Fremont County, Iowa

Early Settlers


In preparing for the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976, the Fremont County Bicentennial Committee requested that a record of the early settlers of Fremont County be prepared. A search was made to locate valid sources of information concerning the names of the early settlers of Fremont County.

The main sources of information were an old atlas which was published in 1875, a History of Fremont County which was published in 1975, and the Sidney Argus-Herald. As additional information of interest, a list of the 57 Fremont County farms which have been in the same family for over 100 years is included as well as a list of early settlers of the late 1830s and early 1840s, and a list of families that lived on farms in 1875. It is interesting to note, that of the 523 sections in Fremont County, the map of 1875 listed only 159 sections with families living in them.

  • Earliest known Pioneers of Fremont County, 1830'S and 1840'S
    • Acord, Jacob
    • Archibold Argyle, Frederick
    • Argyle, H.
    • Beatty, J.E.
    • Belcher, G.A.
    • Blanchard, I.D.
    • Bruce, H.
    • Buckingham, T.L.
    • Cooper, John
    • Cooper, Maj. Stephen
    • Crandall, Amos
    • Cromwell, S.T.
    • Davis, Judge I.W.
    • English, R.
    • Flanagan, Richard
    • Fletcher, Jacob
    • Gaston, G.B.
    • Gaylord, E.G.
    • Gordon, John
    • Green, Manly
    • Green, N.
    • Guard, Rev. Jeremiah
    • Hardin, Richard
    • Hardy, W.R.
    • Hitchcock, Rufus
    • Holloway, Henry
    • Holloway, W.J.
    • Jones, David
    • Jones, David
    • Jones, I.S.
    • Knox, James
    • Lacy, Capt.
    • Lambert, John
    • Lovelady, Wm.
    • Martin, Samuel
    • McKinney, John
    • McKissick, C.W.
    • McKissick, Jacob
    • Redd, Garrison B.
    • Rice, James
    • Roberts, A.S.
    • Singleton, A.J.
    • Singleton, J.J.
    • Singleton, J.W.
    • Thompson, Enoch
    • Todd, Rev. John
    • Tombs, Nathaniel
    • Wade, Jefferson
    • Watkins, Robert
    • Whitehead, Capt.
    • William, Maj.
    • Williams, George
    • Withrow, Samuel
  • Ross Township
    • Name; Occupation; Origin; Year of Arrival in Iowa, Post Office (NFI=no further information)

