy-two  j3upils  in  the  higli  school  department. 

The  enumeration  of  the  Charles  City  Independent  School  Dis- 
trict in  the  summer  of  1882,  gave  -±85  males  and  462  females; 
total,  947. 

That  the  schools  are  prosperous  and  are  appreciated  by  the  citi- 
zens, is  shown  by  tlie  fact  that,  during  the  year,  1,538  adults  have 
visited  the  various  departments  to  witness  the  daily  school  exer- 
cises. The  city  has  been  unusually  fortunate  in  electing  for  its 
school  officers  men  who  take  a  lively  interest  in  educational  affairs, 
who  are  wisely  economical,  and  judiciously  liberal  in  the  expendi- 
ture of  the  public  money,  and  who  promote  the  efficiency  of  the 
schools  by  discouraging  frequent  changes  of  teachers. 

Present  Board  of  Directors:  Hon.  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  President; 
W.  D.  Balch,  B.  W.  Stevens,  Dr.  L.  P.  Fitch,  P.  W.  Burr  and 
A.  R.  Spriggs.  J.  R.  Adron  is  Secretary,  and  F.  A.  Roziene 
Treasurer. 

BANKS. 

First  National  Bank. — The  stoc-kholders  met  at  Taylor's  Hall 
Jan.  30,  1871,  for  the  purpose  of  organization.  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth 
was  called  to  the  Chair,  and  Alex.  R.  Spriggs  was  elected  Secre- 
tary. Articles  of  association  were  adopted  and  signed,  and  the 
number  of  directors  determined  to  be  seven.  The  following  were 
then  elected  Directors:  A.  G.  Case,  John  P.  Taylor,  Milo  Gil- 
bert, H.  C.  Raymond,  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  John  Kuck  and  C.  C. 
Siver.  These  men  elected  A.  G.  Case,  Pres.;  J.  P.  Taylor,  Vice- 
Pres.;  and  C.  C.  Siver,  Cashier.  The  bank  opened  for  business, 
April  18  following,  under  favorable  auspices.  Capital,  $50,000. 
Present  officers:  A.  G.  Case,  President;  H.  C.  Raymond,  Vice- 
President;  H.  C.  Baldwin,  Cashier.  The  other  Directors — H.  F. 
Lambert,  C.  P.  Ellis,  V.  G.  Barney,  R.  M.  Waller  and  A.  B.  F 
Hildreth. 

Charles  City  National  Bank  was  organized  as  a  private  bank 
in  November,  1876,  by  J.  P.  Tayloi-,  S.  F.  Farnham,  H.  C.  John- 
son, E.  Austin,  and  J.  P.  Austin,  by  the  election  of  Mr.  Taylor, 
President;  Mr.  Austin,  Vice-President,  and  Mr.  Farnham,  Cashier. 
Capital,  $50,000.  In  1882  this  institution  was  organized  as  a  Na- 
tional Bank,  with  the  same  officers,  and  Frank  V.  Taylor  as  Assist- 
ant Cashier.  Directors — J.  V.  Taylor,  E.  Austin,  S.  F.  Farnham, 
F.  V.  Taylor  and  J.  P.  Austin.     This  bank  was  tirst  opened  near 


CHARLES  CITY.  695 

the  northeast  corner  of  the  park,  in  the  building  now  occupied  by 
the  express  and  telegraph  companies;  and  in  1878  it  was  moved 
to  its  present  locality,  near  the  Intelligencer  office.  James  G. 
Fisher,  of  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  is  a  prominent  stockholder  in  this 
bank. 

Bank  of  Reiniger  &  Balch. — Tiiis  bank  was  established  Oct. 
1,  1865,  with  a  capital  of  $10,000,  by  Mitchell,  Fairfield,  &  Co., 
the  firm  comprising  George  Mitchell,  now  of  Milwaukee,  £Lm. 
Wm.  B.  Fairfield,  now  deceased,  and  Wm,  D.  Balch.  On  the 
first  ot  October,  1866,  Mr.  Mitchell  sold  out  to  E.  C.  Chapin,  and 
the  business  was  continued  under  the  name  of  E.  C.  Chapin  &  Co., 
until  1873,  when  Mr.  Chapin  sold  his  interest  to  the  other  part- 
ners, and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  Ftiirfield  &  Balch,  with 
$25,000  capital  stock,  and  Skinner  &  Fairfield,  of  Hudson,  N,  Y., 
as  special  partners.  In  1876  Judge  R.  G.  Reiniger  purchased  the 
interest  of  Judge  Fairfield,  since  which  time  the  bank  has  been 
conducted  by  Reiniger  c%  Balch.  This  institution  is  well  and 
favorably  known,  as  the  most  reliable  men  have  always  had  it  in 
charge.  B.  A.  Wood  is  Cashier.  In  October,  1881,  Messrs. 
Reiniger  &  Balch  bought  out  Montague  &  Smith  at  Mason  City, 
changing  their  bank  to  the  "First  National  Bank  of  Mason  City," 
of  which  Mr.  Balch  is  Vice-President. 

The  tloyd  County  Savings  Banh  was  organized  Aug.  21,  1873, 
with  the  following  stockholders:  A.  B.  F.  Hildi-eth,  A.  G.  Case, 
J.  W.  Lehmkuhl,  W.  G.  Tripp,  S.  B.  Starr,  J.  G.  Patterson,  S. 
M.  Cook,  C.  Merckel,  JoIiti  Kuck,  H.  C.  Raymond,  C.  P.  Ellis, 
and  F.  A.  Roziene.  These  gentlemen  elected  A.  B.  F.  Ilildreth, 
for  President,  F.  A.  Roziene,  Yice-Pi-esident,  and  H.  C.  Bald- 
win, Secretary  and  Treasurer.  Capital  stock  subscribed,  $50,000. 
The  General  Assembly  of  1873-'71:  passed  a  new  banking  law, 
identical  with  the  national  banking  law  in  its  provisions,  except- 
ing, of  course,  that  it  did  not  allow  the  issue  of  currenc}'.  It 
requires  all  the  capital  stock  to  be  paid  up.  Accordingly,  on  the 
3 1st  of  August  following,  this  bank  was  reorganized,  with  the 
following  stockholder.s:  A.  B.  F.  Hildre^h,  II.  C.  Baldwin,  C.  P. 
Ellis,  C.  D.  Ellis,  A.  E.  Ellis,  H.  C.  Raymond,  D.  Town  send,  A. 
G.  Ca.-^e,  W.  H.  Dyke,  M.  G.  Eglofi,  W.  II.  Hausbeig,  J.  Kuck, 
J.  W.  Lehmkuhl,  J.  G.  Patterson,  R.  G.  Reiniger,  S.  B.  Starr, 
B.  W.  Stevens,  J.  H.  Stolle,  and  F.  A.  Roziene.  Capital,  $25,000, 
paid  up.  The  directors  formerly  elected  served  until  the  second 
Tuesday  of  January,  1875,  when  the  following  were  chosen:  A.  B. 


696  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

F.  Hildreth,  J.  W.  Lehmkuhl,  J.  G.  Patterson,  H.  C.  Baldwin,  F. 
A.  Roziene,  C.  D.  Ellis.  This  board  chose  the  following  as  offi- 
cers: A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  President;  J.  G.  Patterson,  Vice-Presi- 
dent; F.  A.  Roziene,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

The  present  Trustees  are:  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  S.  B.  Starr,  S.  M. 
Cook,  B.  W.  Stevens,  H.  C.  Baldwin,  John  Kuck,  F.  A.  Rozieue; 
and  the  officers  are,  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  President;  S.  B.  Starr, 
Yice-President;  F.  A.  Roziene,  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 

The  bank  is  located  on  the  east  side  of  Main  street,  opposite  the 
middle  of  the  park,  and  is  a  great  convenience  to  those  of  limited 
means  who  desire  their  savings  taken  care  of  and  made, produc- 
tive. Women  and  children  find  it  a  good  place  to  deposit  their 
surplus  moneys,  jewelry,  etc. 

HOTELS. 

Next  after  John  Blunt's  log  "  hotel,"  the  Magnolia  House  was 
opened,  in  1857,  by  Smith  &  Goddard,  and  then  Kelly's  Hotel. 
Both  these  were  burned  in  the  great  fire  of  1862.  Soon  after  this, 
Mr.  Kelly  commenced  rebuilding  his  house,  but  was  interrupted 
by  a  trip  to  California,  The  size  of  this  building  was  to  be 
60  X  80  feet  and  four  stories  high,  and  the  material  to  be  brick 
or  stone.  This  structure,  however,  never  got  higher  than  the 
foundation  walls.     In  the  meantime,  other  hotels  were  established. 

At  the  present  time,  the  principal  hotels  in  Charles  City  are  the 
Union  House,  kept  by  Charles  Shaw;  and  it  is  a  first-class  hotel  in 
every  respect.  The  Leonard  House  is  near  the  depot.  The  Park 
House  is  eligibly  located,  near  the  west  corner  of  the  park. 

When  Mr,  Shaw  purchased  the  hotel,  he  remodeled  and  refur- 
nished the  entire  building,  and  it  is  now  the  finest  hotel  in  North- 
western Iowa.  It  has  forty  elegant  sleeping-rooms,  one  beautiful 
parlor,  and  one  of  the  most  pleasant  and  commodious  dining- 
rooms  in  the  State.  The  kitchen  is  a  model  of  neatness,  and  Mr. 
Shaw  employs  the  best  cooks  and  waiters. 

The  building  is  of  limestone  and  brick;  is  two  stories  high  above 
a  basement.  It  contains  two  large  and  convenient  sample  rooms 
for  the  accommodation  of  traveling  and  commercial  men.  There 
are  also  two  finely-furnished  billiard-parlors  connected  with  the 
hotel,  and  a  commodious  office,  baggage-room,  closets  and  writing- 
rooms. 


CHARLES  CITY.  699 

Mr.  Shaw,  the  proprietor  of  this  hotel  is  a  thorough  gentleman, 
and  pays  particular  attention  to  the  wants  and  comforts  of  his 
guests,  and  takes  pride  in  making  his  hotel  the  best  in  Northern 
Iowa. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  and  Society  is  one  of  the  oldest  church 
organizations  in  Charles  City.  Articles  of  incorporation  of  the 
church  and  society  were  adopted  Feb.  8,  1858,  which  provided  for 
the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  church,  for  the  admission 
of  members,  etc.,  in  the  usual  manner.  The  first  officers  of 
the  church  were  elected  at  this  same  meeting,  Feb.  8,  1858,  and 
were  as  follows:  Trustees,  Sanford  Harwood,  Milo  Gilbert  and 
Y.  "W.  Baker;  Secretary,  G.  H.  Whitehead;  Treasurer,  Harvey 
Kellogg.  The  present  officers  are:  Trustees,  C.  Danforth,  J.  M. 
Dutton,  Abram  Smith;  Secretary,  O.  Pomeroy;  Treasurer,  G.  H. 
Whitehead.  The  society  built  a  church  when  they  first  organized, 
completing  it  in  Januarj^,  1858.  In  1871  this  was  moved  back, 
an  addition  built  in  front,  and  the  whole  entirely  refitted. 

Sept.  21,  1860,  the  Cedar  Valley  Baptist  Association  held  their 
5th  anniversary  with  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Charles  City,  contin- 
uing three  days.  The  attendance  was  large,  there  being  present 
150  persons  from  abroad,  of  whom  sixteen  were  clergymen.  The 
season  was  one  of  unusual  interest  and  the  meeting  was  one  of  ex- 
traordinary success,  in  all  respects.  With  the  growth  of  the  city 
and  the  church,  other  important  meetings  have  been  held  here. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  first  meeting  of  the 
church  was  held  in  an  unfinislied  log  barn;  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Howard  were  living  in  the  house  at  the  time.  John  Ball 
was  a  Methodist  minister,  and  was  passing  through  Charles 
Oity  on  his  road  to  Elkader  for  provisions.  He  was  requested 
to  preach  there;  but  as  there  were  nothing  but  log  houses  in 
the  town,  tliey  did  not  know  where  to  hold  the  meeting.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Howard  finally  consented  to  hold  the  meeting  in  their  own 
house;  and  so  the  meeting  was  to  be  held  in  a  fortniglit  from 
that  time.  There  were  only  three  members  at  that  time,  but  all  the 
people  in  the  neighborhood  came  to  the  meeting,  and  were  delighted. 
It  was  a  splendid  thing  for  the  country,  as  the  people  were 
running  wild,  as  is  usually  the  case  with  the  early  settlement  of  a 
43 


700  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

new  country.  There  was  but  one  chair  in  the  house,  and  the  men- 
sawed  blocks  and  placed  puncheons  on  them,  and  by  covering 
tliem  with  shawls,  made  them  as  comfortable  as  possible.  It  was 
very  cold  weather,  and  there  was  no  stove  or  even  a  fire-place. 
They  were  wondering  what  they  would  do  for  fire  when  all  at  once 
they  saw  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bigelow  coming,  carrying  a  large  kettle  on 
a  pole  between  them  which  proved  to  be  full  of  flaming  charcoal; 
This  was  placed  in  the  room  and  it  furnished  warmth  enough 
to  make  the  room  comfortable.  They  had  a  successful  meeting  and 
about  a  year  afterward  a  church  was  organized. 

The  first  stationed  preacher  was  Wm.  P.  Holbrook,  appointed 
by  the  Iowa  Conference  in  the  fall  of  1854.  Tiie  first  class  was  or 
ganized  in  October,  1855;  class  leader,  Kewman  Dutcher;  Mary  L. 
Dutcher,  J.  M.  Howard,  Harriett  M.  Howard  and  Rachel  Kellogg 
were  the  members.  The  first  quarterly  conference  met  in  Oct. 
1856.  The  second  paster  was  Rev.  I.  D.  Rust;  R.  L.  Ricker  fol- 
lowed. Revs.  J.  D.  Witted,  T.  W.  Thurston,  G.  Larkin,  W.  F.  Tax- 
ton,  Wm.  Smith,  S.  M.  Bronson,  were  the  next  to  follow.  They 
served  one  year  each  with  one  exception,  the  minutes  do  not  show 
who  served  two  years.  Until  1866  the  church  here  was  connected 
with  the  church  at  Floyd;  at  that  time  it  tvas  organized  into  a  sep- 
arate charge.  Rev.  H.  S.  Church  was  the  pastor,  serving 
one  year. 

In  the  summer  of  1867  the  work  of  erecting  the  present  church 
building  was  begun.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  Sept.  9, 1867,  Rev. 
John  W.  Clinton  officiating,  assisted  by  the  pastor.  The  church 
basement  was  completed  and  dedicated  Jan.  24,  1869.  The  bal- 
ance of  the  church  was  not  completed  until  the  following  summer. 
W.  P.  Watkins,  was  pastor  in  charge  from  September,  1867,  until 
September,  1869.  Under  his  pastorate  the  church  membership  in- 
creased from  seventy  to  one  hundred  and  seventy-four,  and  the 
church  edifice  was  erected.  The  cost  of  this  structure,  with  furni- 
ture, lots,  etc.,  was  $14,555.  It  was  dedicated  Nov.  28,  1869,  by 
E.  O.  Haven,  D.  D.  Some  time  after  leaving  here  Mr.  "Watkins,. 
in  a  fit  of  insanity,  drowned  himself.  Rev.  J.  B.  Casebear  was 
appointed  pastor  in  1868,  and  served  two  years.  Rev.  L.  H.  Car- 
hart  followed  two  years,  and  during  his  pastorate  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  revivals  in  the  history  of  the  church  occurred.  Over 
100  persons  were  converted  and  united  with  the  church.  Rev.  A. 
C.  Manwell,  from  Wisconsin,  served  two  years.  Rev.  R.  N.  Ear- 
hart  followed  the  next  two  years.     September,  1877,  Rev.   J.  S. 


CHARLES  CITY.  701 

Anderson  was  appointed,  and  in  the  middle  of  his  second  year  he 
withdrew  from  the  ministry  and  from  the  church,  an<i  his  year  was 
completed  by  Rev.  John  Bowman,  who  was  at  one  time  an  inde- 
pendent candidate  for  Congress.  He  is  a  man  of  great  controver- 
sial powers  and  energy;  he  ran  against  Henry  O.  Pratt,  who  was 
elected  and  served  two  terms,  after  which  ho  was  converted  and  has 
since  become  a  popular  preacher  and  is  now  located  at  Toledo, 
Iowa.  F.  X.  Miller,  in  1879,  was  appointed  pastor  and  remained 
two  years;  in  the  fall  of  1881  George  Elliott  was  appointed  minister 
in  charge,  and  is  at  the  present  time  pastor,  and  is  a  graduate  of 
Cornell  College,  Iowa.  The  present  officers  are:  Trustees — Edward 
Klinetop,  H.  C.  Ireland,  J.  A.  Pitcher,  M.  Martin,  Geo.  Cairns, 
C.  C.  Crowell,  H.  F.  Miles,  John  Gordon  and  John  Spalding. 
Stewards — Geo.  Cairns,  S.  P.  Yeomans,  M.  D.,  M.  H.  Howard, 
John  Gordon,  J.  A.  Becker,  H.  F.  Miles,  John  Spalding,  H.  C. 
Ireland,  Wm.  and  F.  Morse;  Recording  Steward,  M.  H.  Howard; 
Supt.  S.  S.,  E.  D.  Ruggles;  Treas.,  W.  E.  Holbrook;  Class-Leader, 
J.  P.  North;  Chorister,  Prof.  J.  C.  Yocum;  Organist,  Miss  Emma 
Ruggles.  The  church  is  in  a  very  healthy  condition ;  the  present 
membership  of  the  church  is  209;  the  Sabbath-school  membership 
is  about  200,  with  an  average  attendance  of  about  150. 

German  Society  of  M.  E.  Church. — The  commencement  of 
this  church  was  in  1864.  John  Kuck  and  wife  were  the  first 
to  move  in  this  matter,  meetings  being  held  at  their  house,  till 
1865,  when  the  first  pastor  came  and  located  among  the  people  and 
the  society  was  organized.  The  first  officers  were:  Trustees, 
John  Kuck,  Alvin  Berg,  H.  Stover,  Fred  Schlick,  and  Geo.  MiiUer; 
Treasurer  and  Clerk,  John  Kuck;  Class-Leader  and  Steward,  John 
Kuck;  Pastor,  Rev.  J.  G.  Achenbach,  who  served  two  years. 
The  church  edifice  was  built  in  1868  and  dedictted  July  4,  of  that 
year.  Size  26x40  feet,  cost  $3,300.  Rev.  H.  R.  Fiegenbaum 
was  the  next  pastor,  and  served  three  years;  the  church  was  built 
during  his  pastorate.  Chas.  Kruckholm  came  in  1870  and  served 
two  years  as  pastor.  F.  Fischer  followed  the  next  two  years.  Rev. 
E.  J.  French  served  one  year;  E.  Uhel  followed  as  pastor,  three 
years.  II.  Kaste,  served  the  next  three  years.  Rev.  A.  Brenner  is 
the  present  pastor.  There  were  more  or  less  revivals  each  year, 
the  most  successful  ones  occurring  under  Revs.  H.  R.  Fiegenbaum 


702  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

and  Uliel.  The  present  memberoliip  is  about  200.  There  is  a 
Sabbath-school  in  connection  with  the  church;  Fred  Pfeiffer  is 
the  present  Superintendent.  There  are  about  eighty  scholars,  who 
attend  regularly. 

When  first  organized  this  was  called  the  Charles  City  Mission 
and  included  the  territory  of  four  counties,  Floyd,  Mitchell,  Chick- 
asaw and  Bremer,  over  which  the  first  pastor  traveled.  The 
church  is  now  in  a  prosperous  and  healthy  condition,  its  member, 
ship  being  in  Charles  City  and  near  by. 

This  society  finding  its  gcowtli  so  great  have  f  jr  the  accommodation 
of  its  communicants,  erected  a  second  church  some  six  miles  from 
the  village,  where  a  goodly  congregation  worship;  Rev.  Bremer  is 
the  pastor,  and  services  are  held  Sabbath  afternoons  by  him 
and  local  preachers.  This  church  was  built  in  1881,  size  26x40 
feet,  costing  $1,500.  There  is  also  a  Sabbath-school  in  connec- 
tion with  this  church,  numbering  about  thirty  children:  the  Superin- 
tendent is  A.  Hirsch. 

This  church  was  the  first  mission  organized  in  what  is  now 
called  the  Charles  City  District,  comprising  some  twenty-five 
counties. 

The  First  Gongregationalist  Society. — This  was  organized  at 
a  meeting  held  Oct.  29,  1858,  at  the  house  of  Rev.  J,  H. 
Windsor.  Those  present  at  this  first  meeting  were  Rev.  J.  H. 
Windsor,  Samuel  Hackley  and  wife,  Josiah  Knight  and  wife,  Ira 
Brackett  and  wife.  Articles  of  faith  were  adopted,  and  subscribed 
to  by  the  above  parties. 

Rev.  Mr.  Windsor  was  their  first  pastor,  and  he  was  followed 
July  1,  1862,  by  Rev.  William  A.  Adams.  During  his  pastorate 
the  society  was  incorporated  (Sept.  15,  1862)  with  the  following 
members:  Samuel  Sackley,  George  C.  Dean,  William  A.Adams, 
William  B.  Fairfield,  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  G.  G.  Rieniger,  Milo 
Gilbert,  A.  W.  French  and  W.  B.  Covell.  At  this  meeting  a  con- 
stitution and  compact  were  adopted. 

In  April,  1863,  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth  and  William  B.  Fairfield  were 
selected  as  a  committee  to  procure  a  site  for  a  church  edifice.  The 
society  h^id  previously  met  in  Masonic  Hall,  over  the  present  ex- 
press ofiice.  Oct.  30,  1864,  Rev.  D.  N.  Bordwell,  of  the  Gongre- 
gationalist church,  at  Lansing,  la. ,  was  invited  to  fill  the  pulpit^ 
and  he  at  once  accepted  the  call.  He  remained  five  years  and  was 
very  much  beloved  by  his  congregation.  He  worked  faithfully 
for  the  welfare  of  the  church,  and  the  membership    was  greatly 


CHAKLES  CITY.  703 

increased.  During  iiis  pastorate  the  present  church  was  built.  It 
was  completed  in  the  fall  of  1867,  and  will  seat  about  350  persons. 
The  building  committee  were  William  B.  Fairtield,  E.  0.  Chapin, 
C.  W.  Fletcher  and  John  A.  Mitchell.  The  church  was  dedicated 
Jan.  ^8,  bv  Rev.  Lyman  Whiting,  of  Dubuque.  The  music  on 
the  occasion  was  conducted  by  Col.  L.  L.  Huntley,  of  the  same 
place,  formerly  of  Charles  City. 

The  membershiD  of  the  church  had  reached  about  100  when  Mr. 
Bordwell  resigned  in  1869,  and  Aug.  6,  this  year,  Rev.  H.  B. 
Woodworth,  of  Ellington,  Conn.,  was  called  to  the  pulpit,  at  a 
salary  of  $1,200.  He  accepted  the  invitation  and  remained  till 
Sept.  6,  1872.  He  was  a  man  of  marked  ability,  and  was  very 
popalar  with  his  congregation.  He  resigned  to  go  to  Decorah, 
la.,  and  was  succeeded  Nov.  24,  1872,  by  R'3v.  J.  A.  Cruzan. 
Mr.  Ci'uzan  was  a  successful  minister,  and  especially  popular  with 
the  young  people.  He  left  after  preaching  one  year,  going  to 
Ohio,  from  there  he  went  to  Portland,  Oregon,  and  he  is  now  in 
the  Sandwich  Islands,  receiving  a  salary  of  $3,000  a  year.  There 
was  then  an  interim  of  several  months  when  the  society  held  no 
rec^ular  services.  Rev.  I.  Wadhams,  of  Belle  Plaiue,  la.,  was 
the  next  pastor,  being  called  O^t.  23,  1874.  Mr.  Wadhams 
was  a  very  earnest  worker,  and  stood  high  with  the  congregation. 
He  remained  about  three  years  and  a  half,  and  was  followed  by 
Rev.  N.  M.  Clute,  at  a  salary  of  $1,500.  Mr.  Clute  was  very  well 
liked  and  was  one  of  the  strongest  workers  that  have  filled  the 
pulpit  of  the  Congregationalist  church. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  A.  Gr.  Brande,  came  in  January,  1882. 
The  society  is  fairly  prosperous.  The  male  members  of  the  church 
number  75,  the  females,  115;  total,  190.  The  Sunday-school  con- 
nected with  the  church  has  a  membership  of  200,  and  is  very  pros- 
perous.    J.  S.  Trigg  is  the  present  Superintendent. 

Grace  Mission,  Protestant  Episcopal. — In  1872  Bishop  Lee 
organized  Grace  Mission,  at  Charles  City,  la.,  and  appointed 
T.  A.  Hand,  Warden  ;  Abner  Root,  Treasurer  ;  B.  F.  Cheney, 
Secretary.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Wright,  Rector  of  St.  Mark's  Clun\di, 
Nashua,  held  services  on  alternate  Sundays  until  December,  1876, 
when  the  Rev.  Hale  Townsend  held  services  on  alternate  Sundays, 
he  being  a  missionary  of  the  Northern  Convocation  of  the  Diocese 
of  Iowa,  Rector  of  St.  John's  parish,  Mason  City.  In  1877  there 
were  twenty  families  connected  with  this  branch  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  and  the  mission  procured  grounds  for  a  church   edifice, 


704  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

bat  have  not  built  a  church.  In  18Y6  the  Kev.  S.  C.  Gaynor  took 
charge  of  the  mission,  dividing  his  time  between  the  churches  of 
Charles  City  and  Mason  City,  but  he  removed  to  Silver  ClitF,  Col., 
in  April,  18S0,  since  which  time  the  mission  has  had  only  occasional 
services  and  no  settled  clergyman. 

St.  Johii's  Lutheran  Churchy  was  organized  February,  1872. 
The  officers  were:  Henry  Nieman,  W.  Harring,  C.  Boeck,  J.  H. 
Stolle,  Trustees  ;  0.  Wilke,  Pastor  ;  he  remained  in  charge  about 
three  years.  In  June  1872,  the  church  edifice  was  commenced  and 
on  Pec.  21,  1873,  it  was  dedicated.  It  is  28  x  50  feet,  and  cost 
$2,500.  There  is  a  membership  now  of  about  eighty  souls.  Also 
Sabbath-school  each  Sunday,  before  service  ;  there  are  about  forty 
scholars  ;  the  Superintendent  is  Rev.  E.  Casselman.  The  present 
officers  are:  F.  Karl,  F.  Turow^  E.  Schwart  and  F.  Schuhknecht, 
Trustees  ;  F.  Karl,  Treasurer  ;  F.  Turow,  Secretary. 

Edward  Berg  was  the  first  secretary  of  this  society,  and  held  his 
office  until  he  resigned  t\vo  years  ago  ;  he  has  been  a  zealous  and 
efficient  officer. 

In  February  last  the  society  celebrated  its  tenth  anniversary  by 
a  jubilee,  on  which  occasion  Mr.  Berg  read  the  history  of  the 
church,  showing  the  many  trials  it  had  passed  through,  and  how  to 
the  grace  of  God  it  had  survived  them  all. 

The  next  pastor  was  P.  Yogel,  who  came  in  Ovitober,  1875,  and 
served  until  April,  1876,  when  on  account  of  ill  health  he  retired ;  he 
was  followed  by  F.  Mutschmann,  who  remained  till  April,  1879,  when 
lie  was  removed  by  the  synod.  On  application  of  the  members  of 
the  congregation,  he  was  followed  by  the  present  pastor,  E.  Cassel- 
man, who  was  installed  in  June,  1879.  The  condition  of  the 
church  is  very  prosperous.. 

Christian  Church. — This  body  was  organized  Jan.  25,  1862, 
with  a  membership  of  seventeen,  under  Elders  John  Kain  and 
N.  A.  McCunnell,  since  which  time  the  pastors  have  been,  N.  E. 
Corey,  J.  Ilurd,  G.  W.  Sweeny,  L.  S.  Brown,  D.  H.  Gary,  J.  K. 
Connell,  F.  Waklen,  and  others.  The  church  edifice  is  a  neat  stone 
structure,  and  was  built  in  1866,  Average  membership,  about 
ninety  to  100. 

Church,  of  the  Immaculate  Conceptioyi,  Catholic. — The  first  ser- 
vices in  tiie  connty,  according  to  the  ritual  of  the  Catholic  church, 
took  place  at  the  residence  of  Hetiry  Ingram,  in  Floyd  Township, 
in  1854.  The  family  of  Philip  Sharkey  was  at  that  time  the  only 
other  one  joining  in  this  worship.     Tiie  next  year  that  of  James 


CHARLES  CITY.  705 

"Welch  was  added.  Father  Slattery  was  the  priest.  Services  were 
held  from  time  to  time  until  about  the  beorinning'  of  the  war,  when 
a  resident  priest,  Father  Martin,  located  in  Charles  City,  and  ad- 
ministered to  an  increasing  flock,  first  in  Taylor's  Hall,  then  in 
the  court-house  and  in  private  houses.  He  was  an  Englishman  by 
birth,  and  a  very  talented  man.  Kev.  McManus,  in  1865,  was  the 
next  priest,  then  Urbani,  a  native  of  France,  who  was  here  about 
fourteen  months,  1868-'9,  and  then,  in  1870,  Rev.  Feel}',  a  native 
of  Ireland,  settled  here,  remaining  until  1878,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Father  F.  J.  Gunn,  the  present  pastor.  Mr.  Feely,  soon 
after  his  arrival,  commenced  the  erection  of  a  church  buildino-, 
120x45  feet,  at  about  three  squares  southeast  of  the  public  square. 
When  the  foundation  walls  were  completed,  the  work  ceased  for 
want  of  funds.  A  question  being  raised  by  a  member  of  the  church, 
as  to  what  had  become  of  the  proceeds  of  certain  entertainments, 
in  the  autumn  of  1877,  a  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  ot 
one  Catholic  and  one  non-Catholic,  who  investigated  the  accounts, 
and  found  that  Father  Feely  had  expended  legitimately,  not  only 
all  moneys  coming  into  his  hands,  but  had  also  advanced  several 
hundred  dollars  from  his  own  purse. 

Tlie  rear  portion  of  the  foundation  was  roofed  over  and  finished 
ofi"  the  first  year,  so  that  religious  services  can  be  held  there  tem- 
porarily; but  the  prospect  is  bright  now  for  an  early  completion 
of  the  structure.  The  plan  contemplates  a  brick  building,  with  one 
tower,  150  feet  high,  one  seventy-seven  feet  and  one  fifty-seven 
feet,  the  whole  building  to  cost  about  $16,000.  At  present,  about 
ninety  families  or  more  worship  here,  and  a  Sunday-school  is  well 
attended,  where  Father  Gunn  administers  instruction.  The  relig- 
ious services  here  are  held  about  three  Sundays  each  month,  high 
mass  at  eleven  a.  m.  The  concreffation  is  named  the  "Church  of 
the  Immaculate  Conception,  of  Charles  City." 

November,  1871,  a  Catholic  fair  was  held  in  Charles  City,  which 
netted  $608.  Great  interest  was  manifested  in  the  votes  for  "  the 
most  deserving  gentleman,"  and  also  "  the  most  deserving  lady." 

The  prizes  were  a  gold-headed  cane  for  one  and  a  silver  tea  set 
for  the  other.  As  the  time  drew  near  at  which  the  polls  should  be 
closed,  there  was  considerable  excitement,  and  $5  and  $10  worth  of 
votes  would  be  put  in  at  a  time.  J.  S.  Root  received  the  cane, 
having  a  majority  of  ninety-eight  over  P.  O'Hair.  The  cane 
brought  $124.  Miss  Mary  O'Hair  received  the  tea  set,  having  a 
majority  of  116  over  Mrs.  Frank  Lenz.     The  tea  set  brought  $149 


706  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Father  Francis  Joseph  Grunn,    Priest   of  the   above   described 
church,  is  a  native  of  Strokestown,   County  Roscommon,  Ireland, 
born   Dec,  26,  1851,  a  son  of  Thomas   and  Katharine   Gunn,  nee 
Murray.     He  attended  school   in   his  native  town   until  sixteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  took  a  three  years'  classical  course  at  a  pri- 
vate school.     He  then  entered  All  Hallow's  College  in  the  city  of 
Dublin,  graduating  from  that  institution,  and  was  ordained  into 
the  holy  priesthood,  June   Si,  1877.     On  Sept.   29,  of  that  year 
be  landed  in  New  York  City,  and  after  spending   one   month   in 
travel   he   came   to   Iowa,  locating  in  Burlington.     He   traveled 
through  the  States  of  Iowa,  Missouri  and   Illinois  until  he   was 
appointed  priest  of  the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  at 
Nashua,  Chickasaw  County,  la.     He  also  had  charge  of  the  church 
at  Wapsie,  Howard  County.      Since   coming   here  Father  Gunn 
has   labored    earnestly   and    faithfnlly    in    the   church   and    has 
succeeded  in   doing  much  good,  both  spiritually  and  linanciallv. 
He  is  a  man  of  superior   mental  endowments,  and   fine  oratorical 
powers.        Through  his   untiring   zeal    arrangements   have   been 
made  for  the  erection  of  a   new  church,  and    the    work   is   being 
rapidly  pushed  forward. 

Evangelical  Association. — A  church  or  religious  organization 
by  the  above  name  exists  in  Charles  City,  meeting  in  a  small 
building  on  the  west  side. 

tloyd  County  Bible  Society. — A  society  bearing  the  above 
name  was  organized  in  Charles  City  in  1858  or  1859,  Samuel 
Huckley,  or  Dr.  J.  M.  Parsons  was  the  first  President:  J.  W. 
Smith  was  Secretary,  and  C.  W.  Atkinson,  Treasurer.  The  same 
officers  were  continued  for  several  successive  years. 

SOCIETIES. 

Almond  Chapter.,  No.  53,  It.  A.  M. — This  chapter  was  organ- 
ized Dec.  11,1869,  with  the  following  officers  :  H.  B.,  E.  A.  Has- 
kell ;  K.,  Abner  Root;  S.,  J.F.  O.  Smith;  Secretary,  E.  Winne; 
Treasurer,  H.  Ely  ;  C.  H.,  W.  G.  Tripp  ;  P.  S.,  A.  Campbell ; 
R.  A.  C,  A.  N.  George  ;  G.  M.  1st  Y.,  S.  A.  Allen  ;  G.  M.  2d 
Y.,  Hanson  Ely  ;  G.  M.  3d  Y.,  A.  B.  Rodgers  ;  S.,  E.  S.  Blake. 
Mr.  Haskell  held  the  office  of  H.  P.  until  Nov.  4,  1870,  when  W. 
G.  Tripp  was  elected  to  the  position  which  he  has  held  ever  since. 
H.  N,  Grain  succeeded  Mr.  Winne  as  Secretary,  Feb.  28,  1870  ; 
J.  F.  Parkhurst  followed  Sept.  18,  1871  ;  M.  G.  Egloff,  Jan.  15, 
1872,   and  E.  B.  Dyke,   Sept.  3,  1877,  who  still  holds  the  office. 


CHARLES  CITY.  707 

The  following  are  the  present  officers  :  H.  P.,  W.  G.  Tripp  ;  K., 
J.  P.  Taylor  ;  S.,  H.  C.  Baldwin  ;  Secretary,  E.  B.  Dyke  ;  Treas- 
urer, E.  Werder  ;  C.  H.,  G.  K.  May  ;  R.  A.  C,  V.  Baltuff ; 
P.  S.,  A.  N.  George  ;  G.  M.  1st  Y.,  Jos.  Hecht ;  G.  M.  2d  Y., 
John  Ferguson  ;  G.  M.  3d  Y.,  J.  N.  Waller  ;  Tyler,  Thos. 
Simmons.  The  regular  convocations  occur  on  the  second  Motiday 
evening  of  each  month.  The  council  des'rees  were  conferred  on 
the  chapter  Nov.  18,  1878. 

St.  Charles  Zodge,  Wo.  141,  A.  F.  <&  A.  M.  was  organized 
Oct.  1,  1858,  at  Masonic  Hail,  on  the  site  of  the  present  express 
office,  with  a  charter  membership  of  fifteen.  Their  names  were, 
Abner  Eoot,  E.  B.  C.  Wright,  S.  W.  Stanley,  John  Blunt,  Thomas 
Simmons,  H.  C.  Stinson,  Robert  G.  Reiniger,  G.  G.  Reiniger, 
Edwin  Klinetop,  II.  C.  Smith,  D.  W.  Poindexter,  A.  L.  Collins, 
C.  H.  Haskell,  Seth  Hungerford  and  I.  M.  Montgomery.  Abner 
Root  was  appointed  W.  M.,  to  open  the  lodge.  The  charter  was 
issued  June  8,  1859.  The  first  officers  elected  under  this  chartei 
were:  S.  W.  Stanley,  W.  M;  E.  B.  C.  Wright,  S.  W;  D.  W.  Poin 
dexter,  J.  W  ;  E.  P.  Harrington,  Treasurer  ;  A.  L.  Collins,  Secre- 
tary ;  R.  G.  Reiniger,  S.  D  ;  D.  Gilbert,  J.  D  ;  Thomas  Simmons, 
Tyler.  The  present  membership  is  seventy-six.  The  present  officers 
are  :  George  R.  May,  W.  M;  W.  M.  Dennis,  S.  W  ;  J.  L.  Burnett, 
J.  W  ;  W.  G.  Tripp,  Treasurer  ;  W.  W.  Dennis,  Secretary  ; 
Charles  Schroeder,  S.  D ;  A.  H.  Treat,  J.  D  ;  T.  Simmons, 
Tyler.  The  lodge  is  in  good  condition  financially.  It  meets  at 
Masonic  Hall  on  the  Thursdaj'  on  or  before  the  full  moon. 

Excelsior  Chapter.,  No.  51,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star. — This 
society  has  for  its  object  the  promotion  of  social  intercourse,  mutual 
assistance,  and  the  exercise  of  charity  and  benevolence.  It  is  in 
many  respects  similar  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  in  fact 
closely  connected  with  that  society.  Its  membership  is  confined  to 
the  wives,  mothers  and  sisters  of  Masons.  There  are  about  fifteen 
chapters  in  Iowa,  of  which  four  are  in  Floyd  County.  They  are 
located  at  Marble  Rock,  Rockford,  Nora  Springs  and  Charles  City. 
The  fourth  annual  convention  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Iowa  was 
held  at  Charles  City  with  this  chapter  May  10  and  11,  1881,  which 
of  course  was  an  honor  to  the  entertaining  chapter.  The  conven- 
tion was  held  in  due  form,  and  there  were  twenty-five  official,  as 
well  as  several  visiting  delegates  present. 

Excelsior  Chapter  was  organized  June  IS,  1878,  at  Masonic 
Hall.     The  meeting  was  called  by  Mrs.  Jennie  Mathews,  of  Rock- 


708  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ford,  who  acted  as  presiding  officer,  and  or:^aiiized  tiie  chapter. 
The  officers  first  chosen  were  as  follows:  Mrs.  O.  N.  Williams,  W. 
M. ;  Eugene  B.  Dyke,  W.  P.;  Mrs.  N.  M.  Miner,  A.M.;  Mrs.  M. 
E.  Reiniger,  Treasurer;  Mrs.  M.  T.  Dennis,  Secretary;  Mrs.  N. 
Lender,  Conductress;  Mrs.  M.  J.  May,  A.  C;  Mrs.  Julia 
A.  Raymond,  Warder;  Mrs.  P.  F.  Farnham,  Adah;  Mrs. 
Bina  Wood,  Ruth;  Mrs.  Fannie  Smith,  Esther;  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Oampbell,  Martha;  Miss  Sue  Harwood,  Electa;  Mrs.  E.  B. 
Dyke,  Organist.  There  were  in  all  about  sixty  charter  mem- 
bers. Mrs.  Williams  was  the  Matron,  of  the  Chapter  continu- 
ously until  January,  1882,  when  Mrs.  Eugene  B.  Dyke  was  elected 
to  the  office.  The  other  officers  at  present  are  as  follows:  Eli 
Brownell,  W.  P.;  Mrs.  Eunice  Mitchell,  A.  M.;  Mrs.  E  T.  Bort, 
Treasurer;  Mrs.  E.  R.  Spaulding,  Secretary;  Mr^.  M.  J.  May,  Con- 
ductress; Mrs.  Josie  Waller,  A.  G. ;  Mr.s.  M.  Tripp,  Adah;  Mrs. 
Binah  Wood,  Ruth;  Mrs.  Emily  Ducharm,  Esther;  Mrs.  E.  P. 
Crane,  Martha;  Mrs.  Augusta  Darby,  Electa;  E.  B.  Bort,  Warder. 
There  are  now  about  sixty  members.  The  ciiapter  is  financially 
even,  and  is  prosperous  in  every  way.  It  meets  at  Masonic  Hall 
the  first  and  third  Tuesdays  of  each  month. 

Cha7ies  City  Lodge,  No.  158,  J..  0.  U.  TF.,  was  organized 
April  6,  1878,  with  thirty  members.  First  officers  were:  P.  M. 
W.,  J.  E.  Rich;  M.  W.,  P.  W.  Burr;  Recorder,  J.  S.  Bradley- 
Foreman,  M.  Martin;  Ov^erseer,  C.  E.  Ferguson;  Financier, 
Jacob  Baier;  Receiver,  C.  M.  Ferguson.  Present  officers:  P.  M. 
W.,  Ira  K.  Lee;  M.  W..  P.  W.  Burr;  Recorder,  J.  S.  Bradley; 
Foreman,  Wm.  Gierraan;  Overseer,  W.  N.  Fisher;  Receiver,  S.  F. 
Farnham;  Financier,  L,  M.  Loper.  Meets  Friday  nights  of  each 
week  in  the  council-room.     Present  membersliip  twenty-six. 

Charles  City  Lodge,  No.  4,  I.  O.  G.  T. — This  society  was 
organized  April  28,  1859.  by  Deputy  G.  W.  C.  T.  Detwiler, 
now  G.  W.  C.  T.  of  Kansas.  The  first  principal  officers  were, 
I.  W.  Card  (now of  Mason  City),  W.  C.  T.;  T.  A.  Hand,  Secretary; 
Miss  Mary  Cheney,  W.  V.  T.  Tiie  society  organized  with  a  large 
membership,  which  soon  reached  the  incredible  number  of  over 
300.  During  the  war  however,  the  interest  died  out  and  about 
1864  the  lodge  disbanded.  The  meetings  were  held  in  Cheney 
&  Brackett's  Hall,  now  a  part  of  the  Union    House.       After   the 


CHARLES  CITY.  709 

hall  was  enlarged  it  was  called  Union  House  Hall,  or  Gilbert's 
Hall.  Some  time  afterward  the  lodge  was  revived,  and  after 
running  for  a  time,  disbanded  again,  about  1867  or  1868.  Soon 
after  this  it  organized  a  third  time,  by  E.  A.  Teeling,  and  met 
for  a  long  time  in  Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  The  officers  were  Mrs. 
Mary  Hackley,  James  Jackson,,  Silas  Card,  Miss  Jennie  C.  Jack- 
son, E.  P.  Harrington,  Samuel  Hackley,  T.  A.  Hand,  Miss  Emma 
Meacham,  G.  H.  Whitehead,  Mrs.  L.  A.  Hildreth,  A.  B.  F. 
Hildreth,  Mrs.  A.  B.  Smith.  Mr.  Teeling  was  called  away  on  busi- 
ness for  some  time,  and  the  society  went  down  again.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1880,  it  came  to  life  once  more,  and  now  has  a  membership 
of  seventy-six  in  good  standing,  meeting  every  Friday  evening  in 
Temperance  Hall,  which  is  in  a  one-story  building  on  the  east  side 
of  the  park.  The  present  officers  are,  E.  A.  Teeling,  W.  C.  T. ; 
Miss  Goodlander,  W".  Y.  T. ;  C.  C.  Crosby,  Secretary;  Miriam 
Davidson,  Treasurer;  James  Ferguson,  Financial  Secretary;  H. 
Fisher,  Chaplain;  Harry  Baltuff,  Marshal. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  I.  O.   G.  T.  of  the  State  of  Iowa  is  to 
meet  in  Charles  City  next  year,  1883. 

The  Floyd  County  Woman^s  Christian  Temperance  Union^ 
was  organized  April  2,  1880,  at  Charles  City,  Miss  F.  X.  Miller, 
President,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Spauld  ng.  Secretary,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Teeling, 
Treasurer.  There  was  a  vice-president  in  each  township  whose 
'duty  it  was  to  urge  the  formation  of  auxiliary  unions  in  places 
where  there  were  none.  Tiiere  are  now  seven  unions  in  the 
county,  all  doing  much  work  for  the  temperance  cause.  The 
present  otiiicers  of  this  organization  are  Mrs.  J.  C.  Lockwood, 
President,  Pleasant  Grove;  Mrs.  Rebecca  J.  Wil>on,  Secretary, 
Charles  City;   Mrs.   F.   Stevens,   Treasurer,  liiverton. 

Woman'' s  Christain  Temperance  Union  of  Charles  City. — 
This  society  was  first  organized  in  September,  1875.  Its  first  offi- 
cers were:  President,  Mrs.  William  Hunter;  Secretary,  Mrs.  B.  F. 
Wright;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  J.  P.  North.  The  object  of  this  associ- 
ation is  the  suppression  of  the  vice  of  intemperance  with  God's 
"blessing.  This  union  has  helped  to  organize  a  large  number  of 
other  sister  unions  throughout  the  county;  and  they  ])ave  zealously 
labored  for  seven  years  for  the  elevation  of  man  from  the  influence 
of  intemperance.  They  now  see  some  fruit  of  tlieir  labors — there 
not  being  now  a  saloon  in  the  city.  Present  officers:  President, 
Mrs.  E.  Aspinwall;  Secretary,  Ellen  L.  Slocum;  Treasurer, 
Mrs.L.  Hartsham. 


710  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Grand  Army  of  the  Repuhlic. — A  post  of  this  order  was  organ- 
ized in  the  fall  of  1866,  by  £.  A.  Reini^er,  Hon.  R.  G.  Reiniger, 
T.  H.  Saxton,  H.  A.  Humphrey,  C.  A,  Slocum  and  C.  W.  Fletcher. 
Judge  Reiniger  was  chosen  Commander;  Mr.  Humphrey,  Officer  of 
the  Day,  and  E.  A.  Reiniger,  Lieutenant  of  the  Guards.  Regular 
meetings  were  held  for  a  year  or  two,  and  occasional  meetings  for 
several  years  more. 

Charles  City  Guards^  Coiwpany  F^  Sixth  Regiment^  I.  N.  G. 
— This  cojnpany  was  organized  in  September,  1877,  as  Company  L, 
Sixth  Regiment,  with  fifty  members.  The  officers  were:  Captain, 
Jacob  Baier;  First  Lieutenant,  H.  C.  Baldwin;  Second  Lieutenant, 
H.F.  Miles  ;  Sergeants,  E.  B.  Dyke,  G.  R.  May,  M.  Wilbur,  L.  F. 
Smith  ;  Corporals,  Charles  Kichererj  Wm.  Gauge,  A.  H.  Treat, 
E.  J.  Gilbert.  The  officers  of  the  business  organization  were: 
President,  P.  W.  Burr;  Yice-President,  S.  F.  Farnham;  Secretary ,^ 
W.  L.  Palmer;  Treasurer,  A.  R.  Spriggs.  During  the  coming 
winter,  the  militia  law  was  changed,  and  Company  L  disbanded. 

April  8,  1878,  Company  F  was  organized  with  sixty-three  mem- 
bers, and  the  following  officers  were  elected  :  Captain,  E.  B» 
Dyke  ;  First  Lieutenant,  J.  L.  Black  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  C.  M- 
Ferguson  ;  First  Sergeant,  C.  L.  Dyke  ;  Duty  Sergeants,  C.  B. 
Hamlin,  Alexander  R.  Spriggs,  E.  A.  Teeling,  Oliver  Toncha  ; 
Corporals,  Ed.  Winne,  Jr.,  Warren  Drummond,  A.  D.  Kellogg,  E, 
Brubaker,  E.  E.  Peterson,  Geo.  Collins,  Arthur  Stohl,  Geo. 
McGregor.  In  the  succeeding  March  (1879),  Captain  E.  B.  Dyke 
was  elected  Major  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  and  First  Sergeant  C, 
L.  Dyke  succeeded  him  as  Captain.  In  September  of  this  year  the 
company  took  part  in  the  first  regimental  encampment  at  Osage^ 
and  became  noted  as  "  foragers,  "  especially  in  milking  the  prize 
cows  on  the  fair  grounds.  At  the  prize  drill  Company  F  was 
awarded  first  money  as  the  "  best  drilled  and  best  disciplined  com- 
pany in  the  regiment,"  an  honor  which  was  well  earned.  The 
next  year  the  regiment  camped  at  Charles  City.  Lieut.  C.  M. 
Ferguson  meantime  had  been  commissioned  as  Regimental  Quar 
termaster,  and  W.  L.  Palmer  appointed  Sergeant  Major;  Oliver 
Toncha,  Color  Sergeant;  C.  H.  Hoard,  Drum  Major,  and  I.  S. 
Large,  Fife  Major,  quite  an  honorable  list  for  one  company. 

In  Januarj'^,  1881,  Captain  Dyke  having  resigned,  H.  C.  Bald- 
win was  elected  his  successor;  P.  M.  Wilbur  and  Chas.  Snyder 
being  Lieutenants.  In  August,  1881,  a  change  again  occurred, 
the  commissioned  officers  resigning  and  C.  L.  Dyke  again  beconi- 


CHAJBLES    C1T1\  711 

ing  Captain,  Arthur  Stohl  and  J.  D.  Fowler  being  his  Lieutenants, 
The  regiment  this  year  camped  at  Des  Moines,  with  the  balance  of 
the  Second  Brigade.  In  May,  1881,  Lieut.  Fowler  resigned  and 
E.  E.  Smith  was  elected  to  succeed  him.  The  Second  Brigade 
camped  in  June  at  Waterloo,  and  Company  F  acquitted  itself  with 
credit.  The  present  officers  of  the  company  are  :  Captain,  C.  L. 
Dyke  ;  First  Lieutenant,  W.  A.  Stohl  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  E.  E. 
Smith  ;  First  Sergeant,  A.  G.  Aldridge  ;  Duty  Sergeants,  Bartley 
Morgan,  H.  F.  Murphy,  Anson  J.  Leach,  Erwin  Perry  ;  Corporals, 
Abner  Whitney,  Wm.   Goodrode,  C.  W.  Collins,  A.  D.  Kellogg. 

Charles  City  Cemetery  Association. — This  association  was 
first  organized  Dec.  29,  1857,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
and  platting  a  piece  of  ground  for  the  interment  of  the 
dead,  and  to  superintend  the  sale  of  the  lots.  The  first  officers 
elected  were:  -David  Wiltse,  President;  J.  G.  Patterson,  Sec- 
retary; John  Muir,  Treasurer;  Abner  Root,  Harvey  Kellogg 
and  E.  P.  Harrington,  Trustees.  Walter  M.  Stuart,  who  had 
served  as  sexton  for  several  years,  was  formally  appointed  sexton 
by  this  board.  Subsequently  the  organization  almost  died  out,  until 
1865,  when  a  reorganization  was  effected,  since  which  time  the 
association  has  kept  itself  active.  The  annual  meetings  occur  on 
the  first  Monday  of  January.  The  old  organization  purchased 
eighty  acres — now  the  western  part  of  the  cemetery — for  $3i0,  to 
be  paid  for  as  the  income  from  the  sale  of  lots  would  warrant;  but 
during  its  existence,  which  became  merely  nominal,  there  was  no 
income,  while  about  ninety  interments  were  made.  These  inter- 
ments were  irregular  and  unrecorded,  so  that  eventually  it  required 
considerable  trouble  to  identify  and  record  them.  Since  1865,  Mr. 
V.  W.  Baker,  the  efficient  Secretary,  has  kept  a  faithful  record  of 
the  name  of  each  person  buried  in  the  cemiterj'',  the  number  of 
the  lot,  his  or  her  age,  nativity,  cause  of  death,  etc.  For  this  pur- 
pose lie  surveyed  the  grounds  and  platted  them  as  neatly  as  the 
art  of  surveying  requires.     His  maps  are  beautiful. 

Wra.  N.  Fisher,  subsequently  devoted  a  piece  of  his  land, 
northeast  of  the  first  plat,  to  burial  purposes,  and  more  recently 
the  association  has  purchased  and  added  nearly  two  and  a 
half  acres  northeast  of  that.  On  this  a  residence  now  stands, 
which  is  to  be  removed,  while  a  lot  is  provided  across  the 
way  eastward  for  a  sexton's  residence.      A   portion  of  the  new 


712  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

grounds,  includino;  Mr.  Fisher's,  seems  flat  and  wet,  but  it  does 
hold  standing  water.  The  plan  of  the  grounds,  as  surveyed,  is 
very  beautiful,  and  ere  many  years,  when  the  walks  are  improved 
and  the  present  designs  for  improvement  carried  out,  it  will  equal 
any  cemetery  in  the  West  in  respect  to  tasteful  appearance.  For 
the  purpose  of  so  beautifying  these  grounds,  the  ladies  of  Charles 
City  have  formed  an  association,  an  account  of  which  we  next 
proceed  to  give. 

The  present  oflicers  of  the  Cemetery  Association  are:  Joel  W. 
Smith,  President;  Nathan  Phillips,  Treasurer;  Y.  W.  Baker,  Sec- 
retary; Trustees:  B.  W.  Stevens,  George  F.  Boulton  and  E.  A. 
Teeling. 

The  Catholic  cemetery  is  a  beautiful  piece  of  ground  of  three  or 
four  acres,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  southeast  of  the  city  on  the 
Chickasaw  road,  northeast  of  the  river. 

We  ought  to  state  here  that  twenty-eight  interments  were  made 
in  the  old  burying  ground,  in  the  western  portion  of  the  city, 
from  which  all  the  remains  have  been  removed  to  the  new  ceme- 
tery except  those  of  Mrs.  Crosby  and  child,  an  Irishman,  name 
not  given,  and,  possibly,  one  or  two  others.  In  early  days,  when  it 
was  undecided  what  ground  should  be  permanently  chosen  for  a 
cemetery,  some  desired  the  fine  locality  afrerward  occupied  by 
Hon.  Wm.  B.  Fairfield,  southeast  of  the  city;  and  by  some  a  lot 
near  the  present  depot  was  talked  of.  In  the  mean  time  a  few 
burials  were  made  on  private  property. 

The  first  burial  in  the  new  cemetery  was  that  of  John  AVyman, 
who  was  drowned. 

Ladles'  Cemetery  Improvement  Association  of  Charles  City. — 
Pursuant  to  notice,  a  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  met  June 
8,  1882,  at  the  council  room,  to  organize  a  ladies'  cemetery  im- 
provement a-sociation.  Judge  Keiuiger  was  called  to  the  Chair, 
and  J.  S.  Bradley  appointed  Secretary.  Committees  were  appointed 
for  various  purposes,  and  at  the  next  meeting,  June  15,  a  consti- 
tution and  by-laws  were  adopted,  and  the  following  officers  elected: 
Mrs.  M.  E.  Reiniger,  President;  Mrs.  Bradley  and  Mrs.  Ilering. 
Yice- Presidents;  Mrs.  M.  E.  Baker,  Recording  Secretary;  Mrs.  Y. 
W.  Baker,  Corresponding  Secretary;  Mrs.  E.  M.  Waller,  Treas- 
urer; Executive  Committee:  A.  B.  Hildreth,  B.  W.Stevens,  Mrs. 
R.  Kellog,  and  Miss  Amanda  Waller.  Al!  the  moneys  which  have 
so  far  been  raised  have  been  by  subscription,  and  this  has  been 
libera],  nearly  $200  having  been  contributed  to  their  fund.     Almost 


CHARLES  CITY.  733 

half  this  amount  has  been  expended  in  cutting  out  walks  pre- 
paratory to  graveling.  It  is  proposed  to  raise  additional  funds  by 
public  entertainments  of  some  kind. 

Relief  Society. — On  Thanksgiving  day,  1871,  a  committee  of 
eight  women  were  appointed  to  take  steps  toward  organizing  a  relief 
society.  They  met  twice,  adopted  a  constitution,  and  published  an 
appeal  to  the  citizens.  The  above  committee  comprised  Mesdames 
Charles  Slocum,  T.  Conway,  D.  H.  Saxton,  B.  F.  Wright,  B.  Mc- 
Donald, Schroeder,  J.  M.  Stowe  and  L.  S.  Brown.  This  society 
has  given  public  entertainments,  and  was  favored  with  contribu- 
tions for  the  poor,  to  the  great  credit  of  the  citizens.  And  now, 
annually,  as  this  Puritanic  i'estival  comes  round,  the  citizens  as- 
semble in  some  hall  or  church,  and  appoint  a  committee  to  dis- 
tribute the  offerings  the  more  favored  willingly  give.  Long  may 
this  be  a  custom  of  the  generous  and  God-fearing  men  and  women 
of  this  New  England-like  town,  Charles  City! 

Charles  City  Fire  Company. — This  company  was  organized 
Dec.  14,  1881,  and  the  following  persons  were  duly  elected  its  offi- 
cers: A.  R.  Sprague,  President;  D.  Townsend,  Yice-President; 
W.  D.  Burnham,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  company  has  botli 
honorary  and  active  members,  the  honorary  paying  $1  per  year 
for  the  support  and  maintenance  of  the  company,  while  the  active 
members  do  all  the  work.  The  officers  of  the  active  company  are: 
Foreman,  Capt.  H.  C.  Baldwin;  First  Assistant  Foreman,  P.  M.  "Wil- 
bur; Second  Assistant  Foreman,  Geo.  Collins;  I^ozzleman,  W.  D. 
Burnham;  Investigating  Committee,  Peter  Rose,  E.  B.  Perry  and 
Joseph  Dunster.  There  are  about  sixty  honorary  members  and 
about  thirty  active  members.  Meetings  are  held  the  nights  of  the 
third  Tuesday  of  every  month.  Officers  are  elected  annually. 
This  company  has  a  chemical  engine  of  about  one  hundred  gal- 
lons' capacity,  costing  about  $1,400.  There  is  also  a  hook  and 
ladder  apparatus  which  belongs  to  this  company,  consisting  of  com- 
mon and  adjustable  ladders,  ropes,  buckets,  etc.  They  are  well  pre- 
pared to  do  battle  with  the  fiery  element.  They  also  have  a  good 
and  comfortable  engine-house,  which  is  kept  in  good  order.  The 
engine-house  and  engine-keeper,  who  must  be  an  active  member, 
and  who  is  appointed  by  the  Common  Council,  is  II.  C.  Hoard. 

Oct.  5  a  test  was  made  of  the  new  fire  apparatus  just  purchased 
at  Chicago.  Several  loads  of  dry -goods  boxes,  barrels,  etc.,  and 
straw  and  shavings  were  piled  up,  and  the  whole  thoroughly  satu- 
rated with  kerosine  oil.    The  engine,  already  charged,  was  stationed 


714  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

about  a  hundred  feet  from  this  mass  of  combustibles.  Fire  was 
set  to  the  latter,  in  a  minute  it  was  all  ablaze,  the  hose  was  turned 
upon  it,  and  in  one  minute  more  the  flames  were  completely  sub- 
dued. The  machine  holds  one  hundred  gallons  of  water,  is  charged 
with  carbonic-acid  gas,  and  is  always  ready  for  use.  It  can  be  re- 
charged in  three  or  four  minutes. 

Puhlic  Library. — As  early  as  1857  the  establishment  of  a  public 
library  in  this  place  was  urged,  and  at  times  afterward  the  matter 
was  brought  up,  until  Nov.  11,  1871,  when  a  meeting  was  held  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  library  association  under  the  laws  of 
the  State.  J.  G.  Patterson,  C.  S.  Otis  and  E.  A.  Teeling  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  draft  articles  of  incorporation.  It  was  pro- 
posed to  raise  $1,000  to  commence  with.  An  appeal  was  issued  to 
the  people,  setting  forth  the  advantages  and  importance  of  a  public 
library.  Nothing  much,  however ,was  effected  until  the  spring  of 
1878,  when  a  public  reading-room  was  opened,  and  a  small  nucleus 
of  a  library  established.  The  reading-room  had  a  reasonable  share 
of  patronage  for  the  first  year,  but  very  little  was  done  toward 
enlarging  the  book  collection.  The  expenses  of  this  year  were 
$500,  leaving  cash  on  hand  $150.  Efforts  were  now  renewed  for 
increasing  the  number  of  volumes  in  the  library,  with  some  de- 
gree of  success. 

There  are  now  (September,  1882)  nearly  500  volumes  in  the 
library,  and  the  library-room  is  also  kept  open  as  a  reading-room, 
from  10  A.  M.  to  12  m..  from  1:30  to  5  p.m.,  and  from  6  to  9:30 p.  m., 
daily,  except  Sundays.  The  room  is  kept  open  for  reading  on  Sun- 
days, 2:30  to  5:30  p.  m. 

The  Librarian  is  Miss  Nellie  Kelly.  Of  the  association  the 
Directors  are:  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth,  W.  D.  Balch,  S.  F.  Farnham,  Bur- 
ritt  Harwood,  B.  W.  Stevens,  J.  W.  Smith,  Henry  F.  Miles,  Y.  G. 
Barney,  F.  A.  Roziene  and  Alexander  K.  Spriggs.  The  officers 
are:  A.  K..  Spriggs,  President;  W.  D.  Balch,  First  Yice-President 
and  Treasurer;  H.  F.  Miles,  Second  Vice-President;  S.  F.  Farn- 
ham, Corresponding  Secretary;  B.  Harwood,  Recording  Secretary. 
Executive  Committee:  Messrs.  Hildreth,  Balch,  Stevens  and 
Barney. 

The  association  publishes  a  neat  little  pamphlet,  giving  a  list  of 
books  in  the  library  and  the  rules  and  regulations. 

Lyceum. — As  early  as  Dec.  6,  1856,  a  lyceum,  or  debating  club, 
was  organized  in  Charles  City,  by  the  election  of  A.  B.  F.  Hildreth, 
President;  Sanford  Harwood,  Yice-President;  T.  D.  Pooler,  Sec- 


CHAKLE8  CITY.  715 

retaiy;  and  G.  G.  Reiniger,  Treasurer.  Constitution  and  by-laws 
were  adopted  and  critics  appointed.  Meetings  to  be  held  weekly, 
at  the  school-house  when  that  place  should  not  be  otherwise 
engaged. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  winter  of  1859-'60,  a  similar  society 
was  organized  and  flourished  during  that  and  the  succeeding  win- 
ters. Lectures  by  parties  from  abroad  were  secured  by  this  club. 
The  lyceum  was  revived  again  Dec.  20,  1864.  In  1866  an  amateur 
dramatic  club  was  organized,  which  continued  until  January  1,  fol- 
lowing, when  it  suspended,  as  the  churches  essentially  took  away 
their  line  of  work.  A  lyceum  was  organized  Nov.  26,  1871,  which 
flourished  during  the  ensuing  winter. 

AnthencBum  Society. — In  April,  1881,  a  young  men's  debating 
club  was  organized  in  Charles  City  under  this  name,  with  J,  S, 
Bradley  for  President;  E,  I.  Angell,  Yice-President;  H.  L.  Spauld- 
ing,  Secretary;  B.  F.  Holcomb,  Treasurer;  Walter  Stuart,  Censor; 
S.  B.  Allison  and  E.  E.  Smith,  Editors;  E.  I.  Angell,  A.  McG. 
Huffman  and  J.  A.  Ferguson,  Programme  Committee.  The  society 
sat  with  closed  doors,  in  the  council  rooms,  Tuesday  evenings. 
Honorary  members  were  elected  from  time  to  time, 

Oymnasmm. — Under  this  name  a  society  was  organized  some 
years  ago  for  physical  exercise;  but  it  soon  gave  its  funds  in  aid  of 
a  lecture  association  and  died  out. 

Driving  Park  Association. — At  a  meeting  of  the  signers  to  the 
call  for  an  association  of  this  kind  at  Charles  City,  held  in  the 
Union  House  parlors,  June  21,  1882,  A.  R.  Spriggs  was  elected 
Chairman  and  George  R.  May,  Secretary,  on  temporary  organiza- 
tion. The  "  Charles  City  Driving  Park  Association  "  was  then 
organized  by  the  election  of  the  following  oflBcers  for  the  ensuing 
year:  J.  S.  Root,  President;  Morris  Despres,  Yice-President;  S. 
F.  Farnham,  Treasurer,  and  R.  D.  Owens,  Secretary.  This  meet- 
ing decided  to  have  a  trotting  and  running  July  14  and  15,  or 
the  week  following,  and  to  give  $1,500  in  purses. 

During  the  ensuing  month  (July)  an  exhibition  was  held  at  the 
Charles  City  fair-grounds,  which  was  attended  with  much  interest. 

The  Sportsman's  Club  of  Charles  City  has  had  a  rather  preca- 
ri<ni8  and  desultory  existence.  The  game  has  included  everything 
from  a  painted  glass  ball  to  a  wild  buffalo;  the  sports  have  included 
all  ranks;  and  the  toggery  varied  from  the  coon-skin  cap,  fawn-skin 
jacket  and  buckskin  breeches,  with  a  flint-lock  rifle,  to  the  high- 
44 


716  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

toned  uniformed  team  of  pigeon  shooters  with  the  latest  breach- 
loading  Spencer's. 

The  organizations  have  varied  as  wide  as  the  surroundings,  and 
to  do  justice  to  them  would  require  from  the  historian  a  wide  field 
of  investigation.  As  everj'thing  pertaining  to  Charles  "City  must 
start  with  Uncle  Joe  Kelly,  so  must  sporting  begin  with  1850-'52 
when  he  chased  the  deer,  elk,  and  wild  turkeys,  over  the  present 
site  of  this  city,  killing  ten  elk  near  where  the  brewery  now  stands. 
William  Flint  and  Dave  Green  killed  two  buffaloes  just  west  of  Flint 
during  the  same  years.  In  the  winter  of  1856  there  was  a  deep 
snow  which  crusted  over  and  the  people  went  out  with  clubs  and 
dogs  and  slaughtered  all  the  deer;  Uncle  Joe  would  not  go.  He 
said  there  was  no  "sport"  in  it.  The  dignity  of  a  true  hunter 
would  not  allow  of  such  advantage  of  the  game.  In  December, 
1871,  the  first  organization  was  effected,  but  the  club  did  no  acts 
entitling  it  to  a  name  in  history  till  its  reorganization  in  1878, 
with  the  following  ofllcers  and  members:  L.  Lender,  Captain;  W. 
D.  Balch,  President;  A.  M.  Harrison,  Secretary;  A.  G.  Case 
Treasurer;  E.  C.  Chapin,  Jacob  Baier,  J.  E.  Owens,  Directors; 
M.  G.  Tower,  E.  J.  Fisher,  S.  Northcote,  J.  P.  Taylor,  C.  M.  Fer- 
guson, John  Ferguson,  Charles  Kitcher,  D.  H.  Saxton  and  C  L. 
Dyke. 

Base  Ball. — This  fascinating  art  has  been  represented  in  Charles 
City,  by  a  club  which  engaged  in  two  or  three  contests  with  similar 
clubs  elsewhere.  It  was  strong  and  well  managed,  but  died  out 
the  next  year. 

The  IBresh  Water  Marines. — This  club  was  organized  in  May, 
1881,  with  a  membership  of  nine.  P.  M.  Wilbur  is  Admiral; 
Burt  Harwood,  Commodore;  P.  H.  Guiwits,  Captain;  Fred  Bar- 
ney, First  Mate;  Arthur  Dennis,  First  Lieutenant  and  Gunner;  C. 
DeTorrence,  Ensign;  H.  A.  Baltuff,  Commissary;  Arthur  Mooney, 
Cook.  Fred  Barney  removing  from  the  city  in  the  spring  of  1882, 
Jo  Clemens  was  elected  First  Mate  in  his  stead.  The  object  of  the 
club  is  health  and  recreation.  They  established  a  camp  on  the 
Cedar  River,  four  miles  north  of  Charles  City,  named  "Camp 
Wildwood,  Home  of  the  Fresh  Water  Marines." 

In  former  times  a  number  of  small  clubs  and  societies  have  en- 
joyed a  short  existence;  as,  the  "  Independent  Society,"  in  1870- 
'71;  the  "  Bantams  "  and  the  '^  Shanghais,"  the  "  Bachelors  "  club, 
etc.     The  latter  was  formed  in  1871-'2,  by  twelve  or  thirteen  bach- 


CHARLES    CITY.  717 

elors  of  Charles  City,  who  had  their  annual  reunions,  suppers, 
etc.,  for  about  three  years,  when  so  many  of  them  had  slipped  into 
the  bridal  noose  that  not  a  sufficient  number  were  left  even  to  man 
the  board  of  officers. 

Knights  of  Horatius. — This  dramatic  club  was  organized  Dec. 
9,  1876,  by  gentlemen  exclusively,  and  flourished  for  about  four 
years.  Its  officers  had  Latin  titles,  as  Horatius  Primus,  Quasstor, 
Princeps,  Cliens,  etc.  The  first  officers  were:  Myron  Morrell,  H. 
P.;  C.  E.  Judd,  N.  C;  C.  D.  Torrence,  Q.  P.  Other  prominent 
members  were  Arthur  W.  Dennis,  Harry  A.  Baltuff,  F.  E.  Barney, 
Jos.  Clemens,  M.  T.  Billings,  E.  C.  Hartshorn,  W.  R  Hurd,  B. 
M.  Cleveland,  I.  K.  McAdams,  B.  Ferguson,  etc.  The  club  was 
formed  for  mutual  improvement  in  literary  and  histrionic  cu  ture, 
and  held  their  regular  meetings  at  the  office  of  J.   Evans   Owens. 

The  Bas  Bleu  Club  was  organized  in  1875,  with  a  member- 
ship of  twenty.  The  following  officers  were  elected:  Miss  Ella 
Patterson  (now  Mrs.  Billingsly,  of  Vinton,  la.).  President;  Miss 
Cary  Barney,  Ida  Smith  and  Hattie  Dyke,  Dramatic  Committee. 
The  object  of  the  society  was  mutual  improvement  and  a  good 
time.  They  gave  a  number  of  plays,  parties,  dances,  and  recep- 
tions, and  gave  over  $200  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor.  This 
club  was  comprised  of  young  ladies,  and  in  their  dramatic  enter- 
tainments they  were  assisted  by  the  Bas  Sale  Club.  There  were 
few  changes  made  in  the  officers.  The  club  disbanded  some  three 
years  after  its  organization  and  the  money  left  in  the  treasury  was 
expended  in  books.  The  society  was  a  very  pleasant  one  and  af- 
forded much  amusement. 

The  Bas  Sale  Club. — About  a  year  after  the  organization  of  the 
Bas  Bleus,"a  society  of  gentlemen  organized  themselves  into  a 
club  to  be  known  as  the  Bas  Sale  (soiled  stockings),  and  gave  a 
number  of  dramatic,  literary  and  musical  entertainments.  First 
<»fficers:  Dr.  I.  S.  Abbott,  President;  Phil.  Wilbur,  Vice-Presi- 
dent; Sam.  Despres,  Secretary;  Alex.  Despres,  Treasurer;  Frank 
Koehler,  Musical  Director;  Emory  Morse,  Chaplain;  Shale  Ellis, 
Sergeant-at-arms;  Niel  Dj'ke,  Business  Manager.  Mr.  Koehler 
afterward  left  Charles  City,  and  Geo.  Kay  was  elected  to  fill  his 
place.  Among  the  exercises  indulged  in  by  this  club  were  mock 
trials,  in  one  of  which  Mr.  Sam.  Despres  distinguished  himself  b}' 
imitating  broken  German,  especially  the  dialect  of  a  certain  Ger- 
man lawyer  in  Chicago.     The  meetiijgs  of  this  society  were  held 


718  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

in  Dr.  Abbott's  dental  parlors.     Only  three  of  the   above  men- 
tioned gentlemen  now  reside  in  Charles  City. 

The  Clio  Club  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  187'.^  and  was 
without  doubt  the  finest  and  most  successful  dramatic  organization 
in  Northern  Iowa.  It  was  the  last  dramatic  club  in  the  city.  Its 
career  was  successful  from  the  first  and  never  failed  to  pack  a 
house.  The  members  finally  became  scattered,  and  thus  ended 
the  organization.  The  ofiicers  were:  President,  J.  Evans  Owens; 
Secretary,  P.  R.  Guiwits;  Treasurer,  S.  H.  Starr;  Stage  Manager, 
W.  D.  Balcli;  Executive  Committee,  E.  A.  Owens,  W.  S.  Har- 
wood,  Miss  Hattie  Dyke,  Phil.  M.  Wilbur.  This  is  but  a  very 
brief  sketch  of  one  of  the  most  useful  societies  in  Charles  City. 
It  was  indeed  an  ornament  to  the  city  and  a  benefit  to  its  members. 

Sax-Horn  Band. — This  band  was  first  organized  by  L.  L.  Hunt- 
ley, in  186J:  or  1865.  After  he  left  the  city  the  band  did  but  little 
or  nothing,  until  a  German  teacher  from  JSTew  York  came  and 
endeavored  with  his  native  tongue  to  drill  the  class,  but  with  poor 
success.  The  next  leader  was  Prof.  J.  F.  O.  Smith,  who  "led" 
them  on  to  victory  for  about  two  years.  The  band  then  comprised 
twelve  to  fifteen  ])ieces. 

May  22,  1866,  concert  and  supper  at  Union  Hall,  by  the  Charles 
City  Sax-Horn  Band,  proceeds  to  by  a  wagon  for  their  use  to  cost 
$500.  It  was  a  brilliant  success.  The  desired  chariot  was  soon 
afterward  obtained, — a  magnificent  vehicle.  During  1867  the 
band  had  a  law  suit,  considerable  opposition  and  a  very  discourag- 
ing time,  but  weathered  it  all  bravely. 

About  this  time  the  society,  with  the  aid  of  friends,  purchased 
a  fine  band  wagon,  costing  $550.  This  wagon  is  still  the  property 
of  the  band. 

Next  after  Prof  Smith  came  Joseph  Kelly  as  leader,  then  Hall, 
Gibson,  and  then  the     "Sixth  Regiment  Cornet  Band." 

Nov.  3,  1880,  the  band  was  reorganized  under  tlie  leadership  of 
Earl  J.  North,  with  thirteen  men,  and  still  flourishes,  consisting  of 
Earl  J.  North,  solo,  B-flat  cornet;  A.  Harvey,  E  flat  cornet; 
Bird  Cairns,  first  alto;  James  Ferguson,  second  alto;  Warren 
Klinetop,  first  tenor;  George  Brown,  second  tenor;  Everett  Kel- 
logg, solo  baritone;  Henry  P.  Mapes,  bass;  Irving  Kellogg, 
drum  and  cymbals. 

MISCELLANIEOUS. 

Many  small  items  of  interfest  cannot  well  be  classified  with  the 
regular  lines  of  history,  which  have  "threads"  extending  thruugh 


CHAELES    CITY,  719 

a  number  of  years ;  and  we  are  therefore  obliged  to  throw  them 
together  under  the  head  of  "  miscellaneous,"  arranging  as  well  as 
we  can  with  some  reference  to  their  general  character. 

TEMPERANCE. 

Charles  City  is  noted  for  its  sober-mindedness.  The  citizens 
generally  are  not  only  "  temperate,"  with  reference  to  drinking 
spirituous  liquors,  but  even  given  to  total  abstinence.  During  the 
summer  of  1857,  drinking  and  gambling  are  chronicled  as  being 
"introduced."  Doubtless,  however,  both  these  things  had  been 
indulged  in  prior  to  this,  but  it  became  more  bold.  Three  parties 
were  arrested,  one  convicted,  and  a  formal  notice  published  in  the 
city  paper  that  special  efforts  would  be  made  to  convict  others  who 
might  be  guilty. 

The  above  instance  is  typical  and  representative  of  the  fight 
between  law  and  order  on  the  one  side,  and  drunkenness,  gam- 
bling, laziness  and  disorder  on  the  other.  When  in  1869  Charles 
City  became  an  organized  "  city  "  in  law,  and  officers  and  alder- 
men had  to  be  elected,  the  usual  contest  sprung  up,  of  course, 
between  the  license  partie:*,  and  sometimes  one  party  would  carry 
the  day,  sometimes  the  other,  and  sometimes  "both,"  or  neither- 

In  1879  the  license  party  carried  every  ward.  Up  to  within 
three  or  four  days  of  the  election  it  was  generally  believed  that 
"prohibition"  was  ahead,  but  then  a  general  belief  sprung  up 
that  a  few  were  setting  up  a  ring  to  control  county  politics,  and 
straightway  there  was  a  general  bolt.  "In  view  of  the  resnlt," 
said  the  Intelligencer,  "the  verdict  cannot  be  otherwise  than, 
'  Failed  from  an  overdose  of  politics.'  "  At  the  present  time,  1882, 
the  common  council  is  anti-license,  and  is  very  difficult  for  parties 
to  obtain  spirituous  liquors  to  drink  as  a  beverage.  Even  the 
druggists  refuse  to  sell  such  liquors,  for  any  purpose  whatever. 

IM  MEM<:)RY    OF    PRESIDENT    LINCOLN. 

April  27,  1865,  appropriate  public  exercises  were  held  in  Charles 
City,  in  accordance  with  the  proclamation  of  the  Governor  that 
the  day  be  observed  with  humiliation  and  prayer  on  account  of 
the  assassination  of  Lincoln.  This  was  the  day  of  his  funeral  ser- 
vices. Under  the  auspices  of  an  organization,  there  were  a  pro. 
cession,  music,  oration,  etc.  A  full  account  is  given  in  Chapter 
VIII. 


720  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

IN   MEMORY    OF    PRESIDENT    GARFIELD. 

As  soon  as  the  sad  news  of  tlie  death  of  President  Garfield  was 
confirmed,  Major  Burr  issued  the  following  proclamation,  Sept. 
ember  20: 

To  the  Citizens  of  Charles  City: — Information  having  been 
received  of  the  death  of  James  A.  Garfield,  President  of  the  United 
States,  bj  the  hand  of  an  assassin;  and  whereas,  it  is  deemed 
fitting  that  some  expression  of  the  emotions  excited  by  this  most 
calamitous  event  should  be  evidenced  in  a  public  meeting  of  the 
people  of  this  city,  therefore  it  is  requested  that  all  places  of  busi- 
ness be  closed  from  and  after  3  o'clock  this  afternoon;  that  the 
nation's  citizens  repair  to  the  Baptist  church  at  4:30  p.  m.,  for 
such  services  as  shall  be  thought  proper  in  view  of  the  sorrow. 

"P.  W.  Bdrr,  Mayor." 

Accordingly  a  large  audience  assembled  at  the  church,  where 
the  Mayor  called  it  to  order  in  a  few  appropriate  remarks.  Short 
addresses  were  made  by  B.  F.Wright,  G.  F.  Boulton,  Dr.  S.  P. 
Yeomans  and  Rev.  C.  T.  Tucker,  who  were  called  upon  by  the 
Mayor  to  address  the  meeting.  At  the  close,  the  Mayor  appointed 
a  committee  of  arrangements  for  holding  funeral  services  the  follow- 
ing Monday,  the  day  of  Garfield's  interment.  The  programme  for 
the  day  was,  1.  Dirge,  by  North's  Cornet  Band;  2.  Invocation,  by 
Rev.  C T.  Tucker;  3.  Hymn;  4.  Introductory,  by  Chairman,  G.  H, 
Nichols;  5.  Eulogy,  by  B.  F.  Wright;  6.  Hymn;  7.  Short 
addresses,  by  Mayor  P.  W.  Burr,  J.  Evans  Owens,  A.  W.  Cook, 
A.  M.  Harrison,  Major  M.  Lynch,  Rev.  Father  Gunn  and  Rev.  E. 
Casselman;  8.  Selected  poem,  by  H.  C.  Raymond;  9.  Hymn;  10. 
Closing  prayer  and  benediction,  by  Rev.  H.  Kaste.  11.  Dirge,  by 
the  Band.  These  services  were  held  on  the  Public  Square,  where 
a  large  and  attentiv^e  audience  assembled. 

MEETINGS. 

Oct.  10,  1871,  the  second  day  of  the  fire  at  Chicago,  the  citizens 
organized  for  the  collection  and  forwarding  of  the  necessaries  of 
life  to  the  destitute  of  that  fated  city. 

Oct.  19,  annual  joint  meeting  of  the  Garnavillo  and  Mitchell 
Associations  of  Congregationalists  at  Charles  City.  April  11,  1872, 
first  grange  organized. 

July  9,  1872,  Methodist  campmeeting  in  O.  AV.  Hart's  grove, 
e'ghty    rods  from   the  Milwaukee  depot,  Charles  City.     Weather 


CHARLES  CITY.  721 

favorable  and  a  good  time  enjoyed.     A  hundred  or  more  converts 
professed  religion. 

Aug.  25,  187-i,  Union  Camp-meeting,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Metliodist  Episcopal  church.  Oct.13-14,  Fourth  District  Press 
Association  met  in  Charles  City. 

May  10,  1881,  Masonic  Hall,  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
the  O.  E.  S.  of  Iowa;  Mrs.  R.  C.  Mathews,  Rockford,  Grand 
Matron. 

June  7,  1881,  ninth  annual  session  of  the  Decorah  District  Con- 
ference of  the  M.  E.  church. 

May  10-11,  1882,  Editorial  Association  for  the  Fourth  Congres- 
sional District. 

June  21-28, convention  of  School  Superintendents. 

This  list  could  doubtless  be  extended. 

CASUALTIES. 

1857,  prairie  fires  around  Charles  City,  destroying  much  prop- 
erty. To  stand  on  an  eminence  a  few  miles  east  of  the  village 
and  see  the  hills  around  it  covered  with  fire  was  a  magnificent  spec- 
tacle. 

1855,  William  Grow,  drowned:  the  first  death  in  the  county. 
Elsewhere  noticed. 

1857,  July  4,  John  Hill  seriously  wounded  by  the  bursting  of  a 
sledge  hammer  under  a  pile  of  anvils. 

1858,  April  27,  John  W.  Wyman,  a  highly  respected  young 
man,  twenty-three  years  of  age,  was  drowned  in  the  Cedar 
just  below  the  dam  of  the  new  saw-mill.  He  approached  too  near 
the  dam,  on  the  lower  side,  in  a  skiff",  and  the  falling  water  capsized 
his  boat  and  precipitated  him  into  the  raging  waters.  Two  or 
three  men  endeavored  immediately  to  swim  to  his  rescue,  but  failed 
on  account  of  the  violence  of  the  currents. 

Mr.  Hiilman,  of  Union  Township,  was  killed  at  Charles  City  by 
being  thrown  out  of  a  wagon,  his  head  striking  against  a  saw-log 
near  Kelly's  mill.     He  was  intoxicated. 

1861,  Feb.  10,  Sunday,  at  St.  Charles  City,  a  lad  of  half  a  dozen 
years  found  himself  an  involuntary  prisoner  in  the  Baptist  church. 
It  appears  that  he  had  fallen  asleep  and  remained  so  at  the  close  of 
service,  and  being  unperceived  by  the  sexton  he  was  locked  in. 
Some  time  during  the  night  he  awoke,  and  finding  how  matters 
stood  he  made  the  church  hideous  with  his  outcries.   A  gentleman, 


722  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

living  near,  arrived  just  in  time  to  hear  the  glass  jingle  and  see  the 
boy  emerge  through  the  broken  window. 

1862,  June  30,  Enoch  Harvey  was  caught  and  drawn  around  a 
shaft  in  a  steam  saw-mill  and  killed. 

1862,  Oct.  10,  A.  H.  Buel  was  killed  in  a  well,  by  a  bucket 
falling  upon  him. 

1862,  Oct.  23,  great  conflagration  in  the  city,  which  consumed 
two  hotels,  six  stores,  two  jewelry  shops,  one  tailor  shop  and  one 
law  office.  Loss  about  $50,000.  This  constituted  the  greater  por- 
tion of  the  business  part  of  the  city.  The  fire  broke  out  in  the  roof 
of  the  Kelly  Hotel  about  2:30  p.  m.,  when  the  wind  was  high,  and  it 
immediately  became  uncontrollable.  By  special  efforts,  the  Intelli- 
gencer office  was  saved.  The  hotels  destroyed  were  the  Kelly  Hotel 
and  the  Magnolia  House  ;  the  law  office  was  that  of  G.  G.  &  R.  G. 
Reiniger  ;  the  other  principal  losers  were  J.  "W.  Lehmkuhl,  Carl 
Merckel,  D.  Davidson,  J.  StoUe,  Messrs.  Smilie  &  Bennett,  the 
jewelers,  and  Ferguson  &  Sampson. 

1864,  Sept.  8,  the  dwelling-house  of  Samnel  Hackley,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  with  all  the  contents. 
The  family,  who  were  absent  when  the  fire  broke  out,  had  not  even 
a  change  of  clothing  saved.     Origin  of  the  fire  unknown. 

Sept.  26,  Charles  Allen's  house  was  burned.  No  insurance. 
Origin  of  fire  unknown. 

1863,  one  case  of  small-pox,  but  very  light.  Rumor  abroad 
made  it  that  the  place  was  badly  afflicted  with  that  disease. 

1865,  Nov.  2,  George  W.  Kellogg,  son  of  Harvey  Kellogg, 
accidentally  killed  himself  by  the  explosion  of  a  gun,  while  he 
was  attempting  to  kill  an  owl  in  a  barn. 

1866,  January,  the  wife  of  Col.  Abner  Root  was  fatally  burned 
by  falling  oh  a  cooking  stove  at  her  residence. 

1866,  April  2,  ninety  feet  of  the  Charles  City  bridge  and  one  pier 
were  taken  away  by  the  flood. 

1866,  July  4,  Frankie  Slick  was  killed  by  the  explosion  of  a 
rocket. 

1867,  June  13,  the  wagon  shop  of  Wm.  Korenkie,  on  Clark 
street  was  burned  ;  loss,  $1,200  ;  insurance,  $800.  Origin  of  the 
fire  unknown.  Created  great  alarm,  as  other  buildings  were  in 
peril. 

1867,  October,  a  child,  seventeen  months  old,  belonging  to 
Friedrick  Phin,  of  Charles  City,  was  scalded  to  death,  by  drawing 


CHAKLES  CITY.  "  723 

upon  itself  a  dish  of  hot  sauce  from  the  table,  during  a  few  min- 
utes' absence  of  its  mother. 

186S,  Oct.  14  (or  17),  Frank  Weldon  (or  Welding)  was  killed  by 
the  falling  of  a  bent  at  the  engine  station-house  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railway.  His  residence  was  at  Iowa  Falls,  where  he  had 
a  wife  and  child.    This  was  the  first  railroad  casualty  in  the  county. 

1868,  Dec.  8,  an  alarming  fire  broke  out  in  tlie  court-house,  but 
was  soon  extingushed.  Damage  only  $25.  Cause,  defective  lathing. 

1868.  One  cold  morning  in  December,  Augustus  Grams  found 
a  horse  frozen  in  the  river  nearly  up  to  the  gambrel  joints,  and  had 
to  get  an  ax  and  cut  away  the  ice  in  order  to  release  him.  It  is 
supposed  that  the  animal  crossed  a  strip  of  ice  to  get  a  drink,  and 
found  it  too  slippery  to  return  to  the  bank, — or  else  he  decided  to 
take  a  foot  bath! 

1869,  Nov.  17,  Henry  Sage  was  struck  by  a  train  at  the  railroad 
bridge  and  killed. 

^870.  In  the  fall,  C.W.  Atkinson,  a  druggist,  drowned  himself  in 
the  river.  He  had  been  sick  for  some  time  and  confined  to  his 
room,  but  suddenly  escaped  from  his  attendants  in  a  fit  of  delirium 
to  commit  the  suicidal  act.     . 

1871,  April  6,  S.  G.  Bryant's  building,  a  two-story  frame  oppo- 
site the  Union  House,  was  burned  down. 

1876,  Jan.  13,  A  dog  belonging  to  Sheriff  Miner  stopped  a  run- 
away team  in  Charles  City,  by  catching  hold  of  the  lines. 

1876,  June  24  (or  25),  Herman  Gherken  (or  Gherkins),  was 
drowned  near  the  dam. 

1879,  diphtheria  prevailed.  Charles  City,  by  its  council,  ap- 
pointed a  board  of  health,  which  issued  a  proclamation  forbidding 
assemblages  of  all  kinds  within  doors,  except  court  and  election. 
Some  people,  of  course,  thought  this  a  hard  and  inefficient  meas- 
ure, and  disobeyed  the  regulation.  This  board  was  also  accused 
(but  wrongfully)  of  endeavoring  to  impede  the  temperance  move- 
ment, which  depends  to  a  great  extent  upon  holding  meetings. 

Milwaukee  Depot  Burned. — Just  after  the  close  of  morning 
service,  Sunday,  May  15,  the  city  was  startled  by  the  cry  of  fire. 
It  was  soon  found  that  the  Milwaukee  depot  was  in  flames,  started 
in  the  roof  by  sparks  from  the  locomotive  of  the  stock  express 
going  east.  The  fire  was  discovered  by  the  station  agent,  Mr.  Gil- 
bert, who,  with  his  assistants,  m  ide  every  eflort  to  extinguish  it. 
This  was  found  to  be  impossible,  and  attention  was  turned  to  sav- 
ing the  papers,  etc.,  in  the  ofiice  and  the  articles  in  the  baggage- 


724  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

room.  All  was  rescued  except  the  telegraph  instruments  and  one 
trunk.  The  freight  room  was  full  of  goods,  but  little  was  saved. 
Six  cars  of  freight  on  the  side  track  were  consumed.  The  loss  was 
in  the  neighborhood  of  $10,000,  with  but  little  insurance. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Henry  C.  Aldrieh.  M.  D.  and  D.  D.  S.,  one  of  the  leading  phy 
sicians  of  Charles  City,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Minneapolis, 
Minn.  His  parents  were  Cyrus  and  Clara  A.  (Heaton)  Aldrieh. 
She  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  he  of  Rhode  Island,  where  he 
received  his  education.  When  a  young  man  he  emigrated  to 
Northern  Illinois,  and  was  one  of  the  owners  of  the  Chicago  & 
Galena  stage  line  and  helped  build  the  Illinois  &  Lake  Michigan 
Canal.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Legislature  and  receiver 
of  public  moneys  at  the  land  office  at  Dixon,  111.  In  1856  he  re- 
moved to  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness. He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Minnesota  Legislature  and 
a  member  of  Congress  from  Minnesota,  in  1S6I.  He  died  in  Oc- 
tober, 1871,  aged  sixty-three  years.  His  wife  resides  in  Minneapo- 
lis. She  and  husband  had  a  family  of  three  daughters  and  (me 
son,  two  living,  viz;  Villa,  wife  of  D.  H.  Wright,  commission 
merchant  at  Minneapolis,  Minn,  and  Henry  C,  subject  of  this 
sketch.  He  attended  the  Minneapolis  High  School  and  State  Uni- 
versity until  1877,  when  he  began  the  study  of  dentistry  graduating 
from  the  Dental  Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
then  beginning  the  study  of  medicine,  graduating  from  the  Hahne- 
mann Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia.  He  located  in  Charles 
City,  la..  May,  1881,  where  he  has  since  practiced  the  profession 
of  medicine,  establishing  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  is 
the  city  physician.  Dr.  Aldrieh  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Whit- 
ney at  Minneapolis,  Sept.  21:,  1879.  She  was  the  first  white  child 
born  at  Clear  Water,  Minn.,  and  in  honor  of  that  event  was  pre- 
sented a  lot  in  Clear  Water,  Minn.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel N.  and  Abbie  (Hay)  Whitney.  Dr.  Aldrieh  and  wife  attend 
the  Congregational  church  in  Charles  City.  He  is  a  member  of 
and  Medical  Examiner  in  the  Iowa  Legion  of  Honor,  and  in  politics 
a  Republican. 

Edgar  F .  Atherton,  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  Charles 
City,  is  a  native  of  Yermont,  born  in  Moretown,  Washington 
County,  March  23,  1814;  his  parents  were  Joseph  L.  and  Lucy  B. 


CHARLES  CITY.  725 

(Adams)  Atherton,  natives  also  of  the  Green  Mountain  State.  He 
resided  in  Moretown  until  1858,  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Floyd  County,  la.  They  still  reside  on  their  farm  in  Cedar  Town- 
ship, and  have  a  family  of  four  children,  three  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, viz.:  Ella  A.,  who  married  John  O.  Adams;  Eddie B.,  residing 
with  his  parents  in  Cedar  Township;  Walter  E.,  also  residing  on  the 
old  homestead;  Edgar  F.,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  eldest  son ; 
his  parents  moved  to  Floyd,  la.,  when  he  was  fourteen  years  old  and 
resided  there  until  18Y0,  when  he  went  to  Orchard  Station,  Mitchell 
County,  and  opened  a  store  of  general  merchandise,  remaining  until 
the  fall  of  1879,  when  he  sold  out  and  located  in  Charles  City,  where 
he  established  his  present  business.  He  occupies  a  building  66  x21 
feet  two  stories  in  height  and  carries  a  full  and  complete  stock 
of  imported  and  domestic  goods,  ladies'  goods,  dry  goods,  notions, 
and  clothes,  hats,  caps,  gloves  and  mittens.  Mr.  Atherton  mar- 
ried Miss  Amelia  Wilbur,  June  6,  1869,  at  Floyd;  she  was  born  in 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Ange- 
line  (Moore)  Wilbur,  natives  of  New  York,  and  of  Quaker  descent. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Atherton  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church, 
and  have  had  a  family  of  two  children,  viz. :  Earnest  W.,  born  Aug. 
17,  1870,  and  Winifred  L.,  July  11,  1877.  Mr.  Atherton  is  one 
of  the  enterprising  representative*  business  men  of  Charles  City, 
and  an  old  settler  of  Floyd  County,  having  been  identified  with 
the  county  since  1858.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Y.  A.  S. 
Fraternity,  Charles  City  Lodge.  In  politics  rather  independent 
and  inclined  to  vote  for  the  best  man.     He  is  of  Scotch  descent. 

Edmund  Austin^    retired  farmer,    and    Vice-President   of  the 
Charles  City  National  Bank  and  Charles  City  Water-Power  Com- 
pany, was  born  in  Skaneateles,  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  4, 
1821;   his   parents   were   Silas   and  Mary   A.   (Patchen)  Austin, 
natives  of  New  York.     He  was  a  farmer  and  they   were  members 
of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  had  a  family   of  five   sons  and   two 
daughters;  five  lived  to  be  men  and  women.     Edmund,  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  the  eldest  child  and  soon  after  his  birth  his  parents 
removed  to    Cayuga  County,   N".,  Y.  where  he  farmed   until  his 
marriage  to  Eliza  Browning,  which   occurred  March  4,  1852.    She 
was  born  in  Sommersetshire,  England;  was  a  daughter  of  Mathew 
and   Nancy    (Davis)   Browning,  also  natives   of  England.     Soon 
after   his    marriage   Mr.    Austin    moved    to   Skaneateles,  N.  Y., 
where  he  bought  land  and  engaged   in  farming  until   the  year  o 


726  HISTOEY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

1854,  when  he  went  to  Winnebago  County,  111.,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1855  came  to  Charles  Citj,  la.,  and  purchased  a  farm  in  St. 
Charles  Township  which  he  still  owns,  and  cultivated  until 
March,  1882,  when  he  rented  it  and  moved  into  Charles  City, 
where  he  bought  a  residence  and  has  since  lived,  leading  a  life  of 
retirement  from  active  business.  Mr.  Austin  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church  and  have  had  a  family  of  three  children ; 
the  eldest,  John  P.,  died  in  infancy,  and  two  are  living,  viz.:  Sarah 
N.,  born  ]^ov,  28,  1856,  resides  with  her  parents,  and  Willis 
B.,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Centennial  Mills  of  Charles  City, 
born  Jan.  19,  1859.  Mr.  Austin  was  elected  Yice-President  <»f 
the  Charles  City  National  Bank  upon  its  organization  in  1876  and 
has  been  Vice-President  of  the  Water-Power  Company  since  Feb. 
1880.  He  owns  a  farm  of  365  acres  in  St.  Charles  Township  and 
240  acres  in  Union  Township.  He  also  owns  property  in  Charles 
City,  and  stock  in  the  Water-Power  Company  and  in  the  Charles 
City  National  Bank.  Heisoneof  the  few  old  settlers  of  1855  now 
living  and  has  seen  Floyd  County  change  from  its  old  uncultivated 
state  to  its  present  prosperous  condition.  When  he  came  to 
Charles  City  there  were  but  three  frame  buildings  and  a  few  l>g 
cabins.     In  politics  Mr.  Austin  is  rather  independent. 

V.  W.  £aker,  carpenter,  was  ix)rn  in  Worcester  County,  Mass., 
June  12,  1820.  His  parents  were  Yickery  and  Priscilla  (Walker) 
Baker,  natives  of  Massachusetts.  His  father  died  in  1870  in 
Vermont,  in  which  State  his  mother  still  lives,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation in  Vermont.  He  was  married  in  1862  to  Sarah  P.  Darkee, 
a  native  of  Vermont.  They  removed  to  Illinois  soon  after,  and 
lived  at  Hockford  until  1857,  when  they  removed  to  Floyd  County. 
They  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Alice,  teaching 
in  Indianapolis,  and  Estella,  at  home.  Mrs.  Baker  died  in  1870, 
and  he  was  again  married,  in  1871,  to  Estella  M.  Patton,  a  native 
of  New  York.  They  have  had  two  children — Clifford,  and  Gracie 
(deceased).  Politically,  Mr.  Baker  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

William  D.  Balchy  of  the  firm  of  Peiniger  &  Balch,  bankers,  of 
Charles  City,  is  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  born  in  the  town  of 
Claremont,  Jan.  2,  1834.  His  parents  were  William  S.  and  Ade- 
line G.  (Capron)  Balch,  natives  of  Vermont.  He  was  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Universalist  church  and  is  still  living,  a  retired 
minister,  of  Elofin,   111.,  now  in  his  seventy-seventh    year.     She 


CHARLES  CITY.  727 

died  in  1855.  Thej  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  four  sons 
and  four  daughters.  William  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
the  eldest  son.  When  a  child,  his  parents  removed  to  New  York 
City,  his  father  having  charge  of  a  church  there.  He  attended 
school  in  JSTew  York  City  until  fourteen  when  he  entered  the 
Clinton  Liberal  Institute,  at  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  remaining  three 
years.  He  returned  to  New  York  City  and  engaged  in  banking, 
on  Wall  street,  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  came  to  Charles 
City,  la.,  and  started  the  first  bank  in  the  city,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Mitchell,  Fairfield  &  Balch,  and  in  1867,  E.  C.  Chapin, 
now  editor  of  the  Davenport,  la.,  Gazette,  purchased  Mr. 
Mitchell's  interest,  and  the  firm  remained  Chapin,  Fairfield  & 
Balch,  until  1873,  when  Mr.  Chapin  retired  from  the  firm,  and  in 
1875  Judge  Reiniger  bought  Judge  Fairfield's  interest  and  the  firm 
has  since  remained  Reiniger  &  Balch.  Mr.  Balch  married  Miss 
Ellen  M.  Melville,  Jan.  19,  1858.  She  was  born  in  New  York 
City  and  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  B.  Melville,  a  manufacturing 
jeweler,  of  New  York  City.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Balch  had  four  children, 
one  living,  viz.:  Estelle  L.,  born  in  New  York  City,  in  October, 
1861.  Their  mother  died  in  1864.  Mr.  Balch  married  Miss 
Maria  A.  Palmer,  at  Charles  City,  Feb.  11,  1868.  She  was  born 
in  Maine,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Dr.  William  M.  Palmer  and  Anna, 
7iee  Shaw.  He  was  a  physician,  of  Charles  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Balch  have  had  four  children,  two  living,  viz.:  Margaret  and 
Stevens.  Mr.  Balch  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  and  an  enterprising 
representative  business  man  of  Charles  City.  He  was  elected 
Mayor  of  the  city  one  year,  has  been  Treasurer  of  Charles  City  and 
Floyd  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  also  Treasurer  of  the  Inde- 
pendent School  District,  a  number  of  years.  He  is  Yice-President 
of  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Mason  City,  and  active  in  its  man- 
agement. In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  supporter  of  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

Col.  V.  G.  Barney,  formerly  a  marble  manufacturer  in  Yer- 
mont,  where  he  owned  a  quarry,  is  a  native  of  the  Green  Mount- 
ain State,  born  in  Swanton,  Franklin  County,  Aug.  26,  1834,  a 
son  of  George  and  Emma  D.  (Goodrich)  Barney.  They  were  also 
natives  of  Yermont  and  members  of  the  M.  E.  church;  they  had 
a  family  of  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Col.  Y.  G.  being  the 
second  son;  he  attended  school  until  nineteen  when  he  clerked  in 
a  store  a  couple  of  years,  then  took  charge  of  the  marble  mills 
at  Danby,  Rutland  County,  Yt.,  and  remained  there  three  yeais; 


728  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY, 

then    took  charge  of  the  mills  at  S wanton  until  1861  when  he 
enlisted  in  the  Independent  Company  which  afterward  became 
Company  A,  First  Vermont  Regiment;  enlisted  for  three  months, 
and  was  Orderly  Sergeant  of  the  company;  at  the  end  of  the  three 
months  returned  to  Swanton  and  soon  after  re-enlisted  in  Company 
A,  Ninth   A^erniont  Regiment,  and  was   elected  Captain  of  this 
company;  remained  as  Captain  one  year,  when  he  was  Commis- 
sioned Lieut. -Colonel  of  the  regiment,  and  held  that  position  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  the 
marble  business  four  years;  when,  owing  to  trouble  with  his  lungs 
from  exposure  in  army,  went  to  Florida  six  months,  then  removed 
with  his  family  to  Minneapolis,  Minn.     He   engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business  there  three  years,  then  came  to  Charles   City,  in 
1872,  and  has  loaned  money  and   speculated  in  land  here  since. 
Mr.    Barney   married   Miss  Maria  L.   Had  wen,  April   21,    1857; 
she  was  born  in  Danby,  Vt.,    and    was   a   daughter   of  John   and 
Abigail  (^Baker)  Hadwen;  they  were  Quakers,  and  natives  of  !New 
York;  they  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  seven  daughters  and  two 
sons.     Mrs.  Col.  Barney  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.     They 
have  had  four  children,  viz.:  Caroline  E.,  born  Feb.  7,  1858;  Fred 
E.,  Oct.  10,  1859,  is   Assistant   Casliier  in   Commercial  Bank   of 
Minneapolis,  Minn.;  Bertha  M.,  born   July  9,  1866;  Frank,  Oct.  3, 
1871.     Mr.  Barney  is  one  of  the  representative  business  men  and 
citizens  of  Charles  City,  and  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  First 
National  Bank  here.     He  owns  a  farm  of  200  acres  in  St.  Charles 
Township,  160  acres  in  Sioux  County,  la.,   eighty  acres  in  Chick- 
asaw  County,  and   400   in   Wright   County.     In   politics  he  is  a 
Republican  and  cast  the  first  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont   for  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.     He  has  been  a  supporter  of  that  party 
since.  He  is  of  Welsh,  English  and  French  descent.  His  father  put 
in  the  first  American  marble  tile  flooring  in  the  United  States;  he  is 
still   living  and  actively    engaged    in    business    at   Swanton,    Yt. 
Col.  V.  Gr.  Barney's  brother,  Elisha  L.  Barney,  was  Colonel  of  the 
Sixth  Vermont  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  was  killed  in  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  in  Virginia,  in  1864.     Mr.  Barney  has  alw<i.y8 
taken  an  active  interest  in  educational  matters,  and  for  the  past  six 
years  has  been  a  member  of  the   School   Board.     He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  City  Council  two  years.     He  is  liberal  in  his  views 
politically  as  well  as  religiously;  he  has   always   taken    an  active 
interest  in  any  thing  that  promised  progression  to  Charles  City. 


CHARLES  CITY.  72}^ 

He  secured  an  appropriation  from  City  Council  to  lay  out  city 
park  and  set  out  the  trees,  and  lay  out  walks.  Mr.  Campbell  and 
Mr.  Barney  own  the  Park  House. 

J.  A.  Becker^  Clerk  of  St.  Charles  Township  and  farmer,  was 
born  in  Yernon,  Oneida  County,  IST.  Y.,  on  Dec.  24,  1837.  His 
parents,  Jacob  and  Melissa  R.  (Knox)  Becker,  were  natives  of  New 
York,  and  had  a  family  of  two  children,  viz. :  Melissa  J.,  who  mar- 
ried J.  S.  Freeman,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  father 
died  two  weeks  before  he  was  born,  and  his  mother  afterward  mar- 
ried Lyman  Jacobs.  J.  A.  lived  in  Vernon  with  his  mother  and 
stepfather  on  a  farm  and  attended  school  until  twentj'^-one,  when 
he  attended  the  Oneida  Conference  Seminary  two  terms;  then 
took  a  three-months'  course  at  Eastman's  Business  College 
Poughkeepsie.  He  then  began  teachini^  school,  and  taught  winters 
and  worked  summers  at  the  carpenter's  trade  seven  years;  then 
came  to  Charles  City,  la.,  in  March,  1870.  He  has  been  engaged 
in  farming  since.  He  taught  school  in  St.  Charles  Townsliip  the 
winter  of  1871-2.  He  married  Addie  L.  Griswold,  Oct.  23,  1867. 
She  was  born  in  Augusta,  Oneida  County,- N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Warren  H .  and  Aroxsa  (Hart)  Griswold.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Becker  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  churcli  and  have  had  one  s  m, 
viz.:  Warren  Earl,  born  Aug.  30,  1881.  In  the  spring  of  1879, 
Mr.  Becker  was  appointed  Township  Clerk,  but  by  subsequent 
election  has  held  that  office  since.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Sec- 
retary of  the  School  Board  since  1872,  and  that  of  Assessor  three 
years.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  one  of  the  enter- 
prising, representative  men  of  Charles  City,  and  farmers  of  Floyd 
County,  where  he  has  been  identified  since  1870.  He  is  of  Mo- 
hawk Dutch  and  New  England  desent. 

De  Grand  Benjamin^  retired  farmer,  miller  and  manufacturer 
of  cheese,  was  born  in  De  Ruyter,  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  Oct. 
2,  1816,  a  son  of  Elias  P.  and  Martha  (Rich)  Benjamin.  She  was 
from  Connecticut,  and  he  was  a  native  of  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y. 
He  was  a  miller  and  farmer.  They  were  members  of  the  Univer- 
salis t  church,  and  had  a  family  of  six  sons  and  three  daughters. 
De  Grand,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  third  son.  He  attended 
school — working  on  his  father's  farm — until  twenty-one,  when  he 
engaged  in  teaching  school  in  Madison  County,  continuing  seven 
years.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Roxalina  Sexton,  Sept.  23,  1843, 
at  Union  Valley,  Portland  County,  N.  Y.  She  was  born  there 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Nancy  (Carpenter)  Sexton. 


730  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

After  Mr.  Benjamin  was  married  he  located  in  Union  Valley,  and 
through  liis  efforts  a  postoffice  was  established  here  and  he  was 
appointed  Postmaster.  He  also  owned  and  conducted  a  farm 
there.  In  1849  he  returned  to  the  home  of  his  boyhood  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  within  two  miles  of  his  father,  and  engaged  in 
farming  and  milling  until  his  father's  death.  He  inherited  the 
old  homestead  of  his  father.  The  State  chaigii  the  course  of  the 
river  that  propelled  his  mill  for  canal  purposes,  soon  after,  so  he 
converted  his  mill  into  a  cheese  factory.  In  March,  1874,  he  came 
to  Charles  City,  la.,  purchased  some  property  and  has  since  resided 
here,  engaged  in  speculating  and  loaning  money.  Mrs.  Benja- 
min is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  They  have  had 
three  childrien,  two  living,  viz.:  Martha  A.,  born  March  27,  1847, 
and  Alida  H.,  born  May  8,  1852.  Mr.  Benjamin  is  one  of  the 
enterprising,  representative  men  of  Charles  City.  In  politics, 
he  was  first  a  Democrat,  but  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  became  a 
strong  Republican  and  has  since  supported  that  party.  He  is  a 
man  liberal  in  his  views,  original  in  mind,  and  a  strong  believer 
in  all  men  having  equal  rights.  He  is  of  English  descent.  He 
•owns  a  nice  home  and  eight  lots  in  Charles  City,  and  a  farm  of 
120  acres  in  Scott  Township,  most  all  under  cultivation  and  well 
stocked. 

Edward  Berg  ^  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  business  men 
of  Charles  City,  was  born  inEutin,  Oldensburg,  Germany,  on  Aug. 
6, 1844,  a  son  of  Adoph  and  Sophia  Berg,  nee  Boessing,  who  had 
a  family  of  seven  children.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  Mr.  Adolph  Berg  was  a  Privy  Councilor  of  the  Gov- 
ernment of  Oldenburg.  Edward  attended  school  in  Germany, 
making  a  specialty  of  the  studies  of  chemistry  and  forrestry  until 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landed 
at  New  York,  and  from  there  went  at  once  to  St.  Louis,  Mo,  He  re- 
mained there  a  short  time,  and  in  December,  1867, came  to  Charles 
City,  where  he  clerked  for  J.  H.  Stolle,  until  March.  1873,  when 
he  open  his  present  store.  He  carries  a  complete  stock  of  groceries, 
provisions  and  staple  goods,  also  keeps  a  full  line  of  crockery  and 
chinaware.  One  department  of  his  store  is  devoted  to  drugs  and 
medicines  of  all  kinds.  This  stock  is  valued  at  $3,000.  He  is 
agetit  for  the  German  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  Freeport,  III., 
and  has  had  the  agency  since  1871.  Politically,  he  is  independent 
in  his  views. 


CHARLES  CITY.  731 

F.  A.  Burton^  proprietor  of  the  Charles  City  livery,  feed  and 
sale  stable,  was  born  in  Andover,  Vt.,  March  7,  1854;  his  parents 
were  Horace  and  Mary  A.  (Taylor)  Burton.  They  were  natives 
of  Vermont  and  had  a  family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Frank  A.,  subject  of  this  memoir,  was  the  3'onngest;  he  attended 
school  ill  Andover,  Vt,,  until  thirteen  or  fourteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Black  Earth,  Dane  County,  Wis., 
where  he  attended  school  two  years;  then  worked  in  the  Wisconsin 
pineries  on  the  Mississippi  River  one  year;  then  came  to  Charles 
City,  and  attended  the  High  School  four  years;  then  he  purchased 
his  present  livery,  feed  and  sale  stable.  Mr.  Burton  married  Miss 
Emma  Henderson,  at  Charles  City,  la.  She  was  born  in  Mount 
Carroll,  Hi.,  in  1856,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Berry  and  Amanda 
C.  (Youce)  Henderson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burton  have  one  daughter 
— Miss  Jessie  M.,  born  June  24,  1879.  Mr.  Burton  is  one  of  the 
enterprising,  representative  business  men  of  Charles  City.  He 
was  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Floyd  County  for  four  years. 
He  owns  and  runs  the  largest  and  most  complete  stables  in  the 
city.  He  keeps  from  eighteen  to  twenty  fine  buggy  and  carriage 
horses  and  a  full  line  of  buggies  and  carriages.  Mr.  Burton  has 
taken  the  premium  for  carriage  horses  at  the  county  fair,  ever 
since  he  came  here.  He  is  a  thorough  gentleman  and  has  the  con- 
fidence and  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  Mr.  Burton  started  at 
seventeen  years  of  age  to  make  his  way  in  the  world,  and  it  is  by 
his  own  efforts  that  he  has  educated  himself  and  established  his 
present  business. 

Joseph  Clemens^  of  the  firm  of  Joseph  Clemens  &  Co.,  manu- 
facturers of  wagons,  carriages  and  buggies,  Charles  City,  was  a 
son  of  Jacob  and  Gertrude  Clemens,  nee  Guble,  and  was  born 
June  30,  1829,  in  P^diger,  on  the  Riv'er  Mosle,  Prussia,  Germany. 
He  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  six  children,  and  was  the  recip- 
ient of  a  practical  business  education  in  his  native  country.  He 
also  learned  the  furniture-maker's  trade  there,  and  when  twenty 
years  of  age,  came  with  three  of  his  brothers  to  the  United  States. 
They  landed  at  New  York,  and  from  there  went  to  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  where  Joseph  worked  at  the  cabinet-maker's  trade  three 
years,  and  at  the  wagon-maker's  one  year;  then  went  to  Dubuque, 
la.  lie  opened  a  shop  tliere,  and  remained  until  1867,  when  he 
went  to  McGregor,  la.,  continuing  there  his  former  business.  In 
July,  1872,  he  came  to  Charles  City,  where  he  has  been  prominently 
45 


732  HISTORY  OF  FLO-iD  COUNTY. 

identified  with  the  business  interests  since.  In  September.  1857, 
Mr.  Clemens  married  Agnes  Zumhof,  a  native  of  Hanover.  Ger- 
many. Thej  have  five  children — Joseph,  Jr.,  who  is  employed  in 
his  father's  shop;  Michael,  clerking  in  Mile's  drug  store;  Mollie, 
Lucy  and  Augusta.  Formerly  Mr.  Clemens  was  Republican  in 
his  political  views,  but  of  late  has  become  rather  independent, 
voting  for  principle  rather  than  party. 

Maurice  S.  Cole,  one  of  Floyd  County's  earl}^  settlers,  is  one  of 
the  oldest  wagon-makers  of  this  county.     He  is  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont,   and   was  born  in  Sutton,    Orleans  County,    on    Feb.    14, 
1827.     His  parents,  Andrew  and  Mary  A.  Cole,    were  natives  of 
Providence,  R.  I.,  and  had  a  family  of  six  sons  and    one  daugh- 
ter.    Maurice,    subject   of    this   sketch,    was   the  youngest.     He 
lived  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  sixteen,  then  went  to  Charles- 
ton, Yt.,  and  worked  one  year  at  his  trade,  that  of  a  wagon -maker; 
thence  to  Holliston,  Mass.,  where  he  spent  two  years,  learning  tlie 
boot  and  shoe  trade;  he  then  returned  to  Charleston,  Vt.,  and  worked 
at  the  wagon-maker's  trade  until  January,  1854,  when  he  went  to 
Gasconade  County,  Mo.,  and  teamed  there  on  the  Missouri  Pacific 
Road  until  October,  1855,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  la.,  and 
teamed  from  Charles  City  and  McGregor,  la.,  until   May,    1856, 
when  he  opened  his  wagon-shop,  and  has   been  engaged  in  this 
business  since,  and  is  now  the  oldest  wagon-maker  in  the  county. 
Mr.  Cole  married  Mary  A.  Ingram,  at  Charles  City,  in  1858.    She 
was  born  in  Vermont,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  Ingram — a 
farmer.     Mr.   and  Mrs.  Cole  have   one   child,  a  daughter — Celia. 
Mr.  Cole  is  one  of  the  early,  few  old  settlers  now  living  in  Floyd 
County.    When  he  came  to  Charles  City  there  were  but  three  frame 
buildings  in  the  town,  and  he  has  seen  its  change  from  a  wild,  un- 
cultivated state  to  the  present  prosperous  condition.     In  politics 
Mr.  Cole  is  rather  independent,  and  inclined  to  vote  for  the  best 
man. 

Charles  P.  Collins^  Jr.^  stone  mason  and  contractor,  Charles 
City,  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Floyd  County.  He  was  born 
opposite  the  town  of  Newport,  at  the  head  of  Memphremagog 
Lake,  Canada,  Feb.  18,  1829.  His  parents  were  Charles  P.  and 
Mary  J.  W.  (Rever)  Collins;  he  was  born  in  Chicopee,  Mass.,  and 
she  was  a  native  of  Canada;  he  was  a  painter  and  stone  cutter  and 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  she  was  a  member  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  church.  They  had  one  child,  viz.:  Charles  P.,  Jr.,  subject 
of  this  sketch.    When  he  was  an  infant  he  removed  with  his  parents 


CHARLES  CITY.  733 

to  Lowell,  Mass.,  where  he  attended  school  until  nineteen,  when 
he  learned  the  stone-mason's  trade;  when  twenty-three  he  went  to 
Warner,  N.  H.,  and  worked  here  and  at  Nashua  until  the  spring  of 
1853  when  he  came  West  to  Beloit,  Wis.,  and  worked  at  his  trade 
here  until  the  spring  of  1857;  then  came  to  Iowa  and  located  in 
Charles  City.     In  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in    Company  E, 
Twelfth   Iowa    Infantry   Volunteers,  and   was    in    the   battles  of 
Fort  Henry,  Fort  Doiielson  and  Shiloh  and  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Shiloh,  April  6,  1862,  and  was  taken  to  Corinth,  Memphis,  Tenn., 
Jackson,  Miss.,  Mobile  and  M<>ntgomery,   Ala.,  thence  to  Camp 
Oglethrop,  Macon,  Ga.,  where  he  remained  in  the  rebel  prison 
four  months,    then  was    removed   to    Columbu-,    S.    C,    thence 
to  Wilmington,    N.  C,   thence   to    Raleigh,  N.  C,  thence  to  the 
"  Libby  Prison."     He  was  paroled  Oct.  20,  1862.    He  went  first  to 
Annapolis,  Md.,  from  there   to   Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  Mo. , 
where  he  joined  the  fifteen  men  that  were  left  of  his  company;  he 
was  then  in  the  fight  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  when  he  returned  to  St. 
Louis  and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  account  of  disability, 
March  17,  1863.     He  returned  home  to  Charles  City,  until  the  fall 
of  1864,   when   he    re-enlisted   in   Company  0,    Thirteenth    Iowa 
Infantry  Yolunteers,  and  went  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the 
sea,   around  to  Washington,  thence  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  was 
discharged  at  Davenport,  la.,  at  the  close  of  the  war.     He  again 
returned  home  to  Charles  City,  la.,  where  he   has   since  resided. 
Mr.   Collins    was   promoted   Orderly  Sergeant  of   his   company; 
at  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  he  was  wounded  with  a  musket 
ball  which  passed    through  his  right  hand.     Mr.  Collins  married 
Miss  Elizabeth   Osgood,  April  11,  1841.     She  was  born  in  New 
Hampshire.      The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  three  sons  and  one 
daughter,  viz.:  Chas.  IL,  who  married  Miss  Eveline  Clark;  he  is  a 
mason  and  they  reside  at  Verndale,  Minn.     Ellen  M.  is  the  wife 
of  Frank  Kellogg;  he  is  engineer  of  the  Charles  City  Furniture 
factory.    William  C.  Collins   married  Miss  Catherine  Allen;  they 
reside  in  Charles  City,  where  he  works  at  his  trade  of  brick  mason, 
and   Frank  E.  Collins,    engaged  in  farming  at  Osage,    Mitchell 
County,  la.    Mr.  Charles  P.  Collins  married  his  present  wife.  Miss 
Minnie  Cold,  May  28,1868.     She  was  born  in  Bennington,  Ben- 
nington County,  Vt.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Lorenzo  Cold.     Mr. 
Collins  is  one  the  few  old   settlers  of  Floyd  County  now  living; 
he  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  and  citizens  of  Charles  City, 
where  he  has  been  identified  since  its  infancy.     In  politics   he  is  a 
Bepublican  and  has  always  been  a  strong  supporter  of  this  party. 


734  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

William  W.  Dennis^  Deputy  County  Recorder  of  Floyd  County, 
is  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  County, 
May  16,  1838.  His  parents  were  William  and  Rebecca  (Luther) 
Dennis,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Universalist  church,  and  was  by  trade  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  and 
also  followed  farming.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  They  liad  a  family  of  four  sons  and  four  daughters, 
William,  subject  of  this  sketch,  being  the  youngest  son.  He  attended 
school  winters,  working  on  his  father's  farm  until  seventeen,  when 
his  mother  died.  He  tlien  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  during 
the  summer,  attending  school  winters  until  twenty-one,  and  on  May 
19,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Angle  Isora  Logan  at  Seville,  Medina 
County,  O.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  was  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Mary  (Beale)  Logan,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  church.  After  his  marriage,  on  Nov.  1-1,  1861,  Mr. 
Dennis  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Third  Battalion  U.S.  Infantry,  and 
remained  in  the  service  three  years.  He  was  in  various  battles, 
among  them  the  first  siege  of  Corinth,  Miss.,  in  the  month 
of  April  and  in  May,  1862.  He  fought  in  the  battle  of  Perry  ville, 
Kentucky,  Oct.  8,  1862;  Stone  River  battles  Dec.  31,  1862,  and 
Jan.  12,  of  1863,  and  the  battle  of  Hoovers  Gap,  Tenn.,  June 
'26,1863.  The  last  sixteen  months  of  his  service  he  was  detailed 
as  a  recruiting  officer  at  Toledo,  O.,  and  was  discharged  at  Colum- 
bus, O.,  Nov.  14,  186i.  He  remained  in  Ohio  some  time  then 
removed  to  Bourbon,  Marshall  County,  Ind.,  and  followed  his  trade 
until  July  19, 1865,  when  he  located  in  Charles  City,  la.  He  fol- 
lowed contracting  and  buiMing  here  until  1878,  when,  owing  to 
failing  health,  he  abandoned  his  trade,  and  on  April  8,  1879,  he 
was  appointed  his  present  office  as  Deputy  County  Recorder.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dennis  are  members  of  the  Christian  church,  and  have 
one  son,  viz.:  Arthur W.,  born  Feb.  19,  1862.  He  is  clerk  in  the 
Charles  City  Savings  Bank.  Mr.  Dennis  is  one  of  the  enterpris- 
ing representative  men  and  citizens  of  Charles  City,  where  he  has 
been  identified  since  June,  1865.  He  is  Secretary  of  St.  Charles 
Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  141,  and  has  held  this  office  seven  years. 
He  has  been  a  Mason  since  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  A.  Lincoln,  first  term. 
He  is  of  English,  Irish,  Scotch  and  German  descent. 

Gustavus  B.  Eastman^  retired  banker  and  First  Assistant  Inter- 
nal Revenue   Assessor  for  Floyd  County,  la.,  is  a  native  of  Yer- 


CHARLES  CITY.  735 

mont,  born  in  New  Haven,  Addison  County,  Nov.  20,  1820.  His 
parents  were  Silas  N.  and  Amanda  (Bird)  Eastman  ;  his  father 
was  a  saddle  and  harness  maker,  and  both  were  natives  of  Ver- 
mont and  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  They  had  a 
family  of  seven  children,  live  sons  and  two  daughters.  Gustavus  B., 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  second  sou.  When  some  three  years 
of  age  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  BEopkiuton,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  lived  three  years;  tiience  to  Mai  one,  Franklin  County,  where  he 
attended  school  one  year;  then  to  Madrid,  N.  Y.  There  he  at- 
tended school  and  worked  in  the  harness-shop  with  his  father  until 
seventeen,  when  the  family  removed  to  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y.;  one 
year  later  they  moved  to  Heuvelton,  and  Mr.  E.  taught  school  in 
Morley,  Canton  Township,  and  other  schools  in  the  vicinity.  He 
was  Deputy  Clerk  of  St.  Lawrence  County  until  1846,  when  he 
came  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.;  remained  here  until  the  fall,  when  he 
went  to  Roscoe,  111.,  and  taught  school  one  winter;  thence  to  Rock- 
ford,  111.,  and  worked  for  William  Hulin,  Connty  Recorder,  one 
year,  when  lie  began  to  work  for  Robertson  &  Hall,  lawyers 
and  land  agents  and  bankers  at  Rockford.  In  the  fall  of  1S52  he 
went  to  Dixon,  111.,  and  opened  a  bank  and  land  office  under  the 
firm  name  of  Robertson,  Eastman  &  Co. ;  remained  there  until 
1855,  when  he  came  to  Dubuque,  la.,  and  engai^ed  in  buying  and 
selling  Iowa  lands  at  Dubuque  and  Decorah,  until  the  soring  ot 
1S56,  when  he  moved  to  Charles  City,  la.,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained; he  engaged  in  the  land  and  banking  business  until  the  fall 
of  1858,  and  since  then  has  been  operating  in  lands.  In  1862  he 
was  appointed  Assistant  Internal  Revenue  Assessor  of  Floyd 
County,  and  held  that  position  until  Jan.  1,  1864,  when  he  resigned 
to  accept  the  office  of  County  Recorder  of  Floy<l  County,  and  held 
that  office  eight  years;  since  then  has  speculateiJ  in  land  and  city 
property.  In  1857  Mr.  Eastman,  Duncan  Ferguson,  Samuel  Rid- 
dill  and  Samuel  Hackley  built  a  saw -mill  in  the  north  part  ot 
Charles  City,  this  being  the  second  steam  mill  in  Charles  City. 
Mr.  Eastman  married  Eleanor  S.  Dixon  at  Rockf  >rd.  111.,  Feb. 
26,  1850.  She  was  born  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Georire  and  Eleanor  (Stevenson)  Dxon.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  church.  They  had  a  family  of  three  children, 
none  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Eastman  is  one  of  the  old  settlers, 
and  one  of  the  enterprising  representative  men  of  Charles  City, 
where  he  has  been  identified  since  1856.  He  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest  in  anything  that  promised  progression  to  this  city. 


736  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Though  not  a  member  of  any  church,  has  always  been  a  liberal 
supporter,  not  only  of  one  but  all  churches.  In  politics  he  was 
first  a  Whig,  and  since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party 
has  been  one  of  its  strongest  supporters. 

Rev.  George  Elliott.,  pastor  of  the  M.  E.  church  of  Charles 
City,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Tucking  County,  near 
Pataskala,  Lima  Township,  Dec.  14,  1851,  a  son  of  Alexander  C. 
and  Margaret  (Hanawalt)  Elliott.  His  father  was  a  farmer  in  early 
lite,  and  afterward  a  minister  of  the  M.  E.  church;  she  was  also 
a  member  of  this  church.  They  had  a  family  of  three  sons  and 
five  daughters,  George,  subject  of  this  memoir,  being  the  eldest. 
When  five  years  of  age  he  removed,  with  his  parents,  to  Green 
County,  Wis.,  and  soon  after  his  father  entered  the  ministrj',  and 
traveledin  the  Wisconsin  Conference  until  George  was  fifteen,  when 
he  was  transferred  to  the  Upper  Iowa  Conference  and  located  in  Ma- 
quoketa.  In  1868  George  entered  Cornell  College,  at  Mount  Ver- 
mon.  la., a  Methodist  institution,  gra'luating  in  1872.  H.e  went  to 
Sabula,  la.,  and  edited  a  newspaper  for  one  year,  the  Sabula 
Index,  and  thence  to  Humboldt  and  edited  the  Humboldt  Kos- 
Trios  one  year.  He  entered  the  Upper  Iowa  Annual  Confer- 
ence of  the  M.  E.  church  at  Charles  City,  in  October,  1874,  an 
was  appointed  pastor  of  a  church  at  Parkersburg,  where  he  re^ 
mained  one  year,  and  was  stationed  at  Lansing  two  years,  Mitchell 
one  year,  Cresco  three  years,  and  appointed  minister  of  the  First 
M.  E.  Church  of  Charles  Oitv,  in  the  fall  of  1881.  Mr.  Elliott  mar- 
ried  Miss  A.  M.  Corfield,  at  Clinton,  la.,  Nov.  12,  1S75.  She  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Wiliiam  and  Mary 
(Keraplon)  Corfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott  have  three  children — 
George,  born  Dec.  18,  1876;  Phillip,  Sept.  7,  1878;  Mary,  Nov. 
1,  1880.  Mrs.  Elliott  is  also  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He 
is  of  Scotch,  Irish  and  Dutch  descent.  He  was  one  of  the 
active  workers  in  the  late  temperance  contest,  in  favor  of  the 
amendment  prohibiting  the  sale  and  manufacture  of  intoxicating 
liquor.     His  great-grandfather   served  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Charles  Engelhart.,  business  manager  for  his  father,  F.  Engel- 
hart,  grocer,  Charles  City,  was  born  nearGotha,  Prussia,  Germany, 
Nov.  7,  1846.  His  parents,  Frederick  and  Mary  (Otto)  Engel- 
hart,  were  natives  of  Prussia,  and  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
They  had  a  family  of  four  children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter; 
Charles,  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  eldest.  He  came  with  his 
parents  to  America  when  seven  years  of  age,  landed  in  New  York 


CHARLES  CITY.  737 

City,  after  being  eleven  weeks  at  sea  in  a  sailing  vessel;  the  family 
settled  on  a  farm  twenty-four  miles  southwest  of  Chicago.  Charles 
remained  on  the  farm  until  twenty-two,  when  he  married  Johanna 
Grosskopf  in  New  Bremen,  111.  They  lived  with  his  father  one 
year,  and  he  then  ran  a  store  of  his  own  in  New  Bremen,  one  year, 
when  he  bought  a  farm  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until 
1872,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  la.  He  farmed  in  St.  Charles 
Township  three  years,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  grocery  business  in  Charles  City  with  his  father.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  German  M.  E.  church,  and  have  had  two  sons 
and  one  daughter,  viz.  :  Louisa,  Frederick  and  Ernest.  Mr. 
Engelhart  is  one  of  the  enterprising  representative  business  men  of 
Charles  City,  where  he  has  been  identified  since  1874.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  He  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Thirty-ninth 
Illinois  Volunteers,  in  the  late  Rebellion,  and  remained  in  the  ser- 
vice until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  wounded  twice:  first  at  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg  in  front  of  the  skirmish  line  in  June,  1864, 
being  shot  in  the  hand  and  losing  the  fore  finger  of  the  right  hand; 
and  was  wounded  in  the  left  thigh  at  Fort  Craig  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, April  2,  1865,  and  he  remained  at  Fort  Monroe,  Ya.,  six 
months  ;  was  in  all  the  battles  of  1864  and  1865.  At  the  close 
of  the  war  he  returned  home  to  Illinois.  His  parents  are  living  in 
New  Bremen,  Cook  County,  111. 

£.  C.  Egloff^  agent  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  is  a  native 
of  Germany,  born  near  Frankfort,  on  the  Main  River,  June  17, 
1851.  His  paretit-i  were  William  J.  and  Mary  (Brandel)  Egloff. 
The  former  was  born  in  the  eastern  part  of  France,  in  the  province 
of  Alsace,  April  9,  1804.  At  the  age  of  five,  he  commenced  study 
in  a  French  school,  where  he  continued  until  the  age  of  thirteen. 
He  then  attended  the  University  of  Fassau,  in  Bavaria,  where  he 
remained  eight  years,  graduating  as  a  classic  student.  He  next 
took  up  the  study  of  law,  which  he  followed  for  three  years,  grad- 
uating with  honors,  afterward  practicing  his  profession  with 
success.  He  was  appointed  District  Judge  in  1850,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  until  1855,  when  he  resigned  to  come  to  America. 
He  came  to  Iowa,  and  settled  in  Delaware  County,  and  farmed 
until  1859.  He  then  opened  a  hotel  and  restaurant  at  Manchester, 
and  in  1861  removed  to  Cedar  Falls,  la.,  and  continued  in  the  same 
business  there  for  five  years.  In  1865  removed  to  Waterloo,  la., 
and  in  the  spring  of  1868  came  to  Charles  City  and  retired  from 
active  business.     lie  removed  to  Mason  City   in  1871,  and  died 


738  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

there,  April  22,  1881.  His  wife  is  still  living  at  Mason  City.  She 
and  husband  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  eight  living.  E.  C, 
subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  second  son;  he  was  bat  three  years 
of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  America,  and  eighteen 
years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Charles  City ;  he  attended  school 
here  and  assisted  his  brother,  M.  G.  EglofF,  who  was  the  first 
station  agent  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  at  Charles  City. 
E.  C.  remained  here,  studying  telegraphy  and  station  work  until 
1876,  when  he  was  given  charge  of  Aplington  Station;  remained 
here  some  two  years  and  three  months,  when  his  brother,  M.  G. 
Eglofi,  was  appointed  train  dispatcher  at  Fort  Dodge,  la.,  and 
E.  C.  was  appointed  his  brother's  former  position  as  station  agent 
here  at  Charles  City,  which  office  he  still  retains.  Mr.  E.  C. 
Eglofi  married  Miss  Rusha  Cilley,  at  Mason  City,  la.,  Nov.  8, 
1880.  She  was  born  in  Illinois,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
P.  and  Louisa  (Miller)  Cilley.  Mrs.  E.  C.  Eglofi"  is  a  member  of 
the  First  Methodist  Church,  of  Charles  City.  Mr.  Eglofi"  is  a 
member  of  the  Y.  A.  S.  fraternity,  Charles  City  Lodge,  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising,  represent- 
ative citizens  and  business  men  of  Charles  City,  where  he  has 
been  identified  since  1868. 

S.  F.  FarTiham^  Cashier  of  the  Charles  City  National  Bank,  was 
born  in  Palmyra,  Somerset  County,  Me.,  May  23,  1S46,  a  son  of 
Samuel  and  Eliza  C.  Farnham.  nee  Robinson,  natives  of  Massa- 
chusetts, S,  F.  being  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  four  sons  and  three 
daughters  born  of  this  union.  He  received  his  primary  education 
in  Palmyra,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the  preparatory 
school  at  Bucksport,  Me.,  which  he  attended  two  years,  and  was 
then  matriculated  in  the  Maine  "Wesleyan  College  at  Kent's  Hill, 
graduating  from  that  institution  June  7,  1870.  He  received  the 
appointment  of  principal  of  the  Old  Town  High  School,  which  he 
accepted  and  retained  five  years,  and  in  1875  he  came  to  Charles 
City.  He  was  principal  of  the  High  School  here  one  year,  and 
upon  the  organization  of  the  Charles  City  National  Bank,  he  was 
,  elected  its  cashier,  a  position  he  has  since  held.  On  Aug.  27, 
1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Phebe  F.  Johnson,  of  Dixmont, 
Me.  She  was  a  daughter  of  H.  C.  Johnson  and  Susan  B.,  nee 
Edgerly.  Two  children  were  born  of  this  union — Le  Roy  S., 
born  June  6,  1872,  died  May  30,  1874;  and  Ralph  H.,  born  D^c. 
5,  1881.  Mrs.  Farnham  died  Dec.  21,  1881.  She  was  a  member 
of  Eastern  Star  Chapter,  Masonic  fraternity  of  Iowa,  of  which  she 


CHAKLES  CITY.  739 

was  Grand  Associate  Matron.  Mr.  Farnham  is  a  member  of 
Lodge  No.  172,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Easter  Chapter,  A.  O.  U.  W., 
Charles  City  Lodge.  He  was  elected  City  Treasurer  in  April, 
1878,  and  held  the  office  one  year,  and  was  also  elected  Treas- 
urer of  the  Water-Power  Company,  of  this  city,  in  1878.  He 
still  retains  the  office,  and  is  also  one  of  the  proprietors  and  direc- 
tors of  that  company.  Politically,  he  affiliates  with  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  Charles 
City. 

John  Ferguson^  of  the  firm  of  Woolley,  Snyder,  Ferguson  «fe 
Bailey,  proprietors  of  the  Charles  City  Plow  Company,  is  a  native 
of  Scotland,  born  in  the  city  of  Glasgow  Jan.  18,  1834,  a  son  of 
Duncan  and  Agnes  M.  Ferguson,  nee  Hope.  His  father  was 
born  in  Crieff,  Scotland,  and  reared  and  educated  in  Glasgow.  His 
mother  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland.  They  had  a  family  of 
seven  children  of  wliom  John  was  the  second  son.  The  family 
emigrated  to  America  in  1837,  and  located  in  Erie,  Pa.,  thence  two 
years  afterward  to  Rockford,  111.  John  attended  school,  engaged 
in  clerking  and  learned  the  carpenter  and  joiner's  trade  there,  and 
in  September,  1855,  he  came  to  Charles  Citv,  where  he  embarked 
in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1857  he  disposed  of  his  stock  to 
"Wright  &  McKnabb  and  tollowed  farming  until  187'!,  when  he 
again  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade,  which  he  prosecuted  until 
Jan.  1,  18S2,  when  he  sold  out  to  his  partner,  S.  H.  Starr,  and 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  Charles  City  Plow  Company,  a  prom- 
inent manufacturing  interest.  He  was  married  in  Charles  City, 
to  Mary  E.  Strawn,  of  Roekford,  111.,  on  March  10,  1856.  They 
have  had  three  children,  Ida  E.,  born  Aug.  7,  1858,  died  while  yet 
in  the  full  bloom  of  youth  on  July  15,  1874;  J.  A.,  born  Aug.  30, 
1861,  is  agent  for  the  New  York  Life  Insurance  Company  of  this 
city,  and  Marie  M.,  born  Aug.  20,  1867.  The  subject  of  this 
memoir  is  a  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge,  No.  141,  A.  F.  &  A. 
M.,  and  a  member  of  the  Chapter.  He  has  served  acceptably  in 
many  of  the  city  office's  and  was  a  member  of  the  City  Council 
four  years.  Politically  he  favors  the  Republican  party.  He  is 
one  of  the  pioneer  and  enterprising  citizens  of  Charles  City, 
where  he  has  been  identified  since  1855. 

E.  J.  l^isher,  of  the  firm  of  Stevens,  Hering  &  Co.,  wholesale  and 
retail  dealers  in  and  manufacture!  s  t)f  furniture,  Charles  City,  is  a 
native  of  New  Hampshire,  born  in  Franklin,  Merrimack  County, 
Oct.  9,  1837.     His  parents,  Ellis  Fisher,  wlio  was  a  farmer,  and 


740  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Hannah,  nee  Noice,  were  natives  of  tlie  Green  Mountain  State, 
and  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  was  the  youngest  son.  He  was  educated  in  his  native 
State,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  went  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  to  learn  the 
machinist's  trade.  He  followed  that  occupation  four  years,  then 
went  to  Manchester,  N.  H.,  and  remained  there  three  years,  learn- 
ing the  furniture  trade.  From  there  he  went  to  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
worked  at  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  until  his  marriage  to  Abbie 
Haywood  in  December,  1861.  She  was  born  in  Alexander,  1^.  H., 
a  daughter  of  Walter  Haywood.  Of  five  children  born  of  this 
union  three  are  living — Harry  W.,  born  Nov.  21,  1863,  is  working 
with  his  father  in  the  factory;  Frank,  born  Jan.  6,  1869,  and  Fred, 
born  Aug.  6,  1873.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Fisher  removed  to 
Two  Rivers,  Wis.,  thence  to  Appleton,  that  State,  where  he  worked 
in  a  furniture  factory  one  year,  then  established  a  factory  of  his 
own  at  Leeman,  Wis.,  four  years  later  he  touk  charge  of  the  furni- 
ture manufacturing  department,  at  the  House  of  Correction  at  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.  In  1869  he  became  a  resident  of  Charles  City  and  a 
partner,  in  his  present  business.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
1.  O.  O.  F.  fraternity,  National  Lodge,  No.  165.  Politically  he' 
favors  the  Democratic  party. 

William  iT.  Fisher^  Constable,  sexton  of  cemetery,  and  farmer, 
was  born  in  Washington  County,  Vt.,  June  13,  1829,  a  son  of 
Silas  W.  and  Emily  (Peck)  Fisher;  father  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  mother  of  Vermont.  Of  a  family  of  three  children  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  eldest,  and  is  the  only  one  living. 
He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  when  within  two  months  of  age 
he  left  home  and  worked  out  two  or  three  years,  and  in  1854  came 
West,  to  Rockford,  111.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he  went  to  Minne- 
sota with  three  yoke  of  cattle  to  break  prairie;  but  hard  times 
came  on  and  he  lost  nearly  all.  He  then  located  in  Charles  City 
and  started  a  meat  market,  which  business  he  prosecuted  extensively. 
Some  seasons  he  would  kill  as  many  as  fifty  or  sixty  hogs  at  a 
time,  which  were  hauled  to  market  at  McGregor.  Bat  in  the  fol- 
lowing spring  he  abandoned  the  market,  and  did  odd  jobs  until 
1860,  when  he  started  for  Pike's  Peak;  at  Denver,  however,  he 
learned  such  facts  as  discouraged  him  from  going  further,  and  he  re- 
turned, footing  all  the  way  from  Omaha  to  Charles  City.  In  the 
autumn  of  1864  he  was  drafted  and  attached  to  Company  G, 
Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry;  in  the  army,  during  the  winter, 
he  contracted  rheumatism,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  where  he  , 


CHAKLES  CITT.  741 

remained  until  Jiilv.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home 
to  Charles  City.  Except  what  time  he  was  in  the  war,  he  has 
been  Constable  ever  since  1858.  The  first  time  he  was  elected  he 
had  failed  of  a  nomination  in  caucus  by  a  vote  or  two,  and  he  ran 
independently,  and  yet  was  elected  almost  unanimously.  In  1862 
he  was  appointed  Constable,  the  elected  man  not  qualifying.  He  ran 
independently  again  in  1868,  and  was  again  elected.  Mr.  Fisher 
has  done  much  for  the  interests  of  his  community.  In  the  way  of 
fence  building  he  has  done  more  than  any  other  man  in  the  county, 
and  probably  excels  all  in  the  neatness  of  his  work.  He  has,  by 
his  business  talent,  accumulated  considerable  property  and  money, 
and  is  now  independent  and  happy.  Oct.  3,  1867,  in  Rockford, 
this  county,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Rudd,  of  Rockford,  III., 
daughter  of  Joe  M.  and  Miranda  (Palmer)  Rudd,  her  parents  hav- 
ing been  early  settlers  of  Buffalo,  N.  T.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church.  Of  their  two  children,  Victoria  E.  is  livinof,  and 
Chester  S.  is  deceased. 

Luther  P.  Fitch,  one  of  the  prominent  physicians  of  Floyd 
County,  was  born  in  Groton,  Middlesex  County,  Mass.,  March  26, 
1836,  a  son  of  John  and  Lucy  L.  Fitch,  nee  Sawtell,  natives  also  of 
Massachusetts.  They  had  a  family  of  five  children,  three  living — 
Luther  P.,  W.  H.,  a  practicing  physician  of  Rockford,  111.,  and  A. 
Lizzie,  at  present  traveling  in  Europe.  When  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  was  about  three  years  of  age,  his  parents  removed  to 
Winnebago  County,  111.,  and  settled  on  a  farm.  There  his  boyhood 
was  passed  and  primary  education  received.  He  attended  school 
at  Rockford,  111.,  two  years;  at  Groton,  Mass.,  eighteen  months, 
and  at  Beloit,  Wis.,  five  years;  four  years  was  spent  in  the  Beloit 
College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1860.  He  spent  nine  months 
in  the  medical  department  of  Michigan  State  University, 
then  entered  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  New  York 
City,  graduating  with  honors  in  1863.  Upon  leaving |  school  he 
was  appointed  Surgeon  of  the  Forty-seventh  U.  S.  C.  Infantry,  and 
remained  with  this  regiment  until  January,  1866,  when  they  were 
mustered  out  of  service.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr. 
C.  J.  Taggert,  at  Beloit,  Wis.,  which  continued  six  months  when 
Dr.  Fitch  went  to  New  York  City  for  the  purpose  of  attending 
lectures  and  receiving  instruction  in  special  branches  of  medicine. 
Eight  months  later  he  located  in  practice  in  Rockford,  111.,  remain- 
ing there  until  October,  1868,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City.  He 
has  met  with  deserved   success  as  a  practitioner,  and  is  well  and 


742  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

favorably  known  throughout  the  county  as  a  skillful  and  reliable 
physician.  On  Oct.  13,  1869,  he  married  Martha  Baker,  of  Berlin, 
"Wis.  Two  children  have  blessed  their  union,  viz.:  Charles  L.» 
born  March  29,  1873,  and  Lucy,  Jan.  20,  1875.  Dr.  Fitch  is  a 
member  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  of  the  Iowa  State 
Medical  Society,  and  is  Secretary  of  the  Upper  Cedar  Yalley  Medi- 
cal Association.  He  was  elected  Director  of  the  Independent  Dis- 
trict of  Charles  City  School  Board,  in  March,  1878,  and  still  retain 
the  office.     Politically  he  favors  the  Republican  party. 

Williarn  Oiermann,  proprietor  of  the  German  meat  market, 
Charles  City,  was  born  in  Preuzlau,  Prussia,  Germany,  July  19, 
1845.  His  parents  were  Christian  and  Caroline  (Haman)  Giermanu. 
They  had  a  family  of  five  sons  and  four  daughters.  "William,  sub- 
ject of  this  memoir,  was  the  youngest,  and  the  only  one  in  America. 
He  attended  school  in  Germany  until  fifteen,  when  he  learned  the 
butcher's  trade  four  years  ;  then  served  three  j'ears  as  soldier  in 
the  cavalry  of  the  German  army,  and  in  1870  came  to  America, 
He  brought  his  girl  with  him,  and  they  landed  in  New  York  and 
were  married  at  New  Bremen,  Cook  County,  111.,  June  7,  1870. 
She  was  born  in  Germany,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Gottlieb  and 
Caroline  (Schultz)  Frabel.  Mrs.  Giermann's  maiden  name  was 
Eraelia  Frabel.  In  December,  1870,  Mr.  Giermann  located  in . 
Charles  City,  and  worked  by  the  day  at  different  work  till  1864, 
when  he  began  to  work  at  the  butcher's  trade,  and  in  March,  1878, 
established  his  present  market.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Giermann  are 
members  of  the  German  M.  E.  church,  and  have  five  children, 
viz.:  Miss  Ida,  born  July  24,  1882;  John,  born  May  25,  1874; 
Miss  Emma,  born  April  14,  1876;  Miss  Emelia,  Feb.  13,  1879,  and 
Lydia,  born  Oct.  14,  1881.  Mr.  Giermann  is  a  member  of  the 
A.  O.  U.  W.,  Charles  City  Lodge,  No.  158.  In  politics,  a  Repub- 
lican. He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Charles  City, 
where  he  has  been  identified  since  December,  1870.  He  built  his 
present  market-house  in  1877,  and  it  is  the  leading  market  in  the 
city,  and  Mr.  Giermann  tries  to  please  all  his  customers,  and  to 
that  end  buys  the  best  the  market  affords.  He  also  carries  a  fine 
stock  of  dried  and  smoked  meats. 

Geo.  Gilbert^  station  agent  for  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St. 
Paul  Railway,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  and  was  born  in  Castile, 
Wyoming  County,  July  23,  1842;  his  parents  were  Seymour  and 
Permelia  (Mabie)  Gilbert,   natives  of  New  York,  and  members  of 


CHARLES  CITY.  743 

the  Baptist  church.  He  in  early  life  was  a  hardware  merchant  and 
in  after  years  engaged  in  farming.  He  moved  from  Wyoming 
County,  N.  Y., to  Rockford,  Winnebago  County,  111.,  in  1846,  where 
he  died.  He  and  wife  had  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  Geo.  E., 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  second  son;  he  lived  in  Winnebago 
County,  111.,  on  his  father's  farm,  attending  school  until  twelve 
when  he  began  to  run  on  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railway, 
as  newsboy.  Subsequently  rose  to  the  position  of  brakeman,  then 
baggageman.  In  February,  1874,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fifty-third  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers  and  remained  in  the 
service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  to  Rockford,  111. , 
and  opened  a  grocery  store.  Eighteen  months  later  he  sold  out  and 
engaged  in  railroading  on  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railway  until 
September,  1869,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  and  began  to  work 
as  freight  agent  for  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway, 
and  was  warehouseman  operator  and  clerked  for  E.  J.  Gilbert, 
three  years,  when  he  was  appointed  agent  at  Garner,  Hancock 
County,  and  remained  two  years;  then  tuok  charge  of  the  station  at 
Algona  one  year,  and  was  appointed  agent  at  Charles  City,  where 
he  has  since  remained.  Mr.  Gilbert  married  Miss  Ada  J.  Halsted, 
at  Rockford,  111.,  Oct.  22,  1866;  she  was  born  in  New  York,  and 
was  a  daughter  of  Egbert  and  Ester  (Kingsley )  Halsted.  Mrs. 
Gilbert  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  They  have  had 
three  children,  viz. :  George  H.,  Archer  and  Mabel  I.  Gilbert.  Mr. 
Gilbert  is  one  of  the  enterprising  representative  men  of  Charles 
City,  where  he  has  been  identified  since  1869.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican. 

Samuel  G.  Goddard,  contractor  and  builder,  and  agent  for 
the  Domestic  and  Victor  sewing  machines,  is  a  native  of  Michigan, 
and  was  born  in  Calhoun  County,  Oct.  26,  1829,  he  being  the 
first  white  child  born  in  this  county.  His  father,  Josiah  Goddard, 
was  born  in  Massachusetts,  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  en- 
listed as  Sergeant  Major  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Plattsburg.  Alter  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  De- 
troit, Mich.,  where  he  married  Miss  Hannah  Luckett;  soon  after 
his  marriage  he  removed  to  Calhoun  County,  Mich.,  and  was  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county.  He  and  his  wife  had  a  family 
of  sixteen  children,  eleven  sons  and  five  daughters.  Samuel  C, 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third  son,  he  worked  on  his  father's 
farm,  attending  school  winters  until  fifteen,  when  he  removed  to 
Rockford,  Winnebago  County,  111.,  and  one  year  later  to   Green 


744  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

County,  Wis.     They  remained  there  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
October,    1848,   when  they  came  to  Fort  Atkinson,  Winneshiek 
County,    la.     In  1851   Samuel  C.    started  out  with  lifty  cents  in 
liis  pocket  to  make  his  fortune,  and  located  in  Bradford,    Chicka- 
saw County,  la.     He  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade   and  clerked 
in  a  st'ire  about  a  year,  when  he  was. elected  County  Clerk,  he  be- 
ing the  first  to  hold  that  office  in  the  county.      In  March,    1854, 
Mr.  Goddard  came  to  Charles  City,  Floyd  County,  la. ,  and  bought 
the  general  merchandise  stock  of  Robert  L.    Freeman,   the  first 
store  keeper  in  Charles  City.     Mr.  Goddard   built  the  first  frame 
house  in  Charles  City,  the  town  was  then  called  Freeman,  and  Mr, 
Freeman  was  the  first  Postmaster  and  Mr.   Goddard  the  second. 
Mr.  Goddard  sold  his  store  to  John  and  William  Ferguson  in  the 
spring  of  1856,  then  built  the  Magnolia  Hotel,  which  he  conducted 
two   years,   when   it   burned    down  in  the  fire   of  Charles  City; 
he  then  clerked   in  Lehmkuhl's  store  ten  years,  since  then  he  has 
worked  at  his  trade,  as  carpenter  and  contractor,   and  engao:ed  in 
the  sale  of  sewing  machines.     Mr.  Goddard  married  Miss  Amanda 
Bigelow,  at  Waverly,   Bremer  County,  la.,  July  16,  1857.     She 
was    born  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Julius  and  Philena   (Dayton)  Bigelow,    natives   of  Connecticut; 
he  was  a  farmer.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goddard  had  five  children,   viz.: 
Cora,  born  April  26,  1858,  wife  of  Harry  A.  Merrill  (he  is  Cashier 
in  the  Rockford  Bank,  at  Rockford,   la.);  Angle,    born  July   29, 
1851;  May,  Sept.  21,  1863;  Gladys,  Feb.  22,  1865,  and  Guy  A., 
March  8,  1867,  who  reside  with  their  parents.     Mr.  Goddard  is   a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  lodge.    In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers,  and  is  an  enterprising  representa- 
tive citizen  of  Charles  City,   where  he  has  been  identified  since 
March,  1854. 

E.  J.  Gidlhert^  ex-County  Treasurer  of  Floyd  County,  was 
born  in  Rockford,  Winnebago  County,  111.,  June  18,  1848,  a  son 
of  Milo  and  Margaret  (Palmer)  Guilbert;  he  a  native  of  Vermont, 
and  she  of  Ohio.  They  had  a  family  of  six  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters. E.  J.,  subject  of  this  sketch,  being  the  eldest,  was  but  six 
years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Charles  City,  la., 
where  his  father,  with  Dr.  N.  H.  Palmer,  purchased  of  Joseph 
Kelly  half  the  town.  He  built  the  first  frame  house  here.  E.  J. 
attended  school  and  worked  on  a  farm  until  eighteen,  when  he  was 
employed  as  bookkeeper,  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.,  for  the  Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway;  worked  there  two  years, 


CHARLES  CITY.  7^l> 

when  he  was  appointed  the  first  station  agent  for  the  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway,  at  Charles  City,  and  retained  the 
position  four  years.    He  was  then  elected  Deputy  County  Treasurer 
for  two   years,  and  was  subsequently  elected  County  Treasurer, 
and  held  that  office  four  years,   when  he  purchased  a  farm  of  160 
acres,  in  St.  Charles  Township,  where  he  has  since  been  engai^fed 
in    agricultural    pursuits.      Mr.    Guilbert    married    Miss    Estella 
Merrill,  at  Charles  City,  May  4,  1870.     She  was  born  in  Harmony, 
Me.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  J.  K.  Merrill,  an  attorney  at  Rock- 
ford,  la.,  and  Sarah  E.  (Parsons)  Merrill.     Mr,  and  Mrs.  Guilbert 
have  three  children,  viz.:  RoyM.,  born  July  27,  1871;  Lulie,  Aug. 
6,  1873;  and  Margaret,  Dec.  8,  1876.     Mr.   Guilbert  is  a  member 
of  the  Iowa  Legion  of  Honor,  and  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
Hope  Lodge,  No. 76,  and  was  president  for  one  year.    He  was  elec- 
ted City  Clerk  of  Charles  City,  for  one  year,  and  has  held  various 
local  offices  of  trust.     In  politics,  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Grant  for  President  the  second  term.  Mr.  Guilbert  is  one  of 
the  pioneer  children  of  Floyd  County,  and  one  of  the  enterpris- 
ing, representative  men  of  Floyd  County,  where  he  has  been  iden- 
tified since  fall,  1853.     He  is  of  Scotch  and  Irisii  descent. 

Williain  Hansberg,  of  the  firm  of  Hansberg  &  Holbrook,  is 
the  oldest  merchant  in  Floyd  County,  having  been  identified  with 
the  mercantile  interests  here  since  1856.  A  native  of  Eckernfoerde, 
Schleswig,  Germany.  He  was  born  July  2,  1833,  son  of  John  and 
Anna  (Gerber)  Hansberg,  who  were  the  parents  of  three  children, 
of  whom  William  was  the  eldest.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
four  years  of  age,  and  he  attended  school  in  Germany  until 
fifteen,  then  served  a  five  years'  apprenticeship  at  a  trade  in  the 
town  of  Bredstadt,  Germany.  In  July,  1855,  he  came  alone  to 
the  United  States;  landed  at  New  York  after  a  forty -five  days^ 
journey  at  sea.  From  New  York  he  went  to  Lyons,  Clinton 
County,.  la.,  where  he  clerked  in  a  store  and  warehouse  for  the  old 
firm  of  Burrows,  Prettyman  &  Pearsall,  and  at  C^ramanche  until 

1855,  when  Mr.  Pearsall   died  and  he  went  to  Waverly,  Bremer 
County,  la.,  and  clerked  in  a  store  for  Hazlett  &  Co.  until  April, 

1856,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City  with  Rumpf,  Lehmkuhl  & 
Co.,  who  built  a  dry  goods  store  here,  which  they  opened  in  June, 
1856,  employing  Mr.  Hansberg  as  clerk.  In  1859  Mr.  Rumpf 
withdrew  from  the  firm,  and  in  1862  Mr.  Hansberg  was  taken  into 
partnership.     They  established  a  branch  store  at  Floyd,  of  which 


746  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

he  was  manager.  In  1868  they  closed  the  store  at  Floyd,  and  the 
business  was  conducted  at  Charles  City,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Lehmkuhl  &  Hansberg  until  the  spring  of  1876,  when  Mr.  Hans- 
berg  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  conducted  the  business 
until  March  1,  1379,  and  then  formed  his  present  partnership  with 
Mr.  W.  E.  Holbrook.  They  are  the  recipients  of  a  firmly  estab- 
lished trade,  and  are  known  throughout  the  county  as  men  of 
irreproachable  business  integrity.  Mr.  Hansberg  was  married 
Aug.  30,  1863,  to  Tlieresa  Merckel,  who  was  born  in  Andernach, 
on  the  River  Rhine,  Germany,  a  daugliter  of  Carl  and  Anna  M. 
Merckel,  nee  Just.  Four  children  blessed  this  union,  viz.  :  Mary^ 
born  May  31,  1864;  Charles  in  ISTovember,  1866;  Emil,  born  Aug. 
18,  1868,  died  Sept.  21,1869;  Ernst,  born  Aug.  27,  1878.  Mr. 
Hansberg  was  elected  County  Supervisor  in  the  fall  of  1880,  and 
still  holds  the  office.  He  was  the  first  Alderman  and  Treasurer 
elected  in  Charles  City,  and  has  held  numerous  other  township 
oflices.  Politically  he  is  independent,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church. 

A.  M.  Harrison^  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Charles  City,  and  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Starr  &  Harrison,  has  been  actively  connected 
with  the  legal  profession  of  Charles  City  since  May,  1870.  A  son 
of  Charles  Harrison  of  New  Jersey,  and  Catherine,  nee  DeWitt,  of 
Ulster  County,  N.  Y.;  he  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  what  is 
now  the  city  of  Pit  Hole,  Pa.,  on  Nov.  5,  1847,  His  parents  were 
members  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  his 
father  was  a  Deficon  many  years.  He  attended  school  and  assisted 
on  the  farm  until  1862,  when  he,  with  his  father  and  brother,  be- 
^an  operating  in  oil.  He  worked  with  them  and  attended  the 
academy  at  Pleasantville,  Pa.,  until  1865,  when  he  removed,  with 
his  father,  to  Fredonia,  N.  Y.  He  entered  the  academy  at  that 
place,  and  graduated  there  in  1868.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  was 
matriculated  in  the  law  school  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  graduating  in 
1870,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Michigan  Supreme  Court  bar  in 
April  of  that  year.  He  came  at  once  to  Charles  City,  where  he 
established  an  office,  and  soon  after  was  employed  in  the  law  office 
of  Starr  &  Patterson,  and  in  1873  was  taken  into  partnership. 
They  continued  to  practice  under  the  firm  name  of  Starr,  Patter- 
sivn  &  Harrison  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Patterson,  which  occurred 
Oct.  29,  1878.  Since  then  the  firm  has  remained  Starr  &  Harrison. 
On  Aug.  13,  1873,  at  Silver  Creek,  N,  Y.,  occurred  the  marriage 


\ 


^^/■ 


c  o/J  ^      /y^-^^B^i^^^^^^^L:^ 


ASTOR.  LENO'i  XND 


CHARLES  CITY.  Y49 

of  A,  M.  Harrison  and  Lizzie  Chapin,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Calista  A.  (Gage)  Chapin.  She  was  born  in  that  city  on  Feb.  4, 
1852.  Two  sons  have  blessed  this  union,  viz.:  Gage  M.,  born  March 
21,  1875,  and  Merton  E.,  Oct.  18,  1876.  Mr.  Harrison  is  a  mem- 
ber i)f  St.  Charles  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  141.  He  was,  too, 
elected  City  Attorney  ot  Charles  City  three  terms,  and  served  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  from  1871  to  1881. 

Sanford  Harwoody  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  and  manufacturer 
of  harness,  Charles  City,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  and  was  born 
at  Hadley,  Saratoga  County,  July  31,  1818.  His  parents  were  Jesse 
and  Sarah  (Scotield)  Harwood.  He  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and 
farmer;  she  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  they  had  a  family  ot 
four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Sanford  was  the  second  son.  When 
he  was  six  years  of  age  his  father  died.  He  then  remained  on  the 
farm  with  his  mother  until  seventeen,  when  he  went  to  Chautauqua 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  worked  at  the  harness  trade  in  Maysville  two 
years;  then  went  to  Essex  County  and  worked  at  Crown  Point  two 
years,  then  came  to  La  Salle  Count}'^,  111.,  and  located  in  the  town 
of  Lowell  and  farmed  until  spring  of  1852,  when  he  came  to  Inde- 
pendence, Buchanan  County,  la,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  and 
farmed  eighteen  months;  then,  in  fall  of  1854,  came  to  Charles 
City  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1863,  when  he  established  his 
present  business.  Mr.  Harwood  married  Miss  Keziah  Dryer, 
Aug.  31,  1843,  at  Lowell,  La  Salle  County,  111,  She  was  born  in 
Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Chester  Dryer  and 
Susan  (Hobro)  Dryer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harwood  are  members  of 
Baptist  church,  and  have  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  four  sons 
and  one  daughter  living,  viz. :  James  C,  printer  and  editor  of 
Wright  County  Monitor',  at  Clarion,  "Wright  County,  la. ;  Miss 
Susie  M.  Harwood;  Burt  E.,  photographer  of  Charles  City;  Will- 
iam S.,  of  editorial  staff  of  Dubuque  Herald;  and  Frank  E., 
engaged  in  business  with  his  father.  Mr.  Harwood  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council,  member  School  Board,  and  Township  Trustee 
a  number  of  years,  and  member  of  County  Supervisors  in  1860 — 
held  this  office  two  years.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
ahvaj'S  been  a  supporter  of  that  party.  He  is  one  of  the  old  set- 
tlers and  enterprising  representative  men  of  Charles  City,  where  he 

has  been  identihed  since  fall  of  1854. 
46 


750  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Harwood  &  Mooney^  photographers,  Charles  City,  la.,  is  one 
of  the  city's  enterprising  young  firms.  Though  both  are  young 
men,  they  do  some  of  the  finest  work  in  their  line  in  the  State. 

The  senior  member  of  the  firm,  Burritt  Harwood,  is  a  native  ot 
Charles  City,  and  was  born  Nov.  26,  1855.  He  received  his  early 
education  here,  attending  the  Charles  City  HighS  chool,  and  after- 
ward the  Academy  of  Design,  Chicago. 

