'A CENTURY OF MEMORIES'
1880 - 1980 |
| Louis Joliet and father, Jacques Marquette, Frenchmen, were
the first white men to set foot on Iowa soil in 1673. In 1803, the
United States purchased the Louisiana Territory, including the present
Iowa, from France for $15,000.00. The Missouri Compromise in 1820 made the Iowa region free territory. In 1838 the territory of Iowa was established with Robert Lucas as the first governor over a population of 22,859. Iowa became the twenty-ninth state on December 28, 1846, with a population of 102,388. The County of Decatur was not officially organized until April 1, 1850 and was named for a naval hero, Samuel Decatur of the War of 1812. In July 1850, the county which is the center of the southern tier of counties in the state, was divided into four townships, and later in 1856, Samuel Forrey, county attorney, organized and named Long Creek Township, last of seven townships. Florence was settled in 1853 and on June 29, 1855 the town lots were sold at public auction. The original town contained fourteen blocks and additions have been added from time to time. The name was afterward changed to Prairie City, Prairie Villa, and Prairie Ville, and APRIL 1, 1880 to VAN WERT. |
| TO OUR PIONEERS |
 There
were gently rolling prairie, small rivers, and creeks where trees grew.
Here, too, along the streams were the hills and the bottom land. This
was the territory our pioneers settled in as described by Himena Hoffman
in her "History of Decatur County".Much has been written by our historians of the hardships our early settlers faced as they traveled to reach their new promised land. With this in mind, we will only briefly mention our pioneers and let your own imagination remember what our historians have written. The following information on our pioneers that settled in Long Creek Township was taken from the "Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, 1887". Wm. Cole, born in Tennessee, settled on Sec. 7, 1850; Geo. A. Hamilton in Ohio, Sec. 34, 1851, the third settler in Long Creek Twp.; Robert and Nancy McKee, Ohio, Sec. 17, 1856 where their son, James M. (Mattie and wife Paulona (Mahaffy), also reside, (Great grandparents of Nolan Foland). James Irving and Lambert Taylor, both on Sec. 13, 1853 or 54. Edward and Margaret J. (Materlee) Upfield, England and Michigan, Sec. 34, 1856 (Grandparents of Carl Upfield); E.P. and Martha (McKee) Woodard, Ohio, Sec. 30, 1857; Wm. and Elizabeth (Robinson) West, Ohio, Sec. 20, 1854; James and M. Louisa (Baker) Blair, Pennsylvania, Sec. 24, 1856; Stephen Strong, Sec. 35, 1855; Henry Barrickman, Maryland, Sec. 13, 1855; F.M. and Mary (McDaniel) Thompson, Ohio and Illinois, Sec. 13, 1859; E.W. and Mary (Criswell) Fierce, Ohio, Sec. 35, 1860; E.W. and Mary M. (Mcintire) Fierce, Ohio and Illinois, Sec. 34, 1860; Wm. E. and Ann (West) Fierce, Indiana and Ohio, Sec. 34, 1867; John A. Goin, first wife, Jane Haynes, second, Myra Cox, born Tennessee, Sec. 7, 1863; N.C. Spencer and second wife, Lucinda Eason, New York, Sec. 14, 1865; Peter and Mary E. (Birtt) Imhoff, Pennsylvania, Sec. 25, 1866; Elizah and Salina (Hiner) Tillotson, Sec. 24; Harrod and Mahala (Thompson) Leonard, Indiana and Illinois, Sec. 23 and 27, 1866; Umphrey Jones born 1848 in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, married Elizabeth (Parry) born in 1854 in Montgomeryshire, Sec. 13; and others. A brief summary of some of our pioneers that has been found in the History of Decatur County (Volume II) 1915, and family information. Ralph Hatfield: Ralph Hatfield settled and farmed in the Van Wert area around 1839, being one of the first voters in Decatur County. Ralph married Elizabeth Warrick and to this union four children were born: Thomas, Hannah, Sarah and Grant, Ulysses Grant Hatfield remained in the Van Wert area while the others moved to different parts of Decatur County. On September 5, 1894, Grant was united in marriage to Elizabeth Collins. To this union eleven children were born: Pearle (Schuldt), Dewey, Edith (Boles), Jessie (Lee), Merle (Davis, Alva, Nealy (Murphy), Wilbur, Burbank, Marie (Boles) and Irene (Neff). Many of the 108 direct Hatfield descendants still live in the Van Wert area, working and/or farming the land. Many remain skilled carpenters, a family tradition. These 108 direct descendants represent five generations. James and Margaret Ramsey: James and Margaret Ramsey came to Iowa in 1850. their small son, Thomas B., born in Hancock County in eastern Tennessee, April 1, 1846, came with them. James and Margaret Ramsey came to Iowa with their parents, traveling