    • Barbour, John M.; merchant; Hartford, CN; 1854; Tabor
    • Bell, John; stock farmer; Northampton, England; 1855; Tabor
    • Benton, A.M.; butcher; Sandusky Co., OH; 1870; Tabor
    • Brooks, William M.; minister/teacher; Laporte, OH; 1857; Tabor
    • Buck, H.M.; stock farmer; Rutland Co., VT; 1864; Tabor
    • Cargill, Daniel; stock farmer; Montgomery Co., NY; 1858; Tabor
    • Cargill, Maria A.; stock farmer; NY (NFI); 1858; Tabor
    • Chadwick, Geo. S.; stock farmer; Philadelphia, PA; 1855; Malvern
    • Clark, C.L.; stock farmer; Jackson Co., MI; 1860; Tabor
    • Clark, P.B.; physician and surgeon; Essex Co., VT; 1851; Tabor
    • Darling, G.W.; farmer; New York City, NY; 1857; Tabor
    • Duncan, W.A.; stock farmer; Washington Co., TN; 1844; Tabor
    • Gaston, A.C.; farmer; Lorain Co., OH; 1848; Tabor
    • Gaston, Maria C.; retired; Orange Co., VT; 1848; Tabor
    • Geer, E.B.; music teacher; Lorain Co., OH; 1870; Tabor
    • Glover, John; hotel; Burlington Co., NJ; 1867; Tabor
    • Goy, John; stock farmer; Lincolnshire, England; 1856; Tabor
    • Goy, Wm. R.; stock farmer; Lorain Co., OH; 1856; Tabor
    • Goy, Wm.; stock farmer; Lincolnshire, England; 1856; Tabor
    • Gregory, G.D.; stock farmer; Addison Co., VT; 1863; Tabor
    • Hallman, John; stock farmer; Lincolnshire, England; 1853; Tabor
    • Hardy, W.R.; stock farmer; Grayson Co., VA; 1851 Plum Hollow
    • Hill, H.M.; stock farmer; Canada; 1855; Tabor
    • Hill, L.B.; stock farmer; Huron Co., OH; 1855; Tabor
    • Houghton, Geo. S.; teacher; Middlesex Co., MA; 1873; Tabor
    • Howard, H.W.; farmer; Dover, VT; 1857; Tabor
    • Howard, J.L.; stock farmer; Dover, VT; 1857; Tabor
    • Howard, Lester; stock farmer; Dover, VT; 1857; Tabor
    • Hume, L.D.; farmer; Wayne Co., MI; 1853; Tabor
    • Hunter, J.H.; stock farmer; Columbia Co., MA; 1860; Tabor
    • Ingraham, H.D.; painter; (NFI); 1854; Tabor
    • Irwin, H.; stock farmer; Westmoreland, PA; 1854; Sidney
    • Irwin, Hannah; stock farmer; Germany; 1854; Sidney
    • Irwin, James; stock farmer; Athens Co., OH; 1854; Plum Hollow
    • Ivory, H.R.; arch’t & nt’y pub.; Norwalk, OH; 1865; Tabor
    • Jackson, Jno. W.; stock farmer; TX; 1860; Plum Hollow
    • Jones, J.E.; farmer; Windham Co., VT; 1857; Tabor
    • Leeka, David; farmer and miller; Clinton Co., OH; 1839; Plum Hollow
    • Leeka, Jno.; farmer and miller; Rockingham Co., VA; 1839; Plum Hollow
    • Leeka, Wm.; farmer and miller; Clinton Co., OH; 1839; Plum Hollow
    • Lyman, I.C.; stock farmer; Dover, VT; 1856; Tabor
    • Lyman, Mary L.; stock farmer; Cortland Co., NY; 1856; Tabor
    • Madison, Joseph; stock farmer; Wyoming Co., NY 1857; Tabor
    • McClelland, J.H.; stock farmer; Lawrence Co., IN; 1854; Tabor
    • McPherron, A.S.; teacher; Knox Co., TN; 1851; Tabor
    • Morrison, J.S.; farmer; Perry Co., PA; 1846; Tabor
    • Omer, John W.; stock farmer; Austria; 1855; Tabor
    • Osborn, Catharine; stock farmer; Wurtemburg, Germany; 1868; Tabor
    • Osborn, E.B.; stock Farmer; Fayette Co., PA; 1868; Tabor
    • Otis, Merrill; physician; Holmes Co., OH; 1864; Tabor
    • Paul, Wm.; stock farmer; Washington Co., PA; 1870; Tabor
    • Pinkerton, Mervin; physician; Steuben Co., NY; 1855; Tabor
    • Reader, H.L.; painter; Franklin Co., OH; 1870; Tabor
    • Reeves, W.H.; stock farmer; Meigs Co., OH; 1852; Sidney
    • Rhode, John; stock farmer; Wayne Co., IN; 1851; Tabor
    • Rhode, Joseph; stock farmer; Wayne County, IN; 1851; Tabor
    • Rhode, Martha; stock farmer; Shelby co., KY; 1851; Tabor
    • Richards, L. stock farmer; Wyoming Co., NC; 1870; Tabor
    • Roberts, Jas. V.; stock farmer; Logan Co., OH; 1851; Plum Hollow
    • Savage, Samuel; stock farmer; Lincolnshire, England; 1859; Tabor
    • Smith, J.L.; stock farmer; Herkimer Co., NY; 1853; Tabor
    • Stanborn, J.F.; dentist; Rockingham Co., NH; 1856; Tabor
    • Study, L.; stock farmer; Richland Co., OH; 1840; Plum Hollow
    • Todd, John; minister; Dauphin Co., PA; 1850; Tabor
    • Webb, L.E. stock farmer; Columbiana Co., OH; 1855; Tabor
    • Webster, Chas. A. merchant; Genesee Co., NY; 1854; Tabor
    • Wright, Johnson; minister and teacher; White Hall, NY; 1866; Tabor
  • Riverton Township
    • Name; Occupation; Origin; Year of Arrival in Iowa, Post Office (NFI=no further information)

