Part 4 of 7

 

TOWNSHIPS OF MITCHELL COUNTY

From HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES -- 1918

J.F. Clyde and H.A. Dwelle, Editors

 

Burr Oak & Cedar | Douglas, E. & W. Lincoln, Jenkins | Liberty & Mitchell | Newburg & Osage
Otranto & Rock | St. Ansgar & Stacyville | Union & Wayne

 

CHAPTER XVII

TOWNSHIPS OF MITCHELL COUNTY

BURR OAK - CEDAR - DOUGLAS - EAST AND WEST LINCOLN - JENKINS - LIBERTY - MITCHELL - NEWBURG - OSAGE - OTRANTO - ROCK - SAINT ANSGAR - STACYVILLE - UNION - WAYNE


 

NEWBURG TOWNSHIP

     In the second tier of townships from the northern line of Mitchell County, and directly east of Worth County, is the civil Township of Newburg, comprising a portion of congressional township 99, range 18. It has about thirty sections of land. Otranto Township is at its north, St. Ansgar on the east, Rock Township on the south and Worth County on the west. A dark, rich loam, with a mixture of sand, is what makes this township such an exceptional farming section. The two chief water courses are the Cedar River and Deer Creek. The Cedar passes along the eastern boundary of the township, while Deer Creek flows from section 6 in a southeastern direction, leaving the township from section 23. Along both of these streams were originally found growing large groves of excellent timber. Naturally the pioneer settlers cut off much of this native timber, yet a goodly amount still remains and is being well conserved by the present-day owners. Besides the native timber, there are to be seen today many beautiful artificial groves which are a cooling shade in summer time and a good windbreak in the winter months.

 

Population

     The population of this township in 1890 was 767, including the Village of Carpenter. In 1900 it was 670, and in 1910, 637.

 

Township Organization

     Newburg originally belonged to the territory of St. Ansgar Township, but in 1858, S. R. McKinley headed a petition for a division, and the formation of a new civil township. After much skirmishing about to secure a sufficient number of names, the County Court decided to make the new township, and the first election was held in Louis Snyder's store, at which place twenty-five votes were cast, and the officers elected were as follows: George McKinley, A. Erickson, and William Snyder, trustees; William Snyder, assessor; Aaron Snyder, clerk.

 

The First Settlement

     The first settlement in what is now Newburg Township was effected by a few families in 1853. These were of the Rev. C. L. Clausen Norwegian colony from Wisconsin. They entered land along the Cedar River and on Deer Creek. The names and location of many of these people will be found in the article on the Norwegian colony, elsewhere in this work.

     In 1856 the Americans commenced coming into this township. Among the first of this nationality were S. R. McKinley and W. D. Fulton. These families proved to be of much value to the struggling little colony who settled in the township before the Civil war. McKinley settled in what became the Village of Newburg; Fulton a mile or more further north. About the same time the three Snyder brothers, George McKinley and brother, Hunter, settled in the village and a little later John Revell. Henry Lubiens and his brother, E. C., had a good general store in the village, and also McKinley Brothers and Kay.

     Before 1859 there were located in the township: John and O.K. Lee, who came in 1854; E. and P. Gunderson, 1854; Andrew Erickson, 1856; and Hans Halvorson, H. Knudson, K. Kittleson, J. Helgerson and Ole O. Haugerud, who made settlement a few years later in various parts of what is now Newburg Township.

     Men who came in the '50s and at a much later date, and who have not been mentioned above, included these: N. Severson, born in Norway, in 1832, came to Wisconsin in 1852 and located in Mitchell County in 1854. His brother, Ole Severson, built the first log house in the township, and was drowned in the township in the summer of 1854. N. Severson served in the Thirteenth Iowa infantry in the Civil war. He died only a few years ago.

     George Lubiens arrived in Mitchell County in 1863, and built the first frame residence in what is Newburg Township, west of Deer Creek. He was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1840, and came with his parents to America in 1849. In 1868 he settled in this township permanently. Other members of this family were prominent in the early days of the township. David Hylden settled here in 1868. He was among the first Norwegians to locate here. M. H. Meyer, a native of Hanover, Germany, located in this township in the fall of 1869; he came here from Wisconsin.