by flat boat down the Tennessee River to the Ohio River, by steamboat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to Keokuk, Iowa and from there overland to Davis County, Iowa, where they spent the winter of 1850 and 1851. In the spring of 1851, they moved to Decatur County, settling in the wilds, then roamed by Indians in the northwest part of Long Creek Township. They made their home in the unbroken country and became parents of W.A. Ramsey. Dr. Alexander, Mrs. A.J. (Becky Ann) Edwards, Mrs. J.E. (Isabell) Smith, as well as the older son, T.B. Ramsey. These children grew up in Long Creek and most had families that remained. William E. Fierce: William E. Fierce, a prominent farmer of Long Creek Township, resided in Section 34. He was born March 10, 1843, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He enlisted and served in the Civil War. In 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna West, a native of Ohio, now living in Decatur County. Their children are Charlie F., E.W., William W., Mertie, Edward, Nellie, Bertha and Dora. The mail for the surrounding neigborhood was tossed from the train and each neighbor came for his mail at the Fierce home. Mr. and Mrs. Fierce were members of the Van Wert Methodist Protestant Church. Following his death, Mrs. Fierce Moved to Van Wert and resided there until her death, May 15, 1935. E.W. Fierce was raised in Long Creek Township. He attended district schools and also the Van Wert Schools. He began farming at an early age, his work involved farming and stockraising. In November, 1899, E.W. married Anna E. Stearns. Three children were born; Arthur, Beulah and Russell. He was a member of the Republican party, and served as township trustee. He was also a member of the Methodist Church. Hon. Melbern F. Thompson: Hon. Melbern F. Thompson, although not raised in Long Creek, moved to Van Wert at the age of 32. He was involved in farming and Real Estate. Also for ten years, he was in the grain and lumber business. In 1912, he was chosen as State Representative on the Democratic ticket. Other offices he held were township clerk, town clerk, and mayor. He was a member of the Christian Church. Charles F. Fierce: Charles F. Fierce, attended the country schools in Long Creek Township. He grew up on a farm and helped with the farming. He was 20 years old when he rented some land and began farming for himself. Besides farming his own, he also farmed other people's land. His work, like his brother's, E.W. Fierce, involved farming and stockraising. On May 10, 1891, Charles was married to Margaret Barrickman. Three children were born, Helene, Gerald and Lucille. Mr. Fierce was a member of the Republican Party. He also served as township trustee. For six years, he was director of School District No. 2 of Long Creek Township. He and his family were members of the Methodist Church. Edmund J. Blair: Edmund J. Blair was raised in Long Creek Township. When he became of age, he began teaching school. He taught for 27 terms, teaching in Van Wert and Clarke County. During the summers he farmed, renting land until 1879, when he began purchasing land of his own. In addition to growing the usual crops, he raised high grade Duroc-Jersey hogs, feeding about 140 head per year. In April 1891, Mr. Blair married Magdaline Kemp. Five children were born, Harry J., Wilbur P., Arthur, Josephine and Edmund W. Mr. Blair was a Republican and also served as Justice of the Peace for Franklin Township. He served as trustee for Franklin and Long Creek Townships. He was also assessor for Franklin township. He and his family were members of the Methodist Church. Zebedee Parmer: Zebedee Parmer and his wife, Angeletta Ward, along with their six children are known to have resided in Knox township about five miles northwest of Van Wert as early as 1856. (This is according to the Iowa census.) The oldest son, Joseph Thomas Parmer, went into the Civil War from this vicinity in 1862. After the discharge of J.T. in 1865, he returned to Van Wert and married Mary Ann Guy on October 10, 1865. They were farmers. Eight children were born to this union. Elijah Burton: Elijah Burton, the oldest son of Joseph and Mary, was born in Long Creek Township November 10, 1878 and married Della Sissel of Kellerton on May 24, 1903. They had thirteen children, all born in or near Van Wert. This family was also farmers. Elijah died in 1929 and is buried in the Van Wert Cemetery. Della, at the age of 93, lives with a daughter in Hartford, Iowa. the children of Elijah and Della are: Elsie, Blanche, Clifford, Ruby, James (Otis), Violet, Harold (Bud), Howard (Glen), Lawney (Don), Betty and Della. Audra Mae died at the age of four months. Clarence (Dick) died in 1971. Both are buried in Van Wert Cemetery. At the present time the Parmers in or near Van Wert make a total of seven generations in this vicinity. George C. Redman: George C. Redman was born April 17, 1873 on a farm south of Grand River. His parents, George Redman and Louisa (Fear) Redman, both came from southwest England. When he was a small boy, the family moved to the farm where Frank Binning lives today. The old homestead is still standing on the Binning farm. George's schooling was attained at the Good Hope School. When he was thirteen, his father died, thus, his schooling was over, as he had to care for the farm and be responsible for his mother, an older sister, Cara Binning, and brothers, Bert and Ben. Around the turn of the century, he spent two years working around Big Piney, Wyoming. After his mother remarried, he and his two brothers batched, on the farm, where Roland Redman lives today. On February 17, 1905, he was married to Carrie A. Smith. They continued to live on this same farm, and raised six children, Margaret Watson, George S., Louise Perry, Harry, Viola Chastain, and Roland. Hazel Virginia died in infancy. Besides farming, George was in the cattle buying business with his brother, Ben, often taking car loads of cattle into Chicago. Around 1917 or 1918, he was en route to Chicago with cattle, when the train was wrecked, killing cattle, sheep and seven of the men. The wreck happened between Gailsburg and Chicago. They were hit in the rear by a passenger train. Frank Manley of Osceola was killed. Henry Schmitt of Van Wert and Floyd Twombley of Osceola were also passengers. Manley's body was so mangled, he was identified by cuff links and tie, which George brought home to his wife, Mattie. George and Ben were also hog buyers, having their office near the Van Wert Depot. After Ben's death in 1939, George continued the business until his death in December 1953. The family lived at their homestead until 1939, when they moved to the present Carrie Redman home. We believe that George's dad was the first to ship cattle from Delray and George was the last, as the North-South lines were done away with in 1936. Temple and Elizabeth Gibson: Elizabeth Gibson was born in North Carolina, December 27, 1816, and died in Van Wert, Iowa, April 3, 1909, aged 92. She married Temple Gibson in 1834 and moved to Indiana with other relatives in 1838. In 1854 they moved to a farm in the vicinity of what was to become Van Wert. Temple Gibson died June 22, 1896. They had nine children, most of whom died before Elizabeth's death. Her daughter, Martha Gibson, married John Gibson, a Civil War veteran. She is buried beside her husband in the Van Wert Cemetery. One of her descendants was Temple Craft, who operated a hotel in Van Wert for many years. Malona Jane Gibson (Devore, Waterman): Malona Gibson, a niece of Elizabeth Gibson, was born in 1834, and came to Van Wert with other relatives in 1854. She was married to William DeVore. Their children were: Eliza DeVore (Thompson), William DeVore, Thomas DeVore, and Elizabeth Devore (Wise). William DeVore Sr. enlisted in the Missouri Home Guard, where he was accidentally killed. Malona, who was married for a few years later to John Waterman, lived all the rest of her life in Van Wert. She died in November of 1920, at the age of 86 and is buried in Van Wert Cemetery. Francis Marion Thompson: Francis Marion Thompson was a volunteer in the Third Iowa Cavalry in the Civil War and was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. His wife was Nancy Thompson. the family home was located just southwest of the Van Wert Cemetery. Two of their children, who remained in Van Wert were Jack Thompson, who was the father of Loren Thompson and Henry Alexander Thompson. Francis Marion Thompson was also the half-brother of John Thompson and Jane Murray, life-long residents of Van Wert. He died in 1889 and is buried in Van Wert Cemetery. Henry Alexander Thompson and Eliza (DeVore) Thompson: Henry and Eliza Thompson (born in 1855) were the parents of Bessie Githens, Ray Thompson, Millie Baxter and two sons, Roy and Floyd, who died unmarried. Their daughter, Millie, was married to Joseph Baxter and had two daughters, Thelma Courtney and Hazel Green. She died February 13, 1913 at the age of 23. Her father died on the same day and they were buried side by side in Van Wert Cemetery. Eliza Thompson died September 15, 1935. Pages 1 - 7. |
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