    • Axtell, Isaiah; stock farmer; Allegheny Co., NY; 1867; Riverton
    • Beard, Jas. W.; postmaster; Gallatin, TN; 1846; Riverton
    • Brittelle, Orange; farmer; Whiteside Co., IL; 1868; Riverton
    • Brown, D.S.; stock farmer; Pulaski Co., KY; 1855; Farragut
    • Clark, M.W.; Riverton Hotel; Warrick Co., IN; 1871; Riverton
    • Cleaver, Jn.; physician and surgeon; Ontario, Canada; 1869; Riverton
    • Furbush, J.B.; stock farmer; Schoharie Co., NY; 1861; Sidney
    • Korns, E.F.; Riverton Advocate; Tuscarawas Co., OH; 1871; Riverton
A List of Families living on Farms in Fremont County, 1875
Scott Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Fletcher, W.H. Scott 35
Jones, J.S. Scott 20
Rector, F. Scott 15
Shank, J. Scott 25
Shirley, S. Scott 35
Woodrums, W.W. Scott 33
Young, J.J. Scott 30

Ross Township
NAMETownshipSECTION NUMBER
Bell, J. Ross 10
Buck, H.M. Ross 23
Cargill, D. Ross 11
Clark, C.L. Ross 1
Duncan, W.A. Ross 24
Gaston, A.C. Ross 10
Goy, S.W. Ross 15
Gray, J.A. Ross 31
Green, N. Ross 21
Gregory, G.D. Ross 14
Hanby, R.R. Ross 6
Hardy, W.R. Ross 27
Hattan, J. Ross 10
Hiatt, R. Ross 32
Hill, L.B. Ross 1
Howard, H.W. Ross 10
Hunter, J.H. Ross 15
Irwin, H. Ross 26
Irwin, J. Ross 35
Jones, J.E. Ross 12
Laird, H.R. Ross 26
Laird, M.I. Ross 27
Leeka, J. Ross 31
Madison, J. Ross 11
Omer, J.W. Ross 22
Otte, J.R. Ross 5
Paul, W. Ross 20
Reeves, W.H. Ross 36
Rhode, J. Ross 9
Roberts, J.V. Ross 19
Sanborn, J.E. Ross 3
Smith, J.W. Ross 4
Webb, L.E. Ross 2

Fisher Township
NAMETownship SECTION NUMBER
Groose, J.A. Fisher 21
Hood, W.A. Fisher 24
Jones, J.S. Fisher 21
Kennedy Fisher 35
Martin, J.N. Fisher 36
Perkins, G.W. Fisher 28

Locust Grove Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Couch, J.B. Locust Grove 22
Sears, C.T. Locust Grove 7
Strong, O.R. Locust Grove 30
White, E. Locust Grove 2
Yates, J. Locust Grove 15

Riverton Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Axtell, T. Riverton 9
Brittelle, O. Riverton 36
Brown, D.S. Riverton 12
Cole, G.L. Riverton 33
Furbush, J.B. Riverton 8
Marvin, R.W. Riverton 16
Oder, Rob Riverton 34
Pardee, S.B. Riverton 10
Schull, D.S. Riverton 27
Smith, C. Riverton 28
Wellington, E. Riverton 32

Madison Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Bartlett, A.J. Madison 29
Edgerton, O. Madison 23
Finnell, S. Madison 18
Greenamayer, J. Madison 13
Mauhor, W. Madison 4
Reynolds, F.M. Madison 6
Samuels, M. Madison 5
Swaggart, D.W. Madison 2
Taylor, Isaac Madison 9
Wing, O.S. Madison 23

Franklin Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Calkins, A.C. Franklin 15
Carman, C.F. Franklin 23
Cole, G.L. Franklin 28
Frazier, J. Franklin 19
Hopt, C. Franklin 24
Loveland, D. Franklin 25
Niles, H. Franklin 4
Sill, S. Franklin 26
Sipple, W.C. Franklin 10
Thiessen, A. Franklin 14
Turner, R. Franklin 18
Vancleane, S.E. Franklin 17
Wade, A.J. Franklin 24
Wade, F.P. Franklin 24