     Henry Groner came in September, 1871. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1840. Another settler in 1871 was William Walk, born in Germany, came to America in 1853, first located in Wisconsin but later settled in this county-

 

First Events

     The first birth in Newburg Township was a daughter of Charles and Harriet (McKinley) Ferris, born in the spring of 1857.

     The first death was that of Alsen McKinley, who died January 12, 1858. The earliest marriage within the township was that uniting A. B. McKinley and Catherine Allen, July 5, 1856.

     The first sawmill in Mitchell County was built in Newburg Township by Rev. C. L. Clausen, on the east side of the Cedar River, near the place later known as Newburg Village. The first wagon bridge in the county was also in this township, across the Cedar River. It was finished December 31, 1856, Captain McKinley being the first person to cross over it. The first preacher was Rev. W. P. Holbrook, who organized nearly every early Methodist class in Mitchell County and whose name is revered by every old pioneer family. The first flour mill was owned by Holmes and Keeley; it was burned down. The schools and churches will be treated in special chapters on such topics, elsewhere in this volume (see index).

 

Villages of the Township

     This township has had two villages started in its history. The oldest was Newburg, platted and recorded in 1855 by G. W. Sowle. It was a rival of St. Ansgar and quite spirited times were had over the settlement of the two town sites, Newburg being on the west side and St. Ansgar on the east side of the Cedar River, but when the railroad was built through the county in 1869, the question was settled in favor of St. Ansgar. Newburg had at one time developed into quite a good business point. In 1856 a good hotel was erected by S. R. McKinley. Most all common branches of trade were represented, including shops and the mill. There were also schools and churches. As the years went by, one business after another was removed or went down, and many of the buildings were removed. The plat has been vacated. The unclaimed land constitutes a small part of Lyman G. McKinley's fine 500-acre farm. The schoolhouse was moved to a new site northwest of the village. The only present village of the township is Carpenter, which is situated in sections 6 and 7 of township 99, range 18. It was the result of the building of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in 1871. This company caused a village to spring into existence at once. Stores, hotel, grain warehouses, lumber yards, shops, etc., came as if by magic. A postoffice was soon established and the beer saloon also was in evidence for many years in the history of the village. Hosea Dow was the first man to operate a store, which was opened in the early spring of 1871. In the autumn of that year a large general stock was opened up by E. C. Lubiens, who was appointed postmaster and kept the office many years. In 1877 this office became a money-order office. In 1879 Carpenter was incorporated. The first election was held at the schoolhouse and those elected were: J. L. Dow, mayor; W. H. Brooks, recorder; George Fiddler, Andrew Starr, Lewis West, D. H. Somers and E. C. Lubiens, councilmen. By reference to old files and historical sketches, it is learned that in 1883 Carpenter had two general stores, one by E. C. Lubiens and one by Christian Larson; a hotel by Andrew Starr, and a creamery.

 

Carpenter in 1917

     In 1917 the population of the Village of Carpenter was 150, and its business and other interests are as follows:

Banking - Carpenter Savings Bank.
Coal Dealer - Durkee & Priem.
Grain Dealers - Farmers Elevator Company, Hunting & Co.
Hardware - Carl M. Golberg.
Meats - Joseph Seichter.
Livestock - S. F. McGillivray.
General Dealers - Alfred Stein, G. A. Hurd.
Hotel - Mrs. A. Thone.

     The Modern Woodmen of America have a lodge at this village and the Methodist Episcopal and German Lutheran denominations worship in one church building there. The postmasters at Carpenter have been as follows: William C. Frank, Robert Jensen, Mrs. M. E. Groner, Leonard Knudson, Mrs. Sarah E. Graves and Edith O. Jensen, the latter having been commissioned in January, 1917. It is a fourth-class office, with one rural route, extending to the outlying country. Its total length is about twenty-seven miles.