John  Arthur  Moone}^  was  born  in  Rockford,  111.,  Oct.  10,  1857, 
and  came  with  his  parents  to  Charles  City  in  1873.  He  learned 
the  art  of  photography  with  J.  E.  Rich,  with  whom  he  remained 
seven  years.  He  then  went  to  Independence,  la.,  and  engaged  in 
the  photographic  business  a  short  time,  but  subsequently  returned 
to  this  city  and  formed  the  present  partnership,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Harwood  &  Mooney. 

Willam  C.  Hering,  of  the  firm  of  Stevens  &  Hering,  furniture 
manufacturers,  Charles  City,  is  a  native  of  Mecklenburgli-  Schwerin, 
Germany,  born  Oct.  12,  1838,  the  only  son  of  Wil  iam  and 
Sophia  (Oden)  Hering,  likewise  of  German  birth.  They  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  William  C.  attended  school  in 
Germany  until  his  fourteenth  year,  whan  he  immigrated  with  his 
parents  to  the  United  Statfes,  locating  in  Cincinnati,  O.  Two 
years  later  they  removed  to  Milwaukee, Wis.,  wiiere  W.  C.  learned 
and  followed  the  chair-maker's  trade  nntil  1869,  when  he  cane  to 
Charles  City,  and  in  company  with  E.  J.  Fisher  and  W.  E.  Elkins 
established  a  furniture  factory  at  this  place.  In  1870  Mr.  Fark- 
hurst  became  a  partner,  and  July,  1871,  he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr. 
Stevens,  one  of  the  present  proprietors.  In  October,  187-1,  tlie  com- 
pany bought  out  Mr.  Elkins,  and  the  firm  has  since  remained 
Stevens,  Hering  &  Co.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  married 
Eeb.  8,  1866,  to  Dora  Stelling  of  Washington,  Wis.  Seven  chil- 
dren have  blessed  their  married  life,  of  whom  six  are  living — Hattie 
M.,  Jennie,  Carrie,  Lulu,  Irwin  and  Ida.  Arthur  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Herinsj^  is. a  prominent  member  of  National  Lodge,  No.  165, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party. 

8.  It.  Hewitt.,  M.  Z>.,  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the 
medical  profession  of  Floyd  County,  since  1869,  a  son  of  Samuel 
B.  and  Elniina  Hewitt,  nee  Tucker,  He  was  born  in  Middlebury, 
Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  July  22,  1839.  S.  R.  was  the  eldest  of 
a  family  of  four  children,  and  when  he  was  six  years  old  his  parents 
moved  to  Sharon,  Wis.,  and  two  years  later  to  Fond  du  Lac.     His 


CHARLES   CITY.  T51 

father  settled  upon  a  farm  near  by,  and  S.  R.  assisted  on  the  farm 
and  attended  school  during  the  winter  months,  until  twenty  years 
of  age,  when  he  entered  the  Baraboo,  Wis.,  Institute.  He  spent 
one  term  in  that  institute,  then  taught  school  and  studied  medi- 
cine until  his  twenty-fourth  year,  when  he  went  to  Brandon,  Wis., 
and  continued  the  studv  of  medicine  under  Dr.  B.  F.  Dodson,  three 
years;  He  then  became  a  student  in  Kush  Medical  College,  at 
Chicago,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1867.  He  at  once  located  at 
Berlin,  Wis.,  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  shortly  after, 
ward  went  to  Waupun,  Wis.,  where  he  practiced  two  years,  then 
removed  to  Nora  Springs,  Floyd  County,  la.  In  June,  1881,  he 
came  to  Charles  City,  where  he  has  since  remained.  He  was  mar- 
ried at  Alto,  Wis.,  on  Oct.  30,  1867,  to  Alice  E.  Talcott,  who  was 
born  at  Kenosha,  Wis.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Gilbert  and  Mary 
(Larabee)  Talcott,  natives  of  New  York.  Their  union  has  been 
blessed  with  one  child,  a  daughter,  Alice  B.,  born  April  25,  1871. 
Dr.  Hewitt  is  a  Mason  and  a  prominent  member  of  St.  Charles 
Lodge,  No.  141.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  During  the  time 
he  was  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Dr.  Hewitt  was  the  assistant  of 
Prof.  E.  L.  Holmes,  of  the  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary  of  Chicago,  two 
years.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  surgery,  and  has  successfully, 
operated  on  many  difficult  and  complicated  cases.  He  was  surgeon 
for  the  B.,  C.  R.  &  N.  R  R.  six  years,  and  during  the  war  was 
selected  from  the  medical  college  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the 
Marine  Hospital,  where  he  remained  three  years  and  gained  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  this  department  of  his  profession. 

William  E.  Holhrook^  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Hansberg 
&  Holbrook,  was  born  in  Mason  ville,  Canada  East,  Dec.  11,  1841. 
His  parents  were  Abram  and  Azubah  Holbrook,  nee  Perkins\  the 
former  a  native  of  Yermont,  the  latter  of  Canada.     They  had  a 
family  of  seven  children;  five  lived  to  maturity.     In  1852  the  fam- 
ily moved  to  Freeport,  111.,  where  they  remained  until  1855,  then 
came  to  Floyd  County,   la.,  settling  on  a  farm  of  400  acres  in 
Floyd  Township,  which  the  eldest  son  had  entered  in  1854.    Will- 
iam E.  assisted  on  this  farm  and  attended  school  until  nineteen 
years  old,  when  he  taught  school  here  two  terms,  then  visited  the 
home  of  his  boyhood  and  Yermont  with  his  mother  and  sister, 
where  he  taught  school  and  worked  on  a  farm  until  the  spring  of 
1864,  when  he  returned  to  Floyd.     In  June  of  that  year  he  com- 
menced clerking  for  Lelimkuhl  &  Hansberg,  and  came  with  them 
to  Charles  City  in   1868.      He  was    clerk  and  bookkeeper  until 


752  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

1879,  when  lie  was  taken  into  partnership.  On  Feb.  27,  1880,  lie 
married  Matilda  Kellogg,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Rachael  Kellogg,  nee  Shelly,  who  settled  in 
Charles  City  in  1854.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  two 
children — Eugene  W.,  born  Dec.  3,  1870,  and  Cora  G.,  Aug.  30, 
1872.  Mr.  Holbrook  is  a  member  of  Charles  City  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.;  also  of  Almond  Chapter.  He  has  taken  all  the  degrees  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Encampment.  He  was  elected.  City  Treasurer  in 
March,  1882,  and  still  retains  the  office.  He  has  always  been  a 
strong  adherent  to  the  principles  of  the  Kepublican  party.  His 
father  died  here  on  Nov.  6,  1859,  and  his  mother  is  residing  with 
her  son,  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 

H.  8.  Howard,  of  the  Boss  Harrow  Company,  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing business  men  of  Charles  City,  and  was  born  at  Saline,  Mich., 
Aug.  4,  1842;  he  was  a  son  of  Rufus,  whose  ancestors  were  Eng- 
lish. Kufus  was  born  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  22,  1817.  He  was  a 
physician.  He  moved  from  Kew  York  State  to  Michigan,  where 
he  married  Ann  Cook,  Nov.  27,  1839.  In  the  fall  of  1846  he 
moved  to  Cottage  Grove,  Wis.  He  died  June  4,  1857,  after  an  ill- 
ness of  seven  days.  He  had  an  extensive  practice  as  a  physician,  and 
was  worn  out  by  his  zealous  labors.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Ann  Howard, 
died  at  the  residence  of  her  son,  H.  S.  Howard,  at  Floyd,  la., 
Thanksgiving  Day,  November,  1876.  She  and  husband  had  a 
family  of  three  sons  and  three  daughters — H.  S.,  W.  P.  and 
Murtie,  who  resides  with  her  brother,  H.  S.  Howard,  subject  of 
this  sketch ;  he  was  the  eldest.  He  enlisted,  Aug.  29,  1861,  in  the 
Third  Battery,  Wisconsin  Light  Artillery,  for  three  years,  and  was 
discliarged  in  October,  1864.  He  served  under  Generals  Buel, 
Kosecrans  and  Grant  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  was  taken 
prisoner  with  ten  other  members  of  the  battery,  along  with  the 
guns,  and  taken  to  Richmond,  thence  to  Libby  Prison;  and  Nov. 
28,  1863,  they  were  moved  to  Danville,  Ya.,  and  Nov.  29,  1863, 
took  leg  bail  for  Uncle  Sam's  land,  and  after  a  tramp  of  thirty 
days  and  nights  through  the  rebel  country  and  over  the  Blue 
Ridge  and  Alleghany  mountains,  he  reached  the  Union  lines  at 
Camp  Fayette,  W.  Ya.  After  a  week's  rest  in  camp  he  visited  his 
home, and  returned  to  his  command  at  Chattanooga,  and  after  his  dis- 
charge he  went  to  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  attended  the  East- 
man's Business  College,  from  which  he  graduated.  He  then  visited 
some  friends  in  New  Jersey,  then  took  a  position  here  as  book- 
keeper in  the  store  of  J.  L .     Finding  confinement    in  the 


CHARLES  CITY.  753 

store  imperions  to  his  health,  he  decided  to  return  to  his  home  in 
the  West.  In  1868  bec^an  to  sell  farm  mHchiiiery,  which  business 
has  been  followed  with  very  little  intermissioTi,  until  the  manufact- 
urinor  of  "  Boss  Harrows"  has  compelled  the  cessation  of  all  other 
interests.  Mr.  Howard  moved  from  Janesville,  Wis.,  to  Floyd 
County,  la.,  October,  1874,  and  in  a  few  months  bej^an  to  sell 
farm  machinery  at  Floyd,  and  in  the  spring  of  1876  manufactured 
a  few  ''  Scotch  Harrows,"  for  retail  trade,  and  made  two  harrows  of 
an  entirely  new  pattern,  a  harrow  patent  by  John  E.  Perkins,  for- 
merly of  Verona,  Wis.  Mr.  Howard  made  about  sixty  of  these,  and 
called  them  the  "Boss  Harrow,"  because  all  who  used  them  called 
them  the  "Boss."  These  were  made  in  1876.  A  further  account 
of  this  enterprise,  under  the  firm  of  the"  Boss  Harrow  Company," 
has  been  given  on  a  preceding  page. 

John  Howard^  retired  farmer  and  grain  dealer,    was  born  in 
Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  May  31,  1820,  a  son  of  Elbert  and  Phebe 
(McNeal)  Howard,  the  former  a  native  of  Georgia,   the  latter  ot 
Kentucky.     They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  and 
the   parents   of  seven  children.     In   1834:  .tiie    family  moved  to 
Illinois  and  settled  in   Kane    County.     In  1840  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  left  home  to  make  his  own  way  in  the   world.     He  went 
to  Waukegan,  Lake  County,  111.,  and  was  there  married,  Jan.  16, 
1848,  to  Harriet  M.  Gould,  who  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  March 
8,  1819,  a  daughter  of  Louis  and  Nancy  Gould,  nee  llickox.     Her 
father  was  a  native  of  Mas^^achusetts,    her  mother  of  New  York. 
They  were  Methodists  in  their  religious  views,  and  were  memhers 
of  that  church  over  fifty  years.     After  his  marriage  Mr.  Howard 
followed  his  trade,  that  of  a  furnirure  manufactui-er,  in  Waukegan, 
until  April,  1854,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City  and  opened  the 
first  cabinet-maker's  shop  in  the  county.     The  machinery   in  his 
shop   was   run   by  horse-power,    and  he   made  the  first  chair  and 
brought  the  first  lathe  into  the  county.     He  continued  in  this  busi- 
ness  five  years,   then  purchased  a  farm  in  St.  Charle-  Township, 
which  he  cultivated  until  July,  1864.  when  he  sold  it  ami  returned 
to  Charles  City.     He  engaged  in  giaiii  and  other  busin^'S;- Ir  re  un- 
til   1872,    and   since  then  has  lived  a  retired  life,  having  accumu- 
lated an  ample  competency  for  the  support  of  his  declining  yrars. 
Mr.  Howard  and  wife,  Newman  Dutcher  and  wife,  and  Mrs.  John 
Kellogg  organized  the  first  church  in  Charles  City,  and  their  first 
meeting   was   held  in  an  unfinished   log  barn,   tlie  t^ernion  being 
preached  by  Rev.  John  Ball.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard  have  been 


754  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

faithful  and  active  workers  in  the  church  since  that  time,  and  he 
has  served  as  Trustee  and  Steward  many  j^ears.  They  have  had 
two  sons,  both  now  deceased,  viz. :  Louis  Gould,  born  April  20, 
1849,  died  Aug,  20,  1851,  and  John  Gould,  born  Sept.  19,  1852, 
died  May  14,  1853.  Mr  Howard  can  truly  be  classed  with  the 
pioneers  and  representative  men  of  Floyd  County,  and  his  works 
for  the  good  of  the  city  will  live  after  him,  "By  their  works  ye 
shall  know  them." 

Charles  Kelly ^  for  whom  the  town  of  Charles  City  was  named,  is 
a  son  of  Joseph  Kelly,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  Malinda,  nee  Rader, 
of  Virginia.  Joseph  Kelly  came  to  Floyd  County  in  1856,  and 
laid  out  the  town  of  Charles  City,  naming  it  for  his  son,  and  built 
the  first  saw-mill  in  the  county.  They  had  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren, six  living — Charles;  Melvina,  wife  of  Christopher  Martin,  of 
Monroe,  Wis. ;  Jane,  wife  of  F.  O.  McCallister,  a  resident  of 
Charles  City;  Harriet,  widow  of  Chas.  H.  Haskell,  is  residing  with 
her  mother  and  conducts  a  milliner  shop  in  Charles  City;  Mary,  wife 
of  D.  W.  Carver,  editor  of  the  Dubuque  Herald^  and  Joseph,  Jr., 
a  musician  and  band  leader  in  Buena  Vista,  Cal.  The  subject  of  this 
memoir  was  born  in  Monroe,  Green  County,  Wis.,  Feb.  28, 1838,  and 
was  there  reared  and  educated.  In  1855,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 
came  to  Charles  City  to  join  his  father,  and  helped  haul  the  machin- 
ery for  his  father's  mill  from  Galena,  HI.  Pie  worked  in  the  mill  until 
his  marriage  to  Ida  Wrisley,  which  occurred  Oct.  19,  1870.  She 
was  born  in  Rutland,  Vt.  In  1874  Mr.  Kelly  went  to  Oakland,  Cal., 
where  he  was  employed  in  the  marble  works  until  December,  1881, 
when  he  returned  to  Charles  City,  where  he  has  since  resided* 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  have  one  child,  a  son,  William  F.,  born  Nov. 
19,  1873.  Mrs.  Kelly  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 
He  is  politically  a  Democrat,  and  is  known  as  one  of  the  old  set- 
tlers and  representative  citizens  of  Charles  City. 

John  Kuck^  dealer  in  leather  findings,  saddles,  hardware,  buf- 
falo robes,  horse  blankets,  etc.,  Charles  City,  la.,  is  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  was  born  near  the  city  of  Bremen,  Prussia,  Dec.  5, 
1836.  His  parents  were  Henry  and  Anna  (Gerken)  Kuck,  also 
natives  of  Germany.  They  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  seven 
sons  and  one  daughter.  John,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
third  son,  and  is  the  oldest  now  living.  He  attended  school  in 
Germany  and  farmed  until  sixteen,  and  then  came  alone  to  Amer- 
ica; landed  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  after  being  eight  weeks  at  sea.  He 
went  to  Wheeling,  Va.,  and  two  months  after  to  Marietta,  Ohio, 


CHARLES  CITY,  755 

where   he   learned    the   harness-maker's   trade    and  resided  until 
twenty,  then  went  to  Le  Sure,  Minn,     He  was  partner  in  a  store  of 
general   merchandise  there  one  year,  then  sold   out  and  went  to 
Galena,  111.,  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  1860,  when  he  opened  a 
harness  shop  at  Lansing,  la.,  and  engaged  in  business  here  until 
1864,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  la.,  and  established  his  pres- 
ent  business,     Mr.   Kuck    married    Mary    Meyer  at  Galena,  III,, 
June  1,  1860.     She  was  born  in  Switzerland.     They  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  clmrch,  and  have  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  two 
livinar,  viz.:  Henry   L.,  born  Dec.  1,  1862;  George  W.,  born   Dec. 
14,  ]868.     Both  work  with  their  father  in  the  harness  shop.     The 
mother  died  May  30,  1879  and    Mr.  Knck  married  Lizzie  Brandon 
April  2-2,  1880,  at  Charles  City.     She  was  born  in  Cook  County, 
111.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Adiim  and  Elizabeth  (Sibbel)  Brandon. 
They  have  one  daughter— Bertha  A.  C,  born   Feb.  10,  1881.  Mr. 
Kuck,  in  politics,  is  a  Republican.     He  is  one  of  the  oldest  har- 
ness-makers  and  business    men    ot    Flovd  County    and.  Charles 
City,  having  been  identified  with  this  city  since  July,  1864.     He 
was  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Charles  City  one  year  from  Second 
Ward.     He  was  one  of  the  first  members  of  the  German  M.  E, 
church,  which  is  now  the  Charles  City  District,  embracing  many 
counties,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  organize  the  church  in  this  city. 
Williann  M.  Langnta-ff.   blacksmith,  Charles  City,  was  born  in 
Montrose,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  Oct.  22,  1830,  a  son  of  Juhn 
and  Rachel  Langstaff,  nee  Bush,  the  former  of  English  birth,  the 
latter  born  in   the  Keystone   State.     They  were  the   parents   of 
nine  children,  William  being  the  third  son.     His  father  died  when 
lie  was  eight  years  old,  and   he  continued   to   reside  on  the   farm 
with  his  mother  until  1839,  when  the  family  moved    to  Brooklyn, 
Pa.,  whrre  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade.     In  1852  he  went  to 
Rockford,  111.,  remaining  there  working   at   his   trade  one   year, 
then  went  to  Janesville,  Wis.,  where  he  was  married  Jan.  31,  1854, 
to  Margaret  Warn,  a  nativeof  Jafks(mville,  N.  J.,  and  a  daughter 
of  James  M.  and  Margaret  (Burlew)   Warn,    likewise  natives  ot 
New  Jersey,  and  the  parents  of  six  children.      Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lang- 
staff  had  a  family  of  three  sons,  two  living — Will  Leslie,  born  Dec. 
6,  1^55,  at  Janesville,  Wis.,  is   a  merchant   at  Belmont,    la.,  and 
Henry  L.,  born  in  Cliarles   Citv,    July    31,   1860,  is   a  printer  at 
tanton.  Pa.;  Clarence,  born  Nov.  25,  1858,  died  Sept.  25,  1859, 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Langstalf  resided  in  Janesville  until  the 
spring  of  1856,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  where  he  established 


756  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

a  blacksmith  shop,  and  has  remained  since.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternity,  Charles  City  Lod^re,  No.  165.  Politically 
he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  blacksmiths  now  living 
in  the  county,  having  opened  a  shop  here  in  1856. 

Jacob  Leonard^  proprietor  of  the  Leonard  Hotel,  Charles  City, 
was  born  near  Bedford,  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  Dec.  12,  1819,  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Martha  (Raims)  Leonard,  natives  of  North 
Carolina.  They  had  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  eleven  of 
whom  lived  to  maturity.  When  Jacob  was  about  two  years  old 
his  parents  removed  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  on  a  farm. 
He  was  reared  and  educated  at  that  place,  and  was  married  there 
on  Dec.  20,  1843,  to  Catharine  Berkey,  who  was  born  in  Yalonia, 
Jackson  County,  Ind.,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (I>em- 
inger)  Berkey.  Of  nine  children  born  of  this  union,  eight  are  liv- 
ing— William  H.,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Rock  County  Re- 
corder^ at  Janesville,  Wis.;  Margaret  A.,  wife  of  William  Ganges; 
Mary  E.,  wife  of  Charles  Leaman;  N.  Kate,  wife  of  Joseph  Flan- 
nigan;  E.  Hattie,  who  is  cashier  in  a  store  at  Janesville,  Wis.; 
L.  Agnes,  who  is  a  printer;  Ester  E.  and  Clara  A.  Alter  his  mar- 
riage Mr.  Leonard  farmed  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  until  1843, 
then  taught  school  two  years,  and  in  1845  went  to  Doe  Prairie, 
where  he  farmed  and  taught  until  1847,  when  he  went  to  Green 
County,  Wis.,  continuing  in  the  same  occupations  there.  In  the 
spring  of  1856,  he  came  to  Charles  City,  moving  his  family  here 
the  following  year.  He  farmed,  teamed  and  engaged  in  drnying 
until  1875,  then  opened  a  grocery  store,  which  he  sold  a  short  time 
afterward,  and  bought  the  Cleveland  House.  In  October,  1879, 
he  built  his  present  hotel,  which  is  a  two-story  building,  containing 
fifteen  sleeping  rooms,  parlors,  dining-room,  ofiice  and  kitchen,  all 
fitted  up  in  good  style.  Mr.  Leonard  shows  his  guests  every  atten- 
tion and  is  a  popular  landlord.  He  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  two  years,  but  resigned  the  office  before  the  expiration 
of  his  term.  Politically  he  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

Milton  Martin^  proprietor  of  the  "  Central  Market,"  Charles 
City,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in  Oneida  County,  June  9, 
1840.  His  parents  were  Ebenezer  and  Mercy  (Doty)  Martin,  also 
natives  of  New  York,  and  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  They 
had  a  family  of  five  children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Martin,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  eldest  son.  When  five  years 
of  age  he  removed,  with  his  parents,  to  Winnebago  County,  Wis., 


CHARLES  CITY.  757 

where  his  father  settled  on  a  farm.     They  resided  there  four  years, 
then  moved  into  Ripon,  Wis.,  where  Martin  attended  school  until 
fourteen,  then  worked  with  his  father  in    the    market   until   1855, 
when  he   went   to    Wautoraa,  Washara  County,  Wis.,  and   ran  a 
hotel  eiojhteen  months.      Subsequently  returned  to  Ripon,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1858  went  overland  with  a  party  to  Pike's  Peak  and 
mined  and  prospected  until  fall,  when  he  returned  to  Ripon,  and  re- 
moved with  his  father  to  Washara  County, Wis.,and  farmed  until  the 
outbreaking  of  the  late  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  First 
Wisconsin  Cavalry,  in  spring  of  1862,  as  a  private,  and  was   first 
appointed  Sergeant,  then  First  Lieutenant,  and  afterward  Captain  of 
the  company,  remaining  until  the  close  of  the  war,   when    he    was 
mustered  out  at  Nashville,    Tenn.     He   returned    to  Ripon    and 
embarked  in  the  market  business.     He  was  married  to  Miss  Mercy 
A.  Eggleston,  at  Ripon,  May  7,  1866.  She  was  born  in  Wisconsin 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Giles  and    Catherine  (Bullis)  Eggleston, 
natives  of  New  York.     After  his  marriage,  on  Oct.   31,  1866,  Mr. 
Martin  located  in  Charles  City,  and  established  bis  present  market. 
They   have   been  members  of  the  First  M;  E.  Church  of  Charles 
City  for  the  past  ten  years,  and  have  had  six  children,  viz.:    An- 
drew, Cora,  George,  Ebenezer,  Earl  and  EUinor.     Mr.  Martin  is  a 
member  of  the  A.    O.  U.  W.  and  V.   A.  fraternities   of  Charles 
City.     In  politics  he  is  a  strong  Republican,  and  voted  for    the 
amendment  in  1882,  and  was  the  first  Prohibitionist  elected  in  the 
City  Council,  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth  year.  He  is  one  of  the 
old  residents  and  enterprising  representative  citizens  and  business 
men  of  Charles  City,  where  he  has  been  identified  since  1866.     He 
is  of  English  and  German   descent.     His    great-grandfather    was 
Captain  on  an  English  man-of-war  ship  in   the  Revolutionary  war. 
Carl  Merckel^   Sr.^    of  the  firm  of  Merckel  &  Son,  hardware, 
Charles  City,  was  born  in  Andernach.  Prussia,  Germany,  Oct.  19, 
1812,  a  son  of  Elias  and  Theresa  Merckel,  ?i(?e  Kerig.  Carl  attended 
school  and   college  until  thirteen  years    of   age,  when  he  began 
learning  the  tinner's  trade  with  his  father,  continuing  with  him 
three  years.     He  then  traveled  in  Holland,  Belgium,  France  and 
Germany,  until  twenty  ;   then  worked  with  his  father  at  Ander- 
nach  until  1838,  and  on  June  10  of  that  year  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Anna   Marie  Just,   a  native  of  Andernach,  and  a 
daughter  of  John  Just,  who  had  charge  of  a  forest  in   Germany. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Merckel  worked  at  his  trade  in  his  native 


758  HISl'OET  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

place,  until  1852,  when  he  came  to  America;  landed  at  New  York 
City,  after  a  fifty-two  days'  journey.  He  worked  in  Albany, 
Rochester  and  Buffalo,  New  York,  until  1854,  when  he  came  West, 
locating  in  Decorah,  la.,  where  he  established  the  first  tin  shop  in 
that  city.  One  year  later  he  removed  to  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  thence  to 
Dubuque,  la.,  where  he  resided  until  August,  1856,  when  he  set- 
tled in  Charles  City,  and  in  1857  he  sent  to  Germany  for  his 
family.  He  was  employed  in  the  first  tin  shop  in  this  county, 
operated  by  Ferguson  &  Stanlej'^  until  1858,  when  he  opened  a 
shop  of  his  own.  He  was  burned  out  in  1862,  and  then  built  his 
present  store.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merckel  have  been  blessed  with  nine 
children,  three  living — Theresa,  wife  of  Wm.  Hansberg,  an  old  set- 
tler and  merchant  of  Charles  City;  Carl,  Jr.,  and  Maggie.  Carl, 
Jr.,  was  born  in  Andernach,  July  2,  1844,  and  attended  school  there 
until  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  and 
when  fourteen  learned  the  tinner's  trade  with  his  father,  and  in 
1870  formed  his  present  partnership  with  him.  He  married 
Gracie  F.  Davidson,  at  Charles  City,  Sept.  19,  1870.  She  was 
born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Donald  David- 
son and  Marion  L.,  nee  Brown,  who  werelikewise  of  Scottish  birth) 
and  emigrated  to  America  in  1855,  settling  in  Floyd  County,  la., 
in  1856.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carl  Merckel,  Jr.,  have  had  two  children, — 
Carl  D.,  born  June  13,  1880,  and  Clyde,  born  Aug.  21,  1871,  died 
Oct.  27,  1879.  Mr.  Merckel,  Jr.,  was  elected  Mayor  of  Charles 
City  in  1880,  and  held  the  office  one  year.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  City  Council  seven  years.  Father  and  son  are  both  strong 
supporters  of  the  Republican  party,  and  are  classed  with  promi- 
nent and  enterprising  business  men  of  Charles  City. 

George  Wilhelm  Meyef^  the  oldest  and  leading  clothier  and  mer- 
chant-tailor in  Charles  City,  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  business  interests  of  this  city  since  1S6S.  A  son  of  John  and 
Marie  (Zimmerman)  Meyer.  He  was  born  Jan.  6,  1838,  in  the 
village  of  Sumte,  Prussia,  German}'.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  a 
family  of  five  daughters  and  two  sons,  and  after  receiving  a  prac- 
tical business  education  in  his  native  town,  went  to  Neuhans 
were  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  tailor's  trade;  when  twenty  years  of 
age,  having  become  proficient  in  his  trade,  he  went  to  Hamburg, 
and  two  years  later  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  accompanied 
by  his  sister,  Mrs.  John  Pertzborm.  He  located  in  Madison,  Wis., 
where  he  obtained  employment  at  his  trade.  He  was  married 
there  on  Apr.  7,    1862,    to   Marie   Schneider,   who    was   born   in 


CHARLES  CITY.  759 

Switzerland,  a  daughter  of  John  J.  and  Maria  Schneider,  wee  Speich. 
Mr.  Meyer  resided  in  Madison  until  1S67,  when  he  removed  to 
Boscobel,  Wis.,  remaining  there  until  1868,  and  then  came  to 
Charles  City.  He  at  once  established  his  present  business,  and 
has  met  with  deserved  success,  being  known  throughout  the  county 
as  a  man  of  irreproachable  business  integrity.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meyer 
have  ten  children,  viz  :  Wilhelm  G.  H.,  working  in  his  father's 
tailoring  establishment;  Paulina,  George  W.,  Amelia,  Louisa, 
Wilhelmina,  Mary,  Matilda,  Henrietta  and  Cora.  Politically  Mr. 
Meyer  was  formerly  a  Republican,  but  of  late  has  been  rather 
independent, voting  for  principle  rather  than  party. 

Miles  Brothers^  W.  F.  and  H.  F.  Miles,  druggists,  and  dealers 
in  paints,  oils,  wall-paper  and  stationery.  This  is  one  of  the 
oldest  and  leading  business  houses  of  Charles  City,  and  was  estab- 
lished in  1858,  byDr.  J.  W.Smith  and  C.  W.  Atkinson,  Mr.  W.  F. 
and  H.  F.  Miles  becoming  proprietors  in  1868,  and  they  have 
increased  their  business,  and  enlarged  their  store  from  time  to 
time,  until  they  now  occupy  a  three-story  building,  120  feet  deep 
by  22  feet  wide,  with  a  basement,  and  they  .carry  a  full  and  com- 
plete stock  of  imported  and  domestic  goods.  W.  F.  and  H.  F. 
Miles  were  born  in  Franklin,  Delaware  County,]^.  Y.  W.  F.  was 
born  Sept.  23,  1840,  and  H.  F.,  Nov.  28,  1842.  They  were  sons 
of  Levi  and  Emily  (Boyd)  Miles,  he  a  native  of  Connecticut  and 
she  of  Massachusetts.  They  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  church, 
and  had  a  family  of  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  W.  F.  Miles 
attended  school,  working  on  liis  father's  farm  until  he  began  teach- 
ing school;  taught  winters  and  worked  on  the  farm  summers, 
until  twenty,  when  he  attended  the  Commercial  College,  at  Bing- 
hamton,  N.  Y.,  where  he  graduated  one  year  after.  He  then 
resided  at  Beloit,  Wis.,  until  the  outbreaking  of  the  late  Rebellion, 
when  he  returned  home  to  New  York,  and  enlisted  in  Com[)any  A, 
Thirteenth  New  York  Infantry  and  heavy  Artillery;  was  shot 
through  the  right  foot  at  a  battle  in  front  of  Pittsburg.  Pa.,  and 
laid  in  the  hospital  suffering  from  fever  and  his  wound,  and  came 
near  losing  his  life  from  exposure  and  neglect.  ELe  was  found  three 
days  after  being  wounded,  by  Dr.  Tennant,  a  surgeon,  who  proved 
to  be  a  brother-in-law  to  Mr.  Miles's  brother,  H.  F.  Miles. 
Through  the  effort  of  Dr.  Tennant  Mr.  Miles's  life  and  limli  was 
saved.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Miles  returned  to  Deposit, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  appointed  Principal  of  the  Deposit  Military  Acad- 
emy for  one  year;  he  then  clerked  for  eighteen  months  in   a  drug- 


760  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Store  at  Deposit,  then  came  West  to  Waterloo,  la., and  clerked  in  a 
drv-goods  store  one  year,  and  then  located  in  Charles  City.  Mr. 
Miles  married  Miss  Estella  Corson,  at  Waterloo,  la.,  Sept.  8,  1870. 
She  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  was  a  daui^liter  of  Charles  and  Maria 
(Britton)  Corson.  Mr.  Miles  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church, 
and  Mrs.  Miles  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  They  have  two 
children,  viz.:  Miss  Carry  and  Charles  L.  Miles.  Mr.  Miles  is  a 
charter  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F,  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  lodges.  Mr. 
Miles,  during  the  war,  was  in  the  battles  of  Weldon  R.  R.,  City 
Point,  Spring  Yalley  and  eighteen  days  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  and  at  the  battles  and  skirmishes  of  the  regiment- 
He  was  once  taken  prisoner  by  the  Mosby's  guerrillas;  while  carry- 
ing dispatches,  his  horse  threw  him  and  ran  down  the  road,  and 
was  met  by  a  company  of  cavalry,  who  returned  and  recaptured 
him  from  the  guerrillas,  before  they  read  his  dispatches.  Mr.  H,  F. 
M  les  WHS  also  in  the  late  war.  lie  enlisted  in  Company  A,  One 
Hundred  and  Forty-fourth  New  York  Infantry  Yolunteers,  and  re- 
mained in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  promoted 
Second  Lieutenant;  was  in  the  siege  and  capture  of  Fort  Sumter,  the 
Peninsula  campaign  and  at  Gettysburg,  and  all  the  battles  of  the 
regiment.  Mr, H.F. Miles  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Ilanford, Oct. 4,1869. 
She  was  born  at  Rome,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter 
of  George  W.  and  Jane  (Phillips)  Hanford.  Mr.  Miles  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  church,  and  Mrs.  Miles  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  church.  They  have  had  two  children,  viz.:  Fred  H.  and 
Clarence  W.  Fred  died  May  5,1879,  aged  eight  years.  Mr.  H. 
F.  Miles  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  No.  14 L,  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  lodge,  of  Charles  City.  Messrs. 
W.  F.  and  H.  F.  Miles  are  leading  business  men,  and  represent- 
ative citizens  of  Charles  City,  where  they  have  been  in  business 
since  1868. 

George  P.  Morris^  Treasurer  of  Floj^d  County,  is  a  native  o 
Wisconsin,  born  in  Racine,  March  27,  1843,  a  son  of  Roswell 
Morris  (a  native  of  Yermnnt)  and  Rowena,  nee  Goodwin,  born  in 
New  Hampshire.  Roswell  Morris  was  a  merchant,  and  in  185  2 
he  removed  with  his  family,  which  consisted  of  his  wife  and  two 
sons,  viz.:  Julius  R.  and  George  P.,  to  De  Pere,  thence  to  Green 
Bay,  Wis.  George  P.  was  educated  in  his  native  city  and  in 
Green  B  iv,  and  in  1857  left  home,  and  started  out  to  fight  life's 
battles  for  himself,  going  to  New  York  City,  and  engaging  as 
clerk  in  a  wholesale  hardware  house  at  that  place.    In  April,  1861, 


CHARLES  CITY.  761 

he  enlisted  in  the  Eighth  New  York  National  Guards  Infantry  Yol- 
unteers,  that  being  one  of  the  first  troops  ordered  to  Washingt.)n. 
He  enlisted  for  three  months  as  a  private,  and  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  Commissary  Sergeant  of  the  regiment.  He  served 
three  months,  then  returned  to  Green  Bay,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1861  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twelfth  Wisconsin  Infantry  Volun- 
teers, and  remained  with  them  until  January,  1862,  when  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry  as  a  Battalion  Com- 
missary Sergeant,  remaining  in  the  service  until  the  fall  of  1862, 
when  he  received  an  honorable  discharge,  at  Helena,  Ark.  He 
returned  to  his  old  home  in  Wisconsin,  and  soon  after  was  com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant  of  the  Duryea,  New  York,  Zouaves, 
and  prepared  again  for  service,  but  was  compelled  to  remain  at 
home,  on  account  of  illness.  In  the  winter  of  1862,  he  went  to 
Sparta,  Wis.,  for  his  health,  and,  alter  recuperating  a  few  months, 
accepted  a  situation  as  clerk  in  a  hardware  store.  In  1861  he 
went  to  La  Crosse,  where  he  clerked  until  1868;  tlien  came  to 
Charles  City,  la.,  and  established  a  news  depot,  and  also  dealt  in 
fancy  notions.  In  January,  1872,  he  was  appointed  Deputy 
Treasurer  of  Floyd  County,  retaining  the  position  until  May  of 
that  year,  when  he  received  the  appointment  of  United  States 
Express  Agent,  and  in  1878  was  appointed  agent  for  the  Amer- 
ican Express  Company.  He  held  the  positions  until  the  fall  of 
1881,  when  he  was  elected  to  his  present  position,  being  nom- 
inated by  acclamation,  and  receiving  the  almost  unanimous  vote  of 
the  county.  Mr.  Morris  was  married  July  9,  1866,  to  Julia  A. 
Ely,  who  was  born  in  Cleveland,  O.,  a  daughter  of  Lyman  and 
Almira  Ely,  nee  Kent.  They  have  had  six  children — Bessie  R., 
born  Jan.  11,  1868;  Daisy  M.,  July  21,  1873;  M.  Louisa,  Oct.  12, 
1876;  Emma  M.,  June  9,  1878;  George  R.,  July  19,  1880;  and 
Julia  A.,  deceased.  Mr.  Morris  has  held  many  of  the  city  offices, 
and  in  each  instance  has  shown  himself  to  be  eminently  fitted  to 
hold  public  positions  of  trust.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Iowa 
Legion  of  Honor,  of  which  he  is  Treasurer.  Politicallj'-,  he  is  a 
Republican. 

Julius  P.  North^  tinner  and  dealer  in  stoves  and  general  hard- 
ware, was  born  in  Angelica,  Allegnny  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  31, 
1831.  He  was  a  son  of  Geo.  B.  and  Julia  (Perrine")  North.  The 
former  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  he  was  a  son  of  Noah  North, 
whose  father  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Connecticut.  Noah 
North's  family  consisted  of  five    sons  and  two  daughters,  viz.: 


762  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Henry  P.,  tinsmith  of  Genesee,  N.  Y. ;  William,  gunsmith  at 
Hartford,  Conn.,  Albert,  tinsmith,  who  died  at  Geneseo,  N.  Y. ; 
George  B.,  tin  and  coppersmith;  Charles  A.,  tinsmith  at  Wyom- 
ing, N.  Y.,  and  Olive  and  Laura.  The  former  died  at  Angelica, 
N.  Y.  Noah  emigrated  to  Geneseo,  N.  Y.,  with  his  family,  and 
his  son,  Geo.  B.,  father  of  Julius  P.,  subject  of  this  sketch,  early 
showed  a  fondness  for  the  water  by  building  small  water  crafts. 
He  worked  at  the  tinner's  and  coppersmith's  trade  until  twenty- 
two,  when  he  made  two  cruises  in  the  war  ship  "Brandy wine"  for 
four  years,  then  went  to  Buffalo,  IST.  Y.,  where  he  worked  at  his  i 
trade  and  owned  property.  On  a  visit  to  Geneseo  he  met  and 
afterward  married  Miss  Julia  Perrine;  married  May,  1831.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Hannah  (Wri<j;ht)  Perrine.  Her 
father  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  for  his  meritorious  ser- 
vices his  wife  received  a  pension;  she  outlived  him  a  number  o± 
years  and  linally  died  at  Ovid,  N.  Y.  Her  daughter,  Hannah 
Perrine,  grandmother  of  Julius  P.  North,  was  born  at  Hebron, 
Coim.,  and  emigrated  to  Geneseo,  N,  Y.,  in  1827,  and  died  at 
Angelica  in  1854,  aged  seventy-six  years.  She  and  husband  had 
a  family  of  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  viz. :  Thomas,  Julius, 
Julia,  Eveline  and  Emeline  Perrine.  Geo.  B.  and  Julia  (Perrine) 
North,  parents  of  Julius  P.,  had  a  family  of  four  sons  and  two 
daughters,  viz.:  Alford,  Julius  P.,  Mary  J.,  Eveline,  George  and 
George  second;  the  last  two  died  in  infancy.  Mary  J.  died  at  Gen- 
eseo, Feb.  26,  1879,  aged  forty-five;  the  rest  are  living.  Julius  P., 
sutiject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  second  son.  He  attended  school 
until  thirteen,  when  he  learned  the  tinner's  trade  with  his  uncle, 
Henry  P.  North,  until  nineteen.  Julius  then  came  to  Chicago 
and  worked  at  his  trade  two  years,  then  came  to  Jacksonville, 
Chickasaw  County,  la. ,  and  located  land  and  worked  here  and  in 
Elkader,  Clayton  County,  until  1866,  when  he  came  to  Charles 
City  and  established  his  present  business.  Mr.  North  married 
Miss  Carrie  M.  Updike,  at  Jacksonville,  la.,  Jan.  26,  L858.  She 
was  born  in  Westfield,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Mercy  (Loveless)  Updike,  he  of  New  Jersey  and  she  of  New  York. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  North  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church  and  they 
have  been  members  of  this  church  for  the  past  twenty -two  years. 
Mr.  North  is  Clas-s-Leader  in  the  First  M.  E.  Church  of  Charles 
City.  He  and  wife  have  had  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  viz.: 
Earl  J.,  born  Nov.  3,  1859;  Miss  Hattie  M.,  born  Sept.  2,  1862; 
Henry  P.,  born  Nov.  12, 1865,  and  George  F.,  born  Sept.  12, 1870. 


CHARLES  CITY.  763 

Mr.  North  is  one  of  the  leading  manufacturers  and  business  men 
of  Charles  City.  In  politics,  a  Republican,  and  he  has  always 
been  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance,  having  voted  the  Iowa  pro- 
hibitory law  in  1855,  and  also  voted  the  amendment  prohibiting 
the  sale  and  manufacture  of  intoxicating  liqnors  in  1882. 

A.  E.  Palmer^  an  old  settler  and  farmer,  residing  in  Charles 
City,  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  was  born  in  Aurora,  Kane  County, 
July  27, 1841,  a  son  of  Dr.  N.  H.  and  Miranda  (Isball)  Palmer,  who 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.     He  was  a  native  of  Vermont, 
and  emigrated  to  New  York,  where  he  was  married.     In    1835  he 
moved  to  Aurora,    111.,    where   he   practiced  medicine   until   the 
spring  of  1854,  when  he  came  to  Bremer  County,  la.,  and  the  fall 
of  that  year  located  in  Charles  City.     In  company  with  Milo  Gil- 
bert lie  bought  a  half  interest  in  Charles  City  and  the  water-power 
of  Joseph  Kelly.     Dr.  Palmer  practiced  medicine  in  Charles  City 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Oct.  9,  1872,    aged  seventy-five 
years  and  one  day.     He  was  married  four  times.     He  first  married 
Miss  Samantha  Blair,  Nov.  17,  1825;  they  had  one  son  and   three 
daughters;  three  daughters  living,  viz.:  Martha,  wife  of  Wm,  D. 
Smith,   a  farmer  of  Rockt'ord,  Floyd  County;   Margaret,  wife  of 
Milo   Gilbert,  of  Nora  Springs;   Mary,   wife  of  George  Squires, 
of  Ohio.     The    mother  died   Jan.    10,    1835.     Dr.    Palmer   then 
married    Miranda  Isball,  Nov.  19,  1835.     The  fruit  of    this  mar- 
riage was  five  children,  one  sou  and  four  daughters,    two  living. 
viz. :   Malinda,  wife  of  John  Howland,  residing  on  a  farm  at  Blue 
Earth  City,   Minn.,     and  A.  E.  Palmer,  subject  of  this    sketch. 
Tlie  mother  died  April  8, 1818.     She  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
church.     Dr.   Palmer   then    married  Miss  N.  Rhodes,    April    29, 
1849.     They  had  one  daughter,  viz.:  Eva,  wife  of  Henry  McGowen ; 
they  reside  at  Clear   Lake,  la.     The   mother  died  Oct.  27,  1856. 
Dr.  Palmer  married  Mrs.  Jane  Howland,  March  12,  1857.     Her 
maiden    name  was   Lowell.      They  had  one   daughter — Eugenia, 
wife  of  a  Mr.  West.     A.    E.  Palmer,    subject  of  this   memoir,  in 
1854,   came    with  his  parents  to  Charles  City,  and  attended  school 
until  seventeen,  when  he  began  farming,  and  bought  land,  which 
he  still  owns.     He  married  Miss  Alice  Stahl,  at  Panora,  la.,  Nov. 
27,  1873.     She  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Harmon 
and  Mary  (Moffitt)  Staiil;  he  of  Pennsylvania  and  she  of  Ohio. 
They  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  had  a  family  of  two 
sons  and  two  daughters.     After  his   marriage  Mr.  Palmer  settled 
on  his  farm,  where  they  still  reside,  in  the  suburbs  of  Charles  City. 


764  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Mrs.  Palmer  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  They  have  a 
family  of  four  children,  viz.:  JST.  Harmon,  born  Oct.  10,  1874; 
M.  Miranda,  Aug.  31,  1877;  J.  Elston,  Aug.  30, 1879,  and  Irwing 
S.,  Sept.  15,  1881.  Mr.  Palmer  owns  thirty-eight  acres  of  land 
inside  of  city  corporation,  and  three  lots  and  his  residence.  He  is 
one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Floyd  County,  where  he  has  been  identified 
since  1854.  There  was  but  one  frame  house  in  Charles  City  when 
he  came,  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Malinda  Howland,  taught  the  first 
school  in  Charles  City.  In  politics  Mr.  Palmer  is  a  Republican, 
and  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  one  of  the 
enterprising  representative  men  of  Charles  City. 

William  M.  Palmer,,  M.  Z>.,  Charles  City,  was  born  in  Lin- 
colnville,  then  Hancock,  now  Waldo  County,  Me.,  on  Jan.  23, 1809. 
He  was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  born  of 
Nathaniel  and  Susan  (Pendleton)  Palmer,  the  foriner  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  the  latter  of  Maine.  He  lived  on  his  father's  farm 
and  attended  school  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  left  the 
paternal  roof  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  going  to  Somer- 
set County,  Me.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  studied  medi- 
cine until  1857,  and  then  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Ann  Shaw,  at  Palmyra,  on  Sept. 
29,  1833.  She  was  born  in  Winthrop,  Me.,  a  daughter  of  S.  C. 
and  Rachael  Shaw,  nee  Sinkler.  Of  eight  children,  born  of  this 
union  four  are  living — Maria,  married  W.  D.  Balch,  a  banker  of 
Charles  City;  L.  G.,  engaged  in  mining  in  Missouri;  Mary  E., 
wife  of  Judge  Eeiniger,  banker  of  Charles  City;  Bina  S.,  wife  of 
Alford  Wood,  a  merchant  at  Gallasen,  Col.  J.  R.,  the  eldest  son, 
enlisted  in  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Lexington,  Mo.,  while  bravely  defending  his  country's  cause; 
LeRoy  was  a  drummer  boy  in  the  Twenty-first  Maine  Infantry, 
and  died  in  the  hospital  at  City  Point,  Va. ;  Eveline  died  in  Pal- 
myra, Me.,  aged  fourteen  years  and  ten  months,  and  Kate,  wife  of 
L.  H.  Cheney,  died  in  Charles  City,  aged  twenty  years  and  ten 
months.  Dr.  Palmer  located  in  Charles  City,  in  March,  1865,  and 
has  been  engaged  in  active  practice  here  since,  and  has  met  with 
flattering  success.  He  is  a  Mason  and  a  prominent  member  of 
the  St.  Charles  Lodge,  No  141;  is  also  a  member  of  the  chapter. 
He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  and  while  a  resi- 
dent of  Palmyra  was  elected  to  many  public  positions  of  trust,  be- 
ing elected  to  the  office  of  Legislator  in  1848.  Politically  he  was 
formerly  a  Jackson  Democrat,   but  since  the  organization  of  the 


CHAELES  CITY.  765 

Republican  partj  has  been  one  of  its  strongest  supporters.  Dr. 
Palmer  came  of  English  ancestry  and  is  a  descendant  of  two 
brothers  of  that  name,  who  came  over  in  the  "Mayflower." 

K.    L.   Pease,    manufacturer    of    fine    buggies,  carriages    and 
wagons,  Charles  City,  established  his  factory  here  in  the  spring  of 
1865.     He  employs  first-class  workmen,  including  wagon-makers, 
carriage  painters,  trimmers  and   blacksmiths.     He  is  prepared  to 
first-class  work,  which  he  warrants.     This  is  one  of  the  leading 
manufactories  of  Charles  City.     Mr.  Pease  was  born  in  Colesville, 
Broome  County,   N.  Y.,  March  9,  1832.     His  parents  were  Isaac 
and  Hannah  (ClMrk)  Pease,  who  were  natives  of  Massachusetts,  and 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church.     They  had  a  family  of  three  sons 
and    two    daughters.      E.    L.,   subject   of  this   memoir,    was   the 
youngest,  and  when  three  years  of  age,  in  1835,  he  removed  with 
his  parents  to  Hancock  County,  111.,  and  one  year  after  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Chautauqua  County,  N.Y.,  and  attended  school 
and  worked  on  a  farm  until    nineteen,  when  he  began  to  work  at 
the  carriage-maker's    trade.     One  year  after  they  went  to  Hume, 
A^llegany  County,  for  two  and  a  half  years;-  thence  to  Jamestown 
two  years,  then  at  Ripon,  Wis.,  where  he  worked  until  spring  of 
1865,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City  and  establislied  his  present 
business.     Mr.  Pease  married  Miss  Catherine  Webster  at  Poplar 
Grove,  Boone  County,  111,,  June  18,  1862.   She  was  born  in  New 
York,  and   was  a  daughter  of  N.    S.   Webster,  lumber  and  coal 
dealer  at  Poplar  Grove,  111.     Mrs.  Pease  is  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  and  she  and  husband  have  two  sons  and  one  daughter, 
viz.:  Frank  N.    and  Fred  E.,   born   May  16,   1863,  working   in 
the  carriage  factory  with  their  father;  and  Miss  Anna  M.,  born 
in  Charles  City,  Dec.  2,  1865;  she  resides  with  her  parents.     Mr. 
Pease  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Charles  City, 
where  he  has  resided  since  1865.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  he  is  of  English  descent. 

Nathan  Phelps,  manufacturer  of  wagons,  carriages  and  buggies, 
and  dealer  in  all  kinds  of  agricultural  implements,  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing manufacturers  of  diaries  City.  He  was  born  in  Pembrokeshire, 
Wnhs,  Oct.  31,  1845,  and  was  a  son  of  William  atid  Martha 
(Hodges)  Phelps,  who  have  a  family  of  five  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, Nathan  beiuii^  the  youngest  son.  When  eight  years  of  age  lie 
came  with  his  parents  to  America;  landed  in  New  York  City,  and 

located  in  Chicago.  111.,  where  he  remained  one  year;  then  moved 
47 


766  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

to  Lake  County,  111.,  and  in  1857  came  to  Decorah,  la.,  where  he 
learned  the  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker's  trade,  and  in  1868  came 
to  Charles  City,  and  established  his  present  agricultural  business; 
in  1873  he  began  the  manufacture  of  wasijons,  carriages,  etc.  Mr. 
Phelps  married  Miss  Emma  E.  Stearns,  Dec.  9,  1869;  she  was  born 
in  Lake  County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  John  Stearns.  Mrs.  Phelps  is 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  They  have  had  a  family  of 
two  daughters  and  one  son,  viz.:  Fred.,  Bertha  and  Yeara.  Mr. 
Phelps  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternity,  Charles  City 
lodge,  and  chapter.  In  politics,  he  has  always  been  a  supporter 
of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  manufact- 
urers and  business  men  of  Charles  City,  where  he  has  been  identi- 
fied since  1868. 

Henry  O.  Raymond^  President  and  half-owner  of  the  Boss  Har- 
row Manufacturing  Company,  and  Yice-President  of  the  First 
National  Bank,  Cii.irles  City,  was  born  in  Niskayima,  Schenec- 
tady County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  5,  1838,  a  son  of  Henry  A.  and  Cather- 
ine M.  (Miller)  Raymond.  His  father  was  a  native  ofCuuiiec- 
ticut  and  a  minister  of  the  Dutch  Reform  church  of  America; 
she  was  also  a  member  of  this  church.  They  had  a  family  of  six 
sons  and  four  daughters.  Henry  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
the  second  son.  When  ten  years  of  age,  he  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Owasco,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  two  years  later 
he  went  to  Newark,  N.  J.,  anJ  worked  in  his  uncle's  patent-leather 
factory  two  years;  then  returned  to  Owasco,  and  attended  school 
until  fifteen.  He  attended  the  Brockport  Academy  at  Brockport, 
N.  Y.,  one  year;  then  joined  his  parents  at  Vischer's  Ferry.  Sara- 
toga County,  N.  Y.,  his  father  having  been  installed  minister  of 
the  church  there.  That  winter,  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen,  he  be- 
gan to  teach  school.  He  taught  two  terms  in  Rosedale  Township, 
Schenectady  County,  and  in  the  spring  of  1855  went  to  Newark, 
N.  J.,  and  worked  with  his  uncle  until  the  fall  of  1855,  when  he 
came  West.  He  worked  for  a  farmer  in  Rockton  Township,  Win- 
nebago County,  111.,  until  winter;  then  taught  school  near  Beloit, 
Wis.,  until  the  spring  of  1856,  and  then  canvassed  for  a  historical 
work  some  three  months.  He  went  to  Janesville,  Wis.,  where  he 
was  bill  clerk  two  months  in  the  railroad  office;  then  learned  teleg- 
raphy, and  was  an  assistant  in  the  city  office  of  the  Western 
Union  Company  until  the  winter  of  1857,  when  he  engaged  as 
bookkeeper  and  buyer  for  a  grain  merchant  at  Clinton,  Wis.,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1857  he  came  to  Waterloo,  la.     He  clerked  in  a 


CHAKLES  CITY.  767 

dry-goods  store  there  until  185S,  when  he  was  sent  in  charge  of 
a  stock  of  g.)ods  to  Mankato,  Minn.,  and  opened  a  store,  remain- 
ing there  until  July,  1858,  when  he  engaged  with  a  Gov^3rnment 
surveying  company,  to  survey  the  Sioux  Reservation  on  the  Red- 
wood River.  The  following  winter  he  returned  to  "Waterloo;  soon 
afterward  went  East  on  a  visit,  and  in  the  spring  of  1859  he  joined 
his  brother  at  Waterloo,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  him  in  the 
mercantile  business.  In  1862  he  left  the  store  in  charge  of  his 
brother,  and  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Thirts'-second  Iowa  Infantry 
Volunteers,  and  was  elected  Lieutenant  of  this  company,  and  after- 
ward commissioned  Captdn.  He  was  mustered  out  at  close  of 
the  war,  an<l  returned  to  his  store  at  Waterloo.  Soon  after  he  and 
his  brother  bought  out  J.  F.  Brown,  a  merchant  at  Waverly,  la., 
and  remained  in  business  there  until  June,  1868,  when  he  came 
to  Charles  City.  Mr.  Raymond  purchased  some  lots  in  Charles 
City,  and  opened  a  store  of  general  provisions,  which  he  sold  to 
Vandenberg  and  Kosinke,  in  August,  1880.  Mr.  Raymond  is  pro- 
prietor and  owner  of  ''  Raymond  Hall,"  and  Yice-President  of  the 
First  National  Bank,  of  Charles  City,  and  was  one  of  the  original 
incorporators  of  this  bank.  He  is  also  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
the  Elm  Spring  Creamery,  Charles  City,  and  is  half  owner  of  the 
Boss  Harrow  Manufacturing  Company.  He  married  Mrs.  Julia  A. 
Siver  in  Unadilla,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  June  19,  1875;  she  was 
born  in  New  York  City,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Geo.  and  Dorothy 
(Hardcastle)  Raw.  Mrs.  Raymond  first  married  Charles  C.  Siver. 
The  fruit  of  this  marriage  was  one  daughter,  viz. :  Nellie  G. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raymond  are  menmbers  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church  in  Charles  City,  and  have  had  two  children,  one  living, 
viz. :  Grace  B.,  born  Nov.  23,  1876.  Mr.  Raymond  is  a  Mason 
and  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge,  No.  141,  Almond  Chapter  and 
Eastern  Star  Chapter;  he  has  held  the  office  of  C.  of  H.  in  this 
chapter.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  manufacturers  and  enterpris- 
ing, representative  business  men  of  Charles  City,  where  he  has 
been  identified  since  1868.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
voted  for  tlic  amendment,  in  1882.  He  is  of  French  and  Holland, 
and  she  of  English,  descent. 

E.  A.  Reinigei\  Sheriff  of  Floyd  County,  was  born  in  Seneca 
Township,  Seneca  County,  O.,  June  1,  1836.  His  parents,  Gusta- 
vus  Reiniger  and  Rose,  nee  Derr,  were  natives  of  Wurtemberg, 
Germany,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1828,  landed  in  New  York, 
and    settled    in    Seneca   County,  O.     They  had  a  family  of  three 


768  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

sons  and  tliree  daughters,  E.  A.  being  the  youngest.  His  eailj 
life  WHS-  spent  in  attending  school  and  assisting  on  the  farm,  and 
when  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  he  learned  the  carpenter  and 
joiner's  trade,  at  vvhicli  he  worked  in  Ohio  until  the  fall  of  1855, 
when  he  came  to  Floyd  Couiitj^  and  obtained  employment  at  liis 
trade.  In  April,  1861,  iu  respo  ise  to  the  President's  call  for 
75,000  men,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Third  Iowa  Infantry  Vol- 
unteers, being  the  first  man  to  offer  himself  on  the  altar  of  the 
Union's  salvation,  in  this  county.  On  Jan.  1,  1862,  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  B,  Seventh  Iowa  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  was 
promoted  from  private  to  a  non-commissioned  officer.  In  July, 
1862,  he  was  sent  North  to  enlist  men  to  supply  the  depleted 
ranks  of  iiis  company,  and  in  September,  1862,  they  consolidated 
with  Company  G,  Twentv-seventh  Iowa  Infantry  Volunteers,  he 
being  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant.  He  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war;  then  returned  to  C  larles  City,  where  he  f  )llowed  his 
trade  until  1870;  then  engaged  in  farming,  in  St.  Charles  Town- 
ship. In  October,  1881,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Slieriff  of 
Floyd  County,  which  he  still  holds.  On  Jan  1,  1867,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Clarinda,  daughter  of  Louis  and  Eunice 
Cole,  nee  Alexander.  She  was  born  in  Goshen.  Vt.  Mr.  Rf-iniger 
is  a  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Charles  City  Lodge,  and  i)i  politics 
a  pronounced  Republican.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneers  and  represent- 
ative men  of  Floj^d  County,  where  he  has  been  identified  since 
October,  1855. 

P.  Mose^  manufacturer  of  wagons,  buggies,  carriages,  and  re- 
pairer of  farm  machinery,  etc.,  Charles  City,  is  a  native  of  Perth- 
shire, Scotland,  born  in  Crieft,  April  15,  1830;  a  son  of  Alexander 
and  Elizabeth  (Drummond)  Rose,  likewise  natives  of  Scotland, 
and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  ciiureh.  They  had  a  family  of 
seven  children,  of  whom  onr  subject  was  the  eldest.  In  1832  he 
embarked  with  his  parents  in  the  brig  "  Victoria"  for  America,  and 
landed  at  Quebec,  Canada,  after  a  voyage  of  six  week>.  They 
settled  in  London  District,  where  he  was  educated  and  learned  the 
wagon -maker's  trade.  He  was  married  at  Fort  Atkinson,  Iowa, 
on  Jan.  1,  1860,  to  Hnttie  Updike,  who  was  born  in  Batavia,  III. 
Two  children  blessed  this  union,  viz.:  Minnie  C.  and  Charles  A., 
a  printer  of  this  city.  The  mother  died  Jan.  3,  1869,  and  iVIr. 
Rose  was  married  on  March  20,  1862,  to  Lucretia  Putney,  who 
died  in  May,  1874.  He  married  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  B. 
Angell,  April  21,  1877.     She  has  five  children  by   a  former  mar- 


CHARLES  CITY.  769 

riage,  viz.:  Edwin  I.,  gardener  near  Golden,  Col.;  Nellie,  engaged 
in  teaching  school  in  St.  Charles  Township;  C.  B.,  working  in  the 
sash,  door  and  blind  factorv;  William,  with  his  brother  in  Col- 
orado, and  John,  employed  in  Wilkins's  art  gallery.  In  1856  Mr. 
Rose  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Waterloo,  where  he  constructed  the 
first  wagon  made  in  Black  Hawk  County.  One  year  later  he  went 
to  Fort  Atkinson,  and  there  also  made  the  tirst  wagon,  and  in 
April,  1860,  he  came  to  Charles  City,  where  he  has  been  actively 
engaged  in  his  present  business  s^iuce.  In  politics  he  is  a  strong 
supporter  of  the  R  publican  party,  and  voted  for  the  amendment 
in  1882. 

F.  A.  Roziene,  real  estate  dealer,  loan  broker,  and  treasurer  of 
the  Floyd  County  Savings  Bank,  was  born  in  Wimmerby,  Prov- 
ince of  Smaland,  Sweden,  Aug.  7,  1835,  a  son  of  Thos.  Roziene 
and  Fredrika,  nee  LMgervall.  Prior  to  emigrating  to  this  country 
he  spent  seven  years  in  Lap'and,  arriving  in  the  United  States,  on 
Dec.  1,  1854.  He  enlisted  in  the  Seventy-second  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry  in  June,  1862,  as  a  private,  and  served  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  with  his  regiment.  For  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  he  w  is  promoted  to  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant,  anil  was 
detached  from  the  command  at  Vicksburg,  and  appointed  As- 
sistant Commissary  of  Muster  (mastering  otficer),  department  of 
Mississippi,  in  June,  1865,  aid  was  retained  in  thaf  capacity  until 
M  ly,  1866.  He  was  Assistant  Provost  Marshal  at  Vicksburg,  in 
1864  and  1865.  Mr.  Roziene  settled  in  Ch.a-les  City,  la.,  in  1868. 
He  was  married  to  Adeline  A.  Barnes,  on  Ja-i.  5,  1866,  at  Elk 
Grove,  Cook  County,  111.,  her  birth-p'ace.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  A.  Barnes  and  Eliza,  nee  Wilder,  who  settled  in  Chicago 
in  1833.  Two  children  have  blessed  their  union,  viz. :  Fred^-rick  B., 
born  Aug.  28,  1867,  and  Addie  E.,  April  10.  1870.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roziene  are  members  of  the  Congre^'ational  church.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  fraternity,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Republican. 

Charles  II.  Shaw,  proprietor  of  the  Union  House,  Charles  City, 
is  a  native  of  Maine  and  was  born  in  the  city  of  Bangor,  Penob- 
scott  Countv',  on  Oct,.  3,  1848.  His  father,  James  M.  Shaw,  was  a 
merchant  of  Bangor,  Me.,  where  he  married  Susan  Tyler;  they  are 
members  of  the  Biptist  church,  and  now  reside  in  North ^vood,  la. 
They  ha'l  a  family  of  six  diughters  and  one  s  >n,  five  dau>;hters 
and  one  son  living.  Chas.  H.,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  third 
child.     He  attended  school  in   Corinth   until  seventeen  when  he 


770  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Bangor,  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Boden  &  Shaw,  grocers,  until  August,  1876,  when  he 
sold  out  and  came  to  Charles  City,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged 
in  the  hotel  business.  In  January,  1882,  he  purchased  the  Union 
House,  for  an  account  of  which,  see  Chapter  XVII.  Ko  one  can 
excel  "  Charlie  Shaw  "  in  keeping  a  good  hotel. 

George  P.  Smithy  proprietor  of  the  Charles  City  Sash,  Door 
and  Blind  Factory,  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie,  Dutchess  County, 
N.  Y.,  March  9,  1836,  a  son  of  George  E.  Smith,  Sr.,  a  cabinet- 
maker by  trade,  and  Harriet,  nee  Emerson.  They  were  natives  of 
New  York,  and  members  of  the  Episcopal  church.  George  P.,  Jr., 
was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  when  two  years  old 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  where  his  father 
embarked  in  the  furniture  business.  He  attended  school  there 
until  twelve  years  cf  age  when  the  family  located  in  Burlington, 
Vt.  His  father  assisted  in  the  building  of  the  Vermont  Centra 
R.  E,.,  and  on  its  completion,  George,  Jr.,  was  employed  as  fire- 
man on  an  engine,  and  gradually  rose  to  the  position  of  engineer 
on  both  a  freight  and  passenger  engine.  In  January,  1861,  lie 
came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Floyd,  Floyd  County.  He  enlisted  in 
August,  1862,  in  Company  G,  Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry  Vol- 
unteers, and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  promoted  in 
1864  to  rank  of  Quartermaster  of  his  regiment.  Upon  leaving 
the  service  he  came  to  Charles  City  and  engaged  in  running  sta- 
tionary engines  until  1875,  when  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in 
his  present  factory  with  D.  Andrews,  and  in  December,  1881,  Mr* 
Andrews  sold  his  interest  to  Geo.  T.  Willman,  who  in  March, 
1882,  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Mr.  Smith,  who  has  since  con- 
ducted it  alone.  The  factory  gives  direct  employment  to  thirteen 
men,  and  is  the  only  one  of  the  kind  in  Floyd  County,  and  the 
second  established  in  Northwestern  Iowa.  Mr.  Smith  was  mar- 
ried Oct.  12,  1871,  to  Frances  E.  Tuttle,  of  Rockford,  111.,  and  a 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Rebecca  (Bowen)  Tuttle,  who  were  among 
the  settlers  of  Floyd  County  in  1859.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Ivy,  born  July  12,  1872.  Mr.  Smith  is 
a  Mason  and  a  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge,  No.  141.  He  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  City  Council  two  years,  and  politically 
is  a  Republican.  He  came  of  Scotch  ancestry  and  is  a  descendant 
of  Alexander  McGregor,  founder  of  the  town  of  McGregor,  la. 


CHARLES    CITY.  771 

Joel  Washington  Smith  is  one  of  tlie  oldest  physicians  and  older 
resjilents  of  Floyd  County.  He  came  here  in  1857,  when  thirty- 
two  years  ol  a^e.  He  was  born  in  Franklin,  Delaware  County> 
N.  Y.,  July  23,  1824.  The  most  remote  member  of  his  family 
that  is  clearlv  authenticated  was  Thomas  Smith, — born  near  1700. 
Traditionally,  he  or  his  near  ancestors  emigrated  from  Haverhill, 
in  JSTortheastern  Massachusetts,  to  Feeding  Hills,  in  West  Spring- 
field. Mass.,  where  he  and  several  succeeding  generations  resided. 
His  wife  was  Abigail,  daughter  of  Anthony  Austin,  of  Suffield, 
Coim.  His  father,  Anthony,  when  about  twenty-two  years  ot 
age,  went  from  Boston  to  Suffield.  He  was  the  youngest  child  ot 
Christian  Jew  parents,  that,  near  the  time  of  Luther,  to  escape 
religious  (?)  persecution,  fled  from  Bohemia  or  Hungary  to 
Holland,  then  to  England  ;  and  thence  the  widow  with  three  boys 
— youngest,  three  years — and  two  girls,  came  to  Boston.  There  she 
soon  married  a  merchant  and  the  children  were  well  educated  for 
those  times.  Mrs.  Smith  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety-eight.  They 
had  two  sons,  John  and  Thomas.  The  descendants  of  the  latter 
are  numerous  about  Springfield,  and  are  widely  scattered. 

John  married  M.  Stockwell.  They  had  four  sons  and  two 
daughters.  He  died  at  Franklin,  IST,  Y.  One  son,  Anthony,  had 
a  large  family,  and  died  at  Whiting,  Vt.,  in  1853.  Juba  and 
Thomas,  with  families,  removed  to  Springfield,  Bradford  County, 
Pa.     The  daughters  married  but  had  no  children. 

The  other  son,  Darius — Doctor's  grandfather — was  born  1766  ; 
near  1790,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Isaac  Colegrove  and 
Mary  Olin.  She  is  reported  as  born  at  Preston,  R.  I.  There  is 
such  a  place  in  New  London  County,  Conn.,  adjoining — none  in 
Rhode  Island.  Colgrove  was  of  English  descent.  Died  at  South" 
wick,  Mass.  Family  removed  to  New  York.  About  1801  Darius 
Smith  and  family  removed  to  Franklin,  N.  Y.  Six  children  grew 
up.  His  wife  died  near  1828  at  Otego,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.;  he, 
at  Franklin,  1849;  both  were  buriedat  Otego. 

Their  elder  son,  Silas,  Doctor's  father,  was  born  at  Feeding  Hills, 
Sept.  3,  1794  ;  died  at  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  April  10,  1878.  His  wife 
— married  1821 — was  Lydia,  eldest  daughter  of  Major  Joel  Gillett, 
of  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  who  emigrated  from  Hebron,  Conn.,  near 
1806.  She  was  born  at  the  latter  place  1801;  died  at  Franklin,  1877. 

The  earliest  Gillett  ancestor  known  was  John — said  to  be  Welsh — 
born  at  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  near  Providence,  R.  I.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  at  Deerfield,  Mass.,  by  the  Indians  and  French,  Sept.  16, 


772  HISTORY  OF  FLOTD  COUNTY. 

1696  ;  taken  to  Quebec  ;  a  servant  for  a  time  at  a  nnnnery,  and 
returned  home  the  next  year  {'{)  via  France  and  England;  set- 
.tlino;  at  Lebanon,  Conn., — farther  from  Indians, — where  he  had  a 
large  family.  One  son  was  Ebenezer  ;  a  son  of  his,  Ezekiel,  born 
at  Lebanon,  April  3,  1743,  was,  during  the  Revolution,  one  of  the 
staflF,  or  body-guard,  of  Gov.  Trumbull,  of  Lebanon.  Ezekiel 
married  Dorcas  Hawkins,  born  May,  1739,  at  Coventry,  Conn. 
He  removed  to  Hebron,  Conn.,  near  1768.  Major  Gillett  was  one 
of  his  sons,  born  at  Hebron,  Feb.  7, 1773;  with  his  familj'  removed 
to  Franklin,  K  Y.,  1806— '7,  where  he  died  1853.  His  wife, 
Clarissa,  born  March  28,  1778,  daughter  of  Capt.  Thomas  Carrier 
and  Lydia  Ingham,  of  Marlborough,  Conn.,  is  reported  a  descend- 
ant of  Martha  Allen,  wife  of  Thomas  Carrier.  She  was  put  to 
death  for  witchcraft  at  Salem.  They  had  thirteen  children,  six 
sons  and  seven  daughters  ;  all  grew  to  maturity  and  eight  of  them 
are  living  (1882).  Her  age  was  eighty-five.  Major  Gillett  was  a 
captain  of  artillery,  and  the  Doctor's  father  a  private  in  the  war 
of  1812. 

Silas  Smith  was  a  successful  farmer,  living  fifty-five  years,  or 
until  his  death,  April  10,  1878,  upon  the  same  farm,  at  Franklin, 
N.  Y.  Joel  W.  is  the  second  of  the  twelve  children.  He  has 
eigrht  brothers  and  two  sisters  living.  The  father  and  nine  sons 
cast  ten  votes  for  Gen.    Grant  for  President  in  1868. 

It  was  thus  the  good  fortune  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  to 
spend  the  early  years  of  his  life  upon  a  farm — to  learn  to  work. 
He  was  born  in  a  log  house, — is  not  ashamed  to  own  it  either;  was 
an  average  boy,  though  called  a  trusty  one,  and  spent  his  time  as 
was  usual  with  boys  of  the  place  and  period.  Some  of  the  occupa- 
tions were,  turning  grindstone,  helping  clear  the  heavy  timbered 
land,  building  stone  walls  for  fences,  catching  trout — then  plenty 
— and  attending  the  district  school  in  winter.  His  impressions  of 
picking  up  stones  into  heaps  on  mowing' land,  and  planting  and 
hoeing  corn  and  potatoes  in  tough,  stony  soil,  were  not  favorable 
to  such  farming. 

When  fifteen,  he  was  sent  to  the  academy  in  Franklin, — "  Dela- 
ware Literary  Institute," — even  then,  as  later,  a  school  of  high 
reputation.  Until  1846,  each  winter,  with  one  exception,  was  spent 
there  or  in  teaching;  the  other  time  upon  the  farm.  Fortunately^ 
if  his  early  opportunities  were  somewhat  limited,  he  made  the  best 
possible  use  of  what  he  had.  Home  influences,  business  training' 
and  most  of  the  surroundings  were  good.     While  he  liked  farming 


CHARLES  CITY.  17S 

and  teaching  pretty  well,  as  successful  in  each,  he  did  for  a 
time  think  of  becoming  a  civil  engineer,  but  finally  decided  to  be 
what  he  had  long  thought  of,  a  physician.  Most  of  the  time  from  . 
1846  to  1850  was  spent  in  Connecticut,  Missachusetts  and  New 
York  City,  pursuing  professional  studies, — teaching  several  terms 
to  partly  defray  expenses, — and  graduating  at  Yale  in  January, 
1850.  Previous  to  and  after  that  time,  he  took  special  courses  of 
instruction  in  New  York,  being  the  private  pupil  of  Prof.  William 
Detraold,  a  distinguished  physician  and  surgeon  of  that  city. 

April  4,  1850,  he  married  Susan  Maria,  only  daughter  of  Will- 
iam Wheat,  Esq.,  of  East  Franklin — Croton  Postoffice — New 
York,  where  she  was  born,  Jan.  8,  1826.  Her  father  was  born 
1796,  at  Marlborough,  Hartford  County,  Conn.  When  twelve 
years  of  age,  his  parents  removed  to  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  died  in  1871.  His  father,  also  William,  was  a  sea  captain  in 
early  life.  His  wife  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Joshua  Bolles  and 
Eunice  Shepherd,  she  of  Hartford,  Conn  ;  each  died  at  Frank- 
lin ;  she,  March  4,  1839  ;  her  husband  near  1866,  aged  ninety- 
six  years.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children.  The  Captain's 
father  was  Solomon  Wheat,  a  preacher  and  a  physician.  He 
and  his  wife,  Rebeccajor  Susannah  Richardson  died  at  Franklin 
New  York.  They  had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  twelve  grew  up. 
Their  descendants  are^widely  scattered.  Traditionally,  the  Wheats 
were  Welsh. 

Mrs.  Snith's  mother  —  wife  of  William  Wheat,  Esq. — was 
Altamira,  eldest  daughter  of  Deacon  Thomas  Wolcott  and  Mar- 
gery Boyd,  of  East  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  where  Deacon  Wolcott  and 
wife  died.  The  family  came  from  near  Southampton,  Mass., 
where  Mrs.  Wheat  was  born.  She  died  Sept.  27,  1871, 
aged   sixty-nine  years.     Four  of  their   five   children    are    living. 

Doctor  Smith  practiced  successfully  in  his  native  county  and  town 
until  1857,  when  he  removed  to  Charles  City,  then  St.  diaries. 
His  quick  perception,  industry,  good  judgment,  thorough  medical 
e<lucation,  kindness  and  gentlemanly  deportment  have  been  appre- 
ciated ;  and  professionally  he  now  ranks  the  equal  of  any  physician 
of  his  years  in  the  State.  In  practice,  he  has  always  been  conserv- 
ative, yet  progressive  and  independent.  He  has  never  thought 
tliat  to  use  drugs  was  the  only  way  by  which  the  good  physician 
may  earn  his  fee.  His  great  excellence  has  been  a  rare  gift  of 
seeing  the  end  from  the  besfinninj',  and  using  such  means,  and 
such  means  only,  as  he  believed  might  aid  nature  in  her  work  of 


774  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

restoration.  As  a  pioneer  surgeon  he  has  been  quick  to  improvise 
means  to  accomplish  the  best  results  ;  and  he  has  performed  many 
new  and  delicate  operations,  usuall)'^  attempted  only  by  city  spe- 
cialists. The  prevention  and  cure  of  disease  by  hygienic  and 
sanitary  measures  early  engaged  his  attention, — too  often  to  his 
cost, — and  long  before  it  was  the  popular  subject  that  it  now  is 
with  the  more  intelligent  classes.  He  has  always  preferred  to 
excel  in  one  calling — his  profession — to  engaging  in  too  many  other 
things,  politics  included.  Pecuniarily,  he  has  been  reasonably 
successful,  though  a  poor  collector  for  himself.  The  key  note  of 
permanent  success  with  him,  as  in  all  cases,  has  been  to  try  do 
everything  well,  and  observe  the  golden  rule  in  all  his  dealings. 
A  man  of  quiet  demeanor  and  kindly  nature,  of  intelligent  but 
positive  views,  of  deep  convictions  and  large  common  sense,  cannot 
fail  to  impress  the  communitj''  and  age  in  which  he  lives.  Taking 
ft  deep  interest  and  an  active  part  in  all  educational,  moral  and 
material  interests  ;  contributing  liberally  to  benevolent  objects 
according  to  his  means  ;  at  times  holding  various  positions  of 
public  trust,  in  none  of  which  was  his  integrity  or  ability  ever 
questioned.  None  but  himself  can  know,  and  eternity  only  can 
reveal,  the  labors,  the  sacrifices  and  pecuniary  cost  to  himself  of 
the  work  which  he  has  done  for  the  schools  of  Charles  Citv  and 
vicinity.  This  alone  showed  business  capacity  of  high  order.  He 
has  often  spoken  with  his  pen  through  the  press  of  his  town  and 
other  leading  newspapers, — oftenest  without  name,  that  the  matter 
might  be  judged  by  its  merit, — and  has  contributed  valuable  papers 
in  his  profession.  In  1876  he  was  a  member  of  the  International 
Medical  Congress,  at  Philadelphia,  a  delegate  from  the  Iowa 
State  Medical  Society.  He  is  connected  with  different  medical 
and  scientific  bodies,  but  is  not  a  member  of  any  secret  societies, 
more  from  want  of  time  than  any  other  reason.  While  his  life 
has  been  a  busy  and  active  one,  he  is  still  a  student ;  and  with  an 
excellent  memory,  possesses  extensive  general  knowledge  ;  is  a 
progressive  and  practical  man,  a  close  observer  of  men  and  things, 
an  independent  thinker,  a  good  public  worker  when  interested, 
and,  though  forgiving  in  his  nature,  abhors  shams  and  frauds  in 
individuals,  in  politics,  in  medicine,  in  religion  and  everywhere. 
As  much  as  he  desires  the  good  opinion  of  his  fellow  men,  he  had 
rather  be  right  than  be  popular.  Pie  has  uniformly  opposed  the 
use  of  tobacco  and  alcoholic  drinks,  and  worked  vigorously  for  the 
Constitutional  Amendment  of  1882.     In  politics  he  was  a  Eepub- 


CHARLES  CITY.  775 

lican  from  the  first,  but  places  principle  above  party  obligations. 
In  religions  belief  be  is  liberal  orthodox,  a  usual  attendant  at  the 
Congregational  church,  parti}-  from  force  of  education,  but  is 
wholly  unsectarian  in  his  views.  The  family  consists  of  four  sons 
and  one  daughter, — another  died  when  young.  The  eldest,  Irving 
Wheat  Smith,  M,  D.,  born  in  New  York,  March  1,  1851,  gradu- 
ated at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  1875,  and  is  in 
business  with  his  father — Smith  &  Son.  In  1876  he  married 
Sallie,  daughter  of  George  Stalker  and  Hannah  Milliken,  of  Rich- 
laud,  Keokuk  County,  la.  They  have  one  daughter — Hannah — 
and  one  has  died.  Ida  Elizabeth,  the  daughter,  is  the  wife  of 
La  Verne  W.  Noyes,  of  Chicago,  a  successful  inventor  and  manu- 
facturer. Mr.  Noyes  is  the  son  of  Leonard  R.  Noyes  and  Jane 
Jessup,  former  residents  of  Geneva,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y. ,  but 
now  of  Springfield,  Linn  County,  la.  The  son  and  wife,  daugh- 
ter and  husband  are  graduates  of  the  Iowa  State  Agricultural 
College.  William  Thomas  and  Charles  Francis  —  twins  —  born 
Nov.  3,  1864,  and  Fred  Edmund,  born  Aug.  18,  1866,  reside  with 
tiieir  parents.  Theirs  is  an  elegant  home,  the  family  a  happy  one, 
its  members  commanding  the  respect  of  all  who  know  them. 

Isaiah  Snyder,  a  member  of  the  Charles  City  Plow  Co.,  was 
burn  in  Lancaster,  Fairfield  County,  O.,  Aug.  31,  1834,  a  son  of 
William  Snyder,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Elzabeth,  nee  Bixler.  He 
WHS  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  six  children,  and  when  he  was 
Some  three  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Sholbyville,  111.,  and 
one  year  later  located  in  Sullivan,  now  the  county-seat  of  Moultrie 
County,  that  State.  He  was  there  reared  and  educated,  and  when 
he  was  fourteen  years  old  his  father  died,  and  he  farmed  with  his 
mother  until  eighteen,  when  he  went  to  Sullivan,  and  there  followed 
blacksmithing  and  the  manufacture  of  plows  four  years.  In  the 
lall  of  1857  he  went  to  Mitchell  County,  la.,  spent  one  year  in  a 
mill  there,  then  came  to  Charles  City.  In  partnership  with  F.  R. 
WooUey  he  opened  the  first  plow  factory  in  Floyd  County,  and 
tliey  made  the  first  plow  made  in  this  county.  This  partnership  con- 
tinued until  February,  1881,  when  the  present  stock  company  was 
formed.  The  factory  had  previously  been  eidarged  from  time  to 
time,  and  is  now  one  of  the  principal  raauuficturing  interests  of 
the  city  and  county.  On  July  4,  1859,  Mr.  Snyder  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  A.  Lewis,  who  was  born  near  Rockford, 
111.,  a  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Elizabeth  (Vance)  Lewis.  Of  seven 
•children    born   of  this    union,    five  are    living — Bertha   E.,    May 


776  HISTORY  OF   FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Antoinette,  Frank  L.,  Henry  L.,  and  George  W.  Mr.  Snyder  is  a 
strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  classed  with  the 
prominent  citizens  and  business  men.of  Charles  City. 

Samuel  H.  Starr,  proprietor  of  the  largest  boot  and  shoe  empo- 
rium in  Floyd  County,  was  born  in  Charles  City,  la.,  on  May  17, 
1858,  a  son  of  S.  B.  Starr  and  Adeline,  7iee  Hughes.  His  father  is 
one  of  the  pioneers,  and  the  oldest  member  of  the  bar  now  living  in 
Charles  City.  Samuel  H.  attended  school  in  his  native  town  until 
1875,  when  he  entered  the  Military  Academy,  at  Faribault,  Minn., 
remaining  there  one  year,  then  attended  the  college  at  Morgan 
Park,  111.,  one  year.  He  entered  Bailey's  Commercial  College,  of 
Dubuque,  la.,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1878.  Upon 
leaving  school  he  accepted  a  situation  as  clerk  in  the  hardware 
store  of  Townsend  &  Smith,  which  he  retained  two  years,  then,  in 
partnership  with  John  Ferguson,  established  his  present  store.  In 
January,  1882,  Mr.  Starr  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  has 
since  conducted  the  business  alone.  He  was  married  Sept.  19» 
1879,  to  Cornie  Clute,  who  was  born  in  New  York  State,  a  daugh- 
ter of  N.  M.  Clute,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  now  located  in  Daven- 
port, la.  Mr.  Starr  is  a  prominent  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge, 
No.  141,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  politically  favors  the  Republican 
party.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  representative  business 
men  of  Charles  City. 

B.  W.  Stevens,  of  the  firm  of  Stevens,  Hering  &  Co.,  wholesale 
and  retail  dealers  in  and  manufacturers  of  all  kinds  of  furniture, 
was  born  in  Methuen,  Essex  County,  Mass.,  Feb.  18,  1843;  his 
father,  Benjamin  A.  Stevens,  is  a  native  of  Deerfield,  Ma?8.,  born 
June  18,  1815,  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  and  Oct.  20,  1839, 
he  married  Harriet  Osgood  at  Methuen,  Mass.,  where  she  was 
born.  Of  four  children  born  of  this  union  three  are  living — Har- 
riet E.,  wife  of  William  H.  Coffin;  B.  W.,  subject  of  this  sketch, 
and  Arthur  O.,  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  at  Spencer,  la. 
In  1871  B.  A.  Stevens  came  with  his  family  to  Charles  City, 
where  he  has  since  remained,  and  is  classed  with  the  prominent 
and  respected  citizens  of  the  city.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 
His  wife  died  here  on  Dec.  8,  1881.  The  subject  of  this  memoir 
was  educated  in  his  native  town,  and  in  1857  remov^ed  to  Bad  Axe 
County,  Wis,,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1871,  when  he 
came  to  Charles  City  and  engaged  in  the  present  business.  He  was 
married  on  Nov.  24,  1868,  to  Hattie  E.  Atkins,  born  at  La  Porte, 
Ind.     She  was  a  daughter  of  J.  T.  and  Amanda  Atkins,  nee  Hea- 


CHARLES  CITY.  777 

ton.  They  liave  two  children — Grafton  A.,  born  June  15,  1876, 
and  Barton,  Aug.  29,  1880.  In  politics  Mr.  Stevens  is  strong 
adherent  to  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party.  The  factory 
of  Stevens,  Hering  &  Co.  is  among  tlie  most  prominent  of  the 
business  and  manufacturing  interests  of  Charles  City,  and  its  pro- 
prietors are  recognized  as  gentlemen  of  irreproachable  business 
integrity.  They  give  direct  employment  to  twenty  men,  and  their 
trade  extends  throughout  the  States  of  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  Minne- 
sota and  Dakota. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Strawii^  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Floyd  County, 
and  at  present  a  resident  of  Charles  City,  was  born  near  Chilli- 
cothe,  Ross  County,  O.,  Feb.  5,  1810.  Her  parents  were  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Cating'i  Jolly,  also  natives  of  Ohio  and  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  They  hud  a  family  of  four  sons  and  six 
daughters;  seven  of  the  family  lived  to  be  men  and  women.  When 
Mrs.  Strawn,  the  siibject  of  this  memoir,  was  fifteen  years  of  age, 
-she  removed  with  her  parents  to  Indiana  and  settled  on  a  farm 
near  Covington,  Warren  Cuunty,  where  she  married  James  Oxford, 
September,  1826.  He  was  born  in  Ohio.  The  fruit  of  this  marriage 
was  two  children,  viz. :  David  H.  Oxford,  who  di^d  in  1850,  and 
Martha,  the  wife  of  A.  H.  Brackett.  They  re4de  in  Charles  City, 
old  settlers  of  Floyd  County,  Mr.  James  Oxford  died  in  1831; 
Mrs.  Strawn  then  married  Enoch  Strawn  and  they  had  one  daugh- 
ter, viz.:  Mary  E.,  wife  of  John  Ferguson.  They  reside  in  Charles 
City,  and  are  old  settlers  also.  Enoch  Strawn  died  in  185i.  Mrs. 
Strawn  then  came  with  her  fiimily  to  Floyd  County  and  purchased 
a  large  tract  of  land  in  St.  Charles,  Township.  She  has  since  sold 
her  farms  and  purchased  a  nice  home  in  Charles  City,  where  she 
resides.  Mrs.  Strawn  is'a  member  of  the  Christian  church  andhas 
been  a  member  of  this  church  for  the  past  fifty-two  years.  M  rs. 
Strawn  is  one  of  the  few  old  settlers  now  living  who  came  to 
Charles  City  in  its  infancy.  She  is  now  in  the  seventy-third  year 
of  her  age  and  looks  much  younger. 

C.  A.  Sylvester.,  of  the  firtn  of  Sylvester  Bros.,  manufacturers  of 
fine  carriages,  buggies  and  wagons,  blacksmiths  and  repairers, 
Charles  City,  are  among  the  leading  manufacturers  of  Charles 
City.  They  employ  five  skilled  workmen  and  warrant  all  their 
work,  using  the  best  of  material  in  the  factory  which  they  estab- 
lished here  in  1879.  C.  A.  and  Fred  Sylvester  were  sons  of  August 
and  Minnie  (Hofi'man)  Sylvester,  natives  of  Germany.  The  father 
was  a  blacksmith,  and  he  and  wife  had  six  children,  three  sons  and 


778  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

three  daughters.  C.  A.  Sylvester,  the  eldest,  was  born  Nov.  20, 
1854,  and  Fred  was  the  third  son,  and  was  born  Feb.  12,  1856.  He 
and  brother  attended  school  in  Germany  until  fourteen,  when  they 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  continuing  until  1872,  when  they 
came  with  their  parents  to  America.  They  landed  at  New  York, 
and  from  there  came  to  Floyd  County  and  settled  in  Charles  City. 
The  father  bought  a  farm  and  C,  A,  and  Fred  began  to  work  at 
their  trade,  and  in  1879  opened  their  present  shop.  C.  A.  married 
Miss  Mary  Marcen,  Jan.  5,  1879.  She  was  born  in  Floyd  County, 
a  daughter  of  John  Marcen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  A.  Sylvester  have 
two  children,  viz. :  Charley  and  Miss  Jessie.  Mr.  Sylvester  and 
brother  are  enterprising,  representative  men  and  manufacturers  of 
Charles  City,  and  their  factory  is  one  of  the  principal  features  of 
the  city.  They  also  own  and  run  the  Sylvester  Bros.'  livery  stable, 
and  keep  twenty  head  of  horses,  carriages  and  buggies  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  public.     In  politics,  independent. 

J.  P.  Taylor^  President  of  the  Charles  City  National  Bank,  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  this  city 
since  October,  1866.  A  son  of  John  and  Betsey  Taylor,  nee 
Pierce.  He  was  born  in  Waterville,  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  May 
5,  1822.  His  boyhood  was  spent  in  Parsalia,  Chenango  County, 
N.  Y.,  to  which  place  his  parents  had  removed  when  he  was  about 
two  years  old.  He  was  educated  and  learned  the  boot  and  shoe 
trade  there,  where  he  remained  until  twenty-one  years  of  age;  then 
enerao-ed  in  the  boot  aud  shoe  manufacture  at  South  Otselic,  where 
he  also  built  and  conducted  a  hotel.  He  was  married  Aug.  21, 
1848,  to  Mercelia  S.  Ford,  who  was  born  in  Soutk  Otselic,  N.  Y., 
Aug.  25,  1827,  a  daughter  of  Dr.'Norman  Ford  and  Mary,  nee  Beach. 
In  1854  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  moved  to  Bloomington,  111.,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  livery  business  until  1860,  then  removed  to 
Mason  City,  la.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  in  the  sale  of  agri- 
cultural implements  there  until  October,  1866,  when  he  settled  in 
Charles  City,  and  continued  the  latter  business  here  until  1879.  In 
March,  1871,  he,  in  company  with  Charles  Siver,  organized  the  First 
National  Bank,  with  which  he  was  actively  connected  until 
1875.  In  1876  he  and  S.  F.  Farnham  organized  the  Charles  City 
National  Bank,  of  which  he  has  since  been  President.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Taylor  have  had  one  child,  a  son — Frank  V.,  born  June  25,  1858, 
who  is  bookkeeper  and  assistant  cashier  in  his  father's  bank.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  and  high  schools  of  this  city,  and  in  the 
military  college  of  Faribault,  Minn.     The  subject  of  this  memoir 


CHARLES    CITY.  779 

owns  ninety  acres  of  land  in  St.  Charles  Township,  and  valuable 
property  in  Charles  City.  He  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  the 
St.  Charles  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  141.  He  has  served  accept- 
ably in  numerous  township  and  county  offices,  among  them  that  of 
School  Director  and  County  Supervisor.  He  was  formerly  a  Whig 
in  politics,  but  since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  has 
affiliated  with  them.  He  has  ever  made  Charles  City's  interests 
his  own,  and  has  been  foremost  in  any  project  that  promised  ad- 
vancement to  her  interests  morally  and  financially. 

Ebeiiezer  A.  Teeling^  miller  of  the  Water-Power  Company, 
Charles  City,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  and  was  born  at  Green- 
bush,  Rensselaer,  July  30,  1832,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Susan  (Cran- 
dall)  Teeling.  His  father  was  born  at  Teeling's  Bay,  Donegal 
County,  Ireland,  where  he  was  married,  and  soon  alter,  in  1830, 
came  to  America;  they  located  in  East  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  subse- 
quently removed  to  Greenbush.  They  were  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian churcli  and  had  a  family  of  five  sons  and  five  daughters, 
Ebenezer,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  l)eing  the  eldest.  He  resided 
in  Greenbush,  and  attended  school  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  until  sixteen ; 
then  learned  the  miller's  trade,  winch  he  followed  in  Albany  and 
New  York  City  until  twenty-one,  when  he  came  to  Watertown, 
Wis.,  and  worked  in  a  mill  one  year;  thence  to  Stoughton,  Dane 
County,  Wis.,  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  April,  1856,  when  he 
came  to  Charles  City,  la.  He  was  employed  in  the  first  mill  in 
the  county,  and  worked  here  and  held  the  office  of  Assistant  Dep- 
uty Sheriff  of  Floyd  County  until  1862,  when  he  was  appointed 
Special  Agent,  Deputy  Provost  Marshal  to  the  War  Department, 
and  held  that  office  until  the  fall  of  1865,  when  he  was  mustered 
out;  he  then  ran  the  mill  until  January,  1868,  when  he  was  elected 
Clerk  of  the  District  Court,  and  held  that  office  until  1871,  then  re- 
sumed his  former  business  and  ran  this  mill  until  it  was  torn  down 
in  1876;  since  then  has  been  miller  in  the  present  new  mill.  Mr. 
Teeling  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Water-Power  Company 
since  they  purchased  the  water-power.  He  married  Ellen  Ingram, 
Aug.  18,  1860,  at  Charles  City,  la.;  she  was  born  at  Fairfield,  Vt., 
and  was  a  daughter  ot  Henry  and  Ann  (Sharkey)  Ingram,  natives 
of  Ireland,  and  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Teeling  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  have  had 
two  children,  viz.:  Clara  J.,  born  May  16,  1861,  and  Jessie,  Dec. 
30,  1870.  Mr.  Teeling  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  now  living  in 
Floyd  County;  he  came  to  Charles  City  when  it  was  in  its  infancy. 


780  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COIINTY. 

and  has  seen  its  rapid  growth.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  representative  men  of  Charles  City, 
where  he  has  been  identified  since  1856;  he  was  formerly  a  mem- 
ber of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  at  present  a  member  of  the  Good  Tem- 
plars Society,  and  was  one  of  the  first  that  organized  this  lodge; 
he  is  at  present  Alderman  of  the  Fourth  "Ward,  and  voted  for  the 
amendment  in  1882,  and  presented  the  present  prohibition  ordi- 
nance of  Charles  City  in  April,  1882. 

Joseph  S.  Trigg,  Mayor  of  Charles  City,  and  partner  in  the  firm 
of  Wiiite,  Trigg  &  Co.,  proprietors  of  the  Elm  Spring  Creamery, 
is  a  native  of  Hertfordshire,  England,  born  April  8,  1841.  His 
parents,  Joseph  S.  Trigg,  Sr.,  and  Susannah,  nee  Wilkerson,  were 
likewise  of  English  nativity,  and  had  a  family  of  six  sons  and  three 
daughters,  of  whom  Joseph  S.,  Jr.,  was  the  eldest.  He  received 
his  education  in  his  native  shire,  and  when  twelve  j^ears  of  age 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  York 
City,  thence  to  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.  They  engaged  in  farming  there 
until  1859,  then  removed  to  Freeborn,  Minn.,  and  settled  on  a 
farm.  In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Trigg  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Tenth 
Minnesota  Infatitry,  and  bravely  defended  his  country's  cause  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
He  returned  to  Fond  du  Lac  and  was  there  married  on  Oct.  3,  1865, 
to  Laura  M.  Spafford,  a  native  of  Yermont,  and  a  daughter  of 
David  and  Olive  Spafford.  Five  children  have  been  born  unto 
them — Mabel  E.,  Gertrude  L.,  Olive  B.,  Frank  E.,  and  Elsie  L. 
After  his  marriaore  Mr.  Trio^a:  settled  on  a  farm*  in  Freeborn 
County,  Minn.,  where  he  resided  until  1870,  when  he  located  in 
Floyd  County.  He  farmed  in  St.  Charles  Township,  until  he  was 
appointed  Deputy  County  Auditor  in  January,  1872.  InApril,1874r, 
he  was  elected  Auditor  of  Floyd  County,  and  by  subsequent;  elec- 
tion held  the  office  until  January,  1882,  and  the  following  April 
was  elected  Mayor  of  Charles  City,  for  which  position  he  lias 
shown  himself  to  be  eminently  fitted.  He  is  a  member  of  Charles 
City  Lodge,  No.  153,  A.  O,  U.  W.,  and  politically  favors  the 
Republican  party.  The  Elm  Springs  Creamery  was  established  in 
May,  1880,  by  H.  D.  White  and  J.  S.  Trigg,  the  present  owners. 
The  creamery  has  a  capacity  of  manufacturing  2,100  pounds  of 
butter  and  1,500  pounds  of  cheese  daily.  They  have  $5,000 
invested  in  the  building,  machinery,  etc.,  and  the  cost  of  operation 
is  about  $200  per  day.  It  is  one  of  the  principal  manufactories  of 
the  city,  giving  direct  employment  to  fourteen  men.     The  butter, 


CHARLES  CITT.  781 

owing  to  its  superior  quality  is  greatly  in  demand  in  the  Eastern 
markets,  while  the  cheese  finds  a  ready  sale  at  home. 

W.  G.  Tripp,  of  the  firm  of  W.  G.  Tripp  &  Co.,  dealers  in 
groceries  and  drugs,  Charles  City,  was  born  in  the  town  of  De  Rny- 
ter,  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  on  Kov.  13,  1839.  His  parents  were 
Israel  and  Eliza  A.  (Whitcomb)  Tripp,  he  a  native  of  ISTew  York, 
and  she  of  Vermont  State.  Tliey  were  members  of  the  Presbvte- 
rian  church  and  had  a  family  of  three  children,  of  whom  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  the  eldest.  When  he  was  four  years  <»ld 
hia  parents  moved  to  Boone  County,  111.,  and  he  attended  school 
there  and  at  Belvidere,  111.,  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  and 
then  clerked  for  diffei-ent  parties  in  Belvidere  until  1860,  when  he 
went  to  Colorado  and  engaged  in  mining  there  two  years.  From 
there  he  went  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  chief  clerk  in  the 
Government  ordnance  department  two  years,  then  returned  to 
Belvidere,  111.  He  engaged  in  mercantile  business  there  until 
the  spring  of  1867,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City  and  embarked 
in  hia  present  business.  He  is  the  recipient  of  a  large  and  lucra- 
tive trade,  and  is  classed  with  the  prominent  and  influentidl  busi- 
nesa  men  of  this  city.  On  June  10,  1868,  Mr.  Tripp  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Mary  A.  Gardner,  at  Belvidere,  111.,  where  she  was 
born.  Her  father,  Cephas  Gardner,  was  a  native  of  Vermont. 
They  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Alice  G.,  born  Aug.  21,  1872. 
Mr.  Tripp  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge,  No.  141, 
and  Almond  Chapter,  No.  53.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  City  Board  in  March,  1882. 

Waldo  Wali,  retired  farmer,  residing  in  Charles  City,  is  one  of 
the  old  settlers  of  Floyd  County.  He  was  born  in  Hebron,  Wash- 
ington County,  N.  Y.,  April  13,  1801.  His  parents  were  Benjamin 
and  Ann  (Waldo)  Wait;  he  wa^  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  and 
she  of  Connecticut.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  had  a  family  of  seven  sons  and  six  daughters.  Waldo,  sub- 
iect  of  this  sketch,  and  one  sister  were  twins,  and  the  youngest  of 
the  family.  There  are  but  two  of  the  family  now  living,  viz. :  Archi- 
bald Wait,  a  retired  Baptist  minister,  residing  in  Chicago,  III., 
and  Waldo,  subject  of  this  memoir.  He  attended  school  in 
Hebron,  N.Y.,  until  fifteen,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  a 
small  village  near  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years;  then  to  Leeds 
County,  Canada  West,  and  they  settled  on  a  farm  twelve  miles 
north  of  Brockville.  Waldo  was  married  here  to  Miss  Rose  Duck- 
48  •      » 


782  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Ion,  May  22,  1826;  slie  was  born  in  Elizabethtown,  Leeds  Comity, 
Canada  "West,  Oct.  10,  1810;  she  was  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and 
Harriet  (Freell)  Ducklon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wait  resided  on  tlieir 
farm  in  Canada  until  the  fall  of  1856,  when  they  came  to  Floyd 
County,  la.,  and  soon  after  purchased  a  farm  in  St.  Cbarles  Town- 
ship, where  they  resided  until  1865,  when  Mr.  Wait  sold  his  farm 
and  purchased  a  home  in  Charles  City,  where  he  has  since  lived, 
retired  from  active  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wait  are  member-  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  have  been  members  of  this  church  for  rhe 
past  fifty  years.  They  have  had  two  sons,  viz. :  William  H. ,  born  in 
Canada  West,  July  21,  1845 ;  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Fourteenth 
T!owa  Infantry  Volunteer.^,  and  died  May  9,  1864,  from  disease  con- 
tracted during  his  service  in  the  army.  Henry  M.  Wait  was  born 
in  Canada  West,  May  20,  1851;  he  married  Miss  Ida  Pratt.  They 
reside  in  Charles  City  and  have  liad  three  children,  viz. :  Howard 
W.,  Henry  W.,  and  Miss  Mamie  Wait.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waldo 
Wait  are  of  a  few  old  settlers  now  living.  They  came  to  Charles 
City  when  it  was  in  its  infancy,  and  have  lived  to  see  the  various 
changes  of  the  county  and  city  since  that  time;  they  are  true  rep- 
resentatives of  Floyd  County  pioneers. 

H.  D.  White^  of  the  firm  of  White,  Trigg  &  Co.,  proprietors  of  the 
Elm  Spring  Creamery,  Charles  City,  is  a  native  of  JS^ew  York,  and 
was  born  m  Groton,  Tompkins  County,  June  6,  1852.  His  parents 
were  M.  C.  and  Philena  (Ingram)  White,  natives  of  Massachusetts. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  They  had  a  family  of 
seven  children,  six  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  the  youngest,  and  when  five  years  of  age  he  removed 
with  his  parents  from  New  York  to  Kenosha  County,  Wis.,  settling 
on  a  farm  near  Kenosha.  He  attended  school  and  worked  on  his 
father's  farm,  also  learning  the  cheese  and  butter  manufacture, 
and  during  this  time  he  made  some  cheese  that  took  the  medal  at 
the  Centennial  of  1876.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  took 
charge  of  different  cheese  factories  of  Wisconsin,  until  1877,  when 
he  came  to  Algona,  Kossuth  County,  la.,  and  was  superintendent 
of  eight  cheese  factories  of  that  county,  until  the  spring  of  1880, 
when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  la,  and  established  his  present 
business.  Mr.  White  married  Miss  Jennie  E.  Ferguson,  at  Charles 
City,  la.,  Nov.  5,  1879;  she  was  born  at  Fort  Atkinson,  la., 
a  daughter  of  D.  M.  Ferguson,  ex-Sheriff  of  Floyd  County, 
and  proprietor  of  the  Lewis  House,  Charles  City,  and  Malinda 
(FraJiz)    Ferguson.      Mr.     White    is   a  member  of  the  Iowa  Le- 


CHARLES  CITY.  783 

gion  of  Honor,  and  he  and  his  wife  have  one  daughter — Edna 
T.,  born  July  15,  1880.  Mr.  "White  is  one  of  the  leading  manu- 
facturers of  Charles  City.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  His 
family  are  of  the  old  Puritan  stock,  his  father  being  a  descendant  of 
Perei,a-iiie  White,  who  came  from  England  in  the  "Mayflower"  and 
landed  at  Plymouth  Rock.  Mr.  White's  grandfather  was  in  the 
war  of  1812. 

a.  B.  Wilson,  proprietor  of  the  Charles  City  Foundry,  estab- 
lished his  present  business  in  1877.  The  foundry  was  first  started 
by  Woolley  &  Sn^-der  in  connection  with  their  plow  factory.  It 
is  a  building  100  feet  long,  the  main  room,  blacksmith  and 
carpenter  shops  being  38  x  36  feet,  two  stories  in  heiglit,  and  the 
machine  shops  26  x  24  feet,  two  stories,  and  the  molding-room 
36  X  26  feet.  Tiiis  is  the  first  and  only  foundry  in  tlie  city,  and  is 
one  of  the  leading  manufacturing  interests.  R.  B.  Wilson  is  a 
native  of  Vermont, and  was  born  in  Hinesburg,  Miy  3,  1844.  His 
parents  were  George  W.  and  Mary  (Oucher)  Wilson;  he  was  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  born  at  Concord,  Middlesex 
County,  and  she  was  born  in  France.  They  had  one  son,  viz. : 
R.  B.  Wilson,  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was  but  eighteen  months 
old  when  his  mother  died;  he  then  went  to  live  with  his  grand- 
parents near  Montreal,  Canada,  until  five  years  of  age,  when  he 
went  to  live  with  his  father,  who  was  a  woolen  manufacturer. 
They  traveled  over  the  New  England  States,  and  settled  at  West- 
field,  N.  T.,  in  1851,  where  his  father  engaged  in  various  pur- 
suits. R.  B.,  attended  school  until  seventeen,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  G,  Seventy- second  New  York  Infantry  Yolunteers; 
was  mustered  into  United  States  service  July  25, 1861,  in  what  was 
called  Sickles'  Brigade.  Mr.  Wilson  remained  in  that  company 
until  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,,  when  he  was  mustered 
out  at  Washington.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Williams- 
burg, Va.,  May  5,  1862 — a  compound  fracture  of  the  right  arm, 
the  ball  passing  into  the  right  side,  where  it  still  remains;  another 
ball  struck  the  right  shoulder  blade,  and  another  passed  under  his 
chin,  cutting  the  flesh  from  the  chin  and  passing  through  his  neck, 
coming  out  close  to  the  jugular  vein.  He  was  in  the  hospital  at 
Fortress  Monroe  and  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  returning  to  his  regiment 
the  summer  of  1S63.  He  was  then  transferred  to  the  Regimental 
Quartermaster's  Department;  then  in  January  of  1864  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Nineteenth  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  doing 
duty  in  the  City  of  Washington  until  he  was  mustered  out;  he  then 


784  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

went  to  Westtield,  N.  Y.,  and  began  to  learn  his  trade;  worked  in 
Western  New  York  until  August,  1868,  when  he  came  to  Osage," 
Mitchell  County,  la.,  and  remained  in  this  vicinity  until  18T7, 
when  he  located  in  Charles  City,  and  established  his  present  busi- 
ness. Mr.  Wilson  married  Miss  Alzina  M.  Frazier  at  Hampton, 
Franklin  County,  la.,  Jan.  1,  1873;  she  was  born  in  Allamakee 
County,  la. ;  she  was  a  daughter  of  D.  D.  Frazier,  a  farmer.  Mrs. 
Wilson  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  Charles  City.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wilson  have  one  daughter,  viz.:  Miss  C.  Buena  Wilson.  Mr. 
Wilson  is  a  member  of  National  Lodge,  No.  165,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  at 
Oharles  City,  la. ;  Legion  of  Honor,  Hope  Lodge,  No.  76.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Republican.  He  is  of  Scotch  and  French  descent. 
He  is  one  of  the  enterprising,  representative  men  and  leading 
manufacturers  of  Charles  City,  where  he  has  been  identified  since 
1877. 

F.  R.  Woolley,  senior  partner  in  the  Charles  City  Plow  Com- 
pany, is  a  native  of  the  town  of  Weathersfield,  Rutland  County, 
Yt,  born  Dec.  23,  1825,  a  son  of  John  B.  and  Annis  Woolley,  nee 
Rice,  also  natives  of  the  Green  Mountain  State.  His  father  was  a 
blacksmith  and  manufacturer  of  all  kinds  of  edge  tools;  he  died  in 
1849  in  his  sixtieth  year.  F.  R.  was  the  fourth  son  of  a  family  of 
seven  children,  and  when  he  was  some  five  years  old  his  parents 
removed  to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.;  thence  to  Cattaraugus  County, 
and  from  there  to  Trumbull  County,  O.  F.  R.  resided  there  until 
1853,  when  he  went  to  Rockford,  111.;  manufactured  sickles 
and  machinists'  tools  there  until  the  fall  of  1855,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1856  he  located  in  Charles  City,  la. ;  he  worked  at  the  black- 
smith's trade  here  until  1859,  when  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  plows;  he  built  a  factory  in  1862,  which  he  operated  until  1876, 
when  the  present  establishment  was  erected.  Owing  to  the  rapid 
increase  of  their  business  the  company  are  building  a  much  larger 
factory,  wherein  they  can  meet  the  demand  of  their  extensive 
trade.  Mr.  Woolley  was  united  in  marriage  in  September,  1849, 
to  Ammy  Hull,  who  was  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mercy  Hull,  nea  Briggs.  They  have 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Grace,  wife  of  George  M.  May,  who  is  work- 
man of  the  furniture  manufactory  of  this  city.  Mr.  Woolley  is  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Floyd  County,  and  has  ever  been  active  in 
the  advancement  of  her  interests,  morally  and  financially.  He 
"ndhores  to  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 


CHARLES  CITY.  785 

E.  B.  G.  Wright^  retired  merchant,  Charles  City,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  was  born  in  Vernon  Township,  Trntnbnll  County,  May 
23,  1824,  His  parents  were  Adam  and  Rlioda  (Clark)  "Wright; 
he  was  a  native  of  Mercer,  Mercer  County,  Fa.,  and  was  a  merchant, 
and  opened  the  first  store  in  Vernon  Township,  Ohio;  she  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  born  in  1800,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  They  were  married  in  1818,  and  had  a  family  of  twelve 
children.  E.  B.  C,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  tlie  eldest  son.  He 
attended  school  in  Vernon,  Ohio,  until  twelve  years  of  age,  when 
his  parents  emigrated  to  Burlington,  la.,  where  his  father  died 
nine  years  later,  and  his  mother  returned  to  Ohio.  E.  B.  0.  re- 
mained in  Burlington,  clerking  and  attending  school  until  twenty- 
three,  when  he  returned  to  Ohio,  and  taught  school  until  1849,  and 
in  that  year  went  to  the  city  ot  New  York,  and  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City.  In 
company  with  H.  W.  McNabb,  a  retired  mercliant  of  Osage, 
Mitchell  Countv,  boneht  out  John  Ferguson  &  Co.,  and  enufaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  until  1863,  when  he  went  to  New  York 
City.  He  was  married  there  to  Mrs.  Caroline  Mann,  on  Feb.  11, 
1863;  her  maiden  name  was  Caroline  Barringer.  Mr.  Wright  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  trade  in  New  York  City  until  1870, 
when  he  returned  to  Charles  City,  and  he  and  his  brotlier,  B.  F. 
Wright,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  until  1872,  then  Mr.  E. 
B.  C.  Wright  ran  the  store  alone  until  1879,  when  he  closed  out  his 
business,  and  took  the  agency  for  canvassing  the  whole  Northwest 
for  the  National  Needle  Co.,  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  the  largest 
manufacturers  of  sewing-machine  needles  in  the  world.  Mrs. 
Wright  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Wright  is  a 
charter  member  of  St.  Charles  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  No.  141,  and 
has  been  Master  a  number  of  years,  and  was  the  founder  of  the 
order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  Excelsior  Chapter.  He  is  one  of  the  old 
settlers  of  Cluirles  City  and  the  State ')f  Iowa,  having  been  identified 
with  the  State  since  .March,  1836,  and  Floyd  County  since  1857. 
He  is  one  of  the  representative  business  men,  and  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  anything  that  promises  progression  to  the 
town.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  strong  supporter  of  that 
party.  He  is  of  German  descent.  There  are  but  three  brothers 
and  two  sisters  living,  viz.:  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  H.  W. 
McNabb,  of  Osage,  Mitchell  County,  la.;  Mrs.  E.  A.  Mann,  of 
New  York  City;  B.  F.  Wright,  Postmaster  of  Charles  City,  and 
J.  Z.  Wright,  farmer  of  Floyd  County. 


786  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

B.  F.  Wright. — Among  the  widely  known  men  of  the  county  is  B. 
F.  Wriglit,  Postmaster  of  Charles  City,  who  has  had  the  position 
since  October,  1869.  But  few  men  are  so  universally  known  in 
the  county,  and  he  has  of  late  years  acquired  a  State  acquaintance  by 
reason  of  his  prominent  association  with  the  "prohibitory  amend- 
ment." Mr.  Wright  is  the  third  son  of  Adam  and  Rlioda  Wright, 
and  was  born  in  Yernon,  Yernon  Township,  Trumbull  County,  O., 
Aug.  20,  1837.  His  father  was  of  German  descent,  whilst  his  mother 
was  of  the  old  Connecticut  Yankee  blood.  In  appearance  the  sui>- 
ject  of  our  sketch  is  decidedly  German;  height,  live  feet  ten  inches, 
stockey,  stout,  portly,  weighing  245  pounds,  whilst  in  mental  quail- 
ties  he  displays  those  powers  that  have  made  Yankeedora  famous. 
The  family  came  to  Burlington,  la.,  in  1838.  After  the  death  of 
his  father  in  1813,  the  family  returned  to  Yernon,  O.  Frank  lived 
with  his  uncle,  Aaron  Clark,  in  Bloomfield,  Hartford,  and  Yernon, 
until  1819,  when  it  was  arranged  that  he  should  live  with  his  uncle, 
Henry  Yernon,  in  West  Williamsfleld,  O.,  until  he  was  of  age. 
His  mother  died  in  1852,  when  Frank,  through  the  assistance  of  his 
older  brother,  E.  B.  C.  Wright,  became  a  pupil  of  the  Meadville 
Academy,  Pennsylvania,  and  attended  for  several  terms  the 
Allegheny  College  at  that  place.  He  taught  two  terms  of  school, 
one  at  Lane's  Corners  and  one  at  Randall's  Corners,  in  Crawford 
County,  Pa. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  he  went  to  New  York  City  and  engaged 
with  Rockwell  &  Winton  in  a  hat  and  cap  house,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  May  7,  1857,  when  he  reached  Charles  City  and 
entered  the  employ  of  John  Ferguson  &  Co.,  with  whom  he  had 
made  business  arrangements  before  leaving  the  East.  The  mer- 
cantile house  of  J.  Ferguson  &  Co.  was  soon  succeeded  by  the 
firm  of  Wright  &  McNabb,  and  B.  F.  was  long  identified  with  the 
mercantile  interest  of  Charles  City,  up  to  1872,  since  which  time 
he  has  given  his  time  to  his  official  duties  and  the  development  of 
a  stock  farm  in  Pleasant  Grove  Township,  in  company  with  his 
younger  brother,  J.  Z.  Wright. 

In  every  development  of  the  city  and  county  Mr.  Wright  has 
taken  an  active  and  prominent  part,  and  is  said  by  all  to  be  a  fast 
friend  and  vigorous  opponent  of  the  Ben.  Wade  order.  The 
adoption  by  30,000  majority  of  the  prohibitory  amendment  to  the 
constitution  of  Iowa  by  its  electors,  June  27,  1882,  is  undoubtedly 
the  most  remarkable  event  in  the  line  of  prohibitory  temperance 
which  has  ever  occurred.     Its  praises  are  sung   in   churches    and 


CHAELES  CITY.  787 

schools;  its  triumph  is  published  from  thousands  of  eloquent  ros- 
trums, while  family  and  pulpit  altars  will  never  cease  to  ''Praise 
God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow"  for  its  adoption.  To  those 
who  conceived,  planned  and  executed  tliis  great  measure  the  pub- 
lic are  interested  in  knowing  the  details  of  the  work. 

In  August,  187S,  Mrs.  J.  Ellen  Foster,  widely  known  in  Iowa  as 
the  head  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  was  conducting  a  Congressional  ses" 
sion  of  that  temperance  organization  in  Charles  City,  and  while 
the  guest  of  Rev.  A.  N.  Clute,  of  that  place,  Mr.  Wright  called 
upon  her  and  endeavored  to  interest  her  in  the  matter  of  uniting 
all  temperance  efforts  of  the  State  in  the  single  line  of  amending 
its  Constitution,  At  first  she  was  not  favorably  inclined  to 
the  project,  but  subsequently  changed  her  mind.  Mrs.  Foster, 
in  the  December  State  session  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  at  Bur- 
lington, as  their  chairman  on  the  legal  phases  of  the  question, 
presented  the  new  idea  of  a  constitutional  amendment,  but  stated 
in  her  able  report  that  she  "  did  not  claim  it  as  original,  as  it  had 
been  first  suggested  to  her  by  a  gentleman  in  Floyd  County." 
Up  to  this  date  the  matter  had  received  bnt  little  public  agita- 
tion. 

in  February,  1879,  Mr.  Wright  attended  the  State  Reform  meet- 
ing at  Waterloo,  and  in  a  series  of  resolutions  urged  as  the  plan  ol 
work  the  constitutional  amendment.  His  address  on  that  occasion, 
the  great  debate  of  the  convention  on  the  subject,  and  their  prac- 
tical adoption  of  the  scheme,  had  the  effect  of  bringing  the  project 
])rominently  into  newspaper  discussion  of  the  State,  especially  in 
the  Dubuque  Dally  Times,  edited  by  M.  C.  Woodruff,  and 
the  Iowa  State  Register,  by  the  Clarkson  brothers. 

In  1879,  at  the  Republican  State  Convention,  Mr.  Wright,  in 
company  with  Col.  Nate  Reed,  who  at  that  time  was  editor  of  the 
Northwestern  News,  at  Davenport,  and  now  editor  of  the  Evening 
News  in  Chicago,  secured  a  suite  of  rooms  at  the  Abom  House,  in 
tiie  city  of  Des  Moines,  and  began  a  systematic  effort  of  consulta- 
tion with  every  prohibitionist  on  every  county  delegation  from  all 
parts  of  the  State.  Hon.  John  H.  Geer  was  a  candidate  for  re- 
nomination  for  Governor  by  the  Republican  Convention.  In  the 
previous  election  he  received  a  majority  vote,  and  desiring  to  be 
U.  S.  Senator,  he  was  most  anxious  to  fill  the  executive  office  by  a 
clear  majority  vote  of  the  State,  and  greatly  desired  that  tlie  tem- 
perance element  of  his  party  should  be  harmonized  and  reconciled. 
Mr.  Wright  sought  an  interview  with  the   Governor,    and  secured 


788  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

in  him  a  staunch  ally  for  declaring  in  favor  of  a  non-partisan  vote 
to  be  taken  on  a  prohibitory  amendment. 

The  eleventh  plank  of  the  Republican  platform  of  Iowa  was 
substantially  adopted  and  framed  at  a  caucus  of  tlie  temperance 
element  of  the  Republican  party  in  that  suit  of  rooms,  and  B.  F. 
Wright  was  the  chairman  and  Nate  Reed  the  secretary  of  that 
caucus.  The  plank  was  unanimously  adopted  the  next  day  by  the 
Republican  Convention.  The  temperance  hosts  of  Iowa  have  had 
a  State  temperance  committee  patterned  after  the  Republican  and 
Democratic  parties,  a  member  in  every  Congressional  district. 
Aaron  Kimbal',  of  Cresco;  B.  F.  Wright,  of  Charles  City,  and  J. 
A.  Harvey,  of  Des  Moines,  have  been  tor  two  years  respectively 
President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  the  newspapers  of  the  State 
have  spoken  of  Mr.  Wright  as  the  father  of  the  late  prohibitory 
amendment. 

S.  P.  Yeomans,  M.  D.,  Charles  City,  is  a  native  of  New  York 
and  was  born  in  German  Flats,  Herkimer  County,  Jan.  23,  1822. 
His  parents  were  Prentice  and  Margaret  (McKinney)  Yeomans, 
natives  of  Connecticut  and  members  of  the  Universalist  church. 
They  have  a  large  family  of  children,  S.  P.,  subject  of  this  sketch, 
being  the  youngest  son.  In  1837,  when  fifteen  years  of  age,  he 
came  to  Iowa;  crossed  the  Mississippi  River  at  Fort  Madison,  and 
settled  near  Mt.  Pleasant,  Henry  County,  where  he  followed  farm- 
ing, and  attending  and  teaching  school  until  eighteen,  when  he  began 
to  study  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  D.  Payne,  atMt.  Pleasant,  and  grad- 
uated at  the  Rush  Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  in  1854.  He  then 
practiced  medicine  at  Agency  City,  Wapello  County,  and  Sheridan, 
Lucas  County,  la.,  and  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  from  Lucas 
County  in  1854.  In  1855  he  was  appointed  United  States  Register 
of  the  land  office  at  Sioux  City,  bj^  Pierce,  and  reappointed  by 
Buchanan,  and  held  that  office  six  )'ears.  A.t  the  outbreaking  of 
the  Rebellion  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Seventh 
Regiment  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  remained  with  them  until  the  close  of 
the  war;  he  then  went  to  Clinton,  la.,  and  practiced  medicine 
until  1879,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City,  where  he  has  practiced 
since.  He  married  Clara  Yale  in  November,  1840.  She  was  born 
in  Yermont,  and  was  a  graduate  of  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College* 
of  Chicago,  in  1870,  and  has  practiced  medicine  since.  Dr.  Yeo- 
mans  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  have  had 
six  children,  two  living  viz.:  Margaret  S.,  wife  of  Rev.  N.  O.  Mc- 
Niff,    of  Minnesota   Conference,    and  George  W.,  an  attorney  at 


CHARLES  CITY.  78^ 

Clinton,  Iowa.  Dr.  Yeoraans  is  a  Mason,  and  was  formerly  a 
member  of  Olive  Branch  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Agency  City,  and 
member  of  chapter  at  Sioux  City.  He  is  one  of  the  leading 
physicans  of  Floyd  County.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  In 
1861  he  also  graduated  from  the  Hahnemann  College,  Chicago. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Society,  of  llomen- 
pathic  physicians. 

Professor  James  0.  Yocum,  Superintendent  of  Charles  City 
schools,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  Man-field,  Ashland 
County,  March  4,  1838.  His  parents  were  Elmore  and  Jane 
(Cameron)  Yocum;  he  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodi.-t  church,  and  now  resides  at  Sparta,  Wis.; 
she  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church.  They  had  a  lamily  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 
James  C,  subject  of  thia  sketch,  was  the  eldest  child.  When  three 
years  of  age  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Wooster,  O.,  re- 
maining there  six  years;  thence  to  Sydney,  Shelby  County,  and 
two  3'ears  afterward  to  Delaware,  Delaware  County,  O.  Jamea 
attended  the  preparatory  department  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity one  year;  then  removed  to  Piatt ville.  Wis.,  and  entered 
the  Plattville  Academy,  prosecuting  hi?  studies  there  four  years; 
then  removed  to  Appleton,  Wis.,  and  attended  Lawrence  Uni- 
versity four  years;  thon  spent  two  years  in  the  New  England 
Conservatory  at  Boston,  Mass.  He  taught  instrumental  and  vocal 
music  in  Wisconsin  two  years;  then  took  charge  of  the  Mount 
Hope,  Wis.,  Seminary  one  year,  and  of  the  Bamson  Collegiate 
Institute  at  Point  Bluff,  Wis.,  three  years,  and  was  for  several 
years  County  Superintendent  of  Schools  in  Adam.-^  County,  Wis. 
He  was  then  appointed  Principal  of"  the  Lodi,  Wis.,  graded 
school,  remaining  there  five  years;  thence  to  Boscobel  graded 
school,  at  Boscobel,  Wis.,  for  two  years;  then  came  to  Charlea 
City,  to  accept  his  j)reseut  position  as  Superintendent  of  Schools. 
He  has  charge  of  twelve  schools,  employing  fourteen  teachers.  It 
was  the  Professor's  intention  to  devote  himself  to  the  t^tudy  of 
musie,  but,  circumstances  preventing,  he  abandoned  that,  confin- 
ing himself  to  teaching  in  the  public  schools.  Professor  Yocum 
mairied  Miss  Mary  Moore,  at  Point  Bluflf,  Wis.,  Dec.  20,  1862; 
she  was  born  at  Zanesville,  O.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Amos  and 
Julia  (Rice)  Moore.  Mrs.  Yocum  died  in  July,  1863.  Mr.  Yocum 
married  Miss  Maria  Newell,  at  Baraboo,  Wis.,  May,  1864;  she  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Orange  Newell  and 


790 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


Anna  (Woodmasee)  Newell,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yocum  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  church,  and  have  had  four  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, viz.:  Genevieve,  born  July  15,  1866;  "Winifred,  born  March 
9,  1867;  Charles  E.,  born  May  23,  1870;  Jessamine,  born  Aug.  5, 
1874;  James  P.,  born  Dec.  18,  1875;  Donald  C.  and  Wilbur  R, 
born  Jan.  18,  1882.  Professor  Yocuni  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternity,  Charles  City  National  Lodge,  No.  165,  and 
Good  Templars  Lodge,  No.  4,  and  V.  A.  S.  fraternity  He  is  one 
of  the  enterprising,  representative  men  and  citizens  of  Charles 
City,  where  he  has  been  identified  since  1876.  In  politics  a  Re- 
publican.    He  is  of  Scotch  and  German  descent. 


CEDAR  TOWNSHIP 

is  located  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county.  It  is  pecnliarlj 
•ituated,  being  only  three  miles  wide  and  ten  miles  long.  There  are 
thirty-two  full  sections,  two  sections  being  added  from  the  town  of 
Floyd.  It  is  range  96 — 15,  and  97 — 15  west.  It  was  organized 
March  3],  1856.  The  reason  for  this  shaping  of  the  town  was  to 
locate  two  county  seats,  one  at  Charles  City  and  one  at  Osage, 
Mitchell  County.  The  name  of  the  township  was  taken  from  the 
fact  that  Little  Cedar  River  runs  through  the  central  part  of  the 
township.  This  stream  and  its  tributaries  drain  and  water  the 
township.  The  surface  of  the  land  in  the  western  portion  is  con- 
siderably broken;  the  eastern  part  being  generally  level,  it  is  held, 
principally,  by  speculators.  The  western  portion  is  covered  more 
frequently  with  jack-oak  groves,  and  is  generally  well  tilled,  being 
settled  by  New  York  State,  Wisconsin,  Illinois  and  English  people, 
who  make  a  success  of  whatever  they  undertake.  The  first  set- 
tlers were  J.  C.  Townsend,  Elbert  Howard,  and  S.  M.  Howard, 
who  came  here  in  the  spring  of  1854.  Sarah  Howard,  the  youngest 
daughter  of  Elbert,  came  with  them,  and  fur  six  months  was  the 
only  woman  in  the  settlement.  These  were  also  early  settlers: 
W.  B.  Howard,  Uncle  Sam  Howard,  Levi  Hoisington  and  his 
brothers,  Phineas  and  William ;Elisha  and  David  Crawford,  Sam- 
uel Clay,  Isaac  Naden,  Mother  Bennett  and  her  family.  Mother 
Walling  and  herfamily,  William  Scherinerhorn  and  A.  C.  Will- 
iams. The  first  school  was  kept  in  the  house  of  W.  B.  Howard, 
in  the  winter  of  1856  and  1857.  The  school  numbered  about 
twenty-five  pupils,  and  was  taught  by  Joseph  Allen,  a  red  headed 
young  man  from  Chickasaw.  Jerome  Townsend  and  his  sister, 
Lavina,  came  three  miles  to  this  school.  There  are  seven  school- 
houses  in  the  township.  The  school  property  is  worth  about 
$4,500.  The  number  ofchildren  of  school  age,  Sept.  1,  1881, was  190. 
The  average  daily  attendance  for  the  year  1881,  was  only  sixty-three. 
There  has  been  schools  in  each  district  seven  and  one-half  months 
on  an  average  the  past  year.  The  total  amount  paid  teachers  for 
the  last  year  was  $1,302.05,  or  an  average  of  $22.63  per  month  per 

teacher.     There   was   only  one   male  teacher  for  the  year  ending 

(791) 


792 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


Sept.  30, 1881.  The  total  receipts  of  money  for  school  purposes  for 
the  year  1881  was  $2,088.90.  There  was  a  balance  in  the  treasury 
of  $444.15.  The  present  year  there  will  be  a  tax  levied  to  pay  for 
a  new  school  building  in  District  No.  7.  The  people  of  this  town- 
ship take  a  lively  interest  in  school  matters,  and  there  is  a  deter- 
mination to  see  that  the  rising  generation  shall  be  worthy  to  fill  the 
place  of  the  present  one  and  to  do  their  work  even  better.  The 
first  religious  services  were  held  in.  the  house  of  Elbert  Howard; 
Rev.  Samuel  Smith,  of  the  "Wesleyan  Methodist  persuasion,  was  the 
preacher.  There  are  two  church  organizations  in  the  township  at  the 
present  time,  the  M.  E.  and  the  Wesleyan  Methodist;  but  there  is 
no  edifice  in  the  township.  Each  society  has  regular  preaching 
in  school-houses,  once  in  two  weeks.  Each  church  has  a  Sabbath- 
school  in  connection  with  its  meetings.  The  Howardville  Union 
Sabbath-school  organized  by  the  Wesleyan  Methodists,  is  in  a  flour- 
ishing condition.  It  was  organized  in  1855,  and  has  been  kept  run- 
ning ever  since.  The  first  superintendent  was  Lucien  Hoisington. 
He  died  in  the  army  and  was  much  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 
The  present  superintendent  is  Charles  Lewis.  The  school  numbers 
from  forty  to  fifty  scholars.  The  following  were  the  firtt  oflBcers 
of  the  township:  David  Crawford,  J.  B.  Dawley  and  L.  D.  Hois- 
ington, Trustees;  W.  B.  Howard,  Clerk;  S.  M.  Howard,  Assessor; 
Isaac  Nad  en  and  J.  C.  Town  send,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  Elisha 
Crawford  and  Phineas  Hoisington,  Constables;  A.  C.  Williams, 
Road  Superintendent. 

The  present  oflicers  of  the  township  are:  Clerk,  Addis  Scher- 
merhorn;  Trustees,  Samuel  Clay,  William  Bojer,  Sr.,  and  Paul 
Tibean;  Assessor,  P.  P.  Cole;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  W.  B.  Towner 
and  S.  F.  Ferguson, 

The  teachers  and  number  of  scholars  in  attendance  last  spring 
term  in  this  township  will  be  seen  in  the  following  table: 


District  Numbbh. 

Enroll- 
ment. 

Teachek. 

Lgth.  op  School 

District  No.  1   

13 
10 
13 
16 
16 
13 
9 

Nettie  Hamer. 
Kate  H' isington. 
Clara  Clay. 
S.  A.  Taylor. 
Neba  Schermerhorn. 
W.  A.  Wilbur. 
Kate  Byrne. 

14  weeks. 

District  No.  2 

District  No.  3 

District  No.  4 

District  No.  5 

District  No   6  . . .' 

District  No.  7 

14  weeks. 
14  weeks. 
14  weeks. 
13  wei  ks. 
13  weeks. 
13  weeks. 

CEDAE   TOWNSHIP.  793 

BIOGKAPHIOAL. 

Joseph  L.  Atherton,  farmer;  P.  O.,  Stillwater;  son  of  Ozias  and 
Lydia  (Pearsons)  Atherton,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  Vermont, 
respectively;  they  died  in  Vermont.  Joseph  L.  was  born  in  Ver- 
mont, Sept.  10,  1815,  where  he  was  educated,  and  followed  farming 
until  he  came  to  Iowa,  in  1858;  he  now  owns  400  acres  of  tine  land  on 
section  29,  Cedar,  and  section  28,  Floyd,  townships;  his  home  is  in 
Cedar,  where  he  has  fine  buildings  and  plcMsant  surroundings.  In 
1840  he  married  Lucy  B.,  daughtt-r  of  Gardner  and  Betsey  (Proctor) 
Adams;  she  was  born  in  Vermont,  Feb.  12,  1824.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  four  children — Ella  A.,  born  Aug.  25,  1841, 
wife  of  John  Q.  Adams,  of  Mitchell  County,  la. ;  Edgar  F.,  born 
Mar.  23,  1845,  married  and  living  in  Charles  City;  Eddie  B.,  born 
Dec.  28,  1859;  Walter  E.,  born  June  10,  1862.  Mrs.  Atherton  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  Atherton  votes  the  Re- 
publican ticket. 

W.  11.  Ballard^  farmer  and  stock-raiser;  P.  O.,  Charles  City; 
•on  of  Thomas  an  1  Ann  (Bennett)  Ballard,  native.^  of  England. 
They  came  to  the  United  States  about  1829^  and  located  in  Troy, 
where  they  lived  a  short  time;  then  moved  near  Buffalo,  and  lived 
three  and  a  half  year^;  then  came  to  Chicago.  He  built  the  first 
frame  house  there;  he  died  in  Lake  County,  III.,  in  1851.  Mrs.  Ballard 
died  in  Floyd  County  in  1873.  W.  H.  was  born  in  Chicago,  July 
5,  1834,  and  is  one  of  the  first  white  children  born  there.  In  1862 
he  came  to  Iowa  and  bouglit  a  farm,  and  now  owns  125^  acres  of 
land  on  section  25,  which  he  has  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  In 
1861  he  married  Melinda  A.,  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Nancy 
(Irving)  Bruce,  natives  of  Vermont.  They  came  to  Iowa,  and  now 
live  with  W.II.  Ballard.  Mr.  Ballard  and  wife  have  been  bless^id 
with  s<'ven  children,  six  living — George  H.,  born  Mar.  4.  1863; 
Annett",  April  20,  1864;-  Edith,  Aug.  20,  1865;  Nellie,  Jan.  29, 
1871;  Mary,  Oct.  22,  1873.  died  Sept.  10,  1875;  Alida,  born 
Feb.  23,  1878,  an<l  a  baby  boy,  born  Mav  23,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ballard  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Mi;thodist  church.  Mr. 
Ballard  votes  the  R'3publican  ticket.  He  deals  in  fine  stock  coni-id- 
erably,  Norman  and  Clydesdale  being  his  fancy. 

George  Bennett,  farmer;  postoffice,  orchard;  son  of  Stephen 
and  Betsey  (Knickerbacker)  Bennett,  natives  of  New  York.  George 
was  born  in  Lake  County,  III.,  Dec.  14,  1844;  he  was  educated  in 
Iowa,  where  the  family  moved  in  1855.     Mr.  Bennett  lias  followed 


794  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

farming  and  now  owns  228  1-3  acres  on  sections  22  and  27,  Cedar 
Township — which  is  finely  cultivated.  In  1872  he  married  Je  inie 
L.,  daughter  of  Theodore  and  Jane  Wilson,  natives  of  New  York 
and  New  Hampshire  respectively.  By  this  union  there  are  three 
children — Bessie  A.,  born  Sept,  15,  1875;  Emma  Louisa,  Aug.  29, 
1878;  Samuel  Wilson,  March  9,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bennett  are 
members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church.  He  votes  the  Repub- 
lican ticket.  Mr.  Bennett  is  paying  considerable  attention  to  tine 
stock;  the  Clydesdale  is  his  specialty. 

Samuel  Bennett^  farmer;  postoliice,  Charles  City;  son  of  Stephen 
and  Betsey  (Knickerbacker)  Bennett,  natives  of  Dntchess  County, 
N.  Y.  Samuel  was  born  in  Illinois,  IlTov.  10,  181:0,  where  he  was 
educated.  In  1855  he  came  to  Iowa.  He  has  followed  farming  and 
now  owns  218  acres  of  finely  improved  land  on  sections  26  and  35. 
In  1861  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Israel  and  Mary  (Warren) 
Walling,  natives  of  Kew  York;  they  came  to  Iowa  at  an  early  day, 
where  Mrs.  Walling  died.  Mrs.  Bennett  was  born  in  IS^ew  i'ork 
in  1844;  by  this  union,  there  are  two  children — Stephen  Curtis, 
born  April  11,  1864,  and  Mary  Frances,  Oct.  30,  1871.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bennett  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church. 
He  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

William  BlecTdy^  farmer  and  baker ;  posto Sice,  Charles  City;  was 
born  in  England,  April  21, 1814;  he  was  educated  there  and  learned 
the  trade  of  a  baker,  which  he  worked  at  until  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  in  1846;  he  bought  a  farm  in  Wisconsin  where  he  lived 
nineteen  years;  he  then  came  to  Iowa  and  bought  his  present  farm 
of  160  acres  on  section  30,  where  he  now  lives.  He  now  owns 
eighty  acres,  having  given  his  son  eighty  acres  of  the  original  farm. 
His  house  was  struck  by  a  cyclone  on  the  17tli  of  July,  entirely 
demolishing  the  greater  part  of  it,  carrying  fragments  eighty  rods 
away,  distributing  a  cook  stove  for  ten  rods,  tearing  up  apple-trees 
and  destroying  everything  in  its  way.  In  1839  he  married  Maria, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Edwards,  natives  of  England, 
where  they  died.  By  this  union  there  have  been  six  children,  five 
living — Ellen,  born  Feb.  6,  1841,  wife  of  JohnBloomhall,  of  Dakota; 
Carrie,  born  Feb.  14,  1842,  wife  of  George  Boyer,  of  Dakota; 
George,  born  Sept.  19,  1843,  married;  Kate,  born  Sept.  9,  1845,  wife 
of  Frank  Houghy;  Eliza  Ann,  born  Dec.  5,  1847,  wife  of  R.  W. 
Town,  of  Dakota.  The  first  four  were  born  in  England;  Eliza  Ann, 
in  Dane  County,  Wis.  Mr.  Bleckly  and  family  are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  church.     Mr.  Bleckly  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 


CEDAB  TOWNSHIP.  795 

Williaiv.  Boyer,  fanner;  P.  O. ,  Charles  City;  son  of  Samuel  and 
Jane  (Boyer)  Boyer,  natives  of  England,  where  they  died.  Will- 
iam was  born  June  30,  1823,  and  educated  in  England.  He  worked 
in  a  chemical  laboratory  until  he  came  to  the  United  States,  in 
1846.  He  located  in  Dane  County,  Wis.,  coming  out  with  what 
was  then  known  as  the  "  British  Temperance  Emigration  Society," 
which  soon  broke  up.  Mr.  Boyer  purchased  a  farm,  and  has  fol- 
lowed this  occupation,  living  in  Wisconsin  until  January,  1867,  when 
he  came  to  Iowa,  purchasing  245  acres  of  fine  land  on  section  30. 
He  has  sold  a  portion,  and  now  owns  165  acres  of  finely  cultivated 
land  and  a  good  home.  In  1842  he  married  Mary,  daughter  ot 
John  and  Mary  (Tyson)  Lowndes,  of  England,  where  they  died. 
Mary  was  born  Aug.  11,  1822.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
ten  children,  eight  living — George,  born  July  20,  1843,  married, 
and  living  in  Dakota;  Mary  Jane,  born  Oct.  19,  1845,  died  May 
31,  1847;  G.  L.,  born  Feb.  25,  1849,  married,  and  living  in  Da- 
kota; Olive  Melissa,  born  May  24,  1851,  wife  of  Levi  Pierce,  living 
in  Dakota;  Martha  Ann,  born  Nov.  14,  1853,  wife  of  W.  H.  Hill, 
living  in  Dakota;  William,  born  May  24,  1356,  married  and  living 
in  Dakota;  Mary,  wife  of  S.  R.  Laughlin,  of  Dakota,  was  born 
April  18,  1858;  C.  W.,  born  Dec.  13,  1860,  living  in  Dakota; 
R.  F.,  Aug.  19,  1863;  one  child  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Boyer 
and  all  his  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  in  which  he 
is  a  local  deacon,  and  supplies  Orchard  Circuit.  He  has  held  many 
of  the  township  offices,  and  is  at  present  one  of  the  Trustees.  He 
votes  the  Republican  ticket.  He  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  re- 
liable men  of  Floyd  County. 

Samuel  Clay,  farmer  and  stock-raiser;  P.  O.,  Orchard  Station, 
Mitchell  County.  Mr.  Clay  is  the  fourth  child  of  his  father's 
family  of  fourteen  children.  He  was  born  in  England,  Jan.  5, 
1830,  and  remained  there  until  his  twenty-second  year;  then  came 
to  the  United  States,  and  located  in  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
three  years;  then  came  to  Iowa  and  entered  a  quarter  section  of 
iiis  present  homestead.  He  now  owns  545  acres  of  excellent  land 
on  sections  21,  22  and  27,  all  under  an  excellent  state  of  cultiva. 
tion.  Mr.  Clay  has  been  an  extensive  grain-raiser,  but  recently 
has  changed  his  manner  of  farming,  and  is  giving  much  attention 
to  fine  stock;  Norman  and  Clydesdale  horses  are  his  specialty;  he 
has  several  of  the  best  of  these  horses  to  be  found  in  the  county, 
and  persons  desiring  to  improve  their  stock  should  examine  his 
before  purchasing.  In  1852  he  married  Mary  Ann  Landon,  a  native 


796  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

of  the  north  of  Ireland,  where  her  parents  still  live.  Three  chil- 
dren blessed  this  union — Ada  Alberta,  wife  of  Charles  Knowlton, 
of  Floyd  Township;  Herbert  Harrison,  living  in  Idaho,  and  John 
William.  Mrs.  Clay  died  in  1857.  Mr.  Clay  married,  in  1858, 
Rosetta,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Jane  (Workman)  Shaw,  natives 
of  England,  where  they  died.  Mrs.  Clay  was  born  in  England, 
Oct,  19,  1830.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clay  have  been  blessed  with  a  family 
of  four  children — Clara  Jane,  born  1859;  Mary  Ann,  born  1861; 
Henry  W.,  born  1864;  Katie,  born  1866.  Mr.  Clay  has  held 
many  of  the  township  offices,  and  has  faithfully  discharged  all  the 
duties  thereof,  abd  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  respected  citizens 
of  Floyd  County.     He  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

P.  P.  Cole^  farmer;  P.  O.,  Charles  City;  son  of  Raphael  and 
Aurelia  (Lewis)  Cole,  natives  of  Vermont,  They  moved  to  Penn- 
sylvania, where  they  lived  some  time,  and  in  1846  came  to  Wis- 
consin, and  bought  a  farm,  where  they  lived  until  1876,  when  they 
came  to  Iowa,  and  located  in  Cedar  Township;  they  now  live  in 
Charles  City.  P.  P.  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  July  21,  1836, 
where  he  lived  until  ten  years  of  age,  then  with  his  parents  came 
to  Wisconsin,  where  he  wg.s  educated.  He  has  always  followed  a 
farm  life,  and  in  1874  came  to  Iowa,  and  bought  his  present  farm 
of  145  acres,  on  sections  2  and  35,  Cedar  Township,  which  is  finely 
cultivated.  In  1867  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Edward 
and  Harriet  (Golden)  Darby,  natives  of  England.  At  an  early 
date  they  moved  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  New  York,  and 
soon  removed  to  Illinois,  where  Mrs. Darby  died  and  his  wife  still 
lives.  Mrs.  Cole  was  born  in  New  York  State,  July  11,  1844.  By 
the  above  union  there  are  four  children,  three  living — Addisan 
Jay,  born  Aug.  19, 1870;Bertha  Mertilla,  born  Dec.  23,  1872;  Jessie 
Lillian  and  Austin  Everett,  twins  (Austin  is  deceased),  boi*n 
Aug.  26,  1876,  Mr.  Cole  votes  the  Republican  ticket.  In  1862 
he  enlisted  in  the  Ninty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  and 
served  three  years,  being  in  many  of  the  hard-fought  battles 
of  the  war:  Chickamanga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Franklin,  Resaca, 
Nashville  and  immerous  others;  he  was  discharged  June  29,  !1865, 
at  Chicago.  He  is  Secretary  of  Floyd  County  Farmers'  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company;  has  been  Township  Clerk  two  terms, 
and  Assessor  two  years;  is  at  present  Assessor  of  the  township. 

Samuel  F.  F-erguson^  farmer;  postotfice,  Charles  City;  was  boru 
in  Nt'W  York,  July  7,  1829,  where  he  was  educated;  he  is  the  son 
of  James  and  Susanna  (Smith)  Ferguson,  natives  of  New  York.    Mr. 


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CEDAR  TOWNSHIP.  799 

Ferguson  died  in  New  York  .  They  had  a  family  of  three  children, 
Samuel  being  the  oldest.  In  1864  he  came  to  Wisconsin,  living 
there  one  year,  then  came  to  Iowa  and  bought  his  present  farmof  240 
acres  on  section  28;  he  now  owns  620  acres  of  land.  lie  has  made 
farn)inga  success;  is  well  situated  on  an  excellent  farm  and  is  giving 
some  attention  to  fine  stock.  In  1867  he  married  Nancy  Ann, daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Florilla  (Walls)  McKinney,  natives  of  Ireland;  they 
now  live  in  New  York,  where  Mrs.  Ferguson  was  born.  May  25,1840. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children — James  Alexander, 
born  May  13,  1860;  Charlotte,  born  Sept.  24,  1862,  died  May  12, 
1879;  Flora,  May  8,  1869;  John  Milford,  Sept.  29,  1873.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ferguson  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
in  which  denomination  he  is  a  Local  Deacon.  He  has  held  several 
township  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  faithfully  discharged. 
He  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  is  one  of  the  energetic,  enter- 
prising and  respected  men  of  Floyd  County. 

Lucien  M.  Foster^  mason,  minister  and  farmer;  postoffice,  Or- 
chard; son  of  Samuel  and  Lois  (Miller)  Foster.-  They  were  of  New 
England  nativity,  and  had  a  family  of  five  children,  of  which  Lucien 
is  the  youngest.  He  was  born  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  educated  there  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  mason,  which  business 
he  followed  several  years,  and  then  studied  for  the  ministry  and 
began  preaching  in  1831  for  the  Congregational  denomination.  He 
moved  to  Lake  County,  111.,  and  lived  two  years.  In  1855  he  moved 
to  Iowa  and  united  with  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church,  and  has 
preached  for  them  much  of  the  time  till  now.  On  coming  to  Iowa 
he  pre-empted  a  homestead,  being  the  first  settler  on  Plum  Prairie. 
His  experiences  with  his  friends,  the  red  men,  would  fill  a  good-sized 
volume,  but  by  uniform  kindness,  never  had  any  trouble  with  them. 
In  1834  he  married  Sarah  Maria  Stockwell,  a  native  of  Vermont. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  five  children,  two  living — Royal  A., 
born  Aug.  9,  1838,  married;  Carmi  J.,  born  Nov.  14,  1857,  mar- 
ried and  living  in  Floyd  County;  Samuel  A.,  died  in  the  army;  the 
others  died  in  childhood.  Royal  A.  lives  on  section  22,  where  hfi 
owns  175  acres  of  fine  land,  under  good  cultivation.  In  1864  he 
married  Sylvia  Beimett.  She  was  born  in  Lake  County,  111.,  March 
30,  1843.  By  their  union  there  is  one  child — Jerome  Ashley,  born 
P''eb.  4,  1870.  They  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  JVIcthodist 
church,  and  he  votes  the  Repal)lican  ticket,  as  does  his  father,  who 

has  held  several  of  the  township  offices,  and   has  faithfully  dis- 
49 


800  HI8T0BY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

charged  the  duties  of  each.  They  are  respected  highly  by  their 
friends.  Mrs.  Lucien  Foster  died  on  Oct.  14,  18Y6;  it  veas  occa- 
sioned by  a  fall  and  the  breaking  of  her  right  hip.  Rev.  Foster 
owns  135  acres  of  land  on  section  22. 

John  Henryy  farmer  and  carpenter;  postoffice,  Stillwater;  son  of 
John  and  Jane  (Orr)  Henry,  of  Scottish  descent.  Our  subject  wa? 
born  in  Ireland,  County  Caven.  "When  eighteen  years  of  age  he 
came  to  New  York  State,  where  he  commenced  the  carpenter's 
trade;  from  there  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  thence  to  Liverpool 
and  London,  and  continued  to  work  at  his  trade  in  all  these  places. 
He  returned  to  the  United  States  in  1858,  and  again  lived  some  six 
years  in  Philadelphia,  and  five  years  in  Chicago.  In  1870  he  pur- 
chased his  farm  of  240  acres  on  section  20,  Cedar  Township,  la., 
where  he  has  since  lived.  In  1858  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  (Holland)  McKitterick,  natives  of  Ireland,  where 
they  died.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  six  children,  five  liv- 
ing— John,  born  March  11,  1860;  Margaret,  March  27,  1861;  Julia 
Ann,  Dec.  29,  1863  (all  born  in  Philadelphia);  Mary,  born  in  Chi- 
cago, May  14,  1867;  William  Henry,  born  Oct.  17,  1868,  in  Lake- 
view,  111.  Mrs.  Henry  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr. 
Henry  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  lodges. 
He  has  held  several  of  the  township  offices,  and  faithfully  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  each.     He  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

James  Saughey^  fAvmer;  postoffice,  Floyd;  son  of  John  and  Julia 
Ann  (Young)  Haughey,  natives  of  Delaware.  They  moved  to  Illi- 
nois at  an  early  day  and  died  there.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve 
children.  James  was  the  fifth  child  and  was  born  in  Oliio,  Nov. 
14,  1811,  where  he  was  educated;  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpen- 
ter and  worked  at  it  several  years;  is  also  a  cabinet-maker.  On 
Aug.  13,  1837,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Coon)  Stout,  natives  of  Pennsylvania;  she  was  born  in  Ohio, 
Dec.  4,  1817.  By  this  union  there  are  eight  children,  five  living — 
Sylvanus,  born  June  6,  1840,  and  died  in  1870;  he  served  through 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  contracted  the  disease  of  which  he 
died;  Francis,  April,  1842,  married;  Mary  Hartford,  Aug.  18,  181:5, 
wife  of  George  Bleckly;  Julia  Ann,  June  18,  1817,  wife  of  Frank 
Pelton;  Martha  Jane,  June  25,  1849,  wife  of  Adam  Fehr;  Sophia 
Ellen,  deceased;  Harriet  Hydassa,  Nov.  14,  1853;  James  Buchanan, 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haughey  came  to  Iowa  in  3  854.  He  owns 
300  acres  of  fine  land  on  section  28,  Cedar  Township,  mostly  im- 


OEDAK  TOWNSHIP.  801 

proved.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haugliey  are  memborsof  the  M.  E.  church. 
Mr.  Hanghey  has  held  severdl  township  offices  and  votes  the 
Kepnblican  ticket. 

W.  B.  Howard^  farmer;  postoffice,  Charles  City;  son  of  Elbert 
and  Puoebe  (McNeil)  Howard,  natives  of  Kentucky.  W.  B.  was 
bora  in  Kentucky  in  1815;  was  educated  in  Indiana,  and  came  to 
Illinois  in  183-1  and  to  Iowa  in  1854;  he  owns  eighty  acres  of  land 
on  section  25,  where  he  now  lives.  In  1840  he  married  Lucetta 
Hinsdell,  a  native  of  New  York.  This  union  was  blessod  with  six 
children — Sarah  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Fidelia  J., deceased;  Sanders 
M.,  married  and  living  in  Emmet  County,  la.;  Nora  J.,  wife  of 
John  A.  Wright,  of  Mitchell  County,  la.;  Phcebe  A.,  wife  of 
Almon  D.  Couse,  of  Orchard,  la.;  Antoinette,  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Howard  soon  followed.  In  1860  Mr.  Howard  married  Melissa 
Ann  Southard,  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  Has  been  County  Super- 
visor three  terms.  Mr,  Howard  has  held  most  of  the  township 
oflSces,  and  has  faithfully  discharged  rhe  duties  of  them  all.  He 
votes  the  Kepublican  ticket. 

Wllliard  La/iphere^  farmer;  postoffice,  Cbarles'City;  son  of  Rus- 
sell and  Lydia  (Miner)  Lanphere,  natives  of  Connecticut,  where 
they  died.  Williard  was  born  Feb.  25, 1820,  in  Connecticnt,  where 
he  was  educated.  He  is  one  of  a  family  of  fourteen,  and  is  the 
tenth  child.  He  went  to  New  York  in  1836,  remaining  about  seven 
years;  thence  to  Ohio  for  a  short  time;  thence  to  Wisconsin,  and 
then  to  Iowa  in  1852,  and  to  Floyd  County  in  1856,  where  he 
entered  land  ;  he  has  now  a  farm  of  forty  acres  on  section  24, 
Cedar  Township.  In  1848  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Mary  (Sawyer)  Hoisington,  natives  of  Vermont  and  Massa- 
chusetts respectively.  By  this  union  there  have  been  eight  chil- 
dren, four  living — Carrie  (wife  of  Everton  Canfield),  Franklin, 
Piiineas  and  Olive,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lanphere  are  members  of  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  church.     He  votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 

Isaac  Naden^  farmer;  postoffice.  Orchard,  Mitchell  County ;  son  of 
Samuel  and  Martha  (Milner)  Naden.  They  were  natives  of  England, 
and  moved  to  the  United  States,  and  located  in  Illinois  in  1845, 
where  they  both  died.  Isaic  was  born  in  England,  Sept.  9,  1824, 
where  he  was  edue  ited;  he  c^me  to  the  United  States  with  his  par- 
ents, and  in  1855  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  entered  his  lands  where  ho 
now  lives.  He  has  320  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  can  be  found;  it  is 
on  section  21,  Cedar  Township,  and  sections  16  and  15,  Lincoln 
Township,  Mitchell  County,     Mr.  Naden  has  the  best  improved 


802  HISTORY  OF  t'LOYD  COUNTY. 

land  in  the  towuship,  and  is  thorough-going  in  whatev^er  he  under- 
takes. In  1845  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  (Butterworth)  Turner,  natives  of  England,  where  thej 
died.  By  this  union  there  have  been  four  children — J.  W.,  born 
1846,  married  and  keeping  store  in  Orchard;  Noah  S.,  born  1848, 
married,  and  lives  in  Orchard;  Mary  A.,  born  in  1851,  wife  of 
R.  F.  Hill,  of  Chicago;  and  W.  II.,'  born  1855.  Mr.  Naden  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Naden  has 
lield  many  of  the  township  offices,  but  of  late  refuses  to  accept 
any.     lie  votes  the  Republicaa  ticket. 

George  t.  Nash.,  farmer;  postoffice,  Charles  City.  He  was  born 
in  New  York,  Dec.  17,  1850,  and  at  an  early  age  moved  to  Illinois, 
where  he  was  educated.  His  father  was  Jeremiah,  and  his  mother 
Olive  (Oaks)  Nash,  natives  of  New  York;  they  now  reside  in  Illi- 
Bois.  In  1871  he  married  Genella  G.,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Eliza  (Getman)  Stowell,  natives  of  New  York.  Mrs.  Stowell  died 
in  1868,  in  Illinois,  where  the  family  had  moved.  By  the  above 
union  there  are  four  children,  three  living — Edith,  born  Nov.  11, 
1874;  Ralph  Clinton,  Dec.  10,  1877;  Frank  George,  Dec.  2,  1870. 
Mr.  Nash  and  wife  are  members  of  tiie  Methodist  church.  Mr. 
Na~h  owns  275  acres  of  fine  prairie  land  on  section  35.  He  has 
held  several  township  offices,  and  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

Addis  SGhermerhorn^  farmer;  postoffice,  Charles  City;  son  ot 
William  and  Harriet  (Lottridge)  Schermerhorn,  was  born  in 
Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  March  5,  1843.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William 
Schermerhorn  were  both  natives  of  New  York,  and  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  children,  four  living — Perry,  Addis,  Marvin,  living  in 
Minnesota,  and  William  W.,  living  with  his  parents  in  Cedar 
Township.  Addis  was  educated  principally  in  Iowa,  attending  the 
first  fchool  ever  held  in  the  township,  at  the  house  of  W.  B.  How- 
ard. He  has  followed  farming  for  a  livelihood,  and  now  owns 
seventy-two  acres  of  finely-improved  land,  on  section  35,  Cedar 
Township.  He  married,  in  1860,  Saraantha,  daughter  of  J.  and 
Susan  (Jacobs)  Ahlrich,  natives  of  Rhode  Island.  Her  mother 
died  in  Iowa,  in  1857;  her  father  is  still  living  in  Dakota.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Schermerhorn  have  four  children — Geneva,  born  Jan.  4, 
1862;  Cora,  June  1,  1864;  Charles  We^ey,  April  11,  1873;  Ida, 
Dec.  12,  1876.  They  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church.     Mr.  Schermerhorn  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 


CEDAR  TOWNSHIP.  803 

Charles  H.  Towner,  fHnner;  P.  O.,  Ciiarles  City.  His  father 
was  James  S.  and  his  mother  Eveline  (Barney)  Towner,  natives  of 
Vermont.  Tiie  father  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day,  where  he 
died;  the  mother  still  lives  there.  Charles  was  born  in  Vermoat, 
Nov.  4,  1834,  where  he  was  edncated.  He  worked  at  farminp;, 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1848,  where  he  lived  until  1856,  when  he 
moved  to  Iowa  and  bought  a  farm.  He  now  owns  285  acres  of 
excellent  land  on  section  36,  where  he  now  lives,  and  has  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  In  1856  he  married  Louisa  Bennett,  who 
was  born  March  22,  1839,  in  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and 
Betsey  (Knickerbacker)  Bennett,  natives  of  Dutchess  Co.,  N.  Y. 
They  moved  to  Illinois  in  1837,  where  Stephen  died,  and  in  1855 
Mrs.  Bennett  and  family  came  to  Iowa,  where  she  still  lives  with 
her  children.  By  the  above  union  there  are  six  children — George, 
born  April  27,  1859,  married;  Owen  C,  April  16,1862;  Oscar  J., 
Sept.  16,  1865;  Royal  C,  July  27, 1868;  Mary  E.,  Aug.  29,  1875; 
Ealph  S.,  Dec.  17,  1S79.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Towner  are  members  of 
the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church.     He  votes  the  Republic m  ticket. 

WiUiamB.  Towner, iQ.YmQT\  postoffice,Charles  City ;  son  of  James 
S.  and  Eveline  (Barney)  Towner,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  Ver- 
mont respectively,  who  were  the  parents  of  six  children— William 
B.,  Charles  H.,  Miry  E.,  Oirlos  C,  F.  B.  and  Eveline.  Three 
live  in  Iowa,  two  in  Illinois,  one  in  Michigan;  all  born  in  Vermont. 
William  B.  was  born  in  Castleton,  Rutland  County,  Vt.,  Dec.  25, 
1831,  where  he  was  educated.  In  1864  he  came  to  Floyd  County, 
la.  He  now  owns  203  acres  ot  fine  land  on  sections  35  and  36, 
mostly  well  improved.  In  1856  he  married  Harriet  A.,  daughter 
of  Edward  and  Harriet  (Golden)  Darby,  of  England.  They  ca'ne 
to  the  United  States  many  years  ago,  and  Edward  died  in  Illi- 
nois, where  his  wife  still  lives.  By  the  above  union  there  are 
five  children— Adrin  J.,  Ella  M.,  CoraM.,  Edward  J.  and  Fred- 
erick H.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Towner  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan 
Methodist  church.  Mr.  Towner  votes  the  Republican  ticket, 
and  has  held  several  township  offices;  is  Secretary  of  the  Scliool 
Board  and  Justice  of  the  Peace;  has  held  each  of  these  offices 
some  ten  years,  and  was  County  Supervisor  four  terms. 

Chester  M.  Towaaead,  farmer  and  stock-raiser;  postoffice, 
Charles  City;  son  of  John  C.  and  L-icinda  (Un  lerwood)  Town- 
send.  The  subject  of  this  sketcli  was  bjrn  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  Dec.  6,  1837.  He  was  educated  in  Iowa  and  has  followed 
farming.  Hi  owns  535  acres  of  land  on  sections  1,30  and  31,  Cedar 


804  HI8T0KV  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Township.  He  also  owns  320  acres  in  Dakota.  In  1866  he  mar- 
ried Harriet,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  A.  (Park)  Hill,  natives 
of  New  York  and  Massachusetts  respectively,  both  deceased.  Bj 
this  union  there  are  three  children — Schuyler  0.,  born  July  10, 
1868;  Rollin  M.,  Aug.  26, 1870;  Gertie  V.,  Sept.  2,  1877.  Inl861 
Mr.  Townseiid  enlisted  in  the  Third  Iowa  Infantry,  Company  I, 
Captain  M.  M.  Truinbell,  and  served  three  years  in  that  regiment, 
and  in  February  thereafter  re-enlisted  in  the  Second  U.  S.  Veter 
ans,  General  Hancock's  Corps,  Company  H,  and  served  one  year. 
While  in  service  he  was  engaged  in  many  of  the  hard-tought  bat- 
tles: that  of  Pittsburg  Landing  and  Hatchie  River,  where  he  was 
wounded  in  the  abdomen  by  a  canister  ball  striking  on  the  U.  S. 
belt  plate;  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  Jackson,  Miss.,  where  he  was 
taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  and  to  Belle 
Isle.  He  was  discharged  at  the  expiration  of  the  three  years'  ser- 
vice, at  Davenport,  la.,  and  in  Washington,  D.  C,  at  the  expira- 
.tion  of  the  one  year's  enlistment.  He  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 
John  C.  Townsend,  farmer;  postoffice,  Charles  City;  was  born  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  Sept.  18,  1813,  where  he  was  educated. 
Ilis  father  was  Chester,  and  mother  Delight  (Wilber)  Townsend, 
natives  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  respectively.  They 
moved  to  New  York  in  1801,  and  lived  thereuntil  1839,  when  they 
eame  to  Gratiot  County,  Mich.,  where  they  died.  John  C.  has 
followed  farming,  and  in  1854  came  to  Iowa  and  took  up  his  pres- 
ent farm  of  160  acres  on  section  36,  where  he  has  lived  ever  since. 
He  owns  163  acres  adjoining.  In  1835  he  married  Lucinda,  daugh- 
ter of  Chester  and  Theda  (Trask)  Underwood,  natives  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  Connecticut  respectively.  They  are  both  deceased, 
Mr.  Underwood  djing  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  and  Mrs.  Un- 
derwood, after  again  marrying,  in  Walworth  County,  Wis.  Lu- 
einda  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  Dec.  12,  1813.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  four  children,  three  living — Chester  M.,  born  in 
New  York,  Dec.  6,  1837,  married  and  living  near  his  parents;  Li- 
vonia J.,  wife  of  Lorenzo  J.  Dawley,  of  Minneapolis,  born  June 
17,  1840;  Jerome  W.,  married,  living  in  Kansas,  born  Aug.  17, 
1844;  Viola  H.,  born  January,  1852,  died  Aug.  7,  1858.  Mr.  Town- 
send  is  a  Spiritualist.  He  has  held  man}^  of  the  township  offices; 
has  been  County  Supervisor,  and  has  faithfully  discharged  all  the 
duties.     He  votes  the  Greenback  ticket. 


FLOYD    TOWNSHIP. 
ORGANIC. 

For  a  large  portion  of  the  following  history  we  are  indebted  to 
Hervey  Wilbur,  Esq.,  of  Floyd. 

