1883 History of Lincoln Township, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa

CLARK, WILLIAMS, PENCE, MCCONNELL, GOODELL, RHODES, RICHARDSON, DUELL, UMBARGER, BOOTH, YOKOM, LAVANWAY, COBB, LOCK, KEGLEY, OSBORN, KIRK, LAW, HAMILTON, BISHOP, FRENCH, THOMPSON, HILDRETH, THOMAS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/13/2011 at 21:28:53

History of Lincoln Township
Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Lincoln township was set off from Mason and Lake townships by the board of supervisors at their June session, 1861, and now comprises congressional township 97, range 21 west. The township is well watered by Lime creek and Callamus creek. The former furnishes a good water power. Originally there was a good supply of timber along these streams, but it is fast disappearing before the ax of the settlers. There is but little wet land in this township, the greater part being a beautiful rolling prairie land, with the richest soil found in the county.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.
To Abel CLARK belongs the honor of being the pioneer of what is now Lincoln township, settling here with his family in 1854.

Ira WILLIAMS first settled on the west side of the Shell Rock river, between Rock Falls and Plymouth, from where in May, 1856, he came to Lincoln township and located on section 24.

In 1856 Gabriel PENCE, accompanied by his son, John, came to Cerro Gordo county and purchased several hundred acres of land in the northwest portion of Lincoln township. In May, 1857, Mr. PENCE, wife and seven children removed from Jackson county and settled in their new home. The oldest daughter was married and did not come to the county until 1859. Gabriel PENCE settled on section 6, and his sons, two of whom were married, located near him.

Gabriel PENCE was born April 18, 1806, in Ohio. His father, John PENCE, was the owner of a flouring and woolen mill in the State of Ohio, which property he sold and removed with his family to Indiana, where he built new mills. He operated these a number of years, and finally because of impaired health and a desire to see his family settled in life without being scattered, he sold out and went to Illinois, where he purchased a large tract of land, established his children on farms, and there resided until his death, which occurred in 1844. He was twice married and reared a large family of children.

Gabriel PENCE was trained to the vocation of his father. While in Indiana he married Nancy McCONNELL, and about 1836 emigrated to Illinois. Six years after he moved to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he purchased land and resided until 1857. In that year he came to Cerro Gordo county, and actuated by the inherited desire to preserve his family in one unbroken circle so far as possibly, he bought a large tract of land in Lincoln township, and distributing it among his children, had the satisfaction of seeing them all settled in the same neighborhood. At a surprise party given in his honor, every lineal descendant was present including children, grand-children and great-grand-children — four generations, about fifty-three in number. He died Feb. 7, 1880, and his wife followed him Oct. 11, 1882.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Gabriel and Nancy (McCONNELL) PENCE were interrred at Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln Township of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa.

Of the ten children, Mr. and Mrs. PENCE reared to maturity, seven still survive, John, Elizabeth (Mrs. George GOODELL); Hannah (Mrs. William RHODES); George, Allen W., Eliza (Mrs. B. G. RICHARDSON), and Lydia, now the wife of Benjamin DUELL.

Mr. PENCE was a man of sterling traits of character. He was a fond father, and built a substantial and permanent reputation in the township where he expended his fortune. He bore the highest character as an old-fashioned Christian gentleman.

John PENCE, his oldest surviving child, was born May 7, 1828, in Indiana. He settled in Iowa at the date named in his father's sketch, and in 1849 was married to Louisana LOCK. He settled in Cerro Gordo county in 1857, on section 6, Lincoln township, where he is the proprietor of 500 acres of land. His children are as follows — Levinna, now Mrs. UMBARGER; Nancy, now Mrs. BOOTH; Sarah, now Mrs. LAVANWAY; Charlotte, now Mrs. YOKOM; Lizzie, now Mrs. TAYLOR; Ella, now Mrs. UMBARGER; Arthur C., Rachel A., John L. and Lawrence W.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: John PENCE was born May 7, 1829 (as per cemetery transcription), and died October 5, 1923. Louisiana (LOCK) PENCE died July 11, 1906. Arthur PENCE was born August 17, 1865, and died May 27, 1896. They were interred at Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln Township, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Also interred at Lincoln Cemetery is Gabriel PENCE, son of J. & L. PENCE, died December 16, 1861.

A. W. PENCE was born April 11, 1835, in Henderson Co., Ill. He was reared on a farm and settled in Cerro Gordo county in 1857, and has since been a resident of Lincoln township, where he owns 158 acres of land. He married Caroline, daughter of J. B. COBB, of Jackson Co., Iowa. Following are the names of their children — Mary M., John E., Lincoln G., Phebe J., Cora F., Carrie A., Alice N. and Wallace S. Mr. PENCE is an adherent of the republican party, and belongs to the Church of the United Brethren. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: A. W. PENCE died January 4, 1900. Caroline (COBB) PENCE was born November 25, 1838, and died July 14, 1918. A. W. and Caroline were interred at Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, Iowa.

Lincoln G. PENCE was born October 12, 1862. His wife Lillian E. was born October 28, 1867, and died September 1, 1956. They were interred at Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln Township of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa.