 

Flour Mill

     In the '60s and '70s spring wheat was the most important crop raised in this county. For that reason, the milling business was very important and a good flouring mill was a paying proposition. About April, 1865, Devillo Holmes and T. W. Keeley bought an interest in the Newburg water power and erected a fine stone flour mill on the west side of the Cedar River, opposite the sawmill. They operated the mill until the spring of 1882, when it passed into the hands of Mr. Holmes' son, Henry G. Holmes, who continued its operation until it burned in October, 1892. It appeared to do a good business until the wheat crop failed in 1878. There was a small feed mill erected on the site and operated for a couple of years, until the dam went out. It was then torn down and removed.

 

OSAGE TOWNSHIP

     Surrounding the City of Orange is the civil township of Osage, the smallest sub-division of Mitchell County. It is situated south of Mitchell Township and part of Burr Oak, is west of Burr Oak Township, north of West Lincoln and Cedar townships, and east of Mitchell and Cedar townships. It embraces about ten thousand and twenty acres in township 98, ranges 16 and 17. The topography of this portion of Mitchell County is generally rolling and toward the river is somewhat broken. The general rule is that all the available land in the township is highly cultivated and yields its annual harvests which have enriched the owners and tenants thereof.

     Along the river there is abundance of good limestone for lime and general building purposes. This was much utilized for such purposes by the early settlers. The soil is, as a rule, a rich dark loam except along the streams, where a more sandy mixture is found. The sub-soil is almost clay, which material has for years been manufactured into brick of an excellent grade. The Cedar valley skirts the western part of Osage Township and is often spoken of as one of Iowa's most charming sections. The river is a real gem -- a, pure crystal stream flowing over a lime rock bed. Beautiful scenery lies along the Cedar in and near this township. Sugar Creek flows through the township from north to south, forming a junction with the Cedar just south of the township line.

 

Population

     The population of Osage Township for the last thirty years has been as follows: In 1890 it had (including the City of Osage) 2,345; in 1900 it had 3,002; but in 1910 the United States census have it only 2,728. It has increased somewhat since that date.

 

Organization

     In the winter of 1855-56, County judge A. H. Moore ordered Osage Township set off and organized. The first election was held at the house of Benjamin C. Whitaker, the spring following. It then embraced a large scope of territory, but as years passed other townships were carved from its original territory. The city and township were named in honor of a wealthy Massachusetts capitalist, Orrin Sage, as more fully explained in the chapter on the city. (See City Charter for details.)

 

First Settlement

     The first to locate in this township were members of the Hart family who came from New York State in the years 1852 and 1853. The party consisted of L. S. Hart, Sr., L. S. Hart, Jr., Hiram, Orin, Charles and Joseph. L. S. Hart and son Orin arrived from Michigan July 5, 1852. The son claimed land in section 31, township 98, range 16, where they erected a log cabin, with a roof of prairie grass.

     In the spring of 1853, L. S. Hart, Jr. came with his family, including his mother, sister and brother. It is claimed that the Hart family was the first to make permanent settlement in what is now Mitchell County. L. S. Hart the younger built a log house of poles with the bark taken off and using bark for roofing. It had a genuine puncheon floor. His house was in section 36, town- ship 98, range 17. It was here that Maj. W. Hart was born December 13, 1853, the first white child born in the township.

     L. S. Hart Jr., was the county's first sheriff, and was elected August 7, 1854, served one year and in 1855 was re-elected and again in 1857, serving five years in all. He lived on his claim until 1870, then moved to Osage where after a long illness he died March 25, 1882. L. S. Hart Sr., made a claim in section 32, township 98, range 16, and built on the south side of Spring Grove where he died in 1869. He was an excellent farmer and a noted hunter. Orin Hart died at his father's house of congestive fever October 12, 1854, his being the first death in Mitchell County among the white settlers.

     Charles Hart settled on the southwest side of Spring Grove and remained until the time of his death in 1898. The son Charles lived at the north of the grove. Joseph Hart settled on a claim at Spring Grove, remained about seven years and moved to Kansas.

     Following the above settlers came Harlow Gray and Dr. A. H. Moore, in June, 1853. They came on foot, the families following later. The Doctor claimed 400 acres south of and partly within the present limits of Osage. Gray claimed 480 acres. He was a native of Meadville, Penn., born in 1816.

     In the winter of 1853-54 came George Colton, a single man, from Galena, Ill. He finally located in Lincoln Township.