The  township  of  Floyd  was  one  of  the  original  four  townships 
carved  out  of  the  entire  territory  of  Floyd  County,  Sept.  4,  1854, 
by  John  M.  Hunt,  County  Judge.  It  then  comprised  the  Con- 
gressional townships  96  and  97,  in  range  15;  96  and  97,  in  range 
16;  and  the  east  half  of  96  and  97,  in  range  17.  The  boundary 
lines  of  Floyd  Township  as  now  defined  are  more  irregular  than 
those  of  any  other  towrship  in  the  county.  Mitchell  County 
and  Cedar  Township  in  Floyd  County  lie  on  the  north;  Cedar, 
Niles  and  St.  Charles  townships  on  the  East;  St.  Charles  and 
Ulster  fownships  on  the  south,  and  Ulster  and  Rudd  townships 
on  the  west.  It  contains  forty-three  sections  of  land,  of  which 
about  three  and  a  half  sections  are  heavy  timber. 

March  5,  1855,  sections  25  and  36,  and  the  south  half  of  section 
26,  and  all  of  section  35  in  township  96  north,  of  range  16,  and  a 
strip  ten  miles  wide  from  the  south  side  of  township  96,  range  15, 
were  detached  from  Floyd  and  attached  to  St.  Charles  Township; 
D.  Wiltse,  acting  County  Judge. 

March  3,  1856,  the  south  half  of  section  3,  township  97,  range 
15,  and  the  four  north  tiers  of  sections  in  township  96,  range  15, 
and  sections  21  to  28  inclusive,  and  sections  34,  35  and  36,  in 
township  97,  range  16,  and  sections  1,  12  and  13  of  township  96, 
range  16,  were  detached  from  Floyd  and  formed  into  a  township 
called  Cedar;   A.  L.  Collins,  County  Judge. 

March  25,  1856,  the  north  half  of  sections  24  and  26,  township 
96,  range  16,  was  detached  from  Floyd  and  attached  to  St.  Charles 
Township;   A.  L.  Collins,  County  Judge. 

At  the  June  session  of  1862,  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  the 
west  half  of  section  18,  township  96,  range  15,  was  detached  from 
Floyd  and  attached  to  Niles  Township ;  Chester  Butterfield, 
County  Judge. 

(805) 


806  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY, 


THE   FIRST   WHITE    SETTLERS. 


The  lirst  white  settlers  in  Floyd  Township  were  John  Clark  and 
Sherman  who  came  as  trappers  and  adventurers  in  1851, 


the  former  settling  on  section  8,  and  the  latter  on  section  9.  Each 
broke  and  planted  this  summer  season  two  acres  of  ground.  C.  P. 
Burroughs  and  H.  M.  Brown  came  into  Floyd  Township  in  1852. 
Burroughs  bought  Sherman's  choice  claim,  while  H.  M.  Brown, 
with  a  lew  dollars  induced  Clark  to  leave  what  has  since  been  con- 
verted into  a  valuable  home,  and  go  further  west  to  surprise  the 
mink  and  some  other  locality  with  less  civilization.  Jefferson  C. 
Muchler,  Oliver  Hubbard,  Samuel  Nims,  Moses  Chapman  and 
Smith  Hyler  also  come  as  settlers  this  year. 

Two  children  were  born  this  year — one  to  John  Clark  and  wife, 
and  one  to  Charles  Twite  and  wife,  but  which  was  first,  the  old 
ladies  cannot  say.  George  Patterson,  a  young  man  boarding  with 
Mrs.  Nims,  died  in  October,  1852 . 

In  1853  came  David  Bates,  N.  A.  Rice,  Wm.  Carl,  Wm.  Mont- 
gomery, Marvin  S.  and  Edward  Heath,  John  "W.  and  L.  G.  Bur- 
roughs. At  this  time  a  little  settlement  had  commenced  in  the 
north  part  of  the  township.  Cutler's  water  saw-mill  on  Rock  Creek 
was  built  this  year,  and  Coleman  Bumgartner  and  others  had  settled 
in  that  vicinity;  this  settlement  was  called  Watertown.  Just  oppo- 
site, on  the  east  side  of  the  Cedar,  Wm.  Oilman  opened  tlie  first 
store  in  what  was  then  Floyd  Township.  In  this  year  was  organized 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  society,  Rev.  Schamp,  by  name,  pastor. 
The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  H.  M.  Brown. 

In  1854  came  M.  G.  Cook,  J.  B.  Dawley,  Peter  Schamp,  Philip 
Shorkey,  Henry  Ingram,  H.  M.  Nye,  E.  H.  Morrison,  Hiram 
Smith,  Moses  Conger,  John  Richardson,  B.  B.  Yan  Steenburg, 
and  a  few  others. 

The  Tatums,  H.  Hogan,  J.  H.  Story,  and  Silas  Smith  were  early 
settlers.  In  this  year  occurred  the  famous  Indian  scare  of  Floyd 
County. 

In  1855  some  prominent  men  came:  James  Griffith,  the  Sprague 
brothers,  Chester  Butterfield,  Andrew  Rice,  and  others.  This 
year  James  Griffith  finished  and  set  going  the  first  water  saw  and 
grist  mill  in  the  township;  the  grist-mill  had  two  run  of  stone. 
Andrew  Sample  had  previously  begun  the  work.  Thomas  Sprague 
opened  the  first  store  and  postofficethis  year — was  the^first  Postmas- 
ter and  William  was  his  deputy.  The  building  he  opened  in  was  pur- 


FLOYD  TOWNSHIP.  807 

chased  in  St.  Charles,  torn  down  and  moved  to  Floyd;  it  was 
composed  of  poplar  logs.  Andrew  Rice  set  in  motion,  this  year, 
a  steam  saw-mill,  raising  his  smoke  stack  on  Christmas  day,  amid 
great  rejoicing.  The  Village  of  Floyd  was  laid  out  this  year  by 
James  Griffith  and  Henry  C.  Tatum.  Gilmantown  was  also  laid 
out  this  year. 

FIRST     EVENTS. 

April  2,  1855,  the  first  election  was  held  in  the  township,  E. 
H.  Morrison,  was  elected  Clerk;  William  Gilman,  J.  P;  Humphrey 
Hogan,  Assessor,  and  H.  M.  Brown,  J.  W.  Burroughs  and  Samuel 
W.  Nims,  Trustees.  The  first  County  Convention  was  held  this 
year  at  John  Ball's  in  what  is  now  Ulster  Township.  C.  P.  Bur- 
roughs was  nominated  as  School  Fund  Commissioner,  and  William 
Montgomery,  Sheriff.  They  were  elected.  Floyd  had  no  political 
dictator.  The  first  marriage  license  in  the  township  was  granted 
to  Marvin  S.  Heath  and  Lucy  A.  Smith,  daughter  of  Hiram 
Smith,  Sen. 

In  the  summer  of  1856  B.  B.  Van  Steenburg  built  a  house  on  his 
land  just  north  of  town;  he,  George  Lorillard  and  Frank  Nosser 
kept  bachelor's  hall  until  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  The  house 
was  then  moved  to  Carl's  addition,  and  used  as  a  boarding  house 
for  mill  hands.  The  steam  mill  was  moved  on  to  the  addition  in 
the  fali  and  commenced  work  about  De^.  15.  The  name  of  the 
firm  was  B.  F.  Nosser  &  Co.  Tiie  first  school  was  ouened  this 
year.  The  house  was  built  by  N.  A.  Rice,  Moses  Conger,  C.  P. 
Burroughs  and  H.  M.  Brown.  The  teacher's  name  was  Phylinda 
Burroughs.  The  scholars'  names  were  Minerva  Brown,  Maliiida 
Brown,  Louisa  Conger,  and  Sarah  Fisher,  an  adopted  daughter  of 
I^.  A.  Rice.  This  was  known  for  years  as  the  "  little  white  school- 
house."  It  stood  near  the  present  stone  school-house  in  District 
No.  3. 

In  1856  E.  H.  Morrison  was  elected  Clerk;  Thomas  Sprague, 
Wm.  Carl  and  Lorey  Franklin,  Trustees;  Silas  Smith,  Assessor; 
Humphrey  Logan,  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Moses  Conger  was  ap- 
pointed Justice  of  the  Peace,  t-j  fill  vacancy  by  resignation  of  Wm. 
Gillman. 

In  1856  Wm.  Carl  laid  out  his  addition  to  Floyd  Village,  on 
the  west  of  the  original  plat.  In  1857  Grifiith  and  Chittenden 
laid  out  an  addition.  In  1858  Wm.  Montgomery  laid  out  his  ad- 
dition on  the  south  of  the  original  plat.     These  additions  and  the 


808  HI8T0KY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

original  plat  covered  about  250  acres  of  land.  At  this  time  antic- 
ipations ran  high  and  it  was  hoped  to  make  this  a  county  seat,  and 
with  her  splendid  water-power  it  was  thought  much  manufacturing 
would  locate  here.  For  a  time  the  town  grew  faster  than  the 
conn tr}^,  and  the  sound  of  the  hammer  was  heard  from  "early  morn 
to  dewy  eve,"  and  lots  sold  at  "fine"  figures.  But  disappoint- 
ment was  in  store  for  the  Floydites.  A  prospective  new  mill  and 
partly  tinished  bridge  were  swept  away  by  a  severe  freshet,  and  the 
county  seat  was  in  1859,  decided  lost,  and  town  lots  declined. 
But  at  the  time  of  building  the  McGregor  &  Sioux  City  R.  R., 
and  the  Cedar  Falls  &  Minnesota  R.  R.,  property  again  revived  and 
up  went  our  present  mill,  school-houses  and  church  edifices.  But 
alas,  the  roads  missed  us,  and  confidence  in  town  lots  gave  way, 
and  their  owners  commenced  to  vacate  them,  reverting  them  back 
to  farm  lands;  the  present  town  of  lots  covers  only  about  eighty 
acres.  But,  though  thus  reduced,  Floyd  has  quite  an  extensive 
trade,  and  is  one  of  the  six  railroad  towns  in  the  county,  and  is  a 
very  pleasant  little  town  to  live  in. 

SCHOOLS,  CHURCHES,   ETC. 

The  schools  of  the  township  have  increased  in  importance  and 
we  now  have  eight,  with  a  corresponding  number  of  good  school- 
houses,  and  large  enrollment  of  scholars.  An  independent  school 
district  was  organized  March  22,  1862,  and  in  1867,  it  was  voted 
to  build  a  school-house;  a  block  of  land  was  purchased  and  O. 
Haven  contracted  with  to  build.  The  total  cost,  as  now  completed, 
$10,000.  House  accepted  in  1868.  First  school  was  taught  in 
1870.  The  house  is  conspicuous  from  all  points.  Its  belfry  is 
quite  a  good  observatory.  From  it  the  cars  can  be  seen  entering 
into  both  Floyd  and  Charles  City.  The  country  surrounding  Floyd 
at  a  great  distance  looks  like  an  exquisitely  drawn  map. 

[We  have  been  unable  to  obtain  statistics.] 

Resident  physicians:  Dr.  L.  Birney,  settled  in  1856;  Dr.  Ellis, 
also  Dr.  J.  D.  McKenzie,  in  1871-;  Drs.  Hammond,  Brown  and  Mc- 
Ewen,  were  here  temporarily. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  society  was  organized  in  1857, 
I.  D.  Rust  in  charge.  The  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1862, 
and  dedicated  Jan.  19,  1863.  The  Christians  were  organized  in 
1861,  Peter  Deyo,  preacher.  In  1870,  the  Presbyterian  church 
organized  and  built  a  house  of  worship.  Marvin  Jones  was  the 
pastor. 


FLOTD  TOWNSHIP.  809 

The  Ladies  Union  League  was  organized  in  186S,Mrs.  LM.  Merri- 
man,  President — about  100  members.  The  same  year  the  gentle- 
men organized  a  Union  League,  Otis  Haven.  President — with  about 
100  members.  Patrons  of  Husbandry  organized  in  1873,  D.C. 
Sutton,  Master.  There  have  been  organized  four  lodges  of  Good 
Templars.  The  ladies  first  union  sewing  society  organized  in 
1857;  second  sewing  society  of  the  M.E.  church  was  organized 
in  1858  and  has  been  perpetual.  It  has  earned  and  disbursed  more 
than  $1,000;  it  has  mostly  been  expended  about  the  church  and 
parsonage.  The  sewing  society  of  the  Presbyterian  church  was 
organized  by  the  ladies  in  1870.  The  Ladies'  L^nion  Temperance 
League  was  organized  in  1874,  as  was  also  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society. 

MILITARY. 

In  1861  Floyd  furnished  the  first  volunteers  for  the  war  of  the 
Kebellion — Norman  "Wolcott,  N.  R.  Rider,  "Wm.  Tottlar,  Henry 
King,  James  Baker,  P.W.  Snyder,  and  A.  IST.  Dickey.  These  seven 
young  men  were  drawn  up  in  line  jnst  before  leaving  Floyd,  and 
the  citizens  passed  them,  taking  each  by  the  hand,  and  bidding 
him  good-by.  The  act  was  simple  but  solemn.  Our  country 
was  in  danger;  and  here  were  her  defenders.  These  volunteers 
were  escorted  to  St.  Charles  by  nearly  the  whole  town  of  Floyd, 
drums  beating,  fifes  playing,  and  flags  flying.  Just  before  arriv- 
ing at  St.  Charles  we  were  met  by  a  very  large  concourse  of 
citizens  from  that  town.  It  was  just  after  dark,  and  the  flags  could 
scarcely  be  seen,  enough  however,  so  we  knew  "  our  comrades  were 
there."  Here  our  seven  volunteers  were  joined  by  seven  from  St. 
Charles,  and  after  marching  in  procession  a  little  we  were  escorted 
into  Gilbert's  H:dl.  This  hall  was  never  more  densely  packed. 
If  martial  music  were  ever  played,  the  drum  and  fife  made  music 
now.  After  order  was  somewhat  restored,  II.  Wilbur,  of  Floyd,  was 
made  cliairman  of  the  joint  meeting.  Kate  Wright  gave  an  address 
of  welcome  to  the  Flo^d  people,  after  which  numerous  speakers 
were  called  out.  There  were  no  Whigs  or  Democrats  at  this  meet- 
ing. All  were  Union  men,  and  Union  women.  Here  commenced 
the  breaking  up  of  two  great  political  parties.  A  new  issue 
presented  itself,  such  as  these  United  States  liad  never  seen  before. 
It  was  union  or  disunion,  and  every  man  arrayed  himself  on  the 
side  of  his  choice.  It  was  the  spirit  of  this  night  that  saved  the 
country.  These  joined  the  Third  Iowa  at  Cedar  Falls,  and  were 
never  accredited  either  to  St.  Charles  or  Floyd.      W.  P.    Gaylord 


810  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY, 

and  H.  Wilbur  were  app  minted  a  committee  to  get  these  several 
volunteers  accredited  to  their  own  towns,  but  in  consequence  of 
red  tape  tliis  deserved  result  was  never  obtained. 

During  these  years  Floyd  was  quite  a  military  camp.  A  com- 
pany of  infantry,  with  James  Griffith  as  Captain,  was  formed  and 
drilled  on  our  streets.  Cavair}-  men  appeared  riding  and  maneuver- 
ing, and  much  talk  was  made  in  reference  to  forming  a  company 
for  this  branch  of  the  service.  Tiie  drum  and  fife  were  heard  al- 
most every  evening,  and  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  raising  vol- 
unteers were  frequent.  At  these  meetings,  the  speakers  were 
generally  enthusiastic,  and  met  with  good  results.  Floyd  sent  out 
over  sixty  soldiers;  was  credited  by  the  authorities  with  only  about 
thirty-five.  In  consequence  of  this,  a  draft  came,  calling  for  two 
men  from  Floyd.  Rev.  Preston,  of  the  Christian  cliurch,  and  Rev. 
Wm.  Smith,  of  the  M.  E.  church  were  the  drafted  men — a  remark- 
able providence,  the  solution  of  which  is:  the  devil  overruled  the 
drawing,  but  God  overruled  the  devil  by  procuring  substitutes  for 
the  drafted  ministers.  In  1863  the  ladies  sent  off  two  large 
boxes  of  sanitary  stores  for  the  relief  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers. 
In  1864,  at  a  school  exhibition  held  in  the  M.  E.  church,  H.  Wil- 
bur, teacher,  over  $40  in  cash  was  raised  and  sent  for  the  same 
purpose.  Relief  was  also  liberally  given  to  the  Chicago  and  grass- 
hopper sufferers. 

GENERAL    HISTORY. 

From  a  few  acres  only,  tilled  in  1855,  with  the  rudest  imple- 
ments, the  people  can  now  feed  thousands   with  our  surplus  prod- 
ucts.   Instead  of  the  old-fashioned  single  or  double  shoveled  plow, 
we  now  ride  throuorh  our  corn-fields  on  our  two-horse  sulkies.     In- 
stead  of  the  square  or   a  drag  with  twenty-four    teeth,   we  now 
sweep  over  the  ground  with  our  Scotch  harrows  of  forty-two  teeth, 
or  still  more  improved  harrows  of  seventy-two  teeth.     Instead  of 
hand-sowing  our  grain,  we  now  drill,  or  sow  broadcast  with  our 
seeders.     Instead   of  the   hoe  for  planting,  we   use  the  hand  or 
horse  planter,  planting  from  five  to  twenty  acres  per  day  of  corn. 
Instead  of  McCoriiiick  or  other  old  reapers  without  rakes,  we  now 
proudly  ride  along  on  our  Little  Champions  or  other  self-rakers, 
followed  by  a  quarter  score  of  binders;  or,  prouder  still,  we  mount 
our  harvesters,  taking  our  two  binders  with   us,  working  in  the 
shade.     Or,  another  step  in  advance,  goes  the  man  with  his  team, 
reaping  and  binding  alone,  while  others,  with  their  headers,  cut  and 


FLOYD    TOWKSHIP.  811 

stack  their  grain  the  same  day.  We  now  ride  leisurely  along  on 
our  raovfers,  cracking  our  whips  at  the  dandelion  heads,  followed 
by  the  strippling  of  the  West,  perched  on  his  horse  rake. 

Previous  to  1857  there  was  no  resting  place  for  the  dead,  and  a 
temporary  organization  of  the  people  was  formed,  and  the  follow- 
ing Board  of  Trustees  was  elected:  I.  D.  Rust,  James  Griffith, 
Chester  Butterfield,  H.  M.  Nye  and  G.  N.  Miner,  who  were  to 
select  a  place  for,  and  cause  to  be  laid  out,  suitable  grounds  for  a 
cemetery.  These  trustees  selected  a  part  of  the  northwest  quarter 
of  the  sonthwest  quarter  of  section  22,  township  96,  range  16, 
being  four  acres  and  sixty-nine  and  three-fourths  square  feet  ot 
ground. 

This  ground  they  purchased  by  note  of  H.  M.  Nye,  expecting  to 
pay  said  notes  by  funds  to  be  raised  by  sale  of  lots.  Said  ground 
was  laid  out  into  lots  by  J.  G.  Shoemaker,  surveyor,  and  lots  were 
sold  at  public  auction,  when  only  enough  was  raised  to  pay  the  cost 
of  surveying,  and  nothing  was  left  to  pay  on  the  note.  But  few 
deaths  occurring,  and  no  one  seeming  to  have  money  to  pur- 
chase lots  in  advance  of  death,  the  payment  of  the  note  and  interest 
was  delayed  until  the  holder  thereof  became  anxious  for  his  pay. 
Thus  matters  continued  until  1862,  when  Chester  Butterfield,  L. 
G.  Burroughs,  J.  AV.  Burroughs,  Jacob  Whitbeck,  Wm.  Montgom- 
ery, Wilder  Butterfield,  S.  A.  Quinby,  Silas  Smith,  H.  M.  Nye, 
Joseph  Monson,  L.  K.  Lee  and  H.Wilbur  assumed  the  contract,  paid 
the  debt,  and  became  sole  proprietors  of  all  unsold  lots.  L.  G. 
Burroughs  was  the  first  President;  II.  Wilbur,  Secretary.  This 
company  caused  a  plat  of  the  ground  to  be  recorded,  and  sales  are 
now  made  by  lots,  the  company  giving  deeds  therefor.  That  Floyd 
is  not  exempt  from  death,  is  evidenced  by  the  number  of  monu- 
ments and  mounds  raised  there  to  mark  the  eleeping  place  of  dear 
ones  departed.  All  these  mounds  and  monuments  have  been  raised 
during  and  since  1857.  That  death  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  age 
or  sect,  is  apparent  from  the  great  variety  in  size  of  these  sleeping 
abodes,  and  of  the  names  and  ages  of  their  respective  occupants. 
Comparing  the  living  with  the  dead,  Floyd  is  at  least  as  healthy  as 
any  of  her  surrounding  townships.  In  proportion  to  present  pop- 
ulation, 1  venture  to  say  more  old  settlers  remain  in  Floyd  than  in 
any  other  township  in  the  county. 

By  a  vote  to  move  the  court-house  site  from  St.  Charles  to  the 
geographical  center,  taken  April  5,  1858,  there  were,  for  removing, 
453  votes;  against  removing,  -131:  votes;  giving  nineteen  majority 


812  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

or  removal.  Judge  Ripley  was  County  Judge,  and  Silas  Smith  wa& 
both  Treasurer  and  iiecorder.  Soon  after  this  vote,  Judge  Ripley 
ordered  the  county  records  to  be  moved  to  FJojd.  As  there  were 
DO  buildings  at  this  time  at  the  center,  it  became  proper  for  the 
county  judge  to  designate  a  place  for  a  temporary  court-house- 
Floyd  was  so  designated  and  a  portion  of  the  records  moved  here 
and  recording  done.  But,  before  our  people  became  fledglings,  an 
injunction  was  served  on  the  county  judge,  not  to  remove  any  more 
books  to  Floyd,  and  commanding  him  to  return  those  already  there. 
The  injunction  was  quashed,  but  by  some  "  hook  or  crook,"  the 
matter  was  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court,  and  decided  against  the 
removal  of  the  site  in  1859. 

Thus  was  the  "  cup  of  joy"  forever  dashed  from  the  lips  of  Floyd 
Township.  Could  the  people  of  St.  Charles  blame  the  people  of 
Floyd  for  feeling  very,  very  sore  over  this?  As  an  immediate  course 
of  rejoicing,  and  before  the  controversy  was  ended,  a  Fourth  of 
July  celebration  at  the  geogra])hical  center  was  determined  on  by 
those  friendly  to  the  removal.  Those  opposed  celebrated  at  St. 
Charles.  Bel'ore  the  vote  was  ta'ken  to  remove,  a  sharp  controversy 
had  been  carried  on  through  the  newspapers,  by  W.  P.  Gaylord  in 
favor,  and  some  St.  Charles  man  against  it,  the  St.  Charles 
man  alleging  the  soil  to  be  so  poor  and  wet  at  the  center,  that 
nothing  but  turnips  could  be  raised  there.  Nevertheless,  prepara- 
tions for  the  celebration  at  the  center  went  on  enthusiastically. 
The  center  of  the  county  was  mathematically  determined,  and  a 
'nice  liberty  pole  was  visible  from  a  spot  in  the  Rudd  road,  west  of 
Floyd,  for  quite  a  number  of  years,  or  until  the  farmer  routed  it  to 
make  room  for  his  breaking  plow.  The  4th  of  July,  1858,  earner 
and  the  people  of  Floyd  were  ready  for  the  occasion.  Silas  Smith 
and  J.  P.  Webster  acted  as  marshals  for  Floyd.  Two  lumber  wag- 
ons coupled  together  as  one,  with  seats  all  around  facing  inward, 
with  graceful  boughs  intertwined,  made  a  most  luxurious  palace 
for  its  inmates.  To  this  grand  car  were  attached  ten  yoke  of  oxen 
guided  by  drivers  who  knew  how  to  run  a  twenty-four  or  thirty- 
inch  breaking  plow.  Next  to  this  was  one  double  wagon  seated 
and  furnished  with  trimmings  the  same  as  the  first,  and  to  which 
was  attaclied  five  yoke  of  oxen  guided  by  equally  efiicient  drivers. 
Next  this,  horses  and  footmen,  horses  and  carriages  completing  the 
procession.  To  a  greenhorn  the  scene  was  really  exciting.  The 
crack,  crack  of  the  whip;  the  gee,  haw,  come  along  Bright,  Buck 
and  Berry,  Duke  and  Dime,  were  really  amusing  as  well  as  exciting. 


FLOYD    TOWNSHIP.  813 

Not  far  out  from  Floyd  a  rattle-snake  was  caught,  and  Jack 
Croft  took  itby  the  nape  of  the  neck  with  one  hand  and  by  the  tail 
with  the  other,  and  passed  it  between  his  teeth,  chonking  it  as  it 
passed  through.  Next,  a  stripped  gopher  was  caught  and  thrown 
into  the  large  wagon  alive,  just  to  amuse  the  ladies.  Arriving  at 
the  Big  Slough — it  showed  its  correct  name,  and  ladies  and  gentle- 
men had  to  come  down  to  terra  Urma  and  pass  over  the  slough  on 
a  temporary  brush  and  limb  bridge.  There  was  not  a  fence  or 
a  house  between  Floyd  and  the  center.  It  looked  like  going  out  to 
sea  in  a  great  meadow.  Arriving  at  the  center  we  were  lustily 
cheered  by  West-siders  who  had  already  arrived.  We  marched  a 
few  times  around  tliepole,until  the  whole  ox-cavalcade  was  formed 
in  procession,  and  then  we  wended  our  way  to  the  grove  near 
Sprague's,  where  arrangements  had  been  made  for  speaking. 
Judge  Ball  read  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  W.  P.  Gay- 
lord  was  orator.  I.  D.  Rust,  of  Floyd,  was  chaplain,  and  Smith 
and  Webster,  marshals  of  the  day. 

After  the  vote,  moving  the  county  seat  to  the  geographical  cen- 
ter, it  became  a  matter  of  political  importance  who  should  be  the 
next  county  judge.  In  1859  the  Republicans  nominated  Judge 
Ripley,  and  the  Democrats  nominated  D.ivid  Wiltse,  of  St. 
Charles,  who  pledged  himself  as  being  opposed  to  St.  Charles  be- 
ing the  county-seat,  that  if  elected  he  would  put  a  roof  on  the  stone 
structure  already  reared  to  preserve  it,  and  wait  further  develop- 
ments before  completing  it.  This  bait  the  Democrats  swallowed 
as  a  party,  hoping  thereby  to  elect  their  ticket.  The  Republicans 
in  favor  of  St.  Charles  also  swallowed  it,  and  with  perliaps  another 
secretly  tendered  promise  in  regard  to  finishing  up  the  Court 
House,  and  they  voted  almost  solidly  for  Wiltse,  who  was  elected  ; 
and  contrary  to  his  pledge,  contracted  for  the  completion  of  the 
court-house.  Tliis  act  was  the  occasion  of  a  raid  upon  the  court- 
house. The  people  feeling  indignant,  many  informal  indigna- 
tion meetings  were  held,  and  by  concert,  many  of  the  disaffected 
people  determined  to  visit  St.  Charles,  and  there  give  vent  to  their 
pent-up  feelings.  Floyd  Township,  though  not  unanimous  in 
this  move,  acted  voluntarily  with  a  majority  of  her  voters  in  this 
matter.  The  citizens  met  in  the  then  would-be  court  house,  and 
appointed  a  committee  to  wait  on  Judge  Wiltse  and  invite  him  to 
come  over  and  explain  his  conduct.     He    was    sick  and  could  not 


814  HISTORY  OF  FLOID  COUNTY. 

come.    This  seemed  to  be  the  cuhnination  of  the  entire  county-seat 
business. 

The  vote  to  raise  a  tax  of  five  cents  on  the  dollar  to  assist  in  build- 
ing the  Cedar  Falls  &  Minnesota  Railroad,  was  taken  and  carried 
Oct.  29,  1868,  and  the  cars  reached  the  Floyd  depot  on  that  road 
in  the  fall  of  1869.  Of  this  road  5  35-100  miles  lie  in  this  town- 
ship, and  4  25-100  of  the  McGregor  &  Sioux  City  Road.  On  this 
last  road  the  cars  also  ran  to  Floyd  Crossing  in  1869.  Previous 
to  this  our  commerce  was  carried  by  wagons  across  the  Wapsie  to 
McGregor  or  down  the  Cedar  to  Dubuque.  Thomas  Sprague's 
four-mule  team  carried  everybody  between  these  two  points. 
No  bridges,  no  roads  anywhere.  It  is  doubtful  if  even  a  minister 
could  pass  over  either  of  these  roads  without  thinking  of  the  bad. 
We  had  no  home  markets  except  to  settlers  coming  in.  How  we  lived 
in  those  olden  times  is  a  mystery.  Prices  low,  roads  bad,  no  market. 
In  the  summer  of  1858  no  grain  or  flour  could  be  bought  nearer 
than  Clermont  Mills,  down  toward  McGregor.  Musty  corn  was 
worth  $1.00  per  bushel  in  Charles  City.  Now,  how  changed! 
Market  for  everything  and  at  each  man's  door.  The  people  of 
Floyd  can  now  reach  the  following  depots,  going  and  returning  in 
one  day:  Osage,  Orchard,  Floyd,  Charles  City,  Nashua,  Marble 
Rock,  Rockford,  Nora  Springs  and  Rudd.  Instead  of  oak  and 
basswood  for  lumber  for  building  material,  as  in  former  days,  we 
have  pine  brought  to  every  depot,  and  sold  at  reasonable  rates. 
The  old  steam  and  water  saw-mills  have  ceased  their  depredations 
on  our  forests,  and  the  old- worn  fence  is  giving  place  to  boards  and 
wire.  Instead  of  the  log  cabins  or  mere  huts,  and  the  down 
stables,  new  houses  are  being  erected  of  stone,  brick  or  pine,  and 
barns  of  formidable  dimensions  are  being  erected  of  the  same 
materials.  Instead  of  bee-lining  across  the  township  and  wad- 
ing through  sloughs,  the  traveler  finds  well-worked  roads,  carefully 
located  for  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants,  and  instead  of  ford- 
ing our  streams,  we  pass  them  over  good,  substantial  bridges. 

Two  heavy  freshets  have  visited  Floyd,  one  of  which  caused  the 
water  of  the  Cedar  to  rise  over  thirty  feet ;  this  occurred  in  1858- 
Other  freshets  have  occurred  since,  but  of  less  magnitude.  Every 
bridge  was  swept  away  by  this  one. 

This  year  also  occurred  a  very  destructive  storm  of  wind,  rain 
and  thunder  and  lightning — at  night.  The  morning  showed  the 
effects  of  the  damage  to  be  great,  though  no  lives  were  lost. 
Housea   were  moved  from  their  underpinning,  school  houses  and 


FLOYD    TOWNSHIP.  ,  815 

private  houses  unroofed,  fences  pro3trated,  and  a  general  time  of 
diBcorafort  felt.  Add  to  this  poor  crops  this  year,  and  you  may 
guess  our  situation. 

The  big  spring,  a  little  way  below  the  Floyd  Mill  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river,  is  a  natural  curiosity.  Quite  a  large  stream  of 
water  abruptly  bursts  forth  from  under  a  high  embankment.  This 
water  is  impregnated  wiih  some  kind  of  naitieral,  and  should  some 
enterprising  Yankee  become  its  owner,  he  would  undoubtedly  make 
it  historical  as  a  summer  resort.  Still  further  up  from  the  same 
mill  and  on  the  same  side  of  the  river  on  B.  B.  Van  Steenburg's 
flat  is  another  beautiful  spring.  This  spring  is  almost  in  the 
center  of  a  small  rivulet  which  flows  into  the  Cedar,  and  is  con- 
stantly boiling  up  like  a  huge  cauldron  of  heated  syrup.  The  water 
however  is  clear  as  crystal  and  pleasant  to  the  taste.  This  spring 
is  already  somewhat  notorious  as  the  resort  of  pleasure  parties. 
Being  close  to  the  river  and  in  the  timber,  boating,  swinging,  eating 
and  gossiping  can  all  be  done  in  due  order.  Another  phenome- 
non in  this  township  is  the  flnding  of  animal  and  vegetable  remains 
many  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  ground  when  digging  wells. 
Moses  Conger,  Esq.,  when  digging  for  water  on  the  premises  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  Xeil  Olesm  Seira  Esq.,  found  at  the  dis- 
tance of  about  twenty  feet  below  the  surface  a  stick  of  timber  about 
six  inches  in  diameter  and  reaching  clear  across  the  excavation. 
It  was  so  nearly  petrified  that  the  kind  of  wood  could  not  be  ascer- 
tained. James  Burnham,  in  digging  a  well  on  the  Clark  farm, 
near  Floyd  village,  found  vegetable  remains,  such  as  limbs  of  trees 
several  feet  below  the  surface.  James  Raymond,  Sr.,  living  about 
four  miles  northwest  from  the  village,  found  large  quantities  of 
petrified  matter,  while  digging  a  well.  One  piece  had  the  appearance 
of  a  black  walnut,  another  had  the  form  of  a  quill,  another  appeared 
to  be  a  large  sized  turtle;  there  were  also  many  pieces  of  petrified 
wood.     Query,  whence  and  how  came  they  here? 

A    FRIGHTFUL   ACCIDKNT. 

As  W.  E.  Brill  was  crossing  the  I.  C.  R.  K  about  half  a  mile 
south  of  the  depot,  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  Feb.  13,  1874-,  he 
was  struck  by  a  passing  train,  the  approach  of  which  he  was  not 
aware  of,  owing  to  the  sudden  bend  in  the  road,  and  to  the  fact 
that  it  was  two  hours  past  the  time  for  the  train  to  be  due.  The 
horses  had  just  crossed  the  track,  and  the  engine  struck  the  sled 
50 


816  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

about  the  middle,  literally  smashing  it  to  fragments,  and  precipitat- 
ing its  occupant  to  a  distance  of  seventj-five  or  a  hundred  feet. 
Mr.  Brill  was  ssriouslj  injured.  The  train  was  8t)pped  and  the 
unfortunate  man  taken  up  in  an  unconcious  condition  and  carried 
to  the  depot. 

CASUALTIES. 

April  27,  1858,  John  Wyman  was  upset  in  a  skiff  and  drowned 
in  the  Cedar  under  the  dam  a  short  distance  below  Floyd. 

In  April,  1879,  on  the  premises  of  J,  W.  Webster,  a  colt 
was  born  which  seemed  to  be  perfect  in  all  respects  except  that 
it  had  no  fore-legs  or  shoulders,  and  no  sign  of  any.  It  did 
not  live  and  the  carcass  was  taken  to  W.  A.  Fairbanks,  a 
taxidermist  of  Charles  City,  to  be  skinn.^d  and  mounted.  The 
task  was  neatly  done,  and  this  singular  freak  of  nature  was  thus 
preserved  as  a  wonder  to  all  observers  of  biological  phenomena. 

May  28,  1858,  at  Floyd,  three  men  were  drowned  in  the  Cedar 
River.  They  were  engaged  in  the  stone  quarry  at  that  place,  had 
finished  work  for  the  day,  and  were  crossing  the  river  in  a  skiff,  to 
their  boarding  place,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Griffith.  When  near  the 
middle  of  the  stream  the  strong  current,  with  the  wind,  upset  the 
skiff,  and  Mr.  Griffith  alone  escaped  drowning.  The  name  of  one 
was  John  Carroll. 

Aug.  13,  1858,  Mr,  Cottrell,  a  stranger  from  New  York,  was 
drowned  near  Floyd.  His  boat  struck  a  bridge  pier  and  threw 
him  out. 

July  30,  1858,  at  Floyd,  a  terrible  tornado  and  thunder-storm  occur- 
red, demolishing  half  a  dozen  buildings.  Mr.  Welch's  family  suf- 
fered considerable  injury.  About  forty  acres  of  timber  was  blown 
down,  and  fields  of  corn,  o.its  and  wheat  were  prostrated,  and  al- 
most entirely  ruined. 

In  June,  1861,  Mrs.  Alice  C.  Haley,  of  Floyd,  in  a  freak  of  in- 
sanity attempted  to  chop  off  her  husband's  head  with  an  ax  while 
he  was  sleeping  on  a  lounge.  She  missed  his  throat  and  iiit  his 
skull  a  blow,  which  in  a  few  days  proved  fatal.  She  was  taken  to 
the  insane  asylum  at  Mount  Pleasant,  from  there  to  Wisconsin, 
and  died  with  her  friends. 

In  1865  Mr.  Henry  Webster  had  a  little  girl  burned  to  death. 
Both  parents  were  from  home,  and  the  fire  caught  in  the  little 
one's  clothes. 


FLOYD   TOWNSHIP.  817 

On  the  3d  da}'  of  March,  I860,  Patrick  Burns  was  killed  in 
Floyd  Township  by  a  falling  tree. 

In  July,  1865,  two  little  boys,  seven  and  tive  years  of  age,  sons 
of  Win.  Galbraith,  while  out  after  cows,  a  severe  storm  coming  on 
the  cows  ran  in  an  opposite  direction,  and  the  little  fellows  got  lost 
and  were  compelled  to  stay  out  all  night.  In  the  morning  several 
persons  started  on  horseback  to  find  the  children,  whom  they 
soon  met  coming  home.     They  bivouacked  oq  a  gopher's  hill. 

On  the  3d  day  of  March,  1867,  a  daughter  af  Stephen  Huntley, 
aged  eight  years,  wa3  burned  to  death  at  Floyd. 

On  the  8th  day  of  March,  1867,  a  daughter  of  F.  Dale,  aged 
four  years,  was  burned  to  death  at  Floyd. 

On  the  4th  day  of  July,  1868,  Jacob  "Whitbeck  was  drowned 
while  bathing  in  a  pond  near  his  father's  residence  in  Floyd 
Township. 

July  17,  1868,  a  young  German  of  considerable  means,  but 
unable  to  understand, 'English,  was  binding  wheat  for  C.  P.  Bur- 
roughs, near  Floyd,  in  the  afternoon,  when  he  sufiered  a  fatal  sun- 
stroke, lie  was  told  not  to  work  so  hard,'  but  it  was  thought  that 
he  misinterpreted  the  warning  and  supposed  he  was  urged  to  do 
more. 

July  24, 1869,  Henry  W.  Cunningham  and  wife,  a  mile  and  a 
half  north  of  Floyd,  were  killed  by  a  stroke  of  lightning  during 
the  night  while  they  were  in  bed.  Theodore  Cunningham  the  only 
other  person  in'the  house,  was  stunned.  The  remains  of  the  de- 
ceased young  couple,  clad  in  their  wedding  garments,  were  hur- 
ried in  the  cemetery  at  Charles  City. 

Feb.  10,  1872,  a  most  disastrous  fire  occurred  in  this  county  near 
Watertown.  On  the  night  of  that  date  both  the  dwelling-house 
and  the  barn  of  J.  G.  Thompson  were  entirely  consumed  by  fire, 
with  nearly  all  the  contents.  Five  valuable  horses  were  a  part  of 
the  loss  in  the  barn.  Total  loss  nearly  $10,000;  insurance  $5,000. 
Origin  of  fire,  possibly  sparks  from  the  chimney  falling  upon 
straw  on  the  ground. 

John  Sharky,  son  of  Philip  Sharkey,  of  Floyd,  supposed  to  have 
committed  suicide  by  cutting  his  throat,  was  found  in  the  river  near 
Floyd  on  the  4th  day  of  May,  1873,  after  the  body  had  lain  under 
the  ice  for  four  months. 

July  16,  1878,  a  three-year-old  girl  of  Mr.  Holland's,  the 
section  boss  at  Floyd,  was  missed,  and  search  was  made  all  night  by 
some  forty  or  fifty  persons,  and  about  six  a.  m.  she  was  found  by 


818  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Charlie  Hoord,  weeping  bitterly,  chilled  and  cold,  being  thinly  clad,^ 
and  without  shoes,  hose  or  bonnet. 

Nov.  15,  1878,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  immense 
barn  on  the  farm  of  J.  G.  Thompson,  section  28,  was  discovered 
to  be  in  flames,  which  were  too  far  advanced  to  be  extinguished. 
Six  horses,  900  bushels  of  oats,  460  bushels  of  wheat,  a  large  quan- 
tity of  hay  and  twenty-four  tine  hogs  were  all  consumed.  Among 
the  horses  was  one  of  the  tinest  stallions  in  the  county.  Fire  sup* 
posed  to  be  incendiary.  Insurance  to  cover  only  a  third  of  the 
loss.  Mr.  Thompson  had  before  this  suffered  a  number  of  similar 
misfortunes. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

In  February,  1858,  the  first  bridge  was  constructed  of  wood  over 
the  Cedar  River  at  Floyd,  but  in  March,  1859,  was  swept  away  be- 
fore being  completed.     This  bridge  was  a  private  enterprise. 

In  1868  the  county  erected  a  bridge  over  the  Cedar  at  Floyd,  a 
part  of  which  went  out  in  March,  1869.  It  was  rebuilt  and  went 
out  again  in  September  of  the  same  year.  Erected  a  combination 
bridge  of  iron  and  wood  across  the  Cedar  Kiver  at  Floyd  in  1875. 

In  1857  every  vote  cast  in  Floyd  Township  at  the  June  election 
was  Democratic. 

July  4,  1860,  a  fine  Sunday-school  celebration  at  Floyd,  vvhea 
Hon.  Oran  Faville,  of  Mitchell,  delivered  the  oration. 

TOWNSHIP    OFFICIALS. 

The  following  persons  have  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace: 
Chester  Butterfield,  E.  W.  Jones,  H.  Wilbur,  Henry  R.  Hubbard,. 
James  Raymond,  Lebeus  Barnes,  Alden  Flint,  O.  Haven,   E.  H. 
Morrison,  G.  B.   White,  L.   H.   Waterbury,  A.   P.   Seaton,  Wm. 
Sprague. 

Assessors  since  1856,  have  been:  Wm.  A.  Cooley,  Alden  Flint,  J. 
W.  Dawley,  James  Raymond,  M.  G.  Cook,  Wm.  Sprague,  Joseph 
Manson,  G.  B.  White,  P.  Sharkey,  J.  W.  Webster,  A.  Laban,  O. 
H.  Fluent,  M.  H.  Curry,  John  Clark. 

Township  Clerks  have  been:  Joseph  Manson,  Wm.  Sprague,  R. 
P.  Jackman,  Otis  Haven,  E.  S.  Thomas,  I.  M.  Merriman,  A.  S. 
Griffith. 

Trustees  since  1856:  James  Griffith,  Lewis  Birney,  Henry  R.  Hub- 
bard, John  Richardson,  N.  A.  Rice,  R.  P.. Jackman,  G.  B.  White, 
Geo.  E.  Raymond,   James   Coley,  B.  B.  Van   Steenburg,  Samuel 


FLOYD   TOWNSHIP.  819 

Clark,  Geo.  E.  Smith,  E.  H.  Morrison,  Alden  Flint,  Jesse  Ed- 
wards, J,  N.  Monti^omery,  S.  C.  Pnrdy,  O.  Haven,  J.  W.  Webster, 
Wm.  Hansberg,  A.  B.  Lanphire,  C.  Biitterfield,  L.  Cunninoham. 
Harris  Qiiinbj,  Moses  Stewart,  Jr.,  J.  H.  Benedict,  Win.  Morse, 
A.  M.  Cunningham,  A.  Loban,  Jerry  Butterfield,  P.  Sharkey,  A. 
Fowles,  Thomas  Martin,  Wm.  Morse,  Jesse  Edwards,  N.  A.  Rice, 
O.  H.  Fluent,  A.  H.  Merriman,  W.  Raymond,  A.  M.  Cunningham. 
Constables  have  been  R.  H.  Hubbard,  Henry  Tatum,  Wm.  Carl, 
James  Montgomery,  Coleman  Bumgardner,  I.  K.  Lee,  P.  Sharkey, 
P.  D.  Larabee,  James  Raymond,  Jr.,  H.  M.  Brown,  C.  P.  Collins, 
Andrew  Rice,  Wm.  L.  Dayton,  Wm.  Morse,  N.  M.  Wolcott,  V. 
R.  Rider,  L.  M.  Fluent,  Benj.  Smith,  J.  R.  Rider,  Sidney  Stick- 
ney,  Jas.  Raymond,  Lucius  Cole,  R.  J.  Rankin,  A.  J,  Harwood, 
John  Snyder,  Wm.  Smith,  Levi  Moon,  Geo.  F.  Seaton,  R.  J.  Ran- 
kin, C.  B.  Crosby. 

BrOGRAPHICAL. 

Edward  G.  Beattie^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  23,  Floyd 
Township,  was  born  in  Canada  West,  Dec.  20,  1837.  His  father, 
Edward  Beattie,  was  of  Scotch  descent.  In  1846  his  father 
brought  his  family  to  >Lake  Count}',  111.,  and  to  this  township 
in  1854,  where  the  family  still  reside.  His  father  died  Jan. 
8,  1873.  He  owns  150  acres  of  well-improved  land.  He  was  mar- 
ried, Jan.  5,  1863,  to  Elizabeth  Saltsgiver.  Of  their  seven  children, 
four  are  living — William,  Lewis,  Rosa  and  an  infant  girl. 

Lewis  Birney,  M.  Z>.,  born  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  1,  1823, 
is  a  son  of  James  Birney,  a  native  of  England,  who  died  when 
Lewis  was  quite  small.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
town,  attending  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  To- 
ronto, Can.,  in  1850-'51,  graduating  in  1851;  also  graduated  from 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  at  Keokuk,  la.,  in  1878.  He 
commenced  to  practice  in  1851  in  Canada.  He  moved  to  Garden 
Prairie,  111.,  in  the  spring  of  1856,  and  came  here  the  following 
fall.  He  is  the  pioneer  physician  of  the  county;  had  a  large  terri- 
tory to  practice  in;  was  frequently  called  to  go  forty  and  lifty  miles. 
He  has  a  large  practice;  is  a  very  skillful  surgeon.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  order.  He  was  married  April  27,  1846,  to 
Mary  M.  Ferris.  Of  their  seven  children,  six  are  living — Clarius 
C,  Varriness  C,  Matilda  A..  Catharine  M.,  Erasmus  L.  andCelia 
J.     The  three  sons  are  all  practicing  medicine;  one  daughter,  Ma- 


820  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

tilda  A.,  also  practiced  medicine  a  short  time.  She  is  now  the  wife 
L.  A.  Snow.  Mrs.  Birney's  father,  Hiram  Ferris,  was  born  in  New 
York  State  in  1801,  and  her  mother  in  Canada  in  1808. 

William  E.  Brill,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  22,  Floyd 
Township,  is  a  native  of  New  York  State,  born  Dec.  14,  1834.  His 
father,  Nelson  Brill,  is  a  nati\{e  of  Pennsylvania,  who  moved  to 
Kenosha  County,  Wis.,  in  1838,  and  to  Sauk  County,  Wis.,  in  1846. 
He  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  in  1867.  He  was  married  in  1859 
to  Eliza  Degolia.  They  had  oije  child — Charles.  Mrs.  Brill  died 
and  in  1865  he  married  Jeanette  Richmond,  born  in  Erie  County. 
Pa.     He  deals  in  wood  and  timber. 

Bushnell  K.  Bronson,  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  20, 

1819,  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Bronson,  of  Connecticut.  He  was  educated 
in  the  Genesee  College,  N.  Y. :  came  to  Maquoketa  City,  la.,  in 
1854;  in  1855  he  and  his  brother,  Jas.  A.  Bronson,  laid  out  the 
town  of  Wyoming,  in  Jones  County,  la.  He  built  several  large 
brick  blocks  therg.  He  came  to  Floyd  County  in  1867.  He  went 
to  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  in  1874  to  educate  his  children.  His  son, 
Thomas  B.,  graduated  there  in  1879,  and  is  now  Professor  of  An- 
cient and  Modern  Languages  in  the  Michigan  Military  Academy 
at  Orchard  Lake,  Mich.  Mr.  Bronson  was  married  in  December, 
1857,  to  Martha  A.  Stone.  Of  their  four  children  three  are  living, 
Thos.  B.,  May,  and  Christina.  Sidney  L.  died  at  the  age  of  four 
years. 

Hartford  M.  Brown,  born  in  Franklin  County,  Yt.,  Jan,  10, 

1820,  is  a  son  of  Prisson  Brown,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  who 
went  to  California  in  1850.  In  1833  Hartford  M.  Brown  went  to 
La  Porte  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1835  to  McHenry  County,  111.  In 
1852  he  came  to  this  county,  before  the  land  was  surveyed  west  of 
Floyd  Township.  Indians,  buffaloes,  elk,  deer,  and  bears  roamed 
over  the  prairie.  He  saw  thirty  or  forty  deer  in  one  drove.  He 
was  married  April  16,  1847,  to  Lovina  A.  Brown.  Of  their  ten 
children,  four  are  living — Minerva,  Malinda,  Mary  and  Luella. 
He  has  served  as  Constable  two  years.  They  are  members  of  the 
Christian  church. 

Abraham  Butler,  burn  in  Muskingum  County,  O.,  Feb.  12, 
1.812,  is  a  son  of  Absalom  Butler,  a  native  of  Maryland.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  limited  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  went  to  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  in  1855,  and  came 
here  in  the  fall  of  1860,  and  settled  on  section  23,  Floyd  Town- 
ship, where  he  now  resides.     He  owns  160  acres  of  well-improved 


FLOYD  TOWNSHIP.  821 

land  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  Tie  is,  a  carpen- 
ter and  joiner  by  trade;  also  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  cabi- 
net-maker's trade.  He  was  married  May  8,  1836,  to  Mary  Blunt, 
danghter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Blunt.  Of  their  eleven  children 
only  seven  are  living— Elizab3th,  Mary  E.,Am;mla,  James, George 
W.,  Louisa,  and  John.  Two  daugiiters,  Martha  and  Matilda,  died 
at  the  ages  of  thirty-three  and  twenty-one  j^ears,  respectively. 

John  Clarke^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  20,  Floyd  Township, 
was  born  in  Leicestershire,  England,  April  26,  1844.  He  is  a  son 
of  Samuel  Clarke,  a  native  of  England,  who  came  with  his  iamily 
to  America,  and  settled  in  Lake  County,  111.,  in  1848.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  in  the  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity, at  Evanston,  111.  During  the  late  war,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany H,  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  served  fourteen  month?, 
when  he  was  wounded  and  discharged.  Jan.  1,  1869,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Green.  They  have  five  children — Nellie,  Hepsy, 
Willie,  Merton  and  Perry.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1877.  He 
has  been  Assessor  the  past  three  years. 

James  Coley^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  34,  Floyd,  was 
born  in  Franklin  County,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  23,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of 
David  Coley,  a  native  of  Dutchess  County.  He  graduated  in  1846 
from  the  New  York  State  Normal  School,  at  Albany.  He  taug  it 
in  Oxford  and  Oswego  academies,  N.  Y.  In  March,  1855,  he  came 
to  this  county;  was  the  first  settler  on  the  prairie  northwest  of 
Charles  City,  and  plowed  the  first  furrow.  He  was  married  in 
1854  to  Rosalie  M.  Willoughby,  who  died  in  1862.  Of  their  chil- 
dren two  are  living — Ellen  and  Amy.  He  was  Township  Trustee 
six  years,  President  of  the  School  Board  four  years,  and  was 
elected  County  Surveyor,  but  declined  to  serve. 

Jesse  Edwards^  born  in  Huntingdon  County,  Penn.,  Sejit.  26, 
1828,  is  a  son  of  Joshua  Edwards,  a  native  of  the  same  State.  He 
came  to  Iowa  in  1854,  first  going  to  Dubuque  County,  and  in  1856 
coming  to  this  county.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  when 
twenty  years  of  age,  and  has  always  followed  that  occupation.  He 
built  most  of  the  houses  in  Floyd;  also  built  the  flour-mill  here.  He 
was  married  in  October,  1856,  to  Maria  A.  Magill.  Of  their  two 
children  only  one  is  living — Jennie.  Mrs.  E^dwards  died  in  1863, 
and  Oct.  31,  1866,  he  married  Mrs.  A.  E.  Buckley ;  theyhaveone 
child — Myrtle.  He  has  been  County  Trustee  three  terms,  and 
on  the  School  Board  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church. 


822  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Albert  S.  Griffith  was  born  Oct.  26,  1^36,  in  Chagrin  Falls,  a 
mile  and  a  half  from  the  birthplace  of  Garfield,  attending  the  same 
church  with  him  when  a  boy,  and  being  personally  acquainted 
with  him.  He  went  with  his  parents  to  Kane  County,  III.,  in 
1850;  to  McHenry  County,  111.,  in  1851,  and  came  to  this  county 
in  1853  and  settled  in  Hock  Grove.  In  1859  he  went  to  Arkansas, 
and  in  1860  to  Louisa,  Ky. ;  from  there  to  Indiana  and  sold  fruit 
trees  around  Winchester  ;  then  went  to  Indianapolis  and  secured  a 
position  in  the  Commissary  Department,  but  soon  after  joined  the 
Eighteenth  Indiana  Regimental  Band  and  served  one  year.  In 
1862  he  went  to  Helena,  Ark.;  January,  1863,  came  back  to  this 
county  ;  June,  1863,  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  and  in  October  of  1863 
came  back  to  this  county.  In  the  fall  of  1863  he  went  to  Osage 
and  ran  the  Monitor  House  one  year  ;  then  returned  to  Floyd  and 
ran  the  hotel  here  one  year.  In  the  spring  of  1866  moved  to 
Nebraska;  peddled  groceries  and  provisions  to  the  hands  on  the 
U.  P.  R.  R.,  when  it  was  building  ;  in  the  fall  of  1866  returned  to 
Floyd  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business;  in  a  few  years  sold 
out  and  bought  an  interest  in  the  flour-mill  now  owned  by  Haven, 
GrifiBth  &  Harwood  ;  in  1874  resumed  the  mercantile  business  in 
■which  he  is  doing  well;  keeps  a  full  line  of  general  stock.  He  was 
married  Nov.  1,  1863,  to  Mary  A.  Rice,  daughter  of  Andrew  Rice, 
now  of  Mitchell  County,  Kas.  Thej'  have  two  children — Lillian 
E.  and  Clarance  H.  Mr.  Griffith's  father,  James  Griffith,  was  born 
in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  N.  Y.,  and  moved  to  Illinois  in  1850, 
and  to  this  county  in  1853,  where  he  entered  700  acres  of  land  for 
himself  and  others.  At  that  time  the  nearest  postoffice  was 
Bradford,  thirty  miles  distant.  He  married  Abiah  Storr,  They 
had  nine  children,  six  grew  to  be  men  and  women — Harriet  L., 
Henry  L.,  Sarah  J.,  Albert  S.,  Almira  M.,  and  Elizabeth  M.  (now 
deceased). 

Henry  Irwram,  born  in  County  Derry,  Ireland,  June  4,  1811,  is 
a  son  of  William  Ingram,  a  native  of  Cambridgeshire,  England, 
who  was  an  officer  of  the  English  army,  and  died  when  Henry 
was  but  seven  months  old.  He  came  to  Atnerica,  going  first  to 
Vermont  in  1830;  from  there,  in  1847,  to  Massachusetts;  in  1852 
went  to  California,  and  in  July,  1853,  back  to  Massachusetts.  In 
1854  he  came  to  this  county.  He  was  married  in  1834  to  Ann 
Sharkey.  They  have  six  children — Mary  A.,  Ellen,  Margaret, 
Jane,  Sarah  and  Lizzie.     Mrs.   Ingram  died  Sept.  21,  1880.     The 


FLOYD  TOWNSHIP.  823 

family  are  members  of  the  Catholic,  church.     He  is  a   member  of 
the  Alliance,  also  of  the  Mutual  Insurance  Compau}-. 

Alfred  C.  Judsoii,  born  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  Marcii  27, 
1845,  is  a  son  of  Tarsus  Judson,  a  native  of  New  York,  and  now 
a  resident  of  Floyd,  a^ed  seventy-eight  years.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  Ogle  County,  HI.,  where  he  went  with  his 
parents  in  1854.  in  the  fall  of  1865  he  went  to  Markesan,  Green 
Lake  County,  Wis.,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  harness-making, 
which  he  has  continued  to  work  at  till  the  present  time.  In  1878 
he  came  to  Floyd  County  and  went  into  business  for  himself.  He 
does  first-class  work  and  has  a  good  and  increasing  trade.  He  was 
married  Oct.  17,  1879,  to  Isabelle  Moon. 

Peter  D.  McKinzla,  born  in  Quebec,  May  28,  1838,  is  a  son  of 
Dugald  McKinzie,  a  native  of  Scotland.  He  was  educated  in  an  ac- 
ademy in  Quebec.  In  1871  he  went  to  Massachusetts  and  resided  in 
Lowell  till  February,  1880,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County.  He 
was  married  in  October,  1865,  in  Ontario,  to  Margaret  Shields,  sec- 
ond cousin  of  General  Shields.  They  have  two  children — Lizzie  and 
Belle.  They  are  members  of  tiie  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He 
resides  on  section  21,  Floyd  Township;  owns  181  acres  and  is 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising, 

Ira  M.  Merrlman^  born  in  Hadley,  Canada  East,  Sept.  8,  1819, 
was  a  son  of  Amasa  Merriman,  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  who 
settled  in  Canada  in  an  early  day.  He  received  his  education  at 
Georgeville,  Canada,  and  at  Newbury,  Yt.  He  went  to  Clinton, 
111.,  in  1843,  and  to  Beloit,  Wis.,  in  1845.  In  May,  1861,  he  came 
to  Floyd  County  and  bought  a  stock  of  groceries  and  dry  goods; 
carried  on  the  mercantile  business  most  of  the  time  for  ten  vears. 
For  the  past  ten  years  has  kept  the  Stage  House.  Has  been  Post- 
master and  a  notary  public  for  the  last  fifteen  years.  Has  been 
Township  Clerk  since  1864.  He  was  married  May  29,  1842,  to  Bel- 
inda R.  Webster.  Of  their  four  children,  three  are  living — Helen 
A.,  Amasa  II.  and  Willie  H.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

James  Morrison^  section  13,  Floyd  Township,  was  born  in 
East  Loathers,  Scotland,  Feb.  9,  1828.  He  is  a  son  of  James  Mor- 
rison, also  a  native  of  Scotland.  When  fifteen  years  of  age  he  went 
to  sea;  sailed  a  year  and  a  half  and  landed  in  New  York  City  in 
1845.  He  lived  in  Tioga  County,  Penn.,  two  years,  and  a  few 
months  in  New  Jersey.  He  then  lived  in  Livingston  County,  N. 
Y.,  several  years,  and  in  1855  came  to  this  county  and  worked  at 


824  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

the  carpenter's  trade;  is  also  a  millwright.  He  was  married  Nov, 
17,  1858,  to  Jane  Shaw,  a  native  of  Antrim  County,  Ireland,  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Shaw.  They  have  four  children — William 
W.,  James  B.,  Helen  M.  and  Agnes  J.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity. 

William  Morse,  born  in  Waterbury,  Washington  County,  Yt., 
Jan.  15,  1834,  is  a  son  of  Leonard  L.  Morse,  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts, who  moved  with  his  family  to  Will  County,  111.,  in  the 
spring  of  1834;  to  Whitesides  County,  111.,  about  1836;  to  Mc- 
Henry  County,  111.,  in  1842;  and  to  California  in  1847.  In  1849 
he  went  back  to  Yermout,  and  in  1850  to  McHenry  County,  111., 
and  to  Chickasav,'  County,  la.,  1853.  In  the  same  year  William 
Morse  came  to  this  county,  and  bought  the  land  he  now  occupies. 
He  went  to  Rice  County,  Minn.,  in  1855,  and  in  1858  came  here, 
and  settled  on  section  8,  Floyd  Township.  He  was  married,  Jan. 
23,  1855,  to  Lucinda  O.  Horton.  Of  their  seven  children  six  are 
living — Adella,  Charles  E.,  Ida  M.,  Anna  E.,  Frank  L.  and  Will- 
iam H.  He  has  been  Township  Trustee,  Constable  and  School 
Treasurer. 

Harry  M.  Nye^  deceased,  was  born  in  Yermont,  Jan.  12,  1819. 
When  about  twenty  years  of  age  he  went  to  Lake  County,  111., 
where,  in  1843,  he  married  Rachel  J.  Hubbard.  Of  their  four 
children  two  are  living — Mrs.  Mary  E.  Rice  and  Charles  E.  Nye. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  February,  1855,  and  settled  on  section 
22,  Floyd  Township,  where  the  family  still  live.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church,  becoming  a  Christian  in  early  life.  He  was 
hospitable  and  generous,  always  aiding  in  building  churches  and 
schools.  He  helped  organize  the  first  Sunday-school  ia  Floyd. 
He  died  Sept.  24,  1881.  He  was  a  kind,  affectionate  husband  and 
father,  honest,  upright  and  industrious,  always  one  of  the  first  in 
every  good  word  and  work. 

Hershel  J.  Peri'in,  son  of  Ephraim  Perrin,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1836.  His  parents  dying,  he  was 
thrown  on  his  own  resources  at  the  age  of  eleven.  He  lived  with 
Rev.  Thos.  Lang,  near  West  Pawlet,  Yt,  one  year;  with  Mr.  Nelson, 
of  Hebron,  four  years;  and  then  worked  by  the  month  till  nearly 
twenty-one.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he  came  West  to  Minnesota, 
and  in  July,  1857,  he  came  to  this  county.  He  enlisted  in  the  late 
war,  in  Company  G,  Twent3^-seventh  Iowa  Infantry.  He  was  at 
Pleasant  Hill,  etc. ;  afterward  on  detached  service  in  the  pioneer 
corps.     He  was  married  Jan.  28,  1872.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perrin  have 


FLOYD  TOWNSHIP,  825 

five  children — Harriet  J.,  Alicia  M.,  Epliraim  II.,  Nora  and  Ester 
E.     He  resides  on  section  28,  Floyd  Township. 

Willard  Perrin,  born  in  Windsor  County,  Vt. ,  Dec.  13,  1854, 
is  a  son  of  William  Perrin,  of  the  same  county.  He  came  to 
Floyd  County  in  1874,  and  worked  on  a  farm  one  year.  He 
clerked  for  Griffith  two  years  and  in  a  drug  store  one  year;  then, 
in  1878,  he  went  into  business  for  himself,  selling  drugs,  groceries, 
hardware  and  school  books;  capital  stock,  $1,200  to  $1,500.  He 
does  an  annual  business  of  $5,000.  He  was  married  in  January, 
1876,  to  Belle  Ramsey.     They  have  two  children — Percy  and  Edna. 

Solomon  A.  Quinby,  born  in  Brooktield,  Yt.,  March  21,  1821, 
is  a  son  of  Jonathan  Quinby.  He  came  to  Floyd  County  in  1858. 
He  is  a  contractor  and  bridge-builder.  He  lives  on  his  farm  of 
180  acres,  on  section  21,  Floyd  Township.  He  was  married 
in  Chelsea,  Vt.,  Sept.  17,  1815,  to  Harriet  S.  Wood  worth,  a 
native  of  that  place,  born  Dec.  10,  1822.  Of  their  eight  children 
six  are  living — -Laura,  Albert,  Cassius,  Carrie,  Sarah  and  Edith. 
One  daughter,  EHen,  died  in  Vermont  at  the  age  of  ten  years . 

Jiobert  J.  Bankin,  born  in  Burlington,  Vt.,  Nov.  3,  1841, 
is  a  son  of  Hugh  Rankin,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  America 
about  1834.  They  moved  to  Messina,  N.  Y.,  in  1844.  He  was 
reared  and  educated  there,  and  in  1858  came  West  and  settled  in 
Dane  County,  Wis.,  and  in  1861  came  in  this  county  and  settled 
in  Floyd  Village,  where  he  lived  till  the  spring  of  1882,  when  he 
moved  to  the  farm  on  section  19,  and  is  dealing  in  stock.  He 
was  married  Nov.  2,  1867,  to  Almira,  daughter  of  James 
Griffith,  deceased.  She  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  have  one 
child — George.  His  father  resides  with  him.  He  has  been  Con- 
stable  for  the  past  eighteen  years.  Mrs.  Rankin  was  a  neighbor 
of  James  A.  Garfield. 

Frank  Raymond.,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  12,  Floyd 
Townt^hip,  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  April 
27,  1844.  He  is  a  son  of  James  Raymond,  with  whom  he  came 
West  in  1850,  going  first  to  Wisconsin,  and  in  1852  to  Illinois,  and 
in  1855  coming  to  Floyd  County.  He  owns  forty  acres  of  land.  He 
was  married  Jan.  29,  1872,  to  Mary  Johnson.  They  have  two 
children — Bert  and  Lou.  He  has  been  School  Director  for  several 
years. 

James  Raymond,  born  in  Cornwall,  Canada,  June  5,  1830,  is  a 
son  of  James  Raymond,  who  moved  with  his  family  to  New  York 
State  in  1834,  and  to  Fond  du  Lac  County,    Wis.,   in   1850  ;  from 


826  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY, 

there  to  McHenrj  County,  111.,  in  the  spring  of  1852,  and  in  June, 
1S55,  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Floyd  Township,  where 
he  died  July  9,  1879.  James,  Jr.,  was  married  Nov,  12,  1871,  to 
Mrs.  Maria  L.  Dennison.  She  had  one  son — George  Dennison. 
They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Luther  Raymond^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  8,  Floyd 
Township,  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  July  20,  1848. 
He  is  also  a  son  of  James  Raymond,  who  came  West  in  1850,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  1855.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received 
liis  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  was  married  April 
9,  1879,  to  Alecta  J.  Lone,  daughter  of  Michael  Lone.  They  had 
one  child — Robert  W.     He  owns  100  acres  of  well-improved  land, 

Norman  A.  Rice,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  31,  Floyd 
Township,  was  born  in  Belchertown,  Hampshire  County,  Mass,, 
Dec,  15,  1817,  and  is  a  son  of  David  Rice,  a  native  of  Guil- 
ford, Vt.  He  came  "West  and  settled  in  Walworth  County, 
Wis.,  in  1842.  In  September,  1852,  he  came  to  this  county  and 
settled  in  the  wilderness.  He  now  has  195  acres  of  well-improved 
land.  He  married,  in  1845,  Eliza  Holcomb,  who  died  in  I860.  In 
1866  he  married  Mary  Shannon.  He  has  been  Township  Trustee 
several  years;  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

D.  J.  Richards,  carpenter;  postoffice,  Floyd;  son  of  David  and 
Elizabeth  (Shafer)  Richards,  natives  of  New  York  State  and  Penn- 
sylvania respectively;  they  lived  in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  In- 
diana. David  died  in  Ohio  and  Elizabeth  in  Indiana.  They  had  ten 
children  and  D.  J.  is  the  seventh  child;  he  was  born  in  Lancaster, 
Penn.,  Feb.  14,  1832,  and  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents  in  1841, 
where  he  was  educated  and  learned  his  trade,  which  he  has  followed 
since.  In  1869  he  came  to  Floyd  County  and  went  to  manufactur- 
ing brick;  this  he  sold  and  bought  a  farm  of  seventy-eight  acres 
on  section  10,  Floyd  Township,  where  he  now  lives.  In.  1856  he 
married  Elmira  Riley,  native  of  Ohio;  they  have  been  blessed  with 
ten  children,  nine  living — Corbin  B.,  born  Jan.  27,  1858;  Eliza- 
beth, born  1860;  Jessa,  William  Scott,  Mary  Alice,  Charles  Henry, 
Albert  G.,  Frederick,  Perly  Gynette,  Bertha.  Mr,  Richards  votes 
the  Republican  ticket, 

Andrew  P.  Beaton,  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  23, 
1823,  is  a  son  of  Leonard  Seaton,  a  native  of  Canada.  He  resided 
on  a  farm  till  he  was  sixteen,  his  education  being  obtained  in  the 
common  schools.  His  father  was  a  tanner  and  currier  and  he  learned 
the    trade  when  a  boy,   and    worked  at  it   fourteen    years,  and 


FLOYD  TOWNSHIP.  827 

worked  at  farming  fourteen  j'ears.  In  1870  he  came  to  this  county 
and  Fettled  in  Floyd  Township.  He  owns  a  good  farm  on  section 
23.  In  1874  he  .moved  into  Floyd  and  sold  goods  a  while.  He 
was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1874,  and  again  in  1876.  In  1878 
he  refused  the  office,  but  was  elected  again  in  1880.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  in  1846,  to  Laura  A.  Ferguson.  Of 
their  five  children,  four  are  living — Oren  A.,  James  H.,  George  F. 
and  Clara  J. 

Philip  Shaj^key,  born  in  Ireland,  Aug.  1,  1826,  is  a  son  of  John 
Sharkey,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  America  and  settled  in 
Vermont  in  1831,  where  Philip  was  reared  and  educated.  He  went 
to  Hampshire  County,  Mass.,  in  1846,  and  came  to  this  county  in 
1854,  settling  on  section  12,  this  township.  He  was  married 
Oct.  23,  1853,  to  Mary  Maley.  They  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living— Wm.  L.,  Thos.  J.,  Chas.  A., 
Mary  A.  and  Martha  J.  One  son,  John  P.,  died  at  the  age  of 
*eighteen,  and  another,  George  H.,  at  the  age  of  three.  He  has 
been  School  Director  fifteen  years;  was  President  of  the  Board  of 
Education  six  years,  Township  Trustee,  and  Assessor  two  terms. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

Ahner  O.  B.  Smith,  born  in  Williston,  Vt,  Feb.  21,  1827,  is  a 
son  of  Hiram  Smith,  also  a  native  of  Vermont.  He  was  educated 
in  Burlington,  Vt,  and  in  1850 came  West  to  Kenosha  County,  Wis. 
He  freighted  there  most  of  the  time  till  I860,  when  he  came  to 
this  county.  He  sold  goods  in  Floyd  and  Garner,  la.,  for  about 
eight  years.  He  owns  168  acres  in  this  county,  160  in  Hancodk 
County,  and  160  in  Nebraska.  He  resides  on  section  8,  Floyd 
Township.  His  son,  Horace  W.,  is  a  physician  in  Garner,  a  grad- 
uate of  Rush  Medical  College.  He  was  married  in  1840  to  Char- 
lotte Pierce.  They  have  four  children — Alvin  J.,  Horace  W., 
Florence  H.,  and  Ida.     Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1860. 

Henry  D.  Sprague,  son  of  Henry  Sprague,  of  Cattaraugus 
County,  N.  Y.,  was  born  in  Steuben  County,^.  Y.,  Dec.  20,  1836. 
He  went  with  iiis  parents  to  Jasper  County,  Ind.,  in  1845,  and 
to  Buchanan  County,  Iowa,  in  1854.  In  the  fall  of  1854  he 
came  to  Charles  City  where  he  has  since  resided,  with  the 
exception  of  one  season  spent  in  tlie  Rocky  Mountains  in  the 
mines.  He  took  a  trip  into  Oregon  in  1874.  Jan.  19,  1862,  in 
Rockford,  this  county,  he  was  married  to  Charlotte  Welch.  Of 
their  six  children  five  are  living — Clara  J.,  William  E.,  James 
E.j  Denny  O.,  and  Henry  W.    Nellie  M.  is  deceased.     He  resided 


828  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

in  Ulster  Township  till  March  1,  1882,  when  he  took  charge  of 
the  infirmary  in  Floyd.  Has  held  the  office  of  County  Supervisor 
for  Ulster,  three  years. 

William  ISprague,  firmer;  postoffice  Floyd;  son  of  Samuel  and 
Rachel  (Skelton)  Spragu3,  natives  of  New  York;  they  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  18i4  and  Samuel  died  there.  William  was  born  April  9, 
1830,  in  New  York,  and  educated  there  and  in  Illinois;  he  has 
always  followed  farming.  In  1855  he  came  to  Iowa  and  bought  his 
present  farm  of  160  acres  on  section  29,  Floyd  Township, 
which  he  has  under  a  tine  state  of  cultivation.  In  1853  he  married 
Eliza  M.,  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Lavinia  (Edtnunds)  Otis 
They  have  three  children — Julia,  born  July  16, 1854,  wife  of  Noah 
S.  Naden,  of  Mitchell  County;  Mary  S.,  born  April  13,  1864;  Will- 
iam Otis,  born  May  5,  1873.  Mr.  Sprague  and  wife  are  members 
of  M.  E.  church  of  Floyd.  Mr.  Sprague  has  held  several  of  the 
township  offices,  and  has  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of  each. 
He  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

Francis  M.  Wheat,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  section  23, 
Floyd  Township,  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  14, 
1830,  a  son  of  William  Wheat,  a  native  of  Connecticut.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  at  Delaware  Literary  Institute  of  Franklin,  N.  Y.  He  came 
to  Floyd  County,  going  first  to  Charles  City  in  1857;  in  June, 
1859,  moved  on  to  his  present  farm  of  150  acres.  He  was 
married  Jan.  10,  1854,  to  Lydia  E.  Richmond,  daughter  of  John 
ITichmond  of  Schafhausen,  Switzerland,  who  served  under  Napoleon 
Bonaparte  for  three  years  and  was  carried  prisoner  to  the  Isle  of 
Malta  and  kept  two  years,  when,  as  the  only  means  of  escape,  he 
enlisted  in  the  British  army  and  was  brought  to  Canada,  and  from 
there  escaped  to  America.  He  settled  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y. , 
and  reared  a  family  of  seven  dauo:hters  and  ons  son.  He  died  in 
1874. 

Jacob  Whitbeck^  born  in  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  8, 
1820,  is  a  son  of  Robert  Whitbeck,  a  native  of  Kinderhook,  N.  Y. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county.  In 
1853  he  moved  to  Rockford,  111.,  and  in  1856  came  to  this  county. 
His  house  was  the  first  one  finished  in  the  village  of  Floyd.  He  is 
a  mason  by  trade  but  has  followed  farming  and  stock-raising  since 
coming  here.  He  owns  165  acres  of  land  on  section  19  .  He 
was  married  in  August,  1810,  to  Mary  Fero.  Oi  their  ten  children 
only  six  are  living — Henry,  Nettie,  Charles,  Ella,  William   and 


FLOYD  TOWNSHIP.  829 

Lizzie.  One  son,  Albert,  died  at  the  gge  of  twenty-two  ;  one, 
Jacob,  was  drowned  while  swirnminoj  in  a  pond,  July  4,  1868,  aged 
fourteen.  Mr.  Wliitbeck  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  ;  he  helped  to  haul  the  lumber,  gave  largely  in  money  and 
helped  build  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  done  much 
for  the  public  interests  of  Floyd.  He  and  P.  Sharkey  were  the 
committee  who  condemned  the  court-house  at  Charles  City. 

Hervey  Wilbur  was  born  May  4,  1811,  in  Chatham,  Columbia 
County,  N.  Y.  His  father  and  grandfather  were  natives  of  Rhode 
Island,  but  immigrated  in  an  early  day  to  Columbia  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  they  experienced  all  the  hardships  of  pioneer  farmers. 
In  1814  his  father  removed  to  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
lived  till  1857.  He  was  married  ^an.  1,  1840,  to  Angeline  Moore, 
daughter  of  Philip  Moore,  who  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  He 
was  both  farmer  and  carpenter.  While  in  New  York  Mr.  "Wilbur 
was  honored  with  the  offices  of  School  Inspector,  School  Commis- 
sioner, Town  Inspector  of  Schools,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  etc.  He 
was  a  Democrat  and  was  defeated  for  County.  Superintendent  and 
member  of  the  Legislature,  at  the  split  of  that  party  into  "Hunkers" 
and  "  Barn-burners.  "  In  1857  he  came  to  Iowa  with  his  wife  and 
six  children.  They  have  one  son,  born  in  the  "  Hawkeye"  State. 
The  most  of  his  family  are  living  at  Charles  City,  la.  He  entered 
the  State  as  a  Democrat  and  continued  with  that  party  till  the  war 
of  the  Kebellion,  when  he  was  a  Union  man  from  the  first,  and  the 
close  of  the  Rebellion  found  him,  as  he  is  now,  a  Republican.  He 
is  a  school  teacher  by  occupation,  but  was  engaged  in  farming  a 
portion  of  the  time  while  in  New  Yoik.  He  has  held  the  offices 
of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  County  Superintendent  of  Schools  and 
Oounty  Treasurer  since  coming  to  Floyd  County. 


NILES  TOWNSHIP. 


ORGANIC. 


This  is  township  No.  96  north,  range  15  west.  It  was  formed 
March  6,  1858,  by  S.  B.  Starr,  acting  Judge,  and  was  organized 
April  14  following.  It  contains  thirty -five  full  sections.  Jan.  12, 
1869,  the  south  three-fourths  of  section  31,  township  96,  15,  was 
detached  from  this  township  and  attached  to  St.  Charles  Township; 
and  the  north  half  sections  1  to  5  inclusive,  of  township  95,  15,  was 
detached  from  St.  Charles  Township  and  attached  to  Niles;  D. 
Ripley,  Judge.  At  the  June  session,  1862,  the  west  half  of  section 
18,  township  96,  15,  was  detached  from  Floyd  and  attached  to- 
llies, and  the  south  three-fourths  of  section  31,  township  96,  15, 
was  detached  from  St.  Charles  and  attached  to  Niles;  also,  the 
north  half  of  sections  1  to  5  inclusive,  of  township  95,  15,  were 
transferred  from  Niles  to  St.  Charles. 

GENERAL    HISTORY. 

This  township  was  named  after  Niles,  Mich.  The  first  election 
was  held  in  April,  1858,  and  J.  B.  Dawley,  N.  Dutcher  and  Ira 
Shaw  were  elected  Trustees;  Amos  Refsnider,  Clerk;  Tilley  Gil 
bert  and  Newman  Dutcher,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  Henry  Green, 
Constable.  The  Little  Cedar  runs  diagonally  through  the  entire 
township,  commencing  on  section  6  and  leaving  the  township  on 
section  36;  this  stream  and  its  tributaries  waters  and  drains  the 
township;  the  Beaver  is  one  of  the  tributaries  which  begins  on  sec- 
tion 2  and  leaves  the  township  on  section  24.  The  general  charac- 
ter of  the  soil  is  black  sand,  with  here  and  there  light  clay  and 
sand.  The  lay  of  the  land  is  a  gentle  rolling  prairie  with  patches 
of  blackjack,  bur  oak,  and  a  few  white  ones  in  the  southern  and 
western  portions  and  along  the  Cedar. 

J.  H.  Pitcher  entered  the  first  land  in  the  township  in  1853.  J. 
B.  Dawley,  Joseph  Beckwith  and  E.  K.  Ash  were  the  first  settlers 
in  the  township;  they  located  in  1854,  coming  from  the  States  of 
Michigan,  Indiana  and  New  York  respectively. 

(830) 


NILES    TOWNSHIP.  831 

The  first  couple  married  of  the  township  was  J.  H.  Pitcher  and 
Frances  L.  Dutcher.  There  being  no  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the 
townsliip  they  went  to  Charles  City,  and  were  married  there  Jan. 
18,  1856. 

Emily  J.  Beckwith  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  town- 
ship. She  was  born  May  13,  1855,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Lucinda  (Wood)  Beckwith. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  Mrs.  N.  Dutcher,  who  died  Sep- 
tember, 1856. 

The  number  of  school-houses  in  the  township  is  nine;  the 
value  of  school  property  is  $5,500.  Number  of  persons  of  school 
age,  372 — males  190,  females  182;  average  daily  attendance,  125. 
Average  number  of  months  schooling  during  year,  seven.  Total 
amount  of  teachers'  fund,  March  14,  1881,  $2,258.61;  amount  paid 
teachers,  $1,288.25;  $259  tuition  to  Cedar  Township;  balance 
on  hand  March  13,  1882,  $967.77.  Average  amount  paid  male 
teachers  per  month,  $26.20;  average  amount  paid  female  teachers 
per  month,  $19.96.  Each  district  is  provided  with  one  copy  of 
Webster's  Unabridged  Dictionary.  The  echool-houses  all  are 
seated  with  a  patent  seat  and  desk.  The  average  cost  of  tuition 
per  scholar,  per  month,  is — winter,  $1.84;  summer,  $1.92,  or  $1.88 
per  year. 

One  mill  per  dollar  is  voted  for  township  road  tax. 

BIOGEAPHIOAL. 

Timothy  Billings^  farmer  and  stock-raiser;  postofl&ce,  Kilea; 
son  of  Timothy  and  Margaret  (McTaggart)  Billings,  natives  of 
Vermont  and  Scotland  respectively.  They  came  to  Iowa  in  1854, 
being  about  the  first  to  locate  in  Niles  Township,  where  Indians 
were  more  plentiful  than  white  men.  Tliere  was  a  family  of  chil- 
dren, of  wliich  Timothy  was  the  fifth;  he  was  born  in  Canada,  Oct. 
6,  1845.  He  had  the  privileges  of  a  common-school  education  in 
Iowa  of  an  early  day,  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  fitlier  until 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  I  )wa 
Cavalry,  Company  H,  Capt.  S.  S.  Troy,  and  served  till  the  end  of 
the  war.  He  was  in  the  siei^e  of  Memphis ;  Tupelo,  Miss.;  Selma, 
Ala.;  Jackson,  Miss.;  N;ishville,  Tenn.,  and  Columlms,  Ga.;  also 
in  some  twenty-five  other  minor  battles  in  Tennessee,  Mississippi, 
Georgia,  Alabama  and  Arkansas,  serving  under  Generals  Sher- 
man, Wilson,  Grierson  and  Grant,  and  was  discharged  in  August, 
51 


832  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

1865,  at  Davenport.  After  leaving  the  arnij  he  spent  three  years 
in  the  gold  mines  of  Montana,  where  he  made  a  good  "stake." 
On  returning  to  the  States  in  1869,  he  married  Catherine  E., 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  ("Waters)  Cobough,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  Henry  died.  Mrs.  Billings  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, Oct.  10,  1846.  By  this  union  there  are  two  children — Daisy 
May,  born  Oct.  29,  1870;  Isora  Elizabeth,  born  June  27,  1874. 
Mr.  Billings  has  held  several  of  the  offices  of  the  township,  and  has 
faithfully  discharged  every  trust.  He  votea  the  Republican  ticket. 
Mr.  Billings  owns  720  acres  of  fine  land  on  sections  8,  9,  4  and  20, 
the  most  of  which  is  finely  improved.  He  is  an  influential  and 
respected  citizen  of  the  county. 

Theodore  Goon^  farmer;  postoffice,  Niles;  was  born  in  Cattaraugus 
County,  N.  Y.,  July  27,  1836,  where  he  was  educated  and  lived 
until  1854;  he  then  moved  to  Illinois  and  lived  there  two  years* 
In  1856  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  located  in  Niles  Township.  He 
now  owns  200  acres  of  tine  land  on  sections  9  and  8.  He  is  the 
eon  of  Howland  and  Eunice  (La  Barron)  Coon,  natives  of  New 
York  State,  where  they  now  live.  In  1856  he  married  Paulina, 
daughter  of  William  and  Susan  (Miller)  Gillott,  natives  of  England 
and  Vermont  respectively.  They  moved  to  Niles  Township  in 
1854,  where  Mr.  Gillott  died  in  1880.  Susan  was  born  in  Ver- 
mont, June  30,  1833.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  two 
children — John  Elmer,  born  July  28,  1862;  Ulysses  Grant,  Oct. 
28,  1867.     Mr.   Coon  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

Joseph  B.  Dawley,  farmer,  section  18,  Niles  Township,  is  a 
native  of  New  York,  and  was  born  in  Frankfort,  Herkimer  County, 
June  10,  1809.  His  parents  were  Ebenezer  and  Mary  (Babcock) 
Dawley;  he  was  a  farmer  and  a  native  of  Rhode  Island;  she  of 
New  Jersey.  They  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  have 
a  family  of  four  sons  and  seven  daughters.  Joseph  B.  was  the 
third  son;  he  worked  on  a  farm  with  his  father,  and  attended 
school  until  eighteen,  when  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  remained  there  on  a  farm  five  years,  then 
returned  to  Herkimer  Count}',  and  married  Mary  Coolidge,  on 
Oct.  26,  1831.  She  was  bora  in  Frankfort,  N.  Y.,  a  daughter 
of  Warren  and  Rachael  (Swift)  Coolidge.  Ho  farmed  in  Her- 
kimer County  two  years,  then  went  to  Oneida  County  and  pur- 
chased a  farm,  and  remained  until  1835,  when  he  sold  out  and 
went  to  Hillsdale  County,  Mich.  He  cleared  a  hundred  acres  ot 
heavy    timber   land   for  a  farm,  and  remained  there  farming  and 


NILE8    TOWNSHIP.  833 

fighting  ague  until  October,  1853,  when  he  came  to  Charles  City, 
Flojd  County,  la.,  and  went  to  where  Floyd  now  is,  and  bought 
the  farm  he  now  lives  on,  and  built  the  first  house  in  Floyd, 
Floyd  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dawley  have  five  children,  viz.: 
Mary,  wife  of  C.  P.  JIubbard,  a  farmer  of  Todd  County,  Minn.; 
Lorenzo  J.,  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.;  Lovina, 
wife  of  P.  F.  Allison,  a  farmer  in  Floyd  Township,  Floyd  County; 
Joanna  S.,  wife  of  L.  L.  Hill,  a  farmer  in  St.  Charles  Township, 
and  Horace  J.,  farming  witii  his  father.  Mr.  Dawley  owns  a  fine 
farm  of  213  acres,  under  good  cultivation  and  well  stocked.  He 
is  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers,  representative  men  and  old 
settlers  of  Floyd  County,  having  been  identified  here  since  1853, 
before  this  county  was  organized.  He  has  seen  this  county  change 
from  its  wild,  uncultivated  state  to  its  present  prosperous  condition. 
He  has  held  various  oflices  of  trust;  he  has  been  County  Super- 
visor and  Assessor;  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1858,  and 
held  that  office  some  five  years.  In  politics  he  was  first  a  Jackson 
Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  old  Hickory,  and  at  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Republican  party  became  one  of  its  strong  sup- 
porters. 

Newman  Dutchei\  carpenter  and  joiner,  and  farmer,  postofficc 
Charles  City;  is  a  son  of  Wherton  and  Eleanor  (Wheeler)  Dutcher, 
natives  of  New  York,  where  they  died.  Newman  was  born  May 
3,  1813,  and  was  educated  in  New  York,  where  he  learned  his  trade 
and  worked  until  he  came  to  Ohio  in  1846;  here  he  farmed  and 
worked  at  his  trade  nine  years;  then  sold  out  and  located  in  Green 
County,  Wis.,  remaining  there  some  three  years;  then  he  came  to  Iowa 
in  1855,  and  located  on  his  present  farm  of  100  acres  on  sections  33 
and  32,  Niles  Township.  In  1833  he  married  Jane  Morrison ;  there 
were  three  children  by  this  union,  one  living — Frances,  wife  of 
James  Pitcher,  of  Niles  Township.  Frederick,  born  Nov.  15, 1834; 
in  1802  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry,  Captain 
Slocuin;  he  was  taken  sick  and  was  in  the  hospital  eight  months, 
and  died  in  December,  1863.  Wherton,  born  Jan.  11,  1840,  and 
enlisted  May,  1861,  in  the  Third  Iowa  Infantry;  he  served  two 
years,  two  months,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Missouri  and 
seige  of  Vicksburg  and  many  other  hard-fought  battles;  he  was 
killed  at  the  second  taking  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  July  12,  1863. 
Mrs.  Dutcher  died  Dec.  19, 1841.  Mr.  Dutcher  married  in  1843, 
Mary  E.  Stoter;  she  was  born  in  Connecticut.  There  were  six 
children  by  this  union,  four  living — Jane  Ann,   born  1840,  wife  of 


834  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Levi  Knapp,  of  Rint^gold  County,  la.;  Abby,  born  1852,  wife  of 
John  Ellis,  of  Niles  Township;  Newman,  born  in  November,  1855; 
Albert,  born  18i5;  he  enlisted  in  the  Twelfth  Iowa  and  was  dis- 
charged for  disability.  On  regaining  his  health,  he  re-enlisted  in  the 
Fonrteenth  Wisconsin  Battery,  and  was  pormanently  disabled  and  is 
now  in  the  Soldier's  Home  at  D.iyton,  O.  Mary  E.  Datcher  died 
Sept.  8,  1856.  In  1857  Mr.  Diitcher  married  Mary  L.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Charlotte  (Tyler)  Snyder,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  New 
York  respectively.  She  was  born  in  New  York,  Aug.  28,  1836. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  with  nine  children,  eight  living — Ida 
C,  born  Oct.  3,1858;  John  W.,  born  Dec.  27,  1859;  Eugene  S., 
June  11,  1862;  Nettie.,  Feb.  21,  1864;  Mabel  T.,  Aug.  29,  1866; 
Luella  (deceased),  born  in  1869;  Charles  K.,  born  May  21,  1870; 
Blanch  Estelle,  born  May  21,  1875,  and  Arthur  B.,  born  Aug.  4, 
1877.  Mr.  Dutcher  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  Mr.  Dutcher  votes  the  Greenback  ticket.  He  has 
held  several  township ofHces,  and  has  faithfully  discharged  his  duty. 
Horace  L.  Oreoi,  farmer;  postoffice,  Charles  City;  was  born  Feb. 
18,  1818,  in  New  York.  He  is  the  son  of  Amos  and  Olive  (Miller) 
Green,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York.  They  came  to 
Iowa  many  years  ago  and  died  in  this  county.  Amos  was  a  soldier 
of  the  war  of  1812.  Horace  was  educated  in  New  York,  by  three 
day's  schooling  only.  He  followed  farming  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  then  went  upon  the  lakes  and  canal,  where  he  worked  seven 
years;  he  was  pilot  and  wheelsman.  In  1817  he  married  Temper- 
ance Hettinger.  She  was  the  widow  of  Alex.  Hettinger,  by  whom 
she  had  two  children — Mary,  wife  of  A.  J.  Allison,  of  Minneap- 
olis; Franklin,  who  served  three  years  in  the  army  and  now  lives 
in  Cedar  Township.  Her  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war  and  died,  as  did  his  wife,  in  Floyd  County,  la.,  where  they 
were  old  settlers.  Horace  came  to  Iowa  in  1855,  and  bought  his 
present  farm  of  180  acres  of  land,  which  is  finely  improveJ;  he 
lives  on  section  5,  Niles  Township.  This  union  has  been  blessed 
with  five  children — A.  O.,  born  March  26,  1818,  married;  Samuel 
v.,  Oct.  17,  1852,  married;  Laura,  deceased;  Eva,  May  25,  1861, 
wife  of  James  Sultiff,  of  Minneapolis;  Stacy  E.,  born  Mny  26, 
1864,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church.  Mr.  Green  has  held  several  of  the  township  offices  and 
has  faithfully  performed  his  duties;  he  is  also  director  and  stock- 
holder in  the  county  fair.     He  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 


NILES    TOWNSHIP.  835 

Edwin Kiinetop^  farmer;  postoffice,  Charles  City;  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  March  9,  1828.  He  was  educated  in  his  native 
State,  and  in  Ilh'nois,  where  he  studied  surveyin^f,  which  he  has 
practiced  since  coining  to  Floyd  County;  has  also  been  County  Sur- 
veyor. In  1854r  he  came  to  Iowa  and  in  1855  located  on  his  pres- 
ent farm  of-  350  acres  of  very  choice  land  on  section  32,  Niles 
Township,  and  section  5,  St.  Charles  Township.  In  1S56  he  mar- 
ried Emma,  daughter  of  Joseph  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Hale)  Bas- 
sett,  natives  of  England;  she  was  born  in  England,  April  27,  1840, 
Her  father  and  mother  came  to  America,  and  they  both  died  here, 
the  mother  soon  after  coming,  by  disease  contracted  on  shipboard. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  with  six  children,  five  living — W.  B., 
born  Jan.  23,  1859;  Charles  W.,  Nov.  15,  1863;  Mary  Elizabeth, 
Oct.  2,  1865;  Arthur  Fry,  June  30,  1868;  and  Frank  Lewis,  June 
2, 1878.  Mr.  Klinetop  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church, 
Mr.  Klinetop  is  a  member  of  the  A,  F.  &  A,  M.  fraternity;  he 
has  also  held  several  township  offices.  He  votes  the  Repnblicati 
ticket.     Has  been  a  prosperous,  and  is  a  greatly  respected,  citizen. 

Evelina  Leeson  was  born  in  Ohio,  Oct.  7,  1833;  she  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  (Funk)  Wade,  natives  of  New  Jersey, 
and  Ohio,  Her  father  died  in  Ohio.  Mrs.  Wood  moved  to  Nashua, 
la.,  and  married  Leonard  Montgomery;  she  now  lives  in  Cherokee 
County.  In  January,  1858,  Evelina  married  John  F;ite.  They 
moved  to  Iowa  in  1858,  and  purchased  her  present  tann  of  eighty 
acres  on  section  12.  He  lived  here  until  1863,  when,  on  the  27tli 
day  of  July,  he  was  struck  by  lightning,  from  the  effect-!  of  which 
he  died,  Aug.  1.  By  this  marriage  there  were  tiiree  children — 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  born  March  4,  1854,  wife  of  Louis  Snider,  of 
Chickasaw  County,  la,;  Martin,  born  Oct.  9,  1857;  and  Francis, 
deceased.  In  1864  Mrs.  Fate  married  Merenius  Leeson,  by  whom 
she  has  one  child — Gertrude,  born  Feb.  12,  1865.  Mrs.  Leeson  is 
much  respected  by  her  friends. 

Patrick  O  Ilara^  farmer;  P.  O.,  Niles;  son  of  Thomas  and  Marjr 
(McElroy)  O  Hara,  natives  of  Ireland.  They  came  to  the  Utii- 
ted  States  in  1846,  and  located  in  Lake  County,  III.,  where  they 
lived  until  1855,  when  they  moved  to  Iowa,  and  located  in  Nilea 
Township,  where  they  died,  he  in  1867,  and  she  in  1875.  They  had 
seven  children,  five  living — Bridget,  Patrick,  John,  Mary,  Catharine 
and  Thomas.  Bridget  died  at  thirteen  years  of  age;  Julia  died 
in  infancy.  Patrick  was  born  in  Ireland,  County  Caven,  March 
14,  1835.     He  was  educated  in  Lake  County,  111.     In  1871  he  mar- 


836  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ried  Honora  Holland,  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  May  28,  ]849. 
Ey  this  marriage  there  were  six  children,  five  living — Thomas 
James, born  Mar.  8,  1872;  Mary  Agnes,  Aug.  6,  1873;  John  Cain, 
Oct.  29,  1876;  Patrick  Peter,  Dee.  5,  1878;  Timothy  Francis,  Dec. 
5,  1 880.  Mr.  O  Hara  and  wife  are  members  of  th'2  Catholic  church  • 
Mr.  O  Hara  has  held  the  office  of  Township  Assessor.  He  votes 
the  Greenback  ticket.  Mr.  O  Hara  owns  160  acres  of  fine  land  on 
section  18,  mostly  under  good  cultivation. 

J.  H.  Pitcher^  farmer;  P.  O.,  Charles  City;  son  of  Eliakim  and 
Margaret  (Chambers)  Pitcher,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  New 
York  respectively.  J.  H.  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y., 
Jan.  27,  1829.  He  was  educated  there  and  in  Illinois,  where  his 
parents  came  when  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  Mrs,  Pitcher 
died  in  Illinois,  where  Eliakim  still  resides.  J.  H.  lived  at  home 
until  twenty-six  years  of  age,  then  came  to  Iowa  and  settled  on  land 
he  had  previously  entered  (130  acres)  on  section  32,  Niles  Town- 
ship, Jan.  18,  1856.  He  married  Frances  L.,  daughter  of  Newman 
and  Jane  (Morrison)  Dutcher,  living  in  Niles  Township.  She  was 
born  Aug.  21,  1836.  Tiiis  imion  has  been  blessed  with  six  chil- 
dren—Mary Ella,  born  Nov.  7,  1856;  Flora  Jane,  Nov.  12,  1859; 
Fannie  Amelia,  Dec.  8,  1862;  Maggie  Dclphine,  July  24,  1864; 
Harvey  Newman,  Oct.  12,  1S69;  Addie,  April  2,  1875.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pitcher  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Pitcher  has 
ht Id  most  of  the  township  offices,  and  has  discharged  his  duties 
faithfully.  He  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  is  one  of  the  relia- 
ble and  enterpi'ising  men  of  Niles  Township,  During  the  war  he 
sent  a  man  to  serve  three  years,  giving  him  twenty  acres  of  fine 
land  therefor.     Few  men  ever  gave  this  as  a  free-will  offering. 

J.  C.  Staehler^  farmer  and  millwright;  postoffice,  Niles;  son  of 
M'chael  and  Anna  Margaret  (Hurr)  Staebler,  natives  of  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany.  They  cams  to  tlie  United  States  in  1801,  and 
located  in  Pennsylvania,  where  they  lived  until  1856,  when  they 
came  to  Iowa,  where  they  died.  J,  C,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
Oct.  20,  1829,  where  he  was  educated  and  learned  the  trade  of 
millwright,  which  he  followed,  in  connection  with  running  mills, 
until  1875.  He  ca.ne  to  Iowa  in  1878,  and  now  owns  145  acres  of 
fine  land  on  sections  5  and  2S,  mostly  under  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation. In  1864  he  married  Euza  Jane,  daughter  of  Stephen 
Decatur  and  Helena  (Flick)  Rader,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where 
they  now  live.  By  this  union  there  are  five  children— Charles  E., 
born  Dec.  10,  1864;  Alice  Amand  i,  Sept.  29,  1866;  George  W., 


NILES    TOWNSHIP.  837 

July  4,  1869;  William  Harrison,  Jan.  14,  1872;  Stephen  Decatur, 
April  9,  1876.  Mr.  Staebler  votes  for  the  best  men.  He  raises 
line  stock. 

John  Zimmar,  farmer;  postoffice,  Niles;  son  of  John  and  Kath- 
crina  (Wolff)  Zimmar,  natives  of  Germany,  vs^here  they  died;  was 
born  Aug.  30,  1836,  and  was  educated  in  Germany,  where  he 
worked  in  a  vineyard  until  he  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853; 
located  in  Berrien  County,  Mich.,  where  he  lived 'till  1866,  when 
he  came  to  Iowa.  He  owns  180  acres  of  fine  land  on  section  10, 
Niles  Township,  where  he  lives.  In  1860  he  married  Katherine, 
daughter  of  David  and  Barbara  (Kurle)  Eidler,  natives  of  Ger- 
many, where  they  died.  Katherine  was  born  June  28,  1838.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  eleven  children,  ten  living — John 
Godfrey,  born  Sept.  30,  1861;  Mary  Sophia,  April  11,  1863;  Lillie 
Jane,  June  2,  1865;  Gynette,  Oct.  11,  1867  (deceased);  David 
William,  July  3,  1868;  Wilhelmina  Katherina,  July  20,  1870; 
Christian  Charles,  Feb.  15,  1873;  Jacob  Frederick,  Jan.  12,  1875; 
Carolina  Evalina,  Aug.  24,  1877;  Abraham  Isaac,  March  5, 
1879;  and  Katie  Belle,  Nov.  5,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zimmar  are 
members  of  the  Advent  church.  Mr.  Zimmar  is  a  Trustee  of  the 
township,  and  has  held  several  township  offices.  He  votes  the 
Greenback  ticket. 


PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP. 


ORGANIC. 


Pleasant  Grove  Township,  comprising  township  9i  north,  range 
16  west,  lies  in  the  southern  tier  of  townships  of  Floyd  County, 
second  west  from  the  eastern  line,  joining  Riverton  Township  on 
the  west  and  Union  Township  on  the "  east.  It  was  formerly  a 
part  of  Riverton  and  Union  townships,  and  was  organized  as  a 
township  of  Floyd  County  in  1867,  by  setting  oif  the  east  half 
of  this  congressional  township,  94  north,  range  16  west,  from 
Riverton,  and  the  west  half,  which  was  a  part  of  Union,  thus 
forming  the  whole  and  the  only  township  in  the  county  whose 
boundaries  are  identical  with  the  congressional  numbers  and  the 
United  States  survey  (1867). 

During  thigyeara  petition  was  circulated  by  Washington  Young, 
(one  of  the  early  settlers,  and  now  of  Yerndale,  Warden  County, 
Minn.),  praying  for  an  organizatioti  of  the  congressional  town- 
ship 94  north,  range  16  west,  as  a  township  of  Floyd  County, 
to  be  known  as  "Pleasant  Grove."  To  this  he  obtained  the  sig- 
natures of  those  residing  within  the  boundaries.  This  petition 
was  presented  at  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  at  their 
June  session,  and  the  petition  was  allowed.  And  so  congressional 
township  94  north,  of  range  16  west,  was  recorded  and  christened 
Pleasant  Grove. 

THE    NAME. 

Of  the  origin  of  the  name  we  give  credit  to  Mrs.  Susan  Young, 
wife  of  Washington  Young.  It  was  undoubtedly  suggested  from 
the  noun  grove,  this  word  having  been  applied  to  that  locality  as 
long  ago  as  the  first  pioneers'  settlement,  as  "  Hecard's  Grove," 
later  on  as  "Ripley's  Grove,"  etc.  To  the  name  as  a  township 
name  there  was  at  first  some  opposition,  but  the  majority  of  the 
petitioners  being  convinced  that  the  territory  was  in  every  respect 
a  "pleasant"  one,  and  certainly,  in  that  neighborhood,   arborious, 

they  carried  the  day. 

(838) 


PLEASANT  GfiOVK  TOWNSHIP.  839 

THE  FIRST  ELECTION. 

The  first  general  election  was  held  in  tlie  old  log  house,  built  by 
Joseph  Ripley  in  the  "Grove,"  owned  then  by  Christoplier  or 
"Chris"  Clark,  and  now  the  property  of  Lewis  Forthun,  '"Lec- 
tions" were  held  there  that  first  year;  the  next  in  the  board  shanty 
of  Henry  M.  Smitli.  The  first  election  was  organized  by  J.  B.  W. 
Montague,  County  Clerk,  assisted  by  H.  O.  Pratt. 

The  second  general  election  was  at  the  house  of  H.  W.  Smith, 
Nov.  3  1868.  Total  number  of  votes  cast,  fifty,  being  a  gain  of 
nineteen  in  one  year. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  persons  elected:  County 
Supervisor,  J.  E.  Butler;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  S.  L.  Reynolds, 
Isaac  Newton;  Trustees  and  Judges  of  Election,  H.  W.  Smith, 
David  McMurray,  Isaac  Newton;  Township  Clerk,  Wm.  J.  Greer; 
Assessor,  H.  W.  Smith;  Constables,  T.  J.  Briscoe,  John  E.  Freligh. 

THE   FIRST    SCHOOL 

— a  subscription  school,  in  progress  in  a  log  cabin,  on  the  Gris- 
wold  farm,  in  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  15.  It  was  taught  by 
Miss  Julia  Ripley,  daughter  of  Col.  Davis  Ripley,  afterward  Judge 
for  Floyd  County.  It  was  commenced  in  May,  1857,  and  was 
about  thirteen  weeks  in  length. 

The  first  frame  school-house  was  built  in  1859,  by  John  Mc- 
Nabb,  and  upon  completion  was  painted  red,  and  known  as  the 
"red  school-house,"  Some  claim  no  school  to  have  been  taught 
within  its  walls,  while  others  afiirm  a  positive  knowledge  of  sev- 
eral terms  having  been  taught,  and  name  the  teachers.  Probably 
Miss  Yiola  Reynolds  taught  one  term  there  in  1862-'3.  It  was, 
however,  for  many  years  the  residence  of  Mr.  Dean,  and  no  reg- 
ular school  existed  there  until  1868.  In  tliis  year,  by  a  vote  of 
the  town,  it  was  moved  to  its  present  site,  an  addition  added,  re- 
furnished, and  named  District  No.  1.  It  is  known,  however,  that, 
until  this  house  had  been  thus  moved,  a  sciiool  was  annually  held 
in  the  old  log  house  that  had  been  for  many  years  the  home  of 
Daniel  B.  Woods.  The  first  term  was  taught  by  Miss  Grace  Da- 
vidson, of  Charles  City,  in  the  summer  of  1862.  The  first  boasted 
often  scholars.  The  school-house — that  is,  a  portion  of  the  logs 
comprising  the  house — is  yet  in  position  but  used  for  brooding  and 
rearing  young  chickens  instead  of  children.     There  was    school 


840  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

kept  here  until  the  date  of  moving  the  No.  1  house.  The  first 
teachers  were  Miss  Grace  Davidson,  Miss  Lievann  Conlee,  Miss 
JSellie  Conlee  and  Miss  Marion  K.  Bliss. 

At  present  there  are  nine  sub-districts  having  school-houses,  all 
of  which  are  nearly  new,  comfortable  and  tidy. 

RELIGIOUS. 

A  gentleman  named  Swan,  living  near  Waverly,  was  the  first 
preacher,  he  preaching  at  intervals  during  the  summer  of  1867. 
The  next  summer  the  Methodists  of  Charles  City,  at  a  suggestion 
by  Mr.  Smith,  sent  one  of  their  local  preachers  there,  a  Mr.  G-eorge 
R.  Edmunds,  who  preached  fortnightly  in  the  same  house,  during 
that  summer,  and,  at  stated  intervals,  during  the  fall,  winter  and 
spring  of  1868-9.  At  the  first  meeting  there  were  about  fifteen 
present,  including  Jonathan  Cable's  family;  C.  Bicknese's  family; 
Marsena  Joslyn,  wife  and  son;  Christopher  Clark  and  wife;  A.  B. 
Smith;  Rudolph  Young  and  wife,  and,  of  course,  Mr.  Smith  and 
family.  About  the  1st  of  July  of  the  next  year  Mr.  Smith  and 
A.  W.  Gilman  attended  the  camp-meeting  at  Lime  Creek,  for  the 
purpose  of  seeing  Mr.  Lee,  then  the  presiding  elder  for  this  con- 
ference, in  reference  to  establishing  regular  preaching  in  Pleasant 
Grove.  Mr.  Lee  told  them,  if  they  could  raise  $100  for  the  first 
year,  he  would  include  them  in  the  Rockford  Circuit,  giving  them 
preaching  fortnightly.  They  pledged  $25  each,  and,  returning 
home,  easily  raised  the  remainder. 

There  was  a  class  formed  about  this  time  by  Elder  Joseph  Gould 
with  about  eight  members;  Marsena  Joslyn,  Leader;  H.  M.  Smith, 
Steward. 

Probably  two  months  elapsed  after  conference  of  that  year  (in 
September)  before  regular  preaching  was  given.  Elder  Rewen,  of 
the  Rockford  Circuit,  was  given  tiie  work.  His  first  meetings  were 
held  in  the  log  house,  wherein,  a  few  years  later,  the  first  election 
was  held,  and  where,  years  previous,  the  settlers,  as  they  came  ini 
were  glad  to  board  their  families  with  Mr.  Ripley,  or  "  Chris" 
Clark,  who  bought  it  of  Mr.  Ripley,  while  they  hewed  out  of  the 
grove  their  future  home.  As  soon  as  school-house  No.  2  was 
built,  meetings  were  transferred  there,  but,  aside  from  the  board 
seats,  a  rude  frame  house,  and  a  clumsy  stove,  it  was  not  much 
better.  Services  have  been  regularly  held  at  No.  5  since,  the  preach- 
ers and  their  date  of  work  being  as  follows  :  Elder  Rewen,  1869 
-'70  (Elder  Joseph  Gould  organized  class  about  1868);  Elder  Mc- 


PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  841 

Gee,  1870-71;  Elder  Philip  Gould,  1871-'74;  Elder  Ward,  1874- 
'75;  Elder  Gilruth, ;  Elder  Holland,  1875-78;  Elder  Shoe- 
maker, 1878  to  1880;  Elder  Skinner,  1880  and  a  portion  of  1881, 
and  Elder  Brown,  finishing  that  conference  year,  is  now  on  his 
second. 

The  average  attendance  now  is  about  thirty-five.  Much  interest 
has  been  manifest  throughout  the  whole,  and  it  is  evident  that  the 
early  movers,  and,  in  fact,  all  of  to-daj,  made  and  are  making  zeal- 
ous efforts  for  the  maintenance  of  the  cause  of  the  Master,  and 
they  have  been  aided  by  the  most  active  and  self-denying  ministry 

w.  c.  T.  u. 

This  is  but  one  private  in  the  ranks  of  the  army  of  Iowa,  of 
which  county  and  township  organizations  are  auxiliary.  And  this 
noble  sentiment  we  found  prevailing  every  where  in  the  township. 
Although  Pleasant  Grove  is  happily  anJ  most  singularly  free  from 
the  effects  of  the  demon  whisky,  and  not  a  drop  is  sold  within 
the  township  borders,  yet  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  have  a  hold  there,  and 
*' the  cause"  is  well  represented.  Among  the  active  movers  we 
mention  Mrs.  J.  C.  Lockwood,  Mrs.  Wesley  Brownell,  Mrs.  Frank 
Beal,  Mrs.  Geo.  F.  Lambert,  and,  we  might  say,  the  ladies  of  the 
whole  township. 

This  branch  was  organized  in  1880,  Mrs.  Wesley  Brownell  being 
the  first  county  Vice-President  for  the  township.  At  urgent  so- 
licitation, Mrs.  Clute,  of  Charles  City,  went  there  and  organized 
the  union,  at  which  time  Mrs.  J.  C.  Lockwood  was  chosen  Presi- 
dent (since  and  at  present  being  the  County  President,  and  ably 
filling  that  position);  Mrs.  Fletcher  Brownell,  Yice-P resident; 
Mrs.  Geo  F.  Lambert,  Secretary;  Mrs.  Frank  Beal,  Treasurer. 

Its  present  oflScers  jfre  :  Mrs.  Lois  O.  Greer,  President  ;  Mrs. 
Geo.  F.  Lambert,  Yice-President ;  Mrs.  C.  S.  Matoon,  Secretary  ; 
Miss  Kittie  Lockwood,  Treasurer. 

March  14,  1880,  another  movement  in  behalf  of  temperance  was 
started  through  the  exertions  of  Geo.  F.  Lambert,  B.  F.  Wright,  a 
former  resident,  but  now  Postraister  of  Charles  City,  and  D.  C. 
Hayes,  also  of  Charles  City.  An  interest  had  been  awakened  by 
the  work  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  but  many  not  religiously  inclined, 
and  some  who  were  conscientiously  opposed  to  the  work  as  per- 
formed by  the  women,  were  yet  ready  to  embrace  some  other 
method  that  would  lead  to  good  results. 


842  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Speeches  were  made  by  Messrs.  Wright,  Lambert,  Haj^es,  Brow- 
nell  and  others.  A  vote  was  taken  to  see  if  a  societj'^  should  be 
formed,  to  be  called  the  "Pleasant  Grove  Temperance  Society,  " 
which,  of  course,  resulted  in  the  affirmative,  after  which  the  follow- 
ing officers  were  elected:  G.  F.  Lambert,  President;  John  Brisco, 
Vice-President  ;  E.  M.  Joslyn,  Secretary  ;  Miss  Hattie  E.  Smith, 
Treasurer.   The  pledge,  of  ordinary  form,  was  signed  by  forty-nine. 

The  meetings  were  to  be  made  interesting  by  recitations',  music 
and  debate.  And  so  from  that  day  to  the  present  time,  precluding 
the  busiest  part  of  the  year,  meetings  have  been  held  to  the  same 
end  as  its  sister  society,  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  first,  in  School-house 
No.  5,  and  since  January,  1881,  alternating  with  the  "Prairie 
District"  neighborhood.  Mr.  Lambert  was  its  President  two  or 
three  terms,  resigning  in  favor  of  the  Vice-President,  Wesley 
Brownell. 

THE    CEMETERY. 

In  the  grove  lies  the  village  of  the  dead — the  only  village  in  the 
township.  Unto  it  all  must  move.  Who  moved  to  it  first  ?  who 
dug  the  first  grave  ?  who  were  the  first  mourners  ?  is  not  known, 
Iowa's  laws  concerning  the  registering  of  her  dead  under  penalty 
of  non-fulfillment  being  (to  her  discredit,  we  must  say)  of  but  few 
years  on  her  statutes. 

The  cemetery  was  for  manj^  years  under  the  control  of  a  corpo- 
rate body  of  citizens.  A  few  years  ago,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  it  was 
given  into  the  hands  of  the  trustees,  who  have  the  responsibility  of 
its  proper  care.  It  was  recorded  July  26,  1877.  Mr.  John  Brisco 
is  now  sexton.  It  is  known  as  "The  Pleasant  Grove  Cemetery 
Association." 

The  first  marriage  within  the  limits  of  "*^4— 16"  was  probably 
that  of  Peter  Heckard,  Jr.,  to  a  Miss  Abagail  Gibson,  daughter  ot 
Joseph  Gibson,  in  1854. 

The  first  birth  was  a  child  of  Peter  Heckard.  born  in  1855. 

The  first  death  was  Mrs.  Koxy  B.  Taylor,  wife  of  John  Taylor, 
in  1857. 

The  first  three  log  houses  built  in  the  township  were  Peter  Heck- 
ard's,  Joseph  Gibson's  (who  built  a  double  log  house  just  west  of  the 
present  house  of  John  Brisco),  and  Joseph  Ripley's  (the  house  the 
first  election  was  held  in). 


PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  848 

The  first  forge  set  up  in  the  township  was  by  Joseph  Ripley, 
but  long  ago  deserted.  Jonathan  Cable  built  the  second  one  in 
the  township,  which  is  yet  standing,  though  not  used  by  the 
public. 

Lewis  Forthun,  J.  C.  Lockwood,  John  Brisco  and  others,  about 
the  time  the  grange  movement  was  at  its  height,  formed  a  society 
that  was  known  as  the  Farmers'  Club — alter  the  manner  of  tliose 
organizations  in  the  Eastern  States.  But  owing  to  lateness  of  the 
season,  and  other  conflicting  causes,  but  few  meetings  were  held. 
The  object  was  a  worthy  one,  and  such  a  society  should  be  in  a 
flourishing  condition  in  such  an  enterprising  township  as  Pleasant 
Grove,  agriculturally. 

Our  acknowledgments  are  due  to  "Wesley  Brownell,  Lewis  For- 
thun, I.  C.  and  J.  P.  Lockwood,  John  Brisco,  D.  B.  Woods,  0. 
F.  Beck,  John  Perry,  Henry  M.  Smith,  Frank  Beal,  Joel  Doore, 
Geo.  F.  Lambert  and  many  others,  who  have  given  a  singularly 
able  co-operation — a  co-operation  expected  only  from  men  who  take 
a  pride  in  carrying  out  promises,  whether  made  or  implied. 

An  incident  illustrating  the  expeditiousness  required  upon  the 
part  of  the  settler  in  order  to  acquire  land  under  the  pre-emption 
Act,  on  account  of  the  fast  influx  of  emigration,  we  give  herewith. 
Mr.  Wesley  Brownell  arrived  in  the  county  Dec.  15,  1855.  The 
Government  land-office,  then  at  Decorah,  opened  on  the  20th.  To 
get  papers  under  this  act,  one  must  settle  upon  a  certain  quarter 
and  actually  commence  operations — building,  etc.  Mr.  B.  took 
up  the  southeast  section  2i,  hired  a  yoke  of  oxen  of  some  distant 
neighbor,  drew  the  four  corner-stones  for  his  house,  turned  over  a 
few  furrows  of  prairie,  filed  his  papers  for  pre-emption,  and  had  his 
deed  on  the  20th.  Decorah  then  was  to  be  reached  only  by  horse. 
We  see  him  going  at  John  Gilpin  speed. 

Pleasant  Grove  Township  has  never  had  a  reguLir  practicing 
attorney,  though  Mr.  Seth  Lockwood,  previous  to  his  moving  here, 
was  an  active  member  of  the  New  York  b.u',  having  read  law 
under  Harrington  &  Palmer,  Peterborough,  N.  Y.,  and  practiced 
there  upward  of  twenty  years,  or  until  the  new  code  went  into 
effect  in  18-1:2.  He  was  also  justice  of  the  sessions  in  Cattiraugua 
County,  N.  Y.,  for  two  terms.  Since  Mr.  Lockwood's  becoming 
a  ci  izcn  of  this  township,  he  has  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  with  satisfaction,  rendering  impartial  decisions  and  giving 
singularly  correct  papers.  Mr.  L  jckwood  is  at  present  in  his 
ninetieth  yeir,  and  retains  a  clear  and  uticlouded  tnind.     His  son, 


844  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Jackson  C.  Lockwood,  is  the  present  incumbent  of  the  office,  and 
for  clearness  of  drafting,  and  correctness  of  decisions,  he  follow* 
the  footsteps  of  his  father.  We  understand  that  he  also  read  law 
several  years,  his  health  not  permitting  of  the  arduous  duties  at- 
tending the  legal  profession.  He  has  also  been  County  Supervisor 
one  full  term. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Henry  Allen  was  born  in  Canada,  and  moved  to  township  94 
north,  16  west,  in  1878.  He  married  Mrs.  Joseph  Johnson,  nee 
Julia  Ripley.  Mr.  Allen  is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  in  the  county. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Col.  David  Hipley,  formerly  County  Judge,, 
whose  sketch  will  be  found  among  the  illustrious  dead.  To  Mrs. 
Allen  we  have  given  the  credit  of  being  the  first  in  the  field  of 
pioneer  education  in  Riverton  and  Pleasant  Grove.  She  also  taugh  t 
one  of  the  earliest  schools  in  St.  Charles  Township.  Mrs.  Allen's' 
life  has  been  continually  upon  the  frontier  line  until  very  recently^ 
her  father  at  first  moving  to  Floyd  so  early  as  to  necessitate  a  re- 
treat from  the  Indians  for  two  years;  then  back  again;  then,  in 
ISB-l,  to  Colorado;  then  two  years  in  Southern  Iowa;  then  again 
north  into  Southeast  Dakota.  Mrs.  Allen  was  born  in  Gallia^ 
Ohio,  May  8,  1837. 

Ifrank  Beal,  one  of  the  residents  of  the  Maine  or  "  Down  East"" 
settlement,  was  born  in  Dover,  Maine,  Dec.  14,  1842.  He  was  a 
son  of  Herman  and  Phebe  (Doore)  Beal;  his  mother  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Joel  Doore  of  the  same  town,  and  sister  of  Joel  Doore,  who 
now  resides  in  this  township,  bringing  the  relation  of  "  Uncle  Joel"^ 
to  a  veritable  fact  in  Mr.  Beal's  case.  Mr.  Beal  received  the  com- 
mon-school education  of  a  Maine  district  school,  living  at  home 
until  bis  thirteenth  year,  when,  in  his  sixteenth  year,  the  gold  fever 
seized  him  and  he  packed  his  trunk  and  started  westward  via  the 
isthmus.  For  two  years  he  was  mining  at  "Willow  Springs,  Placer 
County,  after  which  he  "  railroaded  it"  on  the  San  Francisco  & 
San  Jose  Road.  California  life  did  not  agree  with  him — the  wet 
season  was  too  wet,  and  the  glare  of  the  sun  after  harvest  season 
was  too  scorching  to  be  at  all  pleasant;  and  so  in  four  years  from 
the  time  of  his  arrival  he  started  eastward,  landing  in  Maine  in 
1864.  He  bought  a  farm  in  Charleston,  upon  which  he  lived  four 
years,  selling  out  in  favor  of  one  in  Dover,  working  that  one  year. 
A  chance  as  foreman  of  a  large  fancy-stock  farm  at  Upton,  Mass., 
owned  by   D.  W.  Batchelor,  boot  manufacturer,  induced  him   to 


X  PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  '  845 

again  sell.  His  uncle,  Joel  Doore,  having  about  this  time  got  set- 
tled in  this  new  "Garden  of  the  West,"  wrote  him  to  come;  and 
thus,  in  1870,  he  came  to  Pleasant  Grove  Township.  He  bought 
two  eighties — the  southeast  of  section  29  and  the  southwest  of 
section  28.  When  he  came  here  nothing  but  a  log  cabin  stood  on 
the  place  for  a  house,  and  from  this,  in  a  storm  a  few  years  after- 
ward, the  roof  was  blown,  nearly  crushing  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beal  and 
Mr.  George  Seal's  family.  About  this  time  things  looked  gloomy 
and  lonesome  enough.  By  hard,  honest  toil  and  a  practical  mind 
he  has  to-day  one  of  the  best  and  pleasantest  homes  in  this  portion 
of  Floyd  County.  From  a  log  cabin  he  now  has  a  house  of  all 
modern  comforts  and  all  the  conveniences  to  be  found  in  any  farm- 
house. From  a  straw-and-turf  stable  he  has  a  commodious  barn 
60  X  32;  crops,  about  eighty  acres  annually.  He  was  initiated  into 
Olive  Branch  Lodge,  No.  124,  of  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Charleston, 
Maine,  in  1865,  and  is  now  a  member  of  Alpha  Lodge,  of  Greene. 
He  married  Carrie  Batchelor,  of  Dover,  Maine,  April  14,  1866. 
Miss  Batchelor  was  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Olive  (Gerry)  Batch- 
elor, who  are  long  residents  of  that  town.  Mrs.  Beal  was  one  of 
the  first  in  the  ranks  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  being  its  charter  Treas- 
urer. 

Charles  ^.  Beck  was  born  in  Greene  Township,  Gallia  County, 
O.,  May  18,  1845.  He  was  the  sixth  in  a  family  of  thirteen.  His 
parents  are  Jacob  and  Sophia  Beck,  now  living  in  Riverton,  whose 
biographies  may  be  found  in  the  contents  of  that  township.  Charles 
F.,  like  the  majority  of  boys  in  those  early  days,  received  but  a 
common-school  education,  but  by  a  wise  use  of  that,  together  with 
shrewd  powers  of  observation,  has  mastered  all  obstacles,  so  far  as 
general  knowledge  and  business  laws,  and  the  right  and  wrong  in 
the  political  economy  of  the  country  goes.  He  was  at  home  dur- 
ing his  minority,  and  until  his  twenty-fourth  year,  when  he  took 
unto  hiniFelf  a  wife,  marrying  Miss  Viola  Reynolds,  dangiiter  of 
S.  L.  Reynolds,  formerly  of  this  township,  but  more  recently  of 
Greene.  Miss  Reynolds  had  the  honor  of  being  the  first  teacher 
in  School- house  No.  1  ,and  perhaps  in  the  district.  About  the 
date  of  his  marriage  he  bought  his  present  home — a  farm  of  ninety 
acres,  on  section  8.  To  them  one  child,  a  daughter,  has  been  born. 
Mr.  Beck  crops  about  eighty  acres  on  his  own  place,  and  some 
forty  more  on  an  ailjacent  section.  Inasmuch  as  we  found  Mr. 
Beck  to  be  one  of  Floyd's  earliest  settlers,  we  have  used  many  of 


846  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

the  facts  thus  gleaned  in  the  body  of  the  work,   and  for  which  we 
give  credit. 

John  Frederick  Christian  Bicknese^  born  in  Erichshagen,  Wolpe 
County,    Kingdom  of   Hanover,  Dec.    17,    1815,   was   a    son  of 
Conrad  and  Marie  (Lubbers)  Bicknese,  and  the  eldest  son  of  six 
children.     He  lived  at  home  until   his   fifteenth  vear,   when  he 
worked  for  a  year  and  a  half  in  a  hotel.     Tiien  for  two  years  for  a 
dyer,  when  he  entered  into  a  contract  to  learn  the  trade.     In  Aug- 
ust, 1838,  he  took  out  a  passport,  dated  Aug.   30,  1838.      In  those 
days  a  passport  book  had  to  be  obtained  and  each  night   to  be  left 
with  the  police  until  further  movements  demand  its  possession. 
His  movements  were  about  as  follows:  starting  from  Erichshagen, 
he  staid  first  at  Celle;  from  Celle  he  went  to  Bremen,  from  Bremen 
to  Oldenburg.     At  each  place  all  travelers  are  examined  to  see  if 
they  have  been  vaccinated,  and  if  they  have  traveling  money — $5 
being  requisite  before  proceeding.      From  Oldenburg  he  went  to 
Yarel,  tben  to  Aurish,  then  to  Burgsteinfurth,   where  he  worked 
nearly  two  months.     After  this  to  Osnedrick,  then   to  Wildeshau- 
sen,    then  to  Buckeburg;  from   here    to    Hildeshein;    from  here 
to  Braunschweig,  then  to  Grimraa,  Saxony,  then  to  Leipsig;  from 
here  to  Dresden;  from  here    he  went  to  Breslau,  Prussia;    from 
here  to  Lignitz,  then  to  a  part  of  Prussia  Puland,  Zduny;  from 
here  to  Kozmin;  from  here  to  Tlioren,  then  to  Elbing  via  Graud- 
ing   and    Marenwerder;    from    Elbing  to    Soldan;    from  here   to 
Hohenstein  ;  here  he  worked  three  months.      Then    to    Konigs- 
berg;  from  here  to  Danzig,  Prussia,  again;  from  here  to  Stolp, 
then   to   Coslin,  then  to  Colberg,  then   back   to  Stolp,  where  he 
secured  five  weeks'  work.    From  here  to  Landsberg,   then  to  Rue- 
enwale;  here  he  worked  fourteen  weeks.       From    here   to  Soldin, 
then   to  Stettin.       During   this    time  he  was    traveling   on  foot, 
and  here,  having  sore  feet,  he  had  to  be  still  a  few  days.     Then  to 
Stralsund;  from  there  to  Demmin,  from   there  to  Paswalk,  from 
there  to   Naubrandenburg,   from  there  to   Frankfort-on-the-Oder, 
then  back  to  Breslau;  from  there  to  Leobsclmefz,  tben   to  Hirsch- 
berg,  then  to  Zittan,  then  to  Freiberg,  from   there   to  Chemmitz. 
There  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  find  work  for  one  vear  and  a  half, 
where  he  had  charge  of  forty-five  raeru     After  this,  desiring  more 
experience,  he  resigned  and  went  to  Erfiirth,  working  about  five 
weeks;  then  to  Gotha,  then  toMinningen,  then  to  Coluirg,  then  to 
Bavaria,  Culmbach,  from  there  to  Bayruth,   then   to    Schnabelwid, 
then  to  Nurnberg,  then  to  Ausbach,  then  to  Westertrndingen,  then 


PLEASANT  GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  84^ 

to  Koslinger,  then  to  Dorian wortli,  then  to  Angsbnrg,  then  to 
Schwab;nniicheii,  then  to  Kaiit'buren,  then  to  Kempten,  then  to 
lesny,  Wurtcmbnrg,  then  to  Leutkirch,  then  to  Stuttgart,  then  to 
Naleii;  there  he  worked  fourteen  weeks.  From  there  to  Gniund; 
there  he  again  worked  fourteen  weeks.  From  there  he  weut  to 
Tubengeii,  then  to  Balingen,  then  to  Schaf  hausen,  then  passing 
over  the  border  of  Wurtenburg,  to  Gallen,  Switzerland;  there  he 
worked  fourteen  weeks.  From  tliere  to  Berne,  then  to  Lucerne; 
from  here  back  to  Germany,  Baden  Baden,  to  Freiburg,  then  to 
Menlieim;  from  there  to  Wurzburg,  then  to  Bamburg;  from  there 
to  Cumbacii,  then  to  Jtlof,  then  to  Griez,  then  to  Altenburg,  tliori 
to  Hildeshim,  and  from  there  to  where  he  was  born,  arriving  home 
Dec.  8,  1842,  making  a  journey  of  four  years  and  four  montlis. 
This  has  been  taken  from  the  passport  b3ok.  It  also  shows  about 
what  the  German  journeyman  has  to  pass  tlirougii  to  gain  that 
perfection  in  his  trade  that  brings  demand  for  his  labor.  He  worked 
at  his  trade  about  one  year  at  home;  then  from  Bremen  s:iiled  to 
Baltimore,  landing  in  America.  Aug.  18,  ISii.  From  Baltimo.*e 
he  went  to  Wilkinsburg,  Pa.;  worked  seven  years  and  a  half  in  the 
Baltimore  coal  mine,  Alex.  Gray  being  proprietor.  From  iiere  to 
Dane  County,  Wis.,  in  1852.  While  in  Wilkinsburg  he  married 
Frances  Tlogstien.  He  lived  in  Dane  County  fourteen  years  and  a 
half.  Then  came  to  this  township,  Nov.  30,  18H6.  Hiscliildron 
are — Clemerce  L.,  Mary  C,  John  Francis,  Bernard,  Katy.  Frank, 
Joseph,  Dora,  and  Lena.  His  wife  died  in  March,  1878.  Hi  owns 
40  5  acres,  and  crops:  of  corn,  eighty-live  acres;  nf  oats,  forty-two 
and  one-half  acres;  of  wheat,  eighty-six  acres;  tame  grass,  fourteen 
acres. 

John  Brisco,  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Iowa,  and  one  who 
has  seen  nothing  but  fronti*^r-life  since  his  early  boyhood  in  Shelby 
County,  Ky.,  until  now,  was  born  of  good  old  Kentucky  stock  in 
Shelby  County.  His  jiaronts  moved  from  thereto  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  when  he  was  a  small  boy.  His  reminiscences  of  Indiana  or 
Hoosier  })ioncer  life;  of  their  log  cabins  without  a  scrap  of  iron; 
their  primitive  customs  as  a  whole,  are  very  interesting.  He  lived 
at  home,  assisting  his  father  to  carry  on  the  farm  until  his  nineteenth 
year,  when  he  went  to  work  on  the  river,  f)iloting  the  old-styled 
flat  boat  between  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  New  Orleans.  It  was  a  life 
of  intense  hardship.  One  of  these  boats,  floating  with  the  stream, 
took  fifteen  days  or  more  to  do  the  journey.  The  boats,  when  thej 
62 


850  HISTORY  OP^  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

arrived,  were  sold  for  the  lumber  in  them,  though  some  of  them 
have  been  brought  up  the  stream  by  means  of  ropes  and  horses. 
In  1843  he  married  Adeline  Head,  of  Monroe  County.  Her  father 
emigrated  from  "  New  Virginia"  when  she  was  but  two  years  of 
age.  Their  names  were  Josiah  and  Lydia  Head.  I3oth  died  when 
she  was  quite  young.  Mrs.  Brisco  is  a  grand  example  of  what  our 
early  pioneer  women  were,  having  endured  privations  and  hardships 
•with  her  husband,  working  in  the  field  as  in  the  house,  being  a 
*' better  shot"  with  the  frontiersman's  rifle  than  the  majority  of 
tliera  themselves,  and  lastly  having  raised  a  family  of  fourteen 
children,  the  greater  portion  living  to-day  to  bless  the  mother  and 
father  from  whom  they  have  inherited  sound  constitutions  and  pure 
blood.  Mr.  Brisco,  to-day,  is  healthy  and  vigorous.  Upon  Mr. 
Brisco's  marriage  they  moved  to  Kosciusko  County  in  the  fjill  of 
1847,  and  from  there  moved  to  Allamakee,  living  there  until  1861, 
when  he  moved  to  Riverton.  In  Allamakee  County  he  moved  to 
Rossville,  where  he  bought  200  acres — two  besides  himself  living 
ill  that  section  at  that  time,  and  laid  out  the  town,  now  Rossville. 
He  carried  on  the  farm  for  three  vears,  then  moved  to  town  and 
went  into  the  manufvcturing  of  plows  and  blacksmithing  with 
David  Skirnicr,  and  remained  in  the  company  seven  years,  when  he 
so'd  out  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Ross  and  built  a  steam 
grist-mill,  which  he  ran  about  one  year,  returning  to  the  farm. 
During  the  time  he  ran  the  manufacturing  of  plows  he  went  into 
and  established  a  shop  at  Oronoko,  on  Zumbro  River,  running  it 
one  year  and  sold  out.  During  this  time  he  also  made  two  trips 
to  Pike's  Peak,  it  being  the  time  of  the  gold  fever,  crossing  the 
plains  four  times  with  an  ox  team;  the  first  time  there  was  a  com- 
pany of  sixty  men  and  thirty  wagons;  the  second  time  twenty-seven 
men,  one  woman  and  sixteen  wagons.  During  the  last  trip  they 
made  a  halt  at  Denver,  the  Indians  being  on  the  war-path.  At  the 
time  of  their  settlement  in  Iowa,  bears  and  game  were  abundant. 
Mrs.  Brisco  has  seen  five  bears  at  one  time.  The  pigs  had  to  be 
kept  in  the  house;  and  being  afraid  they  would  molest  the  children, 
Mrs.  Brisco  learned  to  use  the  rifle.  Some  of  her  shots  rival  the 
stories  of  the  frontier  marksman.  Her  husband  once  wagered  a 
pair  of  pants  against  a  new  dress  that  she  could  not  kill  over  four 
or  fi  ve  partridges  or  wood  pheasants  at  a  shot;  but  her  scoring  thirty- 
one  birds  with  every  shot  won  the  dress.  Few  women  in  the  his- 
tory of  frontier  life  have  equaled  this.  Squirrels  and  wild  turkeys 
were  doomed   if  she  could  see  as  much  as  their  heads.     She  has 


PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  851 

killed  two  deer.  In  1870  he  bought  a  farm  of  ninety  acres  in  Pleas- 
ant Grove  and  lived  there  four  years;  then  sold  it  and  bought  the 
one  of  160  acres,  where  he  now  resides.  Their  children  are — 
Prier  L.,  Lydia  M.  and  Elizabeth  Jane,  born  in  Monroe  County, 
Ind. ;  Jeremiah  and  Harriet  M.,  born  in  Kosciusko  County,  Ind., 
Matilda  I.  (the  tirst  child  born  in  the  county),  John  L.  (died  when 
three  years  old),  Emmie  L.  (died  in  infancy),  Josiah,  Clementine 
and  Robinson  M.,  born  in  Allamakee  County,  la.;  Charles  C, 
Francis  U.  and  Walter  M.,  born  in  Riverton,  Floyd  County. 

Weshy  Brownell  was   born  in    Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  Oct. 
16,    1830;    received  a  common-school  education;    remained  with 
his  parents  until  about  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when   he   com- 
menced to  do  for  himself,  by  working  for  his  neighbors.     At  the 
age  of  twenty-four  he  bantered  a  chum  of  his  own  age  to  respond 
to  the  call  from  Kansas,  for  settlers  from  the  East.     Though  his 
friend  declined,  he  packed  his  trimk  and  started  for  the  broad  prairie 
land  of  the  West.     He  spent  the  first  year  in  Illinois,  and  in  1855  he 
came  to  Iowa.    An  incident  we  here  relate  illustrates  the  expeditious- 
ness  required  upon  the  part  of  the  settler  in  order  to  get  land,  on 
account  of  the  fast  inflowing  population.     Mr.  Brownell  arrived  in 
this  county  Dec.  15;  the  Government  land-office  at  Decorah  opened 
on  the  20th.     He  commenced  improvements  on  160  acres,  section 
24,  Kiverton,  now  Pleasant  Grove,  Township;  filed  his  papers  for 
pre-emption  in  the  meantime,  securing  the  land  on  the  20th.    Upon 
this  land  he  resided  until  1868,  when  he  sold  and  moved  to  Mitch- 
ell County  and  purchased  a  farm   and  made    that  his   home  two 
years.     At  the  expiration  of  this  term  he  returned  to  Floyd  County, 
and  farmed  land  on  shares  three  years.     In  1873  he  purchased  the 
farm   of  160  acres  where  he   still  resides,    section   36,   Pleasant 
Grove.     He  crops  apout  125  acres:  corn,  seventy;  oats,  thirty-five; 
balance   tame  grass;  keeps   about   twelve  head  cattle,  four  horsea 
and   from    fifteen  to   one   hundred   hogs.      Has    always    escaped 
the  hog  cholera  till   last  year,  when    he  lost   seventy-five   head. 
During  the  war  Mr.  Brownell  was  drafted   as  second  to  a  drafted 
matr,  there  being  only  one  man  drafted  in  the  company.     Fortu- 
nately for  Mr.  Brownell,  the  man  was  accepted  upon  examination. 
The  township  organized  an  insurance  company  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  might  be  drafted.     Their  first  papers  proving  inefticient 
they  drew  up  new  ones.      They  all   signed  the  new   ones  except 
this  Mr.  Wilcox,  who  happened  to  be  the  only  man  drafted  in  the 
township.     Mr.    Brownell  was   married   in    Bradford,  Chickasaw 


862  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

County,  la.,  April  21,  1861,  to  Miss  Jane  Adams  a  native  oi 
Canada.  Their  family  consists  of  five  children — Elva  A.,  Martin 
C,  Minnie  0.,  William  I.,  and  Robert  S.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
order  of  Freemasons.  Is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  has 
been  a  Republican  ever  since  the  party  had  existence.  Yoted  for 
Fremont  in  185G  and  was  previously  an  Abolitionist.  Whilea  citi- 
zen of  Rivertou  Township  he  lield  the  office  ot"  Assessor  seven  years, 
and  was  County  Supervisor  some  three  terms;  was  Township  Clerk 
one  year  previous.  Since  becoming  a  citizen  of  Pleasant  Grove 
he  was  elected  Assessor,  which  position  he  has  held  for  tiie  past 
three  years.  Besides  being  a  member  of  the  School  Board  the 
greater  part  of  the  time,  while  residing  in  both  townships,  several 
years,  he  acted  as  Secretary.  Mr.  Brownell  cast  the  first  vote  in 
this  township.  Mr.  Brownell  stands  high  in  the  esteem  of  his 
fellow  towns-people,  as  a  man  whose  word  is  as  good  as  his  bond; 
such,  too,  is  the  reputation  given  the  Brownells  in  the  history  of 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y. 

Allan  J.  Doore^  son  of  Joel  and  Sarah  (Cushing)  Doore,  whose 
sketch  joins  this,  was  born  in  Atkinson,  Piscataquis  County,  Me., 
May  19,  ISitt.  He  came  to  this  township  the  first  year  of  ite 
organization.  He  received  an  academic  education  ;  taught  several 
terms  of  school  winters,  and  helped^  liis  father  on  the  farm  sum- 
mers. His  idea  of  Western  prospects  have  been  quite  fully  realized. 
He  married  Alice  M.  Lockwood,  daughter  of  J.  C.  Lockwood,  of 
this  township,  May  19,  1872.  Their  cliildren  are — Raymond  L., 
Allan  W.,  Harry  C,  and  Grace  M.  He  has  240  acres  of  land  in  Scott 
Township,  sections  32  and  33.  Mr.  Doore,  like  his  father,  is  a 
thrifty  farmer,  bringing  Maine  pluck  and  energy.  The  attraction 
of  the  pi-airie  to  a  farmer-bred  New  England  are  great.  Mr.  Doore 
when  first  arriving  in  this  locality  thought  he  saw,  at  least,  "  easy 
ao-ricultu re"  compared  with  tliat  among  the  rocks  and  stumps  of 
Maine,  and  wrote  his  father  to  this  effect.  Ho  had  no  intention 
of  staving  when  he  left  home,  tiie  object  being  in  the  main  to 
escort  his  sister,  Mrs.  Rodolpha  Young,  to  her  home.  The  surprise 
lie  had,  together  with  tlie  great  difference  between  the  soil  of  tlie 
Pine  Tree  State  and  that  of  the  Hawkeye,  made  him  form  the 
resolution  of  staying,  and,  buying  a  quarter  section,  immediately 
sent  word  to  his  parents  to  come  West.  In  two  years  his  persua- 
sions brought  the  "  old  folks."  Father  and  son  live  in  hnppiness 
and  comfort  together.     He  has  225  acres  under  cultivation:    100- 


PLEASANT  GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  853 

acres  of  corn  ;   sixty,  r^'e  ;  sixty -five,  oats.     Has  gone  into  the  bee 
culture,  having  at  present  fifteen  hives. 

Joel  Doore,  or  "Uncle  Joel,"  as  he  is  familiarly  called  by 
nearly  every  one  living  in  the  "  Maine  settletnent,"  came  to  Pleas- 
ant Grove  Township  in  1869,  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  his  son 
and  daughter — now  Mrs.  Rudolph  Young,  of  Yerndale,  Minn.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  many 
years.  The  old-stvle  Scotch  practice,  so  eloquently  described  in 
Robert  Burns'  "Cotter's  Saturday  Night,"  seemed  peculiarly  ap- 
propriate to  Mr.  Doore's  whole-souled,  yet  simplicity  of,  character, 
and  the  morning  worship  thus  conducted  will  ever  be  remembered 
by  the  writer  of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Doore  was  born  in  Dover,  Pis- 
cataquis  County,  Maine,  Nov.  7,  1813.  He  was  a  son  of  Joel  and 
Hannah  Doore,  one  of  Piscataquis's  early  settlers.  The  family  con- 
sisted of  eight  sons  and  three  daughters.  Of  course  in  those  early 
days,  even  East,  schools  were  in  a  rude  and  primitive  state,  in 
consequence  of  which  no  one  received  but  a  common-school  educa- 
tion, and  education,  like  many  other  branches  of  vital  importance 
to  the  development  of  character,  being  dependent  on  the  man's 
mind,  his  powers  of  self-restraint,  observation,  integrity  of  charac- 
ter and  purp'ise.  He  has  always  followed  the  farm  as  a  means  of 
livelihood,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  which  he  spent  in  Cali- 
fornia in  1849-'50.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Cushing,  daughter  of 
James  and  Nancy  Cushing.  The  names  of  the  children  born  to 
them  are — Eliza  N.,  James  N.,  Nancy  C,  Isley  O.,  Allen  J., 
Pauline  S.  Eliza  N.  married  Charles  Ramsdell,  and  is  living 
directly  opposite  her  father's;  his  two  sons,  Isley  O.  and  James 
N.,  were  of  the  first  of  those  brave  volunteers  who  left  the  com- 
forts of  their  liomes,  their  social  and  domestic  pleasures,  and  who 
severed  for  the  time  the  ties  which  linked  them  to  their  ftimilies 
and  friends,  to  rally  for  the  defense  of  their  country  and  the  insti- 
tutions under  which  they  had  been  permitted  to  enjoy  there 
comforts,  pleasures  and  affections;  to  face  the  stern  realities  of 
grim-visaged  war;  to  endure  the  hardships  and  privations  of  the 
field;  to  inhale  the  pestilential  emanations  from  Southern  swamps; 
to  languish  in  sickness  and  pain,  and  to  find  solitary  and  unknown 
graves  where  neither  father,  nor  mother,  nor  brother,  nor  sister  could 
come  to  drop  affection's  tears.  And  thus  they  died,  and  lie  with 
thousands  of  unknown  and  unmarked  graves,  the  former  near  New 
Orleans,  where  he  died  of  fever,  November,  1862;  the  latter  on 
Ship  Island,  of  tlu  same  disease,  July  IT,  1862.    But  their  patriot- 


854  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ism  and  their  sufierings,  in  the  hearts  of  their  towns-people,  and 
on  the  Roll  of  Honor,  shall  be  an  enduring  monument.  Pauline 
S.  married  Clifton  Huckins,  M.  D.,  son  of  Deacon  Hnckins.  Mr. 
Huckins  was  the  first  and  only  physician  in  Pleasant  Grove. 
Mr.  Doore  moved  from  Maine  in  1869,  buying  160  acres  in  section 
32.  He  brought  with  him  Maine  ways  and  economy — the  whole- 
some teachings  of  thrifty,  broad-minded  parents,  as  all  New 
Englanders  of  the  past  generation,  who  reared  large  families 
among  the  rocks  and  the  forests  and  the  hills  of  the  East,  were. 
From  these  teachings  he  has  been  able  to  meet  the  world  in  a 
practical  and  yet  pleasant  way,  and  to  have  accomplished  in  these 
few  years  of  Western  experiences  what  many  of  our  more  Western 
residents,  with  an  easier  notion  of  life  and  methods,  have  been 
years  longer  in  doing.  He  has  fine  buildings,  a  barn  about 
40  X  60,  and  his  manner  of  husbandry  evinces  plainer  than  words 
its  practicability.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  when  a 
resident  of  Maine  held  the  various  town  offices  at  different  periods. 
He  crops  this  year  about  forty  acres  of  spring  wheat,  twenty  acres 
of  oats,  fifty  acres  of  corn;  has  a  large  number  of  horses,  and  about 
fifty  pigs. 

Andrew  A.  Egiuw  was  born  in  Rockport,  Spencer  County,, 
Ind.,  July  18,  1841.  His  parents  were  James  and  Elizabeth 
(Yarner)  Egnew,  of  Kentucky.  His  fatlier  followed  farming  for  a 
livelihood.  Of  a  family  of  fourteen  Andrew  A.  was  tenth.  He 
lived  at  home  during  his  minority,  enlisting  in  the  Fourth  Indiana 
Cavalry,  Company  K,  Captain  C.  C.  Mason  commanding,  a  month 
succeeding  his  minority.  He  was  engaged  the  first  six  months  in 
hunting,  running  down  the  Kentucky  guerrillas,  Mason,  the  rebel 
among  them.  After  this  he  was  in  Rosencrans's  advance,  going 
through  the  ever-to-be-reraembered  battle  of  Chickamauga.  After 
the  retreat  of  the  troops  from  Chickamauga  this  company  went 
into  the  march  after  Wheeler,  when  he  crossed  the  Tennessee,  after 
the  Federal  supply  trains.  After  this  his  regiment  was  ordered  as 
the  advancCjdoingreconnoiteringand  surveying  duty  near  Fayettes- 
ville.  While  thus  engaged,  doing  picket  duty,  a  minie-ball  entered 
the  arm  through  the  inferior  portion  of  the  triceps  muscle,  two  or 
three  inches  below  the  articulation  of  the  humerus  with  the  clavicle, 
and  passing  just  beneath  the  bone  emerged  near  the  center  of  the 
biceps  muscles,  lacerating  these  most  important  appliances  of 
nature's  handiwork  in  a  fearful  manner,  resulting  in  an  almost  total 
paralysis  of  the  arm  and  a  with3ring  of  t'^e  hand,  the  latter  rigidly 


PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  855 

contracted.  The  ball  passing  out  of  his  arm  entered  his  right  side, 
making  quite  a  serious,  though  flesli,  wound.  After  this  lie  wa* 
transferred  to  the  vetera'i  reserve  corps,  not  receiving  liis  discharge 
until  the  February  of  1865.  He  is  at  present  drawing  a  small 
pension — a  pension  much  too  small.  After  his  discharge  he  taught 
school  for  ten  or  twelve  years  about  his  home,  assisting  on  the  fana 
during  vacations.  He  was  married  April  9,  1869,  to  Cynthia  M. 
Starkweather.  Tiieir  children  are — Sydney  C.  and  M  nuie  R. 
Mr.  Egnew  lived  in  Spencer  County  until  March,  1877,  when  he 
moved  to  Butler  County,  la.;  lived  there  three  years,  then  moved 
to  Marble  Rosk,  residing  there  one  year;  from  there  to  this  plea^j- 
ant  locality,  section  8,  township  91:  north,  range  16  west.  Althougii 
we  cannot  claim  Mr.  Egnew  among  Floyd's  soldiers,  we  can  claiia 
the  same  spirit  for  him  as  imbued  their  breasts — to  tight,  suffer 
and  die  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union  and  the  honor  of  the 
stars  and  stripes. 

Jamen  Flddick^  an  Englishman  by  descent,  was  born  in  Simons- 
town,  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Africa,  April,  1857.  His  parents' 
names  were  James  and  Elizabeth  Fiddick.  '  His  mother  was  bora 
in  Cornwall  County,  England,  in  1826;  was  married  in  1852,  and 
moved  to  Cape  of  Good  Hope  in  1853.  Mr.  Fiddick  was  for  many 
years  connected*  with  the  civil  service  at  Simonstown,  living  there 
thirteen  years.  Mr.  Fiddick  died  in  Cornw-ill,  Nov.  IS,  1873. 
Their  children,  born  at  the  Cape,  were  Priscilla  J.,  Richard,  Jame.s, 
William,  Laura  J.,  Ellen  E.  and  Emma  A.  Thomas  and  Bertha 
M.  were  born  in  England.  James,  the  third  of  the  chiMren,  em- 
igrated to  Bockford,  111.,  when  his  mother  and  family  came,  '\\\ 
1874.  They  lived  in  Bockford  live  years,  moving  to  Pleasant 
Grove  Township,  to  section  19,  where  all  the  family  are  comfort- 
ably settled.  He  married  Bebecca  Pooley  in  1881,  sister  of  John 
B.  Pooley,  a  near  neighbor.  He  is  cropping  about  100  acres. 
Mr.  Fiddick  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at 
Greene,  and  a  most  exemplary  man. 

Leivis  Forthiui^  a  native  of  Lyster,  Southern  Norway,  was  born 
in  the  year  18^7,  and  was  youngest  and  fourth  son  of  Knut  and 
Carrie  Forthun.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  his  nineteenth 
year,  receiving  such  education  as  was  to  be  had  in  Norway's  com- 
mon schools,  when  the  desire  of  adventure  took  possession  of  him, 
the  wonders  of  America  being  the  unknown  magnet.  Bidding 
good-bye  to  father  and  mother,  sister  and  brothers,  and  his  native 
land,  he  eventually  reached  Dane  County,  Wis.,  after  many  inter- 


866  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  OODNTY. 

eating  experiences,  hs  always  happen  to  emigrants  to  whom  the 
English  hinguage  i^j  foreign.  Here  he  lived  one  year,  moving 
into  Rock  Cuiintj,  where  he  farmed  for  six  years.  Here  it  was 
tliat  he  assisted  in  setting  out  the  first  acre  of  tobacco  set  out  in 
tliis  county— a  brancli  of  farming  that  now  is  extensively  carried 
on.  From  here  he  moved  into  Crawford  County,  and  from  here, 
in  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  Eleventh  Wisconsin  Infantry,  Company 
E)  being  engaged  in  the  memorable  battle  before  Mobile,  where  he 
was  wounded,  a  minie-bail  striking  him  directly  in  the  mouth.  The 
eagerness  with  which  the  majority  of  men  of  foreign  birth,  and, 
in  some  cases,  of  newl}'  arrived  emigrants,  watched  the  la^e  war, 
and  enlisted  when  calls  for  more  men  were  made,  is  a  fact  remark- 
al)le  in  history.  After  his  return,  in  1865,  lie  married  Mary  E. 
Joslyn,  daughter  of  Marsena  and  Mary  A.  Joslvn,  late  of  Pleas- 
atit  Grove  Township,  now  residing  in  Greene,  Butler  County.  In 
1866  he  moved  to  Pleasant  Grove  Township,  and  bought  an 
eighty,  or  the  Joe  Ripley  farm,  in  what  was  then  Ripley's  Grove. 
Also  at  the  same  time  he  bought  an  adjoining  eighty  of  "Washing- 
ton Young,  moving  into  a  shanty  built  by  Mr.  Young  a  few  years 
before.  The  work  at  first,  as  was  the  case  with  all  new  farms  in 
the  timber,  was  that  of  grubbing,  but  by  assiduous  labors  it  has 
brought  the  acreage  of  available  land  from  a  few  to  those  of  his 
large  farm  of  to-day,  he  cropping  over  100  acres  of  corn  and 
nats.  A  few  years  ago  he  bought  another  eighty  adjoining,  east 
of  the  last,  upon  which  he  has  built  convenient  farm  buildings. 
Mr.  Forthun  has  been  active  in  politics,  and  has  been  chosen  to 
most  of  the  township  offices,  at  different  intervals,  and  for  the  past 
ihree  years  has  held  that  of  County  Supervisor,  of  which  to-day 
he  is  Chairman.  Three  children  have  been  horn  to  him — Jessie 
May,  Horace  Orville  Wallace,  and  Walter  S.  Much  credit  is  due 
Mr.  Forthun  as  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  the  rapid 
construction  of  the  present  court-house,  and  also  as  a  man,  who, 
coming  to  a  new  country,  in  a  few  years  mastered  its  language, 
eu^toms  and  politics  so  as  to  be  one  of  the  leading  spirits. 

William  Grierisih  was  born  in  Mecklenburg,  Germany,  in  1834, 
under  the  Grand  Duke  Frederick  Frantz.  His  parents  were 
Frederick  and  Lottie  Grierish,  and  had  six  children,  William  be- 
ing the  youngest.  He  lived  at  home,  working  on  a  farm  till  his 
nineteenth  year,  when,  in  1854,  he  emigrated  to  America,  landing 
first  in  New  York,  staying  eight  months,  and  eventually  coming 
to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  where  he  remained   a   short  time,    and  then 


PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  85T 

went  to  Waukesha  County  and  worked  on  a  farm  till  1866,  when 
he  went  to  Columbia  County  and  staid  three  years,  finally  coming 
to  Pleasant  Grove  Township,  Floyd  County,  where  he  still  re- 
sides, settling  on  120  acres  of  wild  land.  He  now  has  200  acres 
of  fine  land,  on  section  25,  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  Has 
in  crop  forty  acres  of  oats,  twenty-five  of  wheat,  sixty  of  corn, 
seven  of  barley,  and  twenty  of  tame  grass.  He  owns  forty  head 
of  cattle,  nine  horses  and  sixty  hogs.  He  was  married  in  1861, 
in  Waukesha,  Wis.,  to  Ann  BuJlen,  a  daughter  of  Edwin  and 
Sarah  (Osborn)  BuUen,  natives  of  England.  They  had  a  family 
of  eleven  children,  Ann  being  the  third  child.  Tliey  came  to 
America  in  1854  with  a  family  of  eight.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grierish 
have  two  children — Edward  W.  and  Albert  J.,  aged  twenty  and 
eighteen,  both  born  in  Wauke>ha,  Wis.  Edward  W.  is  Secretary 
of  the  Blue  Ribbon  Lodge.  His  buildings  are  on  the  east  side  of 
Ills  farm;  the  house  is  a  story  and  a  half,  the  front  part  being 
16x20  with  a  wina^  14x22.  His  granary  is  18x28  and  fourteen 
feet  high,  with  stone  basement  underneath  for  horses;  has  an  ad- 
dition to  the  granary  for  four  horses;  has  a  cow  barn  22x30, 
sixteen  feet  high  and  holds  nineteen  cows,  with  a  hay-mow  over- 
head; has  a  corn-crib  22x32,  with  corn  on  one  side  and  hogs  on 
the  other;  has  a  windmill,  the  Union  Star,  sixty  feet  high. 

Edgar  M.  Joslyii  was  born  in  Judali,  Green  County,  Wis.,  in 
1852.  His  parents,  who  moved  from  Worcester  County,  Mass., 
are  Marsena  and  Mary  A.  Joslyn.  They  have  always  taken  an 
active  part  in  tlie  promotion  of  all  religious  movements.  Their 
early  married  life  was  amid  the  noise  and  unhealthy  odors  of  an 
Eastern  cotton-mill,  to  escape  which  they  came  West,  moving 
from  Green  County  to  Floyd,  in  1865,  thus  being  residents  before 
it  was  an  organized  township,  separate  from  Union  and  River- 
ton.  In  other  portions  of  this  township  history  will  be  found  an 
account  of  Mr.  Marseni  Joslyn.  as  having  been  Leader  of  the  first 
class,  and  Superintendent  of  the  first  Sabbath-school  in  the  town- 
ship. He  is  a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  is  always  to  be  found  on 
the  side  whore  justice  reigns.  Of  late  years  he  has  moved  to 
(ireene,  his  son  Elgar  running  the  farm.  The  log  cabin 
yet  standing  on  the  home  place  was  the  first  one  they  built,  an 
old-fashioned  pioneers  cabin.  Edgar  M.  Joslyn  married  Zilpha 
S.  Robinson,  of  Hampton,  la.,  in  January,  1881.  Mr.  Joslyn  has  , 
also  been  useful  to  his  fellow  townsmen  as  a  teacher  of  their  schools 
for  several  terms.     And  while  the    "old  folks''    are  enjoying  the 


858  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

quiet  of  a  retired  life  in  so  pleasant  a  village  as  Greene,  it  must  be  a 
comfort  to  know  that  the  "old  place"  is  still  running  on  in  the  hands 
of  the  family.  Mr.  Josljn's  sister,  Mary  E.,  is  the  wife  of  Lewis 
Forthun,  a  neighbor,  and  the  present  incumbent  of  the  Chairman  of 
the  Board  of  County  Supervisors. 

George  J^\  Lambert  was  born  in  Dover,  Piscataquis  County, 
Me.,  June  7,  1838;  was  a  son  of  Paul  and  Maribah  (Fish)  Lam- 
bert. Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children — Lanson,  Hiram 
F.,  Samantha,  JSTancy,  Julia,  Ruby,  George  F.,  and  Prudence  F., 
all  having  passed  to  the  better  land  but  Hiram  F.  (now  living  ia 
St.  Charles  Township)  and  George  F.  He  lived  at  home  durin^^ 
his  minority  and  until  his  twenty-fourth  year,  when,  in  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Twenty-second  Maine  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Colonel  Girard  commanding.  Went  into  camp  at  Bangor 
about  live  weeks;  breaking  camp,  they  went  via  rail  to  Washington, 
camping  in  the  heights;  was  in  camp  there  about  one  week.  From 
here  the  regiment  went  to  Newport  News;  was  there  until  the 
26th  of  November.  Then  went  via  steamer  "S.  R.  Spauldinii"" 
to  Baton  Rouge,  and  was  put  under  Gen.  N.  P.  Banks  in  his 
expedition  against  Baton  Rouge.  While  at  Baton  Rouge  he  was 
taken  sick  with  the  dumb  ague,  as  many  thousands  were,  and  went 
into  the  hospital,  being  off  duty  about  three  weeks.  Then  in  March 
was  taken  with  the  measles.  About  100  of- the  men  were  sick  with 
them  at  the  same  time,  and  all  were  unable  to  do  duty  until  after 
their  discharge  in  August.  In  August,  1863,  were  mustered  out  at 
Camp  Pope,  Bangor.  Mr.  Lambert  had  a  very  narrow  escape  from 
dropsy.  After  his  return  he  went  back  to  farming,  and  lived  there 
until  his  thirty-eighth  ycKr.  AVas  married  in  Dover,  Sept.  15, 
1861,  to  Mary  E.  Page,  daughter  of  Samuel  J.  and  Susan  H.  (Goss) 
Page.  In  1876  they  sold  out  in  Maine,  and  moved  to  Pleasant 
Grove  Township,  northeast  section  29,  buying  of  his  brother,  H. 
F.  Lambert.  The  grove  about  his  home  was  set  in  1877  and  1878. 
We  find  Mr.  Lambert's  home  typical  of  the  comfortable  New 
England  home — the  pleasantest  of  any  in  the  world,  especially  to 
us  Yankees.  Mrs.  Lambert  was  in  the  first  movement  toward  the 
furthering  of  the  cause  of  temperance,  being  the  first  Secretary  of 
the  W.  C.  T.  U.  of  this  township,  auxiliary  to  the  county;  and  has 
been  Vice  Pre.-^ident  for  two  yeai-s.  Three  children  have  been 
born  to  them — Laura  M.,  born  in  Dover  Me.,  Aug.  15,  1S62;  Guy 
C,  born  in  Dover,  Me.,  Jan.  21,  1868;  and  Bessie  A.,  born  in 
Pleasant    Grove  Township,  April  28,   1879.     Mr.   Lambert  crops 


PLEASANT   GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  "  859 

nearly  his  whole  farm;  oats,  thirty  acres;  corn,  ninety-three  acres; 
wheat,  eight  acres;  tame  grass,  fifteen  acres.  He  has  five  cattle, 
five  horses,  and  200  hogs,  the  largest  number  in  the  township.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lambert  and  eldest  daughter  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  at  South  Dover,  they  having  been  members  for  twenty- 
five  years.  Mrs.  Lambert,  mother  of  George  F.,  came  West  with 
Mr.  Lambert  and  lived  here  four  years  in  her  son's  home. 

James  P.  Lockwood,  one  of  the  honored  veterans  of  the  late 
war,  was  born  of  good  New  England  blood.  His  father,  Seth  Lock- 
wood,  whose  interesting  sketch  appears  here,  and  as  will  be  seen 
was  a  native  of  staid  old  Connecticut.  James  P.  was  born  in 
Greene  County,  jSTov,  19,  1816,  being  second  son  of  Seth  and 
Diantha  Lockwood.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  in  his  four- 
teenth year,  when  he  turned  to  the  state  of  manhood — "  looking  out 
for  himself"  Between  this  period  and  that  of  his  coming  West 
he  followed  various  avocations  that  would  bring  him  an  honest 
penny.  At  first  he  worked  on  the  Croton  Water-works  about  New 
York  City;  then  in  the  lumber  business,  and  also  learned  the 
joiner's  trade,  working  at  it  at  difierent  times,  until  his  mov- 
ing to  Floyd  County,  in  Syracuse  and  Bochester  for  several  years. 
He  helped  to  build  the  propeller  "Indian  Chief,"  after  the  com- 
pletion of  which  he  went  up  through  the  Welland  Canal,  just  com- 
pleted, and  so  on  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  in  which  State  he  remained 
for  several  years,  and  from  which  he  enlisted.  While  on  the  lake 
the  propeller  struck  a  ledge  of  rocks,  giving  him  a  touch  of  old 
ocean  experience — his  first  and  last.  He  lived  in  Detroit  a  few 
weeks  only;  and  a  year  or  longer  in  Milwaukee.  He  helped  to  build 
the  depots  along  the  route  of  the  Prairie  du  Chien  Bailroad — that 
road,  the  civil  engineers  of  which  made  but  one  important  mistake,  as 
the  story  went  those  days.  When  asked  by  the  President  their  opinion 
of  the  road  replied  "  that  it  was  all  right  only  they  might  have 
got  one  more  curve  in  it  as  well  as  not."  From  railroad  work  he 
went  to  Menasha  (Sweet  Water),  Northern  Wisconsin,  at  the  out- 
let of  Lake  Winnebago,  where  he  was  in  season  to  help  build  the 
first  frame  house  in  that  town.  He  also  helped  to  build  two  saw- 
mills, dam  and  finmes,  and  ran  each  a  year  or  so.  His  experiences 
in  this  town  were  not  of  a  profitible  nature,  working  there  at  the 
hardest  kind  of  pioneer  labor  for  five  years,  and  not  having  scarcely 
money  enough  to  get  fairly  out  of  the  town  with.  His  next  residence 
was  at  Union,  Wis.;  from  tliere  to  McGregor's  Landing,  where  he 
built  the  dry  docks;  from  McGregor's  he  moved  to  Bacine,  work- 


8^0  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ing  in  tlie  works  of  the  .J.  I.  Case  Threshing  Machine  Company.  It 
was  while  at  Racine  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-second  Wisconsin 
Infantry,  being  in  service  two  years,  or  until  his  health  failed  him. 
He  was  detailed  as  hospital  nurse,  and  afterward  given  full  charge 
of  a  hospital  from  that  time  out.  These  duties  are  always  very 
arduous.  Some  incidents  connected  with  the  duties  made  them 
extremelj'  so.  For  one  instance  among  many,  we  relate  that  while 
at  Danville,  Ky.,  at  a  rumor  that  Gen.  John  Morgan's  fiends  were 
on  a  raid  in  that  locality,  the  whole  force,  15,000  strong,  broke  camp 
in  search  for  them,  leaving  Mr.  Lockwood  for  four  days  in  sole 
charge  of  150  sickmen.  This  is  what  ruined  his  health;  and  awhile 
afterward  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  bringing  with  him  all  the  sick 
he  could,  landing  them  at  Chicago.  After  regaining  his  health  he 
threw  up  a  pension  and  re-enlisted  in  the  100  days'  enlistment, 
going  into  Company  F.,  Thirty-ninth  Wisconsin  Regiment,  and  for 
which  he  holds  a  certificate  of  the  President's  thanks  for  honorable 
service.  Alter  his  discharge  he  was  foreman  of  Racine  &  Missis- 
sippi Railroad  ;  from  this  work  he  moved  to  Pleasant  Grove  in 
1866,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Lockwood  is  a  man  of  good 
judgment,  out-spoken,  but  of  honorable  intentions  and  purposes. 
He  was  married  in  Menasha,  Wis.,  in  1847,  to  Eliza  Atwood. 
She  died  in  1857,  in  Chickasaw  County,  Iowa,  leaving  four  chil- 
dren. In  1860  Mr.  Lockwood  was  married  in  Racine,  Wis.,  to 
Candace  M.  Salisbury,  a  native  of  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  as 
were  also  her  parents,  April  29,  1870.  Mrs.  Lockwood  died  in 
Pleasant  Grove,  leaving  a  son,  two  years  of  age — Charles  Erskine, 
who  is  residing  with  his  father. 

