Iowa
Old Press
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
September 15, l921
OLD SETTLERS ON DAYS LONG GONE.
Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Stephens Write of The Early Days in Fremont
County.
In a letter to the Shenandoah Sentinel-Post recently in
answer to a query from the old settlers department of that paper,
Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Stephens, former residents of Sidney, now
living in St. Paul, Minnesota, write regarding a number of
interesting details of their early settlement in this section. On
September 7, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens celebrated their sixty-fifth
wedding anniversary. Mr. Stephens is 84 and Mrs. Stephens 83, yet
both are strong and healthy. They have a comfortable home in St.
Paul, where Mrs. Stephens attends to her own household duties
just as she did in her younger days. They have congenial
neighbors who drop in daily to see them and are contented in
their new home. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are planing to visit with
Sidney relatives and friends in October. One of their sons, W.S.
Stephens is the owner of Sidney's exclusive men's clothing store.
The letter follows:
Knowing so many who have contributed to the Open Forum, I just
want to add a few lines to say that we came from North
Manchester, Indiana, and left there on October 4, l856. Our
company consisted of six person, two families, namely, L.D. Story
and wife and daughter, J.F. Stephens and wife and Father
Stephens. We landed in Sidney on the evening of the 29th of
October. The weather was getting cold so we decided to stop for
the winter at least, that is, if we could find shelter for man
and beast. As we drove through in covered wagons, and had six
horses, we had camped out during the trip. We cast around and
found Mr. William Spratlen, who said that he had just bought a
farm south, three and a half miles, and that we could move in at
once if the house and stabling suited us, so we were soon located
for the winter. We found the house very cold, as it was only
weatherboarded outside, and inside lined with boards, or rather
ceiled. Overhead were joists, but no floor, and we could see
through the roof in many places. I had a new rag carpet and we
laid it over the joists instead of under our feet. We wintered
with cook stoves and burned green wood, but it was the best we
could do. This winter of 1856 was very cold. On December 1st it
rained and on the second day it froze and sleeted and on the
third day the snow commenced to fall and it continued and on the
13th was a blizzard when so many were lost in the storm. The snow
kept falling and drifting all winter. Some of the drifts were so
packed that it didn't melt all away until April 1857. However,
there was enough melting to cause a flood.During the winter
Father Stephens bought a farm joining this place on the east
where Center school house was built on the northeast corner later
on. In March we moved to this home, a log house with only one
room. On the 18th of March Father Stephens left us to go Indiana
to bring the rest of the family to Iowa. As we had decided to
make our home in Iowa D.M. Story and family came from Indiana
with Father Stephens. They drove horse and oxen and camped out.
They arrived in June, 1857, and broke prairie and built another
house that summer. We stayed sometimes with them as my husband
helped improve by hauling lumber for house and fencing from the
Missouri river. In the course of time we bought 80 acres and
improved it some, but in the spring of 1864, we bought 160 acres
east of Father Stephens. We bought this from the late Thomas
Thomson, whom many of you know, he being a resident of Shenandoah
in late years. We fenced and broke up the soil on this land as
fast as possible, but as everything had to be fenced, it was
somewhat tedious, as lumber was hauled and as I said from
Missouri river. We built a one-room log house. As we had a little
timber, we made a stable, a well and a cave and later on built a
shed and kitchen. In this way we lived ten years. During this
time Center school was built of logs, and then we began to send
our children to school. The next thing was to organize a Sunday
school. I think our first superintendent was Mr. J.B. Carter,
whom many will remember. He had moved from Indiana a short time
before this, and in later years was a resident and mayor of
Shenandoah. Well, our log school house was quite a help to the
community, as everybody was interested in the singing schools,
literary societies and spelling schools. We all were happy to
know how people were interested. Many came even from Sidney to
our entertainments. In 1874 we built a frame school house and
then for a number of years we had regular preaching, Methodist
and Baptist, and revival meetings and one Sunday there were about
40 persons baptized in the Nishna river. This was in 1883 or near
that time. These meetings were very beneficial to our community,
making for a better citizenship, good for old and young. We were
all glad to raise our children where a Christian spirit
prevailed. In 1874, we built a larger house, moved into it in
October and in June, 1875, a tornado swept it all away. All that
we saved of our belongings we hauled on a wheelbarrow. With hail,
drought, and grasshoppers, we weren't making money very fast. We
were happy, however, because our lives were spared. Our family
consisted of eleven children. Ten have been raised to manhood and
womanhood. Our oldest, Mrs. Cyrenus Palm was laid away several
years ago. Homer lives in Clarinda, W.S. in Sidney and Mrs. Piper
in Shenandoah. J.L., W.C. and Mrs. Larimore in St. Paul. We lived
on the farm 41 years, in Sidney 21 years and have been here in
St. Paul three years.