George PENCE was born Oct. 14, 1832, in Indiana. In 1857 he came to Cerro Gordo county with the members of his father's family. In the fall of the same year he returned to Jackson county and was married to Susanah KEGLEY. She died Nov. 9, 1879, leaving seven children, three of whom have since followed their mother to the unseen land. Those who still survive are — Nancy, Mrs. D. A. YOKOM, Lenora, Laura and Susanah. Mr. PENCE is engaged in farming, and intersperses his agricultural labors with that of a sportsman's life. He is a republican in politics, and in religious views adopts the creed of the M.E. Church.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: George W. PENCE died March 19, 1896. Susannah (KEGLEY) and George PENCE were interred at Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln Township, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Also interred at Lincoln Cemetery is C. PENCE, (probably Cloa), daughter of G. & S. PENCE, died at age 13 years, 6 months and 20 days on December 11, 1880; Laura PENCE, daughter of G. & S. PENCE, died at age 12 years, 2 months and 1 day on December 21, 1880; Lenora E. PENCE, daughter of Geo. & S. PENCE {? District No. 7 was formed in 1875. The present school house, erected at a cost of $550, is on section 18. Alice COBB, now Mrs. Andrew BROWN, taught the first school. She had about twenty scholars enrolled.

POSTOFFICE.
Rock postoffice was established in 1863, with Gabriel PENCE as postmaster. He was succeeded by B. G. RICHARDSON, W. P. YOKUM, E. O. THOMPSON and J. H. HAZELBARGER.

CEMETERIES.
The first burying place in Lincoln township was located on the northwest quarter of section 5, and known as the OSBORN cemetery. The bodies buried there have all been moved to other grounds. The present cemetery is located on section 8. The first interment was George CLYMER, who died in 1871.

RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services held in the township was at the house of Gabriel PENCE, in 1858, by Rev. James HAWKINS, who was a Methodist clergyman; there was no class formed, however, as there were not members enough in the vicinity to warrant it. The first organized society was perfected at the house of Gabriel PENCE, in 1860, by Rev. MUSSELMAN, a United Brethren preacher. The first members were: A. W. PENCE and wife, John PENCE and wife, Richard OSBORN and wife, and Mrs. George PENCE. Meetings were held at Gabriel PENCE'S residence for nearly a year, and in the school house until 1876, when a church buildingwas erected. Rev. MUSSELMAN was succeeded by Revs. MURPHY, PRESTON, POTTER, MARTIN, KANOUSE, Lasher MORRIS, H. H. SHIELDS, HOWARD, HALL, LAUGHLIN, FULCUNER and Rev. Mr. JOHN, who was pastor in 1883.

The class in 1883 numbered about twenty-five. The society have a parsonage near the church.

The Methodists had preaching at various times, but no organized class until 1872, at which time a protracted meeting was held by Rev. MALLORY, in the school house. In 1876 they built a church edifice. In 1883 Rev. ELLIOT was the pastor in charge. The society also maintained a good Sunday school.

LINCOLN SPRINGS CREAMERY.
This branch of industry was established, in the spring of 1883, by S. H. C. CLASS and John JOHNS. It is situated on section 9, at a point where gushes out a large cold spring, forming a steady stream almost ice cold. The size of the Creamery is 18x24 feet, two and one half stories high, costing $1,250. Both butter and cheese are manufactured here under the direction of Mr. JOHNS, whose long experience has made him an expert at the art of butter and cheese making.

MILLS.
The Lincoln Mills were located on the right bank of Lime creek, which furnishes a nine foot head. These mills were built by N. C. CARPENTER, who commenced to operate them in 1879, but were not completed until 1882. In March, 1882, Mr. CARPENTER sold to J. P. and James HILL, who now operate the same under the firm name of HILL Brothers. It is run as a custom mill. This mill is 26x40 feet, besides wheel house, and is two stories high, containing three run of buhrs. The power is derived from a forty inch turbine wheel. The cost of the property was $4,500.

A WINTER NIGHT'S EXPERIENCE.
In the winter of 1 856-7 two sons of Ira WILLIAMS, Reuben and David, aged twenty and fourteen years, respectively, went over to Horace GREEN'S, a neighbors, to water his cattle. They left home about 10 a.m., and owing to the extreme cold weather, they had to go up the stream in search of another place at which to water the stock. They finally succeeded in watering them, but while doing so a violent storm arose with such fury that they could not get the cattle to return, and in their attempt they themselves were lost, and compelled to remain out all night. After wandering some time they found a small grove, in which they took shelter, and kept on the move all night to keep from freezing to death. They finally thought the storm had abated sufficiently to admit of their venturing home, but they again soon lost their way, and were also unable to return to the clump of trees, around which they had tramped so many long hours as their only refuge. David became exhausted and Reuben gave him his left hand, keeping his right one in his pocket, as he knew the one exposed would be frozen soon, and he took the precaution to save the right hand. In this manner they moved along not knowing whither they journeyed, keeping pace across the stormy prairies, until the bitter night had passed away, and the sun had made its cheerful appearance in the eastern horizon, when they found, to their utter astonishment, that they were near Mason City. They were overheard by two men, who were cutting wood and who came to their relief, taking them on into Mason City. Reuben could still walk, but David was completely exhausted. David, very naturally, was the first to receive medical attention, and thus was saved from much suffering endured by Reuben, who lost his right foot, and half of the other, also a finger on his left hand. David lost a part of his right foot and two toes from the other foot. The latter resided in Worth county in 1883, and Reuben was a resident of Minnesota.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Creamery, located in the central part of Lincoln Township, was a post office operating from 1889 to 1900.

SOURCE:
"Lincoln Township." History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo Counties, Iowa. Chapt. XXIX. Pp. 883-903. Union Pub. Co. Springfield IL. 1883.

Additional information from WPA Graves Survey and cemetery transcriptions

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2011