J.  C.  Lockwood  was  born  in  Smithfield,  Madison  County,  N. 
y.,  May  15,  1828.  Lived  there  until  nine  years  of  age,  when  his 
parents  moved  to  Hinsdale,  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.  While 
living  there  he  was  engaged  in  railroading,  canaling  and  farming. 
Was  engaged  in  the  civil  engineer  corps  in  the  construction  of  the 
Erie  Railroad,  and  in  railroading  in  general  for  seven  years  on  the 
Canada,  Great  Western  &  Detroit.  Was  married  to  Mary  L.  Far- 
well,  of  Hinsdale.  Seven  children  have  been  born  to  them,  five  of 
whom  are  now  living — Alice  M.,  Anna  Katharine,  Carrie  M., 
Edith  M.,  and  Mattie.  He  moved  to  Pleasant  Grove  Township  in 
November,  1868,  bu\ing  200  acres.  Mr.  Lockwood  is  at  present 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  was  elected  County  Supervisor  in  1874. 

SJh   Lockwood^  one    of  the  oldest  citizens  in  the  county,  was 
born   in    Goshen,  Litchfield    County,   Ct.,   May  7,  1793.     At  two 


PLEASANT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  861 

years  of  age  his  father  moved  to  Windham,  N.  Y.,  now  Lexington, 
Greene  Conntv.  Lived  there  until  1820.  Was  married  there  to 
Diantha  Thompson,  the  6th  day  of  May,  1813,  who  died  in  Madison 
County,  July  IT,  1821,  leaving  four  children.  In  November,  1814, 
he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Governor;  in  1817  his  first  vote  for  Presi- 
dent, James  Monroe  being  the  candidate.  Mr.  Lockvvood  has  never 
missed  a  vote  since  his  first  of  1814.  Alarried  Ilepsy  Boyden,  of 
Smithfield,  Madison  County,  in  1825,  who  bore  him  three  chil- 
dren; she  died  in  1871.  From  Greene  County  he  removed  to 
Madison,  Feb.  28,  1820,  living  there  till  1837;  then  moved  to 
Hinsdale,  Cattaraugus  County,  May  21,  1837,  and  lived  there 
thirty  years,  removing  to  Floyd  County  in  November.  1868.  The 
children  by  his  first  wife  were — Eli  T.,  James  P.,  George  M.,  Sa- 
rah Ann;  by  his  second  wife — Mary  F.,  J.  C,  and  F.  E.  Of  the 
four  children  of  first  wife  but  one  is  living — James  P.,  of  Pleas- 
ant Grove  Township.  In  1825  Mr.  L.  read  law  with  Huntington 
tfe  Palmer,  of  Peterborough,  N.  Y.,  for  three  years,  and  practiced 
until  the  new  code  of  New  York  went  into  efiect  in  1842.  He  was 
justice  of  the  sessions  for  two  terms  in  Cattaraugus  County.  For 
reminiscences,  Mr.  Lockwood  distinctly  remembers  the  extraordi- 
nary eclipse  of  June  6,  1809,  when  for  about  two  hours  fowls  went 
to  roost.  He  has  seen  the  ground  and  fences  white  with  snow  the 
4th  of  July.  Mr.  Lockwood  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in 
the  political  issues  of  the  country;  voted  the  Democratic  ticket 
until  1856 — or  the  Kansas  question — when,  according  to  his  views, 
the  Democrat  party  receding  from  true  Democracy,  he  voted  the 
Republican  ticket,  when  John  C.  Fremont  was  candidate.  Any 
one  being  acquainted  with  that  question  will  remember  the  cause 
for  change. 

James  F.  McKoherts  was  born  in  parish  of  Strathdon,  county 
of  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  Feb.  9,  1820.  His  parents  were  James  and 
Ellen  (Beattie)  McRoberts,  natives  of  same  parish.  Lived  at  home 
during  minority,  working  on  the  farm  of  his  mother,  his  father 
dying  before  he  was  a  year  old.  Their  family  consisted  of  six  chil- 
dren, James  F.  being  the  youngest.  He  then  left  for  America, 
landing  at  Quebec  in  August,  1841.  From  there  he  went  to  Ham- 
ilton, Canada  West.  He  lived  there  until  the  war  closed,  when  he 
moved  to  Coflin's  Grove,  Masonville,  Iowa;  lived  in  town  about 
two  years,  then  moved  to  Pleasant  Grove  about  1868.  He  was 
married  in  Hamilton  to  Miss  Sarah  Allen,  who  died  there.     Their 


862  HISTORY  OF  JTLOYD  COUNTY. 

children  are — Martha,  Ann,  John,   Isabel,  James  H.,   David  (de- 
ceased), Alexander  and  Elizabeth. 

John  Perry^  who,  without  doubt,  owns  the  largest  number  of 
acres  in  the  township;  who  has  the  most  convenient  and  complete 
set  of  farm  buildings;  who,  undoubtedly,  has  the  largest  acreage 
of  corn  and  small  grain  in  this  vicinity,  and  probably  in  Northern 
Iowa,  and  who  earned  it  all  by  honest  toil,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Sempronius,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  the  year  1830.  He  was  a 
son  of  hard-working  parents,  who,  in  their  turn,  transmitted  their 
zeal  for  industry  and  enterprise  to  their  son.  His  early  life  was 
spent  on  the  farm.  After  his  farm  experience,  he  engaged  with  a 
canal  company  as  canal  boy,  and  followed  this  for  some  years.  His 
parents  moved  from  New  York  State  to  Cherry  Yalley,  Winnebago 
County,  111.,  thus  giving  him  an  early  taste  of  frontier  life.  He 
married  Miss  Jane  Toogood  in  1852.  Her  parents'  names  are 
Sydney  and  Olive  (Blade)  Toogood,  formerly  of  Tompkins  County, 
N.  Y.  Mr.  Toogood  moved  to  Rockford  over  forty  years  ago,  and 
helped  to  plat  and  also  build  the  town.  Is  now  a  resident  of  Web- 
ster City,  Iowa.  Mr.  Perry's  parents'  names  are  Oziras  and  Eliza 
(Merchant)  Perry,  now  of  Cherry  Valley,  111.  Mr.  Perry  left 
Cherry  Yalley  in  January,  1855,  with  his  famil7  and  household 
goods  and  all  paraphernalia  of  an  emigrant's  equipment — a  pair  of 
cattle,  a  covered  wagon,  cooking  utensils,  etc.,  and  a  cow  in  train 
behind.  A  year  previous,  however,  he  had  been  into  Floyd  County 
prospecting,  and  purchased  200  acres  of  what  is  now  section  33, 
township  95  north,  15  west,  a  portion  of  it  being  a  portion  of  sec- 
tion 16,  township  9tt  north,  15  west,  or  what  was  set  apart  for  the 
school  lands.  He  had  bought  this  land  of  David  Dyas,  yet  living 
\\\  Riverton,  paying  him  about  $5  per  acre,  and  also  some  $4  bonus 
for  the  privilege  of  living  in  the  timber,  its  protection  seeming 
indespensable.  We  believe,  however,  that  this  price  included 
the  improvements  (?)  and  the  crops.  It  is  certain  that  Mr. 
Dyas  immediately  bought  Government  land  for  $1.25,  the  price  he 
had  paid  for  this.  The  opinion  of  its  being  impossible  to  stand 
the  bleakness  of  an  open  prairie  has  long  since  exploded.  Mr. 
Perry's  journey  here  was  one  of  old-fashioned  pioneer  experiences. 
Reaching  the  Mississippi  River,  they,  by  driving  one  ox  over  at 
a  time,  drawing  the  wagon  by  hand,  and  drags^i ng  the  cow  on  her 
side,  succeeded  in  passing  safely  over,  the  river  breaking  up  the 
next  morning.  In  Dubuque  he  bought  provisions  and  startt^d  for 
Floyd  via  Independence,  working  the  trip  in  three  days;  his  wife 


PLEASANT  GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  863 

staged  it  to  Independence,  then  came  in  on  the  ox  cart,  as  all 
other  pioneer  women  had  before.  We  think  the  first  year  in  the 
log  house  must  have  been  a  lonely  one,  especially  when  her  husband 
wa^  gone  a  week  to  Independence  or  McGregor's  Landinir,  for  grist 
and  provisions.  Pork  being  $1.40  per  hundred  weight,  wheat  50 
cents  per  bushel,  and  it  taking  a  fu'l  week  to  go  and  come,  an  idea  of 
the  profit  in  farming  can  be  had.  And  these  experiences  have  made 
Mr.  Perry  a  firm  believer  in  railroads  and  their  advantages.  Floyd 
County  as  he  saw  it  at  first,  had  the  advantages  of  milling  priv- 
ileges at  least  seventy-five  miles  distant.  Charles  City,  styled 
Freeman  Postofhce,  had  three  log  houses,  one  being  used  as  the  post- 
office  and  general  store,  the  others,  were  occupied  by  John  Blunt 
and  Harvey  Kellogg.  It  was  the  next  spring  that  Joseph  Kelley 
started  a  saw-mill.  His  neighbors  were  E.  C.  Wilcox,  Sanford 
Ripley,  Samuel  Clark,  John  Porter  and  Hamilton  Clark;  these 
were  the  residents  between  his  place  and  Nashua,  though  at  that 
date  Nashua  was  unknown.  He  lived  there  about  eighteen  years, 
selling  to  Charles  Arthur,  and  moved  to  this  township  where,  at 
different  purchases,  he  has  bought  960  acres,  his  present  farm. 
This  by  no  means  indicates  the  acreage  of  his  possessions  in  the 
county,  nor  of  that  in  Dakota.  When  he  bought  his  present 
home  place  there  were  no  buildings  thereon.  To-day  the  best 
in  the  township  are  his.  Not  a  house  was  in  sight,  and  his  good 
wife  thought  of  a  third  pioneer  experience.  But  it  was  not  long 
before  neighbors  in  this  instance  were  welcomed.  Mr.  Perry 
is  cropping  on  his  home  place  about  800  acres:  560  of  corn  and 
about  200  acres  of  oats.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perry  have  been  born 
six  children,  named  as  follows:  Edgar  R.,  Leander  O.,  Oscar  J., 
George  E.,  Carrie  L.,  Edbert  D.,  all  being  industrious,  temperate 
and  respected  3''oung  men  and  women. 

Orlando  Powers^  a  gentleman  of  keen  discernment  and  practi- 
cal worth  in  any  community,  and  who  by  hard  labor  has  to-day  a 
fine  fame  with  necessary  requirements  by  which  farming  is  made 
profital)le,  was  born  in  La  Chute,  Canada,  Aug.  7,  184(5.  He  lived 
with  his  parents  until  about  his  eighteenth  year  when  he  came 
West  and  into  the  States.  His  parents'  names  were  Orlando  and 
Lydia(Hutchins)  Powers,  both  natives  of  Li  Chute.  Mr.  Powers 
first  came  to  Black  Earth  County,  and  moved  from  there  to  Iowa 
in  1870.  Was  married  in  1869,  to  Mrs.  Lucretia  Angel.  Their 
•  children  are  Edwin,  Alice  and  Annie.  His  step-children  are 
Charles  and  Lizzie  Angel.     Mr.  Powers  has  a  farm  of  320 acres;  is 


864  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

cropping  about  125  acres,  divided  somewhat  as  follows:  Sixtj-five 
acres  of  oats,  twenty  acres  of  tame  ojiass,  and  the  greater  portion 
of  the  remainder  of  corn.  Since  the  failure  of  wheat,  he  has 
taken  the  practical  view  of  the  situation,  wliich  was  to  raise  more 
hay  and  keep  more  live  stock,  CDUsequently  he  owns  110  head  of 
cattle,  ten  horses  and  100  hogs.  We  bespeak  for  Mr.  Powers  a 
successful  future. 

George  Pringle  was  born  July  3,  1853,  near  Detroit,  Mich. 
His  parents.  William  and  Elizabeth  Pringle,  moved  from  there 
to  Butler  County,  la.,  in  1855,  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land 
from  the  Government.  This  was  when  that  section  was  new,  with 
but  few  settlers,  and  very  few  improvements.  He  and  his  brothers. 
Kobert  and  James,  lived  at  home  until  their  mother  died,  when 
the  family  broke  up,  and  he  looked  about  for  himself,  moving  into 
Pleasant  Grove  and  working  for  I.  P.  Dean  by  the  month.  He 
bought  eighty  acres  on  section  28,  and  married  Georgie  A.  Smith, 
daughter  of  H.  W.  Smith,  Pleasant  Grove.  Their  children  are 
George  N.,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Allen  J. 

David  Reams^  one  of  Pleasant  Grove's  most  practical  farmers, 
was  born  in  Starr  County,  Ohio,  June  7,  1836.  His  parents  were 
George  and  Margaret  Reams,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Reams  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  has  always  been  an  industrious 
and  hard-working  man.  He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-seven.  He  then  moved  to  Fillmore  County, 
Minn.  From  there  he  moved  to  Pleasant  Grove  Township.  In 
1862  he  married  liis  present  wife,  to  whom  he  owes  much  of  his 
present  prosperous  condition,  she  being  a  practical  farmer  in  every 
sense  of  the  word,  and  one  who  will  always  be  a  help-mate,  a 
woman  whose  advice  is  sound,  and  who  has  health  and  strength  to 
follow  up  what  she  advises  by  a  willing  and  helping  hand.  Such 
women  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  crowded  and  fashionable  marts, 
but  where  pluck  and  common  sense  is  the  capital  in  trade.  Mrs. 
Reams's  maiden  name  was  Mary  A.  Brisco.  Mr.  Reams  is  farm- 
ing at  present  fifty-five  acres  upon  his  own  land,  and  sixty-five 
acres  on  land  adjacent. 

Henry  W.  Smith  was  born  in  what  was  called  No.  II,  in  Somer- 
set County,  Maine,  Oct.  28,  1831.  He  was  a  son  of  William 
J.  and  Susan  (Foster)  Smith, both  natives  of  Maine.  Their  family 
consisted  of  five  children,  three  boys  and  two  girls,  of  which  Henry 
A.  was  the  eldest.  He  lived  at  home  until  his  twenty-second  year, 
and  in  his  twenty-third  year  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Sebec,  Piscat- 
aquis County,  and  farmed  it  about  four  years.     About  this  time 


PLEASANT  GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  865 

he  married  Plooraa  Cashing,  of  Atkinson,  same  county,  her 
parents  being  James  and  Nancy  Gushing;  their  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  daughters  and  two  sons.  Mr.  Smith,  after  selling 
his  farm  in  Sebec,  owned  several  others  and  a  mill,  and  in  Novem- 
ber, 1865,  came  to  Iowa  and  bought  a  farm  of  Charles  Bowman,  the 
farm  he  has  since  resided  on,  it  being  the  northeast  of  section  28. 
The  next  June  he  moved  his  family  out,  consisting  of  wife  and  two 
children — Georgie  A.  and  Hattie  A.  When  he  arrived  it  was  as 
nature  had  made  it.  Taking  it  from  the  wild  prairie,  he  at  first 
built  a  board  shanty  on  the  center  of  the  north  lines,  in  which  he  lived 
two  years.  It  was  in  this  that  the  first  meeting  of  the  township 
was  held,  conducted  by  a  man  named  Swan,  a  local  preacher  of 
"Waverly,  having  services  o3  and  on  for  six  months.  After  this,  in 
1867,  Geo.  R.  Edmunds,  a  local  preacher  from  Charles  City,  preached 
every  two  orthree  weeks,  until  School-house  No.  5  was  built, when  the 
meetings  were  held  there.  It  was  through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Smith 
and  a  Mr.  Gilman,  each  of  them  pledging  $25,  and  raising  the 
same  amount,  that  Elder  Lee,  of  the  Upper  Iowa  Conference,  in- 
cluded them  in  the  Rockford  work,  supplying  them  with  regular 
services  through  Rockford's  preacher.  Rev.  Mr.  Rowen.  Thus  to 
Mr.  Smith  we  give  the  credit  of  establishing  regular  gospel  ser- 
vices in  Pleasant  Grove  Township.  Mr.  Smith  made  the  first 
assessment  in  the  township,  being  Assessor  the  first  two  years. 
Has  held  several  other  offices  in  the  township.  Is  a  member  of  the 
order  of  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  being  charter  member  of  Alpha  Lodge,  of 
Greene.  We  find  Mr.  Smith  with  fine  stock  and  a  practical  idea 
of  farming.  He  has  erected  a  large  and  commodious  New  England- 
like barn,  has  the  best  pumping-milling  apparatus  in  the  township, 
the  well  being  seventy-five  feet  deep,  and  contemplates  putting  up 
a  new  house  the  coming  year.  His  first  wife  died  Dec.  17,  1874. 
He  married  Miss  E.  J.  Brisco,  a  daughter  of  John  Brisco  (see 
sketch),  an  early  pioneer,  Dec.  25,  1876.  To  Mr.  Smith  we  are  in- 
debted for  many  facts  of  interest  pertaining  to  Floyd  County.  He 
has  on  his  home  place  sixty  acres  of  corn,  thirty  of  oats,  nine  of 
wheat,  and  will  have  about  fifty  tons  of  hay.  He  has  fifteen  cows, 
thirty-two  young  stock,  eight  horses  and  seventy-five  hogs. 

T.  W.  Walle?'  was  born  Feb.  14,  1842,  in  Kentucky.  His  par- 
ents were  Theophilus  and  Nancy  Waller;  he  was  the  youngest  of 
five  children.  His  father  died  four  months  previous  to  his  birth, 
and  his  mother  and  family  moved  to  Rock  County,  Wis.,  where 

they  lived  for  fifteen  years.  He  received  a  common-school  education 
53 


866  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

and  has  worked  on  the  farm  all  but  two  years;  when  twentj- 
three  years  of  age,  he  tried  his  fortune  in  the  silver  belt  of  Vir- 
ginia City,  going  there  mostly  for  his  health;  he  gained  much 
experience,  and  from  there  he  moved  to  Floyd  County,  about  1870. 
bringing  his  mother  with  him,  and  bought  one  quarter  of  section  22. 
He  was  married  in  May,  1875,  to  Sarah  J.  Jackson,  of  Canada, 
and  has  two  children — Jessie  M.  and  Marshall  "W.  He  has  in 
crops  about  thirty  acres  of  oats,  forty-five  of  corn  and  forty  of 
wheat.     Has  fifty  hogs,  twenty-five  cattle  and  seven  horses. 

Daniel  B.  Wood  was  born  in  Eastern  Tennessee,  Monroe  County, 
March  12,  1S28.  He  was  the  youngest  son  of  Joseph  and  Lydia 
(Norman)  Woods,  and  of  a  family  of  thirteen  children.  When 
about  twelve  or  fourteen  years  old  the  family  moved  to  Callaway 
County,  Mo.,  living  there  six  years,  moving  into  Jo  Daviess 
County,  111.  During  the  latter  years  of  his  minority  he  worked 
by  the  month  for  neighboring  farmers.  In  1853,  he  married 
Maria  Chouder,  of  Magofiin  County,  Ky.,  buying  a  farm  and  living 
there  till  1855,  when  he  moved  into  the  territory,  now  section  5, 
Pleasant  Grove  Township,  la.  In  1849  he  went  to  what  is  now 
West  Union,  Fayette  County,  before  Floyd  had  been  visited  by 
settlers,  and  made  claim  to  a  quarter  section  of  land.  He  erected 
a  log  house  in  a  day  and  a  half,  Hoosier  style,  with  neither  nail  nor 
bricks,  and  moved  in,  covering  the  log  with  a  canvas  until  he 
had  hay  for  it.  He  lived  in  that  two  years,  when  the  Indian  war- 
whoop  getting  too  near  for  pleasant  dreams,  and  safety  of  wife  and 
children,  he  with  other  earlier  settlers  moved  back  to  Illinois, 
staying  there  through  that  year.  He  moved  back  in  1859  and  has 
since  been  a  citizen.  He  has  seen  this  country  grow  from  a 
prairie  to  the  present  improved  State;  from  driving  to  Waverly 
with  grist,  to  grinding  by  the  modern  windmill.  He  has  ever 
been  a  hard-working  citizen,  and  has  reared  a  family  of  thirteen 
children,  as  follows:  Sarah  Jane  and  Wm.  H.,  born  in  Illinois; 
Mary  Elizabeth,  Geo.  W.,  L.  Augusta,  Grace  Ellen,  Celestia, 
Viola,  Jessie,  Norman  C,  Ernest  J.,  iVrchibald  D.,  and  Carrie 
M.,  born  in  Pleasant  Grove  Township.  The  first  school  ever 
kept  in  the  township  was  in  his  old  house,  he  having  built  a  frame 
one.  It  was  kept  by  Miss  Grace  Davidson,  of  Charles  City,  in 
1862.  She  had  ten  scholars.  School  was  held  here  three  or  four 
years.  The  following  are  some  of  the  teachers:  Misses  L.  Conl -e, 
Nellie  Conlee,  and  Miriam  K.  Bliss,  of  Charles  City.  He  has  158 
acres  of  land,  fifteen  or  twenty  cattle,  eight  hurses  and  thirty 
hogs. 


RIVERTON  TOWNSHIP. 
ORGANIC. 

It  was  ordered  March  2,  1857,  tliat  township  94  north,  range  15 
west;  and  the  east  half  of  township  94  north,  range  16,  and  sec- 
tions 25,  26,  27,  34,  35,  and  36  in  township  95  north,  range  15  wect, 
be  detached  from  St.  Charles  Township,  and  made  into  one  town- 
ship. Thus  was  formed,  and  christened,  Riveiton.  On  Dec.  31, 
1858,  sections  28  and  33,  in  township  95  north,  of  range  15,  was 
ordered  to  be  detached  from  St.  Charles  Township  and  attached  to 
Riverton.  These  two  sections  were  set  back  to  St.  Charles  Town- 
ship, Jan.  3,  1859,  but  were  again  attached  to  Riverton  and 
detached  from  St.  Charles,  Feb.  4,  1860.  At  the  June  session, 
1867,  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors,  in  a  petition  from  the 
inhabitants  of  congressional  township  94  jS".,  R.  16  W.,  the  east  half 
of  said  township  was  detached  from  Riverton,  forming  that  pro- 
portion of  what  is  now  Pieasant  Grove  Township.  Thus  Riverton 
exists  to-daj. 

TYrOGRAPHY. 

Riverton  Township  is  quite  varied  in  its  typographical  features, 
having  hill,  prairie,  timber  and  quarr3\  It  embraces  a  surface  of 
forty-two  square  miles.  The  Cedar  River  takes  a  serpentine  course 
from  northwest  to  southeast,  through  sections  28,  34,  of  95  N.,  15 
W.,  and  sections  2,  1  and  12  of  34  N.,  15  W.  These  sections  are 
all  quite  heavily  wooded  with  oak,  maple  and  other  trees  common 
to  these  Iowa  valleys.  There  are  numerous  other  small  creeks  and 
rune,  nearly  every  section  being  touched.  The  southeast  and 
southern  sections  generally  are  prairie,  and  the  soil  throughout  the 
township  is  fine  for  corn  and  oats. 

FIRST    SETTLERS. 

Undoubtedly  the  first  settlers  of  this  territory,   now  Riverton 

Township,  were  the  Parishe?,  Warburtons,  Wilcoxes,Clarks,  Dyases, 

Ripleys,  Gibsons  and  Perrys;   these  we  know  of,  but  of  others  we 

have  no  means  of  ascertaining,  many  of  them  having  been  called 

to  join  the  immortal  throng  "over  the  river,"  in  the  bright  realms 

(867) 


868  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

of  eternal  life.  Many  others  move  i  from  the  county  to  find  homes 
in  other  coanties  and  other  States.  They  came  with  only  moder- 
ate means;  they  had  to  clear  the  forest,  for  timber  was  sought  in 
preference  to  open,  bleak  prairie;  they  had  to  erect  their  cabins  be- 
fore a  thouo^ht  could  be  given  to  the  cultivation  of  the  land  so 
cleared,  and  even  afterward,  when  the  fertile  soil  began  to  yield 
bountiful  fruits,  many  deemed  it  wise  to  sell  their  squatter's  claim 
to  other  immigrants,  and  push  still  farther  westvvard,  oftentimes 
repeating  a  settlement  followed  by  a  sale,  until  one  family  could 
boast  of  being  the  first  colonists  in  many  townships,  and,  perhaps, 
States.  Such  claims  have  we  found  in  Riverton  and  Pleasant 
Grove.  The  date  of  the  earliest  settlers  was  1852  and  the  spring 
of  1853,  Joel  Parish  and  the  Warburtons  coming  in  1852,  the 
former  moving  into  the  edge  of  the  county,  building  him  a  bark 
shanty  in  which  he  lived  the  following  winter.  The  Warburtons — 
two  brothers — came  the  next  spring,  built  a  log  house,  in  which, 
afterward,  the  first  school  was  taught.  They  moved  from  the  town- 
ship just  prior  to  its  organization,  one  of  them  at  present  being  a 
citizen  of  Rock  Grove,  ''Uncle  "  Samuel  Clark  buying  the  prop- 
erty. The  Ripleys,  who  have  figured  in  the  history  of  this  county, 
came  formerly  from  Gallia  County,  Ohio.  Col.  David  Ripley, 
Judge  for  Floyd  County,  Joseph  Ripley,  and  their  children,  are 
too  well  known  to  make  additional  mention;  their  biographies  ap- 
pear in  their  proper  place.  Sanford  Riplej  moved  first  to  I^ashua 
in  1853,  moving  within  the  county  in  185i.  Joseph  Ripley  moved 
Sanford  and  family  from  Oiiio,  and  the  next  year  moved  West  with 
his  family  onto  the  farm  Mr.  Rowen  now  lives  on.  The  following 
3'^ear  he  moved  into  91:  N.,  16  W.,  where  he  built  the  log  house  in 
the  grove  in  which  all  early  settlers  were  welcome  to  stay  until  they 
had  their  cabin  or  shanty  finished.  About  this  time  the  Wilcoxes, 
the  Stevens,  Dyases,  Eatons,  and  many  others  came  from  Gallia 
County  to  Floyd.  The  early  life  of  these  men  tended  to  thoroughly 
test  the  "  true  inwardness"  of  their  natures,  and  among  them  sin- 
cere, warm,  enduring  friendships  sprang  up — friendships  that  were, 
and  are  yet,  cemented  by  ties  of  mutual  obligations  unknown  to 
the  present  generation;  friendships  that  have  grown  stronger  and 
brighter  with  the  passing  years. 


RIVKRTON  TOWNSHIP.  869 

OFFICIAL    AND    ELEOTIONAL. 

The  first  record  found  in  the  town  clerk's  collection  of  old  offi- 
cial books  runs: 

State  of  Iowa,  Floyd  County. 

RivERTON  Township,  April  5,  1858. 

At   the  April    election  the  following  men  were  duly  elected  to 

office,  to  wit:  Peter  K.  Spauldini^,  Justice  of  tlie  Peace;  Wm.  W. 

Grant,    Alfred    F.  Warden,    Constable.^;    James    F.    JIall,    C.  H. 

Young,  G.  W.  Bean,  Trustees;  David  J.  Horton,  Township  Clerk. 

FIRST    road    districts. 

At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  trustees,  the  first  Monday  of  Octo- 
ber, 1859,  they  ordered  the  township  to  be  divided  into  four  road 
districts,  comprising  territory  as  follows: 

Jioad  District  No.  1  comprised  sections  25,  26,  27,  28,  33,  3i, 
35,  36,  of  94:  north,  range  15  we.?t,  and  sections  1,  2,  3,  of  94  north, 
15  west,  aggregating  eleven  square  miles  of  territory. 

District  No.  2  comprised   sections  4,  5,  east  half  of  6,  east  half 
of  7,  sections  8,  9,  16,  17,  east   half  of  18,  of  94  north,  15  west, 
making  seven  and  a  half  square  miles. 

District  No.  3,  the  whole  east  half  of  congressional  township  94 
north,  range  16  west,  the  west  half  of  sections  6,  7  and  18,  sections 
19,  20,  21,  28  to  33  inclusive,  of  94  north,  range  15  west,  making 
for  one  supervisor's  charge  a  territory  comprising  no  less  than 
twenty-six  and  one-half  square  miles. 

District  No.  4  comprised  sections  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  22,  23, 
24,  25,  26,  27,  34,  35  and  36  of  94  north,  15  west,  or  fifteen  square 
miles.  If  roads  had  been  repaired  Eastern  style — ten  shovelers  to 
one  yoke  of  oxen,  and  whisky  between  loads — it  is  doubtful  if  the 
cart  would  have  moved  from  one  end  of  the  district  to  the  other 
road-working  week,  unless,  as  in  some  Eastern  corn-fields,  a  jug 
was  at  each  end  and  one  in  the  middle,  for  magnets.  But  the  orood 
people  of  Riverton  have  ever  been  a  temperate  community. 

The  fall  election  of  1859  was  held  at  the  house  of  Leonard  Bell, 
Oct.  11.  The  following  ticket  was  recorded  elected:  Trustees,  Ed- 
ward Hall,  John  Lapeell,  C.  H.  Young;  Township  Clerk,  Peter  K. 
Spaulding;  Assessor,  James  M.  Howard;  Constables,  N.  F.  War- 
den, Washington  Young;  Supervisors  of  Roads — District  1,  G.  H. 
Clark;  District  2,  S.  M.  Blood;  District  3,  D.  McMurrav;  District 
4,  F.  B.  Dowd. 

On  road- work  the  following  rates  were  allowed  per  day  in  1860: 
Men,  $1;  team,  $i;  wagon,  plow  and  scraper,  fifty  cents. 


870  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

CEMETERIES. 

The  firat  cemetery  was  set  aside  in  I86I!,  bj  Mr.  Simuel  Clark, 
who  was  the  first  to  be  buried  there.  It  is  situated  on  the  south 
bcuadaryline  of  section  34,  95  north,  range  15  west.  The  other 
cemetery  is  located  in  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  section  20, 
94  north,  range  15  west. 

CHURCH    MATTERS. 

The  River  ton  Methodist  Episcopal  churcli  was  organized  as  a 
class  by  Wm.  Gibson,  under  Dr.  N.  Holmes,  then  the  presiding 
elder  for  this  district.  It  was  formed  in  the  Thompson  school-house 
July,  1866.  The  original  membership  of  the  class  was  about  ten, 
four  of  whom  are  yet  living,  they  being  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nathan 
Tliorapson,  David  Beck  and  wife.  They  still  worship  in  the  same 
Bchool-house,  having  services  every  alternate  Sunday,  E.  L.  Thorpe 
being  their  present  pastor  (1882),  with  an  average  attendance  of 
about  thirty.  There  is  a  Sabbath-schoul  connected  with  the  church, 
of  about  the  same  attendance.  We  append  a  list  of  officers  and 
teachers:  James  Hilliard,  Superintendent;  David  Beck,  Assistant 
Superintendent;  Edgar  Wilcox,  Secretary;  Stephen  Bucklin,  Treas- 
nrer;  Teachers — James  Hiiliard,  old  fulks'  Bible  class;  Hannah 
Beck,  girls'  Bible  class;  Dora  Beck,  infant  class;  A.  B.  Scofield, 
boys'  Bible  class. 

The  Wesleyan  Methodists  also  have  meetings  in  No.  3,  with  a 
Sabbath-school,  and  an  average  attendance  of  about  the  same  num- 
ber as  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

The  first  marriage  was  that  of  Aldice  Grow  and  Candis  Norton, 
gtep-daughter  of  Sanford  Ripley,  in  December,  1859. 

The  first  school  was  in  the  winter  of  1857-'58,  in  the  log  house 
built  by  the  Warburtons,  and  afterward  owned  by  "  Uncle  Sam- 
uel "  Clark.  The  teacher  was  Miss  Julia  Ripley,  daughter  of  Col. 
David  Ripley,  County  Judge  of  Floyd  County.  After  the  sub- 
district  liad  been  formed,  many  schools  were  kept  in  the  cabins  of 
the  residents,  until  a  school-house  appropriation  had  been  voted. 

In  1865  the  following  persons  were  Sub-directors  :  Sanford  Rip- 
ley, District  1;  D.  J.  Horton,  District  2;  James  M.  Howard,  Dis- 
trict 3;  John  Brown,  Distri'it  4;  Peter  O'Donnell,  District  5; 
David  Dyas,  District  6. 

The  first  school-house  was  finished  October,  1861,  A.  B.  Scofield 
and  Jacob  Coler  taking  the  contract.  The  first  term  taught  within 
its  walls  was  by  Laura  Warn.     It  originally  stood  on  section  33, 


RIVERTON  TOWNSHIP. 


871 


but  has  been  moved  east  160  rods,  to  the  northwest  corner  section 
34-95  N.,  15.  W. 

To-daj  there  are  eleven  districts,  with  a^  many  houses,  each  dis- 
trict being  independent  of  the  other.  Following  is  a  list  of  the 
enrollment  of  last  spring  term,  average  daily  attendance  and  name 
of  teacher.     Of  course,  this  term  is  the  smallest  of  the  year. 


District  Number. 

Enroll- 

Average Daily 

Teacher. 

ment. 

Attendance. 

District  Number     1 .    . . 

18 

15 

Hattie  McCune. 

District  Number    2 

13 

11.5 

Emma  M.  Johnson. 

District  Number    3 

14 

12.3 

Emmagine  Porter. 

District  Number    4 

19 

10 

Mattie  G.  Blake. 

District  Number    5.  . . . 

15 

12 

Kittie  Cameron. 

District  Number    6 

19 

16  7 

Nellie  M.  Hine. 

District  Number    7. .  . . 

21 

20. 

Ida  Weeks. 

District  Number    8 

18 

16.5 

•J.  P.  Boyce. 

District  Number    9. . . . 

22 

18 

Besta  D.  Smith. 

District  Number  10. . . . 

12 

10.8 

Sarah  Feeney. 

District  Number  11 

20 

15 

Mary  Gray. 

THE    SIGNIFICANCE   OF    A   PETITION. 

A  petition,  headed  by  A.  W.  Preston  and  signed  by  sixty-six 
others,  praying  the  trustees  of  the  township  to  call  a  special  election 
to  submit  to  the  voters  the  question  of  raising  a  five  per  cent,  tax  to 
be  levied  on  the  taxable  property,  as  assistance  to  the  Milwaukee  & 
Nashua  Railroad,  was  the  means  of  a  special  township  meeting. 
A  long  notice,  embodying  the  facts  of  the  case,  was  issued,  calling 
the  special  election,  and  headed  as  "  A  Railroad  Tax."  The  funny 
part  comes  in  that  the  vote  stood  :  for  the  tax,  none;  against  the 
tax,  ninety-one.     And  so  died  the  railroad  with  the  vote. 

Carres  Mills. — In  the  year  1867  Messrs.  George  Carr  and 
James  Hopkin  erected  a  steam  saw-mill  on  section  35  of  this  town- 
ship, which  ran  successfully  for  about  eleven  years,  when  it  closed. 
The  saw  was  a  circular  one,  and  the  capacity  of  the  mill  was 
about  16,000  feet  per  twenty-four  hours.  One  log,  black  walnu% 
turned  out  6,000  feet  of  lumber,  which  at  that  time  was  worth 
$60  a  thousand  feet.  Walnut  is  worth  much  more  than  that  at 
the  present  day.  The  timber  sawed  at  this  mill  was  altogether  (>f 
the  hard-wood  kinds.  The  most  remarkable  thing  we  can  say 
about  the  history  of  this  mill  is  that,  in  connection  with  the  build- 
ing and  running  of  it,  no  one  was  ever  killed  or  seriously  hurt. 
For  the  last  several  years  Mr.  Carr,  who  had  bought  out  his  part- 
ner, ran  the  mill  alone. 


872  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Ripley^s  Steam  Saw-mill. — This  is  located  on  section  34,  town- 
ship 95,  15,  and  was  built  by  Sanford  Kipley  in  December,  1855. 
It  is  still  miming — a  rarely  long  period  for  a  mill  of  this  character 
to  be  kept  in  working  order. 

Scofield''s  Sorgum  Mill  was  built  on  its  present  site  about  four 
years  ago — a  "  Skinner  mill,"  probably  the  largest  sorgum  mill  in 
the  county,  with  a  capacity  of  125  gallons  per  day.  It  is  a  mill  of 
four  horse-power. 

On  section  15  is  another  mill,  owned  by  W.  H.  Cheney,  and  run 
by  his  son.  It  is  a  mill  of  two  horse-power.  Considerable  sorgum 
is  raised  in  the  township,  and  therefore  the  two  mills,  in  their 
season,  have  enough  to  keep  them  busy,  as  the  cider-mills  of  New 
England  do  in  the  fall. 

CREAMERIES. 

As  the  wheat  crops  failed,  and  settlers  were  looking  about  for  a 
new  departure  whereby  a  dollar  could  be  earned,  it  became  appar- 
ent from  its  peculiar  situation  and  its  land,  and  the  numerous 
water  courses,  creeks  and  springs,  and  its  adaptation  to  grass,  that 
it  was  to  be  a  dairy  region.  And  as  such  it  takes  high  rank, 
holding  a  leading  position  among  the  butter-producing  townships 
of  the  county,  and  a  reputation  in  the  great  butter  market  of  the 
East.  There  are  two  creameries  within  the  township  limits,  Riv- 
erton  and  Crystal  Spring. 

jRiverton  Creamery  is  located  on  section  14;  was  established 
April  3,  18S2,  b}^  a  joint  stock  company  of  farmers,  with  a  capital 
of  $1,000,  divided  into  100  shares.  The  officers  are:  S.  S.  Water- 
bury,  President;  Fred  C.  Danforth,  Vice-President;  William  Gib- 
son, Secretary;  Wm.  H.  Perry  and  A.  G.  Buder,  Directors.  A 
dividend  of  eight  per  cent,  is  guaranteed.  The  capacity  of  the 
creamery  is  1,000  pounds  per  day,  is  run  by  steam-power,  and  all 
other  modern  conveniences  known  to  dairymen.  In  August,  1882, 
they  made  over  four  tons  of  the  best  butter.  Operations  beginning 
as  late  as  last  April,  up  to  July  28  the  company  had  paid  $4,900  for 
cream  alone.  It  is  situated  on  land  owned  by  the  president,  who 
donates  the  use  of  the  windmill,  well,  brick  building,  and  the 
grounds  for  ten  years.     Truly  a  man  of  public  spirit. 

Crystal  Spring  Creamery  is  located  on  the  southwest  quarter 
of  section  27.  The  proprietors  are  French  &  Curtis.  Was  estab- 
lished in  1877,  by  the  "pioneer"  creamery  man  of  Floyd  County. 
He  began  in  a  small  way,  until  now  the  creamery  uses  an  Acme 


RIYERTON  TOWNSHIP.  873 

upright  engine  in  churning,  and  makes  from  1,000  to  2,000  pounds 
a  week.  Tlie  most  of  its  butter  is  sliipped  direct  to  New  York 
and  Chicago  markets. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


Stephen  BucJclin  was  born  in  Clinton  County,  N.  Y..  Dec.  22, 
1828,  Avliere  be  lived  till  1868,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la., 
and  settled  on  section  5,  Riverton  Township.  lie  has  127  acres 
of  good  land.  He  was  married  Aug.  13,  1855,  to  Ellen  Hill,  a 
native  of  Vermont,  born  in  September,  1837.  They  have  six 
children— Hollis,  born  Sept.  21, 1856;  Elva,  March  20, 1862;  Louis, 
Aug.  9,  1864;  Libby,  April  20,  1866;  Lowell,  Aug.  23,  1868; 
Jennie  May,  Aug.  2,  1873.  Mr.  Bucklin  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  has  held  the  office  of  Road  Supervisor,  and  has  been  a  School 
Director  for  ten  years. 

I)eodat  Butler,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  16,  Riverton 
Township,  was  born  in  Saratoga  County,  -N.  Y.,  Oct.  22,  1821. 
He  is  a  eon  of  Amos  Butler,  who  died  when  he  was  five  years  old, 
and  he  went  to  live  with  his  grandfather,  Deodat  JefFers.  He 
went  to  Dodge  County,  Wis.,  in  1851,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
farming  till  1867,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  his 
present  farm,  where  he  owns  180  acres.  He  was  married  July  2, 
1846,  to  Alvira  Meade.  They  have  seven  children — Clarinda, 
Mary,  Myron,  Byron,  William,  James  and  Warren.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  County  Super- 
visor two  years,  and  Township  Trustee  several  years. 

L.  A.  Butler  was  born  in  Canada,  March  6,  1823,  where  he 
lived  till  1840,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  to  New  York, 
where  he  lived  four  years  ;  then  went  to  Wisconsin  where  he  lived 
twenty  years,  engaged  in  farming  most  of  the  time,  in  1850  he 
went  to  California;  crossed  the  plains,  and  remained  tiiere  three 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Wisconsin.  In  1864  he  came  to  Floyd 
County,  Iowa,  and  settled  on  section  12,  Riverton  Township,  where 
lie  has  197  acres  of  good  well- improved  land.  He  was  married 
in  1848  to  Rachel  Roderick.  They  had  three  children — Adell, 
Alfred  and  Sherman.  Mrs.  Butler  died  in  1856,  and  in  1857  Mr. 
Butler  married  Matilda  Carter,  a  native  of  Canada,  born  in  1833. 
They  have  four  children — Sophronia,  Leo,  Ida  and  Berta.  Mr. 
Butler  is  a  Republican. 


874  HISTOEY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

George  Carr^  son  of  Joseph  Carr,  a  native  of  France,  was  born 
in  Franklin  Cjimty,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  15,  1825.  He  went  to  Chicago 
in  1844,  and  in  a  few  days  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  till 
1847,  when  he  returned  to  Chicago.  He  was  engaged  in  building 
and  contracting  there  till  1855,  when  he  came  to  Dubuque,  Iowa, 
and  the  same  fall  went  to  Bremer  Cjunty.  He  built  the  first  steam 
eaw-mill  in  Waverly,  and  followed  lumbering  there  till  1866,  when 
he  came  to  this  to.vnship.  He  built  a  steam  saw-mill  on  his  land, 
and  ran  it  eleven  years.  He  sawed  one  walnut  tree,  cut  on  Cap- 
tain Foster's  land,  on  section  27,  which  m  ide  over 6, 000  feet  of  lum- 
ber. He  did  a  larcje  bu^ness  in  the  saw  mill.  He  wa^  married  Aug. 

a  — 

27,  1851,  to  Frances  Stover.  Of  their  eleven  children  but  eight  are 
living — Ida  (Mrs.  I.  A.  Weeks),  Florence  Y.  (Mrs.  M.  Stevens), 
Frank  L.,  George  C,  Robert  E.,  Mary  (Mrs.  J.  Hopkins),  and 
Cecil.  He  has  been  Supervisor  several  years;  was  a  member  of  the 
School  Board  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, and  has  been  W.  M.  for  the  past  seven  years. 

W.  B,  Carter  was  b3rn  in  Ohio,  July,  1828.  He  left  there 
March,  1853,  anl  came  via  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  to 
Muscatine,  thence  across  the  country  to  Floyd  County,  arriving 
here  May  4.  He  settled  on  section  3,  range  15  west.  River  ton 
Township.  He  has  now  400  acres  of  good  well-improved  land.  He 
is  a  Baptist,  and  in  his  political  views  a  Republican.  He  was 
married  in  1848  to  Phcebe  Ripley,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1826. 
They  have  eight  children — Marion,  Alice,  Augustus  B.,  Julia, 
Olive,  David,  Lorenzo  D.,  and  William.  David  is  at  home  with 
his  father.     He  raises  both  grain  and  stock. 

Nathaniel  W.  Cotton,  born  in  Prince  Edward  Island,  April  17, 
1831,  is  a  son  of  Joseph  Cotton,  a  native  of  England,  who  moved 
to  Sujiirait  County,  Ohio,  in  1838,  and  to  Elkhart  County,  Ind.,  in 
1843.  In  1859  he  came  to  this  county,  and  settled  on  section  17 
Riverton  Township,  where  he  still  resides,  and  isengagedin  farming 
and  stock-raising  ;  he  also  gathers  cream  for  the  Nashua  Cream- 
ery. He  enlisted  in  the  war  for  the  Union,  in  Company  G,  Twen- 
ty-seventh Iowa  Infantry,  and  served  about  three  years.  He  was 
in  the  battles  of  Ft.  Derissa,  Pleasant  Hill,  Dead  Oaks,  etc. ;  was 
disabled  and  laid  in  the  hospital  several  months.  He  was  married 
June  5,  1856,  to  Sarah  B.  Mitchell.  They  have  four  children- 
George  W.,  Luella  B.,  Anna  L.,  and  Isaac  F.  They  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


RIVERTON  TOWNSHIP.  875 

Fred.  C.  Danforth^  born  in  Prairie  du  Sac,  Wis.,  Mar.  10,  1854, 
is  a  son  of  Calvin  Danforth,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Charles  City,  la.  AVhen  he  was  ten  years  old  his  parents 
moved  to  Beaver  Dam,  Wis. ;  to  Elkhart,  Wis.,  in  1867,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1869  to  Charles  City,  la.  He  graduated  in  law  at  Iowa 
City  in  1875,  and  took  a  literary  course  at  Ames  Agricultural  Col- 
lege, of  Iowa.  He  practiced  law  in  Charles  City  and  Spencer,  la., 
till  1880,  when  he  came  to  the  farm  on  section  15,  Kiverton  Town- 
ship, and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  w.is  married 
in  1878  to  Electa  Waterbury,  daughter  of  L.  P.  Waterbury,  of  this 
township.     They  have  one  child — James  A. 

Henry  Dodge.,  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  10, 
1837,  is  a  son  of  Martin  Dodge  (deceased),  a  native  of  "Ver- 
mont. He  resided  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  till  1854,  when  he 
came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Chickasaw  County,  where  he  lived 
till  1870,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  sec- 
tion 14,  Riverton  Township.  He  owns  160  acre3,  and  fifteen  of 
timber  land,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He 
enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  Company  H,  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry.  Was 
in  the  battles  of  Old  Town  Creek,  surrender  of  General  Forrest, 
and  several  others.  He  was  married  in  1872  to  Kate  E.  Poole. 
They  are  the  parents  of  five  children — Charles  E.,  Herbert,  Hor- 
ace, Loyal  J.,  and  Joseph  (deceased). 

David  Dyas^  born  Jan.  14,  1823,  is  a  son  of  Richard  Dyas,  a 
native  of  Ireland.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1855,  where  he  now 
owns  337  acres  of  well-improved  land.  He  resides  on  section  16, 
Riverton  Township,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
He  has  been  Assessor  one  term;  Township  Trustee  one  term; 
Postmaster  and  School  Director  several  years.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Philips.  Tiiey  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  only  five  liv- 
ing— Susan  C,  Rachel,  William  R  ,  Ell^  V.  and  Sylvester.  One 
daughter  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen. 

Spencer  Faville^  born  in  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  6,  1817, 
is  a  son  of  James  Faville,  also  a  native  of  New  York.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
State.  He  learned  the  tanner  and  currier's  trade  when  a  boy,  and 
worked  at  it  fourteen  years  in  New  York  State.  In  1845  he  went 
to  Jefferson  County,  Wis.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  a  flour-mill 
and  the  lumber  business,  and  part  of  the  time  in  farming.  In  1863  he 
came  to  Nashua,  la.,  and  in  1867  to  this  county,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  stock-raising  on  section  24,  Riverton  Town- 


876  HISTORY  OF   FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ship.  He  owns  160  acres  and  some  timber  land  in  Chickasaw 
County.  He  was  married  in  1839  to  Laura  Ostrom.  They  have 
two  ciiildren.  Ostrom  married  Mary  Baker,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren— Baker  and  Spencer.  Mary  married  George  J.  Clapp,  who 
died  Jan.  9,  1878,  leaving  three  children — Olivia  A.,  Rush  F.  and 
Laura  M.  Mr.  Faville  was  County  Supervisor  of  Chickasaw  County 
and  is  now  Township  Trustee. 

Hon.  Alvin  L.  Flinty  born  in  Orange  County,  Yt.,  May  12, 
1822,  is  a  son  of  Phineas  Flint,  and  brother  of  Hon.  W.  L.  Flint, 
of  this  township.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  State,  and  resided  on  a  farm  till  18 J  3,  when  he  went  to  Jack- 
son County,  Mich.  In  1845  he  went  to  Ilacine  County,  Wis.;  in  1850 
to  Green  Lake  County,  Wis. ;  in  1860  came  to  Nashua,  la.,  and  to 
this  county  in  1874,  where  he  owns  240  acres  of  land.  He  resides 
on  section  13,  Riverton  Township,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising,  makingthebreedingof  Devonshire  cattle  a  specialty. 
He  also  owns  480  acres  in  Butler  Countv.  He  was  married  June 
10,  1847,  to  Sarah  Vanvalin,  a  daughter  of  David  Vanvuliii,  born 
in  Greene  County,  N.  Y.,  on  the  Hudson.  Mr.  Flint  was  a  Repre- 
sentative in  Wisconsin  in  1861,  and  has  been  Mayor  of  Nashua 
two  year?. 

Hon.  Waldo  S.  Flint,  born  in  Orange  County,  Yt.,  Feb.  23, 
1820,  is  a  son  of  Phineas,  a  native  of  Hampton,  Conn.,  a  son  of 
Phineas,  son  of  Nathaniel,  son  of  Nathaniel,  son  of  Joseph,  son 
of  Thomas,  the  emigrant  ancestor  wlio  came  from  AVales  and  set- 
tled at  Salem,  Mass.  The  old  homestead  is  still  in  the  hands  of 
his  descendants,  the  Flints,  and  has  never  been  out  of  their  pos- 
session. The  deed  was  witnessed  by  Giles  Corey,  who  afterward 
became  a  victim  of  the  witchcraft  delusion  in  1692,  and  was  pressed 
to  death  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Waldo  S.  Flint  went  to  Batavia, 
N.  Y.,  in  1836;  to  Jackson,  Mich.,  in  1841;  to  Racine  County, 
Wis.,  in  1843;  to  Green  Lake  Count}'-,  Wis.,  in  1850,  and  came 
to  this  county  in  1875.  He  held  offices  of  trust  in  Wisconsin, 
being  a  member  of  both  houses  of  the  Legislature.  He  was  elected 
a  Representative  for  Floyd  County  in  the  fall  of  1881.  He  owns 
400  acres  of  well-improved  land,  and  fifteen  acres  of  timber,  and 
is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  May 
19,  1853,  to  Sarah  J.  Rusebrooks,  of  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.  Ot 
their  five  children,  only  three  are  living — Edwin  W.,  Charles  M., 
and  Carrie.     Charles  is  married,  and  living  in  Nashua. 


KIVERTON  TOWNSHIP.  87Y 

Samuel  D.  I'rench,  born  in  Hei'kiiner  County,  N.  Y.,  May  30, 
1842,  is  a  son  of  Luther  L.  French,  a  native  of  Connecticut  He 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Whitestown 
Seminary,  in  Whitesboro,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  He  enlisted  in 
the  late  war  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-first  New 
York  Yolunteer  Intilntr3^  Was  transferred  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment to  the  United  States  Signal  Corps,  attached  to  the  Potomac 
Army,  and  was  employed  in  both  the  Telegraph  and  Flag  depart- 
ments of  the  corps.  Was  discharged  in  Jane,  1865.  He  came  to 
Iowa  in  1867,  and  in  April,  1869,  was  married  to  Elvina  Kinney,  a 
daughter  of  Hon.  Joseph  Kinney,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  one  of 
the  early  settlers  in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin, and  a  Representative 
in  the  Legislature  of  that  State  two  terms.  Immediately  after 
marriage  Mr.  French  settled  on  his  farm  in  Riverton,  which  he 
now  occupies.  On  his  farm  is  a  rich  bed  of  peat,  covering  several 
acres,  and  averaging  six  feet  in  depth.  When  dry  it  can  be  used 
for  fuel  without  the  use  of  wood.  He  also  has  a  never-failing 
spring  of  pure  water  near  his  house,  and  in  1878,  by  utilizing  the 
water  therefrom,  began  the  manufacture' of  creamerj'  butter,  and 
established  what  is  known  as  Crystal  Spring  Creamery,  which  has 
since  been  in  operation. 

Hev.  William  Gibson,  born  in  Essex  County,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  9, 
1826,  is  a  son  of  John  Gibson,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to 
America  when  a  young  man.  William  Gibson  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  select  school  of  Prof.  Eli  Maynard,  in  Clinton  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  Jul}'^  19,  1860.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  for  the  Union  in 
Company  E,  Second  New  York,  Harris  Light  Cavalry;  was  in  the 
battles  of  Cedar  Creek,  Waynesboro,  Five  Forks,  Harper's  Farm, 
Appomattox  and  others;  was  Quartermaster  Sergeant  at  the  last- 
named  place.  He  was  injured  during  the  war,  and  is  a  pensioner. 
Was  discharged  June  5,  1865.  In  November,  1865,  he  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  on  his  present  farm  on  section  13,  Riverton 
Township.  He  was  an  itinerant  minister  in  Iowa  seven  years, 
under  the  direction  of  the  presiding  elder;  was  on  Ilorton  Cir- 
cuit one  year;  organized  a  class  in  Riverton  Township  in  1866;  at 
Sj'racuse  one  year;  Horton  Circuit  two  years,  and  three  years  at 
Plainfield,  where  he  built  up  a  large  church,  it  being  one  of  the 
grandest  and  strongrest  churches  in  this  localitv.  He  was  ordained 
Deacon  by  D.  W.  Clark,  at  Independence,  Sept.  26,  1869,  and 
Elder  Oct.  5,  1872,  at  Cedar  Rapids,  by  Bishop  Andrews.     After 


878  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUN'IY. 

Jeaving  Plainfield  he  preached  three  years  in  Riverton,  and  has 
preached  at  intervals  since.  He  was  married  May  29,  1848,  to 
Hannah  McKee.  They  are  the  parents  of  ten  children — John  H., 
Katie  M.,  William  T.,  Freemont,  George  A.,  Imogene,  Sadie  F., 
Ida  M.,  Frank  E.,  and  C.  Eddie. 

James  M.  Howard  was  born  Jan.  1,  1817,  in  Kentucky;  when 
one  year  old  he  was  brought  with  the  family  to  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  resided  until  seventeen  years  of  age;  he  next  moved 
to  Cook  County,  111.,  where  he  lived  until  1852,  except  two  years 
in  Waukegan,  111.,  still  following  farming.  Next  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, crossing  the  plains  with  oxen,  being  five  months  on  the 
road.  In  1856  he  returned,  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama, 
and  settled  in  Nashua,  Chickasaw  County,  Iowa,  preparing  in  the 
fall  to  build  a  house,  which  he  erected  and  finished  the  following 
spring.  His  present  farm  is  on  section  3,  this  township,  where  he 
owns  770  acres  of  good  land,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  corn, 
oats  and  live-stock,  March  6,  1845,  Mr.  Howard  married  Lucinda 
Carron,  who  was  born  in  Greenbrier  County,  Va.,  April  21,  1828. 
They  have  three  children  now  living,  namely :  Mary  Y.,  born  in 
Eldorado  County,  Cal.,  in  June,  1853,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  An- 
drew Smith;  Elbert  W.,  who  was  born  in  Sacramento  County, 
Cal.,  March  16,  1856;  and  Clara  A ,  born  in  this  township  March 
29,  1862.  Mr.  Howard  belongs  to  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church 
and  in  his  political  views  is  independent. 

Robert  J.  Huie^  born  in  Ogle  County,  111.,  June  5,  1840,  is  a 
son  of  David  Huie,  a  native  of  Scotland,  born  in  1811.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1866,  and  settled  on  section  28,  Riverton  Town- 
ship, where  he  still  resides.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 
in  August,  1862,  in  Company  E,  Ninety-second  Illinois  Infantry; 
the  last  two  years  they  were  mounted.  He  was  in  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Aiken,  Averysboro,  Resaca  and 
many  smaller  ones,and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea. 
He  enlisted  as  private,  and  at  the  first  camp  was  appointed  Fifth 
Sergeant;  in  1864  was  made  Orderly  Sergeant,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1865  was  commissioned  and  mustered  in  as  Second  Lieutenant. 
He  was  married  in  1862  to  Julia  A.  Hammond.  They  have  five 
children — Nellie  M.,  Anna  L.,  Jessie  E.,  Marshall  S.,  and  Recina 
K.  He  has  been  Assessor  six  years,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  five 
years.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Charles  Kilhouriie,  born  in  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  Aug.   10,  1809,  is  a 
son  of  Giles  Kilbourne,  a  native  of  Berkshire  County,  Mass.,  who 


RIVERTON  TOWNSHIP.  879 

died  in  New  York  State  at  the  a^e  of  ninety-three.  He  resided 
oh  a  farm  till  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Homer,  N. 
Y.,  and  clerked  in  a  store  for  five  years.  He  then  went  to  Cort- 
land Academy  and  prepared  for  Hamilton  Collec^e,  near  Utica, 
graduating  from  there  in  1833,  with  high  honors.  He  taught  five 
years  in  Vernon  Academy,  Oneida  County,  and  Cherry  Valley, 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  in  the  meantime  studying  law.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1839,  and  practiced  in  Vernon,  N".  Y.,  five 
years.  In  1844  he  went  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  soon  after  settled 
on  Fox  lliver,  near  Princeton,  Wis.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the 
lumber  busine^^s,  and  then  in  farming  till  1868,  when  he  came  to 
this  county.  In  1867  he  was  a  member  of  the  Wisconsin  Legis- 
lature; was  also  Justice  uf  the  Peace  in  Wisconsin  several  years, 
and  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace  here.  He  was  married  in  1839  to 
Mary  L.  Sayles.  They  are  the  parents  of  seven  children — Henry 
L.  (surgeon  in  the  United  States  array  the  past  twenty  years); 
Charles,  died  in  the  late  war;  Frederick  A.,  Edward  L.,  Arthur  B., 
Louis  D.  and  Everett  L.  Mrs.  Kilbourne  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church. 

Julius  M.  Nevins,  son  of  Russell  M.  Kevins,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Vt,  Dec.  20,  1826.  In  1837  his  parents  moved  to 
Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  to  Jefierson  County,  Wis.,  in  1838.  In  1849 
he  went  to  California  with  an  ox  team,  atid  came  back  in  the  fall 
of  1851.  He  traveled  through  Washington  Territory.  In  1859  he 
went  again  to  California,  and  in  1861  returned  to  Wisconsin.  In 
1864  he  came  to  this  county,  and  in  January,  1873,  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, returning  the  same  spring.  In  1876  he  went  again  to  Cali- 
fornia, taking  his  wife  and  eldest  daughter,  and  remained  one  year. 
He  was  married  May  29,  1847,  to  Elizabeth  King,  of  Canadii,  a 
daughter  of  John  King,  a  native  of  England.  They  are  the  parents 
of  seven  children — Marilla,  Adella,  Matilda,  Almeda,  Sarah  and 
Viola.     A  son  died  in  infancy. 

John  NoUe^  son  of  Jacob  B.  Noble,  was  born  near  Cornwall, 
Canada  West,  Sept.  18,  1833.  In  1846  he  went  with  his  parents 
to  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1855  came  to  Chickasaw 
County,  la.,  and  to  this  county  in  1864,  where  he  is  engaged  as  a 
farmer  and  stock-raiser.  He  owns  235  acres  of  well-improved 
land.  He  was  married  Dec.  29,  1861,  to  Zelia  A.  Hall,  daugh- 
ter of  E.  C.  Hill,  who  came  Jo  this  county  in  1859.  They  have 
one  child — George  E.,  born  May  25,  1868.  He  has  been  Constable 
and  Township  Trustee  six  or  seven  years. 


880  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Solomon  H  Nolle,  born  in  Cornwall,  Canada  West,  Nov.  20, 
1835,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  B.,  also  a  native  of  Canada.  His  education 
was  limited.  In  1846  he  went  with  his  parents  to  St.  Lawrence 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  in  December,  1855,  came  to  Iowa,  going  first 
to  Chickasaw  County,  and  in  1868  came  to  this  county.  He  re- 
sides on  section  24,  Riverton  Township,  and  owns  240  acres;  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  Jan.  22, 
1864,  to  Belinda  Helms.  They  have  five  children — Marshall  H., 
Ada  N.,  Charles  E.,  Katie  M.  and  Cornelia.  He  has  been  Consta- 
ble here  twelve  years. 

Daniel  D.  P'.rry  was  born  in  Bergen  County,  JS".  J.,  Sept.  19, 
1822.  In  1849  he  came  West  and  located  in  Jefierson  County, 
Wis.,  and  in  1875  be  came  to  this  county.  He  was  a  miller  in  the 
East,  but  since  coming  West  has  followed  farming.  He  resides  on 
section  14,  Riverton  Township,  owns  418  acres,  and  is  engaged 
both  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  in  April, 
1841,  to  Sarah  Haring.  They  are  the  parents  of  six  children — 
William  H.,  Maria  C,  Catharine  C,  Sarah  E.  and  Susan  J.  They 
lost  one  daughter  also  named  Susan  J. 

William  II.  Perry,  born  in  New  Jersey,  June  6,  1843,  is  a  son 
of  Daniel  D.  Perry,  and  came  with  him  to  Wisconsin  in  1849.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  1873,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  June  6,  1863,  to  Martha 
J.  Balser.  Of  their  throe  children,  only  two  are  living — Ida 
M.  and  Hattie  B.  One  daughter,  Ina  B.,  died  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen months.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Sanford  Ripley  was  born  in  Gallia  County,  Ohio,  July  27, 
1829.  He  left  there  in  March,  1853,  and  came,  via  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  rivers,  to  Muscatine,  Iowa;  from  there  with  a  two- 
horse  team,  in  company  with  others,  to  Red  Oak  Grove,  Cedar 
County,  Iowa;  from  there  to  where  Nashua  now  is,  June  4,  1853. 
His  father  built  the  first  house  inside  the  town  of  Nashua.  Geo. 
H.  Clark  built  one  a  little  outside  in  1851  or  1852.  In  the  fall  of 
1854,  Mr.  Ripley  moved  to  the  place  where  he  still  lives,  section  34, 
range  15,  Riverton  Township.  Snow  being  knee-deep,  and  no 
house  there,  the  family  camped  under  the  wagon  till  he  could  build 
a  cabin.  He  has  250  acres  of  well-improved  land.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1846  to  Susan  Norton,  nee  Bumgartner,  who  was  born  in 
Gallia  County,  O. ,  in  January,  1820.  They  have  three  children — 
Esther,  born  Dec.  31,1855;  Lovina,  Oct.  6,  1860;  Maria,  June  14, 
1863.     He  ran  out  with  a  compass  and  staked  the  first  road  from 


RIVERTON  TOWNSHIP.  881 

Nashua,  going  in  a  northwesterly  direction  till  he  struck  section  1, 
range  91-17,  which  is  now  Union  Township.  This  continued  to  be 
the  re^^ular  traveled  road  for  many  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

A.  B.  Scofield  was  born  in  Clearfield  County,  Pa.,  Oct.  28,  1835. 
His  father  moved  from  there  to  Rock  County,  Wis.  Ho  lived 
with  his  f  ither  till  he  was  twenty-tliree  years  old,  wiien  he  came  to 
Nashua,  Chickasaw  Coimty,  la.,  and  taught  a  writing-school  one 
winter;  worked  in  a  fanning-mill  factory  the  tollowing  summer,  and 
taught  in  the  public  school  in  the  fall  and  winter.  He  built  what 
is  known  as  the  Thompson  School-house,  in  Riverton  Township.  In 
October,  1860,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Beck,  born  in  Ohio,  in 
1842.  They  had  four  children — Emma  Jane,  born  in  1862,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  two  months;  Irwin  J.,  born  in  May,  1866;  Mary 
L.,  born  in  November,  1868;  W.  A.,  1869.  Mr.  Scofield  has  been 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four  years;  has  been  Director  and  Secre- 
taiy  of  the  School  Board,  and  has  held  various  township  offices. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

Solomon  M.  Stevens,  son  of  Solomon  K.  Stevens,  a  native  of 
Vermont,  was  born  in  Cortland  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  1,  1851.  iu 
1855  he  came  West  with  his  parents  and  settled  in  Bureau  County, 
111.,  and  in  March,  1871,  came  to  this  county.  He  resides  on  sec- 
tion 16,  Riverton  Township,  where  he  owns  forty  acres;  he  also 
owns  eighty  acres  on  section  21,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  atid 
stock-raising.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Maria  Mitchell,  a 
daughter  of  Moses  Mitchell,  now  of  Chickasaw  County.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Riverton. 

Scofield  S.  Waterbary,  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y., 
Dec.  7,  1833,  is  a  son  of  Shadrach  Watcrbury,  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, who  died  when  Scofield  was  four  years  old.  In  1850  lie 
went  to  Jefferson  County,  Wis.,  locating  in  the  ancient  city  of 
Aztalan,  where  he  remained  till  the  sprinu;  of  1861  when  he  catne 
to  this  county,  and  located  on  section  21,  Riverton  Township.  He 
owns  315  acres,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  breod- 
ini^  short-horned  cattle  and  Norman  horses.  In  1874  he  imported 
French  Monarch,  a  fine  Perclieron  of  1,800  pounds  weight.  He 
also  has  a  colt  of  his  three  years  old  that  weighs  1,400  pounds.  He 
was  married  in  November,  1856,  to  Annie  E.  Willis.  They  are  the 
parents  of  six  children — Electa  A.,  Lizzie  D.,  May  E.,  John  P., 
E.  Belle,  and  Willis.     Their  eldest  daughter  is  the  wife  of  F.  0. 

Dan  forth. 
54 


8d2 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


O.  B.  Waterman  was  born  in  Berkshire  County,  Mass.,  where 
he  lived  till  he  was  four  years  old,  when  he  moved  to  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  lived  twenty-iive  years.  In  1869  he  came  to 
Floyd  County,  la.,  and  settled  on  section  28.  He  has  120  acres  of 
good,  well-improved  land.  He  raises  stock,  and  makes  a  specialty 
of  hogs.  He  sells  his  cream  to  the  Charles  City  Creamery.  He 
was  married  in  1869  to  Sarah  M.  Bellows.  She  was  born  in  Mas- 
sachusetts in  1852.     They  have  seven  children. 

A.  JB.  Warden  was  born  in  New  York,  Jan.  28,  1828,  where  he 
lived  till  he  was  four  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Michigan  and 
remained  twenty-three  years.  In  the  fall  of  1855  he  came  to  Floyd 
County,  Iowa,  and  settled  on  section  10,  Riverton  Township.  He 
lias  120  acres  of  good  well-improved  laud.  He  has  always  been  a 
farmer.  He  was  married  Jan.  1,  1854,  to  Elizabeth  Jane  Cleland, 
a  native  of  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  born  March  6,  1832.  She 
died  July  24,  1882.  They  had  one  adopted  child — Albert  G.,born 
Feb.  6,  1872.  Mr.  Worden  is  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan  Method- 
ist church.  Politically  is  a  JRepublican.  He  was  the  first  Con- 
i^table  elected  in  the  township. 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP. 

The  township  of  Rockford  was  named  from  the  village  of  Rock- 
ford,  the  village  having  been  started  and  named  a  year  before  the 
township  was  erected.  Rockford  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Rock 
Grove,  on  the  east  by  Ulster,  on  the  south  by  Scott,  and  on  the 
west  by  Cerro  Gordo  County.  It  was  settled  at  a  comparatively 
early  day,  and  with  people  mostly  from  the  Eastern  States.  There 
are  very  few  foreigners  here.  The  population  of  the  township  is 
now  about  1,400. 

OKGANIO. 

The  area  now  known  as  Rockford  Township  was  formerly  in- 
cluded in  Union  Township.  A  warrant  was  issued  by  A.  L.  Col- 
lins, County  Judge,  March  2,  1857,  defining  the  limits  of  Rockford 
Township  to  be  the  same  as  those  of  the  congressional  township 
95,  ranges  17  and  18,  and  calling  for  an  election  April  6,  1857. 
The  election  was  held  at  the  house  of  Ransom  Knapp,  with  A.  H. 
Bayley,  B.  P.  Franklin,  and  Horace  W.  Fields  as  Judges  of  Elec- 
tion. The  officers  chosen  at  this  election  were  as  follows:  Trus- 
tees, L.  G.  Hiscox  and  Henry  R.May;  Clerk,  Horace  Stearns; 
Justices,  William  Hutchler  and  J.  N.  Dennis;  Road  Supervisors, 
L.  G.  Buck,  Henry  Wadey,  George  Wadey  and  George  Wise. 

In  1858  a  portion  of  township  95,  range  17,  was  set  off  for  the 
organization  of  Ulster  Township,  and  in  1861  the  remainder  of 
that  congressional  township  was  set  ofl  to  Ulster.  At  this  latter 
time,  also,  six  sections  on  the  southern  part  of  township  95,  range 
18,  were  set  off  and  annexed  to  Scott,  and  twelve  sections  from 
the  southern  part  of  township  96,  range  18,  were  added  to  Rockford 
Township  on  the  north. 

EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

In  August,  1851,  John  Grace  built  a  small  cabin  ajid  made  a 
claim  on  section  10,  township  95,  range  18,  on  the  south  bank  of 
the  Shell  Rock  River,  and  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  present 
town  site  of  Rockford.  Tlie  same  year  he  took  up  a  claim  on 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Buck  farm,  and  built  a  cabin  there.    He 

(883) 


884  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

was  the  first  actual  settler  in  the  township.  During  this  same  year 
Jacob  Beelar  also  made  a  claim  on  sections  8  and  9,  on  the  farm 
afterward  owned  by  John  Dumbolton,  but  subsequently  aban- 
doned it  and  took  up  a  claim  in  Union  Township.  A  Mr.  Brannon 
then  took  the  Beelar  claim,  and  broke  eighteen  or  twenty  acres  in 
1852.  Grace  also  broke  a  small  tract  the  same  season,  which  was 
probably  the  first  breaking  done  in  the  township.  In  1853  Flem- 
ing De  Witt  and  several  sons  bought  out  the  Brannon,  Farlow  and 
Grace  claims,  and  also  laid  claim  to  large  tracts  of  land  between 
Shell  Rock  and  Linn  rivers,  covering  what  afterward  became 
Wyatt's,  Dumbolton's,  Dean's  and  Grace's  groves.  In  1853  Lee 
Furlow  claimed  the  larger  part  of  the  groves  southeast  of  Rock- 
ford,  afterward  owned  by  Green  &  Stearns.  B.  F.  Adams  came 
in  1853,  and  built  a  cabin  on  the  west  side  of  Linn  River,  on  seC' 
tion  5,  and  broke  fifteen  or  eighteen  acres.  This  was  afterward 
known  as  the  Ruggles  farm.  Ambrose  Baker  built  a  cabin  the 
same  year,  on  what  was  afterward  A.  L.  Carman's  farm,  and  in  the 
year  following  broke  ten  acres. 

In  1854  W.  J.  Green  and  H.  Stearns  bought  the  Farlow  claim 
of  Isaac  and  David  De  Witt  for  $30.  Each  built  a  cabin  and 
opened  up  a  farm.  George  Breutner,  L.  G.  Buck  and  O.  J.  Dean 
came  in  1854  and  bought  claims  of  the  De  Witts.  F.  De  Witt  built 
a  log  house  near  the  little  cabin  of  John  Grace.  This  was  occu- 
pied by  J.  C.  Walker,  who  broke  ten  acres  near  where  the  Burling- 
ton, Cedar  Rapids  &  Minnesota  Railroad  depot  now  stands. 

In  1855  Major  Rice  built  a  cabin  near  W^'att's  grove,  and 
opened  up  a  farm.  R.  C.  Horr  laid  claim  to  that  portion  of  the 
present  town  plat  between  the  Wyatt  House  and  the  Shell  Rock 
River,  and  the  same  year  sold  to  R.  N.  Mathews.  Mr.  Mathews 
also  bought  Gideon  White's  claim  and  moved  on  it.  R.  C.  Mathews 
made  a  claim,  which  afterward  became  a  part  of  S.  H.  Cutler's  farm, 
David  Riple}'-  claimed  the  western  portion  of  the  town  plat.  Dan- 
iel Mahoney  bought  a  claim  north  of  the  Buck  place,  built  a  cabin, 
and  brought  his  family  the  following  year.  D.  M.  Bemas  made  a 
claim  south  of  town. 

In  1856  ,Iohn  Piatt,  S.  P.  Brittain,  George  Wyatt  and  Willard 
Bowdoin  bought  the  town  site  of  Rockford.  Further  particulars 
are  given  below  in  the  sketch  of  the  village  of  Rockford. 


ROCKFOKD  TOWNSHIP.  885 


FIKST. 


The  first  sermon  in  Rockford  Township  was  preached  by  Rev. 
John  Ball,  in  John  Ferguson's  store,  in  June,  1856.     The  other 
early  preachers  were,  Revs.  Hiscox,  Saxby,  Holbrook  and  La  Dae, 
all  of  whom  came  about  1857  or  1858.    There  are  now  two  churches 
in  the  township,  both  of  which  are  in  Rockford  Village. 

The  first  school-house  was  built  in  1857,  of  oak  boards,  and  was 
16  X  24.  It  was  built  without  battening,  and  with  slab  seats.  This 
was  built  by  contribution,  and  was  used  for  church  services,  as 
well  as  for  a  school-house.  The  second  school-house  in  this  district 
was  built  of  stone,  in  the  winter  of  1857  and  1858.  It  tumbled 
down  when  the  frost  went  out.  The  third  was  built  of  stone,  in 
1859,  and  was  26x40;  twelve  feet  between  joints.  This  was  for 
several  years  the  best  school-house  in  the  county.  The  fourth 
school-house  was  built  of  wood  in  1873.  It  was  50  x  50,  contained 
four  rooms,  and  cost  $8,000. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  Mrs.  J.  N.  Dennis,  in  1857. 
Miss  Clementine  McEwen  taught  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year. 
The  first  school  district  in  the  township  was  known  as  sub-district 
No.  4,  of  Union  Township.  The  first  district  election  was  held  at 
the  house  of  H.  Stearns,  June  15,  1857,  with  B.  P.  Franklin  as 
President,  and  H.  Stearns,  Secretary. 

The  first  marriage  license  issued  in  the  township  was  to  Wesley 
Ames  and  Miss  Cassidy,  both  of  Rockford  Township;  and  this  was 
also  the  first  in  the  county. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  Mrs.  De  Witt,  in  1853  or  1854. 

The  first  birth  is  thought  to  have  been  that  of  lola  Blanchard. 

STOCK. 

In  1856  Z.  M.  Knapp  brought  to  this  township  seven  head  of 
thoroughbred  cattle,  one  of  which  was  a  bull  sired  by  an  imported 
Devon,  owned  by  ex-Governor  Bibb,  of  Illinois.  Soon  after,  S.  P. 
Brittain  brought  in  about  twenty  head  of  cattle  from  Illinois, 
many  of  them  thoroughbreds,  and  other  grades.  Four  or  five  years 
after  this,  D.  M. Beraas  also  brought  from  New  York  some  twenty 
or  thirty  head  of  thoroughbreds.  Such  importations  of  choice 
stock  did  not  fail  to  improve  the  stock  generally  througliout  the 
western  side  of  the  county. 


886  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


RAILROAD. 


The  Burlington,  Cedar  Kapids  &  Minnesota  Railroad  was  fin- 
ished to  Rockford,  Oct.  13,  1871.  Tlie  people  of  the  township  aided 
largely  in  its  construction.  A  tax  of  five  per  cent,  was  voted  upoa 
the  real  and  personal  property  of  the  township.  The  right  of  way 
through  the  township,  a  distance  of  between  eight  and  nine  miles, 
ten  acres  of  land  for  depot  grounds,  and  $10,000  in  cash  were 
donated  to  the  company.  The  value  of  the  whole  gift  was  esti- 
mated at  $25,000.  A  fuller  history  of  this  road  is  given  in  the 
chapter  on  railroads. 

BRIDGES. 

The  first  bridge  across  the  Shell  Rock  River,  in  Rockford  Town- 
ship, was  built  in  1858,  by  private  subscription.  Tliis  was  swept 
away  by  floating  ice  before  completion.  No  attempt  to  bridge  the 
river  was  made  again  until  1865,  when  a  good  wooden  Howe-truss 
bridge  was  constructed,  at  the  expense  partly  of  the  county  and 
partly  of  the  citizens  of  Rockford.  This  bridge  at  Rockford  lasted 
until  1875,  when  it  was  taken  down,  and  the  present  iron  bridge 
was  constructed  by  the  Canton  Bridge  Company,  of  Ohio,  at  the 
expense  of  the  county.  It  was  improved  in  1881  at  a  cost  of  about 
$2,000.  , 

A  wooden  bridge  was  built  by  the  county  in  1866  at  "Elmore's 
Mill."  This  was  swept  away  in  1877,  and  the  present  iron  bridge 
constructed,  the  work  bein^  performed  by  the  Canton  Bridge 
Company.     This  bridge  is  250  feet  long. 

The  iron  bridge  at  Ruggle's  Ford,  on  Lime  Creek  in  the  western 
part  of  the  township,  was  built  at  the  expense  of  the  county  in  1874. 

STATE  AND  COUNTY    OFFICERS. 

Several  of  Rockford's  citizens  have  held  important  positions  in 
the  service  of  the  nation.  State  and  county.  Among  them  are  the 
following  : 

E.  G.  Bowdoin  served  two  terms  in  the  Legislature, from  1860  to 
1864,  in  one  of  which  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Committee. 
He  held  the  position  of  Secretary  to  the  Judiciary  Committee  in 
Congress  from  March,  1863,  to  March,  1874. 

Alvah  Prescott  was  elected  County  Surveyor  in  1857. 

Horace  Stearns  was  several  times  elected  to  the  same  office,  and 
has  held  it  since  1870.     He  was  County  Assessor  in  1857,  Superin 
tendent  of  Schools  in  1866,  and  Supervisor  in  1866  and  1868. 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  887 

R.  N.  Mathews  was  elected  County  Supervisor  in  1860  and  1862. 
J.  C  Baker  was  chosen  Supervisor  in  1864. 
A.  G.  Merrill  held  the  same  office  two  terras. 
J.  S.  Childs  was  chosen  County  Treasurer  in  1870. 
R.  C.  Mathews  was  elected  to  the  same  office  in  1872. 
J.  W.  Merrill  was  elected  County  Superintendent  in  1872. 
Orlo  H.  Lyon  served  in  the  State  Legislature  two  terms,  from 
1878  to  1882". 

VIOLENT    DEATHS. 

July  16,  1858,  Jeremiah  Eaton,  of  Saline,  Washtenaw  County , 
Mich.,  who  had  a  wife  and  five  children,  was  drowned  in  Shell 
Rock  River,  at  Rockford.  He  was  endeavoring  to  cross  the  river 
in  a  skiff  just  above  the  dam,  when  the  deceitful  current  carried 
him  over.  His  body  was  not  found  until  nine  days  afterward,  about 
six  miles  below.  All  efforts  to  find  the  body  near  the  dam  prov- 
ing unsuccessful,  G.  G,  and  Edward  Reiniger,  of  St.  Charles 
City,  and  Horace  Stearns  and  O.  N.  Robbins,  of  Rockford,  pro- 
cured two  skiffs  and  proceeded  down  the  river.  About  six  miles 
below  the  dam  they  discovered  the  body  lodged  among  some  wil- 
lows in  the  vicinity  of  Marble  Rock.  It  was  lying  mostly  out 
of  water.  They  made  a  temporary  coffin,  in  which  they  conveyed 
the  corpse  to  St.  Charles.  The  next  day  the  citizens  in  large 
numbers  followed  the  remains  to  the  new  cemetery.  Mr.  E.  is 
said  to  have  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  he  was  a 
highly  respected  citizen. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  Mr.  G.  G.  Reiniger  for  his  energetic  ef- 
forts to  discover  the  remains  of  Mr.  Eaton,  and  see  to  their  suit- 
able interment.  He  was  the  owner  of  some  $8,000  or  $10,000 
worth  of  property  in  this  county.  One  or  two  dollars  of  money, 
a  few  papers  and  a  watch  were  found  upon  the  body. 

March  17,  1859,  Richard  Ready  was  drowned  in  the  Shell  Rock 
River,  at  Rockford.  He  was  engaged  in  running  a  ferry-boat  at 
that  place,  and  was  taking  across  the  river,  above  the  mill-dam,  a 
gentleman  named  Billings,  with  two  children,  and  a  pair  of  horses 
and  wagon.  The  wind  blew  hard  down  the  stream,  the  current 
was  strong,  and  they  were  carried  over  the  dam.  Mr.  Billings 
succeeded  in  swimming  ashore.  Mr.  Pierson,  a  gentleman  who 
had  a  small  boat  in  the  river,  saved  one  of  the  children,  and  Mr. 
Childs,  a  man  on  shore,  plunged  in  and  rescued  the  other.  One 
of  the  horses  gained  the  shore,  while  Mr.    Ready  and  the  other 


888  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

horse  were  drowned.     The  body  of  Mr.  Ready  was  not  recovered 
until  the  second  day  afterward.     He  left  a  wife  and  two  children 

July,  1867,  E.  B.  Evans,  aged  forty-eight,  was  drowned  at 
Rockford  in  the  river. 

Jan.  1,  1868,  Samael  L.  Knapp  was  thrown  against  a  tree  by  a 
runaway  team  and  dragged  some  distance,  and  died  the  Sunday 
following. 

Geoge  P.  Ransom,  about  1870,  was  instantly  killed,  by  being 
thrown  against  a  fence  by  a  runaway  horse,  within  a  few  feet  of 
where  Mr.  Knapp  was  killed. 

On  the  23d  day  of  December,  1871,  the  railway  bridge  at  Rock- 
ford  was  crushed  by  a  passing  train,  and  engine,  cars  and  pass- 
engers were  precipitated  down  to  the  ice,  upon  the  Shell  Rock 
River,  a  distance  of  about  twenty-five  feet.  James  Judd,  an  en- 
gin3er,  Robert  White,  a  fireman,  and  one  Bartlett,  a  brakes- 
man, were  instantly  killed.  James  Brown  and  Daniel  Maloy,  of 
Nora  Springs,  employes  of  the  road,  were  seriously  injured.  Kot 
a  passenger  was  killed  or  seriously  hurt. 

In  1874  James  Scott  was  killed  by  a  runaway  team.  This  ye  r, 
also,  Lyman  Moore  lost  his  way  in  the  evening  on  his  way  ho  .  e, 
and  froze  to  death. 

In  1875  L.  A.  Billings  was  murdered  near  the  western  line  of 
the  county.     See  chapter  entitled  "Criminal." 

On  Friday,  March  10,  1876,  the  house  of  Mr.  Withey,  who  live 
about  three  miles  northwest  from  Rockford,  on  Mr.  Stirbird's 
farm,  was  struck  by  lightning  three  times;  the  first  time  it  came 
down  the  stove  pipe  and  struck  Mr.  Withey  upon  the  left  hand, 
removing  the  skin  from  it;  it  then  passed  up  the  arm  and  down 
uhe  left  side,  completely  destroying  the  left  foot,  leaving  a  large 
blue  streak  upon  the  body.  He  was  conscious,  and  alive  until  abo  ut 
midnight  when  he  went  to  sleep  and  seemed  to  experience  great 
difficulty  in  breathing.  He  continued  to  sleep  until  Sunday  at 
th  -ee  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  he  died. 

OTHER   CASUALTIES. 

Oct.  16,  prairies  on  fire  in  the  vicinity  of  Rockford,  resulting  in 
considerable  damage.     The  fire  came  upon  the  dwelling-house  of 
L.  Whitney,  on  the  east  bank  of  Shell  Rock,  while  the  family  were 
eating,  and  almost  instantly  the  house  was  in  flames.     They   lost 
all  their  furniture  and  clothing,  and  four  hogs  in  the  pen.     About 
thirty   tons  of  hay,  belonging  to  Mr.    Greene,  and   considerable 


KOCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  889 

fence  belonging  to  him  and  to  Mr.  Stearns,  were  also  destroyed. 
South  of  Charles  City,  also,  some  losses  were  a  short  time  previ- 
ously sustained  from  prairie  fires. 

Other  fires,  floods,  hurricanes,  etc.,  are  noted  in  the  second  and 
sixteenth  chapters. 

ROOKFORD. — BEGINNINGS  AND    BA.RLY   GROWTH. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  John  Piatt  and  S.  P.  Brittain,  of  Rockford; 
George  Wyatt,  formerly  from  Rockford,  but  then  living  at  St. 
Charles,  and  Willard  Bowdoin,  of  Salem  Mass.,  bought  of  R.  N. 
Mathews  and  David  Ripley  what  is  now  known  as  the  original 
town  of  Rockford,  and  had  it  platted  and  recorded.  Each  of  these 
gentlemen  owned  a  one-fourth  interest.  The  following  yearG.  W. 
Bowdoin  bought  of  Brittain  a  one-eighth  interest.  G.  Wyatt  sold 
his  quarter  interest  to  D.  E.  Johnson,  who  sold  one  eighth  to  E.  G. 
Bowdoin,  and  the  other  one  eighth  to  S.  P.  Brittain.  Brittain 
afterward  sold  this  one  eighth  to  D.  M.  Bemis. 

During  the  summer  of  1856,  these  proprietors  let  the  contract 
for  building  a  dam  across  the  Shell  Rock  to  O.  N.  Robbins,  a  nd 
by  fall  they  had  a  saw-mill  in  successful  operation.  Every  board 
or  $lab  cut  from  this  mill  was  picked  up  with  eager  haste  by  the 
houseless  inhabitants.  George  Wyatt  built  the  first  frame  house  in 
the  village,  and  it  was  also  the  first  in  the  township,  on  the  block 
where  the  Wyatt  House  afterward  stood.  This  frame  house  he 
occupied  less  than  a  year,  when  he  built  the  stone  one  which 
became  a  part  of  the  Wyatt  House.  Theron  Thomas,  O.  N. 
Robbins,  D.  S.  Blanchard,  Joel  Griffin,  H.  W.  Fields,  S.  W. 
Haven  and  Ransom  Knapp  followed  in  building  their  houses  as 
fast  as  lumber  could  be  procured  to  build  a  shelter.  Robbins 
hauled  his  lumber  from  a  saw-mill  six  miles  south  of  Charles  City. 

John  Ferguson  opened  the  first  stock  of  goods  in  the  village  and 
township,  in  a  building  afterward  the  residence  of  J.  W.  Merrill. 
Ferguson  traded  this  stock  of  gooJs  to  D.  Mahoney  for  his  farm,  in 
the  winter  of  lS56-'7.  In  1857  Mahoney  sold  to  V.  W.  Corey, 
who  reduced  the  stock  and  went  out  of  the  mercantile,  business. 

In  the  fall  of  1856  Charles  Smith  bought  of  R.  C.  Horr  1,100 
acres  of  land,  on  sections  11  and  12,  and  he  built  during  the 
following  winter  a  log  house  near  the  present  residence  of  J.  S. 
ChUds. 

In  the  summer  of  1857  D.  E.   Johnson  brought  a  lot  of  good 
from  Cedar  Falls,   and  after  forming  a  partnership  with  Charles 


890  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Smith,  built  a  temporary  store.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  they 
built  a  stone  store  22  x  40,  on  Piatt  street,  where  they  continued 
in  the  business  until  the  spring  of  1860,  when  Smith  sold  his 
interest  to  R.  C,  Mathews.  The  business  was  then  carried  on  by 
Johnson  and  Mathews  until  the  fall  of  1864,  when  Johnson  sold 
to  R.  N.  Mathews.  The  firm  was  then  Mathews  &  Son  for  some 
time,  and  then  tliis  firm  sold  out  to  O.  J.  Wilbur  and  John  Plum- 
iner.  After  a  time  Plummer  sold  his  interest  to  Wilbur.  Wilbur 
then  built  a  store  on  Wyatt's  block.  He  continued  in  business 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1879. 

The  name  of  Rockford  was  selected  by  the  first  proprietors  and 
settlers  because  tbe  great  maj  ority  of  them  were  from  Rockford,  111. 
The  name  was  also  considered  appropriate  from  the  rocky  bottom 
and  sides  of  the  ford  in  use  before  any  bridge  was  built. 

J.  S.  Childs  and  O.  H.  Lyon  came  in  July,  1857,  erected  the  build- 
ing, now  occupied  by  the  postoffice,  and  carried  on  the  mercantile 
business  until  the  fall  of  1871.  Childs  was  then  elected  County 
Treasurer,  and  sold  his  interest  to  Lyon,  who  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness alone  for  two  years,  when  Childs  was  again  taken  in  partner- 
ship. They  then  built  a  new  store,  22  x  60,  and  carried  on  the 
business  together  for  two  years  longer  when  Lyon  sold  out  to 
Childs,  who  has  since  carried  on  the  business  alone. 

INCORPORATION. 

To  promote  the  welfare  of  Rockford  it  was  thought  by  many 
that  it  should  be  incorporated.  The  question  of  incorporation  was 
submitted  to  the  people,  March  16,  1878,  and  was  decided  in  the 
affirmative  by  a  vote  of  ninety-seven  to  eighty-one.  The  first  elec- 
tion for  town  officers  was  held  April  26,  1878.  The  officers  chosen 
were  as  follows:  Mayor,  Orlo  H.  Lyon;  Recorder,  0.  F.  Myers; 
Trustees,  J.  S.  Childs,  Alex.  McElroy,  L.  R.  Burton,  C.  Lyons  and 

A.  L.  Plummer;  Marshal,  J.  E.  Piumlej;  Treasurer,  O.  H.  Lyon. 
The  present  officers:  Mayor,  E.  P.  Andrews;  Recorder,  S.  W. 
Woodhouse;  Trustees,  H.  C.  Scott,  R.  C.  Mathews,  D.  D.  Cutler, 
J.  C.  Moore,  O.  N.  Robbins   and    A.    W.   Dawson;    Marshal,   J. 

B.  Parmenter;  Assessor,  D.  G.  Campbell;  Treasurer,  Harry  A. 
Merrill. 

HOTELS. 

The  first  hotel  was  built  and  kept  in  1856,  by  Ransom  Knapp. 
After  about  three  years  he  sold  out  to  John  Harriman.  He  had  it 
about  two  years,  and  then  sold  to  B.  F.  Beebe,  of  Wisconsin.     He 


ROCKFORD   TOWNSHIP.  891 

in  turn  sold  to  Levi  Lyons,  the  present  proprietor,  but  it  is  not 
now  run  as  a  hotel. 

George  "Wyatt  built  his  residence  on  Oak  street,  near  Piatt  street, 
in  1856,  and  in  1363  he  opened  it  as  a  hotel  with  the  name  "  Wjatt 
House."  ^  Mr.  Wyatt  has  run  the  hotel  ever  since. 

In  1871  B.  F.  Beebe  built  the  present  Beebe  House,  and  opened 
it  to  the  public.  His  son-in-law,  William  Durkee,  was  in  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Beebe,  and  the  two  ran  it  until  1881,  when  the  prop- 
erty was  sold  to  Durkee.  The  present  proprietors  are  Durkee  and 
Critchfield. 

MILLS. 

In  the  spring  of  1857  Chapman  Bros,  erected  a  steam  saw- 
mill, but  soon  after  completion  they  became  involved  and  the  mill 
was  taken  to  Mitchell  County. 

Sept.  1,  1858,  a  ferry  license  was  issued  to  George  Wyatt,  for  the 
Rockford  ferry,  with  the  following  scale  of  prices: 

CENTS. 

Double  carriage  (drawn   by  two    animals) 35 

Single  carriage  (drawn  by  one  animal) 25 

Man  and  horse 10 

Every  additional  horse 5 

Any  other  animal 5 

Footman 3 

In  the  year  1861  J.  T.  Graham  having  had  the  foundation  of  this 
flouring  mill  washed  out  and  the  mill  washed  down  the  river  to 
Marble  Rock,  went  in  partnership  with  George  Wyatt,  built  a 
dam  across  Lime  Creek  and  erected  a  stone  flouring  mill  32x42, 
for  three  run  of  stone.  This  mill  changed  hands  several  times  and 
was  burned  in  December,  1874.  Alex.  Elmore,  the  owner  at  the 
time  of  the  burning  of  the  mill,  erected  a  new  and  larger  one  at 
the  same  place  in  1875,  with  four  run  of  stone,  size  36  x  50  at  a 
cost  of  some  $10,000.  The  mill  is  now  owned  by  Minneapolis 
parties. 

J.  T.  Graham  and  D.  D.  Cutler,  in  1873,  built  a  dam  and  flour- 
ing mill  on  the  Shell  Rock,  with  four  run  of  stone,  size  36x46,  at 
a  cost  of  $10,000.  After  about  two  years,  Mr.  Cutler  sold  out 
his  interest  to  Mr.  Graham,  the  present  proprietor. 


8^2  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ELEVATOR. 

The  elevator  of  B.  D.  Cutler  and  Robert  Lindon  was  built  in 
1875,  bjE.  F.  Bacon.  Mr.  Butler  bought  a  one-half  interest  in 
Ma  J,  1876.  Mr.  Bacon  sold  to  A.  W.  Dawson,  in  "February,  1879, 
and  he  in  turn  sold  his  interest  to  Robert  Lindon,   in  June,  1882. 

The  firm  of  Cutler  &  Lindon  deal  in  all  kinds  of  grain,  particu- 
larly corn,  and  in  live-stock.  During  tlie  year  ending  July  31, 1882, 
they  shipped  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  cars  of  corn,  mostly  to 
Peoria,  111.;  forty-eight  cars  of  oats,  mostly  to  Peoria;  fifty- 
two  cars  of  flax,  to  Burlington  and  St.  Louis;  thirty-five  cars 
of  wheat,  and  ninety-four  cars  of  hogs  and  cattle.  They  also 
grind  a  great  deal  of  feed,  their  production  of  this  article  alone 
reaching  100  car-loads  the  past  year. 

The  nearest  competing  elevators  are  eight  miles  distant,  at 
Marble  Rock  and  at  Nora  Springs.  This  one  is  valued  at  $8,000. 
The  engine  and  boiler  are  each  fifteen  horse-power.  The  firm  have 
introduced  a  new  contrivance,  by  which  wagons  of  corn  are  driven 
on  a  platform,  and  the  corn  is  dumped  below,  without  handling, 
and  there  shelled.  The  only  other  "dump  "  elevator  is  at  Marble 
Rock,  and  adopted  the  method  after  Messrs.  Cutler  &  Lindon  intro- 
duced it. 

CREAMERY. 

The  Rockford  Creamery  of  Charles  Howell  was  built  by  Edwin 
Price  in  1881,  but  not  operated  until  1882,  when  Mr.  Howell  leased 
it  of  Mr.  Price.  It  is  40  x  30,  one  story  and  basement  in  height,  and 
has  a  capacity  for  making  1,000  pounds  of  butter  a  day.  The  actual 
production  up  to  July  1,  averages  about  350  pounds  a  day,  or  10,000 
pounds  a  month.  This  butter  is  shipped  to  Eastern  markets,  and 
brings  about  ten  cents  more  per  pound  than  dairy  butter.  Mr.  Howell 
is  from  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  and  it  was  in  that  dairy  country 
that  he  gained  his  experience.  He  has  every  prospect  of  success 
in  his  undertaking.  He  runs  three  cream  wagons  at  the  present 
time.     His  is  the  only  creamery  in  Rockford  Township. 

BANK. 

The  bank  of  Rockford  was  organized  in  1871,  under  the  firm 
title  of  Mathews  &  Son,  and  maintained  the  same  administrative 
power  until  August,  1877.  The  entrance  of  the  Hon.  O.  H.  Lyon 
marked  a  new  career,  and  the  partnership  became,  as  now,  Mathews 


KOCKFORD   TOWNSHIP.  893 

&  Lyon.  K.  N.  Mathews  died  in  1877,  and  his  son,  R  C.  Mathews, 
is  now  Mr.  Lyon's  partner.  The  bank  possesses  the  advantages  of 
sufficient  capital  to  meet  all  demands.  That  it  passed  through  the 
panic  of  1873  nnscathed,  and  the  fact  of  its  officers  being  experi- 
enced financiers,  men  of  untarnished  record  and  wealthy,  are  suf- 
ficient evidences  to  cause  the  public  confidence  it  has  gained  and 
bound  to  maintain.  The  routine  work  of  the  bank  is  attended  to 
by  their  efficient  and  reliable  Cashier,  Harry  N.  Merrill,  who  is  as- 
sisted by  John  A.  Pearson.  The  deposits  in  this  bank.  May  11, 
1872,  were,  $12,899.43;  May  11,  1882,  $72,443.17,  an  increase  of 
sixfold. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The  first  Postmaster  was  G-eorge  Wyatt,  who  was  appointed  in 
July,  1856.    He  was  succeeded  in  1857  by  B.  P.  Franklin,  the  father 
of  the  present  Postmaster.    R.  N.  Mathews  was  appointed  in  1858. 
The  next  to  fill  the  office  was  J.  S.  Childs,  who   was  appointed  in 
1861.     The  fifth  Postmaster  was  Orlo  H.  Lyon,  who  entered  upon 
his  duties  in  1871.     He  was  succeeded,  Oct.  15,  1877,  by  the  pres- 
ent incumbent,  C.  R.  Franklin,  who  received  his  commission  from 
Keyes,  Postmaster-General  under  Hayes.    During  the  quarter  end- 
ing June   30,  1882,  there  were  received  from   box  rent,    $36.80; 
sales  of  stamps,  $407.81;   and  stamps  were  canceled  to  the  value 
of  $353.15. 

PROFESSIONAL. 

The  first  lawyer  in  Rockford  was  R.  N.  Mathews,  who  died  in 
1878.  E.  G.  Bowdoin,  who  had  practiced  about  ten  years  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1856,  but  never  practiced 
here.  The  present  practitioners  are  Robert  Eggert,  who  was  ad- 
mittedin  1879;  Edgar P,  Andrews,  who  came  from  Hampton  in  1879; 
J.  W.  Merrill,  who  came  from  Charles  City  in  1872;  S.  Wood- 
house,  who  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1878,  and  Mr.  McKenna, 
who  came  to  Rockford  in  January,  1882. 

The  first  physician  was  James  Cortright,  who  came  from  Charles 
City  in  1857,  remained  about  three  years,  and  then  went  to  De- 
corah,  Winneshiek  County,  where  he  now  resides.  Dr.  E.  C  Kim- 
ball came  in  1858  from  Shullsburg,  Wis.  He  remained  about  four 
years,  and  then  went  to  Chicago;  thence  he  went  to  Colorado.  Dr. 
N.  T.  McEwen  came  here  in  1862,  from  Ulster  Township.  He  is 
now  in  partnership  with  his  son  Earl,  who  has  practiced  hereabout 


894  HISTORY  OF  FLOID  COUNTY. 

one  year.  They  are  of  the  Homeopathic  school.  The  other  pres- 
ent physicians  are  E.  W.  Wilbur,  who  came  from  Woodstock,  111,, 
in  1870,  and  W.  H.  Nickols,  who  came  in  1875  from  Greene,  But- 
ler County. 

BUSINESS. 

The  following  is  a  complete  business  directory  of  the  village:  E. 
P.  Andrews,  attorney;  A.  Bauman,  shoemaker;  Mrs.  B.  Benson, 
dressmaker;  F.  Bluemensteii,  barber;  M.  E.  Bort,  druggist;  Mrs. 
II  Boylan,  milliner;  Burton  Brothers,  hardware  merchants;  Will- 
iam Cavanaugii,  blacksmith;  J.  S.  Childs  &  Sons,  general  mer- 
chants; Cornish  &  Dawson,  general  merchants ;  Mrs.  C.  A.  Crocker, 
dressmaker;  Cutler  &  Linden,  proprietors  of  elevator;  T.  W.  Davis, 
merchant  miller;  Durkee  &  Critchiield, proprietors  of  Beebe  House; 
Robert  Eggert,  proprietor  of  paper-mill;  C.  L.  Fay,  lumberman; 
C.  R.  Franklin,  stationer  and  Postmaster;  A.  M.  Gage,  harness- 
maker;  J.  T.  Graham,  custom  miller;  Griffith  &  Irwin,  druggist; 
F.  J.  Hale,  grocer,  Hanson  Brothers,  liquor  dealers;  L.  M.  Harris, 
brickmaker;  S.  W.  Havens,  furniture  dealer;  Mrs.  A.  E.  Hazlett, 
dressmaker;  C.  Heft,  shoemaker;  C.  Howell,  creamery  man;  F.  L. 
Hunstock,  butcher ;  Johnston  Brothers,  hardware  merchants;  C.  H. 
Johnson,  general  merchant;  F.  Kuck,  harness-maker;  William 
Kuck,  wagon-maker;  Mallory  &  Hickok,  painters;  S.  Marke,  brewer; 
C.  Martin,  wagon-maker ;  W.  D.  Martin,  butcher;  Mathews  &  Lyon, 
bankers;  McEwen  &  Son,  physicians;  Morris  McKenna,  attorney; 
F.  McSpadden,  Jr.,  hardware  merchant;  J.  W.  Merrill,  attorney; 
H.  Moore  &  Co.,  restauranters;  J.  C.  Moore,  general  merchant;  C. 
F.  Myers,  general  merchant;  W.  H.  Nickols,  physician;  Pearson 
&  McDougal,  machinists;  P.  E.  Phelps,  stock  and  grain  buyer;  Ed- 
win Price,  grain  merchant;  A. Rasch,  blacksmith;  O.  N.  Robbins, 
liveryman;  Isaac  Sabelowitz,  general  merchant;  Scott  &  Jack, 
machinists;  A.  Schroeder,  wagon-maker;  D.  L.  Semler,  dentist;  C. 
M.  Smith,  general  merchant;  Smith  &  Robinson,  liquor  dealers ; 
Mrs.  S.  A.  Strait,  milliner;  R.  Straight,  gunsmith;  E.  E.  Teape, 
jeweler;  E.  E.  Turner,  photographer;  F.  L.  Whitney  &  Co.,  pro 
prietors  of  Reveille ;  E.  W.  Wilbur,  physician ;  S.  W.  Woodhouse, 
attorney;  George  Wyatt  &  Son,  proprietors  of  Wyatt  House;  C. 
Yorker,  blacksmith;  O.  Zanke,  blacksmith. 

The  population  of  Rocktbrd  in  1860  was  300;  in  1870,  400;  in 
1880,  700;  1882,800. 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP,  895 

THE    ROOKFORD    REVEILLE. 

This  is  a  four-page  weekly  edited  and  published  every  Thursday 
by  F.  L.  "Whitney  &  Co.  For  a  full  history  of  the  Reveille  and  of 
the  Geologist^  published  in  the  same  office,  see  the  chapter  on  the 
"Press." 

CHURCHES  AND  SOCIETIES. 

M.  E.  Church. — The  first  volunteer  Methodist  preachers  in  this 
vicinity  were  Rev.  John  Ball,  who  carae  in  1856,  and  Revs.  Free- 
man and  L.  G.  Hiscox,  who  came  in  1857.  Articles  of  incorpora- 
tion were  signed  in  1857  by  William  B.  Pierce,  John  Ball,  "William 
"Welch,  "William  Mutchler  and  George  Wyatt.  The  first  Trustees 
were  George  Wyatt,  B.  P.  Franklin,  E.  M.  "Van  Auken,  William 
Welch  and  John  Ball.  Lots  for  a  parsonage  were  donated  by  the 
town  proprietors.  The  first  circuit  preacher  assigned  to  this  church 
was  Rev.  W.  P.  Holbrook,  whose  circuit  extended  from  Clarks- 
ville  to  Forest  City. 

Their  church  was  built  in  1874,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000,  by  W.  W. 
Blood,  contractor.  The  Trustees  at  that  time  were  O.  J.  Wilbur, 
J.  C.  Moore,  Adam  Seaver,  A.  H.  Evans  and  Dr.  E.  W.  Wilbur. 

After  Mr.  Holbrook,  Revs.  Mr.  Hankins,  Mr.  Glassner,  B.  F. 
Taylor,  L,  S.  Cooley,  Joseph  Gould  and  Mr.  Rowen  successively 
officiated  as  pastor  of  the  church.  Rev.  J.  C.  Magee  came  from 
Fayette  in  1870,  and  remained  one  year.  He  is  now  at  Waverly. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  P.  W.  Gould,  in  1871,  and  he  by  Rev. 
J.J.  Littler,  in  1873.  The  following  year  came  Rev.  J.  G.  Wil- 
kinson, and  he  in  turn  was  followed  in  1875  by  Rev.  William  Cobb. 
Rev.  Joseph  Cook  was  called  to  the  pulpit  in  1877,  and  preached 
one  year;  that  year  was  his  last  in  the  pulpit,  and  he  is  now  in  the 
insurance  business,  at  Waterloo.  Rev.  W.  W.  Smith  carae  in  1878, 
from  Clarksville  ;  he  is  now  at  Mt.  Albans.  The  present  pastor, 
Rev.  J.  H.  Heyward,  came  in  1881,  from  Raymond,  Iowa. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  sixty-five. 

The  Sundav-school  connected  with  the  church  contains  about  100 
pupils,  in  seven  classes.  The  library  contains  100  books.  Dr.  E. 
W.  Wilbur  has  been  Superintendent  most  of  the  time  for  the  past 
twelve  years. 

Congregational  Church. — Rev.  S.  P.  La  Due  came  from  Mitchell 
County  occasionally  during  the  fall  of  1857,  and  preached  to  the 
settlers.  Tiie  settling  up  of  the  country  brought  with  it  an  increase 
in  the  number  of  church-going  people,  and  of  these  the  Congrega- 


896  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

tionalists  secured  their  share.  Their  number  had  so  increased  by 
Feb.  27,  1858,  that  on  that  day  the  Congregational  church  was 
organized.  The  following  were  the  first  members,  they  having 
previously  been  dismissed  for  the  purpose  from  the  Rock  Grove 
church  :  Burton  P.  Franklin,  Mrs.  Rachel  Franklin,  Mrs.  Orpha 
Stearns,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Fields,  Lewellyn  Whitney,  Mrs.  Pamelia 
Whitney,  O.  H.  Lyon,  Oliver  P.  Way  and  Margaret  Knapp.  B. 
P.  Franklin  was  elected  Deacon. 

Rev.  S.  P.  La  Dne  was  engaged  to  preach  regularly,  and  was  the 
first  pastor  of  the  church.  He  remained  until  1864,  and  was  then 
succeeded  by  Rev.  L.  Warner,  who  preached  until  the  early  part 
of  1872.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  returned  to  Connecticut.  April 
1,  1872,  Rev.  Theron  K.  Bixby  was  called  to  the  pulpit.  He  died 
March  13,  1873,  after  an  illness  of  but  a  few  days.  Rev.  G.  A. 
Paddock  succeeded  him  July  20,  1873,  and  remained  as  pastor 
until  June,  1876,  when  his  health  failed  him  and  he  removed  to 
Colorado. 

The  Congregational  society  was  organized  Dec.  6,  1864,  with  the 
following  corporate  members,  "  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 
church  and  advancing  the  general  interests  of  religion":  George 
Wyatt,  H.  Stearns,  J.  C.  Baker,  W.  J.  Green,  L-  Whitney,  C.  A. 
Crocker,  Robert  Knapp,  J.  L.  Graham,  N.  L.  McEwen,  J.  S. 
Childs,  and  L.  Warner.  The  first  Trustees  were  H;  Stearns,  J.  C. 
Baker  and  W.  J.  Green.  The  contract  for  building  a  church  was 
let  to  L.  Whitney.  The  lumber  for  this  church  was  hauled  from 
McGregor,  a  distance  of  110  miles.  The  church  was  completed 
and  dedicated  in  June,  1865,  and  cost  $2,500.  It  was  re-covered, 
painted  and  otherwise  thoroughly  repaired  in  1875,  during  the 
pastorate  of  Mr.  Paddock. 

Rev.  Mr.  Paddock  was  followed  by  Rev.  James  B.  Gilbert,  for- 
merly from  the  East,  and  immediately  from  Wilton  Junction, 
Iowa.  Mr.  Gilbert  was  a  man  of  some  ability,  and  ready  and 
independent  thought,  and  was  well  liked  by  his  congregation.  He 
left  in  1879,  and  is  now  at  Fontanelle,  Neb.  He  was  succeeded  by 
the  present  pastor.  Rev.  Charles  F.  Dykeman. 

June  24,  1882,  a  destructive  storm  visited  Rockford,  and  com- 
pletely demolished  the  church  edifice.     The  leaders  at  once  set 
about  raising  funds  to  rebuild  the  church,  and  this  work  is  rapidly 
progressing  at  the  present  writing. 

The  Sunday-school  was  organized  first  as  a  union  school,  and 
held  services  in   the   school-house   until   the   Congregationalists 


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"'---or.--. 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  899 

erected  their  church,  when  thej  started  a  school  of  their  own.  Tha 
present  membership  is  about  100,  The  Superintendent  is  Dr. 
Earle  McEwen. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Rockford  was  organized  in  March. 
1858,  at  the  village  school-house.  Among  the  first  members  were 
S.  W.  Haven,  Mrs.  S.  J.  Haven,  Ransom  Knapp,  Mrs.  Emelin^ 
Robbins,  Mrs.  Julia  Ready,  all  from  Rockford,  111.;  and  T. 
Thomas  and  wife,  from  Connecticut.  The  society  was  legally  n- 
corporated  in  1870,  and  the  Trustees  chosen  at  this  time  were 
W.  Haven,  W.  S.  Hogobone,  Lewis  B.  Clark,  Charles  Watkins 
and  J.  B.  Hogobone.  S.  W.  Haven  was  chosen  Clerk  and  Treas- 
urer.    The  officers  elected  since  are  as  follows: 

1871. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1872.— Trustees:  S.  W.  Haven,  W.  S.  Hogobone,  Lewis  B. 
Clark,  J.  B.  Hogobone  and  John  S.  Laucks;  Clerk  and  Treisurer, 
S.  W.  Haven. 

1873. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1874. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1875. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1876. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1877. — Trustees:  A.  Quackenbush,  L.  B.  Clark,  L.  B.  Webster, 
R.  Strait,  and  S.  W.  Haven;  Clerk  and  Treasurer,  S.  W.  Haven. 

1878. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1879. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1880. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

1881.— Trustees:  A.  Powers,  L.  B.  Clark,  L.  B.  Webster,  R. 
Strait,  and  S.  W.  Haven;  Clerk  and  Treasurer,  S.  W.  Haven. 

1882. — Same  as  preceding  year. 

The  first  services  of  the  denomination  were  conducted  by  Rev. 
D.  B.  Mead,  of  Rock  Grove,  in  1858.  Meetings  wore  at  first  held 
once  in  four  weeks.  Among  the  various  pastors  the  society  has 
had  were  Rev.  Alvah  Plumley,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Author,  the  last 
pastor.  Since  1872  they  have  held  no  regular  services.  They 
have  no  church  building.  The  Sunday-school  was  discontinued 
the  same  time  with  the  church  services. 

Slrius  Lodge,  No.  323,  A.  F.  <j&  A.M.,  was  organized  with  eigliteen 
members  under  dispensation,  Jan.  14,  1873.  The  dispensation 
was  granted  Jan.  6,  1873,  and  appointed  R.  C.  Mathews,  W.  M.; 
C.  Watkins  S.  W.,  and  A.  G.  Merrill,  J.  W.  The  W.  M.  appointed 
the  following  officers  2^0  tern.:  J.  C.  Moore,  Treasurer;  W.  H» 
55 


900  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Porter,  Secretary;  J.  B.  Williams,  S.  D.;  A.  Ello,  J.  D.;  D.  A* 
Nash,  Tyler.  The  charter  was  granted  June  4,  1873,  and  the  first 
officera  elected  under  it  were  as  follows:  R.  C  Mathews,  W".  M.; 
C.  Watkins,  S.  W.;  A.  G.  Merrill,  J.  W. ;  T.  S.  Kelso,  Treasurer; 
F.  L.  Warner,  Secretary.  The  present  officers,  elected  in  June, 
1882,  areas  follows:  J.  C.  Moore,  W.  M.;  H.  A.  Merrill,  S.  W.; 
F.  BoLilden,  J.  W. ;  0.  Watkins,  Secretary;  H.  Stearns,  Treasurer. 
The  present  membership  is  fifty-six.  The  lodge  is  in  good  con- 
dition financially.     It  meets  once  a  month. 

Pioneer  Lodge^  No.  194,  /.  O.  0.  i^.,  was  established  at  Rudd, 
Oct.  20,  1870,  and  was  removed  to  Rockford  in  the  summer  of  1873, 
by  permission  of  the  Q-rand  Lodge  of  Iowa,  The  first  officers 
elected  after  the  removal  were  chosen  at  a  meeting  held  Dec.  4, 
1873,  and  are  as  follows:  Orson  T.  Braiuard,  N.  G.;  James  Lewis, 
V.  G.;  A.  C.  Lyons,  Secretary;  J,  0.  Moore,  Treasurer.  The  present 
officers  areas  follows:  J.  M.  Fuller,  N.  G.;  W.  T.  George,  Y.  G.; 
H.  0.  Scott,  Secretary;  O.  Holtan,  Treasurer;  August  Bauman,  R. 
S.  to  K  G.;  S.  W.  Woodhouse,  L.  S.  to  N.  G.;  J.  G.  Hess,  R.  S. 
to  N.  G.  The  present  membership  in  good  standing  numbers 
about  forty-five.  The  lodge  is  in  good  condition,  and  meets  every 
Monday  evening  at  Masonic  Hall. 

Roohford  Lodge.^  No.  16,  /.  O.  G.  T.^  is  a  continuation  of  Per- 
severance Division,  N^o.  18,  Sons  of  Temperance,  which  was  organ- 
ized in  1876.  This  division  met  regularly  until  in  1880,  when  a 
majority  of  the  members  desired  to  change  their  organization  and 
become  a  lodge  of  the  I.  O.  G.  T.  A  charter  was  accordingly  pe- 
titioned for  by  fifty  of  the  members,  and  their  charter  was  granted 
Nov.  19,  1880.  The  society,  when  known  as  the  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance, was  for  some  time  known  as  the  "  banner  "  division  in  the 
State,  it  having  the  largest  membership.  Since  the  change  the 
sjciety  has  prospered  financially  and  otherwise.  It  meets  Friday 
evenings  at  Griffin's  Hall.  The  officers  for  the  first  quarter  after 
the  charter  was  granted,  were  as  follows:  John  Rooney,  W.  C.  T. ; 
Mrs.  R.  C.  Mathews,  W.  V.  T.;  Rev.  W.  W.  Smith, W.  Chap.; 
R.  M.  Potter,  W.  Sec;  Miss  Alice  Cliilds,  W.  A.  Sec;  R.  M. 
Briggs,  W.  F.  Sec;  Mrs.  E.  W.  Wilbur,  W.  Treas.;  E.  W.  Wilbur, 
W.  M.;  Mrs.  W.  H.  Nickols,  W.  D.  M.;  Miss  Nanny  Watkins, 
W.  I.  G.;  T.  W.  Davis,  W.  O.  G. ;  Mrs.  D.  D.  Cutler,  W.  R.  H.  S.; 
Mrs.  C.  Wyatt,  W.  L.  II.  S. ;  Rev.  C.  F.   Dykeman,  P.  W.  C.  T 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  901 

Fidelity  Chapter,  No.  42,  O.  JE.  S.y  was  organized  in  January, 
1874,  with  a  membership  of  twenty-four.  The  first  officers  were 
as  follows:  Mrs.  L.  Yorker,  W.  M.;  Christopher  Yorker,  W.  P.; 
Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Mathews,  A.  M.;  Mrs.  J.  J.  Littler,  Con.;  Mrs. 
Harriet  Merrill,  A.  C. ;  Charles  Watkins,  Sec. ;  John  Carson,  Treaa.; 
Mrs.  J.  C.  Moore,  Warder;  Fred.  Warner,  Sent.;  Mrs.  Delia  Wat- 
kins,  Adah;  Mrs.  Sarah  Whitney,  Ruth;  Mrs.  Eveline  Warner, 
Esther;  Mrs.  Etta  Reed,  Martha;  Mrs.  Pollie  Carson,  Electa. 
The  office  of  Worthy  Matron  has  been  held  successively  by  Mrs.  L. 
Yorker,  Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Mathews,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Littler,  Mrs.  Mary 
E.  Wilbur,  Mrs.  Harriet  A.  Merrill  and  Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Mathews. 
Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Mathews  has  held  the  office  of  Grand  Lecturer  for 
two  years  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  aud  is  now  serving  her  third  year 
as  Grand  Matron.  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Wilbur  was  Grand  Conductress 
two  years.  D.  H.  Moore  was  Grand  Secretary  for  two  years. 
Mrs.  Adella  Rooney  was  Grand  Adah  one  year.  Mrs.  Julia  M. 
Barnum  was  Grand  Organist  one  year.  This  is  an  excellent  rep- 
resentation for  the  Rockford  Chapter.  The  present  officers  are 
as  follows:  Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Mathews,  W.  M. ;  Harry  E.  Merrill, 
W.  P.;  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Barnum,  A.  M. ;  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Wilbur, 
Sec;  Mrs.  Francis  Durkee,  Treas. ;  Mrs.  Cora  L.  Merrill,  Con.; 
Mrs.  Augusta  Boulden,  A.  C. ;  Mrs.  Kancy  Knapp,  Warder;  Orrin 
D.  Hoege,  Sent. ;  Mrs.  Adella  Rooney,  Adah;  Mrs.  Orpha  0. 
Stearns,  Rath;  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Scott,  Esther;  Mrs.  Julia  A.  Martin, 
Martha;  Mrs.  L.  Yorker,  Electa.  The  present  membership  is 
thirty-four.  The  chapter  is  in  good  condition  financially  and  other- 
wise. It  meets  at  the  Masonic  Hall  the  first  and  third  Wednes- 
days of  each  month. 

The  W.  C.  T.  v.,  of  Rockford,  was  organized  May  5,  1882,  at 
the  M.  E.  church,  by  Mrs.  Aldrich,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  State  Or- 
ganizer. At  this  meeting  twenty-three  ladies  joined,  a  constitu- 
tion and  by-laws  were  adopted,  aud  officers  elected.  These  were 
as  follows:  President,  Mrs.  Jane  Bianchard;  Vice-Presidents, 
Mrs.  Mattie  Fay  and  Mrs.  J.  T.  Graham;  Secretary,  Mrs.  S.  G. 
Wilbur;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Hey  ward.  This  was  the  sixth  of 
the  seven  local  unions  organized  in, Floyd  County,  the  last  one  be- 
ing organized  at  Marble  Rock.  The  Rocktbrd  Union  has  a  mem- 
bership of  thirty-five,  steadily  increasing.  Its  leaders  feel  hopeful 
as  to  their  future  work.  It  meets  every  week  at  the  M.  E.  church, 
and  will  meet  every  other  week  iu  the  Congregational  church, 
when  that  shall  be  rebuilt. 


902  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

E.  P.  Andrews,  attorney,  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Iowa, 
July  14,  1853.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  his 
mother  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Andrews  was  admitted  to  the  bar  May  1, 
1879,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law  the  following  December, 
in  Rockford,  Iowa. 

M.  E.  Bort  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford,  was  born 
Feb.  15,  1846,  in  Herkimer  County,  K  T.  He  left  New  York, 
when  seven  years  of  age,  moving  to  Ossian,  Winneshiek  County, 
la.,  where  he  subsequently  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  In  1876 
he  removed  to  Charles  City,  and  one  year  later  came  to  Rockford, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business 
here  and  also  keeps  a  full  line  of  jewelry.  His  marriaore  to 
Eugenia  Moe,  occurred  at  Avoca,  Pottawattamie  County,  la.,  on 
Sept.  11,  1873.  She  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  March  11,1848.  They 
have  three  children — Earl  Leslie,  born  Feb.  17,  1875;  Edna,  March 
22,  1877,  and  Clyde,  June  22,  1879.  Mrs.  Bart  is  a  member  of 
the  Free- Will  Baptist  chuich,  and  politically  Mr.  Bort  is  a  strong 
Republican. 

Hon.  Elbridge  G.  JBowdoin,  of  Floj^d  County,  la.,  was  born  at 
South  Hadley  Falls,  Hampshire  County,  Mass.,  on  the  16th  day 
of  February,  1820.  His  father,  H  m.  William  Bowdoin,  of  Hugue- 
not origin  and  a  descendant  of  the  same  ancestors  as  the  Bow- 
doins  of  Boston,  was  for  more  than  forty  years  a  practicing 
attorney  of  the  Massachusetts  bar  and  for  several  terms  a  member 
of  the  Massachusetts  Senate.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  edu- 
cated at  Amherst  College,  Massachusetts,  where  he  graduated  in 
1840.  After  graduating  he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  but  sub- 
sequently for  some  time  taught  an  academy  at  Spencertown,  Colum- 
bia County,  N.  Y.,  and  again  from  1842  to  1845  was  similarly 
engaged  at  Milton,  Caswell  County,  N.  C.  Returning  to  Massachu- 
setts, the  latter  year,  he  resumed  his  legal  studies  with  Judge  Henry 
Morris,  at  Springfield,  where  in  May,  1847,  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  Massachusetts.  Immediately 
after  he  removed  to  Amherst,  where  he  entered  into  partnership 
with  the  Hon.  Edward  Dickinson,  with  whom  he  continued  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  until  1855,  when,  owing  to  il)  health,  he 
made  a  journey  to  Iowa,  which  eventuated  in  his  becoming  inter- 
ested in  real  estate  in  FJoyd  and  adjoining  counties,  and  a  resident 
of  the  town  of  Rockford,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  original  pro- 


ROCKFORD    TOWNSHIP.  903 

prietors.  lu  1856  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Floyd  County, 
but  never  practiced  there.  In  1859  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Iowa  House  of  Representatives,  which  met  in  1860,  from  the 
district  then  composed  of  the  counties  of  Floyd,  Cerro  Gordo, 
Worth,  Hancock  and  Winnebago,  in  which  session  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  and  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Schools  and  State  University.  He  was  re-elected  to  the  assem- 
bly which  met  in  1862,  in  which  session  he  was  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Ways  and  Means,  and  a  member  of  the  committee 
or  apportioning  the  State  into  congressional  districts.  In  1860 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Iowa  delegation  to  the  National  Republican 
Convention,  at  Chicago,  which  nominated  Mr.  Lincoln.  In  De- 
cember, 1863,  going  to  Washington  he  was  made  Clerk  of  the 
Judiciary  Committee  of  the  House  of  Represi^utatives,  of  which 
the  Hon.  James  F.  Wilson,  of  Iowa,  was  Chairman,  which  position 
he  retained  for  nearly  ten  years,  six  of  them  with  Mr.  Wilson  as 
Chairman,  and  the  remainder  with  Hon.  John  A.  Bingham,  of 
Oliio.  Since  that  time  he  has  resided  at  Rockford,  where  he  is 
principal  proprietor  of  the  unoccupied  town  property,  and  is 
engaged  in  farming  and  dealing  in  real  estate.  He  is  one  of  the 
most  public  spirited  men  in  the  Shell  Rock  Yalley.  He  was  never 
married. 

iV.  D.  Bowles^  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford  Town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  Holmes  County,  O,,  born  May  3,  1833.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  place,  residing  there  until 
his  eighteenth  year,  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Clavton 
County,  in  the  summer  of  1851.  In  1872  he  moved  to  Osceola 
County,  and  in  1877  to  Floyd  County,  where  he  has  remained 
since.  His  marriage  to  Bertha  A.  Cummings  occurred  Nov.  14, 
1856.  She  was  born  in  Michigan,  Juno  29,  1837.  Mr.  Bowles 
enlisted  in  February,  1862,  in  the  Sixteenth  United  States  Infantry, 
and  served  two  years,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Chick- 
amaugua.  Mission  Ridge,  Resaca,  Kennesaw  Gap,  Atlanta,  and 
was  captured  just  before  the  memorable  battle  of  Perry  vi He,  Ky., 
but  succeeded  in  making  his  escape  that  night,  and  returned  to  his 
regiment.  He  was  appointed  master  of  transportation  for  the 
army  from  Louisville,  Ky.,  to  Fort  Scott,  Kan.,  and  was  there 
from  June  until  the  following  January.  After  the  close  of  the  war 
he  returned  to  Floyd  County,  and  has  been  prominently  identified 
with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Rockford  Township  since.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party. 


904  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COCTNTY. 

William  Braimton  is  a  native  of  England,  born  June  6,  1834. 
He  received  his  education  in  his  native  country,  and  there  learned 
the  builder's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1871,  when  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  and  to  Rockford,  la.,  via  Chicago.  He  has 
built  many  of  the  residences  in  Rockford,  and  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful. He  was  married  in  his  native  country,  in  1866,  to  Emma 
Haslett,  who  was  born  in  England  in  1843.  Their  union  has  been 
blessed  with  six  children — Ernest,  Marian,  Hugh,  Blanche,  Harold 
and  Eva.  The  first  three  were  born  in  England,  the  last  three  in 
America.  Mr.  Braunton,  in  politics,  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Established  Church  of 
England. 

Stephen  P.  BrittonvjSiQ  born  in  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  and  there  his 
boyhood  was  passed,  and  his  education  received.  In  1848  he  left 
his  native  State  for  the  West,  and  located  in  Chicago,  111.,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  two  years;  then  removed  to 
Winnebago  County,  111.  He  farmed  on  Rock  River  nine  years,  and 
in  1856  came  to  Floyd  County,  purchasing  an  interest  in  the  town 
property  of  Rockford.  He  now  owns  360  acres  of  fine  land,  ad- 
joining the  city.  He  was  married  in  1858  to  Annie  D.  Porter,  a 
native  of  Zanesville,  0.,  born  in  1836.  They  have  three  children 
— Stephen,  born  in  1860;  Robert,  in  1862,  and  Annie,  in  1871. 
Mr.  Britton  is  classed  with  the  prominent  farmers  and  fine-stock 
breeders  of  the  county,  and  owns  some  choice  imported  cattle, 
horses  and  hogs. 

Henry  Bumgardner  was  born  April  17,  1825,  in  the  State  of 
Ohio.  He  lived  there  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County, 
and  settled  on  section  28,  Rockford  Township.  He  now  owns 
230  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  there  is  in  the  county,  all  under  ex- 
cellent cultivation,  and  containing  many  improvements  and  con- 
veniences not  found  on  the  average  farm.  He  learned  the  miller's 
trade  in  Ohio,  and  has  followed  that  occupation  in  connection  with 
farming  mucli  of  the  time  since  coming  here.  He  was  married 
in  1858.  Mrs.  Bumgardner  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1840.  Tiiey 
have  seven  children — Albert  Newton,  born  in  1860;  JohnLeeson, 
in  1862;  Mary  C,  in  1864;  Eddie  Jasper,  in  1866;  William 
Henry,  in  1868,  Estella,  in  1875,  and  Carter,  in  1879.  Mr.  Bum- 
gardner has  held  the  office  of  School  Director  four  terms. 

D.  G.  Camjpbell  is  a  native  of  the  township  of  Eldon,  Victoria 
County,  Canada  West,   and  is    at  present  engaged  in  clerking  in 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  905 

Rockford,  Floyd  County,  la.     He  was  married  Feb.  22,  1871,  and 
has  a  family  of  live  children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 

John  S.  Childs  is  a  native  of  Woodstock,  Conn,,  born  Sept.  30, 
1833,  a  son  of  John  Childs,  a  successful  farmer,  and  Alice,  nee 
Walker.  His  parents  are  excellent  examples  of  the  higher  type 
of  Puritanic  character;  honest,  industrious  and  frugal,  rearing 
their  children  in  the  strictest  principles  of  integritj^,  and  early 
teaching  them  that  idleness  was  to  be  no  part  of  their  inheritance. 
They  are  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years.  John 
Childs,  Sr.,  has  always  been  noted  for  his  sterling  Christian 
character,  and  for  doing  well  whatever  he  undertakes  to  do.  Mrs. 
Childs  is  an  estimable  woman  of  superior  intellectual  abilities,  and 
is  thoroughly  posted  on  all  the  topics  of  the  day,  and  on  matters 
pertaining  to  the  General  Government.  She  is  ready  and  expert 
in  argument,  and  believes  that  it  is  a  woman's  duty,  equally  with 
her  right,  to  inform  herself  in  all  practical  knowledge  attainable 
by  a  careful  husbandry  of  spare  time.  She  is  a  devoted  Christian, 
and  has  laid  up  a  rich  store  of  treasure  for  the  great  hereafter. 
John  Spencer  Childs  was  educated  in  a  select  school  in  his 
native  town,  and  subsequently  taught  a  few  seasons.  In  March, 
1857,  he  emigrated  to  Iowa,  selecting  Rockford  as  the  scene  of  his 
future  labors.  He  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  with  his 
brother-in-law,  O.  II.  Lyon,  now  a  banker  of  Kockford.  The  firm 
of  Childs  &  Lyon  continued  for  twelve  or  fifteen  j-ears,  and  few 
houses  in  the  Shell  Rock  Valley  were  better  known,  or  were  the 
recipients  of  more  extensive  trade  than  they.  Mr.  Childs  is  still 
in  the  business,  having  operated  alone  until  the  past  four  years, 
since  when  his  son  Harry  has  been  in  partnership  with  him  and 
manages  the  entire  business.  Mr.  Childs,  Sr.,  was  married  March 
30,  1858,  to  Lydia  F.  Lyon,  a  native  of  Woodstock  County.  They 
have  five  children — Harry  M.,  Alice  S.,  Mary  L.,  Anna  G.,  and 
Leonard  W.     Politically  he  favors  the  Republican  party. 

jp.  B.  Cogswell  is  a  native  of  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  born  in  the 
town  of  Wales,  Mar.  20,  1834.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  left 
his  native  State  and  went  to  Pennsylvania,  returning  two  years 
later.  He  subsequently  emigrated  to  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
two  years;  then  went  back  to  New  York;  thence  to  Waushara 
County,  Wis.  He  owned  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  15, 
Richland  Township,  which  he  sold  in  1881.  He  was  elected  to  all 
the  towjiship  offices  of  Richland  Township,  and  was  Sheriff  of  the 
county  two  years.     He  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  in  1873,  hav- 


906  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ing  previously  purchased  land  here  in  1868.  He  owns  160  acres 
and  is  classed  with  the  representatire  farmers  and  breeders  of  fine 
stock  of  Floyd  County.  He  was  married  Dec.  10,  1856,  to  Mar- 
tha Leigh,  who  was  born  in  England  in  1833.  Three  children  have 
been  born  unto  them — Eva  T. ,  born  Dec.  5,  1857,  in  Waushara 
County,  Wis.,  and  died  in  Bockford  Township,  la.,  Feb.  17,  1878, 
of  typhoid  fever;  Addie  I.,  born  August,  1862,  and  Frank,  Sept. 
7,  1868.  In  his  religious  views  Mr.  Cogswell  is  a  Liberalist,  and 
politically  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  elected  by  that  party  to 
many  of  the  local  ofl&ces.  He  is  at  present  serving  as  Road  Super- 
visor and  School  Director,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  constitu- 
ents. 

S.  £.  Cogswell,  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Wales,  Erie  County,  J^,  Y.,  Feb.  7,  1840,  and 
was  there  reared  and  educated.  He  emigrated  to  Ogle  County, 
111.,  in  1861,  and  engaged  in  farming  there  until  1880,  when  here- 
moved  to  Floy  J  County,  la.,  and  settled  upon  his  present  farm  of 
140  acres,  on  section  2,  Rockford  Township.  This  farm  is  under 
excellent  improvement  and  thoroughly  stocked.  He  was  married 
Nov.  20,  1856,  to  Frances  Hubbard,  also  a  native  of  Erie  County, 
N.  Y.,  born  Oct.  1,  1841.  They  have  had  four  children — Ettie, 
born  Feb.  18,  1859;  Willie,  born  Mar.  1,  1865,  died  Mar.  25, 1870; 
Minnie  Ellen,  born  Nov.  23,  1869,  and  Lizzie,  Sept.  18,  1874.  Mr. 
Cogswell  is  at  present  serving  acceptably  in  the  offices  of  Road  Su- 
pervisor and  School  Director.  In  politics  he  is  a  strong  Republi- 
can. 

John  D.  Conner  was  born  in  Holland,  Erie  County,  N.  Y., 
Aug.  22,  1832.  His  father,  S.  B.  Conner,  was  born  in  St.  Law- 
rence County,  N.  Y.,  in  1811,  and  died  March  1,  1877.  His 
mother,  Tufanny  Dake,  was  born  in  Holland,  N.  Y.,  March  22, 
1815,  and  died  March  24,  1872.  His  parents  were  early  settlers 
of  Holland,  N.  Y.,  and  moved  to  Wisconsin,  where  they  both 
died.  They  had  nine  children  ;  seven  are  still  living.  While  in 
New  York,  Mr.  Conner  carried  on  the  daguerreotype  business  for 
seven  years.  In  1862  he  went  to  Warren  County,  Pa.,  where  he 
lived  three  years.  He  then  moved  to  Wisconsin  and  remained 
six  years  ;  from  there,  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  settled  in  Ulster 
Township  ;  two  years  later  went  to  Rudd  and  lived  four  years  ; 
then  came  to  Rockford,  where  he  kept  a  restaurant  for  three  years, 
when  he  sold  out,  and  has  since  followed  painting  most  of  the 
time.     He  has  had  a  wooden  leg  since  he  was  fifteen  years  old. 


ROCKB'ORD   TOWNSHIP.  907 

His  wife,  Urania  E.  Crowell,  was  born  in  Centerville,  Allegany 
County,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  23,  1827.  Her  father,  Samuel  Crowell,  died 
in  New  York  in  1862.  She  was  the  oldest  of  his  seven  children. 
Her  uncle,  Edward  Crowell,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Floyd 
County,  and  owned  a  large  farm.  He  died  in  Ulster  Township,  in 
1880.     His  large  family  of  fourteen  children  all  reside  in  Iowa. 

C  E.  Gutter^  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Rockford 
Township,  was  born  in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  June  26,  1847. 
His  father  is  a  native  of  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  born  June  3, 
1810  ;  his  mother,  of  Pennsylvania,  born  Jan.  21,  1821.  They 
are  now  residents  of  Cerro  Gordo  County,  la.  The  subject  of  this 
memoir  came  West  with  his  parents  in  185i,  settling  in  Wisconsin, 
where  they  resided  eighteen  months,  then  removed  to  Floyd 
County,  la.,  locating  on  a  farm  about  four  miles  south  of  Charles 
City.  One  year  later  they  went  to  Cerro  Gordo  County,  where 
C.  E.  resided  eight  years,  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married 
on  Jan.  8,  1879,  to  Josephine  M.  Ferness,  who  was  born  in  La 
Salle  County,  111.,  March  4,  1847.  Two  children  have  been  borfi 
of  this  union  —  Cynthia  M.,  born  May  9,  1880,  and  Clara,  Feb.  4, 
1882.  In  politics  Mr.  Cutter  is  independent,  voting  for  the  man 
rather  than  the  party.  He  is  extensively  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising  in  this  township. 

T.  W.  Davies,  miller  and  grain  merchant,  Rockford,  was  born  in 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  Oct.  15,  1849.  His  parents  moved  to 
Kewanee,  Henry  County,  111.,  when  he  was  quite  young,  and  he 
was  there  educated  and  learned  the  miller's  trade,  which  he  followed 
there 'three  years;  then  went  to  Minnesota,  where  his  parents  had 
moved  in  the  spring  of  1870.  He  worked  in  a  mill  two  years, 
then  engaged  with  the  topographical  surveyors  on  the  St.  P.  &  P. 
R.  R.,  now  the  St.  P.,  M.  &  M.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he  resumed 
the  milling  business,  being  employed  in  the  Sauk  Center  and  Min- 
neapolis Mills  until  December,  1875,  when,  in  company givith  his 
brother  William,  Peter  and  Wm.  Henry,  formed  a  milling  com- 
pany at  Belle  Plaine,  Minn.,  and  continued  in  that  connection  until 
the  fall  of  1878.  He  and  his  brother  William  then  came  to  Rock- 
ford,  la.,  where  he  has  been  running  the  Excelsior  Mills  since. 
His  brother  returned  to  Belle  Plaine  in  1880,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  running  the  mill  they  formerly  owned.  Mr.  Davies  was  mar- 
ried Sept.  15,  1880,  to  Laura  Stearns,  who  was  born  in  Pittetield 
Mass.,  April  26,  1846.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the  promi- 


se::. 


908  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

nent  citizens  of  Rockford,  being  known  throughout  the  county  as  a 
man  of  irreproachable  business  integrity. 

Charles  Jay  DumboUon  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
July  27,  1853,  and  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  three  children, 
viz.:  J^athan,  Lucius  and  Jay.  In  1856  he  left  his  native  State, 
and  with  his  parents  moved  to  Wisconsin,  settling  in  Columbia 
County.  He  received  a  practical  education  there,  and  in  1868  came 
with  his  parents  to  Floyd  County,  la.  They  settled  upon  a  farm 
of  360  acres,  on  sections  9  and  10,  which  they  still  reside  upon. 
Jay  manages  the  farm  for  his  parents,  who  are  now  in  their  declin- 
ing years,  and  in  connection  with  farming  operates  a  steam  thresh- 
ing machine.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  i 
classed  with  the  prominent  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  Floyd 
County. 

John  DumboUon  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  May  19, 
1806.  In  1856  he  left  his  native  State  for  the  West,  and  located 
in  Baraboo,  Wis.  From  there  he  moved  to  Columbia  County, 
that  State;  thence  to  Floyd  County,  la.  He  settled  on  section  9, 
Rockford  Township,  where  he  now  owns  a  finely  cultivated  farm 
of  360  acres.  He  was  married  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  on  June 
8,  1834,  to  Harriet  A.  Coe,  a  native  also  of  the  Empire  State,  born 
in  the  town  of  Scriba,  on  April  5,  1813.  Five  children  have 
blessed  this  union,  viz.:  Samnel,  born  April  18,  1835;  Louisa, 
Nov,  9,  1837;  Lucius 'B.,  April  1,  1843;  Nathan  H,  June  6,  1848; 
and  Charles  Jay,  July  27,  1851.  The  eldest  son,  Samuel,  was 
drowned  in  the  Tennessee  River  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  on  March  25, 
1864,  while  serving  in  the  Union  army,  a  member  of  Thirty- 
second  Wisconsin  Yolunteer  Infantry.  Mr.  Dumbolton  has 
retired  from  active  business  life,  and  his  son,  Charles  Jay,  is  man- 
aging the  farm.  He  is  classed  with  the  prominent  agriculturists 
and  stock-breeders  of  Floyd  County,  and  in  politics  is  a  strong 
Republifan. 

William  Durhee,  proprietor  of  the  Beebe  House,  Rockford,  la., 
was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  July  30,  1839.  At  the 
age  of  seven  years  he  came  West  with  his  parents,  locating  in 
Green  Lake  County,  Wis.,  where  he  remained  until  March  4,  1864, 
when  he  came  to  Rockford,  Floyd  County,  la.  Since  his  residence 
here  he  has  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  and  is  known  through- 
out the  county  as  a  genial,  gentlemanly  host,  and  a  popular  land- 
lord. He  was  married  March  14,  1864,  to  Miss  Frances  Beebe,  a 
native  of  Attica,  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y,,  born  Feb.  14, 1844.  They 


EOCKFOKD   TOWNSHIP.  909^ 

have  three  children — Jennie  C,  born  May  29,  1865;  Frank,  Nov. 
11,  1868,  and  Robert  Nelson,  Feb.  26,  1874.  Mrs.  Dnrkee  is  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  has  always  been  a 
strong  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party. 

Robert  Eggert,  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford,  is  a 
native  of  Magdeburg,  Prussia,  born  in  1839.  He  emigrated  to 
London,  England,  in  1858,  and  to  the  United  States  in  1859.  He 
came  to  Delaware  County,  la.,  in  1860,  and  ten  years  later  to 
Floyd  County,  He  farmed  until  1875,  and  in  that  year  com- 
menced the  study  of  law  at  the  State  University  at  Iowa  City, 
continuing  until  1877,  and  has  practiced  law  in  Charles  City  and 
Rockford  from  that  time  until  the  present.  He  edited  the  Rock- 
ford  Reveille  from  July,  1877,  to  July,  1882,  and  is  now  engaged 
in  the  erection  of  a  paper-mill.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Maggie 
Hoffman  at  Rockford,  la.^  Nov.  7,  1877.  She  was  born  in  Free- 
port,  111.,  in  1858.  Of  three  children  born  of  this  union,  two  are 
living — Alfred  and  Alice.  As  a  lawyer  of  undisputed  talent,  Mr. 
Eggert  ranks  with  the  first  of  his  profession;  and  as  a  gentleman 
of  eminent  social  qualities,  he  has  few  superiors. 

A.  H.  Evans  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  22, 
1832.  He  was  married  Jan.  18,  1855,  to  Elizabeth  Conrad,  who 
was  born  in  Hinsdale,  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  7,  1830. 
There  are  two  adopted  children— F.  D.,  born  Feb.  23,  1855,  and 
Hattie,  born  Feb.  22,  1877.  Mr.  Evans  came  to  Floyd  County, 
Iowa,  in  1867,  and  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  100  acres  on  section  34, 
Rockford  Township.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views  and 
has  held  the  office  of  School  Director  and  Road  Supervisor  several 
terms.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a  Methodist.  He  enlisted  Feb. 
2,  1864,  in  the  First  New  York  Independent  Battery,  and  was  dis- 
charged June  23,  1865,  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  He  was  in  several 
hard-fought  battles,  among  them  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania  Court- House,  and  Cold  Harbor,  Ya.  In  1856, 
while  living  in  New  York,  some  fallen  timber  near  his  house  took 
fire,  and  as  it  was  a  very  dry  time,  and  a  strong  wind  blowing,  they 
were  unable  to  save  the  house  or  contents.  His  family  were 
obliged  to  take  refuge  in  a  well  nearby,  in  which  there  was  not  much 
water.  They  threw  their  bed-clothes  and  carpets  into  the  well,  but 
were  obliged  to  dip  water  and  pour  on  them,  as  the  fire-brands 
were  blown  in  on  them.  In  this  way  they  spent  three  hours, 
twelve  feet  below  the  earth's  surface.  The  fire-fiend  seems  to 
have  a  special  spite  against  him,  for  in  1866,   while  living  in  Cat- 


910  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

taraugus  County,  N.  Y.,   he  had  his  storehouse  and  all  his  goods 
destroyed  by  fire. 

F .  D.  Evans  was  born  Feb.  23,  185.5,  in  Alleghany  County,  N. 
y.  He  was  adopted  by  A.  H.  Evans  in  1856,  and  came  with  him 
to  Floyd  County,  la.,  in  1867.  He  follows  farming  as  his  pro- 
fession. 

C.  H.  Franklin^  Postmaster,  Rockford,  was  born  in  Hockford, 
Winnebago  County,  111.,  Jan.  28,  1843,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of 
two  sons  born  of  Burton  R.  Franklin,  a  native  of  New  York,  born 
March  3,  1811,  andRachel  K.,  nee  Bushnell,  born  July  30,  1810. 
His  father  died  March  27,  1861;  his  mother  is  still  living  and  re- 
sides with  her  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  brother,  James 
Franklin,  died  Nov.  21,  187'4,  in  this  city,  aged  thirty-four  years. 
C.  R.  resided  in  Rockford,  111.,  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  came  with  his  parents  to  Rockford,  la.  He  enlisted  Sept.  21, 
1861,  in  the  Dubuque  battery,  served  four  years  and  three  months, 
and  was  mustered  out  at  Davenport,  la.  Among  the  important 
battles  in  which  he  participated  were  those  of  Flat  Creek,  Pea 
Ridge,  Arkansas  Post,  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Pemberton, 
Helena,  Ark.,  and  was  present  at  the  capture  of  Little  Rock.  He 
returned  to  Rockford  and  was  appointed  Postmaster  here  on  Oct. 
15,  1877,  by  President  Grant,  and  still  holds  the  office.  He  was 
married  June  18,  1867,  to  Clara  E.  Bailey,  who  was  born  near 
London,  Eng.  Seven  children  have  blessed  tlier  union,  viz.: 
Burton  E.,  born  Oct.  2,  1868;  Frederick  B.,  April  18,  1870,  died 
July  16,  1880;  Edmond  R.,  born  Jan.  21,  1872;  Harriet  A.,  Oct. 
21,  1874;  Florence  B.,  Oct.  12,  1876;  CoraB.,  Aug.  1,  1878,  and 
James  P.,  Jan.  23,  1881.  Mr.  Franklin  in  his  political  views  is 
a  pronounced  Republican,  and  in  religious  faith  is  a  Congrega- 
tionalist. 

J.  T.  Oraham  is  a  native  of  Pittsford,  Yt.,  born  Feb.  18,  1824. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
engaged  in  the  milling  business  there.  In  the  spring  of  1852  he 
went  to  California  via  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  He  was  detained 
on  the  Isthmus  one  month,  and  eighty  out  of  900  passengers  that 
were  on  board  the  vessel  with  him  died  of  sickness.  He  arrived 
in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  July  8,  1852,  and  owing  to  the  dry  weather 
could  not  mine,  so  he  obtained  employment  in  Sacramento  in  a 
corn-mill,  the  owner  giving  him  full  charge  and  $150  a  month. 
Through  Mr.  Graham's  instrumentality  bolting  cloths  were  put 
into  the  mill,  and  flour  was  manufactured  out  of  wheat  raised  in 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  911 

California.  Thus  he  has  the  honor  of  making  the  first  flour  made 
in  that  State — it  is  so  recorded  in  the  city  of  Washington  D.  C, 
to-day.  After  a  few  months  the  city  of  Sacramento  was  destroyed 
by  fire  and  the  mill  was  burned.  Mr.  Graham  then  engaged  in 
mining,  being  very  successful.  He  struck  a  bonanza,  taking  out 
$8,000  in  five  weeks.  He  remained  in  California  until  1853,  and 
on  July  24  of  that  year  he  embarked  on  a  steamer  for  Yennont. 
In  the  fall  of  1853  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Clayton  County, 
where  he  bought  400  acres  of  land  and  built  a  saw-mill  on  the  Lit- 
tle Turkey  Kiver,  which  he  operated  four  years,  and  in  the  mean- 
time built  a  flouring  mill  for  Mr.  Gillmore  of  that  place.  He  sold 
out  his  interest  and  came  to  Marble  Rock,  Floyd  County,  la.,  and 
built  a  fine  flouring  mill  near  there,  which  he  operated  one  year, 
and  iu  the  spring  of  1861  a  terrible  flood  of  water  and  ice  swept  his 
mill  away,  leaving  him  entirely  destitute.  With  that  determina- 
tion to  succeed  that  had  always  characterized  him,  he  went  at  once 
to  Kockford,  and,  in  company  with  George  Wyatt,  built  a  flouring 
mill  on  Lime  Creek,  which  he  ran  nine  years;  then  went  to  Portland, 
la.,  and  there  built  a  mill,  selling  it  one  year  later,  and  in  1871  he 
returned  to  Rockford  and  built  his  present  mill.  It  has  five  run  of 
burs,  one  patent  roll,  and  is  one  of  the  most  complete  mills  in  the 
county.  From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Graliam  has 
the  honor  of  having  built  the  first  flour-mills  in  Millville,  Clayton 
County;  Marble  Rock  and  Rockford,  Floyd  County,  and  Portland, 
Cerro  Gordo  County,  la.  On  Sept.  16, 1854,  Mr.  Graham  was  mar- 
ried to  Ann  S.  Strong,  a  native  of  Brandon,  Yt.  Three  children 
have  blessed  their  union,  viz.:  Walter  S.,  born  June  18, 1855;  Car- 
rie A.,  June  20,  1861,  and  Frank,  Sept.  16,  1863.  Mr.  Graham 
owns  270  acres  of  fine  land,  and  a  beautiful  residence,  which  is  a 
great  contrast  to  the  little  cabin  to  which  he  brought  his  young 
wife  in  1854.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Oscar  J.  Green  was  born  in  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
became  a  resident  of  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  in  1865.  He  located  at 
once  in  Rockford  Township,  where  he  followed  farming  until  five 
years  ago,  when  failing  health  compelled  him  to  discontinue  the 
arduous  duties  of  farm  life.  He  sold  his  land  and  moved  into  the 
town  of  Rockford,  where  he  has  resided  since.  He  was  married 
Nov.  13,  1860,  to  Adeline  Clark,  who  was  born  in  New  York,  Oct. 
30,  1837.  They  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Grace,  born  July  29, 
1866.  Mr.  Green's  father  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
Jan.  24,  1797,  and  died  there  Aug.  15,  1870,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 


912  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  OOimTY. 

four  years.  His  mother  is  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  born  in  1799, 
and  is  now  residing  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Ehns,  in  Floyd  County. 
In  his  political  views  Mr.  Green  is  a  Republican.  Mrs.  Green  is 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 

W.  J.  Green  was  born  in  the  town  of  Berlin,  Berkshire  County, 
N.  Y.,  May  6,  1815.  When  fourteen  ;years  of  age  he  left  his 
native  place,  and  went  to  Williamstown,  Mass.,  where  he  worked 
in  a  woolen  factory,  manufacturing  satinet,  about  four  years;  then 
went  to  Stephentowu,  N.  Y.,  where  he  attended  school  one  year,  and 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  went  to  Rowe,  Mass. ;  worked  in  a  woolen 
factory  there  six  months,  attended  school  at  Stephentown  the  fol- 
lowing winter,  and  in  1837  removed  to  Barry,  111.  He  returned  to 
New  York  eighteen  months  later,  and  workedjat  his  former  busi- 
ness one  year;  then  purchased  an  interest  in  a  wool-carding  and 
cloth-dressing  establishment,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1841. 
He  rebuilt  his  factory,  and  in  1843  sold  it  and  went  to  Massachu- 
setts, where  he  remained  two  years,  then  spent  six  months  in 
South  Coventry,  Conn.  Returning  to  Massachusetts,  he  purchased 
an  interest  in  a  cloth  factory,  selling  out  in  one  year.  In  1851  he 
came  West,  locating  in  Janesville,  Wis.,  and  in  1854  he  settled  in 
Floyd  County.  When  he  came  to  Iowa  he  settled  on^  the  farm 
which  he  now  owns,  on  section  township  95.  He  first  entered 
160  acres  in  1854,  and  the  following  spring  an  eighty  adjoining. 
They  erected  a  log  cabin,  in  which  they  lived  six  years. fHis  tools 
were  a  common  ax,  a  saw  and  a  hammer.  He  built  this  cabin 
durino-  the  Indian  troubles  near  Clear 'Lake.  When' he  moved 
into  his  cabin  the  settlers  were  camped  all  about  it.  While  this 
was  in  process  of  construction  he  and  his  family  lived  in  their 
wagon  three  weeks.  Such  hardships  were  discouraging,  and  it  was 
for  such  men  as  Mr.  Green  to  grapple  with  these  difficulties 
when  many  would  have  given  up  and  returned  to  civilization.  Mr. 
Green  now  has  a  reward  for  his  zeal  and  enterprise  in  the  possession 
of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  homes  in  the  county.  He  has  bought 
twenty  acres  adjoining  the  old  farm,  on  which  he  has  built  an 
elegant  residence,  and  where  he  is  surrounded  with  every  comfort 
of  life.  He  also  owns  160  acres  of  land  on  section  16.  He  was 
married  in  1841  to  Harriet  Douglas,  who'died  leaving  one  child-— 
Harriet  G.  A.,  born  in  August,  1842,  and  married  John  Reid. 
In  1345  -Mr.  Gr33:i  inirriel  M.ify  Am  R^ndas,  in  Mi^sch  setts. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  are  prominent  members  of  the  Congregational 
church,  in  which  he  is  a  Deacon.  jIn  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


KOCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  913 

Benjamin  Oriffin,  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Roek- 
ford,  la,,  was  born  in  Hampsted,  near  London,  England,  May  4, 
1814.  He  was  married  in  London  in  1838,  to  Ann  Payne,  who 
was  born  in  that  city  in  1813.  Three  children  blessed  this  union  — 
William,  born  in  1834,  was  killed  by  a  kick  in  the  breast  from  a 
horse ;  Margaret,  born  in  1835,  died  in  1862,  and  Sophia,  born  in 
184S,  married  Dr.  Irwin,  now  of  Rockford.  They  have  two  sons  — 
R.  P.,  who  is  a  partner  in  the  drug  store,  and  William.  Mr.  Griffin 
came  with  his  family  to  America,  landed  at  New  York,  and  from 
there  went  to  Newburg ;  stopped  one  month,  thence  to  Albany, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  butcher  business  two  years,  then  came 
West,  locating  in  Quincy,  111.,  in  1837.  One.year  later  he  removed 
to  Tulla,  Mo. ,  where  he  embarked  in  the  pork  and  beef  packing 
business  until  1842,  and  in  that  year  returned  to  his  native  country. 
He  remained  in  England  ten  years,  and  while  there,  in  1851, 
attended  the  World's  Fair  at  London.  In  1852  he  returned  to  the 
United  States,  and  located  near  Madison,  Wis.,  where  he  farmed  four 
years,  and  in  1862  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.  He  spent  one  year 
in  Charles  City,  prior  to  locating  in  Rockford'.  Since  his  residence 
here  he  has  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  has  been  fairly  suc- 
cessful. He  formed  a  partnership  with  his  son-in-law.  Dr.  Irwin, 
who  died,  and  his  son  is  now  the  partner.  He  is  thoroughly 
versed  in  pharmacy,  and  is  a  skillful  and  reliable  druggist.  In  his 
political  views  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Church 
of  England. 

O.  J.  Hanson  was  born  in  Norway,  July  15,  1835,  When  fifteen 
years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  America,  landed  at  Quebec,  and  from 
there  went  to  White  Water,  Wis.,  where  he  remained  some  sixteen 
years,  working  a  part  of  the  time  in  the  pineries  of  Michigan.  In 
1864  he  came  to  Iowa,  spent  one  year  in  Bradford,  then  bought  a 
farm  in  Bremer  County,  upon  which  he  resided  six  years,  then 
moved  to  Clayton  County.  One  year  later  he  sold  his  farm  in  the 
latter  county  and  removed  to  Rockford  Township,  Floyd  County. 
He  has  resided  in  this  township,  spending  a  part  of  the  time  in 
the  City  of  Rockford  and  the  remainder  on  his  farm  on  section  4. 
He  also  owns  land  on  section  30,  his  possessions  altogether 
amounting  to  340  acres  of  excellent  land.  He  was  married  July 
5,  1860,  to  Jane  White,  a  native  of  England,  born  July  25,  1839. 
They  have  seven  children  —  Mary  Ann,  born  in  August,  1861  ; 
Rosa,   in   December,   1862  ;   Verena,  January,    1865  ;   Elliott  in 


914r  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

April,  1867 ;  Gee,  in  April,  1873  ;  Cora,  in  January,  1876,  and 
Clarence,  in  February,  1879.  In  politics,  Mr.  Hanson  is  a  pro- 
nounced Republican. 

D.  A.  Hardman^  one  of  the  pioneer  children  of  Iowa,  was 
born  in  Delaware  County,  la.,  Dec.  13,  1852,  and  when  a  mere 
baby  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Floyd  County.  They  settled 
in  Rock  Grove  Township,  and  D.  A.  was  reared  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  that  vicinity;  also  attended  the  Osage  Sem- 
inary two  years.  On  Nov.  11,  1880,  he  purchased  his  present  farm 
of  sixty  acres,  on  section  28,  Rockford  Township,  which  he  now  has 
under  excellent  improvement.  He  was  married  March  20,  1880> 
to  Ella  Fleanor,  who  was  born  in  Rock  Grove,  March  25,  I860- 
They  have  one  child — Ray,  born  July  27,  1882.  Mr.  Hardman  is 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 
His  father,  David  Hardman,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1817,  and  died 
in  Rock  Grove  Township,  Floyd  County,  April  17,  1882.  His 
mother  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  in  1819.  She  is  still  living 
on  the  old  homestead. 

S.  W.  Haven,  furniture  dealer,  and  one  of  the  prominent  busi- 
ness men  of  Rockford,  is  a  native  of  Ludlow,  Windsor  County, 
Vt.,  born  March  3,  1826.  He  was  educated  in  his  native  State,  and 
resided  there  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  two  years  later  removed  to  Winnebago  County,  III- 
He  resided  there  seven  years,  and  in  1855  came  to  Flo3'd  County, 
la.  Since  1856  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Rockford  Township.  He 
followed  the  carpenter's  trade  chiefly  until  1876,  when  he  embarked 
in  his  present  business,  and  has  met  with  flattering  success.  He 
served  as  Township  Clerk  for  about  ten  years,  and  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1878,  and  has  held  the  oflice  to  the  present 
time.  He  was  married  in  1849,  to  Sarah  Jane  Knapp,  who  was 
born  in  1829.  Three  children  have  blessed  this  union,  viz.:  Ella  J., 
born  in  September,  1850;  Emmett  M.,  March  30, 1854,  and  Laura 
O.,  Jan.  22,  1860.  Mr.  Haven  enlisted  Aug.  21,  1862,  in  the 
Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry,  and  served  until  Aug.  8, 1865,  when 
he  was  mustered  out  at  Clinton,  la.  He  participated  in  many  of 
the  hard-fought  battles  of  the  war,  and  though  often  where  shot 
and  shell  fell  thickest,  escaped  unhurt.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
regular  Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican,  and  a  Pro- 
hibitionist. 


KOCKFOKD    TOWNSHIP.  915 

Charles  Hoioell  was  born  at  Chester,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  Sept. 
Y,  1857.  His  father  was  a  physician  of  considerable  reputation,  and 
a  man  of  excellent  character.  He  married  K-uth  A.  Davis,  and  to 
them  five  children  were  born,  four  girls  and  one  boy,  Charles  being 
the  third  child.  His  parents  died  while  he  was  young.  He  and 
one  of  his  sisters  were  cared  for  by  an  uncle  and  aunt  who  resided 
on  a  stock  farm,  situated  eight  miles  from  Newburg,  on  the  New- 
burg  &  Goshen  Turnpike.  He  received  a  liberal  English  educa- 
tion, and  lived  with  his  uncle  until  his  uncle's  decease,  which 
occurred  Dec.  13,  1877.  The  next  two  years  his  attention  was 
turned  to  farming;  but  becoming  embued  with  a  desire  to  locate 
West,  he  left  his  native  State  May  1,  1880,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two,  and  proceeded  to  the  western  part  of  Nebraska,  where  he 
spent  several  months  among  the  great  stock  ranches.  From 
Nebraska  he  returned  to  New  York,  and  in  passing  through  Iowa 
made  a  short  sojourn  in  Des  Moines,  where  he  became  so  impressed 
with  the  business  inducements  Iowa  offered  young  men,  that  he 
remained  in  his  native  State  but  three  months,  when  he  returned 
to  Iowa,  Apr.  1,  1881,  and  engaged  in  butter-making  for  A.  F. 
Bingham  at  Jes up,  Buchanan  County.  From  Jesup  he  proceeded 
to  Kockford,  Floyd  County,  and  on  Jan.  20,  1 882,  leased  E.  Price's 
creamery  and  opened  the  same  the  following  season  for  the  manu- 
facture of  butter,  making  a  gilt-edged  article,  which  is  shipped  to 
the  Eastern  markets. 

T.  S.  Hubhard  WAS  horn  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  July  7,  1850. 
He  came  to  Rockford,  la.,  in  1878,  from  Ogle  County,  111.,  where  he 
located  in  1866.  He  rented  land  the  first  year  of  his  residence 
here,  then  bought  198  acres  on  section  3,  this  township,  taking 
possession  Oct.  1,  1878.  He  has  lived  upon  this  land  since,  and 
it  is  now  one  of  the  finest  cultivated  farms  in  this  section.  He  was 
married  Jan.  9,  1872,  to  Mary  E.  Hayes,  who  was  born  in  Ogle 
County,    111.,  Dec.    23,   1853.     Four  children   have  been  born  of 

eir  union,  viz.:  Arthur  (deceased),  Eva,  Minnie  E.,  and  Edna  F. 
Mr.  Hubbard  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  strong  supporter  of 
that  party. 