[submitted by W.F. Aug. 2003]
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THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
September 22, 1921
Van Eatons Hold Reunion
About 45 of the members of the Van Eaton family met at the city
park Sunday and enjoyed a real family reunion. Everybody brought
baskets well filled with the staff of life and they broke bread
together, some of them for the first time in many years.
Following the picnic dinner, letter from absent members of the
family who could not be present were read and there were toasts
in plenty on various subjects. In a series of reminiscences of
the early days here J. J. Van Eaton said that the family of 13
came here in 1853 and that he was the sole surviving member of
the original family which came here at that time. He told of how
the swale in the park, near where they wee eating, was at one
time a part of the old stage coach trail and other intersting
features of the settlement of the country. Ere the meeting ended,
it was decided to make the reunion an annual affair and that the
reunion next year would be held at the home of Mrs. A. J. Van
Eaton in Shenandoah. Those present at this memorable occasion
were:
G. A. Brooks and wife of Shenandoah
Harold Brooks of Shenandoah
Maxine Brooks of Shenandoah
D. Copeland and wife of Shenandoh
Jake Copeland of Shenandoah
B. F. Davis and wife of Sidney
G.T. Hatten and wife of Sidney
Mrs. Sophia Hicks of Sidney
J. P. Lowe of Ramona, Oklahoma
Miss Ada Merrifield of Sidney
F. R. Shannon and wife of Sidney
Dr. Ora O. Sharp of Sidney
C. E. Spratlen and wife of Sidney
Edgar H. Stone of Omaha
Harry Stone and wife of Malvern
Robert Stone of Malvern
Roscoe Stone of Malvern
Ira Thomas and wife of Randolph
Mrs. A. J. Van Eaton of Shenandoah
Mrs. Ella Van Eaton of Sidney
Evalina Van Eaton of Sidney
Gertrude Van Eaton of Sidney
Gwendolyn Van Eaton of Sidney
J. J. Van Eaton and wife of Glenwood
J. J. Van Eaton and wife of Sidney
Jack Van Eaton of Glenwood
Jo Dean Van Eaton of Sidney
Lucile Van Eaton of Sidney
Nellie Van Eaton of Glenwood
R. C. Van Eaton of Sidney
T. C. Van Eaton and wife of Sidney
W. W. Van Eaton and wife of Sidney
Some of those who were unable to be present sent letters to be
read at the meeting. Those who were unable to be present were:
A. J. Crose of Long Beach, California
R. B. Crose of Shawnee, Oklahoma
W. H. Crose of Santa Anna, California
E. H. Mitchell of Deshler, Nebraska
Mabel Morse and daughter Darnell of St. Paul, Minnesota
Nellie Morser of St. Paul. Minnesota
Mrs. R. S. Scofield of Newton, Iowa
Charles and Frank Van Eaton of Fort Cobb, Oklahoma
W. L. Van Eaton of Sidney
Adams - Bryte
The wedding of Miss Mildred Adams to Mr. Harold Bryte occurred
Wednesday, September 14, at Clarinda. The ceremony was read by
Rev. Stewart of the Methodist church. The wedding came as a
surprise to most of Mildred's Sidney friends who will wish her
every happiness throughout life. The groom is a son of Giles
Bryte of near Farragut and is a young and industrious farmer who
is bound to make good. The bride is the youngest daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. I. B. Adams of this city. She graduated from the Sidney
high school in the class of 1921. She was born and reared in
Sidney and is a popular girl with a large circle of friends. They
will live on a farm about two miles south of Farragut where the
good wishes of their many friends will follow them along the path
of life even to the end.
[submitted by W.F. May 2004]
------
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
September 29, 1921
Mike Laughlin
Mike Laughlin, a wealthy landowner living three miles south of
Imogene passed away at 7:30 o'clock on Tuesday, September 21,
following an illness which had extended over a year. Neuritis,
stomach trouble and complications was the cause of his death. Mr.
Laughlin was born in Zwingle, Iowa, and when called to his reward
had reached the age of 61 years. He was married to Miss Mary
Head, who still survives him. Thirty-two years ago he moved to
Imogene where he has resided ever since. Seven children were born
to this union, Leo, William, Sisters Mary Loretta, Mrs. Leo
Maher, Frank, Bernard and Loretta. Sister Mary Loretta is a
teacher at Mount Loretta in Council Bluffs and she belongs to
Mercy's. Bernard, Frank and Loretta are the children at home. A
brother and sister, Dave Laughlin and Mrs.Katherine Maher live in
Imogene. Another brother and sister, Joe Laughlin and Mrs. Ed
Sweeney, live at Zwingle, Iowa. John Laughlin, another brother,
died 26 years ago. Four of his children preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held at 9 o'clock Thursday morning at the
St. Patrick's church, conducted by Rev. Father Hayes.