Riverside Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBERNOTES
Chadwick, G.S. Riverside 19 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Darling, G.W. Riverside 6 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Dodd, C.W. Riverside 34 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Fisher, A.G. Riverside 18 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Gray, S. Riverside 20 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Howard, L. & J. Riverside 6 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Hume, L.C. Riverside 6 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Jones, S. Riverside 27 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Lamb, G.D. Riverside 16 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
McKee, T.S. Riverside 34 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Morrison, J.L. Riverside 6 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Richards, L.C. Riverside 7 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Rood, A. Riverside 9 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Tipple, J.D. Riverside 26 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Woods, J.M. Riverside 28 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)
Workman, B. Riverside 20 (Riverside Twp. was still part of Monroe Twp. in 1875)

Monroe Township
NAMETownship SECTION NUMBER
Bennett, N. Monroe 35
Flynn, A. Monroe 36
Gwynn, G.M. Monroe 36
Hammond, A. Monroe 26
Hodge, K.J. Monroe 25
Leighty, C.H. Monroe 28
Love, Mrs. B. Monroe 23
Price, D. Monroe 26
Rankin, J.T. Monroe 19
Schaller, M. Monroe 36
Tompkins, J.N. Monroe 27
Wilson, W.H. Monroe 14

Benton Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Copeland, J. Benton SW12
Gore, W. Benton 25
Hoyt, W. Benton 31
Keyser, J.R. Benton SW12
Lambert, M. K. Benton 24
Lord, V.W. Benton W36
McFarland, A.B. Benton 17
Rogers, A. Benton 31
Royers, A. Benton 19
Stiles, A. Benton 16
Williams, S. Benton 25

Sidney Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Arms, W.D. Sidney 28
Birkby, Thomas Sidney 31
Bobbitt, A.R. Sidney 31
Cromwell, T. Sidney 36
Grose, H.H. Sidney 24
Hiatt, J. Sidney 14
Hiatt, R. Sidney 23
Hume, J.M. Sidney 31
Hunt, W.C. Sidney 32
Penn, J.N. Sidney 26
Purvis, L.G. Sidney 4
Rector, J. Sidney 31
Sandy, W.M. Sidney 28
Stephens, T.G. Sidney 22
Valentine, W. Sidney 32

Prairie Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Althouse, J.A. Prairie 35
Brandt, M. Prairie 34
Chadwick, H. Prairie 27
Chadwick, W.H. Prairie 34
Creswall, D. Prairie 34
Dodd, S.C. Prairie 4
Fichter, A.C. Prairie 3
Gammon, A.C. Prairie 1
Henderson, L.R. Prairie 18
Hutchison, W.W. Prairie 6
Lovelady, A.J. Prairie 35
Magel, Con & Charles Prairie 15
Rector, J. Prairie 31
Rumery, S.C. Prairie 3
Schaffer, H.E. Prairie 27
Smith, E. Prairie 12
Story, D.M. Prairie 31
Swearingen, G.V. Prairie 28

Walnut Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Benson, P.A. Walnut 8
Catlett, R.C. Walnut 7
Clem, J. Walnut 7
Cox, A. Walnut 26
Eggleston, U. Walnut 13
Fischer, L. Walnut 25
Fruit, J.L. Walnut 3
Goodridge, J.R. Walnut 26
Hanks, C.C. Walnut 10
Latimer, J.A. Walnut 25
Latimer, J.A. Walnut 33
McComb, J.H. Walnut 35
McGogy, J.F. Walnut 24
Miller, D.D. Walnut 32
Moody, A. Walnut 5
Park, D.M. Walnut 4
Pease, E.N. Walnut 9
Pepper, J.P. Walnut 3
Pepper, T.D. Walnut 3
Rateken, J.R. Walnut 16
Rich, A.N. Walnut 36
Rockafield, L.A. Walnut 36
Roe, A.LO. Walnut 12
Smith, M.L. Walnut 12
Snodgrass, W.H. Walnut 2
Stearns, M.C. Walnut 35
Vaughn, L.K. Walnut 6
Young, W. Walnut 6

Fisher Township
NAME Township SECTION NUMBER
Chandler, S. Fisher 18
Coleman, J.A. Fisher 8
Craig, S.H. Fisher 19
Harris, J. Fisher 12
Kaster, J.J. Fisher 9
Lester, J.B. Fisher 9
McCorn, J.H. Fisher 11
Stalemaker, (NFI) Fisher 18
Trullinger, B.W. Fisher 17
Wilson, D.P. Fisher 20