Dw'ight  E.  Johnson  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  April  1, 
1831.  His  father  died  wlien  he  was  four  years  old,  and  he  went  to 
live  with  his  grandfather,  who  resided  on  a  farm  near  the  city  of 
New  Haven.  He  remained  with  him,  attending  school  and  assist- 
ing on  the  farm,  until  1848, and  from  that  time  until  1853  eno-aored 
56 


916  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

in  railroading  and  sailing  from  J^ew  Haven  to  the  "West  Indies. 
In  the  fall  of  the  latter  year  he  emigrated  to  Roekford,  111.,  where 
he  spent  four  years  as  clerk  in  a  general  store,  then  returned  to 
Connecticut  and  was  married  there  to  Harriet  A.  Clarke,  daughter 
of  Alfred  Clarke,  of  West  Haven,  Conn.  In  March,  1857,  Mr. 
Johnson  settled  in  Roekford,  Iowa,  and  has  since  resided  here  with 
the  exception  of  six  months  spent  at  Mason  City,  one  of  her  most 
honored  and  respected  citizens.  He  embarked  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness here  in  company  with  Mr.  Charles  Smith,  remaining  with  him 
five  years,  when  R.  C.  Mathews  purchased  Mr.  Smith's  interest  and 
the  business  was  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Johnson  & 
Mathews  five  years.  Mr.  Johnson  then  disposed  of  his  stock  to  R.  N. 
Mathews,  father  of  his  former  partner,  and  since  engaged  in  the 
real  estate  and  stock-growing  business.  He  now  owns  2,300  acres  in 
Floyd  and  Cerro  Gordo  counties,  besides  a  large  interest  in  the 
town  property  of  Roekford.  His  family  consists  of  three  chil- 
dren—Frederick C,  born  Jan,.l,  1858;  Wilbert  D.,  Nov.  10, 1861, 
and  Alfred  N.,  Oct.  31,  1866.  The  two  former  are  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  in  this  city  and  Alfred  is  attending  school. 
Mrs.  Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  politically 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

T.  S.  Kelso  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  May  22,  1820, 
and  was  there  reared  and  educated.     In  1857  he  emigrated  to  Wis- 
consin, locating  in  Prairie  Du  Chien,  where  he  resided  fifteen  years, 
and  in  1872  came  to  Roekford,  la.     He  settled  upon  a  farm  in  this 
township  and  now  owns  400  acres  of  fine  land  on  sections   6  and 
29.     He  is  extensively  engaged  in  farming  and  makes  a  specialt}^  of 
raising  fine  stock,  owning  some  of  the  finest  breeds  in  the  county, 
including  some  choice  Kentucky  thoroughbreds.     He  was  married 
in   1842  to  Lorana  Van  Etten,  in  Oswego  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
she  was  born  Aug.  19,  1821.     Three  children  have  blessed   their 
union,  viz. :   Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Ogden  Ruggles,  born  Oct.   12, 
1844;  Georgie  A.,  born  in  October,  1847,   married  O.  E.  Miller, 
and   Emma,  born    Nov.   7,   1855,    married  H.  L.  Mitchell.     Mr. 
Kelso  had  a  narrow  escape  from  a  tornado,  which  passed  over  this 
region,    June   24,    1882.     The   storm   struck   the   Congregational 
church,  completely  demolishing  it,  and  thus   spent  its  fury  before 
reaching   his   dwelling.     But  it  dealt   less   gently  with  his  barn, 
which  was  completely  unroofed  and  the  shingles  scattered  to  the 
four  winds  of  heaven.     Mr.    Kelso  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party. 


ROCKFOKD   TOWNSHIP.  917 

Smith  Kiniball  is  a  native  of  Erie  Coimtj,  N.  Y.,  born  Mar.  10, 
1820,  and  made  that  place  his  home  until  1872,  being  engaged  ex- 
tensively in  farming,  and  also  conducting  a  dairy.  In  1854  he  made 
a  trip  to  Illinois,  and  resided  near  Chicago  three  years,  then  returned 
to  New  York.  In  1872  he  came  to  Eovva,  locating  in  Rockford 
Township,  where  he  has  remained  since,  an  honored  and  respected 
citizen.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Ulster  Township,  besides 
his  farm  of  160  acres  on  section  36,  Rockford  Township.  He  was 
married  in  March,  1851,  in  his  native  State  to  Hannah  Parker,  who 
was  born  in  New  York  in  1822,  and  died  there  on  Mar.  18,  1861. 
He  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  Jane  Leigh,  on  June  17,  1862. 
Mr.  Kimball  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party. 

Jacob  R.  Kmipp  was  born  in  Winnebago  County,  111.,  Mar.  9, 
184:0,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old  when  he  came 
to  Rockford,  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  has  resided  here  since.  He 
served  four  years  and  four  months  in  the  late  Rebellion  having  en- 
listed in  the  Ninth  Iowa  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  also 
served  in  the  Third  Iowa  Battery,  as  a  gunner.  He  served  under 
Captains  Hayden,  Melvin  C.  Wright  and  O.  H.  Lyon.  He  par- 
ticipated in  many  of  the  hard-fought  battles  of  the  war,  thirteen  in 
number,  among  them  Pea  Ridge,  Helena,  Arkansas  Post,  Pember- 
ton  and  others.  He  was  mustered  out  with  his  comrades  at  Daven- 
port, la.,  and  came  home  to  Rockford,  where  he  was  married  Sept. 
22,  1867,  to  Cynthia  De  Wolf,  who  was  born  June  6,  1850.  The 
fruit  of  this  marriage  is  three  children — Laura,  born  Sept.  21,  1868, 
died  Mar.  23,  1869;  Burton,  born  Aug.  18,  1873,  died  Oct.  10, 
1873,  and  Owen  A.,  born  May  13,  1879.  Mr.  Knapp  owns  a  finely 
cultivated  farm  of  120  acres  on  section  33,  Rockford  Township, 
and  in  politics  is  a  Rejniblican . 

Charles  Leigh^  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford,  is  a 
native  of  New  York  State,  born  May  21,  1839.  From  New  York 
he  went  to  McKeen  County,  Pa.,  where  he  resided  five  years,  en- 
gaged in  the  drug  business,  and  in  June,  1876,  came  to  Rockford, 
Floyd  County.  He  has  resided  here  since  with  the  exception  of 
nine  months  during  the  year  1881,  which  he  spent  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. Mr.  Leigh  has  ever  been  active  in  any  project  that  promised 
progression  to  his  adopted  city,  and  has  done  much  for  her  im- 
provement. In  1876  he  erected  a  large  stone  house  on  the  corner 
of  what  is  now  known  as  Leigh's  Block,  and  in  1878  built  in  the 
same  block  Leigh's  Hall,  and  later,  in  1879  a  building  now  occupied 
as  a  drug  store,  and  another  now  used  as  a  saloon.     Besides  his 


918  HISTOEV  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

city  property  he  owns  140  acres  of  fine  land  in  this  township.  He 
was  married  July  4,  1867,  to  Florence  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania in  1850.  They  have  one  child — Leon,  born  July  16,  1870. 
In  his  political  views  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council. 

Robert  Lindon,  grain  and  stock  dealer,  Rockford,  la.,  was  born 
in  Stratiord-upou-Avon,  England,  May  9,  1840.  He  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  in  September,  1862,  landing  at  Boston,  Mass., 
and  from  there  went  at  once  to  New  York,  thence  to  Watertown, 
Wis.  He  was  married  there  in  1865  to  Miss  Addie  Yanness,  who 
was  born  in  New  "York  State  in  1840.  Mr.  Lindon  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  grain  and  stock  business  of  Wis- 
consin and  Iowa  for  the  past  twenty  years,  and  is  at  present 
managing  a  large  grain  elevator  at  Rockford,  in  company  with 
D.  D.  Cutler.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  in 
politics  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party.  Mr.  Lin- 
don has  been  a  resident  of  Floyd  County  for  the  past  ten  years. 

Elijah  Loiighotham  was  born  in  the  town  of  Paris,  Grant 
County,  Wis.,  June  14,  1843.  He  came  to  Rockford  Town- 
ship, Floyd  County,  la.,  on  May  2, 1877,  and  settled  on  his  present 
farm  of  160  acres,  on  section  30.  He  is  extensively  engaged  in  grain 
and  stock  raising,  and  his  farm  is  one  of  the  finest  in  this  vicinity. 
On  Dec.  25, 1869,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Celia  H.  Taylor, 
likewise  a  native  of  Paris,  Wis., born  Mar.  11,  1846.  Two  children 
have  blessed  this  union,  viz.:  Julia  A.,  born  Oct.  14,  1870,  and 
Thomas  O.,  Nov.  7,  1872.  Mr.  Longbotham  was  reared  in  the 
Republican  school  of  politics  and  is  still  a  strong  adherent  to  the 
principles  of  that  party. 

Dawtel  McEwen  was  born  in  Johnstown,  Fulton  County,  N.  Y., 
Aug.  27,  1814,  and  was  there  reared  and  educated.  When  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  went  to  London,  Canada  West,  and  remained 
there  eleven  years,  engaged  principally  in  milling.  From  London 
he  emigrated  to  Belvidere,  Boone  County,  111.,  thence  in  1868  to 
Ogle  County,  that  State.  In  1873  he  located  in Marshalltown,  la.; 
remained  there  five  years,  then  came  to  Rockford  Township,  Floyd 
County.  He  purchased  140  acres  on  sections  11  and  12  and  has 
resided  there  ever  since.  His  farm  is  under  excellent  improve, 
ment  and  thoroughly  stocked.  He  was  married  Nov.  22,  1838,  to 
Carolina  M.  Odell,  in  London,  Canada,  where  she  was  born,  Aug. 
12,  1816.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  the  following  named 
children:  John  L.,  born  Mar.  10,  1840;  Joseph  A.,  July  30,  1842; 


KOCKFORD   TOWNSHIP.  919 

James  E.,  born  Sept.  10,  1846,  died  Feb.  3,  1865,  and  Charles  F., 
Aug.  IQ,  1851.  Tlie  family  were  formerly  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  but  are  now  members  of  the  Methodist.  In  his 
political  views  Mr.  McEwen  is  a  strong  Republican. 

Maurice  McKenna  was  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  May  31, 
18-i4.  His  parents  were  natives  of  the  County  of  Kerry,  Ire- 
land, from  which  country  they  emigrated  in  1853.  In  1833  they 
located  in  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wis.  Maurice  McKenna  studied 
law  in  the  office  of  Messrs.  Blair  &  Colman,  and  also  in  the  office 
of  H.  F.  Rose,  at  Fond  du  Lac,  "Wis.  He  was  elected,  on  the 
Democratic  ticket,  for  three  sucessive  terras,  Clerk  of  the  Courts 
of  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wis.,  serving  six  years  in  that  capacity. 
He  was  also  Yice-President  of  the  Star  Printing  Company,  in  said 
city.  In  1876  he  was  admitted,  in  the  Fourth  Judicial  District  of 
the  State  of  Wisconsin,  to  practice  as  an  attorney  at  law,  and  has 
practiced  his  profession  since.  In  1875  he  married  Miss  Nellie 
Fagan.  The  fruit  of  the  marriage  is  two  children — Minnie  and 
Nora  E.  He  seryed  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  having  been  a 
member  of  Company  I,  Thirty-ninth  Wisconsin  Infantry,  going 
out  with  his  regiment,  serving  chiefly  in  Mississippi  and  Tennes- 
see; and  having  completed  his  term  of  service,  was,  with  his  com- 
rades, discharged  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  in  September,  1864.  He 
has  also  published  a  volume  of  poems.  He.  is  now  a  resident  of 
Rockford,  la.,  being  a  member  of  the  Floyd  County  bar,  and  is 
successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law  at  that  place. 

C .  F.  Meyers^  general  merchant,  Rockford.  embarked  in  the 
produce  business  at  this  place  in  1872,  continuing  until  1881,  when 
he  added  to  that  a  stock  of  general  merchandise,  and  by  strict  atten- 
tion to  business,  and  by  keeping  on  hand  a  full  and  complete  line 
of  goods  to  meet  the  demands  of  his  customers,  has  succeeded  in 
building  up  a  fine  trade.  A  native  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  he  was 
born  Feb.  22,  1849,  and  at  an  early  age  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Evansyille,  Ind.,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  When  fif- 
teen years  old  he  returned  to  his  native  city,  and  there  learned 
the  jeweler's  trade,  and  four  years  afterwird  went  to  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  where  he  spent  one  year,  working  at  his  trade;  thence  to 
Henderson,  Ky.  He  clerked  in  a  hardware  store  at  that  place 
three  years,  and  in  1872  located  in  Rockford,  la.,  where  he  has 
been  actively  identified  with  tlie  business  interest  since.  On  Nov. 
3,  1876,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Amanda  Baker,  a  native 
of  Indiana  County,  Pa.     They  have  two  children — Blanche,  born 


920  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COtTNTY. 

March  1,  1878,  and  C.  F.,  Nov.  3,  1880.     Mr.  Meyers  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat in  his  political  views. 

Clark  E.  Mitchell^  son  of  H.  W.  Mitchell,  is  a  native  of  Illinois, 
born  in  Steplienson  County,  Jan.  17,  1850.  When  four  years  old 
he  moved  with  his  father  to  Portage  County,  Wis.,  and  resided  there 
eleven  years.  In  1865  the  family  settled  in  Floyd  County,  la.,  and 
Clark  E.  has  made  Rockford  Township  liis  home  principally  since. 
In  1877  his  father  moved  to  Stephens  Point,  Wis.,  where  he  is  now 
engaged  in  the  lumber  traffic.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of 
a  family  of  seven  children,  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz.:  Z.  T., 
a  resident  of  Rockford,  la.;  H.  L,,  a  farmer  in  Union  Township; 
J.  S.,  in  business  with  his  father  in  Wisconsin;  Frank  H.,  con- 
ducting a  large  farm  at  Fargo,  D.  T.;  Mary  L.,  residing  in  Ran- 
dolph, Wis.,  and  Anna,  living  with  her  father.  Mr.  C.  E.  Mitchell 
was  married  Oct.  6,  1874,  to  Blanche  E.  Jackson,  who  was  born 
in  Beloit,  Wis.,  Apr.  15,  1851.  They  have  two  children — Maud, 
born  N'ov.  3,  1876,  and  Lavantia,  Jan.  14,  1880.  Mr.  Mitchell  owns 
a  fine  farm  of  640  acres  on  sections  21  and  22,  and  is  classed  with 
the  prominent  agriculturists  and  stock-breeders  of  Floyd  County. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

E.  JR.  Moore,,  a  prominent  farmer  and  stock-breeder  of  Floyd 
County,  was  born  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  Oct.  28,  1841.  He 
emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Erie  County,  N.  Y,,  in  1842,  and 
lived  there  until  1875,  when  he  came  West,  locating  in  Ogle  County, 
III.  One  year  later  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  settled  in 
Rockford  Township.  The  first  year  of  his  residence  here  he  rented 
land  of  S.  Kimball,  then  purchased  159  acres  on  section  25,  where 
he  still  resides.  On  Oct.  29,  1866,  he  married  Elody  A.  Cogswell, 
who  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  June  3,  1847.  Three  chil- 
dren have  blessed  this  union — Addie,  born  Oct.  2,  1867;  Jennie  E., 
born  Feb.  12,  1872,  died  Feb.  28, 1874,  and  Maud,  born  July  16, 
1878.     Politically  Mr.  Moore  favors  the  Republican  party. 

Thomas  Parsons  was  born  March  1,  1832,  in  England,  and  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  country.  He  was  married  there 
Sept.  24,  1854,  to  Hannah  Britnell,  who  died  in  McGregor,  la., 
Oct.  22,  1844.  Four  children  blessed  their  union,  viz.:  Clara  J., 
born  Oct.  14,  1855;  Mary  A.,  born  Oct.  20,  1857,  died  Dec.  1, 
1857;  Mary  M.,  born  June  12,  1859,  died  April  27,  1867,  and 
Abbie  M.,  born  July  14,  1861.  Mr.  Parsons  was  married  the  second 
time  on  May  12,  1865,  to  Mary  Hazlett,  who  was  born  in  Ireland, 
May  13,  1839.     They  have  had  eight  children— Ella,  born  March 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  921 

26,  1866;  Jennie,  born  Aug.  13,  1867,  died  April  21, 1868;  George 
A.,  born  March  8,  1869;  Effie,  Jan.  18,  1871;  Lottie,  June  2, 
1873;  Edith  M.,  Aug.  16,  1875;  Willie,  Oct.  3,  1877,  and  Fred- 
erick Garfield,  Oct.  23,  1881.  Mr.  Parsons  emigrated  to  America 
in  1853;  landed  at  New  York,  spent  two  weeks  in  Fulton  County, 
that  State,  then  emigrated  to  Sauk  County,  Wis.,  where  he  re- 
mained eight  years;  then  to  Columbia  County,  Wis.,  and  from  there 
to  McGregor,  la.  He  lived  in  that  city  eleven  years,  then  came 
to  Floyd  County,  settling  upon  his  present  farm  of  192^  acres 
on  section  34,  Rockt'ord  Township.  His  land  is  under  excellent 
improvement,  and  thoroughly  stocked.  In  politics  he  is  a  pro- 
nounced Republican. 

Elmer  A.  Eiche  was  born  in  Rockford,  111.,  April  30,  1856,  a 
son  of  John  Riche,  a  native  of  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  born   Oct. 

27,  1821,  and  Julia  (Wilkins)  Riche,  who  was  born  in  Addison 
County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  26,  1828.  John  Riche  lived  in  his  native 
State  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  with  his  father  to 
Berrien  County,  Mich.,  and  from  there  to  Winnebago  County,  111., 
in  1840.  He  followed  farming  there  until  October,  1879,  when  he 
moved  to  Rockford  Township,  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  settled  on 
section  31.  He  owns  220  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  J.  Riche  have  been  blessed  with  eleven  children,  viz.:  Sarah 
H.,  born  Nov.  12,  1849;  Ella  Maria,  born  Sept.  4, 1851,  was  killed 
by  a  pile  of  lumber  falling  upon  her  June  29,  1854;  Emma  M., 
born  May  4,  1855,  died  May  13  of  that  year;  Elmer  A.,  born 
April  30,  1856;  Lyman  W.,  born  Feb.  23,  1859,  died  March  9, 
1859;  Frank  H.,  born  March  8,  1861,  died  the  21st  of  that  month; 
Francis  M.,  born  July  18,  1864;  Mertie  R.,  Aug.  19,  1867;  Charles 
H.,  May  22,  1869;  Alonzo  C,  born  June  29, 1871,  died  June  16, 
1873;  Hattie  L.,  born  Oct.  7,  1872,  died  Feb.  8, 1874.  Mr.  Riche 
and  wife  are  prominent  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  memoir  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 
Illinois,  where  he  lived  until  he  came  with  his  father  to  Iowa, 
in  1879.  He  was  married  Aug.  14,  1879,  to  Marian  Patterson, 
who  was  born   in  Winnebago  County,  111.,  Oct.  21,  1855.     They 

have    one   child — Alice    Julia^^  born   Oct.    19,    1880.     They   ar^,  -  tlt...^\X 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  politically  he  is  a  strong  Re- ''^      '^r^ 
publican. 

O.  N.  Bobbins  is  a  native  of  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  born 
April  9,  1830,  and  when  only  one  year  old  he  went  with  his  par- 
ants  to  Livingston  County,  K  Y.,  where  he  resided  until  1844, 


922  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

then  removed  to  Kockforcl,  Winnebago  County,  111.  In  1855  he 
came  to  Floyd  County,  locating  in  Charles  City,  where  he  remained 
one  year,  and  in  1856  settled  in  Rockford  Township,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  staging  from  Charles 
City,  Rudd  and  other  points  until  the  railroad  was  built  through 
this  place,  and  since  then  has  carried  on  the  livery  business.  He 
has  always  been  an  active  politician,  and  gives  his  support  to  the 
Republican  party,  and  prior  to  the  organization  of  that  party  was 
a  Whig.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Emeline  Knapp,  who  was 
born  in  1826,  and  died  in  1879,  having  been  the  mother  of  two 
children — Arthur,  born  in  1856,  and  Louie  born  in  1864,  died  in 
1871.  Mr.  Robbins's  father,  Benjamin,  was  born  in  Fredford,  Yt. , 
in  1798,  and  is  now  living  with  his  son  in  Rockford,  la.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12.  There  are  four  generations  now  liv- 
ing at  the  house  of  O.  N.  Robbins,  in  Rockford.  He  rode  a  team 
of  fifty-two  span  of  horses  in  1844,  at  Geneseo,  N.  Y.,  during  the 
campaign  of  Henry  Clay,  when  he  made  a  speech  at  that  place. 

C.  M.  Roberts  is  a  native  of  Canada,  born  Aug.  20,  1855.  He 
came  to  Iowa  in  1866,  locating  in  Cedar  Falls,  where  he  resided 
fourteen  years,  and  in  1880  came  to  Rockford,  Floyd  County.  He 
purchased  six  town  lots  near  the  the  B,,  C.  R.  &  N.  R.  R.  de- 
pot where  he  erected  a  nice  comfortable  residence,  and  is  still 
residing.  He  is  now  employed  with  Robert  Eggert  in  the  erec- 
tion of  a  paper-mill  on  the  Shell  Rock  River,  in  South  Rockford. 
He  married  Mary  Sweetser,  who  was  born  in  Portland,  Me.,  Aug. 
2,  1855.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  union,  viz.: — Everard 
M.,  born  Sept.  6,  1878,  and  Harry  E.,  Aug.  12,  1881.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Roberts  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  church, 
and  politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  man  of  sober  and  in- 
dustrious habits,  and  is  much  respected  in  the  community  in  which 
he  lives. 

0.  M.  Ruggles  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford  Town, 
ship,  was  born  in  Broome  County,  N.  Y.,  April  23,  1838.  When 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  left  his  native  State  and  went  to  Fond  du 
Lac,  Wis.,  where  he  resided  eight  years,  attending  school.  He  went 
to  Minnesota  where  he  read  and  practiced  law  two  years,  and  in 
1864  enlisted  in  the  Sixteenth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  engaging  in  many  a  hard-fought 
battle.  He  was  with  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea, 
and  was  at  the  battle  of  Wliippie  Swamp,  at  the  taking  of  Colum- 
bia, S.  C,  and  at  Raleigh,  N.  C,  when  peace  was  declared.     After 


ROCKFORD    TOWNSHIP.  92 

the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  and  tanght  school 
at  Prairie  du  Chien  four  years.  He  was  married  in  1867  to 
Elizabeth  Kelso,  a  native  of  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  born  Oct.  7, 
1843.  The  fruit  of  this  marriage  is  six  children — Alraira,  born 
Aug.  30, 1868;  Cora,  June  24,  1870;  Grace,  Feb.  7,  1872;  Robert 
G.,  March  19,  1875;  Helen,  Nov.  11,  1878,  and  Wallace  S.,  March 
1,  1882.  Mr.  Ruggles  owns  a  finely  cultivated  farm  on  sections 
6,  7  and  8,  Rockford  Township,  consisting  of  215  acres.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Town- 
ship Trustee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  at 
Prairie  du  Chien. 

Augustus  Schroeder  was  born  in  the  province  of  Mecklinburg- 
Schwerin,  Germany,  Aug.  28,  1845.  He  was  reared  and  educated 
there,  and  on  Sept.  27,  1869,  embarked  for  America.  He  landed 
at  the  city  of  New  York,  and  from  there  went  to  Beloit,  Wis., 
which  was  his  home  for  ten  years.  He  then  removed  to  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  resided  there  fDur  months  ;  thence  to  Butler  County,  Iowa,  in 
1879.  In  1881  he  located  in  Rockford,  Iowa,  where  he  has  resided 
since,  an  honored  and  respected  citizen.  Mr.  Schroeder  has  followed 
the  wagon -maker's  trade  for  the  past  nineteen  years.  He  was 
married  in  his  native  country  to  Johannah  Brandt,  Aug.  3,  1868. 
She  was  born  in  Germany,  May  1,  1844.  Five  children  have  blessed 
this  union,  viz.:  Alfred  F.,  born  Nov.  17,  1869;  Emma,  July  21, 
1872;  Edward,  Sept.  5,  1874;  Louisa,  Sept.  27,  1876;  and  Otto, 
Aug.  10,  1880.  Mr.  Schroeder  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  in  politics  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party. 

H.  C.  Scott^  dealer  in  agricultural  implements,  Rockford,  la., 
was  born  in  Richland  County,  O.,  June  23,  1827.  When  eight 
years  of  age  he  went  with  his  father  to  Michigan,  resided  there  two 
years,  thence  to  Rockford,  111.,  in  1838,  traveling  with  ox  teams 
all  the  way.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Illinois  until  October, 
1875,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  locating  in  Charles  City. 
In  March,  1876,  he  settled  in  Rockford  Township,  purchasing  200 
acres  of  fine  land  on  section  33,  which  he  farmed  one  year;  then 
sold,  and  moved  into  the  city  of  Rockford,  in  order  to  facilitate 
the  educational  advantages  of  his  children.  He  built  a  nice  resi- 
dence here,  where  he  has  for  the  past  six  years  dealt  in  agricult- 
ural implements.  He  was  married  on  Dec.  23,  1850,  to  Mary  C. 
Muffitt,  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in  1833.  Seven  children 
have  been  born  unto  them — Horace  T.,  Sophronia,  William  II., 
Hattie  E.,  C.  A.,  Estella  and  Jessie.     Mr.   Scott  is  a  prominent 


924  HISTORY  OF  FLOTD  COUNTY. 

member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  fraternities  of 
Rockford,  and  is  at  present  serving  in  tlie  City  Council.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Republican, 

Z.  A.  Scott,  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  T.,  Aug,  9,  1832.  He  resided 
there  until  1853,  and  in  that  year  emigrated  to  Columbia  County, 
that  State,  where  he  remained  thirteen  years,  then  came  to  Rock- 
ford,  la.,  and  has  resided  here  since.  Upon  coming  to  this  city 
he  erected  a  large  stone  storehouse,  40  x  23  feet,  on  Piatt  street, 
which  he  subsequently  sold  to  Isaac  Hall.  He  also  built  the  first  and 
only  slaughter  house  in  Rockfurd.  In  the  year  1871  he  embarked 
in  the  butcher  business  and  also  conducted  a  grocery  store  and 
saloon  a  short  time.  He  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  one 
year,  and  for  the  past  three  years  has  packed  butter  for  various 
firms  in  Rockford.  He  was  married  in  1879  to  Minnie  Graves. 
Politically  he  favors  the  Republican  party. 

Oren  R.  Shaw,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  Rockford  Town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  born  in  the  town  of 
Marsey  on  March  13,  1831.  He  lived  there  until  1853  when  he 
moved  to  Lak  eCounty,  111.,  thence  in  1864  to  Floyd  County,  la. 
He  settled  on  section  30,  Rockford  Township,  where  he  owns  a 
finely  improved  farm  of  173  acres.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  J. 
Maynard  on  Sept.  20,  1860.  She  was  born  in  Cheshire  County, 
K.  H.,  Feb.  11,  1836.  They  have  one  child — Jessie  Augusta,  born 
Oct.  4,  1866.  The  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  In 
politics  Mr.  Shaw  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held  many  of  the 
township  offices,  among  them  those  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
School  Director,  and  in  each  instance  has  served  with  credit  to  him- 
self and  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents. 

Albert  Collins^  Deputy  Postmaster,  Rockford,  la.,  was  born  in 
Otsego  County,  IS  .Y.,  Dec.  21,  1843.  When  twelve  years  of  age  he 
came  West  with  his  parents,  locating  in  Madison,  Wis.;  thence,  in 
J  856,  to  Lake  County,  111.  They  resided  there  until  the  fall  of  1868, 
then  removed  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  settling  in  Rockford  Township, 
where  the  father  died  in  December,  1879.  His  mother  is  still  a 
resident  of  Floyd  County.  Mr.  Albert  Collins  enlisted  June  7, 
1864,  in  Company  F,  Thirty-eighth  Regiment  Wisconsin  Yolun- 
teer  Infantry,  and  served  one  year.  He  was  wounded  at  Peters- 
burg, Ya.,  on  picket  line,  Jan.  3,  1865,  losing  his  left  arm.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  at  Washington,  D,  C,  April  17,  1865. 
He  returned  to  Illinois,  then  his  home,  and  resided  there  until  1868, 


ROCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  925 

then  became  a  resident  of  Rockford,  la^  He  has  been  acting  Dep- 
uty Postmaster  most  of  the  time  since.  He  was  married  at  Shell 
Rock,  la.,  Sept.  12,  1872,  to  Ellen  L.  Palmer,  a  native  of  Castleton, 
Vt.,  born  May  7,  1852.  In  politics  Mr.  Collins  is  a  strong  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party. 

T.  P.  Suiton  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  19, 
1840.  His  father  died  when  he  was  ten  years  old,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  he  moved  with  his  mother  to  Dodge  County,  Wis.  He 
was  the  fourth  child  of  a  family  of  six  children.  They  resided  in 
Dodge  County  three  years,  then  removed  to  Jackson  County,  and 
in  1870  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  where  he  had  previously 
purchased  the  south  half  of  section  32,  Rockford  Township.  He' 
now  owns  480  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  and  is  recognized  as 
one  of  Floyd  County's  most  prominent  farmers  and  stock-growers. 
He  was  married  July  27,  1865,  to  C.  J.  Wright,  who  was  born  in 
Portland,  Me.,  May  4,  1845.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views. 

Charles  Watkins  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  Oct. 
29,  1826.  At  the  age  of  eight  years  he  left  his  native  State,  and 
with  his  father  emigrated  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  1849,  then 
came  with  a  younger  brother  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Clayton  County. 
He  engaged  in  farming  in  Farmersburg  Township,  and  also  taught 
school,  an  occupation  he  had  previously  followed  in  Ohio.  His 
brother,  James  Watkins,  still  resides  in  Clayton  County.  In  1869 
he  settled  in  Rockford  Township,  Floyd  County,  where  he  has  been 
extensively  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  since,  and  has  also 
taught  two  winter  terms  of  school.  He  was  married  in  1852  in 
Ohio  to  Delia  Stephens,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  born  in  1830. 
Nine  children  have  been  born  of  this  union,  three  sons  and  six 
daughters,  viz. :  Ermina,  born  in  1853  (married  Judson  Quacken- 
bush);  Charlie,  in  1856;  George  D.,  in  1858;  Jared,  in  1859;  Han- 
nah, in  1862;  Delia,  in  1865;  Blanche,  in  1867;  Grace,  in  1870, 
and  Mabel,  in  1872.  Mr.  Watkins's  parents  came  with  him  to  Clay- 
ton County  in  1852,  where  his  father  died  in  1867.  His  mother  re- 
sides in  Monona,  la.     In  his  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

John  W.  TFc>(96?  was  born  in  Canada,  June  19,  1835,  and  came  to 
Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1842,  and  to  Jones  County,  la.,  in  185"4. 
John  W.  resided  there  two  years,  then  returned  to  Illinois,  and  in 
1863  returned  to  Iowa,  locating  near  Rudd,  Floyd  County.  He 
remained  there  until  1879,  when  lie  settled  on  section  18,  Rock- 
ford Township,  where  he  purchased  an  excellent  farm  and  has  re- 


926  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

sided  since.  He  owns  240  kcres  of  fine  land,  well  improved.  He 
married  Hannah  Tittle,  a  native  of  the  State  of  Pennsjlvania,  born 
April  6,  1836.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  eleven  children, 
all  living — Israel  L.,  David  S.,  Delbert  A.,  Frank  U.,  Homer  Wes- 
ley, Lydia  Alice,  Daniel  Jackson,  Lottie  Belle,  Hester  Ann,  Guy 
H.  and  Francis  Roy.  Mr.  Wood  is  the  present  Road  Master  in  Dis- 
trict No.  9,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Close  Communion  Baptist  church. 

S.  W.  Woodhouse  was  born  in  Kenosha  County,  Wis.,  Jan.  11, 
1856,  and  lived  there  until  1872,  when  he  came  to  Rockford  Town- 
ship, Floyd  County,  la.  His  father  died  when  he  was  eleven  years 
old.  His  early  education  was  limited,  beinaj  received  at  a  common  dis- 
trict school  in  Kenosha  County,  Wis.  He  was  Cashier  of  A.  L. 
Plummer's  bank  about  three  years;  read  law  in  Rockford  and 
passed  his  examination  before  Hon.  R.  G.  Reiniger,  of  Charles 
City,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  Sept.  20,  1880  ;  since  that  time 
he  has  been  practicing  law  in  Rockford.  He  was  married  Oct. 
30,  1878,  to  Flora  E.  Campbell,  a  native  of  Eldon, Victoria  County, 
Canada  West,  born  Oct.  26,  1855,  of  Scotch  parentage.  She  was 
left  an  orphan  when  seven  years  old,  and  was  taken  and  educated 
by  hei*  grandparents.  She  came  to  Iowa  in  1877,  and  at  the  time 
of  her  marriage  was  engaged  in  teaching  school.  They  have  one 
child — James  Stewart,  born  Nov.  17,  1879.  Politically  Mr.  Wood- 
house  is  a  Republican. 

Ambrose  S.  Wright  was  born  in  New  York,  Aug.  17,  1837.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1856,  and  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  in 
the  spring  of  1862.  He  settled  first  on  section  30,  Rockford  Town- 
ship, and  resided  there  until  1873,  when  he  went  to  Nora  Springs. 
Eighteen  months  later  he  settled  upon  his  present  farm  on  section 
30,  Rockford  Township.  He  owns  480  acres  of  finely  cultivated 
land  and  is  classed  with  the  prominent  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of 
Floyd  County.  He  was  married  March  7,  1866,  to  Elizabeth  Cook, 
a  native  of  Oswego  County,  N.  Y.,  born  Dec.  10,  1836.  They  have 
one  child,  a  daughter— Edith,  born  May  14,  1872.  Mr.  Wright 
has  held  the  office  of  School  Director  for  the  past  five  years,  and  po- 
litically is  a  strong  Republican.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Baptist  church  and  is  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school.  H  s 
father,  Spencer  Wright,  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1805,  and 
in  1862  emigrated  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  where  he  died  Aug. 
9,  1866.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  Christian  integrity,  and  although 
he  had  been  a  resident  of  the  county  for  only  a  short  time  his  loss 


KOCKFORD  TOWNSHIP.  927 

was  deeply  felt  by  the  community.     His  widow  married  Wra. 
Wagner  in  1S70,  and  is  a  resident  of  Rock  Grove  Township. 

George  Wyatt  was  born  in  Danville,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y". , 
April  1,  1815.     He  resided  there  until  1836,  when  he  came  West, 
locating  in  Michigan,  where  he  engaged  in  clerking  nine  months  ; 
then  went  to  Fort  Defiance,  O.,  and  took  charge  of  a  stock  of  goods 
for  Ellis   &  Co.   one  year,    and  in  1838   removed  to  McHenry 
County,  111.     He  was  there  pioneering  until  1841,  then  went  to 
Fort  Winnebago,  Wis.,  where  he  farmed  some  time,  then  took  a 
contract  to  supply  the  fort  with  wood  and  hay  for  eight  months. 
He  was  subsequently  hired  by  the  American  Fur  Company  to  take 
care  of  the  trading  post  there,  and  acted  in  that  capacity  eighteen 
months.     In    1844   he    was   instrumental   in  organizing    Portage 
County,  Wis.,  for  judicial  purposes,  and  was  appointed  Clerk  of 
the  District  Court  by  the  District  Judge,  and  by  the  people  was 
elected  Register  uf  Deeds  and  Clerk  of  the  Commissioners'  Court. 
He  also  held  the  offices  of  Postmaster  and  Notary  Public.     From 
1844  to  1847  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  traffic  with  Ed  Houghton, 
and  in  the  latter  year  sold  out  and  returned  to  Winnebago  County, 
111.,  where  he  farmed  until  1849,  then  went  to  Rockford,  111.     He 
was  employed  on  the  police  force  there  until  1852,  and  also  served 
as  City  Collector  and  Assessor.     In  August,  1852,  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  remained  fifteen  months,  then  returned  to  Beloit, 
Wis.,  and  in  1854  he  settled  in  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  in  company 
with  Milo  Grilbert  erected   a  double  log  cabin  on  the  site  of  the 
present  town  of  Charles  City.     The  two  families  spent  the  winter 
there,  and  in  the  spring  of  1855  Mr.  Wyatt  went  into  the  land- 
office  business,  which  he  followed  two  years,  and  during  that  time 
selected  the  swamp  land  of  the  county  undei'  a  commission  from 
the  judge,  and  in  the  spring  of  1856  he  selected  a  site  and  laid  out 
the  present  town  of  Rockford,  giving  it  its  name.     Mr.    Wyatt 
continued  in  the  land-office  business  until  1858,  when  he  became 
afflicted  with  rheumatism,  and  still  suifers  from  that  disease.     In 
1863  he  opened  the  Wyatt  House  in  Rockford,  of  which  he  is  still 
proprietor.     He  was  married  in  October,  1858,  in  Rockford,  111., 
to  Mercy  Smith, '.who  was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  in 
1824.     They  have  seven  children,  five  living — Emma  (now  Mrs. 
L.  B.  Dumbolton),  born  in  1852  ;  Carrie,  in  1853  (married  LeRoy 
Berton);  Charles,  born  in  1854  ;  William  W.,  in  1859,  and  Henry, 
in  1865.      Mr.  Wyatt  and  wife  are  prominent  and  respected  mem- 
bers  of    the   Congregational    church,    and    in    politics    he    is   a 
Republican. 


928 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


Alexander  Young,  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Rockford 
Township,  was  born  in  tlie  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  Nov.  30, 
1854.  In  1871  he  left  his  native  country  for  America,  landed  at 
New  York  City,  and  from  there  came  direct  to  Rochelle,  111., 
where  he  resided  until  February,  1882,  when  he  came  to  Floyd 
County,  la.,  locating  in  Eockford  Township.  He  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  on  section  13,  which  he  has  under  good  cultivation 
and  well  stocked.  He  was  married  Dec.  22,  1876,  to  Mary  J. 
Albee,  in  Rockford,  111.  She  is  a  native  of  the  town  of  Red  Jacket, 
K  Y.,  born  Nov.  14, 1853.  They  have  one  child— William  How- 
ard, born  May  6,  1879.  Mrs.  Young  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  and  is  an  estimable  Christian  woman.  In  his  political 
views  he  is  a  strong  Republican. 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP. 

Rock  Groye  Township  derived  its  name  from  a  ponderous  boulder 
now  in  the  public  park,  in  the  city  of  Nora  Springs.  This  town- 
ship is  the  northwestern  one  of  Floyd  County.  It  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Union  Township,  in  Mitchell  County,  on  the 'east  by 
the  Township  of  Rudd,  on  tlie  south  by  the  Township  of  Rockford, 
and  on  the  west  by  the  Township  of  Portland,  in  Cerro  Gordo 
County.  It  is  seven  miles  long  from  north  to  south,  aud  the  north 
half  is  six  miles  wide,  from  east  to  west.  From  the  east  side  of 
the  south  hall  a  strip  one  half  a  mile  in  width  was  in  1870  shorn 
from  her  territory  and  attached  to  the  Township  of  Rudd.  This 
township  was  originally  surveyed  in  1853  and  1854,  into  sections 
and  subdivisions  of  sections,  bj'  Alexander  Anderson,  who  now 
lives  in  the  county  of  Dabuque,  and  who  was  at  that  time  a  sur- 
veyor in  the  employment  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 
Anderson  wa?  a  very  active  and  agreeable  gentleman,  and  one 
whose  work  when  done  was  finished.  There  are  still  a  great  many 
sectional  mounds  to  be  seen,  that  were  thrown  up  with  Anderson's 
spades,  and  a  few  corner  stakes  have  escaped  the  prairie  fires  and 
the  decay  of  time,  but  nearly  all  have  passed  away,  and  those  of  a 
more  enduring  character  have  been  planted  in  their  places. 

There  are  about  seven  sections  of  good  timber  in  Rock  Grove 
Township  with  large  quantities  of  younger  groves  springing  up  on 
the  outskirts  of  that  of  older  growths.  The  largest  body  of  this 
timber  is  on  the  Shell  Rock  River,  which  runs  three  miles  in  the 
township.  Other  beautiful  groves  of  timber  are  to  be  found  on 
Floyd  Creek,  which  threads  the  entire  township  from  north  to  south. 

There  are  four  excellent  water-powers  on  the  Shell  Rock  River, 
in  Rock  Grove  Township,  two  of  which  are  now  well  improved. 

RESOURCES. 

A  township  superior  to  Rock  Grove  would  be  hard  to  find.  It 
has  a  rich  deep  soil  under  laid  with  a  sub-soil  of  clay,  and  from 
this  clay  a  superior  quality  of  brick  has  been  made  for  years — 
specimens  of  which  can  be  seen  pointing  their  rel  fingers  through 
the   roofs  of   numerous  dwellings  for  a  region  of  twenty  miles 

(929) 


930  HISTOEY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

around.  No  superior  quarries  of  stone  have  been  found  within  the 
boundary  lines  of  Kock  Grove  Township.  Occasionally  a  desirable 
layer  of  sandstone  protrudes  from  the  high  blufie  that  skirt  the 
river,  but  they  are  so  deeply  imbedded  beneath  an  immense  mass 
of  shale,  and  worthless  weight,  as  to  forbid  the  expense  which 
would  be  incurred  in  reaching  down  after  them.  A  fair  quality  of 
stone,  irregular  in  layers  and  form,  is  found  in  abundance  lining 
the  entire  banks  and  beds  of  the  streams,  and  which  answer  well 
the  ordinary  purpose  for  which  stone  was  intended,  not  the  least 
of  which  is  the  production  of  a  very  superior  quality  of  lime. 

SETTLEMENT. 

Rock  Grove  Township,  like  the  entire  county,  was  originally 
settled  with  a  hardy  race  of  industrious  and  intelligent  pioneers, 
who  were  either  direct  from  the  New  England  States,  or  had  drifted 
along  from  one  State  to  another,  on  or  near  the  same  parallel  of 
latitude,  until  they  reached  the  Shell  Rock  Yalley.  A  few  families 
came  here  from  the  Middle  and  Southern  States,  but  the  terrible 
winters  of  1856  and  1857  convinced  them  that  this  was  no  place 
for  tender  plants, — or  planters, — and  their  song  was  soon  changed 
from  "From  Greenland's  Icy  Mountains,"  to  "  Carry  me  back  to 
Old  Yirginia."  Those  who  came  here  at  first  were  generally  poor, 
and  these  were  divided  into  live  classes:  1.  That  class  who  had 
always  been  poor  and  had  been  kept  under  by  the  aristocrats  of 
the  older  States,  but  who  had  broken  loose  from  their  semi-servitude 
and  come  West  determined  to  have  homes  that  they  could  call  their 
own.  2.  That  class  who  had  once  been  well  ofi,  but  by  specula- 
tion, misplaced  confidence,  or  unavoidable  casualties  had  lost  all, 
and  who  had  come  West  determined  to  rally  again — and  again  re- 
trieve their  lost  fortunes.  3.  That  class  that  never  had  but  little, 
and  did  not  know  what  to  do  with  what  little  they  had,  and  who 
never  did,  and  never  can,  stand  civilization,  always  ready  to  sell 
for  a  small  consideration,  and  move  on  with  the  bears  and  buffaloes 
toward  the  decoy  fields  nearer  the  setting  sun.  4.  That  class 
who  always  thought  they  were  getting  rich  because  they  were 
getting  an  advanced  price  over  the  original  cost,  and  at  the  same 
time  were  selling  their  property  for  less  than  one  half  its  real 
value.  5.  That  class  of  dreaming  adventurers  who  would  want 
to  move  on,  and  change  locations,  even  were  they  in  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven. 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  931 

The  first  white  man  who  ever  made  a  claim  to  the  fertile  acres 
of  Rock  Grove  Township  was  William  D.  Gray,  who  in  August, 
1852,  with  his  gun  on  his  shoulder,  leisurely  walked  around  the 
beautiful  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  E.  R.  Heiz,  and,  when 
he  had  finished  his  journey,  to  himself  he  said:  "On  the  south- 
west quarter  of  section  16,  in  township  96  north,  of  range  18  west, 
will  I  build  raj  cabin  and  the  'bloody  Injans'  shall  not  prevail 
against  me." 

On  the  heels  of  Gray  came  Dan  Whitesell,  who  selected  the 
claim  where  he  now  resides.  In  1853  he  broke  the  first  acre  of 
ground  ever  broken  in  Rock  Grove  Township.  He  turned  over 
sixteen  acres  on  section  19,  to  the  sweet  kisses  of  the  sun,  and 
planted  them  with  the  first  corn  ever  planted  in  the  township. 
This  is  not  the  Daniel  who  went  into  the  lion's  den,  but  it  is  the 
Daniel  who  entered  the  den  of  wolves  and  bears,  who  chased  the 
bufl'aloes  and  deer  into  their  jungles,  and  the  Daniel  who  tamed  the 
Sioux  and  "Winnebagoes. 

Anthony  Overacker  came  to  Rock  Grove  in  1852,  and  made 
claim  to  160  acres  of  prairie  land,  and  about  the  same  quantity  of 
timber,  right  in  the  center  of  the  grove.  In  1854  he  divided  his 
claim  and  sold  it  in  equal  parts  to  William  Workman  and  Edson 
Gaylord,  He  sold  for  a  mere  song.  An  acre  might  be  selected  on 
either  place  that  would  today  sell  for  more  money  than  he  got  for 
the  whole  plantation.  The  property  he  sold  here  is  worth  to-day 
$20,000.  But  he  wanted  to  "go  West,"  and  West  he  went,  away 
out  in  the  then  wilds  of  Wright  County,  in  this  State,  taking  with 
him  the  first  white  baby  that  was  ever  born  in  Rock  Grove  Town- 
ship. Anthony  was  a  good-natured,  honest,  fat,  lazy  fellow,  with- 
out any  politics  or  much  religion. 

Rev.  John  Knouse  came  here  from  Ohio  fiers*-^®  year  of  1853, 
and  made  his  choice  on  sections  13  and  14.  'ninat^^^  ^^^  ^  peculiar 
and  remarkable  man.  He  was  built  "from  thcground  up,"  like 
a  lion,  and  as  active  as  a  cat.  He  alternately  farmed  and  preached. 
For  many  years  he  was  about  the  only  preacher  in  this  section  of 
the  country.  His  church  was  the  log  school-house,  since  burned 
down,  near  the  residence  of  Edson  Gaylord.  His  pulpit  was  a 
dry-goo  Is  box,  and  the  pews  were  puncheons,  split  and  hewed 
from  the  native  forest  trees.  His  congregation  was  everybody. 
When  the  time  for  service  came  Knouse  was  always  on  liand,  and 
bis  old  gray  was  hitched  to  the  tree  by  the  school-house.  He 
57 


932  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

made  no  pretensions  to  oratory,  and  yet  he  was  a  natural  orator, 
and,  when  he  felt  just  right,  would  preach  a  sermon  and  make  a 
prayer  that  would  start  the  shingles  right  off  the  roof  of  the  old 
school-house.  His  daughter  Sarah,  a  fine  girl  about  twenty  years 
6f  age,  died  in  1854,  and  tilled  the  second  grave  ever  made  in  the 
township.  About  eighteen  years  since,  Knouse  sold  his  fine  farm 
for  a  moderate  price  to  Michael  Foothman,  and  went  to  Floyd.  He 
remained  there  nearly  two  years  and  moved  with  his  family  to 
Kansas.  In  the  summer  of  1874  the  grasshoppers  in  Kansas 
served  a  notice  on  him  to  leave,  and  he  returned  to  visit  his  friends 
on  the  "old  stamping  grounds."  He  was  in  politics  a  Republican, 
and  religiously  he  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church. 

Joseph  Henry  came  from  Michigan  to  Rock  Grove  in  1853,  and 
made  his  selection  on  sections  8,  16  and  17.  He  was  a  hard-working 
man,  but  had  a  roving  disposition.  In  1859  he  sold  eighty  acres 
of  his  fine  farm  to  Titus  Wray,  and  the  balance  to  Joseph  Slater,  of 
New  Jersey,  it  being  the  same  place  now  in  part  occupied  by  J.  C. 
Knapp.  The  Kansas  fever  swept  him  off,  and  away  he  went.  From 
Kansas  he  went  to  Oregon,  from  Oregon  to  Delta  Touchet,  in  Wash- 
ington Territory,  where  he  resided  when  last  heard  from  with  a 
broken-down  constitution,  and  but  little  he  can  call  his  own.  His 
history  is  one  which  should  be  read  by  all  who  contemplate  leaving 
Iowa  to  find  a  better  home.     In  politics  he  was  a  Republican. 

Abram  G.  Shroll  came  to  Rock  Grove  Township  with  his  family 
in  1854,  in  company  with  J.  H.  Knouse,  from  Ohio.  Shroll  made 
a  spendid  claim  on  Flood  Creek,  on  sections  11  and  14.  He  was  a 
clever,  honest  German,  but  did  not  possess  the  tact  for  coining 
money.  From  time  to  time  he  sold  a  forty,  or  a  timber  tract,  from 
his  large  claim,  until  his  plantation  had  dwindled  down  to  less 
than  a  quarter  seciriea,  when  he  sold  the  remainder  to  William  G. 
Robinson  and  Syvhat  tc  Bragg,  and  moved  to  Dakota.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democra^aJSS^ 

John  Gates  came  Mere  in  1855,  and  formerly  had  that  part  of  the 
farm  of  John  R.  Adams  that  lies  nearest  ISTora  Springs.  He  did 
not  remain  here  more  than  one  year  before  he  sold  his  premises  to 
Adams  and  moved  to  Union  Township,  near  Marble  Rock,  where 
he  now  resides,  the  monarch  of  a  large  and  well-improved  farm.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Republican. 

William  Dean,  a  native  of  Maine,  came  in  the  spring  of  1853, 
and  located  160  acres  prairie  and  some  timber  on  section  14.  He 
sold  this  farm  out  in  1872,  at  $35  an  acre,  and  now  lives  a  mile  west 


ROCK  GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  933 

of  his  original  farm.  In  the  same  year  came  William  Wagner, 
settling  at  Rock  Grove  City;  Edson  Gaylord,  who  now  lives  a  short 
distance  below  Nora  Springs,  between  the  railroad  and  the  Shell 
Kock,  and  David  Ilardman,  who  lives  on  section  21. 

NAME. 

The  name  of  Rock  Grove  Township  is  said  to  have  the  following 
origin:  Speculators  traveling  through  this  region  in  an  early  day 
gave  the  name  Rock  Grove  to  the  timber  tract  around  the  present 
Nora  Springs,  on  account  of  the  curious  large  boulder  in  its  center, 
and  which  can  now  be  seen  in  the  street  on  the  south  side  of  the 
park.     The  township  derived  its  name  from  the  grove. 

DRAINAGE. 

Rock  Grove  Township  is  drained  by  Shell  Rock  River  and  Flood 
Creek.  The  Shell  Rock  enters  on  section  7,  and  flowing  through 
the  southwestern  part,  emerges  on  section  20.  Flood  Creek  flows 
diagonally  through  the  township,  entering  on^section]19'and  leav- 
ing on  section  13.  Other  small  streams  intersect^the  country  and 
are  tributary  to  these  two  water-courses. 

FIRST  THINGS. 

The  first  birth  in  the  township  was  that  of  a  son  to]  Anthony 
Overacker,  in  1852. 

The  first  marriage  was  that  of  John  JHenry  and  a  daughter  of 
Wm.  Workman. 

Tue  first  death  was  that  of  Josephine,  a  young  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Read,  in  1854,  at  the  age  of  fourteen. 

The  first  religious  services  in  the  township  were  held  by  Revs. 
Holbrook,  Cooley  and  other  pioneer  preachers  of  the  church,  in 
various  private  houses.  The  other  denominations  now  having 
societies  at  Nora  Springs — the  Congregationalists,  the  Baptists 
the  Christians,  the  German  M.  E.  and  the  German  Evangelicals — 
early  gained  a  foothold  in  the  township  outside  of  the  village.  The 
United  Brethren  and  the  Dunkards  also  have  a  few  adherents,  but 
there  are  no  church  buildings  or  organizations  outside  of  Nora 
Springs  in  Rock  Grove. 

The  first  school-liouse  was  of  logs,  and  was  built  on  section  7, 
about  one-half  mile  from  Nora  Springs,  in  the  fall  of  1854.  Edson 
Gaylord  assisted  in  the  building  of  this  house,  and  now  has  at  his 
residence,  as  a  relic,   a  stump  from  which  the  first  log  was  cut. 


934  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

This  was  the  first  school-house  in  Floyd  County,  as  well  as  in 
Rock  Grove  Township.  The  first  school  was  taught  the  following 
winter  by  Sarah  Griflith.  She  was  a  very  good  teacher,  and  pupils 
came  from  all  parts  of  the  township  to  her  school,  which  numbered 
about  twenty.  This  first  school-house  was  not  built  by  regular 
taxations,  but  by  private  subscription.  It  was  accidentally  burned 
the  spring  after  it  was  built,  and  a  new  house  was  built  about 
eighty  rods  west  of  the  first  one.  The  first  school  taught  in  this 
building  was  taken  charge  of  by  Richard  Armstrong,  formerly 
from  New  York,  and  latterly  from  Muscatine. 

The  first  storo  in  the  township  was  opened  at  Rock  Grove  City 
by  F.  L.  Benedict.  It  was  kept  by  him  two  years,  beginning  in 
1856,  and  then  discontinued. 

Among  the  manufacturing  interests,  we  note  that  Edson  Gay- 
lord  burned  the  first  lime  in  the  county,  in  1854-'5,  and  started 
his  brickyard  in  1860.  Since  then  he  has  burned  the  timber  from 
forty  acres  of  land,  in  making  brick.  He  has  made  6on\e  seasons 
as  many  as  200,000  brick,  which  he  has  shipped  in  various  direc- 
tions. Some  have  gone  to  Dakota.  The  two  flouring  mills,  at 
Rock  Grove  City  and  Nora  Springs  are  i^ientioned  on  another 
page.  The  soap  factory  east  of  the  depot  at  Nora  Springs  was 
started  in  1879  by  J.  S.  Bryant  &  Co.,  and  discontinued  in  the 
fall  of  1881. 

The  first  fruit-trees  brought  to  the  county  were  set  out  on  the 
farm  now  belonging  to  Edson  Gaylord. 

The  first  Township  Trustees  were  William  Wagner  and  John 
Cannouse.  The  first  Clerk  was  John  Hunt,  afterward  Judge  Hunt. 
The  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  was  William  Dean.  The  first  School 
Director  was  Edson  Gaylord. 

BRIDGES. 

The  first  bridge  across  the  Shell  Rock  in  Rock  Grove  Township 
was  built  by  the  county  in  186S.  The  bridge  was  wanted  by  both 
Nora  Springs  and  Rock  Grove  City,  and  considerable  feeling  was 
manifested  on  both  sides.  Petitions  and  remonstrances  were  cir- 
culated, signed  and  presented  to  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors, 
who  finally  appointed  a  committee  of  three  to  decide  the  contro- 
versy. This  committee  met  at  Nora  Springs,  heard  the  tirguments 
on  both  sides,  and  finally  decided  that  tlie  bridge  should  be  located 
at  Nora  Springs.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  a  wooden  struct- 
ure was  put  up  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.     This  was  located  by  the  mill, 


KOCK  GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  935 

some  distiiice  ab  )ve  the  present  bridge.     In  1S70  this  w.i>  taken 
down,  and  the  present  iron  bridge  put  up,  at  a  cost  of  |5,000. 

Another  iron  bridge  on  Flood  Creek,  near  the  residence  of  Dr. 
W.  Sliaw,  was  coinpleted  in  1876. 

TOWNSHIP    OFFICERS. 

The  first  records  seem  to  have  been  lost,  the  first  election  that 
we  find  a  record  of  being  in  1873,  when  the  township  oificers  were 
as  follows:  Clerk,  Samuel  Means;  Trustees,  L.  D.  Sweet,  C.  M. 
Allen,  JS'icholas  Fleenor. 

The  present  officers  are:  Clerk,  Leroy  A.  Snow;  Chairman 
Board  of  Trustees,  Charles  Darling;  Trustees,  Charles  Darling, 
Henry  L.  Benedict  and  Edson  Gaylord;  Assessor,  M.  H.  Nicker- 
son;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  A.  B.  Tredway,  H.  L.  Benedict  and 
L.  H.  Feilm. 

ROCK    GROVE    MILL. 

This  mill  was  erectei  by  J.  A.  Lathrop  in  1867  and  1868.  It 
is  situated  on  the  Shell  Rock  River,  and  is  run  by  water-power. 
It  has  a  capacity  of  seventy-five  barrels  a  day,  and  makes  the  best 
grades  of  flour  by  the  newest  processes.  It  has  now  fiv^e  run  of 
stones,  but  began  with  two.  It  is  doing  a  good  business,  both  at 
custom  and  merchant  work.  Mr.  Lathrop  is  the  present  pro- 
prietor and  manager. 

NORA    SPRINGS. 

The  first  settlement  made  on  the  town  site  was  by  one  Wiltfong, 
who  came  about  1853,  and  built  a  cabin  on  the  site  of  the  present 
mill.  He  sold  his  claim  the  following  year  to  Sheldon  Fox,  of 
Lowell,  Dodge  County,  Wis.  He  remained  nine  month?,  and 
then  went  to  Cedar  Falls,  where  he  still  resides.  M.  S.  Snow 
came  here  from  Jones  County  in  the  spring  of  1855,  with  his  wife 
and  one  d  lughter,  now  Mrs.  Nancy  E.  Brundage.  He  moved 
into  Fox's  house.  In  1856  eatne  CTUrAlTen,  now  dead,  and  John 
"West,  now  of  Mason  City.  Tliey  hailed  from  Illinois,  and  came 
to  build  a  mill  dam.  They  were  accompanied  by  Sylvester  Mea- 
chani  and  Amos  Pardee.  The  mill  itself  had  been  built  as  early 
as  1854,  by  Messrs.  Fox  &  Griffith.  In  1857  came  Frederick 
Drew,  a  blacksmith,  who  still  resides  in  Nora  Springs. 

Nora  Springs  was  surveyed  and  platted  in  1857,  by  John  West, 
C.  M.  Allen  and  Edson  Gaylord.  An  addition  was  made  by  E.  P. 
Greeley,   from  Nash uaTTeloTe  the  plat  was  recorded.      They  first 


936  HISTORY  OF    FLOYD  COUNTY. 

named  the  place  Woodstock,  from  Woodstock,  111.;  but  one  of  the 
surveyors  liked  the  name  J^ora,  as  this  was  the  name  of  a  lady- 
love of  his,  accordino^  to  rumor;  and  '•'  when  the  girl  afterward 
went  back  on  him,  he  went  back  on  the  town,"  and  took  up  his 
abode  in  a  neighboring  county.  Allen  and  West  agreed  to  accept 
Nora  Springs  as  the  name  of  the  future  town.  The  springs  from 
which  the  name  was  suggested  lie  principally  north  of  the  village, 
though  there  is  one  large  one,  used  by  the  railroad,  south  of  the 
village. 

FIRST   THINGS. 

The  first  house  in  Nora  Springs  was  one  built  by  Wiltfong,  in 
1853. 

The  first  frame  house  was  built  by  John  West,  in  the  fall  of 
1856. 

The  first  school-house  was  built  on  section  7,  a  short  distance 
east  of  the  village,  in  the  fall  of  1854:-'5.  An  account  of  this  is 
given  in  the  first  part  of  this  chapter.  The  present  school-house 
was  built  in  1870. 

The  first  store  in  Nora  Springs  was  kept  by  E.  P.  Greeley,  in 
1857.  Goods  had  been  sold,  however,  previously,  by  John  West. 
After  about  a  year  Mr,  Greeley  moved  away.  The  next  store  was 
that  of  Tyler  Blake,  opened  in  1869. 

In  the  new  town,  the  first  store  was  that  of  Orlando  McCraney, 
and  was  situated  opposite  the  present  store  of  Leroy  Snow.  Mr. 
McCraney  kept  it  about  two  years,  and  then  sold  to  H.  F.  David- 
son. 

The  first  blacksmith,  Frederick  Drew,  came  in  1857. 

The  first  wagon-maker,  F.  H.  Snow,  came  in  1857. 

The  first  shoemaker,  Calvin  Snow,  came  in  1857. 

The  first  hotel  was  the  Wallace  House,  kept  by  Pratt  Wallace, 
and  opened  in  1869. 

THE   REVIVAL. 

Nora  Springs  grew  very  slowly  for  many  years,  but  in  1869  it 
awakened  from  its  Rip  Van  Winkle  sleep,  and  suddenly  sprang 
into  a  new  and  vigorous  life.  The  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad 
came  plowing  its  way  through,  and  a  marvelous  revolution  fol- 
lowed in  its  wake.  New  additions  were  made  to  the  town, 
stretching  soutliward  toward  the  railroad,  and  the  forest  trees 
that  for  ages  had  withstood  the  winds  and  the  storm  ftll  before 
the    ax   and  spade,  and  the  eugar  bnsh  and  hunting  ground  of 


ROCK  GROTE   TOWNSHIP.  937 

poor  "  Lo!"  was  transformed  into  a  thrift}'  town  of  700  inhabitants. 
No  sooner  had  the  first  wave  of  excitement  passed  on  than 
another  important  railroad  was  built,  reaching  with  one  hand  into 
the  lumber  regions  of  the  North,  and  grasping  with  the  other  the 
coal  and  fruit  fields  of  the  sunny  South,  chaining  together,  with 
an  iron  band,  the  great  cities  of  St.  Louis  and  St.  Paul.  The 
future  of  Nora  Springs  was  then  determined,  and  the  early  settlers 
who  had  lived  here  for  nearly  twenty  years  without  having  seen 
the  smoke  of  the  engine,  felt  like  an  ancient  king,  who,  over- 
whelmed with  his  great  achievements,  cried  out,  "O  Lord,  in  the 
midst  of  all  this  prosperity,  send  us  some  misery." 

INCORPORATION. 

Nora  Springs  was  incorporated  in  the  summer  of  1874,  and  the 
council  held  its  first  meeting  Aug.  31,  of  that  year.  As  an  item 
of  interest  the  proceedings  of  the  first  meeting  are  given: 

"Council  met  and  organized,  with  the  Mayor  in  the  chair. 
Present:  Recorder  Burgess,  Trustees  Snow,  Blake,  Hubbard,  Stew- 
art and  Gardner, who  were  sworn  into  their  respective  oftices. 

"On  motion  of  Trustee  Hubbard,  J.  C.  Bnrlingham  was  elected 
Marshal  by  the  following  vote:  Ayes,  Snow,  Blake,  Hubbard, 
Stewart,  Gardner  and  Burgess — six. 

"An  ordinance  relating  to  the  duties  of  marshal  was  read  and 
adopted  by  the  following  vote:  Ayes,  Snow,  Blake,  Hubbard, 
Stewart,  Gardner  and  Burgess — six. 

"Oti  motion,  George  W.  Stannard  was  unanimously  elected 
Treasurer. 

"By  a  unanimous  vote,  a  motion  of  Trustee  Snow  was  carried, 
that  the  rule  requiring  ordinances  to  be  read  three  times  before 
passage  be  suspended  for  this  evening. 

"Ordinances  concerning  misdemeanors,  unlawful  assemblies, 
etc.,  were  then  read  and  adopted. 

"  On  motion  of  Trustee  Ilubbard,  the  marshal's  bond  was 
placed  at  §300. 

"An  ordinance  pertaining  to  licensing  saloons,  billiard  tables, 
etc.,  was  read  and  adopted. 

"On  motion,  Coancil  adjourned  until  Tuesday,  Aug.  10,  1875, 

at  8  p.  M. 

"A.  W.  Burgess,  Recorder?'' 

At  tiie  next  meeting,  held  Aug.  10,  ordinances  were  adopted 
relating  to  shows,  etc.;  to  cattle  running  at  large;  to  hogs  running 


938  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

at  large;  and  to  horses,  mules,  etc.     During  the  months  of  August 
and  September  a  complete  code  of  ordinances  was  adopted,  and 
the  Governmental   machinery  of  Nora  Springs  was  in  running 
order. 

At  first  there  were  five  trustees,  elected  every  year;  but  in  1878 
the  new  law  went  into  efiect  which  provided  for  the  election  of 
two  trustees  each  year,  to  hold  office  for  three  years,  thus  making 
six  trustees  in  the  council.  The  five  trustees  at  that  time  drew 
lots  for  length  of  service,  and  A.  W.  Burgess  and  A.  J.  Brundage 
were  chosen  for  one  year;  A.  McG.  Stewart  and  F.  B.  Harnish 
were  chosen  for  two  years,  and  M.  S.  Snow  was  chosen  for  three 
years. 

At  an  election  held  in  1875  the  officers  were  as  follows:  Mayor, 
Horace  Gage;  Recorder,  A.  W.  Burgess;  Trustees,  M.  S.  Snow, 
Tyler  Blake,  F.  M.  Hubbard,  A.  McGregor  Stewart  and  G.  H. 
Gardner;  Marshal,  J.  0.  Burlingame;  Attorney,  P.  W.  Burr; 
Treasurer,  G.  W.  Stannard.  The  present  officers  are:  Mayor,  Hor- 
ace Gage;  Recorder,  L.  A.  Snow;  Trustees,  P.  "Warburton,  M.  S. 
Snow,  W.  S.  Haight,  A.  "W.  Burgess,  A.  J.  Brundage  and  A.  A. 
Sullivan;  Marshal,  Edson  Gaylord;  Treasurer,  D.  A.  Wheeler; 
Assessor,  D.  A.  Wheeler;  Attorney,  J.  F.  Gates;  Street  Commis- 
sioner, Edson  Gaylord. 

SCHOOL    DISTRICT. 

The  Independent  School  District  of  Nora  Springs  was  organized 
in  1878,  with  the  following  officers:  President,  Horace  Gage;  Sec- 
retary, H.  B.  Shaw;  Board,  Horace  Gage,  J.  Kidney,  Edson  Gaylord, 
A.  B.  Tredway,  John  Hollenbeck  and  W.  D.  Manchester,  The 
principals  of  the  school  since  then  have  been  G.  W.  Schafer,  of 
Shell  Rock,  M.  H.  Grain  and  A.  J.  Stevens.  The  present  officers 
are  as  follows:  President,  C.  C.  Birney;  Secretary,  O.  B.  Allen; 
Board,  C.  C.  Birney,  D.  A.  Wheeler,  A.  W.  Burgess,  Horace  Gage 
and  Edson  Gaylord. 

NOKA    SPRINGS     CREAMERY. 

The  Nora  Springs  Creamery  was  started  Oct.  1,  1880,  by  R.  J. 
Jakeway.  It  was  soon  after  taken  charge  of  by  the  present  man- 
ager, J.  F.  Coehonour.  Horse-power  is  used.  Only  cream  is 
used,  two  wagons  being  run  to  gather  the  cream.  The  establish- 
ment has  made  as  much  as  625  pounds  of  butter  in  one  day.  Dur- 
ing July,  1882,  it  made  10,000  pounds. 


ROCK  GKOVE  TOWNSHIP.  939 

NORA    SPRINGS    FOUNDRY. 

The  Nora  Springs  Foundry  and  Machine  Shop  was  built  origi- 
nally for  a  saw-mill,  at  about  the  same  time  that  the  present  Iowa 
&  Dakota  Division  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
Railroad  was  built  through  Nora  Springs.  Mr.  J.  A.  Lathrop 
bought  a  half  interest  in  18S1  of  George  Briggs.  The  latter  died 
in  June,  1882.  Mr.  Lathrop  has  rented  Briggs's  interest,  and  now 
operates  it  in  his  own  name.  He  makes  all  sorts  of  castings  for 
mill-repairs,  machinery,  horse-powers,  anvils,  farm  boilers,  jack- 
screws,  well-drills,  sleigh-knees,  etc.  He  uses  the  latest  improved 
machinery  in  his  works. 

BANK. 

The  exchange  bank  of  A.  B.  Tredway  was  established  in  1877, 
by  Farwell  <fe  Co.,  from  Eau  Claire,  Wis.  These  gentlemen  sold 
out  in  1878,  to  Horace  Gage,  and  he  sold,  in  turn,  to  A.  B.  Tred- 
way, in  1879.  The  bank  is  prosperous  and  growing,  and  has 
ample  capital.     The  Cashier  is  J.  M.  Tredway. 

ELEVATOR. 

This  was  built  by  A.  B.  Tredway  in  1875,  and  was  by  him  oper- 
ated until  1877,  when  it  burned  down,  owing  to  a  defective  smoke- 
stack. It  was  30x50,  and  cost  $5,000.  Mr.  Tredway  at  once 
rebuilt  it,  at  an  expense  of  $7,000.  It  is  now  24x32,  and  has  a 
capacity  of  15,000  bushels.  It  has  a  steam-boiler  and  engine  of 
tifteen  horse-power.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  elevators  in  the  North- 
west. Mr.  Tredway  deals  in  all  kinds  of  grain,  and  grinds  feed. 
During  the  year  ending  July  31,  1882,  he  has  bought  over  90,000 
bushels  of  grain,  and  ground  eighty- two  cars  of  feed,  at  28,000 
pounJs  to  the  car.  He  has  the  very  best  machinery —  the  Moline 
separators  and  the  Morgan  smutter — and  can  clean  and  separate 
a  car-load  an  hour.  Mr.  Tredway  has  been  in  the  grain  business 
for  ten  years,  using  only  his  own  capital,  and  is  one  of  Floyd 
County's  most  enterprising  business  men. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The  postoffice  was  established  in  1861,  and  M.  S.  Snow  was  the 
first  Postmaster.  He  resigned  after  two  years,  and  T.  H.  Judson 
was  appointed  in  his  place.  He  was  followed  by  Charles  Paddle- 
ford,  who  did  not  keep  the  office  very  long.  W.  P.  Gaylord  then 
held  the  office  until  1877,  when  he  resigned.  T.  E.  Bryan  is  the 
present  Postmaster. 


94:0  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNT¥. 

PROFESSIONAL. 

The  first  lawyer  was  W.  P.  Gaylord.  A  Mr.  Hunt  came  here  in 
1870,  and  died  after  about  two  years.  A  Mr.  Webber  was  here 
in  1872,  for  a  short  time,  in  partnership  with  Mr,  Gaylord.  Ed. 
Wheeler  came  in  1878,  and  J.  F.  Gates  came  in  1877.  P.  W. 
Burr  also  practiced  here  some  years,  but  he  is  now  in  Charles 
City. 

The  first  physician,  Dr.  C.  C.  Birney,  who  is  still  here,  and 
Dr.  Clark,  who  is  now  at  Marble  Eock,  came  in  1869.  Dr.  S.  K. 
Howitt,  now  at  Charles  City,  practiced  here  from  1870  to  1882. 
Dr.  S.  G.  Blythe  cime  in  1871,  and  Dr.  F.  H.  Blythe,  in  18S0. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY. 

J.  Q.  Adams,  physician  and  druggist;  C.  C.  Birney,  physician 
and  druggist;  Blythe  &  Blythe,  physicians;  B.  H.  Britten,  Prop. 
Central  House;  Brundage  Bros.,  blacksmiths;  T.  E,  Bryan,  Post- 
master; Burgess  &  Stone,  general  merchants;  Chambers  &  Wins- 
low,  saloon-keepers;  Henry  Clark,  barber;  James  Clark,  boot  and 
shoe  dealer;  Mrs.  Cleveland,  millinery;  Henry  H.  Colt,  Prop. 
Press',  John  Fizell,  wagon-maker;  Gage  &  Ayers,  general  mer- 
chants; H.  Gage,  loan  agent;  J.  F.  Gates,  attorney;  Gaylord  & 
Bryan,  general  merchants;  Edson  Gaylord,  brick-maker;  W.  H. 
Gonser,  grocer;  C.  F.  Greenman,  restaurant;  John  Haasis,  gen- 
eral merchant;  A.  Hall,  blacksmith;  G.  W.  Hall,  harness-maker; 
F.  M.  Hubbard,  drugs  and  groceries,  etc.;  P.  Jakeway,  .creamery; 
Keyes  &  Blythe,  Props.  Monitor-,  Knapp  &  Miles,  agricultura 
implements;  J.  A.  Lathrop,  Prop,  foundry  and  machine  shops; 
William  Mathers,  harness-maker;  G.  Miller,  butcher;  W.  W. 
Miner,  marble-worker;  Mitchell  Bros.,  painters;  W.  J.  Murray, 
boot  and  shoe  dealer;  L.  H.  Peilm,  hardware  dealer;  Mrs.  L.  D. 
Powers,  millinery  and  dry  goods;  Kich  &  Quinby,  liverymen; 
J.  L.  Powell,  furniture  dealer;  H.  B.  Shaw,  Prop.  Spencer 
House;  George  Smith,  wagon-maker;  H.  Snahr,  boot  and  shoe 
dealer;  Leroy  A.  Snow,  grocer;  W.  S.  Sweat,  general  merchant; 
A.  B.  Tredway,  banker;  A.  B.  Tredway,  Prop,  elevator;  W.  B. 
Trevitt,  saloon-keeper;  Wheeler  &  Hamilton,  stock  dealers;  B.  A 
Wheeler,  lumber  dealer;  D.  O.  Whitesell,  well-driller;  P.  M. 
Wilson,  painter;  Albert  Zerake,  blacksmith. 


«OCK  GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  941 

RELIGIOUS. 

Nora  Springs  M.  E.  Church. — The  first  class  was  orijanized  in 
the  grove  near  the  school-house  iu  August,  1869,  by  J.  W.  Gould, 
and  the  charge  was  organized  the  same  tall.  Tiie  first  denotni- 
nation  in  this  vicinity  were  held  in  a  very  early  date  by  such 
pioneer  preachers  ^as  Revs.  Ilolbrook  and  Cooley.  Among  the 
first  members  were  James  Wyatt  and  wife,  Jerry  Parmalee  and 
wife,  Homer  Parmalee  and  wife,  S.  L.  Billings  and  wife,  George 
Teel  and  wife,  Philer  Hooker  and  wife,  M.  H.  Nickerson  and  wife 
and  F.  L.  Benedict  and  wife. 

The  first  regular  pastor  was  Rev.  J.W.  Leslie,  of  Janesville,  who 
remained  here  one  year.  He  went  from  here  to  ShuUsburg,  Iowa, 
where  he  died.  Mr.  Leslie  was  succeeded  in  the  Nora  Springs 
pulpit  by  Rev.  Horace  Warner,  who  remained  here  two  years. 
He  and  Rev.  Mr.  Judson,  of  the  Baptist  church,  held  a  very  suc- 
cessful series  of  revival  meetings,  and  a  number  joined  at  that 
time.  Mr.  Warner  went  from  here  to  Plainfield,  where  he  still 
lives  on  a  farm.  ISText  came  Rev.  H.  W.  Bennett,  of  Decorah,  in 
1873  and  remained  three  j^ears. 

During  Mr.  Bennett's  ministry  the  friends  of  the  cause  raised 
the  necessary  funds  and  commenced  the  erection  of  a  church.  It 
was  completed  in  1876,  at  a  cost  of  $3,500.  It  is  a  frame  struct- 
ure, about  -40  x60,  and  will  seat  comfortably  300  persons. 

Mr,  Bennett  was  a  very  earnest  worker,  and  was  very  popular 
with  the  congregation.  He  is  a  man  of  great  ability,  and  is  now 
one  of  the  most  prominent  ministers  in  his  denomination  in  Iowa. 
He  went  from  here  to  Mason  City,  where  he  remained  three  years; 
thence  to  Cedar  Rapids,  staying  one  year;  and  thence  to  Dubuque, 
where  he  has  been  for  three  years. 

Rev.  G.  L.  Garrison  was  the  next  pastor,  remaining  two  years. 
He  came  from  Luana,  Clayton  County,  and  after  his  two  years  here 
he  went  to  ShuUsburg.  He  is  now  preaching  at  Shell  Rock.  He 
is  admitted  bv  all  to  bo  a  cultured  and  energetic  minister.  He  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Garrett  Biblical  Institute,  at  Evanston,  111.  He 
was  followed  by  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Fleming,  of  Mitchell.  He  re- 
mained one  year.  lit  1878  came  Rev.  J.  J.  Littler,  who  also 
preached  but  one  year.  Rev.  L.  S.  Cooley  was  invited  to  the  pul- 
pit in  1879.  Mr.  Cooley  was  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of  North- 
ern Iowa,  and  has  been  well  known  to  all  Methodists.  Mr.  Cooley 
was  an  enthusiastic  worker.     He  built  the  church   at  Plymouth, 


942  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNT¥. 

and  he  cleared  the  church   at  Nora  Springs  of  debt.     He  went 
from  here  to  ]\[aynard,  Fayette  County,   where  he  still  preaches. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  R.  Cameron,  came  here  in  the  fall 
of  1881,  from  Maynard,  exchanging  pulpits  with  Mr.  Cooley. 

The  first  Trustees  of  the  church,  elected  in  1870,  were  M.  H. 
Nickerson,  J.  J.  Gaylord,  F.  L.  Benedict,  Jerry  Parmalee  and 
James  Wyatt.  The  parsonage  was  built  about  the  same  time,  at 
a  cost  of  $600,  besides  the  lots.  This  was  sold  in  1877,  to  assist 
in  the  payment  of  the  church  debt. 

The  society  met  in  Union  Hall,  previous  to  the  building  of  the 
church. 

The  present  Trustees  of  the  church  are:  James  "Wyatt,  G.  W. 
Adron,  J.  M.  Sheets,  F.  L.  Benedict,  T.  J.  Smith,  O.  R.  Shaw, 
and  J.  H.  Morey. 

The  church  hris  a  membership  of  forty,  and  the  Sunday-school, 
of  which  L.  Richie  is  Superintendent,  about  the  same  number. 

The  Book  Grove  Baptist  Church  was  organized  at  Rock  Grove 
City  in  the  latter  part  of  1854.  Among  the  more  prominent  of 
the  first  members  were  the  following:  John  Hunt  and  wife,  B. 
M.  Lyon  and  wife,  Deacon  jSTicholas  Fleenor  and  wife,  and  Rev. 
Daniel  B.  Mead  and  wife.  The  first  Deacons  were  John  Hunt  and 
Nicholas  Fleenor.  Rev.  Mr.  Mead  was  the  first'  pastor  of  the 
congregation,  and  he  remained  with  them  till  1865,  when  he  re 
moved  to  Newton,  Jasper  County.  There  he  preached  for  a  year, 
and  then,  for  the  sake  of  his  health,  he  purchased  a  little  farm, 
which  he  worked  until  about  1877,  when  he  returned  to  Nora 
Springs,  his  present  home.  Mr.  Mead  was  well  liked  by  all  who 
heard  him  preach,  and  enjoys  the  honor  of  being  one  of  the  pio- 
neer preachers  of  Northern  Iowa.  He  was  followed  in  the  Nora 
Springs  pulpit  by  Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  Rev.  Mr.  Zimmerman,  Rev. 
Mr.  Freeman,  Rev.  Mr.  Sherman,  Rev.  Mr.  T.  H.  Judson,  Rev. 
Mr.  Abbott  and  Rev.  Mr.  Lamkin.  The  last-named  preached 
in  1877-'8,  and  Rev.  T.  L.  Hunter  followed  him  for  about  one  year. 
Rev.  T.  H.  Judson  was  next  invited  to  fill  the  pulpit,  and  he  re- 
mained until  the  following  spring,  when  Rev.  L.  W.  Atkins  came 
to  Nora  Springs.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.-  G.  G.  Daugherty, 
came  in  July,  1882.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Alton  Theological 
School. 

The  church  building  was  erected  in  1868,  at  Rock  Grove  City, 
and  moved  to  Nora  Springs  in  the  summer  of  1880,  The  present 
membership  of  the  church  is  about  fifty- five.     The  Sunday-school, 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  943 

under  the  superintendencj  of  A.  S.  Wright,  has  an  average  attend- 
ance of  about  eighty. 

The  Church  of  Christ.— About  the  first  of  April,  1871,  Miles 
Knapp  and  wife  received  information  that  Rev.  Melvin  Nichols  was 
preaching  the  doctrines  of  Alexander  Campbell  at  Osage,  Mitchell 
Connty.  They  went  through  eighteen  miles  of  rain  to  hear  him, 
and  were  so  pleased  that  they  urged  him  to  deliver  a  discourse  at 
Nora  Springs.  This  he  did  May  2,  and  his  sermon  was  the  first  of 
his  faith  preached  at  this  place.  Other  meetings  were  held  occa- 
sionally during  1871,  and  on  the  12th  of  January,  1872,  began  a 
series  of  meetings  which  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  society 
with  about  eighty  members. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Sweeney  was  engaged  to  preach  once  each  month, 
and  be  continued  for  some  six  months.  Rev.  J.  W.  Moore  preached 
every  two  weeks,  the  meetings  at  this  time  being  held  in  Union 
Hall.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  C.  W.  Sherwood,  who  preached 
continuously  one  year,  beginning  in  1875,  and  then  on  alternate 
Sundays  for  one  year.  For  the  next  year  the  society  had  only  occa- 
sional services,  and  then  Rev.  M.  S.  Johnson  was  invited  to  fi!l  the 
pulpit,  which  he  did  for  about  six  months  of  1877.  Since  then  the 
society  has  held  no  regular  services.  The  membership  is  now 
forty-five. 

The  Sunday-school  has  met  regularly  since  the  formation  of  the 
society,  and  is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Its  membership  is 
from  fifty  to  sixty. 

Their  church  was  completed  in  1873  at  a  cost  of  $3,000. 

The  first  Trustees  of  the  church  were  Miles  Knapp,  Joseph  An- 
keny  and  James  Hauxhurst.  The  present  Trustees  are  Miles  Knapp 
and  John  Grifiith. 

The  Congregational  Society  of  Nora  Springs  was  organized  in 
1874.  On  the  evening  of  Oct.  2  a  number  of  the  members  met 
at  Kidney's  Hall  to  form  the  society.  George  W.  Stonard,  Dea- 
con Fullerton  and  Dr.  S.  G.  Blythe  were  appointed  to  prepare 
a  constitution  and  by-laws.  This  work  was  duly  performed 
and  their  report  adopted  at  the  next  meeting.  The  first  members 
of  the  society  were:  George  W.  Stonard  and  wife,  S.  C  Chadbourne 
and  wife,  H.  L.  Benedict,  B.  H.  Britton  and  wife,  H.  B.  Shaw  and 
wife,  Mrs.  R.  E.  R  )binson,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Graham,  Mrs.  W.  M.  Brooks, 
Mrs.  Jackson  Gay  lord,  Deacon  Fullerton  and  wife.  Dr.  S.  G.  Blythe 
and  wife,  Clara  Chadbourne,  Piioebe  Chadbourne,  Y.  W.  Albee 
and  wife,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Spencer  and  W.  G.  Spencer.     Of  these  S,  C. 


944:  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Chadbourne  and  wife,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Graham,  Clara  Chadbourne, 
Phoebe  Chadbourne  and  Y.  W.  Albee  and  wife  have  taken  letters 
of  dismissal  and  removed  from  Nora  Springs.  The  present  mem- 
bers of  the  church  are  George  W.  Stonard  and  wife,  B.  H.  Britton 
and  wife,  H.  B.  Shaw  and  wife,  Mrs.  E,.  E.  Robinson,  Mrs.  W.  M. 
Brooks,  Deacon  Fnllerton  and  wife,  Mrs.  Dr.  S.  G.  Blythe  and 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Spencer.  The  officers  elected  at  the  time  of  the  adop- 
tion of  the  constitution  and  by-laws  were  as  follows:  Clerk,  R.  E. 
Robinson;  Treasurer,  B.  H.  Britton;  Trustees,  George  W.  Ston- 
ard, S.  C.  Chadbourne  and  W.  L.  Benedict. 

The  Congregationalists  have  no  church  building,  and  have  no 
regnlar  services  at  the  present  time. 

The  Qerman  Evangelical  Association  was  organized  in  March, 
1 872,  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Spotts,  about  three  miles  west  of  Nora 
Springs.  The  first  members  numbered  twenty-six.  The  first  pastors 
of  the  society  were  Revs.  George  Youngblood  andF.  Schulsky.  They 
were  followed  by  Rev.  Mathew  Knoll  in  1874.  He  was  here  two 
years,  and  it  was  during  his  pastorate  that  the  parsonage  was  built. 
He  was  followed  in  1875  by  Revs.  F.  Metfessel  and  O.  Beck,  the 
former  of  whom  remained  two  years  and  the  latter  one  year. 

July  13,  1877,  during  Mr.  Metfessel's  pastorate,  the  society 
having  previously  bought  the  old  Baptist  cliurch,  the  Trustees 
decided  to  rebuild  it  and  fit  it  up  for  use.  They  had  paid  $600  for 
the  church,  and  now  they  expended  enough  on  refitting,  etc.,  to 
make  the  total  cost  about  $1,000.  The  church  building  is  now 
about  40  X  20. 

"Mr.  Metfessel  was  succeeded  in  the  pulpit  of  this  church  by  Rev. 
E.  H.  Bippert.  He  remained  two  years,  and  it  was  during  his  pas- 
torate that  most  of  the  work  on  the  church  was  done.  He  left  in 
1879,  going  to  Hardin  County.  He  is  at  present  in  Plymouth 
County.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  William  Jonas,  of  Hardin 
County.  He  was  here  one  year,  when  he  went  to  Cresco.Rev.  F.  R. 
Erase  was  next  invited  to  the  pulpit  in  the  spring  of  1880,  and 
accepting  the  call,  he  remained  with  the  congregation  two  years. 
The  present  pastor.  Rev.  Otto  Gerhardt,  was  called  to  the  pulpit  of 
this  church  in  this  month  of  February,  1882. 

The  association  has  at  present  a  membership  of  about  seventy. 
The  present  Trustees  are:  John  Haasis,  Peter  Ste^l,  C.  F.  Ladwig, 
John  Kraus  and  Fred  Briem.  The  Sunday-school  has  an  attend- 
ance of  about  forty. 


ROCK  GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  945 

The  parsonage  was  enlarged  in  the  summer  of  1882  by  the  addi- 
tion of  awing.     It  is  situated  just  east  of  the  church. 

Oerman  Branch  of  the  M.  E.  Church. — This  society  was  organ- 
ized in  1870.  The  tirst  members  belonged  previously  to  the  Flood 
Creek  Circuit,  and  were  as  follows:  Conrad  Krug,  Anna  L.  Krug, 
Christian  Berlin,  Sophia  Berlin,  Edward  Pribbenow,  Maria  Fribbe- 
now,  Herman  Krueger,  Christian  Weitze  and  Johanne  Weitze.  All 
these  were  received  into  the  membership  of  the  new  organization 
Sept.  26,  1870. 

Thelirst  pastor  of  this  congregation  was  Rev.  Wilhelm  Koerner, 
who  began  his  duties  Sept.  26,  1870.  He  came  directly  from  New- 
burg,  Mitchell  County,  but  had  previously  lived  in  Ulster  Town- 
ship. This  was  Mr.  Koerner's  first  charge,  but  by  faithful  devotion 
to  the  interests  of  his  congregation  he  became  well  liked  by  all. 
He  remained  two  years,  and  was  then  followed  by  Rev.  Gottlieb 
Haefner,  who  came  from  Giard,  Clayton  County.  Mr.  Haefner 
was  also  two  years  in  this  pulpit,  and  preached  his  last  sermon 
Oct.  4,  1874.  Mr.  Haefner  was  a  faithful  worker  for  the  church, 
though  this  was  his  first  pastorate.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Christian  Gebhard,  who  came  from  Minnesota.  Mr.  Gebhard  was 
at  Nora  Springs  three  years,  and  was  then  followed  by  Rev.  August 
Ivrienke,  from  Spencer,  la.  He  served  this  congregation  two  years, 
and  then  left  for  Fort  Dodge.  He  is  now  at  Clear  Water.  Rev. 
Philip  Hummel  was  next  invited  to  the  pulpit,  and  he  is  the  present 
pastor.  He  came  here  from  Traer,  Tama  County,  and  is  now  nearly 
finishing  his  third  year  at  Nora  Springs. 

The  first  Trustees  of  the  church  were:  J.  C.  Ell,  Philip  Guetz, 
Christian  Ladwig,  Christian  Berlin  and  John  Kraus.  Conrad  Krug 
and  Edward  Pribbenow  were  chosen  members  of  the  board  July 
26,  1873.  In  1875  the  board  consisted  of  Edward  Pribbenow, 
Christian  Berlin,  Conrad  Krug,  Solomon  Tuerk,  Carl  Meier  and 
Henry  Weitze.  The  present  Trustees  are:  Edward  Pribbenow, 
Christian  Berlin,  Conrad  Krug,  Charles  Meier  and  Henry  Weitze. 

The  present  membership  of  the  society  is  about  fifty,  and  there 
are  also  ten  probationers.  The  Sunday-school  contains  about  thirty- 
five  members.  The  congregation  has  no  church  edifice,  and  holds 
services  in  the  English  church.  They  meet  in  the  afternoon,  while 
the  English  congregation  meets  in  the  morning  and  evening.  The 
two  Sunday-schools  meet  one  after  the  other. 


946  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

SOCIETIES. 

Rock  Lodge^  No.  294,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  Oct.  18, 
1870,  by  O.  Humiston,  of  Plymouth.  The  lodge  started  with  a 
membership  of  nine,  as  follows:  Z.  C.  Trask,  E,  "W.  McNitt,  J.  A. 
Hewitt,  J.  Coykendall,  Samuel  Means,  A.  J.  Brundage,  D.  C. 
Wiekersham,  J.  A.  Wilson  and  Conrad  Goeler.  The  officers  elected 
at  this  first  meeting  were  as  follows:  Z.  C.  Trask,  Master;  E. 
W.  McNitt,  S.  W. ;  J.  A.  Hewitt,  J.  W. ;  D.  C.  Wickersham,  S. 
D.;  J.  A.  Wilson,  J.  D.;  C.  M.  Allen,  Tyler;  Samuel  Means,  Sec- 
retary. The  office  of  Master  Mason  has  been  held  successively  by 
Z.  C.  Trask,  E.  W.  McNitt,  H.  L.  Benedict,  F.  M.  Hubbard  and 
A.  J.  Brundage.  The  present  membership  is  fifty-eight,  and  the 
lodge  is  in  sound  condition,  financially  and  otherwise.  The  pres- 
ent officers  are  as  follows:  A.  J.  Brundage,  W.  M. ;  0.  W.  Weeks, 
S.  W. ;  W.  W.  Miner,  J.  W.;  L.  A.  Snow,  Secretary  F.  H.  Gage, 
Treasurer;  G.  M.  Hubbard,  S.  D.;  Elmer  Loree,  J.  D. ;  W.  H. 
Baldwin,  Tyler;  A.  A.  Sullivan,  S.  S.;  L.  H.  Peilm,  J.  S.  The 
lodge  meets  the  Wednesday  evening  on  or  before  the  full  moon 
of  each  month. 

Granite  Bock  Zodge,  No.  200,  Z  0.  0.  F.^  was  instituted  Aug. 
5,  1870,  by  Past  Grand  B.  F.  Cheeney,  of  Charles  City,  a  member 
of  National  Lodge,  No.  165,  and  then  D.  D.  Grand  Master  of  the 
district  composed  of  Floyd  and  adjacent  counties.  The  charter 
members  were,  H.  A..  Parmalee,  F.  M.  Hubbard,  T.  E.  Bryan,  H. 
C.  Brock,  T.  B.  Hayes,  S.  R.  Hewett,  S.  B.  Elder  and  J.  W.  Shores, 
a  part  of  whom  were  initiated  for  the  purpose  of  chartering  this 
new  lodge  by  Pioneer  Lodge,  No.  194,  then  located  at  Rudd,  but 
afterward  it  was  removed  to  Rockford.  S.  G.  Blythe,  A.  J. 
Brundage  and  1.  S.  Brundage,  now  members  of  this  lodge,  were 
then  N.  G.,  Y.  G.,aad  Secretary  of  that  lodge,  and  assisted  in  the 
initiation  of  these  candidates.  W.  H.  Gonser,  L.  D.  Kidder  and 
James  Arnold  were  initiated  on  the  night  of  institution.  A.  W. 
Burgess  joined  by  card. 

The  first  officers  of  the  lodge  were  as  follows:  H.  A.  Parmalee, 
N.  G.;  T.  E.  Bryan,  Y.  G.;  W.  W.  Blood,  R.  S.;  F.  M.  Hubbard, 
Treasurer;  T.  B.  Hayes,  P.  S. 

From  the  time  of  its  institution  until  the  present  time,  the  lodge 
has  passed  through  some  dark  days  common  to  most  all  lodges  in 
a  new  country,  but  the  principal  part  of  its  life  has  been  prosper- 
ous.    Twice  during  this  time  there  were  serious  thoughts  in  the 


'^^ 


-yM: 


?        ^1 


THE  NEW  YORK 
IPUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR.  LENOX  AND 
JTiLDEN  FOUMDAnowsl 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  949 

minds  of  the  brothers  of  surrendering  their  charter.  At  one  time 
there  was  a  motion  before  the  lodge  for^that  purpose,  but  it  was 
not  carried.  This  motion  awoke  the  members  to  renewed  energy, 
and  thej  put  their  shoulder  to  the  wheel.  It  began  to  move  in 
earnest,  and  has  continued  so  to  do  ever  since. 

There  have  been  three  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters  appointed 
from  this  lodge:  H.  A.  Parmalee,  F.  M.  Hubbard  and  S.  G. 
Blythe,  the  present  District  Deputy.  Mr.  Blythe  is  also  the 
representative  elect  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Iowa. 

During  the  twelve  years  of  its  existence,  its  books  show  that  150 
members  have  signed  the  roll;  of  these  there  are  now,  in  good 
standing,  seventy-two.  Its  sick  and  funeral  benefits  have  always 
been  paid  without  any  assessments,  and  its  financial  affairs  are  in 
good  condition.  In  connection  with  the  Masonic  lodge,  it  owns  the 
real  estate  on  which  the  lodge  now  stands.  The  lodge  is  now 
receiving  rent  instead  of  paying  it  out,  as  it  has  done  in  the  past. 

Of  the  eight  charter  members,  there  are  now  but  three  remain- 
ing: Messrs.  Hnijbard,  Parmalee  and  Bryan,  who  are  now  active 
members  and  all  Past  Grands;  the  others  have  all  removed  from 
the  place.  The  lodge  holds  its  regular  meetings,  on  Friday  even- 
ing of  each  week. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows:  J.  S.  Brundage,  N.  G.;  T. 
M.  Blythe,  Y.  G.;  J.  L.Wallace,  R.  S.;  S.  G.  Blythe,  Treasurer; 
Zina  Roberts,  P.  S.;  T.  E.  Bryan,  K  S.  to  N.  G.;  J.  A.  Hardman, 
L.  S.  to  K  G.;  Charles  Darling,  W.;  A.  W.  Burgess,  C;  O.  B. 
Allen,  R  S.  S.;  Fred  Ghering,  L.  S.  S. ;  L.  J.  Keys,  O.G.;  F.  M. 
Meade,  L  G.;  L.  L.  Benedict,  R  S.  to  Y.  G.;  F.  M.  Pardee,  L.  S. 
to  Y.  G. 

Surety  Lodge,  No.  184,.  J..  O.  U.  TF.,  was  organized  March  19, 
1879,  at  what  was  called  Good  Templars'  Hall,  by  P.  W.  Burr 
and  others  from  Charles  City.  The  lodge  started  with  a  member- 
ship of  twenty-eight,  and  elected  officers  as  follows:  D.  A.Wheeler, 
P.  M.  W.;  S.  G.  Blythe,  M.  W. ;  A.  J.  Brundage,  Foreman;  F. 
M.  Mead,  Overseer;  R  M.  Wilson,  Guide ;T.  M.  Blythe,  Recorder; 
A.  W.  Burgess,  Financier;  William  F.  Stewart,  Steward;  George 
A.  Heintzleinan,  L  W.;  William  J.  Stewart,  O.  W.;  Trustees,  C. 
H.  Johnson,  A.  J.  Brundage,  A.  B.  Tredway.  The  office  of  Master 
Workman  has  been  held  successively  by  S.  G.  Blythe,  D.  A. 
Wheeler,  F.  M.  Mead,  G.  A.  Heintzleman,  A.  W.  Burgess  and 
A.  B.  Tredway.  The  present  membership  of  the  lodge  is  thirty 
58 


950  HISTORY'  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

six;  and  the  present  officers,  elected  June  26,  1882,  are  as  followe: 
A.  W.  Burgess,  P.  M.  W. ;  A.  B.  Tredvvay,  M.  W. ;  T.  E.  Bryan, 
Foreman;  G.Miller,  Overseer;  T.  M.  Blythe,  Recorder;  W.  H. 
Gonser,  Financier;  W.  F.  Stewart,  Receiver;  S.  G.  Blythe,  Guide; 
J.  M.  Sheets,  I.  W.;  D.  A.  Wheeler,  O.  W.;  Trustee  to  Jan.  1, 
1884:,  A.  B.Tredway; Trustee  to  July  1,  1883,  S.  G.  Blythe;-  Trus- 
tee to  Jan.  1,  1883,  J.  M.  Sheets.  The  lodge  has  had  no  deaths 
since  organization.  It  meets  the  first  and  last  Mondays  of  each 
month  over  the  store  of  Burgess  &  Stone.  The  lodge  is  finan- 
cially sound,  and  has  good  prospects  for  an  increase  in  meniber- 
sliip  in  the  near  future.  Surety  'Lodge  has  the  honor  of  containing 
among  its  members  the  Grand  Medical  Examiner  for  Iowa — S. 
G.  Blythe. 

Hock  Gi'ove  Collegium^  V.  A.  S.,  was  organized  at  the  armory  of 
Company  K,  Sixth  Regiment  I.  N.  G.,  at  Nora  Springs,  on  the 
evening  of  Aug.  9,  1882.  Eleven  members  united  in  effecting  this 
organization.  The  charter  has  not  yet  been  received.  The  follow- 
ing officers  were  elected:  Rector,  S.  G.  Blythe;  Vice-Rector,  B. 
H.  Britton;  Chaplain. H.  B.  Shaw;  Scribe,  J.  L.  Wallace;  Quaestor, 
A.  B.  Tredway;  Usher,  Harry  H.  Britton;  Speculator,  R.  M.  Gish; 
Curators,  S.  G.  Blythe,  Horace  Gage  and  B.  H.  Britton.  The 
meetings  are  to  be  held  the  first  Saturday  of  each  month.  The 
purposes  of  the  organization  are  similar  to  those  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 
and  I.  L.  H. — mutual  insurance. 

Ifora  Chapter,  No.  55,  0.  E.  S.,  held  its  first  regular  coin- 
inunication  in  Union  Hall  July  14,  1874.  The  various  offices  were 
tilled  that  evening  by  members  of  the  order  from  Rockford.  The 
officers  regularly  elected  and  installed  this  evening  were  as  follows: 
Helen  Britton, W.  M.;  B.  H.  Britton,  W.  P.;  Katie  Birney,  A. 
M.;  Lydia  A.  Snow,  Con.;  Watie  M.  Kidney,  A.  C. ;  C.  C.  Birney, 
Sec;  H.  Gage, Treas. ;  Carrie  Britton,  Adah;  A.  Burlingame,  Ruth; 
Martha  Hemphill,  Esther;  Mrs.  Tyler  Blake,  Martha;  Mrs.  Brooks, 
Electa;  W.  Baldwin,  Warder;  J.  C.  Burlingame,  Sentinel.  It  was 
decided  to  hold  two  communications  per  month,  on  the  first  and 
third  Mondays.     This  rule  is  still  the  one  in  force. 

The  office  of  Worthy  Matron  has  beon  held  successively  by 
Helen  Britton,  Carrie  Britton,  Lydia  A.  Snow,  H.  C.  Birney, 
Abbie  Gardner,  Lydia  Snow. 

The  office  of  Secretary  has  been  filled  successively  by  C.  C.  Bir- 
ney, H.  A.  Britton,  M.  A,  Birney,  Matilda  Snow.  The  present 
officers  are  as  follows:  Lydia  Snow,  W.  M. ;  C.  C.   Birney,  W.  P.; 


ROCK  GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  961 

Nancy  Gage,  A.  M. ;  Matilda  Snow,  Sec. ;  Sarah  Oole,  Treas. ;  Abbie 
Gardner,  Con.;  II.  C.  Birnej.  A.  C.  The  present  membership  in 
good  standing  is  eighteen.  The  chapter  is  mider  the  jurisdiclioa 
of  the  Iowa  Grand  Chapter  of  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star,  which  was 
organized  at  Cedar  Rapids,  July  30,  1878,  under  a  call  from  Mrs. 
Jennie  E.  Mathews,  District  Deputy  for  Iowa. 

Nora  Lodge,  No.  86,  /.  O.  G.  T.,  received  its  charter  March  15, 
1876,  from  Elias  Jessup,  G.  W.  C.  T.,  and  David  Brant,  G.  W.  8. 
Tlie  charter  members  were  seventeen  in  number,  as  follows : 
Ladies,  B.  V.  Gaylord,  A.  Valiet,  A.  Geary,  Britton,  C.  Britton, 
Waterbury,  Watson,  Graham,  Davison  ;  Gentlemen,  II.  Britton, 
A.  Sweet,  O.  F.  Waterbury,  G.  Bushnell,  A.  C.  McNitt,  Fuller- 
ton,  Knapp  and  Parmalee.  The  following  were  installed  as  offi- 
cers for  the  first  term  :  Z.  C.  Trask,  W.  C.  T. ;  Mrs.  G.  Bushnell, 
W.  V.  T.;  B.  II.  Britton,  W.  Sec;  A.  McNitt,  W.  A.  S.;  G.  A. 
Ileintzleman,  W.  F.  S. ;  F.  B.  Harnish,  W.  Treas. ;  W.  F.  Gage, 
W.  M.;  H.  F.  Davison,  W.  O.  G.  The  lodge  met  regularly  for 
live  years  and  a  half,  and  ceased  to  meet  in  the  fall  of  1881.  The 
lodge  had  an  average  membership  of  about  forty,  and  at  one  time 
had  fully  eighty.     It  was  a  very  strong  society  in  its  day. 

Gardner'  Post,  No.  79,  Grand,  Army  of  the  Repuhlic,  was  insti- 
tuted July  13,  1882,  by  Chief  Mustering  Officer  Gen.  Horace  G. 
Wolfe,  of  Jessup,  la.  At  this  meeting  thirteen  comrades  signed 
the  roll,  which  numl^er  has  since  been  swelled  to  seventeen. 
There  is  a  prospect  of  a  still  larger  membership  ;  but  ultimately,  of 
course,  the  organization  will  become  weaker  and  weaker  in  num- 
bers, unlike  other  organizations,  for  one  by  one  the  boys  who 
wore  the  blue  are  answering  to  the  roll  call  ''beyond  the  river." 
The  society  is  an  honorable  one,  and  the  members  are  held 
together  by  peculiar  ties.  The  post  is  named  in  honor  of  George 
H.  Gardner,  formerly  of  Nora  Springs.  The  following  officers 
were  elected  :  S.  G.  Blythe,  Commander  ;  L.  R.  Funston,  Senior 
Vice-Commander  ;  L.  D.  Powers,  Junior  Vice-Commander  ;  T.  E. 
Bryan,  O.  D. ;  O.  P.  Waterbury,  O.  G. ;  C.  R.  Belauski,  Adjutant ; 
J.  C.  Chambers,  Quartermaster ;  L.  J.  Keyes,  Sentinel ;  C.  F. 
Greenman,  S.  M.  The  regular  meetings  of  the  post  are  on  the 
first  and  third  Tuesday  evenings  of  each  month. 

Company  K,  Sixth  Regiment,  I.  N  G. — This  company  ot 
militia  was  mustered  in  in  July,  1878,  with  about  forty  members  ;  it 
now  contains  nearly  fifty,  most  of  whom  are  in  Rock  Grove  Town- 
ship,    The  company  meets  regularly  for  drill  at  their  armory  in 


952  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Nora  Springs,  on  the  evenings  of  the  first  and  third  Thursdays 
of  each  month.  The  following  are  the  ofiicers  :  Leroy  A.  Snow, 
Captain  ;  C.  S.  Tredway,  First  Lieutenant  ;  Second  Lieutenant, 
W.  W.  Miner.  The  comjtany  have  uniforms,  and  uniforms  sup- 
plied by  the  State.  They  have  attended  encampments  as  follows  : 
Kegi mental,  at  Osage,  October,  1878  ;  Regimental,  at  Ciiarles 
City,  October,  1879;  Brigade,  at  Des  Moines,  October,  1881; 
Brigade,  at  Waterloo,  June  19-24,  18S2. 

li'ora  Springs  Cornet  Band. — A  band  was  organized  at  Nora 
Springs  in  1874,  under  the  leadership  of  Israel  Turner,  then  depot 
agent  at  Nora  Junction.  It  contained  about  nine  members,  and 
continued  in  existence  for  three  years.  It  had  the  reputation  of 
being  one  of  the  finest  cornet  bands  in  the  Northwest.  It  played 
at  the  Centennial  Celebration  at  Charles  City,  July  4,  1876,  and  a 
number  of  other  towns  in  Floyd  County  and  vicinity.  Since  this 
band  was  broken  up,  two  cornet  bands  have  been  organized,  both 
of  which  had  but  a  brief  existence. 

Hook  and  Ladder  Company. — ^The  Nora  Springs  Hook  and 
Ladder  Company  was  organized  in  1875,  and  continued  in  exist- 
ence about  two  years.  There  were  about  thirty  members  of  the 
company.  They  were  never  needed  for  actual  service  but  once, 
and  that  was  when  William  Workman's  barn  was  burned,  in  1876. 
At  this  time  the  whole  company  turned  out  promptly,  but  they 
were  unable  to  do  much  toward  saving  the  barn.  The  town 
authorities  purchased  a  wagon  and  several  good  ladders  for  the 
company,  which  drilled  regularly  once  a  month  until  it  was  dis- 
banded, not  receiving  sufiicient  encouragement  from  the  citizens. 
The  last  officers  were  V.  W.  Albee,  Foreman;  W.  R.  Poulton,  Ist. 
Assistant;  O.  B.  Allen,  2d  Assistant;  F.  M.  Mead,  Secretary;  L. 
A.  Snow,  Treasurer. 

BIOGKAPHIOAL. 

Mien  Adams  was  born  in  Mercer  County,  Penn.,  Nov.  26,  1843. 
He  resided  on  a  farm  till  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  when  he 
^learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1861, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1862  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Eighteenth  Iowa 
Infantry;  was  transferred  to  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  in  the  fall  of 
1862;  went  in  as  a  private,  was  promoted  to  Sergeant,  and  during 
the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  June  17,  was  mustered  in  as  Second 
Lieutenant,  which  he  held  till  the  close  of  the  war.  When  his 
time  expired  he  was  tendered  the  commission  of  Captain  in  order 


ROUK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  953 

to  keep  tlie  company  together  till  the  balance  of  the  regiment's 
time  was  out  and  they  discharged,  but  declined.  He  was  in  the 
battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills,  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Span- 
ish Fort,  Fort  Blakely,  and  others.  He  was  on  detached  service 
during  the  charge  at  Black  River  Bridge.  Took  part  in  the  charge 
on  Yicksburg  and  saw  Colonel  Dunlap  killc'l.  He  was  married  in 
1868  to  Mary  S.  Kilborn,  who  was  born  in  18^2.  Her  ftither,  E.  B. 
Kilborn,  was  born  in  New  York  Stato*  in  1807,  and  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1881,  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  Her  mother,  Mary  (Fitch) 
Kilborn,  was  born  in  1810  and  died  in  1861.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams 
have  two  children — Mertie  L.  and  Gracie  Belle.  He  owns  ninety- 
three  acres  on  section  IT,  Rock  Grove  Township,  and  is  engaged 
in  both  farming  and  stock-raising. 

John  R.  Adams,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  9,  Rock  Grove 
Township,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  March  19,  1824.  He 
is  a  son  of  John  Adams,  of  the  same  county.  His  Grandfather 
Adams  was  a  native  of  Germany.  John  R.  moved  to  Knox  County, 
Ohio,  with  his  parents  in  1836,  where  his  father  died  in  1876. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  1865  and  settled  on  wild  prairie  land; 
hauled  lumber  from  Cedar  Falls  to  build  his  house  and  took  all 
his  wheat  there  and  sold  it  for  forty  cents  a  bushel.  He  owns 
1,900  acres,  all  under  cultivation.  He  is  no  office  seeker.  He  was 
married  in  Gnadenhutten,  Ohio,  April  6,  1860,  to  Ellen  Miksch,  a 
native  of  New  Philadelphia,  Ohio.  They  have  live  children — llo, 
Rankin,  Asa,  Clara  and  Ida. 

Gyrus  M.  Allen  (deceased)  was  born  in  Scipio,  Caynga  Conntv, 
N.  Y.,  May  4,  1822,  and  in  1833  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ber- 
rien, Mich.,  and  subsequently  to  Chicago.  He  was  married  in  the 
latter  place,  in  1850,  to  Lucy  J.  Judson,  daughter  of  Henry  Jud- 
8on  (deceased).  She  was  born  in  Huntinsjton,  Crittenden  County, 
Yt.  Seven  children  blessed  their  union,  viz.:  Lucia,  Oscar  B., 
Alonzo,  Carrie,  Cyrus,  Walter  and  Bertie.  In  1856  Mr.  Allen 
became  a  resident  of  Nora  Springs,  wliere,  in  company  with  John 
AVest,  he  owned  and  operated  a  saw-mill  a  number  of  years.  He 
afterward  worked  at  the  Idacksmith's  trade.  He  died  Feb.  11,  1874, 
and  sorrow  fell  upon  many  hearts  when  to  the  list  of  the  dead 
was  added  the  name  of  this  honest  and  upright  man.  lie  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  as  was  his  wife, 
who  afterward  became  the  wife  of  Elder  D.  B.  Mead,  a  Ba])tist 
minister. 


964  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Oscar  B.  Allen^  an  enterprising  young  business  man  of  Nora 
Springs,  is  a  native  of  Cook  County,  111.,  born  July  1,  J855,  a  son 
of  Cyrus  M.  Allen  (deceased),  whose  sketch  appears  in  this  work. 
He  came  with  his  parents  to  JSTora  Springs  in  1856,  and  was  here 
reared  and  educated.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  harness- 
maker's  trade  under  G.  W.  Hall,  and  is  still  in  his  employ.  He 
went  to  Dakota  Territory  in  1878,  and  was  bookkeeper  for  the 
contractors  who  were  building  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St. 
Paul  Railroad  and  division,  for  some  months.  He  returned  to 
Nora  Springs,  and  has  since  resided  here.  He  is  Secretary  of  the 
City  School  Board,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Old  Settlers' 
Association  for  the  past  four  years.  He  is  a  prominent  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O'.  F.  fraternity. 

Jacob  Ankeny^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  4,  Rock  Grove 
Township,  was  born  in  "Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  Aug.  25, 
1822.  His  father,  George  Ankeny,  of  Westmoreland  County, 
moved  to  Knox  County,  Ohio,  in  1830.  Jacob  came  to  this  county 
in  1855.  where  he  owns  120  acres  of  fine  land.  He  was  Town- 
ship Trustee  at  an  early  day,  and  at  that  time  built  the  first  bridge 
across  Flood  Creek.  He  was  married  in  Knox  County,  O.,  to 
Susannah  Adams.  They  have  had  thirteen  children — Mary  (de- 
ceased), Olive,  Rebecca  and  Elizabeth,  born  in  Ohio;  Thomas  J., 
Wallie  F.,  Joseph  L.,  Normandy,  James  P.  and  four  deceased, 
born  in  this  county.  Two  daughters,  Elizabeth  and  Rebecca,  are 
prominent  teachers  in  this  county.  When  Mr.  Ankeny  settled 
here,  there  were  very  few  families  in  the  township,  and  it  was  a 
wild  prairie. 

George  Apel,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  23,  Rock  Grove 
Township,  was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany,  March  22,  1846.  His 
father,  George  Apel,  was  also  a  native  of  German}'.  George,  Jr., 
came  to  America,  and  to  Osage,  Iowa,  in  1860.  He  enlisted  in  the 
late  war  in  Company  K,  Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry,  and 
served  three  years,  being  in  the  battles  of  Little  Rock,  Nashville, 
Spanish  Fort,  Tupelo,  and  many  others.  He  came  to  Floyd 
County  in  1874,  where  he  owns  160  acres  of  fine  land.  He  was 
married  in  1868  to  Katie  Lohn,  and  has  three  children — Conrad 
G.,  Anna  C,  and  Willie  F.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

Ahner  A.  Bahcock,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  16,  Rock 
Grove  Township,  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  July  22,  1822,  is 
a  son  of  Sanford  Babcock,  also  a  native  of  New  York  State.     His 


KOCK  GKOVE  TOWNSHIP.  956 

early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm,  and  his  education  was  received  in 
the  common  schools  of  New  York.  In  April,  1863,  he  came  to 
this  county  and  bought  land,  and  the  following  fall  moved  his  fam- 
ily here.  He  owns  170  acres  and  a  half  interest  in  120  acres  of 
line  land.  He  was  married  Sept.  19,  1852,  to  Nancy,  daughter  of 
JS'icholas  Qaackenbus.  They  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  five 
living — Amos  M.,  Isaac  T.,  Ira  J.,  George  L.,  and  Estella.  He 
has  served  his  county  as  Supervisor  and  his  township  as  Clerk  and 
Assessor. 

Isaac  T.  Babcock.  son  of  the  above,  was  born  in  Otsego  Countr. 
N.  Y.,  April  26,  1858.  He  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents 
in  1863,  and  has  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  this  place, 
residing  on  the  farm  with  his  parents.  He  was  married  Feb.  7, 
1882,  to  Ella  Baker,  a  daughter  of  George  A.  Baker,  who  came 
to  this  county  in  1870.  Isaac  T.  resides  on  section  14,  where 
he  owns  120  acres  of  land  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising. 

George  A.  Baker ^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  15,  was  born 
in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  May  18,  1833,  a  son  of  William  Baker,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  who  was  brought  to  Knox  County,  Ohio, 
in  1812,  when  one  year  old.  Geo.  A.  grew  up  on  the  same  farm 
as  his  father;  was  educated  in  a  subscription  school,  the  first  one 
he  attended  being  held  in  the  loft  or  attic  of  an  old  log  milk- 
house.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1870  and  now  owns  192  acres 
of  finely  cultivated  land.  He  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1854  to 
Mary  Robison.  They  have  eight  children — William  W.,  John  B., 
Ella,  Clifibrd  M.,  Jacob  H.,  Sarah,  Louis  and  Walter. 

Francis  L.  Benedict  was  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y., 
Oct.  11,  1825;  a  son  of  Lewis  Benedict,  a  native  of  Connecticut, 
and  Lydia  (Packard)  Benedict,  a  native  of  New  York.  Both  are 
living;  the  fatiier  eighty-three  and  the  mother  eighty-one  years  of 
age.  Francis  L.  was  educated  in  Chagrin  Falls,  Ohio,  where  he 
went  with  his  parents  when  a  small  boy.  In  1852  he  came  to  Linn 
County,  la.,  and  in  1856  to  this  county,  where  he  owns  200  acrcf 
on  section  18,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He 
was  married  March  21,  1848,  to  Abigail  Snow,  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts. They  have  seven  children,  five  living — James  L.,  Ly- 
man L.,  Elmer  A.,  Harrison  ^nd  Bertie.  He  has  been  Township 
Trustee  and  School  Director  several  years;  County  Supervisor  one 
year,  and  was  Postmaster  two  years. 


956  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Henry  L.  Benedict  was  born  in  Coventry,  Chenango  County,  N. 
Y.,  Nov.  1,  1834.  His  father,  Lewis  Benedict,  a  native  ot  Con- 
necticut, moved  to  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio,  in  1836,  and  in  1846 
to  Dodge  County,  Wis.  Henry  L.  was  educated  in  Ohio  and  Wis- 
consin. He  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1867  and  settled  on 
section  11,  where  he  owns  160  acres  of  fine  land  and  eighteen 
acres  of  timber.  He  is  both  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was 
married  in  1855  to  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Martin  L.  Blair.  They 
have  had  four  children,  three  living — Sumner  A.,  Charles  F.,  and 
Lettie  S.  Marsha  E.  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years.  He  is 
Township  Trustee  and  Justice  of  the  Peace;  is  a  member  of  the 
A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

Smith  G.  Blythe,  M.  D.^  Nora  Springs,  was  born  in  Middlesex 
County,  N.  J.,  Nov.  6,  1841,  and  was  one  of  a  family  of  nine 
children.  His  father,  Joseph  M.  Blythe,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  a  minister  in  the  Presbyterian  faith.  In  1856  he  was  placed 
in  charge  of  a  pastorate  at  Yincennes,  Ind.,  where  Smith  remained 
one  year,  then  returned  to  the  East,  and  entered  Lafayette  College 
at  Easton,  Pa,,  from  which  he  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1860. 
He  took  charge  of  a  classical  academy  at  Belvidere,  N.  J.,  in  the 
following  fall,  and  began  reading  medicine.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  to  enlist  in  the  late  Rebellion,  becoming  a  member  of  Company 
D,  First  Regiment  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  and  in  a  month  after 
enlistment  was  made  Commissary  Sergeant.  In  February,  1862, 
he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  A, 
and  at  the  battle  of  South  Mountain  was  made  First  Lieutenant  of 
Company  F,  and  in  November  of  1862,  was  promoted  to  the  Cap- 
taincy. He  was  wounded  four  times,  and  so  severely  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness  that  he  was  mustered  out  for  physical  disability 
on  June  24, 1864.  Upon  leaving  the  service  he  taught  school  at 
Hopewell,  Ind.,  some  time,  and  in  the  meanwhile  continued  the 
study  of  medicine.  He  attended  the  Ohio  State  Medical  College 
at  Cincinnati,  during  the  sessions  of  1866-'67,  and  located  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  in  the  spring  of  1867,  at  Vinton,  la. 
He  successfully  practiced  there  until  December,  1869,  when  he 
moved  to  Rudd,  Floyd  County;  thence,  in  January,  1873,  to  Nora 
Springs.  He  graduated  from  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College 
of  New  York  City,  in  1878,  and  sinefe  his  residence  here  has  built 
up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  being  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leaders  of  the  medical  profession  in  the  State.  Dr.  Blythe  was 
married  July  8,  1863,  to  Miss  Emily  G.  Sharp,  daughter  of  Judge 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  957 

AVm.  R.  Sharp,  of  New  Jersey.  Of  nine  children  born  of  this 
union  three  survive — Emily  M.,  Hannah  L.,  and  Redford  Y.  The 
deceased  were — Ellen  H.,  William  S.,  Jessie  C,  Elizabeth  G.,  Jean 
M.,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Dr.  Blythe  was  the  Presidential 
Elector  for  the  Fourth  Congressional  District  in  1880,  and  has  effi- 
ciently served  in  various  local  offices.  He  is  on  the  Governor's 
staff  as  Surgeon  General,  with  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General  of  the 
Iowa  National  Guards.  His  mother,  Ellen  Henrietta  (Green) 
Blythe,  was  a  sister  of  the  Hon.  Chief  Justice  Green,  of  New  Jersey. 

Alvaro  W.  Burgess  is  a  native  of  Mukwanago,  Waukesha  County, 
Wis.,  born  Sept.  20,  1846,  a  son  of  Alvaro  Burgess,  Sr.,  who  died 
in  Beaver  Dam,  Wis.,  in  1864,  whither  he  had  moved  with  bis 
family  in  1848.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  the  youngest  of 
a  family  of  ten  children,  and  he  came  to  Nora  Springs  from  Beaver 
Dam  in  1869  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  pumps.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1871,  he  married  Miss  Marion  E.  Gay  lord,  oldest  daughter  of 
W.  P.  Gaylord.  On  the  29th  day  of  September,  1872,  after  an 
illness  of  two  days,  she  died.  In  April,  1874,  he  married  Miss 
Lentie  Paddleford,  second  daughter  of  Charles  Paddleford.  They 
have  two  children — Dale  and  Ruth.  Mr.  Burgess  is  now  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  at  Nora  Springs  with  Mr.  A.  Stone. 
They  carry  a  $7,000  stock  of  goods,  and  their  annual  sales  amount 
to  $30,000.  They  are  popular  merchants,  and  are  recognized  as 
men  of  irreproachable  business  iiitegrity.  In  politics  Mr.  Burgess's 
sympathies  are  with  the  Republican  party.     In  religion,  a  Baptist. 

Thomas  Edwin  Bryan,  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of 
Nora  Springs,  is  a  native  of  Nobles  County,  O.,  born  Dec.  3,  1843. 
His  father,  Cornelius  Bryan,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  O.,  in  1810. 
The  sul)ject  of  this  memoir  came  to  Nora  Springs,  la.,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1869,  from  Delaware  County,  la.  He  enlisted  during  the  war  of 
the  great  Rebellion  in  Company  K,  Twenty-first  Regiment  Iowa 
Volunteers  Infantry,  and  remained  in  the  service  three  years- 
He  married  Miss  Carrie  Nichols,  who  died  after  a  long  and  painful 
illness  on  Feb.  13,  1875.  He  was  married  Jan.  23,  1878,  to  Harriet 
A.,  daughter  of  Hon.  W.  P.  Gaylord.  They  have  one  child,  a 
daughter — Beulah.  In  company  witii  J.  J.  Gaylord,  Mr.  Bryan  is 
conducting  a  store  of  general  merchandise  at  Nora  Springs  under 
the  fiirm  name  of  Gaylord  &  Bryan.  He  is  an  accomplished 
businessman,  an  active  salesman  and  a  good  accountant.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  Nora  Springs 
in  January,  1879,  and  still  retains  the  office.     He  is  a  prominent 


968  HISTORY  OF    FLOYD  COUNTY. 

member  of  the  I.  O.  O  F.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.   fraternities,  ]Sora 
Springs. 

Henry  H.  Cott  is  a  native  of  New  York  State,  born  in  1839.  He, 
with  his  parents,  moved  to  Wisconsin  in  1852  and  came  to  Nora 
Springs  in  1872,  starting  the  first  paper  ever  printed  in  the  town. 
With  a  disposition  that  cannot  endure  inaction,  he  gathered  a 
slight  knowledge  of  printing  while  spending  the  winter  of  1863-'4 
in  Flint,  Mich. ;  at  that  time  he  was  working  by  day  in  a  furniture 
manufactory,  and  becoming  acquainted  with  the  "  boys  "  of  the 
Wolverine  Citizen^  he  passed  the  evenings  in  their  company  at 
the  printing  office,  without  the  slightest  idea  that  printing  was 
ever  destined  to  become  his  regular  business.  In  the  spring  o* 
1864  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  engac(ing  in  the  grocery  business, 
and  printing  a  three-column  amateur  paper  started  by  other  parties. 
From  this  small  beginning  and  from  love  of  the  work  grew  out  a 
job  office,  and  a  newspaper  became  a  natural  consequence.  Mr. 
Cott  is  by  right  the  senior  editor  of  Floyd  County,  having  been 
continuously  in  business  for  a  longer  period  than  others  of  the 
profession. 

Charles  Darling,  son  of  Calvin  Darling,  of  Vermont,  was  born 
in  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.,  May  19,  1840.  In  1855  he  went  to  Por- 
tage County,  Wis.,  with  his  parents,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm 
in  connection  with  his  trade,  that  of  carpenter,  which  he  learned 
when  a  boy,  till  the  fall  of  1868,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County. 
He  is  living  on  section  21,  Rock  Grove  Township,  and  is  both 
farming  and  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  was  married 
Sept.  21,  1862,  to  Maria  Post,  a  native  of  New  York  State.  They 
are  the  parents  of  four  children,  three  living — Adda  E.,  Francis 
L.,  and  Annie  L.  Milton  L.  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Mr. 
Darling  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  has  been  Town- 
ship Trustee  several  years,  and  School  Director.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  G.  A.  R.  During  the  war  be  served  in 
Company  F,  Fifth  Wisconsin  Infantry,  one  year. 

Ira  R.  Dean^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Foxcroft, 
Piscataquis  County,  Me.,  Nov.  8,  1831,  and  is  a  son  of  Ira  Dean, 
a  native  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received 
a  common-school  education.  He  went  with  his  parents  to  DeKalb 
County,  111.,  in  1844,  and  in  1854  came  to  this  township.  He  resides 
on  section  14,  where  he  owns  eighty  acres.  He  was  married  Sept.  27, 
1857,  to  Mary  A.,  a  daughter  of  Adam  Cline.  They  are  the  parents 


ROOK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  959 

of  six  children,  live  living — Henry  G.,  Dorcas  M.,  Sarah  A.,  Char- 
lotte M.  and  Luna  E.     He  has  served  as  Constable  two  terms. 

William  Dean^f&rmer  and  stock- raiser,  Rock  Grove  Township, 
is  a  son  of  Ira  Dean,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  born  in 
Foxcroft,  Piscataquis  County,  Me.,  July  26,  1827,  where  he  received 
a  common-school  education.  He  came  West,  to  DeKalb  County, 
111.,  in  1844,  and  to  this  county  in  1853.  There  were  only  two 
houses  where  Charles  City  now  stands,  at  that  time,  one  being  a 
store  and  a  dwelling.  He  went  altout  sixty  miles,  to  Waverly  and 
Cedar  Falls,  to  mill,  built  his  lirst  house  of  logs,  making  the  floor- 
ing of  basswood  and  the  shingles  of  oak  with  an  ax  only;  fastened 
the  roof  on  with  weight  poles.  Took  his  wheat  to  McGregor,  a 
distance  of  100  miles,  and  sold  it  for  25  and  30  cents  per  bushel. 
He  was  married  July  4,  1856,  to  Harriet  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Gaylord.  They  had  one  child — William  J.,  born  May  7,  1858; 
died  May  25,  1858.  Mrs.  Dean  died  May  8,  1858.  Feb.  12, 1860, 
he  married  Adeline  Arthur,  who  died  Sept.  8,  1874.  July  4,  1875, 
he  married  Harriett  N.  Birdsell.  He  resides  «n  section  11,  and 
owns  370  acres  of  fine  land.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  Township 
Clerk,  Township  Trustee,  and  lias  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  several 
years.  Mr,  Dean  always  held  that  the  path  of  duty  was  the  only 
path  of  safety;  would  sooner  see  the  "heavens  fall"  than  swerve 
from  what  he  thought  to  be  right.  He  was  ever  particular  to  fulfill 
to  the  letter  every  promise,  even  to  the  least.  When  his  promise  was 
out  for  anything  it  was  always  sure.  Though  hard  up  for  money 
his  punctuality  enabled  him  to  get  any  money  that  was  not  in 
immediate  use  wherever  he  could  find  a  dollar. 

Nicholas  Fleenor^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  17,  Rock 
Grove  Township,  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Va.,  June  17, 
1811.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  Fleenor,  of  the  same  State,  Nicholas 
being  born  and  reared  on  the  same  farm  as  his  father  ;  attended  h 
subscription  school  in  a  log  cabin  ;  had  slab  benches  with  no  backs, 
puncheon  floor,  and  heated  by  a  tire  on  a  large  stone  at  one  end  of 
the  cabin,  the  smoke  going  out  of  a  hole  in  the  roof.  There  was 
a  slal)  on  pins  stuck  in  the  wall  for  a  writing  desk,  and  greased 
]iaper  pasted  over  a  crack  in  the  wall  for  a  window.  He  went  to 
Washington  County,  Ind.,  in  1834,  and  cleared  out  a  farm.  He 
came  to  this  township  in  1855,  moved  on  a  farm  here  in  1856. 
He  owns  150  acres,  and  has  deeded  eiglity  acres  to  his  sons.  He 
was  married  in  December,  1835,  to  Sarah  Kaylor.  They  had 
eleven  children,  seven   living  —  Robert,  John,  James,  Mary  J., 


960  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Martha  E.,  Nancy  C,  and  Luella.  Two  sons,  Isaac  M.  and  Geo. 
F.,  died  in  the  late  war.  Isaac*  M.  was  in  the  Twenty-eighth  Iowa 
Infantry,  and  Geo.  F.  was  in  the  Dubuque  Battery.  One  daughter, 
Mary,  died  after  she  was  married,  and  left  one  son. 

Enoch  F.  Forbes^  section  20,  Rock  Grove  Township,  was  born 
in  Black  Hawk  County,  la.,  June  2,  1853.  He  came  to  Floyd 
County  with  his  parents  in  April,  1865.  He  was  married  Nov.  25, 
1873,  to  Lora  E.  Henry,  born  in  this  township  May  24,1856,  and  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Julia  A.  (Workman)  Henry.  They  are  the 
parents  of  four  children,  three  living — Milton,  Wilson  and  Mary 
Maud.     Mr.  Forbes  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

JoTin  G.  ForheSy  a  native  of  New  York,  came  to  Iowa  in  1850, 
and  settled  in  Henry  County.  From  Henry  County  he  went  to 
Louisa,  from  Louisa  to  Black  Hawk,  from  Black  Hawk  to  Tama, 
and  from  Tama  to  Rock  Grove,  in  1865,  and  purchased  of  B.  M. 
Lyon  the  premises  near  Rock  Grove  City,  where  bis  widow  now 
resides.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Mathews.  In  February, 
1872,  he  died,  and  was  buried  at  Rock  Grove  Citv.  He  was  an 
industrious,  honest  farmer,  and  was  respected  by  all.  On  the 
premises  he  had  planted  a  fine  young  orchard,  which  is  now  pro- 
ducing its  fruits.  He  held  the  office  of  Trustee  and  School 
Director,  and  whatever  he  did  for  himself  or  the  public  was  well 
done.  His  children  were  —  Harriet,  now  dead  ;  Margaret  J.,  wife 
of  William  O.  Moore,  of  Indiana,  and  now  dead  ;  Thomas  J.,  now 
in  Kossuth  County,  la. ;  Joseph  W.,  now  in  Minnesota  ;  James  W., 
now  here  ;  Mary  E.,  wife  of  P.  J.  Smith,  of  Black  Hawk  County  ; 
Wilson  M.,  now  studying  for  the  legal  profession,  at  State  Uni- 
versity at  Iowa  City ;  E.  Fletcher,  now  here,  and  Isabella,  wife  of 
George  Brown,  Esq.,  of  tnis  place.  In  politics  a  Republican.  In 
religion  a  Methodist. 

H,  Gage,M.ayor  of  Nora  Springs,  was  born  in  Worcester  County, 
Mass.,  Feb.  20,  1822,  a  son  of  Nathan  Gage,  likewise  a  native  of 
the  Bay  State.  His  grandfather,  Silas  Gage,  emigrated  from  Scot- 
land to  America  when  a  mere  boy,  and  his  descendants  are  now 
among  the  prominent  respected  citizens  of  various  States.  The 
subject  of  this  memoir  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  his  educational 
advantages  were  those  of  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  four- 
teen he  became  self-supporting,  purchasing  a  stock  of  tinware,  which 
he  peddled  three  years,  then  ran  a  wholesale  cigar  and  confectionery 
wagon  three  years.  He  spent  two  years  as  collector  for  T.  New  & 
Co.,  stove  dealers,  in  Keene,  N.  H.,  and  in  1852  he  married  Nancy 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  '  961 

E.  Stone,  of  that  place.     Four  children  have  blessed  their  union, 
Henry  S.,  Warren  H.,  Frank  H.  and  Mary  E.     After  his  marriage, 
in  1854  Mr.  Gage  moved  to  Madison,    "Wis.,    thence  to    Stevens' 
Point  in  1856.     One  year  later  he  located  in  Howard  County,  la., 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  the  mercantile  and    stock   busi- 
ness until  the  fall  of  1867,   when  he  became  a  resident   of    Nora 
Springs.     He  has  been  instrumental  in  building  up  the  town,  and 
has  been  always  foremost  in  any  enterprise  that  promised  proufression 
to  her  interests.     He  always  takes  an  active  interest  in  educational 
matters  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  School  Board  for  six  years. 
He  has  served  acceptably  as  Mayor   for   the   past   five  years;    he 
helped  to  organize  the  Masonic  lodge  of  this  place,  and  is  also  a 
membei-of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternity.      During  the  first  years  of  his 
residence  here  Mr.  Gage  engaged   in   the  mercantile,   grain   and 
banking  business,  but  of  late  has  attended  to  the  management  of 
his  farms,  five  in  number,  and  loaning  his  money.     Though  coming 
to  this  country  in  limited  circumstances  he  has  by  an  indomitable 
will  and  determination  to  succeed  surmounted   all  ol)stacles,  and 
to-day    he    ranks   with  the    wealthy   and    influential  citizens    of 
Floyd  County. 

Jonathan  F.  Gates,  attorney,  Nora  Springs,  was  born  near 
Marietta,  Ohio,  Nov.  13,  1838.  He  went  with  his  parents  to  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.,  la  1843,  and  in  1817  to  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wis.  In 
1861  he  went  to  Independence,  la.,  and  from  there  direct  to  what  is 
now  Springfield,  D.  T.,  and  helped  lay  out  the  town;  returned  to 
Independence  in  1861.  In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  Feb.  16, 
1863,  on  account  of  disability.  His  education  was  limited  till 
after  the  war,  when  he  went  to  Lenox  Collegiate  Institute,  Hop- 
kinton,  la.,  during  1866  and  1867.  He  then  read  law  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  March,  1875.  He  practiced  in  Independence  a 
short  time;  served  five  years  as  Deputy  Sherift'  of  Buchanan  County, 
la.,  before  he  wa^  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  came  to  Nora  Springs 
in  the  fall  of  1875,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  col- 
lecting, notary  public,  real  estate  and  general  agent.  He  was 
married  April  10,  1869,  to  Mary  J.  Burrin<rton.  They  have  one 
adopted  child — Edna,  born  Apiil  14,  1873.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F. 

Edson  Gaylord,  born  in  Northville,  Litclifield  County,  Conn,, 
Oct.  16,  1826,  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Betsy  (Jackson)  Gaylord. 
His  paternal  grandfather,  Ager  Gaylord,  was  in  the  French  and 
Indian  wars,  and  distinguished  himself  by  killing  two  Frenchmen 


962  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

at  one  shot,  while  on  picket  duty.  The  Gaylords  are  noted  as  a 
long-lived  race,  several  of  his  ancestors  reaching  100,  and  one  the 
advanced  age  of  112  years.  His  mother  was  specially  noted  for  her 
fine  vocal  powers.  Edson  Gaylord  has  always  been  a  hard-work- 
ing man  commencing  at  the  early  age  of  six  years,  when  his  father 
hired  him  out  to  ride  a  horse  for  Elmer  Baldwin,  of  New  Milford, 
Conn.,  to  plow  a  steep  side-hill  full  of  stumps  and  stones.  He  was 
put  on  the  horse,  which  was  hitched  ahead  of  two  yoke  of  unbroken 
steers.  The  horse  pulled  one  way  and  the  steers  the  other.  The 
order  was  given  to  "lick  up,"  and  he  "licked  up,"  when  off  they 
started,  boy,  horse,  steers,  and,  lastly,  Yankee  Baldwin,  holding 
on  to  the  plow  with  a  death-like  grip.  He  started  as  soon  as  the 
sun  was  up  in  the  morning,  and  rode  all  day,  returning  just  as  it 
was  dark,  and  received  six  and  one-fourth  cents  a  day.  At  the  age 
of  nine  he  was  hired  out  to  work  on  a  farm  at  $6  per  month.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  he  went  to  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  to  teach 
school.  He  left  home  with  $7  in  money  and  one  plain  suit  of 
clothes.  After  traveling  three  days  he  reached  his  destination  with 
fifty  cents  left.  He  taught  the  school  three  successive  terms  and  re- 
turned to  Connecticut  with  $70,  paid  up  his  father's  small  debts 
and  commenced  going  to  school.  Three  weeks  later  he  was  sent 
for  from  a  back  country  school,  where  the  large  scholars  had  just 
dismissed  the  teacher  with  fearful  warnings  if  he  ever  dared  show 
himself  in  the  community  again  as  a  teacher.  After  many  warn- 
ings from  friends  and  much  persuasion  from  the  committee  he  con- 
cluded to  accept  the  position  which  he  tilled  with  perfect  satisfac- 
tion to  all  concerned  for  three  winters.  In  the  spring  of  1848  he 
engaged  to  work  for  Captain  John  Peters,  of  Woodville,  for  $1(30 
a  year,  pledging  himself  to  work  faithfully,  with  no  holidaj'.  This 
pledge  he  kept  to  the  letter,  losing  no  time  in  the  following  five 
years  he  did  not  make  up  by  working  nights.  He  taught  three 
terms  in  a  district  school  in  New  Jersey.  Up  to  the  time  he  was 
twenty-one  he  gave  all  his  wages  to  his  father,  reserving  only  suffi- 
cient to  clothe  himself  in  the  plainest  manner.  In  the  spring  of 
1853  the  five  brothers  were  in  council  together  and  agreed  that  one 
of  their  number  should  "  go  West,"  and  look  up,  and  secure  homes 
for  themselves  and  families.  This  lot  fell  to  Edson.  He  went  first 
to  Bristol,  Wis.,  where  he  had  cousins;  looked  over  the  Southern 
part  of  Wisconsin  and  the  Northern  part  of  Illinois,  down  as  far  as 
Quincy;  then  came  into  Iowa,  and  from  here  went  to  Minnesota; 
then  back  to  Bristol,  where  he  worked  through  harvest;  then  started 
once  more,  and,  finally,  after  coming  to  Rock  Grove  for  the  third 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  963 

time,  was  fully  convinced  that  it  was  the  most  lovely  spot,  and  pos- 
sessed more  natural  advantages  than  any  other  he  had  seen  in  all 
his  rambles.     Oct.  21,  1853,  he  cut  the  first  tree,  to  clear  up  the 
site  for  his  future  home  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  17.  He 
completely  tinished  a  house  18  x  24,  warm  and  comfortable,  witli- 
out  using  a  nail.     The  roof  was  of  split  stakes,  held  in  place  by 
heavy  poles.     Mr.  Gaylord  has  some  peculiarities  that  it  would  be 
well  if  more  ]>ossessed.     He  has  held  as  his  motto:  "Pay  as  yma 
go,"  owing  no  one,  and  never  gave  his  note  till  after  he  was  forty- 
five,  and  then  on  conditions.     Never  gave  written  security  to  any 
one.  In  religion  he  is  eclectic;  in  politics  is  independent;  always 
,  subscribes  liberally  to  all  church  and  public  enterprises,  especially 
snch  as  pertain  to  the  cause  of  education.     Pie  cut  the  first  tree  for 
a  school-house  in  Floyd  County,  getting  up  in  the  middle  of  the 
night  to  do  it.  Mr.  Gaylord  is  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability, 
as  his  work  has  shown.  He  cut  out  and  made  the  first  pioneer  road 
til  rough  Rock  Grove;   burned  the  first  lime  in  a  regular  kiln.     He 
made  and  supplied  almost  the  entire  country  with  lime  and  brick 
for  many  years,  having  for  this  business  over  forty -five  acres  of  very 
heavy  timber,  averaging  to  handle  the  wood  three  times  with  his 
hands.    He  deeded  most  of  the  land  where  Nora  Springs  now  stands 
from  the  Government.   He  built  one  of  the  most  substantial  houses 
in  Northern  Iowa,  using  for  the  purpose  100,000  brick  and  500 
bushels  of  lime;  has  dealt  with  many,  but  lawed  with  none,  always 
exemplifying  his  fixed  convictions,  that  every  person  should  secure 
their  own  needs  by  honest  toil.    He  was  for  some  years  a  corre- 
spondent of  the  New  York  Tribune.     Has  written  many  valuable 
papers  on  the  apple-tree. question  in  the  Northwest,  which  have 
been  republished  and  highly  complimented  by  leading  horticultur- 
ists of  the  Northwest.    He  never  aspired  to  anj^  public  office  which 
he  did  not  secure  by  heavy  majorities.     He  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Township  Trustees,  and  Chair- 
man of  the  City  School  Board  several  years  each.     Is  now  a  mem- 
ber of  the  two  latter,  and  also  Marshal  and  Street  Commissioner. 
He  was  married  July  22, 1862,  to  Helen  M.  Lamb,  of  Wayne,  Du- 
page County,  111.,  of  Scotch  parentage.     Their  first  born  was  a 
son — Wallace  E.,  born  July  22, 1863;  the  second,  a  daughter,  Myrta 
J.,  born  July  22,  1865,  died  Mar.  1,  1^69;   the  third,  a  daughter, 
Vienna,  born  Jan.  27,  1871. 

Jackson  Gaylord  was  born  in  the  village  of  Northville,  township 
of  New  Milford,  Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  on  Dec.  23,  1829.  He 
was  named  after  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Betsy  Jack- 


964  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  OOUNlTr. 

son.     He  is  a  descendant  of  brave  and  patriotic  ancestors,  many  of 
them  having  fought  bravely  in  the  defense  of  their  country's  honor, 
in  the  wars  which  occurred  in  their  lifetimes.     His  great-grand- 
father died  in  the  French  and  Indian  wars,  and  his  grandfather, 
Agur  Gaylord,  entered  the  array  at  the  age  of  16,  serving  through 
the  French  and  Indian  and  the  Revolutionary  wars.     On  one  occa- 
sion while  out  on  a  scouting  expedition,   he  saw  two  Frenchmen, 
who  had  taken  refage  behind  two  trees  which  had  commenced 
growing  together   and  widened  out  as  they  grew.     Mr,  Gaylord 
and  his  party  took  refuge  behind  a  stump,  standing  in  Indian  file, 
to  watch  the  proceedings  of  the  enemy.     The  Frenchmen  stepped 
together  to  prime  their  guns,  one  of  them  apparently  being  out  of 
powder.     Mr.  Gaylord  embraced  the  opportunity  to  make  sure  of 
his  men,  which  he  did  by  killing  both  at  one  shot.     Agur  Gaylord 
died  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-eight  years.     Samuel  Gaylord, 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  interesting  record,   was  born   Jan.  6, 
1776,  in  the  town  of  Norfolk,  Conn.,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
was  apprenticed  to  the  blacksmith's,  serving  seven  years.     He  was 
an  excellent  workman,  especially  excelling  in  the  manufacture  of 
edged  tools.     He  emigrated  to  Rock  Grove  Township  in  1855,  and 
resided  here  until  his  death.     He  secured  the  south  half  of  south- 
east quarter  of  section  1,  township  96,  range  19,  Portland  Township, 
Cerro-Gordo  County;    also  twenty-nine  acres  of  timber  on  section 
18,  lying  between  the  railroad  addition  to  Nora  Springs  and  the 
Shell  Rock  River,  on  a  part  of  which  the  M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.  Co. 
built  their  depot.     He  also  owned  blocks  13  and   14,  old  town, 
living  on  said  premises  several  years.     He  has  since  built  a  house 
on   lots    1  and  2,   block  10,  railroad  addition,   where  he  resides 
at    this  time.     He  was    married  on  the   8th  of  November,   1863, 
to  the  widow  Harriet  Yliet,  of  Tranquility,  Sussex  County,   N.  J. 
She  had  three  children — Eliza  and  Ira,  who  live  in  Jersey,  and 
Alice,  who  married  Robert  Wilson,  and  now  lives  in  Nora  Springs. 
His  wife,  Harriet,  died  of  consumption,  on  Dec.  2,  1877.     He  was 
again  married  Aug.  7,  1879,  to  the  widow  Elizabeth  Coppock,  a 
native  of  Stockport,  England,  and  sister  to  Israel   Turner,  depot 
agent  at  Nora  Junction.      She  had  one  son — W.  M.,  who  lives 
with  his  mother.     Jackson  has  no  children.     By  profession  he  is  a 
school-teacher,  and  has  a  good  education.     He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  until  twelve  years  of  age,  and  from  that  time  until  his 
eighteenth  year  went  to  school  during  the  winters  and  worked  in 
the  summers.     He  spent  four  terms  in  an  academy  or  high  school. 
Being  naturally  endowed  with  superior  mental  abilities    he   has 


KOCK    GKOVE   TOWNSHIP.  965 

been  a  diligent  student,  and  is  one  of  the  best  informed  men  of 
his  day.     As  a  teacher  he  has  been  very  successful.    While  in   the 
West  farming  was  his  principal  business.    In  politics  a  Republican . 
He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church,  but  in  sentiment  a  Congregation- 
alist.  His  wife,  Harriet,  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 
The   following   narrative  as  related  by  him  shows  to  some   extent 
the  endurance  and  perseverance  of  the  early  settlers;     "In  1855  I 
was  living  in  Tranquility,  Sussex  County,  N.  J. ;  having    deter- 
mined on  going  West,  I  went  to  Kew  York  City,  where  I  met  my 
father,  mother,  and  two  sisters,  also  brother   Lyman   and   family 
and  brother  Edson,  who  had  returned  from  the  West  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  my  father  and  family  back  with  him.     We  went  to 
Chicago,  then  up   the  lake   to  Kenosha,    Wis.,  thence     to  Bris- 
tol, where  we  stopped  several  weeks  with  brother  Wilber force  and 
other  friends,  making  preparations  for  a  three-hundred-mile  over- 
land journey  to  Iowa,  also  waiting  for   our  goods  which    we   had 
sent  by  the  way  of  the  lakes,  but  we  were  obliged  to   go   without 
them,  learning  afterward  they  arrived  the  day  we   left.     We  pur- 
chased four  yoke  of  oxen  and  three  wagons;    on  the  ISth  of  No- 
vember we  commenced  our  journey.     For  three  days  the  weather 
was  very  pleasant,  when  suddenly  it  changed,  rained,  turned  cold, 
snowed,  and  winter  set  in  in  earnest.     Our  faithful  oxen  trudged 
on,  day  after  day,  slow  but  sure.     At   night   stopping  with  some 
farmer,  spreading  our  beds  upon  the  floor,  bunked  in  for  a  snooze 
and  a  rest,    Edson  and  sometimes  myself  sleeping  out-doors    in 
tlie  wagon.     So  we  traveled  on  day  after  day  through  the  snows, 
and  beaten  by  the  cold  winds  of  the  Wisconsin  hills.     Upon  reach- 
ing the  Mississippi  River  we  found  navigation  stopped  on  account 
of  the  slush  ice  in  the  river.     Thinking  we  might  have  to  remain 
where  we  were  during  winter,  we  commenced  making  preparations 
for  that  purpose.     We  stopped  with  a  Kentuckian  by  the  name  of 
Hartford,  a  whole-souled,  generous-hearted  man,   who,   with   Jiis 
wife,  did  all  they  could  to  make  us  comfortable.     In  about  four 
days  the  weather  moderated  so  that  the  ferry-boat  could  run.     We 
hurried  our  thiugs  aboard  our  wagons,   and  bidding  good-bye  to 
our  kind  hosts,  we  started  once  more  for  Iowa.     On    nearing  the 
river  we  had  to  cross  some  bridges  over  bayous;  our  oxen  not  lik- 
ing the  looks  of  things  very  well,  behaved  so  badly  we  were  obliged 
to  unyoke    part   of   them    and  draw  the  wagons  over  by  hand. 
On  reaching  the  ferry  we  had  quite  a  time  in  persuading  our  cat- 
tle to  get  on  board;  this  being  accomplished,  we  crossed  the  river 
69 


966  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

and  landed  at  Clayton  Citj,  la.,  just  at  dark.  Then  we  had  to 
climb  the  heights  and  get  over  the  bluffs.  Onr  oxen  not  being 
shod  and  the  road  slippery,  we  had  to  doable  teams,  sand  the  road, 
and  take  one  load  at  a  time.  All  having  safely  reached  the  sum- 
mit, we  were  soon  bunked  for  the  night  and  in  the  arms  of  Mor- 
pheus. On  the  5th  of  December,  after  a  cold  and  tedious  journey, 
we  arrived  at  Rock  Grove,  on  section  17,  where  Edson  Gaylord 
lives  at  the  time  of  this  writing.  The  log  house  is  now  stand- 
ing, having  two  rooms,  in  which  seventeen  of  us,  big  and  little, 
lived  most  of  the  winter.  Provisions  were  very  scarce;  no  meat 
or  anything  hardly  in  the  country,  except  flour;  for  sometime  we 
lived  principally  on  bread,  and  gravy  made  of  flour,  water,  and 
molasses.  We  had  to  go  long  distances  to  trade.  Myself  and 
Earl  Gaylord,  my  nephew,  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age,  went  to 
Dubuque  to  trade,  with  a  big  wagon  and  two  yoke  of  cattle,  a 
distance  of  140  miles;  stopping  at  Janesville,  we  found  salt  $9 
a  barrel;  in  Dubuque  it  was  about  $1.60.  We  were  gone  twelve 
days,  camping  out  and  sleeping  in  our  wagon.  Meetings  were 
held  in  log  school-houses  and  the  groves.  The  people  gathered 
for  miles  around,  coming  with  ox  teams.  All  were  on  a  com- 
mon level,  and  general  harmony  and  peace  prevailed. 

John,  G.  Gaylord^  known  in  army  records  as  J.  J.  Gaylord,  was 
born  in  Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  July  28,  1843.  He  is  a  son  of 
Lyman  Gaylord,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  this  country  in 
1855.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the  common 
fc'hools  of  this  county.  He  enlisted  in  the  late  war,  in  Company 
A,  Twenty-first  Iowa  Infantrj'^,  and  served  over  three  years.  He 
was  in  the  battles  of  Magnolia  Hill,  Champion  Hill,  at  the  capture 
of  Yicksburg,  July  4,  1863  ;  was  one  of  the  number  that  made 
desperate  charges  at  Black  River  Bridge  and  Vicksbnrg,  May  22, 
when  Grant  attempted  to  take  the  latter  by  storm  ;  fought  from 
May  1  to  July  4,  losing  one  tenth  of  their  number  May  17,  at  the 
Black  River  Bridge  charge,  and  taking  1,100  prisoners  aud  eighteen 
caunon  ;  also,  at  Mobile,  Fort  Blakely,  Spanish  Fort  and  others  ; 
was  never  wounded  or  taken  prisoner,  and  was  always  in  the 
front.  He  was  married  May  21,  1861,  to  Alice  J.  La  Due.  Mrs. 
Gaylord  died  and,  Sept.  16,  1863,  he  married  Sarah  Ankenv. 
Of  his  four  children  only  three  are  living — Alice,  Flora,  and 
George  A.  He  resides  on  section  10,  and  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising.     He  owns  200  acres  of  fine  land. 

John  J.    Gaylord,,  brother  of  the  Hon.    W.  P.   Gaylord,  was 
born  in   the  State  of  New  York,  Dec.    12,  1818.     His   parents 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  9^7 

moved  to  Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  wlien  he  was  an  infant,  and 
he  was  reared  and  educated  in  New  Milford  that  State.  "Wiien  he 
was  seventeen  years  old  his  parents  removed  to  Warren  Town- 
sliip,  and  he  worked  in  his  father's  blacksmith  shop  there  and  on 
farms  in  that  vicinity  until  18J:4,  when  he  returned  to  'New  Mil- 
ford  and  followed  his  trade  there  six  years,  thence  to  Southford, 
Conn.  He  worked  in  an  edge-tool  manufactory  there  one  year  ; 
in  a  machine  shop  one  year,  and  in  1852  went  to  Woodbury,  Conn. 
In  1854  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  Ta.,  and  returned  to  Connecti- 
cut the  same  year.  He  worked  in  a  paper-mill  at  Wolcott  two 
years,  and  in  1861  came  to  Nora  Springs,  la.  He  farmed  in  this 
township  thirteen  year?,  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business — a  member  of  the  firm  of  Gay  lord  &  Bryan.  He  is  a 
popular  merchant,  and  is  known  throughout  the  county  as  a  man 
of  irreproachable  business  integrity.  He  was  married  in  1839  to 
Charlotte  A.  Johnson,  who  died  Nov.  6,  1874,  leaving  two 
children  — Ellen  L.,  now  Mrs.  J.  K.  Rupert,  of  Charles  City,  and 
Marion,  wife  of  Chas.  E.  Brown  of  Norwalk,  Conn.  Mr.  Gaylord 
has  filled  many  ofiices  of  trust,  with  credit  to  himself  and  the 
satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  He  is  a  Methodist  in  his  religious 
faith. 

Lyman  Gaylord  came  here  fi*om  Litchfield  County,  Conn,,  in  the 
fall  of  1855,  and  settled  on  section  8,  where  he  now  resides.  He 
is  the  eldest  of  five  brothers  living  in  this  neighborhood.  He  has 
a  good  faim,  a  fine  brick  dwelling,  and  substantial  outbuildings. 
He  is  a  man  of  remarkable  eneriiy,  and  at  his  advanced  age  to-day 
does  more  hard  work  than  most  of  the  young  men  who  call  them- 
selves smart.  He  is  one  of  the  few  who  can't  endure  rest,  and  one 
of  the  kind  who  will  wear  out  instead  of  rusting  away.  He  is 
out  of  debt,  and  has  laid  up  enough  for  the  "  rainy  day."  He  has 
a  fine  young  orchard  and  an  abundance  of  good  timber.  His  sons 
are  —  John  G.  and  Earl  L.  His  daughters  —  Eliza,  now  Mrs. 
Wm.  B,  Reed,  and  Emily,  now  Mrs.  Nick  F.  Weber,  attorney  at 
law  at  Clarion,  Wright  County,  Iowa.  His  daughter  Sarah,  a 
child  about  seven  years  old,  died  in  1861.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican.     In  religion,  a  Second  Adventist. 

Wm..  H.  Gonser  was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  March  16, 
1847.  His  father,  Henry  Gonst  r,  died  when  he  was  quite  small, 
and  his  mother  married  William  Workman.  In  1856  the  family 
came  to  Floyd  County.  Wm.  H.  engaged  in  farming  in  Nora 
Springs  till  1870,  when  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  stores 


'^ 


968  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

here,  which  continued  till  the  spring  of  1882,  when  he  went  into 
business  for  himself  in  a  grocery,  crockery,  etc.,  store,  and  is  hav- 
ing a  good  trade.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Wm.  F.  Stewart,  of  Nora  Springs.  Mr.  Gonser  is  a  member  of 
the  Maeonic,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  societies. 

David  HciTdman  (deceased)  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  O., 
May  24,  1817.  His  parents  moved  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  in 
1818,  and  to  St.  Joseph  County,  Ind.,  in  1832.  He  was  married 
March  29,  1840,  to  Melinda  Koe,  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.  He 
went  to  Delaware  County,  la.,  in  the  fall  of  1851,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  April,  1853,  where  he  entered  160  acres  of  land  on  sec- 
tions 20  and  21,  Eock  Grove  Township,  and  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising.  He  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  ten 
living  —  Israel  A.,  Noah  W.,  Francis  J.,  Yina  A.,  Henry  F., 
David  A.,  John  W.,  Jennie  M.,  Ida  F.,  and  George  E.  Mr. 
Hard  man  died  April  17,  1882.  His  son,  George  R.,  is  carrying 
on  the  farm. 

Geo.  A.  Heintzehnan  was  born  in  Centre  Couwty,  Pa.,  Jan.  23, 
1836.  His  father,  George  Heintzelman,  was  a  native  of  Union 
County,  Pa.;  his  great-grandfather  came  from  Holland  about  the 
same  time  as  William  Penn.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  his 
early  education  was  comparatively  limited.  He  removed  to  Will 
County.  111.,  in  1854,  and  in  1860  went  to  St.  Genevieve  County, 
Mo.  June  16,  1861,  while  cutting  wheat  in  the  field,  he  was 
drafted  into  the  rebel  army.  He  made  the  officers  believe  it  was 
all  right,  bnt  asked  permission  to  finish  his  wheat,  which  was 
granted.  That  night  he  signalled  a  boat  and  escaped,  going  to 
St.  Louis  ;  he  then  bought  a  ticket  for  Red  Wing,  Minn.,  but  was 
robbed  on  the  wharf;  then  stopped  at  Fulton,  111.,  and  worked  in 
the  harvest-field  one  month,  and  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Eighth 
Illinois  Cavalry  ;  was  in  the  charge  of  Yorktown,  Williamsburg, 
'seven  days'  fight  at  Richmond,  second  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain, 
Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Upperville,  Gettys- 
burg, Falling  Water,  and  others.  After  the  war  he  went  to  Plain- 
field,  111.,  and  in  1867  went  to  Newton,  Jasper  County,  la.;  thence 
to  St.  Genevieve  County,  Mo.,  in  1870,  and  in  1873  came  to  Nora 
Springs,  Rock  Grove  Township.  He  is  by  trade  a  contractor  and 
mason.  He  was  married  May  18,  1866,  to  Cynthia  Culver.  They 
had  two  children — Harley  E.  and  Effie  C.  Mrs.  Heintzelman 
died  in  Marshfield,  Mo.,  and  in  1875  Mr.  Heintzelman  married 
Sarah  Lewis.      They  have  two  children  —  Lulu  and  Willie.     He 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  969 

was  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  P.  (in  Missouri),  A.  O.  U.  W., 
and  the  Grand  xVriny  of  the  Republic. 

David  A.  HoeJ^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Iroquois, 
111.,  Jan.  8,  1850.  His  father,  James  Hoel,  is  a  native  of  Indi- 
ana, who  moved  to  Bremer  County,  la.,  in  1855,  and  to  this  county 
in  1868,  and  is  still  living  in  Kudd.  David  A.  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common-schools  of  Bremer  and  Floyd  Counties.  lie 
was  married  March  24,  1874,  to  Katie  Howard,  of  Wisconsin. 
They  have  had  three  children,  two  living — Sydney  and  Alfred. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoel  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Rudd.  He  is  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school. 
He  owns  eighty  acres  of  line  land. 

F.  M.  Huhhard^  of  the  firm  of  F.  M.  Hubbard  &  Son,  was 
born  in  Indiana  in  1830.  He  was  the  sixth  child  of  Dr.  John  and 
Anna  Hubbard,  who  were  early  pioneers  from  Massachusetts  and 
Vermont  to  Western  New  York,  and  from  there  to  Indiana,  thence 
to  Illinois  in  1836,  while  Indians  still  occupied  that  country.  Dr. 
John  Hubbard  was  a  graduate  of  Williams  College,  Mass.,  a  son  of 
Major  John  Hubbard,  of  Revolutionary  tame.  F.  M.  Hubbard 
spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Cook  County,  111.,  until  he  was  twenty 
years  old;  then,  in  1850,  crossed  the  plains  to  California,  where  he 
stayed  until  1854,  when  he  returned  to  Illinois,  studied  medicine, 
and  graduated  iw  New  York  City  in  1856.  In  the  same  year  he  was 
married  to  Ilattie  E.  Burbank,  of  Lancaster,  Mass.,  who  was  the 
daughter  of  Aaron  and  Chloe  Burbank.  Aaron  Burbank  was  a 
Baptist  minister  and  graduate  of  Waterville  College,  Me.  F.  M. 
Hubbard  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Janesville,  Wis., 
in  1856,  but  soon  abandoned  that,  and  engaged  in  the  patent  right 
business,  taking  out  five  patents  for  inventions  while  in  the  busi- 
ness at  Ripon,  Wis.  In  1869  he  came  to  Nora^Springs,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  various  occupations  here,  but  mostly  in  the 
mercantile  business.  They  have  four  children  living — Myra  Alice, 
born  in  1858;  George  Melville,  in  1860;  Charles  Henry,  in  1864; 
Jason  Coridon,  in  1867,  and  two  dead.  George  M.  is  a  member 
of  the  present  firm  of  F.  M.  Hubbard  &  Son,  dealers  in  drugs, 
jewelry,  groceries,  music,  etc.  Also  publishers  of  the  Advertiser^ 
a  little  sheet  issued  weekly  (first  number  July  4,  1882),  to  repre- 
sent the  interests  of  Nora  Spring.^  and  its  business  men. 

Eli  M.  Hntohinsoii^  fanner  and  stock-raiser,  northwest  quarter 
of  section  26,  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  June  7, 
1838.     His  father,  John  B,  Hutchinson,  was  a  native  of  the  same 


970  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

county.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  educated  in  tlie  com- 
mon-schools. He  came  to  Cedar  Rapids,  la.,  in  1854,  and  to 
Mitchell  County  in  1855,  where  he  farmed  near  the  Floyd  County 
line  till  1873.  He  built  a  mill  on  Rock  Creek  in  1867.  He  cams 
to  this  township  in  1873;  owns  160  acres  of  finejand,  besides  some 
timber.  He  was  married  Dec.  31,  1866,  to  Mary  C,  daughter  of 
Wm.  G.  Dadley  (deceased),  a  native  of  Edgar  Couaty,  111.  They 
are  the  parents  of  six  children,  five  living — Minet  A.,  Mira  A., 
Hattie  M.,  Lizzie  M.  and  Floyd  M.  He  was  Postmaster  of  Meroa 
Postoffice,  Mitchell  County,  four  years;  Township  Clerk,  three 
years;  Assessor,  one  year;  Township  Treasurer,  one  year,  and 
has  held  other  offices  of  trust  in  Mitchell  County.  He  is  a  Master 
Mason;  is  a  member  of  Rock  Creek  Christian  church,  of  which  lie 
is  an  Elder.  He  serv^ed  one  year  and  a  half  in  Company  K, 
Tweuty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry,  and  eight  months  in  Company  K, 
Twelfth  Iowa  Infantry;  was  in  the  battles  of  FortDe  Rossa,  Pleas- 
ant Hill,  La.,  Old  Oak  and  others;  was  ninety  days  under  fire  at 
one  time,  one-third  of  his  brigade  being  killed  and  wounded  at 
Pleasant  Hill. 