W. W. Vansant
William Worth Vansant was six years old when his father died. A
year later his mother married again and made arrangements to bind
him out to an Englishman who followed farming. Not being pleased
with the idea of being a bound boy, he took his departure from
home without announcing his intentions. He became an architect of
his own fortune and builded wisely and well, became one of the
most affluent farmers in Fremont county, owning 1200 acres of
land at the time of his death. His educational advantages were
necessarily very limited so far as technical text-book knowledge
goes. For several years he had a hard time to make his way thru
the world, but his indomitable will and determined spirit enabled
him to overcome difficulties and to improve opportunities. He was
engaged in farming until 1863 when he enlisted in the 100 day
service in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the 140th
Illinois infantry with which he served for six months when he
received an honorable discharge. Mr. Vansant again enlisted and
became a member of the 102 Illinois infantry which was assigned
to duty in the army of Tennessee and thus he served under Gen
Sherman. Although engaged in a number of hotly contested battles
he sustained only light injuries. However, it was while exposed
to hardships in the army that he contracted internal injuries of
which he has complained ever since and which no doubt contributed
to hasten his death. And again being mustered out of the service
he was sent to Springfield, Illinois, where he received a second
honorable discharge. Returning to Mercer county, Mr. Vansant
entered the employ of Mr. Streator with whom he remained for one
year. He then began business on his own responsibility buying and
shipping stock and doing some teaming.
In 1867, Mr. Vansant became united in marriage to Miss Eliza
McMullen who survives him and who has walked with her husband
down thru the journey of life hand-in-hand, has been in deed and
in fact a real helpmate to him, in whose judgment he had
confidence and always consulted before transacting any unusual
business. After their marriage they purchased a small farm in
Mercer county, Illinois, and they began the struggle of life
together. Not afraid of labor, he worked earnestly to provide a
good home for his family which he alway supplied his wife and
children. His indomitable will and everlasting perseverance
enabled him to advance steadily upward to the plane of affluence.
Selling their home in Illinois in 1877 and coming to Iowa he
bought 240 acres of wild prairie land in Fremont county, Prairie
township, where he lived for 44 years, and until his death,
Wednesday September 21. A small house was the only improvement on
the farm, but he bagan at once to clear and cultivate the land
and to add other buildings needed. He managed the farm so well
that it soon became self-supporting. Not only has he devoted his
attention to the cultivation of cereals best adapted to this
climate and soil, but became an extensive and successful breeder
of and dealer in cattle and hogs. Following the foot-paths of Mr.
Vansant from his early youth to his death taking an account of
the poor boy's progress from poverty to affluency we are led to
see that he studied the philosophy of thrift and became one of
the leading farm economists of Fremont county. Not being able to
attend school and receive instruction from trained teachers he
made the objects about him his teachers and was a apt student
from observation and conversation with well informed men. Besides
his wife, ten children survive him, whose names are: Garrett,
John, Mrs. James Cowger and Mrs. Dan Kerschner who live on farms
near the home place; Henry of Loveland, Colorado; Bert of
Councill Bluffs; Grant and Arthur of Shenandoah; Mrs. Harry
Peterson of Edgar, Nebraska; and Mrs. F. H Roberts of Farragut.
He also leaves a large number of grandchildren. A sister, Mrs.
Mary Price, lives at Bellville, Kansas. Four children Horace,
Harry, LeRoy and Myrtle preceded him in death. Mr. Vansant was a
kind father and a loving husband. He always provided his home
with an abundance of all the comforts of life. He followed his
children to their own homes and assisted them in becoming thrifty
and prosperous. He was a member of the Christian church and
contributed liberally to its support. He always took a great
interest in the district public school and was one of the
foremost in contributing money out of his own pockets to assist
in securing the best teachers when the regular salary allowed by
the district was inadequate. He was a Odd Fellow and belonged at
Shenandoah and was a member of the G. A. R. post at Farragut. He
was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 30, 1847, and died at
his home five miles northwest of Farragut September 21, 1921. His
has been an eventful life of varied experience. For a number of
years, Mr. Vansant was a senior member in the seed business in
the firm of W. W. Vansant & Son at Farragut and sold seed to
farmers and gardeners over Iowa and Nebraska and other states in
the middle west. The funeral was held at 2 o'clock Friday
afternoon at the Vansant Home, conducted by Rev. D. W. Conner,
pastor of the Christian church at Farragut. The pallbearers were
men who had been neighbors of Mr. Vansant for years and included
J. M. Kingsolver, C. F. Mitchell, James Carl, William Davis,
William Warner and Thomas Barnes.
[submitted by W.F. May 2004]