  • 1976: The 57 Farms remaining in the family over 100 years, in Fremont County:

    • Longinaker, C.W. Corporation, Randolph – 1870
    • Bateman, Lyle A. and Barbara, Farragut – 1873
    • Bell, Donald W., Tabor – 1854
    • Benson, Jessica Hume and Ambler, Dr. Carl – 1858
    • Birkby, Jerry G., Thurman – 1864
    • Blezek, Millard W., Sidney – 1868
    • Bridgford, Annabell, Sidney – 1853
    • Brooks, Myrtle Aretta, Farragut – 1872
    • Brown, Maurine K., Hamburg – 1860
    • Bryte, Cecil M., Farragut – 1860
    • Chambers, Donald E., Sidney – 1861
    • Coffman, Walter Vicon, Sidney – 1867
    • Coy, U.D., Farragut – 1867
    • Fichter, Elmer, Randolph – 1870
    • Fichter, Joseph C., Randolph – 1865
    • Greenwood, Lucille Wilson, Sidney – 1853
    • Hatten, Laurence M., Sidney – 1853
    • Hughes, Emmett J., and Helen A., Randolph – 1874
    • Hulsebus, Melvina and/or Hall, Elizabeth, Sidney – 1857
    • Kellogg, Samuel L., Percival – 1858
    • King, Clara, Percival – 1869
    • Kingsolver, John N., Farragut – 1873
    • Knoll, Mrs. Betty, Hamburg, Nebraska City – 1864
    • Laughlin, Mrs. Matt, Imogene – 1875
    • Lynn, Thomas J. and Joan M., Shenandoah – 1874
    • Lynn, Thomas J. and Joan, Shenandoah – 1871
    • Magel Brothers, Fred and Lee, Sidney – 1857
    • McGargill, Mrs. Edward J., Imogene – 1874
    • Miller, Derrill and Connie, Farragut, Glenwood – 1871
    • Monaghan, Charles, Percival – 1864
    • Nook, Frank and Vennysh, Farragut – 1874
    • Payne Valley Farms, Inc., Hamburg – 1859Pierce, C. Owen, Thurman – 1861
    • Porter, Bernard and Camille, Thurman – 1864
    • Porter, Steve Donald, Sidney – 1858
    • Rea, Pauline Schneep, Sidney – 1865
    • Reeves Farms, John Wanamaker, Hamburg, Rock Port – 1864
    • Rice Ellen, Hamburg – 1868
    • Ricketts, Ruth M. Percival – 1854
    • Scott, John Clark, Sidney – 1853
    • Scott, Ward D. and Nelva, Farragut – 1856
    • Sheldon, Don M., Percival – 1871
    • Shuman, Mrs. Exie L., Farragut, Hastings, NE – 1871
    • Simmerman, George and Pearl, Riverton – 1855
    • Smalley, Leta F. and Kenneth D., Hamburg – 1867
    • Stotts, Roy M., Sidney, Glenwood – 1873
    • Surface, Elizabeth, Sidney, Tabor – 1858
    • Teachout, Gladys I., Imogene, Shenandoah – 1876
    • Thiessen, Jack R., James E., grace L., Hamburg – 1868
    • Tompkins, Mrs. L.N. (Ethel E.), Imogene – 1868
    • Travis, Ernest M., Sidney – 1855
    • Welchans, Charles, Farragut – 1860
    • Welchans, Martin E. Estate, Farragut – 1857
    • Winkler, Clifford and Madge P., Sidney – 1866
    • Young, Howard, Farragut – 1871
    • Zuck, Arnold and Fern, Hamburg - 1870
Source: The materials were assembled by Dwight Fellows, Fremont County Superintendent of Schools, 1949-1975, and typed by Marylu (Carter) Johnson, Secretary to the Fremont County Sheriff.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Wilkins, Tabor Historical Society, December 12, 2018.

A huge Thank you to Harry Wilkins, Tabor Historical Society, for sharing this information, and Jeanne Wilkins for transcribing this to make available to IAGenWeb, Fremont County.


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