Luther  J.  Keyes,  of  the  publishing  firm  of  Keyes  &  Blythe, 
editors  of  the  Monitor,  is  a  native  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y., 
born  April  17,  1839.  His  father,  Luther  H.  Keyes,  was  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  and  a  carpenter.  Luther  J.  learned  his  father's 
trade  in  his  youth,  and  worked  at  it  five  years.  In  1854  he  went 
to  Laporte,  la.,  thence  to  De  Kalb  County,  111.,  in  1856;  two  years 
afterward  went  to  Beloit,  "Wis.,  and  in  1859  to  Laoua,  111.  He 
enlisted  in  1861  in  Company  C,  Fifty-fifth  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  four  years  and  four  months,  participating  in  all  the  battles 
of  his  regiment.  He  entered  the  service  as  a  private,  and  for 
meritorious  conduct  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant. 
Upon  leaving  the  service  he  went  to  Waverly,  la.,  and  in  1875 
left  there  and  located  in  ISTashua,  la.,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year 
moved  to  Marble  Rock.  In  the  fall  of  1877  he  came  to  Nora 
Springs,  when  he  established  the  telephone  system  here;  conducted 
it  four  and  one-half  years,  and  in  January,  1882,  became  a  partner 
in  his  present  business  as  editor  of  the  Monitor,  an  enterprising 
sheet  devoted  to  interests  of  the  order  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was 
married  Dec.  25,  1865,  to  Esther  A.  Lancaster,  of  Winnebago 
County,  111. 

John  A.  Kidney  (deceased)  was  born  in  Marcellus,   Onondaga 
County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  8,  1823,  a  son  of  Robert  Kidney,  a  native  of 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  971 

Ponghkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  who  moved  with  his  family  to  Cattaraugus 
County,  that  State,  settling  upon  a  firm.  John  A.  was  reared  on  a 
fiirm  and  educated  at  the  Springville  Academy.  He  taught  school 
and  followed  the  insurance  business  in  his  native  State  until  the 
fall  of  1850,  when  he  came  West,  locating  in  Dodge  County,  Wis. 
He  engaged  in  teaching  there,  and  was  married  March  21,  lb54,  at 
Lowell,  Wis.,  to  Waity  A.  Sweet.  After  his  marriage  he  followed 
the  mercantile  business  in  Markesan,  Wis.,  two  years,  thence  to 
Winona  County,  Minn.,  in  1856,  being  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  that  region,  and  suffering  many  of  the  privations  and  hardships 
incident  to  pioneer  life,  engaging  in  farming  there  until  1865, 
when  he  came  to  Nora  Springs,  and  resided  here  until  his  death, 
one  of  her  most  prominent  and  inspected  citizens.  He  owned  a 
fine  farm  near  the  town  and  much  city  property.  He  was  very 
conversant  with  law  and  practiced  in  the  justice  courts,  and  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace  several  years.  He  was  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  was  always  ready  with  open 
purse  to  subscribe  to  church  and  school  funds.  As  a  man  of  rare 
social  qualities,  superior  mental  endowments,  he  had  few  superiors, 
and  in  his  death,  which  occurred  April  9,  1880,  Floyd  County  lost 
an  esteemed  and  honored  citizen. 

Ahiah  Knapp  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  9,  1803, 
and  went  with  his  parents  to  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  when  quite 
young;  remained  there  till  1816  when  the}''  moved  to  McKean 
County,  Pa.  Abiah  Knapp  worked  at  the  lumber  business  a  num- 
ber of  years  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1837  went  to  St.  Clair  County, 
111.,  where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter  and  joiner's  trade;  went  to 
Rockford,  111.,  in  1840,  and  remained  till  1858,  when  he  came  to 
Floyd  County,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married 
Feb.  10,  1826,  to  Susan  Mills.  Tliey  have  had  eleven  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living — Robert,  Alex,  Jane,  Aurilla,  Ann, 
Miles  and  James.  One  son,  Albert,  died  at  Murfreesboro  in  the 
late  war.  Mrs.  Knapp  died  Sept.  5,  1876.  April  12,  1877,  Mr. 
Knapp  married  Mrs.  Pamela  Sells,  nee  Nickerson. 

James  A.  Lathrop  was  born  in  Burlington,  Vt.,  Sept.  30,  1828. 
His  father,  John  Lathrop,  also  a  native  of  the  "  Green  Mountain" 
State,  died  when  James  A.  was  ten  years  old,  and  he  went  to  live 
with  an  uncle,  in  Middlebury,  Vt.;  remained  there  three  years  and 
then  began  to  rely  on  his  own  resources.  His  early  educational 
advantages  were  limited;  he  can  truly  be  called  a  self-educated  and 
self-made  man.     In   1850  he  came  West  to  Fond  du  Lac  County, 


972  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Wis.,  and  worked  a  short  time  as  a  carpenter  and  joiner;  then 
worked  in  different  parts  of  the  State  as  a  millwright,  till  1855, 
when  he  bought  Jand  in  Waupaca  County,  Wis.,  and  located  on 
it,  and  erected  a  saw-mill;  two  years  later  he  built  a  grist-mill  in 
partnership  with  Daniel  Barnum.  In  1S59  he  bought  out  Mr. 
Barnum  and  sold  one-fourth  interest  to  his  brother-in-law,  William 
West.  They  carried  on  the  business  together  for  two  years  when 
Mr.  Lathrop  sold  out  and  came  to  Rock  Grove,  where  he  owns  a 
fine  farm  of  130  acres  on  section  21.  Mr.  Lathrop  was  married  in 
June,  1855,  to  Rebecca  Atkinson.  They  had  one  sou — William. 
In  1865  Mrs.  Lathrop  died,  and  in  1868  Mr.  Lathrop  married 
Jennie  Capen.  They  have  three  children — Emma,  Charles  and 
Lena.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Btptist  church;  is  also  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

JoJin  C.  Lindsax/j  farmer,  section  25,  was  born  near  Darlington, 
Canada  West,  Aug.  3, 1849.  His  parents  moved  to  De  Kalb  County, 
111.,  when  he  was  quite  small.  He  was  educated  there  in  the 
common  schools,  his  home  being  on  a  farm.  He  came  to  "Floyd 
County,  la.,  in  1865.  Jan.  12,  1876,  he  was  married  to  Ann  E. 
Archard.  They  have  two  children — Maud  and  Mary.  He  was 
Constable  two  years  in  Mitchell  County,  la. 

James  Marshall,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  Rock  Grove  Township, 
was  born  in  Canada  East  (or  Quebec),  Nov.  13,  1843.  His  father, 
George  Marshall,  was  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  England.  James  Mar- 
shall's early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm,  his  educatian  being  received 
in  the  common  schools.  He  went  to  New  York  State  in  1863, 
from  there  to  De  Kalb  County,  111.,  in  1864,  to  Black  Hawk  County, 
la.,  in  1865,  and  to  this  county  in  1874,  where  he  settled  on  section 
20,  this  township,  and  owns  160  acres  of  fine  land.  He  was  married 
in  October,  1873,  to  Josephine  Forbes.  They  have  three  children 
— Mary,  William  and  Belle.     He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.F. 

William  Mathers,  postoffice  Nora  Springs,  was  born  in  Quebec, 
Canada,  Dec.  22,  1823.  He  is  a  son  of  Wolsey  and  Mary  (Irwin) 
Mathers,  of  the  North  of  Ireland.  They  came  to  this  country  in 
1820.  William  grew  to  manhood  in  Quebec.  He  was  left  an 
orphan  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  and  thrown  on  his  own  resources 
for  a  livelihood.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  harness-maker  at  the 
age  of  ten.  He  went  to  Massachusetts  in  1845,  and  from  Martha's 
Vineyard  on  a  whaling  voyage,  one  year  ;  was  on  the  Brazilian 
man-of-war  "Constitution"  one  year,  and  on  two  or  three  other 
vessels  one  year.     In   1846,  while   out  on  the  ocean,  he  saw  a 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  973 

school  of  sharks  under  the  peak  of  Tennerief.  On  the  passage 
from  Rio  Janiero  to  England  he  saw  a  man  fall  from  the  mizzou 
top-sail-yard  and  killed.  He  saw  the  Spaniards  and  Portuguese 
celebrate  **  Neptune  shaving  Greenhorns."  They  form  a  police, 
who  seize  inexperienced  men  and  go  through  a  farcical  shaving, 
immersing  the  head  of  the  victim  in  salt  water.  They  pretend 
that  Neptune  comes  up  the  side  of  the  boat  out  of  the  sea,  and 
does  the  shaving  with  a  huge  razor  of  hoop-iron.  He  fell  over- 
board once.  He  learned  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  languages, 
and  was  employed  as  interpreter.  In  1847  he  was  on  the  police 
force  in  Liverpool  seven  or  eight  months.  From  there  he  went  to 
New  Orleans  and  worked  at  his  trade,  for  the  Government  con- 
tractors. In  1865  he  came  to  this  country  and  farmed  for  a  while, 
then  worked  at  his  trade,  which  he  is  still  doing  in  Nora  Springs. 
He  was  married  in  Chicago  in  1850  to  Eliza  Slee.  They  have  had 
twelve  children,!  nine  living,  seven  boys  and  two  girls.  From 
1853  to  1865  he  lived  in  Boone  County,  111. 

E.  W.  McNitt  was  born  Sept.  11,  1831,  near  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
son  of  John  and  Julia  (Chamberlain)  McNitt.  He  received  his 
education  at  Beaver  Dam,  Wis.,  where  his  parents  located  when 
he  was  very  young.  In  1857  he  engaged  in  a  mercantile  business 
in  Otsego,  Wis.,  which  he  continued  in  that  place  and  Beaver 
Dam  until  his  removal  to  Floyd  County  in  1869.  He  settled  at 
Nora  Springs,  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  He  was 
elected  to  tlie  Wisconsin  Legislature,  serving  one  terra,  and  also 
held  the  office  of  Mayor  of  Nora  Springs,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  Oct.  23,  1874,  was  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  of  Floyd  Coiinty.  He  was  married  Jan.  1,  1856,  to 
Miss  Rhoda  Boutwell,  of  New  York  State.  They  had  four 
children  —  Clarence  J.,  Anna  B.,  Harrie  L.  and  Allen  R.  Mr. 
McNitt  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  acquirements,  and  was 
held  in  high  esteem  by  a  large  circle  of  friends.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows. 

Elder  Daniel  B.  Mead  is  a  native  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y., 
born  in  the  town  of  Mentz,  Sept.  14,  1817,  a  son  of  William 
Mead,  who  was  born  near  Newark,  N-  J.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  educated  in  Wadsworth  Academy  and  Granville  College, 
D.,  having  moved  to  that  State  in  1833.  He  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  five  years 
later  commenced  preaching  in  that  faith.     In  1845  he  was  given 


974  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY'. 

charge  of  a  church  in  Berrien  County,  Mich.,  wJiere  he  remained 
until  1854,  then  settled  in  Nora  Springs,  Floyd  County,  la.,  where 
he  has  since  resided,  one  of  the  most  honored  and  esteemed  citi- 
zens of  the  town.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Abigail  W. 
Ward  on  May  4,  1837.  Of  six  children  born  of  this  union,  five  are 
living  —  Giles  W.,  Emma  M.,  Eliza,  Laura  A.,  and  William  W. 
His  wife  died  March  11,  1876,  and  Oct.  1,  1877,  he  married 
Mrs.  Lucv  J.  Allen,  widow  of  the  late  C.  M.  Allen.  Mr.  Mead 
held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  two  years,  and  served  as 
County  School  Superintendent  a  short  time.  He  performed  the 
ceremony  for  the  first  couple  married  in  this  county,  the  contract- 
ing parties  being  John  Henry  and  Julia  A.  Workman. 

Charles  W.  Morris,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  30,  Rock 
Grove  Township,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ky.,  Feb.  11, 
1844.  His  father,  Wm.  Henry  Morris,  was  also  a  native  of  the 
same  county.  He  received  a  common-school  education;  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  in  1854.  He  farmed 
summers  and  worked  at  the  shoemaker's  trade  winters  for  several 
years.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  1873,  and  settled  in  Cerro  Gordo 
County,  and  in  1874  came  to  Floyd  County  and  settled  in  this 
township,  where  he  still  resides.  He  owns  160  acres  in  this  town- 
ship, forty  acres  in  Cerro  Gordo  County  and  100  acres  in  Mitchell 
County.  He  was  married  in  1863,  to  Nancy  M.,  daughter  of 
Joseph  T.  Eggers,  of  Indiana.  They  have  two  children,  Mary  F., 
and  Mahal  D. 

Halvor  Nelson,  proprietor  of  the  Upper  Ten  Roller  Mills,  for- 
merly Upper  Ten  Merchant  Mills,  Nora  Springs,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, and  came  to  America,  to  Rock  County,  Wis.,  in  1845,  and 
from  there  to  Clayton  County,  la.,  in  1848.  He  has  seven  chil- 
dren— Nelson  H.,  Peter,  Henry,  Anna,  Barbara,  Peer  and  Isabella 
C.  His  mill  is  a  stone  structure  four  and  a  half  stories  high,  with 
a  frame  elevator  and  feed  mill.  Uses  patent  roller  system  and 
makes  first-class  flour,  doing  both  merchant  and  custom  milling. 
Has  nine  pair  of  rolls,  two  pair  of  middling  stones,  and  two  for 
corn  and  feed;  has  a  capacity  of  125  barrels  daily. 

Myron  H.  Nickerson,  section  20;  postoffice,  Nora  Springs; 
was  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  March  28,  1831.  He  is  a 
son  of  Edgar  M.  Nickerson,  a  native  of  New  York,  but  now  a 
resident  of  Humboldt  County,  la.  Mr.  Nickerson  went  to  Linn 
County,  la.,  in  1851,  from  there  to  Jones  County  in  1855,  and  to 
this  county   in    1865.     He  was  married  in  December,    1853,    to 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  975 

Louisa,  a  daughter  of  James  Snow.  They  have  had  four  children, 
three  living — Arvine,  Sarah  and  Ina.  He  has  held  the  offices  of 
County  Supervisor  and  Assessor  the  past  eight  years.  Is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 

Harrison  Pierce,  section  6,  Rock  Grove  Township,  was  born  in 
Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  1,  1834.  His  father,  John  Pierce ' 
was  a  native  of  Hampshire,  England.  Harrison  Pierce  was  edu' 
Gated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  State  till  1844,  when 
he  came  West,  to  Kenosha  County,  Wis.,  and  in  1854  came  to 
Floyd  County.  He  enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  the  Third  Iowa 
liattery,  light  artillery,  and  served  about  four  years;  was  in  the 
battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Helena,  etc.  He  owns  236  acres  of  fine  land, 
and  is  both  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  married  in  April,  1876, 
Mrs.  Laura  A.  Wright,  nee  Fish,  and  has  one  child — Annie  M. 
Mrs.  Pierce  had  one  son — Afton  L.  Wright.  Mr.  Pierce  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 

Rev.  Edioard  G.  F.  Prihbenow,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany 

April   8,  1839,  where  he  remained  till  1853,  when  he  came  to 

America  and  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.;  he  moved  to  near  Madison,  Wis., 

n  1854,  and  to  Mitchell  County,  la.,  in  the  spring  of  1869.     He 

came  to  Floyd  County  in  the  fall  of  1873,  and  settled  on  his  present 

farm  when  it  was  wild  land.     He  owns  236  acres  of  fine  land,  and 

is  both  farming  and  stock-raising.     He  was  married  Jan.  7,   1862, 

to  Mary   G.   Rinder.     They   have    twelve    children — Ferdinand, 

Amanda,  Richard,  Julius,  Alvina,  William,    Lydia,  Albert,  Eme- 

line,   John,  Adda  and  ^ora.     He  is  a  member  of  the  German 

Methodist  church. 

Lerio'is  D.  Powerx,  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Kora 
Springs,  was  born  in  Geneva  Township,  Walworth  County,  Wis., 
on  March  20,  1837,  a  son  of  James  B.  Powers,  a  native  of  Maine. 
He  was  reared  (m  a  farm,  and  his  educational  privileges  were  those 
of  the  common  schools.  He.  came  to  Floyd  County  with  his  par- 
ents in  1856,  settling  on  a  farm.  He  enlisted  in  1861  in  Company 
I,  Third  Iowa  Infantry,  and  served  three  years,  participating  in 
many  a  hard-fought  battle,  among  them  those  of  Sliiloh,  Matta- 
mora,  and  the  siege  of  Vicksbnrg.  Upon  returning  to  Nora 
Springs  he  engaged  in  general  trading,  and  now  does  a  general 
mercantile  business,  carrying  a  full  line  of  goods.  He  was  mar- 
ried Sept.  16,  1865,  to  Sophronia  C.  Daniels.  They  have  one  child 
— Alice  E.  Mr.  Powers  has  been  elected  to  the  offices  of  Town- 
ship Clerk,  Township  Trustee,  member  of  the  School  Board,  and 


976  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

is  at  present  Constable.  He  has  ever  been  an  able  and  efficient 
officer,  discharging  his  duties  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  satis- 
faction of  his  constituents. 

Josiah  G.  Quinhy,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  12,  Rock 
Grove  Township,  a  son  of  James  Quinby,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  born  in  Stark  County,  O.,  July  20,  1836.  They  went 
to  Jasper  County,  Ind.,  in  1845,  and  in  the  fall  of  1855  Mr.  Quinby 
came  to  this  county,  and  settled  in  Ulster  Township,  He  owns 
441  acres  of  line  land,  160  acres  of  it  in  Cerro  Gordo  County,  la. 
He  was  married  in  August,  1857,  to  Edith  Kanouse,  a  daughter 
of  John  H.  Kanouse,  now  of  Kansas.  They  have  seven  children — • 
James,  John,  Charles,  Eda,  Nellie,  Elmer  and  Hattie.  Mr.  Quinby 
was  Township  Trustee  several  terms. 

Murray  Roberts,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  12,  Rock 
Grove  Township,  was  born  in  Winnebago  County,  111.,  June  3, 
1853.  He  is  a  son  of  William  W.  Roberts,  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1857,  where  his  father  died 
in  1871.  He  received  his  education  in  Rock  Grove  Township.  He 
was  married  in  December,  1879,  to  Eda  A.  Dean.  They  have  one 
child — William  M.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance; 
owns  120  acres  of  fine  land. 

William  W.  Roberts  (deceased)  was  born  in  Susquehanna  County, 
Pa.,  Jan  12,  1823.  He  was  a  soji  of  Daniel  and  a  grandson  of 
Jacob  Roberts,  who  was  six  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  Wyo- 
ming massacre,  but  he  and  his  parents  escaped  just  before  and 
went  to  Luzerne,  Pa.  William  W.  went  to  Winnebago  County, 
111.,  in  1850,  and  to  this  county  in  1857,  where  he  died  March  16, 
1872.  He  was  married  Oct.  5,  1847,  to  Fanny  Roberts,  also  a 
grandchild  of  Jacob  Roberts.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren, seven  living — Zina,  Murray,  Clara,  Julia,  Edwin,  Ira  and 
Wilson.  One  son  died  March  22,  1872,  at  the  age  of  seventeen. 
yv  __  Zina  Roberts^  eldest  child  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Susque- 
' '  '^hanna  County,  Pa.,  Dec.  27,  1848,  and  moved  with  parents  to  Win- 
nebago County  in  1850,  and  to  this  county  in  1857.  Has  taught 
school  eight  winters,  but  is  at  present  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.     He  owns  120  acres  on  section  22. 

William  G.  Robison,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  born  in  Knox 
County,  Ohio,  March  31,  1828,  is  a  son  of  Isaac  Robison,  of  the 
same  State.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  and  subscription 
schools  of  an  early  day.  He  came  to  Warren  County,  Iowa,  in 
1864,  and  to  this  countv  in  1868.     He  now  owns   159  acres   of 

.  ^-♦«.-¥[  «ta^**     _.    _        ._       . .... . 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  977 

fine  land.  He  was  married  Oct.  20,  1859,  to  Mary  M.  Gonser. 
They  have  ten  chikh-en — Emma  A.,  Ida  J.,  Ella  L.,  Tena  M.,  Mary 
E.,  Martha  M.,  Mabel  B,,  (ieorge  "W.,  Eddie  and  Burnett.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  German  Baptist  church  of  Rudd. 

Harry  B.  Shaw^  a  native  of  Licking  County,  Ohio,  was  born 
Sept.  19,  1838.  He  remained  there  and  in  Delaware  County  until 
1852,  when  he  came  overland  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Black  Hawk 
County,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1861.  Upon  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  oflFer 
himself  on  the  altar  of  his  country's  honor.  He  became  a  member 
of  Company  I,  of  the  Third  Iowa  Infantry,  commanded  by  Colonel, 
now  General,  M.  M.Trumbull,  and  was  in  many  a  hard-fought  battle. 
At  the  battle  of  Hatchie  River  he  was  severely  wounded  and  made 
a  cripple  for  life,  receiving  a  cannister  shot  through  the  left  breast, 
just  above  the  heart.  He  now  carries  a  withered  hand  as  an 
evidence  of  the  part  he  performed  in  that  memorable  conflict. 
Recovering  partially  from  the  wounds,  he  again  re-enlisted  in  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  remained  in  the  service  until  May, 
1865,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged",  having  been  in  the 
service  three  and  a  half  years.  In  February,  1870,  he  located  in 
Nora  Springs,  where  he  engaged  as  clerk,  and  traveling,  until 
1875,  and  since  that  time  has  been  manager  of  the  Spencer  House, 
and  conducts  a  real  estate  and  insurance  business.  He  was 
married  in  1870,  to  Emma  G.  S.  Spencer,  an  estimable  woman, 
and  a  daughter  of  the  late  W".  G.  Spencer  (deceased),  formerly 
proprietor  of  the  Spencer  House.  A  sketch  of  him  will  be  found 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  Four  children  have  blessed  this  union, 
viz. :  Willie  (deceased),  Robert  (deceased),  Lelia  E.  S.  and  Bessie 
M.  Mr.  Shaw  is  a  quiet,  agreeable  man,  and  possessed  of  much 
more  than  ordinary  acquirements.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  A.  O.  U.  W.  and  I.  O.  G.  T.  fraternities,  and 
politically  he  favors  the  Republican  party.  In  religious  faith  he  is 
a  Congregationalist. 

William  O.  Spencer  (deceased)  was  born  in  Westmoreland,  N.  Y., 
on  June  3,  1813,  a  son  of  A.  Spencer.  He  left  his  native  town  in 
1834:  and  came  West,  locating  in  Chicago,  III.,  thence  in  1836  to 
Ogle  County,  that  State.  He  was  married  there  in  1839  to  Eliza- 
beth A.  Marshall,  and  in  the  same  year  moved  to  Rockford,  111., 
and,  after  residing  in  various  localities,  he  settled  in  Nora  Springs 
in  1869.  He  embarked  in  the  furniture  business  here  continuing 
two  years,  and  at  that  time  built  the  Spencer  House,  which  he 


978  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

owned  and  conducted  until  bis  death,  which  occurred  June  16, 1881, 
and  sorrow  fell  upon  many  hearts  when  to  the  list  of  the  dead  was 
added  the  name  of  this  honest  and  upright  man.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Spencer  had  a  family  of  fiv^e  children,  two  living— Clara  A.  and  Emma 
G.  One  son,  George  M.,  aged  twenty-seven  years,  was  killed  at 
Menomonee,  Wis.,  by  flying  timber  while  driving  piles. 

Wtti.  F:  Stewart^  born  in  Delaware  County,  JST.  Y.,  June  2, 
1830,  was  a  son  of  Alex.  Stewart  of  the  same  county.  He  went  with 
his  parents  to  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1836,  and  to  Rock- 
ford,  111.,  in  1844.  In  1873  he  came  to  Nora  Springs,  where  he 
sold  goods,  which  has  been  his  occupation  since  a  boy.  He  was 
married  in  the  fall  of  1852  to  Amanda  A.  Williams  and  they  have 
had  six  children;  four  are  living — William,  James,  Sarah  and  Frank. 
Mrs.  Stewart  died  July  13,  1882. 

Augustus  Stone,  of  the  firm  of  Burgess  &  Stone,  merchants,  Nora 
Springs,  was  born  in  Ottawa,  Canada,  Dec.  16, 1823.  His  parents 
were  Augustus  Stone,  Sr.,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  Triphosa, 
nee  Cutter,  of  Vermont.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  iu 
the  schools  of  Canada,  where  he  resided  until  1844,  then  moved  to 
Winnebago  County,  111.  He  remained  there  until  1856,  when  he 
removed  to  Winnebago  County,  Wis.;  thence  to  Nebraska  in  1872. 
In  1873  he  came  to  Nora  Springs,  la.,  where  he  has  since  resided 
and  has  won  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He 
is  a  good  salesman,  an  honest  man,  active  and  accurate  in  his  busi- 
ness. He  was  married  Mar.  28,  1850,  to  Miss  Emily  J.  Wheeler, 
a  native  of  Massachusetts.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Baptist  church. 

J.  Ed'win  Sullivan,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  8,  Rock 
Grove  Township,  was  born  near  Niles,  St.  Joseph  County,  Mich., 
July  31,  1844.  His  father  was  Thomas  Sullivan,  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  J.  Edwin  came  with  his  parents  to  Iowa  in  1849, 
and  to  this  county  in  1854.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Nora  Springs  ;  was  married  Dec.  18,  1873,  to  Electa  G.  Mont- 
gomery. They  have  three  children — Myrtie  M.,  Charles  Le  Roy 
and  William  A.  He  owns  100  acres  of  fine  land.  Is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

L.  D.  Sweet,  section  31,  Rock  Grove  Township,  was  born  Nov. 
15,  1831,  in  Upper  Canada.  His  father,  John  F.  Sweet,  a  native 
of  New  York  State,  came  West  to  Dane  County,  Wis.,  in  1839. 
and  to  Dodge  County,  Wis .,  in  1846.  He  was  a  mechanic,  but 
lived  on  a  farm,  at  which  L.  D.  Sweet   has  always   worked.     He 


ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  979 

went  to  California  in  1850,  Jand  returned  in  the  fall  of  1862  to 
Lowell,  Wis.  lie  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  in  the  fall  of  186.5, 
and  settled  oil  the  farm  where  he  still  resides.  He  now  owns  490 
acres.  He  was  married  May,  1864,  to  Agues  H.  Dogan.  They 
have  three  children — Lizzie  E.,  Taylor  E.  and  John  F.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  is  a  Master  Mason.  He  has 
held  several  township  offices. 

Andrew  B.  Tredway^  banker  aud  grain  merchant,  Nora  Springs, 
was  born  in  Richfield,  Lucas  County,  O.,  Mar.  1,  1843,  a  son 
of  Stutley  Tredway,  a  native  of  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.  His 
father  was  a  lumber  merchant,  and  he  engaged  in  that  busi- 
ness with  him  in  Wisconsin,  where  the  family  had  moved  when 
he  was  but  three  months  old,  until  1858,  and  in  1860  entered  the 
employ  of  a  grain  firm  in  Lowell,  Wis.,  with  whom  he  remained 
four  years.  He  served  as  Orderly  Sergeant  in  Company  C,  Fifty- 
first  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  from  1864  to  1865,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  war  went  to  North  McGregor,  la.,  where  he  engaged  as  gen- 
eral manager  and  salesman  of  Seley  &  Shaw's  wholesale  lumber 
yard  until  1869.  Then  purchased  a  yard  afPottsville,  la.,  which 
he  conducted  till  the  fall  of  1871.  He  came  to  Nora  Springs  in 
September  of  that  year,  embarking  in  the  grain  business  here, 
and  in  1877  built  an  elevator  and  feed  mill,  with  a  storage  capacity 
of  15,000  bushels.  In  1879  he  added  a  banking  business,  which 
he  has  successfully  operated  since.  He  was  married  Jan.  1,  1868, 
to  Josephine  M.  Sweet,  of  Lowell,  Wis.  Of  four  children  born 
unto  them  two  are  living — Stutley  W.  and  Everett  M.  Mr.  Tred- 
well  is  serving  his  second  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Nora 
Springs,  and  was  Mayor  one  year.  He  is  an  enterprising  business 
man,  and  a  prominent  citizen  of  Floyd  County. 

Daniel  A.  Wheeler^  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Nora 
Springs,  was  a  son  of  Daniel  Wheeler,  Sr.,  a  native  of  Massachusett.'^, 
who  moved  to  New  York  State  about  1835,  and  to  Sheboygan 
Wis.,  in  1844.  Daniel  A.  was  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y., 
Feb.  16,  1840,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  Sheboygan.  In 
1860  he  accepted  a  clerkship  in  a  law  office  at  Council  Bluffs, 
remaining  there  two  years,  and  in  1862  he  went  to  Central  City, 
Col.,  where  he  engaged  in  mining  six  years.  He  returned  to  Wis- 
consin in  1868  and  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  at  Omro,  con- 
tinuing until  1872,  and  in  that  year  he  located  in  Nora  Springs. 
He  has  been  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  since  coming  here, 
and  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  lucrative  trade.     He  is  a  popular 


1^80  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

merchant,  and  is  known  throughout  the  county  as  a  man  of  irre- 
proachable business  integrity.  He  was  married  in  1871  to  Jose- 
phine Packard,  an  estimable  lady,  of  superior  social  and  mental 
qualities.  They  have  had  four  children — Mary,  Frank,  Hattie^ 
and  Josephine.  Mr.  Wheeler  served  acceptably  in  the  chair  of 
the  Mayoralty  and  has  held  other  local  offices. 

John  W.  Whitesell  was  born  near  St.  Thomas,  Canada,  Aug,  23, 
1849.  His  father,  Daniel  Whitesell,  came  to  this  place  in  1852, 
being  the  first  settler.  He  carried  a  bushel  of  corn  meal  on 
foot  from  Cedar  Falls.  His  father,  Aaron  Whitesell,  was  a 
native  of  Germany.  Daniel  Whitesell  is  now  living  in  Brookins 
County,  D.  T.  The  first  school  John  W.  attended  was  taught  by 
Hon.  W.  P.  Gaylord,  in  an  old  log  house.  Their  family  lived  in 
a  house  with  no  floor  for  nearly  two  years;  the  roof  was  made  of 
shakes,  and  not  a  nail  used  in  the  construction  of  the  house.  They 
pounded  corn  with  an  iron  wedge.  When  they  came  here  they 
had  no  money  and  were  $5  in  debt.  Buffalo  and  deer  roamed 
over  the  prairies.  He  now  owns  305  acres  of  fine  land  on  section 
20,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married 
Sept.  4,  1879,  to  Flora  A.,  daughter  of  Silas  Walker,  now  of  Vern- 
dale,  Minn. 

William  Workman^  born  near  Cumberland,  Md.,  April  15,  1811, 
is  a  son  of  Stephen  Workman,  who  moved  to  Knox  County,  O., 
in  1815,  and  died  there,  aged  101  years,  Mr.  Workman  came  to 
Rock  Grove  in  1854,  and  purchased  the  place  where  he  now 
resides,  on  section  8,  of  Anthony  Overacker.  He  was  first  married 
to  Mary  Baker  and  had  seven  children,  six  living — Andrew  J., 
Philip,  Julia  Ann  (now  Mrs,  John  Henry),  Martha  (now  Mrs,  Alex, 
Hemphill),  Sarah  (now  Mrs.  Alfred  Drury),  and  Catharine  (now 
Mrs.  Joseph  Shork).  Mrs.  Workman  died  in  Ohio  in  1854.  In 
1856  Mr.  Workman  went  back  to  Ohio  and  Nov.  23  he  changed 
the  name  of  Mrs.  Gonser  to  Mrs.  Workman.  Mrs.  Gonser  had 
eight  children,  five  living — Lucinda,  Mary  M.,  Matilda,  William 
H,  and  Mahala,  One  daughter,  Eliza,  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen. 
In  politics  Mr,  Workman  is  a  Democrat.  In  religon  he  is  a 
German  Baptist,  being  the  head  and  front  of  that  church  in  this 
region. 

James  Wyatt^  section  31,  Rock  Grove  Township,  born  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1824,  in  Samraersetshire,  England,  was  a  son  of  John  Wyatt, 
a  native  of  the  same  place.  James  Wyatt  was  educated  in  Eng- 
land, and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849,   going  to  Kenosha 


ROOK  GROVE    TOWNSHIP. 


981 


County,  Wis.,  and  working  on  a  farm  till  1856,  when  he  came  to 
Floyd  County  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  still  resides, 
which  was  at  that  time  wild  land,  and  which  he  has  brought  under 
a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  was  married  Oct.  17,  1852,  to 
Elizabeth  Price,  a  native  of  Dorsetshire,  England.  They  had  nine 
children;  eight  are  living — Charles  B.,  Judson  L.,  Josephine, 
James  W.,  John  B.,  Harry,  Dora  and  Estella.  Mrs.  Wyatt  died  in 
January,  1876,  and  May  15,  1877,  he  married  Mrs.  L.  Hammer. 
She  has  one  daughter — Blanche  Hainmer.     Mr.  Wyatt  owns    187 


acres  of  land, 
years. 


He  has  been  Road 


Supervisor  for   the  past  five 


60 


RUDD  TOWNSHIP. 

We  read  of  the  beauties  of  Kocky  Mountains'  scenery,  graph- 
ically pictured  by  tlie  pen  of  the  tourist,  of  the  canyons,  gorges, 
and  rushing  waters  as  they  dasli  over  the  ledges;  but  the  traveler 
in  search  of  nature  need  not  pass  the  territory  of  Rudd  Township 
and  vicinity  to  gratify  tlie  mind  of  the  most  fastidious.     None  but 
the  lover  of  nature  and  nature's  work  can  realize  the  true  beautv 
and  grandeur  of  such  a  gentle,  undulating  prairie  landscape  as  is 
found  in  Rudd  Township.     Tlie  wild  lilies  with  their  orange  blos- 
8oms,bedecking  the  green  prairies  from  east  to  west,  together  with 
the  gorgeous  prairie  clovers,  butter-snake  root,    compass  plant, 
bone-fluwer,  golden  rod,  and  various  other  plants  and  flowers,  as 
they  wave  and  bend  in  the  gentle  breezes,  form  one  grand  pan- 
oramic view  of  rare  beauty  and  grandeur  to  the  casual  passer-by. 
Then  the  numerous  herds  of  cattle,  grazing  upon  the  sunny  hill- 
sides, give  life  and  still  more  beauty  to  the  picture.     Intersjiersed 
with  these  plats  of  wild  prairies  are  vast  fields  of  waving  grain — 
wheat,  oats,  rye,  flax  and  corn,  the  staple  products  of  the  county. 

ORGANIC. 

Rudd  Township  was  set  ofl  from  Rock  Grove  and  Floyd  Town- 
ehips  in  1870,  and  comprised  its  present  territory,  except  the  east 
half  of  sections  12,  13  and  24,  township  96,  range  18,  which  was 
set  off  from  Rock  Grove  Township,  and  attached  to  this  township 
in  June,  1874.  It  now  contains  thirty-six  and  a  half  square  miles 
of  as  beautiful  and  fertile  prairie  as  can  be  found  in  the  State 
of  Iowa.  The  township  received  its  name  from  the  village  of 
Rudd  (see  history  of  Rudd),  located  on  sections  18  and  13  of  this 
township. 

The  first  white  settlers  in  the  present  limits  of  Rudd  Township 
■were  John  B.  Hemphill,  William  Dean,  John  Fox  and  Loomis 
Colson,  all  of  whom  located  here  in  1853,  before  the  land  came 
into  market.  Hemphill  and  Colson  located  on  section  18,  Dean  on 
section  12,  and  Fox  on  section  19.  Hemphill  now  resides  on  sec- 
tion 13,  being  the  only  one  of  that  number  still  living  in  the  town- 
ship.     Dean  resides  on  section  11,  Rock  Grove  Township;  Fox 

(982) 


RUDD  TOWNSHIP.  983 

resides  in  Richarason  County,  Neb.,  near  Middlebiir^.  and  Colson 
is  somewhere  in  the  State  of  Kansas. 

Many  were  the  hardships  and  privations  of  tliesc  pioneers. 
Others  soon  followed  and  participated  in  these  hardships;  among 
them  is  the  popular  and  well-known  D.  8.  Wood,  for  d  ite  of  wliose 
settlement  see  his  biography. 

CRIMINAL. 

On  Aug.  20,  1859,  an  emigrant  wagon  passed  through  Hndd 
Township,  crossing  Flood  Creek  at  Bennett's  Ford.  Upon  going 
lo  the  creek  for  some  water,  Mrs.  Bennett  heard  some  cries,  which 
she  supposed  to  be  those  of  a  kitten  that  her  son  liad  been  trying 
to  drown  the  day  before.  She  decided  to  hunt  it  up  and  release 
it  from  the  stone  which  had  been  tied  to  its  neck;  but  upon  find- 
ing the  supposed  object  ol  her  search,  it  proved  to  bo  a  small 
child.  It  had  been  thrown  into  the  creek,  and  taken  out  for  dead, 
and  hid  in  a  pile  of  drift-wood.  Mrs.  Bennett  took  it  quickly  to 
the  house,  and  some  of  the  citizens  followed  the  emigrants,  and 
arrested  them  for  murder.  They  were  bound  over  to  court,  but 
were  finally  acquitted  from  lack  of  evidence,  save  that  which  was 
circumstantial  only. 

It  seems,  from  what  the  citizens  tell  us,  that  they  evidently 
meant  to  kill  the  child,  and  therefore  hid  it  in  the  drift-wood. 
They  had  also  hid  its  clothes  in  a  hollow  log,  which  was  more 
strong  evidence  that  they  meant  to  murder  it.  The  parties  claimed, 
however,  that  the  child  fell  out  of  the  wagon  into  the  water,  and 
drowned  before  they  could  rescue  it,  and  that  the  reason  they  put 
it  in  the  drift-wood  was  because  they  were  poor,  and  could  not 
give  it  a  respectable  burial,  and  did  not  wish  to  trouble  the  citi- 
zens.    They   were  then  allowed  to  pursue  their  course  westward. 

RUDD   VILLAGE. 

The  village  of  Rudd  (formerly  Danville)  was  laid  out  and  plat- 
ted in  the  fall  of  1869,  by  James  Swartwood,  who  built  the 
Swartwood  House  and  a  warehouse  the  same  fall.  Mr.  Swartwood 
bought  the  first  bushel  of  grain  for  shipment  at  Rudd  about  the 
time  of  erecting  the  warehouse.  Basset  vfe  Hunting  also  erected  a 
warehouse  in  '69,  and  George  Hall  erected  one  in  the  8|>ring  of 
1870. 

The  first  store  was  erected  atui  kept  by  A.  L.  Pliimmer,  in  tlia 
fall  of  1869. 


984  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Ill  February,  1870,  N.  Nieustedt  built  and  established  a  store  of 
general  mercliandising.  He  is  still  engaged  in  trade,  and  is  doing 
a  large  and  lucrative  business.  Tlie  first  blacksmith  shop  was 
built  by  A.  J.  Brundage,  in  the  spring  of  18Y0.  The  railroad 
depot  was  erected  in  the  fall  of  1869.  Tlie  first  elevator  in  Rudd 
was  erected  in  the  spring  of  1878,  by  J.  W.  Dawson.  It  is  now 
owned  and  operated  byE.  F.  Bacon.  Its  dimensions  are  24  x  34 
feet,  34  feet  high,  an  1  has  a  capacity  of  20,030  bushels. 

Basset,  Hunting  &  Co.  built  au  elevator  in  July,  1878;  on  the 
11th  of  March,  1880,  it  burned,  also  the  other  warehouse  burned. 
Basset  &  Hunting  rebuilt  in  July  of  the  same  year.  The  dimen- 
sions of  the  present  elevator  are  24x24  feet,  and  has  a  capacity  of 
10,000  bushels. 

Rudd  now  contains  two  general  stores,  two  blacksmith  shops, 
one  wagon  shop,  one  hotel,  one  harness  shop,  two  meat  markets, 
one  physican,  one  shoe  shop,  one  barber  shop  and  one  saloon.  It 
is  a  beautiful  little  village,  and  situated  on  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
&  St.  Paul  R.  R.  The  postoffice  was  established  at  Rudd  soon 
after  the  laying  out  of  the  town,  the  one  at  Flood  Creek  having 
been  discontinued  in  1850. 

NAME. 

The  original  name  of  the  village  was  Danville,  but  was  after- 
ward changed  to  Rudd,  in  honor  of  one  of  the  directors  of  the  C,  M. 
&  St.  P.  R.  R.  This  gentleman  insisted  upon  the  place  being 
called  after  him,  and  offered  as  an  inducement  the  bequest  of 
$1,000  to  the  first  church  organization  at  that  place.  Two 
churches  have  been  duly  organized,  and  he  has  disgraced  himself 
by  squarely  breaking  his  promise;  and  when  the  matter  is  men- 
tioned to  him,  he  puts  on  a  dignified  air  and  says  he  remembers 
nothing  about  such  a  promise.  This  mean,  cowardly  act  should 
be  portrayed  in  its  true  light,  and  handed  down  to  future  ages,  so 
that  all  generations  that  shall  live  in  Ru  Id  in  the  ages  to  come 
will  be  conversant  with  the  manner  in  which  their  ''burg" 
received  her  ]>resent  name. 

At  the  first  election  held  in  1870,  the  tVillowing  ofticers  were 
elected  :  Trustees,  J.  W.  Elliott,  A.  S.  Hubbard,  Ed.  Elliott; 
Clerk,  J.  W.  Elliott;  Assessor,  James  Swart  wood;  Collector,  D. 
C.  Jeralds;  Justices,  D.  L.  Wood,  James  Connor;  Constables, 
G.  D.  Clark,  Geo.  Elliott. 


RUDD  TOWNSHIP.  985 

The  present  oflScers  are:  Trustees,  G.  B.  Ilaney,  G.  W.  Brun- 
dage,  B.  F.  Shipley;  Clerk,  C.  P.  Turner;  Assessor,  E.  H.  Willett; 
Justices,  D.  S.  Wood,  L.  P.  Miner,  D.  K.  Moore;  Constahlc,  J. 
D.  Clark. 

AN    IRON    BRIDGE 

was  built    across  Flood   Creek  at  the  villa<^e  of    Rnrld   in    1872, 
which  is  a  master-piece  of  skill  and  labor. 

EDUCATIONAL.      ♦ 

The  educational  system  of  Rudd  is  up  with  the  time.  There  is 
at  the  place  a  tine  large  school  building  60  x  30  feet,  22  feet  high, 
with  a  hall  on  the  second  floor.  The  first  school  in  the  present 
house  was  taught  by  Daniel  W.  Adron,  assisted  by  Miss  May- 
Hyde.  There  are  five  other  school  buildings  in  the  township. 
The  first  school-house  in  the  township  was  built  in  1S63,  oh 
John  Hemphill's'  land,  by  Alex.  Hemphill,  a  half  mile  north  of 
the  present  village.  Previous  to  that  year,  the  children  in  that 
vicinity  weie  sent  to  the  school  in  what  is  now  Rock  Grove  Town- 
ship, to  a  house  near  Widow  Toothman's. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  tirst  Baptist  Church  of  Rudd  was  organized  July  13, 
1878,  with  nine  constituent  members,  by  Rev.  Dr.  M.  E.  Arkills, 
who  has  been  its  pastor  until  the  present  time.  The  names  of  the 
oriorinal  members  are  as  follows:  M.  E.  Arkills,  Rachel  A. 
Arkills,  Sarah  L.  Arkills,  Alice  A.  Arkills,  Katie  J.  Clark,  Ellen 
Patterson,  R.  R.  Turner,  Frances  Turner  and  May  Turner.  At 
present  the  membership  numbers  thirty-three.  There  have  been 
twenty  accessions  by  baptism,  and  eleven  by  letter  and  experience. 
Services  twice  each  month  in  the  Rudd  school  hall. 

The  Methodiot  Episcopal  class  at  Rudd  was  organized  in  1^69. 
Tiiey,  too,  worsiiip  in  the  Rudd  school  hall.  The  other  statistics 
of   this  church  we  have  not  been  able  to  obtain. 

lUOGRAPHICAI.. 

Rev.  Moses  A  Arkills,  M.  Z>.,  was  born  in  Ulster  County,  N.  Y., 
Jan.  7.  1826.  He  is  a  son  of  Nathaniv^l  S.  Arkills,  a  native  of 
Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.,  who  moved  to  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y., 
in  1835.  He  was  ordained  as  a  minister  in  the  Baptist  church  Nov. 
26,  1S58,  in  the  West  Danby  church,  by  G    W.  iluntlt-y.      He  has 


986  HiSTORy  OF  floyd  county. 

been  a  pastor  of  churches,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  since 
that  time.  In  1865  he  went  to  Sycamore,  III.;  in  1867,  to  Malta, 
111.;  in  June,  1868,  to  Clarkson,  la.;  in  January,  1869,  to  Fred- 
ericksburg, la.,  where  he  remained  pastor  of  the  church  till  1877, 
when  he  came  to  Rudd.  He  read  medicine  and  practiced  nnder 
Dr.  Rufus  Talmage,  of  Enfield,  N.  Y.,  from  1855  to  1858;  and 
under  Dr.  Benedict,  of  Havana,  N  Y".,  for  two  years.  He  has 
built  up  a  good  practice  here,  and  is  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Rudd.  He  was  married  Feb  2,  1852,  to  Rachel  A.  Bartlett. 
They  have  six  children  —  Willard  B. ,  Jane  A.,  Hattie,  Sarah  L,, 
Alice  A  ,  and  Lulu  M. 

Elijah  t.  Bacon^  Rudd,  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y., 
Aug.  21,  1830;  is  a  son  of  Noah  Bacon,  who  moved  to  Waukesha 
County,  Wis.,  in  1843.  He  came  to  Waverly,  Iowa,  in  1864,  and 
to  Rudd  in  May,  1879,  and  bought  the  Diw.son  elevator.  He  deals 
in  grain,  live-stock  and  lumber,  and  is  doing  a  good  business.  He 
was  married  Sept.  30,  1855,  to  Adelaide  S.  Barker.  They  have 
eight  children  —  Lillian,  Mary  A.,  William  F.,  Millie,  Jeremiah 
D.,  Freddie,  Katie  and  Julius.  He  was  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
before  coming  liere,  but  there  is  no  order  here. 

Jesse  Conner^  born  in  Columbia  County,  Penn.,  in  1818,  was  a 
son  of  John  Conner  of  the  same  State.  When  he  was  quite  small 
his  parents  moved  to  New  York  State,  and  ten  years  later  to 
Canada,  where  they  both  died.  His  mother  was  Sarah  Lemon  ; 
her  father  was  an  extensive  lumberman  and  farmer.  In  1854  he 
came  West,  to  Dane  County,  Wis.,  and  in  1864  came  to  this 
county.  There  was  no  house  west  of  his,  before  reaching  Flood 
Creek.  He  was  married  in  1847,  to  Mary  Pimlot,  a  native  of 
England.  Of  their  eleven  children,  nine  are  living  —  Anna  J., 
Belvedier,  Mary,  Hattie,  Thos.  F.,  Wm.  J.,  John,  Jesse  and 
Henry.  He  owns  360  acres  on  section  29,  and  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Advent  Christian 
church. 

Harrison  Eaton,  born  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  May  11, 
1844,  is  a  son  of  Amasa  Eaton,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
moved  to  De  Kalb  County,  111.,  in  1851.  He  enlisted  in  1861,  in 
Company  K,  Fifteenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  served  three  years. 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga, 
Lookout  Mc  untain,  Resaca,  Atlanta,  and  others.  Since  the  war  he 
has  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  1868  he  went  to  Mitchell  County, 
la.:  he  bought  land  in  this  county,  on  section  19,  Rudd  Township, 


RUDD  TOWNSHIP.  987 

and  in  1870  came  liere  and  settled  on  it,  and  still  makes  it  his 
home.  He  owns  127  acres  of  fine  land,  and  is  engaged  in  both 
farming  and  stock-raising,  lie  was  married  in  1867  to  Eliza  Gar- 
bert.  Of  their  six  children,  five  are  living  —  Ida,  Albert,  Myrtilla, 
Willie  and  George.     He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Edward  Elliott^  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  June  28, 
1837,  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Elliott,  who  moved  with  his  family  to 
Washington  Oountv,  Wis.,  in  1846.  In  1866  he  came  to  this 
county,  where  he  owns  337  acres  of  land.  He  resides  on  section 
34,  Kudd  Township,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
He  has  been  Assessor  two  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church,  which  holds  services  each  Sabbath  at  the  King  School- 
house, 

Geo.  Eflioif,  son  of  Thomas  Elliott,  now  of  this  township,  was 
born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  31,  1840.  He  came  West 
with  his  parents  and  settled  in  Washington  County,  Wis.,  in  1846, 
and  in  June,  1865,  came  to  this  county,  where  he  owns  120  acres 
of  fine  land  on  section  32,  Rudd  Township,  and  is  engaged  in 
farming  and  •  stock-raising.  He  was  married  Nov.  5,  1871,  to 
Lydia  Smith.  Tiiey  have  three  children — Herbert,  Edward  and 
Lydia  E. 

John  W.  Elliott.,  born  in  Wasliington  County,  Wis.,  Nov.  4, 
1847,  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Elliott,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to 
America  when  young,  and  now  resides  in  Rudd  Township.  John 
W.  was  educated  in  the  Osage  Saminary,  and  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  county  in  May,  1866.  He  was  married  June  13, 
1880,  to  Emma  A.  Neville,  a  daughter  of  Elisha  Gallup.  They 
have  one  child — Elsie.  Mr.  Elliott  owns  160  acres  on  section  34, 
Rudd  Township,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
Mrs.  Elliott  owns  80  acres  in  Cedar  Township.  He  has  been 
Township  Clerk  one  year. 

Win.  W.  Gatches^  born  near  Chicago,  Cook  County,  III.,  Feb. 
15,  1851,  is  a  son  of  Morris  Gutches,  a  native  of  New  York,  and 
at  present  a  resident  of  Floyd — this  county.  He  went  to  Parkers- 
burg,  Iowa,  in  1870,  and  in  1872  came  to  this  county,  where  he 
owns  560  acres  of  fine  land.  He  is  one  of  Floyd  County's  enter- 
prising young  men.  His  home  is  on  section  35,  Rudd  Township. 
In  September,  1872,  he  married  Sarah  Billings.  Tney  have  three 
children — Jennie,  Ethel,  and  an  infant  boy. 

John  B.  Hemphill.,  born  in  Clearfield,  Clearfield  County,  Penn., 
Jan.  20,  1831,  is  a  son  of  James  Hemphill,  and  came  West  with 


988  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

his  father  in  1848,  and  settled  in  Boone  County,  111.  In  1853  he 
came  to  Kudd  (then  Kock  Grove)  Township,  where  he  now  owns 
240  acres  of  fine  land,  on  section  13,  and  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising.  When  he  came  here  it  was  all  wild  prairie,  the 
nearest  neighbor  being  at  Rock  Grove,  five  miles  away.  He 
took  his  wheat  to  McGregor,  100  miles  away,  and  sold  it  for 
less  than  half  a  dollar  per  bushel.  A  few  elk  and  bafi'alo  and 
droves  of  deer,  roamed  over  tlie  prairie.  Mr,  Hemphill,  Wm. 
Dean,  John  Fox,  and  Loomis  Colson  all  settled  in  the  present 
limits  of  this  township  in  1853.  He  was  married  July  4,  1852,  to 
Julia  A.  Dean,  a  sister  of  Wm.  Dean,  of  E.ock  Grove  Township. 
They  are  the  parents  of  seven  children,  six  living — Mary  L.,  Char- 
lotte E.,  Frank  E.,  John  W.,  Edward  W.,  and  Dana  E. ;  Walter 
L.  is  deceased.     He  served  his  township  as  Assessor  two  years. 

James  Hoel^  born  in  Hamilton  County,  O.,  March  14, 1822,  is  a 
son  of  Aaron  Hoel,  who  moved  to  Ir.iquois  County,  111.,  in  1834, 
and  settled  on  the  wild  prairie.  His  school  advantages  were  very 
limited.  He  came  to  Bremer  County,  la. ,  in  1875,  and  to  this  county 
in  1868.  He  was  married  in  March,  1846,  to  Alice  Fleming.  Of 
their  eight  children  six  are  living — William,  David,  James,  Laura, 
Mary  and  Etna.  One  daughter,  Martha,the  wife  of  Eli  Griggs, 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two. 

Robert  King^  born  in  Niagara,  Canada  West,  Feb.  8,  1820,  is  a 
son  of  Lewis  and  Elizabeth  (Sanderson)  King,  the  former  a  native 
of  Lower  Canada  and  of  French  descent,  and  the  latter  of  English 
descent.  In  1837  he  went  to  Bufi'alo,  N.  Y.,  and  two  weeks  later 
to  Cleveland,  then  enlisted  in  the  Patriot  war  and  served  two 
months,  when  the  army  disbanded.  In  the  spring  of  1838  he 
went  to  Lorain  County,  Ohio,  and  hired  out  to  William  Tillotson. 
In  1839  he  went  to  Schuyler  County,  Mo.;  in  1844,  to  Iowa 
County,  Wis. ;  in  1852  to  Lawrence  County,  Mo.,  and  in  1857  came 
to  Floyd  County  and  settled  in  section  28,  Rudd  Township,  where 
he  still  resides.  May  17,  1843,  he  married  Charlotte  M.,  daughter 
of  William  Tillotson,  Of  their  six  children  five  are  living — Ethan 
A.,  Edgar  D.,  William  R.,  Frank  T.  and  Ettie.  One  son  died  at 
the  age  of  one  year.  Mr.  King  has  been  Township  Trustee  three 
years,  and  School  Director  several  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church. 

George  Kirley,  born  in  Lewis  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb,  6,  1846,  is  a 
son  of  Michael  Kirley,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  America 
when   quite   young.     In  1856  Mr.  Kirley  moved  to  Cheboygan 


RUDD  TOWNSHIP.  989 

County,  Mich.,  and  in  1865  came  to  this  county.  He  is  residing 
on  section  33,  Riidd  Township,  where  he  owns  seventy  acres  and  is 
engaged  in  fanning  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  Dec.  30, 
18V3,  to  Hridget  A.  Casey,  They  have  four  children — Stephen  M., 
William  B.,  Agnes  E.  and  Mary  M.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
two  years.     The  family  are  members  of  tlie  Catholic  church. 

Eheti  L.  Mansfield,  born  in  Waldo  County,  Me.,  in  January, 
1830,  is  a  son  of  Daniel  Mansfield,  a  native  of  Massachusetts. 
His  early  education  was  received  in  the  common  school.  He 
came  West  in  1841:  and  settled  in  Franklin  County,  111.,  and  in 
1855  came  to  this  county,  settling  on  a  firm  on  section  13,  Radd 
Township.  He  was  married  in  1858  to  Angeline  Dean,  a  sister  of 
William  Dean,  of  Rock  Grove  Township.  Of  their  live  children 
two  are  living — Ira  M.  and  Julia  M.,  now  Mrs.  Fox.  One  son, 
Willie,  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  a  daughter,  Mary  (Mrs. 
Thomas),  at  the  age  of  thirty. 

Lyman  P.  Miner,  a  son  of  Jacob  Miner,  deceased,  was  born  in 
Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  6,  1841,  and  went  to  Iowa  County,  Wis., 
in  1857.  He  enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  Company  C,  Thirty-first 
Wisconsin  V^olunteer  Infantry.  He  served  three  years,  mostly  on 
detached  service.  In  the  Ml  of  1864  he  joined  Sherman  and  went 
with  him  to  the  sea.  After  the  war  he  went  to  Rock  County,  Wis., 
and  in  the  spring  of  1872  he  came  to  this  county.  He  owns  160 
acres  of  fine  land  on  section  34,  Rudd  Township,  and  is  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  Dec.  19,  1867,  to 
Mary  M.Yates.  They  have  two  children — Cora  A.  and  Lyman  E. 
He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  past  six  years;  is  a  Mason. 

Augustus  Nienstedt^  merchant  and  Postmaster  of  Rudd,  was 
born  in  Goslar,  Kingdom  of  Hanover  (now  Prussia),  Germany, 
Aug.  15,  1836.  His  father,  Christopher  Nienstedt,  came  to  this 
country,  to  New  York  City,  in  the  spring  of  1850,  and  his  family 
came  a  few  months  later.  In  185G  became  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and 
clerked  in  a  furniture  store  eight  years  ;  then  worked  at  farming 
four  years,  and  then  returned  to  the  store  and  remained  till  1870, 
when  he  caine  to  Rudd  and  established  a  (general  store,  which  he 
still  runs,  doing  a  business  of  $20,000  annually.  He  was  appointed 
Postmaster  of  Rudd  Jan.  8,  1875.  He  was  married  Dec.  25,  1862, 
to  Wilhelmina  Wuuderlich.  They  have  seven  children — Bertha, 
Clara,  Minnie,  George,  Nellie,  Augusta  and  Gertrude.  He  has 
been  School  Treasurei-  of  Rudd  for  the  |>H8t  ten  years. 


990  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Henry  A.  Payne^  son  of  Apollos  R.  Payne,  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  Polly  (Chandler)  Payne,  of  New  York  State,  was 
born  in  Ashtabula  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  9,  1830.  In  1852  he  went 
to  Massachusetts,  and  in  1851  to  Dane  County,  Wis.  In  the  fall 
of  1862  he  came  to  this  county,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising  on  section  21,  Rudd  Township.  In  June,  1857,  he 
was  married  to  Mrs.  Jane  Naylor,  a  daughter  of  George  Piralott. 
She  was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  Canada  when  sixteen 
years  old.  The  first  summer  they  were  here,  the  Indian  troubles 
occurred  in  Minnesota.  Mrs.  Payne  had  many  scares.  At  one 
time  she  was  left  alone  seven  days  and  nights,  while  Mr.  Payne 
went  to  McGregor  with  wheat.  It  was  all  wild  prairie,  the  near- 
est neighloor  being  a  mile  and  a  half  distant.  Mr.  Payne  is  said 
to  be  the  largest  man  in  the  county. 

Frank  Sherwm,  section  21  ;  postoffice,  Osage  ;  was  born  in  Ou- 
tagamie County,  Wis.,  in  June,  1852.  He  is  a  son  of  Herman 
Sherwin,  a  native  of  Kew  York,  now  of  Spriugvale,  Wis.,  born- 
Sept.  4,  1820.  He  is  a  prominent  man  in  Wisconsin.  His  portrait 
will  be  found  in  the  History  of  Fond  du  Lac  County.  His  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Sarah  D.  Coddington.  Frank  Sherwin  came  to 
this  county  in  the  spring  of  1875.  He  owns  80  acres  of  fine  land 
and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  in 
March,  1875,  to  Clara  Elliott.  They  have  three  children — Frank 
E.,  Howard  H.  and  Ralph  L. 

Reiiry  Summers^  born  in  Canada  East,  Sept.  7,  1819,  is  a  son  of 
William  Summers,  a  native  of  England,  who  moved  to  Clinton 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  1851.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm,  and 
his  education  received  in  the  common  schools.  He  came  to  Cal- 
mar,  la.,  in  1868;  to  Fort  Atkinson,  la.,  in  1869,  and  to  Rudd  in 
1876.  He  was  engaged  in  the  grain  business  in  Fort  Atkinson, 
and  has  carried  on  the  same  business  since  coming  to  Rudd.  He 
now  owns  a  one-half  interest  in  the  elevator  of  Basset,  Hunting 
&  Co.,  of  Rudd.  He  was  married  May  25,  1875,  to  Matilda 
Krumm,  of  Fort  Atkinson,     They  have  one  child — Cleone. 

James  Sivartwood,  born  in  Newfield,  Tompkins  County,  K.  Y., 
June  21,  1822^  is  a  sou  of  Dane  B.  Swartwood,  of  Wilkesbarre, 
Penn.  He  spent  his  early  boyhood  days  on  a  farm,  and  was 
educated  at  the  Homer  and  Groton  academies;  then  read  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Ithaca,  New  York,  in  1814:,  and  prac- 
ticed two  years.  In  1819  he  came  West,  and  went  to  Fond  du  Lac, 
Wis.;  in  1853,  removed  to  Sycamore,  111.,  and  in  September,  1864, 


RtTDD  TOWNSHIP.  991 

came  to  Rudd,  and  the  following  April  brouo;lit  family  here.  He 
originally  owned  the  entire  town  site  of  Ru  Id,  which  he  laid  out 
in  1869.  He  gave  one  half  of  it  to  the  railroad  company.  He 
was  married  Jan.  1,  1818,  to  Paulina  E.  Adams.  They  have  had 
eicht  children,  two  living — Isabel  and  Anna  C.  One  daughter, 
Myra  C,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven.  He  has  held  the  ofl&ees 
of  Assessor,  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  several  years,  and 
County  Supervisor  three  years. 

Ole  Tosterorud^  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  section  20,  Rudd 
Township,  was  born  in  Norway,  July  22,  1856;  his  father,  Lars 
Tostenrud,  brought  his  family  to  Am3rica,  and  settled  in  Iowa,  in 
1860,  and  in  1867  came  to  this  county.  There  were  six  children  in 
his  fathers  family,  four  living — Christia,  Ole,  Laura  and  Emma. 
Mary  and  Helen  are  deceased.  Mr.  Tostenrud  owns  eighty  acres  of 
line  land;  his  parents  make  their  home  with  him. 

RufasR.  lamer,  born  near  Uticii,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  11,  1817,  is  a 
son  of  William  Turner,  of  the  same  place.  He  went  to  White 
Water,  Wis.;  Jackson  County,  Wis.,  and  Boone  County,  111.,  and 
finally,  in  1876,  to  Rudd  Township,  and  settled  on  the  farm  of  forty 
acres,  on  section  10,  where  he  still  resides,  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  was  married  Jan.  13,  1818,  to  Mrs.  Frances  R. 
Knight,  widow  of  Augustus  Knight,  and  daughter  of  James  Ham- 
mond. Of  their  five  children,  four  are  living — William  R., 
Nelson  E.,  James  A.  and  May  A.  Mrs.  Turner  had  two  children 
by  her  former  marriage — 'Cynthia  M.  and  Henry  B.  Knight.  They 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Aaron  B.  West,  a  son  of  Simeon  West,  was  born  in  Bradford 
County,  Penn.,  Jan.  6,  J 827.  He  went  to  Waukesha  County, 
Wis.,  in  1849;  to  McGregor,  Iowa,  in  1862,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1870.  He  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  residing  on 
section  28,  Rudd  Township.  He  was  married  April  18,  1847,  to 
Mrs.  Sarah  Gofi",  a  daughter  of  Wm.  Knox.  They  had  six  chil- 
dren— Wm.  M.,  Chas.  W.,  Milton  W.,  Alice  A.,  John  A.  and 
Sarah  E.  Mrs.  West  died  Aug.  11,  1876,  and  Dec.  19,  1876,  Mr. 
West  married  Mrs.  Jane  Elliott,  widow  of  Wm.  Elliott,  and 
daughter  of  Mr.  Webb.  She  had  six  children  by  her  former  mar- 
riage, three  living — Eliza  J.,  Mary  A.  and  Arnilda.  They  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  E[)iscopal  church. 

David  S.  Wood,  born  in  Upper  Canada,  March  29,  1827,  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  Wood,  a  native  of  New  Jerse}',  who  cime  West  and 
settled  in  Boone  County,  111.,  in  1842.     In  185 L  he  came  to  Cedar 


992 


HISTORY  OF  FLO'S  D  COUNTY. 


County,  Iowa,  and  in  1854  came  to  this  coantv,  and  selected  land' 
where  he  still  resides,  on  section  18,  township  96,  range  17.  When 
he  came  here  it  was  wild  prairie  land,  inhabited  by  deer  and 
wolves,  but  he  h'as  changed  it  to  a  finely  cultivated  farm.  He 
owns  182  acres,  and  is  engaged  in  both  farming  and  stock-raising. 
He  was  married  Feb.  22,  1851:,  to  Harriet  E.  Thomas.  They  are 
the  parents  of  six  children,  three  living — George  H.,  Ada  E.  and 
Delos  W.  One  son,  Adelbert,  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen;  another, 
Charlie,  at  the  age  of  seven,  and  a  daughter,  Hattie,  aged  six 
months.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace,  except  for  a  short 
time,  for  the  past  eighteen  years;  has  held  the  oflice  of  County 
Supervisor  for  the  past  three  years;  is  now  serving  the  second 
term. 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 

Scott  Township  was  detached  from  Union  in  June,  1861,  and 
^comprised  congressional  township  91  north,  of  range  18  west, 
and  the  south  tier  of  sections  in  congressional  township  95  north, 
•of  range  18  west,  and  has  never  been  changed. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

There   is  a   peculiar,   instinctive   characteristic  of  man,  which 
seems  to  l#ad  him,  as  it  were  unconsciously  and  imperceptibly, 
in  the  footsteps  of  progress,  and  direct  him  to  locate  in  tliat  part  of 
an  unsettled  country  which  is  destined  to  become,  in  the  near  future, 
-a  beautiful  and  fertile  township.     It  is  probably  to  be  attriduted 
to  this  innate  feature  of  finite  man  that  Seott  Township  has  the 
many  prosperous  farmers  of  to-day.     Taken  as  a  whole  there  can 
scarcely  be  more  desirable  land  in  the  county  than  this  town- 
ship.    Here   everything   exists    in  abundance,  and  the  country  is 
richly  embellished  with  the  beauties   of  nature,  and,  all  in  all,  it 
seems  to  be  one  grand  and  lovely  combination  of  the  several  varie- 
ties of  pure  prairie  land  and  of  art  in  which  the  former  largely  pre- 
dominates; for  civilize  the  country  all  you  may,  improve  it  all  j'ou 
can,  and  then  bring  to  bear  upon  it  the  inventions  wrought  out  b}^ 
all  the   skill  and   ingenuity  of  man,   then   compare  its  condition 
with  what  it  was  in  its  early  pristine  state,  when  the  land  was  run 
•over  by  the  red  man's  ponies,  and  the  prairies  were  covered  with 
tall,  waving  grass,  with  its  green,  flowery  carpet,  its  undulating 
surface,  interspersed  here  and  there  with  wild  flowers  which  sent 
forth  their  sweet  perfumes  as  a  presentiment  of  the  coming  future, 
— do  all  of  this,  and  you  will  find  the  conditions  incomparable  to 
the  busy  scenes  of  Scott's  more  densely  populated  sister  townships, 
with  her  own  rural  simplicity;  of  the  two  the  former  one   would 
gradually  fade  away  like  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun.     But  no  com- 
mendatory notice  can  do  justice  to  the  rural  b^aut}' of  Scott  Town- 
ship.    Scott  Township  embraces  a  territory   of  forty-two  square 
miles,  principally  prairie,  ami  but  liftle  timber,  that  being  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  sections  35  and  36,  of  95  N.,  18  ^V.,  and  sec- 
ton  1,  of  94  N.,  18  W.,  or  those  sections  that  are  intersected  by 

(993; 


994  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

the  waters  of  Shell  Rock  River.  The  land  throughout  the  town- 
ship is  peculiarly  rich,  and  adapted  to  corn,  small  grain  and  dairy- 
ing. It  is  watered  by  two  small  creeks,  besides  Shell  Rock  River, 
running  easterly  across  the  township,  emptying  into  Shell  Rock  at 
points  in  Union  Township.  Cold  Water  Creek  touches  the  two 
southwest  sections  of  94  N.,  18  W.,  passing  out  of  the  county  on 
the  land  owned  by  B.  S.  Gilman.  On  section  16  is  quite  a  large 
fossil  deposit,  petrified  shells  and  bones  being  found  inside  of  the 
limestone  and  other  small  stones.  The  land  bordering  the  Shell 
Rock  resembles  the  intervales  of  the  Connecticut  River  as  to  the 
"lay,"  and,  from  the  farm  of  the  Montrose's,  presents  a  wonder, 
fully  striking  landscape. 

ELEOTIONAL    AJN'D    OFFICIAL.  $ 

The  first  election  held  in  the  township  was  in  April,  1861,  but  by 
some  unknown,  and  probably  excusable,  reason  the  official  records 
were  never  handed  in  to  at  least  three  of  the  township  clerks 
in  the  past,  and  Mr.  Oaks,  the  present  Township  Clerk,  hence  the 
impossibility  to  give  much  early  electional  and  official  records. 

The  assessor's  list  for  1866,  the  earliest  record  extant,  gives  the 
following  persons  assessed:  Wm.  O.  Crumb,  Egbert  Davis,  N.  P. 
Inman,  Samuel  Kinney,  N.  J.  Lee,  E.  E.  Mott,  Job  Randall, 
Daniel  Shook,  C.  A.  Crumb,  Absalom  Gleason,  Joseph  Daniels, 
J.  Kelsey,  Hiram  Losee,  Milton  Rowland,  Isaac  Sharp  and  I.  H. 
Tree. 

The  same  year  the  live-stock  assessed  and  total  value  is  as 
follows: 

Eighty-three  heads  of  cattle,  valued  at  $1,440;  eighty-nine  sheep, 
▼alued  at  $178;  twenty-four  hogs,  valued  at  $34;  thirty-one  horses, 
whose  value  was  estimated  to  be  $1,655.  Total  value  of  live-stock 
in  township,  $3,307.  The  present  valuation  is:  Cattle,  1,106, 
value  $7,760;  horses,  459,  value,  $10,583;  asses,  3,  value  $80; 
sheep,  163,  value  $121;   swine,  1,290,  value  $1,537. 

ASSESSORS. 

Since  1873  the  following  persons  have  been  regularly  elected 
Assessors:  J.  A.  Rex,  1873  and  '74;  Seth  M.  Blood,  1875;  Frank 
D.  Bnrlingame,  1876;  T.  W.  Nicholson,  1877-'78;  F.  D.  Bur- 
lingame,  1879-'80,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


995 


Cvrus  H.  Oakes  has  been  annually  elected  Township  Clerk 
eince  1873;  also  as  a  member  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors 
eince  1875,  serving  now  his  third  term. 

The  Trustees  of  the  township  since  1869,  with  the  exception  of 
two  years,  have  been  as  follows: 

1869.— Uriah  S.  Waist,  William  Galbraith,  Samuel  Kenny. 

1870. — E.  D.  Montrose,  Samuel  Kenny,  Wm.  Galbraith. 

1873. — I.  B.  Scherraerhorn,  Blair  Barney,  E.  D.  Montrose. 

1874. — Blair  Barney,  E.  D.  Montrose,  A.  J.  Donney. 

1876. — Jacob  A.  Rex',  George  Schultz,  Samuel  Kinney. 

1876. — Blair  Barney,  Isaac  Sharp,  August  Mauch. 

1877. — Blair  Barney,  August  Mauch,  J.  A.  Barnum. 

1878. — Blair  Barney  (one  year),  Isaac  Sharp  (two  years),  August 
Mauch  (three  years).  Note:  The  change  in  the  election,  one  trustee 
to  serve  three  years,  electing  one  each  year,  necessitated  one  of  the 
three  to  withdraw.  It  was  pleasantly  decided  by  drawing  lots, 
and  decided  as  above  years  indicate. 

1879.— J.  P.  Miller. 

1880.— Geo.  Schultz. 

1881.— H.  Mauch. 

The  following  is  the  number  of  polls  cast  at  each  October  elec- 
tion since  1873: 


TEAR. 

1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 

1877. 


KLE0T0R8.   YBAR. 


ELECTORS. 


.60 

.54 
.74 
.77 
.62 


1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1S81. 


78 

100 

94 

101 


The  earliest  Road  Supervisors  that  we  have  record  of  were:  D. 
W.  Cornish  and  Henry  Eads.  The  present  ones  are:  C.  J.  Bick- 
ford,  Thomas  Garber,  James  Galbraith,  J.  W.  Nicholson,  G.  L. 
Brown,  Charles  Dean,  A.  J.  Esser,  and  B.  S.  Gilman. 


EDUCATIONAL. 


The  Secretary's  record  shows  the  following  as  the  first  minutes: 
"First  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  H.  Losee,  on  motion  of  N. 
P.  Inman.      Voted  to  raise  one-half  mill  on  the  dollar  for  school 


996  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

purposes;  also  to  leave  repairincrof  school-house  to  Board  of  Direct- 
ors. Wm.  O.  Crumb,  President;  E.  Davis,  Treasurer;  H.  Losee, 
Secretary," 

"April  23,  1861. — A  inotioa  that  A.  Gleasoa  be  appointed  a 
committee  of  one  to  settle  school  matters  with  LTnion  Township. 
Carried." 

"Motion:     That  Scott  has  seven  months'  school.    Carried." 

The  following  September  a  meeting  was  called.  Among  other 
matters  Wm.  O.  Crumb  and  Isaac  Sharp  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  see  to  finishing  the  school-house.  The  following  January, 
1865,  H.  Losee  and  William  O.  Crumb  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  investigate  the  "  dues  "  of  Scott  Township.  There  was 
an  unimportant  meeting  the  16th  of  March,  and  another  the 
26th.  Daring  this  year  (1865)  Joel  Lee,  H.  Losee  were  chosen 
Sub-Direcrors  for  districts  land  2.  One  mill  on  the  dollar  was 
raised  as  contingent  fund;  two  mills  on  the  dollar  for  teachers' 
fund.  One  dollar  was  voted  for  a  trip  for  each  of  the  members  of 
the  Board  to  Charles  City;  and  one  dollar  to  the  Secretary  for 
recording    minutes  of  each  meeting. 

The  first  record  of  teachers  and  schools  are  as  follows,  though 
undoubtedly  the  old  log  house  and  subscription  schools  comes  in 
long  prior  to  this. 

EAJILY   SCHOOLS. 

As  the  earlier  records  of  the  actions  in  the  township  territory, 
now  Scott,  have  been  lost,  or  laid  beyond  the  reach  of  the  present 
residents,  but  few  facts  regarding  the  schools  and  their  teachers 
can  be  given  as  authentic.  We  have  no  positive  record  until  later 
than  1865,  and  it  is  unfair  to  suppose  the  settlers  had  no  schools 
in  their  midst  before  this.  Schools  were  kept  in  those  days  by 
crude  systems,  all  over  the  county,  and  why  not  in  91  nortii,  18 
west?  And  so  we  can  give  nothing  better  than  a  supposition 
based  on  a  description  given  the  writer  orally — not  saying  schools, 
or  teachers  or  its  wanton  rudeness  existed  there  but  the  presump- 
tion that  it  might. 

FIRST   SCHOOLS. 

1865,  Nov.  18.  Sub-District  Ko.  1. — Teacher,  Laura  Stearns; 
length  of  school,  three  months  (sixty  days);  salary,  $75;  average 
cost  per  pupil,  39  cents. 


■\ 


MM>Ay^ 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOK.  LENOX  AND 
TXLDEN  FOUWDATIOHS 


scorr  TOWNSHIP. 


999 


1866,  May  8.  Sub-District  No.  1. — Teacher,  Laura  Stearns; 
length  of  school,  four  months  (eighty  days);  salary,  $100;  average 
cost  per  pupil,  30  cents. 

1866,  Nov.  5.  Sub-District  No.  1.— Teacher,  Carrie  E.  Waste; 
length  of  school,  four  months  (seventy-nine  days);  salary,  $100; 
average  cost  per  pupil,  14  cents,  2  mills. 

1867,  Dec.  2.  Sub-District  No.  1.— Teacher,  H.  L.  Weatherell; 
length  of  school,  four  months  (eighty  clays);  salary,  $88;  aver- 
age cost  per  pupil,  12  cents,  3  mills. 

The  enrollment,  average  attendance  and  teachers'  names  for 
spring  term  of  1882  can  be  seen  from  the  following  table,  from  the 
County  Supeiintendent's  report: 


SUB-DISTRTCT. 


1. 

3. 

4. 
5. 
6. 

7. 
8 


w 

>^ 

% 

H  B 

w 

•^  yi 

o 

H  ^ 

E 

2^ 
2  s 

H 

^  0 

v. 

S  !^ 

H 

B  fj 

>< 

17 

13.7 

16 

9.3 

20 

14 

13 

11.8 

19 

16 

15 

12.7 

14 

11,3 

TEACHERS. 


Nellie  S.  Merril. 
Mrs.  Baldwin. 
Ella  Comstock. 
Blair  Barney. 
Lucy  Lorenz. 
Dwijjht  Merrick. 
Jennie  V.  Reed. 


We  give  the  names  of  some  of  the  sub-directors  for  different 
years,  to  show  the  increase  of  sub-districts: 

1866,  March  12.— I.  Sharp,  Wjn.  O.  Crumb,  A.  R.  Blodgett 
(September  meeting). 

1869,  March  6.— Daniel  Joseph,  Milton  Rowland,  E.  D. 
Montrose. 

1870,  March  5. — E.  D.  Montrose,  J.  B.  Schermerhorn,  A.  J- 
Denney. 

The  present  officers  are:  J.  P.  Miller,  President;  A.  W. 
Montrose,  Secretary;  J.  B.  Schermerhorn,  Treasurer. 

The  Sub-Directors  are:  John  Kreider,  Samuel  Kinney,  J.  P. 
Miller,  Geo.  Shultz,  W.  E.  Efner,  B.  Courtwright,  J.  J.  Maxwell, 
Andrew  J.  Esser. 

There  are  eight  large,  convenient  and  neat-looking  school-houses 
(20^x  30)  to-day,  which  speaks  well  for  the  growth  of  the  township. 


(1 


1000  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 


RELIGIOUS. 


Scott  Township,  althousjh  having  no  church  edifices,  is  well 
supplied  with  religious  teachings,  and  has  been  fur  a  long  while. 
There  has  been,  at  different  seasons,  preaching  in  nearly  every 
school-house  in  the  township — at  least  in  I^os.  1,  2,  3,  5,  6,  and  8. 
This  summer  there  is  preaching  in  N^os.  1,  6  and  7;  and  Sabbath- 
schools  in  Nos.  2  and  7.  Rev.  Mr.  Grumley,  a  Methodist  preacher 
from  Cerro  Grordo  County,  preaches  Thursday  evening  every  fort- 
night, in  Sub  district  School-house  No.  6,  and  Friday  evening  in 
No.  8.  Iti  No.  1,  the  MetliocUst  preacher  from  Rockwell  preaches. 

OTHER    ORGAJSriZATIONS. 

To  while  away  the  long  winter  evenings  the  citizens  living  within 
Sub-district  No.  5,  have  held  lycenms.  They  have  always  been 
quite  well  attended,  the  exercises  bein*,  in  commou  with  other 
social  gatherings  t»f  this  nature,  speaking,  recitations,  debates, 
a  paper,  etc. 

There  was  a  grange  organized  in  '73  or  '74,  with  about  twenty 
charter  members.  It  was  in  existence  for  about  two  years.  0.  H. 
Oaks  was  Master. 

FIRST    EVENTS. 

The  first  township  election  was  held  in  the  Kinney  Scliool- 
liouse,  on  section  11. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  Loral  Inman,  a  resident  of  the 
township,  afterward  of  Rockford,  and  now  deceased. 

The  first  furrow  turned  over  for  earnest  agricultural  intentions 
was  on  section  12,  Charles  Smith  being  the  "  husbandman." 

There  is  one  township  postoffice  named  "  Scott,"  established 
about  1877,  Mrs.  Mary  Waller,  Postmistress,  situated  in  the  center 
of  the  township. 

The  first  forge  was  built  by  Uriah  Tree,  on  section  2,  94  N.,  18 
W.  He  has  since  moved  to  Verndale,  Minn.,  where  many  of 
Floyd's  oldest  settlers  immigrated  a  few  years  ago.  A  shop  is  now 
run  by  P.  Shultz  on  the  same  section. 

The  first  birth  was  that  of  a  son  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isaac  Sharp, 
whom  they  named  George. 

One  of  the  earliest  Justices  of  the  Peace  was  Edmont  Rose. 
The  present  gentlemen  holding  the  ofiice  are  J.  B.  Schermf^rhorn 
and  G.  L.  Brown. 


SCOTT   TOWNSHIP.  1001 

The  first  marriage  within  the  limits  of  the  township  was  Wm, 
Down  to  Phebe  Down.  It  was  the  immediate  result  of  better 
resolves,  and  a  re-kindling  of  old  loves — they  having  been  married 
and  divorced  previous  to  coming  to  Floyd  County.  "  True  love 
never  does  ran  smoothly." 

The  first  death  was  that  of  the  Riddle  child,  and  the  uncle,  by 
lightning,  in  June,   1855. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Thomas  Alexander  was  born  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  Sept.  7, 
1833.  He  left  there  in  the  fall  of  186-i,  and  went  to  Canada; 
remained  there  until  the  fall  of  1879,  when  he  came  to  Floyd 
County,  Iowa,  and  settled  on  section  33,  Scott  Township,  where  he 
still  resides,  engaged  in  farming,  raising  corn  and  stock.  He  has 
320  acres  of  fine  land.  He  was  married  in  Ohio,  Feb.  22, 1855,  to 
Catherine  B.  Atkinson.  They  had  one  child — John  F.,  born  Dec. 
7, 1855.  Mrs.  Alexander  died  Oct.  15,  1857.  He  was  married  a 
second  time  May  25,  1858,  to  Matilda  Sparling.  By  this  union 
there  were  three  children — W.  S.,  born  Aug.  9,  1859;  Agnes,  Dec. 
22,  1860,  and  Olivia  J.,  Jan.  2,  1863.  Mrs.  Matilda  Alexander 
died  Aug.  28,  1881.  Politically,  Mr.  Alexander  is  a  Democrat, 
and  in  his  religious  belief  is  a  Baptist. 

T.  J.  Barnum,  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Scott  Township, 
was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  July  3,  1819.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  his  native  State,  and  made  it  his  home  until  1861:, 
when  he  came  West,  and  in  the  fall  of  1867  settled  in  Winne- 
shiek Cjunty,  Iowa.  He  followed  farming  there  four  years,  then 
moved  to  Floyd  County,  settling  on  section  35,  Scott  Township, 
where  he  owns  80  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land.  He  was  married 
in  1839,  to  Nancy  Lewis,  a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State, 
born  in  1820.  They  liaveone  child — Menard,  born  in  New  York 
in  1845.     In  his  political  views  Mr.  Barnum  is  a  Democrat. 

G.  L.  Brown  was  boru  in  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  8, 
1840.  His  parents  moved  to  Pennsylvania  when  he  was  three 
years  old,  and  from  there,  fourteen  years  later,  to  Illinois.  He 
lived  in  Ogle  and  Winnebago  counties.  III.,  till  1868,  when  he 
came  to  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  where  lie  has  since  resided,  following 
the  occupation  of  farming.  He  owns  240  acres  of  land,  160  in 
Scott  Township,  Floyd  County,  and  80  acres  adjoining,  on  section 
1,  Binnezette  Township,  Butler  County.  He  raises  both  live-stock 


1002  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

and  grain.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  ;  has  held  the  office  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace  eight  years,  and  is  Road  Supervisor,  He  was 
married  in  October,  1860,  to  Martha  McNeill,  a  native  of  Winne- 
bago County,  111.,  born  Nov.  17,  181-1.  They  are  the  parents  of 
seven  children — Charles  E,  born  Nov.  16,  1861;  Mary  M.,  Dec. 
26,  1863  ;  Cora  D.,  Feb.  20,  1866  ;  Thomas  H.,  Feb.  17,  1867; 
John  J.,  March  9,  1869;  George  W.,  March  15,  1871;  William 
H.,  Aug.  15,  1873. 

Benjamin  Courtright  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Penn.,  Aug.  2, 
1826.  He  moved  to  Illinois  in  1866,  where  he  remained  till  1874, 
when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  settled  on  section  35, 
Scott  Township,  where  he  has  160  acres  of  good,  well-improved 
land.  His  entire  life,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in 
Mendota,  111.,  has  been  spent  in  farming.  He  is  neutral  in  his 
political  views,  and  has  held  the  office  of  School  Director.  He  was 
married  May  4,  1853,  to  Catharine  Transue,  a  native  of  Monroe 
County,  Penn.,  born  Aug.  24,  1830.  They  have  eight  children 
— John,  born  Oct.  4,  1851;  Anna  E.,  March  5,  1853;  Alice,  April 
26,  1858;  Isaac,  May  28,  1860;  William  A.,  March  3,  1862;  Mary 
M.,  March  5, 1864;  Sabrina,  Dec.  24,  1868.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Dexter  W.  Dean  was  born  in  De  Kalb  County,  111.,  Nov.  17, 1856, 
where  he  resided  till  1881.  He  had  previously  made  several  visits 
to  Iowa,  and  at  one  time,  1865,  remained  some  time.  Finally,  in 
1881,  he  moved  to  Floyd  County,  and  settled  on  section  27,  Scott 
Township,  where  he  and  Franklin  Keith  own  650  acres  of  fine  land 
in  partnership.  He  was  married  in  Illinois,  June  8,  1878,  to 
Phoebe  Riddle,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Nov.  3, 1856.  They 
have  one  child — Ellsworth,  born  in  Illinois,  Nov.  14, 1879.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Dean  is  a  Republican. 

Daniel  Duncklee^  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  Scott  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  June  22,  1829.  His 
father  moved  with  his  family  to  New  York  in  1841,  and  Daniel 
resided  there  until  1856,  when  he  came  to  Iowa.  He  located 
in  Freemont  Township,  Benton  County,  remaining  there  until 
1878,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  and  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land  on  section  33,  Scott  Township,  where  he  is  at  present 
residing.  His  farm  is  under  excellent  improvement  and  well 
stocked.  He  was  married  in  1866,  to  Elizabeth  Stackhouse,  who 
was  born  in  Illinois,  April  6,  1840.  Their  union  has  been  blessed 
with  two  children — Ida  Marian,  born  Dec.   11,    1866,  and  Almira, 


SCOTT    TOWNSHIP.  1003 

April  26, 1872.     Mr.  Diincklee  is  a  member  of  the  Chris'^ian  church 
and  in  polities  he  is  a  Republican. 

E.  W.  ElUs  is  a  n  itive  of  Wales,  born  Jan.  23,  1839.  He  erai- 
gr.ited  to  Americi  in  185G,  landed  at  New  York  City,  and  from 
there  went  to  Utica,  where  he  8p3nt  two  years.  In  1867  h3  moved 
to  Dubuque  County,  la.,  thence  in  September,  1873,  to  SacCjunty, 
where  he  resided  four  and  one-half  years,  and  in  1S77  came  to 
Floyd  County.  He  owns  a  finely  improved  farm  of  105  acres  on 
section  31,  Scott  Township,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers 
and  stock-growers  of  the  county.  He  married  Charlotte  Jeffry, 
who  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man,  March  22,  1813.  In  May,  1861, 
Mr.  Ellis  enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  three  years,  participating  in  many  a  hard-fought  battle.  He 
served  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  Generals  McCleilan  and 
Pope,  and  was  wounded  Aug.  30,  1832,  at  the  second  battle  of  Bull 
Run.  He  was  honorably  discharged  with  his  conradesat  Madison, 
Wis.,  July  16,  1864.     In  politics  he  is  a  strong  Republican. 

Andrew  J.  Esser  was  born  in  Prussia,  Feb.  28,  1812,  and  emi- 
grated with  liis  parents  to  America  in  1851.  They  landed  at  New 
York,  and  from  there  went  at  once  to  Dodge  County,  Wis.,  where 
Andrew  lived  seven  years,  then  went  to  Missouri,  and  worked  as  a 
farm  laborer  two  years.  In  August,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
E,  Twelfth  Missouri  Volunteer  Infmtry,  and  served  thirteen 
months.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  Black 
River,  Canton  ;  was  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  f  )rty-seven  days, 
and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  Upjn  leaving  the 
service  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  remained  six  months,  thence  to 
Kendall  County,  111.  He  followed  farming  there  four  years,  and 
May,  1868,  came  to  Rockford,  la.  He  at  once  engaged  in  farming, 
and  in  1874  purchased  200  acres  of  land  on  section  31,  Scott  Town- 
ship, and  in  1878,  160  on  section  32,  making  a  splendid  farm  of 
360  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land.  He  was  married  in  1871  to 
Martha  De  Wolf,  who  was  born  in  Wisconsin  in  October,  1853. 
They  have  three  children  —  x^nna,  born  July  29,  1872  ;  Albert, 
May  26,  1876,  and  Leonard,  July  22,  1878.  In  his  political  views, 
Mr.  Esser  is  a  Republican  ;  he  has  held  many  of  the  township 
offices,  and  i.s  the  present  School  Director  and  Road  Supervisor. 

Williajn  Gdlbraiih^  one  of  the  prominent  f  irmers  of  Scott  Town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  Scotland,  born  in  the  town  of  Slates,  in  1804. 
He  emigrated  to  America  in  1850,  landed  at  New  York,  and  from 
til  ere  went  direct  to  Mirqnette  County,  Wis.,  where  he  engaged 


1004  HISTORY  OF   FLOYD  COUNTY. 

in  farming  eleven  years,  and  in  1861  disposed  of  bis  land  and  came 
to  Floyd  County,  la.  He  settled  on  sections  10  and  11,  Scott 
Township,  where  he  owns  a  valuable  farm  of  320  acres,  under 
excellent  improvement  and  finely  stocked.  He  has  twice  married ; 
his  first  wife,  Jeannette  Stephenson,  was  a  native  of  Scotland, 
where  she  died  in  1842,  leaving  two  children  —  Jeannette,  born 
April  30,  1838,  and  David,  March  11,  1841.  The  second  marriage 
occurred  Jan.  25,  1849,  to  Agnes  Thomson,  likewise  of  Scottish 
birth,  born  in  Ayreshire  in  1829.  The  fruit  of  this  union  is  ten 
children,  viz.:  William,  born  Oct.  11,  1850;  James,  Aug.  26, 
1854  ;  John,  March  1,  1856  ;  Andrew,  Aug.  22,  1858  ;  Eobert, 
Feb.  21,  1860  ;  Samuel  and  Alexander  (twins),  March  21,  1863  ; 
Rachel  and  Hugh  (twins),  July  7, 1864,  and  Agnes,  April  2,  1869. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  politics 
Mr.  Galbraith  gives  the  Republican  party  his  support. 

Thomas  Garher^  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Scott  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Shelby  County,  O.,  Dec.  6,  1835.  He  came  from 
Ohio  to  Clayton  County,  la.,  in  1854,  and  lived  there  until  March 
13,  1865,  when  he  settled  in  Floyd  County,  purchasing  land  in 
Union  Township.  Three  years  later  he  moved  to  Seott  Township, 
having  previously  bought  eightj'^  acres  of  land  on  section  12,  and 
has  since  resided  there.  He  has  made  farming  his  life  business, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  practical  and  successful  farmers  of  FJoyd 
County.  He  is  a  strong  suppjrter  of  the  Republicans,  and  has 
been  elected  to  the  office  of  Constable,  and  is  the  present  Road 
Supervisor.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Josephine  McCrum  , 
on  March  18,  1862.  She  was  born  in  Huntingdon  County,  Pa., 
Dec.  22,  1844.  Four  children  have  blessed  this  union,  viz.:  Sel- 
don,  born  April  18,  1865;  Edmund,  Jan.  25,  1867;  Dora,  Feb. 
24, 1870,  and  Alice,  July  7,  1878.  Mr.  Garber  is  a  member  of  the 
German  Baptist  church. 

J.  W.  Jeffrey  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man,  May  19,  1837,  and 
emigrated  to  America  when  in  his  boyhood;  he  landed  at  New 
York  and  went  at  once  to  Jamestown,  Wis.,  where  he  resided  until 
Aug.  12,  1862,  and  on  that  day  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Twenty- 
fifth  Wisconsin  Yolunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  Nash  and 
Colonel  Montgomery,  and  was  mustered  out  with  his  comrades  when 
the  war  closed  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  discharged  at  Madison 
County.  He  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  engaged  in 
many  a  hard-fought  battle.  He  was  with  Sherman  on  his  famous 
march  to  the  sea,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Kennesaw  Mt., 


SCOTT   TOWNSHIP.  1006 

Atlanta,  Dallas,  Ga.,  Decatur,  Ga.,  was  in  front  of  Atlanta  under 
fire  for  about  six  months,  and  was  also  present  during  the  siege 
and  battle  of  Savannah,  Ga.  After  the  capture  of  that  citj,  he 
with  his  regiment  shipped  on  board  a  steamer  and  went  to  Soutli 
Carolina,  and  took  the  town  of  Columbia,  reducing  it  to  ashes. 
This  regiment  was  detailed  as  provost  guard  and  sent  to  North 
Carolina,  thence  to  Richmond,  Ya.,  and  from  there  to  Washington, 
and  was  in  the  grand  review.  He  returned  to  Wisconsin,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1866  crossed  the  plains  to  Mont^tna,  and  resided 
near  Helena  City  two  and  one-half  years.  He  came  to  Rockford, 
la.,  in  the  fall  of  1869,  an  1  bought  120  asres  of  fine  farming  land 
on  section  31,  Scott  Township,  and  has  resided  hero  since.  He 
was  mirried  Dec.  27,  1S69,  to  Rosa  S.  Collogan,  who  was  born  in 
Wisconsin,  and  died  July  14,  1880,  leaving  five  children — James 
N.,  Mary  E.,  Abbie  B.,  George  and  Frank  L.  Mr.  Jefi'rey  was 
again  married  on  April  16,  1882,  to  Aurelia  Lowrenz,  who  was 
born  in  Freeport,  111.,  April  26,  1852,  and  cama  to  Roskford,  Iowa, 
in  1876.     In  politics  Mr.  Jefi'rey  is  a  strong  Republican. 

Hiram  Loses.  Prominent  among  the  pioneers  and  representative 
citizens  of  Floyd  County  stands  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  A 
native  of  Jefi'erson  County,  N.  Y.,  he  was  bjrn  M  irch  3,  1834, 
and  resided  there  until  21  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Marble 
Rock,  la.,  at  that  time  called  Beelar's  Grove.  Settlers  were  few 
in  that  region  and  Mr.  Losee  was  among  the  first.  He  opened  a 
farm  on  section  30,  Union  Township,  which  he  cultivated  and 
afterward  rented  until  1870,  when  he  sold  it  and  moved  to  Scott 
Township.  He  is  one  of  the  largest  land-owners  in  the  county, 
his  possessions  amounting  to  1,233  acres  of  fine  farming  land.  The 
farm  upon  which  he  resides  is  located  on  sections  12  and  13,  and 
consists  of  700  acres,  well  improved  and  thoroughly  stocked.  He 
has  a  herd  of  208  head  of  stock.  He  has  been  elected  to  t!ie  oflSces 
of  Township  Clerk,  Treasurer,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  County 
Treasurer,  serving  in  each  instance  with  credit  to  himself  and  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  his  c  )nstituents.  On  Sept.  8,  1859,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Phcebe  Smith,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They 
have  eight  children — John  K.,  born  Feb.  18,  1861;  Charles  ])., 
June  16,  1863;  A.  Sheridan,  Aug.  19,  1865;  Frederick  R., 
Dec.  25,  1868;  James  B.,  May  26,  1870;  Amelia  J.,  Feb.  11,  1874; 
Sarah  M.,  Apr.  2,  1877,  and  Florence  M.,  Ap.'.  18,  1882.  Mr. 
Losee  is  neutral  in  his  political  views.  His  mother  is  spending  lior 
declini'ig  years  witli  him,  and  is  seventj'-five  years  of  age. 


1006  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

E.  D.  Montrose  was  born  in  Ulster  County,  N.  Y .,  and  from 
the  time  he  was  four  years  of  age  until  he  was  twenty  he  lived  on 
the  banks  of  the  Gonesee  River,  Livingsto  i  County.  In  1836  he 
emigrated  to  St.  Joseph  County,  Mich.,  thence  to  Dane  County, 
wis.,  in  1848.  In  1865  he  camo  to  Fioyd  County,  la.,  and  in  1866 
bonglit  250  acres  of  fine  land  on  section  35,  Scott  Township,  where 
he  has  resided  since,  one  of  the  most  honored  and  respected  citi- 
zens of  this  county.  He  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  1867,  holding  that  position  ten  years.  In  1838  he  was 
elected  County  Superintendent,  and  has  held  at  various  times 
nearly  all  of  the  township  offices,  serving  with  credit  to  himself  and 
t)  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  On  Dec.  19,  1839,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Harriet  L.  Star,  who  was  born  in 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  O^t.  16,  1817.  Their  union  has  been 
blessed  with  seven  children,  viz. :  Henry  W.,  born  Dec.  27,  184:0, 
en'isted  in  Company  B,  Seventh  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  on  July 
24,  1861,  and  served  four  years,  participating  in  all  the  battles  of 
this  regiment  except  one;  he  was  wounded  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  and 
at  Fort  Doaelson;  he  wa^  with  Siermxn  on  his  march  to  the  sea 
and  with  Grant  at  Bjlmjnt;  he  was  discharged  witli  his  comrades 
after  much  brave  and  daring  fighting  at  Louisville,  Ky.;  Catharine, 
born  Aug.  14,  1843,  married  W.  H.  Porter;  Emily,  Oct.  27,  1845, 
is  the  wife  of  T.  E.  Teape;  Marion,  Djc.  22,  1847,  married  Austin 
Eu^sell;  Addio,  Jan.  24,  1849;  Lucy,  May  8,  1856,  married  Fred- 
crick  Morrill,  an  1  Sarah,  Mir.  28,  1861.  In  his  political  views 
Mr.  Montrose  is  a  strong  Republican. 

2.  W.  N icholsoji  wa.=i  horn  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  June  19,  1847, 
where  he  lived  till  five  years  of  age,  tlien  went  with  his  parents  to 
Pittsburg,  Pen:i.,  where  thoy  lived  three  years;  from  there  came  to 
Delaware  County,  la.,  in  1855.  He  worked  on  a  farm  with  his 
father,  in  Del  iware  County,  until  1871.  Jan.  1,  1871,  he  married 
Sarah  C.  Stones,  born  in  L  i  Porte,  In  1.,  March  5,  1850.  They  have 
four  children— Elsie  M.,  born  May  13,  1875;  Robert  G.,  Nov. 
30,  1876;  Frank  H.,  Dec.  18,  1878,  an  I  Nora  G.,  Jan.  27,  1881. 
Mr.  Nicholson  is  a  Djmocratin  his  political  views.  He  owms  160 
acres  of  gool  land  on  section  17,  Scott  Township,  Floyd  County. 

Cyms  II.  0>Jbks  was  born  in  the  State  of  Maine,  Jan.  21,  1835, 
and  emigr  ited  iVora  there  to  Illinois  when  twelve  years  of  age. 
His  parents  S3ttled  on  a  farm  in  B  )one  County,  where  he  was 
reared  and  educated,  remaining  until  1871,  and  in  that  year  he  came 
to  Floyd  County,  Iowa.     He  located  on  seation  8,  Scott  Township, 


SCOTT   TOWNSHIP.  1007 

w'.iere  he  owns  260  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  and  ranks  with 
the  prominent  and  sucjessfiil  fanners  of  the  county.  He  has  held 
the  office  of  Towns'ii;)  Clerk  since  1874,  and  that  of  Jiis.ice  of  the 
Peace  four  years.  He  was  elected  County  Supervisor  in  January, 
1876,  and  still  retains  the  position.  As  an  officer  he  is  capable 
and  efficient,  and  discharges  his  duties  with  credit  to  himself  and 
the  satisfaction  of  his  cons:itu3nts.  Politically  he  is  a  pronounced 
Republican.  On  Jan.  30,  1861,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Alida  A.  Yorce,  a  native  of  Henderson,  N.  Y.,  born  Aug.  26,  1835. 
Tlie  fruit  of  this  union  is  two  children — Albert  J.,  born  Nov.  13, 
1861,  and  Earle,  Aug.  16,  1835. 

./.  £.  S ^hermerhoni  was  born  in  Delawire  County,  N.  Y.,  July 
1,  1840,  and  c.ime  to  Galva,  Hjnry  County,  111.,  in  18.58,  where  he 
lived  one  year,  and  then  came  to  Iowa,  going  to  Delaware  County; 
rem  lined  there  till  the  spring  of  1869,  and  then  came  to  Floyd 
County,  settling  on  section  23,  Scott  Township.  He  has  160 
acres  of  tine  land,  which  he  has  under  goo  1  cultivation.  Polit- 
ic illy  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  held  the- office  of  Township 
Treasurer  fjr  eiglit  years,  and  is  the  present  incumbent;  he  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1876,  and  still  holds  that  office  ;  he 
lias  served  on  the  Board  of  Township  Trustees  for  several  terms. 
Hi  was  married  to  Rebecca  M.  B)wman,  July  23,  1861.  She  was 
born  near  Dayton,  Ohio,  April  20,  1845.  They  have  six  children 
—  Frank,  born  April  9,  1862  ;  Eugene  J.,  March  24,  1865  ;  Sarah, 
July  11,1872  ;  John  T.,  Feb.  22,  1875  ;  Wayne  H.,  Sept.  22, 18T7; 
Susannah,  May  19,  1879. 

Isaac  S'larj),  was  born  near  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  19,  1830, 
anlwhmhewas  three  years  oil  his  fat'ner  emigrated  to  Chau- 
tau([ua  County,  that  State,  where  he  remair)ed  until. thirteen  years 
of  ag;.  His  father  then  re  no ved  to  Kane  County,  111.,  an  I  died 
there  in  1880.  Isaac  Shirp  came  to  Iowa,  Sept.  17,  1854,  resided 
in  Benton  County  one  year,  then  came  to  Floyd  Coanty.  purchas- 
ing 160  acres  of  lani  on  section  2,  Scott  Township,  and  in  1873,  he 
ad  led  160  acres  to  that  purchase,  and  now  owns  320  acres  of  as 
fine  land  as  there  is  in  the  State  of  Iowa.  He  was  married  to 
Agnes  Cornelie  in  La  Salle  County,  111.,  on  July  19,  1853.  She 
was  born  in  Ulster  C  .unt3%  N.  Y.,  Sept.  2,  1836.  Tliey  have 
nine  children,  viz  :  llattie,  George,  Calvin,  Emma,  Fred,  Nellie, 
Charles,  Lulu  and  Willie.  Mr.  Sharp  votes  the  Republican  ticket, 
and  ha<'  held  the  offices  of  T(>.wiiship  Trustee,  School  Director  and 


1008  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY, 

Assessor,  serving  acceptably  in  each  instance.     He  ranks  with  the 
prominent  and    influential   farmers  and   stock-growers  of  Floyd 
County. 
Paxson  Shidtz  was  born  in  Columbia  County,  Penn.,  in  October, 

1826.  He  moved  to  Lee  County,  111.,  in  1856,  where  he  resided 
till  1874,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  where  he  has  229 
acres  of  good,  well-improved  land.  He  was  married  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1851,  to  Hannah  Temple,  a  native  of  that  Stite,  born  in 

1827.  Tiiey  have  five  children  —  H.  R.,  Piiilip,  Greorge,  Jane 
and  Elmeda.  He  raises  stock  and  all  kinds  of  grain.  Politically 
he  is  a  Hepnblican. 

Charles  D.  Stnith  was  born  in  Erie  County,  O.,  Nov,  12,  1853, 
and  emigrated  with  his  father  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  in  June,  1856. 
They  settled  on  section  6,  Union  Township,  and  Charles  D. 
remained  at  home  assisting  on  the  farm  and  attending  school  until 
1879,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  rich  land  on  section  4, 
Scott  Township,  and  moved  upon  it.  He  built  a  house,  which 
was  completely  demolished  by  a  storm  that  visited  this  region 
June  1, 1879,  and  made  a  complete  wreck  of  all  his  improvements. 
With  unfaltering  energy  and  determination  he  went  to  work  to 
rebuild  his  fallen  home,  and  to-day  he  ranks  with  the  prominent 
and  influential  farmers  of  Scott  Township.  He  was  married  Jan. 
29,  1879,  to  Emma  J.  Smith,  a  native  of  New  York,  born  Dec.  23, 
1859.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  union  —  Nellie,  born  Feb. 
16,  1880,  died  March  10,  of  that  year,  and  Cassie,  born  June  28, 
1881.  Mrs.  Smith  came  with  her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephen 
Smith,  from  New  York  in  1878,  and  met  and  married  her  presjnt 
husband.  Her  parents  reside  near  Marble  Roak,  la.  In  politics 
the  subject  of  this  memoir  is  a  Republican. 

David  Stoner  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ohio,  March  22, 
1825,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old,  when  he 
removed  to  La  Porte  County,  Ind.,  and  lived  four  years  ;  then 
went  to  Delaware  County,  la.,  and  followed  farming  till  1874, 
when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  settling  on  section  15,  Scott 
Township,  where  he  has  160  acres  of  fine,  well-improved  land. 
He  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  in  1847,  to  Sarah  Bow- 
man, a  native  of  Dauphin  County,  Penn.,  born  in  1828.  Fi'om 
this  union  there  are  five  children  —  Sarah  (now  Mrs.  Thomas 
Nicholson),  born  in  1851  ;  Emeline  (now  .Mrs.  Allen  Kates),  born 
in  Indiana  in  1853  ;  Genlanstone,  born  in  Iowa  in  1855  ;  Augusta, 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


1009 


boru  in  Delaware  County,  la.,  in  1863  ;  and  Ada  Melvina,  born  171 
1868.     Mr.  Stoner  is  neutral  in  his  political  views. 

John  R.  Waller  ^3,^  born  in  Rockford,  111.,  Oct.  28,  1841.     He 
■  moved  to  Charles  City,  la.,  in  1855,  where  he  lived  till  1864, 
when  he  went  to  Montana  Territory  and  engaged  in  mining,  mer- 
chandising and  handling  live-stock  till  1868,  when  he  returned  to 
Charles  City.     He  then  speculated  in  live-stock,   land,   etc.     In 
1871  he  moved  on  his  farm  on  section  23,  Ssott  Township,  where 
he  -^till  resides.     He  has  been  raising  trotting  and  thoroughbred 
horses,  and  is  now  handling  and  shipping  horses,  mules,  cattle 
and  all  kinds  of  grain  to  IlTorthern  Dakota.     He  was  married  Jan. 
9,   1870,  to  Mary  E.  Stearns,  who  was  born  in  Pittsfield,   Mass., 
July  13,  1843.     They  have  five  children  —  Edwin  S.,  born  Dec.  20 
1873;  Richard  R.,   Aug.  16,  1875;  Wayne  F.,  May  16,  1878; 
Oliver  Randolph,  Aug.  2,  1880  ;  Helene  B.,  Oct.  16,  1881.     Mrs. 
Waller  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.    Mr.  Waller 
is  a  member  of  the  Red  Mountain  Lodge  of  Freemasons  in  Mon- 
tana.    Politically  he  is  a  Republican.     He  graduated  from  Iowa 
College,    and  was  probably   the  first    to   graduate   from    Floyd 
County.     He  owns  900  acres  of  land. 


>M'. 


ST.  CHARLES  TOWNSHIP. 


THE  TERRITORY. 


St.  Ciiarle?  was  first  set  off  as  a  tOTvn^hip  S3pt.  4,  1854,  by  John 
M.  Hunt,  County  Judge.  It  was  then  one  of  the  four  composing 
the  county,  and  comprised  congressional  townships  94  and  95 
north,  in  ranges  16  and  17.  Since  that  time  the  following  alter  - 
ations  have  bean  made:  March  5,  1855,  sections  25  and  36,  and 
the  south  half  of  sections  26  and  35,  of  township  96,  16,  and  a 
strip  two  miles  wide  from  the  south  side  of  township  96,  15,  were 
added  from  Floyd,  by  David  Wiltse,  Acting  Judge.  July  21, 
1855,  the  west  half  of  township  94,  16,  ani  sections  29  to  32, 
inclusive  of  township  95,  16,  were  transferred  to  Union  Town- 
ship by  Judge  Ball.  March  6,  1856,  sections  25  to  36  inclu- 
sive (except  31)  were  transferred  from  St.  Ciiarles  Township  to 
Niles,  by  S.  B.  Starr,  Acting  Judge.  Mirch  25,  1856,  the  north 
half  of  section  26,  and  all  of  section  21  of  township  96,  16,  were 
transferred  from  Floyd  to  St.  Charles  Township,  by  Judge  Collins. 
Also,  by  the  same,  on  the  same  day,  sections  29  to  32  inclusive,  of 
township  95,  16,  were  transferred  from  Union  to  St.  Charles. 
March  2,  1857,  congressional  township  94  north,  in  range  15 
west,  and  the  east  half  of  township  94,  16,  and  sections  25,  26,  27, 
31,  35  and  36,  in  township  95,  15,  were  detached  from  St. 
Caarlesand  made  into  the  township  of  Riverton.  Dec.  31,  1858, 
by  S.  B.  Starr,  Acting  Xudge,  sections  2S  and  33,  in  township  95, 
15,  were  transferred  from  St.  Charles  to  Riverton  Township.  The 
same  were  set  back  to  St. Ciiarles  Township  by  Judge  Ripley,  Jan. 
3,  1859.  Jan.  11  following,  by  same,  the  south  half  of  section  31, 
township  96,  15,  and  the  north  hilf  of  sections  1  to  5  in3lusive,  of 
township  95,  15,  were  transferred  from  St.  Charles  to  Niles,  and 
the  south  half  of  the  north  half  of  section  31,  township  96,  15, 
was  transferred  from  ISIiles  to  St.  Charles. 

At  various  times  si^ice  the  organization  of  the  township  at- 
tempts have  been  made  to  sub-divide  it,  and  to  set  it  off  indepen- 
dently from  Charles  City.  Some  are  in  favor  of  independence  in 
school  matters  only,  and  some  in  other  respects.    The  first  election 

aoio) 


ST.   CHARLES  TOWNSHIP. 


1011 


for  township  officers  was  held  in  April,  1855,  which  resulted  as 
follows:  Trustees,  John  Blunt;  John  Kellogi^,  R.  W.  Humphrey; 
Clerk,  Milo  Gilbert;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Joshua  Jackson  and 
Alanson  Lambert;  Assessor,  Sanfbrd  Harwood.  In  1882  the 
Amendment  vote  was  365  for,  and  458  against. 

FIRST    SETTLERS,    ETC. 

Ambrose  W.  Story  was  the  first  settler  within  the  bounds  of  St. 
Charles  Township,  also  in  the  county.  He  located  on  section  20, 
about  three  mile3  south  of  Charles  City,  in  1850,  and  did  the  first 
breaking  in  the  county.  Joseph  Kelly,  at  the  point  where  Charles 
City  now  stands,  in  1851  was  the  second  in  the  township  and 
county.  For  further  particulars  see  chapters  I  and  XYII,  where 
also  nearly  all  the  •'  first  events"  and  things  in  this  township  are 
given.  After  reading  over  the  sacred  list  of  names  in  those  chap- 
ters, we  should  pause  to  study  the  energetic  character  of  those 
pioneers  who  through  so  great  self  sacrifice  have  made  happy 
homes  for  the  present  generation.  As  about  all  the  religious  or- 
ganizations of  this  township  have  their  services  in  Charles  City, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  Chapter  XVII  for  an  account  of  the 
churches.  St.  Charles  Township  is  not  a  whit  behind  any  of  the 
others  in  benevolence.  For  example,  during  the  year  1866  alone 
it  contributed  in  tha  aggregate  the  sum  of  $25,610  for  benevolent 
and  other  public  enterprises. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Below  is  a  tabular  view  of  the  condition  of  all  the  schools  in  this 
township  during  the  spring  term  of  1882: 


NO.  OF  DISTRICT. 


I 

2 

3 
4. 

5 
6 

7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
13 
13 


^ 

M  55 

H  f^ 

!zi  O 

-^  t 

W  L 

«  d 

o  3 

2  s 

a 

27 

23.7 

19 

12 

22 

18.3 

19 

14.5 

25 

19.7 

25 

19 

10 

9.5 

23 

18.7 

10 

7.7 

26 

15 

30 

23 

20 

15 

15 

1  12.5 

TEACHER. 


Fanuie  Humphrey. 
Mary  Korinkee. 
Emma  E.  Lash. 
Anna  Rider. 
Lillie  B.  Lloyd. 
Hattie  Hutchinson. 
Laura  Warn. 
R.  D.  Capron. 
Ella  F.  Salmon. 
Effle  A.  Treriholm. 
Marian  L.  Davidson. 
Mary  Stocks. 
Adda  Orny. 


1012  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY, 

The  remainder  of  the  history  of  St.  Charles  Township  is  essen- 
tially contained  in  the  history  of  Charles  City,  Chapter  XVII, 

BIOGRAPHICAL, 

Josiah  Billings^  born  in  Lancaster,  Worcester  County,  Mass,, 
Aug,  11,  1820,  is  a  son  of  Josiah  Billings,  a  native  of  Lunenburg, 
Mass,  He  was  educated  in  Groton  Academy,  Mass,  His  father 
was  a  tanner,  and  he  worked  at  the  same^trade  thirty  years.  He 
went  to  Maine  in  1845,  and  in  1869  came  to  this  county.  He 
owns  320  acres,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising; 
resides  on  section  10,  St.  Charles  Township,  He  was  married  to 
Ellen  Monroe.  They  had  one  child — Edward,  In  1862  Mrs. 
Billings  died,  and  in  1866  he  married  Marsha  Tibbitts. 

Ezekiah  Blunt^  farmer,  section  31,  was  born  in  Green  County, 
Wis.,  Oct.  14,  1843.  His  parents  were  John  and  Maria  (Wells) 
Blunt,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Wisconsin. 
His  father  was  for  many  years  a  farmer  in  Wisconsin.  In  the 
spring  of  1852  he  removed  with  his  wife  and  seven  children  to 
Floyd  County,  and  located  in  St.  Charles  Township,  Here  he  re- 
sided til)  his  death,  April  26,  1880,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 
Ezekiah,  our  subject,  received  only  a  common-school  education. 
He  attended  the  first  school  taught  in  Charles  City;  the  teacher 
was  Miss  Lydia  Palmer,  Dec.  31,  1863,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Macauley,  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  six  children — 
Mary  C,  Charles  R.,  Ezekiah,  Jr.,  Ernest  E.,  Walter  C.  and  Barney. 
Mr.  Blunt  is  the  owner  of  293  acres  of  farming  land  in  Floyd 
County,  most  of  it  under  cultivation.    Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

C.  H.  Clark^  farmer,  section  19,  was  born  in  Gallia  County,  O., 
June  20,  1833,  and  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  A.  (Roberts) 
Clark.  His  father  was  born  in  Giles  County,  Ya.,  in  1799;  his 
mother  in  the  same  county  in  1803.  After  their  marriage  they  re- 
moved to  Gallia  County,  O.,  where  they  lived  till  1852,  at  which 
time  they  moved  to  Chickasaw  County,  la.  Here  they  located  a 
farm  and  resided  two  years,  when  they  removed  to  Pleasant  Grove 
Township,  Floyd  County.  Here  they  resided  until  their  death, 
that  of  the  father  occurring  in  1861,  and  that  of  the  mother  in 
1868.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  limited  education  in 
the  common  schools,  residing  with  his  father  on  his  farm.  At  the 
time  the  family  came  to  Floyd  County  the  only  families  residing 
in  Charles  City  were  the  Blunts  and  the  Kellys.  Mr.  Clark  en- 
tered a  farm  in  Pleasant  Grove  Township.     Sept.  13,  1857,  he  was 


8T.  CHARLES  TOWNSHIP.  1013 

married  to  Nancj  DeWitt,  of  Gallia  County,  O.,  whom  he  had 
known  in  early  youth  in  that  State.  In  the  spring  of  1882  he  pur- 
chased his  present  farm  in  St.  Charles  Township.  Mr.  Clark  has 
been  a  Democrat  all  his  life. 

A.  W.  Cook,  farmer  and  line-stock  raiser,  section  20,  was  born 
in  Boston,  Mass.,  Nov.  11,  1811,  son  of  Jesse  and  Lucretia  (Parker) 
Cook,  who  were  natives  of  Vermont.  His  father  died  while  on  a 
voyage  to  Canton,  China,  in  1817,  his  mother  soon  after,  leaving 
him  to  care  for  himself  He  resided  in  Boston,  Mass.,  for  a  number 
of  years  with  his  uncle,  Cephas  Parker,  after  which  he  went  to 
Rutland,  Vt.;  and  there  resided  some  six  years;  then  went  to 
Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  nineteen 
years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  went  to  New  Orleans,  and  from 
there  to  Alabama,  residing  there  some  three  years;  afterward  went 
to  Lincoln  County,  Ky.,  where  he  was  married  to  Martha  S. 
Owsley,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  They  have  been  blessed  with 
four  children,  viz.:  William  IL,  Jessie,  MoUie  O.,  now  Mrs.  G. 
W.  Bennett,  and  Dora  D.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  dealing  in 
stock  in  Kentucky  for  a  number  of  years,  alter  which  he  moved  to 
Sangamon  Count}'',  111.,  and  engaged  in  the  stock  business  and 
farming  until  1869;  he  then  sold  out  and  moved  to  Floyd  County, 
Iowa,  where  he  purchased  a  beautiful  stock  farm  on  Cedar  Creek, 
and  has  now  one  of  the  finest  stock  and  brood  farms  in  Northern 
Iowa.  He  was  the  first  to  introduce  into  the  State  of  Iowa  the 
Norman  Percheron  stock  in  1870,  and  in  1874  he  made  a  trip  to 
France,  and  imported  some  of  the  finest  ever  brought  to  America, 
and  has  continued  each  year  to  renew  the  stock.  In  1882  he 
imported  twenty  head,  sixteen  stallions  and  four  mares,  all  thor- 
ough bred,  and  now  has  some  seventy-five  on  his  farm,  and 
also  has  forty  head  of  fine  thoroughbred  short-horn  cattle,  which 
he  carefully  breeds,  and  is  ready  to  supply  at  any  time  the  same 
to  parlies  wishing  good  stock.  lie  is  the  owner  of  600  acres  of 
well-improved  land  where  he  resides.    Politically  he  is  a  Democrat- 

Klaus  IT.  Cook  (deceased)  was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany,  Nov. 
8,  1818.  His  parents  were  Gratt  and  Annetta  (Crumga)  Cook, 
natives  of  Hesse,  where  they  had  a  farm.  He  was  married  March 
31,  1854,  to  Gcsina  Freseman,  a  native  of  Hesse.  She  was  born 
Sept.  27,  1826.  They  have  nine  children — Garrett,  llerbcit,  Theda, 
(now  Mrs.  Theodore  Bagman),  John  W.,  Nettie  M.  (now  Mrs. 
Abel  Veator),  Minnie  N.  (now  Mrs.  Cramer),  Leah  (now  Mrs. 
Chris.    Bagman),    Lena   M.    and  Eliza  K.     In    1869  the  family 


1014  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

emigrated  to  America,  and  located  in  Floyd  County.  Mr.  Cook 
purchased  320  acres  on  section  31,  St.  Charles  Township,  south  of 
Charles  City.  Mr.  Cook  died  March  30,  1877,  and  Mrs  Cook  now 
resides  on  the  homestead  with  her  sons  Garrett  and  John,  and  her 
daughters  Lena  and  Eliza. 

H.  J.  Cramer^  farmer,  section  25,  was  born  in  Hanover,  Ger- 
many, Ang.  15,  1838,  and  was  the  son  of  Remmer  and  Lena 
(Cramer)  Cramer,  natives  of  Hanover.  He  came  with  his  parents 
to  America  in  1852,  and  resided  with  them  at  Freeport  until  1861 
when  he  came  to  Floyd  County.  He  was  married  in  1867  to  Lu- 
cretia  B.  Fish,  a  native  of  Maine,  and  daughter  of  IST.  B.  and 
Nancy  Fish.  They  have  one  child — Maud.  He  owns  a  fine  farm 
of  210  acres,  situated  two  miles  south  of  Charles  City.  Politically 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

John  B.  Cramer'^  farmer,  section  31,  south  of  Charles  City,  was 
born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  Aug.  31,  1843.  He  was  the  son  of 
Remmer  and  Lena  (Cramer)  Cramer,  natives  of  Hanover.  They 
emigrated  to  America  in  1852  with  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  living — Hiram  J.,  Remmer  F.,  George  W.,  John  R.,  Schwa- 
tuga  (now  Mrs.  Loop),  Lena  (now  Mrs.  August  Kuhlenmeyer), 
and  Emma  (now  Mrs.  Henry  Gates).  Mr.  Cramer  first  located 
at  Freeport,  111.,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1861  when  he 
removed  to  Floyd  County.  He  now  resides  with  John  R.,  our 
subject.  The  latter  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Free* 
port,  111.,  and  was  married  March  1,  1877,  to  Minnie  Koch,  a 
native  of  Hanover,  Germany,  and  a  daughter  of  K.  H.  and  Gesinega 
(Freesman)  Koch.  She  came  to  America  in  1869.  They  have  two 
children — Henrietta  Lena  and  Herman  Remmer.  Mr.  Cramer 
owns  a  fine  farm  on  section  31,  which  contains  350  acres  of  land 
under  good  cultivation.  He  owns  also  20  acres  of  imber  in 
Riverton  Township.     Mr.  Cramer  is  a  Democrat. 

Calvin    Danforth^   farmer,  section  12,  was    born  in   Caledona 
County,  Yt.,  April  9,   1816.     His   parents  were  John  and   Mary 
(Sinclair)  Danforth,  natives  of  New  Hampshire.     They  moved  to- 
Vermont  when  the  country  was  new,  and  located  on  a  farm.     Mrs. 
Danforth  died  soon,  when  Calvin  was  one  year  old,  and  Mr.  Dan- 
forth married  again.     He  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-five  years  on 
his  farm  in  Vermont.     Calvin,  our  subject,  lived  on  his   father'* 
faim  till  he  was  twenty-eight  years  old,  passing  his  early  years  in 
the  common  schools  of  Vermont,     In  1844  he  went  to  Franklin 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  married  Sarali  A.  Waterbury,  a  native  of  St. 


8T.   CHAKLES  TOWNSHIP.  1015 

Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.  He  lived  near  the  town  of  Covington 
three  years,  and  then  moved  to  Sauk  County,  Wis.  Here  he  re- 
mained engaged  in  farming,  for  twenty  years.  Thence  lie  removed 
to  Beaver  Dam,  After  a  few  months  he  removed  to  Sparta,  Wi?., 
and  thence,  in  a  short  time,  to  Elkhart,  Ind.  Here  he  was  en- 
gaged in  milling  for  a  time,  and  then  he  engaged  with  a  wagon 
manufacturer.  In  this  business  he  came  to  Floyd  County  in  1869. 
He  owns  2,000  acres  of  farming  land,  most  of  which  is  rented  and 
in  cultivation.  Mr.  Dan  forth  has  three  children — James  Albert 
Hobart  W.  and  Frederick  C.  Hobart  W.  and  Frederick  C.  reside 
in  Floyd  County.  Mr.  Danforth  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  church  at  Charles  City.     He  is  politically  a  Republican. 

Ira  Dodge^  farmer,  section  35,  north  of  Charles  City,  was  born 
in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  May  1,  1799.  His  parents  were 
Solomon  and  Parkas  (Burlingame)  Dodge,  the  former  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  and  the  latter  of  Yermont.  They  located  in 
Chenango  County  in  1790,  and  remained  there  till  their  death. 
Ira,  our  subject,  passed  his  early  years  in  the  common  schools, 
and  was  mairied  in  1822,  to  Almira  Betts,  native  of  Broome 
County,  N.  Y.  They  have  had  a  family  of  six  children,  four  now 
living — William  B.,  D wight,  Eliza  (now  Mrs.  Samuel- Lyon),  and 
Harriet  (now  Mrs.  Dues).  Tiie  three  dead  are — Charlotte, 
Luellen  and  Mary.  In  1839  Mr.  Dodge  removed  to  Pennsylva- 
nia, where  his  wife  died,  in  1848.  He  was  again  married  in  1851, 
to  Margaret  English.  They  have  one  daughter — lantha  (now  Mrs. 
F.  E.  Pierson).  They  removed  to  Floyd  County  in  the  fail  of  1852, 
locating  near  Charles  City.  Here  he  engaged  in  farming  for 
many  years,  but  is  now  retired,  living  on  the  homestead  with  his 
daughter.  When  Mr.  Dodge  came  here,  the  only  two  families  in 
Charles  City  were  the  Blunts  and  Kellys.  Politically  he  is  a 
RepuMican. 

William  11.  Harvey^  born  in  Chatham,  Canada,  Jan.  25,  1827, 
is  a  son  of  William  Harvey,  a  native  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  His 
mother  died  when  he  was  eleven  years  old.  He  received  a  limited 
education  in  the  subscription  schools.  In  1838  his  father  moved 
to  Winnebago  County,  111.  In  1855  he  came  to  Chickasaw  County, 
la.,  and  in  1857  came  to  this  county,  and  settled  in  the  wilder- 
ness, but  now  he  has  his  farm  of  241  acres  well  improved.  He  re- 
turned to  Illinois  the  first  fall  after  coming  here  and  spent  the 
winter;  came  back  the  following  April  with  a  horse;  the  team 
62 


1016  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

stuck  in  a  8louo;h ;  he  put  the  children  on  the  horse  and  gave  a 
man  $1.50  to  pull  the  wagon  out  with  oxen.  His  wife  walked 
from  Chickasaw  County.  One  night  a  bear  came  near  the  house 
and  scared  the  horses;  one  horse  ran  around  the  shanty  or  wig- 
wam in  which  they  were  camping  before  their  house  was  built  and 
tore  it  down  on  the  family.  He  was  married  June  7,  1852,  to  M. 
Matilda  Waller.  Of  their  six  children,  five  are  living — Harriet, 
William,  Ella,  Jackson  and  Frank.  He  resides  on  section  15,  St. 
Charles  Township,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 

Maxwell  Ireland.,  farmer,  section  11,  was  born  in  Preble  County, 
Ohio,  June  21,  1818.  He  was  the  son  of  James  and  Polly  (Max- 
well) Ireland,  natives  of  Kentucky.  They  removed  to  Preble 
Connty,  O.,  in  an  early  day.  In  1831  the  family  removed  to 
Michigan,  where  Mr.  Ireland  died  the  following  fall.  Mrs.  Ire- 
land then  removed  to  St.  Joseph  County,  Ind.,  and  from  there, 
after  some  years,  to  La  Porte  County,  where  she  died,  in  the  fall  of 
1867.  Maxwell  Ireland  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  was  married  in  1839,  in  St.  Joseph  County,  to  Sarah 
A.  Petit.  After  a  number  of  years  they  removed  to  La  Porte 
County,  and  in  September,  1857,  they  again  removed  to  Floyd 
Connty,  la.,  locating  on  the  present  farm.  They  have  three 
children — Rebecca  J.,  Sylvester  C.  and  Sylvanus  P.  Mrs.  Ire- 
land died  March  11,  1882.  Mr.  Ireland  has  owned  considerable 
land  in  Floyd  County,  but  has  divided  all  but  120  acres  among 
his  children.     Politically  Mr.  Ireland  is  a  Republican. 

John  Jordan  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1822.  He  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1850,  stopping  in  JSTew  York,  where  he  remained  seven  years; 
thence  to  Wisconsin  where  he  lived  ten  years;  then  came  to  Iowa 
and  settled  on  section  22,  St.  Charles  Township,  where  he  has  100 
acres  of  good  land.  He  vvas  married  in  1816  to  Isabella  Chambers, 
a  native  of  Ireland.  They  had  one  child — Mary,  now  Mrs.  Charles 
Smith.  Mrs.  Jordan  died  in  1874,  and  in  1878  Mr.  Jordan  married 
Rosilla  Strong.  They  have  one  child — Sarah,  born  Jan.  11,  1881. 
Mr.  Jordan  is  a  Presbyterian  in  his  religious  views,  and  politically 
is  a  Republican. 

William  Jung^  farmer,  section  12,  was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany, 
Sept.  5,  1851.  His  parents  were  John  and  Katrina  (Brandan) 
Jung,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1869,  and  located  in  Cook 
County,  III.,  where  they  still  reside.  William  was  married  in 
1876  to  Mrs.  Katherine  (Blankenbach)  Sippel,  in  Chicago.  She 
had  by  her  first  marriage  three  children — Conrad,  Henry  and  Mar- 


ST.   CHARLES  TOWIS'SHIP.  1017 

tha.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jung  have  three  children — William,  Emily  and 
Belan.  In  the  spring  of  1882  he  rented  his  farm  in  Cook  County 
and  came  to  Floyd  County.  He  has  a  fine  farm  of  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  St.  Charles  Township.  Mr.  Jung  is  a  consistent  member  of 
the  German  Methodist  church.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

Johrh  Kellogg  (deceased),  farmer,  section  1,  north  of  Charles  City, 
was  born  March  28,  1808,  in  Yermont.  He  was  the  son  of  Jona- 
than and  Hannah  (Upham)  Kellogg,  both  of  whom  were  born  in 
Yermont.  They  moved  to  Ohio,  where  the  father  died.  The 
mother  removed  with  our  subject  to  Floyd  County  in  1851,  he 
having  entered  his  land  the  year  previous.  She  died  in  Floyd 
County.  He  was  married  in  Ohio,  in  1832,  to  Rachel  Shelley,  a 
native  of  Connecticut.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  eight  of 
whom  are  now  living — Eliza  (now  Mrs.  John  Brown),  William, 
Matilda  (now  Mrs.  William  E.  Holbrook),  Lyman,  Mary  (now  Mrs. 
James  McKinney),  Harvey  S.,  Edwin,  Jennie  (now  Mrs.  Harvey 
Webster),  and  Emily  (deceased).  John  Kellogg  died  April  20, 
1881.  His  wife  still  resides  on  the  home  farm. with  her  son  Edwin. 
The  latter  was  married  June  2,  1877,  to  Abbie  S.  Culver,  a  native 
of  Iowa.  They  have  two  children — Guy  H.  and  Daisy.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Kellogg  is  a  Republican. 

Isaac  S.  Large,  nurseryman,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind., 
Nov.  9, 1830.  His  parents  were  Ebenezer  and  Rachel  (Nichols)Large, 
the  former  a  native  of  Pennsvlvania,  and  the  latter  of  Yirginia. 
Mrs.  Large  died  in  1851.  Mr.  Large  came  to  Floyd  County  in 
the  fall  of  1856,  and  remained  the  winter.  Not  liking  the  cold  he 
went  to  Missouri,  where  he  died  the  following  fall.  Isaac  S.  came 
to  Floyd  County,  Oct.  10,  1852,  and  settled  near  Charles  City,  when 
it  contained  but  two  log  houses,  those  of  Blunt  and  Kelly.  After 
a  short  time  he  removed  to  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  In 
1866  he  was  married  to  Hannah  Worseldine,  an  English  woman. 
She  was  born  in  1841,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Green)  AVorseldine.  They  have  one  son — John  E.  He  after- 
ward sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Charles  Cit}',  where  he  has 
been  in  the  nursery  business  ever  since.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in 
Company  A,  Eighteenth  Illinois,  and  was  soon  transferred  to  the 
Twenty-first  Iowa.  He  served  three  years,  most  of  the  time  as  fife 
major,  to  which  position  he  was  proniotedsoon  after  enlistment. 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  Champion  Hills,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  and 
in  the  Mobile  campaign.     Politically  Mr.  Large  is  a  Greenbacker. 


1018  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

David  Lonergan^  farmer,  section  31,  was  born  in  County  Tipper- 
ary,  Ireland,  Aug.  28,  1826.  His  parents  were  David  and  Mary 
(Quirk)  Lonergan,  natives  of  the  same  county.  They  emigrated  to 
America  in  1840,  locating  in  Utica,  N.  Y.  There  they  resided 
abouta  year  and  a  half.  Thence  they  removed  to  Waukesha  County, 
Wis.,  and  resided  there  until  1816.  Going  to  Washington  County, 
Wis.,  Mr.  Lonergan  died,  and  Mrs.  Lonergan  removed  to  Fond 
du  Lac  County,  Wis.  David,  our  subject,  was  married  in  1858  to 
Sarah  Jane  Rich.  In  1861  they  removed  to  Floyd  County,  la., 
where  they  have  since  resided,-  engaged  in  farming.  He  owns 
220  acres  of  land,  under  high  cultivation.  They  have  eight  chil- 
dren— John  M.,  Margaret  A.,  Mary,  Harriet,  Martha,  Edwin, 
Nellie  and  David  A.  Mr.  Lonergan  is  politically  a  Greenbacker, 
and  religiously  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church. 

James  N.  Makepeace.,  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  Nov. 
22,  1830,  is  a  son  of  Elijah  Makepeace  (deceased),  who  moved  to 
Ohio,  near  Cleveland,  in  1834,  and  to  Winnebago  County,  111.,  in 
1841.  James  N.  came  to  Mitchell  County,  la.,  in  June,  1857, 
and  the  following  August  to  this  county.  He  helped  kill  three 
bear  and  one  elk  the  first  winter  he  was  here.  He  resides  on  sec- 
tion 8,  St.  Charles  Township,  and  owns  360  acres.  He  is  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock-raising,  besides  paying  attention  to  dairyip.g 
and  an  apiary.  He  owns  110  cattle,  fifty-five  hogs  and  nine  horses. 
He  was  married  in  1853  to  Carcenia  A.  Lee,  born  in  La  Porte, 
Ind.,Jan.  24<  1833.  Her  father,  James  B.  Lee,  built  the  first 
house  in  La  Porte,  Ind.  He  moved  to  Rockford  III.,  in  1835, 
when  there  were  only  three  houses  there.  He  still  resides  in 
Rockford  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years;  is  of  German  descent. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Makepeace  have  six  children — Niles  H.,  Alice  C, 
Minnie  V.,  Estella  C,  Arthur  B.  and  Fred  E. 

John  Martzon  ^'■x's,  born  in  Germany,  on  Dec.  20,  1820.  He  was 
a  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  Catharinea  Martzon,  both  natives  of 
Germany.  Mr.  John  Martzon  came  to  America  when  he  was 
about  thirty-five  years  of  age,  locating  in  Dubuque,  la.,  where  he 
remained  three  years  engaged  in  teaming  principally.  In  1856  he 
became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County.  He  rented  land  in  Union 
Township  the  first  three  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  bought 
eighty  acres  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  31,  St.  Charles  Town- 
ship. To  his  first  purchase  headdel  five  eighty-acre  pieces.  Mr. 
Martzon  was  married  in  Floyd  County  in  1856,  to  Miss  Barbara 
Swick,    a   native   of   Germany.      They   have  six  children — Mary 


ST.  CHARLES  TOWNSHIP.  1019 

(married  Charles  Sylvester,  and  resides  in  Charles  City),  John, 
Anna,  George,  Lewis  and  Mike.  Tiie  five  younger  children  are 
all  at  ho:ne.  The  father  and  mother  and  all  the  children  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  chnrch. 

James  McKinney ,  section  30,  was  born  Aug.  4,  184i,  in  Wash- 
ington County,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were  John  and  Florida  (Wells) 
McKinney,  natives  of  Ireland.  They  emigrated  to  America  in 
1830,  and  now  reside  in  Salem  County,  N.  Y.  The  subject  of  this 
memoir  passed  his  early  life  in  the  common  schools  of  New  York, 
and  he  also  learned  to  be  a  painter  and  machinist.  He  was  married 
April  7,  1868,  to  Florence  Odbert.  They  have  two  children — 
Augusta  F.  and  Burton  J.  Mrs.  McKinney  died  Aug.  28,  1S71, 
and  soon  afterward  Mr.  McKinney  came  to  Charles  City.  He  was 
married  to  Mary  Kellogg,  May  15,  1874,  whose  acquaintance  he 
formed  here.  They  have  had  four  children — Harvey  J.,  Arthur 
H.,  Evelyn  J.  and  Nellie  R.  Mr.  McKinney  is  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, but  is  also  a  painter,  carpenter  and  machinist.  He  is  a 
highly  respected  man. 

George  Mitchell,  Maple  Grove  Creamery  and  Stock  Farm,  section 
24,  south  of  Charles  City,  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y., 
Nov.  3, 1823.  His  parents  were  David  and  Sarah  (Dibble)  Mitchell, 
the  former  a  native  of  Nashua  County,  Conn.,  and  the  latter  of 
Washington  Connty,  Mass.  They  removed  to  Delaware  County 
in  an  early  day,  and  resided  there  on  a  farm  until  their  death.  Of 
their  family  of  nine  children,  the  youngest  was  50  years  of  age 
before  any  of  them  died.  The  father  died  in  1840,  and  the  mother 
at  the  age  of  90,  in  lS7d.  George,  our  subject,  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  and  an  academy  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was 
married  in  Connecticut,  in  1839,  to  Julia  Hough.  By  this  marriage 
there  were  two  children — David  H.  and  Emily.  In  1853  he 
removed  to  Calhoun  County,  Mich.,  where  his  wife  died,  in  1857. 
He  was  again  married,  to  Esther  M.  Cook,  a  native  of  Michigan. 
They  resided  there  on  a  farm  until  1865,  when  they  removed  to 
Floyd  County.  Mr.  Mitchell  has  a  large  farm,  well  improved  and 
stocked,  of  540  acres.  In  connection  with  his  farm  is  the  Maple 
Grove  Creamery,  in  which  he  makes  as  fine  butter  as  is  made  in 
Iowa.  He  has  a  hundred  cattle,  forty  of  them  milch  cows,  and  as 
many  hogs.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  one  of  the  most  highly  respected 
men  in  the  county,  and  is  in  every  sense  a  representative  man.  He 
is  politically  a  Republican.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mitchell  are  members 
of  the  Congregational  church. 


1020  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

John  Schrimager^  farmer,  section  26,  north  of  Charles  City, 
was  born  in  Scotland,  July  4,  1819,  and  was  the  son  of  Alexander 
and  Jane  (McRitchie)  Schrimager,  both  natives  of  Scotland.  He 
emigrated  to  America  in  1836,  locating  in  Ohio.  Here  he  engaged 
in  farming.  In  1850  he  moved  to  Rockford,  111.  Here  he  was 
married,  in  1854,  to  Amanda  F.  Cass.  In  1855  they  removed  to 
Floyd  County,  Iowa,  where  they  now  reside.  He  own3  243  acres 
of  land,  under  good  cultivation.  They  have  nine  children — John, 
Sherman,  Mahlon,  Ellen,  Alexander,  Julia,  Jennie,  Mary  and  L. 
C.     Mr.  Schrimager  is  a  Republican. 

Edwin  M.  Smith,  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  28, 
1832,  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Smith,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire.  In 
1844  he  came  West  with  his  parents  to  Columbus,  Wis.,  and  in 
1867  came  to  this  county.  He  was  married  in  March,  1860,  to 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Rosenkrans.  Of  their  two  children, 
one  is  living — Irwin  G.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1872,  and  in  July, 
1874,  he  married  Mrs.  Katie  Xewis,  nee  Kelley.  He  resides  on 
section  23,  St.  Charles  Township,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.     He  owns  180  acres  of  fine  land. 

Benjamin  limmons,  born  in  Jasper  County,  Ind.,  Aug.  10 
1837,  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Timmons,  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  went 
with  parents  to  Cedar  Rapids,  la.,  in  1844;  to  Dubuque  the  fol- 
lowing spring;  to  Platteville,  Wis.,  in  1846;  back  to  Indiana  in 
1848;  to  Wisconsin  again  in  1849;  from  there  in  a  few  weeks  to 
near  Dubuque;  in  1854  to  Delaware  County,  la.  In  1862  Mr. 
Tiramons  came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  section  14,  St.  Charles 
Township.  At  that  time  it  was  all  wild  land,  but  now  he  has  200 
acres,  all  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising.  He  has  a  barn  60  x  30  feet,  which  holds 
forty  tons  of  hay.  He  has  a  nice  two-story  house,  the  main  part 
being  11  x  24  with  an  L  16  x  24.  He  was  married  in  June,  1859, 
to  Phffibe  Hoag.  Of  their  nine  children  seven  are  living — Alfred, 
Edgar,  Elnora,  Marietta,  Angeline,  Ezra  D.  and  Hester;  Huldah 
M.  and  Elizabeth  are  deceased.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  church. 

O.  H.  Whitehead,  farmer,  section  13,  was  born  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  Nov.  3,  1829.  His  parents  were  John  and  Katherine(Brown) 
Whitehead,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  latter 
of  Kentucky.  They  removed  to  La  Porte  County,  Ind.,  in  1842, 
where  the  father  soon  after  died.       After  a  number  of  years  Mrs. 


ST.   CHARLES  TOWNSHIP. 


1021 


"Whitehead,  while  visitiiif^  her  daughters  in  Delaware  County,  Iowa, 
also  died.  G.  H.,  our  subject,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  La  Porte  County,  Ind.,  and  after  his  father's  death  he  managed 
the  farm.  In  1851  he  was  married  to  Ann  M.  Kellogg,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Jerusha  (Parks)  Kellogg. 
In  the  fall  of  1854  he  removed  to  Floyd  County,  where  he  located 
in  St.  Charles  Township,  He  owns  a  fine  farm  of  127  acres  of 
laud,  on  the  edge  of  Charles  City.  Mr.  Whitehead  has  been  from 
the  first  establishment  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Cliarles  City  an 
earnest  supporter  thereof.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  was  organized  in  the  year  1858,  being  the  south 
half  of  township  96  north,  of  range  17  west,  and  the  north  half  of 
township  95  north,  of  range  17  west.  Tlie  name  Ulster  was 
embodied  in  the  petition  to  the  county  judge  requesting  the  town- 
ship to  be  organized  and  to  bear  the  name  Ulster,  it  being  the 
name  of  a  county  in  New  York  State,  from  which  many  of  the  first 
settlers  of  this  township  emigrated.  It  has  an  area  of  forty-two 
square  miles,  or  26,880  acres,  the  assessed  valuation  of  which  is 
$160,000.  It  has  3  29-100  miles  of  railroad,  whose  valuation  ia 
111,875. 

SETTLEMENT. 

Mr.  John  Ball  was  the  first  settler  in  this  township,  coming 
from  Lake  County,  Ind.,  in  December,  1853;  he  entered  a  tract  of 
land  on  section  10,  where  he  still  resides.  Next  to  follow  Mr.  Ball 
were  two  brothers  by  the  name  of  Daniel  and  Peter  Beaver,  from 
Chickasaw  County,  but  formerly  from  "Western  Reserve,  O.  They 
came  in  about  January,  1854,  and  Josiah  M.  Rogers  and  Wm.  M. 
Crocker,  and  so  on  sections  10,  15,  22,  and  26,  in  the  spring  of 
1854:,  were  seen  the  first  log  cabins  ever  constructed  within  the 
limits  of  what  is  now  known  as  Ulster  Township.  These  gentle- 
men were  the  first  to  leave  the  endearments  of  home  in  other  lands, 
and  penetrate  into  the  wilds  of  what  we  now  know  as  the  beautiful 
of  Flood  Creek.  The  original  occupants  and  owners  had  just  va- 
cated. Vestiges  of  their  camping  grounds  were  plainly  visible,  and 
their  tiails  easily  followed.  The  wild  deer  roamed  at  will  unmo- 
lested by  the  chase  of  the  white  man,  and  the  grandeur  of  nature 
was  untouched  by  the  hand  of  art.  Following  closely  in  the  wake 
of  these  pioneers,  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  came  Wm. 
Welch,  Henry  Sprague  and  Barney  Corby,  whose  welcome  as  fellow 
laborers  in  the  work  of  civilization  can  perhaps  be  better  imagined 
than  described.  In  the  following  year  came  other  additions  to  the 
little  band,  among  which  may  be  found  the  B  )rders,  Welches, 
Wises,  Widow  Howland,  A.  B.  Warren,  Wm.  Mutchler,  D.  G. 
Hiscox,   M.  Owens,  and  perhaps  a  few  others.     In  the  spring  of 

(1023)  0 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1023 

1856  N.  F.,  W.  L.,  and  O.  McEwen,  three  brothers  from  "York 

State,"  Edward  Crowoll,  the  two  Haneht  Brothers  aad  J.  B.  Powers, 

who  with  A.  B.  Warren  formed  a  settlement  which  is  now  known  as 

Sub-district  No.  2  in  Northern  Ulster.     After  this  the  number  of 

new  comers  increased  rapidly,  and  by  the  year  1870  the  township 

was  considered   thoroughly  settled.      The  first  settlements  were 

principally  on  Flood  Creek,  where  the  majority  of  the  families  still 

reside,  a  few  having  gone  further  west,  attracted  by  the  allurements 

of  a  pioneer  life. 

The  first  wedding  took  place  in  1855 — Henry  Welch  to  Susan 

Border,  Rev.  William  F.  Halbrook  performing  the  ceremony  in  a 

log  house  (on  the  bink  of  Flood  Creek),  that  has  since  crumbled 

with  decay. 

The  first  child  born  wa?  a  dauorhter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Bea- 

ver,  in  the  fall  of  1854.     It  died  in  infancy  and  is  believed    to 

have  never  been  namea. 

RELIGIOCJS. 

Ulster's  religious  societies,  for  a  township,  have  been  many  and 
varied,  among  them  the  Methodist,  United  Brethren,  Congrega- 
tional, German  Methodist  Episcopal,  Free  Methodist,  Catholic 
and  Lutheran.  With  the  exception  of  the  United  Brethren  these, 
in  1877,  still  retained  their  organization,  though  not  having  regular 
preaching.  To-day  there  are  but  two,  properly  speaking,  —  the 
German  M.  E.  and  the  Catholic  churches,  —  having  live  organiza- 
tions, though  the  Lutherans  occasionally  have  services  in  School- 
house  No. .     The  German  Methodist  is  the  largest  church  in 

the  township,  having  a  membership  of  146,  and  a  congregation 
averaging  200.  It  was  organized  as  a  class  in  the  summer  of  1868, 
by  Rev.  Rudolph  Fiegenbaum,  of  Charles  City.  In  the  fall  it 
was  organized  as  a  mission,  divided  from  the  Charles  City  Circuit, 
and  connected  with  Shell  Rock  Mission,  John  Schaad  being 
pi-eacher.  In  September,  1870,  it  was  organized  as  a  circuit  of  the 
N.  W.  Iowa  German  Conference,  Rev.  Philip  Hummell,  pastor.  In 
the  second  year  of  his  ministration,  1871-1872,  the  society  decided 
to  erect  a  church  edifice  at  an  expense  of  $2,200.  It  was  built, 
finished  and  dedicated  while  Mr.  Hummell  was  pastor;  the 
original  membership  having  been  only  fifty  shows  determination 
on  the  part  of  the  German  residents.  The  ministers  who  have 
been  appointed  to  this  circuit  are  as  follows:  John  Sliaad,  1869- 
1870;  Philip  Hummell,  1870-1873;  C.  F.  Tramm,  1873-1876, 
and  during  his  administration  the  membersiiip  had  reached  120  ; 


1024  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Fhilipp  Funk,  1876-1879  ;  Ferdinand  Fisher,  the  present  pastor, 
1879  to  September,  1882,  with  a  present  membership  of  145.  In 
this  circuit,  outside  of  the  home  society,  there  are  two  other  well- 
established  ones,  one  of  which  msets  in  the  basement  of  the 
Rockford  M.  E.  church,  the  other  iu  the  school-house  in  Union 
Township,  near  Greene,  preaching  every  alternate  Sunday  after- 
noon. Connected  with  these  —  the  home  and  the  Union  Township 
societies  —  are  two  Sunday-schools,  with  a  total  of  thirty-six  officers 
and  teachers,  120  scholars,  and  202  books  in  the  library.  The 
present  offi-ers  of  the  Union  Township  school  are.  Superintend- 
ent, John  Oeser  ;  Assistant  Superintendent,  Charles  Herz.  The 
officers  of  the  home  school  are  :  Superintendent,  H.  Kohlsteadt  ; 
Assistant  Superintendent,  C.  Lenz  ;  Secretary,  A.  Koehler  ;  Treas" 
urer,  A.  Doake  ;  Librarian,  A.  Kock. 

THE    FIRST   RELIGIOUS    SERVICES 

and  the  first  sermons  preached  in  the  township  were  in  the  house 
of  John  Ball,  in  the  spring  of  1854.  In  our  conversation  with  a 
well-known  pioneer  of  that  neio^borhood,  he  said  :  "  Well  do  I 
know  with  what  pertinacity  Elder  Ball  clun^  to  the  good  old 
Methodist  hour,  as  he  called  it,  of  11  o'clock  for  worship,  and 
how  we  used  to  walk  a  distance  of  two  miles  or  more  to  meeting 
in  the  hot  summer  time,  ani  while  we  partook  of  the  spiritual 
food  which  he  dispensed  to  us  in  a  sermon  of  an  hour's  length,  how 
the  natural  man  longed  for  that  other  food  which  was  so  raven- 
ously devoured  on  arriving  at  home.  Rev.  Mr.  Ingham,  a  Method- 
ist circuit  preacher,  who  at  that  time  made  Waterloo  his  home, 
preached  occasionally  in  Mr.  Ball's  house  at  about  this  time. 

And  they  all  pass  before  us  in  review  —  the  pioneer  preachers 
of  the  different  church  organizations  who  have  labored  among  us, 
camp-meeting  scenes  and  surroundings,  the  frequent  practical 
and  often  eloquent  sermons  of  those  times,  as  though  the  inspira- 
tionof  a  new  country  as  God  had  made  it  gave  new  energy,  power 
and  impulse  to  the  leaders  of  the  advance  guards  of  Christianity. 

THE  FIRST  SCHOOL 

was  taught  by  M.  Owcjn^,  in  the  winter  ot  1855-'56,  ina  rude  cabin, 
hurriedly  constructed,  on  section  25.  The  tirst  schools  taught  in 
Floyd  County  were  generally  private  or  subscription  schools. 

Probably    the    next   school   was   taught    during    the    following 
summer  in  the  house  built  bv  William  Welch  for  a  residence  on 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1025 

the  bank  of  Flood  Creek.     The  teacher  was  Miss  Malinda  Palmer, 
then  of  St.  Charles  (Charles  City),  now  a  resident  of  Blue  Earth 
Conntj,  Minn. 
The  formation  of  the  first  school-district  bears  date  of  April  24, 

1856.  Bj  action  of  David  Wiltse,  School  Fund  Commissioner  of 
Floyd  County,  on  application  of  John  Ball  and  others,  sections  1  to 
12  inclusive,  and  the  north  one  half  of  16,  17,  and  18,  in  town- 
ship 95  north,  of  ranore  17  west,  were  detached  from  School  Dis- 
trict No.  1,  of  Union  Township,  and  formed  into  a  new  district 
and  named  No.  3  of  Union  Township.  The  organization  of  this 
district  was  effected  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Wm. 
Welch,  in  said  district.  May  5,  1856.  Wra.  Mucbler  presided;  L. 
G.  Hisc3x  was  Secretary.  The  officers  elected  were:  George  Wise, 
President,  L.  G.  Hiscox,  Treasurer.  At  a  subsequent  meeting, 
held  on  the  21st  of  July  following,  a  site  was  chosen  forty  rods 
west  of  the  center  of  northeast  of  section  9,  and  at  a  meeting  held 
Sept.  14,  1857,  a  tax  of  $300  was  voted  to  build  a  grout  house 
twenty-two  feet  square  thereon.  John  Ball  was  the  contractor  and 
builder.  The  house  was  completed  and  paid  for  Nov.  10,  1858, 
the  cost  being  $299.  It  was  good  work,  as  the  condition  of  the 
house  to-day  testifies. 

The  register  of  the  first  school  taught  therein  contains  names  of 
twenty-five  pupils,  whose  ages  varied  from  that  of  four  to  twenty- 
one  years,  many  of  whom  are  now  fathers  and  mothers  of  grown-up 
children,  and  yet  residents  of  the  township.  Some  have  cast  their 
lots  in  distant  lands,  and  some  have  crossed  the  dark  river  to  the 
other  shore.  The  pay  for  those  days  was  as  low  as  eighty-seven 
cents  per  day  without  board. 

The  second  school  district,  whose  formation  bears  date  of  May 
19,  1857,  was  comprised  of  sections  22,  23,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31, 
32,  33,  and  south  1-2  of  19,  20,  and  21.  This  territory  was  on  ap- 
plication of  E.  Crowell,  Sen.,  and  others  formed  into  a  district 
and  named  No.  3,  of  Rock  Grove  Township.  A  meeting  to  organ- 
ize said  district  was  held  at  the  house  of  A.   B.    Warren,  June  6, 

1857.  The  officers  elected  were:  A.  B.  Warren,  President;  Dr.  N.  T. 
McEwen,  Secretary;  O.  McEwen,  Treasurer.  On  the  12th  of  Sep- 
tember following,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  sam3  place,  a  school- 
house  site  was  chosen  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  southwest  of 
section  32,  and  a  tax  of  $200  voted  to  build  a  frame  house  20  feet 
square  thereon.  E.  Crowell,  Sen., .was  the  contractor  and  builder, 
which    he    completed    Dec.    1,   1858.     During    that    winter   the 


1026 


HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY , 


first  school  was  taught,  under  the  instruction  of  N.  T.  McEwen, 
and  numbered  nineteen  pupils.  In  the  winter  of  1860  this  house 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  through  the  thoughtlessness  of  the  teacher 
in  depositing  ashes  that  contained  live  coals  too  near  the  straw  em- 
bankment that  surrounded  the  house. 

The  secretary's  report  from  the  two  districts  named  for  the  year 
ending  Sept.  15,  1857,  show  the  whole  number  of  children  of 
school  age  to  have  been  for tv- three. 

The  teachers  of  last  spring  term    aid  the  number  of  pupils  in 
attendance  will  be  seen  by  the  appended  table  : 


DISTRICT  NUMBER. 

ENROLL 
MENT. 

TEACHER. 

LGTH.  OF  SCHOOL 
IN  WEEKS. 

1 

18 

24 
23 
20 
34 

28 
22 
16 

Clara  J.  Teeling. 
Wm.  McEwen. 
Jessie  Bumps. 
Maggie  McElroy. 
John  G.  Legal. 
A.  L.  Drake. 
Lida  Smith. 
Fannie  L.  Mix. 

3 

3 

4 

5 

6  

7 

8 

A    COMPARISON. 

In  1857  there  were  twenty-seveii  heads  of  families;  there  were 
forty-three  children  of  school  age,  anl  n^t  a  school-h  nise  within 
the  borders  of  the  township  in  which  to  properly  educate  them. 
Compare  with  to-day.  The  township  has  now  upward  of  200 
heads  of  families;  the  children  of  school  age  number  close  to  300; 
there  are  eight  school-houses,  whose  aggregate  cost  is  $3,800. 
Teachers  receive,  not  the  pittance  of  $16  per  month  and  board 
themselves,  but  the  more  liberal  compensation  of  $25  and  $30, 
and  boarded. 

On  the  13th  of  March,  1858,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State 
passed  an  act  making  each  civil  township  in  the  several  counties 
of  the  State  a  school  district,  and  providing  that  districts  then 
established  should  become  sub-districts.  In  accordance  with  the 
provisions  of  this  act  the  district  township  was  organized  at  a 
meeting  held  on  the  3d  day  of  May,  at  the  house  of  J.  B.  Powers. 
District  No.  3,  of  Union,  then  became  Sub-district  No.  1,  of  district 
township  of  Ulster,  and  District  No.  3,  of  K  )ck  Grove,  Sub-district 
No.  2,  and  are  known  to-day  by  those  names.  Tiie  other  sub  dis- 
tricts in  the  township  are  numbered  in  the  order  of  their  formation. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP. 


1027 


The  first  district  township  officers  elected  were  :  Henry  Sprague, 
President;  A.  B.  Warren,  Vice-President;  N.  T.  McEwen,  Secre- 
tary; John  Ball,  Treasurer.  Sub-directors — No.  1,  W.  Mutchler; 
No.  2,  J.  B.  Powers. 

At  the  present  writing  they  have  eight  school-houses,  valued  at 
$3,980,  and  which  have  been  furnished  at  an  expense  of  over  $1,200. 
The  present  number  of  cliildren  of  school  age  in  the  townsliip  is 
290.  And  so  Ulster  citizens  have  a  record  t)  show  that  from  the 
earliest  period  they  have  paid  much  attention  to  educational  matters. 
From  the  pioneer  era  to  the  present  time  the  school  has  been  the 
theme  of  gossip  and  inquiry.  A  love  of  education  forms  the  leading 
characteristic  of  the  people.  It  has  always  been 'fostered  and  cher- 
ished by  them  as  far  as  their  means  would  permit. 

In  March,  Colonel  David  Ripley,  County  Judge  of  Floyd  County, 
formed  from  the  north  half  of  township  95,  range  17,  and  the 
south  half  of  township  96,  range  17  west,  a  civil  township,  which 
was  christened  Ulster,  after  the  then-existing  postoffice  of  that 
name. 

THE   FIRST   ELECTION 

was  held  at  the  house  of  James  Auchmoody,  April  5,  1858. 
Officers  elected:  Township  Trustees,  John  Ball,  James  B.  Powers 
and  John  Fox;  Township  Clerk,  William  L.  McEwen;  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  M.  F.  McEwen  and  Wm.  Mutchler;  Constables,  A.  R. 
Rhinehart  and  H.  D.  Sprague;  Road  Supervisors,  O.  McEwen  and 
James  J.  Quimby. 

The  poll-book  of  this  election  shows  the  number  who  partici- 
pated in  it  to  have  been  thirty-one,  which  was  tlien  the  whole  vot- 
ing population  of  the  township.     We  append  the  list  as  recorded. 


A.  Wise, 
G.  W.  Crowell 
James  Welch, 
J.  B.  Powers, 
W.  Mutchler, 
Daaiel  Border, 
M.  Warren, 
Henry  Welch, 
Nelwon  Welch, 
M.  Owens, 
Henry  Sprague, 


E.  H. 

W.  L 

John 

L.  G. 

N.  T. 

Wm. 

J.J. 

A.B. 

N.J. 

John 

A.  R. 


Hanchett, 
.  McEwen, 
BhII, 
Hiscox, 
McEwen, 
Welch, 
Qnimby, 
Warren, 
Crowell, 
Hnnchett, 
Rhinehart, 


E.  Crowell,   Sen., 
John  Fox, 
Frank  Thomas, 
H.  D.  Sprague, 
Wm.  McEwen, 
O.  McEwen, 
George  Wise, 
Joel  Johnson, 
C.  Wise. 


By  an  act  of  the  County  Bjard  of  Supervisors,  January,  1862, 
the  boundaries  of  Ulster  were  changed,  the  alteration  consisting  in 
detaching  one  tier  of  sections  on  the  north  and  attaching  two  tiers 
on  the  south,  thus  making  the  township  six    miles  east  and  west 


1028  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

and  seven  miles  north  and  south.  The  chano^e  was  made  on  the 
part  of  the  board,  it  not  being  petitioned  for  or  even  demanded 
by  the  citizens  of  Ulster. 

The  present  township  officers  are:  Trustees,  Orlando  McEwen, 
Charles  Bartz  and  Henry  Hohlsted;  Clerk,  M.  A.  Hirsch; 
Assessor,  John  II.  Crowell;  Constable,  August  Kock  and  George 
Hitz;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Edward  Crowell  and  Henry  Aehem- 
back;  Supervisors,  J.  G.  Wiggins,  S.  N".  Crowell,  Sureno  "Whit- 
ney, Simon  Keener,  Jacob  Metz,  D.  Dickman,  William  Herbrecht- 
meyer,  Mathew  S.  Kramer  and  George  A.  Hellman. 

RAILROADS. 

The  northeast  corner  of  the  township  is  crossed  by  the  C,  M. 
&  St.  Paul,  while  the  extreme  southwest  corner  is  crossed  by  the 
B.,  C.  K.  &  Northern  Eailsvay. 

POSTOFFICE. 

In  1857  the  first  postoffice  was  established  in  John  Ball's  house, 
Mr.  John  Ball  being  appointed  Postmaster.  This  was  known  for 
awhile  as  the  Bipley  postoffice,  but  owing  to  the  name  being  similar 
to  one  in  Greene  County,  la.,  by  the  name  of  Rippy,  and  causing 
considerable  difficulty  in  the  distribution  of  mail,  they  changed 
the  name  to  Ulster,  which  remained  unchanged  till  1875,  when 
Mr.  Ball  resigned  his  position  as  Postmaster,  and  the  office  was 
abandoned.  Since  then  there  has  been  no  postoffice  in  the 
township. 

ulster's    VOLUNTEERS. 

Of  the  citizens  who  nobly  voluteered  their  lives  in  the  defense 
of  our  country,  we  find  inscribed  upen  the  roll  of  honor  the 
following:  L.  D.  Powers,  John  Henchett,  Edward  Crowell,  Jr., 
William  Clarence  Decker,  James  M.  Crowell,  Silas  W.  Crowell, 
W.  S.  Henderson. 

These  brave  boys  were  never  shot  in  the  back;  but  on  every 
battle-field  of  any  magnitude  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  made  their 
presence  known  and  felt,  as  a  history  of  the  Thirty-second,  Twenty- 
seventh  and  Third  Iowa  Infantry  Volunteers  at  Pleasant  Hill, 
Fort  Donelson,  Fort  Robinette,  etc.,  testifies.  One  of  the  number, 
W.  C.  Decker,  never  returned,  but  fills  an  unknown  grave,  on  the 
bloody  battle-field  on  Pleasant  Hill,  Mo. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1029 

WATER. 

Its  principal  stream  is  Flood  Creek,  whose  name  is  taken  from 
its  peculiarities,  beini^  at  times  nearly  void  of  water,  and  at  others, 
a  raging,  turbulent  river,  overflowing  its  banks.  It  flows  south- 
easterly in  a  meandering  course,  through  the  center  of  the  town- 
ship. In  the  northern  part  it  affords  plenty  of  water,  in  the 
central  and  southern  part  it  is  subterraneous.  There  is  a  small 
tributary  to  Flood  Creek,  called  Spring  Creek,  emptying  in  on 
section  4,  and  has  its  rise  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  township. 
Its  name  originated  from  the  fact  of  its  source  being  from  several 
small  springs. 

Three  wooden  bridges  span  Flood  Creek  within    the   township. 

Good  water  is  found  wherever  it  has  been  sought,  by  digging 
wells.  There  are  no  springs  of  any  note  in  the  township,  unless 
it  be  the  small  ones  at  the  source  of  Spring  Creek  as  mentioned 
above. 

THE    FIRST    DEATH 

occurred  in  August,  1854,  Daniel  Beaver,  Jr.  ,  a  boy  one  year  of 
age,  son  of  Daniel  Beaver,  Sen. 

CEMETERIES. 

There  are  three  in  the  township.  In  1854  the  first  was  laid  out 
near  School-house  No.  1. 

In  1860  another  was  enclosed  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town- 
ship.    And  in  1875  one  near  the  German  church. 