     In the fall of 1854 came John Lewis from Illinois. He bought over four hundred and eighty acres of land in Douglas and Lincoln townships. The family arrived the following spring. He bought the George Colton and Orin Hart claims in section 31, giving the first real estate mortgage in the county. In order to have good drinking water, Mr. Lewis had to haul water from one to two miles for more than a year.

     Charles Lower, from Michigan, came about the same date; he remained on his land ten years and moved to Osage. In 1882 he was residing in Dakota.

     Joseph Lower settled on his land east of town in the summer of 1854. After a number of years he became a merchant in Osage, but later moved to California. O. E. Tripp came with Moore and Gray in 1853, settling on land now within the City of Osage.

     Another settler of 1854 was Benjamin C. Whitaker, who claimed a quarter section of land later platted as a part of Osage. He was the first treasurer and recorder of this county-elected in 1854. He was a much esteemed citizen and moved to Dakota in 1882 and died there. Four sons and two daughters are still living.

     Tyree Doran came in the winter of 1853-54, settling north of Osage at the big spring on the Mitchell road, remained a few years and removed to Minnesota.

     Theodore Wilson came from Fayette County in 1854, locating in section 1,but had lands in sections, 23, 26 and 36, township 97, range 17; also lands in range 16. He was a permanent settler and large farmer.

     William Wright came from Indiana in 1854, locating just north of the Town of Osage. Frank M. Nixon came the same year and located east of the Town of Osage. He became a prominent citizen and influential man, and is still living in Osage.

     In 1855 David and William Bacheldor came from Lyons, Iowa, with the Downs party. He located on what was later known as the Deering mill place.

     William Murray came from Nova Scotia in 1855, locating upon a farm in this township, west of the Gray place. Five years later he removed to the Town of Osage. He lost his wife and enlisted in the Union Army and after his return married again and settled at Orchard. William Fessenden came in from Illinois in 1855, settling on a farm north of the town. After fifteen years he moved to Ottumwa, where he died.

     Shortly after the coming of the settlers already mentioned William and Stephen T. Doyle, James K. Crocker, L. H. Montgomery, John Van Wye, Charles M. Owen and H. S. Grinnell came. These all became well known citizens of the county.

     Another family which should not be overlooked was that of Mrs. Mary McCurdy Nixon, with her daughters and one son. They came in the fall of 1854, settling on the west side of Spring Grove. She was a good neighbor, a true Christian and gentlewoman. She died in 1878. Mrs. A. H. Moore, Mrs. Harlow Gray, Mrs. S. W. Hastings, Mrs. Dr. Blakeslee and Mrs. Schmedes were her daughters.

     C. C. Prime settled in 1853 near Harlow Gray's place but soon moved to Mitchell.

 

Mills and Breweries

     The Rice Brothers' and Deering mills were near the border of what is now Osage Township and were usually considered as Osage mills. They have been described in the Cedar Township chapter.

     In 1856 Heckert & Strayer built a dam across the Cedar almost due west from Osage and put in a primitive sawmill there. It was operated by water power. The dam was constructed of logs and long poles covered with brush, stones and the gravel found near by. The lower part of the structure was nearly perpendicular and made of logs; the poles had their large ends built into the logs with the small ends stretching up stream and dropped as near the bottom as they would go. A nearly horizontal apron was attached to the base of the dam proper, and all timbers were fastened together and down as safely as possible. But high waters and especially those carrying huge chunks of ice played havoc with these dams all along the streams in the count . About 1858 the mill and power were sold to J. H. Brush. He put them in repair and built a good flourmill near the sawmill. This was rented to Mr. Fox and afterwards to S. J. and S. S. McKinley and did a good business. It was afterward sold to the McKinleys and about 1879 burned to the ground without insurance. Long after the fire the Osage Electric Light, Heat & Power Company bought the property, repaired the dam and used the power for lighting Osage for several years. But there was not sufficient power when the water was low. So when the dam was taken out that company built a power house in the city and the water power is not used. Theodore Wilson operated the first brewery in the county for several years on Spring Creek, southeast of Osage.

 


Transcribed by Gordon Felland, December 2001

Updated 1/6/2003