CREAMERY. 

,  The  only  manufactory  in  the  township  is  a  creamery  owned  by 
Mr.  O.  McEwen  &  Sou,  situated  on  section  32,  established 
in  1881,  using  the  milk  of  about  500  cows,  and  employing 
five  hands. 

The  topography  of  the  township  is  similar  to  that  of  the  county 
and  State,  being  comparatively  level,  with  a  few  slight  elevations 
along  the  channel  of  streams,  etc.  The  soil  is  of  a  black,  sandy  loam 
of  rich  quality,  partaking  some  of  lime.  Several  small  limestone 
quarries  have  been  opened,  though  the  material  is  not  first  quality 
for  building  purposes. 


1030  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

TIMBER. 

With  a  few  exceptions  the  only  natural  timber  is  found  along 
Flood  Creek,  though  artificial  groves  have  been  cultivated  on 
nearly  every  farm,  till  the  township  is  now  considered  well  wooded. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  German  Methodist  Camp-Meeting,  held  in  Ulster,  July,  1871, 
was  a  very  interesting  event.  Great  interest  was  manifested,  and 
many  were  added  to  the  fold  of  Christ.  There  was  a  full  attend- 
ance, with  as  many  as  nineteen  pitched  tents,  Germans,  and  even 
Americans,  coming  from  all  the  neighboring  townships,  and  even 
counties. 

In  February,  1862,  L.  A.  Belcher  was  found  frozen  to  death  in 
Ulster  Township,  after  having  been  two  weeks  buried  under  the 
snow. 

June  11,  1860,  Mrs.  Mary  Johnson,  wife  of  W.  G.  Johnson,  of 
Ulster,  was  instantly  killed  by  lightning  while  she  was  standing  in 
the  house.  A  husband  and  two  small  children  were  thus  bereft. 
They  had  emigrated  from  Ireland  two  years  previous. 

A  failure  to  mention  the  hard  times  through  which  the  brave 
people  of  Ulster  passed,  and  the  sacrifices  they  made  during  this 
period,  would  be  an  unpardonable  omission.  Beginning  with  the 
financial  crisis  of  1857,  extending  and  increasing  through  the  dark 
days  of  rebellion  and  strife — they  indeed  had  days  of  sadness  and 
strife. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Henry  Achenhaoh  was  born  in  Germany  in  1851,  came  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  brother,  Leonard  Achenbach,  in  the  3'ear  1852;  made 
their  home  in  Lake  County,  III.,  for  about  thirteen  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  time  they  moved  to  Floyd  County,  la.  Mr. 
Leonard  Achenbach  made  his  first  purchase  in  Ulster  Township  of 
2oO  acres,  lying  on  sections  16  and  r21.  In  the  year  1875  Henry 
A.  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  21,  and  in  1880  he  bought 
another  eighty  in  same  section.  He  was  married  in  Charles  City 
in  1875  to  Sophia  Wolf.  They  have  four  children — Clara  M., 
Anna  B.,  Louis  L.  and  Henry  C.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Achen- 
bach are  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Township  Trustee  and  Road 
Supervisor  two  years;  is  School  Director,  and  is  now  serving  hig 
fourth  year  as  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1031 

John  Ball  was  born  in  Goshen,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  Jnly  12, 
1817.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  Mr.  Ball  moved  with  his  parents  to 
New  Jersey,  near  Newark.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  with 
his  father,  and  at  tlie  age  of  sixteen  went  to  Newark  to  work.  In 
August,  1835,  in  company  with  his  father,  moved  to  Michigan 
City,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  one  year,  when  he  married  Nancy 
Glover,  who  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  Jan.  4,  1816. 
After  their  marriage  they  moved  to  Lake  County,  Ind.  Here  they 
remained  engaged  in  farming  principally  till  the  year  1853,  when 
they  emigrated  to  Iowa  and  located  in  Ulster  Township,  Floyd 
County,  being  the  first  settlers  of  the  township.  Here  they  still 
reside,  alone  as  they  started,  having  raised  a  family  of  six  children, 
who  have  grown  up,  and  are  now  oat  in  the  world  tasting  of  its 
bitter  and  sweet,  as  they  did  forty  years  ago.  In  the  year  1855 
Mr.  Ball  was  elected  County  Judge,  and  has  many  years  tilled  its 
office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Mr.  Ball  was  elected  on  the  first 
Board  of  Supervisors  in  1860.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ball  are  boCh  mem- 
bers of  the  Free  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Ball  has  held  the  license 
of  local  preacher  ever  since  coming  into  the  State.  In  the  years 
1861-'62  under  the  presiding  eldership  of  John  Gould,  Mr.  Ball 
traveled  as  a  supply  on  the  Forest  City  Circuit.  Their  family, 
consisting  of  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  are  all  enjoying  the 
religion  of  the  gospel.  Mr.  Ball  has  certainly  been  a  marked 
character  and  a  moving  power  upon  the  frontier.  During  the  war, 
though  well  up  in  years,  he  was  determined  to  enlist  and  help 
Uncle  Sam  do  his  threshing,  but  was  refused  the  job  on  account  of 
his  age.  In  spite  of  this  rebuff  he  joined  the  Quartermaster's  De- 
partment and  remained  for  a  time,  when  failing  health  caused  him 
to  return.  Besides  being  a  man  of  daring  spirit,  he  is  one  of  pub- 
lic spirit,  and  encourages  every  enterprise  tending  to  the  orood  of 
humanity,  and  has  furnished  us  valuable  assistance  in  compiling 
this  work.  Mr.  Bill  settled  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  secti"n 
10,  consisting  of  113  acres  at  present;  formerly  owned  480. 

Charles  Bartz  was  born  in  Germany  in  1852;  came  to  the 
United  States  in  company  with  his  father,  Wm.  Bartz,  in  1851: 
Tiiey  located  first  in  Watertown,  Jefferson  County,  Wis.  Here 
they  remained  about  fifteen  years.  In  1869  they  became  citizens 
of  Floyd  County.  Charles  Bartz  made  his  ho:ne  with  his  parent, 
in  St.  Charles  Township  five  years  after  coining  here.  In  1874  he 
j)urchased  160  acres  on  section  25,  Ulster  Township,  whore  he  still 
68 


1032  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

resides,  aad  built  a  fine  li3U3e  the  following  year.  He  was  married 
in  Wisconsin,  April  30,  1869,  to  Miss  Bertha  Dangs,  a  native  of 
Germany.  They  have  three  children — Matilda,  Edward  and  Walter. 
He  farms  usually  about  100  acres  and  keeps  about  fourteen  head  of 
cattle,  thirty-five  hogs  and  five  horses.  Politically  he  is,  and  al- 
ways has  been,  a  Republican;  also  his  father  before  him;  has  filled 
the  office  of  Township  Trustee  for  more  than  a  year. 

John  Bell  was  b)rn  in  Ireland  in  1827.  At  the  age  of  21,  in 
company  with  three  brothers  and  five  sisters,  he  left  Ireland  for 
Canada.  While  on  the  voyage  they  were  taken  with  a  disease  called 
emigrant's  fever.  Two  of  the  youngest  boys  died  at  sea  and 
two  sisters  died  soon  after  reaching  Canada.  Mr.  Bell  was  taken 
to  the  hospital,  but  at  the  expiration  of  ten  days  slipped  away  from 
the  authorities.  Going  to  the  country  he  secured  places  for  his 
brothers  and  sisters  and  himself,  engaging  as  a  hand  in  a  tannery 
where  he  remained  for  three  years,  when  he  went  to  Dixon,  111., 
where  he  hired  wi^h  a  company  who  were  engaged  in  building  a 
dam  across  Kock  River;  with  them  he  remained  a  year  aud  a  half; 
he  then  went  to  Oregon,  Wis.,  and  worked  till  fall,  when  he  returned 
to  Canada  and  brought  his  brothers  and  sisters  to  Beloit, 
Wis.,  where  he  had  previously  secured  places  for  them.  Wiiile 
at  work  on  Turtle  Creek,  Wis.,  repairing  a  dam  he  made  the 
acquaintance  of  Miss  Sarah  E.  Bagley,  who  became  his  wife  Oct. 
21,1851.  She  was  a  native  of  New  York  State,  being  born  there 
Aug.  25,  1831.  Tiie  next  spring  they  went  to  Rockton,  111., 
where  Mi'.  Ball  worked  five  years  in  a  paper-mill.  From  there 
they  moved  to  Clayton  County,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  two 
years,  working  as  a  hand  among  lumber  principally,  alterward 
moved  to  this  county  and  farmed.  In  1862  went  to  Pike's  Peak, 
but  finding  it  unprofitable  soon  returned  and  moved  to  Charles 
City,  Floyd  County,  la.  In  the  following  spring  he  rented  a 
farm  in  Ulster  Township,  and  farmed  as  a  renter  four  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1868  he  purchased  a  farm  of  120  acres  on  section  4, 
Ulster  Township,  where  he  still  resides.  His  family  con- 
sists of  two  children — Ida  May,  now  the  wife  of  S.  H.  Matson, 
resides  in  Estherville,  Emmett  County,  Iowa  (Mr.  Matson  is  editor 
of  the  Vindicatory^  Harry  L.,  the  second  child,  is  sixteen  and  lives 
at  home.  Mr.  Ball  served  thirteen  years  on  the  School  Board,  first 
year  as  Secretary,  the  balance  of  the  time  as  President  of  the  board; 
has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  two  terms  and  manied  four 
couples,   the  only  persons  married  by  a  justice  of  the  peace  in  the 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1033 

town.  He  has  always  been  a  temperance  worker,  and  at  present  is 
the  Grand  Worthy  Assistant  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  of  the  State 
of  Iowa.  ^ 

W.  S.  Briggs  was  born  in  Tioga  County,  Penn.,  in  1842.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-three  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  O sslan,  Win- 
neshiek County.  Taught  the  village  school  the  first  winter. 
Afterward  engaged  as  bookkeeper  for  the  firm  of  Brooks  Brothers, 
hardwareraeu;  with  them  he  remained  a  year  and  a  half.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  time  he  went  into  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
Railroad  office,  where  he  remained  about  four  years.  Afterward 
he  went  into  the  employ  of  a  grain  dealer  by  the  name  of  R.  N. 
Sawyer;  with  him  he  remained  about  a  year.  At  this  date,  being 
in  1872,  he  went  to  Michigan,  locating  permanently  in  Montcalm 
County,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lumbering  business,  remaining 
over  four  years.  In  the  spring  of  1877  lie  became  a  citizen  of 
Floyd  County,  locating  on  section  8,  Ulster  Township,  on  a  farm 
of  120  acres,  which  he  purchased  in  1866,  paying  therefor  $400. 
He  sold  forty  acres  of  it  in  1878.  In  the  years  1877  and  1878  he 
built  himself  a  good  house.  He  has  his  farm  under  a  good  state 
of  caltivation.  Mr  Briggs  received  his  education  at  Knoxville  Acad- 
emy, Pa.,  afterward  attending  Osceola  Academy,  finishing  at 
the  State  Normal  School  of  Mansfield.  Afterward  took  a  commer- 
cial course  at  Binghamton,  J^.  Y.  Mr.  Briggs  was  married  in 
1869  in  Michigan  to  Miss  Tina  E.  Hunter,  a  native  of  Michigan, 
being  born  in  Lenawee  County,  in  1844.  Their  family  consists  of 
tliree  children — Lora  H.,  Lulu  A.  and  an  infant  son  not  yet  named- 
Briggs  E.  A.  Mead,a  sister's  son,  makes  his  home  with  Mr.  Briggs, 
who  expects  to  raise  him.  Mr.  Briggs  has  been  Schojl  Director 
and  is  now  President  of  the  board.     Politically  is  a  Republican. 

Eugene  S.  Brow/i\Vii&  born  in  Hampshire  County,  Mass.  He 
is  a  son  of  E.  T.  Brown,  who  was  born  in  Worcester  County,  Mass., 
in  1806.  In  1832  he  married  Miss  Perses  Alone,  a  native  of  Berk- 
shire County,  Mass.,  born  1807.  Their  family  consisted  of  five 
children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Atherton  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Shiloh,  at  the  age  of  twenty.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
Company  K,  Third  Iowa  Infantry.  In  June,  1854,  E.  S.  Brown 
CHine  to  Charles  City.  At  that  time  the  cars  only  came  West  as 
far  as  Warren.  There  they  took  the  boat  to  McGregor,  and  walked 
to  Charles  City.  The  yeir  following,  1855,  his  father,  mother, 
l)rother  and  adopted  sister  joined  him.  Mr.  Brown  remained  in 
Charles  City  till  1875.     Ho  first  engaged  as  a  clerk,  but  afterward 


1034  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

engaged  as  a  farmer.  In  1874  Mr.  Brown  purchased  the  farm  of 
] 40  acres  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  35,  Ulster  Township, 
built  his  house  and  made  all  his  improvements.  He  enlisted  in 
Company  Gr,  Twenty-seventh  Iowa,  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  Aug- 
ust, 1862,  under  the  command  of  A.  J.  Smith;  went  up  the  Red 
River  in  assisting  General  Banks;  was  with  Smith  on  the  Meridian 
raid;  at  Nashville  when  Hood  came,  and  previous  to  that  followed 
Price  throuo-h  Missouri  with  Rosecranz;  thence  to  a  skirmish 
with  Forrest  at  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  where  they  had  an 
engagement;  started  from  Moatjery,  July  16;  at  Clinton  Aug.  9. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  and  George  Whitehead  and  wife  were  tlie 
first  and  only  members  for  a  while  of  the  Baptist  church,  Charles 
City. 

A.  S.  JBrownell  wa,s,  born  in  New  York  Scate,  in  1835;  made 
that  State  his  home  till  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  when  he  came 
to  Iowa,  locating  in  Manchester,  Delaware  County,  where  he 
worked  at  his  trade  four  years,  he  being  a  carpenter  and  joiner; 
afterward  engaged  in  the  stock  and  grain  business  about  five  years. 
In  1873  he  became  a  citizen  of  this  county.  The  first  four  years 
he  spent  in  Charles  City  engaged  in  the  stock  business.  In  1877 
he  moved  upon  his  farm  of  480  acres  on  sections  27  and  28,  Ulster 
Township,  which  he  had  purchased  in  1875,  Here  he  has  since 
made  his  home,  and  a  pleasant  one  it  is.  Five  years  ago  it  was  one 
unbroken  wild  prairie,  but  to  a  stranger  it  now  bears  the  appear- 
ance ol  a  long-cultivated  farm.  It  is  all  under  a  good  state  of 
cultivation,  besides  being  beautifully  situated  in  plain  view  of 
M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.  and  the  village  of  Floyd,  though  seven  miles 
away.  Mr.  Brownell  has  alorned  and  embellished  this  farm  with 
shade  trees,  evergreens  and  fine  buildings,  so  that  we  are  safe  in 
saving  that  his  farm  surpasses  all  others  in  the  township,  and  can- 
not be  excelled  anywhere;  has  in  crop  over  400  acres,  205  acres 
of  which  is  corn;  has  a  complete  set  of  farming  implements  includ- 
ing planters,  mowers,  harvesters  etc.  In  addition  to  his  extensive 
farming  he  deals  largely  in  stock,  keeping  usually  from  130  to  140 
head  of  cattle,  though  last  year  he  wintered  about  200  head  and 
fattened  fifty;  turned  oif  in  the  spring  about  ninety  head.  Keeps 
about  100  head  of  hogs,  and  niuetee!i  head  of  horses.  In  the  State 
of  New  York,  in  1855,  he  and  Miss  Mary  McDonald  were  united  in 
marriage.  She  was  a  native  of  New  York  State.  They  have  six 
children — CUarles,  Ada,  Elvvin,  Carrie,  Mary  and  Albert. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1035 

L.  B.  Clark  was  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  22,  1862. 
He  was  a  son  of  Isaac  Clark,  who  difed  when  L.  B.  Clark  was  a 
mere  child.  His  avocation  was  that  of  a  laborer.  When  Mr. 
Clark  was  about  twenty-nine  years  of  age  he  left  the  State  and  went 
to  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wis.,  where  he  worked  at  the  trade  of 
mason,  remaining  about  twelve  years.  He  contracted  and  hired 
hands,  a  good  share  of  his  work  being  in  Ripon.  Failing  in  health, 
he  determined  to  abandon  his  trade,  and  came  to  Ulster  Township, 
Floyd  County,  and  purchased  131  acres  on  section  18,paying$10 
per  acre.  At  this  time  it  was  all  wild  land,  but  he  has  brought 
it  all  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  has  made  it  his  home. 
In  the  State  of  New  York,  in  the  year  1850,  he  and  Miss  Ann 
Amelia  Ray  were  married.  They  lived  happily  together  till  she  was 
removed  by  death  in  the  year  1853,  while  they  still  resided  in 
I^ew  York  State.  They  had  two  children,  but  both  died  when 
small.  Mr.  Clark  married  his  second  wife  in  1860.  Her  name 
was  Carrie  S.  Orr,  a  native  of  Scotland,  coming  to  this  country 
when  a  child.  She  made  him  a  good  wife,  till  death  with  its  silent 
tread  again  stealthily  crept  into  Mr,  Clark's  home,  May  1, 1881,  and 
removed  the  wife  and  mother,  leaving  a  family  of  seven  children — 
Edwin  L.,  Nellie,  Alice,  May,  Daisy  Belle,  Charles  Y.,  Ida  Birda 
and  Wm.  Ernest.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  man  who  has  nobly  fought  the 
battle  of  life  alone.  In  his  present  loneliness  his  children  are 
keeping  house,  and  trying  to  make  home  pleasant  for  him.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Wis- 
consin, and  also  after  they  came  to  Iowa.  Mr.  Clark  still  maintains 
the  relationship. 

Edward  Crowell  (deceased)  was  born  in  the  town  of  Half  Moon, 
N.  Y.,  in  1807.  When  about  six  years  of  age  he  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  made  his  home  till 
about  thirty-six  years  of  age.  In  1828  he  and  Miss  Esther  Felt 
were  united  in  marriage.  They  had  five  children — -Elmina,  George 
W.,  Andrew  J.,  Phoebe  and  Helen  M.  Mrs.  Crowell  died  in  1810. 
In  1811  he  married  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Caroline  (Persons)  Capen. 
They  had  nine  children — Edward,  Abigail,  James  M.,  Silas  R.,  John 
H.,  Oren  L.,  Charles  W.,  R.  Esther  and  Lily  L.  Mrs.  Crowell  had 
two  children  by  iier  first  husband.  Their  names  were  Richard  W. 
and  Sylvia  Capen.  Of  this  large  double  family  all  are  still  living 
except  Sylvia,  who  died  in  1860,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  and 
Esther,  who  died  in  1881,  at  the  age  of  29.  She  was  the  wife  of 
Sereno  Whitne}'.     In  1856  Mr,  Crowell  moved  with   his  family  to 


1036  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Ulster  Township,  this  county,  where  he  resided  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  11,  1881.  Mrs.  Crowell  still  makes  the 
homestead  her  abiding  place.  Of  Mr.  Crowell  it  may  be  said  he 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  who  helped  lay  the  very  foundations  of  the 
history  of  Floyd  County.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crowell  were  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  church  for  thirty  years.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  T.  O.  O.  F.,  and  started  the  order  in  this  county. 

Edward  Crowell,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Centreville,  Allegany 
County,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  16,  1840.  In  the  year  1843  his  father  and 
family  moved  to  Bloomfield,  Walworth  County,  Wis.,  where  they 
remained  till  1856,  when  they  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  and 
located  in  Ulster  Township,  upon  a  farm  of  240  acres.  Edward 
Crowell,  Sr.,  had  entered  on  sections  30  and  31  the  year  previous. 
This  property  the  family  call  the  old  homestead.  It  is  here  the 
family  grew  to  man  and  womanhood;  it  is  here  the  father  and 
mother  lived  happily  together  till  death  broke  the  ties  by  remov- 
ing Mr.  Edward  Crowell,  Sr.,  March  12,  1881;  and  it  is  here  the 
mother  still  lives.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  Mr.  Edward  Crowell, 
Jr.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty- 
seventh  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  his  full  term,  be- 
ing three  years;  was  mustered  out  May  6,  1865,  at  Davenport,  la.; 
was  never  wounded  nor  taken  prisoner,  but  was  a  hospital  patient 
about  fifteen  months;  was  very  low  with  typhoid  pneumonia  and 
erysipelas,  and  we  are  sorry  to  have  this  fact  to  chronicle  that  he  is 
still  a  sufferer  from  the  effects.  His  army  experience  was  that  of  the 
usual  faithful  soldier — hard  marches,  hot  skirmishes,  and  short 
rations,  and  the  usual  exhausting  and  undermining  camp-life. 
After  his  return  from  the  army  he  moved  upon  his  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  which  he  had  purchased  in  1863,  on  section  29,  Ulster  Town- 
ship. Here  he  lived  till  the  year  1880,  when  he  sold  and  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  on  section  31,  same  township,  where  he  still 
resides.  He  has  under  cultivation  about  fiftv  acres,  and  has  usu- 
ally  about  fifteen  head  of  cattle,  four  horses  and  thirty  hogs. 
June  3,  1864,  he  and  Miss  Sarah  Y.  Porter  were  united  in  mar- 
riage. She  was  a  native  of  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  born  in  1846. 
They  have  five  children — Dora  L.,  Clarence  H.,  Clyde  A.,  Guy 
E.  and  Ida  C.  Politically  Mr.  Crowell  is  a  sound  Republican.  Is 
at  present  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  he  has  been  for  many  years, 
and  has  held  various  township  othces.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  10P>7 

Johi  H.  Crowell  was  born  in  Walworth  County,  Wis.,  in  1847. 
He  is  a  son  of  Edward  Crowell,  who  came  from  Allegany  County, 
N.  Y.,  to  Wisconsin  about  1841-,  remaining  till  1856,  when  ite 
came  to  Iowa,  and  located  upon  210  acres  which  he  had  bought 
the  year  previous,  on  sections  30  and  31,  Ulster  Township,  this 
county,  where  ho  made  his  home  till  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
March,  1S81.  Edward  Crowell,  as  will  be  seen  by  these  dates,  was 
oneof  Floyd  County's  pioneers,  and  his  position  in  those  matters  of 
early  date  shows  that  he  was  a  man  of  public  spirit,  whose  name 
will  never  be  forgotten  in  the  history  of  this  county.  The  author  of 
this  work  was  one  of  his  early  friends  and  associates.  An  item 
of  interest  is  well  worthy  of  the  space  it  takes  here,  and  we  give  it 
as  related  by  his  son,  J.  H.  Crowell:  One  day,  when  he  and  his 
little  brother  were  in  the  field,  W.  P.  Gay  lord  came  and  asked  his 
father  to  accompany  him  that  day.  In  answer  to  the  boys'  inquiry 
as  to  where  he  was  going,  Mr.  Crowell  replied  that  they  were  go- 
ing  to  set  t!ie  most  important  stake  in  the  county,  it  being  the 
staking  off  of  the  court-house  ground.  This  spot  was  in  the  geo- 
graphical center  of  the  county  and  near  the  east  line  of  Ulster  Town- 
ship. History  shows  that  this  place  was  one  cif  some  contest  and 
contention,  and  alter  some  hot  spirit  and  solid  voting  it  was  placed 
upon  record  as  the  county  seat,  by  a  large  majority.  But  after- 
ward some  of  the  Charles  City  people,  and  those  whose  interests 
centered  there,  concluded  there  was  some  discrepancy  in  the  vot- 
ing, and,  without  thoroughly  testing  the  technicality,  proceeded  to 
locate  the  county  seat  at  Charles  City  and  erect  public  buildings. 
J,  H.  Crowell  accompanied  his  father  to  this  county,  and  made  his 
home  with  him  till  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  ago.  At  this  date 
he  married  Miss  Libbie  Pyatt,  a  native  of  New  York  State,  being 
born  there  in  1852.  Their  family  consists  of  five  children — Jennie 
G.,  Burton  L.,  Irving  R,,  Granville  P.  and  Charles  G,  aged  twelve, 
ten,  seven,  four  and  one,  respectively.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crowell 
are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Ulster  Township. 
In  the  year  1861  he  purchased  forty  acres  on  section  31,  Ulster 
Township,  where  he  still  resides,  and  also  a  forty  on  section  uO, 
making  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  all  under  good  cultivation.  He 
usually  puts  in  crop  of  from  fil"ty  to  sixty  acres,  and  keeps  in  stock, 
all  told,  about  forty  head. 

S.  W.  Crowell  was  born  in  Bloomfiekl,  Walworth  County,  Wis., 
in  1815.  He  is  a  son  of  Edward  Crowell,  who  was  one  of  Floyd 
County's  pioneers,   and  whose   biography  will  be  found    in    this 


1038  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

work.  S.  W.  Crowell  became  a  citizen  of  Flojd  County  in  1856  ; 
made  his  first  purchase  of  real  estate  in  1864.  This  was  a  tract  of 
forty  acres  on  section  30,  Ulster  Township ;  this  he  afterward  sold 
and  bought  eighty  acres  on  section  29,  which  he  also  sold.  He 
again  made  a  purchase  of  forty  acres  on  section  31.  This  he  also 
soon  sold,  each  transaction  yielding  him  a  fair  profit.  In  the 
year  1866  he  purchased  fifty  acres  on  section  5,  where  he  now 
resides.  In  1873  he  bought  forty  acres  on  section  31,  adjoining 
his  other  land,  making  a  farm  of  ninety  acres.  He  Ueually  puts 
in  crop  about  sixty  acres,  and  keeps  about  six  head  of  cattle,  two 
horses,  and  from  fifty  to  seventy  hogs.  He  was  married  in  Charles 
City  in  1871  to  Esther  A.  Collins,  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in 
1841.  They  have  two  children  —  Ralph,  aged  five  years,  and 
Nellie,  aged  two.  Politically  Mr.  Crowell  is  a  G-reenbacker  ;  has 
held  the  office  of  Assessor  for  two  years. 

C.  Dinkel  was  born  in  "Wnrtemberi;:,  German}-,  in  1839 ;  came 
to  America  in  1856,  locating  first  in  Dodge  County,  Wis.,  where 
he  spent  about  four  years  working  as  a  farm  hand  ;  from  thence 
he  went  to  Marathon  County,  where  he  owned  a  piece  of  timber. 
Here  he  remained  about  eight  years  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  as  a  hand.  In  the  year  1868  he  became  a  citizen  of 
Floyd  County  ;  purchased  same  year  eiglity  acres  on  section  14, 
Ulster  Township,  wliere  he  still  resides  ;  has  since  a'lded  to  his 
original  purchase  eighty  acres  ;  forty  was  bought  in  1872  and  forty 
in  1874.  The  location  and  soil  and  improvements  of  this  farm 
number  it  among  the  best  in  the  county.  He  used  to  farm  as  high 
as  eiglity  and  ninety  acres  of  wheat,  but  the  crop  proving  an 
unprofitable  one  he  now  farms  only  about  twenty-five.  Has  in 
corn  fifty  acres,  and  twenty-two  in  oats.  In  addition  to  farming, 
Mr.  Dinkel  makes  stock-raising  quite  an  item,  and  expects  to  go 
into  it  even  more  extensively.  Keeps  on  an  average  about  twenty- 
five  head  of  cattle,  and  from  thirty  to  forty  hojjp,  and  four  head  of 
liorses.  Mr.  Dunkel  was  married  in  Wisconsin,  in  1866,  to  Miss 
Paulina  Kojiplin,  a  native  of  Germany.  They  have  eight  children 
—  Bertie,  Mary,  Anna,  Carl,  Otto,  Clara,  Lena  and  Huldah. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dinkel  are  members    f  the  Lutheran  church. 

John  Drager  was  born  in  Germany  in  1842,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  about  the  year  1868,  locating  first  in  Wisconsin, 
working  on  the  farm  as  a  hand  about  five  years,  then  rented  a 
piece  of  land  one  year.  In  the  fall  of  1874  he  became  a  citizen  of 
Floyd  County,  la.,  and  purchased  a  farm  of  fV  rty  acres  on  section  3, 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  i039 

Ulster  Township,  where  he  still  resides.  "He  has  since  bought 
105  acres,  making  a  farm  of  145,  that  is  as  good  as  the  county 
affords;  farms  about  sixty-five  acres  usually,  putting  out  about 
ten  acres  of  wheat,  thirty-five  of  oats,  and  sixteen  of  corn.  He 
farms  in  addition  to  this,  thiitv-four  acres  of  corn,  five  of  oats,  and 
fifteen  of  wheat.  He  was  married  in  Wisconsin  in  1S69  to  Miss 
Augusta  Grete.  They  have  seven  children,  four  boys  and  three 
girls  —  Amel,  Frank,  Emma,  Elizabeth,  Lena,  Charles  and  George. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Drager  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Herman  Eichmeier  was  born  in  Germany  in  1838.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  came  to  America,  locating  first  in  Freeport,  111., 
where  he  remained  about  thirteen  years,  engaged  in  farming  prin- 
cipally, though  part  of  the  time  he  was  engaged  in  making  brick. 
In  the  year  1871  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  and  purchased 
his  present  farm  of  eighty- three  acres,  where  he  now  resides,  in 
Ulster  Township.  In  1878  he  made  another  purchase  of  eighty 
acres  adjoining  his  other.  For  the  first  he  paid  $1,800;  for  the 
second,  $1 ,050,  the  last  being  unimproved  land.  Floyd  County 
farmers  have  generally  found  both  grain  and  stock  farms  to  be  the 
most  profitable.  This  year  Mr.  Eichnieier  has  in  crop  twenty  acres 
of  wheat,  seventeen  of  oats,  forty-three  of  corn,  and  thirty  of  grass; 
keeps  about  twent}'  head  of  cattle,  forty  hogs  and  seven  horses. 
Mr.  Eichmeier  was  married  in  Freeport,  III.,  in  1866,  to  Miss 
Caroline  Bicker,  a  native  of  Germany,  being  born  there  in  1847. 
Their  family  consists  of  five  children — William  H.,  Salmon  A., 
Henry,  Hermon  and  Anna  Mary.  Both  are  members  of  the 
^fethodist  church.     He  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

F.  W.  Gabel  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  in  1839.  In  1864 
he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  father  and  mother,  John  and 
Josephine  Gabel.  There  was  of  the  family  nine  children.  Here 
in  Wisconsin  Mr.  F.  Gabel  spent  the  first  fourteen  years.  A  little 
instance  of  his  life  is  well  worth}'^  of  mention  here,  to  illustrate  how 
a  manmay  start  from  nothing  and  by  energy  and  perseverance  wring 
from  the  hard  hand  of  toil  an  independent  fortune:  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he,  in  company  with  another  lad  of  his  own  age,  started 
from  home  with  a  lunch  between  them,  and  only  ten  cents  to  bear 
expenses.  This  was  the  possession  of  Mr.  Gabel.  They  walked 
to  Rosedale,  a  distance  of  35  miles.  Failing  to  find  work  they 
returned,  still  holding  on  to  the  ten  cents.  These  are  remembered 
by  Mr.  Gable  as  being  the  hardest  times  it  has  ever  l)cen  hislv)t  to 
pass  throMirh.     Tti  1'<6'^  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  Count^^  The 


1040  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

same  year  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  14,  [Jlster  Township, 
where  he  still  resides.  To  this  he  has  since  added  320  acres,  making 
one  of  the  largest  and  best  farms  in  the  county.  In  1875  he  built 
the  finest  house  in  the  township,  and  the  county  affords  no  better. 
He  not  only  has  its  surroundings  beautified  with  shade  and  ever- 
green trees,  symmetrically  arranged,  but  he  has  the  inside  beauti- 
fully furnished  and  ornamented  with  modern  art.  Of  this  large 
farm  all  is  under  cultivation  except  eighty  acres  of  timber  and 
pasture  land.  He  puts  in  crops  yearly  320  acres,  besides  keeping 
seventy-three  head  of  cattle,  and  about  100  head  of  hogs  and  ten 
head  of  horses.  Mr.  Gabel  was  married  May  5,  1868,  to  Miss 
Agnes  Devilla.  She  was  a  native  of  Belgium,  born  there  in  1847. 
They  have  four  children — Devilla,  John,  George  and  Freddie. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gable  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

August  Gelhaus  was  born  in  Germany,  July  5,  1847.  In  1873 
he  came  to  America,  locating  first  in  JUinois.  In  December,  1873, 
he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  purchasing  his  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  on  section  19,  Ulster  Township,  where  he  still  resides.  He 
built  a  nice  barn  in  1877.  In  1876  he  purchased  eighty  acres  on 
section  29;  has  in  corn  seventy  acres,  wheat  twelve,  oats  thirty, 
hay  twelve,  and  rye  ten;  has  six  horses,  seventeen  cattle  and 
sixty  hogs.  Dec.  15,  1873,  he  and  Miss  Wilhelinina  Winter  were 
married.  They  have  four  children — August,  Lydia,  Clara  and  Ma- 
tilda. Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gelhaus  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
church.     Politically  he  is  a  sound  Republican. 

E.  H.  Hanchett  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  May 
18,  1830.  At  the  age  of  four  he  moved  with  his  father  to 
Cuyahoga  County,  O.,  where  they  remained  ten  years.  From 
there  they  moved  to  Walworth  County,  Wis.,  where  E.  H.  made 
his  home  about  twelve  years,  engaged  in  farming.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  this  time  E.  H.  Hanchett  came  to  Iowa,  locating  upon  a 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  purchased  of  the  Government  in 
1855,  section  29,  Ulster  Township.  Here  he  has  since  resided, 
making  him  one  of  Floyd  County's  pioneers,  and  one  of  the  very 
first  settlers  of  Ulster  Township.  Has  added  to  this  first  purchase 
five  acres  of  timber.  Built  himself  a  good  farm  h(>u>e  in  1870. 
With  the  exception  of  a  few  oak-trees  he  set  out  all  that  now  so 
beautifullv  surrounds  his  house.  He  has  indeed  a  nice  farm  and 
pleasant  home.  Has  under  cultivation  about  sixty  acres.  In 
Walworth  Cuunty,  Wis.,  Feb.  25,  1858,  he  and  Miss  Caroline 
Bessee  were  united  in  marriwge.     She  was  a  native  of  Michigan. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1041 

They  have  five  children — Allen,  Lanson,  Lucinda,  Silas  and  jSTcllie. 
Of  Mr.  Hanchett  we  are  pleased  to  sa}'-  he  is  not  only  one  of  the 
first  men  in  this  county  in  point  of  time,  but  one  of  the  first  in 
society  and  in  the  interests  of  agriculture  and  the  county  generally. 

G,  F.  HeitzwQ.'S,  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.,  Dec.  11,  1855. 
He  is  a  son  of  John  Heitz,  who,  in  the  year  1868,  purchased  183 
acres  on  section  2,  Ulster  Township,  Floyd  County,  where  G.  F, 
Heitz  and  his  brother,  John  Heitz,  Jr.,  now  reside.  In  the  year 
1876  G.  F.  Heitz  (^xtne  to  Ulster  Township  and  worked  about  (Mie 
year  on  a  farm.  That  fall  he  returned  to  Illinois,  there  he  remai  led 
till  the  following  March,  when  he,  in  company  with  his  father  and 
family,  moved  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  where  his  father  still  resid'^is. 
In  the  fall  G.  F.  returned  to  Illinois,  and  the  19th  of  February  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Haas,  who  was  also  born  in  Jo  Daviess 
County,  111.  This  same  spring  he  and  wife  moved  to  Charles  City, 
remaining  only  a  short  time,  when  he  moved  on  to  the  piece  of 
land  formerly  purchased  by  his  father  in  Ulster  Township;  he  and 
his  brother  each  buying  a  half  of  183  acres.  In  the  year  1869  Mr. 
Heitz  built  himself  a  pleasant  residence.  His  farm  is  one  of  the 
good  ones  of  Floyd  County.  Up  till  the  present  he  has  turned  his 
attention  principally  to  farming,  but  recently  has  turned  his  mind 
toward  stock-raising.  This  year  he  has  thirty  acres  of  corn, 
eighteen  acres  of  oats,  fifteen  acres  of  wheat,  and  twenty-eight 
acres  in  hay.  Has  on  hand  fifty  head  of  hogs,  eight  head  of 
cattle,  and  four  horses.  His  family  consists  of  two  children — John 
William  and  an  infant  daughter.  Is  a  sound  Republican.  Is  at 
present  the  Constable  of  Ulster  County. 

Johji  Heitz,  Jr.,  was  born. in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.,  Jan.  30, 
1852.  He  is  a  son  of  John  Heitz,  Sr.,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  St. 
Charles  Township,  Floyd  County.  In  the  year  1875  John  Heitz, 
Jr.,  left  Illinois  and  came  to  Floyd  County,  and  worked  the  first 
summer  for  Mr.  Blunt,  near  Charles  City.  The  spring  following 
he  moved  upon  the  north  half  of  the  183  acres  his  father  had  pre- 
viously purchased  on  section  2,  Ulster  Township.  This  same  spring 
he  purchased  this  tract  of  land  from  his  father.  In  the  fall  previ- 
ous to  moving  upon  the  farm  he  built  himsalf  a  pleasant  residence, 
where  he  still  resides.  His  farm  has  the  appearance  of  thrift  and 
of  being  under  the  care  of  a  model  farmer.  He  makes  farming  his 
principal  avocation.  This  year  has  in  crop  fourteen  acres  wheat; 
oats,  twenty;  corn,  thirty-five;  one-half  acre  potatoes;  has  five  head 
of  cattle;  usually  keeps  twenty-five  or  thirty  hogs  and  three  horses. 


10'i2  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

He  was  married  in  1876  to  Anna  Sabina  Toepfer,  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  May  6,  1850.  Their  family  consists  of  three  chil- 
dren— Henry  John,  Anna  Elizabeth,  Etnraa  Louisa,  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Heitz  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Politically  he 
is  a  Republican.  « 

Mathias  August  HirsGA.w&s  born  in  Grant  County,  Wis ,  March 
4,  1853.  He  is  a  son  of  Fredric  Hirsch,  who  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  1847,  from  Germany,  locating  in  Illinois;  moved  to 
Grant  County,  Wis.,  the  following  year,  where"  he  remained  till 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  year  1866,  leaving  a  family  of  five 
sons  and  one  daughter.  In  1875  M.  A.  Hirsch  married  Emma 
Stoeber,  a  native  of  Grant  County,  Wis.,  being  born  there  in  1854. 
The  family  consists  of  three  sons— Irving  S.,  Henry  W.,  Charles  A. 
Mr.  Hirsch  owns  a  nice  place  of  forty  acres  which  he  purchased  in 
1874,  all  under  fine  cultivation  and  improvements;  his  buildings 
and  surroundings  surpassing  many  older  homes  and  in  older 
counties.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hirsch  are  both  members  of  the  German 
M.  E.  church.     Mr.  Hirsch  is  an  old-time  sound  Republican. 

C.  W.  Hudson  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  in  1830.  When 
a  young  man  he  received  a  common-school  education.  He  re- 
mained in  New  York  till  about  twenty-four  years  of  age  engaged 
in  farming,  principally  in  Steuben,  Wayne  and  Oneida  counties.  In 
the  year  1855  he  went  to  Ogle  County,  111.,  where  he  worked  by 
the  month  and  day  as  a  farm  hand,  remaining  about  four  years. 
In  the  winter  of  1859  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  Cjunty,  thus 
making  him  one  of  its  pioneers.  Located  in  Ulster  Township.  The 
first  season  rented  a  piece  of  land  on  section  30.  Afterward  rented 
for  two  years  the  farm  of  140  acres  which  he  now  owns  and  where 
he  resides,  section  30,  Ulster  Township.  This  purchase  was  made 
in  the  fall  of  1865,  paying  $1,090.  Has  since  erected  good  farm 
buildings;  has  a  splendidbarn,  built  only  last  summer,  36  x  60.  He 
used  to  put  out  twenty-five  and  thirty  acres  of  wheat;  oats,  fifteen; 
from  sixty  to  seventy  acres  of  corn.  His  farm  is  about  the  same 
now,  with  the  exception  of  wheat,  which  he  does  not  find  profitable 
to  raise.  Of  late  years  has  turned  his  attention  more  to  stock, 
keeping  about  twenty-five  head  of  cattle,  and  from  sixty  to 
eighty  hogs.  In  Rockford,  Winnebago  County,  111.,  July  5,  1858, 
he  and  wife,  Susan  Hellman,  were  united  in  marriage.  They  have 
no  family.  He  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  has  several  years 
held  the  office  of  Trustee.  Though  he  never  learned  the  trade  he 
built  his  own  barn,  never  drawing  a  draft. 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1043 

Thomas  W.  Johnson  was  born  in  England  in  1826;  came  to  the 
United  States  in  the  fall  of  1877;  spent  the  iirst  two  years  in  company 
with  his  son,  George  W.,  and  his  wife,  upon  the  farm  of  his  deceased 
brother,  Wilbert  G.,  an  account  of  which  is  given  in  the  biography 
of  W.  R.  Johnson.  In  the  spring  of  1880  Mr.  Johnson  bought 
eighty,  acres  of  R.  M.  Carry,  on  section  26,  Ulster  Township,  where 
he  still  resides.  Besides  this  eighty,  he  and  his  son,  George  W., 
farm  the  adjoining  eighty.  Mr.  Johnson's  farm  is  well  calculated 
for  stock;  near  a  herd  yard,  and  plenty  open  prairie.  He  has  a 
nice  house  and  pleasant  surroundings.  In  England  Thomas  W. 
Johnson  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Capaw  in  the  year  1854.  They 
have  seven  children — Anna  Mary,  Jane  Annetta,  George  Willis, 
Elizabeth  Chapman,  Zilpah  Lydia,  Henry  Theophilus,  and  Nellie. 
Mr.  Johnson's  wife  and  family  are  still  in  England,  except  George 
W.  (who  married  Alice  Jane  ]N"apels,  a  native  of  England;  they 
keep  house  for  his  father;  they  have. two  children — Florence  Anna 
and  Julia  Annetta),  and  a  daughter,  Jane  Annetta,  who  married 
Oren  Bowen,  a  son  of  Mr.  Bowen,  of  Rockford  Township.  They 
reside  in  Fargo,  Dak.  Previous  to  coming  to  America  Mr.  John- 
son had  been  connected  with  the  dry-goods  and  shipping  business 
in  Manchester,  England,  for  about  twenty  years,  with  one  of  the 
largest  firms  of  the  city,  A.  and  S.  Henry  &  C  o.who  shipped  large 
quantities  of  goods  to  New  York,  Boston  and  Philadelphia.  Thir- 
teen millions  of  sterling  in  amount  of  goods  were  sometimes 
shipped  in  twelve  months.  Mr.  Johnson  returned  to  England  in 
the  fall  of  1882  to  see  his  family  and  mother,  who  still  resides  there 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five.  He  is  her  only  surviving  child 
of  a  family  of  five  children. 

W.  li.  Johnson  was  born  in  Ulster  Township  in  1858.  He  was 
a  son  of  W.  G.  Johnson,  who  came  from  England  in  1856  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  380  acres  in  Ulster  Township.  Upon  this  farm 
he  made  many  improvements — hauled  brick  from  Waverly,  a  dis- 
tance of  fifty  miles,  and  built  a  two-story  brick  house,  16  x  20, 
with  a  one-story  L,  the  base  of  which  was  nearly  as  large 
as  the  two-story  part;  he  also  built  a  log  stable,  18x28. 
Here  he  and  his  wife  made  their  home  about  four  years, 
when  Mrs.  Johnson  was  killed  by  lightning  while  standing  in  the 
stairway  of  her  house.  Shortly  after  this. event  Mr.  Johnson  and 
his  son,  W.  R.,  went  to  Chicago  to  live,  renting  the  farm;  returned 
in  1867,  and  lived  here  till  the  fall  of  1869,  when  they  both  returned 
to  Yorkshire,  England,  and  there  Mr.  Johnson  SrJ,  died  in  1876, 


1044  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

In  the  fall  of  1877  Mr.  Johnson,  accompanied  bj'  an  uncle  and 
cousin,  returned  to  America  to  look  after  his  interests  in  the  West. 
During  his  absence  the  place  had  been  lying  idle,  and  he  found 
that  the  neighbors  had  hauled  the  house  almost  entirely  away.  The 
scarcity  of  brick  of  course  made  a  valid  excuse,  but  the  stealing  of 
the  log  stable  and  a  log  house  in  the  woods  in  the  midst  of  timber 
scarcely  excuses  the  act.  His  uncle  and  cousin  assisted  in  the  care 
of  the  farm  till  1880,  when  W.  R.  assumed  control,  and  has  since 
that  time  been  manager  and  proprietor  of  three  fourths  of  the  farm, 
having  a  sister  in  England.  Hq  has  140  acres  under  cultivation. 
While  in  England  he  spent  eighteen  months  on  the  sea;  visited 
Australia  and  San  Francisco  in  a  sailing  vessel,  touching  Ireland 
on  the  return  voyage.  In  1881  he  again  visited  England.  He  was 
married  in  the  spring  of  1881,  in  Charles  City,  to  Miss  Mary 
Blunt. 

August  Koch  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1841.  He  was  a  son  of 
Christian  Koch,  a  native  of  German}',  who  died  there  in  1875.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-eiglit  August  Ktich  came  to  the  United  States, 
locating  first  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  about  two  years, 
working  as  a  farm  hand.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  became 
a  citizen  of  Ulster  Township,  Floyd  County,  la.,  where  he  spent 
the  first  summer  as  a  farm  hand;  afterward  rented  a  farm  and 
continued  as  a  renter  for  about  four  years.  In  1876  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  in  Union  Township,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
when  he  sold  it  at  an  advance  of  his  purchase  price.  In  1877  he 
purchased  eighty  acres  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  17,  Ulster 
Township.  The  same  year  he  built  himself  a  good  residence,  and 
put  the  farm  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  His  surroundings 
are  very  pleasant,  and  he  now  owns  one  of  the  good  farms  and  en- 
joyable homes  of  Floyd  County.  In  January,  1880,  he  purchased 
a  nice  piece  of  timber  of  five  acres.  He  used  to  put  out  from  fifty 
to  sixty  acres  in  wheat,  but  late  3-ears  only  eighteen  or  twentj' 
acres.  At  present  he  has  about  thirty-two  acres  of  corn;  oats  about 
ten;  has  about  thirteen  head  of  cattle,  thirty-five  hogs,  and  four 
head  of  horses.  In  Germany,  in  1867,  he  and  Miss  Minnie  Sthal,  a 
native  of  Germany,  were  united  in  marriage.  Their  family  con- 
sists of  six  children — Minnie,  John,  Emma,  Albert,  Otto  and 
Herman.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Koch  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
church.  Politically  Mr.  Koch  is  a  Republican,  and  is  at  present 
Constable  in  Ulster  Township;  has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor 
and  School  Director.     Of  Mr.  Koch  we  are  pleased  to  say  we  find 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1046 

him  one  of  Floyd  County's  model  farmers,  and  a  man  of  energy. 
He  has  by  his  own  exertions  brought  himself  from  the  position  of 
dependence  to  tliat  of  independence. 

August  Koehler  was  born  in  Germany  in  1838;  came  to  America 
in  1865,  locating  first  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  two  years, 
working  as  a  farm  hand.  He  afterward  rented  a  farm,  which  he 
ran  about  eight  years.  In  1874  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  and 
rented  a  farm  in  St.  Charles  Township  one  year.  In  1875  he  pur- 
chased the  farm  of  eighty  acres  where  he  still  resides,  on  section 
17,  Ulster  Township.  In  the  year  1882  he  repaired  his  house, 
making  indeed  a  pleasant  home,  surrounded  by  a  fine  grove.  He 
owns  one  of  the  good  farms  of  Floyd  County,  and  has  it  under  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  in  wheat  twenty  five  acres;  oats, 
sixteen  acres;  corn,  twenty-two  acres,  besides  twenty  he  is  working 
on  another  farm.  His  stock  consists  of  two  horses,  fourteen  head 
of  cattle  and  eighteen  head  of  hogs.  In  1866,  in  Wisconsin,  Mr. 
Koehler  and  Miss  Amelia  Koehler  were  united  in  marriage.  Their 
family  consists  of  seven  children — Ida,  William,  Minna,  Henry, 
Albert,  Mertie,  and  an  infant  daughter  not  yet  named.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Koehler  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Republican. 

Henry  Koehler  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1810.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-six  he  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Wisconsin 
and  remaining  there  four  years.  In  1870  he  purchased  the  farm 
of  150  acres  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  3,  Ulster  Town- 
ship, Floyd  County,  la.  In  1870,  in  Wisconsin,  he  married  Miss 
Louisa  Otterstine,  also  a  native  of  Prussia,  being  born  there  in 
1848.  She  came  to  Wisconsin  at  the  age  of  eight  years.  Their 
family  consists  of  six  children — Emma,  Emil,  Frank,  Charles, 
Bertie  and  George.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs  Koehler  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Koehler  has  been  Super- 
visor and  is  now  School  Director.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 
In  1862-'63  he  was  a  private  in  the  Prussian  army. 

Ilenry  Koehlstaedt  was  born  in  Germany  in  1842,  and  came  to 
America  in  I860.  The  first  four  years  in  this  country  were  spent 
near  Frankfort,  III.,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand.  One  of 
the  strongest  inducemLMits  liis  mother  had  to  leave  the  old  country, 
was  to  free  her  sons  from  the  army  requirements.  But  to  her 
astonishment,  all  of  lier  three  sons  enlisted  in  the  war  for  the 
Union.  Henry  Kochlstaedt  enlisted  Jan.  16,  1864,  Company  C, 
Forty  sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  his  country  two 


1046  HISTORY  OF    FLOYD  (JOIJNTV. 

years;  held  the  office  of  Corporal  itie  last  six  months;  was  never 
wounded,  taken  prisoner  nor  in  the  hospital  a  day  in  his  life.  After 
his  army  life  he  returned  to  his  Illinois  home  and  farmed  two  years. 
Purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  16,  Ulster  Township,  this  county, 
in  August,  1868;  moved  upon  it  in  October.  Has  added  to  his  first 
possessions  till  now  he  owns  165  acres  of  as  good  land  as  lies  in  Floyd 
County.  Puts  in  a  crop  of  usually  twenty  acres  of  wheat,but  formerly 
raised  high  as  sixty  and  seventy  acres  ;  has  forty-five  in  corn  and 
twenty  in  oats;  has  thirty-two  head  of  cattle,  seventy -fivehogs  and 
five  horses.  Was  married  in  Illinois  in  1866,  to  Miss  Caroline 
Yenneolt,  a  native  of  Germany;  came  to  this  country  with  parents 
when  she  was  one  year  old.  They  have  seven  children — William, 
Martha,  Emil,  Ida,  Samuel,  Henry  and  Sarah.  Both  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  he  is  a  local  preacher  in 
the  same. 

Simon  Koerner  was  born  in  Germanv  in  1841 ;  came  to  America 
Sept,  4,  1873,  locating  first  in  Stephenson  County,  III.,  where  he 
purchased  forty  acres  of  land  and  farmed  two  and  one-half  years, 
when  he  sold  his  farm  and  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  bought 
the  farm  of  160  acres  where  he  still  resides,  in  Ulster  Township, 
section  T.  In  1878  he  built  one  of  the  finest  houses  in  Floyd  County 
and  built  a  fine  barn  in  1881.  Has  always  found  stock-raising 
and  farming,  run  together,  the  most  profitable.  Heretofore  he 
has  raised  usually  from  fifty  to  sixty  acres  of  wheat,  ten  to  twelve 
acres  of  oats,  and  sixty  to  seventy  acres  of  corn.  He  usually 
keeps  about  twelve  head  of  milch  cows  and  about  the  same  num- 
ber of  young  cattle,  fifty  head  of  hogs  and  five  horses.  His  motto 
is  that  ''  well-fed  stock  pays  the  best."  Mr.  Koerner  was  married  in 
Germany  in  1869  to  Miss  Wilhelmina  Gelliaus.  Their  family  con- 
sists of  six  children — Charles,  Einil,  William,  Edward,  Minna,  and 
an  infant  son  not  yet  named.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Koerner  are 
members  of  the  German  Methodist  church.  Their  children  can 
all  read  and  speak  both  the  English  and  German  languages.  Of 
Mr.  Koerner  we  are  pleased  to  sa}^  he  has  by  industry  wrung  from 
the  hard  hand  of  toil  one  of  the  finest  farms  and  homes  of  Floyd 
County.  Has  held  the  position  of  Supervisor.  Politically  he  is  a 
Tlepublican. 

Charles  A.  Lenz  was  born  in  Germany  in  1822.  In  1841  he 
came  to  America,  locating  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  three 
years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Floyd  County, 
Iowa.     He  purchased  the  farm  of  sixty  acres  where  he  still  resides, 


,  L.^^^^^^^^<2-^^^.^-zy, 


f      iHtWEWYORlT 

PUBLIC  UBRARyI 


ASTOn.  LENOX  AND 
iTlLDENKOUNDATlOWsl 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1049 

in  Olster  Township.  Built  a  fine  residence  in  1874,  the  year  after 
he  moved  npon  his  land.  Mr.  Lenz  was  married  in  Germany,  in 
1847,  to  Miss  Doratha  Koeliler.  The  family  consists  of  six  chil- 
dren— Fred  W.,  Ernest  II.,  Caroline,  Amelia,  Henry  and  Augusta. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lenz  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  His  children  all  speak  and  read 
English. 

M.  F .  Lessin  was  born  in  Germany,  Oct.  25,  1837;  came  to  this 
country  in  1865,  and  stopped  the  first  four  years  in  Wisconsin. 
In  the  spring  of  1869  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  and  worked  on 
the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St  Paul  Railroad  during  the  summer. 
In  the  fall  he  purchased  sixty  acres  in  Ulster  Township,  where  he 
still  resides.  In  the  fall  of  1875  he  purchased  fifty-four  acres  adjoin- 
ing his  other  land.  Here  he  has  lived  since  first  coming  into  the 
State  with  the  exception  of  the  years  1873-'75.  He  traveled  as  preach- 
er in  the  German  Methodist  church;  was  at  Shell  Rock,  Iowa,  and  on 
the  Mountain  Lake  Circuit,  Minn.;  was  a  local  preacher  twelve 
years.  In  the  year  1865,  in  Germany,  Mr.  Lessin  and  Miss  Minna 
Swartz  were  united  in  marriage.  She  on\y  lived  about  one  year, 
leaving  one  child — August  Fredric,  now  fifteen  years  of  age.  Mr. 
Lessin  married  his  second  wife  in  Wisconsin  in  1869;  her  name 
was  Louisa  Sette.  She  was  also  born  in  Germany  and  came  to 
this  country  with  her  parents  at  about  the  age  of  thirteen.  By 
this  union  they  .have  seven  children — Augusta,  Amelia,  Charles, 
Fredric,  John  Henry ,  Erniel  Ernest,  Bertie,  Rosena  and  Lydia 
Emma.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lessin  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.     Politically  is  a  Republican. 

John  Lines  was  born  in  Warwickshire,  England,  May  3,  1834. 
In  the  spring  of  1852  he  came  to  America,  locating  first  in  Ogle 
County,  111.,  where  he  remained  about  one  year;  moved  then  to 
De  Kalb  County,  and  remained  about  two  years,  working  as  a 
farm  hand  all  the  time.  In  the  month  of  April,  1855,  he  became  a 
citizen  of  Floyd  County,  working  by  the  month  the  first  two 
years.  In  the  spring  of  1855  he  pre-empted  eighty  acres  in  Ulster 
Township,  bought  ten  acres  of  timber  in  Union  Township.  In 
1857  he  commenced  improving  and  farming  this  place.  In  1876 
he  built  upon  it  a  good  farm  house  and  other  buildings.  Has 
added  to  his  first  purchase  eighty  acres,  making  one  of  Floyd 
Counties  best  one-quarter  section  farms.  Has  always  found  stock 
more  profitable  than  farming,  keeps  about  seventeen  head  of  cattle; 
64 


1060  HISTORY  OF  FLOyD  COUNTY. 

hog?,  eighty  head,  and  horses,  ten  head.  In  former  years 
he  used  to  put  out  fifty  acres  of  wheat,  but  finding  it  an  unprofit- 
able crop  has  this  year  only  thirteen  acres,  witli  corn  seventy- 
five,  OMts  forty,  and  fifteen  of  meadow.  In  1859  he  and 
Mrs.  Fanny  Hillman  (widow  of  James  Ilillman,  deceased)were 
united  in  marriage.  Their  family  consists  of  five  children — 
John  William,  Jennie  M.,  Charles  Henry,  Mary  E.,  and  Lizzie 
D.  Both  Mr.  an  1  Mrs.  Lines  are  members  of  the  Christian  church. 
Politicdly  we  find  Mr.  Lines  a  sound  Republican;  aspires  to  no 
office,  though  he  does  his  share  of  holding  township  positions  in 
eclioo]  affairs. 

Williajii  Lines,  Jr.,  was  born  in  England  in  1832;  cime  to 
America  in  1853,  locating  first  in  Ogle  County,  111.,  where  he 
remained  about  three  years  engaged  as  a  farm  hand.  In  ISSS  he 
became  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  and  worked  the  first  three  years 
as  a  farm  hand.  In  1859  he  bought  on  time  his  present  farm  ot' 
eightv  acres,  situated  on  section  29,  LFlster  Township.  In  1863 
he  built  a  good  farm  house;  in  1880  built  a  fine  barn.  He  has  im- 
proved this  farm  and  beautified  it  with  nice  groves  and  shade  tret  s 
till  it  is  numbared  among  Floyd  County's  best  farms  and  pleasant 
homes.  Keeps  five  head  of  horses,  ten  head  of  cattle  and  forty-two 
hogs.  Puts  out  thirty-five  acres  of  corn;  oats,  twenty;  wheat,  ten. 
On  Feb.  13,  1877,  he  and  Miss  Mattie  Roschen  were  united  in  mar- 
riage. They  have  two  little  sons — William  H.  and  Frederic  A., 
ages  four  and  two.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

0.  McEwen  was  born  in  Ulster  County,  N.  Y.,  May  18,  1833. 
At  the  age  of  twenty  three  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  on  Flood 
Cretk,  Ulster  Township,  section  32,  where  he  had,  two  years 
previously,  entered  200  acres  at  Government  price,  being  $1.25 
per  acre.  This  he  improved  and  afterward  disposed  of  a  portion. 
At  present  he  owns  200  acres  of  choice  farminsjj  land,  well  improved^ 
and  supplied  with  buildings  surpassing  many  in  older  counties. 
Mr.  McEwen  has  principally  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  1831 
he  started  a  creamery,  working  up  the  miik  of  about  500  cows  into 
butter.  He  expccrs  to  add  to  it  a  chee-e  apparatus.  Mr.  McEwen 
has  not  only  been  a  man  who  could  look  well  after  his  own 
business,  but  has  most  of  the  time  since  coming  to  the  county 
hel'l  some  office  of  trust  for  the  people;  viz..  Township  Clerk, 
Trustee,  etc.,  besides  holding  the  position  of  Sunday-school  Super- 
intendent for  the  past  twenty  years.  Nov.  29,  1857,  he  and 
Phoebe  Crowell  were  united  in  marriage.     She  was  also  a  native 


UL8TKR  TOWNSHIP.  1051 

of  New  York  State,  being  born  in  Allegany  County  in  1836. 
Their  family  consists  of  four  children — Ell)ridj;e  O.,  Fred  H.,  R-jna 
and  Grertie,  ages  twenty-three,  t^venty-one,  fifteen  and  six  respect- 
ively. Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McEwen  are  members  of  the  C.>n- 
gregational  church.  They  not  only  enjoy  the  respect  of  their 
neighbors,  but  the  love  of  their  c'lildren,  and  a  hope  in  the  world 
to  CO  re  as  well  as  a  pleasant  home  here. 

W.  L.  McEioen  was  born  in  Ulster  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  19, 1831. 
In  May,  1856,  he,  in  company  with  two  brothers,  came  to  Iowa. 
W.  L.  McEwen  located  upon  a  piece  of  land  in  Ulster  Township 
which  he  had  entered  two  years  previous,  his  brother,  O.  McEwen, 
."securing  the  Government  deed.  On  this  tract  of  land  Mr.  Mc- 
Ewen still  resides,  being  situated  on  section  32.  He  received  a 
practical  business  education  in  the  East,  and  ha?  mo^t  of  the 
time  since  coming  West  been  engaged  in  teaching  school,  which 
avocation,  we  are  pleased  to  state,  wef)und  him  engaged  in,  assist- 
ing in  laying  broad  and  deep  the  future  history  of  the  West. 
Nov.  30,  1853,  he  and  Harri.^t  Rhinehart  were  united  in  marriage. 
She  was  also  a  native  of  New  York  State,  being  born  in  Ul&ter 
County,  July  4,  1832.  Their  family  consists  of  three  sons  and  one 
daughter — John  Howard,  Charles  Eugene,  Elmer  Elsworth  and 
Florence  May;  ages,  twenty-six,  twenty-four,  twenty-one  and  thir- 
teen respectively.  Howard  is  married,  and  keeps  the  Putnam 
House  at  R)ckw(?ll.  Eugene  also  married  and  has  been  a  pirtner 
in  the  firm  of  Egsjert  &  McEwen,  publishers  of  the  Rockford 
Reveille.  The  other  children  are  at  home.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McEwen  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Mc- 
Ewen was  elected  Township  Clerk  at  the  first  election,  and  has 
held  that  position  till  within  the  last  two  years;  is  at  present  Town- 
ship Secretary.     He  was  born  with  the  Republican  party. 

Jacob  Metz  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1849.  He  was  a  son  of  Mr.  John 
George  Metz,  who  moved  with  his  family  to  Wisconsin  in  1854. 
Here  Jacob  Metz  made  his  home  till  Sept.  28,  1876,  when  he 
became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County.  At  this  date  he  purchased  forty 
acres  on  section  9,  Ulster  Township;  has  since  purchased  twenty- 
two  acres,  making  in  all  8ixt3'-two  acres.  He  built  a  good  house  in 
1877,  and  has  made  many  improvements,  till  now  he  has  indeed  a 
good  farm  and  pleasant  home.  He  has  about  seven  acres  in  wheat, 
two  in  oats,  eighteen  in  corn,  besides  fifteen  he  farms  outside.  He 
was  married  in  Wisconsin  in  1869  to  Betsy  M.  Liske,  a  native  of 
Germany.     She  came  to  this  country  when  a  child  two  years  of 


1052  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

age.  They  have  five  children — Emma  M.,  William  (jr..  Anna  M., 
Martha  and  Lilly.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Metz  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Johji  Moll  was  born  in  Mechlenburg-Sehwerin,  Germany,  June 
17,  1832.  In  1857  he  came  to  America,  locating  first  in  Colum- 
bus, Wis.,  where  he  worked  by  the  day  and  month  for  about  five 
years.  Afterward  handled  wheat  in  a  warehouse  for  buyers  about 
four  years,  then  teamed  for  himself  about  five  years,  which  he 
found  quite  profitable.  In  Columbus  he  built  himself  a  good 
home,  which  he  sold  in  1870,  and  came  to  Ulster  Township,  P'loyd 
County,  and  purchased  120  acres,  where  he  still  resides  on  section 
28.  He  commenced  improving  his  land,  and  soon  had  it  under 
cultivation  and  adorned  with  shade  trees,  etc.  In  1875  he  purchased 
an  adjoining  eighty  acres,  on  section  27.  He  used  the  splendid 
wheat  crop  of  1878  to  build  himself  a  fine  residence  and  barn. 
Again,  in  1882,  he  purchased  another  eighty  acres  which  joined 
his  farm  on  the  north,  on  section  28.  We  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  this  property,  and  must  say  that  when  the  fine  house  and 
barn  and  its  beautiful  surroundings  are  considered,  together  with 
the  beautiful  laying  land,  and  under  such  prime  cultivation,  with 
fine  looking  crops,  that  it  is  not  only  one  of  the  finest  farms  and 
homes  in  the  State,  but  one  of  the  grandest  that  it  has  ever  been 
our  privilege  to  behold.  He  raises  about  forty  acres  of  wheat, 
forty-five  acres  of  corn,  and  thirty-nine  of  oats,  and  cuts  from  fifty 
to  sixty  tons  of  hay.  Keeps  from  thirty  to  forty  head  of  cattle  and 
about  one  hundred  head  of  hogs,  and  seven  head  of  horses.  Was 
married  in  Wisconsin,  Jan.  10,  1861,  to  Miss  Ustina  Spicker,  a 
iialive  of  Germany.  They  have  five  cliildren — Mary,  Henry, 
Frank,  Lena  and  Benjamin.  Both  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Moll  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  church.     Mr.  Moll  is  politically   a  Republican. 

H.  H.  Myers  was  born  in  Orange  Count}'^,  K.  Y.,  in  1843,  where 
he  made  his  home  till  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  At  this 
date  he  started  West  to  see  what  it  promised;  spent  the  year  1864 
in  Michigan  and  Wisconsin.  In  1865  he  purchased  eighty  acres 
on  section  32,  Ulster  Township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Of 
this  eighty  he  sold  forty  acres,  and  purchased  eighty  more  on  sec- 
tion 29.  In  the  year  1867,  at  Rockford,  Mr.  Myers  and  Miss 
Emma  J.  Piptt  were  united  in  marriage.  She  was  a  native  of 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  born  there  in  1849.  They  have  a  family  of 
four  children — John  G.,  Nellie  A.,  Maud  A.  and  Jeromo  P.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers  are  members  of  the  Congregational  society  of 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1053 

Ulster  Township.     He  is  a  good  sound  Republican,  but  sajs  he 
likes  fanning  better  than  politics. 

T.  Pippin  was  born  in  Shelby,  Chittenden  County,  Vt.,  in  1845. 
He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Matilda  Pippin,  both  natives  of  Canada, 
and   emio-rated  to  Vermont  about  the  year  1837  or  1838.     Here 
Mr.   Pippin   remained   till  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1879,  in 
the  mouth  of  September.     His  wido.v  still  resides  in  Chittenden 
County.     At  the  age  of  seventeen,  T.  Pippin,  th3  subject  of  this 
sketch,  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Tenth  Vermont  Volunteers,  July 
23,  1862;  served  his  country  till  July  4,  1865,  when  he  was  dis- 
charged.    He  was  in  thirteen  general  engagements,  as  follows: 
Locust  Grove,  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Tolopitaray  Creek,  Cold 
Harbor   and  Petersburg,   Va.;  Monocacy,   Md.;  Opequon    Creek, 
Fisher's  Hill,    Cedar  Creek,  capture  of  Peters'mrg,  and  Sailor's 
Creek,  Va.    His  principal  marches  were:  October,  1863,  when  Lee 
drove    the    army    from    Culpepper,   Va.,    to    Washington;    the 
march    through    the    Wilderness,,  and    the    marches    of    Sheri- 
dan.    The  last  march  was  to  Appomattox,  at  the  capture  of  Gen 
eral  L-ie.      Mr.  Pippin  was  one  of  the  profitable  soldiers;  he  was 
always  on  duty  with  the  exception  of  a  week  he  was  in  a  hospital 
with  typhoid  fever;  was  never  taken  prisoner  nor  wounded;  was  hit 
with  a  spent  ball  from  a  spherical  case,  but  received  no  injury. 
After  his  return  from  the  army  he  went  to  California,  remaining 
one  summer,  engaging  in  the  dairy  business.     In  the  fall  he  went 
to  Silver  City,  Nev.     Here  he  remained  three  years  and  a  half, 
working   in    the   quartz  mills.     In  April,   1870,    he  returned    to 
Shelby,  Vt.,  where  he  remained  only  about  four  months,  when  he 
went  to  Columbia  County,  Wis.,  where  he  purchisad  ninety  acres 
of  land,  and  firmed  about  two  years,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and 
returned  to  Silver  City,  Nov.,  and  worked  three  years  and  a  half 
in  the  quartz  mills.     Then  he  went  to  Iowa  in  search  of  a  home, 
and  settled  in  Floyd  County,  purchasing  ninety  acres  on  section  7, 
Ulster  Township;  now  owns  100  acres.     This  year  he  has  in  corn 
thirty  acres;  oits,  eight  acres.     Has  in  a  crop  on  an  adjoining  160 
acres  belonging  to  Mrs.  Mary  Wright,  oats,  fifty;  wheat,    twelve, 
and  corn,  fifry  acres.   |His  stock  consists  of  eight  cows,  ten  head  of 
young  cattle,  and  four  horses.     Aug.  15, 1870,  in  Burlington,  Vt., 
he  and  Miss  Julia  Edwards  were  united  in  marriage.     She  is  a 
native  of  Vermont.     Their  family  consists  of  two  children— Agnes 
and  Florence.     Mr.   Pippin  is  a  sound  Republican,   but  iiolds  a 
lively  contempt  for  office. 


1054  IIISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

B.  l* .  Porter,  Jr.^  was  born  in  New  York  in  1850.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  he  came  with  his  father,  B.  F.  Porter,  Sr.,  to  Iowa,  and 
located  in  Fiojd  County,  St.  Charles  Township,  where  he  still 
resides.  In  the  year  1876,  B,  F.  Porter,  Jr.,  purchased  the  farm 
of  eii^hty  acres,  where  he  still  reside?,  on  section  36,  Ulster  Town  - 
ship.  Has  made  all  the  improvements,  which  are  many  ;  lia-i 
plmted  fruit  and  shade  trees,  and  built  himself  a  good  house. 
Mr.  P.frter  was  married  in  1871  to  Miss  Joana  M.  Hunter,  a  native 
of  New  York  State.  They  have  three  children  —  Geneva,  Nellie 
and  Ralph. 

M.  Prall  was  born  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1831  ;  made 
that  State  his  home  till  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  moved  with 
his  father,  Edward  Prall,  to  Pennsylv^ania,  where  he  lived  eighteen 
years,  when  he  moved  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  spent  about  one 
year.  From  here  he  went  to  Minnesota,  and  remain  jd  three  yeirs, 
engaged  in  farming  160  acres  which  he  had  purchased.  In  1860 
he  sold  this  farm  and  mjved  to  Nebraska,  and  remained  nine 
months,  when  he  went  to  Howard  County,  la.,  and  farmed  three 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  went  again  to  Wisconsin, 
remained  eighteen  months  and  returiied  to  Iowa,  locating  at  Win- 
neshiek County,  where  he  bought  forty  acres,  and  farmed  nearly 
two  years.  In  1868  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  pur- 
chasing IGO  aores  on  sections  2  3  and  27,  Ulster  Township,  wliere 
he  still  lives.  Of  this  farm  and  home  wj  can  but  say  that  it  is 
indeed  beautifully  located  and  aituited,  being  in  full  view  of  the 
M.  &  St.  P.  R  R.,  fiv^e  and  a  half  miles  from  Floyd,  and  four 
from  Rudd,  and  only  eight  from  the  county  seat.  Has  his  farm 
all  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation  ;  has  usually  in  crop  about  100 
ayres  Keeps  about  fifteen  head  of  cattle  and  forty-five  head  of 
hogs,  and  seven  head  of  horses.  H^  was  married  in  1857  to 
Mary  Raymond,  a  native  of  V^ermont.  They  have  two  children  — 
Eliza  Jane  and  Clinton  Edward,  ages  twenty-four  and  eighteen 
respectively.  Of  Mr.  Prall  we  are  pleased  to  say  that  we  find 
hitn  a  vQvy  ]»leasant  man,  enjoying  life,  and  the  owner  c»f  one  of 
Floyd  County's  good  farms,  as  every  early  settler  deserves. 

Willimn  Roschen  was  born  in  Germany,  July  10,  1846  ;  came 
to  America  in  1865,Jstopping  in  New  York  City  the  ti^it  six  j^ears  ; 
was  engaged  at  the  carpenter's  trade  five  years,  working  the  most 
of  the  time  in  factories.  The  sixtli  year  he  studiel  veterinary 
surgery.  In  1871  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  Cjunty.  Since 
cominghere  he  has  been  engaged  in  buying  and  impro.'ing  farms  ; 


ULSTEK  TOWNS  Hir.  1056 

has  owned  some  eleven  farms  in  all.  In  1875  he  bought  eighty 
acres  on  section  28.  Built  a  nice  house  in  1874,  which  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1879.  He  immediately  rebuilt,  placing  a  fine 
house  upon  the  ruins  of  the  old  one.  Has  jnst  completed  a 
splendid  barn.  Has  beautified  his  surroundings  with  shade  and 
fruit  trees  and  flowers,  till  now  he  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  and 
pleasantest  homes  in  the  county.  In  the  city  of  NewYork,  in 
1867,  he  and  Miss  Mattie  Hanins  were  united  in  marriage.  They 
have  two  children  —  Rebecca  and  Martha.  Botli  Mr.  and  Mrs- 
Roschen  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  At  this  writing 
we  find  Mr.  Rosclien  engaged  in  the  building  of  a  large  barn  for 
his  neighbor,  Zwack.  Most  of  his  time  is  engaged  as  a  car- 
penter.    He  is  the  veterinary  doctor  of  the  township. 

James  Roberts  was  born  in  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.,  Sans- 
bnrg  Township,  April  15,  1832.  Till  about  twenty-five  years 
of  age  he  made  his  home  with  his  father,  Tliomis  Roberts, 
who  was  engaged  in  the  lumbering  business  principally.  In  the 
year  1857  James  Roberts  went  to  Wausau,  Wis.,  whera  he  engaged 
in  the  Imnbir  business  about  two  yaat-s.  At  the  expiration  of 
this  time  he  went  to  Ripon,  Wis.,  where  he  engage!  in  farming, 
remaining  about  six  years.  At  this  date  he  becaras  a  citizen  of 
Charles  City  remaining  about  one  yeir,  engaged  in  farming.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  time  he  purchased  130  acres  for  $10  per 
acre  on  section  32,  Ulster  To.vnsliip,  whire  he  still  resides;  has 
since  added  to  his  farm  till  he  now  owns  240  acres,  all  under  good 
cultivation,  and  one  of  the  good  farms  of  Floyd  County.  June  7, 
1862,  Mr.  Roberts  and  Miss  Louisa  Shafer  were  united  in  marriage 
They  have  a  family  of  six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Botii  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roberts  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

William  SGhunemann  was  born  in  Germany  in  1832.  In  1862 
he  cime  to  America  stopping  five  years  in  Lowell,  Wis.,  where 
he  bought  a  small  farm.  Afterward  bought  a  farm  near  Colum- 
bus, Wis.,  and  lived  six  years.  In  1873  he  became  a  citizen  of 
Floyd  County.  Bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  where  he  still  re 
sides  on  section  17,  Ulster  Township.  In  1877  he  bought  eiirhty 
acres  on  section  8,  same  township.  In  1880  he  built  himself  a 
nice  residence,  etc.  Put  out  the  first  year  twenty-five  acres  of 
wheat,  sixty-s'x  acres  of  corn,  twenty-thre3  acres  of  oats,  and 
twenty  of  hay;  has  five  horses,  twenty -four  liead  of  cattle,  and  fifty- 
four  ho2S.      In  Gerraanv.   in  1858,  he  married  Augusta  Koehler. 


1066  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

They  have  four  children  living — Augusta,  Lizzie,  Amelia  and 
Mary;  lost  two  sons,  ages  seven  and  four,  in  1877 — Freddie  and 
Henry.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schunemann  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  church. 

H.  E.  Stout  was  born  in  Centre  County,  Penn.,  in  1836.  He  is 
a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Kryder)  Stout,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  In 
1848  Mr.  Stout,  in  company  with  his  parents,  moved  to  Stephen- 
son County,  111.,  near  Freeport,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  re- 
sided until  his  death,  which  occurred  February,  1881.  Mrs.  Stout  still 
makes  the  old  homestead  her  home.  After  agoing  to  Illinois  H.  E. 
Stout  attended  school  at  Rock  River  Seminary  five  terms.  After- 
ward engaged  in  teaching  town  and  district  schools.  Mr.  Stout 
has  been  a  teacher  more  or  less  for  the  last  thirty  years,  and  now 
returns  to  Illinois  each  winter  and  teaches  school.  While  in  Free- 
port  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store;  here  he  remained  two 
years.  This  avocation  he  abandoned  on  account  of  his  health  and 
came  to  Iowa  and  located  upon  a  farm  in  Ulster  Township,  section 
6,  which  he  had  bought  in  1857,  paying  $3.75.  He  has  eighty  acres 
with  sixty  under  cultivation,  fifteen  of  it  being  wheat,  thirty  corn, 
and  oats  fifteen;  cuts  about  nine  acres  of  hay.  In  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, in  the  year  1871,  he  and  Miss  Louisa  M.  Lawrence  were  united 
in  marriage.  She  was  born  in  Germany,  1851.  They  have  two 
children — Lilian  May  and  Kittle  Genevieve,  ages  ten  and  two 
respectively,  both  born  in  Illinois.  Politically  he  is  a  sound  Doug- 
las Democrat. 

A.  H.  Strong  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  N.Y.,  in  1829.  At 
about  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  went  to  Ogle  County,  111.,  where 
he  remained  four  years,  engaged  in  a  general  jobbing  business,  such 
as  groceries,  butchering,  etc.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he 
went  to  Charles  City,  Floyd  County,  Iowa;  here  he  remained  about 
ten  years,  engaged  in  farming  principally.  At  this  date  he  moved 
to  Ulster  Township  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  Floyd  County's 
good  land  in  Ulster  Township,  section  36,  where  he  still  resides, 
engaged  in  stock-raising  and  farming.  In  1851  he  and  Miss  Han- 
nah A.  Judson  were  united  in  marriage.  Their  family  consists  of 
five  children — Charter  Adelbert,  Fred  E.,  Cora  M.,  Charles  D wight 
and  Otho. 

Charles  Vietmeier  was  born  in  Germany  in  1841.  In  1868  he 
came  to  America,  locating  first  in  Illinois,  where  he  worked  as  a 
farm  hand  eleven  months.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  came 
to  Floyd  County  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Ulster  Town- 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP.  1057 

Bhip,  where  be  still  resides.  Has  since  added  to  his  purchase  eighty 
acres,  and  ten  acres  of  timber.  For  the  first  he  paid  $7.00,  for  last 
$12.50  per  acre.  He  started  from  the  lowest  round  in  the  ladder, 
and  has,  by  his  own  exertion,  wrung  from  the  hard  hand  of  toil  one 
of  the  finest  farms  in  Iowa,  all  under  first-class  cultivation  and  im- 
provement. He  is  to  build  a  fine  house  the  coming  year;  has 
always  thought  mixed  farming  the  most  profitable.  An  item 
worthy  of  mention  here  is,  that  when  he  purchased  his  last  eighty 
he  kept  a  perfect  account  of  its  cost,  interest  and  expense  of  family 
one  year.  He  raised  from  it  2,000  bushels  of  wheat,  and  came 
within  $20  of  paying  for  itself  and  paying  all  expenses.  This  year 
he  has  in  corn,  seventy  acres;  rye,  twenty ;  wheat,  eight ;  oats,  eight- 
een; timothy,  eight;  balance,  pasture  land.  Has  eight  cows,  ten 
young  cattle,  five  horses  and  two  colts,  and  seventy  head  of  hogs. 
In  1869  Mr.  Vietmeier  and  Wilhelmena  Komer  were  united  in  mar- 
riage. The  family  consists  of  six  children — Lydia,  Anna,  Louis, 
Laura,  William  and  Minnie.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yietmeier  are 
merabei's  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  When  Mr.  Yiet- 
meier came  here,  he,  in  company  with  some  others,  organized  a 
Sunday-school  of  five  members,  which  has  now  grown  to  about 
ninety,  and  the  church,  whose  number  was  then  only  about  fouror 
five  members,  has  grown  to  about  130  or  140.  Mr.  Yietmeier  has 
frequently  held  the  position  of  School  Director  and  Supervisor. 

J.  G.  Wiggins  was  born  in  Maine,  Oct.  6,  1814.  Here  lie 
received  a  common-school  education  when  a  young  man;  also 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  avocation,  in  connection  with 
farming,  he  pursued  till  he  was  about  forty-three  years  of  age. 
He  made  his  home  with  his  parents,  and  managed  the  home  farm 
for  them,  and  cared  for  their  welfare  during  their  life-time.  His 
mother  died  about  the  year  1841,  and  his  father  in  the  year  1852. 
His  parents'  names  were  Asa  and  Abigail.  In  1857  Mr.  Wiggins 
came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Winneshiek  County,  where  he  bought  ISl 
acres,  and  farmed  seventeen  years.  In  1874  he  became  a  citizen 
of  Floyd  County.  He  purchased,  the  same  year,  180  acres  in 
Ulster  Township,  where  he  still  resides.  This  was  prairie  land, 
and  cost  $2,800.  He  has  since  brought  it  all  under  cultivation 
except  thirty  acres,  which  he  keeps  for  grass  land.  In  1878  he 
built  the  finest  residence  in  the  township;  there  are  few,  if  any, 
better  in  the  county.  His  premises  are  beautitied  with  symmetri- 
cally planted  shade  and  forest  trees,  and  he  has  indeed  a  pleasant 
Western  home.    Mr.  Wiggins's  age  forbids  his  wroking  very  much 


1058  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

himself,  but  tlie  farm's  interests  are  well  looked  afcer  by  his  son,  Jt. 
0.  Wiggins.  In  Maine,  in  the  year  1843,  April  12,  Mr.  J.  G. 
Wiggins  and  Miss  Ann  H.  Morrill  were  united  in  marriage.  She 
was  also  a  native  of  Maine,  being  born  Dec.  24,  1820.  Their 
family  consists  of  three  children — Henry  C,  now  thirty-eight  years 
of  age,  married  Miss  Sarah  Jane  Demry,  and  resi  1  in  Ulster 
Township;  Fredric  M.,  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  married  Jennie 
Prall,  and  resides  also  in  Ulster  Township;  R.  C,  twenty-five 
years  of  age,  married  Carrie  Wynian.  Mrs.  J.  G.  Wiggins  died 
July  25,  1880.  She  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  for  twenty 
years  prior  to  her  death.  Mr.  Wiggins  and  his  three  sons  are  all 
Republicans. 

Jokn  Witzel  was  born  in  Hanover,  German^'^,  in  1841 ;  came  to 
America  in  1855,  with  his  father,  Christopher  Witzel,  who  located 
in  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  till  his  death,  which  occurred 
only  two  or  three  years  after  his  arrival.  Here  the  family  remained 
several  years,  and  Mrs.  Witzel  made  it  her  home  till  1879,  when 
she  came  to  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  and  made  her  home  with  her  son 
John  till  her  death  in  1879.  Mr.  John  Witzel  became  a  citizen  of 
the  county  in  1869,  and  worked  land  on  the  shares  the  first  six  years. 
In  1875  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  prairie  land  on  section  28, 
Ulster  Township,  w^iere  he  still  resides.  This  he  broke  up  and  has 
now  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  In  1877  he  bought  twenty- 
four  acres  of  timber  land  in  Floyd  Township.  Mr.  Witzel  was 
married  in  Wisconsin  in  1869,  to  Miss  Minnie  Anding,  a  native  of 
Germany.  Tiiey  have  six  children — Lena,  Clarrt,  Minnie,  Ella, 
Eddy,  and  an  infant  son  not  yet  named.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Witzel  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican; cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Carl  Woelfer  was  born  in  Germany,  Kingdom  of  Prussia,  Prov- 
ince of  Saxony,  in  the  year  1841.  Jle  came  to  America  in  1870, 
stopping  first  in  Anrora,  111.,  and  worked  in  a  railroad  shop  about 
nine  months;  he  afterward  worked  as  a  farm  hand  about  three 
years.  In  1874  he  came  to  Floyd  County  and  worked  in  Nora 
Springs  about  a  year  as  a  farm  hand.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time  he  moved  upon  his  farm,  where  he  now  resides,  on  section  18, 
Ulster  Township.  In  1873  he  built  an  addition  to  the  house  al- 
ready on  the  ]:»lace.  The  farm  consists  of  something  over  eighty 
acres,  and  is  one  of  Floj'd  County's  good  farms.  In  1878  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  17,  Ulster  Township,  wliich 
is  also   under   good  cultivation;  has  in  a  crop  of  thirty  acres  of 


ULSTER  TOWNSHIP. 


1059 


wheat,  twenty -four  of  oats,  sixty-two  of  corn,  twelve  of  hay,  and 
twenty -six  acres  in  pasture;  has  seven  head  of  horses,  twenty-one 
head  of  cattle,  and  seventy-five  head  of  hogs.  Indeed  we  can  say 
he  is  one  of  the  strong  and  successful  farmers  of  the  county.  April 
3,  1876,  in  Floyd  County,  he  and  Miss  Minna  Sann  were  united 
in  marriage.  They  have  a  family  of  seven  children — William, 
Carl,  Fredic,  Albert,  Oscar,  Huldah,  and  Minna,  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Woelfer  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  is  a 
Eepublican,  and  has  for  the  last  three  years  bean  a  School 
Director, 

Mr><.  Eliza  R.  Young  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1827,  and  mar- 
ried Mr.  Charles  Young  in  Scotland  in  1850;  came  to  the  United 
States  the  same  year,  locating  first  in  Wisconsin,  where  they  re- 
niained  till  1875.  In  the  year  1861  Mr.  Young  died,  leaving  a 
family  of  four  children — Frank,  who  is  in  the  lumber  regions  in 
Minnesota;  Archibald  K.,in  Fargo,  D.  T.,  working  in  a  grist-mill; 
Charles  B.,  working  at  Orlando  McEwen's;  William,  who  makes 
his  home  with  his  mother.  In  1871:  Mrs.  Young  bonght  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Ulster  Township,  section  33.  They  have  put  in 
crop  this  year  thirteen  acres  of  corn;  have  raised  seventeen  acres 
of  oats. 


^1^ 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 

Union  Township  lies  east  of  Scott,  south  of  Ulster,  west  of 
Pleasant  Grove  and  on  the  north  line  of  Butler  County.  It  is  six 
miles  from  the  east  to  the  west  line,  and  seven  miles  from  the 
north  line  to  the  south  line  of  the  county, — containing  nearly 
fortv-two  sections  of  land.  Its  settlements  are  amons:  the  oldest 
in  Floyd  County,  and  its  natural  advantages  are  equal  to  those  of 
any  other  township  among  her  eleven  enterprising  sisters. 

DRAINAGE. 

The  Shell  Eock  River,  called  by  the  Indians  "  Dashonaugh,"  or 
'•Neshonagatan,"  signifying  "Otter  River,"  enters  the  township 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  its  northwestern  corner,  and  runs 
in  a  southeasterly  direction,  leaving  the  township  about  two  miles 
west  of  its  southeastern  corner.  Along  this  stream  in  Union 
Township  are  several  water-powers,  one  of  which  is  substantially 
improved  by  the  construction  of  a  flood-defying  dam  and  a  spacious 
flouring  mill. 

Flood  Creek,  which,  when  once  aroused,  is  large  enough  to 
float  "a  man  of  iron,"  enters  the  township  about  two  miles  from 
its  northeast  corner,  and  zigzags  it  way  out  about  four  miles  be- 
low, on  its  eastern  line. 

STONE. 

There  are  in  Union  Township  several  quarries  of  stone  of 
superior  excellence,  which  quarries  when  well  worked  will  be  a 
great  benefit  to  their  fortunate  owners.  Among  the  most  valuable 
of  these  quarries  is  one  owned  by  Warren  Boon,  and  which  is 
already  fam  )us  for  its  choice  qualities  and  its  splendid  layers  of 
granite. 

It  was  opened  by  Mr.  T.  W.  Boon,  in  1874.  It  is  situated  on 
the  east  bank  of  the  Shell  Rock  River,  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  northwest  of  Marble  Rock.  The  jutting  rook  along  the  bank 
gave  evidence  of  good  rock.  The  land  was  owned  by  a  man  who 
held  it  at  a  high  price,  and  would  not  open  it  himself.  But  about 
four  years  after  the  railroad  came  through  Marble  Kock,  Mr.  Boon 

(1060) 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1061 

was  able  to  purchase  twenty-two  acres,  and  has  since  purchased 
eighteen  acres,  making  a  tract  of  land  of  forty  acres,  all  of  which 
is  underlayed  with  splendid  rock.  From  an  analysis  made  by  the 
United  States  Geologist,  he  pronounces  it  a  species  of  granite,  with  a 
small  per  cent,  of  lime  and  sand.  This  embraces  the  upper  strata, 
which  is  about  thirty-two  feet  deep.  Below  this  is  a  strata  of 
fine  sandstone,  probably  twelve  feet  deep  above  water.  The 
upper  strata  admits  of  rock  being  taken  out  16  x  26  feet,  while 
the  sandstone  is  without  seams  and  can  be  taken  out  at  any 
desired  size,  running  from  ten  to  thirty-two  inches  in  thickness, 
the  upper  strata  being  the  same  depth  in  thickness.  This  quarry 
is  worked  the  whole  year,  taking  out  as  high  as  1,000  yards 
a  year;  employs  from  fifteen  to  twenty  hands  and  from  six  to 
seven  teams.  Shipping  as  far  as  Cedar  Falls,  Black  Hawk 
County,  and  ships  cutting  rock  as  far  as  160  miles  away.  This 
business  amounts  to  from  $3,000  to  $5,000.  The  beauty  of  this 
quarry  is  its  easy  access,  besides  its  very  tine  quality  of  material. 
His  orders  are  principally  for  bridges  and  tine  buildings.  Is 
now  filling  an  order  for  cut  stone  to  be  used  in  the  court-house 
at  Clarksville. 

Stone  is  also  found  in  lai'ge  quantities  and  gooJ  qualities  at 
convenient  distances  along  the  bank  of  the  Shell  Rock  River. 

TIMBER. 

Union  has  about  four  sections  covered  with  timber,  the  main 
body  of  whicli  lies  on  the  Shell  Rock  River,  beginning  at  Marble 
Rock  and  extending  up  the  stream  on  either  siJe,  a  distance  of 
about  three  miles.  This  is  known  as  Beelar's  Grove,  an  appellation 
it  has  borne  since  the  first  settler,  Jacob  Beelar,  located  his  claim 
amid  its  inviting  forests.  It  contains  all  the  varieties  of  timber 
found  in  the  county,  and  was  once  a  magnificent  forest,  but  is  now 
being  rapidly  cleared  away.  In  the  northeast  corner  of  the  town- 
ship, and  along  the  banks  of  Flood  Creek,  is  another  grove  of 
timber  covering  about  one  section  of  land.  The  remainder  of  the 
township  is  prairie  land  of  the  choicest  quality. 

RAILROADS. 

Union  Township  has  one  railroal.  The  Burlington,  Cedar 
Rapids  &  No.thern  Railway  crosses  her  boundary  line  one  mile 
west  from  the  southeast  corner,  and  runs  on  a  straight  line  for 
eight  miles,  leaving  the  township  a  half  a  mile  east  of  the  north- 


1062  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

west  corner.  This  railroad  was  built  through  here  in  1871,  and 
cost  Union  a  tax  of  five  per  cent,  on  all  assessable  property.  The 
amount  thus  levied  was  $9,380;  private  donations  amounted  to 
$20,000;  and  the  depot  grounds,  which  were  donated,  were  valued 
at  $600;  making  the  total  contribution  $29,980.  See  chapter  on 
Railroads. 

BRIDGES. 

In  January,  1869,  the  first  bridge  that  ever  spanned  the  Shell 
Rock  in  Union  Township  was  completed  at  Marble  Rock.  The 
builder  was  A.  Spaulding,  of  Cedar  Falls.  The  length  was  210 
feet  in  a  single  span.  It  was  a  Howe  truss  bridge,  of  wood, 
and  the  contract  price  was  $5,400.  In  February,  1875,  this 
bridge  was  condemned  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  in  the 
summer  of  1876  they  erected  at  the  same  site  an  iron  bridge.  The 
work  was  done  by  the  Canton  Bridge  Company,  of  Canton,  Ohio. 
The  bridge  is  composed  of  two  spans,  each  of  which  is  122^  feet 
in  length,  and  which  rest  on  a  stone  pier,  substantially  planted  in 
the  center  of  the  river  bed. 

EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 

The  historical  era  of  Marble  Rock  and  Union  Township  begins 
in  1850.  The  rolling  prairie,  the  undulating  hills,  and  the  clear 
stream  of  flowing  water,  touched  the  sympathy  and  awakened  the 
hopes  of  the  pioneer  hunters  and  trappers,  who  kept  a  little  in 
advance  of  the  westward  moving  civilization.  Jacob  Beelar,  a 
native  of  East  Tennessee,  was  one  of  those  conquered  by  the 
strength  of  nature's  wiles,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  year  mentioned 
his  bright  ax  caused  echoes  through  the  woods;  and  his  log  cabin? 
the  first  house  in  the  vicinity,  was  soon  raised.  The  name  then 
given  to  the  place  was  "  Beelar's  Grove." 

In  March,  1851,  Mr.  Beelar's  family  arrived,  nine  in  number, 
including  parents.  Charles  is  still  with  us;  the  others  are  scattered 
over  the  earth. 

The  same  spring  Mr.  Beelar  did  the  first  breaking  of  ground  in 
the  township. 

The  nearest  neighbors  at  this  time  were  resident  at  what  was 
termed  "  Coon's  Grove,"  at  the  mouth  of  Flood  Creek,  and  at  a  dis- 
tance of  twelve  miles  in  a  southeasterly  direction.  At  Clear  Lake 
the  Beelar  family  had  staunch  friends,  in  the  persons  of  Messrs. 
Dickerson  and  Hewitt,  who  were  distant  about  a  two  days*  journey. 


UNION    TOWNSHIP,  1063 

In  1852  Jacob  Beelar  entered  the  land  upon  which  the  present  town 
is  situated,  and  other  pioneers  began  to  appreciate  the  beauty  of 
the  location.  In  1852  Mr.  Inman  erected  a  log  house,  which  still 
stands,  about  eighty  rods  northeast  of  the  town  center.  This 
gentleman  sold  out  to  Mr.  Baltimore,  who,  in  turn,  disposed  of  the 
property  to  Levi  Halstead,  whose  widow  is  the  present  occupant. 
In  1853  Samuel  Beelar  laid  claim  to  land  and  "broke"  twenty 
acres  of  it.  The  Baltimore  above  spoken  of  jumped  the  claim, 
causing  the  first  disturbance  in  the  settlement,  Baltimore  eventu- 
ally paid  $50  indemnity  and  the  matter  became  a  memory  of  the 
past. 

The  hardships  of  these  pioneers  can  be  better  appreciated  when 
it  is  stated  that  the  nearest  grist-mill  was  located  at  Cedar  Falls,  a 
distance  of  forty  miles.  To  visit  it  required  a  three  days'  journey 
over  fearfully  rugged  roads.  The  postoffice  visit  was  quite  an 
important  and  difficult  one  to  make,  it  being  thirty  miles  remote, 
at  Waverly. 

The  usual  stopping-place  for  the  teamsters  on  these  journeys  was 
at  Coon's  Grove,  and  there  the  settlers  would  meet  and  in  friendly 
chat  exchange  the  latest  bit  of  news,  and  speak  of  the  affairs  of  the 
world,  which  then  had  passed  the  nine  days'  wonder.  The  settle-* 
raent,  in  1855,  received  three  acquisitions  to  its  strength  in  the 
persons  of  Ralph  Horr,  John  Gates  and  William  Ackley.  In  the 
same  year  one  Cc»rey  erected  a  double  log  shanty  and  established 
the  first  store,  with  a  stock  of  goods  sufficient  to  meet  the  frugal 
wants  of  the  settiers. 

A  school  was  opened  in  this  building  during  the  following 
winttr.  The  teacher  was  a  Mr.  Worsfield.  About  a  dozen  pupils 
attended  his  school,  some  of  them  being  bearded  men.  This  first 
school  continued  two  weeks,  and  then  closed  its  first  term.  In 
1856,  and  before  more  settlers  came,  another  school  was  instituted, 
with  Sam  Sours  as  teacher,  lie  is  said  to  have  been  a  popular 
man  and  an  able  instructor. 

The  first  School  Treasurer  was  Ambrose  Smith,  who  held  the 
office  for  several  years;  then  Rudolph  Rex,  until  1865,  and  then 
John  Gates,  to  the  present  time. 

In  1S56  came  a  number  of  new  settlers,  among  them  the  Wal- 
lace, Rt'X,  Asper,  Clay,  Judd  and  Schermerhorn  families,  and  the 
village  began  to  prosper.     The  outlook  became  still  more  encourag- 


1064  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

ing,  whea  later  such  men  as  H.  Rosenkrans  came  and  contributed 
their  energy,  culture  and  means  to  the  development  of  the  settle- 
ment. 

The  first  court  was  held  before  Esquire  Shattuck.  The  prisoner, 
who  had  shown  his  patriotism  by  fighting  on  the  4th  of  July,  was 
complained  of,  as  a  pre-concerted  movement,  by  Judge  Johnson, 
and  let  ofi  with  a  small  fine.  The  following  d-iy  he  was  re-arrested 
and  taken  before  Esquire  Frost,  in  Aureola,  where  Judge  Johnson 
non-suited  the  prosecution  by  his  first  complaint  and  trial. 

The  early  settlers  were  very  social,  frequently  passing  the  even- 
ings in  dancing,  singing,  or  in  games.  Every  man's  home  was 
hospitably  open  to  whoever  came.  In  1858  a  great  revival  was 
held  by  Rev.  Mr.  Holbrook,  a  pioneer  Methodist  preacher,  and 
almost  the  entire  settlement  was  converted  to  the  Methodist  faith. 

Some  good  stories  are  told  of  Rev,  Jam'iS  Hankins,  an  itiner- 
ant preacher,  who  occasionally  visited  this  settlement  before  the  war. 
Hankins  was  very  muscular,  and  a  militant  Christian,  and  when 
playing  cards  and  snickering  and  other  disturbances  in  meeting 
became  oppressive,  he  subdued  the  rebels  physically.  He  used  to 
enter  town  giving  forth  hymns  in  a  musical  voice,  and  this  vocal 
power  answered  the  purpose  of  a  bell.  All  flocked  to  hear  the 
singing,  the  result  being  a  large  congregation.  It  so  happened 
that,  during  the  prayer  of  Judge  Rosencrantz  (no  relative  to  the 
present  Rosenkrans  family),  considerable  noise  emanated  from  the 
euchre  corner,  with  such  expressions  as  "  Pray  on,  Judg^,  I'll  go 
down  among  the  sinners."  Mr.  Hinkins  promptly  begin  to  take 
steps  toward  quelling  the  disturbance.  Tliis  action  caused  talk, 
and  considerable  braggadocio  was  manifested.  It  was  threatened 
that  the  "preacher  was  going  to  get  licked."  Hearing  of  the  in- 
tention of  the  "great  unwashed,"  Hankins  took  him  by  the  fore- 
lock and  caused  a  few  of  the  braggarts  ever  after  to  have  a  high 
respect  for  the  preacher's  muscle.  The  meetings  had  been  con- 
stantly interrupted,  more  especially  afrer  the  arrest  of  a  boy  whose 
case  came  to  trial,  with  Gen.  Trumbull,  then  an  attorney  at  Clarks- 
ville,  for  the  dtfense.  He  made  an  eloquent  plea,  the  bjy  wis 
acquitted,  and  the  roughs  became  still  more  obstreperous,  causing 
Hankins  to  adopt  the  use  of  his  muscle  as  the  last  means  of  re- 
storing the  peace. 

The  citizens  of  Union  Township  were  zealously  loyal  during  the 
war.  A  Union  League  was  organized,  and  was  very  active.  The 
services  of  that  organization  were  needed.     Disguised  rebels  and 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1065 

eympatizers  came  in  every  shape.  As  preachers  they  soon  showed 
their  colors  in  prayer,  and  the  religious  found  themselves  listen- 
ing to  messages  to  heaven,  beseeching  that  "even the  Union  Gov- 
ernment should  not  be  heeded  by  the  people  "  in  protecting  their 
hearts  and  homes.  The  reverend  wolves  were  visited  by  members 
of  the  league  and  made  to  retract  their  supplications  or  vacate  the 
ranch.  They  retracted,  and  were  then  compelled  to  take  the  oath 
of  allegiance.  Union  Township  answered  every  call  for  volun- 
teers, and  supplied  even  more  than  her  quota  of  men. 

ORGANIC. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  1854,  Judge  John  M.  Hunt  divided  the 
county  into  four  townships,  among  which  was  that  of  Union,  which 
then  comprised  congressional  townships  94  and  95,  range  17,  and 
townships  94  and  95,  range  18.  July  21,  1855,  the  west  half  of 
township  94  north,  range  16,  and  sections  29,  30,  31  and  32  in 
township  95,  in  range  16,  were  detached  from  the  territory 
embraced  in  St.  Charles  Township  and  attached  to  Union  by  John 
Ball,  then  County  Judge.  March  25,  1856,  sections  29,  30,  31  and 
32,  in  township  95,  range  16,  were  detached  from  Union  Township 
and  once  more  became  a  part  of  the  township  of  St.  Ciiarles.  A. 
L.  Collins  was  then  County  Judge.  March  2,  1857,  congressional 
townships  95,  ranges  17  and  18,  were  detached  from  Union  and 
called  Rockford,  by  Judge  A.  L.  Collins.  June  12,  1858,  section 
26  was  set  off  from  Rockford  to  Union  for  "  election  purposes,"  by 
Judge  David  Ripley.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  at  their  June  ses- 
Bion,  1861,  detached  township  94  from  Union  and  the  south  tier  of 
sections  from  Rockford,  and  gave  to  the  detached  territory  the 
name  of  Scott.  At  the  June  session,  1867,  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors, the  west  half  of  township  94,  range  16,  was  detached  from 
Union  and  was  united  with  the  east  half  of  the  same  township, 
receiving  the  name  of  Pleasant  Grove  Township. 

The  following  is  the  first  record  in  the  township  minute  books  : 
"Pursuant  to  public  notice,  the  electors  of  Union  Township 
met  March  28,  1855,  at  the  house  of  Jacob  Beelar  for  the  purpose 
of  choosing  delegates  to  meet  at  the  houseof  John  Ball,  on  Thurs- 
day, March  29,  1855.  On  motion,  Nelson  Shattuck  was  called  to 
the  chair,  and  T.  W.  Allen  was  chosen  clerk.  On  motion  of 
Thomas  Conner,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Thomas  Conner,  Jacob 
Beelar  and  Peter  Beaver,  was  appointed  to  present  suitable  names 
65 


1066  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

to  the  meeting.  This  committee  recommended  Peter  Weaver,  T. 
W.  Allen,  Thomas  Conner  and  Nelson  Shattnck.''  These  were 
elected  and  served  as  delegates  to  the  meeting  above  mentioned.   ' 

The  present  township  officers  are  :  Trustees,  Charles  T.  Acklej, 
George  Lines,  Samuel  Sours;  Clerk,  Charles  E.  Wood;  Assessor, 
Harvey  C.  Inman;  Road  Supervisor,  District  No.  1,  Matthias  Nixt"; 
No.  2,  Peter  N.  Yorhes;  No.  3,  Hezekiah  Garber;  No.  4,  Alonzo 
Inman;  No.  5,  John  Barth;  No.  6,  Abraham  Pal mateer;  No.  T, 
Charles  W.  Bowman;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  John  Gates,  C.  F. 
Beelar;  Constables,  Samuel  Rex,   Philip  Schultz. 

Union  Township  has  been  liberall}'  represented  in  the  list  ot 
county  officials  of  Floyd.  Thomas  Conner  was  elected  Prosecuting 
Attorney  in  1854,  but  failed  to  quality.  J.  P.  Johnson  was  chosen 
County  Coroner  in  the  same  year.  Rudolph  Rex  was  elected 
County  Supervisor  in  1862.  Benjamin  Darland  was  elected  County 
Supervisor  in  1863.  Henry  Wady  was  elected  County  Supervisor 
in  1865.  J.  B.  Shepardson  was  elected  County  Supervisor  in  1868. 
William  H.  Johnson  was  chosen  County  Judge  in  1860.  L.  S. 
Horr  was  elected  Sheriff  in  1866-'7.  Isaac  Teeple  was  chosen 
County  Surveyor  in  1868.  The  same  office  was  held  by  H.  C. 
Inman  in  1863  and  1865.  John  Wallace  was  County  Coroner  in 
1863  and  1865.  Benjamin  Darland  was  a  Representative  in  the 
General  Assembly  of  Iowa  during  1874  and  1875.  Immediately 
following  him  in  the  same  office  was  J.  B.  Shepardson,  in  1876  and 
1877.  George  H.  Nichols  was  elected  County  Superintendent  of 
Schools  in  1877,  and  held  the  office  four  years.  He  was  succeeded 
by  the  present  incumbent,  H.  H.  Davidson,  who  was  elected  Oct. 
11,  1881. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  Union  Township  District  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county, 
having  had  an  organized  and  continuous  existence  for  nearly 
twenty-live  3'ears.  There  has  been  no  independent  district  organ- 
ized from  it,  Marble  ^Rock  being  still  a  part  of  the  township 
district.  The  first  records  on  the  books  are  of  a  meeting  held  May 
22,  1858.    The  proceedings  are  given  in  full,  as  an  item  of  interest: 

"The  board  of  school  officers  for  Union  Township  District  met 
pursuant  to  notice  May  22,  1858,  at  the  usual  place  of  holding 
elections  in  Marble  Rock,  and  organized  according  to  law,  and 
Droceeded  to  business. 


UNION   TOWNSHIP.  1067 

"On  motion  the  meeting  adjourned  one  hour  for  dinner. 

"  The  board  met  at  two  o'clock,  pursuant  to  a9journment,  and 
again  proceeded  to  business.  [It  is  said  by  some  that  here  the 
board  '  on  motion  adjourned  one  hour  for  supper,''  but  we  cannot 
vouch  for  this,   the  secretary  having  made  no  record  of  the  fact.] 

"  On  motion,  A.  Bashford  was  appointed  to  fill  vacancy  occa- 
sioned by  the  failure  of  District  jSTo.  2  to  elect  a  resident  of  said 
sub-district  for  the  office  of  local  director. 

"A  resolution  was  passed  to  the  effect  that  the  board  of  school 
directors  of  Union  Township  authorize  the  local  director  of  Sub- 
district  No.  3  to  use  the  school  in  said  sub-district  for  a  select  school 
under  the  supervision  of  the  local  director. 

"  On  motion  the  secretary  was  authorized  to  procure  the  bounda- 
ries of  each  sub-district  preparatory  to  sketching  a  map  or  plat  of 
Union  Township  District. 

"On  motion  adjourned.  J.  R.  Mahin,  /Sec." 

The  office  of  President  of  the  School  Board  has  been  filled  as 
follows:  1858-'59,  Loren  Inman;  1859-'60,  J.  R.  Frost;  1860, 
Loren  Inman  ;  1862,  L.  G.  Hiscox;  1863,  David  Comstock;  1864, 
L.  G.  Hiscox;  1865-'66,  William  A.  Judd ;  1867,  John  Gates; 
1868,  Thomas  Elley;  1869,  Wm.  H.  Johnson  ;  1870,  A.  Gleason; 
1871-'72,  J.  W.  Darland  ;  1873,  H.  Rosenkrans;  1874,  Wm.  J. 
Little;  1875-'78,  H.  Rosenkrans  ;  1879,  W.  Bncklin  ;  1880,  George 
Maxson;  1881,  Martin  Gates;  1882,  Job  Randall. 

The  office  of  Secretary  of  the  School  Board  has  been  filled  as 
follows:  1858-59,  H.  C.  Inman;  1859-'60,  W.  Brubacher;  1860- 
'61,  William  H.  Johnson  ;  1862-'63,  A.  J.  Asper;  1864-'78,  H.C. 
Inman;  1879,  0.  B.  Martin  ;  18&0-'81,  Charles  Gates,  Jr.  ;  1882, 
Henry  B.  Nies. 

There  are  ten  sub-districts  in  Union  Township,  and  their  Directors 
for  the  present  year  are  as  follows:  1,  R.  S.  Yorhes;  2,  M.  Nixt; 
3,  H.  Rosenkrans;  4,  A.  W.  Hawks  ;  5,  C.  Town;  6.  Charles 
Gates.  Sr.;  7,  John  Gates;  8,  Job  Randall;  9,  F,  C.  Sellman.  All 
the  districts  have  at  least  one  school  each.  No.  4  has  two  schools; 
and  No.  3,  which  comprises  Marble  Rock,  has  three  departments, 
or  schools,  in  the  same  building. 

The  first  school-house  erected  in  Union  Township  was  built 
in  1857,  on  lot  3,  block  8,  section  9.  This  was  in  Marble 
Rock,  now  known  as  District  No.  3.  The  school-house  built  in 
District  No.  1  was  erected  in  1872,  on  section  4,  at  a  cost  of  $500. 
That  in  No.  2  was  built  in  1858,  at  the  corner  of  sections  1,  2,  11 


I 


1068  HISTOKT  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

and  12,  at  a  cost  of  $100.  The  first  school-house  in  'No.  4  was 
erected  in  1860,  of  stone,  on  section  8,  at  a  cost  of  $1,600.  An- 
other one  has  since  been  built  in  the  same  district,  at  a  cost  of 
$500.  The  school-house  in  No.  5  was  built  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of 
$500,  on  section  20.  That  in  District  No.  6  was  built  of  wood  on 
section  33,  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $500.  That  in  No.  7  was  built  in 
1871,  on  section  22,  at  a  cost  of  $500.  That  in  No.  8  was  built  in 
August,  1879,  at  a  cost  of  $500,  on  section  31.  That  in  No.  9  was 
built  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $500,  on  the  corner  of  sections  25,  26, 
35  and  36. 

In  1873  the  village  of  Marble  Rock  (District  No.  3)  erected  an 
elegant  school-house  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  village  plat. 
The  dimensions  of  the  building  are  26x46,  with  wings  22x26, 
two  stories  high.  It  has  a  cupola,  bell,  spacious  apartments  and 
all  the  modern  equipments  of  a  well-furnished  educational  insti- 
tution, where  all  branches,  from  the  rudiments  to  the  grade  of  a 
high-school,  are  successfully  taught.  This  building  cost  $4,000? 
and  will  accommodate  200  students.  The  Principal  of  the  school 
for  1882-'3  is  C.  F.  Gates. 

FIRST    THINGS. 

The  first  house  erected  in  Union  was  constructed  of  logs,  by- 
Jacob  Beelar,  in  1852,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  section  8. 

Tlie  first  ground  used  for  agricultural  purposes  was  broken  by 
Jacob  Beelar,  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  16,  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1852,  and  by  Ashbury  Baltimore,  in  1853, on  the  southwest 
quarter  of  section  5. 

The  first  store  was  one  of  small  dimensions  on  block  1,  of  the 
village  of  Marble  Rock,  opened  by  Alan  son  W.  Corey,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1855-'6.  He  afterward  removed  his  store  to  section  6, 
when  the  first  store  of  general  merchandise  was  started  at  Marble 
Rock,  in  1857,  by  John  Wallace  and  William  A.  Judd.  The  first 
drug  store  was  opened  on  Main  street,  in  1870,  by  Messrs.  Clark 
and  Martin. 

The  first  marriage  was  that  of  Jacob  Beelar  to  Huldah  Downer, 
June  2,  1855. 

The  first  deaths  was  those  of  J.  J.  Riddell  and  S.  O.  Riddell, 
killed  by  lightning  while  in  bed,  June  19,  1855,  two  and  three 
quarters  miles  west  of  Marble  Rock. 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1069 

The  first  mill  for  flouring  purposes  was  built  in  1858-'9.  The 
first  saw-mill  was  built  bj  Robert  Frost,  in  1874.  The  first  steam 
saw-mill  was  that  run  by  Hershey,  Brubacher  and  "Wells,  of  Wa- 
verly,  and  was  situated  west  of  block  35.  in  Marble  Rock.  It  was 
built  in  1856-'7. 

The  first  church  was  built  in  1873-'4:. 

The  first  school-house  was  built  in  1857  on  block  8,  in  Marble 
Rock,  by  R.  0.  Horr,  Benjamin  Darland  and  W.  Brubacher  as 
Directors. 

The  first  school  was  taught  in  this  school-house  in  the  winter  of 
1855-'6. 

The  first  bounty  on  wolf  scalps  paid  to  a  citizen  of  Union  was 
to  R.  J.  Ackley,  in  March,  1859. 

The  first  bounty  on  wild-cats  was  paid  to  A.  Baltimore  in  the 
month  of  March,   1859. 

The  first  organization  of  the  Republican  party  was  effected  at 
Marble  Rock,  Feb.  IT,  1860,  with  Benjamin  Darland  as  President, 
and  Isaac  Yeople  as  Secretary.  The  constitution  and  by-laws  were 
signed  by  Isaac  Yeople,  fH.  C.  Inman.  John  Wallace,  W.  Bru- 
bacher, Samuel  Fulsom,  Benjamin  Darland,  R.  C.  Horr,  J.  J.  R. 
Frost,  William  Halstead,  L.  D.  Gardner,  John  Grates,  J.  T.  Gra- 
ham, L.  S.  Horr,  William  Hawks,  J.  L.  Bedell,  M.  J.  Miller, 
Charles  Peet,  Martin  Gates,  Xelson  Shattuck,  Charles  Gates, 
Samuel  Rex,  John  Clay,  W.  H.  Christeance. 

UNION   TOWNSHIP   IN   THE    WAR. 

Union  Township  responded  nobly  to  the  calls  of  the  Government 
in  the  late  Rebellion.  Her  quota  was  always  full,  and  when  the 
draft  was  ordered,  Feb.  4,  1864,  she  was  seven  men  ahead.  When 
it  became  apparent  that  the  rebels  were  in  earnest  and  meant  war 
for  the  white  man,  and  eternal  bondage  for  the  negro,  the  citizens 
of  Union  rallied  and  assembled  in  mass  meeting  at  Marble  Rock, 
April  29,  1861.  Rev.  John  Kane  was  called  to  the  chair,  and 
William  H.  Johnson  was  chosen  Secretary.  After  appropriate 
speeches,  David  Brubacher,  B.  Franklin  Darland,  Jesse  Beelar, 
Mark  J.  Miller,  Abraham  Brubacher,  A.  Wolsey  Hawks  and  Will- 
iam Bedell  resolutely  stepped  forward  and  repeated  and  subscribed 
to  the  following  oath: 

"We  do  solemnly  swear  that  we  will  bear  true  and  faithful 
allegiance  to  the  United  States  of  America;  that  we  will  serve 
them  faithfully  and  honestly  against  all  opposers  whomsoever;  that 


1070  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

we  will  obey  and  observe  the  orders  of  tbe  President  of  the  United 
States,  the  Governor  of  Iowa,  and  all  officers  duly  elected  or  ap- 
pointed to  command  us." 
These  volunteers  were  attached  to  the  Third  Iowa  Infantry, 
The  second  band  who  enlisted  from  Union  consisted  of  Samuel 
Fulsom,  Egbert  Hawks,  Everett  Hawks,  Samuel  Sours,  A.  J. 
Asper,  S.  J.  Ackley,  C.  T.  Ackley,  George  Cornelia  and  J.  I.  R. 
Frost,  who  went  into  the  Seventh  Iowa  Infantry.  Job  Clark  and 
Hiram  Clay  went  into  the  Seventh  Iowa  Infantry.  Warren  Boon, 
S.  W.  Boon,  James  W.  Boon,  Milton  Boon,  Timothy  W.  Folger, 
A.  D.  Weeks,  Joseph  Smith,  Henry  Smith,  Horace  Hawks,  Tyler 
Blake,  Elias  Miller  and  Michael  Cline  went  into  the  Thirty-second 
Iowa  Infantry.  William  F.  Bedell,  Daniel  R.  Hiscox  and  Abram 
Judd  went  into  the  Twelfth  United  States  Regulars.  Jos.  L.  Inman 
and  C.  E.  Wood  went  into  the  Thirteenth  United  States  Regulars. 
J.  L.  Baker,  Abram  Johnson  and  J.  R.  McNabb  went  into  the 
Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry.  J.  W.  Darland  went  into  an  Illinois  artil- 
lery company,  and  S.  S.  Boon  into  an  Illinois  cavalry  regiment. 

A.  A.  Hawks  was  wounded;  Hiram  Bedell  was  killed;  M.  J. 
Miller  was  imprisoned  at  Anderson ville;  B.  F.  Darland  was  killed; 
Everett  Hawks  was  killed;  George  Cornelia  died;  James  Boon 
died;  Milton  Boon  died;  T.  W.  Folger  was  killed;  A.  D.  Weeks 
died;  Joseph  Smith  died;  Elias  Miller  died,  and  Joseph  L.  Inman 
died. 

ATJEEOLA. 

The  village  of  Aureola  was  laid  out  and  recorded  by  Robert 
Frost  in  1858,  who  built  a  saw-mill  here.  It  contains  about  100 
acres  in  the  south  half  of  section  8,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Shell 
Rock  River,  about  a  mile  above  Marble  Rock.  Owing  to  a  bend 
in  the  river  the  streets  run  northeasterly  and  southwesterly. 
Aureola  is  distant  about  a  half  mile  from  Marble  Rock.  A  store 
was  opened  by  A.  J.  Asper  in  1865,  and  kept  by  him  for  about  two 
years.  J.  W.  Darland  also  opened  a  store  there  in  1867,  and  con- 
tinued in  business  about  two  years.  Both  these  gentlemen  are  now 
in  business  at  Marble  Rock.  There  have  been  no  other  stores  in 
Aureola  since  1869,  in  which  year  the  plat  was  vacated.  Aureola 
had  in  1880  a  population  of  eighty-eight. 

AUKEOLA  MILL. 

This  mill  was  built  by  Tyler  Blake  in  1860.  It  is  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Shell  Rock,  on  section  8.     It  was  built  for  two  run  of 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1071 

fitOiie,  but  now  has  three,  the  last  having  been  added  by  Mr. 
^hepardson.  Mr.  Blake  sold  out,  after  operating  the  mill  for  four 
years,  to  H.  C.  Inman  and  Robert  Frost.  Mr.  Blake  went  from 
here  to  Nora  Springs,  and  in  1880  he  went  to  Harper,  Harper 
County,  Kan.,  where  he  now  resides,  engaged  in  the  drug  business. 
Mr.  Frost  died,  and  Mr.  Inman  sold  his  interest  to  the  executors  of 
Mr.  Frost's  estate.  They  sold  to  J.,B.  Shepardson  and  J.  M.  Dar- 
land,  the  present  proprietors.     The  mill  is  valued  at  $4,000. 

MARBLE    ROCK. 

The  village  plat  of  Marble  Rock  was  laid  out  in  October,  1856, 
and  recorded  the  same  year.     Jacob  Beelar  was  the  proprietor.     It 
is  situated  in  the  southwest  corner  of  section  9,  northwest  corner 
of  section  16,  and  northeast  corner  of  section  17,  in  congressional 
township  94  north,  range  17  west  of  the  fifth  principal  meridian, 
and  contains  about  twenty  acres.     The  village  is  in  the    south  ex- 
tremity of  Beelar's  Grove,  on  the  east  bank  of  the   Shell    Rock, 
toward  which  the  surface  of  the  ground  gradually  declines.      It 
has    a  variety  of  stores  and  mechanical  shops,  a  bank,  printing 
office,  and  all  the  professions  usually  found  in  an  enterprising  vil- 
lage.   The  streets  of  the  town  are  broad  and  dry.    The  Burlington, 
Cedar  Rapids   &   Northern  Railroad  runs  at  a  convenient    dis- 
tance along  the  eastern  border  of  the  town,  with  commodious  depot 
and  warehouses  at  accessible  points.     The  entire  village  rests  on 
beds  of  rock  excellent  for  building  purposes,  but  lying  too  deep 
to  be  disturbed  with  profit  until  the  numerous  quarries  which  pro- 
ject from  the   river  bank  are  more  nearly  exhausted.     Protected 
from  the  winds  and  storms  on  the  north,  on  the  east  by  her  beau- 
tiful groves;  supplied  with  an  abundance  of  pure  water  from  nu- 
merous springs  of  marvelous  volume;  and  with  water-powers  from 
one  of  the  most   magnificent  rivers   that    ever  coursed  its  way 
through    Northern    Iowa;   surrounded  with   a    superior    farming 
country  on  every  side;  and  alive  with  an  industrious  and  intelli- 
gent people.  Marble  Rock  is  destined  to  be  all  that  Jacob  Beelar 
ever  dreamed  for  the  future  of  the  town.    The  inhabitants  of  Union 
Township,  like  those  of  the  entire  county,  are  of  a  mixed  class,  the 
people  having  drifted  here  either  from  the  New  England  States  or 
from  those  intervening,  and  on  or  near  the  same  parallels  of  latitude. 
There  is,  however,  a  strong  German  element  in  Union  Township, 
among  whom   are  found  some  of  the  most    substantial  farmers 
and  most   substantial  citizens  of  the  township.     In  a  few  years 


1072  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

more,  the  German  and  English  elements  will  coalesce,  and  the 
questions  then  will  be,  not  "Where  did  you  come  from?  "but, 
"Where  are  you  going?" — not  "What  are  you?"  but,  "Who  are 
you?  " 

INCORPORATION. 

Marble  Rock  was  incorporated  in  the  early  part  of  1881,  and 
town  officers  elected.  The  following  were  the  proceedings  of  the 
council  at  their  first  meeting: 

"  Marble  Rock,  March  14,  1881. 

"  Council  met  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  organization  ot 
the  incorporated  town  of  Marble  Rock,  and  proceeded  to  adminis- 
ter the  oath  of  office  to  the  elected  officers. 

"C.  F.  Beelar,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  administered  the  oath  to 
J.  W.  Martin,  as  Mayor. 

"J.  W.  Martin,  Mayor,  administered  the  oath  of  office  to  E,  A. 
Rosenkrans,  as  Recorder. 

"J.  W.  Martin,  Mayor,  administered  the  oath  of  office  to  the  fol- 
lowing Trustees:  William  Moore,  Allen  Moore,  I.  M.  Hutches, 
John  Robson,  C.  F.  Beelar,  and  W.  H.  Ostrander. 

"J.  W.  Martin,  Mayor,  administered  the  oath  of  office  to  C.  E. 
Wood,  as  Assessor. 

"Theoffieial  bonds  of  J.  W.  Martin,  E.  A.  Rosenkrans  and  C.  E. 
Wood  were  presented  and  placed  on  file. 

"The Trustees  then  proceeded  to  determine  by  lot  their  terms  of 
office,  which  drawing  resulted  as  follows:     Allen  Moore  and  Will- 
iam Moore,  onej^ear;  John  Robson  and  I.  M.  Hutches,    two  years; 
C   F.    Beelar  and  W.  H.   Ostrander,  three  years. 

"  On  motion,  adjourned  to  meet  at  call  of  Mayor. 

"  E.  A.  Rosenkrans,  Recorder.'''' 

The  officers  elected  and  appointed  for  Marble  Rock  during  its 
two  years  of  incorporated  life  are  as  follows: 

1881. — Mayor,  J.  W.  Martin;  Trustees,  Allen  Moore,  William 
Moore,  John  Robson,  1.  M.  Hutches,  C.  F.  Beelar,  W.  H.  Ostran- 
der; Street  Commissioner,  Levi  Long;  Marshals,  T.  W.  Boon,  John 
Melugin;  Recorder,  E.  A.  Rosenkrans;  Treasurer,  R.  F.  Wilke; 
Assessor,  C.  E.  Wood. 

1882. — Mayor,  J.  B.  Shepardson;  Trustees,  John  Robson,  I.  M. 
Hutches,  C.  F,  Beelar,  W.  H.  Ostrander,  R.  J.  Ackley,  Hiram 
Rosenkrans;  Street  Commissioner,  E.  A.  Rosenkrans;  Marshal, 
Samuel  Rex;  Recorder,  L.  B.  Clark;  Treasurer,  Allen  Moore; 
Assessor,  C.  E.  Wood. 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1073 

POSTOFFICE. 

The  postoffice  of  Marble  Rock  was  established  about  1855.  Pre- 
vious to  that  time  the  nearest  postoffice  was  Waver! j,  distant 
thirty  miles  southeast.  Whoever  went  for  his  mail  would  get  the 
mail  for  the  whole  settlement.  The  tirst  Postmaster  appointed 
under  the  administration  of  President  Franklin  Pierce  was  J.  I. 
R.  Frost.  He  was  succeeded  by  William  H.  Johnson,  and  he  by  R. 
C.  Horr.  The  next  was  J.  B.  Shepardson,  who  held  the  position 
but  a  short  time,  and  was  then  succeeded  by  Allen  Moore,  who 
served  a  long  time.  The  present  Postmaster  is  C.  E.  Wood,  ap- 
pointed in  the  latter  part  of  1877,  who  took  possession  Jan.  1,  1878. 
He  was  also  actual  Postmaster  from  July  20,  1874,  Allen  Moore 
being  the  nominal  head. 

BANK. 

The  Marble  Rock  Bank  of  J.  B.  Shepardson  was  established  on 
its  present  location  in  the  spring  of  1873,  by  J.  B.  &  S.  E.  Shep- 
ardson, and  has  not  changed  ownership  since.  Its  business  has 
steadily  enlarged  since  that  date,  and  it  is  now  in  a  healthy  con- 
dition. With  ample  capital  at  command,  it  forms  a  safe  and  reli- 
able medium  for  the  transaction  of  business  for  the  surrounding 
country.    The  deposits  amount  to  from  $10,000  to  $20,000. 

MARBLE  ROCK  ELEVATOR. 

This  elevator  was  first  started  in  1872,  by  Moore  &  Hoover,  and 
three  additions  have  been  built  since.  It  is  situated  on  Bradford 
street,  by  the  railroad.  Messrs.  Moore  &  Hoover  operated  it  two 
years,  selling  in  1874  to  I.  M.  Hutches  &  Co.  They  remained  in 
the  business  until  the  spring  of  1879,  when  they  sold  to  Shepardson 
Bros.  (J.  B.  Shepardson  and  S.  E.  Shepardson),  the  present  pro- 
prietors. They  deal  in  all  kinds  of  grain  and  are  doing  a  good 
business.  Tiie  nearest  elevators  are  at  Rockford,  eight  miles, 
and  Greene,  seven  miles,  and  tlie  three  are  in  sharp  competition. 
Shepardson  Bros,  have  introduced  the  latest  aiid  best  machinery, 
including  tiie  patent  dump  for  unloading  corn  wagons. 

MARBLE  ROCK  CREAMERY. 

This  was  established  in  the  month  of  May,  1882,  by  Messrs. 
Moody  &  Dilts.  It  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  by  the 
bridge.     The   firm  is  doing  an  excellent   business,  making  during 


1074  HISTORY  OF    FLOYD  COUNTY. 

the  month  of  June,  8,100  pounds  of  butter,  and  during  July,  9,600, 
which  is  shipped  to  New  York.  Water-power  is  used,  furnished 
by  a  turbine  wheel,  eleven  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter.  The  water 
flows  from  a  spring  in  the  bank  of  the  Shell  Rock,  and, with  the  tur- 
bine wheel,  affords  the  nicest  water-power  possible  for  the  work 
required  of  it. 

BUSINESS    DIRECTORY. 

A.  J.  Asper  &  Co.,  druggists;  S.  P.  Bissell,  blacksmith;  T.  W. 
Boon,  contractor;  B.  Boyd,  shoemaker;  Clark  &  Brown,  physicians; 
Clark  &  Kindall,  druggists;  R.  W.  Clark,  saloon-keeper;  U.  A. 
Collison  &  Co.,  wagon-makers;  W.  B.  Crabtree,  carpenter  and 
builder;  W.  O.  Crumb,  confectioner;  J.  W.  Darland,  general  mer 
chant;  J.  C.  Eade,  general  merchant;  M.  Gates  &  Son,  hardware 
dealers;  C.  G.  Greenwood,  general  merchant;  Haines  Bros.,  general 
merchants;  E.  B.  Haines,  physician;  C.  E.  Heightshoe,  milliner; 
G.  M.  Hubbard,  barber;  I.  M.  Hutches  &  Co.,  grain  dealers;  W. 
D.  Lamb,  proprietor  Beelar  House;  Merrill  &  Lyon,  liverymen; 
Moody  &  Dilts,  creamery  men;  Allen  Moore,  general  merchant; 
Moore  &  Paddleford,  lumber;  H.  B.  Nies,  editor  Weekly,  J. 
O'Hair,  saloon-keeper;  Rosenkrans  &  Rex,  meat-sellers;  E.  A. 
Rosenkrans  &  Co.,  general  merchant;  Mrs.  E.  A.  Rosenkrans,  mil- 
liner; Hiram  Rosenkrans,  hardware;  H.  Scott  &  Co.,  grocers;  J. 
B.  Shepardson,  banker;  H.  Stroud,  pump  dealer;  M.  S.  Yan  Dusen, 
wagon-maker;  G.  L.Washburn,  insurance  agent;  R.  F.  Wilke,  boot 
and  shoe  dealer;  J.  Wiloth,  harness-maker;  C.  E.  Wood,  Post- 
master. 

CHURCHES. 

The  Methodist  Episcojxd  Church  was  here,  as  is  usually  the 
case  elsewhere,  the  pioneer  religious  organization  of  the  country. 
The  first  services  held  by  itinerant  preachers  have  been  mentioned 
on  a  previous  page.  Occasional  services  were  held  for  nearly  twenty 
years  before  an  attempt  was  made  to  form  a  permanent  organiza- 
tion, and.  to  have  regular  services.  There  was  a  society  in  exist" 
ence  as  early  as  1858,  which  has  had  a  more  or  less  prosperous 
existence  ever  since.  The  Methodist  church  was  built  in  18T3,  at 
a  cost  of  over  $2,000.  The  pastor  at  that  time  was  Rev.  Philip 
Gould.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Z.  R.  Ward,  who  came  from 
Mason  City,  and  remained  one  year.  Then  came  Rev.  Mr.  Gill- 
ruth,  for  one  year;  Rev.  Enoch  Holland,  three  years;  Rev.  G.  B 
Shoemaker,   two  years;   and    Rev.    D.  E.  Skinner,  one  year.     The 


UNION    TOWNSmP.  1075 

present  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  A.  Brown,  who  resides  at  Greene,  Butler 
County.  The  pastors  have  fijenerallvaresided  in  that  place.  Services 
are  held  at  Marble  Rock  on  alternate  Sabbaths.  The  membership 
of  the  church  is  small,  being  but  twenty  at  the  present  time.  The 
Sunday-school  is  a  union  school,  formed  of  the  pupils  of  the  Meth- 
odist and  Free- Will  Baptist  denominations.  The  Superintendent 
is  H.  C.  Inman,  and  J.  Hichtshoe  is  his  assistant.  The  school  is 
in  fair  condition,  and  has  an  attendance  of  from  sixty  to  eighty. 
These  are  in  seven  classes. 

The  Free-W'dl  Baptist  Church  was  organized  about  1858. 
Among  the  more  prominent  of  the  first  members  were  Robert 
Frost,  Loren  Inman,  Martin  Ackley,  James  Ackley,  Charles  E. 
Wood,  H.  C.  Inman,  Caroline  Inman,  Mrs.  James  Ackley,  C.  T. 
Ackley,  Mrs.  Robert  Frost,  and  William  A.  Judd  and  wife.  The 
first  pastor  was  Rev.  Loren  Inman,  a  resident  of  Union  Township. 
He  preached  about  seven  years,  and  then  ceased  his  pulpit  work, 
living  on  his  farm  until  his  death,  in  1878.  The  next  pastor  was 
Rev.  R.  Norton,  who  resided  at  Masonville,  and  preached  here  once 
in  two  weeks  for  two  years.  He  is  now  preaching  at  Tripoli.  He 
was  followed  by  Rev.  A.  Palmer,  who  also  preached  about  two 
years,  on  alternate  Sabbaths.  He  did  not  reside  here.  He  was 
accidentally  killed  at  Horton,  Bremer  County,  by  falling  from  a 
staging,  in  1880.  The  pulpit  was  next  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  H. 
Moxom,  of  Cedar  Falls,  for  nearly  two  years.  The  present  pastor, 
Rev.  C.  Pierce,  came  in  April,  1880.  The  congregation  are  now 
erecting  a  church  which,  exclusive  of  furnishings,  will  cost  $1,500. 
It  is  to  be  finished  by  Nov.  20,  1882,  will  be  30  x  50,  and  will  seat 
about  250.  The  Sunday-school  meets  in  connection  with  that  of 
the  Methodists.  The  membership  of  the  church  is  now  about 
twenty. 

LODGES. 

Corner  Stone  Lodge,  No.  '^hl^  A.  jp.  cfc  A.  M.^  was  organized 
lender  dispensation  Dec.  19,  1868,  with  eleven  charter  members 
as  follows:  W.  D.  Truax,  L.  S.  Ilorr,  J.  I.  R.  Frost,  Ambrose 
Smith,  L.  Tatum,  William  A.  Judd,  Merritt  Towslee,  Thomas 
Garber,  Henry  Eade,  William  H.  Johnson  and  J.  B.  Shepardson. 
The  first  officers  were  as  follows:  W.  D.  Truax,  W.  M.;  L.  S. 
Horr,  S.  W.  ;  J.  I.  R.  Frost,  J.  W.;  William  II.  Johnson,  Secre- 
tary; Ambrose  Smith,  Treasurer;  J.  B.  Shepardson,  S.  D. ;  Merritt 
Towslee,  J.  D. ;  William  A.  Judd,  Tyler.  The  office  of  W.  M.  has 
becD  held  as  follows;  1869-'70,  W.   D.    Truax;  1S70-'1,  J.  I.  R. 


1076  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Frost;  1871-'2,L.  S.  Horr;  1872-'3,  L.  S.  Horr;  1873-'4,L.  S.  Horr; 
1874-'5,L.  S.  Horr;  1875-'6,  L.  S.  Horr;  1876-'T,  J.  W.  Darlaad; 
1877-'8,  J.  W.  Darland;  1878-'9,  J.  W.  Darland;  lS79-'80,  E.  A. 
Kosenkrans;  1880-'l,  J.  W.  Darland;  1881-'2,  J.  W.  Darland; 
1882-'3,  J.  W.  Darland.  The  charter  is  dated  June  2,  1869,  and 
is  signed  by  Reuben  Mickel,  Grand  Master;  W.  S.  Smith,  S.  G- 
Warden,  and  T.  S  Parvin,  G.  Secretary, 

The  present  membership  is  forty-five,  and  the  present  officers 
are  as  follows:  J.  W.  Darland,  W.  M.;  Robert  Hiiggitt,  S.  W.; 
H.  C.  Inman,  J.  W. ;  H.  C.  Darland,  Secretary;  William  A.  Judd, 
Treasurer;  E.  A.  Rosenkrans,  S.  D.;  H.  H.  Davidson,  J.  D.;  D.  J. 
Winchell,  S.  S.;  Samuel  Rex,  J.  S. ;  H.  Clay,  Tyler. 

The  lodge  meets  on  the  Wednesday  on  or  before  the  fall  moon 
of  each  month.     It  is  in  a  very  healthy  condition. 

Eldorado  Encampments  No.  100,  1.  0.  0.  F.,  was  organized 
April  11,  1878,  with  fourteen  charter  members,  as  follows:  Dr. 
William  A.  Clayton,  George  Luce,  R.  F.  Wilke,  Will  Wade,  F. 
Harlinske,  Dr.  0.  J.  Clark,  G.  L.  Brown,  W.  E.  Hodgin,  A.  N. 
Arnold,  H.  Kelly,  H.  Rosenkrans  and  A.  B.  Schermerhorn.  The 
first  officers  elected  were  as  follows:  William  A,  Clayton,  C.  P., 
W.  E.  Hodgin,  S.  W. ;  A.  N.  Arnold,  J.  W.;  C.  J.  Clark,  H.  P.; 
Will  Wade,  Scribe;  H.  Rosenkrans,  Treasurer;  Samuel  Rex,  F. 
Harlinske  and  C.  M.  Dustin,  Trustees;  C.  M.  Dustin,  O.  S.  S. ; 
William  Spotts,  I.  S.  S.;  H.  Kelly,  G. ;  H.  A.  Eddy,  1st  W.;  J. 
B.  Schermerhorn,  2d  W.;  J.  W.  Darland,  3d  W.;  L.  B.  Clark, 
4th  W. 

The  office  of  Chief  Patriarch  has  been  held  as  follows:  William 
A.  Clayton,  April  to  July,  1878;  H.  Rosenkrans,  July  1,  1878,  to 
January,  1879;  C.  J.  Clark,  January  to  July,  1880;  W.  E.  Hodgin, 
July,  1880,  to  January,  1881;  William  A.  Clayton,  January  to 
October,  1881;  Harvey  C.  Inman,  October,  1881,  to  January,  18825 
J.  Melugin,  January  to  July,  1882. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows:  J.  Melugin,  C.  P.;  H, 
Rosenkrans,  S.  W.;  W.  O.  Crumb,  J.  W.;  H,  C.  Inman,  H.  P.; 
Allen  Moore,  Scribe;  H.  Rosenkrans,  Treasurer.  The  present 
membership  is  about  twenty.  The  encampment  meets  the  second 
and  fourth  Thursdays  of  each  month.  It  is  in  good  condition 
financially,  but  has  not  a  very  large  membership. 

Marble  Rock  Lodge,  No.  362,  /.  0.  O.  F..,  was  instituted  by  S. 
G.  Blythe,  of  Granite  Rock  Lodge,  at  Nora  Springs,  Feb.  2,  1877- 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  five  charter  members:     C.  J. 


UinOK  TOWNSHIP.  1077 

Clark,  Hiram  Rosenkrans,  L.  J.  Keyes,  J.  W.  Darland,  and  Allen 
Moore.  At  the  first  meeting  also  J.  B.  Scherraerhorn  was  elected 
to  membership,  he  holding  a  dismissal  card  from  another  lodge. 
This  first  meeting  was  held  in  the  daytime.  In  the  evening  of  the 
same  day,  twenty-one  new  members  were  initiated,  thus  giving  the 
lodge  twenty-seven  members  to  start  with.  At  the  same  meeting 
officers  were  elected  as  follows:  J.  W.  Darland,  N.  G.;  L.  J. 
Keyes,  V.  G. ;  W.  M.  Wade,  R.  Sec. ;  J.  P.  Schermerhorn,  P.  Sec. : 
C.  J.  Clark,  Treasury.  The  following  officers  were  then  appointed 
by  the  JNoble  Grand:  H.  Rosenkrans,  Warden;  W.  E.  Hodgin, 
Conductor;  0.  D.  Kindall,  R.  S.  to  KG.;  C.  M.  Diistin,  L.  S.  to 
I^.  G.;  Samuel  Rex,  O.  G. ;  0.  F.  Beelar,  I.  G.;  R.  F.  Wilke,  R. 
S.  S.;  R.  Huggitt,  L.  S,  S.;  W.  Harrison,  R.  S.  to  Y.  G.;  W.  A. 
Clayton,  L.  S.  to  Y.  G.  The  first  Trustees  were  E.  A.  Rosenkrans, 
George  Luce  and  I.  M.  Hatches.  The  Noble  Grand  appointed 
as  a  Finance  Committee,  H.  Rosenkrans,  W.  Harrison  and  W.  A. 
Clayton. 

The  office  of  Noble  Grand  has  been  filled  as  follows:  February 
to  July,  1877,  J.  W.  Darland;  July,  1877, -to  July,  1878,  W.  A. 
Clayton;  July,  1878,  to  January,  1879,  W.  E.  Hodgin;  January  to 
July,  1879,  W.  A.  Clayton;  July,  1879,  to  January,  1880,  W. 
Wade;  January  to  July,  1880,  Robert  Huggitt;  July,  1880,  to 
January,  1881,  John  Melugin;  January  to  July,  1881,  W.  A. 
Clayton;  July,  1881,  to  January,  1882,  Wm.  O.  Crumb;  January 
to  July,  1882,  H.  Rosenkrans;  July,  1882,  to  January,  1883,  H.  C. 
In  man. 

The  charter  was  granted  Oct.  18,  1877,  and  is  signed  by  Herman 
Block,  G.  M.,  and  William  Ganes,  G.  S.  The  present  officers  are 
as  follows:  H.  C.  Inman,  N.  G.;  W.  O.  Crumb,  Y.  G.;  John 
Melugin,  R.  Sec;  John  Melugin,  P.  Sec. ;  Robert  Huggitt,  War- 
den; H.  B.  Nies,  Conductor;  William  Wagner,  O.  G.;  George 
Schultz,  I.  G.;  H.  Montrose,  R.  S.  to  N.  G.;  W.  Kinney,  L.  S.  to 
V.  G.  The  membership  is  now  forty-six,  and  the  lodge  is  pros- 
perous financially  and  otherwise.  It  meets  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall 
every  Mond;iy  evening. 

Marble  Rock  Lodge,  No.  96,  /.  L.  of  II.,  was  organized  Nov.  15, 
1880,  by  Instituting  Officer  Holm,  with  a  charter  membership  of 
twenty-nine.  The  first  officers  were  as  folh)ws:  John  Goodmiller, 
President;  T.  W.  Boon,  Yice-President;  William  A.  Clayton, 
Recording  Secretary;  A.  J.   Asper,  Financial  Secretary;   A.    W.  . 


1078  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Hawks,  Treasurer;  C.  J.  Clark,  Chaplain ;  W.  F.  Hall,    Usher;  O. 
W.  Wallace,  Door-keeper;  G.  M.  Hubbard,  Sentinel. 

The  office  of  President  lias  been  tilled  by  John  Goodmiller,  until 
July  1,  1882,  when  L.  W.  Rosenkrans  was  elected  to  that  office. 

The  present  membership  is  eighteen.  The  present  officers, 
chosen  July  1,  1882  are  as  follows:  L.  W.  Rosenkrans,  President; 
G.  M.  Hubbard,  Yice-President;  K.  J.  i\ckley.  Recording  Secrcr 
tary;  Samuel  Sours,  Financial  Secretary;  A.  W.  Hawks,  Treasurer; 
O.  W.Wallace,  Chaplain;  C.  C.  Brown,  Usher;  Egbert  Hawks, 
Door-keeper;  Peter  Halstead,  Sentinel.  The  lodge  meets  the  first 
and  third  Tuesdays  of  each  month. 

The  purposes  of  this  organization  are  similar  to  those  of  other 
secret  societies,  chiefly  insurance.  It  pays  $2,000  to  the  family  ot 
any  member  who  dies.  The  only  other  lodge  in  the  county  is  at 
Charles  Citj. 

The  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars  had  for  many  years  a 
flourishing  lodge  at  Marble  Rock.  It  was  organized  in  1858,  and 
among  the  first  members  were:  H.  C.  Inman,  Samuel  Rex,  George 
E.  Frost,  Wolsey  Hawks,  Ephraim  Inman,  L.  S.  Horr,  Alonzo 
Inman,  Egbert  Hawks  and  C.  F.  Beelar.  H.  C.  Inman  was  the 
first  Worthy  Chief  Templar.  x^mong  the  first  lady  members 
were  Sarah  McCollun  (now  Mrs.  H.  C.  Inman),  Mrs.  A.  M.  Sours, 
Mrs.  Emily  Ackley  and  Emeline  Comstock  (now  Mrs.  Nicholas 
Rosenkrans).  The  lodge  had  a  continuous  existence  except  for  an 
interval  of  about  three  years  at  the  close  of  the  war.  At  times  it 
was  very  strong,  having  at  one  time  a  membership  of  seventy. 
For  many  years  it  averaged  thirty.  The  charter  was  surrendered 
in  June,  1880. 

Charit'ij  Chapter,  No.  49,  0.  E.  8.,  was  organized  May  25,  1877, 
by  J.  A.  Carson  and  Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Mathews,  of  Fidelity  Chapter, 
at  Rockford.  The  following  were  the  officers  elected  at  this  meet- 
ing: G.  H.  Nicholas,  W.  P.;  Mrs.  M.  E.  Hodg;n,  W.  M.;  Mrs. 
E»  A.  Rosenkrans,  A.M.;  Mrs.  W.  A.  Judd,  Treasurer;  Mary 
Judd,  Secretary;  Mrs.  J.  W.  Darland,  Conductress  ;  Mrs.  L.  S. 
Horr,  Assistant  Conductress;  Mrs.  Mattie  Darland,  Adah;  Mrs. 
C.  Hutches,  Ruth;  Mrs.  G.  H.  Nichols,  Esther;  Mrs.  Martha  Brown, 
Martha;  Mrs.  Mary  Winchell,  Electa;  Dr.  E.  B.  Haines,  Warden; 
W.  E.  Hodgin,  Sentinel.  The  chapter  has  not  met  since  July  22, 
1881,  though  there  are  about  thirty  members  resident  here. 

The  Patrons  of  Husbandry  had  a  grange  at  Marble  Rock  about 
1873,  which  met  for  about  a  year,  and  then  died  out.     Among  the 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  '  1079 

prominent  members  were  J.  T.  Baltimore,  Loren  Inraan  and  H. 
Lorej.  For  a  time  the  organization  was  very  strong,  and  its  mem- 
bers very  active. 

OTHER   SOCIETIES. 

The  Marhle  Hock  Cornet  Baud  was  organized  about  1875,  and 
has  had  a  continuous  existence  ever  since.  It  has  now  nine  mem- 
bers, as  follows:  L.  B.  Clark,  E  Flat  Cornet;  J.  P.  Kindall,  B  Flat 
Cornet;  Dr.  A.  M.  Brown,  E  Flat  Cornet;  B.  Greenwood,  Solo 
Alto;  C.  Jessino  e.  Tenor;  T.  Manchester,  Tenor;  J.  Ritter, Tuba; 
William  Ritter,  Bass  Drum;  William  Noble,  Snare  Drum.  The 
band  has  played  principally  at  home,  but  occasionally  visits  Rock- 
ford,  Greene,  and  other  neighboring  places.  Connected  with  the 
band  is  the  Marble  Rock  Orchestra,  composed  of  the  i'ollowing 
members:  J.  P.  Kindall,  Leader,  First  Yiolin ;  B.  Greenwood,  Second 
Violin;  S.  B.  Clark,  Cornet;  J.  Wilson,  Clarionet;  O.  P.  Schermer- 
horn,  Bass  Yiol  and  Caller. 

The  MarNe  Rock  Woinan's  Ohristian  Temperance  Union  was 
organized  June  21,  1882,  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  by 
Mrs.  J.  C.  Lockwood,  County  President.  The  officers  elected  at 
that  time  were  as  follows:  Mrs.  C.  E.  Hightshoe,  President;  Mrs. 
S.  P.  BisSell,  Vice-President;  Mrs.  H.  H.  Davidson,  Secretary; 
Mrs.  H.  C.  Inman,  Treasurer.  The  union  has  a  membership  of 
about  Hfty,  and  considerable  interest  is  manifested  in  the  work. 
The  members  feel  quite  hopeful  that  the  society,  though  young, 
will  soon  be  productive  of  much  good.  They  meet  alternate  Wed- 
nesda3^s  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Our  Coantrifa  Defenders  was  the  name  of  an  organization 
some  what  similar  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Its 
membership  comprised  ex-soldiers,  and  the  society  was  designed  to 
promote  the  interest  of  those  who  took  up  arms  in  defense  of  their 
country.  It  was  a  secret  organization,  with  a  regular  ritual  and 
paraphernalia.  An  encampment  was  organized  at  Marble  Rock, 
June  9,  1880,  but  no  charter  was  received,  so  that  no  meetings 
have  been  held  since.  « 

The  following  officers  were  duly  elected:  W.  D.  Lamb,  Com- 
mander; John  Goodniiller,  Lieutenant;  Willard  Bucklin,  Adjutant; 
il.  Garber,  (Quartermaster;  II.  S.  Waist,  Sergeant-Major;  James 
Conner,  Quartermaster-Sergeant;  A.  A.  Egnew,  Chaplain;  Snxith 
S.  Boon,  Officer  of  the  Day;  Milou  Ilubbaid,  Officer  of  the 
Guard  ;  Horace  Hawks,  Drum  Major;  Wiley  Boon,  Chief  Musician. 


1080  HISTORY   OF    FLOYD    COUNTY. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

C.  T.,  Ackley  was  born  in  Pittsfield,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.» 
July  25,  1833.  He  was  the  sixth  child  of  James  and  Nancy 
Ackley.  Mr.  Ackley  made  New  York  his  home  till  1855,  when  he 
came  to  Iowa,  arriving  in  Union  Township,  this  county,  on  the 
24th  day  of  November.  The  same  fall  he  pre-empted  the  farm  ot 
160  acres,  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  20,  township  94,  range 
17,  about  two  miles  southwest  of  Marble  Rock.  The  year  follow- 
ing his  arrival  he  built  the  first  residence  in  Aureola,  and  was  the 
first  white  resident  of  that  place.  Here  they  lost  a  child,  Marian, 
at  about  the  age  of  four  months;  this  was  the  first  death  of  the 
place.  The  high  water  caused  considerable  malaria,  and  Mr- 
Ackley  and  his  wife  were  both  afflicted  with  the  malady,  which 
caused  them  to  change  their  location.  He  then  moved  to  his  farm, 
where  he  had  just  completed  the  building  of  a  fine  large  frame 
house.  This  home  they  enjoyed  till  April,  1860,  when  it  was 
destroyed  entirely  by  fire;  the  building  was  not  the  only  loss- 
Having  no  granary  he  placed  in  this  house  all  his  grain,  which 
was  also  lost,  as  well  as  the  greater  portion  of  his  furniture. 
Though  Mr.  Ackley  has  furnished  us  much  interesting  matter,  we 
believe  he  could  have  furnished  even  more  had  he  not  lost  in  this 
fire  a  diary  which  he  had  kept  since  coming  to  this  country.  He 
a  once  erected  a  log  house  that  served  as  a  home  till  the  year 
1879,  when  he  built  one  of  the  best  residences  in  the  county.  His 
surroundings  are  beautified  with  shade  and  fruit  trees,  so  that  he 
has  one  of  the  finest  homes  and  farms  in  the  Northwest.  On  the 
15th  day  of  January,  1861,  he  started  with  his  family  for  New 
York;  on  account  of  snow  blockades,  it  took  them  seventeen  days 
to  get  to  Dubuque;  they  shoveled  snow  most  of  the  way.  They 
returned  in  November,  1862,  to  this  county.  In  December,  1863, 
Mr.  Ackley  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Seventh  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantrj',  Judge  Heiniger,  Captain.  Served  his  country  till  the 
war  closed,  being  discharged  in  July,  1865.  His  life  as  a  soldier 
was  an  active  one,  participating  in  many  hard  engagements;  a  few 
of  the  most  prominent  ones  wev  give  below.  We  can  group 
them  by  saying  he  was  in  all  the  battles  near  Atlanta,  Peach  Tree 
Creek  and  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea.  Pumpkin  Vine,  Dallas,  Jones- 
borough  ;  here  the  color-bearer  was  wounded,  and  Mr.  Ackley 
carried  the  colors  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  never  wounded? 
but  has  stood  touching  elbows  with  men  who  were  shot.  A 
marvelous  incident  is  related  by  Mr.  Ackley,  that  we  make  note  of 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1081 

here,  illustrating  liow  often  death's  missiles,  though  their  numbers 
are  legion,  are  ineffective:  At  Jonesborough  they  were  ordered 
to  charge  upon  the  enemy  double  quick;  during  this  act  the  shot 
and  shell  and  rifle  balls  rained  down  upon  them  like  hail,  and  not 
a  single  man  was  wounded.  Tliey  had  scarcely  made  this  charge 
till  they  were  ordered  to  make  a  similar  charge  in  another  direc- 
tion; this  they  did  under  as  heavy  a  tire  as  before,  and  not  a  single 
man  was  hit  with  a  missile  of  death.  Of  course  this  is  no*:  the 
rule  but  a  marvelous  exception.  At  the  battle  of  Ray's  Ferry, 
Georgia,  there  were  sixty-three  men  killed  and  wounded  in  his 
regiment  in  less  than  thirty  minutes  The  last  three  months  of 
Mr.  Ackley's  service  he  was  in  the  rear,  on  account  of  sickness 
contracted  by  the  exposure  of  army  life.  Part  of  this  time  he 
was  in  the  hospital;  we  are  sorry  to  have  to  add  that  he  has  never 
recovered  fuUffrom  those  troubles;  it  seems  almost  cruel  in  nature 
to  furnish  men  with  disease  the  balance  of  their  livds,  w  i o  hive 
contracted  it  in  the  defense  of  their  country.  Sinwe  Mr.  A-kle/'s 
return  from  the  army,  he  has  resided  upon  his  farm  with  the 
exception  of  three  years,  when  he  rented  his  farm  and  lived  in 
Marble  Rock.  Mr.  Ackley  was  married  in  New  York  State  in 
1863,  to  Mas  Elizabeth  Thayer,  a  native  of  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. 
They  have  a  family  of  three  children — Leonora  E  ,  now  the 
wif  of  Charles  Morrison,  and  resides  in  Phillip  County,  Kas.  ; 
Elborn  D.,  now  twenty-one  years  of  age;  Merton  I.,  twelve  years 
of  age.  Tiie  sons  are  both  residing  at  home.  Mr.  Ackley  has 
been  a  life  long  Republican  and  Prohibitionist,  voting  tirsr  for 
J.  0.  Fremont.  Has  held  the  office  of  Assessor  and  Township 
Trustee  several  times,  being  among  the  first  elected. 

G.  C.  Ackley  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N".  Y.,  in  1827.  He 
wa^  the  third  chiM  of  James  and  Nancy  Ackley.  Here  Mr.  Ackley 
made  his  home  till  1853,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la., 
where  he  remained  only  a  short  time,  when  he  went  t »  Illinois  and 
remained  three  or  four  months  ;  then  lie  returned  to  this  coimty, 
staid  about  six  months,  when  he  again  returned  to  Illinois  and 
staid  till  1855,  when  he  and  the  rest  of  the  family  came  to  this 
county,  and  have  since  resided.  G.  C.  Ackley  resiles  where  he 
first  settled  with  his  parents,  situated  on  section  2),  Union  Town, 
ship.  Mr.  Ackley  was  mir  ied  m  this  county  in  18t)9,  to  Miss 
Lucinda  Yanduzen.  Their  family  C'>ns  sts  of  f  )ur  chil  Inn —  Wra. 
Henry,  Lilly  Elmer,  Charles  E.  and  Gcurge  M.  Mr.  Ackley  is 
66 


1082  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

not  only  first  among  the  citizens  of  this  county  in  point  of  time, 
but  in  point  of  citizenship.  Thou<^h  not  an  aspirant  for  ofiice  he 
has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  success  of  the  JRepub- 
lican  party.  Mr.  Ackley  is  another  man  who,  by  his  life,  has 
demonstrated  that  it  requires  a  man  of  energy  and  pluck  to  face 
these  pioneer  hardship?. 

James  AcMey  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  March  12, 
1799  ;  married  Nancy  Brightman  in  New  York,  April  18,  1822, 
She  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  Aug.  18,  1797.  Moved  to  Illinois 
in  1864.  Came  to  Iowa  Nov.  24,  1S65,  driving  from  Illinois  with 
a  team,  and  settled  upon  the  farm  where  G.  C.  Ackley  now  resides 
on  section  20,  township  94,  range  17.  Here  he  made  his  home 
till  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  1,  1870.  Mrs.  Ackley  is  still 
living.  Both  were  members  of  the  Free-Will  Baptist  church. 
James  Ackley's  family  consisted  of  eleven  children  ;  nine  grew  to 
man  and  womanhood,  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom 
aie  still  supposed  to  be  living.  Their  relative  positions  with  regard 
to  ai<e  follow  as  their  names  are  given  below  —  David,  died  at  the 
age  of  ten,  by  falling  from  a  tree  and  severing  the  jugular  vein 
on  a  snag  that  had  been  cut  sharp  with  an  ax  ;  Nancy  died  at  the 
age  of  two,  acc'dentally  scalded  by  pulling  a  kettle  of  hot  water 
onto  herself;  J.  M.  and  G.  C.'s  sketches  we  have  already  in  this 
work  ;  Wm.  H.  came  to  Iowa  in  1853,  returned  to  New  York  in 
1857 ;  atter  visiting  there  a  short  time  he  took  the  train  for  the 
West  again,  as  his  friends  supposed,  but  since  that  day  has  n(;ver 
been  heard  from  ;  Sally  E.  married  Henry  Schennerhorn  in  New 
York  State  and  came  West  in  1855  ;  Mr.  Schermerhorn  died  in 
Febrnary,  18S2  ;  the  widow  resides  in  Scott  Township  with  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  Henry  Montrose  ;  C.  T.  and  Russel's  sketches  are 
also  in  this  work  ;  Fannie  married  Egbert  Davis,  whose  sketch 
will  also  be  found  here  ;  Judson,  whose  sketch  will  also  be  found 
in  this  work  ;  Mary  Jane  married  Sam  liex,  whose  sketch  will  be 
lound  in  this  work. 

J.  M.  Ackley  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1825.  He 
is  the  oldest  living  child  of  James  and  Nancy  Ackley.  Mr.  Ackley 
made  that  State  his  home  till  he  came  to  Iowa,  which  was  in  the 
winter  of  1853,  locating  in  Union  Township,  Floyd  County.  The 
tirc^t  two  years  he  was  scarcely  settled  in  this  county,  b.it  spent  a 
portion  of  it  in  Illinois  visiting  friends  and  working.  The  second 
year  he  returned  to  New  York,  and  remained  only  about  ten 
months,  when  he  returned  to  Iowa  in  company  with  his  brother 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1083 

C.  T.  and  liis  wife,  and  his  own  wife.  At  that  date  they  could  not 
go  on  the  cars  further  than  Dunliff;  from  there  to  Cedar  Falls  they 
staged  it.  From  there  they  had  to  hire  a  conveyance,  paying  $12 
for  the  pleasure  of  riding  over  the  wild  prairie.  In  1855  Mr. 
Ackley  and  his  brother  C.  T.  pre-empted  320  acres  of  land,  and 
built  a  long  shanty.  They  had  a  partition  through  this  building, 
each  amily  living  upon  his  own  land,  thus  securing  the  clear  title 
to  the  land  under  the  law.  Upon  this  land  Mr.  Ackley  still 
resides,  being  situated  on  section  29,  range  91:  west,  Union  Town- 
ship; has  added  to  his  first  purchase,  so  that  now  he  owns  in  all 
215  acres.  In  the  year  1872,  or  thereabout,  he  built  him-^elfatine 
residence,  being  one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  His  home  is  nicely 
situated  and  presents  a  fine  appearance.  Mr.  Ackley  is  now  en- 
joying the  fruits  of  a  life  of  ambition  and  energy  and  industry. 
He  began  at  the  stump,  as  some  term  it,  and  has  raised  himself 
to  a  position  of  independence.  His  start  in  this  county  was  dis- 
couraging. On  the  way  he  and  his  brother  C.  T.  each  lost  a laige  box 
of  clothing,  supposed  to  be  burned  up  in  the  Chicago  depot,  the 
most  of  which  was  new  and  badly  needed,  for  they  were  without  a 
change  of  clothes  and  nearly  out  of  money.  These  were  indeed 
dark  days.  But  for  these  stout-hearted  pioneers  the  grand  West, 
now  swarming  with  busy  people  and  waving  with  rich  harvests, 
would  be  a  desert  still.  Mr.  Ackley  was  married  in  1855  to  Miss 
Julina  Thayer,  a  native  of  New  York.  They  have  no  family 
living;  lost  two  children  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ackley  have 
been  members  of  the  Free- Will  Baptist  Church  for  the  past  twenty- 
five  years.  Mr.  Ackley  was  never  an  ofiice-seeker  though  he  has 
been  a  life-long  and  solid  Republican. 

JR.  J.  Ackley  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.   Y.,  in  1835.     He 
was  the  sixth  child  of  James  and  Nancy  Ackley.     When  Mr.  Ack- 
ley came  to  Iowa  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  it  being  in  1855. 
He  located  in  Marble  Rock,  where  ho  still  resides.     lie  spent  the 
summer   of  1855    traveling  in  Minnesota  looking  at  the  country; 
afterward  clerked  in  a  store  nearly  a  year  in  Marble  Rock;  the  year 
following  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade.     The  winter  of  1860  he 
taught  school  in  Rock  Grove,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of 
Mr.  Gaylord.      From  this  date  till  1870  he  was  principally  engMged 
in  farming,  though  he  worked  at  the  trade  of  carpenter  some  of  the 
time.     In  1870  he  went  into  the  hotel  business  and  ran  the  Marble 
Rock  Hotel  nearly  a  year.  The  year  following  he  clcrke  1  for  Shep- 
ardson   &  Beelar,  dry-goods    merchants.     The  year  following  he 


1084  HI8T0EY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

resumed  farming,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  assumed  the 
manngement  of  the  elevator  and  continued  at  it  three  years.  He 
again  engaged  in  farming  and  continued  at  it  until  1879,  when  he 
took  chf:rge  of  the  Beelar  House  and  ran  it  nearly  two  years.  At 
this  date  we  find  him  still  a  resident  of  Marble  R-)ck,  ein'ovinor  a 
fine  home  and  the  society  of  his  many  friends.  Mr.  Aekley  was 
married  July  6,  1861,  to  Miss  Maria  J.  Baltimore,  daughter  of  Ash- 
bury  Baltimore,  They  have  a  family  of  six  children — Ella  Irene, 
Yiva  Estell,  Nancy  Isabel,  Ashbury  J.,  Bertha  Mny  and  Nellie 
Ethel.  Mr.  Ackley  is  a  member  of  the  [owa  Legion  of  Honor. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  Prohibitionist;  has  held  the 
ofiice  of  Town  Olerk  one  year,  Trustee  two  years,  and  Constable 
four  years,  and  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  Town  Council. 

/S.  J.  Ackley  vras  born  in  New  York  State  in  1810.  He  was  the 
youngest  son  of  James  and  Nancy  Ackle3\  At  the  age  of  twelve  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  Iowa,  locatingin  Floyd  County.  He  made 
his  home  with  his  parents  about  six  years  after  coming  to  the 
county.  In  1859  he  married  Miss  Emily  Rex.  At  this  date  he 
commenced  for  himself  by  renting  land.  In  1866  he  lost  his  wife 
who  lefc  him  three  children — Idi  V.  mikes  har  home  with  her 
grandmother;  Garrison,  married  and  a  fanner;  Djslemona  A. 
makes  her  father^s  house  her  home.  Mr.  Ackley  mirried  his  sec- 
ond wife,  Sarah  J.  Asper,  in  1870.  They  hive  three  children  — 
Arrainta  P.,  Nellie  Ann  and  Joseph  H.  Politically  Mr.  Ackley  is  a 
Republican. 

J.  D.  Anthony  was  born  in  New  York  State,  March  30,  1833. 
Here  he  made  his  home  till  he  was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  when 
he  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  remained  about  ten  years,  in  White- 
side County.  About  six  months  after  going  to  Illinois,  his  father, 
Peter,  and  mother,  JS'ancy  Anthony,  joined  him  and  made  his  house 
their  home  while  he  remaitied  in  the  State.  Mr.  Anthony  came  to 
Floyd  County  ia  1864,  locating  in  Maible  Rock,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  Shortly  after  he  left  Illinois  his  father  died,  and  his 
mother  made  her  home  with  her  son,  A.  P.  Anttiony,  in  Chicago, 
for  about  eleven  year.-^,  when  she  came  to  Iowa,  and  again  made  her 
home  with  her  son,  J.  D.  Anthony,  till  her  death,  which  occurred 
in  1878;  her  remains  lie  in  the  Marble  Rock  Cemetery.  In  New 
York  he  learned  the  heavy  brace  carpenter's  trade.  After  going  to 
Illinois  he  turned  his  attention  almost  absolutely  to  farm  work,  at 
which  he  worked  most  of  the  time  while  i  i  the  State,  and  since 
coming  to  Iowa  has  turned  his  attention    principally  to  carpenter- 


UNION   TOWNSHIP.  1085 

ing,  doing  the  most  of  the  building  in  Marble  Rock.  The  fine 
Bchool-honse  is  a  grand  monument  to  his  memory.  He  has  built 
for  himselfone  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  county.  His  sur- 
roundings are  naturally  beautiful  and  embellished  without  so  that 
he  has  one  of  the  grandest  homes  on  the  Shell  Rock  River,  The 
house  presents  a  grand  view  from  its  commanding  position,  over- 
looking some  of  the  finest  beauties  of  nature's  art  up  and  down  the 
Shell  Rock.  Mr.  Anthony  deserves  great  credit  for  the  pluck  and 
energy  in  his  pioneer  life,  and  its  conflicts  with  hard  times.  He 
has  raised  a  family  of  five  children  and  keeps  them  in  school  con- 
stantly, and  means  to  furnish  each  with  a  good  education.  Mr. 
Anthony  was  married  Nov.  16,  1862,  to  Miss  Magdaline  Clay. 
The  names  of  the  children  are — John  J.,  Clara  C,  Albert  A., 
Nancy  BeU,  and  Anna  Edith. 

W.  H.  Ash  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  in  1852.  He  is  a  son  of  W". 
D.  Ash,  a  resident  of  Wisconsin.  W.  H.  Ash  made  his  home  in 
Wisconsin  till  the  spring  of  1881,  when  he  moved  to  Cerro  Gordo 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  till  September  of  the  same  year; 
at  this  date  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  locating  upon 
the  farm  of  164  acres,  where  he  still  resides,  on  the  Shell  Rock 
River,  about  three  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Marble  Rock.  He  is 
at  present  cultivating  about  eighty  acres.  Mr.  Ash  was  married 
Jan.  27,  1872,  to  Miss  Martha  Hales,  a  native  of  England,  being 
born  there  in  1860,  and  coming  to  America  at  about  the  age  of 
one  year.  She  was  a  daughter  of  James  Hales,  who  resided  in 
Wisconsin.  He  died  in  1864.  They  have  one  son — Leland,  nearly 
three  years  of  age.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  though  his  wile's 
influence  is  in  favor  of  the  Republican  party.  Mr.  Ash  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  order  of  Freemasons. 

A.  J.  Asper  was  born  in  Summit  County,  0.,  in  1836.  At  the 
age  of  thirteen  ho  commenced  to  do  for  himself  by  running  a  retail 
patent-medicine  wagon  in  Ohio.  At  this  he  was  engaged  about 
four  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  went  to  Plainfield, 
111.,  and  worked  in  a  drug  store  with  E.  G.  Wright  about  five 
years.  In  1858  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  locating  iu 
Marble  Rock,  Union  Townsiiip,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  till 
1863.  Ill  February,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Seventh 
Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry;  served  on  the  Atlanta  campaign  as  far 
as  Big  Shanty,  Northern  Georgia;  then  was  put  into  detached 
service  with  the  Western  Sanitary  Commission,  headquarters  at  St. 
Louis;  operated  at  the  front  till  Atlanta  was  vacated,  when  he  re- 


1086  HI8T0KY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

turned  to  St.  Lonis  and  remained  in  the  same  avocation  till  he  was 
mustered  out  in  July,  1865,  when  he  returned  to  Marble  Rock  and 
engaged  in  the  grucerj  business;  this  he  continued  about  two 
years,  when  he  sold  out  and  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  grain, 
at  which  he  continued  about  eight  years.  In  1880  he  purchased  an 
entire  new  stock  of  drugs,  and  is  still  engaged  in  that  business.  A 
word  of  C'^raraent  being  admissible,  we  wish  to  say  he  has  a  fine 
store  and  is  doing  a  very  good  business.  In  Marble  Rock,  March 
13,  1860,  he  and  Miss  0.  S.  Hawks  were  united  in  marriage.  She 
was  a  native  of  New  York  State.  They  have  a  fumily  of  five  chil- 
dren—  Roderic  R.,  Cora  £.,  Nora  M.,  Edith  I.,  Blanche  E.,  Carl  J. 
Russell  Z.Bailey  was  born  in  Bedford,  Cuyahoga  County,  O. , 
July  27,  1838.  He  was  a  son  of  David  and  Eltnira  Bailey,  both 
natives  of  New  England.  Mr.  Bailey  lived  in  Ohio  till  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  DeKalb 
County,  111.,  where  he  resided  till  August,  1861,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  A,  Second  Illinois  Light  Artillery;  served  his  coun- 
tr_y  three  years  and  was  mustered  out  in  September,  1861:,  at 
Springfield,  111.  He  was  never  wounded  nor  taken  prisoner,  though 
he  was  in  some  of  the  hardest- fought  battles  of  the  Rebellion, 
among  the  more  prominent  of  which  were  the  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
battles  of  Coflfeyville  and  Hickman,  besides  a  host  of  sharp  skir- 
mishes. Immediately  after  his  return  from  the  army  he  "came  to 
Floyd  County,  la.,  and  remained  about  six  months,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Illinois  and  remained  about  a  year,  when,  in  the  fall  of 
1866,  he  returned  to  this  county  to  make  his  home.  His  first  pur- 
chase was  on  section  21,  consisting  of  160  acres,  where  he  lived 
three  years,  when  he  sold  to  Isaac  Shultz,  and  bought  the  farm  of 
160  acres  where  he  now  resides,  on  section  27,  about  three  miles 
southeast  of  Marble  Rock.  The  railroad  cutting  off  about  forty 
acres  on  the  west  side,  he  has  since  purchased  eighty  acres  on  sec- 
tion 30,  about  three  miles  southwest  of  Marble  Rock.  He  also 
owns  200  acres  six  miles  west  of  Marble  Rock,  in  Scott  Township, 
mating  in  all  440  acres,  besides  some  property  in  the  village  of 
Marble  Rock.  He  j)uts  in  crop  yearly  about  150  acres,  besides 
keeping  from  thirty  to  fort}'  head  of  cattle  and  horses,  and  from 
forty  to  fifty  ho^^s.  In  1870  he  built  one  of  the  best  farm  houses 
in  the  county,  the  other  buildings  and  surroundings  being  in  keep- 
ing with  the  house.  Mr.  Bailey  was  married  in  Sycamore,  111.,  in 
1865  to  Cora  Robison,  a  native  of  New  York  State.  They  have 
four  children— Loey  R.,   Elroy  B.,   Leon  A.,   and  Earl  R,,  ages, 


TH£  ?*£W  ^n.RK 
PUBLIC  imaARY 


ASTOR  LEttOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS 


7 


'  r/ 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1087 

nfteen,  ten,  eight,  and    three  respectively.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailej 
and  their  eldest  son  are  members  of  the  Baptist  churuh. 

Ashhury  Baltiraore  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  O.,  near 
Dayton,  June  16,  1807.    At  about  the  age  of  twelve,  he  went  with 
his  father,  Pnilip  Baltimore,  to  Wayne  County,   Ind.,  where  Mr. 
Ashbury  Baltimore  farmed  for  about  thirty  years,  when   he  went 
to  Michigan  and  farmed  about  five  years.     At  the  expiration  of 
this  time  he  returned  to  Indiana  and  farmed  four  years.     June  29, 
1853,  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  locating  in  what 
is  now  known  as  Marble  Rock,  Union  Township.     Has  baen  inter- 
ested in  farming  principally  ever  since  coming  to  the  county.     He 
was  the  second  man  who  settled  in  the  township.     In   those  days 
he  had  to  go  to  Cedar   Rapids  for   provisions,  and  hial  grain  to 
Independence,  Waterloo  and  McQ-regor.   The  price  of  wheat  some- 
times was  as  low  as  thirty-five  cents  a  bushel,  but  usually  ranged 
from  seventy-five  to  eighty  cents,  while  pork  was  from  three  to  five 
dollars.     He  srot  one  dollar  for  his  first  wheat  and  fifteen  cents  for 
liis  first  pjrk,  dressed.      Mr.    Baltimore  owns  200  acres  of  land 
three  miles  from  tha  pleasant  village  of    Marble  R)ck,  which  he 
superintends  still.     He  owns  also  a  pleasant  home  in   the  village 
besides  ten  town  lots  nicely  situated,  that  will  soon  be  occupied  as 
village  homes.      He  was  the  first  man   in  the  county  who  ever  got 
a  premium  on  a  wolf  and  wild-cat  scalp,  which  he  received  in  1856. 
Tne  first  school  in    the  township  was  taught  in  his  house.     Mr- 
Baltimore  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  Nov.  4,    1830,  to 
Miss  Sarah  Ritter.   She  was  also  a  native  of  Ohio,  being  born  there 
Sept.  3,   1812.     Their  family  consisted  of   nine  children,  six  of 
whom  are  now  living.     They  all  reside  in  Union  Township  except 
one  son,  who  resides  in  Nebraska — Louiza,    born  Aug.    16,  1833, 
now  the  wife  of  Peter  Vorhes;  Maria,  bjrn  Dec.  25,  1810,  married 
R.J.  Ackley;  Sarah,  born  Feb.  7,   1813,  married   Liban  Vorhes; 
John,  born  Dec.  5,  18 14,  married  Tilla  Palfcrd;  Diantha,  born  Oct. 
4,  1848,  married   Charles   F.  Bejlar;   Mary,   born  June  23,  1850, 
married  William  Bucklin.    Of  this  large  family  we  can  but  remark 
they  are  well  wortiiy  the  pride  of  their  father,  since  they  are  all 
acting    well    tlieir   parts   in  life,  anl  are  well  to  do.     And   they 
in  return  can  be  proui  of  a  father  who  had  the  courage  to  face  all 
the    hard.ships  of  pioneer  life  in  order  to    secure   homes  for  his 
chillren.      Mr.  Baltimore  is  one  of  those  few  men  who  lias  by  his 
own  exertions  wrung  from   the  hard   hau  1  of  toil  a  property  that 
makes  him  independent.     He  is  one  of  those  men,   too,  who  has 


1088  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

helped  lay  the  foundation  to  Floyd  County's  successful  history.  It 
the  coming  generation  maintain  the  good  order  and  society  these 
stout-handed  men  did,  they  will  be  doing  more  than  is  expected 
of  them.  Mrs.  Baltimore's  mother  is  still  living  with  them  at  the 
advanced  age  of  ninety-eight.  An  incident  that  will  long  be 
remembered  by  his  family,  who  were  nearly  all  present  at  the  time, 
we  make  note  of  here,  as  almost  a  miraculous  draft  of  fishes.  One 
of  the  severe  winters  not  long  after  coming  to  this  county,  he  con- 
ceived the  idea  that  there  might  be  some  fish  caught  by  cutting 
through  the  ice.  This  was  done  with  great  success,  securing  about 
a  wagon-load  of  beautiful  fish.  While  they  were  engaged  in  this 
they  heard  the  dogs  running  a  deer,  and  presently  a  larg^  one 
came  sliding  and  slipping  on  the  ice,  and  fell  not  far  from  them. 
Mr.  Baltimore  seized  the  grand  opportunity  and  slaughtered  him 
then  and  there.  Yenison  and  fish  were  a  plentiful  article  of  food 
at  the  Baltimore  house  for  some  months  afterward. 

George  Barth^  deceased,  was  born  in  Canada,  Aug.  12,  1836.  He 
remained  in  Canada,  engaged  in  farming,  till  the  9th  of  of  March, 
1872,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  and  bought  the  farm 
where  the  family  still  resides,  on  section  2,  Union  Township, 
about  three  miles  northeast  of  Marble  Rock.  His  first  purchase 
was  three  eighty s;  he  afterward  bouijht  the  balance  of  section  2, 
making  the  only  full  section  farm  in  Union  Township.  Upon  this 
farm  was  a  small  building.  This  he  added  to  and  rebuilt,  so  that 
now  it  is  a  large  farm-house.  This  farm  was  all  wild  land  except 
150  acres.  It  has  since  all  been  cultivated,  except  160  acres, 
which  is  kept  for  pasture  and  timber.  Upon  this  farm  Mr.  Barth 
lived  till  his  death,  which  occurred  March  20,  1878.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Canada,  July  9,  1863,  to  Mary  Harbert,  who  was  born  in 
Germany,  Feb.  29,  1813,  and  went  to  Canada  with  her  parents 
when  she  was  about  four  years  of  age.  The  family  consists  of 
seven  children — Mary,  Margaret.  George,  Lydia,  John,  Daniel  and 
William.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barth  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  Mrs.  Barth  is  still  a  member  of  the  same. 

C.  F.  JBeelar  WAS  horn  in  Missouri,  Nov.  13,  1838;  came  to  Iowa 
with  his  father,  Jacob  Beelar,  when  a  mere  child,  and  has  since 
made  this  State  his  home,  stopping  in  Lee  County  about  six  years, 
and  about  six  years  in  Bremer  County.  At  about  the  age  of  thir- 
teen he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  and  has  since  that  time 
resided  here  upon  the  bank  of  Shell  Rock  River,  where  the 
pleasant  little  village  of  Marble  Rock  now  stands.     He  has  been 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1089 

more  or  less  identified  with  its  growth,  though  he  has  given 
considerable  attention  to  farming.  He  in  company  with  Mr. 
Shepardson  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  two  years  in 
Marble  Rock,  it  being  about  the  year  1870.  In  1871  he  engaged 
in  the  hotel  business,  at  which  he  remained  about  eight  years. 
Since  then  he  has  rented  it  part  of  tlie  time.  He  built  the  hotel 
and  barn  liimself,  which  reflects  considerable  credit  upon  the  town 
and  upon  his  own  enterprise.  In  1880  he  and  N.  H.  Ostraiider 
built  a  creamery  in  the  village,  which  is  quite  an  accession  to  the 
village.  It  is  run  by  the  water-power  of  a  lively  little  brook, 
through  the  auspices  of  a  livelier  eleven-inch  turbine  wheel,  which 
furnishes  an  abundance  of  power.  Its  c;ipacify  for  making  butter 
is,  easily,  800  pounds,  per  day.  He  owns  in  addition  to  his  town 
property  about  230  acres  adjoining  the  village,  which  occupies  a 
portion  of  his  attention.  Politically  we  tind  Mr.  Beelar  a  Repub- 
lican, and  awake  to  the  live  issues  of  the  day,  as  his  bold  energy  in 
behalf  of  the  Amendment  will  illustrate;  has  held  the  office  of 
Constable  and  Town  Clerk,  and  is  now  filling  the  office  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace.  In  1868  he  and  Miss  Diantha  BJtimore 
were  united  in  marriage  in  Marble  Rock.  She  was  a  n  itive  of 
Indiana.  They  have  two  children — Oscar  and  Maudie,  ages  thir- 
teen and  ten  respectively.  Of  Mr.  Beelar  we  beg  leave  to  say  he  is 
not  only  one  of  the  first  men  of  his  township  in  point  of  time  of  set- 
tlement, but  in  point  of  citizenship. 

Jacob  Beelar^  deceased,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  Feb.  22,  1789, 
where  he  made  his  Jiome  with  his  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  till  he 
was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Indiana,  and 
remained  there  till  about  the  year  1838,  when  he  came  to  Iowa, 
locating  first  in  Lee  County,  where  he  remained  about  six  years; 
thence  to  Bremer  County,  and  stopped  about  six  years,  and  in 
February,  1852  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County.  He  too  a 
Government  claim  of  600  or  700  acres,  the  land  not  being  tht-n  in 
market,  but  soon  as  it  was  made  possible  he  entered  ab"ut  480, 
upon  wliich  he  resided  till  liis  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  25,  1858. 
This  property  was  situated  where  Marble  Rock  now  stands.  A 
16x16  log  house  was  the  first  building  erected  in  the  townt^hip. 
This' he  built  in  1851,  the  year  previous  to  bringing  his  family 
into  tlie  county.  In  1852  he  built  another  log  house,  20  x  30. 
Neither  of  these  houses  now  stanti,  the  larger  one  being  destroyed 
only  six  or  seven  years  ago.  Mr.  Beelar  was  the  tirst  settler  in 
this  township,  and  remained  about  one  year  without  a  single  neigh- 


1090  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

bor.     He  married  his  first  wife  in  Indiana,  and  by  her  he  had  six 
children.     He  married  his  second  wife,  Caroline  Fishev,  a  native 
of  Germany,  in  Orawfordsville,  Ind.,  by  whom  he  had  six  chil- 
dren, fonr  still  living;  their  names  are  as  follows:  Cynthia  Ann, 
who  is  now  the  wife  of  Abram  Johnson,  and  resides  in  Homer, 
Hamilton  County,  Iowa;  C.  F.  Beelar  is  the  next  oldest,  who  is 
married   and   resides   at   Marble  Rock,  upon  the  old  homestead; 
Jesse  Mc,  also  married,  and  living  in  Verndale,   Minn ;  Dartha, 
now   the   wife   of  Jacob  Rex,  residing   at   Puget  Sound,    Wash. 
Ter.,  where  Mrs.  Beelar  is  living  with  his   daughter,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  seventy-six.    Mr.  Beelar  was  a  man  of  perfect  phys- 
ical organization  and  health,  being  five  feet  and  ten  inches  tdl,  and 
weighing  about  240  pounds.     He   was  identified  with  the  war  of 
1812. 

S.  P.  Bissell  was  born  in  Aurora,  Portage  County,  Ohio,  in 
1826.  Here  he  made  his  home  till  about  twenty-eight  years  of  age; 
he  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  good  common-school  edu- 
cation; at  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  entered  the  Twinsburg  Acad 
emy,  where  he  remained  two  years,  during  part  of  which  time  he 
was  an  assistant  teacher.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  married 
Harriet  L.  Griffith,  daughter  of  James  Griffith,  one  of  Floyd 
County's  pioneers.  Shortly  after  his  marriage  he  went  to  Wiscon- 
sin and  engaged  in  farming  one  season;  afterward  returned  to  Ohio 
and  remained  about  three  years.  In  his  twenty-fifth  year  he  com- 
menced to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade,  at  which  avocation  he  was 
employed  till  he  came  to  Iowa  in  1851.  He  bcated  first  in  Nora 
Springs,  where  he  remained  about  two  years;  his  first  work  in  this 
county  was  to  iron  ofi'a  saw-mill  at  Nora  Springs,  after  which  he 
taught  the  first  singing  school  in  Floyd  County.  While  he  resided 
at  Nora  Springs  he  worked  at  his  trade,  but  the  population  was  so 
scarce  that  he  was  unemployed  three  fourths  of  the  time,  though 
farmers  came  as  far  as  100  miles  to  get  a  plow  layed;  he  had  many 
customers  from  Minnesota.  At  the  expiration  of  this  two  years  he 
moved  to  Floyd,  where  he  resided  six  or  seven  years,  engaged  in 
blacksmithing  and  teaching  occasional  classes  in  vocal  music,  after 
which  he  moved  to  Fayette  for  the  purpose  of  having  his  family 
avail  themselves  of  the  opp  )rtunities  afi"orded  by  the  college;  here 
he  remained  three  years,  which  time  he  was  wholly  employed  in 
teaching  vocal  music  in  thatpart  of  the  country;  a  part  of  the  time 
he  was  a  teacher  of  music  in  the  college.  In  1868  he  became  a 
citizen  of  Marble   Rock,  where  he    continued  his    profession   as 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1091 

teacher  of  vocal  music,  and  was  agent  for  a  life  and  fire  insurance 
company,  till  the  fall  of  1S80,  when  he  abandoned  teaching  on 
account  of  his  impaired  health.  In  1881  he  again  resumed  his 
trade,  at  which  we  find  him  engaged.  Witli  all  due  respect  to  Mr. 
Bissell,  we  wish  to  say,  in  one  sense  of  the  word,  he  appears  out 
of  his  place  in  a  blacksmith  shop.  Not  that  he  is  not  proficient, 
but  he  seems  better  calculated  to  fill  a  position  where  muscle  is  not 
absolutely  king.  As  a  music  teacher,  he  certainly  is  an  eminent  one. 
Since  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  a  twelve  months  has  scarcely 
passed  but  he  has  taught  more  or  less.  The  truth  of  the  statement 
will  be  seen  when  we  say  that  he  has  taught  over  100  terms  of 
school.  Mr.  Bissell  was  married  Feb.  28,  1849,  in  the  city  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio;  his  family  consists  of  two  children  living — 
Frankie  is  now  the  wife  of  E.  A.  Rosenkrans;  Fred  is  engaged 
with  the  mining  speculations  of  Idaho.  In  1878  Mr.  Bissell  lost 
his  third  child,  Elmer  E.,  at  the  age  of  eleven,  by  drowning  in  the 
Shell  Rock  River,  close  to  the  village. 

T.  W.  Boon  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Ohio,  May  10, 
1843.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Eunice  Boon,  who  are  now  both 
deceased.  The  mother  died  about  the  year  1855.  His  father  died 
in  April,  1879.  When  T.  W.  Boon  was  about  ten  years  of  age,  he 
went  to  Illinois  in  company  with  his  father.  They  spent  about 
two  years  in  DeKalb  County,  while  the  two  older  brothers,  W.  M. 
and  S.  M.,  were  breaking  up  prairie  and  building  houses  on  land 
his  father  had  previously  purchased  in  Union  Township,  Floyd 
County,  Iowa.  It  was  in  the  year  1856  that  Mr.  Bo^n  became  a 
citizen  of  Floyd  County,  where  he  has  since  resided,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  two  years  spent  in  Clay  County  and  three  years  in  the 
army.  He  enlisted  in  July,  1862,  in  Company  G,  Thirty-second 
Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry;  was  never  wounded  or  taken  prisoner, 
but  was  on  three  different  occasions  taken  to  the  hospital  as  a  pa- 
tient, remaining  only  a  short  time,  the  longest  stay  being  about 
thirty  days.  He  participated  in  some  of  the  hardest  engagements, 
among  them  Cape  Girardo,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Lake  Chico,  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  the  battle  of  Tupelo,  besides  the  many  skirmishes  con- 
nected with  Price's  raid  on  St.  Louis,  known  as  the  Iron  Mountain. 
The  last  battle  he  was  in  was  at  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16,  1864. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  May  25, 1865.  Mr.  Boon 
learned  the  mason's  trade  when  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  has 
worked  at  it  for  about  twenty  years.  He  was  married  Dec.  30, 
1866,  to  Maggie  Sherman,  a  native  of  Michigan.     They  have  three 


1092  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

children — Emma  J.,  Daniel  and  Harry  E.     Politically  Mr.  Boon 
is  a' Republican. 

George  Bowers  was  born  in  Hillsboro  County,  N,  H.,  in  1822. 
He  was  a  son  of  Jonathan  S.  and  Elizabeth  Bowers.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  he  engasred  as  a  sailor  on  a  whaling  vessel.  This 
avocation  he  followed  till  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  During 
this  time  he  sailed  around  the  world,  spending  the  most  of  the 
time  among  the  South  Sea  Islands;  spent  nine  months  on  Ascen- 
sion Island,  Carolina  Group,  it  being  the  capital  of  the  Group. 
After  he  abandoned  the  sea  he  returned  to  New  Hampshire,  and 
worked  in  a  town  about  two  years;  afterward  worked  in  a  cotton- 
mill  in  Chicopee,  Mass.  At  this  he  engaged  nine  years.  He  re- 
turned to  New  Hampshire  and  farmed  about  three  years.  In  1857 
he  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  spent  about  nine  years  as  a  farmer. 
From  there  he  moved  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Floyd  County,  and  pur- 
chased the  farm  of  seventy  acres  where  he  still  resides,  in  Union 
Township,  about  one  and  three-quarter  miles  East  of  Marble  Rock. 
Mr.  Bowers  was  married  in  1846  to  Miss  Nancy  Lawrence,  a  native 
of  Warren,  Maine.  She  died  in  1852,  leaving  two  children — Alfred 
and  George,  who  died  shortly  afterward,  both  being  very  small. 
Mr.  Bovvers  married  his  second  wife  Sept.  16,  1861.  Her  name 
was  Bridget  Heartt,  anative  of  Ireland.     They  have  no  family. 

C.  W.  Bowrruin  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1836,  where  he  made 
his  home  till  he  was  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Allamakee  County,  Iowa,  and  resiled  till  Sept. 
20,  1868,  when  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  thus  iden- 
tifying himself  as  one  of  our  county's  first  settlers.  At  this 
time  he  purchased  160  acres  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  28, 
Union  Township.  Has  since  added  forty  acres,  making  a  fine 
farm  of  200  acres.  He  has  a  nice  home,  w^itli  its  beautiful  sur- 
roundings and  fine  location.  Every  foot  of  the  farm  is  under 
first  class  cultivation.  He  crops  yearly  about  160  acres,  keeping 
about  thirty  five  head  of  cattle,  and  usually  200  head  of  hog-,  and 
horses  sufficient  to  carry  on  his  farming.  Mr.  Bowman  was  mar- 
ried in  Allamakee  County,  in  1860,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Callender,  a 
native  of  Ohio.  They  have  no  family.  Mr.  Bowman  is  a  member 
of  the  order  of  Freemasons.  Though  never  an  aspirant  for  office, 
he  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics,  and  votes  the 
straight  Republican  ticket. 

A.  M.  Brown^  M.  Z>.,  was  born  Sept.  3,  18-15,  in  Woodstock,  Vt. 
His  father,  Dr.  Alfred  Brown,  filled  the  chair  of  demonstrator  of 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1093 

anatomy  in  the  Vermont  Medical  College  about  two  years,  prac- 
ticing medicine  at  the  same  time.  About  the  year  1846  he  moved 
with  his  family  to  Waukesha,  Wis.,  where  he  practiced  only  one 
year  when  he  died  with  Asiatic  cholera.  He  left  a  family  of  four 
children,  three  daui^hters  and  one  son  —  Helen,  the  oldest,  is  the 
wife  of  W.  S.  Rowe,  a  car  manufacturer  of  Waukesha  ;  the 
second,  Edna  A.,  is  the  wife  of  Prof.  D.  C.  Hall,  of  Boston,  Mass., 
extensively  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  of  musical  instruments  ; 
Cornelia  O.,  the  third  daughter,  married  0.  H.  Kice,  of  Adel,  Dallas 
County,  la.,  proprietor  of  the  Island  farm  ;  A.  M.,  the  youngest 
chill  and  only  son,  tiie  subject  of  this  sketch,  lived  upon  a  farm 
from  his  ninth  to  his  fourteenth  year,  in  Waukesha  County,  Wis.; 
from  this  date  till  the  year  1863  he  was  engaged  in  making  mn-ical 
instruments.  Aug.  30,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  First 
United  States  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers  ;  served  his  country 
over  two  years,  and  returned  home  witliont  a  scratch  from  the 
enemy's  bullets,  though  he  participated  in  the  hard-fought  battles 
of  Franklin  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  besides  numerous  ski rmi -'lies. 
He  WMS  discharged  Sept.  25,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  He 
returned  to  Boston  and  resumed  his  avocation  of  making  musical 
instruments  about  one  year,  when  he  went  to  Waukesha,  Wis.,  and 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  V.  L.  Moore,  a  homeo- 
pathic physician.  He  attended  lectures  at  Iowa  City  one  term, 
and  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College  in  1877,  though  he  had 
been  practicing  several  years  previously,  having  bci^un  in  Scran- 
ton,  Greene  County,  in  1871,  where  he  practiced  till  1879,  when 
he  went  to  Rockford,  this  county,  and  practiced  two  years.  Feb. 
21,  1881,  he  formed  a  copartnership  with  Dr.  C.  J.  Clark  in  the 
allopathy  practice  of  medicine  in  Marble  Rock.  Was  manied  Nov. 
30,  1875,  to  Miss  Nellie  D.  Hunt,  a  native  of  Illinois.  They 
have  one  child  —  Eva  L.,  born  Oct.  31,  1876. 

Charles  C.  Brown  was  born  in  Indiana.  Oct.  6,  1831,  where  he 
remained  with  his  father,  John  Brown,  till  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age,  when  the  family  moved  to  Rockford,  111.,  and  remained 
about  six  years,  when  the  family  again  moved,  this  time  to  Lafayette 
County,  Wis.  Mr.  C.  C.  Brown  spent  about  sixteen  years  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  dividing  his  time  between  Wi-onsin  and  Illinois, 
residing  not  far  from  the  State  line  anv  of  tlie  time.  Feb.  24,  1865, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Fiftieth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infmtry; 
served  his  country  six  months,  when  he  was  discharged  on  account 
of  poor  health;  was  mustered  out  Aug.  2,   1865,  at  Fort  Leaven- 


1094  HISTOEY  OP  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

worth,  Kas.  Mr.  Brown  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County  in 
1870,  locating  in  Marble  Rock,  where  he  remained  about  two  years 
on  a  farm  near  the  village,  when  he  went  to  Nora  Springs,  where 
he  remained  about  five  years,  farming  part  of  the  time ;  the  balance 
of  the  time  he  was  in  the  hotel  business.  In  1877  he  returned  to 
Marble  Rock,  and  has  since  made  this  his  home.  Since  returning  he 
has  been  occupied  in  various  ways,  some  of  the  time  on  thi  railroad, 
and  some  in  a  blacksmith  shop,  having  learned  that  trade  in  Scales 
Mound,  111.  Mr.  Brown  was  married  in  Lafayette  County,  Wis., 
in  1855,  to  Miss  Julia  E.  Stevens.  They  have  three  children — 
Alma  A.,  John  F.  and  William  H. 

Michael  Brunner  was  born  in  Canada,  in  1842;  he  was  a  son  of 
Jacob  and  Margaret  Brunner,  both  natives  of  France.  At  about 
the  age  of  twenty-four,  he  came  to  the  United  States,  lociting  in 
Winneshiek  County,  la.,  where  he  remained  ten  years,  engaged 
in  farming.  In  1876  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County;  pur- 
chased at  that  time  the  farm  of  160  acres,  where  he  still  resides,  on 
section  13,  Union  Township;  upon  this  farm  he  built  a. fine  farm 
residence  the  year  he  came,  and  the  two  years  following  he  built 
a  good  barn.  He  has  turned  this  farm  from  a  wild  law  prairie 
into  a  thoroughly  cultivated  farm.  His  surroundings  are  adorned 
with  nicely  arranged  8ha<ie  trees,  so  that  he  has  one  of  the  nicest 
homes  in  the  county.  This  farm  he  carries  on  himself,  pntling  in 
crop  each  year  about  100  acres,  and  besides  twenty  acres  he  rents, 
besides  keeping  about  nine  head  of  horses  and  nineteen  cattle, 
and  i'rom  forty-five  to  ninety  head  of  hogs.  Mr.  Brunner  was 
marrii^d  in  1865,  to  Catharine  Rufiridge,  a  native  of  Canada. 
They  have  a  family  of  eight  children — Jacob,  Anna,  Maggie  and 
Mary  (twins),  Evalina,  William,  Katie  and  Antonia.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brunner  are  members  of  the  Lu:heran  church. 

Michael  Carhiener  was  born  in  France  in  1833.  He  was  a  son  of 
George  and  Catharine  Carbiener.  At  about  the  age  of  twenty  he 
came  to  America,  locating  first  in  Indiana,  where  he  resided  about 
two  years,  when  he  went  to  Illinois,  near  Frankfort;  here  he  lived 
about  seven  years.  At  this  date  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Floyd 
County,  purchasing  his  farm  of  300  acres,  where  he  still  resides,  on 
sectiun  15,  abaut  one  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  Marble  R)ck. 
This  farm  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county.  It  is  beautifully  situ- 
ated, presenting  one  of  the  grandest  views  of  the  surrounding 
conntry  we  ever  saw.  Mr.  Carbiener  has,  by  his  own  hard  labor, 
cleared  the  farm  of  rocks  and  grubs,  and  turned  it  from  a  wild,  raw 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  109o 

prairie,  to  a  beautiful  farm,  all  being  under  a  splendid  state  of  cul- 
tivation, lie  built  a  line  house  and  barn,  and  with  nicely  arranged 
shade  trees  has  his  surroundings  beantitied  so  that  he  has  one  of 
the  nicest  homes  in  the  Northwest.  He  puts  in  crop,  yearly, 
about  270  acres.  A  portion  he  farms  himself,  and  rents  a  part,  be- 
sides keeping  from  eight  to  ten  head  of  horses  and  colts,  and  from 
twenty  to  twenty-five  head  of  cattle,  and  from  forty  to  fifty  head  of 
hogs,  some  years  even  exceeding  this  number.  Mr.  Carbiener  was 
married  in  1860  to  Mary  Haramon,  a  native  of  France.  They  have 
t^n  children — Mary,  married  William  Theman,  and  resides  five 
miles  west  of  Marble  Rock;  Sarah,  George,  Margaret,  Jacob, 
Elizabeth,  Michael,  Lewis,  Fredrick  and  William.  The  nine 
younger  children  still  reside  at  home.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Car- 
biener are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  Politically, 
we  are  pleased  to  say  that  Mr.  Carbiener  always  votes  for  the  best 
man,  if  he  knows  him,  but  when  it  comes  to  a  State  or  United 
States  election  he  votes  the  Democratic  ticket.  Mr.  Carbiener  is 
among  those  men  who  helped  lay  the  successful  and  solid  founda- 
tion to  the  history  of  Floyd  County.  He  is  a  man  who  has  been 
very  successful,  and  has  by  his  own  exertions  placed  himsel 
among  the  sound,  able  and  wealthy  farmers  of  our  county.  Not 
only  this,  but  he  has  the  best  word  and  wishes  of  all  his  neigh- 
bors, and  is  social  and  pleasant  to  all,  and  has  a  host  of  friends. 

Andrew  Carney  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1821.  He  was 
a  son  of  Andrew  and  Barbara  E.  (Swagart)  Carney.  Mr.  Carney 
spent  his  childhood  days  and  many  years  of  his  maniiood  in  Penn- 
sylvania, being  fifty-one  years  of  age  when  he  left  the  State.  While 
there  he  made  farming  his  principal  avocation,  though  he  was 
engaged  for  a  short  time  in  the  lumber  and  shingle  business.  Nov. 
9,  1872,  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Floyd  County,  purchasing 
the  farm  of  ICO  acres  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  22,  one  and 
one-half  miles  southeast  of  Marble  Rock.  To  his  first  purchase  he 
has  added  215  acres,  making  a  farm  of  405  acres  lying  all  in  one 
body.  This  is  one  of  Floyd  County's  best  farms,  being  of  the  best 
quality  of  soil,  and  under  a  splendid  state  of  cultivation.  His 
residence  is  also  beautifully  situated,  being  located  upon  the 
public  thoroughfare,  and  within  a  few  rods  of  the  railroad  track, 
where  the  daily  passing  trains  relieve  the  usual  monotony  of  farm 
life.  Mr.  Carney  was  married  in  Pennsylvania  in  1847,  to  Mary 
A.  Shook,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  family  cons-ists  of  nine 
cijildren  living  and  two  deceased — Mary  Elizabeth,  died  at  the  age 


1096  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

of  nine  .years  and  nine  months,  Nov.  6,  1860;  Sarah  J.,  now  the 
wife  of  David  Eikenberry,  resides  in  Butler  Couuty;  Clarissa 
Yioletta,  died  in  1865,  at  the  age  of  eleven;  Harriet,  married  John 
Florri,  residesalso  in  Butler  County,  la. ;  Clara  Emma,  now  visiting 
friends  in  Pennsylvania;  George  A.,  Albert  W.,  Miles  B.,  David 
C,  Daniel  C,  and  Andrew.  The  seven  younger  children  still  reside 
at  home.  All  the  family  were  born  in  Pennsylvania  except  the 
youngdst  son.  Mr.  Carney  voted  for  James  K.  Polk  for  President 
when  a  young  man,  and  has  since  adhered  to  the  principles  of  the 
Democratic  party.  Mr.  Carney  has  for  the  past  twenty-eight  years 
been  a  member  of  the  Brethren  church. 

T.  S.  Clark  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1840.  He  was 
the  sixth  child  of  Job  and  Rhoda  J.  Clark.  At  about  the  ao'e  of 
twelve  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Jackson  County,  Iowa  , where 
they  remained  about  sixteen  years,  when  they  came  to  Floyd 
County,  Iowa.  Mr.  Clark  made  his  home  with  his  father,  farming 
his  place  till  he  was  about  twenty-five  years  of  age.  In  the  year 
1864:  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of 
Marble  E.  tck.  This  land  he  ran  his  face  for.  He  broke  up  and  put 
in  wheat  twenty-seven  acres,  which  crop  paid  for  the  land,  breaking 
and  fencing,  with  some  money  left.  At  this  time  he  lived  in 
Marble  Rock.  The  year  following  he  sold  this  land  and  ran  his 
face  again  for  160  acres  near  the  first  place.  Upon  this  he  moved 
and  lived  twelve  years.  During  this  time  he  paid  for  his  farm,  but 
lost  some  money  in  trying  to  make  money  by  running  a  threshing 
machine.  In  June,  1879,  he  sold  this  farm  and  bought  560  acres 
where  he  now  resides,  four  miles  south  of  Marble  Rock.  His 
farming  is  principally  corn,  oats  and  timothy,  having  in  crop 
usudly  400  acres,  keeping  all  the  way  from  thirty-five  to  seventy- 
five  head  of  cattle,  and  more  hogs  than  we  can  count,  sometimes 
has  as  high  as  300  head.  Mr.  Clark  was  married  in  1864  to  Miss 
Mary  Edna  Wallace,  daughter  of  John  Wallace,  one  of  Floyd 
County's  pioneers.  Their  family  consists  of  five  children — Dora 
Aima,  Nellie,  Mirtie,  Job  and  George  B.  Mr.  Clark  is  not  only 
am  )ng  the  big  farmers  of  the  county,  but  is  one  of  its  early  and 
highly  respected  citizens.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

Dr.  C.  J.  Clark  was  born  in  Canada,  June  15,  1834.  When 
about  two  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Bufi'alo,  N.  Y.,  where 
Dr.  Clark  made  his  home  till  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  When 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  entered  the  Abbilt  Academy,  and  gradu- 
ated at  the  age  of  nineteen.     Upon  the  completion  of  his  studies 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1099 

he  at  once  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  tutorage  of 
Dr.  T.  T.  Lockwood,  at  that  time  Major  of  the  city  of  Buffalo. 
Dr.  Clark  attended  medical  lectures  at  the  Ralph  Medical  Col- 
lege, Toronto,  Canada.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine 
in  Hamilton,  Canada,  in  1856.  Here  he  practiced  till  1858,  when 
he  took  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  Albany  Medical  College,  N.  Y. 
This  done,  he  resumed  the  practice  of  medicine  in  iSew  York, 
where  he  remained  a  short  time,  when  he  returned  to  Hamilton, 
Canada,  and  again  commenced  practice.  Here  he  remained  in  a 
fine  practice  till  1863,  when  he  went  into  the  service  of  the  Gov- 
ernment as  a  contract  surgeon.  Here  he  remained  till  the  termi- 
nation of  the  war,  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  first  in  Dyers- 
ville,  Dubuque  County,  where  he  practiced  medicine  three  years. 
The  year  following  he  spent  in  Bremer  County,  la.  In  1869  he 
became  a  citizen  and  practicing  physician  of  Floyd  County.  The 
first  year  was  spent  at  Nora  Springs;  the  year  following  he  moved 
to  Marble  Rock,  where  he  is  still  doing  a  fine  practice.  Since 
coming  here  he  has  been  in  constant  practice,  except  the  college 
season  of  1879-'80,  when  he  was  surgeon  in  charge  in  Bennett's 
Hospital,  Chicago,  111.  Here  he  also  received  a  diploma  of  M.  D. 
Dr.  Clark  was  married  in  Canada,  in  1853,  and  has  three  children — 
Lora  B.,  married,  is^proprietor  of  a  drug  store  in  Marble  Rock, 
the  largest  in  the  county;  Mattie,  now  the  wife  of  H.  C.  Darland, 
a  resident  of  Marble  Rock,  formerly  a  school-teacher  and  merchant; 
Mittie,  a  little  daughter  seven  years  of  age.  Dr.  Clark  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 
In  1876  he  lost  his  wife,  and  is  now  living  with  his  second  wife, 
formerly  Carrie  Van  Myers. 

Clark  c&  Kendall,  proprietors  of  the  largest  drug  store  in  Floyd 
County,  situated  in  Marble  Rock;  formed  the  partnership  May  1, 
1882.  Mr.  L.  B.  Clark,  the  former  owner  of  the  stock,  opened  a 
drug  store  in  Marble  Rock  in  1878.  This  he  ran  only  about  six 
months,  when  he  was  unluckily  burnt  out,  losing  his  entire  stock, 
dwelling,  household  goods  and  photograph  gallery,  leaving  him 
$500  worse  than  nothing.  Just  eleven  days  from  this  catastrophe 
he  was  again  established  in  the  drug  business,  by  buying  a  drug 
store  of  J.  W.  Martin,  in  company  with  A.  R.  Van  Myers,  with 
whom  he  carried  on  business  till  his  death,  which  occurred  about 
eighteen  months  afterward.  At  this  event  Mr.  Clark  bought  his 
partner's  interest  in  the  stock,  and  continued  in  business  alone  till 
67 


1100  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COQNTY. 

he  took  in  his  present  partner.  Mr.  Clark  was  born  in  Can- 
ada May  1,  1855;  came  to  the  United  States  Sept.  1,  1865,  locat- 
ing first  in  Dubuque  County,  la.  He  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd 
County  in  1870.  Prior  to  engaging  in  the  drug  business  he 
attended  school  principally.  He  was  married  Nov.  2,  1877,  to 
L.  A,  Baldon.  They  have  one  son — Harlie  R.,  six  months  old. 
J.  P.  Kendall  was  born  in  Wapello  County,  la.,  in  1858;  became 
a  citizen  of  Floyd  County  in  1870;  was  married  in  1876  to  Mary 
0.  Mumford,  of  Wisconsin.  They  have  one  child — Guy  M.,  now 
five  years  of  age. 

TJ .  A.  Collison  was  born  in  Canada,  Sept.  2,  18M;  here  he  made 
his  home  till  the  year  1862,  when  he  went  to  Rockford,  III.,  and 
remained  till  1865,  when  he  came  to  Marble  Rock,  this  county, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  learned  the  blacksmith  and  wagon 
maker's  trade  in  Canada  with  his  grandfather,  John  Shaver;  he 
learned  also  the  joiner's  trade  in  that  country.  These  avocations 
he  pursued  there  about  six  years.  While  in  Illinois  he  worked  in 
a  sash  and  door  factory  eighteen  months.  After  becoming  a  citizen 
of  Marble  Rock  he  engaged  in  tlie  carpenter  and  joiner's  trade,  and 
continued  it  for  about  eleven  years,  contracting  and  running  a  force 
of  hands  most  of  the  time  during  the  summer  months;  two  years, 
during  the  winter  months,  found  him  in  the  cabinet  shop  of  C.  D. 
Kendley.  In  the  year  1877  he  again  resumed  his  avocation  of 
blacksmithing  and  svagon-making,  at  which  we  find  him  still 
employed,  in  company  with  C.  Brown,  whom  he  took  in  as  a  part- 
ner about  ten  months  ago.  They  not  only  do  a  large  business  in 
repairing,  but  turn  out  a  great  deal  of  new  work  in  difi'erent  styles 
of  buggies  and  wagons.  Mr.  Collison  is  proficient  in  all  there  is  of 
his  trade.  Think  we  are  safe  in  saying  he  is  tlie  only  man  in  the 
county  who  is  the  possessor  of  three  trades.  Mr.  Collison  is  said 
to  be  doing  the  largest  business  of  the  kind  in  the  county,  his  cus- 
tomers numbering  over  300.  Mr.  Collison  was  married  in  Marble 
Rock,  Dec,  27,  1865,  to  Miss  Almina  Johnson,  who  has  been  a  res- 
ident of  this  county  twenty-three  years.  They  have  two  children — 
Kittie  Gertrude  and  Charles  A.,  aged  fourteen  years  and  fifteen 
months,  respectively. 

James  Conner  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  I^.  Y.,  in  April, 
1826.  He  was  the  fifth  child  of  James  and  Mary  Ann  Conner. 
Mr.  Conner  made  New  York  State  his  home  till  1861,  when  he 
came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Cerro  Gordo  County,  where  he  remained 
about  seven  years,  engaged  in  farming.     In  this  county  he  bought 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1101 

two  farms,    which  he   still  owns.     They  are  situated  two  miles 
apart,  in  Doherty  Township,  each  containing  IGO  acres,  and  under 
a  line  state  of  cultivation  and  improvement.     In  the  year  1875  he 
rented  his  farms  and  came  to  Marble  E,ock,  where -he  has  since 
resided,  and  has  been  mail  conductor  for  the  past  five  years,  and 
has  never  missed  a  trip.     Mr.  Conner  enlisted  in  New  York  State 
in  1862  in  Company  I,  Scott's  Nine  Hundred  United  States  Volun- 
teer Cavalry.     For  two  weeks  after  his  enlistment  ho  was  engaojed 
as  a  recruiting  officer  and  received  the  enlistment  of  twenty  one 
soldiers.     When  he  reported  at  headquarters  there  was  no  trans- 
portation, and  he  took  them  to  New  York  City  at  his  own  expense. 
,  For  this  exhibition  of  patriotism,   together    with  many  others  of 
Mr.   Conner,  he  was  honored  with  the  position  of  Orderly  Ser- 
geant, but  of  this  he  never  accepted,  for  the  reason  that  he  felt  all 
such  honors  would  better  become  a  man  who  had  won  them  in 
actual  service.     Mr.  Conner  had  scarcely  been  in  the  army  two 
weeks  when  he  was  taken  sick  with  the   black  measles;  lay  in 
the  hospital  about  three  months,  when  he  was    discharged.     To 
show  the  severity  of  the  disease  we  remark  here  that  when  Mr. 
Conner  was  taken  sick  his  weight  was  165  and  his  hair  and  beard 
were  black  as  a  raven's  wing;  inside  of  thirty  days  his  hair  and 
whiskers  turned  as  white  as  snow,  and  his  weight  when  discharged 
and  dressed  in   uniform  was  only    102   lbs.     When  he  returned 
home  he  was  a  stranger,   so  to  speak,  to  his  nearest  neighbors; 
many  would  remark  that  they  had  certainly  seen  him  but  could 
not  place  him.     Mr.  Conner  was  never  expected  back  to  the  army, 
but  alter  rem  lining  at  home  about  one  year  he  felt  himself  suf- 
ficiently recovered  to  go  back  and  tight  rebels  again.     He  enlisted 
in  1863  in  Company   H,  Eleventh   New  York  Cavalry.     He  re- 
mained in  the  army  till  the  close  of  the  war,  it  being  about  one 
year;  was  discharijed  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,   October,   1864.     Mr. 
Conner's  army  experience  was  one  indeed  of  great  interest.     It 
was  80  varied  that  we  may  say  it  ran  from  the  pleasantest  to  the 
mo-^t  severe  hardship.     Those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  historv 
oi  Scott's  Nine  Hundred  know  that  they  were  organized  to  protect 
the  United  States  Capitol.     So  choice   were  they  in  the  selection 
of  these  troops  and  horses  that  the  men  were  nearly  of  one  age, 
while  each  comp  my's  horses  were  of  the  same  weight  and  color. 
Mr.  Conner's  c  impany  hadjet  black  horses,  without  a  single  white 
hair,  and  all   weighing  1,100  pounds,    not  varying   five   pounds. 
This  was  indeed  a  brief  military  holiday.     They  were  dressed  in 


1102  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

the  best  the  Government  could  aftord.  and  with  well-blackened 
boots  and  clean-brushed  clothes  thej  spent  several  pleasant  weeks, 
which,  of  course,  aroused  the  envy  of  those  less  fortunate.  By  the 
judgment  of  the  head  officers  they  were  sent  to  the  front.  They 
were  ordered  to  Texas,  but  upon  arriving  at  New  Orleans  they 
were  ordered  to  hunt  gueriillas,  the  most  dangerous  part  of  array 
life.  The  rest  of  their  army  life  was  spent  in  wading  through 
swamps  and  jungles,  placing  themselves  as  a  target  for  the  sharp- 
shooter. Mr.  Conner  relates  the  circumstances  of  a  raid  he  was  on 
in  connection  with  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea.  They  numbered 
30,000,  and  by  a  peculiar  practice  of  military  tactics  they  were 
kept  wading  the  swamps  in  ambush  as  much  as  possible.  They 
survived  for  four  days  without  a  bite  to  eat  except  leaves  and  buds 
of  trees.  Their  horses  became  fatigued  and  died  by  the  dozen, 
while  many  of  them  mired  and  drowned.  Three  hundred  negroes 
followed  them  into  this  swamp.  Tiieir  fate  was  fearful.  At  the 
end  of  the  fifth  day's  journey  there  were  only  two  remaining  with 
them,  the  rest  either  starving  to  death  or  drowning  or  miring.  It 
is  supposed  that  but  fetv  ever  lived  to  get  out.  The  most  of  these 
negroes  were  riding  mules,  but  one  by  one  they  disappeared  and 
the  mules  followed  on,  and  came  very  handy  to  those  who  lost 
their  horses.  Mr.  Conner  was  married  in  January,  1847,  in  New 
York  State,  to  Miss  Rozilla  Ingersoti,  a  native  of  New  York. 
They  have  only  one  child  living — Amelia,  married  to  John  Stewart, 
and  resides  in  Cerro  Gordo  County.  It  was  not  party  spirit  but 
true  royal  patriotism  that  caused  him  to  fight  for  his  country  so 
tenaciously.  He  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat,  and  a  strong 
advocater  of  supporting  the  Constitution.  For  county  oflicers  he 
wisely  votes  for  the  best  man. 

F .  Crocker  was  born  in  Grafton  County,  N.  H.,  April  9,  1834. 
He  was  a  son  of  Benjamin  S.  and  Eliza  Jane  (Howe)  Crocker.  At 
the  age  of  eleven  Mr.  Crocker  moved  with  his  parents  to  Lake 
County,  111.,  which  he  called  his  home  till  1863,  though  for  thir- 
teen years  he  was  a  sailor  on  the  lakes;  six  or  seven  years  of 
this  time  he  sailed  before  the  mast;  afterward  promoted  to  second 
mate,  then  to  first  mate,  which  position  he  occupied  about  four 
years;  at  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  was  appointed  to  take 
charge  of  a  vessel.  This  position  he  continued  in  during  the  bal- 
ance of  the  time.  When  he  commenced  this  life  he  was  but  thir- 
teen years  of  age,  and  was  away  from  home  three  years  on  his 
first  trip.     In  February,  1863,  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1103 

spending  the  first  two  years  on  rented  land,  at  the  end  ot  whicli 
time  he  purchased  forty  acres  on  Flood  Creek,  S  Charles  Town- 
ship, and  resided  on  it  about  one  year,  when  he  sold  it  and  bought 
another  forty  acres  on  the  same  creek,  but  in  Union  Township. 
On  this  he  lived  about  one  year,  when  he  sold  it  and  bought  eighty 
acres,  two  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Marble  Rook,  Upon 
this  he  buiit  a  house,  and  made  it  his  home  about  eighteen  months, 
when  he  sold  and  moved  to  Marble  Rock,  and  rented  a  farm  one 
year.  In  the  year  of  1869  he  bought  the  farm  of  120  acres  where 
he  still  resides,  two  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  Marble  Rock. 
This  is  one  of  Floyd  County's  best  farms,  being  all  under  good 
cultivation,  and  of  the  best  quality  of  soil,  and  raises  as  good  crops 
as  are  raised  in  the  county.  Mr.  Crocker  was  married  May  22,  1859, 
in  the  city  of  Kenosha,  Wis.,  to  Pathina  E.Porter,  a  native  of 
New  York  State.  They  have  a  family  of  three  children  living, 
and  one  deceased — Frankie,  the  wife  of  James  Reams,  resides  in 
Greene,  Butler  County;  "Willis  and  Willie  were  twins  (Willis  died  at 
about  the  age  of  fourteen  and  one  half,  July  22,  1879;  Willie 
livea^with  his  father);  Birdie  J.,  the  youngest,  now  about  six  years 
of  age.  Mr.  Crocker  is  a  Republican  and.  an  out  an«l  out  Prohi- 
bitionist.    He  is  also  a  member  of  the  order  of  Freemasons. 

W.  O.  Cruinh  was  born  in  New  York  in  1838;  at  about  the  age 
of  twelve,  he  moved  with  his  father,  E.  Crumb,  to  Indiana,  where 
W.  O.  made  his  home  till  1862,  when  he  came  to  Iowa.  He 
spent  the  first  fifteen  years  farming,  the  first  five  years  as  a  renter, 
afterward  purcliased  a  farm  in  Scott.  In  1880  he  engaged  in  the 
restaurant  business  in  Marble  Rock,  at  which  avocation  we  sfill 
find  him,  doing  a  pleasant  business.  Mr.  Crumb  was  married 
July  26,  1856,  to  Miss  Hannah  J.  Claypool,  a  native  of  Michigan. 
They  have  five  children — Loretta  A,,  Mary  O.,  Irving  O.,  Lydia 
L.  and  George  L.  Loretta  married  Godfrey  Reihm,  and  resides  in 
Scott  Township.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Robert  Fletcher,  residents 
of  Scott  Township.  The  rest  of  the  children  still  make  their 
father's  house  their  home.  Mr.  Crumb  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  and  is  politically  a  Republican.  Was  in  an  early  day 
Constable,  and  one  of  the  first  officers  elected  in  Scott  Township. 
One  time  he  held  five  offices,  for  the  reason  there  were  more  offices 
than  men  in  the  township,  viz.:  Assessor,  Trustee,  Sub-Director 
President  and  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 

Benjamin  Darland  was  born  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  May 
24,  180Y.     Wlien    about  four  years  of  age,   he  moved  with  hia 


1104  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

father,  Isaac  Darland,   to  Preble  County,  O.     Here  Mr.  Darland 
made  liis  home  the  majority  of  the  time  till  he  moved  to  Illinois, 
which  was  in  1836.     Mr.  Darland  learned  the  hatter's  trade  in 
Richmond,  Ind.     He  afterward  worked  at  the  trade  in  Greenville, 
Oliio,  three  j^ears,  and  eleven  years  in  Fulton  Connty,  III.     At  the 
expiration  of  this  time  he  moved  to  Kane  County,  111.,  and  rented 
land  about  three  years,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  and  made  it  his 
home  about  five  years.     In  1855  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  Iowa. 
In  the  spring  of  1855  he  entered  320  acres  of  land;  upon  this  land 
he  moved  in  1856,  where  he  made  his  home  till  1873,  when  he  sold, 
and  has  since  made  no  permanent  place  his  home,  spending  most  of 
his  time  visiting  friends  in  the  East,  making  his  home  with  his  sons, 
in  Iowa.     Mr,  Darland's  family  consists  of  five  children  li^ang, 
and  five  deceased ;  two  died  in  infancy,   their  names  were  Isaac 
and  Mathew,  deaths  occurring  at  Batavia,  111.     J.  W.   is  married 
and  in  the  dry-goods  business  in  Marble  Rock;  Charles  died  at 
Marble  Rock,  in  1867,  aged  fifteen  years;  Frances  is  now  the  wife 
of  J.  L.  Secor,  and  resides  in  Cerro  Gordo  County,   Iowa,  near 
Shefiield;  Frank  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Blue  Mills,  Mo.,  Sept. 
17,  1861,  aged  twenty-one  years;  Catherine  married  Mr.  Chas.  F. 
Greenwood,  and  resides  in  DeKalb  Count}',   111.;  Maria,  wife  of 
W,  Brubaker,  died  in  Chicago,  April  14,  1879;  Frank  was  killed 
in  the  army  in  1861;  Julia  married  Jesse  Beelar,  and  resides  in 
Yerndale,  Minn.;  Henry,   married  and  resides  in  Marble  Rock. 
0/  Mr.  Darland  we  cannot  refrain  from   speaking  as   those  who 
know  him  best.     He  has  not  only  been  identified  with  this  coun- 
ty's interests  from  a  very  early  date,  but  is  interested  still  in  the 
history  wliose  foundations  he  helped  lay.     Has  always  been  a  life- 
long Republican,  though  never  an  ofiice-seeking  man.     In  Illinois 
he  held  the  office  of  County  Supervisor  two  years,  in  this  county, 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  two  years;  and 
WHS  a  member  of  the  Iowa  Legislature  the  year  1874,  it  being  the 
Fifteenth  General  Assembly.     These  positions  he  acceptably  filled 
besides  others  of  his  township  and  county,  such  as  member  of  the 
Board   of  Trustees,  Supervisor;   etc.      He  is  a  man  who  always 
throws   his   influence  on  the  side  that   has   for   its   motto:     The 
advancement  of  the  country  and  the  morality  of  its  citizens,  and 
was  a  decided  friend  to  the  Amendment. 

J.  W.  Darland  was  born  in  Greenville,  Ohio,  Sept.  10,  1833, 
He  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  Darland,  whose  sketch  will  be  found  in 
this  work.     At  about  the  age  of  three  he  moved  with    his  parents 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  11Q5 

to  Fulton  County,  111.,  where  lie  resided  about  ten  years,  attending 
school  most  of  the  time.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  the  family 
moved  to  Kane  County,  and  remained  about  four  years.  Here  he 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  They  then  moved  to  De  Kalb 
County,  111.,  where  Mr.  Darland  spent  three  years  upon  his  father's 
farm.  Oct.  5,  1855,  his  father's  family  moved  to  Marble  Rock, 
this  county.  Mr.  Darland  made  his  home  with  his  father,  and 
worked  upon  his  farm  till  1860,  when  he  went  to  Muscatine  and 
taught  school  the  winter  of  1860,  near  Muscatine.  The  following 
summer  he  spent  upon  a  farm.  In  September,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  G,  Second  Illinois  Light  Artillery;  was  mustered  out 
at  the  end  of  three  years,  but  immediately  re-enlistc.d,  at  Columbus, 
Ky.,  in  same  company,  and  remained  till  the  close  of  the  war,  be- 
ing mustered  out  Oct.  4,  1865,  at  Springfield,  111.  He  was  indeed 
one  of  the  Government's  most  faithful  and  profitable  servants; 
was  never  taken  prisoner,  nor  in  the  hospital,  nor  wounded,  though 
he  participated  in  ten  hard-fought  battles — Union  City,  Tenn.; 
Coffeeville,  Miss.;  Tupelo,  Miss. ;  Old  Town  Creek,  Miss.;  Browns- 
ville; Siege  of  Vicksburg;  two  days'  battle  of  Nashville;  Spanish 
Fort;  Tallahachie,  Miss.  He  returned  from  the  army  to  Marble 
Rock  and  clerked  the  following  six  months  for  Hiram  Rosenkrans. 
In  the  spring  of  1866  he  went  into  the  mercantile  business  himself, 
in  Marble  Rock,  which  he  continued  two  years,  and  then  went  to 
Aureola,  and  remained  in  the  mercantile  business  two  years,  when 
he  returned  to  Marble  Rock,  and  continued  in  the  same  business 
till  1878,  when  he  sold  his  stock  and  went  to  Chicago,  and  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business,  remaining  in  the  city  about  one  year,  at 
the  expiration  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Greene, 
Butler  County,  where  he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  about  one 
year.  Sept.  1,  1880,  he  returned  to  Marble  Rock,  and  opened  up 
a  tine  general  store,  which  business  we  find  him  still  pursuing,  very 
successfully  indeed.  He  has  all  his  life  made  friends,  and  is  to- 
day enjoying  the  highest  respect  of  the  community  as  a  straight- 
forward and  honorable  business  man,  Mr.  Darland  was  married 
Dec.  22,  1866,  to  Josephine  Frost,  daughter  of  Robert  Frost,  one 
of  Floyd  County's  first  pioneers,  coming  to  the  county  in  1854. 
'Twas  he  who  built  the  first  saw-mill  in  Union  Township.  It  served 
its  day  as  a  good  mill,  but  is  lately  neglected  for  want  of  timber. 
It  stands  to-day  on  the  east  bank  of  Shell  Rock,  at  Aureola,  as  a 
monument  of  early  days.  Mrs.  Darland  was  born  in  Kane  County, 
111.,  in  1843,  and  came  to  Iowa  at  the  age  of  eleven.     Their  family 


1106  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

consists  of  three  children — Charles  A.,  Harry  C,  and  Clarence, 
ages,  fourteen,  twelve  and  ten  respectively,  Mr.  Darland  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Freemasons.  He  is  Master  of  the 
Masonic  lodge,  which  position  he  has  been  elected  to  for  live  years. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican — never  votes  any  other  ticket.  His 
first  vote  was  for  John  C.  Fremont.  Mr.  Darland  enlisted  as  a 
private ;  at  the  end  of  six  months  he  was  promoted  to  Corporal — 
then  to  Quartermaster  Sergeant — then  First  Sergeant, and  was  pro- 
moted to  the  commission  of  Second  Lieutenant  Aug.  22, 1864,  which 
position  he  held  till  he  was  mustered  out. 

Egbert  Davis  was  born  in  New  York  State  in  1831,  where  he 
remained  till  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  engaged  in  dairy- 
ing and  farming.  He  was  the  seventh  child  of  Philip  and  Katurah 
Davis.  In  1854  Mr.  Davis  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
one  year,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County  and  has  since  resided, 
with  the  exception  of  three  years,  which  he  spent  in  Hamilton 
County.  He  resides  on  section  20,  Union  Township,  upon  a  farm  he 
purchased  in  1870.  Mr.  Davis  was  married  in  Union  Township, 
this  county,  in  the  spring  of  1857,  to  Miss  Fannie  M.  Ackley,  a 
native  of  New  York  State.  Their  family  consists  of  six  living 
children — Jennette  Amelia,  married  Alven  Harden,  and  resides 
liear  Mason  City,  la.;  James  A.,  Nina  A.,  E.  S,,  Charles  E.  and 
Rutherford  B.  Hayes  still  make  their  father's  house  their  home. 
Though  never  an  aspirant  for  office  he  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  politics  and  votes  the  straight  Republican  ticket. 

H.  Garher  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ohio,  in  1838.  At  about 
the  age  of  fourteen  he  moved  with  his  father,  Joseph  Garber,  to 
Clayton  County,  Iowa,  where  he  made  his  home  till  Aug.  20, 1862, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry;  served  his  country  three  years  lacking  twelve  days, 
being  mustered  out  Aug.  10,  1865,  at  Clinton;  was  in  the  hospital 
only  twenty  days  during  this  time;  was  never  wounded  nor  taken 
prisoner.  He  and  his  brother  Joseph  and  three  cousins  enlisted  in 
the  same  company  and  at  the  same  date,  and  all  came  out 
unscathed  except  his  brother,  who  was  discharged  in  about  six 
months  after  enlistment,  and  returned  home  and  died  finally  of 
disease  contracted  in  the  army.  Mr.  Garber's  army  life  was  the 
experience  of  a  faithful  soldier.  Participated  in  many  engage- 
ments; a  few  we  give  below:  Little  Rock,  Ark.;  Fort  Derussa, 
Pleasant  Hill,  Yellow  Bayou,  Tupelo,  battle  of  Nashville,  Fort 
Spanish  and  Fort  Blakely  at  Mobile,  Ala.     After  his  return  from 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1107 

the  army  he  joined  his  father's  family  who,  in  the  spring  of  1865, 
moved  to  Floyd  Countj',  where  H.  Garber  has  since  resided  with 
the  exception  of  the  year  1874,  which  he  spent  in  Clayton  County. 
Mr.  Garber  was  married  July  31,  1867,  to  Miss  Electa  A.  Wallace, 
daughter  of  John  Wallace,  of  Marble  Rock.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren living — Max  and  Louella,  ages  five  and  three  respectively. 

Charles  Gates  was  born  in  Germany  in  1830;  came  to  America 
in  1852,  stopping  the  first  three  years  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.;  Sept. 
17,  1855,  he  lauded  in  Marble  Rock,  and  has  since  been  a  citizen  of 
the  county.  He  made  Marble  Rock  his  home  till  1860;  when  he 
went  there  the  town  had  just  been  laid  out,  and  was  all  in  timbered 
brush.  Mr.  Gates  helped  to  clear  it,  and  la}'  the  first  foundation 
to  its  history  and  prosperity.  In  1856  Mr.  Gates  entered  forty  acres 
in  Union  Township,  which  he  farmed  till  1860,  when  he  sold,  and 
purchased  eighty  acres,  where  he  still  resides,  about  three  miles 
south  of  Marble  Rock;  in  1860  he  moved  upon  this  farm,  and  has 
since  made  it  his  home.  Mr,  Gates  has,  in  several  different  pur- 
chaser, added  to  his  first,  till  now  lie  owns  640  acres,  besides  eighty 
acres  he  gave  to  his  son  Charles,  who  now  resides  in  Greene.  The 
number  of  acres  and  the  natural  fine  location  and  the  splendid 
state  of  cultivation  and  improvement  which  the  farm  is  under> 
make  it  one  of  the  largest  and  best  farms  in  the  county.  Mr.  Gates 
is  one  of  the  few  pioneers  of  this  county  who  has  started  at  the  bot- 
tom round  in  the  financial  ladder,  and  by  his  own  exertions  and 
prudence  earned  for  himself  a  property  that  makes  him  independent. 
And,  in  addition  to  this,  he  has  given  by  his  life  a  lesson  to  young 
men  that  is  well  worthy  of  imitation.  He  bears  the  highest  respect 
of  all  his  acquaintances  and  neighbors,  and  has  raised  a  family  that 
is  a  credit  to  any  father.  Mr.  Gates  was  married  in  Rochester,  ]S'. 
Y.,  in  1855,  to  Miss  JuliaKasy,  a  native  of  Ireland.  The  names 
of  their  children  are:  Charles,  a  merchant  in  Greene;  Henry  is  a 
farmer  in  Union  Township;  George,  a  merchant  in  Greene;  Albert 
makes  his  home  with  his  father,  and  is  engaged  in  farming.  Mr. 
Gates  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically  i.^a 
sound  Republican. 

John  Gates  was  burn  in  Germany  in  1827;  came  to  America  in 
1860,  spending  the  first  four  years  in  New  York  State.  In  1854  lie 
became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  locating  at  Nora  Springs,  where 
he  spent  six  months;  thence  to  Marble  Rock,  where  he  worked  at 
the  blacksmith's  trade  about  five  years.  While  residing  in  Marble 
Rock  he  purchased  eighty  acres,  where  now  he  resides,  about  two 


1108  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

miles  southeast  of  Marble  Rock;  has  added  to  his  first  purchase  till 
he  now  owns  400  acres  of  Floyd  County's  best  land,  principally 
under  cultivation.  He  has  put  in  crop  usually  about  370  acres. 
Besides  this  farm  he  owns  about  200  acres,  in  addition  to  160  acres 
he  gave  his  son.  Mr.  Gates  usually  keeps  from  forty  to  fifty  head 
of  cattle  and  twenty  head  of  horses,  and  200  head  of  sheep,  Mr. 
Gates  was  married  in  1852  to  Jane  Hoy,  a  native  of  America.  They 
have  three  children — Fredric  E.,  married  Cora  Russel,  and  farms 
in  Union  Township;  Katie  A.  and  Ella,  both  single  and  at  home. 
Politically  Mr.  Gates  is  a  Republican;  has  held  in  Union  Township 
the  office  of  Township  Cashier,  and  is  now  the  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  has  been  for  the  past  six  years,  besides  other  minor  offices.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Evangelical  church. 

Martin  Gates  was  born  in  Germany  in  1828;  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1851,  locating  first  in  New  York  State,  where  he  remained 
about  three  years,  working  as  a  farm  hand.  In  1855  he  came  to 
Iowa,  and  located  in  Marble  Rock,  where  he  spent  the  first  four 
3'ears.  Those  years  were  spent  in  working  by  the  day  fjr  the 
neighbors.  In  1856  he  entered  forty  acres  of  Government  land  at 
$1.25  per  acre.  Not  being  satisfied  with  the  land,  he  sold  it  at 
an  advance  of  $2.75  per  acre.  In  1859  he  bought  ninety  acres 
along  Shell  Rock  River,  in  Union  Township.  To  this  farm  he 
added  difierent  purchases  till  he  owned  250  acres.  Upon  this 
farm  he  lived  till  the  fall  of  1881,  when  he  moved  to  Marble  Rock, 
the  spring  previous  having  sold  it  entire  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Bow- 
man for  $6,000.  The  same  summer  he  bought  a  farm  of  120 
acres  in  same  township,  near  his  old  farm.  He  also  owns  eighty 
acres  on  section  31,  same  township,  and  only  one -half  mile  from 
his  120-acre  farm.  The  120  acres  is  farmed  by  his  son-in-law, 
William  Preston.  The  eighty  Mr.  Gates  farms  himself,  with  the 
assistance  of  a  hand.  Mr.  Gates  does  what  is  considered  a  mixed 
farming,  keeping  about  one  dozen  cows  and  about  fifty  hogs, 
though  he  has  kept  as  high  as  200  hogs.  In  June,  1881,  he  pur- 
chased an  entirely  new  stock  of  hardware,  and  opened  a  fine  hard- 
ware store  in  Marble  Rock.  It  has  been  our  pleasure  to  visit  the 
store,  and  must  say  it  presents  a  very  good  appearance,  embracing 
every  seeming  want  of  the  farmer,  from  nails  and  tools  to  any 
farming  implement  they  might  desire.  Mr.  Gates  was  married 
in  New  York  State  in  1851,  to  Miss  Catharine  Casy,  a  native  of 
Ireland.  They  have  three  children — Andrew,  married,  and  in  the 
hardware  business   with  his  father;  John,  also  in  the  hardware 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1 109 

business;  Eliza,  the  only  diugliter,  married  William  Preston.  Of 
Mr.  Gates  we  cannot  refrain  from  speaking  in  the  following 
language:  He  is  a  man  who  has  started  from  the  lowest  financial 
round  in  the  ladder,  and  has,  by  his  own  exertions,  wrung  from 
the  hard  hand  of  toil  a  home  and  business  and  independence 
well  worthy  the  pride  of  any  man,  and  has  by  so  doing  given  an 
example  quite  worthy  of  imitation,  besides  rearing  a  family  of 
children  who  promise  to  make  the  best  of  citizens.  He  has  the 
good  words  and  bsst  wishes  of  all  who  know  him,  and  those  who 
know  him  best  are  loudest  in  their  praises. 

Diebold  Gerhard  was  born  in  Germany  in  1826.  He  was  a  son 
of  John  and  Lizzie  (Kohhnan)  Gerhard.  At  about  the  age  of 
twenty-seven  he  came  to  America,  stopping  in  Wheeling,  W. 
Ya.,  and  remaining  about  five  months  ;  from  thence  to  Illinois, 
where  he  made  his  home  about  eleven  years.  In  1866  he  came 
to  Iowa,  locating  in  Floyd  County.  The  first  three  years  he 
rented  land  of  John  Gates.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he 
bought  the  farm  of  eighty  acres,  where  he  still  resides,  on  section 
26,  Union  Township,  paying  $10  per  acre.  Has  since  bought  forty 
additional  acres  joining  his  original  eighty  acres  ;  for  this  he  paid 
$25  per  acre.  Upon  this  farm  he  built  himself  a  fine  house  in  the 
year  1870,  and  a  nice  barn  in  187Y.  His  farm  is  all  under  good 
improvement  and  first  class  cultivation.  They  have  indeed  a 
beautiful  home.  The  buildings  and  surroundings  are  such  that  he 
has  one  of  the  grandest  homes  in  the  Northwest.  He  does  his 
farming  principally  himself,  and  usuallj'-  has  it  all  in  crop,  besides 
keeping  about  twenty-three  head  of  cattle  and  about  forty  head  of 
hcigs,  and  horses  enough  to  carry  on  his  farming.  Mr.  Gerhard 
was  married  in  Illinois,  in  1860,  to  Frederica  Hoffman,  born  in 
Germany  in  1830,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1860.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Paul  and  Lena  Hoff'man.  Her  father  died  in  Germany 
in  1859.  Her  mother  came  with  her  to  America.  Mr.  Gerhard's 
family  consists  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters  —  Clirisena,  mar-- 
ricd  »7ohn  Maxson  and  resides  in  Union  Township  ;  William  is  a 
clerk  in  Greene ;  Julia,  George  and  Nicholas  are  single,  and 
reside  at  home.  Mr.  Gerhard  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  Mrs.  Gerhard  of  the  Methodist  church.  Politically  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

John  Ooodinliler  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1814.  Hero  he  made 
his  liome  till  he  was  about  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  He  was  a 
son  of  Michael  and  Doratha  (Keck)  Goodmiller,  l)oth  natives  of 


1110  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Germany.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Forty-fiftli  Illinois 
Yolunteer  Infantry,  the  Old  Lead  Mine  Regiment ;  served  his 
country  three  years,  participating  in  many  hard  battles  ;  a  few  of 
the  more  prominent  ones  we  give :  Yicksburg,  Jackson,  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea ;  was 
wounded  in  left  forearm  with  a  gunshot  at  the  battle'of  Yicksburg, 
siege  of  forty-eight,  and  was  off  duty  with  the  same  about  three 
months.  After  his  return  froai  the  army  he  resumed  his  avocation 
as  a  farmer,  where  his  prominence  as  a  good  and  worthy  citizen  was 
appreciated  by  his  fellow-men,  by  electing  him  to  the  offices  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  Collector  and  Township  Clerk.  In  1873  he 
became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  C  )unty.  The  first  five  years  he  rented 
land.  In  1878  he  purchased  the  farm  of  100  acres,  where  he  still 
resides,  about  one  mile  south  east  of  Marble  Rock,  beautifully 
situated  and  located,  and  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  Mr. 
Goodmiller  was  married  in  1868  to  Miss  E.  M.  Pulley,  a  native  of 
Ohio.  They  have  six  children  —  Wellington  G.,  Arthur  M., 
Homer,  Preston,  Elmer  and  Lorey.     Politically  be  is  a  Republican. 

Byron  P.  Greenwood  ^2,%  born  in  De  Kalb  County,  111.,  Sept. 
26,  1855,  where  he  made  his  home  on  the  farm  with  his  father, 
Charles  F.  Greenwood,  till  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  when 
he  came  to  Marble  Rock,  this  county,  where  his  father  purchased  a 
stock  of  dry  goods  in  company  with  J.  W.  Darland.  Under  the 
firm  name  of  Darland  &  Greenwood  they  continued  in  business 
about  six  months,  when  Mr.  C.  F.  Greenwood  purchased  his 
partner's  interest.  B.  P.  Greenwood  has  since  been  conducting 
the  business  alone  under  the  name  of  C.  F.  Greenwood.  He  has  a 
fine,  clean  stock,  and  an  assortment  that  should  please  the  most  fas- 
tidious, and  is  doing  a  business  of  $8,000  yearly.  His  live  and  let 
live  principles,  together  with  his  prompt  dealing,  have  won  for 
him  a  reputation  worthy  the  pride  of  any  young  man.  Mr.  Green- 
wood was  married  in  Marble  Rock,  Jan.  14,  1880,  to  Miss  Minnie 
Winchill,  a  native  of  Iowa.  Politically  we  find  Mr.  Greenwood 
Republican. 

Isaac  Halstead  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1833.  When  only  a 
child  his  parents  moved  to  Michigan,  where  he  lived  till  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  married  and  moved  to  Lynn 
County,  la.,  and  stopped  about  six  months,  when  he  came  to  Floyd 
County.  He  moved  upon  a  farm  that  he  purchased  in  Union 
Township,  about  one  mile  east  of  Marble  Rock.  Here  they  resided 
till  the  year  1857,  when  their  residence  was  destroyed  hy  fire.     In- 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1111 

stead  of  rebuilding  on  the  farm,  they  built  a  line  residence  in  the 
present  village  of  Marble  Rock.  Here  Mr.  Halstead  resided  and  car- 
ried on  his  farm  till  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1877.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Michigan,  in  1854,  to  Miss  Eh'za  J.  Denewd,  a  native  of 
Indiana,  but  a  resident  of  Michigan.  They  raised  one  child — 
Florence  Idel,  married  to  Julius  Haynes,  a  merchant  in  Marble 
Rock. 

E.  B.  Haynes^  M.  2>.,  was  born  in  Guilford,  Windham  County, 
Vt.jAug.  9,  1827,where  he  made  his  home  till  he  was  about twenty- 
fuur  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Massachusetts  and  spent  about 
four  years  in  the  pursuit  of  an  education  principally.  At  this  date 
he  went  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  about  ten  years,  dividing 
his  time  between  farming  and  the  practice  of  medicine.  He  be- 
came a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  April  3,  1866.  He  located  in 
Marble  Rock,  Union  Township,  and  at  once  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine,  which  avocation  we  lind  him  very  successfully 
engaged  in  still.  Dr.  Haynes  commenced  the  study  of  medicine 
under  the  instructions  of  an  eminent  physician  in  Chester,  Vt., 
named  Dr.  Chase,  with  whom  he  remained  three  years,  studying  and 
practicing  medicine.  He  attended  medical  lectures  at  Comstock, 
and  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  New  Chester,  Wis., 
in  1856.  The  Doctor  practices  under  the  eclectic  system,  having 
previously  acquainted  himself  with  the  allopathy  and  homeopathy 
systems.  Of  Dr.  Haynes  as  a  physician  and  gentleman  we  can  but 
speak  as  his  neighbors,  that  he  is  always  found  equal  to  the  emer- 
gency, and  by  his  faithful  care  has  won  a  position  in  the 
hearts  of  his  neighbors  and  friends  that  will  scarcely  be  eradicated 
by  time.  Dr.  Haynes  was  married  in  Bernardstoii,  Mass.,  Nov.  7. 
1848,  the  day  Zack  Taylor  was  elected  President  of  the  United 
States,  to  Miss  Julia  J.  Hunt,  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  March 
7,  1832.  They  have  a  family  of  three  sons — Julius  E.,  now 
thirty-two  years  of  age,  married  and  in  the  dry-goods  business 
in  Marble  Rock;  Jewett  S.,  now  twenty-three  years  of  age,  mar- 
ried and  in  business  with  his  brother,  and  Justine  H.,  a  bright- 
eyed  boy  of  thirteen  years  of  age,  who  makes  things  lively  at 
home.     Dr.  Haynes  is  a  member  of  the  order  of  Freemasons. 

Jacob  Hofman  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  March  8.  1838. 
He  was  a  son  of  Wra.  and  Katie  (Houwk)  Hoffman.  When  Mr. 
Hoflman  was  fourteen  years  of  age  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in 
Buffalo  County,  where  he  made  his  home  twenty  years.  He  was 
among  the  very  first  to  settle  that  county.     In  the  iall  of  1882  he 


1112  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

became  a  citizen  of  Flojd  County,  and  bought  at  that  time  160 
acres,  where  he  still  resides.  At  this  date  it  was  raw  prairie,  He 
has  since  brought  it  under  a  tine  state  of  cultivation  and  the  best 
of  improvements.  His  house  and  surroundings  are  indeed  pleas- 
ant. It  can  be  said  of  Mr.  Hoffman,  that  he  has  caused  tlie 
desert  to  blossom  as  the  rose.  He  sold  forty  acres  of  this  before 
improving  it,  at  considerable  of  an  advance  of  the  price  paid. 
Mr.  Hoffman  carries  on  quite  a  stroke  of  fanning  besides  keeping 
considerable  stock;  keeps  about  twenty  head  of  cattle  and  seven 
head  of  horses,  and  usually  keeps  from  forty  to  sixty,  has  kept 
as  high  as  160.  Mr.  Hoff'man  was  married  in  1864  to  Clarinda 
Kendell,  immediately  after  his  return  from  the  army.  He  enlisted 
in  1861,  in  Company  D,  Fifteenth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Culonels  Reed  and  Bellknap  were  the  commanding  officers;  Cap- 
tain Madison  was  his  first  Captain.  Mr.  Hoffman  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Atlanta  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  May, 
receiving  a  gun-shot  wound  in  the  right  groin,  the  ball  passing 
clear  through,  another  lodging  in  his  right  leg  just  above  the  knee; 
another  lodged  in  the  left  arm  above  the  elbow,  while  another 
cut  its  depth  across  the  top  of  his  left  shoulder.  At  this  charge 
he  had  fourteen  bullet  holes  pass  through  his  clothing  in  different 
places.  He  had  his  musket  shot  out  of  his  hands,  three  balls 
passing  through  it  at  once  cutting  it  off  at  each  of  the  binds. 
Through  the  effects  of  these  wounds  he  lay  in  the  hospital  as  a 
patient  for  about  one  year,  under  the  care  of  physicians.  For  five 
months  he  lay  with  ice  water  dropping  upon  him  to  prevent  mor- 
tification. He  participated  before  this  in  lourteen  hard-tbnght 
battles.  Mr.  Hoffman  veteraned  and  returned  to  the  army  and 
accompanied  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  was 
mustered  out  the  fall  after  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Hoff- 
man's army  life,  consisting  of  three  years  and  three  months,  was 
one  indeed  long  to  be  remembered.  He  certainly  deserves  the 
highest  respect  and  admiration  of  every  patriotic  man,  woman  and 
child.  He  is  a  man  of  no  boastful  qualities,  but  takes  his  position 
as  a  humble  citizen.  Mr.  Hoffman  has  always  been  a  Democrat, 
though  he  votes  for  the  best  men  for  county  officers. 

Christopher  Hofmeister,  deceased,  was  born  in  Germany,  May 
6,  1810.  On  the  18th  of  June,  184T,  he  came  to  America,  stop- 
ping for  a  few  days  in  Milwaukee,  thence  to  Dodge  Courty,  Wis., 
where  he  lived  about  seventeen  years.  In  1864  he  moved  to 
Chickasaw  County,  la.,  where  he  remained  till  1869,  when  he  be- 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1113 

came  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County.  His  first  purchase  was  in  Ulster 
Township,  where  he  lived  about  eighteen  months.  In  1871  he 
bought  the  farm  where  his  son  Henry  now  lives,  on  section  3, 
Union  Township.  There  was  in  this  farm,  at  the  original  pur- 
chase, 240  acres,  but  he  sold  an  eighty  about  two  years  after  his 
purchase.  He  repaired  the  house  and  made  what  improvements 
the  farm  possesses  to-day,  and  made  it  his  home  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  29,  1879,  leaving  a  family  of  four  children, 
and  one  deceased — Fredric,  who  resides  in  Kansas,  married  and 
has  a  family;  Christian  died  in  the  array  in  1864,  at  about  the  age  of 
twenty-five;  he  was  single;  Johannah  married  C.  H.  Stapher 
and  resides  in  Chickasaw  County,  la. ;  Christopher  W.  is  a  resident 
of  Kansas;  Henry,  the  fifth  child,  bought  the  old  homestead 
and  there  resides;  he  was  married  in  1880  to  Emma  L.  Fonto,  a 
native  of  Wisconsin.  They  have  one  child — Lydia,  now  fifteen 
months  of  age.  Mr.  H.  Hofmeister  was  born  in  1855,  and  Mrs. 
Hofmeister  in  1862.  Both  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 
Folitically  we  find  Mr.  Hofmeister  a  Democrat.  Mrs.  Christopher 
Hofmeister  is  still  living,  and  resides  in  Kansas,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  seventy-one. 

/.  M.  Hutches  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1840. 
Until  his  father's  death,  which  occurred  in  May,  1860,  he  was  en- 
gaged principally  in  the  pursuit  of  an  education.  From  this  date 
till  about  1869  he  remained  on  the  farm,  and  engaged  in  the  stock 
business,  in  connection  with  farming.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time  he  went  to  Livingston  County,  and  engaged  in  the  milling 
business,  in  a  mill  in  which  he  had  purchased  a  third  interest.  In 
the  fall  of  1873  he  went  to  Iowa;  stopped  first  in  Cedar  Falls,  and 
came  to  Marble  Rock  the  following  spring,  where  he  purchased  a 
half  interest  in  an  elevator,  with  George  Luce,  and  continued  in 
the  grain  business  about  five  years.  In  1879  a  joint  stock  com- 
pany was  formed  in  the  business  between  J.  E.  Shepardson, 
George  B.  Vansun  and  I.  M.  Hutches,  which  firm  is  still  in  ex- 
istence and  doing  a  good  business,  handling  in  the  neighborhood 
of  200,000  bushels  yearly.  I.  M.  Hutches  has  the  entire  cotitrol 
of  the  business  in  buying  and  eel'ing.  He  was  married  in  New 
York,  in  1861,  to  Miss  Cynthea  King.  They  have  one  child — 
James  L.,  now  nineteen  years  of  age.  Mr.  Hutches  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  has  been  a  life-long  Republican  and  a  sound 
Prohibitionist.  Though  not  an  aspirant  ibr  oflice,  he  has  been 
elected  Township  Trustee  and  Alderman  of  the  town. 


1114  HISTORY  OF    FLOYD  COUNTY. 

H.  C.  Inman  was  born  in  Kane  County,  111.,  in  1836.  He 
was  a  son  of  Lorain  and  Lucy  (Carpenter)  Inman.  Mr.  Lorain 
Inman  died  at  Marble  Rock  in  1878.  Mrs.  Inman  is  still  living, 
and  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  H.  C.  Inman.  Mr.  H.  C.  was 
the  oldest  of  the  family  of  eight  children;  Joseph,  the  second  son, 
died  in  the  army  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  in  January,  1862,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two;  Alonzo,  the  third  son,  resides  in  Union  Township, 
Ephraim,  the  fourth,  resides  also  in  Union  Township,  this 
county;  Marinda  resides  in  Brainerd,  Minn.;  Dora  married 
Mr.  S.  H.  "Waist,  a  resident  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.  Two  children 
died  in  infancy.  This  family  was  one  of  Floyd  County's  first 
settlers,  coming  to  Marble  Rock  in  1858,  where  the  most  of  them 
have  since  resided.  Since  coming  to  Iowa  Mr.  H.  C.  Inman  has 
turned  his  attention  considerably  to  farming,  though  he  has  taught 
several  terms  of  school,  and  held  the  oflBce  of  County  Surveyor 
five  years.  For  about  three  and  a  half  years  he  owned  a  half- 
interest  in  the  Osceola  Grist-Mill,  which  time  he  was  engaged  to 
some  extent  in  running  the  mill.  The  confinement  and  heat  was 
quite  detrimental  to  his  health,  which  was  the  principal  cause  ot 
his  selling  the  property  and  moving  upon  the  farm.  Though  in 
impaired  health  somewhat,  we  find  him  very  pleasantly  situated  on 
a  farm  ol  160  acres,  within  about  one  and  one-half  miles  of  Marble 
Rock.  Mr.  Inman  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  McCallom, 
of  Amesville,  Ohio.  They  have  no  family.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  order  of  Freemasons  and  Odd  Fellows,  and  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  Good  Templars.  Politically  Mr.  Inman  is 
a  Republican,  and  though  not  an  aspirant  for  office,  always  has 
taken  an  active  interest  in  the  political  issues  of  the  day;  is  the 
present  Assessor  of  the  township,  and  has  held  that  position  three 
tourths  of  the  time  since  coming  to  Iowa.  Mr.  Inman  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Free  Baptist  church  the  past  twenty-eight  years. 
Has  held  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  School  Board  for  about 
fourteen  years. 

E.  /m«,«?2- was  born  Sept.  1,  1846,  in  Kane  County,  111.  He 
was  the  fourth  son  of  Lorain  and  Lucy  (Carpenter)  Inman  came 
to  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  with  his  parents  in  1858,  locating  near 
Marble  Rock,  Union  Township,  where  he  has  since  resided;  is 
now  residing  upon  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  Inman  was  married  in 
1867,  in  Charles  City,  to  Miss  Harriet  Clay.  They  have  five 
children — Lewis  J.,  Harry  E.,  Harvey  E.,  Nellie  L.  and  Lucy. 
Mr.  Inman  is  a  member  of  no  secret  society.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican . 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1115 

A.  Inman  was  born  in  Kaue  County,  III.,  Jane  24,  1842.  He 
was  the  third  son  of  Lorain  and  Lucy  (Carpenter)  Inman,  who 
came  to  this  county  in  1858,  where  most  of  the  family  still  reside. 
Mr.  A.  Inman  was  married  in  October,  1869,  in  Charles  City,  by 
Elder  Cashier  to  Miss  C.  E.  Waist,  a  native  of  Vermont.  They 
have  two  children — Lorain  W.  and  Martha  Esther,  ages  twelve 
and  six  respectively.  Mr.  Inman  bought  his  farm  of  eighty  acres, 
where  he  resides,  about  two  miles  southwest  of  Marble  Rock,  in 
1870.  He  has  recently  made  a  purchase  of  eighty  acres,  adjoining 
his  original  farm.  This  is  one  of  Floyd  County's  good  farms. 
The  natural  fine  drainage  and  good  quality  of  the  soil  cannot  be 
excelled  anywhere.  Though  not  an  aspirant  for  office  himself,  he  has 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics,  and  voted  the  Republi- 
can ticket.  In  the  day  of  Good  Templars  he  was  an  active  mem- 
ber. M  Inman  is  a  member  of  the  Free- Will  Baptist  church 
and  has  been  for  the  past  twenty  years. 

Judge  W.  n.  Johnson^  deceased,  was  born  in  Deersville,  O., 
Feb.  29,  1824.  He  received  a  collegiate  education,  and  read  law  in 
that  State.  When  about  twenty-eight  years  of  age  he  went  to  Mich- 
igan and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  a  short  time.  About  the  year 
1854  he  went  to  Boylan's  Grove,  Butler  County,  la.,  and  remained 
a  short  time,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  locating  in  Marble 
Rock,  where  he  remained  in  the  practice  of  law  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  June  14,  1879,  ^his  disease  being  consumption. 
Judge  Johnson  lived  an  energetic  and  useful  life,  and  had  the  best 
wishes  of  the  community  always  at  heart.  As  an  attorney  he  was 
always  found  to  be  manly  strong,  and  honest,  securing  the  utmost 
confidence  of  his  clients  and  respect  of  his  opponents.  As  a 
notary  public  his  papers  of  conveyance  and  transfers  are  invari- 
ably reliable  and  correct.  As  apolitician  he  was  a  straight-forward 
Republican,  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  live  issues  of  the  day 
though  never  an  aspirant  for  office  himself.  In  the  year  1862  he 
was  elected  County  Judge,  which  position  he  filled  acceptably. 
While  a  resident  of  Michigan,  in  the  year  1854,  he  married  his 
first  wife,  Susan  Sly,  who  died  in  January,  1863,  leaving  a  family 
of  four  children,  one  of  whom  has  since  died.  The  names  of  the 
surviving  ones  are  Josephine,  married  John  Ryan,  a  telegraph 
operator  at  Riverside,  la.;  Kelso  W.,  single  and  at  this  writing 
residing  in  Rockford;  Cleopatra,  now  the  wife  of  Charles  Smith, 
a  dry-goods  clerk  at  Riverside.  Judge  Johnson  married  his 
68 


1116  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

second  wife,  Mrs.  Clarissa  Miller,  in  Marble  Rock  in  the  year  of 
1867.  To  them  was  born  one  daughter — Florence  M.,  now  thirteen 
years  of  age.  Mrs.  Clarissa  Miller,  Mr.  Johnson's  second  wife  was 
married  to  Mr.  Elias  G.  Miller  in  1856.  He  enlisted  in  Company 
G,  Thirty-second  Iowa  Yolunteer  Infantry,  in  August,  1862.  He 
served  his  country  as  a  faithful  soldier,  till  he  was  taken  away 
through  the  hardships  of  army  life,  his  death  occurring  at  Benton, 
Ark.,  Dec.  12,  1863,  it  being  the  day  his  youngest  son  was  two 
years  of  age.  He  left  a  family  of  three  children — Lizzie,  the  eldest, 
married  Maurice  Bunnell  and  resides  at  Osceola,  Clarke  County,  la.; 
the  second  child,  Minerva,  married  Elvin  Tape,  a  jeweler  of  Rock- 
ford  ;  David  E.  is  in  the  mining  business  in  Colorado. 

William  A.  Judd  was  born  in  Strafford,  Orange  County,  Yt., 
July  9,  1817.  Here  he  made  his  home  with  his  father,  Ira  Judd, 
till  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  started  out  to  face  the 
world  alone.  He  went  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  with  the  view  of  working 
in  the  woolen  factory,  but  found  the  town  overrun  with  people 
hunting  work.  He  had  only  about  twenty-five  cents  in  his  pocket, 
but  finally  got  a  chance  to  work  for  his  board,  and  sell  picture 
frames  at  night.  At  this  he  was  engaged  the  most  of  the  winter, 
and  cleared  about  $10  in  all.  The  next  spring  he  engaged 
to  work  for  a  gardener  seven  months.  The  following  winter  he 
went  to  school.  In  the  spring  he  tried  the  tanner's  trade,  but 
found  it  quite  incompatible  for  his  health,  and  returned  home  after 
working  at  it  about  two  months.  He  helped  his  father  through 
with  his  summer's  work  and  started  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the 
West,  stopping  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  first  fourteen  years 
he  was  interested  in  farming,  working  rented  land  the  first  year 
and  after  that  his  own.  In  the  year  1852  he  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  in  Brooklyn,  Lee  County,  at  which  he  continued 
till  1856,  when  he  boxed  his  goods  and  shipped  them  West;  sold 
his  real  estate  and  other  property  and  came  to  Floyd  County,  la. 
The  first  ten  weeks  after  coming  he  boarded  at  the  Beelar  House. 
He  then  bought  a  log  building  of  Mr.  Beelar  and  kept  tavern  and 
store  in  it  for  about  eighteen  months,  when  he  bought  out  John 
Wallace,  who  was  also  in  the  dry-goods  business.  They  exchanged 
places  of  business,  and  Mr.  Judd  kept  store  here  two  years.  In 
1860  he  rented  another  building  and  commenced  lowering  his 
stock  on  account  of  his  poor  health  and  some  discouraging  features 
in  trade.  This  state  of  affairs  having  no  change,  he  abandcmed  the 
enterprise  of  merchandising,  closed  his  store  and  boxed  his  goods, 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1117 

and  has  since  nearly  exhausted  them  by  selling  and  using  them  in 
his  family.  Before  coming  to  the  State  he  bought  200  acres 
sight  unseen.  This  he  kept  several  years  and  sold  it,  doubling  his 
money.  lie  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Union  Township  that 
requires  the  most  of  his  attention,  in  connection  with  some  town 
property.  Though  he  has  had  his  share  of  the  pioneer's  rebuffs, 
he  would  still  be  an  active  business  man  were  it  not  for  the  feeble 
state  of  his  health,  which  has  been  impaired  for  the  last  twenty 
years  or  more.  Politically  he  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and 
has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  every  enterprise  demanding  the 
attention  of  good  citizens.  He  was  the  first  President  elected  in 
the  organization  of  the  first  temperance  society  called  the  Washing- 
tonians.  He,  in  company  with  three  others,  formed  the  society  of 
Good  Templars  in  Marble  Rock;  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace  several  years  and  was  President  of  the  School  Board  sev- 
eral years.  Dec.  23,  1844,  in  Lee  County,  111.,  he  and  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Melugin  were  united  in  marriage.  She  is  a  native  of  Tennes- 
see, and  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four.  They  have  three 
children — Alice  Adelaide  is  now  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Truax,  and  re- 
sides at  Fort  Ripley;  Eliza  Adalette  is  the  wife  of  Martin  E.  Bridg- 
man,  and  resides  in  Cass  County,  D.  T.;  Mary  T.,  single  and  resides 
at  home.  Mr.  Judd  is  a  member  of  the  Freemasons.  While  he 
was  a  resident  of  Illinois  he  was  County  Commissioner,  Town 
Treasurer  and  Constable  for  many  years,  and  Deputy  Sheriff  for  a 
term.  In  early  days  Mr.  Judd  attempted  to  rescue  two  young 
men  who  had  been  capsized  in  the  Shell  Rock  River  during  high 
water.  The  fast-rising  stream  and  floating  ice  made  it  quite 
hazardous.  The  people  on  shore  tied  ropes  to  an  Indian  canoe  and 
he  attempted  to  reach  the  young  men,  who  were  perched  upon  a 
tree  masy  rods  off.  They  were  already  nearly  perished  with  cold, 
the  day  being  cfaite  cold;  overcoming  many  difficulties  Mr.  Judd 
at  last  reached  the  spot,  but  just  before  he  made  his  landing  his 
canoe  was  swept  from  him  and  he  had  to  cling  to  a  tree  that  had 
lodged  near  by.  Here  the  three  awaited  the  assistance  of  those  on 
shore,  who,  of  course,  seemed  to  them  to  move  slow.  At  last  the 
tree  Mr.  Judd  wason  became  detached  and  moved  off.  He  told 
the  young  men  he  must  leave  them,  but  to  have  courage  and  all 
would  come  out  well.  This  was  after  dusk.  Mr.  Judd  again  had 
a  lodging  place,  one  half  mile  down  the  river.  At  last  with  boats 
all  were  rescued,  amid  considerable  excitetnent. 


1118  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

Conrad  Keister^  deceased,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1824.  He 
came  to  America  when  a  small  boy.  After  coming  to  the  United 
States  he  lived  most  of  the  timo  in  Lake  Connty,  Ind.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1861,  in  Indiana,  he  married  Mary  Waltz,  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  in  1840,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  four 
years  old.  Mr.  Keister  and  wife  came  to  this  county  in  1865  and 
bought  forty  acres,  where  she  still  resides,  about  two  and  a  quarter 
miles  east  of  Marble  Rock.  To  this  they  have  since  purchased 
forty,  making  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  Upon  this  farm  Mr.  Keister 
resided  till  his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1876.  He  was 
threshing  with  a  side  gear  machine  when  the  gearing  caught  his 
sleeve  and  front  of  his  shirt,  drawing  him  around  against  the  side 
of  the  machine,  and  finally  caught  his  left  arm  and  tore  it  from  the 
body  at  the  shoulder.  He  lived  about  six  hours.  He  left  a  family 
of  five  children.  The  oldest  is  Andrew,  who  carries  on  the  farm; 
Mary,  the  second  child,  married  James  Clark,  and  resides  in  the 
Northwest;  Anna  and  Julia  reside  at  home;  Nelly  died  at  the 
age  of  three  years,  in  1873.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Keister  the 
family  have  all  been  kept  together  and  prosperous  by  the  frugality 
and  industry  of  Mrs.  Keister.  Since  then  Mrs.  Keister  and  her  son 
have  built  a  good  house  and  have  carried  on  the  farm.  To  Mrs. 
Keister's  credit  we  are  pleased  to  say  she  has  helped  all  through 
the  harvest,  and  pitched  every  sheaf  for  stackini;,  besides  binding 
quite  an  amount.  In  1878  Mrs.  Keister  married  John  Wnlf,  who 
died  in  October,  1880,  leaving  one  child,  Ida  Wulf,  now  three  years 
of  affe. 

Charles  E.  Lamb  was  born  in  Jefterson  Countj ,  N.  Y.,  July  15, 
1843.  At  the  age  of  seven  he  left  the  State  in  company  with 
his  father.  Smith  Lamb,  and  went  to  Madison  County,  Wis.,  where 
they  remained  two  years.  From  here  Mr.  Lamb  moved  with  his 
family  to  Bureau  County,  111.  Here  they  remainfd  as  a  family  till 
1861,  when  they  moved  to  Lee  County,  where  Charles  E.  Lamb 
made  his  home  principally  till  1880,  when  he  came  to  Marble 
Rock,  this  county,  and  purchased  a  stock  of  livery  from  Philip 
Shultz,  in  which  business  we  find  him  still  engaged  and  doing 
well.  We  say  it,  not  to  the  discredit  of  any  others,  but  the  truth 
is  he  has  the  finest  lot  of  horses  we  have  seen  in  the  county,  and 
carriages  and  buggies  equal  in  quality  to  any  first-class  livery 
stock.  He  is  a  genial,  whole-souled  man,  and  with  his  live  and 
let  live  principles  has  won  for  himself  many  friends,  not  only  in 
Marble  Rock,  but  with  the  traveling  public.     Mr.  Lamb  was  mar- 


UNIOX    TOWNSHIP.  1110 

ried  in  1870  to  Miss  Jane  E.  Sliultz,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  Lave  one  child — Everett,  now  eleven  years  of  age.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

W.  D.  Lainh  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1816; 
when  very  small  moved  with  his  father,  Smith  D.  Lamb,  to  Wis- 
consin, where  the  family  remained  four  years,  and  then  moved  to 
Illinois.  Here  W.  D.  Lamb  made  his  home  till  1868,  when  he 
came  to  Marble  Rock,  Union  Township,  Floyd  County,  la.  The 
first  two  years  after  coming  he  teamed  for  J.  B.  Shepardson,  who 
was  then  in  the  dry-goods  business.  The  five  years  following  he 
ran  a  lumber  yard  for  hiin.  The  following  four  years  he  was  in 
company  with  him  in  the  stock  business,  and  spent  one  year  in 
buying  and  selling  horses  and  collecting  notes  and  accounts.  In 
August,  1881,  Mr.  Lamb  became  the  proprietor  of  the  Beelar 
House,  which  position  we  find  him  filling  with  a  competency  that 
reflects  great  ciedit.  It  is  truly  the  traveler's  home,  and  the  tired 
and  hungry  man's  favorite  resort.  In  a  word,  he  is  a  model  land- 
lord, and  is  adding  every  day  to  his  already  large  trade.  Mr. 
Lamb  was  married  in  1879,  to  Miss  Ella  S.  Wallace,  a  native  of 
Wisconsin.  They  have  one  child — William  E.,  a  bright  boy,  eleven 
years  of  age.  May  2,  1863,  Mr.  Lamb  enlisted  in  the  Seventh 
Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  served  his  country  over  two  years, 
being  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  111.,  Dec.  5,  1865;  was  under 
the  command  of  Major-General  Hatch. 

Dennis  Manchester  was  born  in  New  York  State,  Nov.  10, 1826. 
Here  he  made  his  home  till  1865,  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  landing 
at  Marble  Rock  the  day  following  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  when  a  young  man  and 
worked  at  his  trade  most  of  the  time,  though  he  farmed  a  couple  of 
years  and  worked  in  a  wagon  shop  two  years.  Many  good  evi- 
dences of  his  workmanship  can  be  found  in  Union  and  Scott  town- 
ships, while  Franklin  and  Cerro  Gordo  counties  bear  evidence  of 
him  as  a  carpenter.  Mr.  Manchester  was  married  in  New  York  in 
1857,  on  Christmas  eve,  to  Eliza  M.  Scheinerhorn.  Their  family 
consists  of  three  living  children — Theron  G.,  Essie  M.  and  Dorr. 

J.  W  Mnrt'in  was  born  in  Bennington  County,  Vti.,n  1841.  Ho 
was  the  sixth  child  of  William  W.  and  Mary  Martin,  both  natives 
of  Vermont.  Mr.  Martin  made  Vermont  his  home  till  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age,  when  in  1861  he  went  to  Strawberry  Point, 
Clayton  County,  la.  Here  he  remained  only  about  one  year, 
when  he  went,  in  company  with  some  others,  by  land,  to  Virginia 


1120  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

City,  Nev.,  where  he  spent  three  years,  most  of  the  time  engaged 
in  silver  mining.  It  being  the  year  following  the  discovery  of  the 
mines,  of  course  a  hard  class  of  citizens  gathered  before  law  and 
order  came  on  the  ground.  Upon  his  return  he  took  the  steamer 
at  San  Francisco,  and  returned  via  Nicaragua  route,landing  at  New 
York.  The  following  winter  he  spent  with  friends  in  Vermont, 
and  in  the  spring  returned  to  Clayton  County,  where  he  spent 
another  year;  at  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  went  to  Nora 
Springs,  and  remained  about  eight  months.  In  the  spring  of  1870 
he  moved  to  Marble  Rock,  where  he  has  sinco  resided.  Upon 
coming  to  Marble  Rock  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  con- 
tinued it  till  1879,  when  he  traded  his  stock  for  a  farm  in  Union 
Township.  Has  for  several  years  been  a  partner  in  a  company 
engaged  in  the  grain  business  in  Marble  Rock.  Mr.  Martin, 
when  a  young  man,  took  up  the  Republican  principles  inculcated 
by  his  father,  and  has  been  a  life-long  supporter  of  that  ticket,  and, 
though  not  an  aspirant  for  office,  always  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  live  issues  of  the  day.  Mr.  Martin  was  the  first  Mayor  of 
Marble  Rook,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
several  years.  Mr.  Martin  was  married  in  January,  1870,  in 
Dubuque,  to  Miss  Gertrude  Cragin,  a  native  of  Yermont.  They 
have  one  child — Minnie,  now  eight  years  of  age. 

W.  K.  Martin  was  born  in  Quebec,  Lower  Canada,  in  1824; 
came  to  the  United  States  when  three  years  of  age,  locating  in 
Chester  County,  Pa.,  where  his  father  purchased  a  farm.  Here  he 
resided  till  1844,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  army; 
was  first  sent  out  to  build  Fort  Atkinson, Winneshiek  County,  la., 
(then  Iowa  Territory).  After  this  event  his  company  went  to 
Corpus  Christi,  Texas;  then  went  clear  through  the  Mexican  cam- 
paign, when  he  received  three  flesh  wounds.  After  his  discharge, 
Aug.  25,  1849,  at  Fort  Brown,  Texas,  he  went  to  Allamakee 
County,  la.  There  he  bought  a  small  farm,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing till  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  which  was  in  ]876.  In  1874 
he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which  he  gave  to  his  son,  C. 
B.  Martin,  a  teacher  in  Sioux  Falls,  D.  T.  In  1876  he  bought  320 
acres,  where  he  still  resides,  on  section  33,  Union  Township.  He 
farms  about  225  acres  in  grain;  the  balance  is  in  meadow  and 
pasture.  Mr.  Martin  was  married  in  Allamakee  County,  la.,  in 
1850,  to  Miss  Temperance  Bowman,  a  native  of  Indiana.  This  was 
the  first  marriage  ever  consummated  in  Allamakee  County.  Mr. 
Martin's  family  consists  of  seven  children  living  and  two  deceased 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  1121 

— Catliarine,  married  Madison  Blue,  and  resides  in  Leon  County, 
la.;  C.  B.  Martin,  a  teacher  in  Sioux  Falls;  Mary  J.,  married 
James  E.  Miller,  a  resident  of  Union  Township;  Emma,  mirried 
Henry  Gates,  of  Union  Tovvnship,  and  died  in  1S81;  Cassie  A., 
single,  and  at  home;  W.  H.,  single,  and  in  the  livery  business  in 
Sioux  Falls;  T.  B.  and  J.  F.,  single,  and  at  home;  Carolina,  died 
at  the  age  of  ten,  in  Union  To.vnship.  Mr.  Martin  and  his  wife 
have  been  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  for  the  past 
twenty-five  years.  Mr.  Martin  certainly  has  had  an  eventful 
career,  passing  through  what  but  few  ever  live  to  see.  Has  been 
a  pioneer  all  his  life.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  wanted 
to  enlist  in  the  late  Rebellion,  but  was  rejected  on  account  of  his 
wounds.  H  id  a  commission  from  Adjutant-General  Baker,  and 
raised  and  organized  and  sent  to  the  field  throe  companies,  drill- 
ing them  three  months. 

George  Maxson  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  W.  Ya.,  near 
Clarksburg,  Nov.  20,  1811.  He  was  a  son  of  George  and 
Elizabeth  Maxson.  At  about  the  age  of  twenty-two  Mr.  Maxson 
left  that  State  and  moveJ  to  Ohio;  spent  about  twenty-five  j^ears  in 
Allen  County,  that  State,  residing  in  the  State  about  thirty  years 
altogether.  In  the  year  1868  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd 
County,  purchasing  at  the  same  time  the  farm  of  160  acres,  where 
he  still  resides,  on  section  11,  Union  Township,  two  and  one-half 
miles  northeast  of  Marble  ^Rock;  also  160  acres  in  section  14, 
where  his  son  John  F.  resides,  and  fifty-four  acres  in  St.  Charles 
Township.  This  land  he  still  owns  except^  the  fifty-four  he  sold, 
and  has  sold  to  his  sons  160  acres,  leavin^j  160  acres  of  a  home- 
stead. Mr.  Maxson  was  married  in  Allen  County,  Ohio,  in  1812, 
to  Rachel  Harbut,  a  native  of  Harrison  County,  W.  Ya.  They 
have  a  family  of  seven  children  living,  four  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters— Martha,  married  S.  K.  Sheafer,  and  resides  in  Union  Town- 
ship; Sarah,  John  T.,  George  Nelson,  Charles  H.,  Silas  and  Alice. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maxson  and  the  whole  family,  are  members  of  the 
regular  Baptist  church.  This  is  a  circumstance  we  have  not  met 
before  in  the  county,  but  it  is  certainly  worthy  of  imitation  of 
other  families,  and  reflects  great  credit  upon  the  parents  for  the 
good  example  taught  the  children.  Politically  Mr.  M  ixson  and 
his  sons  are  all  Republicans  and  substantial  Prohibitionists,  and 
temperance  men.  Mr.  Maxson  taught  school  twenty-five  terms  in 
Ohio,  and  one  term  in  School  District  No.  2,  Union  Township,  tlie 
second  winter  after  coming  to  this  county. 


1122  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

John  Mills  was  boin  in  New  Jersey,  in  1S25.  At  the  age  of 
Eeventeen  he  moved  with  his  father,  John  Mills,  Sr.,  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  made  a  stay  of  about  seven  years.  From  there  he 
came  to  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  in  1851.  He  took  a  claim  of  300 
acres  where  he  still  resides,  one  mile  and  a  half  west  of  Marble 
Rock.  He  owns  400  acres  of  Floyd  County's  best  land.  Has  his 
farm  all  under  the  best  of  improvements  and  cultivation;  it  is  all 
fenced  and  spaced  into  fields  with  board  and  wire  fencing.  About 
the  year  1864  he  built  himself  a  fine  barn.  In  the  year  1875  he 
built  the  best  house  in  the  township,  if  not  in  the  county;  it  is  30 
X  36,  two  stories  high,  ten  feet  between  floors,  containing  ten  fine 
large  rooms.  He  has  not  neglected  the  inside  of  his  house,  as  is 
sometimes  the  case,  but  has  it  furnished  entire  with  choice  furni- 
ture. His  surroundings  are  ornamented  and  beautified  with  shade 
trees  and  ornamental  shrub?,  so  that  it  presents  one  of  the  finest 
scenes  to  the  passer-by  that  can  be  met  with  in  a  month's  travel. 
When  we  take  into  consideration  the  beautiful  location  of  the  land, 
the  number  of  acres  and  quality  of  soil,  and  pleasant  residence, 
we  fearlessly  proclaim  it  one  of  the  grandest  properties  in  all  the 
Northwest.  Mr.  Mills  crops  yearly  about  180  acres  himself, 
besides  what  he  rents  out.  In  addition  to  his  extensive  farming, 
he  deals  qu'to  extensively  in  hogs  and  sheep.  Mr.  Mills  was  mar- 
ried in  Butler  County,  Feb.  19,  1857,  to  Miss  Eliza  Phillips,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  but  a  resident  of  Iowa.  They  have  a  family  of 
seven  children  living — Patience,  married  Samuel  C.  Kide,  and 
resides  in  Scott  Township;  Katie,  U.  S .  Grant,  Tilla  E.,  Truman  A., 
Asa  and  Mamie. 

Moore  cfe  Paddleford. — The  firm  of  Moore  &  Paddleford  was 
organized  Sept.  1,  1878.  Mr.  William  Moore  and  J.  F.  Paddle- 
ford purchased  of  Shepardson  Brothers  the  yard  and  lumber,  which 
amounted  to  about  250,000  feet  of  lumber,  and  300,000  shingles, 
and  100,000  of  lath.  They  have  found  the  business  rather  pleas- 
ant and  tolerably  lucrative.  They  sell  about  600  car  loads  a  year, 
10,000  feet  to  thenar,  besides  about  from  3,000  to  5,000  shingles, 
and  about  400,000  lath,  doing  a  business  of  about  $40,000  a  year. 
Mr.  Paddleford,  the  junior  partner  of  the  firm,  was  born  in  Dodge 
County,  Wis.,  in  1855.  In  1865  he  came  to  Floyd  County  with 
his  father,  Charles  Paddleford,  who  was  by  avocation  a  farmer,  and 
made  his  home  at  Nora  Springs  four  years,  when  he  moved  to  his 
farm  in  Union  Township  and  remained  till  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1874.     From  this  event  till  the  date  of  his  partnership 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1123 

with  Mr.  Moore,  J.  F.  Paddleford  was  engaged  in  carrying  on  the 
farm  and  settling  up  his  father's  estate.  On  the  4th  day  of  June, 
1878.  Mr.  J.  F.  Paddleford  met  with  an  accident  that  is  not  only 
a  life-long  sadness,  but  a  harrowing  thought  to  him  still,  as  his 
mind  reverts  to  it.  He  was  placing  a  strap  upon  a  fast-running 
wheel,  in  a  grain  elevator,  when  his  right  hand  was  caught  by  a 
projecting  set  screw  and  wound  round  the  shaft  backward,  crush- 
ing the  bones  of  the  hand  and  arm  as  it  went.  When  rescued  his 
right  arm  was  severed  from  his  body  almost  up  to  the  elbow. 
Similar  accidents  have  almost  universally  discouraged  young  men 
of  his  age,  who  have  drifted,  as  it  were,  out  to  sea.  But  he  has 
manfully  made  the  best  of  all  circumstances  and  schooledhimself 
to  write  with  his  left  hand,  having  already  a  good  business  educa- 
tion, and  we  find  him  to-day  among  the  first  business  men  of  Mar- 
ble Kock. 

W.  M.  Moore  was  born  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  11, 
1830.  He  was  a  son  of  Wm.  and  Catharine  Moore.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-five  he  went  to  Dodge  County,  Wis.,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  milling  business,  and  remained  about  twelve  years,  running 
a  saw  and  grist  mill  about  ten  years  of  the  time.  In  the  year  1867 
he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  locating  in  ]!Tora  Springs, 
wliere,  in  companj^  with  Charles  Paddleford,  he  bought  the  town 
site  of  Nora  Springs,  and  erected  the  grist  mill  which  is  still  extant 
and  in  good  order.  The  year  following  they  built  a  double  store, 
and  rented  it  to  parties  who  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business. 
Prior  to  the  erection  of  tliese  buildings  the  town  contained  only 
three  or  four  residences,  but  after  this  event  the  town  began  to  grow 
rapidly,  and  soon  became  a  lively  village,  the  railroad  soon  pass- 
ing through  the  place.  In  this  project  Messrs.  Moore  &  Paddle- 
ford were  deeply  interested,  being  among  the  chief  donators  to  the 
county.  In  1869  they  sold  the  mill,  and  Mr,  Moore  moved  to 
Marble  Rock,  where  we  find  him  a  citizen  at  this  writing.  The 
first  four  years  in  Marble  Rock  were  spent  by  him  in  the  mercan- 
tile business.  The  three  years  following  were  spent  at  Moose  Lake, 
Minn.,  in  the  manufacture  of  shingles.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time  he  returned  to  Marble  Rock  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, in  company  with  Fredric  Paddleford,  a  son  of  the  Mr.  Pad- 
dleford with  whom  he  was  in  partnership  in  Nora  Springs.  An 
account  of  their  business  will  be  found  in  this  work.  In  connec- 
tion with  the  lumber  business,  Mr.  Moore  formerly  owned  1,000 
acres  in  Floyd  County,  but  has  sold  the  most  of  it,  reserving  about 


1124  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

160  acres  adjoining  the  town  of  Marble  Ro^.  He  owns  a  beauti- 
ful town  property.  He  has  for  the  past  four  or  five  years  been 
interested  in  the  elevator  company.  Mr.  Moore  is  a  man  of  large 
business  experience,  and  his  business  career  has  had  a  decided  effect 
upon  the  town  of  Marble  Rock,  as  well  as  the  county.  He  has 
been  one  of  the  drive  wheels  of  the  business  community.  He  was 
always  ready  to  invest  his  money  wherever  it  promised  a  good  in- 
vestment for  theadvancementof  the  town  and  community.  In  a  word) 
we  may  say  Mr.  Moore  deserves  the  credit  of  being  the  prime 
mover  in  the  best  interests  of  the  pleasant  village  of  Marble  Rock, 
and  as  he  bids  the  town  good-bye,  and  takes  up  his  abode  in  California 
his  loss  will  be  deeply  felt  by  his  fellow  townsmen,  and  his  labors 
be  fully  appreciated  by  those  who  remain  behind.  Mr.  Moore  was 
married  in  New  York  State,  in  1851,  to  Christine  Harroun,  a  na- 
tive of  New  York  State.  She  died  in  1854,  leaving  no  family. 
He  married  his  second  wife,  Cynthia  Sweet,  in  1857.  They  have 
only  one  child — Charles,  now  twenty  years  of  age.  He  has  been  a 
life-long  Republican  and  is  a  sound  Prohibitionist. 

A.  Moore  was  born  in  Oswego  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1836.  About 
the  year  1838  his  parents  moved  to  Da  Page  County,  111.,  where 
they  remained  till  their  death.  At  about  the  age  of  twelve  Mr. 
Moore  commenced  to  do  for  himself,  his  parents  both  being  dead. 
When  about  nineteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Nebraska  in  company 
with  Ralph  Mathews,  where  they  took  up  a  claim,  which  they  soon 
after  released  and  returned  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Rockford  in  1856. 
In  1857  he  clerked  in  a  store  for  a  Mr.  Mathews  of  that  place,  and 
worked  some  on  his  farm.  In  1858  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in 
Rockford  Township,  which  he  afterward  farmed  for  about  four 
years,  when  he  came  to  Marble  Rock  and  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  which  he  followed  two  years,  when  he  took  J.  B. 
Shepardson  in  as  a  partner.  The  style  of  the  firm  remained 
Moore  &  Shepardson  for  two  years,  when  Mr,  Moore  bought  his 
partner's  interest,  and  has  since  been  conducting  the  business 
alone.  Besides  the  store  business  he  owns  four  cultivated  farms, 
consisting  in  all  of  320  acres,  which  he  superintends,  though 
worked  by  renters.  He  has  recently  sold  eighty  acres,  breaking  a 
nice  block  of  400  acres.  For  twelve  years  he  was  Postmaster,  and 
has  held  several  township  offices,  though  he  has  never  aspired  to 
office,  having  always  a  good  business  of  his  own  to  look  after.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Freemasons.  He  was  married 
in  Delaware  County,  Iowa,  to  Miss  Margret  Baldan,  a  native  of 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  .  1125 

Indiana.  They  have  had  eight  children,  seven  living — Jennie  E., 
Ralph  Mathews  (deceased),  Hattie  E.,  Oscar  E.,  Frank  B.,  Fred 
I.  and  Henry  Arthur.  Mr.  Moore  has  one  of  the  grandest  homes 
in  the  State.  They  have  not  neglected  the  inside  of  the  house 
through  extravagant  outside  improvements,  but  Mrs.  Moore, 
with  her  natural  ability  as  an  artist,  has  adorned  the  walls  and 
beautified  their  home. 

Henry  Neel  was  born  in  1821,  in  Greene  County,  Pa.,  on  the 
Monongahela  River.  Here  he  lived  till  he  was  about  thirteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  moved  with  his  father,  Thomas  Neel,  to  Knox 
County,  Ohio,  in  1834.  Here  he  remained  till  1849,  when  he 
moved  to  Lee  County,  111.,  and  remained  there  till  the  spring  of 
1882,  when  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  moving  upon 
the  farm  he  purchased  of  Mr.  Bucklin,  the  old  Baltimore  farm, 
March  13.  Mr.  Neel  was  married  in  1845  to  Margaret  Austin,  a 
native  of  England,  but  a  resident  of  Illinois,  where  her  father  still 
resides,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-three.  Mr.  Neel's  family 
consists  of  eight  living  children,  two  died  when  nearly  man  and 
woman  grown — Mary  Jane,  now  the  wife  of  Phil.  Shnltz,  and  a 
resident  of  Union  Township;  Martha  Ellen,  married  William 
Daers,  and  lives  in  Saline  County,  Neb.;  Sarah  Ann,  married 
Frank  Bemar,  and  resides  in  Adams  County,  this  State;  Matilda 
Nora,  married  Robert  Barr,  and  resides  also  in  Saline  County, 
Neb.;  Adel,  married  James  Barr,  a  resident  of  Union  Township; 
John  Henry,  Margaret  Elizabeth  and  Louella  are  single  and  reside 
at  home.  Mr.  Neel  has  recently  been  introduced  as  a  citizen  of  our 
county,  but  we  welcome  him  heartily,  and  feel  already  an  acquaint- 
ance through  his  representatives,  his  children,  married  and  scattered 
through  the  West  and  in  this  county.  Mr.  Neel  has  been  a  pioneer 
all  his  life.  In  Ohio  log  huts  greeted  him,  and  many  were  extant 
at  his  departure.  In  Illinois  the  broad  wild  prairie  with  wide- 
stretched  arms  offered  him  a  home.  And  now  in  this  county, 
while  in  its  infancy  as  it  were,  we  find  him  joined  liands  and 
interests  with  those  who  in  future  years  shall  be  known  and  read  of 
as  the  strong-handed  men  of  early  days. 

Mathias  N'ixt  wa^  born  in  Germany  in  1831.  He  was  a  son  of 
Paul  and  Susan  Nixt,  both  born  in  Germany.  At  about  the  age  of 
twenty-seven  Mathias  Nixt  came  to  America,  locating  in  Dubuque, 
la.,  where  he  spent  about  seven  years;  a  part  of  the  time  he  was 
in  Clayton  County.  In  1865  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County. 
The  first  two  years  he  rented  land  in  Pleasant  Grove  Township. 


1126  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

In  1864  he  and  his  brother  John  bought  160  acres  on  section  1, 
Union  Township.  Upon  this  he  moved  in  1867,  dividing  it  at 
about  the  same  date.  He  built  a  good  house  and  barn,  and  has 
changed  the  farm  from  raw  prairie  to  a  well-cultivated  place.  To 
this  first  purchase  he  has  added  different  purchases,  making  in  all 
240  acres  of  Floyd  County's  best  land.  He  has  by  his  own  exer- 
tions made  his  own  property.  He  has  wrung  from  the  hard  hand 
of  toil  an  independence  that  places  him  among  Floyd  County's 
well-to-do  and  sound  farmers.  He  was  married  in  1831  to  Margaret 
Spelis,  a  native  of  Germany.  They  have  five  children — Anna, 
John,  George,  Katie  and  Maggie,  all  of  whom  are  at  home,  excei»t 
Maggie,  who  lives  with  his  brother  John.  Mr.  Nixt  lost  his  wife 
in  1871,  and  married  Terrace  Adolph  in  1875.  They  have  a  family 
of  five  children — Lena,  Joseph,  Simon,  Nicholas  and  Mathias. 

James  0'' Hair  was  born  in  Dumfries,  Scotland,  Feb.  11,1836- 
When  a  mere  child  he  moved  with  his  father,  John  O'Hair  to  Glas- 
gow, where  the  family  remained  till  1849,  when  they  came  to 
America,  spending  the  first  four  months  in  New  York  City.  From 
there  they  went  to  Utica,  N.  Y.,  where  John  O'Hair  went  into  the 
dry-goods  business,  and  James  O'Hair  clerked  for  him  about  two 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1851  they  moved  to  Michigan,  and  bought  a 
farm,  where  they  lived  about  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time  the  family  again  moved,  this  time  to  Illinois,  near  Rockford, 
where  they  bought  a  farm,  and  made  that  their  home  only  about 
two  years,  when  James  O'Hair  and  his  father  came  to  Iowa,  and 
bought  the  Eaton  farm  in  St.  Charles  Township,  this  county,  now 
owned  by  A.  W.  Cook.  Here  the  family  made  their  home  till 
1861,  when  they  moved  to  Charles  City.  Here  James  O'Hair 
commenced  to  do  for  himself  by  engaging  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, which  avocation  he  pursued  about  five  years,  when  he  sold 
out  and  engaged  in  the  saloon  business,  at  which  he  continued 
about  two  years  in  Charles  City,  where  his  family  still  reside.  In 
1871  Mr.  O'Hair  opened  a  saloon  in  Marble  Rock,  where  he  is  still 
in  business.  Mr.  O'Hair  was  married  in  June,  1857,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Hill,  of  liockford.  111.  They  have  a  family  of  seven  children 
living — Belle,  a  school-teacher;  James,  Jr.,  also  a  school-teacher; 
Mary  Etta;  Charles,  a  barber  in  Charles  City;  Anna,  Lizzie  and 
George.  The  younger  children  and  Mary  Etta  are  attending 
school.  Mr.  O'Hair  believes  firmly  in  education,  and  has  fur- 
nished his  family  with  the  same,  so  that  they  are  abundantly  able 
to  take  care  of  themselves  as  soon  as  grown  up.      Politically  Mr. 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1127 

O'Hair  is  a  Democrat,  and  takes  a  live  interest  in  tlie  politics 
of  the  day.  His  influence  is  strong,  but  not  prevailing  in  a 
country  so  thickly  settled  with  members  of  the  opposite  party. 

A.  Palmateer  was  born  in  Andes,  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
19,  1817.  Plere  he  made  his  home  till  he  was  about  thirty-eight 
years  of  age,  principally  engaged  in  farming.  Those  were  early 
days  even  in  New  York,  and  his  school  advantages  were  very 
much  limited,  though  those  who  are  acquainted  with  Mr.  Palma- 
teer would  never  think  but  he  was  well  educated.  But  unlike 
many  men,  he  has  taken  advantage  of  every  opportunity  to  inform 
himself,  and  is  to-day|in  advance  of  many  who  started  out  with 
fine  "opportunities.  While  in  New  York  State  he  worked  in  a  saw- 
mill quite  a  good  deal,  which  required  considerable  writing  and 
figuring.  This  gave  him  quite  an  opportunity  in  the  way  of  a 
business  education.  From  New  York  State  he  moved  to  Buffalo 
Township,  Ogle  County,  111.,  where  he  resided  about  seventeen 
years.  From  there  he  came  to  Iowa  and  became  a  citizen  ot 
Floyd  County  in  1871.  On  the  15th  day  of  May,  the  same  year, 
he  bought  the 'fine  farm  of  160  acres  where  he  still  resides,  about 
two  miles  northwest  of  the  pleasant  village  of  Greene,  in  Butler 
County.  Upon  this  farm  he  has  since  lived,  and  has  indeed  a 
pleasant  home.  Mr.  Palmateer  was  married  in  Delaware  Coimty, 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  1,  1842,  to  Miss  Henrietta  McKeel.  Their  family 
consists  of  nine  children,  four  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  still 
living  —  Electa  married  O.  C.  Roberts  and  resides  in  Butler 
County,  near  Greene  ;  Emeline  married  Jacob  Potter,  and  resides 
in  Butler  County,  also  near  Greene  ;  Horace  is  married,  and 
resides  in  Kansas  ;  Salvenus,  married  and  resides  in  Todd  County, 
Minn.;  Kansom  is  married,  and  resides  in  Butler  County,  east  of 
Greene  ;  Sarah  is  the  wife  of  Leet  Buts,  who  is  farmingMr.  Palma- 
teer's  place  on  shares  ;  Eva  married  Lewis  Hart  and  resides  in 
Butler  County,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  southwest  of  Greene  ; 
Jesse  and  Mary,  the  two  youngest  children,  are  both  single  and  at 
home.  Politically  he  is  a  sound-headed,  and  life  long  Jackson 
Democrat.  Is  morally  opposed  to  all  secret  societies.  Of  Mr. 
Palmateer  we  wish  to  speak,  as  he  is  known  to  be  a  man  of  solid 
worth  and  substantial  principles ;  has  broad  and  clear  views 
upon  all  live  issue*  of  the  day,  and  is  not  afraid  to  advance  and 
defend  them.  He  was  what  might  be  called  a  pioneer  all  his  life, 
beginning  in  New  York,  through  seventeen  years  in  Illinois,  and 
the  remainder  in  Iowa. 


1128  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

John  B.  Pooley^  an  Englishman,  was  born  in  Davenport,  Dev- 
onshire, England,  Jan.  23, 1854;  his  parents'  names  were  John  and 
Marj  (Blake)  Pooley.  His  early  life  was  that  in  common  with  all 
English  working  lads,  and  when  old  enough,  longings  for  a  new 
and  free  country,  where  a  poor  man  has  equal  rights  with  a  rich. 
And  so,  in  1870,  when  in  his  seventeenth  year,  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  staid  for  eight  years  in  Rockford,  111. ;  he  moved 
to  Floyd  County  in  1878,  to  this  present  locality.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  J.  Fiddick,  her  son  marrying  his  sister, 
Rebecca  Pooley,  and  all  living  on  adjoining  farms.  A  pleasant  life 
must  be  theirs.  Mr.  Pooley  is  a-member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  of  Greene.  He  is  cropping  an  average  of  corn,  oats 
and  tame  grass,  and  we  see  no  reason  why  Mr.  Pooley  may  not 
regard  his  emigration  in  the  light  of  a  wise  and  profitable  move- 
ment upon  his  part. 

E.  A.  Rosenkrans  was  born  in  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  in  1846. 
"When  about  seven  years  of  age  he  moved  with  his  father,  Abram 
Rosenkrans,  to  Illinois,  where  E.  A.  made  his  home,  spending  the 
most  of  his  time  as  a  dry-goods  clerk.  In  the  spring  of  1869  he 
became  a  citizen  of  Floyd  County,  locating  in  Marble  Rock, where 
he  has  since  resided.  In  the  fall  of  1870  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  J.  W.  Darland  in  the  dry-goods  business.  They  continued  in 
business  eighteen  months,  when  Mr,  Rosenkrans  sold  his  interest 
in^he  stock  to  his  partner  and  bought  a  stock  of  goods  from  Will- 
iam Moore,  and  was  alone  in  the  business  about  two  years,  when 
he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  his  father,  who  had  just  come 
from  Illinois;  this  partnership  still  exists,  under  the  firm  name  of 
E.  A.  Rosenkrans  &  Co.  They  keep  a  general  store,  complete  in 
all  departments.  Mr.  E.  A.  Rosenkrans  was  married  July  12, 1870, 
to  Miss  Frankie  Bissell,  a  native  of  Ohio;  came  to  Iowa  at  an 
early  date.  They  have  two  children — Harry  and  Gracie.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican.  Though  not  an  aspirant  for  oflSce,  he  has  had 
to  serve  as  Town  Recorder  after  the  incorporation  of  the  village  of 
Marble  Rock,  and  is  at  present  Street  Commissioner.  Is  a  member 
of  the  order  of  Freemasons. 

N.  Rosenkrans  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1843.  When  about 
twelve  years  of  age  he  moved  from  that  State  to  Illinois  with  his 
father,  Abram  Rosenkrans.  Here  N.  Rosenkrans  made  his  home 
till  1869,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  locating  in  Marble 
Rock.  He  purchased,  in  Union  Township,  160  acres  of  land.  Of 
this  ^e  sold  eighty  acres,   and  bought  afterward  forty  acres,  so 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1129 

that  he  now  owns  a  farm  of  120  acres,  which  ho  fanned  till  the 
3'ear  1881,  when  he  rented  it  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Samuel 
Rex  in  the  butcher  and  meat-market  business,  in  which  avocation 
we  find  them  still  engaged.  Mr.  Rosenkrans  was  married  in 
Floyd  County  in  1870  to  Miss  Emeline  Comstock,  a  native  of  New 
York  State.  They  have  no  family  of  their  own,  but  have  an  adopted 
daughter,  Hattie,  who  is  now  eighteen  years  of  age  and  has  made 
her  home  with  them  for  the  past  ten  years. 

8.  Rex  was  born  in  Summit  County,  O.,  in  1834;  made  his 
home  with  his  father,  Rudolph  Rex,  till  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  when  he  came  to  Floyd  County,  la.,  in  the  fall  of  1856. 
He  came  into  possession  of  160  acres  of  land  through  the  gift  of  his 
father,  who  had  purchased,  in  1856,  1,200  acres  in  Union  Township, 
this  county.  This  he  exchanged  for  115  acres  near  Marble  Rock, 
which  he  still  owns  and  is  farming.  The  first  year  after  coming 
to  this  county  he  worked  for  his  father;  the  next  twenty  years  he 
was  either  a  township  or  county  officer,  holding  the  positions  of 
Constable  and  Deputy  Sheriff.  During  this  time  he  managed  his 
farm  and  carried  on  quite  a  stroke  of  agriculture  through  kind 
help.  In  185S  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  a  steam  saw-mill  in 
Marble  Rock,  and  ran  it  two  years,  when  he  sold  out,  and  turned 
his  attention  principally  to  farming,  till  the  railroad  came  through, 
when  he  bought  and  shipped  stock  two  years.  Since  then,  and,  in 
fact,  we  may  say  since  1857,  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  but 
has  coupled  with  it  various  branches  of  business.  In  November, 
1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  N.  Rosenkrans  in  a  meat 
market,  in  which  business  they  are  still  successfully  engaged.  Mr. 
Rex  was  married  in  Marble  Rock,  October,  1859,  to  Miss  Mary  J. 
Acklej',  a  native  of  New  York  State.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Mr. 
Ackley,  who  came  to  this  county  in  an  early  day.  Their  family  con- 
sists of  nine  children,  four  sons  and  five  daughters.  Politically 
Mr.  Rex  has  been  a  Republican  since  his  first  vote,  which  was  for 
John  C.  Fremont,  in  favor  of  temperance  and  approved  the 
Amendment. 

S.  K.  Shafer  was  born  in  Union  County,  O.,  in  1835.  He  was  a 
son  of  Lemmiel  and  Jane  (Kearney)  Shafer.  At  about  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  left  the  State  of  Ohio  and  went  to  Illinois,  where  he 
remained  five  years  engaged  in  farming  part  of  the  time,  and  a 
while  there  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  car- 
riages, which  trade  he  learned  in  that  State.  From  Illinois  he  went 
to  Missouri  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  made  his  home  thirteen 


1130  HISTOEY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

years.     From  thence   came   to  Iowa,  locating  in  Floyd  County, 
purchasing  the  farm  of  160  acres  where  he  still  resides,  in  Union 
Township,  on  section  23.     Upon  this  farm  he  has  made  many  im- 
provements.    He  has  turned  it  from  a  wild  prairie  to  a  pleasant 
home  and  fine  farm.     Built  himself  a  fine  house  and  has  beautified 
his  surroundings  so  that  be  has  one  of  the  finest  homes  in  the  North- 
west.    Mr.  Shafer  has  not  only  bsen  what  might  be  called  a  life- 
long pioneer,  but  has  had  his  experience  with  the  people  of  Mis- 
souri at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.     For  a  time  they  did  not  dare 
say  their  souls  were  their  own,  but  finally  the  appearance  of  sol- 
diers quieted  matters  to  some  extent,  though  fighting  bushwhackers 
was  a  matter  of  daily  occurrence.     He  has  also  had  his  experience 
on   the  plains  with  the  red  skins;    was  with  one  of  Kit  Carson's 
comrades  for  awhile.     For  about  eight  months  Mr.  Shafer  was  one 
of  the  Missouri  home  guards,  one  of  the  most  dangerous  positions 
a  man  was  ever  called  upon  to  fill.     He  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862,  in 
Company  D,  Twenty-seventh  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry;  served 
his  country  about  eight  months,  when  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent 
to  the  hospital  and  soon  afterward  discharged  on  account  of  disa- 
bility.    Mr.  Shafer  was  married  Jan.  28,  1864,  to  Miss  Clementine 
Kendell,  a  native  of  Indiana.     She  died   in  1876,   leaving    fonr 
children — John  I.,  A.  J.,  Robert  A.   and  Sarah  C,  all  residing  at 
home.     Mr.   Shafer  married  his  second  wife  in  1878,     Her  name 
was  Martha  Maxon,  a  native  of  Ohio.     They  have  two   children 
Helen  R,  and  William  H.     Mr.  Shafer  has  about  all  his  life  been 
a  member  of  the  United   Brethren  church.     His  first  wife  was  a 
member  of  the  same  church.     His  present  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church.     Mr.  Shafer  is  a  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows.    His  first  vote  was  for  James  Buchanan,  but  has  since  voted 
the  straight  Republican  ticket.     He  was  a  warm  friend  and  earnest 
supporter  of  the  author  of  this  work. 

J.  B.  Shepardsoji  was  born  in  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
4,  1830.  When  about  fourteen  years  of  age  he  moved  with  his 
father,  William  Sbepardson,  to  De  Kalb  County,  111.,  where  he 
resided  till  his  death,  which  occurred  July  24,  1882.  J.  B.  Shep- 
ardson  called  Illinois  his  home  for  about  eighteen  years,  though 
he  spent  three  or  four  years  in  the  lumber  business  in  Wisconsin; 
while  in  Illinois  he  turned  his  attention  principally  to  farming. 
For  the  past  twenty-four  years  he  has  been  identified  with  the 
interests  of  Floyd  County,  though  he  did  not  move  into  the  county 
till  1864.     The  two  years  previous  he  spent  in  Butler  County,   six 


UNION^    TOWNSHIP.  1131 

miles  south  of  Marble  Kock,  where  he  moved  in  1864,  and  is  still 
residing.  The  first  ten  years  in  this  place  were  spent  in  no  regular 
line  of  business,  though  he  to  some  extent  engaged  in  several,  and 
employed  most  of  his  time  at  something.  He  kept  store  and  hotel 
and  bought  and  sold  lands,  and  might  be  considered  a  frontier  spec- 
ulator. In  1873  he  opened  the  Marble  Rock  Bank,  which  he  is 
still  running  very  successfully.  He  is  also  extensively  interested 
in  the  grain  business.  The  lirm  of  J.  B.  Shepardson  &  Co.  have 
been  controlling  the  grain  business  of  Marble  Kock  for  the  past 
three  years.  They  handle  some  years  as  high  as  $300,000  worth 
of  grain.  In  addition  to  Mr.  Shepardson's  businesses  of  various 
cliaracters,  he  owns  about  3,000  acres  of  improved  land  that  requires 
considerable  attention.  The  land  is  situated  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Butler  and  Floyd  counties.  He  also  owns  a  grist-mill  on  Shell 
Rock  River.  Mr.  Shepardson  was  married  in  Wisconsin,  July  22, 
1860,  to  Miss  Julia  D.  Bucklen,  a  native  of  New  York  State. 
Their  family  consists  of  two  children — Helen  E.  and  William,  ages 
twelve  and  ten  respectively.  Mr.  Shepardson  has  for  the  past 
twenty-five  years  been  a  member  of  the  order  of  Freemasons.  Is 
a  sound  Republican  and  a  Prohibitionist.  Though  not  an  aspiring 
politician,  he  has  held  many  years  different  offices  of  trust;  was 
a  member  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  for  about  eight 
years;  Justice  of  the  Peace  about  four  years;  Postmaster  and 
Supervisor,  represented  the  county  in  1876-1877,  and  is  the  present 
Mayor  of  the  village  of  Marble  Rock.  It  is  with  a  great  deal  of 
frankness  that  we  speak  of  Mr.  Shepardson  as  a  philanthropist 
and  public  benefactor.  He  is  the  friend  of  the  poor  man,  and 
always  stands  ready  to  help  an  lionest  man  and  one  who  is  willing 
to  help  himself.  Mr.  Shepardson  has  hosts  of  friends  and  but  few 
enemies.  Those  who  might  be  termed  his  enemies  are  invariably 
of  that  class  who,  in  dealings  with  him,  have  either  imposed  upon 
the  rules  of  decency  in  business,  or  have  maliciously  attempted  to 
take  advantage  uf  the  leniency  extended  to  them,  through  the 
good  heartedness  of  Mr.  Shepardson. 

Isaac  Shultz  was  born  in  Columbia  County,  Pa.,  Sept.  5,  1806. 
He  is  the  youngest  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  Shultz,both  natives 
of  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Isaac  Shultz  made  Pennsylvania  his  home 
for  about  fit'ty-two  years,  spending  his  time  upon  a  farm.  In  that 
State  he  married  and  reared  his  family.  In  the  year  1868  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  Illinois,  where  they  remained  about 
69 


1132  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

twelve  years.     In  1870  he  and  bis  family  came  to  Iowa,   locating 

in  Floyd  County,  where  we   find  them   at  this  writing.     In  1872 

Mr.  Shultz  and  Miss  Mary  Margaret  Stackhouse  were  un      tein 

marriage.     She  died  in  1876,  in  this  county.     Mi-,  Shultz's  family 

consisted  of  nine  cliildrea,  only  four  of  whom  are  still  living — 

Paxton,  the  oldest  son,  is  now  fifty-five  years  of  age,  has  a  family 

of  five  children  and  resides  near  Rockford;  James,  the  second  son 

died  in  the  army  in  1863,  at  the  age  of  twenty -four  years;  Thomas 

died  in  1859,  at  the   age  of  thirty  years;    George,    now  forty -one 

years  of  age  and  resides  about  three  miles  southwest  of  Marble 

Rock,  is   a  farmer  and  has  a  family  of  tiiree  children;  Philip  is 

thirty-eight  years   of  age,    has   a   farm  in  Union    Township,  this 

county,  and  lias  a  family  of  fonr  children;   ElizHbeth,  the   oldest 

daughter,  died  in    1857,    at   about   the  age  of  twenty-seven  (she 

was  the  wife  of  IJiram   Shultz;  left  two    childien  who  are  now 

residing   in  Pennsylvania);  Jane     died   in    Illinois  in     1864,     at 

about  the  age  of  thirty-one  (she  was  the  wife  of  Jefierson  Malugin; 

left  one  child);  Adaline  died  in  this   county  in  1877,  in  the  month 

of  October,    at  the    age  of  forty-one  (she   was   the  wife  of  Jolm 

Malugin  and  left  a  family  of  iseveu    children);  Mary  Margaret   is 

now   the  wife   of  Daniel  Miller,  and   resides   in    Illinois  (she   is 

about  thirty-six   years  of  age.     They  have  seven  children.)     M:-, 

Isaac  Shulrz   married  his  second    wi'C  (Nancy   Davis),  Aug.    30, 

1877.     Mr.  Sliulrz  resides  up  tn  his  farm  of  117  acres,  two  miles 

seiuth  of  Marble  Rock,  which  he  purchased  in    1870.     Mr.  Shultz 

is  a  member  of  tlse  United  Brethren  chnrcli,  and  is  a  Republican. 

He  sent  three  sons  to  the  army — George,  James  a!id  Phillip,  who 

enlisted  at  the  opening  of  tlie  war  and  fought  like  heroes  and  staid 

their  timo  like  p  itriots.     Geoige    had  the  enls  of  three  fingers 

cut  off  with  a  rifle-ball.     Philip  went  before  he  was  oT  age,  being 

only  sixteen  years  of  age.     Mr.    S  iul"z  carried  on  his  farm   alone 

and  let. his  boys  go  and  figlit  for  the  country. 

Samuel  Sours  was  born  in  Summit  County,  O.,  Jan.  17,  1836, 
where  he  made  his  home  till  he  was  nearly  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
when  he  came  to  Iowa,  it  being  in  the  last  days  of  1856.  He 
settled  in  Marble  Rock,  Union  Township,  this  county,  and  turned 
his  attention  to  improving  and  working  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  they 
owned  across  the  creek.  Mr.  Sours  tanght  school  the  first  winter 
he  was  in  Iowa,  it  being  the  second  school  tanght  in  the  township. 
He  turned  his  attention  to  firming  principally  till  the  year  1861, 
when,  in  February,  he  enlisted   in  Company  B,  Seventh  Iowa  Vol- 


U>fION    TOWNSUIP.  1137 

but  adopted  a  orirl  in  1878,     Tier  natne  is  Minnie,  now  seven  years 
of  age.     Politically  he  is  a  llepublican. 

Henry  Wadey  was  born  in  Sussex,  Etigland,  near  Brighton, 
May  19,  1814,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  Wadey.  Tlie  first  thirty- 
eight  years  of  his  life  was  spent  in  that  country.  After  he  grew 
up  to  manhood  he  engaged  in  the  cirpenter  business,  till  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  which  was  in  the  year  1852.  He  located  first 
in  Belvidere,  111.,  for  twj  years.  In  1854  he  came  to  Floyd  County, 
and  S'jttled  upon  tlie  farm  whore  he  still  resides,  on  section  31, 
northwest  corner  of  the  township.  He  built  a  log  cabin  upon  this, 
and  turned  it  from  a  raw  prairie  to  one  of  the  good  farms  of  Floyd 
County.  He  formerly  owned  160  acres,  but  has  sold  all  but  twenty- 
eight  acres,  which  he  reserves  as  a  homestead,  and  a  pleasant  home 
it  is.  In  1862  he  built  a  fine  stone  house,  and  has  his  surround- 
ings beautified  with  nicely  arranged  trees,  etc.  Mr.  Wadey  was 
married  in  Brighton,  England,  in  181:2,  to  Adda  Woolven,  daughter 
of  William  and  Maria  Woolven.  Mrs.  Woolven  died  in  England 
many  years  ago,  and  Mr.  Woolven  accompanied  Mr.  Wadey  and 
wife  to  this  country,  and  died  about  three  years  afterward.  Mr. 
Wadey  has  no  famil}-.  Of  Mr.  Wadey  we  are  pleased  to  say  he  is 
not  only  first  among  the  people  of  the  county  in  point  of  settle- 
ment but  in  point  of  citizenship.  He  has  been  a  life-long 
Republican. 

Wm.  Wagnor  was  born  in  Centre  County,  Pa.,  in  1835.  He 
was  a  son  of  Wm.  and  Julia  Wagnor.  He  resided  in  Pennsylvania 
till  the  spring  of  1851,  when  he  went  to  Illinois,  where  lie  resided 
till  the  spring  of  1856,  at  which  date  he  came  to  Floyd  Count}', 
la.,  locating  in  Marble  Rock,  where  he  spent  about  six  years  working 
at  the  Cirpenter'^  trade  and  running  the  steam  saw-mi  11  most  of  the 
time.  After  leaving  Marble  Rjck  he  rented  land  south  of  Marble 
Rock.  In  the  spring  of  1862  he  bought  thirty  acres  which  j  )ined 
eighty  acres  Mrs.  Wagner  received  through  the  \vill  of  her 
father.  Upon  this  land  they  still  reside,  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  southwest  of  Marble  R')ck.  To  this  first  purchase  Mr.  Wag- 
ner has  added  some  land,  making  in  all  113^^  acres.  He  was  mirried 
in  tlie  fill  of  1857  to  Elizabeth  Rex.  Tiiey  have  six  children  — 
Martin  resides  in  Minnesota  and  Rilpli  is  in  Scott  Township;  Lilly, 
Ona,  Lydia  and  Ida.  Mr.  Wagijor  has  always  voted  the  Republican 
ticket. 

John  Wallace  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1818,  though  not  of  that 
nationality  by  descent.    A  story  related  of  his  grandfather's  career. 


1138  HISTOKY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

illustrating  the  circumstances  by  which  liis  birth  is  marked  in  that 
country,  is  well  worthy  of  space  here,  and  will  at  the  same  time 
show  the  noble  stock  from  which  Mr.  Wallace  sprang  :  In  1770 
his  grandfather,  "William  Wallace,  was  known  as  a  prominent  man 
in  Scotland,  whose  opinions  were  quite  adverse  to  the  English 
Government.  In  company  with  many  others  he  had  to  flee  from 
that  country  to  the  New  England  colonies  of  America.  Here  he 
became  an  active  spirit  among  the  Pilgrims,  and  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Washington  he  held  the  office  of  Major.  His 
prominence  in  Scotland  and  his  high  position  in  this  country  made 
him  quite  a  conspicuous  enemy  to  the  English  Government,  and 
he  was  branded  as  a  rebel  of  the  same,  and  his  life  was  fiercely 
sought  by  his  enemies  on  that  account.  His  property  (which  was 
quite  large)  was  confiscated,  and  his  only  son,  John  Wallace,  was 
hunted  like  a  tiger  in  the  jungles.  But  the  son  was  carefully 
secreted  by  a  maiden  aunt,  who  took  him  to  Ireland,  where  he 
grew  up  and  married  a  Highland  Scotch  woman.  Of  this  union 
was  born  John  Wallace,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  whose  life  can 
be  almost  traced  to  Scotland  instead  of  Ireland,  from  the  fact  that 
when  a  mere  infant  his  parents  moved  to  that  country.  When 
about  twelve  years  of  age,  John  Wallace,  Jr.,  came  to  the  United 
States  in  company  with  some  elder  brothers,  and  spent  the  first 
three  years  in  Suffield,  Hartford  County,  Conn.,  where  he  met 
some  of  the  grandest  people,  he  says,  that  it  has  ever  been  his 
pleasure  to  meet.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  worked  a  year 
in  a  carriage  shop  in  Newark,  N".  J.  Finding  the  work  too  heavy 
for  his  strength  he  went  to  New  York  City  and  clerked  in  a 
general  grocery  store  about  one  year.  In  1840  he  went  to  Roscoe, 
Winnebago  County,  111.,  and  remained  one  year  ;  then  worked  at 
his  trade  in  Rockford  and  Beloit  about  two  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  settled  in  Beloit,  which  place  he  made  his  home 
about  eleven  years.  During  this  time  he  was  very  prosperous,  but 
through  the  treachery  of  a  friend  lost  about  $2,000,  it  being  about 
$300  more  than  he  was  worth.  In  1856  he  came  to  Floyd  County, 
la.,  with  about  ^$5,000,  which  he  had  afterward  accumulated.  At 
this  date  he  purchased,  in  Union,  120  acres  which  he,  two  years 
afterward,  sold  at  an  advance  of  over  $1,000.  In  those  days  he 
was  one  of  the  heaviest  tax-payers  of  the  county.  But  while  he 
had  twice  proved  himself  wonderfully  efficient  as  a  money-maker, 
be,  with  many  others,  has  suffered  considerable  loss  in  land  on 
the   deceptive  fluctuations   of  immigration  and   prices,    and    the 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1139 

uncertain  tread  of  civilization.  In  Boone  County,  111.,  Mr.  Wal- 
lace was  married,  Nov.  1,  1843,  to  i^Iiss  Electa  A.  Stevens,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  sister  of  Mrs.  Elisha  Wilcox  and 
Charles  Stevens,  both  of  this  county.  Mrs.  Wallace  was  the 
mother  of  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living,  five  sons  and 
four  daughters  —  Mary  Edna,  now  the  wife  of  C.  D.  Clark; 
Electa  A.,  married  Ilezekiah  Garber  ;  Ella  Sophia,  wife  of  W.  D. 
Lamb,  the  present  popular  proprietor  of  the  Beelar  House  ;  Oren 
W.,  John  F.  W.,  Eva  E.,  Garrett  S.,  Charles  S.  and  Asaph  M. 
Of  this  large  family,  all  are  residents  of  Floyd  County  except 
Eva  E.,  who  is  attending  school  in  Matherton,  Mich.  Mrs.  Wal- 
lace died  Sept.  10,  18T6  ;  she  was  one  of  the  best  women  God  ever 
gave  to  the  sons  of  men.  Mr.  Wallace  married  his  second  wife, 
Catharine  Darland,  Oct.  J 4,  1877.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican 
of  the  Abolition  stock.  He  was  appointed  Postmaster  under  the 
administration  of  Pierce;  was  elected  County  Coroner  in  1862, 
and  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1872. 

JR.  F.  Wilke  was  born  in  Germany  in  1849,  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  parents  in  1856.  They  located  in  Madison,  Wis., 
where  E.  F.  Wilke  made  his  home  till  the  year  1870,  when  he 
went  to  Charles  City,  this  county,  and  worked  as  a  journeyman 
at  the  harness  trade  for  eight  months.  May  26,  1871,  he  became 
a  citizen  of  Marble  Rack,  where  he  engaged  in  the  harness  business 
on  his  own  capital,  continuing  in  the  same  about  eleven  years.  In 
1876  he  added  to  his  liarness  trade  a  boot  and  shoe  business,  plac- 
ing each  branch  on  opposite  sides  of  the  store.  In  this  form  he 
carried  on  business  till  the  spring  of  1882,  when  he  sold  the  harness 
department  to  Mr.  J.  Wiloth,  who  is  now  occupying  a  part  of  the 
store  with  him.  The  sales  of  this  stock  last  year  amounted  to 
about  $10,000,  and  since  Mr.  Wilke  has  turned  his  attention  to 
boots  and  shoes  alone  he  has  even  surpassed  that  amount  of  sales. 
This  year  it  will  not  run  far  from  $12,000.  His  stock  is  clean  and 
complete.  He  carries  about  thirt3'-five  different  grades  of  men's 
boots,  ten  of  boys',  and  over  eighty  different  stj'les  of  ladies'  shoes, 
besides  an  endless  variety  of  youths'  and  children's  boots  and 
shoes.  Mr.  Wilke  was  married  in  Marble  Rock  in  1874  to  Miss 
Minnie  Grant,  a  native  of  Iowa.  They  have  two  children — 
William  G.  and  Clyde,  ages  four  years  and  three  months,  respect- 
ively. Mr.  Wilke  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  1871  he 
commenced  with  a  capital  of  $500,  and  to-day  $10,000  will  hardly 
cover  his  stock  and  capital. 


1140  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

James  Welton  was  born  in  Canada  in  the  year  1846.  Here  he 
made  his  home  till  1869,  when  he  became  a  citizen  of  Floyd 
County,  by  locating  in  Charles  City.  While  in  Canada  he  turned 
his  attention  to  farming.  Before  coming  to  this  county  Mr.  Welton 
had  struck  rock  bottom,  having  only  $2  in  his  pocket.  He  spent 
the  first  year  in  Charles  City,  working  at  what  jobs  might  turn  up. 
The  year  following  he  rented  a  farm.  In  the  month  of  Septem 
ber,  1871,  he  moved,  to  Marble  Kock,  where  he  has  since  resided, 
turning  his  attention  to  farming  some,  but  might  be  more  properly 
considered  a  horseman  than  a  farmer.  Wlien  any  one  wants  a 
good  horse  among  his  acquaintances  he  wants  him  to  buy  it;  and 
it  a  horse  is  for  sale  they  go  to  him  also.  He  has  dealt  in  horses 
more  or  less  ever  since  coming  to  Marble  Rock,  and  of  late  years 
has  been  buying  and  shipping.  Last  spring  he  took  a  car-load  to 
Dakota.  In  1873  he  moved  to  a  property  of  his  own,  west  of 
town.  We  find  him  very  pleasantly  and  comfortably  situated;  his 
home  is  in  a  natural  grove  that  affords  cool  breezes  in  the  summer 
and  warmth  in  the  winter.  Mr.  Welton  was  married  in  Canada, 
Feb.  20, 1867,  to  Miss  Samantha  McDonell,  a  native  of  Canada. 
They  have  one  child — Anna  Maud,  now  fourteen  years  of  age. 

C.  E.  Wood  was  born  in  Whitehall,  Washington  County,  N. 
Y.,  Nov,  21,  1833.  Here  he  made  his  home  till  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  In  the  meantime  he  learned  the  harness  maker 
and  trimmer's  trade.  In  1854  he  went  to  De  Kalb  County,  111., 
where  he  engaged  in  farming,  remaining  nearly  six  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  time  he  became  a  citizen  of  this  county,  locating 
in  Union  Township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  farmed  for 
about  eleven  years,  when  he  engaged  as  clerk  with  Mr.  Allen 
Moore,  who  then  had  the  postoflice.  Being  with  Mr.  Moore  in 
all  about  a  year,  he  became  familiar  with  the  postoftice  business 
and  handling  the  mail,  etc.  The  year  1873  he  spent  in  the  employ 
of  Mr.  Wilke  in  the  harness-making  business.  On  the  20th  of 
July,  1874,  he  took  charge  of  the  Marble  Rock  postoflice  as 
deputy,  and  in  this  capacity  remained  about  three  years,  when, 
in  Januarj^  1878,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster.  Mr.  Wood  has 
been  identified  with  this  postoflice  longer  tlian  any  other  man. 
His  ability  as  an  accurate  business  man  and  his  attentiveness  to 
his  duties  make  In'm,  as  it  were,  an  indispensable  man  to  the 
town  and  oftice.  Mr  Wood  was  married  to  his  first  wife,  Martha 
Baily,  in  Aurora,  111.,  in  1864.  She  died  in  Marble  Rock  in  1876, 
leaving  one  child — Grant  C,  who  is  now  about  eighteen  years  0^ 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  1141 

age.  Mr.  "Wood  married  his  second  wife,  Mary  Elliott,  July  23, 
1879,  in  Cedar  Falls.  He  is  a  member  of  the  order  of  Freemasons 
and  formerly  took  an  active  part  as  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Tem- 
perance in  New  York  State,  also  in  the  Society  of  Good  Templars 
in  this  State.  Politically  Mr.  Wood  is  a  Republican,  and  always 
has  taken  an  active  part  in  politics,  though  never  an  aspirant  for 
office;  he  has  held  the  position  of  Township  Collector  three  years, 
and  Township  Clerk  for  the  past  eight  years,  which  he  occupies 
still;  is  also  Assessor  of  the  village  of  Marble  Rock. 

George  WorsHeid,  born  in  England  in  1831,  was  a  son  of  John 
and  Frances  (Bonfield)  Worsfield.  When  about  twenty-one  years 
of  age  he  came  to  Ameiica,  spending  the  first  two  years  in  Buf- 
falo, N.  Y.,  working  at  harness-making.  The  following  six  months 
he  sold  goods  on  the  road,  in  the  western  part  of  New  York.  At 
this  date  he  went  to  Belvidere  111.,  where  he  remained  two  months 
when  he  joined  his  old  friend,  Henry  Wadey,  and  came  to  Floyd 
County,  la.  His  first  purchase  was  in  1861,  being  the  farm  where 
lie  still  resides,  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Union  Town- 
ship, on  section  31.  Here  he  built  a  small  house  which  served  as  his 
home  till  1873,  when  he  built  himself  a  very  fine  house.  His  home 
is  pleasantly  located,  being  about  three  and  one-half  miles  from 
Marble  Rock,  and  five  and  one-half  from  Rockford,  and  within  a 
few  rods  of  the  railroad,  where  the  daily  passing  trains  relieve  the 
monotony  of  country  life.  Mr.  Worsfield  has  been  unable,  on  ac- 
count of  his  health  a  few  years  past,  to  carry  on  his  farm,  and  has 
let  it  out  on  shares.  He  was  married  in  1869  to  Miss  Nancy 
Baltimore,  daughter  of  A.  Baltimore,  an  interesting  sketch  of 
whose  life  appears  in  this  work.  They  have  no  family.  Mrs. 
Worsfield  died  in  1878.  He  taught  the  first  school  in  Marble 
Rock;  made  the  first  harness  ever  made  in  Flovd  County,  and  took 
the  first  in  the  county  on  single  and  double  harness,  being  ;i 
diploma,  given  by  the  Floyd  County  Agricultural  Society,  on  each 
award,  at  its  second  annual  meeting,  Sept.  19,20,  1860.  He  worked 
at  the  harness  trade  in  England  prior  to  coming  to  this  country. 
He  made  a  visit  to  England  of  about  three  months,  four  years  ago. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  Prohibitionist.  Has  held  the 
office  of  Township  Truptee  several  terms,  besides  doing  his  part  as 
School  Director  and  Road  Supervisor. 

Samuel  Ye)'rt'ck,  deceased,  was  born  in  Penntylvania  in  1813.  At 
about  the  age  of  seventeen  he  went  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  till  about 
1845,  when  he  moved  to  Illinois,  where  they  made  their  home  about 


11  42  HISTORY  OF  FLOYD  COUNTY. 

eleven  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  they  came  to  Iowa, 
locating  in  Union  Township,  this  county,  it  being  the  year  1856. 
Purchased  the  year  previous  the  farm  of  160  acres,  where  his  fam- 
ily still  resides,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  Marble 
Rock,  on  the  Nashua  Road.  In  1839  Mr.  Yerrick  and  Miss  La- 
disa  Feller,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  being  born  there  Aug.  11, 
1S19,  were  married.  Mr.  Yerrick  died  Sept.  17,  1861,  leaving  a 
family  of  eight  children — Oliver,  married  and  is  a  farmer  of  Floyd 
County;  Amelia  is  the  wife  of  William  Bedell, who  is  one  of  Floyd 
County's  farmers;  Mary,  married  William  Comstock,  residents  of 
Kansas;  Eliza,  married  Isaac  Chamberlain,  resident  of  Union 
Township;  Sophia  married  Hi?am  Bailey,  and  resides  in  Howard 
County,  la.;  Adam,  single  and  carries  on  the  home  farm;  La vin a, 
married  Frederic  Larcher  and  resides  in  Floyd  County;  Melva, 
single  and  at  home.  Mrs.  Yerrick  is  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist church. 


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